Why Community College

Learn all about community college and whether it is the right choice for your academic career. We'll cover the history of community colleges, the latest trends and issues, and the top degree-producing schools. Find out why students are turning to community colleges, see what issues affect campuses with such a diverse student body, and get information on the latest trends in degree offerings.

View the most popular articles in Why Community College:

Should Freshmen be First or Last in Line?

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Should Freshmen be First or Last in Line?
Freshmen typically wait last in line for class registration, but some community colleges are challenging this standard by giving the frosh class first priority. Learn about the new programs that are designed to give freshmen the first pick in classes at community colleges.

At most community colleges, freshmen are usually the last in line to register for classes. Unfortunately, this means many new students don't get the courses they need to pursue the degree programs of their choice. The result is numerous frustrated, cash-strapped students – some of whom drop out of school because they can't afford the time or money to wait around until necessary courses become available.

The good news is that some community colleges hope to change this scenario by restructuring the priority registration hierarchy. Thus, freshmen may get an earlier start on completing their degree programs.

Rio Hondo College

Rio Hondo, located in Whittier, California, is bucking the trend on how freshmen register for their first semester. Instead of making students wait in the last spot, new students receive priority registration to help them enroll in the classes they need for their chosen degree programs. According to a report in the Whittier Daily News, high school students from El Monte Union High School District who enroll at Rio Hondo will receive priority registration during their first semester.

This video describes priority registration at California community colleges.

Henry Gee, vice president of student services at Rio Hondo College, told Whittier Daily News that the program will help new college students prepare for the career they are striving for. Gee said, "Slots in the classes are so tight right

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Students with Learning Disabilities Find Help in Community Colleges

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Students with Learning Disabilities Find Help in Community Colleges
Community colleges are an excellent stepping stone between high school and a four-year institution, especially for students with learning disabilities. Learn about the support programs available at community colleges that can help students thrive academically, regardless of their disabilities.

Learning disabilities like dyslexia or ADHD plague a student throughout their academic career. Many who struggle with disabilities in secondary schools don't even consider college a possibility.

The good news is that many community colleges are making it easier for students with learning disabilities to pursue higher education by offering transition and support programs that promote success. Be inspired by the ways community colleges are helping LD students, as well as tips for finding and planning for college, no matter what your learning disabilities might be.

Project Access

Students with learning disabilities often find the transition between high school and college difficult. High school environments that are typically nurturing and supportive for LD students do not always provide preparation to help students take their educational needs into their own hands when heading off to college.

This video illustrates how the Project Access Summer Institute operates.

Thankfully, the Project Access Summer Institute is designed for just that purpose: to show students with learning disabilities how to move from a high school environment to one that requires them to take a greater role in meeting their own educational needs.

Project Access offers a month-long program that teaches college-bound students how to advocate for themselves to get the much-needed time, tutoring, and additional services they need.

According to a recent report on USA Today, programs like Project Access have increased tenfold in recent years

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How to Earn Your Associate's Degree in Less than Two Years

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How to Earn Your Associate's Degree in Less than Two Years
Discover how to fast-track your education and earn an associate's degree in less than two years. This article explores strategies like accelerated programs, earning college credits in high school, and utilizing military training to shorten your path to a degree. Learn how community colleges are offering innovative solutions to help students save time and money while advancing their careers.

How to Earn Your Associate's Degree in Less than Two Years

The associate's degree has become a popular way to begin or advance a career today, as it can be earned in less time than it takes to obtain a bachelor's degree.

  • Students can cut time even more through various strategies that get them out of community college and into the workforce in less than two years.
  • Consider these tips to help you get the training and education you need to advance your career in much less time than a traditional degree program.

CAnva generated this picture of a community college student.

Choosing a Community College

The first step in shortening your stay at a community college is to choose a school that offers an accelerated degree program.

  • According to a recent report in USA Today, some community colleges are getting rather creative in their programming structure to help students earn complete associate's degrees in less time.
  • Some colleges have even been able to cut their program time in half, allowing students to get their associate’s degrees and move into the workforce in a single year.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College will begin offering a fall-trimester format to students interested in graduating early.

  • Course schedules will switch from 16 weeks to 14 weeks, allowing students to complete the trimester in a shorter period of time.
  • To compensate for lost time during
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Can Community Colleges Reject You Based on Age?

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Can Community Colleges Reject You Based on Age?
Community colleges usually admit every applicant – but some may just reject you if you are too young. Learn about the controversy that surrounds community colleges and younger students.

Many say that you are never too old to head back to school. But what about being too young? According to a recent report in USA Today, youngsters trying to accelerate their academic careers may find themselves against a roadblock when it is time to explore the world of higher education. At least, that is what a young Florida girl found out when she tried to enroll in a community college near her home.

The Case of Anastasia Megan

Anastasia Megan was 13-years-old when she applied to a local community college near her Florida home. The home-schooled student had completed all of the requirements necessary for high school graduation and was ready to advance in her academic career. She looked to Lake-Sumter Community College for the next step, but the college denied her application because administrators feared Megan was too young to sit with other college students in classes.

As a result of the college's decision, Megan and her family filed a formal complaint against Lake-Sumter, and the case is now being reviewed by the Office for Civil Rights. The premise of the complaint is that denial of college admittance based on age is a violation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which "prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance." Under federal law, mediation must first be attempted before the Office of Civil Rights will get involved. The Department of Education verified that

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Summer Waiting Lists: Are Students Bribing Others to Get into Full Classes?

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Summer Waiting Lists: Are Students Bribing Others to Get into Full Classes?
As the demand for community college courses soars, could a black market for spots in classes arise? Learn about how students could be buying places in popular courses.

With an economy – and numerous industries – that have apparently gone south, many are hopping on the continuing education bandwagon to obtain training in more lucrative professions. However, the increased demand for higher education has led to longer waiting lists for the required courses to complete degrees. This is particularly true at community colleges, where many adult students turn to shift career gears. Has this glut in higher education resulted in a black market for popular classes?

A recent advertisement on Craigslist may indicate that a black market for college classes is thriving, at least at Columbia Basin College in Washington. According to an article on Inside Higher Ed, the ad read as follows: "So I heard that some people are registering for classes that are in high demand to sell their spots in them, and Biology 160 is one of those classes. My roommate and I need into that class summer quarter, so if anyone is currently enrolled in any of the Bio 160 classes for SUMMER QUARTER and is willing to sell their spot on it or knows anyone who is, please, please, please let me know ASAP."

The sender of the email ad has been conspicuously anonymous throughout, refusing to respond to email messages from Inside Higher Ed. The posting was removed a few days later, and no one knows if a spot in the course was actually sold. Some doubt the legitimacy of the request and believe the posting was done

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Why Community College

OVERVIEW
What is a community college and why are more students turning to them? Who are some of the most famous community college graduates? Here you’ll find the answers to these questions and more.
TRENDS AND CURRENT ISSUES
Get information on the latest trends and issues affecting community colleges today. Explore the impact of community colleges on the global economy, get information on how community colleges have changed over the years, and see how the latest technologies are being employed on campus.
STUDENT POPULATIONS
Attracting students from all walks of like, community college campuses are rich with diversity. This section covers a myriad of issues relating to student populations. Learn more about LGBT support on community college campuses, explore adult-friendly degree programmers and, see what resources are available to veterans.
ENROLLMENT & ADMISSIONS
We provide a comprehensive look into some of the most important issues affecting enrollment and admissions. Get the latest news on declining enrollment across the country and the impact it has. Learn more about the latest trends in admissions requirements from vaccinations to placement tests. Find expert advice on what to expect your first year, and lean more about the pitfalls to avoid.