It's that time of time of year, children! Tuition is up, classes are cut, making it tougher than ever to continue our education. Moreover, not only do we have to pay for tuition, books, an supplies, some of us even have to cover room, board, coffee, and the occasional drink. (We need to stay sane somehow). Lucky for you, I’ve got a little tip that may help you keep a bit more cash in your pockets: Community College. I know, most of you cringed when reading that, but please let me make my case before saying 'no thank you'. The community college experience does not have to be that of high school with ashtrays. Whether you are thinking about returning to school for the first time in a while,deciding that paying for a university right off the bat is just too much, or just at a crossroads in your life, community college could the answer you're looking for.
Although there are some CCs I recommended staying away from, there are a good amount in Southern California that offer at the very least a good post-high school experience, as well as a damn-near guarantee into an excellent four-year college to finish up that bachelors of yours. A great example would be Santa Monica College, located at Pico and 17th St. Not only do they offer some of the most affordable tuition in the country — about $26 per unit — but if you join the Scholars Program (SMC's honors program) and maintain a 3.0 GPA, you're practically guaranteed acceptance into any UC, including the ever-so prestigious Berkley and Los Angeles campuses. Most community colleges even offer housing guidance for those who'd like to get the full "college experience".
Another CC I would recommend checking out is Santa Barbara City College. There is no doubt you've heard of a tiny university called UCSB. Santa Barbara City is essentially the less expensive version of its UC counterpart for a few reasons: it's in the same area, students are almost guaranteed acceptance into UCSB when the time comes, and the living quarters of the City College are in fact the very same as that of the UC. That's right, kids. Shared dorms.
Other community colleges worth mentioning are Moorpark, College of the Canyons, and Pasadena City College.
Not quite sure what you REALLY want to do with your life? Please don't let that stop you. There are CCs out there that offer first-class guidance counselors who are ready and willing to help you choose the right classes, majors, four-year schools and even careers! The best part is, there are usually NO added costs for these kinds of services! All you have to do is be registered in a class and you are able to take advantage of them.
Now I'm sure there are a ton of you ready to tell me that you'd rather find a school that offers activities a little more fun than just lectures, homework and exams. Let me drop a truth-bomb on that knowledge-starved brain of yours: you will not find a community college out there without a student government, athletic organizations, or a school newspaper. In fact, many CCs offer much more, such as drama clubs and theaters, photo labs and darkrooms, and computer labs and music studios. All schools now have websites that list any and all programs, clubs and any other extracurricular activities they have available.
Still not impressed? Have you ever met any of the professors lurking around the schools mentioned above? Would you have guessed that almost half of them have Ph.D's in their field? Do you realize that most — if not, all — of them have years of hands-on experience? Have you considered that they have very well-paying jobs in the fields that they LOVE, and only teach in community college because they are looking to educate and groom the next generation of workers in their field?
This isn't just a half-brained theory, folks. My favorite professor has a Ph.D in political science AND owns several successful businesses — she drives a Mercedes, people! — and I am doing all I can to prove to her I'm worth hiring in the future. Moreover, I can guarantee you she would write me a great letter of recommendation if there were any jobs or universities out there that tickled my fancy. For those of you keeping score, I am paying $26 per unit, a couple more bucks for books and I'm still able to score someone with the letter D and R in front of their name to write me a letter of recommendation. As a side note, she's not the only one out there, either. Professors from those fancy (read: more expensive) schools like UCLA, Otis, CalArts, etc., also moonlight at SMC and other local community colleges. This, my friends, is a deal that cannot be beat. Same education, lower price tag.
You're no doubt good and pumped to sign up for this or next semester, but before you go off and register, I want you to bookmark one more website immediately, if not sooner: Rate My Professor. This is a nation-wide site that provides reviews on almost every professor at every college. Although I swear by this website, DO NOT make decisions based on one or two reviews. It's very possible that some college students hold grudges for childish reasons. Take everything you read with a grain of salt, and make your choices wisely.
Community college may not be what you originally had in mind, but for the sake of saving more than a few bucks, don't count it out. Study hard, have fun, and keep safe!
Our School Bum has been trotting the San Fernando Valley for 21 years. Now 22, he resides in West LA, chasing the dream of a bachelors and Masters Degree by the time he reaches 26. Obviously, this bum dreams big. With the company of a few bucks, a pair of TOMS, and his massive music collection, he is a great asset if you're broke as a joke in the college world.
