Why Settle on One College When You Can Attend Five?
In 2000, I left working for a Fortune 500 corporation and decided to take a career turn. Thankfully, I ended up taking a role as the assistant director of cooperative education and internships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Engineering. As a UW-Madison engineering alumnus, I was very excited to return to the city and campus that had been such a large part of my own growth and development. UW-Madison has loomed large in my family’s history as my father, mother, sister, and I have a total of five degrees from the institution.
And there’s another page to this story as I have now joined the Board of the Mile High Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association! One of the most important parts of my education has been the friendships and connections I have made along the way and I can’t wait to help give back to the UW alumni community here in Denver. All I can say is that this is another “like father-like son” moment as my father has been involved with the WAA chapter in the northwoods of Wisconsin for decades.
Now back to my original story.
In 2003, I became the director of the Engineering Leadership Center and I transitioned to a new boss. Dr. Sarah Pfatteicher became my supervisor and we quickly developed a strong mentoring relationship and friendship that has continued to today. Sarah is still my sounding board in many ways. She got me involved in the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, and helped me grow professionally. Under her guidance I became a judge and coach for the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl and took many teams of engineers and non-engineers to regional and even national ethics bowl competitions. Not too bad for someone who went to college initially thinking he was going to be a robotics engineer. That was a long time, and many differential equations, ago.
In 2018, Sarah moved east and is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Fives Colleges Consortium. She is also an author having written Lessons Amid the Rubble: An Introduction to Post-Disaster Engineering and Ethics. It may not be the type of book you find at your local coffee shop but if you’re interested in learning what we can from the collapse and failures of the World Trade Centers during 9/11, then you should check it out.
As the ED of the Five Colleges Consortium, Sarah has an extremely unique role in the world of higher education. She isn’t a professor. She isn’t a college president. But she oversees a collaborative organization that includes some of the most innovative schools you can find. What makes this collaboration unique and something that you and your student may want to explore and learn more about? Well, let’s dive into it.
What is the Five Colleges Consortium?
The Five College Consortium is a collaborative educational project that unites five distinguished higher education institutions in the Connecticut River Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. These institutions are Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Formally established in 1965, the consortium's roots can be traced back to informal cooperation among these schools in the early 20th century.
The consortium was created to maximize the strengths of each member institution while offering shared resources and collaborative opportunities to students and faculty. This collaboration allows students from each college to take courses at the other member institutions, expanding their academic and social horizons. The cross-registration system, which is a hallmark of the consortium, enables students to benefit from the diverse and complementary curricula, faculties, and campus cultures.
In addition to academic integration, the consortium facilitates joint departmental programs, library sharing, and cultural events. The member colleges coordinate their academic calendars to ease cross-registration, and there's a well-organized transportation system that connects the campuses.
The Five College Consortium stands out for promoting a blend of liberal arts education and research opportunities, and a strong sense of community. By pooling resources and fostering inter-campus collaboration, the consortium enhances the educational experiences and opportunities available to its students, making it a unique and innovative model in higher education.
Unique Benefits
The uniqueness of the Five College Consortium lies in several key features:
1. Interdisciplinary and Cross-Registration Opportunities: One of the most distinctive aspects is the ability for students to cross-register and take courses at any of the member institutions. This not only broadens academic opportunities but also encourages interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to combine diverse fields of study.
2. Shared Resources and Facilities: The consortium facilitates the sharing of resources such as libraries, museums, and research facilities. This collective pooling of resources provides students with access to an extensive range of materials and specialized equipment that might not be available at their home institution.
3. Diverse Campus Cultures within Close Proximity: Each college in the consortium has its unique culture and strengths. For example, Amherst College is known for its liberal arts focus, Hampshire College for its alternative education model, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges as prominent women's colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a large research university. This diversity within a geographically compact area is rare.
4. Collaborative Academic and Cultural Programs: The consortium fosters joint academic programs, cultural events, and extracurricular activities. This encourages a sense of community across the campuses and offers students a richer college experience.
5. Unique Social and Networking Opportunities: Students can interact and network with a larger and more diverse student body, faculty, and alumni network. This can lead to unique social experiences, broader perspectives, and enhanced career opportunities.
6. Strong Commitment to Liberal Arts and Progressive Education: The consortium's colleges are known for their strong commitment to liberal arts education and progressive pedagogical approaches, offering a distinctive educational experience.
7. Efficient Transportation System: A well-coordinated transportation system connects the campuses, making it convenient for students to travel between them for classes, events, or social activities.
8. Inclusive and Supportive Environment: These colleges are often recognized for their inclusive and supportive campus environments, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for students from diverse backgrounds.
Getting to Know the Five Colleges
Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts
Private liberal arts college
Founded in 1821
Known for its rigorous academic standards, open curriculum (no required core curriculum), and small class sizes that foster close student-faculty relationships. Amherst has a strong commitment to diversity and financial aid, with a need-blind admissions policy.
Highly selective admissions with exceptional graduation rates and low average net price
2,000 full-time undergrads
Information about Amherst College snipped from CollegePlannerPro
Hampshire College
Amherst, Massachusetts
Private liberal arts college
Founded in 1970
Hampshire offers a unique, student-centered curriculum focused on individualized, project-based learning. Instead of traditional grades, students receive narrative evaluations. The college emphasizes portfolio development and experiential learning.
Somewhat selective admissions
472 full-time undergrads
Information about Hampshire College snipped from CollegePlannerPro.
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts
Private liberal arts women's college
Founded in 1837
As the oldest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, Mount Holyoke is known for its rigorous academics, diverse and international student body, and strong science programs. The college fosters leadership skills and global awareness in its students.
Very selective admissions with exceptional graduation rates
2,200 full-time undergrads
Information about Mount Holyoke College snipped from CollegePlannerPro.
Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts
Private liberal arts women's college
Founded in 1871
Smith is the largest women's college in the United States and is known for its vibrant campus life, strong community, and an open curriculum. The college has a notable engineering program, rare for a women's college, and emphasizes research and internship opportunities.
Highly selective admissions and has terrific graduation rates
2,500 full-time undergrads
Information about Smith College snipped from CollegePlannerPro.
University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst)
Amherst, Massachusetts
Public research university
Founded in 1863
As the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, UMass Amherst offers a wide range of academic programs, including highly ranked programs in computer science, engineering, and business. It has a large and diverse student body and extensive research facilities.
Somewhat selective admission and solid graduation rates
22,500 full-time undergrads
Information about Smith College snipped from CollegePlannerPro.
Each college within the Five College Consortium brings its unique strengths, cultures, and academic approaches, contributing to the rich and diverse educational environment that the consortium offers. This could be an ideal situation for a student who is looking for a diverse experience and wants the broadest range of academic opportunities possible.
So there you go. Like I said at the top, why choose one when you can choose five? What do you think, is this something that your student would consider? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I empower college-curious and college-bound students and families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence for college success. I will guide you through the complexities of college admissions and beyond, so you can create your boundless life.
Have a question or comment? Please leave it in the comment section below or contact me at mark@mastalskicoaching.com.
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