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CCBC: Sensible steppingstone to success
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Not every high school graduate belongs at a four-year university.
That’s why Christina Dreer, 23, chose the Community College of Baltimore County after she graduated from Catonsville High.
“I think [going to CCBC] definitely prepared me for a four-year institution,” said Dreer, who now pursues a degree in secondary education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “They taught me how to study correctly, how to take notes and how to pay attention — and they helped me decide on what I wanted to do.”
About 68,000 students attend CCBC, one of the largest community colleges in the state with campuses in Dundalk, Essex and Catonsville.
There are a lot of smart reasons for graduating high school seniors to pick a community college, experts say — starting with affordability. CCBC tuition and fees cost $2,409 annually, a fraction of the cost of four-year institutions in Baltimore County. For instance, tuition and fees at UMBC costs $8,520 annually.
Some students also need remedial math and English courses to help them prepare for a four-year institution.
“There are some kids at the community colleges who come out of high school without the fundamental skills they need for four-year schools,” said Pat Cleveland, associate dean of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. “There is a very strong emphasis on teaching and working with students on skills mastery [at community colleges].”
Community colleges also provide students with an opportunity to raise their grades so they can earn admission to competitive colleges or programs, Cleveland said.
In the Robert H. Smith School of Business, a limited enrollment program, “the standards for freshmen to get admitted are really stiff,” she said. “If they desire to get into business and they really want to get into the Smith school, it may work to their benefit to go to a community college, get good grades, and then present themselves.”
mmcilroy@baltimoreexaminer.com
Great education for a great price
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:44 AM MST on Fri., May. 23, 2008 re: "For many women, this school is a perfect fit"
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10:19 AM MST on Sun., Mar. 23, 2008
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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7:54 PM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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7:53 PM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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11:52 AM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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2:53 PM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007
re: "Promises aside, read the contract"
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1:19 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007
re: "Join up, go to war, get a degree"
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6:15 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "Loyola teaches with outside service"
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5:53 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 10, 2007
re: "UMES is a model of diversity"
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6:00 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 9, 2007
re: "A passion for ‘more education’ is key"
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2:29 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "McDaniel College: Real-world learning"
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2:12 PM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
re: "Campus growth is Coppin’s focus"
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9:58 AM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
re: "Campus growth is Coppin’s focus"
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10:10 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 23, 2007
re: "Love to read? This college is for you"
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Examiner Reader said:
The institution is a fraud. They treat employees unfairly and they have forgotten the roots of the institution- the undergraduate women and the communal attitude. The school has become driven by profit and has turn into an old boys club. Higher-ups chum it up with each other while "lesser" staff are walked all over. The students enjoy their time, but with limited resources and budget- the school is having a hard time providing for their campus members.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
my question is at the end of your statement you said that you don't want the most quilfied nurse to take care of you. why that just don't make sense. I just retired from the military and am looking to become a nurse and if I was some old person laying bed I would like to know that there was someone that was well quilified to take care of me. thank you for your time in reading this note
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the MD degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete, compared to 18-24 months for the MD. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete MD programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.I like it that way. And I promise not to delete anyone else's comment ever again
177 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the MD degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete, compared to 18-24 months for the MD. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete MD programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.I like it that way. And I promise not to delete anyone else's comment ever again
185 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the RN Associates degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete. Compared to 18-24 months for BSN. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.
177 agree | 183 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If the military truly wanted to have potential recruits understand the enlistment contract it would simply reduce the entire bogus contract to the following infamous 40 words from Section C, Paragraph 9: "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces regardless of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document." - Pat Elder
171 agree | 198 disagree
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Don said:
I tried to join up they told me I was too old. I'm 64 I think I'll file papers for age discrimination.
217 agree | 193 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Any plans in the works to overthrow the Vatican again or is that something you can't talk about?
209 agree | 184 disagree
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Diversity? said:
What diversity? The article talks only about blacks.
353 agree | 210 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Great article...My 2 kids went there and it was the best 8 yrs anyone could ask for. Both have since gone on to great jobs and both value their days at SMCM.
425 agree | 272 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Glad to see you acknowledge McDaniel College. I am a grad ( Class of "61 ) and a Trustee--and very proud to be both. George Varga
476 agree | 304 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Over the last 20 years or more "Baltimore City School System," has been under the microscope of Judge Garbish (Special Education). Morgan, Johns Hopkin, Coppin, all have had opportunities as research institutions to address this major educational problem and the poverty rate, un-employment, single mothers crime. Coppin has had its misfortunes, and attracted low quality of instructors whom are not concerned with the social economical, educational, problems that plague the Urban Inner City youth. Poverty is a key element in Baltimore City. Politicians does not give a hoot of the demographics nor the incidents of poverty across the city. The fourth count census 2000 is a clear in measuring how people live. African Americans are left out of the loop "Johns Hopkins are the main architect to disenfranchise the poor, disadvantaged. They are the major research institution in Maryland from all indications the African American community is ignored by the major players.
263 agree | 310 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Coppin State should be proud that it focuses on academics and not sports. Who cares if the baseball team lost 44 games in a year. The students who earn a degree will have more power than any hitter on a baseball diamond.
449 agree | 304 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Excellent and informative series that parents and students can use to decide on a Maryland college or university. Thanks!
509 agree | 356 disagree
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