Community college to graduate school?

[archer]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so feel free to move this if it's the wrong forum.

I'm already starting to freak out about graduate school and I'm only a sophomore! I currently attend a community college, and will either be transferring to a large state university or a small, middle-of-the road private school next fall. The more I read about the grad school process and academia, the more I think - no good grad school will want a CC student who went to a not-terribly-prestigious undergrad, and I'll end up at some crappy grad school and never have a good career and die a lonely wanna-be academic (holy run-on sentence Batman!).

Anyways, my question is this: Is a community college really ugly on a transcript? I make good grades and was recently accepted into Critical Language scholarship program, but CCs have a bad reputation. Maybe it's irrational, but there's this little voice in the back of my head saying, "You saved money now, but you're screwed in the long-run!"

Oh, and I'm pursuing anthropology or Classical archaeology depending on which school I decide on, if that makes a difference.

[UnlikelyGrad]

What ever gives you the idea that CCs have a bad reputation? I have relatives in academia and none of them think so.

If it makes you feel better, some grad schools only care about your junior and senior years anyway...at least, when I was applying, some only wanted a GPA for the last two years or 60 quarter units.

[sunshine6]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I took all possible classes I could at my community college before transferring. It is not being cheap, it is being fiscally responsible!

No one even brought it up during the app process. Put it this way, most grad schools are most interested in your grades in your last 60 hours (last two years) than anything in your freshmen and sophomore years, because it is these upper-division classes that are more intensive.

Worry less about the transfer school and more about standing out among your peers and DEFINITELY take the extra initiative to do seek out undergrad research/research assistantships in your junior an senior years. I really wish someone would have stressed how much of an edge can be gained by doing this. Also, cultivate relationships with your advisors and professors. (for those letters you'll want later :wink: )

Seriously, CC has no bearing. The only other advice I can offer is not to worry about grad school right this moment, and concentrate on getting into your transfer school. Otherwise, you'll run into that whole cart before the horse problem

[thepoorstockinger]

The one major disadvantage I can see about going to a community college is that you only have 2 years (realistically one year and a half a semester) to develop relationships with faculty members which is crucial both to get advices/help in the application process and to get good letters of reference. But that is a problem that can certainly be overcome if you're a good student and willing to make the effort.

Just be a good student and don't be shy and you shouldn't be at any major disadvantage.

[DarlinClementine]

Seriously, CC has no bearing. The only other advice I can offer is not to worry about grad school right this moment, and concentrate on getting into your transfer school. Otherwise, you'll run into that whole cart before the horse problem

Amen to that.

On the other hand, not too bad an idea to just keep it in the back of your mind how you'll spend your final years in undergrad. I also went to CC (and a not so prestigious university). Actually my undergrad career consisted of about 3 schools...which I at times I worried might look bad but here I am.

Anyway, I don't think they look bad at all. In fact, some of them are actually really good! Just get good grades and be proactive when it comes to being involved. Everywhere I've been I just think "this is my education and I am responsible for how valuable it is."

[archer]

Thank you all, I'm feeling much better now! :mrgreen:

[Highfructose]

The one major disadvantage I can see about going to a community college is that you only have 2 years (realistically one year and a half a semester) to develop relationships with faculty members which is crucial both to get advices/help in the application process and to get good letters of reference. But that is a problem that can certainly be overcome if you're a good student and willing to make the effort.

Just be a good student and don't be shy and you shouldn't be at any major disadvantage.

I went to CC for my first 1.5 years of undergrad, and this above comment is spot on. It's hard to adapt to a new university, finish off your general education requirements, all the while trying to find your niche within the span of really about a year (if you apply your senior year, then you probably should get a good writing sample and LOR's developed you junior year).

There are plenty of university resources and faculty members with research that i find interesting, that I have only become aware of here at the end- it takes time to really learn the geography of a department and your place in it.

But as far as whether an admission committee would ever throw your application out because you took some classes at a CC - i'd say nope: most students have taken at least a few classes at community college.

[Othello's alter]

I started at community college part time and then transferred to a state school. I have not had any problems getting into graduate programs. Most of them are PhD programs, so don't worry, just make good connections with professors in your department at the University that you transfer to. Also, try to work on a research project if you can. There are research programs for undergraduate students on most four year campuses; especially programs geared towards students that began at the CC level. Good luck.

[baileysamson]

I also started out at a community college, and then transferred to a state school. I was still able to graduate summa cum laude, develop close relationships with faculty, and was awarded a Fulbright straight out of undergrad. Applying to doctoral programs this past year, I was accepted to most of the programs I applied to.

[student4life]

I started at a CC transferred to a public University and am now a PHD student. I'm so proud, grateful, and happy that I started at CC. It saved me money and I got a decent education that prepared me well for a 4-year University.