Community College
Community colleges are an excellent option for many students to consider during the college search process. In fact, nearly 25% of graduating East seniors each year choose to begin their higher education through a community college. Some of the benefits from attending community college include:
lower costs (in-district tuition costs approximately $125/credit hour)
an opportunity to re-do a high school transcript and eliminate the ACT/SAT from the college application process
take transferable college classes before transitioning to a four-year bachelor’s degree program
enroll in career-oriented classes
the opportunity to live at home and save money
Most East students choose to enroll at Elgin Community College. However, other wonderful local community options include Waubonsee Community College, Harper College and College of DuPage. Farther from home include a variety of two-year schools such as Parkland Community College (near the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Kirkwood Community College (near the University of Iowa, and offers residential housing similar to a 4-year school). Community college students who earn a 3.0 GPA in college classes should have the opportunity to transfer to many bachelor’s degree programs.
We encourage students to ask their counselors about opportunities at community college. In general, we recommend that students complete their community college applications around March 1. We support each individual student’s journey throughout the college search and selection process. In addition, we will offer a field trip for our seniors to Elgin Community College early in the second semester. Students will receive more detailed information via email and in the Orange and Black.
Elgin Community College
Video: How to apply to ECC
Waubonsee Community College
College of DuPage
Kirkwood Community College
Parkland Community College