Should I go to community college outside of my hometown?
I am a high school senior planning on going to community college to save money. I live in the San Diego area(north county) but I would like to go to school in either SF or LA but I’m not sure. I’m thinking it’s smarter to just stay at home and go to the local college around here but I would really like a new atmosphere and I just want to move out already. My problem is I want to move to SF or LA but I’m worried that tuition plus the cost of living would defeat the purpose of actually going to community college in SF or LA. I talked to my councilor and he seemed optimistic but I know a lot of people do this and it doesn’t seem to work out.
Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone ever done this or know anyone who has? I know it would be really hard but any encouragement or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
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It will still save money over a four year college out of town. Don’t listen to the person who said CCs are not meant for full time students. You get all kinds of students, full and part time. Any college is what you make of it. I’ve come across great and lousy professors at all levels of college.
Try for scholarships, any and all that you meet the minimum qualifications for. When I was serving on a CC scholarship committee, we had full tuition scholarships that went unclaimed because no one applied for them. Some of them don’t require financial need. Don’t let the essay throw you. It’s amazing how many college students don’t apply because of an essay, yet college is full of essays.
Even if you don’t go to SF or LA, try the OC. Downtown LA can be a little dicey to find affordable places. Most CCs have housing offices to help you find roommates, which can dramatically reduce the cost. Some CCs have dorms. I think College of the Redwoods (Humboldt County) does.
I understand the need for change and trying your wings. Do some research on the cost of rooming near the various colleges you want to apply for. The CCs usually have some information on their site or through their housing office. Try to live close enough to walk or near public transit, you can save a lot that way.
Being out on your own and learning to make decisions is an important part of the college experience. Don’t forget to consider part time work, or better work study on campus, which adapts to your schedule.
December 11th, 2009 at 11:58 amHi, I am a college student from Southern California who attends a four year university. Community college is not meant for full time students. It will be easy, slow paced and very sleep inducing. Going out of town for a community college education would be extremely un-economical. The cost of living is ridiculous right now, it would be much beneficial to just stay at home. I know it’s frustrating because you have the desire to gain independence, but going out of town for community college would be an economic hardship for a mediocre education. You should gain independence in other ways, like getting a job with good hours or devoting extra time to getting perfect grades. Going out of town for community would drain all your money, compromise your grades, and really just strengthen your dependence on your parents.
December 11th, 2009 at 11:58 amI am doing that now. I hate my hometown and want to move out yesterday but due to money troubles its just easier to do things this way. SF and LA are really expensive, maybe you could just get your own place in your town and then that way you could have your own space. With the economy the way it is, don’t make any risky moves unless you know its going to pay off and work out for you.
December 11th, 2009 at 11:58 amCollege of the Redwoods does have dorms. I don’t know the cost of them though. The classes are pretty cheap, I think about $26 a unit.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:40 pm