PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) begins its fall semester Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
A variety of learning options are offered, including in-person, online and hybrid. Prospective students may register any time online at www.berkshirecc.edu/apply or by walking in without an appointment to the One Stop Center. There, applications are processed for instant acceptance to the College. While many students qualify for free tuition, financial aid assistance is also available.
Students may choose to take a full slate of classes in anticipation of earning an associate degree; a short series of classes to earn a certificate or training; or a single class to jumpstart their academic journey.
After completing an application and receiving acceptance into BCC, students take an Accuplacer exam or submit official high school transcripts to be evaluated for course placement. Students who previously attended another college or university should submit official transcripts to BCC, which may provide exemption from testing. BCC staff is on hand, ready to assist with all aspects of the application process and to explain how to apply for financial aid, if needed.
A new student orientation, open to all registered students, will be held Thursday, Sept. 3 from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/orientation.
To learn more about applying to BCC, including viewing an admission checklist, browsing a course catalogue, filing a financial aid form or scheduling a tour, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/fall. To speak with an advisor, call (413) 499-4660 or email onestop@berkshirecc.edu.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire Market Continues to Defy Broad Headlines
By Sandy CarrollGuest Column
The good news — residential sales rose countywide 7 percent, dollar volume rose 14 percent.
National economists can provide context, but they rarely tell the full story of what's happening here in Berkshire County. In fact, this year's numbers reinforce just how important it is to look beyond countywide trends and into individual communities.
After a slower first quarter, the market found its footing. Through the first six months of 2026, residential home sales increased 8 percent while dollar volume climbed an impressive 14 percent, reaching nearly $257 million in closed sales. Median sale prices also continued their steady upward trend, reaching $360,000 countywide.
The strength of the market, however, wasn't evenly distributed.
Middle and South Berkshire led the way with gains in both sales and dollar volume, while North Berkshire experienced a modest decline in residential activity overall. Yet even within those regions, individual towns told very different stories. Some communities experienced significant growth while neighboring towns slowed considerably — another reminder that real estate decisions should always be based on local market knowledge rather than broad assumptions.
As our inventory levels shift, and in some months our absorption rates look to be heading toward a more balanced market, it is important to look at the price ranges where listings are selling, versus where we have a lot of inventory. The steady pace of the second quarter has created a very hectic market in the field, with agents running non-stop to manage their client demands. With a slightly lower pending sales rate heading into the third quarter but still a frenetic pace in the market, it's hard to project what the third quarter will bring. It's also important to dig into town trends, as that is definitely an interesting and varied part of the market that this generalized data doesn't easily reveal.
Outside the single-family market, conditions remain mixed.
Condominium and multifamily sales softened compared to last year, commercial sales remained modest, while land sales showed encouraging improvement after several challenging years. Mobile homes also continued to provide an important affordable housing option and posted solid gains during the first half of the year.
Perhaps one of the most encouraging trends is inventory. While still well below historical norms, available housing continues to improve gradually. Berkshire County remains a seller's market, but additional listings are creating more opportunities for buyers than we've seen in recent years.
Nationally, economists expect housing activity to strengthen during the second half of 2026 as inventory grows and mortgage rates stabilize. Whether those forecasts fully materialize remains to be seen, but locally we've already witnessed how quickly market conditions can change from one quarter to the next.
As always, this summary only scratches the surface. Our complete Market Watch includes town-by-town statistics, historical trends, appreciation data, and detailed reports for every major property type. Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or simply keeping an eye on the market, those local details often tell the most important story.
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