This page is designed to serve as an easy reference for LitNet tutors and for advanced students seeking additional information about pursuing higher education at Berkshire Community College.
This project has been supported by a grant from the South Berkshire County Fund, a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Overview
A college degree can open the door to many new opportunities. At Berkshire Community College (BCC), our local community college here in the Berkshires, their mission is to create access to higher education. BCC wants to help all students succeed. Here is a brief overview of the college application process and some things to think about if you are (or your student is) considering college.
Where Do I Start?
In order to apply to BCC, all you need is a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate.
BCC does not consider the immigration status of any student when it evaluates an application.
If you have a high school diploma from another country, you can work with the admissions office at BCC to translate your certificate into English and validate your education.
If you do not have a high school diploma and would like to study for your high school equivalency certificate, please call the LitNet office. We can provide you with more information about how to obtain your high school equivalency and can set you up with a tutor to help you through the process.
If you have a college degree from another country, you may want to check and see if you can use any credits from that degree to transfer to your educational career here in America. By working with a company like World Educational Services (WES) or the Center for Educational Documentation (CED), you can receive a formal evaluation of your international coursework and learn its U.S. equivalency. BCC and many other colleges will allow students to transfer as much as 50% or more of credits needed to graduate.
Click here for a complete list of evaluators.
Please note: When submitting documents for evaluation, you must follow the instructions very carefully. For example, if they ask for a sealed transcript, the transcript must be sealed. If you do not follow the instructions, you will risk losing your evaluation fee. We recommend discussing your plans with BCC’s Admissions Office before contacting an evaluation company.
Application Process
Begin your BCC application online by clicking here. You will need to create an online account.
Please note: The application asks if you have a Social Security Number or a Green Card. These are NOT required to apply.
If you have questions about the application or the online process, you can contact the Admissions Office to meet with an admissions counselor.
College Costs
Each college course you take is assigned a particular number of “credits.” In order to graduate, you have to take a selection of courses to earn all of the credits required for your chosen degree. The price of college at BCC depends on several factors:
- the number of credits you are taking
- the type of courses you are taking
- your residency status as either an “in-state” or “out-of-state” resident.
BCC estimates that the average cost of college for a full-time (15 credits per semester), in-state resident student is about $6,700 per year for the 2018-2019 school year.
However, many students do not attend college full time and therefore, only pay for one or two courses at a time. There is no deadline for graduating from BCC. Students can move as quickly or slowly as they want. Often, students base their scheduled courses on how much they can afford to pay per semester.
Remember:
- Day classes cost more than night and online classes.
- Out-of-state residency tuition is higher than in-state.
- Undocumented students are considered out-of-state residents and are not eligible for in-state rates.
Many students begin their college careers at BCC and then transfer to a four-year school. By attending BCC for two years before transferring to a four-year institution, students can save a significant amount of money. Check out this cost comparison.
Financial Aid
In order to receive financial aid from the federal government, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). After completing your FAFSA, the government will determine if you are eligible to receive any grants or loans. Please remember that undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
The BCC Foundation distributes thousands of dollars in scholarships each year. Other types of private scholarships are also available. Undocumented students may be eligible for scholarship support from BCC or other private entities.
Contact the Financial Aid Office to learn more.
Placement Testing
The Accuplacer is a placement test designed to evaluate a student’s skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. It assesses his or her readiness to complete college coursework. All students applying to BCC need to take the Accuplacer.
BCC uses a student’s Accuplacer score to determine what level of courses they will be eligible to take. For example, a student with a low Accuplacer score in math will be required to take and pass an introductory-level math course before progressing to higher-level coursework.
The test, which is administered on a computer, focuses on analysis and functional skills– not on memorization. The reading portion of the test includes grammar, sentence structure, and analytical skills. There is also a required essay portion of the test in which the student is asked to type between 300-600 words. (If requested, accommodations can be made to write the essay by hand.) The essay prompt typically asks the student to give their opinion about a particular argument and to back it up with a well-structured essay to support the opinion (for example introduction, several paragraphs of development, conclusion).
The Accuplacer is a “smart” test because it responds to a student’s answer. If a student answers correctly, the next question it provides will be more difficult. The questions will keep increasing in difficulty until the student makes several incorrect answers at the same level. The final score is based on the number of questions answered correctly as well as the difficulty level of the questions. Score reports are available immediately following the test.
The Accuplacer test is created and administered by the College Board. The College Board offers free practice tests that can be printed from their website as well as a free web-based study app for smartphones. The LitNet resource library also has books and flashcards to help you study.
Pathway to Your Degree
Each degree is different and requires a different selection of courses. Students should work with BCC staff to make sure that they know which courses will be required for their chosen degree. BCC does require that all students complete a number of general education requirements in math, English, social sciences, and natural sciences, regardless of which degree they pursue.
Remember: you can find a degree to match your passion! If you dislike math, many degree paths are available that include minimal math requirements. For English Language Learners, supportive courses in English and communications are available.
Not sure if a degree is right for you? BCC also allows students who are not formally pursuing a degree to enroll in some classes as non-degree students. (Remember: non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.)
BCC Support Services
BCC has a free tutoring center where students can receive help on a regular basis. Some of the tutors are community members and others are undergraduate peers who have experience in the particular classes or subject areas offered.
BCC also has a Disability Resource Center that offers students a wide range of resources and support services to help them succeed in their coursework and life on campus.
Don’t Do It Alone
Applying for college and managing financial aid, scheduling, etc. is a very complicated process. BCC has trained counselors who can work with you through EVERY STEP of the process. Don’t try to manage this process yourself. BCC’s counselors are a valuable resource for you.
Eleanore Velez
Coordinator of the Multicultural Center (Habla español.)
Berkshire Community College
1350 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
[email protected]
(413) 236-1636
Karen Ruiz León
Community Outreach Counselor (Habla español/português.)
Berkshire Community College
1350 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 236-1631
[email protected]
