FL by Charles

FL by Charles - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

Knowing what you know now, what is one piece of advice you'd share with younger students?

Simple questions always require more complicated answers. With my two years of college almost behind me I have to say that community college is a huge waste of time and money compared to state schools. Between not knowing what classes to take because of un-informed advisors to the lack of passion for education surrounding the staff and student body. The only classes I enjoyed were math related because at least I know that it will be applied to my major and not rejected by the state schools policies. The community college system is undoubtedly broken and we need passionate educators to rethink school. Granted this really only applies to Florida but I'm pretty sure it's not much different throughout the US. Now this being said one might wonder if any of the staff or school is even worth fixing and the answer is yes. There are good and bad professors everywhere, and there are good and bad schools everywhere as well. The basis of what these community colleges have to work with is flawed.
My biggest advice to a younger student is to avoid community college at all costs. It will crush your ambition and might even push you to stop going to school while taking nearly as much money as a state school will. I’m not saying you can’t get an education at a community college. I’m saying it’s a waste of time compared to state schools. That being said, I’ve had a few good professors at the two community college’s I’ve attended, and I always felt like something was missing and until I visited I state schools. Once I visited three state schools it became clear that a more focused and passionate community was established. The environment in which you learn shapes your reality. Better environment equals better education.
Now there is an argument against my opinion being the price disparity and how it equals the playing field as an excuse for community colleges to lack the qualities stated earlier. I don’t think this has any concrete backing what so ever. The reason state schools are more expensive has little to nothing to do with the class quality discounting famous professors. The reason people pay more is for the amenities that comes with state schools (nice dorms, sports etc.). That being said, the class price is near the same when subtracting the cost of the extras that don’t attribute to the classroom experience. Also, the professors usually have the same education and qualification to teach those courses. I don't think how much you spend on a college class should decide whether it transfers to your university or whether it has a passionate professor with a good curriculum. Not to mention both state and community colleges use the same texts at the same price which is usually half of your tuition. All this being said, there is no economic or logical reason to go to a community college other than not getting accepted to a state school that you can also claim residency in that state for the cheaper tuition.