Should I go to a community college my first 2 years? Or am I missing out on a university education?

[Donald]

I am a junior in high school currently. I have a 3.5 GPA but will raise it by the end of the year to 3.7 (hopefully). I still have to take the ACT , I aiming for a 27 at least. I want to major in architecture. I want to go to University of Michgian for it, but I'm thinking it might be too expensive. Should I go to Macomb Communty college first 2 years ? My worry is that i'm mising out on a better eduaction my first 2 years. Also will the degree from U of M still be 100% recogized if they know that I went to commnty college first 2 years?
@derek i understand you gen ed remark, but the curriculm for macomb community college majoring in archiecutre , the courses are mainly architecture courses. there are only a few of gen ed courses.

[Ally V]

Go straight to a university. I so regret listening to people's poor advice and going to a community college first. I missed out on so much college experience.

[Andrei]

you should ear my ears Mr. Axhami! CEVAPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[christopher7329]

My story might interest you. I returned to college in my mid 20's and took all of my core curriculum at a Community College. Because I did well in both schools I was accepted for a Masters and not only wrote a thesis but was Cum Laude graduate. I now teac at that same community college as my teachers there were WAY batter than those at my 4 year school. In the end, Michigan or ANY college looks for consistency in your grades as in a curve upward or downward. Grad schools want to imagine you doing well before they admit you hang in there.My 4 year school turned me down the first time and I appealed their decision and part of the reason I worked so hard was to show them ow wrong they were. Go get 'em! Good Luck!

[Doctor J]

You will get a better education (more challenging) if you spend all 4 years at the University. However, if you can't afford all 4 years at Michigan (or you don't get accepted), then you CAN make the community college path work. Just be sure to get top grades and take top classes at the community college! Even with this path, when you graduate from Michigan your DIPLOMA is from Michigan.

Best wishes and good luck.

[Derek]

You will get essentially the same education for the first two years of general studies whether you go to a university or a community college. In fact, at a community college near me there is a professor that teaches the same course at a nearby university. He uses the same material at both locations as well. The community college students are getting a far better value for the same education.
In my state, a college level associates degree from any public community colllege in the state is deemed to meet the gen ed requirements for any state university in the state. The community colleges and universities have worked out an agreement on this to make the transfer process smoother. Many private colleges and state universities in other states have also signed on as part of this concept.
About the only drawback to a community college is the social life. It is much more subdued than at a university. That can actually be a good thing though, since it helps you concentrate on your studies more than partying.
You have to ask yourself if the extra thousands of dollars in expenses at the university are worth it for the social life. Most wise students would say no.

Added: Make sure the courses you take at the community college will transfer to the university BEFORE enrolling. An adviser at the community college can guide you on this. If you take too many architecture courses and not enough gen ed courses then you will have difficulty transferring to a university later on. Also be aware that many community colleges offer non-college vocational courses which won't transfer either. Concentrate on your gen ed classes for your freshman and sophomore college years. Your major at the community college should be general studies for transfer to a university to become an architecture major there. You don't actually get an associates degree in architecture but rather in general studies-if you want to transfer to a university later. Macomb does offer a gen ed associates degree. (An associates in architecture wouldn't be of much use in the job market by itself anyway.)