Summary Of The Philosophy Of Community College By Henry Addison

Deciding whether to attend a community college or university can be a difficult decision for students especially high school seniors and fresh high school graduates. After graduating from high school, the next step in the academic journey is to attend a college or a university. Before I got into college, I wanted to attend a university. I never considered attending a community college because I considered it irrelevant and less rewarding than a university. Now I have a different view about community colleges and I can clearly point out the major difference between a community college and a university. A community college is a two year college which offers two or three year courses and award associate degrees and certificates. Most community colleges are linked with certain universities which makes it easier for students to transfer. My decision to attend a community was strongly influenced by Cost, easy transition to university, and the need to balance school, work, and social life.

Community Colleges tend to have fewer students per class, which means more attention from teacher to student. This is good for students who like access to their instructors so they can ask questions and avoid getting lost in the course material. Universities are bigger than community colleges and it takes a little longer to find your way around campus. Most teenagers graduate from high school eager to leave their parents house and do grown up things. The benefit of attending a University is living on campus instead of your parent’s home. Not all universities have dorms, but the majority of them do. Which you have to pay for parking, fitness center, laundry and other fees included. Both university and community colleges sponsor

Throughout the essay she refers to writer by the name of Rick Perlstein. She gives him credit for his opinion. The main idea of his article is that he believes that the college experience as we know it is coming to an end. Although Perlstein believes this to be true, Addison disagrees with his statement. She strongly feels that community college is the answer. This is apparent through her writing, “The philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin. Just begin (Addison).” College is a time of firsts according to Addison. Addison points out that community colleges are affordable, as well as easily accessible. A place to start dreaming.

In the article ‘Ten Quick Reasons ‘Free Community College’ Is A Rotten Idea’ by Joy Pullman very bluntly puts forth her ideas of why she believes community college should not be free. I agree with her on the idea that our education is very poor in comparison to other countries and “existing community college-goers—on average read at a seventh grade level. ”(Pullman, 2015). Now this source is a poor due to its preexisting bias and partisanship but, there may be some truth to the statement. Often as we go through the education system we begin to lose basic information we learned at earlier ages or gapes begin to develop as different teachers focus on different subjects or say, “Your next teacher will cover that so I’m going to let them teach it.”

In the article “Two Years Are Better Than Four” author Liz Addison writes about how community college is a forgotten option for many students in America, and that it is not well advertised like the universities are. She writes about how community college is a great option for students who need a less expensive option, but still want a chance to further their education. Addison also writes about how they allow everyone to attend so you can “just begin”. Community college is a great option for many students because it allows for an affordable option for students to continue their education.

In fact, the community college education is overlooked and not given the value which it truly deserves. In her reading, Addison mentions the advantages and philosophy of the community college. In this quote, she states that the community college education is valuable and she would endorse it everywhere, “[t]he community college system is America’s hidden public service gem. If I were a candidate for office I would campaign from every campus” (257). Addison also suggests that anyone living in America and who is looking to go to college knows where to find one. After completing high school, many students are confused with what they want to do with their life, or which career path they want to follow. The community college simply helps students to just begin, “[t]he philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin” (Addison 256). They let anyone in, and there you will find discoveries of different programs, degrees, and certificates. Addison uses the example of how following road signs will automatically help you find your way down the road, “[j]ust follow the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside and there you will find discoveries of a first independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (256). At a community college, students can receive the college experience which their parents nor grandparents had received. Students at such an institution can enter on empty and leave with a head full of dreams. In addition, community college allows low-income students to get the college experience which they cannot afford to receive at a regular four-year university. Likewise, after listing few benefits of attending a community college, Addison again questions Perlstein’s statement, “[h]ow can Mr. Perlstein say college

Students that choose to go to college are going “for a variety of good reasons, such as low cost, location, emphasis on teaching, and flexible class schedules” (page 330). Most students that attend four year universities are straight out of high school and living off of their mommy and daddy’s money and seem to have no bigger responsibility than barely getting stuff done to get by and to graduate. We, as older students, choose to go to a community college because we know that the teachers are more willing to help and we know that we have a better chance of graduating because of the above listed reasons. The amount of help we can get from our teachers is very crucial in passing classes and graduating.

This is not the only way that you can save by going to a community college. Chances are a larger university is not near your home. A school closer to home allows you to stay home and cut your bills another way by eliminating room and board fees and transportation expenses. Driving across town and maintaining your sometimes drastically lower living expenses sounds much better than the usurious bill many find themselves incurring at a larger school miles away from home.

There isn't anything more important to community colleges than the certainty that they can and should provide all qualified people who are looking to be accepted with admittance (Vaughan). The people of the community college represent forty-four percent of all undergraduates and forty-nine percent of students attending college for the first time (David). These students include a lot of minority students, students with a low social standing and the non-standard (age twenty-five and older) student who commonly enters college less academically equipped (David). Most community colleges have made immense advancement in reducing a lot of geographical and economic blockades that have in the past limited college admittance (David). Community

Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.

Countless numbers of college freshman transfer out after their first year of studies. Many return, some don't. Unfortunately, many of these students felt displaced and found that their expectations were not met by the university they attended. Attending community school gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while taking the time to select the 4-year institution that is right for them. Because there is little financial investment, most students

The author is repetitive on her main argument, “going to a community college is much more beneficial than going to a four year university”. She emphasizes that going to a community college is first is the best option to pursue, “I believe the community college system to be one of America’s uniquely great Institutions” (Addison, p 258). Addison makes it very known throughout her essay that attending college matters and getting your degree is the most prominent part, it's the reason of being in college. The common ideal college

Attending a community college has several benefits such as the low tuition and book fees, smaller classes, and experienced teachers at an affordable cost. In this two year period students also have the time to mature and get serious about their career before they get into the four year institution

There are some students that can barely afford a community college, and community college prices are not as high as four year universities. Many people in the US wants to go to college and

Some of you go to college go to play a sport for that college, in which case you would go to a University. At the time of graduation you are usually around 17 to 19, at this point in your life you have to think if you are ready to move out of your parents house and be on your own, and many do, again you would choose a University. There are some of you who want to stay under mom and dad’s roof and just want to go to college to see what living by yourself is like, to see if you will like it. In this case you would choose a Community college. For some this can be one of the harder decisions to make. Another difference of a University and Community college is the size. Not just the size of the campus, but the size of the classes and workload that you will be facing. With a University you have a large campus with numerous class buildings and dorms. At a Community college you will usually have only one building and all that this building contains is classrooms for learning. Sizes of most University classes are over 30 of you to a class; sometimes that number can be as high as 100 students to a class. When you are a student at a Community college you are usually one out of twenty. The most you will probably find in a classroom of a Community college will be around thirty.