MCLA is a great school to go to if you want to be recognized as an individual and not just a number. The faculty and staff are dedicated to each student's success in and out of the classroom. You don't go anywhere on campus without seeing a smile; it's a close-knit community.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Attendance is a HUGE part of success. Classes are small, the campus is small, and the professors know you by name.
Make sure you have warm clothes and a good winter coat. It gets cold very quickly in the Berkshires.
Not all cell carriers works here. AT&T has the best coverage.
Don't hide who you are. Be yourself. It is a very accepting school. The campus is also very diverse for it's size. Put yourself out there.
Take advantage of all the stuff you can get into for free with your student ID card: Mass MOCA, Big Y silver savings club card, discounts in town, etc.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Attendance is a MUST. Your grades depend on it.
Time-management and planning are important if you want to succeed.
At MCLA, you can explore many different interests at one time. It's a liberal arts college.
Buy your books online from textbook websites. It saves a ton of money.
Professors are very accessible. They want to see you succeed. Many live right in town. They are heavily involved in the activities on campus.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Don't be afraid to choose the suites over the traditional dorms. MCLA has traditional dorms, suites and townhouses as part of the residential facilities on campus. Some floors are themed based on interests. If you are unhappy with your living situation on campus, you have the opportunity to change at the beginning of each month. There are also some single rooms available.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
It's not that bad, it just gets old. You really appreciate your mom's cooking. :)
As part of your meal plan, you get money each semester for the P.O.D. It's our on-campus convenience store. Make this money last the whole semester and try not to blow through it right away. You can also use this at Subway or the coffee shop.
We also get Blazer Bucks. You can use this for delivery or eating at many local places in town.
Our food service has just changed to no trans-fats.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
The downtown area of North Adams offers bowling, art museums, local shops, a movie theater, coffee shops and restaurants. There is a Walmart nearby, and the campus shuttle will go here. It will also take you to/from the mall (about 30-40 minutes away).
SAC (student activities council) provides free on-campus activities once or twice each month. Activities off-campus will have a minimal cost. I went zip-lining for $20.
Mass MOCA is very nearby. It is awesome.
Some classes also incorporate off-campus activities such as plays or concerts.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
It's like a private school for a public school price.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is a ceremony when all new students walk through the gates on campus before they start taking actual classes. The tradition is that the students avoid walking through them again until their graduation. It's bad luck to walk through them earlier.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
MCLA has a wonderfully diverse student body. Be who you are!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
If there isn't a club that you are interested in, you can create your own. MCLA has tons to offer.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Excellent! They are very good about getting to you in a timely manner. They interact with you throughout campus. The public safety on campus is approachable and accessible.
Alerts come through emails, text messaging, etc. (inclement weather, bomb threat, etc.)
Blue boxes are located throughout campus. If you don't feel safe, press it and someone will come to escort you to your destination.
You can also call public safety for safe escorts if you feel unsafe to walk alone.
MCLA is a great school to go to if you want to be recognized as an individual and not just a number. The faculty and staff are dedicated to each student's success in and out of the classroom. You don't go anywhere on campus without seeing a smile; it's a close-knit community.
Attendance is a HUGE part of success. Classes are small, the campus is small, and the professors know you by name. Make sure you have warm clothes and a good winter coat. It gets cold very quickly in the Berkshires. Not all cell carriers works here. AT&T has the best coverage. Don't hide who you are. Be yourself. It is a very accepting school. The campus is also very diverse for it's size. Put yourself out there. Take advantage of all the stuff you can get into for free with your student ID card: Mass MOCA, Big Y silver savings club card, discounts in town, etc.
Attendance is a MUST. Your grades depend on it. Time-management and planning are important if you want to succeed. At MCLA, you can explore many different interests at one time. It's a liberal arts college. Buy your books online from textbook websites. It saves a ton of money. Professors are very accessible. They want to see you succeed. Many live right in town. They are heavily involved in the activities on campus.
Don't be afraid to choose the suites over the traditional dorms. MCLA has traditional dorms, suites and townhouses as part of the residential facilities on campus. Some floors are themed based on interests. If you are unhappy with your living situation on campus, you have the opportunity to change at the beginning of each month. There are also some single rooms available.
It's not that bad, it just gets old. You really appreciate your mom's cooking. :) As part of your meal plan, you get money each semester for the P.O.D. It's our on-campus convenience store. Make this money last the whole semester and try not to blow through it right away. You can also use this at Subway or the coffee shop. We also get Blazer Bucks. You can use this for delivery or eating at many local places in town. Our food service has just changed to no trans-fats.
The downtown area of North Adams offers bowling, art museums, local shops, a movie theater, coffee shops and restaurants. There is a Walmart nearby, and the campus shuttle will go here. It will also take you to/from the mall (about 30-40 minutes away). SAC (student activities council) provides free on-campus activities once or twice each month. Activities off-campus will have a minimal cost. I went zip-lining for $20. Mass MOCA is very nearby. It is awesome. Some classes also incorporate off-campus activities such as plays or concerts.
It's like a private school for a public school price.
There is a ceremony when all new students walk through the gates on campus before they start taking actual classes. The tradition is that the students avoid walking through them again until their graduation. It's bad luck to walk through them earlier.
MCLA has a wonderfully diverse student body. Be who you are!
If there isn't a club that you are interested in, you can create your own. MCLA has tons to offer.
Excellent! They are very good about getting to you in a timely manner. They interact with you throughout campus. The public safety on campus is approachable and accessible. Alerts come through emails, text messaging, etc. (inclement weather, bomb threat, etc.) Blue boxes are located throughout campus. If you don't feel safe, press it and someone will come to escort you to your destination. You can also call public safety for safe escorts if you feel unsafe to walk alone.