Noah Williams

Liberal Studies Major

In the world of bright eyed co-eds who flock to our state to attend one of many prestigious four year universities, there is an outrageously false belief that a community college is in somehow not a “real school.”

Somewhere along the path to the rumor factory, the validity of an associate’s degree (an extremely affordable one no less), quality education from passionate and knowledgeable instructors, and a beautiful campus doesn’t penetrate the “reality” of the academic bubble surrounding places like Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby.

Although these are all exceptional educational institutions, I question which student has a better sense of reality: The 27 year old SMCC nursing student with a young child, bills to pay, and full time job, or a member of the Bowdoin Lacrosse Team who will receive disciplinary action for hosting a Native American themed Thanksgiving party.

SMCC is an incredibly diverse community, which forces students to interact and exchange opinions with people with vastly different cultural experiences and beliefs. On campus you can find students from all over the world and older returning students, some with decades of experience in the working world. This culture of diversity simply doesn’t exist at an institution where almost the entire student body is 18-25, fresh out of high school, and largely ignorant to the world outside of their academic sphere.

Lastly, a community college offers you an exceptional educational opportunity at an affordable price. According to the College Board, the average price per year at a private college is almost $32,000, while the average cost for a year at a community college is less than $3,500. At SMCC, a Maine resident only pays $2,700 for a year’s worth of courses, and can graduate in two years with a comprehensive two-year degree that allows them to begin working immediately, or transfer to a four year school to receive a bachelor’s degree for half the cost!

So friends, don’t get down on yourself for being a commuter student here at good ol’ SMCC. More than 50% of us are first generation college students, which is great when you consider the fact that only 40% of Americans hold some sort of degree.

A student leaves SMCC with more than a handful of credits or a degree, but with the certainty that they are a better community member going forward, who has partaken in an experience that is just as “real” as any student from a four year school.