Optical ferrule assemblies and methods of making the same

A multifiber ferrule assembly, comprising:

• an offset structure including a first front surface;
• a finished multifiber ferrule with a front end including a second front surface with a plurality of optical fiber bore openings, wherein the offset structure is a removable portion that is a separate component from the finished multifiber ferrule;
• a plurality of optical fibers fixed to the finished multifiber ferrule, wherein the plurality of optical fibers extend from a respective one of the optical fiber bore openings to a position beyond the second front surface, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are cut and polished such that each optical fiber includes a final polished end surface located beyond the second front surface;
• wherein the offset structure is positioned with respect to the finished multifiber ferrule such that the first front surface of the offset structure extends beyond the second front surface of the multifiber ferrule, wherein the final polished end surface of each optical fiber is located beyond the first front surface, and wherein the first front surface is configured to present each of the optical fibers with an effective fiber height for mating in an optical connection.