The College Guide- STCC Adult Education Version

A Quick Intro:

Massachusetts Version

This is was created by the Workforce/College & Career Team* in the Adult Education Office at Springfield Technical Community College

June 2015

Resources and Information provided in part by: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, The United States

Department of Education and City of Springfield. ***Volunteer Coordinator, Workforce Readiness Coordinator, and College/Career Advisors.

**This guide focuses on western mass and the city of Springfield, whenever possible.

Section 1- Deciding to go

So you’ve passed your HISET and now wondering what to do. If you decided to work then great, (we got a packet for that). If you decide to go onto college-also great as this guide is for you.

Step 1- Remove the anxiety-

For this step, I want you to not worry about any of the following, as they will be addressed later in this packet- college costs, knowing what you want to study, the work load or time commitment or your perceived ability to get in.

College is what you make it-The great part about reaching this point is the amount of choice you have. A key thing to remember is that colleges are a business like anything else- you are paying for a service. So when starting your search it is important to “shop” around for the best provider- one that will offer you the best service, rates and customer service. Read on for our quick take on understanding all your choices.

Step 2- Picking the right type of school-

Traditional- This is a school where a student will typically spend 4 years to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. There are some differences among traditional schools- they are: Private- When a school says they are a private institution that means they are supported

mainly by tuition, endowment and donations. These schools tend to be more selective and pricey and may be viewed as being more prestigious than their public counterparts.

Public- A public college or university is supported largely by the state in which it resides. These schools are less competitive but tend to require more legwork of their students before they are able to enroll.

College- any school that has college in its name typically offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate level only. They are also organized differently than a university. Another distinction is that there can be colleges that exist for specific fields (such as the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York).

University- A School that has this apart of their name offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees. They are also comprised of smaller ‘college’s(such as the College of Humanities and the Arts at the University of Massachusetts). Each “college” has their own degree programs.

Community College- Community colleges can offer trade and technical certification and associate degree programs. They provide requirements for the first 2 years of a 4-year program, they do not grant Bachelor’s degrees.

Technical or Trade School- These schools offer “formal classes with hands-on experience related to their future career interests, from welding to cosmetology to medical imaging; they specialize in teaching content focused courses. Technical schools teach the “science behind the occupation,” (U.S. Dept. of Education).” Here you can receive a certificate or a degree. Many students go straight into their professions upon completion of their programs.

Step 3- Picking your degree:

The baccalaureate- This is the standard 4 year degree known also as a Bachelor’s. This is what will be awarded to you by traditional colleges and universities and the type of degree students seek the most. However it is important to know the two distinctions for this type of degree

Bachelor of Arts- A fuller academic path, you will take your required classes which are complimented by university classes. Majors would fall under the liberal arts category- featuring social majors (business, education, social work etc.). You will spend more time in lecture-type classes.

Bachelor of Science- focuses on more science and technical based majors and their supporting coursework. Majors include- science, mathematics, physics or chemistry, health. You spend more time in a lab than a classroom.

The Associates- This is a two year degree awarded by community colleges and technical schools. This type of degree more often than not meets the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

A certificate- A focused educational path that awards a certificate rather than a degree. You can obtain a certificate for a specific field of practice such as- massage therapy or cosmetology. A certificate can also be obtained to supplement a license or a qualifications post- bachelors. For example a psychologist can obtain a certificate in nutrition so she or he may counsel patients on the psychology behind the foods we eat or dieting.

The Online Degree- This option can combine any of the above mentioned degree types. When choosing an online program- you enroll through an accredited college and take classes though an online portal. This mean the instructor will post reading and assignments online, you will also participate in a discussion board and will have submit your work online. Great for people whose schedules don’t allow going to class. Online programs allow a greater flexibility but be aware- the work requirement is often greater than their classroom counterparts.

Step 4- Picking location (more on this in part 2)

This is the second to last step in deciding where to go-

In-state-1) reduced costs- many private and public colleges/universities offer a lower tuition for residents. 2) Greater flexibility- you won’t have to leave your job or children by staying local. You can work at day and go to school at night or vice versa even enroll in a weekend program. 3) Greater support- by staying in state you have an easier access to school support over breaks and your professors/classmates.

Out of State-1) increase your independence/confidence- not having a support network around encourages you to fight for yourself and be in charge of your success, 2) the area may afford more opportunities for internships etc. 3) be aware that the costs will be greater.

Step 5- What type of student do you wish to be?

Full time-This type of student usually takes 4 or more classes per semester (or 12 or more credits). The benefits of this is you will be able to finish school on a faster time table then other students. *note* a full course load while working and raising child will be difficult.

Part time- Part time students will take 12 or less credits per semester (4 or less classes). This path is more manageable if you work or have children, however it will increase your time as a student.

Commuter- this is a student who takes him or herself to their classes then leaves the campus once their class has met. Commuting to a college will help save money on your overall college bill. Commuting is a good idea if you live within an hour of your school, and work at night or during the day.

Resident- This means you live in a dormitory provided by the college. Residential students get the “full college experience”. *note* you do have to pay fees for room and board (that is-meals and other costs of running a dorm/housing students). This is a good option if you are choosing a college more than an hour away (think the Boston side of the state). This is an option for younger students- more often than not students move off campus after their 2nd year.

Part 2- The Search

At this step you now know what type of school/degree you want and what type of student you want to be. Now let’s start our search of where you want to go.

Step 1”There’s no place like home”: This is a big state, with many options, here we try to break it down into four categories: Western Mass region, Boston Region and Community Colleges and the UMASS system. This is only a small sample and not meant to be a comprehensive list.

Option 1- Western Mass Region: Staying local is will give you the best pricing for college affordability and support for work/life balance.

In Springfield: Springfield College, American International College, Springfield Technical Community College, Western New England College.

Greater Springfield (within a half hour from Springfield):

Baypath College- Longmeadow, MA Elms College- Chicopee, MA Westfield State University- Westfield, MA Holyoke Community College- Holyoke, MA

The five Colleges: That is a partnership between five college/universities within the region, who offer similar programs, shared resources, proximity and joint degree programs. These are all within an hour’s drive of the city. (*member college)

Mount Holyoke College- Holyoke, MA Amherst College- Amherst, MA Smith College- North Hampton, MA Hampshire College- Amherst, MA

Option 2- The Boston Region: This options opens you up to the rest of the state http://www.studyboston.com/area-colleges.html

Option 3- Community Colleges (CC for short) http://www.masscc.org/ourcampuses for full list.

Berkshire Community College- Pittsfield, MA Greenfield CC- Greenfield, MA

Option 4-The University of Massachusetts System: http://www.massachusetts.edu/

They have campuses at: *UMASS-Amherst, UMASS-Dartmouth, UMASS- Boston, and UMASS-Lowell

Part 3- Picking your school/Major

Here is our quick take on how to decide what school to choose from part 2. Remember you are choosing a college just as much as they are choosing you as a potential student when they accept you.

Step 1- Find your major- The career snapshots book is a good intro to the common majors students choose. A major is an academic subject you will study for your time as a student in a college or university. Colleges will often have you “declare” a major- this is so they can help you start to tailor the course you choose to reflect this. This will also help you get internship experiences that can help lead you to your career/job upon earning your degree.

A) What are you interested in and what are your talents? This will be your starting ground and together with an advisor you can branch out and find you choice of a major. Ex- Do you like helping others learn how to do things? A degree in Education could be for you.

B) Look for trends-Has your family learned towards a certain career path (Ex-medical or law), perhaps this is the major for you. Or have you always been the go-to person in your group, the one who helps solves everyone’s problems, they one they talk to? Counseling may be the choice for you.

C) Do some leg work- still stuck? Start by looking into various schools to see what programs they offer- learn about field that make you feel something when reading about them. Work with an advisor to help you identify your goals. Also a good plan is to take your first year and pick classes from different subjects- see which ones you did better in and held interest for you- this could be your clue as to what to major in.

Step 2- Find your college- Looking at schools for help on your major is also a great way to look at schools itself. A good school is more than one that has your major, its one where you can feel supported, engaged and successful in.

A- Arrange a campus visit- either through your own or through a school’s open house day. This will give you a feel for the campus, surrounding location and a chance to meet college staff and ask questions. If you cannot make a visit- give the school a call.

B- The questions: This is the best way to see if the college or university meets your requirements.

Program/School Specific:

1) What percent of students graduating gets jobs in their fields? This will help determine the amount of support and networking a school will give their students. And the quality of their programs.

2) Will I need a car to get around? Does public transportation (bus) provide easy access to the campus and community? Also is this campus accessible to students with a physical handicap? This will give you an idea of campus accessibility and determine if it is practical for you to get there and reside there.

3) Can I take courses at your college for college credit before I graduate from high school?  What are requirements for enrolling? When and how do I sign up? The more credits you bring in the less time and money will be spent in school. This benefits you and shows the college that you are dedicated to your education.

Admissions: 1) Do you have a special admission programs, or organizations, for students from certain ethnic minority and other underrepresented groups? How can I qualify? What kinds of special help will be available to me after I enroll? What is your ability to get in, will the college work with you to get you to a place where you better meet admission criteria? Do they also work with you your first year to help you adjust and succeed?

2) Can I apply to more than one campus in your system? How can I have my application transferred from one campus to another if I change my mind? This is helpful for schools such as UMASS or in the community college system. Again this will tell you how the school(s) will work with you as an applicant.

3) What is your graduation rate? Do students typically start and end within 4 years, or is 5 years the norm? Asking this will give you an idea of the difficulty of coursework and the path of students, as well as give you a picture of your time in college.

Part 4- College Affordability

Just as you asked the admissions and other college representative what the school is like, so to must you ask financial aid. They are the office to help make college more affordable for you. They will work with you to get you the best package. As mentioned earlier- get quotes from every school you apply to, tell them what they others are offering and see if you can negotiate a better package for the school that is your first choice.

A- Types of Aid-a. Scholarship- These are usually merit based- that is you have to apply and wither

write an essay, submit a video or otherwise tell those offering the scholarship why you should be awarded. They can be from private or public organizations- many scholarships are put towards living costs (books, room/board etc.), any monies won should be reported to the colleges in which you are applying, as that could affect the amount of aid you’ll receive.

b. Grants- These are usually need-based, which means whomever is giving the grant will assess your financial background or proposal (for research) to see if their investment in you is a sound one.

c. Loans- this is what it sounds like, a financial institute will give you the amount needed to cover the costs of your education, which you agree to repay upon completing your education

d. Work-study- this is a federal program that many schools participate in. A student will be granted a job on campus and be given a certain amount of money they will earn. This amount will be deducted from your education costs. This is not to be confused with an on campus job.

B- School Based Support: Financial Aid Office- This office will help you navigate school-based and government

aid. They will also guide you on what to do after apply, what to do if you receive aid and explain in greater detail the types of aid available. Any amount of money the school will allot you is to help you pay for part of your tuition and/or room & board. You do not have to give this money back. Do I have to send in a deposit to confirm my intention to enroll?

How much? When? This will determine where you’ll end up going, helpful if you have more than one offer on the table. Ask also what the deposit will do besides secure your spot. In addition ask if you can enroll in the spring too (just in case) this will give you time if you cannot for whatever start in the fall.

What kind of financial aid is available? Grants, scholarships, work study? All of these options will reduce the amount of money you will pay to attend school.

How many students receive financial aid? Is there a limit on how much aid a person can receive (both from

the college and from outside scholarships?C- State Based Support:

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education- This site will list different types of aid given, how to apply, what to do after applying, state initiatives and more. It is a very through site and a good first stop to make. (http://www.mass.edu/osfa/home/home.asp)

D- Federal based Aid: FAFSA- this is the catch-all application you must submit to every school to which you

are applying before they can offer you any aid. This app stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid”- if you will need your tax information. This site will tell schools how much you are able to contribute and what type of aid (outside of scholarships) you are eligible for. (http://fafsa.gov/).

Federal Student Aid Office– This site is run by the US Department of Education and will provide information on preparing for college, how and where to apply, who gets aid and so forth. It will also be the site in which you create your pin to be able to access and fill out the FAFSA. (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/)

Part 5- Getting in

So now you know where you want to go, what to study, the degree you are after and how to find help to pay for your school. So now all that is left is getting in, here are some helpful hints for this part of your search. (http://www.collegeboard.org)

Step 1- The application: There are three ways you can apply to a school- online, common app and by paper.

Paper- this is the good old fashioned way- you can print an application from a school’s website and mail it in to the admissions office along with the rest of the materials needed. This is good as all your information is received at once, however it is a slower process and items can get lost in handling.

Online- This is the modern way- you would apply through the college’s website which often will redirect you to a third party management site, where you can upload your documents, check the status of things etc.

Common App- This is a simplified way to apply to multiple colleges at one time. The tool is used by over 200 colleges across the US. You have to go to their site, create a profile and choose the college you wish to send an application to. There are essays that you will have to write to submit along with the application. (https://commonapp.org/Login)

Step 2-Pay attention to dates: Rolling Admission- this means the college accepts applications year round and allows for

students to apply and get feedback in a more organized and timely manner. Early Action- This decision gets you an answer before standard deadlines. You do not have

to enroll into college that have this option. Early Decision- Similar to early action, however the decision you get is binding. That means

you agree to enroll promptly after receiving your decision. Regular Admission- This is for everyone, this is the last date you can submit an application. Deferred Admission- you get accepted but can delay starting for up to one year.

Step 3- Pay attention to Application materials: What other than the application does the school require? (HISET scores, letters of recommendation etc.)Step 4- The waiting game: The next step requires patience. Understand that if you receive a rejection (as mentioned in the job packet) it is not a personal affront. Many schools receive hundreds of applications and have many things to consider (# of students requesting dorms etc.) when making their decisions. This is why it is important to apply to many schools. If a rejection does come ask if you can be waitlisted instead and what you can do to help you get in then reapply for the next enrollment period. Step 5- Acceptance: So you got in where you wanted- great. You have to accept their offer of admission and pay the necessary fee’s to secure your spot in class for the most upcoming semester. Also you have to tell other colleges so they may offer the spot saved for you to another student.

Enjoy College You’ve earned it!