Community Colleges

In the United States a community college is defined as a nonresidential junior college offering courses to people living in a particular area. They are post secondary schools and are also referred to as junior colleges, vocational or technical schools because generally the course of study is for two years. The student can earn an associates degree or certification and/or continue their education by transfering to a four year college to complete their educational pursuits and earn a Bachelor 's degree. Community colleges started in the late 1800’s and have grown and evolved over the years. Today many four year colleges and universities have become so expensive to attend that many prospective students are opting for the more affordable alternative of a community college for their first two years of study where they can save money by living at home and taking classes that will transfer to a four year institution, however, there are students that cannot afford the lower cost of community colleges.

Even in Liz Addison’s text, “Two Years are Better than Four”, she argues that “The community college system is America’s hidden public service gem” (Addison, 257). There are so many Dixon 2 community colleges across the country that offer the two-year degree path, but not many people know about them, so you can go to a two-year community college and still get a degree. Not to mention, this opens a new door for opportunity for people that don’t want to spend four-years earning a degree either because of time or money issues. If you look back at Murray’s text, it goes on to talk about how some careers dont even require four years of education to get some jobs, although it does require that you get at least a bachelor's’ degree to be considered good at those jobs. Community college introduces those students who would never even dream of having the college experience, in an easier way.

In the article, “Bridges or Barriers”, the writer tells the readers that “Community colleges have a critical role to play in providing access to the American dream.” Community colleges do have a critical role in achieving the American dream, but in order to achieve success you’re going to have to want it. Money is probably the main reason people attend community based colleges. The writer of “Bridges or Barriers,” mentions that “More than 6.5 million students attend the nearly 1,200 two-year colleges, located in all 50 states. Sixty-five percent of students from families with incomes of less than $20,000 attend community colleges”, that’s a high percentage of families receiving a very low income.

Therefore, tuition fees have increased as colleges have begun to take advantage of the social norm that has taken place in the society where it is expected of every individual to join college. Tuition cost, in turn, has a negative impact on persons who may fail to raise up the tuition fee required for to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field of choice. Through the argument, it becomes evident that the decisions by various individuals not to pursue college due to the inability to raise funds for the fee but instead opt for a liberal education has continuously been looked down upon (Murray 236-238). This is based on the common that has been established that persons with Bachelor’s degrees are in demand and are likely to have a higher pay compared to individuals who may have opt to pursue working skills through liberal education (Murray

Liz Addison’s essay, “Two Years Better Than Four,” was first published in the New York Times Magazine back in September of 2007. Addison went to two community colleges and majored in biology; earning her degree in 2008. In her essay, she is responding to Rick Perlstein's article “What’s the Matter with College?” in which he claims, “College as America used to understand it is coming to an end” (211). Addison refutes Perlstein’s claims by saying, “My guess, reading between the lines, is that Mr. Perlstein has never set foot in an American community college” (212). The purpose of her essay is to prove to her audience, mainly soon-to-be college students or parents of future students, that college is still a vital part of planning your future. She effectively advertises community college as a cheaper alternative to four-year universities and their skyrocketing tuition prices; and tries to persuade her readers that attending Community College can be just as important as going to a traditional four-year university because they allow you to begin your college education at

The purpose of her essay is to prove to her audience, mainly soon-to-be college students or parents of future students, that college is still a vital part of planning your future. She effectively advertises community college as a cheaper alternative to four-year universities and their skyrocketing tuition prices; and tries to persuade her readers that attending Community College can be just as important as going to a traditional four-year university because they allow you to begin your college education at a

Reich supports this claim that not everyone can succeed in a four-year liberal arts college by bringing up three key problems: financial instability, lack of employment, and eventual obsolete education due to four-year liberal arts degrees.. Reich believes the main cause these issues are experienced by students are because of lack of awareness of gateways and the fact that very few gateways are opened to students. Reich argues that another gateway for success that won’t cause financial instability is to pursue technician jobs. In order to achieve mastery over technical knowledge only two years of study at a community college is required which can lead to a preference for students versus a four-year liberal arts college because of extremely low cost and time. Reich also believes that since technology is constantly changing specific knowledge from a four-year liberal arts college may become obsolete.

Can Two Be Greater Than Four? Does college really matter? Has college lost its rite to passage appeal? Can one still go to college and be successful in the pursuit of self-discovery? These are the types of questions that Liz Addison challenges in her short essay “Two Years Are Better Than Four”. By taking into account my own experience as a current community college student and advocate, in this response to Addison’s essay I choose to elaborate on her views of community college being better than a four year university in the sense of offering a better college experience.

Free community college should be supported because it will not only advance careers and education, but it will help the nation’s economy, build a stable government, and more importantly, give fulfillment to American

Thesis: Over the years students have had to change from their associate’s degree to bachelor’s degree due to hurting community colleges economically, and low income. Choosing the highest degree will allow you to receive the rewarding pay you are allowed. “A recent study conducted by the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College considers many factors in determining how valuable different degrees are.” "Study: Comparing the Earning Power of Associate 's, Bachelor 's Degrees. "

Recent numbers revealed a glaring gap in the nation 's education system: A high school diploma, no matter how recently earned, doesn 't guarantee that students are prepared for college courses. After High School students who tend to lean more to college often fear if there smart enough for college. It doesn’t matter whether students are heading to large public universities, small elite private colleges, or somewhere else. They wonder if they are smart enough to continue the

Many people would like to experience the college life from either a four-year university or a community college. Many students are eligible for attend a four-year university and attend the university with scholarships. Some students attend community college from not being to afford a four-year university. Everyone should have some college experience and many feel that community college should be free for those that are responsible enough to attend college. Many say that the government should pay for student’s tuition for community colleges.

However, it is still an issue for students to cough up that money. The idea of making community college free to any student in America has been a dream for low income students for a while. President Obama’s desire to make the tuition of community college to everyone in the nation would only make it difficult for students to get a free education, limit them to essential resources, and discourage students from applying to four year universities. Granting free community college tuition to incoming freshmen will draw “more students to already crowded community colleges”. Along with the overcrowded campuses, a very long waiting list will soon form making it just as competitive to get into a four year university.

For the reason that the costs are too high, masses of possible students are not even attending college or, if they do, they do not finish and cannot graduate, all in large as they cannot afford

Ungar in his work The New Liberal Arts highlights seven misconceptions of Liberal Arts degrees from the point of view as a Liberal Arts College President. The misconceptions he discusses range from an economic, social and political standpoint. Misconception number one states the argument that Liberal Arts degrees have become too expensive for most working class families, however Ungar argues these degrees make for a well-rounded individual, thus creating a long term investment in oneself that focuses on collaboration and oral and written communication. Next, Misconception two states fresh graduates sport a difficulty finding jobs, but this is not due specifically to their field of study. In fact, Ungar states that most employers look for a Liberal Arts degree in recent graduates for critical thinking and problem solving skills to be used in the workforce.