“I go to FIU, which school do you go to?”
“I go to Miami Dade College.”
Awkward pause and then: “Oh”
Does this conversation sound familiar?
If so, you are one of the many victims that have fallen under the “community college” stigma.
What exactly is this stigma that I speak of?
Throughout the years, naive people have stamped MDC as the “failure school” because of its reputation for accepting nearly any student who applies and has successfully, if not barely, graduated from high school.
As a result, every student at MDC is immediately labeled as “below average” with “little to no future.”
Is this true? Of course not.
People go to MDC for a variety of reasons, whether it’s due to finances, proximity, or even to get back on track academically, everybody has a story to tell.
Yes, there are times when I walk around campus and cringe when I hear something ridiculous. That does not mean, however, that the school deserves the blame, it’s the student who deserves it.
Another misconception about MDC is that its academic program is a far cry from university material.
Although MDC is no longer considered a community college, let’s face it, the name change really doesn’t make that much of a difference to the average student.
What does make a difference is the fact that MDC is ranked as one of the largest and best colleges in the nation. Furthermore, the opportunities that MDC offers its students to succeed is phenomenal, yet few people fully take advantage of them.
Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the MDC Hall of Fame that’s filled with doctors, lawyers, CEO’s, artists, etc.
Alumni, such as actor, Sylvester Stallone, Mayor Carlos Alvarez, and news anchor, Belkys Nerey, are all prime examples of people who used MDC as an opportunity toward their future success.
With countless clubs, such as the computer club, the psychology student association, and Phi Theta Kappa, it’s easy to get lost in all of the activities. There are an incredible amount of organizations that can assist you in fulfilling your aspirations.
For more information on how to get involved with activities and clubs around school, log on to www.mdc.edu/studentlife
So the next time somebody asks you what school you go to, confidently say “I go to Miami Dade College. A college that changes lives through the opportunity of education.”
