University Bound Program

Advice from Former Students

December 6, 2005

My name is Monica Ajlouny, and I am a graduate of Schoolcraft College who earned an Associate in Science degree in May of 2005. I am currently enrolled at Madonna University in their Education Program with a graduation goal date of 2008.

I was part of the University Bound Program, and what a good thing it was to be in the program. The program is designed to help prepare students for life at a university. This last spring semester, the program found the funds for a textbook I needed that I couldn't afford. I am a single parent who often struggles to find monies needed for schooling. Thanks to the University Bound Program, I was able to take the last class I needed to graduate. They have great seminars and activities to help students in community colleges understand what will be expected of them academically.

Madonna University is demanding. Many of the 300 level classes are more difficult than 100 and 200 level courses offered at a community college. However, this level is necessary to better prepare us for the challenges of the workplace. The classes are smaller at Madonna than at Schoolcraft, and it seems that the instruction is more personalized.

Some university campuses may be much larger than Schoolcraft's; in fact, I think that Wayne State's campus is considerably larger. This is not the case at Madonna; the campus is smaller as are the availability of classes. At Schoolcraft if you want to take a particular class that class is most likely offered every semester, while in universities the classes you want are not always offered when you need them. Some classes are available every other fall or winter and some just one semester each year. You must certainly be able to change your schedule while attending a university, especially if you are working full-time.

Utilize the opportunities that University Bound has to offer, and a great person to talk to about the program is Mrs. Donna Clack. She is available at Schoolcraft College and you can reach her by going to the University Bound office inside the Learning Assistance Center in the Brander Library.

Being at Madonna is fun and challenging; learning creates confidence and helps provide balance and stability in life. No good things in life come without sacrifice, but when you reap the rewards it makes all those days of sacrifice worthwhile.

Sincerely,
Monica Ajlouny