Schools Community College vs University: Comparing Experiences

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Starting classes at a community college to complete pre-requisites for a Mechanical Engineering program raises important considerations about the transition to a four-year university. Many individuals who have transferred from community colleges to universities report that the learning environment can vary significantly, with some finding community colleges to be a more supportive and less overwhelming setting for foundational courses. The consensus suggests that community colleges offer a cost-effective option for the first two years, particularly for general education courses, which are often viewed as less critical. Regarding employment, it appears that employers generally do not prioritize whether candidates completed their initial coursework at a community college or a university, focusing instead on the degree earned and relevant skills. Overall, the choice between community college and university should align with personal learning preferences and financial considerations.
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I will be starting classes this summer in a community college to pick up a few pre-reqs in order to start a Mechanical Engineering program. My original plan was to transfer to a four year university (PSU) as soon as possible, but after talking to a few people I am not so sure. I have heard mixed reviews about the positives and negatives of community colleges. So here are my main questions:

#1. has anyone here started at community college then transferred to university? Which environment did you find better for learning.

#2. Do employers care at all if you do your first two years at community rather then university?

Now I know that it can depend a lot on the individual and the college, and I don't expect anyone to know what will be best for ME (me as in me not M.E.) I am just looking for people that went to a community college first to get their thoughts.

Any input on the subject would be helpful. Thank you.
 
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I can't say much for the first other than what other people tell me. To most people, CC is a great, cheaper alternative to universities for the first couple of years when you're taking the fairly unimportant GE courses.

As for the second question, employers don't care.
 
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