In the last couple of weeks, I have been conducting college information/recruiting sessions as various high schools in the Baltimore City and County school districts. In addition to operating as a college advisor, I am also an alumni recruitor for my alma mater, Fisk University, and use this as a method of entry to gain access to high school students. At almost every school I speak at, I question the students about how they've made their choice in developing their prospective college list. And the answer that always confuses me the most, that I've heard it so often thus far, that I'm not suprised anymore about, is the decision to stay at home and attend a two-year college. Not as a last result, not as a "if nothing else happens" choice, but as a first and only choice. Reasons for defaulting to community college vary. Cost as a factor tops the list, but I have heard it all from needed to mature close to home, grades, friend choices and general indicisiveness. Before I continue, please let me state that this is in no way a bash against community colleges and the educational opportunites they present. Heck, I had a semester at community college when I was waitlisted for U of MD- College Park. What I am trying to address is why there is fault in a students decision to "default" to community college, as it seems so many students are now doing.
I came across an article entitled "Why Baltimore Doesn't Finish College" which addresses this exact issue. Although it offers no direct solutions, it causes listed for the influx in community college enrollment, are money related.
