Community College Classes

A word to the wise- do your homework. While you think you may be saving money you may find that your children have to repeat classes or they only transfer as electives.

1. It is best to have an idea of the schools you might transfer to after the community college.
2. Check with the university to see what type of classes they will accept. The truly liberal arts schools usually have a set curriculum and there is very little that will transfer.
3. Foreign language- this has been very eye opening for us. Most high schools require 2 years of foreign language which is considered college prep. Many college degrees have a foreign language requirement, an BA degree (BS degrees usually don't). Here is the catch, at the community college there are usually 4 semesters offered. Our cc offered a 101, 102, 103, and a 104 level. With 2 semester of high school foreign language you can take the 103 class. Some cc want you take a placement test. You can buy the credits if you do well. It is usually about $10 per credit hour which isn't bad. Here is the bad part. The first two classes don't qualify for the foreign language requirement. The 103 and 104 levels are the classes that transfer for most universities. At the university or 4 year college you have to place into the first (103 class). If the child has not had the foreign language recently they end up having to take a refresher course which is considered an elective. I know this is confusing so if you have questions let me know. The bottom line is have the school the child is ultimately interested in approve the cc class and GET IT IN WRITING that they will receive the appropriate credit.

The college my one son is interested in told me not to waste the money on buying the credits for the first two classes because it won't do anything for him; they would just be extra credits.
4. Not all math classes transfer. Make sure you check the prerequisites before taking a class. Look at the class syllabus and see if it something they have already done and see if you can place out of the class. I recently found out that you can actually take a placement test at the cc to place into calculus if you have a high enough ACT score in math. It took taking to 5 people to get that verified. Most of the people at the cc told me you could not do that.

The key here is ask the right questions. Rephrase the question if you aren't sure they are understanding what you are asking. Most importantly get it in writing.