Transeferring to a 4-year School: Is it Really Worth it?

Bucks County Community College is a cheap, convenient school to earn one’s 2-year Associate’s Degree, making college almost seem too easy, and making students skeptical about their decision to transfer to a 4-year school to earn their Bachelor’s Degree.  While there are many students who have the desire to transfer after Bucks and continue their education, there are also many students who feel that is unnecessary, and that an Associate’s Degree will prepare them for a job just fine.

            Many students deem a 4-year college degree as necessary for a placement in their field of work and society.  Kevin Barr, 18, a Liberal Arts major from Holland states that, “You need a 4-year degree to go anywhere or have any credibility.”  Many students would agree with that statement, viewing their education at Bucks as just the first step to their education.  Harley Dickson, 21, a Business major from Yardley, feels that, “It is worth it to get a 4-year degree to be respected in your community and to be of equal competition to those in your field of study.”  Many students also understand that jobs are becoming harder and harder to obtain, and it may be becoming necessary to have a 4-year degree in order to be pleased with the job one may receive from their education.  Francesca Miller, 21, a Journalism major from Bristol is leaning toward a 4-year education because she states plain and simple that, “In today’s economy it just looks better.”

            Most students who plan to transfer to a 4-year college are planning to transfer to a Pennsylvania state school.  Temple University is a popular choice for Bucks students, as is Penn State University, Millersville University, Drexel University, and Kutztown University.  Students view these schools as a respectable, cheap way to continue their education.

            While there are many students who plan to obtain their Bachelor’s Degree, there are also many students who feel that their Associate’s Degree is all that they need to be successful, and a 4-year education is unnecessary.  Bobby Clark, 25, a Communications major from Trevose, states that he “cannot say the cost of education is worthwhile, from seeing friends graduate 4-year schools that are only making a fraction of the money they should be, because they have not been able to apply their education to their career.”  Many students feel that it does not make a difference in the end whether one has a Bachelor’s Degree, or an Associate’s Degree.  They feel that jobs are hard enough to find as it is, and it has come to a point where it really depends on one’s skill as a person.   Stephen Wermuth, 19, a Sports Management major from Bensalem, thinks that “it’s about your drive, it really depends on the person.”  Some students think that some need the education and some do not.

            Many students think that a 4-year education is worth it, but not all students feel it is necessary.  While some students think of Bucks as just the first step of their education, many students view Bucks as their education as a whole.  Students do not agree or disagree with the opposing opinion, they just feel that they are doing what is right for them.