Students at four year schools graduate with a bachelor’s/baccalaureate degree, and are able to focus their studies in one or several directions. Students can major, double-major, minor, double-minor, and/or concentrate. For example, “I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English” or “I double majored in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry” or “I have a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology, and double minored in mathematics and theater.” While the differences between “colleges” and “universities” appear to be relatively insignificant, universities may be larger and offer graduate programs whose courses may be open to undergraduate students. Due to their size, they may offer more classes/sections of classes, and have greater flexibility in scheduling, especially across different fields of study. University faculty may split their time and attention between research and teaching. Some larger universities divide their programs into “colleges” or “schools” such as Boston University’s School of Communication or Bucknell University’s College of Engineering.
Students at two-year schools may graduate with an associate’s degree or a certificate. Associate’s degrees may be more focused or general, depending on the student’s plan for after graduation, either entering the workforce or additional education. Certificate programs are very specific and graduates from a certificate program tend to go directly into the workforce after graduation. For example, “I have an Associate’s Degree in Child Care and am going to work at Kindercare after graduation” or “I earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and am transferring to Salem State as a junior after graduation” or “I am a Certified Emergency Medical Technician and will be working at Bay State Ambulance after graduation.” A two year school may be a less expensive option for students looking to start careers (earning money!) sooner, for those who need to improve their academic record to get into a four year school, and students who simply want to save money on their general education courses before transferring to a more expensive four-year institution.
The community college application process is simple. Two-year colleges do not require standardized tests or college essays. To apply, candidates must have a high school diploma or the equivalent and complete an application. The timeline for applying to community college is somewhat different than four-year schools as well. Students can decide to apply as late as the end of senior year. An additional advantage to the community college system is that students who are in good academic standing, may automatically transfer to a Massachusetts public university.
A commonly asked question is "what is the difference between a private and a public school?" Both 4-year and 2-year schools can be public or private. 4-year public schools are often called "State Schools" (like University of Massachusetts and Bridgewater State University); 2-year public schools are often called "Community Colleges" (like Middlesex Community College or Bunker Hill Community College). The major difference between public and private is their funding. Public schools are state funded and are less expensive for in-state students. Private schools do not receive state funding, and rely on tuition and private contributions. Public schools tend to be larger (like universities) while private schools tend to be smaller (like colleges).