The Benefits of Attending a Jr. College Before a University

(Written by an Antelope Valley student and college graduate - 2006)

     If I could do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would choose to go to

a community college (JC) before heading straight to a 4-year school.

     On top of the convenience of attending a JC, there is the advantage of smaller class sizes. It is difficult to get individual attention or ask questions of a university professor when there are a hundred other students in your classes.

     It has been my experience that the professors at junior colleges are much more willing to go over tests, meet after class, or give personal attention to students. At the university a student is lucky if a professor ever even mentions their name or acknowledges them as a person.

     If the occupational goal you choose requires a four year degree, then it makes sense to take your general education requirements at a JC before transferring to a university or college that offers the upper division classes and the degree you need.

     Junior colleges offer substantial financial advantages. I had understood this I could have saved over $80.000.

     Most units at Junior Colleges cost between $22 and $48 each. That is still as much as $1000 per semester. The same credits at a public university or college can cost $4000 per semester. Private schools can cost $250 per unit or more per unit.

     I attended UCSB for my first two years of college. I changed my major three times.

My rent was $800 per month. I transferred to UCLA for my third year. AT UCLA the tuition almost doubled. I ended up in the hospital suffering from exhaustion.

     It was then that I decided to take a semester off and try attending a JC.

     After two weeks at Antelope Valley College I realized that it had been a mistake not to start at AVC to begin with.

     I hope this discussion of my experiences will be helpful to you. I encourage you to think long and hard about your educational decisions before you make them.

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(Editor's Note: This letter was written by a student at AVC for the benefit of athletes in the Antelope Valley preparing for college. It was modified only slightly for publication here.)