I didn’t get into my dream school. It was the only one I really wanted to go to. Should I settle for another school I don’t really want to go to or do community college and hope I can transfer in when I get my associates degree?
That’s definitely a tough situation, but fortunately, there’s more than one way forward from here. Whether you choose to enroll at another school or start at a community college is going to depend on a few factors.
First off, consider your finances. Community college is generally more affordable and can reduce the amount of debt you might accumulate at a four-year university. If you’re not down to go into debt at a four-year university that wasn’t your first choice, that might be a solid reason to consider community college.
Second, consider what the transfer process will be like. You can transfer from one university to another just as you can transfer from a community college to your dream school, assuming that you get in this time. However, this process is often easier starting from community college due to agreements many of them have with four-year universities (including some pretty prestigious ones!) They often guarantee admission to the university after completing your associate’s degree if you meet certain requirements. Check and see if this is the case with the community college you’re considering, though, before making your decision.
Third, consider your field of interest. Community colleges are great for getting your basics, but if you were planning on entering a field of study that requires specialized basics from the beginning, a community college might not be your best bet. Remember, as we said in the previous paragraph, you can transfer from your second or third choice school to your first choice school too. You want to make sure that, whatever the case, you’re academically prepared for the program you want to get into.
It might also help to talk to advisors both at the community college and at the alternative school. They can provide insights into transfer success rates and specifics about the programs you're interested in. Both paths have their merits, so consider what feels right for you in terms of your educational goals, financial situation, and the kind of college experience you want to have.
Resources We Love: We’ve just begun a Summer Scholars College Admissions program, and this would be a great resource for you to explore. You meet with a college admissions coach and are guided through everything from the essay to the path to admissions. You’d be able to get a lot of information that would be helpful in making your decision and planning your transfer process.