Schools Summer classes at a city college

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The discussion highlights key considerations when choosing between summer courses at a city college versus a university. The primary differences include class size, available resources, and the perceived rigor of courses, which can influence the educational experience. Graduate schools may have varying opinions on this choice; some may not differentiate between the two, while others might view city college courses as less prestigious. The reputation and accreditation of the city college play a crucial role in how graduate programs perceive these courses.Regarding graduation timelines, graduate schools generally prioritize the quality of a student's academic record over the duration of their degree completion. Completing a degree in three to three and a half years can be viewed positively if accompanied by a strong GPA and involvement in extracurricular activities. However, rushing through coursework without maintaining academic excellence may lead to negative perceptions. Ultimately, students are encouraged to focus on their academic performance and overall educational experience rather than merely shortening their time to graduation.
Pengwuino
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Ok guys, what is the difference in going to a city college for summer courses as opposed to the university you currently go to for summer classes (except the $500 difference)? Would grad schools look down on it?

Also, do grad schools look well upon students who graduate in say, 3 years or 3 1/2 instead of 4 or are they neutral towards them?
 
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for most universities, for non-university earned credits, the only thing that shows up on your transcript are the course you took and acknowledgment that you received credit for that course. i took calc 2 at a state school last summer and on my transcript here at syracuse university it just shows that i earned 4 credits for calc 2. it doesn't even list my grade. so my assumption is that as long as you earn the credits, grad schools and such will not pay attention to the details, so long as you have your degree. i could be wrong but that's what i think
 


There are a few potential differences between taking summer classes at a city college versus your current university. One potential difference could be the class size and resources available. City colleges may have smaller class sizes and less resources compared to a university, which could affect the quality of education and learning experience. Another difference could be the level of rigor and difficulty of the courses offered. It's important to research and compare the curriculum and academic standards of both institutions to make an informed decision.

As for how graduate schools may view taking summer courses at a city college, it ultimately depends on the individual program and admissions criteria. Some graduate schools may not have a preference or bias towards either option, while others may view summer courses at a city college as less rigorous or prestigious compared to a university. It's important to consider the reputation and accreditation of the city college and how it may be perceived by the graduate programs you are interested in.

In terms of graduating in a shorter amount of time, it really depends on the individual student's academic performance and achievements. Grad schools are typically more concerned with the quality of your academic record and experiences, rather than the length of time it took to complete your degree. If you were able to complete your degree in a shorter amount of time while still maintaining a strong GPA and participating in extracurricular activities or research, it could potentially be viewed positively by grad schools. However, if you rushed through your coursework and did not excel academically, it may not be viewed as favorably. It's important to focus on achieving your academic goals and making the most of your education, rather than solely aiming for a shorter graduation timeline.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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