If you're planning to attend college in Monterey, be sure to check out MPC; it's not just a two-year school to overlook.

When talking to Korean parents who are new to the U.S. about college, some still view community colleges as inferior. They think, "Isn't a two-year college just for those who can't get into a four-year school?" However, the situation is quite different in the U.S., especially in California. If utilized well, it can be a very practical way to save on tuition while transferring to a UC or CSU.

In Monterey, Monterey Peninsula College, abbreviated as MPC, serves this purpose. The school is located at 980 Fremont Street, making it easily accessible from downtown Monterey. It is an established public community college founded in 1947 and is part of the California Community Colleges system.

MPC is not just for young students starting college for the first time. There are also people returning to study after working, middle-aged individuals looking to learn new skills, and students preparing to transfer to four-year colleges. There are also new immigrants to the U.S. on campus. Therefore, the campus atmosphere is somewhat different from that of a typical four-year college.

The biggest advantage is definitely the tuition. If you qualify as a California resident, the basic enrollment fee is about $46 per unit. If you take 12 units, the basic tuition for a semester would be $552. Of course, there may be additional costs like student fees, textbook costs, and parking fees, but the difference compared to UC tuition is significant.

So if I had a child going to college, I would seriously consider the option of transferring to a UC or CSU after two years at MPC. The idea is to complete basic general education courses like English, math, and social sciences at MPC at a low cost and then transfer to a four-year college.

One of the advantages of California Community Colleges is that the transfer system is quite well-structured. If you're aiming for CSU, you can look into pathways like the Associate Degree for Transfer, and if you're targeting UC, you can prepare by meeting the necessary course and credit requirements.

There is also TAG, or Transfer Admission Guarantee. However, there is something to be cautious about.

Not all UCs offer TAG. UCLA and UC Berkeley are not TAG schools. So, it should not be understood as "attending MPC guarantees transfer to UCLA." You can apply to UCLA or Berkeley, but you will have to go through the regular transfer competition. On the other hand, some UC campuses that participate in TAG allow for a more planned transfer if you meet the specified GPA and course requirements.

The reason MPC is good is that it offers more than just transfer options. It also runs Career & Technical Education programs aimed at job training. There are various courses available, from nursing and health-related fields to business, computer, and technology areas, so you don't necessarily have to aim for a four-year degree.

Another advantage is the ability to find vocational training that fits the characteristics of the Monterey area. Since this region has a significant tourism, hotel, and restaurant industry, looking for education that connects to the skills actually needed in the area is a realistic choice.

For immigrants with limited English, ESL courses can be helpful. Even those who have studied a bit in Korea often struggle with listening and essay writing when they enter U.S. college lectures. Starting with ESL to improve English and then transitioning to regular college courses is also an option.

Ultimately, community colleges should not be judged solely by their name. What matters is what you do there and where you go from there. While there is a way to pay expensive four-year tuition for four years from the start, there is also the option to save costs for two years at MPC and then transfer to UC or CSU with good grades.

Especially for Korean families who have just settled in the U.S. or households burdened by college tuition, MPC is worth looking into. There is not just one way to enter a U.S. college. Those who understand and utilize this can ultimately save money and expand their options.