Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the tip on Stevenson, pp, but this kid can't afford Stevenson. Wish she could!

I just realized today that DC TAG only covers $2500 of out-of-state tuition for two-year colleges (it's 10k for four-year colleges) so MC would be a bit expensive for her as well -- but within reach with student loans.

Bowie might be a better choice then, as its 4 years so she'd get the entire difference between instate and out of state.

If she's willing to commute farther, Morgan State would be another place to look.

Thanks for the tip on Stevenson, pp, but this kid can't afford Stevenson. Wish she could!

I just realized today that DC TAG only covers $2500 of out-of-state tuition for two-year colleges (it's 10k for four-year colleges) so MC would be a bit expensive for her as well -- but within reach with student loans.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the benefits of UDC is that it's part of a 4 year school, so a student can go all the way through, rather than needing to reapply after 2 years, and worry about finding a local school. This can be a specific benefit for students who anticipate a rocky transition into Community College as they won't have the pressure of needing a high GPA for transfer.

UDC's programs can be very uneven, however. In some areas they're fantastic. The school seems to have invested in subjects that serve DC as a whole, so it's got strong Early Childhood and Special Education programs, Speech Therapy, and some other fields. On the other hand, if she wanted to study physics or English or something, she might be better served with MC and then a transfer.

Thanks, pp. She's interested in nursing but I think the other areas you mention might appeal to her as well. She is not likely to study English or physics.

Hadn't thought about the GPA issue in the transfer. Thanks for pointing that out!

Stevenson... http://www.stevenson.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/nursing/ also a top LAX school.

Hadn't thought about Bowie State, pp. I'll run it by her and see if she applied there.

Good to know that MC nursing is in Takoma Park/Silver Spring, other pp. She will be commuting from east of the river.

What about Bowie State? They have a 4 year nursing degree and a high admissions rate? Their tuition minus DC TAG is in the same ballpark as MC and UDC.

If she is interested in nursing, I would encourage Montgomery College.

The nursing program at Montgomery College is located at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, so the commute wouldn't be as challenging as going to the Rockville Campus.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the benefits of UDC is that it's part of a 4 year school, so a student can go all the way through, rather than needing to reapply after 2 years, and worry about finding a local school. This can be a specific benefit for students who anticipate a rocky transition into Community College as they won't have the pressure of needing a high GPA for transfer.

UDC's programs can be very uneven, however. In some areas they're fantastic. The school seems to have invested in subjects that serve DC as a whole, so it's got strong Early Childhood and Special Education programs, Speech Therapy, and some other fields. On the other hand, if she wanted to study physics or English or something, she might be better served with MC and then a transfer.

UDC's 4 year graduation rate is one of the worst in the country. I've also interviewed some UDC graduates who were borderline illiterate. Honestly, a UDC degree basically means that I'll round file the resume. No mater what your student ends up doing, I strongly suggest somewhere else for a 4 year degree.

OP here. Thanks for your thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:One of the benefits of UDC is that it's part of a 4 year school, so a student can go all the way through, rather than needing to reapply after 2 years, and worry about finding a local school. This can be a specific benefit for students who anticipate a rocky transition into Community College as they won't have the pressure of needing a high GPA for transfer.

UDC's programs can be very uneven, however. In some areas they're fantastic. The school seems to have invested in subjects that serve DC as a whole, so it's got strong Early Childhood and Special Education programs, Speech Therapy, and some other fields. On the other hand, if she wanted to study physics or English or something, she might be better served with MC and then a transfer.

UDC's 4 year graduation rate is one of the worst in the country. I've also interviewed some UDC graduates who were borderline illiterate. Honestly, a UDC degree basically means that I'll round file the resume. No mater what your student ends up doing, I strongly suggest somewhere else for a 4 year degree.

bump

Anonymous wrote:One of the benefits of UDC is that it's part of a 4 year school, so a student can go all the way through, rather than needing to reapply after 2 years, and worry about finding a local school. This can be a specific benefit for students who anticipate a rocky transition into Community College as they won't have the pressure of needing a high GPA for transfer.

UDC's programs can be very uneven, however. In some areas they're fantastic. The school seems to have invested in subjects that serve DC as a whole, so it's got strong Early Childhood and Special Education programs, Speech Therapy, and some other fields. On the other hand, if she wanted to study physics or English or something, she might be better served with MC and then a transfer.

Thanks, pp. She's interested in nursing but I think the other areas you mention might appeal to her as well. She is not likely to study English or physics.

Hadn't thought about the GPA issue in the transfer. Thanks for pointing that out!

One of the benefits of UDC is that it's part of a 4 year school, so a student can go all the way through, rather than needing to reapply after 2 years, and worry about finding a local school. This can be a specific benefit for students who anticipate a rocky transition into Community College as they won't have the pressure of needing a high GPA for transfer.

UDC's programs can be very uneven, however. In some areas they're fantastic. The school seems to have invested in subjects that serve DC as a whole, so it's got strong Early Childhood and Special Education programs, Speech Therapy, and some other fields. On the other hand, if she wanted to study physics or English or something, she might be better served with MC and then a transfer.

Thanks, pp. It's good to know that you were successful! Makes me more hopeful for my student.

i was that exact kid, went to MC transferred to georgetown from there.

have the student work closely with someone who will guide them to take the classes that transfer and they will be fine.

if they need to take remedial classes summer school is a great time for that because of the smaller classes.

Hi folks, I tutor a young person who is graduating from a DC high school this year and who may end up choosing between Montgomery College and UDC Community College. I am under the impression that Montgomery College is a better school compared to UDC and that it's worth it for her to make the commute to MoCo and to use DC TAG to cover her out-of-state costs. She is eligible for a Pell Grant so the bulk of her tuition at either place is covered for now.

However, she struggles with school and will need extra academic help and support. I've heard stories about community colleges putting students like her in remedial classes that don't count towards a degree, so I'm also concerned that she not find herself in a pattern where she never moves forward out of remedial classes and on to a degree.

So I'm looking for advice. Am I correct in thinking that Montgomery College would be a better choice than UDC? Or not? Does anyone have experience working with a student like this at either one of these schools? She's a good kid and I want to help her be as successful as possible. Thanks for your thoughts on this.