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WHAT IS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE?
Community colleges are 2-year public colleges in the U.S. that allows students to compete the first 2 years of your bachelor's degree at a considerably lower cost compared to most 4-year universities. You can earn an Associate's Degree at a community college in 1.5 to 2 years. You then have the option to transfer to universities across the U.S. to complete year 3 and 4 to obtain a bachelor's degree. This is commonly known as the University Transfer Programme.
WHY COMMUNITY COLLEGES?
(a) Flexible Entry Requirements
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International students are eligible to enter U.S. community colleges once you have completed SPM, IGCSE or equivalent. A levels, foundation or other pre-university qualifications are not usually required.
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The minimum age to be accepted to most community college is 16.
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SAT or ACT is normally not needed as part of community college admission.
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Most community colleges require proof of English proficiency such as IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo.
(b) Easy Transfer to Top U.S. Universities
Community college students often get easier entry to some top universities in the U.S. Many U.S. universities have Transfer Admission Guarantee agreements (TAG) with community colleges that allow community college students to be automatically admitted into the university once they meet the transfer requirements, such as completing pre-requisite coursework and attaining a satisfactory grade point average. Many universities also offer preferential entry to community college students from the same state.
Students will also find it much easier to transfer their credits to U.S. universities from community colleges compared to other programmes such as the American Degree Transfer Programme or diplomas from Malaysia.
(c) Affordable Tuition
The average tuition at a good community college in the U.S. is around USD9,000 to USD11,000 per annum. Tuition fees are usually due when students arrive in the U.S. and register for classes. Tuition are due after the start of each semester, making it very easy for parents to plan their finances. In addition to tuition, parents need to budget a little extra for insurance and books.
Related articles:
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American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP)
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Community Colleges Vs. ADTP
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US Community Colleges
US Community Colleges
Small Class Size
20 - 25 students
Flexible entry
- SAT, ACT not required
Save up to 80% of tuition fees in year 1 and 2
Transfer to universities across the US
Exempt from IELTS or TOEFL*
Scholarships available
Multiple intakes
International student community
Internship and post-study work opportunities
WHAT WILL YOU STUDY AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES?
(a) University Transfer Degree
The 2+2 University Transfer Degree is highly sought after by internationals students as a pathway to top American universities. It is a good stepping stone for international students to transition into the U.S. education system while taking advantage of the full American cultural experience.
Students begin by taking general education classes such as English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Humanities. This is the case whether students are attending a community college or a 4-year university. However, students benefit from lower tuition rates taking general education classes at a community college. In addition to general education classes, students also take prerequisite classes related to their major as well as some electives classes.
(b) Popular transfer majors:
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Business
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Engineering
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Computer Science
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Mathematics
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Economics & Finance
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Natural Sciences
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Social Sciences
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Health Sciences
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Psychology
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Communication
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Art & Design
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Music
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Performing Arts
(c) Career-focused Associate Degrees or Certificates
Community colleges also offer career-focused degrees to prepare graduates for employment. These degrees typically take up to 2 years to complete and are recognised for entry level positions in the employment market. Students may be interested in:
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Business Management
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Cybersecurity
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Computer Game Development
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Computer Network Operations
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Computer Programming
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Graphic Design
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Culinary Arts
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Dental Hygiene
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Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
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Early Childhood Education
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Criminal Justice
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Music Technology and Sound Engineering
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Physical Therapist Assistant
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Nursing
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Health Information Management
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Energy Management
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Aviation Maintenance Technician
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Automotive Technology
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Construction Technology
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Drafting
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Flight Technology
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Manufacturing Technology
(d) American High School Diploma
Students who did not complete a high school qualification but choose to begin their studies at a community college in the state of Washington can earn the American high school diploma while completing the first 2 years of their bachelor's degree in the U.S.
TOP US COMMUNITY COLLEGES
