Testimonials

"I have only one complaint about my experience in the MTS Program: I wish it could have lasted longer. 

When I enrolled at RCC after a five-year break from school, I was unsure what to expect and, because of all the negative stereotypes associated with community colleges, I expected the worst.  After scoring well on the college's entrance exam, I was offered a place in the MTS program and found that all of my fears were unfounded.  In my honors classes, I was challenged and stimulated in ways I never expected.  Outside of the classroom, I was encouraged by several other MTS students to join the debate team, where I excelled and won several awards.  And thanks to the generous scholarships associated with the program, I was able to attend the international summer program at Cambridge University in the UK.

Even now, though I graduated from RCC two years ago, the professors in the MTS program continue to help with my studies.  I find that I can still count on them for advice, encouragement, and letters of recommendation — things which many of my current professors often seem too busy to provide.

I was fortunate enough to know the program's founder, Sam Draper, before he passed away in 2009.  He was a great optimist who believed in the value of a complete education, and he knew that strong training in community college could lay the framework for a rewarding academic career.  The MTS Program continues to live up to his high standard, and no qualifying student should pass up the opportunity to be part of it."

James Meakim '08, University of Callifornia

"My summer study experience at Cambridge University with RCC was intellectually, culturally, and personally very fulfilling. I wanted to attend a major university before I actually transferred to one, and summer at Cambridge gave me that opportunity. When it was time to transfer, I chose Harvard, which fosters education that home-schooled students are accustomed to, that is, learning for the self-motivated and self-directed."

TYLER CARBONE ’04, awarded full scholarship to Harvard University

"The quality of instruction at RCC, especially in the honors program, rivals that of the four-year colleges I have since attended. The Honors Program gives you personal interaction with high caliber professors you rarely get from most four-year institutions. Without my mentor, Dr. George Krasilovsky, I would not be where I am today. Not only did he provide guidance, but he even took time out of his own schedule to drive students to visit Cornell."

"In addition, you get to study with a diverse group of students who are truly motivated and eager to learn. My transition into the Ivy League was easy, thanks to two solid years at RCC building my time management, prioritization and organizational skills."

WENSHOU ZHANG, ’02, Cornell ’04, currently on full scholarship at University of Chicago Medical School Ph.D. program in biochemistry & nutritional science

"After graduating from the MTS Program in 1988, I transferred to Harvard University (which accepted all of my Rockland credits) on full scholarship, graduating with honors in 1990. The MTS Program, particularly the individual attention I received from my mentors, helped me acquire the skills and knowledge I needed to handle the rigorous academic program at Harvard. After earning a JD-MBA from Stanford University in 1996, I got a position with Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette as an investment banker, earning the title of Vice President. If it weren't for the MTS Program, I wouldn't have achieved these academic and professional successes. Thank you MTS!"

MONICA GANSSLE, ’90, Harvard University