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 Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:39 am
Breathe in,
I'm going to be a senior this year, and so I have only a year to fully prepare myself for whatever college life awaits.
I was just, looking for advice. I know some of ya'll have been to college, are going to college, and some are even in the same boat as I am.
I live in North Carolina, and there are some great colleges here, so I will more than likely stay in state. Especially since tuition is cheaper that way. As of right now though, I'm just wondering...where should I go? I've narrowed it down to my top 5 choices as of now. I'm just, in some debate as of whether I should go straight to university, or community college first.
The main thing I'm thinking about is cost. I'm sure I'll get some scholarships, but I just don't know yet...time will tell I suppose.
--So I'm asking, what did you guys/gals do? I'd love to hear your experiences and how colleges went for you and even people you know.
Another thing, I wouldn't have to declare my major until sophomore or junior year, but I'm just wondering "when will I ever decide? what would really be the right career/degree for me?"
Any advice on college would be great. Especially as far as: finding the right college, how you chose what you wanted to do, dorm life, getting grants/scholarships, etc. I know I'm not the only one, so I figured this would be a good post to make for my benefit and for others. 3nodding
Breathe out.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:26 am
I went to community college for my first two years, and I highly recommend it. The classes and teachers weren't much different between my local community college and the four year college that I went to after. In fact, I think a couple of the teachers taught at both. The biggest difference was the price (the community college was like 2k a semester, the other place was like 24k) and the fact that I didn't have to take the SAT if I went to community college first. Other than that, I couldn't really tell the difference.
Don't worry too much about not having a major picked out. Most people change majors at least once while they're in college. After getting my two year degree from community college, I switched majors when I started at the other college and was still able to graduate on schedule. My classes for my first major ended up counting as electives for my second major. So then I just took all the required courses and no electives. Switching didn't put me behind at all, and it didn't cost me any extra.
And even after that, you're not necessarily totally locked in to any one path since most majors relate to many different careers. For example, after getting my two year degree in Criminal Justice and my four year degree in Psychology, I ended up working in education!
So I'd say start with the required courses. Maybe take a couple of electives that sound interesting, meet the teachers, talk to the head of the department for majors that you're considering for advice and job ideas, or do some volunteer work or an internship in area that you think might interest you. But don't stress about it too much yet.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:43 pm
2k per semester at community college? o.o I've spent about that in 2yrs for community college here in California.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:40 am
Yeah, it was either about 2k per semester or about 2k per year at mine. I forget which; it's been about 8 years since I graduated from there! I'm sure it varies a bit from one place to the next. But either way, it was a lot cheaper than everything else around here!
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:20 pm
I can't offer too much advice about college applications because I knew what I wanted to major in and where, and I applied early. xD
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:26 pm
LorienLlewellyn I went to community college for my first two years, and I highly recommend it. The classes and teachers weren't much different between my local community college and the four year college that I went to after. In fact, I think a couple of the teachers taught at both. The biggest difference was the price (the community college was like 2k a semester, the other place was like 24k) and the fact that I didn't have to take the SAT if I went to community college first. Other than that, I couldn't really tell the difference. Don't worry too much about not having a major picked out. Most people change majors at least once while they're in college. After getting my two year degree from community college, I switched majors when I started at the other college and was still able to graduate on schedule. My classes for my first major ended up counting as electives for my second major. So then I just took all the required courses and no electives. Switching didn't put me behind at all, and it didn't cost me any extra. And even after that, you're not necessarily totally locked in to any one path since most majors relate to many different careers. For example, after getting my two year degree in Criminal Justice and my four year degree in Psychology, I ended up working in education! So I'd say start with the required courses. Maybe take a couple of electives that sound interesting, meet the teachers, talk to the head of the department for majors that you're considering for advice and job ideas, or do some volunteer work or an internship in area that you think might interest you. But don't stress about it too much yet. Breathe in,
First off, thanks for the advice. :]
I think I may end up going to community college first, my Mom is really "advising" that I do that. It'll be cheaper and hopefully I'd be able to work while in school and save up for some money for when I'm at University.
I'm just trying to look into different universities right now, and consider different majors. I'm trying to at least narrow some things down.
Who knows, if I can get a way to pay for almost all or all of my schooling, I may just go to a university next year. If I can't get it all paid for right away though, then community college it is. lol.
Thanks guys.
As of now, the main things I know about myself as far as degree/career wise is:
a)I love being social
b)I love helping people
c)I want a well paying job.
Breathe out.
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:27 pm
Eruresto I can't offer too much advice about college applications because I knew what I wanted to major in and where, and I applied early. xD Breathe in,
Applying early is a great idea. 3nodding
I already love 2 schools in particular. I'll probably end up applying to both. :]
Breathe out.
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:54 pm
Long~Lost~Dream Eruresto I can't offer too much advice about college applications because I knew what I wanted to major in and where, and I applied early. xD Breathe in,
Applying early is a great idea. 3nodding
I already love 2 schools in particular. I'll probably end up applying to both. :]
Breathe out. Never hurts. mrgreen
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