Artwork by Jennifer Ding

Sean Mayer ‘25

ART MANAGER

College season is the most stressful period in high school, as seniors wait to see if the effort they put in the last four years equates to a satisfactory outcome. One college decision can make all the time spent on research, extracurriculars, and programs feel incredibly rewarding—or leave someone wondering if it was all worth it.

During this tense process, there is one prevalent issue: students’ desire for prestige. Some students are so focused on the “Top 10” schools that they develop a narrow perspective of having no other options. The notion of prestige can overshadow other factors; while top-ranked schools offer incredible resources, a fixation on high rankings and low acceptance rates alone can lead some to overlook colleges that may be a better fit for their academic, professional, and financial needs.

The same stigma that glorifies top colleges can diminish other paths like community college. While this is not a typical four-year experience, this route can act as a stepping stone to ultimate academic and career goals. The main advantage of such a path is the opportunity to discover an academic passion at a cheap price. At standard colleges, as many as 50% of students are undecided, and nearly 80% of individuals transfer majors at least once. The time students spend trying to find a major can hinder their ability to find specific academic and research opportunities early on. Rather than progressing their career, they are spending thousands of dollars switching between fields.

Through a community college, students are able to take the same general classes at much lower prices. After figuring out their passion in a more manageable environment, they can transfer into a four-year university with their desired major or continue their journey to a graduate school if they choose to. Though transfer processes vary by institution, many universities have articulation agreements that ensure a smooth transition.

Attending and graduating from community college can be beneficial as well; it is how much someone chooses to take advantage of the resources available to them and how motivated they are to foster connections that will help in the workforce. Ultimately, it is the students who make the college, not the college that makes the students. Whether at a prestigious institution or a community college, the way that one engages with the opportunities that arise truly shapes their future.