8 Things You Didn’t Know About Colleges of the Fenway

by Jessie Brumfiel

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Colleges of the Fenway

Each year, over 150,000 college students flock to the Boston area to study at over a dozen universities. Several hidden gems offer welcoming admission rates, outstanding programs, and ideal locations in the heart of the city. Colleges of the Fenway is a unique consortium of five neighboring colleges where students find small-school attention and a big Boston experience.

1. The five Colleges of the Fenway are situated in the bustling Fenway area of Boston. COF serves more than 12,000 undergraduate students at its colleges: Emmanuel College, Simmons University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
2. Students may cross-register up to 60% of their courses at other institutions. For example, students may take American Sign Language at Simmons, or painting at Massachusetts College of Art. And, students may use any school’s facilities such as gyms, dining halls, libraries, and study spaces, and join any school’s clubs and student organizations, including club sports teams.
3. Emmanuel College is a Catholic, residential, liberal arts college on a beautiful 17-acre campus. Emmanuel’s 2,000 career-minded students choose from 70 majors, including a new direct-admit nursing program, and benefit from a huge internship network, including positions with Boston’s pro sports teams. DIII athletics and school spirit create a classic urban, small-college experience. 
4. Simmons University empowers 1,700 female students as leaders in high-demand professional fields, through its all-women undergraduate program. Students love learning in small classes from professors who are often active practitioners in their field. Over 60 majors allow students to explore their interests in discussion-based classes, and then gain real-world experience in Boston.
5. Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) appeals to artists and creators with standout programs serving 1,700 students in animation, illustration, fashion design, jewelry, painting, arts education, fibers, film, communication design, sculpture, and more. After a studio foundation year, students choose a focus and pursue their BFA while taking advantage of dozens of galleries, museums, and exhibitions in Boston.
6. MCPHS has been preparing students for healthcare careers since 1823! Perhaps best-known for its pharmacy school, the college offers over 100 programs to 4,000 students in health and management. Students learn in interactive lab spaces and clinical settings, benefiting from proximity to many health organizations. The Wall Street Journal recently named MCPHS the #1 university in the USA for earning power. 
7. Wentworth Institute of Technology offers many hands-on, project-based classes and a flagship co-op program to its 4,000 students wishing to study engineering, computing and data science, design, management, and other sciences. With over $300 million in campus improvements recently completed, students enjoy cutting-edge equipment and new apartment-style housing. Over 70 clubs range from Internet radio to rugby, and the concrete canoe challenge is always a draw. 
8. The Colleges of the Fenway Center for Performing Arts invites all students to participate in dance, music (jazz, orchestra, choir) or theatre, including performance, instruction, choreography, playwriting, and technical theatre. And, nearby, a new Center for Sustainability and the Environment offers mini-grants, community projects, a research symposium, and a minor approved by all five colleges.