Junior Colleges
Choosing what to do or where to go after high school is an important and therefore a tough decision for juniors and seniors in high school. What life-changing decision will it be? Do you find a job good enough to provide a steady income? Do you apply to a university or four-year college, hoping to pursue your dreams that will translate into a career after you graduate? Or is there a third option where you do both, by progressing in studies and working part-time? Whether we join the workforce or continue our studies is up to us. The right path will look different for everyone and that’s exactly why it might be hard to choose. That’s why I’m here to recommend to you the path with many advantages: Junior College.
Less Pressure and Less Cost
Junior Colleges (also known as community colleges) are usually attended for four years, after which a person can either continue on to university (a four-year college), enter the workforce, or start an apprenticeship to pursue a career. Attending a junior college is an effective way to get started on the path to university. It’s especially a good choice for high school students looking to learn more about the “outside world” because junior college not only prepares them for it, but also offers more than that.
A common option for students who do enter junior/community college is to attend for two years, after which they then transfer to the four-year university of their choice. Having already attended junior college, these students are more prepared for university than students who go to a four-year college directly out of high school.
Nina is currently attending junior college and has a pretty flexible schedule. She’s able to work in the mornings and attend classes later in the day as she has afternoon and evening classes. She has time for school and work, as well as her own things at home. Melly is attending university, and to her, university life is pretty hectic. Not only does she have to balance school and her many classes, but also has to deal with a lot of new experiences, such as living on her own for the first time, doing chores, and worrying about paying rent. Melly finds it difficult to make ends meet and feels pretty overwhelmed and is frequently stressed, and getting adjusted to these changes will take a lot of time.
Junior college helps with the learning curve that comes with attending college for the first time. Incoming students learn how to register for universities, pay fees and get jobs, and manage or plan their schedules. It serves as a stepping stone towards university, and many high school graduates find that this works well for them because there’s less pressure or major life changes involved. University student life is hectic, and finding a job in between tight schedules, classes, and homework might not be the easiest thing for those who need a stable source of income. Junior colleges, however, might be the better option for those looking for something more flexible and less stressful.
Moreover, junior/community colleges are cheaper options for those who may want to continue their studies but are unable to because of financial worries. In California alone, there are 116 junior/community colleges that can be attended, all providing different options for graduates. Compared to four-year universities, college tuition is cheaper and more affordable. According to the NSHSS, colleges are less expensive to attend compared to universities. The Community College Review states, “For California community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,246 per year for in-state students and $6,603 for out-of-state students (2023).” Compared to a four-year university, tuition ranges from at least $13,898 for in-state students and $55,097 for out-of-state students, according to UnivStats, which also states that “The 2022-2023 undergraduate tuition & fees of best schools in California are increased by 3.67% compared to the previous year.”
In addition to being cheaper, many junior colleges offer financial aid. Critics of community colleges argue that attending this institution is a waste of time and money when students could go directly to a four-year college or university. They also argue that students will miss out on experiences such as living on campus or pledging to a sorority or fraternity. But if a high school graduate’s time and money are limited, or they feel that they are not yet ready to go to university, then junior college is a good option for those who want to continue their education after high school. Not only will a community college save you money, but it’ll also give you time to complete your education at a realistic pace.
More Time to Explore
Choosing what to do in life takes time to think over, weighing the different options and possibilities. What some need is time and development, and junior college can provide that. Junior college allows students to have more time to find what they want to pursue as a career, or for those unsure of what career path to follow, allows for more exploration and self-development. For a majority, junior colleges are a good stepping stone for graduates seeking to either expand their skills before entering university or join the workforce faster. As stated by the NSHSS, “Oftentimes, community colleges are known as ‘2-year’ colleges that mostly offer associate’s degree programs that may be completed in two years or less. There are many jobs on the market that only require a two-year associate’s degree, rather than a four-year bachelor’s degree, including roles like an air traffic controller or a dental hygienist.”
While it may be the same as going directly into university, junior college seems to be a less pressuring alternative when it comes to choosing what path to follow. Think of junior college as a more gentle introduction to university. Although university provides the same resources as junior colleges, some may find that for them, junior college is the safer and better option in fear of jeopardizing their chances at a good career. For first-generation college students (or first-generation overall), attending a junior college might ease their walk down the path toward a bright future. Many students might be unsure of what career to pursue, or what they truly want to do in life, and college can easily help with that. Some even use their time in college to earn money to then be able to go to university. It’s better than jumping head-first into university without a solid plan.
Time to Reap What You Sow
Life after high school for those who do not seek to continue their studies might not be the same for everyone. It’s easy to find any jobs that don’t require any specific degrees, such as working at a restaurant, which would only require some training. Job’s like these are not hard to obtain, and rather, work as good options for income or temporary jobs, or to develop skills for another job in another field. However, employment rates for those who only have a high school diploma are low, and in most cases, many do not find good-paying jobs.
Colleges can help to prepare you for university, and even a job as well. Junior/community colleges provide students with opportunities to earn a technical/career certificate, a two-year associate’s degree (which they get after two years), or credits which are then used to obtain a bachelor’s degree when transferred to a four-year university. Depending on the field chosen to study in, it’s more likely for graduates to earn better jobs that pay well, but that they also enjoy. Overall, junior college is a great option for high school graduates. Not only are countless opportunities regarding education available, but also great for developing a steady path toward a much more successful future. It’s important to consider that not all graduates are looking for the same experience, of course. It all comes down to what you are looking to achieve in life, or in the near future. To tie it all together, As Ms. Frase said, “Junior college is such a great choice for students looking to save money without having to sacrifice the quality of education.” But don't just take our word for it, find out about Junior Colleges yourself. Two years from now you're sure to be glad you did.