Sounds good theoretically, but what do you do when, because she stayed at home, she changes her career goals and aspirations and decides to work full time at a retail store and marry her high school beau?

Maybe that's fine and would work out, but I like to stay focused clearly on the goal and would be afraid that MCC (or even a gap year) would distract a child's mind.

Well....going to MC and getting a certain GPA in the core classes guarantees you admission to UMCP and the other State schools. A good friend's son did that and it worked out fine. Honestly, it is not that different than someone going to say Penn State-Harrisburg and then transferring to the big campus for the final 2 years and A LOT of kids do that. And MC is one of the top community colleges in the nation.

The only downside is the absence of the campus experience for those 2 years.

In the OP's case, I might wait and see if some 4 year colleges offer you the same deal. She is just a junior, so you have some time.

Anonymous wrote:The statistics on the MC web site show that very few MC students actually transfer to a four year school after two years at MC. It takes more like three years to get through MC, and then another three years at the four year school. So it's not clear that there's really any financial benefit to going to MC.
[url]
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/inplrsh/[/url]

But isn't part of that that so many community college students have other responsibilities. Most of the MC students I know are working full time, and/or parenting, and/or have other responsibilities. I don't think there's a reason why equally committed students with equal outside responsibilities wouldn't finish MC and UMD in the same time frame.

Hi - OP , do you know if the offer was based on high grades or test scores or something like that? Just wondering what the criteria were for her receiving the offer (for the future for one of my own kids).

My college professor cousin teaches at community college and a four year college. She says she teaches the exact same course in both places and always wonders why people would pay the price for the higher cost four year colleges when you can get a good education at community.

And, I don't think the entire answer is what's better education wise. Finances count too.

The statistics on the MC web site show that very few MC students actually transfer to a four year school after two years at MC. It takes more like three years to get through MC, and then another three years at the four year school. So it's not clear that there's really any financial benefit to going to MC.
[url]
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/inplrsh/[/url]

As far as CC's go, MC is excellent. I agree the academic rigor is not the same as a place like Georgetown, but it's not all mouth-breathers either.

I'm torn on this one. On one hand, I feel as though I got so much out of the experience of living on campus as a freshman and sophomore, and studying abroad for Jr. year. Neither would have been possible if I'd gone the CC route.

On the other hand, I see so many adults who are crushed by their student loan debt.

I think that if my child had the opportunity you describe, I'd want them to go ahead through the application process and see what kind of merit aid and need based aid they get at other schools. If they got into a 4 year residential program that they liked and I could make it happen for them without debt, I'd encourage that path. On the other hand, if the choice ended up being UMDCP with significant debt upon graduation or MC to UMDCP with no debt, I'd choose the latter.

Really can't think of any good reason why someone would voluntarily go to MCC if they could get into UMD. I actually think the experience of living away from home is really important too, but if $ is really the issue (even at UMD) then live at home and commute to CP.

I mean, your education is an investment. While it might not be worth borrowing the $ to attend the most expensive private college, if you are serious about your education it is worth borrowing some $ to attend a high-quality school.

Ehh. This is a tough question. If your kid is one who would thrive living at home or very near home (and maybe working in some capacity), and be on board with the idea of transferring, I think it makes a lot of economic sense. There is no need or reason to disclose they went to MC...they'll have graduated from wherever they graduate from.

The only real downsides I see are:
1. It may be difficult to assimilate into the social culture of a college at year 3. But it's not like they won't be making friends and going to parties...they just won't have the roommates/campus life experience that others do/did.
2. If they change their mind, they may not end up going to the kind of school they/you are set on now. Which isn't necessarily a problem, but just a reality.

I suggest you talk to people who have done this.

How academically talented/interested/inclined is your child?

IMHO, a good student with serious academic promise should not shortchange his/her education by attending community collegeg and planning on transferring to a 4yr institution later.

Georgetown grad here. There is no way, and I mean NO WAY, that the quality of education is anywhere near in the same ballpark at MCC as at Georgetown. You are not just buying a diploma. As my mother always said to me, no matter what happens, no one can ever take your education from you. This doesn't mean that the cost doesn't matter but there is a heckuva difference between for instance UMD-CP and MCC.

I know folks in admissions at both mc and UMCP and they report that it is very common for smart kids to pull two years at mc to knock out the core credits before moving on to graduate from UMCP or elsewhere (like the previous gtown poster). Honestly, it's an economically savvy move. Bottom line is where you ultimately get your degree from, right? Save all the money can.

Anonymous wrote:Since your child has qualified for free tuition from MC, she might qualify for scholarships from four year colleges.

MC is more like a remedial high school than a real college. You don't need to send your child to the college of last resort when she probably qualifies for a good scholarship at a four year college.

BS

I went from MC ( 2 years) straight to Georgetown and finished on schedule. I saved a ton of money by doing that and the counselors at Georgetown helped me the entire way by working with the counselors at MC to make sure the classes I took would transfer.

If your kid has a goal of where they want to be in 2 years it is a no brainier to me.

Since your child has qualified for free tuition from MC, she might qualify for scholarships from four year colleges.

MC is more like a remedial high school than a real college. You don't need to send your child to the college of last resort when she probably qualifies for a good scholarship at a four year college.

My 11th grader has received a letter from Montgomery College offering 100% free tuition for two years. We'd probably have to take out a loan if she goes directly to a four year college, so this offer is very attractive. Anyone here have any experience with MC?