One lucky student

by Lisa Pereira

It's the beginning of spring, the time of year when seniors in high school anticipate the arrival of college acceptance and/or rejection letters.

Graduation is approaching and you view the end of high school as a long-awaited parole; freedom at last. Senior-itis is at its peak and you just received the dreaded news. You weren't accepted to any of the schools that you applied to. Unfortunately, the daily topic of conversation among your peers is: college. As your closest friend informs you of her intention to attend Harvard, you feel your lunch nauseate your already touchy stomach. You didn't even get accepted to Hayward State University, let alone some snobbish Ivy League school. Feeling like a mouse in a snake's cage, you have nowhere to hide. The fact is, you will have to respond sooner or later. Hastily, you attempt to change the subject, but your best friend promptly asks you, "Where are you going away to school next year?" You're trapped. You have to answer the "dreaded question." Trying to swallow your apparent humiliation, you vaguely state, "Oh, I'm just going to DVC."

Just? Is that all you can say about DVC, one of the top-ranked community colleges in the nation? Diablo Valley College, as well as many other community colleges, is an excellent choice for the novice to college life. It doesn't have to be the "if-I'm-not-accepted-anywhere-else" option. There is a variety of reasons why DVC should be favored above any other school.

While attending Diablo Valley College, a person can take advantage of the smaller class sizes. Community colleges are generally smaller, offering more one-on-one attention between student and teacher. Four-year universities offer smaller upper division classes; the lower division, required classes can be quite large. Brigham Young University, for example, offers its requisite Biology and American Heritage courses in a large auditorium with at least 700 registered students in attendance. You feel like a grain of sand on a Tahitian beach. It is very difficult to get the attention you need in such a large class. You get lost in the crowd. When college life is a new experience, it is important that you get the necessary attention and assistance from your instructors. You want to start from a firm foundation. Smaller classes mean more assistance, leading to a higher success rate.

Successful completion of general education courses is the first step toward a college degree. There is a long list of these classes at every college. This list varies from college to college; however, it is comparable. Because these classes are mandatory, a community college is a great place to complete these courses, buying you time before you must decide upon a major course of study. Most freshmen do not know what they want to be "when they grow up." General education is intended to give a student a broad range of disciplines, so that he or she can find a niche or interest within one of those general subjects. It is "…designed for students to gain a broad range of knowledge while they use electives to focus on their individual educational interests." (p. 60) Most four-year schools require that you enter with a declared major. Because of this requirement, you often find yourself neck-deep in a course of study that bores the life right out of you.

At DVC, these general education classes only cost twelve dollars per unit. If it takes you a couple of semesters or even a couple of years to decide what you want to major in, you are not spending a lot of money on those required classes that you have to take no matter where you go to school. You can save money by completing your first two years at a community college.

Because community colleges are affordable, attendance is more feasible, allowing students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to attend college. Many people cannot afford to go to a four-year university. The expense can be outrageous. DVC is considerably subsidized by the State of California, permitting students to get a top-rate education at a fraction of the cost. It's like dining in Reno at an upscale casino buffet; the price is low and the food is superb.

Not being accepted to that college of choice can be a blessing in disguise. Community college is a great opportunity to get your feet wet.

Furthermore, you will not receive a rejection letter from DVC. All those who apply are accepted to attend. There is neither competition for available slots, nor early application deadlines for fall admittance. You will not have to include a written essay on the application to convince a board that you are worthy of approval. Your grade point average won't prohibit you from admission. DVC is an open option to nearly all students desiring to attend.

"Where are you going to college?" is a question that all seniors in high school will forevermore be asked. Some people ask this question out of pure curiosity, while others ask for the opportunity to brag about the elite college they'll be attending. Regardless of the motive behind the inquiry, you will inevitably have to field this question several times. If your answer is, "DVC," either by default or by choice, count yourself as one lucky student. Answer with pride, "I'm going to DVC." Chances are, you'll be glad you made that choice.

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Questions? Brian McKinney (bmckinne@home.com)