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After taking all the math courses possible at my high school (highest level Calculus I) I enrolled at a local community college in Calculus II. I was really excited. I purchased the text from the college bookstore and after looking through it I thought, “Wow, I’ll really know a lot by the end of the semester.” HOWEVER, the course covered less than what I learned in my high school level Algebra II course – no kidding! The professor (a PhD) was stuck on chapter R, the preliminary skills section. So, I guess a student at this Community College having graduated with Calculus III would be very, very behind. I even switched to a different Community College for Calculus III, but they were covering Calculus I material! People I’ve talked to at the local State College have the same problem – although it doesn’t bother them. How do you guys feel about this? Is CC daycare for adults? How can it be right to give the “same” associate degree to the student graduating from a community college as to the student from the average/above average college/university?

By Northrams (Northrams) on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 10:38 pm: Edit

it depends on the cc, and if youre in the honors program or not. my honors classes have challenging college level work, including 15 page term papers. while the normal level elective classes are passable in terms of comparing them to 4 year SUNY schools (im from NY), the required classes can be easier than high school, simply because everyone from people studying mechanics to nursing to people that are transferring to the ivy league have to take them. then again, this cc is a very highly ranked one nationwide, so it might not be indicative of most other cc's. either way, they do provide a useful service for those who cannot afford 4 years of college, those who do not intend to go on to college, and those who are attempting to correct mistakes made in HS in the hopes of going on to a 4 year school.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 11:05 pm: Edit

There are variations in community colleges as there are in the 4 year schools. There are many 4 year colleges that have courses that are less difficult than those taught at cc.

I have used cc for a variety of reasons and they have served me well. I audited a calc 3 and a prob and stats course before taking the first two actuarial exams because so much time had elapsed since I had taken those courses in college. I don't think I would have passed the exams without those courses. They were no where as difficult as the ones I had taken as an undergrad at a tough college but they served me well. My nephew took courses at cc until he could get his act together,went to a local college at that point, then transferred to a very competitive school. He got into med school and is now a resident. Without cc, none of this would have happened. My niece and daughter have audited tough courses at a cc that they needed to take in college which helped them ace the course. I have known many people who have transferred into outstanding colleges from a cc and they would have not gotten in without the support of the cc. A dear friend of mine just got into med school at age 44. She took her premed courses at the local cc and a local college--she already had a BA form more than 20 years ago. Cc allowed her to do this at a reasonable cost, with a minimum of time expended and her cc clearly covered the materials adequately as she did very, very well on the MCATs which are no joke.

So daycare for adults? I don't think so. But then I have called colleges half way houses for the 18-22 crowd. I have often jokingly told my European friends that US colleges are baby sitting services for kids too old to keep home, but to young to go out on their own. Because the amenities that our colleges offer are unique in the world; try to find an equivalent to Penn State or Princeton in Germany.