A "W", or a withdraw from a course can actually make a difference in your transferring potential. Some people say that a "W" here and there on your transcript is insignificant, which I agree with. However, if you accumulate 3-4 "Ws" over the course of two years, you may have some explaining to do on your application.
A "W" signifies that you had to withdraw from a class fairly late into the semester. If you do not fully explain why you had to withdraw, it may look like you are a quitter to the admissions committee reviewing your application. Lets review some legitimate reasons why you may need to withdraw.
Throughout your community college career you are sure to enroll in classes that will not work for you; for whatever reasons. Perhaps you don't enjoy listening to the professor, the class time conflicts with your work schedule, or you decide the class expectations exceed your abilities. All of these reasons are legitimate for withdrawing from a course. Let us review some reasons that are not.
If you are taking a class with your friend, and they decide to withdraw, DO NOT withdraw just on this condition alone. If you decide sometime later in the semester that you don't "like" when the class is being held any longer, buckle down and move forward. Your course schedule will not always be ideal, but this is no reason to withdraw.
Withdrawing from a class should be used as a last resort. Again, a few won't really hurt you. But more than a few and you will draw negative attention to your application.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Common community college misconceptions.
Many people look down upon attending community college. Here are some common reasons people site when discouraging others from attending a community college.
1. Only losers go to community college.
2. Community college will take you longer to complete than going straight to a four-year college.
3. Going to a four-year University as a Freshmen is much better and more prestigious than going to community college.
4. It is hard to get classes at community college.
5. Professors don't care about their students at community college.
Let me be the first to tell you that all of the above reasons are completely untrue. Let me address each reason in turn.
1. While there are many students who are unmotivated at community college, the same is true at ANY four-year university. You will come across people who are only at a junior college to pass the time, but generally students are there to reach their ultimate academic goals.
2. You will stay at community college for as long as you want to stay there. If you apply yourself, and set goals, you can transfer to the school of your choice in two years. If you procrastinate while you are there, it will take you a long time to transfer.
3. Some people believe attending a four-year school straight from high school is more prestigious than transferring to a school later. I am not sure where this opinion comes from. Perhaps its the thought that transferring is a kind of loophole in the higher education system? At any rate, it is less than clear how being admitted as a Freshmen is more prestigious than transferring later.
4. Getting classes at community college can be a challenge if you do the following: forget to register for your classes. Register for your classes and then forget to pay, resulting in you being dropped from all of your classes. Lastly, not researching your classes before registering. Do your homework before the registration period and you will be fine.
5. Surely there are professors at community colleges who have mentally checked out and are only there to collect their tenured pay-check. However, you are sure to come across professors who have a sincere interest in their students. Show the slightest respect to your professors at your community college and they will be eager to help and assist you. Ask for help, and you will generally receive it. Professors at big four-year universities are far less likely to give you extra attention. Such professors have books to write, articles to publish and so on. Teaching for professors at big four-year schools plays a subsidiary role to everything else they are doing. I don't mean to say that there will not be professors who are great at four-year schools. I only want to suggest that professors are generally more available at community colleges.
1. Only losers go to community college.
2. Community college will take you longer to complete than going straight to a four-year college.
3. Going to a four-year University as a Freshmen is much better and more prestigious than going to community college.
4. It is hard to get classes at community college.
5. Professors don't care about their students at community college.
Let me be the first to tell you that all of the above reasons are completely untrue. Let me address each reason in turn.
1. While there are many students who are unmotivated at community college, the same is true at ANY four-year university. You will come across people who are only at a junior college to pass the time, but generally students are there to reach their ultimate academic goals.
2. You will stay at community college for as long as you want to stay there. If you apply yourself, and set goals, you can transfer to the school of your choice in two years. If you procrastinate while you are there, it will take you a long time to transfer.
3. Some people believe attending a four-year school straight from high school is more prestigious than transferring to a school later. I am not sure where this opinion comes from. Perhaps its the thought that transferring is a kind of loophole in the higher education system? At any rate, it is less than clear how being admitted as a Freshmen is more prestigious than transferring later.
4. Getting classes at community college can be a challenge if you do the following: forget to register for your classes. Register for your classes and then forget to pay, resulting in you being dropped from all of your classes. Lastly, not researching your classes before registering. Do your homework before the registration period and you will be fine.
5. Surely there are professors at community colleges who have mentally checked out and are only there to collect their tenured pay-check. However, you are sure to come across professors who have a sincere interest in their students. Show the slightest respect to your professors at your community college and they will be eager to help and assist you. Ask for help, and you will generally receive it. Professors at big four-year universities are far less likely to give you extra attention. Such professors have books to write, articles to publish and so on. Teaching for professors at big four-year schools plays a subsidiary role to everything else they are doing. I don't mean to say that there will not be professors who are great at four-year schools. I only want to suggest that professors are generally more available at community colleges.
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