Beating the Stigmas: Community College to Cornell University

By Jacob Chen

The idea of going to community college carries a strong stigma with it for many people. Why is that? Community college is generally cheaper, more accessible, offers better scheduling, and allows more people to get an education. With all of these positive reasons one might attend a community college, what are the stigmas and where do they come from?

The Stigmas

Generally, the stigmas surrounding community college comes from the idea that community college goers are “lesser than.” Since community colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, people believe you may only choose to go to one because you could not manage to get accepted elsewhere. This may very well be the case for some, however, this bullyish mindset doesn’t even account for the many other reasons people may choose to attend a community college. For example, more than 20% of students attending community college have at least one child. Going to university, you may not be afforded the same scheduling opportunities, and it may also be drastically more expensive. Community college makes it possible to be a parent, work full time, and further your education all at the same time.

Getting Past the Stigma

With all of the negative chatter revolving around community college, it’s fair to say that some may be pushed away from it and go to university instead. However, there are so many reasons why community college might be for you. More than just working with your schedule to fit your needs, it also offers: the leeway to change majors or explore different career paths at a cheaper cost, smaller classes (more opportunity for participation), transfer programs, etc. On average, one year at a community college costs ~$3,600, versus ~$10,400 on average for a year at a university. Keep the stigmas in the past, and that extra money in your pocket!

Community College to Ivy League

Community college can lead to great opportunities, and that’s often overlooked to the stigmas surrounding it. For example, Alison is a Cornell University of Engineering alumna, the best engineering school of all the Ivy Leagues, but–her story doesn’t start there.

Q: Which community colleges have you attended, and what did you major in?

A: I went to two community colleges in my area (California) because one had a better science department, and one had a better math department. De Anza College and West Valley College. I started as an accounting major, but then switched to engineering.

Q: What do you think made you stand out to a prestigious university like Cornell?

A: The essay I wrote. I talked about coming from a low income family, but making my own opportunities and constantly pushing myself to learn new things. It was important to find research opportunities because I wanted to pursue a PhD. I also mentioned my love for hockey and how it was an integral part of my life, but my education precedes that.

Q: What did you major in at Cornell?

A: I transferred in as electrical and computer engineering, then switched to chemistry, then finally landed on mechanical engineering.

Q: What did you like about attending community college? What did you see as the pros and cons?

A: I think it gives you the opportunity to explore majors at way lower costs and doesn’t force you into a major you may not love. It gives you opportunities to explore, it’s cheaper, it’s a great way to raise your GPA and get into a better school, and in some ways I believe the classes are better. However, because you transfer in late, it can be a little bit harder to assimilate socially and find friends because most people tend to make their friends in freshman year. Sometimes depending on where you transfer, it can be a serious adjustment going from community college classes to the level of four-year college classes. It also isn’t a great path for people who want to play high level college sports. Overall, I think almost everyone should go from a community college to a four-year.

At the end of the day, community college is what you make of it and the opportunities you take advantage of. Through hard work and dedication, just like at any other college, you can excel.