A ‘gap year’ at STCC enables students to continue college plans

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The COVID-19 pandemic has led many high school seniors who were considering going away to a four-year college or university to consider a local alternative: Springfield Technical Community College.

Much of the appeal of a four-year college or university stems from the experience of leaving home, living in a dorm and meeting new friends. Many students who choose four-year institutions enjoy exploring a large campus, attending big events and living in a new community.

But the pandemic will no doubt alter the experience at four-year colleges and universities this fall. Many recent high school graduates are choosing to enroll at their community college, which is the more affordable option during difficult times.

Knowing about STCC’s reputation, incoming first-year student Sara Maria of Ludlow said she had considered starting as a transfer student even before the COVID-19 crisis. 

“The fact that we are in [a pandemic] definitely pushed me to stay at home and go to STCC for at least two more years. I’ll then transfer to a big school to be with a big group of students,” she said.

Maria was strongly considering Syracuse University before the COVID-19 crisis.

Because of the health pandemic, many four-year colleges or universities have restricted access to their campuses and converted to online instruction to ensure safety of faculty, staff and students. Online instruction means the students can take courses from their homes. 

Maria, who is interested in marketing, started taking online classes at STCC this summer to get a head start. “If I’m not going to be on campus, I might as well start now because I have time,” she said.

Louisa Davis-Freeman, dean of Admissions at STCC, said community college is a “smart start” anytime for anyone seeking a degree. It’s especially true during the pandemic.

They’re wondering whether they want to pay a lot of money for an online course at some other four-year school when the same course can be purchased with us at a very reasonable cost. Louisa Davis-Freeman, STCC Dean of Admissions

“They’re wondering whether they want to pay a lot of money for an online course at some other four-year school when the same course can be purchased with us at a very reasonable cost,” Davis-Freeman said. “You get the same credits. They all transfer to a four-year university or college, as long as you get a decent grade.”

The Commonwealth Commitment (through the MassTransfer program) ensures that credits transfer to any Massachusetts state university or UMass campus. Earning a bachelor’s degree at Westfield State or UMass Amherst will cost less than $39,000 when requirements are met. This represents a significant savings, even before financial aid or room-and-board are factored in. STCC offers additional transfer agreements with many private colleges in the Springfield, Worcester and Boston areas.

STCC also serves as an option for graduating high school seniors who were considering delaying plans for a year to go to college. Some recent high school graduates choose to take what is known as a “gap year” to travel domestically or internationally, to find an internship or to volunteer or to find a job close to home to save up for an expensive four-year college.

“We know that some people who were planning a gap year this fall realize that traveling is off the table because of safety concerns,” Davis-Freeman said. “Job prospects and internships also may be unavailable because many businesses are not hiring as a result of the economic downturn.”

Class of 2020 STCC graduate Maryam Abbasi is transferring to Montserrat College of Art this fall.

“I didn’t have to pay a cent” for my two years at STCC, she said.

“I knew going straight into a four-year school was going to be difficult,” Abbasi said. “I had really great professors [at STCC]. They know what they’re doing. They engage with their students very well. So I would recommend that anybody go to community college first, specifically STCC.”

STCC, the only technical community college in Massachusetts, will offer a combination of on-campus low density labs and online instruction this fall. STCC offers upwards of 90 programs, many of which are unique to the region. In addition, students avoid student loan debt, and find opportunity and more in STCC’s multiple bachelor’s degree transfer options. STCC is the most affordable college in Springfield.

STCC is known for its state-of-the art laboratories and equipment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs, as well as a nationally-recognized patient simulation facility used by students in its acclaimed health programs.

“STCC is a great choice to stay local, be safe, earn college credits, and then take them on to your four-year school in the future,” Davis-Freeman said. “Our admissions counselors are working remotely but talking to people on the phone, through video conferencing or by email. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. We’re here to help.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, liberal arts, and STEM fields continue to provide the most affordable options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 day, evening, weekend, and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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