Dutchess Community College

Socially: If you want to go somewhere where most people are involved socially or are interesting, don't come here. There are only a few clubs and the number has been declining over the past few years. But, some of them are really cool, thriving, and interesting, so don't hesitate to join one!

Most people are boring/lazy, though, so there's not much competition except from the few people who are also doing well and are competing with you for the few scholarships available. People also smoke too much, ignore designated smoking areas, and smoke while walking to class. Obnoxious sometimes.

Academics: DCC's academics are not very challenging. I was an honors/AP student with an overall grade of 90 in high school, and some of the classes are ridiculously easy. As a science major, I was really hoping to be more challenged.

But that's because of the caliber of most students here. I had a 99 average in psych 111 (intro psych) and the class average was in the 70's (this is WITH the curve)...and I studied all of like twice. On my first bio 105 (general bio 1) exam this semester, I got a 90 and the class average was a 65...and the class is for science majors only.

I originally was studying nursing, and even anatomy and physiology isn't challenging if you put in the effort to study. But Fraley, the main professor for that subject, sucks. Do not take her classes if you are in nursing. She tries to weed people out, so if you aren't super determined to become a nurse, don't take her classes, or switch to another major, like I did.

Basically: science & math classes are somewhat challenging, everything else is really easy and a great way to inflate your GPA. Good if you were bad in a subject and need catching up or a refresher, or if you need to develop time management skills (like me).

Professors: Most are nice and willing to help you. My experience with the teachers have been really positive (except for the one I mentioned before).

Price: definitely come here if you don't want to waste $25,000+ a year figuring out what you want to do. I spent a year here and discovered my major for a cheap, cheap $3500 for the year. I did well in my classes and got into the honors society/club, Phi Theta Kappa, and pretty much every school you can transfer to offers merit $$$ just for being in it and doing something (the president of the club this year was accepted to harvard with merit aid). Definitely a good choice just based on the price point. Will knock tens of thousands of dollars off the cost of college.Just make sure that you're motivated to study and you'll do fine. If you come here just because you think you need to go to college, but have no real desire to, you probably won't graduate and will have wasted your money. It can be easy to get lost by taking a bunch of classes and never figuring out what to do, if you aren't pretty motivated. Otherwise, it is definitely a good choice.