McHenry County College (MHCC, MCC, McHenrey) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

McHenry County College, founded in 1967, is the 28th community college established in Illinois. The main campus sits on 68 acres known as Weber farm. In 1990, 44 additional acres were added to the college, allowing them to construct a 44,000 square foot Center for Advanced Technology. MCC values and recognizes that technology changes rapidly and as a result, the state-of-the-art Center includes laboratory space for drafting, computer aided design, electronics, fire science, criminal justice, basic nurse assisting, and other technologies.

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Information Summary

Ranks 88th in Illinois and 2529th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	56.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$4,894
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	24 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	69% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	7,031

Academics

McHenry County College students are able to complete both credit and non-credit courses, including ESL and GED classes. For credit, students are able to earn associate’s degrees and 17 Associate of Applied Science degrees.

MCC offers students with a wide variety of academic programs and disciplines including the hard sciences, economics, education, philosophy, psychology, and theater, among others. In addition, MCC also offers career and technical education programs in accounting, administrative office management, automotive technology, business management, computer information systems, nursing, to name a few. The non-credit courses include adult education and workforce services, including continuing and professional education.

Continuing education offerings at McHenry County College range from Gardenfest to fiction writing. Fly-fishing, word-processing, cosmetology, and semi-tractor trailer driver training are among a few of the courses students can sign up for at MCC.

At McHenry County College, underrepresented students can turn to FOCUS for support. The Focus on Collegiate Underrepresented Students Program caters to those who may be the first in their families to attend college or want to get an academic head start at MCC. FOCUS helps students understand issues surrounding college life and classroom success. The program requires students to attend eight workshops in the fall and eight in the spring, earning a certificate of completion that can be used to support college applications, scholarships, or resumes. Some of the workshops topics include: Success in Goal Setting, Classroom Etiquette, Reading and Writing Connection, and Life as a Balancing Act, to name a few.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Students at McHenry County College are all there to fulfill their dreams, continue their education, and strive to make a better life for themselves. To that end, MCC accepts a wide variety of students with different backgrounds wishing to further themselves. MCC accepts first-time students, summer only students, international, and high school students. They strive to help students change trades or jobs as well as those who are seeking specialized job training, job search assistance, and job opportunities.

Students wishing to apply need to be:

a graduate of an accredited high school,
a GED recipient, or
at least 16 years old and withdrawn from high school without a diploma.

High School students wishing to take courses at McHenry County College may do so after completing the High School Plus enrollment form available through their high school guidance office.

Financial Aid

Students at McHenry County College have several opportunities to gain financial assistance to pursue their education. Grants are available to students, which are based on need and do not have to be paid back. Students may also apply for loans, which are usually based on need and must be paid back after the students complete their courses. An additional option for students is to join the Federal Work-Study program, which allows students to work at campus jobs and make some money to compensate for fees and tuition.

Students who are interested in applying for financial aid must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This can be done online.

MCC serves students living in District 528. Students must prove their residency to qualify for in-district rates and must have lived in the district for at least 30 days prior to the start of each the semester.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5957th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Illinois.

Students

Students at McHenry County College have over 30 different clubs and organizations to join if they are interested in participating in extra-curricular activities. Some of the clubs and organizations include: dance, forensics, student senate, Rotaract and Writer’s Block (creative writing club). Students are also welcome to start clubs and organizations as well.

LEAD is also available for students, designed to introduce student leaders to different concepts that are important to becoming effective leaders. If students attend more than five sessions, they are eligible for a Certificate of Merit and are invited to attend a LEAD banquet.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The MCC Scots participate in the NJCAA or National Junior College Athletics Association In addition, the Scots also compete in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. Men and Women have different sports to select from, including:

Men’s Sports

soccer
basketball
baseball
tennis

Women’s Sports

tennis
volleyball
basketball
softball

In addition to NJCAA sports, McHenry County College students are also able to enjoy a variety of informal sports by joining clubs and organizations.

Local Community

The City of Crystal Lake is located 50 miles northwest of the Windy City of Chicago in Illinois. Over the last 30 years, the population of Crystal Lake has increased significantly, increasing from 14,000 to 38,000. The local job market has expanded and citizens have access to outstanding education, cultural activities, and recreation.

Crystal Lake prides itself for having one of the best public park systems in the state. They have over 1,600 acres of parks and open space as well as the 230-acre lake for fishing, swimming, boating, and skating in the winter.

The mission of the City of Crystal Lake is to provide community members with a high quality of life. City Officials strive to “enhance and preserve the history, natural resources, and unique cultural traditions of the community as well as provide fiscally sound and responsive services, programs, and facilities with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency so that Crystal Lake continues to be a great place to work and live.”

Bibliography

City of Crystal Lake, Illinois. City of Crystal Lake. n.d. web. 4 August, 2011.

Halberstam, Joshua & Gonsher, Debra. The Community College Guide: The Essential Reference from Application to Graduation. Dallas: Benbella Books, 2009. Print.

McHenry County College. McHenry County College. n.d. web. 4 August, 2011.

McHenry County College