Guest commentary: Take pride in attending community college

California community colleges are accepting applications now for both summer and fall semesters, offering students access to what I believe is one of the best educational systems ever designed.

California is one of a few states that mandates equal access to college for all students.

Regardless of how students performed academically in high school, what choices they made immediately after high school – or if they even went to high school – they still can attend college in this state.

That's not to say that community college courses are easy.

After applying for admission to a community college, the next step is taking the college's assessment test.

Students who are not academically ready for the rigors of college-level courses probably will need to take remedial classes to improve their skills to meet the expectation of college professors.

For some students, this may be one or two courses; for others, it may take a semester or two.

The academic standard to take a community college course is high. According to recent figures about assessment testing at one Sacramento region community college, more than 80 percent of the students tested at "pre-collegiate" levels in at least one of three areas – math, reading or writing.

According to the college report, more than 60 percent tested at a pre-collegiate level in math, more than 50 percent scored at that level in writing and a startling 71 percent were low in reading.

Following such assessment scores, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in courses that strengthen their academic weaknesses.

A state community college offers the best of both worlds for students in a wide variety of interests. Students who wish to pursue a four-year degree at a California State University, a University of California campus or a private college will find that community college provides excellent transferring options.

The UC and CSU systems consider an upper-division transfer student from a California community college to be the No. 1 priority for admission.

Students at most community colleges will find transfer agreements with campuses across the state that guarantee upper-division placement in a specific major.

Students who graduate from a CSU or UC campus with credits from a community college will see that their degrees are regarded the same as students who attended the university all four years.

Other students who seek training for jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree also will find hundreds of options within the California community college system.

Fields ranging from radiology to real estate and welding to nursing can be studied at a community college, where certificates, licenses or associate's degrees can be earned.

Students seeking certificates rather than degrees can advance more directly toward a rewarding job that interests them.

Vocational and technical training courses at community colleges also are good options for students leaving high school who can't bear the idea of sitting through another English class or listening to another history lecture.

Certificate programs and many vocational programs do not require the typical "general ed" classes that an associate's degree will require.

California community college students can apply to most schools online and for free. From there, they must schedule an assessment exam session, again for free, and meet with a counselor for an orientation.

Once those steps are accomplished, students may register for classes.

Most of our local community colleges cost students about $1,500 for a full year of study. Compared with four-year programs, California community colleges are a great bargain.

As high school seniors think about graduating, many feel pressured by family members who ask about their college plans.

But students shouldn't apologize for choosing a community college or say, "I'm just going to community college."

After looking at these colleges' nationally ranked programs, high success rates and affordable costs, students can take pride in attending a California community college.

After all, they are going to college, and that's an admirable goal.

About the writer:

• Cindy Cutts, director of the College and Career Center at Rocklin High, can be reached at smartcollegeplanning @yahoo.com. To learn more about the state's community colleges, go to www.californiacolleges.edu.