Academics with Tess

Transcript

Let’s explore academics with Tess, a senior Social Work major who loves Rhode Island College. How much does she love it? She’s already committed to staying for her Master’s degree after graduation. RIC’s average class size of 18 and a 14:1 student to faculty ratio makes it easy to develop meaningful relationships with faculty mentors. Tess, please tell us more.

– Thanks, Alex. You’re awesome. When I was in high school, I was connected with a social worker who made a huge impact on my life. She saw the potential within me and pushed for me to study Social Work at Rhode Island College, just like she did. I was set on RIC after finding out about their five-year Bachelor of Social Work to Master’s of Social Work Accelerated Program, which allows students to start their Master’s during their final year of their Bachelor’s. This was huge for me as it meant I could graduate from a nationally renowned social work program with a Master’s in just one additional year. I could save on a year’s worth of grad school tuition, enter the workforce a year earlier, and be more competitive with an advanced degree. What was once a dream is now a reality. I’m in my first semester of the accelerated program and I give a lot of credit to my faculty mentors. RIC’s small class sizes make it easy to build personal relationship with professors, ask for letters of recommendations, and get support. My professors genuinely care and are passionate about helping overcome barriers outside of the classroom. And the best part, I didn’t have to pay tuition my last two years because of RIC’s Hope Scholarship, which allows eligible in-state students to graduate with a four-year degree with the last two years tuition-free. This allowed me to have financial independence as well as graduate with my Bachelor’s debt free. With the money I’ve saved, I now live in an off-campus apartment with my friends, making it easier for me to live and work in Providence after graduation. With my Master’s, I hope to work in a high school and support students who are just like me. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.

– Thank you, Tess. Whether it’s the Northeast Neighbors discount, which reduces tuition by 40% for students from eight Northeastern states, or the Open Textbooks Initiative, which has saved students over 1 million in textbook costs, it’s clear that RIC is dedicated to making college more affordable. Go get that Master’s, Tess. Thanks again.