Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Executive Secretaries And Administrative Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Holyoke Community College, Quinsigamond Community College, and Massasoit Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Roxbury Community College, Bunker Hill, Springfield Technical Community College, and Fisher.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Greenfield Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Berkshire Community College, and Springfield Technical Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of BC, Fisher, Greenfield Community College, and Bristol Community College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of BC and Fisher.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at BC.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at BC.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at BC and Greenfield Community College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Suffolk University • Boston, MA
Studying Philosophy (completion in 2009)
• 8/10/2011
"I was extremely satisfied because of its location in downtown Boston. And I really enjoyed my program of study. But the professional training and job help after graduating left a lot to be desired."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would recommend the school to someone looking to pursue a career in law, because they have a great law program. I would not recommend it to someone looking to pursue a job pertaining to philosophy. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | It is not the most popular major. There were only a dozen or so other students in my department. |
| Program Quality | 3 | I did not major in business or entrepreneurship, so my direction in school had no real impact on my current job. There is very little creativity in this job, as opposed to what I studied in school. |
| Instruction | 5 | Majoring in philosophy did help with my communication skills in terms of writing and correspondence. It also taught me time management as a whole. |
| How Difficult | 8 | There was an a lot of reading of complicated texts, the majority of which had to be translated and reinterpreted. Also, there was a lot of public speaking, which I am not comfortable with. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My department relied a lot on reading texts and was less hands on in terms of working in labs. It depended a lot on what type of class you were taking. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There are many classes available at all hours and days of the year. And a lot of the professors also offer online podcast classes if you are unable to attend a session. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The libraries are brand new and beautiful with computers and plenty of tables and resources. Computer labs are all around the campus. |
| Social Life | 5 | Since the school is in the center of Boston, there's not really a traditional campus. And since the school is so small, there are not many sports teams or much school spirit. |
| Placement Services | 1 | Their "career counseling center" is a brochure stand. They provide very little job assistance or internship placement help during or after school. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There are no alumni gatherings, as far as I know of or have been invited to. The only time you are contacted is when they want money. |
Massasoit Community College • Brockton, MA
Studying Liberal Arts (completion in 2009)
• 8/12/2011
"I miss it! I wish they offered bachelor's degrees."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's a great school located in a bad area. Expand your horizons! |
| Program Reputation | 8 | My major is pretty popular. A lot of students seek the same career path. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I learned a lot. I enjoyed being immersed in writing-intensive courses. |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were veterans. I enjoyed their discussions and course curricula. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It was hard. However, I enjoyed being pushed to work harder. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A healthy balance! I enjoyed the people as much as the textbooks. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Great! I even took courses on Saturdays to finish quicker. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Although the library is small, my school participates in an interlibrary system. My school also has a gym and pool free to all students and the community! |
| Social Life | 8 | I enjoyed the company of all the other students. I am at a university now and everyone is stuck up! |
| Placement Services | 7 | My school has an online database of jobs. However, they need to expand and reach out to more prospective employers. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | My school has reunions. They need to be more proactive, though. |
Boston University • Boston, MA
Studying Business (completion in 2008)
• 8/11/2011
"It was worth every penny. The program is world class."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The Business program at Boston University is top notch. The program is designed to help professionals succeed. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The school is consistent getting high grades. The school has a great reputation for excellence. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My school's professors were excellent. I loved my program. |
| Instruction | 10 | The instructors were well educated and cared about my future. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program expectations were high, and it was very challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was hard. The program was very challenging. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Seems to be the same as other schools. Keeps me sane to have flexibility! |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The facilities are old and new, depending on the building. |
| Social Life | 8 | The parties were fun and well planned. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The job placement office is extremely helpful and reliable. I find the job placement to be valuable. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni network is very well organized. Alumni receive excellent job assistance. |
Northeastern • Boston, MA
Studying Finance (completion in 2011)
• 9/8/2011
"I got a pretty good education at Northeastern. I also got some solid work experience and met some great people. However, was it worth the money? …No way."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | Go to a better business school where you would have more fun and actually learn more. This school just isn't worth what you pay for it. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | The business school is seen as a pretty reputable program within the school. Not its most difficult program, but definitely reputable. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Northeastern is a pretty good school for business administration, specifically finance. I've learned the basics of financial theory and investing and feel my knowledge will be applicable in the real world. |
| Instruction | 8 | Northeastern is a great private school with a nice campus and qualified professors. I'm not sure, however, that the quality of instruction is fully worth the price. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Honestly, the business school wasn't that hard to succeed in. Some of the upper level classes were difficult but aside from them, the school as a whole is rather easy in relation to other colleges. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school is very work-experience oriented and even helps students find internships while they are in class. Definitely an extremely hands on school. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Scheduling is flexible. Classes are offered at many different times and different days but not really online (for the most part). |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The facilities are not exactly catered to business students but they definitely help students in the business program. More so than many other programs, Northeastern's facilities can be put to good use by most business students. |
| Social Life | 5 | I had fun at Northeastern but it was kind of cliquey. There is no real sense of campus or school spirit like at many other schools. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The school has a co-op program that helps you work while you are still enrolled in school. I've found that once you graduate, the school has done little to actually help you find a good job. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Supposedly the school has a good network of alumni. However, I still don't have a job so I'm not so sure how much stock I actually put in this claim since it hasn't helped me at all. |
UMass Boston • Boston, MA
Studying Mathematics (completion in 2013)
• 10/2/2011
"I mostly attended the school due to financial reasons. I was not wowed nor was I completely miserable."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It's a well known school and depending on what your major is, you will have the opportunity to get what you are willing to put in. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | For a public university network there is a really good reputation with our satellite locations. The campus that I was on offers a guaranteed transfer on condition you are doing well based on your degree program. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The school is a public institution and while it has provided me with a good education, it does little to weed out those who are not committed to actual academic achievement. |
| Instruction | 7 | If I had not put in the effort to gain more experience through projects with my professor, I would not have necessarily had the clout I needed for a job outside of school or retail. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Mathematics is not for everyone and is heavily application based. If you cannot keep up you are very much out of luck. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was able to work with my professors on various projects to give myself a good mix of things. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Since it is a non-traditional aged population and commuter school there are many different class times available. This kind of flexibility enables me to keep my job and stay in school. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The campus is older but over the next few years there will be renovations that will update it. There will be a new science center and soon a dormitory. |
| Social Life | 3 | Being a totally dedicated commuter school and full of people who are non traditional age, it makes it harder to create a cohesive, traditional setting. |
| Placement Services | 2 | It is very difficult to sit down and get a consistent answer or meeting with a counselor. I have been to the office numerous times and told to try things or offered services that were not free. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not had a ton of experience with it. But I have met a lot of alums at work and that has put me in better social standing, giving me leverage for other opportunities in the future. |
Marian Court College • Swampscott, MA
Studying Legal Office Administrative Assistant (completion in 2005)
• 10/3/2011
"My path at MCC led me to where I am today. I couldn't be happier with the way things worked out."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would absolutely recommend this school. Even if feeling unsure, I would recommend their general administrative program. Tons of great opportunities may be found through the network. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | They remain a great opportunity for local kids to attend school. They expanded to criminal justice and incorporated menfolk, which I imagine is good. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I went to school to learn the necessary tools to get a solid office position. I succeeded, and am still proud of my decision today. |
| Instruction | 9 | My teachers were spot on. Every day, I use ideas from every class I took at MCC. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my job. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I knew what I was signing up for. I already had some experience, which was helpful. If you study and are prepared, you will succeed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The professors are extremely hands on; they will throw you into a situation and expect you to swim. Very good education there. Highly recommended. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | They offer both day and night classes, extremely flexible for the working mom. Always willing to communicate and work things out with you if need be. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Couldn't have asked for more. They have it all!! |
| Social Life | 9 | It was really cool meeting birds of all kinds of a feather! I made some lasting friendships that stand today. Even one of my bridesmaids was a friend I made at MCC. |
| Placement Services | 9 | To this day, if I were to need assistance with finding work, they have people available to schedule an appointment with. Great school. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | Never had any problems. Everyone was nice. I had a positive experience there. |
UMass Dartmouth • North Dartmouth, MA
Studying Marketing (completion in 2010)
• 10/17/2011
"I would tell people to attend my school. I left very satisfied."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel like I had a great experience. I also do not have many loans to pay back. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | My school has a good reputation. It is a very good state school. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I felt like I learned a lot in college. I was rewarded for my good grades through scholarships and awards. |
| Instruction | 7 | I felt prepared for the work field. I feel that so far I have succeeded in the business world. |
| How Difficult | 5 | My business program was of average difficulty. I took honor courses to excel. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I learned a lot from the readings and presentations. It was also good that volunteering was required. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I wish they offered more class times. I was able to make my school and work schedules fit, though. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Everything was up to date. I felt like everything was useful and easy to learn from. |
| Social Life | 10 | My school always had fun events. They had plays, groups and activities on campus. |
| Placement Services | 8 | They hosted many career fairs. They also have a department to help people find jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | Everyone stays in contact. My school hosts alumni events. |
Northern Essex Community College • Haverhill, MA
Studying Liberal Studies W/ Major In English (completion in 1998)
• 10/11/2011
"It would have been ideal to have had the opportunity to attend a more advanced (for lack of a better word) college. Funds were a problem in this respect. However, my time at NECCO served a purpose, in that I am employed in a field I enjoy."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school is moderately worthwhile and a nice starting point for new college students who are getting their feet wet regarding their future. It is also a school that I believe is a practical place for older adults to begin additional education for fun or for career benefits. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | As a community college, the courses are moderately worthwhile. However, many students transfer credits to continued studies elsewhere. |
| Program Quality | 5 | As a community college, the overall program content and teaching staff were sometimes insufficient in terms of resources and dedication (on the part of the staff). |
| Instruction | 5 | The teachers were sometimes insufficient and I felt there could have been more thorough courses. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I found that the workload wasn't overwhelming, which contributed to an overall sense that my studies were easy. I am also very motivated in terms of learning, so I had a lot of prior knowledge on my subjects, which ultimately created a sense of repetition. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of my experience consisted of book learning both in and out of class, due to my desire to learn at a quicker, more satisfying pace. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | NECCO does have flexibility, as it wants to be attractive to people of all qualified age groups. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I would have preferred more on-campus resources, including the library and media center. The access to teachers varied. I did not participate in study groups; these were rather plentiful, but usually student-driven. |
| Social Life | 5 | I answer average in place of , since I was not very social and do not care for sports and clubs. |
| Placement Services | I did not utilize any of these services and cannot comment on them. |
Smith College • Northampton, MA
Studying Psychology (completion in 2009)
• 10/12/2011
"I was very satisfied with Smith. The academics were stimulating, I had experiences that I'll never forget, and the campus itself has a feel like no other."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I wouldn't say a Smith education is required for being an administrative assistant. However, I would highly recommend Smith to anyone looking for a traditional Women's College experience with a progressive edge. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Smith's psychology program is well known and popular. It is home to nationally known psychologist Randy Frost. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Smith's psychology program is large and diverse. It gives the majors an opportunity to explore the complete depth and breadth of the field. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instruction I received was excellent and very engaging. However, it's not really very relevant to the job I have now. It was more geared towards grad school preparation. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The workload itself was massive, but the actual material itself was easy to understand. I never felt stretched beyond the capacity of my abilities. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most courses at Smith were heavy on traditional book learning. However, there were hands-on and lab subjects offered as well; just not as much. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Classes were very flexible and included weekend and evening options. However, there were no summer or online options. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Smith had multiple large libraries, ample classroom space and plenty of study space. Each student had an academic advisor and tutoring was widely available. |
| Social Life | 10 | Smith had tight-knit house communities, parties nearly every weekend, and the benefit of being part of a 5-college consortium. Athletics and special interest groups were also very popular. Nearly everyone I knew ran in multiple social circles. |
| Placement Services | 9 | Smith has a hardworking Career Development Office that is accessible to students and alumni alike. There is also an e-access database of available jobs within the Smith network. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Smith has a very great alumni network full of successful women. However, it is regional and highly concentrated in the northeast. |
Northeastern University • Boston, MA
Studying Business (completion in 2011)
• 10/13/2011
"I feel like I got a great education and experience. I just think I paid way too much for it and had to take other classes that weren't relevant."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I had amazing professors and the co-op program is great. Having co-ops can allow someone to know if that is really the career path they want to take. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Our business program is ranked pretty high, especially because of the co-op program. I learned a lot from my great professors. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I feel I could have gotten more out of the program if some of my professors were better. Some were very informed in their areas but didn't have the necessary teaching skills to pass on that information. |
| Instruction | 9 | Most of my professors were very good. The co-op program was sometimes a better learning experience than the classroom. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Some classes were very difficult and challenging, and others not so much. I would sometimes use "Rate My Professors" to purposely choose easier professors. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I think having the co-op program makes them a perfect mix. I felt like I learned more on co-op than in the classroom. I got to apply what I learned in class to work and vice versa. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I was almost always able to schedule a few days off of my schedule and have the classes I needed. I was also able to get classes I needed over the summer, but they only offer one online class. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Our facilities are AMAZING!!! The only problem is that they keep admitting more students and building more dorms, but not adding to the library or other facilities, so everything was very crowded my last year. |
| Social Life | 9 | Our football team sucked so bad they canceled the program. I never went to any athletic events, but participated in other extracurricular activities. They started putting some limitations on parties that made them not as great as my freshman and sophomore years. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Job placement for co-ops is great, but for actual work, the job placement service has been terrible, in my experience. They try, though. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I am a recent alum, but I don't think I've gotten much out of our alumni network. It would be nice to have some kind of guidance from them or more donations, but NU would have to make student happier for them to want to give later. |
North Shore Community College • Beverly, MA
Studying Business Administration (completion in 1995)
• 10/19/2011
"Like I said earlier, I didn't appreciate how well suited my program was to being an administrative assistant until after years of working in the field. The school made of the most of my time there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend it highly to prospective students concerned about affordability and attaining specific career goals. For a lot of people, it's a really good place to start. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The school is known for having very good two-year degree programs and certifications, especially in business. Many people begin college education there and then transfer to four-year schools. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The tuition costs were affordable, and there was a good selection of courses and different times available for working students. Many of my instructors were working in their chosen fields or running businesses in addition to teaching. |
| Instruction | 10 | I didn't realize how relevant the curriculum was until I began working in the field. Along with the basic career skills, the exposure to different aspects of business - law, accounting, marketing, etc. has been a tremendous help in my work over the years. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I chose "average" because I found certain courses to be challenging but manageable. But because I don't have the background to compare to any different program this is merely an educated guess. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I enjoyed the fact that it was a blend of book learning and hands-on work. That's my favorite part. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school offered night, weekend, summer, and online courses as well as portfolio and self-study work for those qualified. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The facilities were small but adequate. The college also had an agreement with other colleges and universities in the area so that students could use their facilities as well. |
| Social Life | 5 | There weren't many social events, but the ones they did have were good. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Other former students have told me it is terrific. I have not personally dealt with these offices. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The school assists with job placement and has an alumni network, but I have not taken advantage of these things. |
Fitchburg State College • Fitchburg, MA
Studying Communications (completion in 2005)
• 11/15/2011
"As I'm currently in a job I don't like, I'm very disappointed with my schooling. I wouldn't attend the program again."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I felt it didn't prepare me for the career I wanted to enter. They needed to have better internship placements to help students get their foot in the door. |
| Program Reputation | I don't keep in contact with the school, so I'm not sure in ways it has or has not improved over the years. | |
| Program Quality | 2 | The university did not adequately prepare me for a career in communications. I have now had to take a job that does not challenge me to meet my financial obligations. |
| Instruction | 1 | I applied for a degree in film, and the program was run by industry professionals who were very scarce in their knowledge. They were also very discriminatory towards women. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program did not challenge us to make decent films. The workload was easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had 'labs' in which we used the equipment. It was a technical program, so we needed to. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | We were not allowed to take evening classes, as they were reserved for off-campus students. The film classes were easy enough to attend once per week. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | The cameras available to rent were high quality. However, professors were rarely around if you had questions. |
| Social Life | 4 | Friends I made were great. However, the school did little to provide interaction. It was mostly a commuter school, and for those of us living on campus and from out of state, the weekends were boring. |
| Placement Services | 3 | There was no networking, so we had to find our own positions. Professors claimed they had contacts, only to find out upon graduation that they had none. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | They don't provide any networking. You are required to do an internship, and it was originally stated it would be provided to you; instead, we had to find our own. |
University Of Massachusetts Amherst • Amherst, MA
Studying Communications (completion in 2007)
• 11/17/2011
"I was extremely disappointed when I left school and saw how well prepared some of my peers were. I enjoyed my time there for the social experiences that I had, but I felt so lost and replaceable to the school, as if they were not invested in my long-term success."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | It's difficult not to suggest UMass for in-state students, because it's one of the lowest barrier opportunities around. That said, I would only recommend it to students who are on a study track that is already set/specified, or going into a program that has structure and clear next steps, so they aren't lost at sea. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I think in the past several years, UMass Amherst has increased its academic reputation so that all programs are elevated slightly by proxy. Communications is fairly middle of the road, but its standout programs are management, business and science related. |
| Program Quality | 3 | AWFUL guidance and counseling for how to make the most of the academic offerings and meet all requirements. During my time there, I had 1 meeting with a counselor and felt extremely lost academically. |
| Instruction | 3 | The only classes that I felt gave any preparation for "real world" application were the film production courses, because they had technical value and field experience. Otherwise, there were very few courses that I felt truly held relevance to my current work, and no help in understanding how to look for a job. One 1-credit course I took in resume writing/interviewing was an elective and so formulaic/rigid that it was hard to fit my experience and credentials into their structure. It was not helpful for inexperienced, entry-level resume writing. |
| How Difficult | 4 | Based in large part on the size of the classes at UMass, it was easy to do the bare minimum and receive adequate grades. There was not enough time/faculty to have truly in-depth evaluation in most courses, so if a student is a competent test-taker, it's not difficult to coast. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There are a lot of programs at UMass that are hands on, specifically the 4-H type. The vast majority of students probably had a strictly "book learning" approach, but there were fairly well-publicized programs that were much more hands on, which balance it out a bit. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I took online, summer and evening courses throughout my undergraduate tenure and I really appreciated the flexibility. Without those courses, I wouldn't have been able to work at school, and the courses taken from home on breaks were a great opportunity to elevate my GPA and study away from the temptations of college life. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | UMass' general institutions were fine - the W.E.B. DuBois library had great study space and resources, but there wasn't much specifically there for Communications majors. The studio and equipment for video production was okay, but the editing software was EXTREMELY outdated. There wasn't much by way of study groups or tutors offered; it was all ad hoc and created by peers. I had a really hard time getting any face time with my advisor or other professors. TAs were usually around, with varying degrees of helpfulness. |
| Social Life | 9 | There were tons of clubs and activities, and I felt that there was never a lack of options for things to do - both good and bad. Most of my social life was external of UMass programming, but there was always a lot offered. Sports events were probably the biggest draw. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There are occasional job fairs on campus, but my program rarely advertised them or encouraged people to attend. Other programs told their students to go in business attire with resumes, etc., but there was no discussion of that in any of my communications courses. I never heard anything from them after leaving school. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I receive an annual magazine, but no outreach or networking. Working in nonprofit development, I judge the alumni relations especially harshly for that, because I've never been asked for donations, although I'd be an easy target. |
Training Resources Of America • Fitchburg, MA
Studying Office & Customer Service Training (completion in 2010)
• 12/12/2011
"I had the opportunity to refresh old knowledge and begin channeling that into something positive. I really enjoyed school; the instructors were wonderful, the curriculum was decent, and the environment was fantastic."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I believe if anyone is interested in an entry-level administrative position, the course I took would be a great way to achieve that goal. The class teaches the basics on office and professionalism. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Many people I know have attended the same class as I. A friend of mine was actually a poster for the school. |
| Program Quality | 4 | The school was a state-aided school. I attended the school after being a teen parent. I received my GED, as well as my certificate in office and customer service skills. |
| Instruction | 8 | They emphasized career planning, making resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques. The school had a good rundown of office and customer service techniques, phone etiquette, and proper speaking. |
| How Difficult | 1 | I was completely familiar with the majority of the items that my training class taught me. I have always been like an administrative assistant. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The class was very hands on about making phone calls, preparing business emails, documents, etc. We had experienced administrative assistants come in and prep us on how to work in an office. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | You had only one timeframe that the course runs. That is M-F, 9am-2pm. |
| Academic Facilities | 1 | The class I took was very small. It was a suite in an office building where the classes were instructed. They had books, but not a great selection. We had access to computers. |
| Social Life | 8 | I am a social person, so I interacted with a few people in my classroom, but not too many. I stayed in touch with one person from that course. |
| Placement Services | 6 | The school really intended on seeing people leave their classroom with an employment position. While in class, the instructors would transport you to and from job interviews, staffing agencies, etc. |
| Alumni Network | I am not sure. |
Clark University • Worcester, MA
Studying Government (completion in 1988)
• 12/12/2011
"Overall, I was very pleased with my college. I got a good education and have been able to find meaningful work."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I believe that a good education surrounded by smart peers and caring faculty can lead a person to success in whatever field they choose. I am pleased with my choice of college. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | As far as I can tell, my university is still well respected and highly sought after. My program has only grown bigger and better since I left. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I really enjoyed my liberal arts college very much. I am uncertain of its impact on real, practical job skills, but it did help me to think critically and problem solve with confidence. |
| Instruction | 10 | The instruction I received was professional and relevant. My professors were knowledgeable and interesting. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I am a good student. I did well, although the program was demanding. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The bulk of my education was from a book. I did one job shadowing for one week, but that was it. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | I remember that my course offerings were available M-F, pretty much 9-5. I don't remember a huge variance of hours. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The school and its resources were very good. There was nothing that I needed that was not available. |
| Social Life | 7 | My social life was rich and varied. The opportunities for socializing were almost overwhelming. |
| Placement Services | I did not take advantage of the career services office or its contacts. I have been able to find my own work. | |
| Alumni Network | It may be wonderful. I don't take advantage of the alumni resources at all. |
MIT • Cambridge, MA
Studying Architecture (completion in 2005)
• 12/2/2011
"I think I would have had an easier time at a small liberal arts school. I am naturally shy and reserved, and being in a school with other people who keep to themselves wasn't productive for my social life, which wasn't productive for my grades or happiness."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | MIT is one of the top schools in the country, but it's very difficult to get into. I would recommend people search deeply inside themselves. If they can't see the satisfaction they will get from a school as difficult as MIT, a smaller school with a less vicious reputation might be a better fit. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | MIT's architecture program is excellent. On the other hand, it's not the first school people think of when they consider the top architecture programs in the country. |
| Program Quality | 8 | MIT in general has an above-average program, and every student is forced through a rigorous math/science education prior to the start of any classes in your major. However, the architecture program is a 4-year program, and many schools have 5-year programs that give you an extra year (to intern), which allows you to be certified to be a licensed architect. In many ways, I am glad I wasn't able to take that route, since it took me a few years to figure out that I wasn't interested in architecture, and by then, I probably would have been further along towards my license and found it harder to leave. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors were brilliant, but sometimes, they were more focused on their research than the classes they were teaching. They did a very good job preparing us for working in the field, though, giving us critical skills and an "engineer/scientist" way of doing things that is unique to MIT. |
| How Difficult | 10 | MIT has a famous analogy: Getting an education at MIT is like trying to drink from a fire hose. It's extremely difficult for everyone, and it's well known for that. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | All of my architecture classes were very hands on. It's the only way to reinforce the things you learn in books. But MIT as a whole probably did a great job balancing using your hands to build and using your books to learn, even across all programs. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | It was difficult freshman year, because of all of the required classes and when they were offered. By the time I was in my major, the classes I had to take were all planned around each other, since it was such a small department. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The libraries are huge, clean and quiet. They are among the best in the country. |
| Social Life | 5 | I had a very close group of friends that I met at my living group. I think it would have been difficult to find friends with the same strong bonds if I had lived in a dorm. I had difficulty connecting with people in sports and activities I participated in, and MIT made it easy for me to gravitate towards jobs where I worked alone (i.e., the coffeehouse from 2-6AM). |
| Placement Services | I never used career services. They weren't very supportive of architecture students, because they focused strongly on engineer and science positions. | |
| Alumni Network | 10 | If you are willing, they reach out to you many times a year. There are many networking events throughout the year, and merely mentioning that you are from MIT usually gets you an interview when there is an alum on board, because many people who also attended MIT see it as a strong bond. |
Quincy College • Quincy, MA
Studying Business (completion in 2004)
• 12/28/2011
"I enjoyed my time there. It was useful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would tell others about my school. It has helped me. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Business is a popular major. It helps to have the degree. |
| Program Quality | 5 | It is a public, two-year school. It was cheap. |
| Instruction | 7 | The schoolwork helped. Having the degree helped more. |
| How Difficult | 3 | Not too hard. Only 2 years. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Both hands on and bookwork. A good mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Many class times. Open year-round. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | Small school. Not too much around, and you have to walk to the bookstore. |
| Social Life | 8 | Not many clubs. A lot of people, though. |
| Placement Services | 6 | They provide services. Not many take use of them. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | Not too strong. It is only a small school. |
Fitchburg State College • Fitchburg, MA
Studying Business Management (completion in 2002)
• 12/27/2011
"I was satisfied! I was very happy to graduate."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend my school. My main complaint was that it was in one of the worst sections of Fitchburg, MA, and I didn't always feel safe. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | My school has a very good reputation as a business school. It was also known for its nursing program. |
| Program Quality | 8 | My school had a great business curriculum. I was never a great student, but I felt like the teachers really took the time to explain the material. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I thought it was very difficult. However, it was great to meet with teachers outside the classroom. I took advantage of office hours and got some one-on-one time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It depended on the class. Math classes were all from the book, but some of the management classes required projects, etc. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I thought the school was very flexible. I pretty much made my own schedule based on what times worked best for me. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I thought the facilities were great. As a commuter, I took advantage of the library, which had everything I needed to complete my courses. |
| Social Life | As a commuter, I didn't participate in any activities outside of class. One of my biggest regrets. | |
| Placement Services | 5 | I feel that my school made sure we had the resources needed to find a job, but I don't think they really prepared us for starting at the "bottom of the barrel." As a management major, there are really no jobs that start as a manager. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I commuted to school, so I don't really have any alumni connections. It is one regret in life that I have. |
Endicott College • Beverly, MA
Studying Business (completion in 2008)
• 1/8/2012
"I was quite satisfied and feel that should I pursue a graduate degree, I would go back to my alma mater."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Absolutely, and have recommended it to colleagues. I emphasize their quality and flexibility for the working class. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | My alma mater is 2012 US News #68 North East. It has a reputation as a great school for business and management. |
| Program Quality | 7 | My school ranks in the top 50 by Newsweek (Northeast, Baccalaureate). It's a private school with a small student body and good individualized attention. |
| Instruction | 9 | Besides the focus groups and cohorts, teachers are flexible and thorough. I once had a teacher teach me (and only me) at a local Starbucks for my entire course to show their interest in my academic success. What school would do that? I graduated cum laude. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Depending on the course, degree of difficulty would change. Overall, the teachers would challenge each student in areas they found more difficult. In addition, the online classes I took via my school were equally challenging. Teachers were always available either through phone or email. I also worked days while going to school full-time at night. The work load was sometime unbearable, but still doable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Although we always used books, there was an emphasis on practical. Teachers always distinguished between theory and actual approaches to problem-solving in real world scenarios. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I studied at night within a cohort so that I could continue working days. I often was moved through various cohorts in order to accommodate my busy schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | As a part of NOBLE network, Endicott has access to all literature found in any of the surrounding, major colleges and universities, and public libraries. The school boasts of a state of the art computer lab and systems as well as student based-forums easily accessible from within the school's student portal. Then student portal "Gullnet" posts all school activities, grades, homework and assignments, etc. - quite diverse and expansive. |
| Social Life | 7 | I attended an accelerated BA program, allowing me to work full-time while attend school full-time at night. I did not participate in much with the rest of the student body. I did, however, get to meet football hall of famer John Hannah, and Susie Castillo of MTV also attended my school. The graduation ceremony was great! |
| Placement Services | 7 | Over 80% of the student body participating in internships are placed in jobs post graduation. Career counseling is available to all students. |
| Alumni Network | I don't participate much. I receive literature and an occasional phone call regarding fund raising events in search of donations. |
Berkshire Community College • Pittsfield, MA
Studying Manufacturing Engineer (completion in 2011)
• 1/22/2012
"I've gotten great knowledge from BCC and met many great people that I will keep in contact with. I wouldn't say the school is perfect, but I am pretty satisfied."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would absolutely recommend BCC to other students in the area. I would not recommend people travel to the school from out of state, since this is just a community college and not the absolute best place, but for locals, it is GREAT! |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The administrative classes I took at BCC have a great reputation. Many people take the classes and leave with a better knowledge that they can use in the workplace. Manufacturing Engineering is still a growing program. I was in the first class to graduate with the certificate. Since I was in the first class in this program, it obviously had a few issues, but I am confident that BCC will succeed with this program! |
| Program Quality | 8 | I started at Berkshire Community College taking administrative classes, which provided me with a working knowledge of customer service, smart ways to file, polite ways to take phone calls, how to lead meetings, etc. I also took classes for engineering, which gave me more of a background to help support people at my job, because I am now more knowledgeable in the manufacturing field. It has made me a better assistant to the people higher up. |
| Instruction | 8 | Quality of instruction is very important in order to succeed. I find I must need great teachers and learning materials in order to get the best outcome from a class. I received this at BCC. The teachers allowed us to learn hands on, which is great when you are working and going to school, because you are able to take the knowledge you learn in the classroom and try it out at your place of business. I find that it works best if the teachers get away from the actual curriculum given, because only knowing what the book says is not always the best. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The hardest part for me was the fact that I was working and going to school at the same time. It left little time to have a social life, which can take its toll. The academic part was pretty easy, because I was already working in the field, so I had a solid ground to stand on when I started the classes. For others, though, it can be difficult to get into at first. All classes take time and you have to be willing to study hard to succeed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My program was very hands on, which I loved! It was a great way to learn and I prefer it over book learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | With day, evening, weekend and online classes, you can pretty much pick your own schedule. Once you are getting close to graduation and only have a semester or two left, it gets more difficult, because some classes are only available at certain times. I would say they are pretty flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | BCC now has classes available to take at the local bus station upstairs and offers classes in South County. This makes it easier for students. They also have a huge library and many online programs to help. The computer labs are usually open and very helpful too. I was a tutor for one semester, and although the program could use a little more guidance, I think it's a great thing for students who may need a little help. Depending on the teacher, most are accessible for help after class. Some teachers like to get out of there before the students even get out of their chairs, though, which is sad (and thankfully rare). |
| Social Life | 8 | BCC offers social time two days a week for an hour, when students who go to school full-time get a chance to take a break and chat with others or have lunch. No classes are held during these breaks. They also offer shows or special events that differ each week. |
| Placement Services | 8 | BCC works with many employers in the area and does many work-studies to place people in the best jobs available. I would recommend their work-study programs to others. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | BCC does not have the best alumni network and support. Although I can call my teachers and keep in contact, I find that bigger schools (state colleges or universities) have a better network available. |
Suffolk University • Boston, MA
Studying Sociology (completion in 2013)
• 1/29/2012
"I am satisfied with the education I am receiving. It is worth every penny!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think it's a very well-known school. Everyone knows what school you are talking about and is impressed. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Best law school in the Northeast! Also, it is located in the heart of the city of Boston. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The professors are great and are truly ideal in the field. |
| Instruction | 9 | All professors have their own style, but the curriculum is based for success. You benefit from each and every class. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I put in a lot of effort in my studies and still have a 2.8 GPA. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It all depends on the class you're taking. Towards senior year, there's more hands-on experience, with internships available as courses. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | It takes a lot of work to create a working class schedule, but I make it happen. There aren't many weekend or online options at all, that I am aware of. There are summer courses, but those have no financial aid. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The resources and people are all in the school. Students must use their resources and connections wisely. |
| Social Life | 1 | Too many people from everywhere. There were international students, commuting students, and students living on campus from everywhere, and not any school spirit. |
| Placement Services | 9 | It's great for my field, since there are so many companies partnered with my school. It's quite simple to find opportunities. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am not sure, other than those who work in the school. Many alumni find great benefits from working in the school. |
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