Q: What are the benefits of going to a two-year college before transferring to a four-year university?
A: “Certainly, a benefit of what you would find at a community college is smaller classrooms,” says Angela Johnson, vice president of access and completion at Cuyahoga Community College. “Students who may feel academically underprepared can get more help. Lots of community colleges or two-year schools offer services at no cost like tutoring services, writing centers, some of the support that students might need to help them build some academic confidence and get ready to move to the next level. About 35 percent of our students transfer to a four-year institution, and many of our faculty also teach at these four-year institutions. We try to create those clear pathways for students from a transfer perspective, including [offering] some prestigious honors programs, like our Mandel Scholars Academy program and scholarship.”
Ask the Experts: Benefits Of Two-Year College First
Cuyahoga Community College's Angela Johnson says it's a great first step for students who don't feel prepared for a four-year school.
