Academic Catalog

Admission

www.mcla.edu/admission-aid
(413) 662-5410
admissions@mcla.edu

MCLA admits candidates who wish to participate in a challenging academic environment and who exhibit potential for growth. The admission requirements and procedures are designed to assist the College in selecting qualified students who can benefit from the educational experience and contribute to the MCLA community. The College also has a strong commitment to promoting diversity and strives to attract students from varying backgrounds.

Admission Information and Personal Visits

Prospective students and their families are strongly encouraged to visit the campus. Currently enrolled MCLA students conduct tours of the campus on weekdays and Saturdays throughout the year. To request admission information or to schedule a visit, please call the Office of Admission at (413) 662-5410 or visit our website at www.mcla.edu/visit.

Dates of Enrollment and Admission Options

MCLA operates on a semester basis with students being admitted to both the fall and spring semesters.

Regular/Rolling Admission

Candidates for admission are considered on a rolling admission cycle. For the fall term, the applications are reviewed commencing in November through the spring term. First-year applicants are encouraged to apply in November of their senior year, once first quarter grades are posted. Transfer students are recommended to apply a semester prior to their intended term of enrollment. 

Early Action: Optional for Fall Admission Only

Applicants who wish to receive their admission decision early may submit their complete application package by December 1 to the Office of Admission. Early action is not binding and only provides students with an early admission decision without obligation to enroll.

Spring Admission

First-year and transfer applicants are considered for the spring term by submitting all admission application information by December 1.  Decisions are made on a rolling basis for spring, commencing in October.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

First-year Admission Requirements

MCLA’s admission standards are selective and decisions are made on an individual basis after careful review of all academic credentials. First-year applicants must meet the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education admission standards and possess a high school diploma or equivalency at the time of enrollment. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must successfully complete the 17 academic units listed below. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission to MCLA.

Application Form

MCLA is a member of the Common Application.  First-year applicants must submit the Common Application which can be accessed through the MCLA website or www.commonapp.org.

High School Record

All first-year applicants must submit an official copy of their high school record, including at least the first quarter senior grades. An applicant is evaluated on the total high school profile, consisting of the applicant’s overall grade point average, curriculum and level of competitiveness. All high school grade point averages are recalculated and considered in comparison to the eligibility index.

High School Unit Requirements

The unit requirements listed below apply only to the traditional student recently graduated from high school and serve as evidence of the student’s ability to complete college-level course work. Units must be at college preparatory level. Completion of these academic units demonstrates competencies required for college preparation, but does not guarantee admission to the College. Exempted from these unit requirements are those students who have been out of high school for three years or more and have obtained a GED three years after their anticipated high school graduation year.

Subject Units
English 4
Mathematics 4
Science (with labs) 3
Social Science 2
Foreign Language 2
Electives 2
Total 17
  1. English courses must cover both composition and literature and should include the development of reading, writing and comprehension skills.
  2. Mathematics courses must include algebra I, II and geometry or trigonometry, or comparable coursework. One course must be completed in a student’s senior year of high school.
  3. Science courses must include three units with lab work.
  4. Social science courses, including one year of United States history.
  5. Foreign language must be two levels of a single language.
  6. Elective courses selected from additional college preparatory courses or from the above subjects or from arts and humanities or computer science.

Standardized Test Scores

MCLA will be test-free for fall 2025 applicants.

Adult Learners

Students who have been high school graduates for three years or more can apply to the College by submitting a copy of their high school record, GED scores, and/or college transcripts. Personal interviews are recommended to make an accurate assessment of student skills and abilities.

Transfer Student Admission

MCLA welcomes qualified students to apply for transfer admission. A student who has earned a minimum of 12 semester hours of college-level credit from an accredited institution may be considered as a transfer student. Transfer students must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Transfer applicants are evaluated on the basis of their previous college course work. To be considered for admission, a student should understand the following:   

  • Admission is on a rolling basis.
  • Official transcripts must be received from each college/university attended

Transfer Articulation Agreements

MCLA has transfer articulation agreements with a number of two-year colleges. Admission preference and optimum transferability of credits are ensured for those students who apply from these colleges. Contact the Associate Director of Transfer Admission for more information.

MassTransfer

Students transferring to MCLA from any Massachusetts public higher education institution may qualify for MassTransfer.  Massachusetts community college students who complete an associate degree and enroll in an approved MassTransfer program receive guaranteed admission, full transfer of credits and a tuition discount based upon final GPA.  Students who complete the MassTransfer block of courses will satisfy the core requirements at MCLA, other than the capstone course.  Completion of the 34 credits in the MassTransfer block must be indicated on the sending institution’s official transcript.

Students should contact the Office of Admission for more information.  A complete description of MassTransfer and a list of approved programs is available at: www.mass.edu/masstransfer/.

New York Transfer Program

New York students can expect a personalized admission process designed to maximize credit transfers.

Program Requirements:

  • Earned associate degree (A.A. or A.S.) from a State University of New York (SUNY) institution
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA

Program Benefits:

  • Maximizes transfer credits to provide students with a clear plan to complete a general education transfer block.
  • Automatic satisfaction of most core curriculum requirements for the potential of 60 transfer credits. (MCLA will require completion of a senior level capstone class and a physical education course.)
  • Guaranteed admission to the major of your choice (Not including clinical programs.)
  • NY Tuition Reduction (see Tuition Information)

International Students - Application Requirements

International students studying or residing outside of the U.S. may apply to MCLA as a full-time student in a degree program by submitting the following documents:

  • The Common Application
  • Official secondary school transcript and/or college transcripts translated into English and formally evaluated
  • English Language Test Results: DuoLingo English Test (minimum 100) or TOEFL (minimum 79 on iBT or 550 on paper) or IELTS (minimum 6.0) or PTE (minimum 50)
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement/Essay (250-500 Words)

International applications must be submitted and complete by March 1st to be considered for the fall semester and November 15th for the spring semester.

Certification of Finances

As required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you must complete the Certification of Finances form to verify access to sufficient financial resources to attend the College.  All international students (not permanent residents or citizens of the U.S.)  are classified as “out-of-state” students for tuition purposes. Because international students do not qualify for federal financial aid, you must demonstrate adequate resources to meet yearly estimated expenses. The Certificate of Finances form must be submitted before a Form I-20 can be issued.

Readmission

Matriculated students who successfully completed at least one full-time semester (minimum of 12 credits) at MCLA but did not complete their academic program are eligible to return to the college without undergoing the standard admission process.

This provision extends to individuals who withdrew voluntarily, those who were administratively withdrawn, students on academic suspension, or any other inactive status. Students on a Leave of Absence are considered active students and do not fall under this policy. Students who are expelled from the college are not eligible to return.

In the event of a student's return after a lapse of four academic years, the student’s catalog year will be adjusted to reflect the year of their re-enrollment. This adjustment may necessitate compliance with updated curriculum requirements, potentially impacting their anticipated completion date.

To facilitate the return process, students must submit this form notifying the Office of the Registrar and provide official transcripts from any institutions attended during their absence, if applicable.

The Office of the Registrar will assist in resolving any outstanding holds on the student's record and facilitate course registration. Students who have outstanding disciplinary concerns must contact the appropriate office to satisfy any and all requirements as part of the return process. All holds must be resolved before a returning student can register for courses.

Students returning from academic suspension are mandated to submit official transcripts demonstrating the completion of at least 6 credits from an accredited institution, or 6 credits from MCLA earned as a non-matriculated student, with a minimum GPA of 2.0, and meet any additional requirements imposed at the time of their suspension.

The deadline for students to initiate their return to MCLA will be listed on the Important Dates and Deadlines webpage on the Office of the Registrar's website.

All returning students must complete their respective programs within ten years from the original date of matriculation. Students who return at least ten years after their original date of matriculation will need to reapply through the Office of Admission. Previously awarded credits will be evaluated by the relevant academic department, which will determine whether program requirements are satisfied by those credits.

Additional departmental requirements for readmission may apply.

Part-Time Day or Evening Enrollment

Students can attend MCLA as full-time (12 credits or more), or as part-time (fewer than 12 credits). Regardless of the number of credits, to be eligible to earn a degree from MCLA, students must be matriculated or accepted into an academic program.

Students interested in enrolling in courses prior to matriculating may do so and are considered non-matriculated or “non-degree” students. Non-matriculated students may register for courses through the Office of Student Records for fall, spring or summer sessions. Students may earn up to 24 undergraduate credits at MCLA with a non-matriculated status. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid and register after matriculated students.