The Forum

Why should people go to college? 

There is no definitive answer to this question, but when it comes to college, it should be only one person's choice: yours. No one should make that decision for you. There are always pros and cons to college, but it's not for everyone, and that's okay. It is best to enroll in college if you want to begin a career STEM, law, medicine, or any other other specialty that you know requires a college education. However, even just wanting to experience college is reason enough. In either case, you will want to feel that you haven't wasted your time and money. This is where community college and dual enrollment comes in.

So, is the best way is community college or dual enrollment? 

Dual enrollment is an early learning college experience. You can be a high school student while going to college and earning credits, working toward your associate degree as well as your high school diploma. But what's the difference between this and AP classes at a high school? When it comes to dual enrollment, you can go to college with other college students and be in class. But, unlike AP courses, in college, you do not need to pass an end-of-the-year exam to earn college credit; you just need to pass the class. This allows people to get more involved in college earlier on and have even more interesting and challenging classes to take. In some cases, high schools may pay for you to be dual enrolled, so the cost may not be a deal breaker.

What's the difference between a community college and a university? 

Community colleges are much less expensive, whereas 4-year institutions can cost thousands. Campus life is also a major difference between the two. Universities can be more active and offer more opportunities, while community colleges may not offer as much. Though, this doesn't mean you can't find a 2-year college with an active campus life along with social and career opportunities. Lastly, with 2-year colleges, you can graduate with an associate degree, a certificate, or both. In universities, on the other hand, you can get your bachelor's degree, master's degree, and even up to a Ph.D. 

How should I get started? 

It doesn't matter where you start; everyone is different. You should start by researching to see if your school offers dual enrollment and how it works for you. If you enjoy high school, I wouldn't recommend doing dual enrollment. Dual enrollment involves missing out on active school hours, and you may only be able to do after-school activities on some days. However, if you feel you need a challenge or don't like your high school, then dual enrollment might be for you. Otherwise, you can wait and try out a community college after you graduate and once you're ready. It’s inexpensive, and you can still get a lot out of it, even compared to a university. Explore and visit some of your local St. Louis Community College campuses; it could surprise you to see what they offer. Alternatively, you could go out of state and get out of your comfort zone to see where you may want to go in life. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask others, especially your parents and other older figures in your life. Asking for other people’s opinions could help you with this decision and could lead you to find what path fits you best.