By Emma Heikkinen
Ramparts
Holt HS
1st Place
Division 1, News Writing
Bylined Opinion Article
Being a senior and all, I’ve had a lot of conversations with people recently about my plans for the next couple years of my life. I have decided to attend Lansing Community College (LCC) next year, and probably the year after that, too.
Now, when people find this out, some are fine with it because it’s financially smart and it’s my choice, so it’s not like they can change that. Others don’t exactly see it the same way.
Many of the people who don’t agree with my decision to attend LCC say a lot of the same things to me. So, I’ve decided to compile some of them here along with my responses to them. My hope is that after reading this, people will have more of an understanding and respect for my decision. Here goes nothing.
But you don’t get the college experience!
Well, here’s the thing. Much of the “college experience,” as many people refer to it as, consists of partying, drinking, smoking, and other illegal activities, most of which go against my morals. So, if that’s what you mean, I think I’ll pass. I’d rather not make mistakes I’d most likely regret later.
That’s not all the college experience is. Aren’t you ready to move out on your own and get away from your family and be independent?
Again, you have a point. It would be awesome to live on my own, meet new people and have new experiences, but that can wait. I love my family and don’t have a problem staying with them for a little while longer. At Michigan State, room and board is about $9,204 per year. So, I’ll be saving a lot of money. Besides, I have friends who are going to LCC too, which will help with the social aspect of living at home.
Doesn’t LCC stand for “Last Chance College?”
No, contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t. It stands for “Lansing Community College.” Crazy, I know.
You’re too smart to go to community college.
Thank you? But really, why is this even something people are telling me? If I’m “too smart for community college,” why am I making a case for it? I’ve talked to plenty of people who attended LCC and then MSU or another university who have told me that some of the best classes they’ve ever taken were at LCC. Also, with LCC’s smaller class sizes, I believe I’ll be able to get more out of each time we meet.
But, you could totally get into an Ivy League school.
Again, thanks. In all honesty, though, I don’t care. The prestige of Ivy League isn’t appealing to me. Besides, that’s a lot of money that I’m not willing to spend.
Student loans aren’t THAT bad. You can still have a normal life with them.
Well, the average student loan debt is currently about $27,000. Personally, I’d rather not have to worry about that. Besides, with $27,000 I could buy a car, or put a down-payment on a house. At LCC, each billing hour costs $85. (According to LCC’s website, the credit hours and the billing hours are the same for the majority of courses.)
At MSU, each semester of tuition is approximately $13,246, assuming two 15-credit semesters. That makes each credit about $440. So, LCC is financially smarter than MSU and other public university options.
In all seriousness, I’m really happy with my decision to attend LCC. I think it’ll be a really great transition point from high school to more of the “real world,” and I hope that all the haters can understand why I’m choosing this, and be excited for me because it’s something I want to do.