Transfer Planning Services News and Updates
Students beginning their programs at MWCC in the fall of 2009, will fall under the MassTransfer regulations. The Department of Education’s new MassTransfer website can be found at www.mass.edu/MassTransfer.
Effective fall 2009, Joint Admissions, Tuition Advantage Program and Commonwealth Transfer Compact will be replaced by, and integrated into the new MassTransfer policy. The transfer planning services website (http://transfer.mwcc.edu) has been updated with the MassTransfer information. Students who were in JA, TAP, or CTC-eligible programs prior to fall 2009 will be “grandfathered in” to the JA, TAP, and/or CTC regulations. Community College students who matriculated prior to fall 2009 and who choose to continue in the Commonwealth Transfer Compact and/or Joint Admissions Program will be required to complete their associate degrees by Ausust 2013 and must matriculate at a Massachusetts state college or University of Massachusetts campus by fall 2014.
To read more about JA, TAP, and CTC, and to view qualifying programs, go to the following links:
- Joint Admissions http://www.mass.edu/forstudents/admissions/jointadmissions.asp
- Tuition Advantage Program http://www.mass.edu/forinstitutions/admissions/tuitionadvantage.asp
- Commonwealth Transfer Compact http://www.mass.edu/forinstitutions/admissions/commtransfercompact.asp
- Information on the Early Childhood and Elementary Education Compact can be accessed at http://www.mass.edu/forinstitutions/admissions/transfercompacts.asp
These websites provide the most current information on the above-mentioned programs.
13 Myths about College
Myth #13: "A good college is hard to get into."
There are hundreds of "good" colleges. In fact, a good match college is often easy to get into. A brand name college is often hard to get into because everyone else is applying just because it's a brand name (and not because it's a good match for them).
Myth #12: "If I don't know what career I'll pursue, I can't really choose a college."
The fact is, there is only one chance in 10 that a person will be doing anything connected with his/her major 10 years out of college. College choice, after all, is not only about life after college. It is also about life during college. Find a place where you will be happy.
Myth #11: "Relying on magazine lists of "Best Colleges" is the best way to determine whether a college is right for me."
One size does not fit all. No ranking considers the "feel" of a college: it's atmosphere or what the students are like. It's far better to rely on resources such as counselors, alumni, and actual visits to the campus to help you determine if a college is right for you.
Myth #10: "Some secret strategy can get me admitted to college."
No way. No strategy-secret or openautomatically unlocks the admission door. Students have been known to agonize for days over an application essay without realizing it's not the topic that matters, but the content! Don't try to "package" yourself in wrappings that are not you. Choose colleges that fit.
Myth #9: "I'm a failure if I don't get into College X."
It's hard to convince students that this is not an appropriate way to think about the admission process. College X might be looking for a particular trait, such as someone who comes from a rural background. What matters is that you are at a college where you can use your talents, be challenged in class and have a successful experience. If you plan well, you will have such choices.
Myth #8: "There is only one perfect college for me."
Perfect colleges rarely exist. All colleges have good and bad points and all vary in terms of the attractiveness for any individual student. Your goal is to research and find several colleges that best meet your needs.
Myth #7: "Test scores are the most important criterion in college admission."
Not true. Colleges use a wide variety of criteria in choosing students. The quality of the courses you've taken in high school and your grades in those courses are valued most highly by colleges.
Myth #6: "Cost is really important in determining where I can go to college, so I will likely have to attend a local school."
Not necessarily. Billions of dollars are given to students and families annually to help defray or in some cases completely pay for a college education. The federal government, states, individual colleges and thousands of public and private organizations make funds available to college-bound students. The important strategy is research the financing options available through the web, your guidance counselor, and your Talent Search/Project GO or GEAR UP counselor.
Myth #5: "The more rigorous the admission standards, the higher the quality of education."
The quality of education is often not directly related to admission standards. Many superior colleges do not have particularly difficult admission requirements.
Myth #4: "Schools that cost more are of higher quality."
Why would this be true? A college education can be expensive even at a state university. Students should look at how well a school matches their own college selection criteria and make few judgments about quality on the basis of cost.
Myth #3: "Colleges always choose the 'best' students."
Nope, it's not true. College admission staffs work long and hard to choose students, but no foolproof or magic formula exists. Colleges consider so many variables: courses taken, scores, grades, extracurricular activities, as well as a host of other variables.
Myth #2: "Future employers and graduate schools give an edge to those who have degrees from prestigious universities."
Not necessarily. As the general level of quality in colleges has risen over the last several decades, and as more and more colleges have distinguished themselves, employers and graduate school admissions staff can no longer rely on the name of a college as the most important selection factor. What is important is your success in college.
Myth #1: "Colleges are either good or bad."
Nonsense. In whose eyes is a college good or bad? The key question is not, "is X a good college?" Rather, the question
is, "Is X a good college for me?"
The Thirteen Myths about Choosing a College
Excerpted from "College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You"
8th Edition, 2004 - 2005
By Steven R. Anmtonoff and Marie A. Friedemann
TRANSFER PLANNING SERVICES
To schedule an appointment: Call Dawn at 978.630.9568
Advising & Counseling Center – Room 134
ngreenlaw@mwcc.mass.edu
Visions students may contact Debra Boucher at 978.630.9316, room 143.