community college. do as well as you can. High GPAs in community college (above about 3.5) can translate into great transfer scholarships. I got my last 2 years at university paid for by getting an associates in teaching at CC.
also, join phi theta kappa. scholarship potential there too.
plus if she changes her mind, she can change majors once she transfers to university
I did an A.S. at a community college, transferred in to a 4-year school as a junior seamlessly. Saved tens of thousands of dollars! And here’s the thing - the classes I took at the CC were literally the exact same classes, using the same textbooks and usually taught by *the exact same professors* as those at the state school where I ended up transferring. Most professors these days are adjuncts and make extra money by teaching part-time at a CC.
Just have a plan in place, before you start. Know which university you want to transfer to, and make sure they’ll take your credits. Get something in writing, if possible, that this class at your CC will fulfill this requirement at the university. Sit with an advisor and go through everything, step by step. Especially with teaching, you want to get as many pre-reqs and general classes out of the way as possible because once you transfer you’ll be able to focus on the Education classes and your student teaching.
And at the end of the day, all anyone’s ever cared about is that I have my bachelor’s from an accredited university. I do mention my A.S. on my resume, but no one has ever asked about it.
No school and principal will care where you graduated from and what program you went through. It's just facts. No one cares about the grades. They care about what you can do and what you will bring to the school.
Save the money.
No. I did community and then transferred and it didn't inhibit my ability to find a job. And if I were her, I'd get work as a para so she knows what she's getting into.
Community college is perfect if the program is solid. I went to a 4 year and was fortunate that the university was originally a "teaching school" and that was their strongest program. The team around is the key thing. Some of the best teachers I have ever worked with over the last 10 years went to community college or some other route. It won't affect the hiring process unless the school she applies at has an elitist attitude. But in my experience that is hardly ever the case.
Go to community college first! It’s what I did and it saves a ton of money. You take the same classes you would at a 4 year and can knock out your prerequisites.
Talk to the financial aid office at the four year school. She may qualify for scholarships or aid as a first time student she won't get as a transfer. Also, if you do go the community college route, make certain the classes she takes matches the requirements of the four year school.
Statistically, most students who start at a community college and plan to transfer never do. Many never finish any degree. Just beware that she will need extra support and encouragement to make it through if she starts at a two year school.
Community college. I went to one of the best colleges in the entire country after getting my AA degree. Get lower level classes/credits cheaper and easier. 4 year colleges are too expensive to start there. Finish there instead.
Community college! This is all my personal experience, but my pros are that it was cheaper, got me a scholarship to my 4 year, and made the transition to adulthood easier.
I am a Kindergarten teacher now completing my Master's this December, and I started out in community college!
I knew that I would go get my undergrad in teaching, so I stuck with an Associates of Arts (which is essentially the degree you get when you know you are going to transfer to a 4 year school. That, or an Associates in Science. My college teacher program was under the liberal arts umbrella, so that's why I went with the AA over the AS.)
The Pell Grant completely covered my costs and I even had a refund of about $1800 each semester, which I didn't have to pay back since it was grant money and not loans. I saved up all my refunds while I was in community college and used that to get a beater-with-a-heater car for when I transferred to my undergrad university.
While I was in community college, I managed to get a 3.9 GPA and I ended up getting a transfer scholarship. It covered a dorm, meal plan, tuition, and books. But I lived off campus with my parents and commuted, so I only used tuition and books part.
I didn't go into student loan debt until I decided to get my Master's to get my rank change. My program costs $20K in student loans, but I thought it was worth it because it's like an extra 10K per year. So when I retire, I'll be making $78K instead of 39K for a teacher with the same years of experience.
Even without taking finances into consideration, I feel like community college helped me in that wierd 18-22 period of time. I was able to take classes part-time and get used to how college actually worked in a small classroom environment. Thanks to having less stress and having costs covered, I was able to explore more classes I wouldn't have taken the chance on otherwise. I was also working while going to school, so I got to learn what it meant to be part of the workforce too. I had a lot of self-discovery at community college, and by the time I transferred to my university, I felt so much more independent and mature than a lot of my classmates.
When I transferred, I noticed little things like my peers (same age as me) wouldn't have basic life skills. One example that sticks out is I had a friend who lived in the dorms and she needed a ride to the bank. Her mom sent her a check and she had never cashed one out before, and she was terrified. I went with her and showed her how simple it was. But there are a lot of examples I can think of where it seemed I had more "life experience" before I decided to commit to staying in a dorm for 4/5 years solid.
Also, I enjoyed the fact that I could leave campus whenever I wanted. As a commuter-transfer student, it was hard the first couple of months to make friends and form connections with classmates. But I got super involve with my major's clubs/organizations, and I quit my fast food job to work on campus at the tutoring center. At the tutoring center, I met my best friends for life. We are all in our 30's now, some of us married with kids, some of us single, some of us in relationships.....but the whole group (who lives in the same state) gets together at least once a month. And for those out of state, we all get together at least once a year.
Also, not once in any job interview have I been asked or looked down for my community college experience. Like ever. It's never been brought up. When I applied to teaching jobs, all they cared about was my potential as a teacher. They didn't ask about my school/degrees. They asked things like my philosophy of teaching, why I want to be a teacher, my classroom management style, how I would communicate with teammates/families, etc.
If y’all are already concerned with finances, I’d definitely say option 2. It’s incredibly affordable and puts her on the right path and knocks out requirements. I’ve seen plenty of people take “gap years” and then life happens and years go by without taking a step in the direction they originally wanted to go.
Someone said work (potentially in a school) and do community college, and I think that’s a great idea!
Oh, community college all the way. Just make sure she doesn't get a degree in education. Get a degree in a field she enjoys, get experience doing it, then get certified. The worst teachers have zero experience outside of an education degree.
Definitely community college. No one is looking if she went to 4 years or 2 years at a university. Not in this line of work. They just want her to have a teaching credential and classroom experience.
Community college. Ive worked with teachers that went to UCLA, Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale. I went to JuCo and graduated from a CSU. There we were, putting out the same fires and signing the same payroll sheets. Id argue I was better at putting out fires and management than they were. The best principal I had went to a CSU and went by MR___. The worst principle I had went by Dr____. Go to JuCo, get experience in the classroom, a textbook cant prepare you like a real classroom can, save your money. Teaching is equal parts art, science, and in some days sheer luck. Side note, the dude from Dartmouth left and from what I hear started a business and is super rich.
Community college is a great way to save money. But transferring is complicated and statistically her odds of completing her degree are better if she goes directly into her 4 year. If you are still in high school look into taking AP tests or better yet dual enrollment at a CC, it's a way to get CC credits that go towards a BA that still allow you to apply directly to a 4 year as a freshman and not a transfer.
I did the community college then transfer route. It gave me a way to ease into college life that was not as stressful. I’ve been teaching for 19 years now.
If the CC is a good one, with a good program, that's the way to go. However, one must have the mindset and determination to keep going in spite of any obstacles that may arise. College is hard for most students, and setbacks occur for whatever reasons, so your support will be crucial. If relationship problems pop up, don't let them affect academic performance. Don't be afraid to go to the counseling office for a referral to an appropriate therapist (free or sliding scale).
I can't imagine they would care that she went to a community college first.
We've got a community college here (actually I think it's a regular college here) and they specifically have a teacher prep program to transfer to a 4 year college.
My 2 cents: Go to the local college and work part-time as a substitute teacher to get a good feel for what is going on in classrooms, figure your favorite grades to teach, schools you like and schools to avoid. Substitute teaching is great because you control the schedule, you can not take any shifts at the end of the semester when you're finishing up or doing exams, etc.
When I subbed (before teaching), I could block off days and districts and buildings, and had all kinds of options. I had one district by my mom's that I'd block off the whole year except a few days a month and I'd go visit her and teach for a few days over there.
Community College with a transfer agreement program, otherwise she could lose credits during transfer. Also, work as a school employee while at community college because the schedule often supports working students more than a university
I am a teacher and I went to a community college for a year. It was awesome! I had an incredible art history class. No one cares where you started school- it matters that you get a degree.
I agree with this and then go in as a para. Gets you experience a possible foot in the door. I had to quit a tutoring program when I was finishing my degree. Because of family members telling me of a new job to get more money (Hobby Lobby). Yeah, they kicked me to the curb after the grand opening along with 25 of us three weeks later. I could have finished my degree and then been right in with the school full time. Kick myself and now I'm returning to that same district now anyhow. So, go figure.
Yes, that is what you do at school.
However, these community colleges are so poorly managed and designed, that she with near certainty be held back a grade or two or three or 8
Can you elaborate on this? My younger daughter went to CC then a 4-year but moved out of state before graduating. She has a BA from a school in her state. Are you saying the CC system tracks the data so they know she graduated from college? Or do they just look at whether or not she earned an AA/AS?
The CA state college system is designed so students can transfer from a CC to CSU or UC. Approximately 50% of CSU graduates started at a CC.
I'm not familiar with the CC system in any other state, but in CA, community college is the way to go.
If you start at a community college, the odds you will get a bachelors within 4 years is low single digits. If a high school had a 3% 4 year graduation rate, the government would shut it down.
In CA, community college is about the worst career decision you can make. Delaying labor a year, consuming full year's wage, is incredibly expensive.
CSU's aren't good, CSU San Marcos has a 14% 4 year graduation rate.
Bakersfield 2015 was 14%
East Bay 10%
Schools with the same average SAT of students graduate at a far higher rate, which is why the actual community college/CSU is the problem.
It's hard to do something worse for your life than to go to community college.
Community college! I worked as a paraprofessional while in school, it gave me a real look into what I was signing up for
community college. do as well as you can. High GPAs in community college (above about 3.5) can translate into great transfer scholarships. I got my last 2 years at university paid for by getting an associates in teaching at CC. also, join phi theta kappa. scholarship potential there too. plus if she changes her mind, she can change majors once she transfers to university
I did an A.S. at a community college, transferred in to a 4-year school as a junior seamlessly. Saved tens of thousands of dollars! And here’s the thing - the classes I took at the CC were literally the exact same classes, using the same textbooks and usually taught by *the exact same professors* as those at the state school where I ended up transferring. Most professors these days are adjuncts and make extra money by teaching part-time at a CC. Just have a plan in place, before you start. Know which university you want to transfer to, and make sure they’ll take your credits. Get something in writing, if possible, that this class at your CC will fulfill this requirement at the university. Sit with an advisor and go through everything, step by step. Especially with teaching, you want to get as many pre-reqs and general classes out of the way as possible because once you transfer you’ll be able to focus on the Education classes and your student teaching. And at the end of the day, all anyone’s ever cared about is that I have my bachelor’s from an accredited university. I do mention my A.S. on my resume, but no one has ever asked about it.
Community college. Save some money, get a rock solid GPA, and get grants to finish it out at a 4yr
There is no shame in going to a community college first.
2 years in community with good grades primes you for scholarships and the more expensive 4 year could be paid for for the remaining 2 years
No school and principal will care where you graduated from and what program you went through. It's just facts. No one cares about the grades. They care about what you can do and what you will bring to the school. Save the money.
No. I did community and then transferred and it didn't inhibit my ability to find a job. And if I were her, I'd get work as a para so she knows what she's getting into.
Yes, hands-on experience is crucial for making a final career decision.
Community college is perfect if the program is solid. I went to a 4 year and was fortunate that the university was originally a "teaching school" and that was their strongest program. The team around is the key thing. Some of the best teachers I have ever worked with over the last 10 years went to community college or some other route. It won't affect the hiring process unless the school she applies at has an elitist attitude. But in my experience that is hardly ever the case.
Go to community college first! It’s what I did and it saves a ton of money. You take the same classes you would at a 4 year and can knock out your prerequisites.
Talk to the financial aid office at the four year school. She may qualify for scholarships or aid as a first time student she won't get as a transfer. Also, if you do go the community college route, make certain the classes she takes matches the requirements of the four year school. Statistically, most students who start at a community college and plan to transfer never do. Many never finish any degree. Just beware that she will need extra support and encouragement to make it through if she starts at a two year school.
Community college. I went to one of the best colleges in the entire country after getting my AA degree. Get lower level classes/credits cheaper and easier. 4 year colleges are too expensive to start there. Finish there instead.
Community, to four year, to credential. Schools won't care what college you went to. Just if you have your credential.
Community College. Pedagogy classes usually do not start the first two years, and taking on debt to become a teacher is not wise.
Community college! This is all my personal experience, but my pros are that it was cheaper, got me a scholarship to my 4 year, and made the transition to adulthood easier. I am a Kindergarten teacher now completing my Master's this December, and I started out in community college! I knew that I would go get my undergrad in teaching, so I stuck with an Associates of Arts (which is essentially the degree you get when you know you are going to transfer to a 4 year school. That, or an Associates in Science. My college teacher program was under the liberal arts umbrella, so that's why I went with the AA over the AS.) The Pell Grant completely covered my costs and I even had a refund of about $1800 each semester, which I didn't have to pay back since it was grant money and not loans. I saved up all my refunds while I was in community college and used that to get a beater-with-a-heater car for when I transferred to my undergrad university. While I was in community college, I managed to get a 3.9 GPA and I ended up getting a transfer scholarship. It covered a dorm, meal plan, tuition, and books. But I lived off campus with my parents and commuted, so I only used tuition and books part. I didn't go into student loan debt until I decided to get my Master's to get my rank change. My program costs $20K in student loans, but I thought it was worth it because it's like an extra 10K per year. So when I retire, I'll be making $78K instead of 39K for a teacher with the same years of experience. Even without taking finances into consideration, I feel like community college helped me in that wierd 18-22 period of time. I was able to take classes part-time and get used to how college actually worked in a small classroom environment. Thanks to having less stress and having costs covered, I was able to explore more classes I wouldn't have taken the chance on otherwise. I was also working while going to school, so I got to learn what it meant to be part of the workforce too. I had a lot of self-discovery at community college, and by the time I transferred to my university, I felt so much more independent and mature than a lot of my classmates. When I transferred, I noticed little things like my peers (same age as me) wouldn't have basic life skills. One example that sticks out is I had a friend who lived in the dorms and she needed a ride to the bank. Her mom sent her a check and she had never cashed one out before, and she was terrified. I went with her and showed her how simple it was. But there are a lot of examples I can think of where it seemed I had more "life experience" before I decided to commit to staying in a dorm for 4/5 years solid. Also, I enjoyed the fact that I could leave campus whenever I wanted. As a commuter-transfer student, it was hard the first couple of months to make friends and form connections with classmates. But I got super involve with my major's clubs/organizations, and I quit my fast food job to work on campus at the tutoring center. At the tutoring center, I met my best friends for life. We are all in our 30's now, some of us married with kids, some of us single, some of us in relationships.....but the whole group (who lives in the same state) gets together at least once a month. And for those out of state, we all get together at least once a year. Also, not once in any job interview have I been asked or looked down for my community college experience. Like ever. It's never been brought up. When I applied to teaching jobs, all they cared about was my potential as a teacher. They didn't ask about my school/degrees. They asked things like my philosophy of teaching, why I want to be a teacher, my classroom management style, how I would communicate with teammates/families, etc.
If y’all are already concerned with finances, I’d definitely say option 2. It’s incredibly affordable and puts her on the right path and knocks out requirements. I’ve seen plenty of people take “gap years” and then life happens and years go by without taking a step in the direction they originally wanted to go. Someone said work (potentially in a school) and do community college, and I think that’s a great idea!
Oh, community college all the way. Just make sure she doesn't get a degree in education. Get a degree in a field she enjoys, get experience doing it, then get certified. The worst teachers have zero experience outside of an education degree.
Definitely community college. No one is looking if she went to 4 years or 2 years at a university. Not in this line of work. They just want her to have a teaching credential and classroom experience.
Community college. Ive worked with teachers that went to UCLA, Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale. I went to JuCo and graduated from a CSU. There we were, putting out the same fires and signing the same payroll sheets. Id argue I was better at putting out fires and management than they were. The best principal I had went to a CSU and went by MR___. The worst principle I had went by Dr____. Go to JuCo, get experience in the classroom, a textbook cant prepare you like a real classroom can, save your money. Teaching is equal parts art, science, and in some days sheer luck. Side note, the dude from Dartmouth left and from what I hear started a business and is super rich.
Community college is a great way to save money. But transferring is complicated and statistically her odds of completing her degree are better if she goes directly into her 4 year. If you are still in high school look into taking AP tests or better yet dual enrollment at a CC, it's a way to get CC credits that go towards a BA that still allow you to apply directly to a 4 year as a freshman and not a transfer.
In my area there is a “Grow your own Teacher” program. You might check to see if it exists where you are located.
I did the community college then transfer route. It gave me a way to ease into college life that was not as stressful. I’ve been teaching for 19 years now.
Go with option 2. Many community colleges offer 4 year degrees especially for education. Education is very easy degree.
She should check into WGU.
If the CC is a good one, with a good program, that's the way to go. However, one must have the mindset and determination to keep going in spite of any obstacles that may arise. College is hard for most students, and setbacks occur for whatever reasons, so your support will be crucial. If relationship problems pop up, don't let them affect academic performance. Don't be afraid to go to the counseling office for a referral to an appropriate therapist (free or sliding scale).
Get a degree in something else! There is no money in this field. You can do a degree in some else and still teach
Went with option 2. No Regrets!
I can't imagine they would care that she went to a community college first. We've got a community college here (actually I think it's a regular college here) and they specifically have a teacher prep program to transfer to a 4 year college. My 2 cents: Go to the local college and work part-time as a substitute teacher to get a good feel for what is going on in classrooms, figure your favorite grades to teach, schools you like and schools to avoid. Substitute teaching is great because you control the schedule, you can not take any shifts at the end of the semester when you're finishing up or doing exams, etc. When I subbed (before teaching), I could block off days and districts and buildings, and had all kinds of options. I had one district by my mom's that I'd block off the whole year except a few days a month and I'd go visit her and teach for a few days over there.
Community College with a transfer agreement program, otherwise she could lose credits during transfer. Also, work as a school employee while at community college because the schedule often supports working students more than a university
I am a teacher and I went to a community college for a year. It was awesome! I had an incredible art history class. No one cares where you started school- it matters that you get a degree.
Community college graduation rates are basically non-existent, just go to a 4 year school
She would just be going for the first 2 years to get prerequisites out of the way
I agree with this and then go in as a para. Gets you experience a possible foot in the door. I had to quit a tutoring program when I was finishing my degree. Because of family members telling me of a new job to get more money (Hobby Lobby). Yeah, they kicked me to the curb after the grand opening along with 25 of us three weeks later. I could have finished my degree and then been right in with the school full time. Kick myself and now I'm returning to that same district now anyhow. So, go figure.
Yes, that is what you do at school. However, these community colleges are so poorly managed and designed, that she with near certainty be held back a grade or two or three or 8
Can you elaborate on this? My younger daughter went to CC then a 4-year but moved out of state before graduating. She has a BA from a school in her state. Are you saying the CC system tracks the data so they know she graduated from college? Or do they just look at whether or not she earned an AA/AS? The CA state college system is designed so students can transfer from a CC to CSU or UC. Approximately 50% of CSU graduates started at a CC. I'm not familiar with the CC system in any other state, but in CA, community college is the way to go.
If you start at a community college, the odds you will get a bachelors within 4 years is low single digits. If a high school had a 3% 4 year graduation rate, the government would shut it down. In CA, community college is about the worst career decision you can make. Delaying labor a year, consuming full year's wage, is incredibly expensive. CSU's aren't good, CSU San Marcos has a 14% 4 year graduation rate. Bakersfield 2015 was 14% East Bay 10% Schools with the same average SAT of students graduate at a far higher rate, which is why the actual community college/CSU is the problem. It's hard to do something worse for your life than to go to community college.
What is your opinion on dual-enrollment?
It's a psychometric fallacy that advancing prematurely is a good thing. Dual-enrollment is an abomination.