Enrollment & Admissions

Most students hold the perception that community colleges do not require entrance exams. However, more and more students are surprised to learn that they must complete enrollment exams before they attend a community college class.

Although enrollment exams are not necessarily required for all students at every school, many community colleges have implemented enrollment exams to better place each individual student in the most appropriate class setting. If students struggle with their enrollment exams, then administrators can quickly step in to provide foundational support. Conversely, students who perform well on enrollment exams enjoy greater class choice privileges.

What are Enrollment Exams?

Enrollment exams are basic skills or subject tests implemented to determine a student’s incoming knowledge in each content area. For example, at Queensborough Community College (QCC), located in Bayside, New York, all students must be completely proficient in specific areas of reading, writing, and math. To guide students, QCC has a specialized campus Testing Services Center. Here, the administrators of QCC allow students to partake in three different types of tests: placement exams for new freshmen, exit exams for students completing remediation programs, and proficiency exams that are required for graduation.

According to QCC, these exams help determine if students need remediation before entering college courses. If a student is found to be struggling, as revealed by his or her exam results, QCC provides students with an array of support

According to a recent USA Today report, “Students Less Engaged at Community College,” many community college students begin to slip through the cracks of student involvement and academia in just the first few weeks of a new semester!

In your first year of community college, avoid the three major pitfalls that could impact your academic and professional career.

Pitfall #1: Not Meeting with Advisors

Experts assert that students must be engaged from the beginning of their academic careers. Too many students forgo meetings with advisors, an excellent resource for planning your educational and professional career. Take advantage of advisors from your first quarter in community college; your academic career will be much easier to manage.

Some community colleges have started mandating that all students engage in advising sessions, ensuring that students are personally informed of the various opportunities on campus.

This video explains why you should meet with your advisor.

Pitfall #2: Not Interacting with Instructors

In examining the potential positive outcomes of increased faculty and student interaction, USA Today argues that although faculty involvement is imperative for enhanced student success, only 15 percent of students reportedly discuss grades, issues, questions, or assignments with teachers outside of class. Only over half of all community college students surveyed have ever met with an instructor for assistance outside of class!

Meeting with your instructor is beneficial not only for your learning and grades but

While a struggling economy certainly forces extra pressures on young students seeking funds for loans and tuition costs, the enrollment rates for colleges continue to soar. In fact, according to data from the Department of Education, community college enrolment increased by ten percent in the course of just six years, from 2000 to 2006.

Some experts theorize that a dwindling economy actually helps to stimulate student enrollment. As Inside Higher Education explores, “Whether it’s the economy, new academic programs or better recruiting, community colleges are seeing an enrollment boom. While enrollment has been growing steadily at many two-year institutions, this fall appears likely to set records for many of these colleges.”

To help gauge prospective student interests while providing all current students with diverse support, community colleges are investigating the motivations and factors that are encouraging this new surge in enrollment.

This video reports on how a slow economy boosts community college attendance.

Examining the Rising Enrollment

As Statista reports, in 2020 there were 4.8 million students attending 942 community colleges. This growth is not limited to one particular realm of the United States: “The recent community college growth spurt is not restricted to the developing and rural areas. Some of the county’s largest two-year institutions are also enrolling more students than ever.”

Enrollment and the Economy

As community colleges try to ascertain the various factors that may be influencing their enrollment rates, Palm

Congratulations! Enrolling in your first semester of community college marks an important milestone in your professional career. Building your academic accomplishments and technical skills creates the springboard for your future work endeavors.

However, for many students, the first semester of community college is not met with flying colors. In fact, according to 2007 research by the Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), approximately six out of 10 community college freshmen with high school diplomas drop out after the first semester! Therefore, it is important to understand what to expect in your first semester of community college; this will help with supporting your transition and long-term academic success.

This video illustrates one student's experiences during her first semester at community college.

Choose the appropriate classes

Although you will most likely be asked to take placement tests, you will also have great freedom in choosing the classes at community college. It is essential that you carefully evaluate your academic abilities – as well as your long-term interests – to determine what your first-semester course load should be.

Are you looking to transfer to a four-year institution from your community college? If so, your first-semester curriculum will differ from the student planning to enter the workforce with an Associate’s degree. If your ultimate goal is to transfer to a four-year college, then it is essential to begin planning within the first semester. You generally only want to take