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Massachusetts and college life are practically synonymous when you think of schools like Harvard, Boston University, and MIT. When making your final college choices, however, don't overlook the benefits that  

Massachusetts 2 year colleges

  have to offer. While they may not have the big name reputations of their four-year counterparts, many students have taken advantage of their lower cost and comparable offerings. Here are some expert answers to commonly asked questions about 2 year schools.

Q. Is attending a 2 year college in Massachusetts a good stepping stone for an eventual transfer to a four-year school? Why/why not?

"Attending a Massachusetts 2 year college is definitely a stepping stone for transfer to a Four-year college/university. Many students are not ready right out of high school to attend the four-year college/university that they one day would like to attend. A 2 year college gives students the opportunity to develop a solid foundation, develop and/or refine skills, increase their self-confidence and through exploration set realistic career and life goals," says Cindy Kozil, vice president for student development and retention, Dean College (Franklin). Dean College is actually a private, two-year, residential school that specializes in transfer preparation, however, similar programs exist at local community colleges.

In addition, as Paul Vaccaro, Dean's assistant vice president for enrollment services and dean of students points out, attending Massachusetts 2 year colleges is often a means to an end for students seeking admission to a higher tier university. "Many times, we will see a student who has always had their eye on one or two schools that they've always wanted to attend, but their academic profile is such that they can't get in on their first try," Vaccaro explains. "Instead, they go to a 2 year school, they do a bang up job on their studies, and then two years later those same schools may look at their profile in a totally different light."

Q. What are some of the benefits of attending a 2 year school?

Vaccaro and Kozil cite many advantages for students attending Massachusetts 2 year colleges, among them leadership opportunities and an ultra-attentive faculty.

"Whether it's having the chance to be an instant on-air personality or producer at the college's radio station, playing right away on athletic teams, or being actively involved in student government, these are things that students otherwise would normally have to pay their dues and wait for at four-year schools," says Vaccaro.

Kozil adds that faculty and staff are focused on working closely with students for their first two years of college. "Those are the most important years in building a foundation for academic success, career goals, and life long learning," she adds.

If you're considering a 2 year college in Massachusetts, there are a couple of things to be aware of. Most importantly, says Kozil, is to make sure that the Massachusetts 2 year college you are looking at has a strong transfer rate, and that the classes you are taking are geared for transfer to a four-year college or university.




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Dawn Papandrea is the Managing Editor of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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