Pros

Many people like the cozy, friendly atmosphere of community colleges. The classes are smaller, so you can really form close relationships with your classmates and interact with one another in a way you never can in a large school. Many community colleges actually encourage small group discussions.

The teachers are also more hands-on and are more likely to adopt a mentor-student relationship. In big colleges it’s not uncommon for there to be over 200 students in one class, sitting in a large lecture hall. IN community colleges your teachers will know you by name and have the time to entertain questions and guide you through difficult subject matter. They’ll even take an individualized approach, slowing down the pace of the teaching if you’re having a hard time.

Community colleges can also let you build a better academic record. For example, if you feel you don’t have a good chance of being accepted by a large and prestigious university, you can study in a community college for two years and hone your skills and academic record. This will let you improve your GPA and do better on standardized entrance exams.

Community colleges are also more affordable than larger universities. Many students take their core classes in community colleges and then transfer to a bigger college for their specialized classes.

Cons

However community colleges have their faults. For example, they often have limited course offerings. They may not have the kind of prestigious faculty of bigger schools, and their resources (such as the size of their library or the opportunities for extra curricular activities) may be limited. And though you can transfer to another school, not all your work could be credited. You may have to take some classes again, which means having to delay your graduation.

Community colleges are also not held in as high a regard as the larger universities. When you graduate, you may lose out on some job opportunities if pitted against students from a bigger, better-known school. There is just a perception that the community colleges aren’t as rigorous or as well equipped as other schools. If you plan to pursue a very competitive career, than you may have to go to a school that has more “pull”.

Many colleges will require applicants to go through a college interview. It’s a great chance for you to show off any qualities that were not reflected in your transcript of records, and impress the admissions board with your natural intelligence and ability to communicate.

Of course that assumes that you don’t completely mess up your interview, and end up looking like a blabbering idiot. Here are some tips:

Do background research on the school

Find out as much as you can about the school’s history and curriculum. You can find most of this information on the school website or even in the brochure. By knowing a lot about the school, and asking intelligent questions, you show that you are seriously interested in applying and that you have (at the very least) the ability to do research and gather information.

Think of answers to possible questions

Write down possible points you can raise in index cards and practice your answers in front of the mirror. This will help prevent the cold panic of hearing a question and not being able to say a single thing!

Common questions are:

• What are your greatest weaknesses? What are your greatest strengths?
• What are some of your hobbies and interests?
• Why are you interested in applying to this school?
• What subjects do you like the most?
• What major did you choose and why?
• Name one of your most memorable high school experiences.

Write down your own questions

The interview is also a good time to ask intelligent questions about the school. It lets you show that you’re really interested in attending that school, and can also help you gather data that wasn’t available in the brochures or the website. Some questions are:

• Is it easy to find part time jobs in the area?
• How many of your freshmen students returned to your school for their sophomore year?
• How does the system of advising work?
• How do you match room mates?

Make a good impression

Be early (at least twenty minutes before your slot). Wear appropriate clothing. Bring paper and pen in case you want to scribble down notes during the interview. Don’t wear strong perfumes and make sure your hair and fingernails are clean—they notice those small details.

You wouldn’t buy a house without looking at it, right? You wouldn’t marry a guy without dating him, or even splurge on jeans without making sure they’d fit.

In the same way, you shouldn’t choose a college without making a personal visit through an organized campus tour. You should check out the atmosphere, visit the classrooms, personally talk to students about what they think. It’s even better if you bring along a friend or family member, with whom you can talk about what you see, and get a second opinion from.

There are other ways to check if a school is right for you. First of all, you should look at what courses they are known for. For example, they may not be considered an Ivy League school, but they’re distinguished for their Biology courses. Or maybe their Fine Arts program is really strong, or they’re one of the best places to complete a degree in Education. Not everyone can get into Harvard or Princeton but you can still get a first class education from another school that’s known for the program that you plan to join.

It’s also important for you not to be discouraged by a school’s tuition. Many colleges have financial aid programs and tuition installment plans. You can also get scholarships, not just from the school itself, but from organizations and companies. Talk to your high school guidance counselor, who probably has many brochures on that subject, or go on the Internet. You can also apply for student loans.

Apply to at least six colleges. Three of those colleges are your “dream schools”. They may be hard to get in because of the competition but you have met their minimum requirements and feel you have a fighting chance. Then choose three “safety schools” that you’re reasonably sure that you can get in and wouldn’t mind attending.

When the acceptance letters come pouring in, don’t feel like you have to make the decision alone. Talk to your family members, your guidance counselor, and a friend who knows you very well and can make an objective suggestion.