Oakton Community College (OCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The Oakton Community College is a two-year college in Illinois that offers associate’s degrees and career certification in a variety of different subject areas. Oakton Community College was founded in 1969 in a former industrial building complex. The original campus no longer exists as the college was relocated and now has campuses in Skokie, Illinois and Des Plaines, Illinois. Oakton Community College attracts most of its students from School District number 535, a large Illinois school district that serves nearly half a million Illinois residents.

Both the Skokie campus and the Des Plaines campus have been open since 1980. The Skokie campus is known for its beautiful architecture in the art deco style. Its buildings and facilities have been emulated in many films and new constructs. The Des Plaines campus is quite different from the Skokie campus in terms of aesthetic image. With beautiful landscaping and an emphasis on natural elements, Oakton Community College at Des Plaines is a beautiful and attractive college campus.

Information Summary

Ranks 60th in Illinois and 1762nd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	68.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,395
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	77% / 47%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,454

Academics

While Oakton Community College is only a two-year educational institution offering associate’s degrees and career certification, the school offers over two thousand unique course options each year. Students can choose from a wide variety of subject matters and teaching styles to pursue whatever degree they wish.

Most students at Oakton Community College choose to complete an associate’s degree in a field of their choice and then transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. The transfer process is very simple from Oakton Community College as students will only take standardized classes that are recognized at nearly all major institutions of post-secondary education.

Some students choose to enter the career field directly with an associate’s degree. Oakton Community College is reputable for its high standards of education and its determination to produce well-educated and disciplined graduates. Students who graduate with an associate’s degree and begin looking for a career will find a myriad of options available to them.

Oakton Community College offers non-credit courses for students wishing to simply receive additional instruction, knowledge and skills in their chosen field. Students who complete non-credit courses may learn new computer tasks, new career philosophies or new management styles. These courses stand out on a student’s resume and prove to a potential employer that the individual is serious about education.

Career certification is also available at Oakton Community College. Many careers do not require an associate’s degree and career certification can often be completed in less than two years. For students interested in criminal justice, accounting, management, cosmetology or other careers that don’t require a post-secondary degree, career certification is a logical choice.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

For residents of Illinois school district number 535, admission is very simple and practically guaranteed. Tuition costs are also very low for residents of this district. All potential students can apply either by mail, through an online form at the school’s official website, or in person in the Office of Admissions on Oakton Community College’s campus.

Oakton Community College is equipped to service a large number of students, and very few applicants are turned away from this two-year educational institution. Some students are asked to take assessment tests after applying to Oakton Community College. These assessment tests do not reflect a student’s application status. Rather, they serve to assist academic advisors in placing the student in classes in which he or she is most likely to succeed.

Students who complete an online application to Oakton Community College often receive a response within two business days of application submission. Immediately after acceptance, students are encouraged to visit the campus and begin discussions with an academic advisor or guidance counselor. Students should have a good idea of their personal goals at Oakton. Whether a student wants an associate’s degree with potential transfer to a four-year institution, an associate’s degree with direct entrance into the career field, or a career certificate, academic advisors can place him or her in the right classes for that goal.

Financial Aid

Students who attend Oakton Community College can easily secure financial aid to help offset the cost of tuition. After acceptance into the college, students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA. This form allows the government to estimate the total a student is able to contribute to his or her education, and the government will help to fund the rest. Students who do not receive enough financial aid from the government can find additional assistance through the Financial Aid Office on campus at Oakton. Helpful staff members will assist students in applying for personal loans and private scholarships. Some students may be eligible to participate in a work-study program as well.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6104th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Illinois.

Students

Many of the students that attend Oakton Community College live near campus or in a suburb of Chicago. The most common form of student housing is student apartments that can be found for a reasonable price near both of the campuses. Students at Oakton Community College are actively involved in student clubs and organization. These clubs are often of a social activist nature or an athletic nature. Sport clubs like the Field Hockey Club or the Ultimate Frisbee Club provide students with a fun way to stay physically fit. Social clubs such as the Gay Straight Alliance or the Volunteer Club focus on social activism and raising awareness for specific social causes.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Local Community

Skokie, Illinois is a suburb of bustling Chicago. Historically, Skokie had one of the densest Jewish populations in the state of Illinois. Today, the ethnic population is diversifying. However, the Illinois Holocaust Museum is located in Skokie, Illinois and serves thousands of tourists each year.

Students who attend the Skokie campus profit from the wealth of opportunity offered in downtown Chicago. With libraries, museums, art galleries, shopping centers, fine dining, and live arts venues, Chicago is a great location for any student to receive his or her education.

Des Plaines, Illinois is the location of the other Oakton Community College. Des Plaines is also a Chicago suburb and is located in close proximity to one of the largest airports in the nation: O’Hare International Airport. Both campuses offer easy access to the city of Chicago via bus or automobile ride.

Bibliography

Frerking, Beth. “For Achievers, A New Destination.” New York Times 22 Apr. 2007. Print.

Oakton Community College. OCC, 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://www.oakton.edu>.

“Oakton Community College Selects New Dean – Des Plaines, IL Patch.” Des Plaines, IL Patch – News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals. Patch, May 2011. Web. 28 May 2011. <http://desplaines.patch.com/articles/oakton-community-college-selects-new-dean>.

Oakton Community College