Facts & Myths About Community College

Presented by:Karen Dahlstrom

Recruitment Coordinator

Benefits of Community College

• Affordable: BHC costs approximately $5,000 per year• Accessible: open enrollment policy• Flexible: day, night, online, minimester, and summer classes• Close to Home: reduce travel costs and ease transition• Small Classes: BHC average class size is 22• Opportunity to Explore: take general education courses• Diverse Student Body: variety of ages and backgrounds

Myths• Low cost means low quality• Community college is just like high school

Programs at Community College

Career Programs• Prepare students for the workforce after graduation• Classes not designed to transfer• BHC has more than 115 career programs• Certificates

– Examples: teacher aide, welding, massage therapy, CNA, computer specialist

• Associate in Applied Science– Examples: nursing, accounting specialist, visual communication, engineering

technology

Myth• Community college programs take 2 years

Programs at Community College

Transfer Programs• Designed for students who want to earn a Bachelors Degree• Classes transfer to 4-year schools• BHC has more than 40 transfer programs• Transfer options include:

– Earn an Associates Degree (61-64 hours)– Complete IAI General Education Core (37-41 hours)– Select courses for a specific college or university

Myth• Community college classes don’t transfer

Enrollment Process at Community College

Timeline for Summer & Fall Enrollment• January – apply for admission• February – fill out FAFSA, scholarship applications• March – take COMPASS placement test, meet an advisor• April – register for classes• August – attend new student orientation

Myths• Community college enrollment can be done “on the spot”• No one visits a community college before enrolling

Life at Community College

• Clubs and organizations: BHC has approximately 30• Student life events: festivals, musicians, presenters• Career services: job placement, internships• Student services: tutoring, workshops, counseling, advising• Commuter campus: events usually during the day

Myth• Community college students go to class, then go home

Contact Information

Contact for high school students:Karen DahlstromRecruitment Coordinator/Admissions Advisor309-796-5341dahlstromk@bhc.edu

Thank you for attending!