Different academic paths mean different college experiences. Joining a 4-year university straight out of high school will be completely different than having two years of college completed when you graduate high school. However, each option has its benefits and downfalls. Whether or not the downfalls are that bad are up to you. Here are detailed pros and cons of the regular college education track versus the concurrent high school & community college track.
Regular College Education Track
Pros
Going to an in-person university will allow you to make friends and close relationships right off the bat after high school
You have time to explore your interests
Ability to live and explore in a city of your choice
Less work all at once (compared to CC/HS Track)
Ability to attend college clubs
Cons
You must study and take standardized tests on multiple occasions, such as the ACT, SAT, etc. This costs thousands of dollars to study with good tutors, and test fees add up each time a test is taken
Admission is not guaranteed
Tuition is priced outrageously
Yearly tuition for 4 years
Out-of-State Tuition costs more than In-State Tuition
Students have a hard time drastically changing their lifestyle from high school life to college life
i.e. “Freshman 15”
Mistakes cost a lot of money
i.e. dropping out of a class in the middle of a semester and still having to pay for it: USC cost per unit - $1,995, Dropping out of a 3-unit, average course, with no college credit on transcript will equal $5,985
*not including textbook fees and other fees
*College transcript will also show an irreversible “W,” meaning Withdrawal, with the potential to affect academic standing.
As of the 2020-2021 school year, due to COVID-19, students have been attending 4-year universities have been taking courses via zoom or other online learning platforms. Students have complained about receiving mass emails from their universities and instructors, they mention that they feel overwhelmed by said emails to the point that they no longer check them.
Students also pay the same amount of tuition as they would if they were on campus. Universities charge the same tuition for online courses, which could be taken at a community college at a significantly lower price, and students have no access to campus resources.
Concurrent High School & Community College Track
Pros
Tuition and College Courses are free (due to K-12 form and Concurrent Enrollment forms)
Ability to get rid of repetitive general education courses
Admission to a 4-year College is guaranteed with many transfer programs in community colleges
Most community college professors are the same professors that teach at the universities that charge outrageous tuition
No need for taking standardized tests...EVER!
That saves a lot of money & study time!
No need for taking AP classes in high school. Most college classes are transferable to 4-year universities*. AP class duration in a full school year, college classes are one semester and do not require a test for receiving college credits.
*See IGETC for more information about transferable courses
Easy transfer of lifestyle from high school to college
Get degrees faster than others
As you take your high school and college courses, hence concurrent enrollment. You will stay in the same grade in high school. However, once you graduate from high school you will jump up to your college grade level.
For example, I graduated as a high school senior and became a college sophomore.
It is okay to make mistakes...or at least there is less guilt
College units are free for those attending high school. If a withdrawal is needed, the only thing lost and/or paid for is textbooks and other class materials
Cons
Students must figure out what they want to pursue a little faster than their peers
Lack of students to study with or interact with compared to college environments
At some points, students may feel overwhelmed with work
College, High School, and Extra-Curricular activities may overlap
Placing academics over social life is a choice often made
Comment which college route you think is better or worse, and don't forget the follow me at @davidjamesgraye on all social media platforms to never miss a secret!
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