Questions & Answers

Q. If my goal is a bachelor's degree, why would I want to start at JCC?

A. Let's start with cost. When you add JCC's lower tuition to reduced living expenses at home and being able to keep a part-time job in the community, students who start at JCC come out way ahead. Those savings while at JCC allow students to save toward their junior and senior years of study and beyond. Students who are uncertain about majors or career directions, discover that JCC provides an ideal opportunity for growth and exploration before committing to a bachelor's level program. JCC's environment is also a key factor. Small classes and personal attention from faculty focused on teaching-rather than research or publishing-build a foundation for success. Confidence that JCC delivers university-parallel quality experiences has made JCC the right place to start for generations of alumni.

Q. Will the credits I earn at JCC transfer?

A. Whether you attend a two- or four-year college initially, your first two years of study will be dedicated to completing general education requirements including courses in such subjects as mathematics, English, and science. Therefore, students enrolling in university-parallel programs at two-year colleges receive the same liberal arts preparation as their peers at four-year institutions. That's why it's possible to make a smooth transfer to so many colleges and universities. Articulation agreements and focused advisement enhance the transfer process.

Q. Will I be prepared to make the academic and social transitions involved in transferring to another college?

A. Many community college students attend class full-time, while holding down part-time jobs. As a result, they generally tend to become focused, mature, and goal-oriented-attributes that contribute to their success at four-year institutions in classrooms, residence halls, and other social situations. Transfer institutions often report that JCC transfers perform as well as or even better in their junior years than students spending all four years at those colleges and universities. These facts are supported statistically-approximately 56% of SUNY's community college transfers will receive their baccalaureate degrees compared to 57% of those who entered a four-year college or university initially.

Q. Are all of JCC's degree programs designed for transfer?

A. JCC's Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees are designed as university-parallel transfer programs corresponding to the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program at a college or university. For those interested in entering the career world without additional higher education, JCC also offers the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and a variety of certificate programs. While the A.A.S. and certificate programs are not specifically designed for transfer, many (and sometimes all) of the credits within these programs are transferable.