Life advice for the newly agnostic.
July 21, 2010 9:10 AM Subscribe
After doing pretty poorly at a four year university and having been kicked out for leaving their religion, how should I go about judging community colleges to attend?
How can I pick a good community college? I feel like I don't know anything about any of these processes. Am I missing a crucial step? Something I should know about financial aid? This whole experience is really difficult because my family is pretty heartbroken that I'm bailing on their religion.
Are there good counselors that I can talk to about this stuff?
Relevant: I live in soCal so living expenses are a huge deal here.
It's possible that I could receive free room and board in Las Vegas... so I may be looking for a great community college out there.
Anyway, this is a ramble. I'm sorry. I just need help.
How can I pick a good community college? I feel like I don't know anything about any of these processes. Am I missing a crucial step? Something I should know about financial aid? This whole experience is really difficult because my family is pretty heartbroken that I'm bailing on their religion.
Are there good counselors that I can talk to about this stuff?
Relevant: I live in soCal so living expenses are a huge deal here.
It's possible that I could receive free room and board in Las Vegas... so I may be looking for a great community college out there.
Anyway, this is a ramble. I'm sorry. I just need help.
I don't know exactly where you are, but if you are choosing community colleges based on their academic reputation Santa Monica CC may be the best in the state. That is anecdotal.
But honestly, I don't think that academic rep is really that important, what is far more crucial is will you go? Can you survive and go to school and study hard? Living in Las Vegas and receiving help may be the best way to get good grades and clean up your academic record.
posted by Duffington at 9:23 AM on July 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
But honestly, I don't think that academic rep is really that important, what is far more crucial is will you go? Can you survive and go to school and study hard? Living in Las Vegas and receiving help may be the best way to get good grades and clean up your academic record.
posted by Duffington at 9:23 AM on July 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Picking a community college: Depends on your environment. Go to the nearest community college and speak to an adviser, they'll put you on the right track. I've lived in Suburban LA, and there was usually one community college per district (or whatever they were called) and they all tailored education toward either AA/AS or transferring you into a CSU. Most, if not all, take everyone who applies, so all you have to do is fill out the application and then just go to a student adviser for guidance. Or the other way around.
Financial aid: You'll need your tax documents, and your parents if you're under 25. Complete the FAFSA.
Unless you really, really hate where you live, try not to go to community college out of state. It tends to be a waste of money to pay out-of-state tuition for that level of education. Unless, of course, Las Vegas has better residency rules that California, who require a year before giving you in-state tuition. Of course, financial aid can help here. You'll have to do your own research to find out which community colleges have dorms, but most do not and financial aid tends to not cover non-academic expenses. Free is almost entirely out of the question unless you somehow immediately become an RA or get scholarship money of some sort.
posted by griphus at 9:24 AM on July 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
Financial aid: You'll need your tax documents, and your parents if you're under 25. Complete the FAFSA.
Unless you really, really hate where you live, try not to go to community college out of state. It tends to be a waste of money to pay out-of-state tuition for that level of education. Unless, of course, Las Vegas has better residency rules that California, who require a year before giving you in-state tuition. Of course, financial aid can help here. You'll have to do your own research to find out which community colleges have dorms, but most do not and financial aid tends to not cover non-academic expenses. Free is almost entirely out of the question unless you somehow immediately become an RA or get scholarship money of some sort.
posted by griphus at 9:24 AM on July 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
Community college enrollments are at record highs right now, and bearing that in mind I think your best bet is to look at availability of offerings -- consider how likely it is you will be able to register for classes before they fill up. An advisor at the college(s) you're looking at may be able to give you an idea about this. They should also be able to give you some information about getting started with financial aid (which may mean attending an orientation or workshop). Your first step is to figure out whether the school's advising center will let you "drop in" or if you have to make an appointment.
I am not a Californian, but I do work for a community college in another state.
posted by trunk muffins at 9:26 AM on July 21, 2010
I am not a Californian, but I do work for a community college in another state.
posted by trunk muffins at 9:26 AM on July 21, 2010
What do you plan on achieving?
Are you going to a community college in order to transfer to a four year bachelor's program down the line? If so, then any community college which offers an AA degree with a transfer curriculum will do fine. Say you want to go to USC to get a BA. Go to this site and look at their transfer requirements, and call their admissions number. Ask about partnered institutions - community colleges that have programs designed to easily transfer into USC.
Do you plan on going to community college to get a technical degree or some kind of certificate program, like nursing or other? Then you need to research what you're interested in, find colleges in the area, and talk to the admissions staff at the schools you find.
Finally, how much of your 4-year program did you complete? Depending on the institution, you may be able to transfer some of the credits that you already passed to another college down the line. If your school was uber religious, or unaccredited, then this will probably not work - but don't discount your previous semesters just yet.
Memail me if you have more questions.
posted by Think_Long at 9:29 AM on July 21, 2010 [3 favorites]
Are you going to a community college in order to transfer to a four year bachelor's program down the line? If so, then any community college which offers an AA degree with a transfer curriculum will do fine. Say you want to go to USC to get a BA. Go to this site and look at their transfer requirements, and call their admissions number. Ask about partnered institutions - community colleges that have programs designed to easily transfer into USC.
Do you plan on going to community college to get a technical degree or some kind of certificate program, like nursing or other? Then you need to research what you're interested in, find colleges in the area, and talk to the admissions staff at the schools you find.
Finally, how much of your 4-year program did you complete? Depending on the institution, you may be able to transfer some of the credits that you already passed to another college down the line. If your school was uber religious, or unaccredited, then this will probably not work - but don't discount your previous semesters just yet.
Memail me if you have more questions.
posted by Think_Long at 9:29 AM on July 21, 2010 [3 favorites]
When it comes to a "good" college, a lot of it is personal. Do you like a lively, active campus, or something quieter and more studious? Are you looking for a young campus, or more people doing continuing education to bolster their careers?
The great thing about (most) community colleges is that they are cheap per unit. It'll add up over time, but nothing like a private college. Here's a list of colleges in Nevada, which lists College of Southern Nevada and Henderson College (formerly Las Vegas College). The list for California is huge, and here's a list of community colleges, by state, that lists the colleges alphabetically, so it will still take some time to sort things out.
If you can get free room and board in LV and you're OK living there, I'd say you should start with that. Get comfortable with your future plans and stress less over the financial aspect. My experiences and the experiences of friends are limited to California, but from what I've seen and heard, you'll get small classes with teachers who want to teach, instead of teachers who are lecturing to giant classes and smaller labs taught by grad students. Some university profs also teach the same material at community colleges.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:37 AM on July 21, 2010
The great thing about (most) community colleges is that they are cheap per unit. It'll add up over time, but nothing like a private college. Here's a list of colleges in Nevada, which lists College of Southern Nevada and Henderson College (formerly Las Vegas College). The list for California is huge, and here's a list of community colleges, by state, that lists the colleges alphabetically, so it will still take some time to sort things out.
If you can get free room and board in LV and you're OK living there, I'd say you should start with that. Get comfortable with your future plans and stress less over the financial aspect. My experiences and the experiences of friends are limited to California, but from what I've seen and heard, you'll get small classes with teachers who want to teach, instead of teachers who are lecturing to giant classes and smaller labs taught by grad students. Some university profs also teach the same material at community colleges.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:37 AM on July 21, 2010
(Disclaimer: I teach at a fantastic community college here in AZ.)
If quality of instruction (and the resulting reputation that goes along with that) is a factor for you, you could contact a few of the professors in the academic department of the state university and ask them the following question, or some variation:
"When students come to university to take your classes, having transferred in from one of the community colleges in the state, which students ones seem to be better prepared for your course?"
The university professors don't really have much to gain or lose, necessarily, so can perhaps give you a clear idea of the quality of instruction that they encounter in transfer students in their upper division coursework. They probably have an unspoken attitude toward some good community colleges, as well as some bad ones.
I did essentially this very thing when I was choosing where to take some refresher courses before teaching again. I met with some profs at Arizona State and asked them about the community colleges. They gave me an almost identical impression of which two were well respected and which ones to definitely avoid.
This will not only help you get a better quality of instruction at your community college, but it will also improve your pedigree (and possibilities for transfer or employment) later by having you attend the community college with the better reputation.
You can do something similar by asking folks at various community colleges which college, aside from their own, they'd recommend. That can help get an idea, but there are usually some strange political things behind the scenes between community colleges that the answers you get may be somewhat confounded.
You could certainly ask similar questions related to student life issues, too, but those were far less important for me, since I have my own home, wasn't planning on being a longer-term student, etc.
posted by darkstar at 9:37 AM on July 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
If quality of instruction (and the resulting reputation that goes along with that) is a factor for you, you could contact a few of the professors in the academic department of the state university and ask them the following question, or some variation:
"When students come to university to take your classes, having transferred in from one of the community colleges in the state, which students ones seem to be better prepared for your course?"
The university professors don't really have much to gain or lose, necessarily, so can perhaps give you a clear idea of the quality of instruction that they encounter in transfer students in their upper division coursework. They probably have an unspoken attitude toward some good community colleges, as well as some bad ones.
I did essentially this very thing when I was choosing where to take some refresher courses before teaching again. I met with some profs at Arizona State and asked them about the community colleges. They gave me an almost identical impression of which two were well respected and which ones to definitely avoid.
This will not only help you get a better quality of instruction at your community college, but it will also improve your pedigree (and possibilities for transfer or employment) later by having you attend the community college with the better reputation.
You can do something similar by asking folks at various community colleges which college, aside from their own, they'd recommend. That can help get an idea, but there are usually some strange political things behind the scenes between community colleges that the answers you get may be somewhat confounded.
You could certainly ask similar questions related to student life issues, too, but those were far less important for me, since I have my own home, wasn't planning on being a longer-term student, etc.
posted by darkstar at 9:37 AM on July 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
If you're looking to go into the film/ TV industry and you can manage to stay in SoCal, you almost definitely want Santa Monica College's film studies program, and you want to do well enough at it to get UCLA/ USC transfer acceptance.
I went there, I didn't opt for transfer although I could have, and it served me perfectly well. I work in the industry now and I'm happy with the education I got-- and you can't beat the price.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 9:39 AM on July 21, 2010
I went there, I didn't opt for transfer although I could have, and it served me perfectly well. I work in the industry now and I'm happy with the education I got-- and you can't beat the price.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 9:39 AM on July 21, 2010
If you are looking at community colleges in CA, not only is the per credit rate fantastic, but the transfer system is excellent too. Also, make sure you fill out the FAFSA. I made way too much money last year to get any government grants, but I was somewhat shocked to see that just filling out the FAFSA I was entitled to a Board of Governor's Grant, and it costs me $22 a semester to go.
posted by Zophi at 10:03 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by Zophi at 10:03 AM on July 21, 2010
Therapy has been useful to me in dealing with leaving my parents' religion. I recommend it.
posted by callmejay at 10:17 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by callmejay at 10:17 AM on July 21, 2010
Here's the secret about College: Beyond that part where people say, "WOW, you went to XXXX??!," people really don't care what college you went to. It gives you a slight edge in terms of being eye-catching, but beyond that, what employers want to know is, do you have a degree. They *might* be vaguely interested in your grades for your first couple jobs, but pretty soon it's all about what you've done since.
Find a community college that offers coursework you want, and a structure you can live with (eg class schedules, online offerings). Then do your best. That's all that really counts.
Provided they offer coursework you want, you'll probably do just fine at the nearest one.
posted by Ys at 10:19 AM on July 21, 2010
Find a community college that offers coursework you want, and a structure you can live with (eg class schedules, online offerings). Then do your best. That's all that really counts.
Provided they offer coursework you want, you'll probably do just fine at the nearest one.
posted by Ys at 10:19 AM on July 21, 2010
I attended Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA. They are number 2 in the state, in terms of transfers to UC/CSU schools. I had some really great professors there.
As others have mentioned, it's only about $26/unit. Additionally, if you are able to show you're low income, you may qualify for a fee waiver.
Best of luck!
posted by too bad you're not me at 10:21 AM on July 21, 2010
As others have mentioned, it's only about $26/unit. Additionally, if you are able to show you're low income, you may qualify for a fee waiver.
Best of luck!
posted by too bad you're not me at 10:21 AM on July 21, 2010
It gives you a slight edge in terms of being eye-catching, but beyond that, what employers want to know is, do you have a degree.
Please note: this does not apply to Ivy League schools, so if you have a chance, go.
posted by griphus at 11:10 AM on July 21, 2010
Please note: this does not apply to Ivy League schools, so if you have a chance, go.
posted by griphus at 11:10 AM on July 21, 2010
Things you need to consider before you even pick out a CC:
- How much credit have you already completed from the four-year university? If it was a religious, non-accredited university the credits might be worthless. If it is accredited, your may have enough credits that you will have a little head start.
- Residency? You need to go to Nevada now, start working, and then apply to schools there if you're thinking of leaving California. You won't be a Nevada resident until you've been living and working there for six months or more, so if you applied now you would be charged out-of-state tuition which would be significantly higher. This will also be the case for Arizona or any other state, but residency requirements vary by state.
- What major do you want to get your degree in? Which colleges will offer the best courses toward that major? Is it a major you will definitely need to transfer to complete? If you want to do bioengineering, for example, you would need to transfer to a big state research university with the lab facilities and advanced courses to get your bachelors in that, but you could get a good start at CC. Other majors or only an AA degree will not demand transfer to a big school. California has pre-set agreements between the CCs and the big state schools that make transferring clear and easy, and if you do well in CC you can get into a good UC school through the TAG program.
posted by slow graffiti at 11:13 AM on July 21, 2010
- How much credit have you already completed from the four-year university? If it was a religious, non-accredited university the credits might be worthless. If it is accredited, your may have enough credits that you will have a little head start.
- Residency? You need to go to Nevada now, start working, and then apply to schools there if you're thinking of leaving California. You won't be a Nevada resident until you've been living and working there for six months or more, so if you applied now you would be charged out-of-state tuition which would be significantly higher. This will also be the case for Arizona or any other state, but residency requirements vary by state.
- What major do you want to get your degree in? Which colleges will offer the best courses toward that major? Is it a major you will definitely need to transfer to complete? If you want to do bioengineering, for example, you would need to transfer to a big state research university with the lab facilities and advanced courses to get your bachelors in that, but you could get a good start at CC. Other majors or only an AA degree will not demand transfer to a big school. California has pre-set agreements between the CCs and the big state schools that make transferring clear and easy, and if you do well in CC you can get into a good UC school through the TAG program.
posted by slow graffiti at 11:13 AM on July 21, 2010
Go to the cafeteria of a school you're considering and ask a group of older looking students for the names of their favorite teachers. Schedule a conference with the one who comes up the most (or trust our intuition here) and ask this teacher if their college is the best one for you. The best Community College teachers are extremely dedicated to their calling and really love student. You can trust them to be honest (So long as they don't think you're some kind of a plant." Best of luck to you. There is a more mature sensibility in these schools and it could be just the place for you.
posted by Mertonian at 11:27 AM on July 21, 2010
posted by Mertonian at 11:27 AM on July 21, 2010
Continuing on the same track as Think_Long...
Another website to check out for transferring: assist.org will let you know what courses from every CC in the state transfer to what 4-year CA colleges. The system is designed to work like that. If you ever have a 4-year school in mind for after CC, check this to see how many classes transfer, especially in your areas of study. Some schools will take more than others, so this might influence your choice of school. I would assume that your private school credits probably won't transfer beyond "bulk units," (i.e. total unit count for attending a 4-year school, no credit for specific courses) so you might have to start from scratch again on that.
Other than that, I'd just drive over to the school, see how you like the vibe, people, etc.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:30 AM on July 21, 2010
Another website to check out for transferring: assist.org will let you know what courses from every CC in the state transfer to what 4-year CA colleges. The system is designed to work like that. If you ever have a 4-year school in mind for after CC, check this to see how many classes transfer, especially in your areas of study. Some schools will take more than others, so this might influence your choice of school. I would assume that your private school credits probably won't transfer beyond "bulk units," (i.e. total unit count for attending a 4-year school, no credit for specific courses) so you might have to start from scratch again on that.
Other than that, I'd just drive over to the school, see how you like the vibe, people, etc.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:30 AM on July 21, 2010
PCC has a high transfer rate into state schools. You mention Vegas, but I imagine you would be considered "out of state" and would pay a higher tuition.
I know the local community colleges, and public colleges, seem a bit "stressed" here because of the economy. I know many students that have trouble getting the classes they need at community colleges, and some four year colleges around here (So. CA). Some of them have sat out a semester while waiting.
It wouldn't hurt to get info. about the community colleges in Las Vegas to see if the situation there is better.
I left my parents religion. It was hard on my family, but very liberating for me. Best to you!
posted by 6:1 at 1:38 PM on July 21, 2010
I know the local community colleges, and public colleges, seem a bit "stressed" here because of the economy. I know many students that have trouble getting the classes they need at community colleges, and some four year colleges around here (So. CA). Some of them have sat out a semester while waiting.
It wouldn't hurt to get info. about the community colleges in Las Vegas to see if the situation there is better.
I left my parents religion. It was hard on my family, but very liberating for me. Best to you!
posted by 6:1 at 1:38 PM on July 21, 2010
Yeah, PCC is supposed to be a very good community college, if you're anywhere near / can move near Pasadena.
posted by wildcrdj at 3:03 PM on July 21, 2010
posted by wildcrdj at 3:03 PM on July 21, 2010
Southern California, and you don't know how to handle the public school system. Let me guess, Seventh-day Adventist, right? If you want commiseration, my email's in my profile.
Community colleges can be fantastic. You've already gotten some good advice. Start with filling out your FAFSA, then go check out some colleges in person. Talk to the administration. See if they're friendly and helpful, if the place looks good, then talk to heads-of-department for programs you're interested in. All community colleges will have a career counselor that you can talk to about what they offer and what you might be interested in. Bring your current transcripts to have them assessed, to see how and if the credits will transfer.
Best of luck.
posted by tejolote at 9:36 PM on July 21, 2010
Community colleges can be fantastic. You've already gotten some good advice. Start with filling out your FAFSA, then go check out some colleges in person. Talk to the administration. See if they're friendly and helpful, if the place looks good, then talk to heads-of-department for programs you're interested in. All community colleges will have a career counselor that you can talk to about what they offer and what you might be interested in. Bring your current transcripts to have them assessed, to see how and if the credits will transfer.
Best of luck.
posted by tejolote at 9:36 PM on July 21, 2010
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posted by anniecat at 9:18 AM on July 21, 2010