Noam Chomsky: Modern universities designed to ‘deprive you of your freedom’

[freedom fighter jh]

21. Yes. High school senior, consider an alternative.

Community college can help you get a good education and save a lot of money.

I teach at a community college in a state that has an excellent state college system, so excellent that students from all over the country, and even some from abroad, compete for admission. I felt fortunate to see my daughter accepted to the system's flagship school, even with her straight A high school average.

I can't speak for other places, but in my area of Virginia the community colleges have transfer agreements with four-year colleges, mostly public but also some private. These agreements provide for automatic admissions to students who maintain a good academic record at the community college. What's a good academic record? I don't remember all the details, and it probably varies from one four-year college to another, but the main points for admission to the University of Virginia are that you have to take certain courses, maintain a B average, and get at least a B in English. It is much, much easier to meet this standard at community college than it is to maintain the straight A average you need to get accepted there from high school.

You may be able to save a great deal of money by starting at community college, especially if your parents are able and willing to have you live with them. Besides saving on housing, you will probably save on tuition.

Is there a price to pay? Frankly, yes. It's easy to form friendships in a place like a four-year college, where everyone is new at the same time and everyone is living with the same new challenges. On the other hand, community college students are often dealing with many responsibilities besides school: Many are parents of small children; many are working, some at more than one job. Not all these people are in the market for new friendships. And if you were a whiz in high school and the community college in your area is small, the community college may not have enough advanced courses in your field to keep you challenged. (But then again it may. Don't assume. Check it out.)

People like to snicker at community college. I know I did before I came to teach at one. But the education there can be first rate.

It is the 4-year college that grants you your bachelor's degree in the end. That is the college name that you write on your resume.

Community college may be your ticket out of the trap that Dr. Chomsky describes.