As applicants flood two-year colleges, don’t take your spot for granted
Community college long has been a popular education choice for service members. In fact, a recent American Council on Education report found that 43 percent of military undergraduates in 2007-2008 attended public two-year institutions.
Affordability, transferability of credits and open admissions policies that generally require only a high school or graduate-equivalency diploma in order to attend are hallmarks of community colleges — and they hold broad appeal not just for many military learners, but for students in the general population as well.
Popularity, though, has its price. Recent reports indicate that community colleges across the country are struggling with surging enrollment numbers fueled, in large part, by individuals returning to school as a result of the foundering economy.
These higher numbers are forcing many community colleges to close admissions sooner and turn away some students. According to a Nov. 11 New York Times story, five of New York City’s six community colleges were forced to cut off applications for the fall semester much sooner than in the past. And according to a story in Newsday, Miami-Dade Community College in Florida expected to turn away as many as 5,000 this fall.
Students who make it in under new enrollment deadlines will notice changes at many schools, including larger class sizes, more class sections and unconventional scheduling — classes are being held earlier and later each day to accommodate the growth. Bunker Hill Community College in Massachusetts is offering classes from 11:45 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. to accommodate shift workers seeking retraining, Newsday reports. And classes at New York City’s LaGuardia Community College start as early as 6:45 a.m., according to the Times.
Community colleges are working to meet these challenges within the constraints of their budgets. But resolution will not come overnight.
An education option once taken for granted is no longer such a sure thing. Pay close attention to any new deadlines or restrictions on enrollment at your school so you don’t have to put your plans for a college degree on hold.
