Exploring Georgia Military Community College

I'm considering attending a community college before transitioning to a four-year college. Georgia Military Community College is one option I'm looking at, but I'm not sure what to expect. Can anyone share their experiences or anything that would be helpful?

That's a good question! Georgia Military College (GMC) actually serves dual roles within the state: it's a liberal arts two-year community college that prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, and also a military junior college, one of only four in the country, preparing students to become military officers.

The community college part of GMC has a primary focus on the liberal arts and sciences. It offers 37 associate degree programs and 4 bachelor's degree programs that are designed to facilitate easy transfer to four-year institutions. Some popular programs include business administration, criminal justice, and general studies.

A point of note is that GMC doesn't have the traditional semester system but instead uses an accelerated quarter system where each term lasts about 8 weeks. There are 6 terms offered each year: two terms in Fall and Spring and one each in Summer and Winter. This allows you to get your studies done faster and move onto a bachelor's program at a faster pace if desired.

As a military junior college, GMC's Corps of Cadets program leads to a commission in the U.S. Army in two years, which can be beneficial to those wanting to transition into military service. Participation in military training is not mandatory for all students. Importantly, this aspect of GMC can create a unique mixture of students: civilian students seeking traditional college experience, and cadets seeking a military-focused education. Hence, the college's environment might be different from what you'd find at a traditional community college.

Keep in mind, it's always a good idea to reach out to the admissions office directly to ask about any specific concerns or questions you may have. They can often connect you with current students who can provide firsthand information and address your queries.

Lastly, since your plan involves a transfer to a four-year institution after community college, research about GMC's articulation agreements with four-year institutions. An articulation agreement could make the process smoother, ensuring that the credits you earn at GMC will count toward your bachelor’s degree at your transfer institution. For instance, GMC has partnerships with many of Georgia's public universities, including the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.

Hope this helps in your decision-making process!