09-06-2016, 02:28 PM
Ombligo wrote:
And in other areas public community colleges are excellent alternatives for students. In Florida, a community college is half the cost of universities, have smaller classes, and often share faculty with the university. The state's flagship, University of Florida has little interest in undergrads (especially freshman, and sophomores), those students are dumped in classes with hundreds sort others, and taught by disinterested graduate students.
For the first two years, students will generally receive a better education at most of the state's community colleges than at a university.
While there are some community colleges that are not doing as well, most here are quite good. They act as an excellent transition from high school to college (often trying to undue the skills learned in high schools handcuffed by state testing procedures)
But that is just this state, others may be far different.
Alabama is very similar--or at least it was when I was a student 25-ish years ago. Took first-quarter Calculus the summer after I graduated HS, at the local Jr. College, taught by a full professor.
I'd never had any Calc in high school so I deliberately re-took the first course to make sure I had my feet under me when I got to Auburn that fall. Same course was literally taught by a disinterested grad student.