Delaware County Community College

A Great Option for International Students

The community college is unfamiliar to many students and families outside the United States. primarily because community colleges simply do not exist in their own countries. However. any student seeking accessible. affordable. quality international education should be aware of the unique and important role community colleges play in the US.

More than 1,100 community colleges operate throughout

the United States. They enroll more than 10,000,000 students in traditional education and vocational training, both in two-year degree programs and short-term, fast-track career preparation. In Pennsylvania alone, there are fourteen community colleges offering more than 1,000 programs of study to meet the ever-changing needs of a trained workforce and educated populace.

Respect for community colleges continues to increase among educational, business and political leaders. Former President Bill Clinton said, "Community colleges are America at its best." Microsoft CEO Bill Gates asserts that "Community colleges have an important role to play, making certain we have skilled workers ready to help businesses take advantage of all the opportunities in the Digital Age." The intense competition among four-year colleges and universities to recruit community college students fu rther demonstrates the val ue of community college education.

What makes community colleges so unique is their core mission of equity and access. Anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent is permitted to enroll at a community college, regardless of past academic performance, at a cost far less than that at most higher educational institutions.

Consequently, community colleges enroll a diverse population, including honors students and students who require significant learner support. Atcommunity colleges, well-qualified faculty, many with extensive practical experience, place student learning first and are accessible to students beyond the classroom. Because of the array of support services available at community colleges, achieving success can become a reality for most students, who go on to further their education or enter the workplace. In addition, co-curricular opportunities in ath letics, student government, cultural events and clubs help foster personal development and leadership qualities.

In considering higher education in the United States, many international students envision themselves attending highly selective Ivy League schools. While this may be possible for some, the reality is that admission to these schools is fiercely competitive. Excellent grades and standardized test scores alone may not sol icit an offer of admission. Should a student be fortunate enough to be admitted to one of these elite schools, the high cost of tuition and fees may make attending that school impossible.

More and more international students, therefore, are taking advantage of the opportunities and benefits provided by community colleges. Inter­national student enrollment at Delaware County Community College, for example, rose to 211 this past year. These students are enjoying the advantages provided by many community colleges with a strong commitment to international education, namely:

• No TOEFL requirement

• Open admission

• Engl ish as a Second Lan­guage classes

• Free tutoring and extensive learner support services

• Quality education at rela­tively low cost

• Easy transfer to four-year col­leges and universities

• Faculty and staff dedicated to student success

It's important for international students to understand that there are thousands of higher education and post-secondary institutions in the United States with various missions and requirements. This wide range of choices affords al most anyone the opportunity to complete higher education. For many international students, as well as for millions of students in the US, a community college is the right choice.