From the moment I started high school, I knew I was destined to end up at a community college.
Historically, all of my siblings had attended a two-year program before transferring to a university. I was also an unfocused student, which further diminished my hope of getting a traditional college experience.
My fate wasn’t sealed, however, until I moved to Texas during my senior year. That meant I would be classified as out-of-state for any university that I applied to. So, as an academically average high schooler who was unwilling to accept a student loan worth more than a house, I inevitably found myself at Richland.
Looking back on my journey as a community college student, I can confidently admit that choosing to attend Dallas College was the best decision I could have made. As a rising sophomore, I have attained a leadership position in four student organizations, all of which have significantly transformed my life. Through these organizations, I have been able to represent Richland in a multitude of prominent cities like New Orleans, Austin and Atlanta. In addition, as a student journalist, I have interviewed U.S. representatives, gubernatorial candidates and state lawmakers, all experiences which have expanded my horizons beyond my wildest imagination.
All too frequently, community colleges are unreasonably disparaged in post-grad conversations between high school students and their parents or advisers. They’re often regarded as offering a lower quality of education, or treated as backup options for students who cannot attend four-year universities.
However, the reality is that not every person is ready to live on their own immediately after high school. Personally, it took an entire year for me to fully comprehend how lost and misguided I would have been if I’d gone directly to a university, and I have not looked back since. Two-year institutions are often just as rigorous as large universities and can often, due to a generally lower faculty-to-student ratio, offer more resources to students than a four-year program. At the same time, community colleges are a highly effective way for adults to attain more professional skills or catch up on schooling that was inaccessible to them at a younger age.
So, for anyone currently struggling with handling the stigmatization of two-year institutions, I will say that college is truly what you make of it. Starting my degree at Dallas College offered me the best potential college experience. Not only will I be able to experience life at a larger university while being financially stable, but I will also have enjoyed utilizing the endless opportunities offered by a two-year institution which shaped my identity immensely. Community colleges can be a first choice, and it is time we began treating them like it.
