General Information
College Now for you
How to become a College Now student
Finding the "master student" in you through College Now
College Now For You
The College Now program helps students turn a dream of college into a reality. It's for those students who need a non-traditional route into college--students who are indeed able to do college work, but for various reasons, feel they aren't "college material." Perhaps they haven't done well academically, because of certain social or personal difficulties. Maybe they don't know about financial aid and believe they can't afford college. Maybe they've been discouraged by others about even applying to college.Yet hundreds of students who once ruled out a college education for themselves are now UMass Dartmouth graduates, thanks to College Now. Through counseling, instruction, and individualized attention, the program helped them become admitted to UMass Dartmouth, and supported them through their time here.
College Now was there for these students--it can be there for you.
How to become a College Now student
College Now students must meet certain eligibility criteria. According to the Ronald McNair Grant, effective Fall 2005 every applicant must live in Massachusetts, and be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident.
Then applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria:
- Be of low-income status (as defined by federal guidelines);
- Be the first generation to attend college;
Students interested in UMass Dartmouth and College Now should contact either their high school guidance office, College Now, or the university's Admissions Office for an Admissions Viewbook.
Complete the application in the Viewbook, checking the College Now box, and checking the appropriate criteria box. Send the completed application to the College Now office or have your guidance office forward it.
The College Now staff will schedule a placement test, along with a personal interview to assist in making sure that the program can meet the student's needs. Thus, the staff can better advise a student on course selection and career plans. Applicants are notified about acceptances into College Now two to three weeks after their interview.
Finding the "master student" in you through College Now
College Now students benefit from a special academic program and counseling that is aimed at insuring their success at UMass Dartmouth.After being accepted, the students participate in a "skill-building" academic program during their first semester, and a course that helps with topics such as taking notes in class to writing papers.
Each student is also assigned a College Now counselor who can give answers and advice about all aspects of college life. The counselors help students determine, and reach, both their short-term and long-term goals. Peer counselors--other students--lend support and guidance to those in College Now.
After successfully completing that fall semester, the College Now students continue at the university in the same way as all other students. They become degree candidates and select their major from any of the university's programs. (More often than not, College Now students take five years to receive their degrees.)
An average of 80 students enroll at the university through College Now every year. Because of all they have in common, the College Now students become a close group, and a source of encouragement and support for one another throughout their stay at the university.
Enrollment is limited, and the program is offered only to students who enter the university in September.
Last Updated On: 11/29/06