Elgin Community College Review

I started attending Elgin community College in 2005.  My intent was to complete the coursework necessary to enter the nursing program there.  4 years later - my part-time academic career is still going strong.

Elgin is a very relaxed environment.  Nobody worries about wardrobe.  Of course, most the day classes are filled with 18-25 year olds, and they tend to 'trend it up' a little more than the evening, older students do.  But even if my 47-year-old self goes to the common areas, there's no pressure.  It's a very diverse, fun place. 

I've had some excellent professors.  In particular, my chemistry prof was excellent, and although I dreaded the class, I ended up with an A for my efforts.  I took mostly sciences, and had some crazy teachers too.  Then I applied for the nursing program.

The nursing program is competitive.  You gotta have good grades and score well on a national exam, the pre-NLN.  Then, if selected, you can complete an RN associate degree in 2 calendar years.  Not bad for a career with a starting salary of 54k annually!!

The entire cost of my 2 year education will be about $8000.  Lots of that is books and supplies.  But compare that to even a year at a university, and you can see where the benefit is.  Elgin does a good job of educating the community.