Parents who feel blindsided by the ridiculous costs of baccalaureate degrees from 4-year universities are seeking alternative paths for their children. 24 states now allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees.
Low-income students, older students with children, or those who are the first in their families to attend college benefit from community colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees. These students are more likely to complete a baccalaureate program if they don’t have to apply to competitive 4-year colleges after they complete their first 2 years.
But public universities worry that they’ll lose applicants if they have to compete with community colleges. The cost of getting a baccalaureate degree at a community college is about 25-50% less expensive than getting the same degree at a university.
In California, there are 15 community colleges that offer just one baccalaureate degree. San Diego Mesa College, for instance, offers a health information management bachelor’s degree, which is neither offered at the Cal State University system nor the University of California system. The program is a huge success with graduates placed in jobs within 3 months.
We need more alternative paths for students to attain that coveted bachelor’s degree. Not every student has the ability to apply to and transfer to 4-year colleges, commit to attending college without working, pay $80,000-$300,000 in tuition and room/board, and leave their family members who might need their support. Let’s open more doors to all students so they can make career choices that work for themselves.
Parents who feel blindsided by the ridiculous costs of baccalaureate degrees from 4-year universities are seeking alternative paths for their children. 24 states now allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees.
Low-income students, older students with children, or those who are the first in their families to attend college benefit from community colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees. These students are more likely to complete a baccalaureate program if they don’t have to apply to competitive 4-year colleges after they complete their first 2 years.
But public universities worry that they’ll lose applicants if they have to compete with community colleges. The cost of getting a baccalaureate degree at a community college is about 25-50% less expensive than getting the same degree at a university.
In California, there are 15 community colleges that offer just one baccalaureate degree. San Diego Mesa College, for instance, offers a health information management bachelor’s degree, which is neither offered at the Cal State University system nor the University of California system. The program is a huge success with graduates placed in jobs within 3 months.
We need more alternative paths for students to attain that coveted bachelor’s degree. Not every student has the ability to apply to and transfer to 4-year colleges, commit to attending college without working, pay $80,000-$300,000 in tuition and room/board, and leave their family members who might need their support. Let’s open more doors to all students so they can make career choices that work for themselves.
With a gap year and our crippled economy, the silver lining is that some colleges are changing policies and admitting more students. San Francisco State University just announced that they will accept transfer students with as few as 6 credits! Normally they require community college students to complete 2 full years of courses and apply to transfer with a minimum of 60 credits. The new rules mean that students could take one fall semester of courses at a community college and then transfer spring semester to SFSU.
Thanks to thousands of students who will not be attending the online classes this fall, the admissions dept has opened up these 2500 spaces to transfer students. All that’s required for eligibility under these pandemic times are the following:
High School GPA: B- average
Community College GPA: C average
SAT/ACT: not required
Required course completion: (1) basic writing; and (2) basic math
So the silver lining is a huge bonus for students of color and students who are the first in their families to go to college. SFSU is partnering with City College of San Francisco to implement these new guidelines and to help community college students get into a 4-year university. All community college students will be considered, and other California State Universities may follow suit. Stay tuned!
Transfer students who attend California community colleges and hope to transfer to UCs need to get their Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) application in before September 30th.
Six UC campuses offer an admission guarantee for junior transfer applicants (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz). Simply complete the online UC TAG application at https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu/students/index.cfm. Use the useful Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) to help you get organized.
If you need help, just ask a Merit College Advisor at info@159.65.71.134!