March 12, 2003
A FROM MENTOR SHEILA ENGLAND IN PA
Some advantages I perceive for a two-year college

1. The instructors in two-year colleges are generally
people with master degrees and with work experience who want to teach and
possibly even like to teach.
University undergraduate programs often use TA's (teaching aids,
students working on master or phd programs) to teach their courses. When I
attended in the 80's I found that some very intelligent and excellent university
staff were not trained to teach, were unable to effectively teach and did not like
to teach students. This may have changed.

2. Cost less.

3. Emphasize getting students into the working world more quickly or
preparing them for a four-year college.

4. Many community colleges are affiliated with the universities nearby
and sometimes use curriculum developed by those very universities.

The one near me use curriculum developed by CMU, for example.

5. Class size may be smaller.

6. Classes may be composed of a more diverse set of non-traditional
students.

Some disadvantages I perceive for a two-year college:

1. Students at community colleges "may" not be of the same caliber
as those you will encounter in a four-year colleges. Studies have shown
who one's peers are has a major influence on how well one succeeds in
school.

2. Universities may not accept all of the credits you have earned.

3. You will have to adjust to two different environments if you want to
eventually earn a bachelor's degree.

4. Status.

5. You may be under-challenged if you are a high achiever.

6. Students who have started with the university from the beginning may have
an advantage over you because they have already established networks and
have more savvy about the system.

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March 11, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR DEIRDRE DANIELS IN MO
Hi Karissa. I would recommend attending a 4-year university. You don't
have to have a major in mind when you begin college. In fact many
people graduate with a different major than what they began with their
freshman year. A big part of college is discovering what it is you
really enjoy doing. I would suggest looking for a school that excels in
many of the areas that you find interesting. Once you have begun
college and taken courses in all of those areas you will find it easier
to narrow the field and select a major. I would not suggest attending a
two-year school then taking time off because it is very difficult to
make yourself go back to school once you have stopped going. Best of
luck in making your decision!