Community College Admission Policies

Community Colleges get a bad rap for "letting anyone in" or being last minute fixes, or where you go when your GPA needs some TLC. Still community colleges deserve some respect. If you are planning on attending one, some preparation is needed.

The first bit of advice to follow is to plan ahead. Yes, many community colleges have relatively relaxed admissions procedures. However, that does not mean they are non existent.

In most cases, your first step is to get an application on file. Without an application on file, the school does not have you in their system. The next question is: Does the school have any other required admissions paperwork. Many schools require that an official copy of your high school transcript or GED scores to be on file. Remember, OFFICAL transcripts come in a sealed envelope from the granting institution. That means you cannot open them. This also means that faxed copies are not accepted either.

Another issue to consider is entrance testing. Yes, even community colleges have entrance testing. The school needs to determine with the potential student is able to benefit from their classes. If so, then the school needs to determine what level the student needs to start with. Community colleges tend to have more options for student who test into remedial levels, but their classes only go so low. Some potential students will need some adult education before attempting classes at the community college level.

This means that testing is mandatory, unless you meet one of the criteria for a waiver. In many cases that means you have an Associates Degree or high from a regionally accredited institution, have previously take college level English Composition and Math classes at another school (these sometimes have time limits), completed comparable academic skills advancement (remedial) classes at a previous institution, or the student needs to have certain ACT or SAT scores. The minimum score for a waiver and how old the score can be varies from school to school. Also who does the waiver varies from school to school. Some schools have Admissions determine it. Others have academic advisors or even testing staff complete the waivers. Know who you need to speak with BEFORE you just head down there to register.

Another tip for the entrance testing is to be prepared. Most testing centers have sample questions and links to practice sites. Yes, you can show up one morning do your application and then take your test. However, if you have not studied, this may not be wise. Remember, this test tells you where you will start your classes. The lower you place the more classes you have to take. You may have to opportunity to retest, but retesting policies vary. Some schools will only let you retest once or twice, and there may even be a waiting period between testing. Depending on the waiting period, you may not have time to retest before the semester begins.

This hint is more for traditional students. Community Colleges are notorious for being ore flexible and are sometimes even accused of doing way too much "hand holding" with their students. That being said, this isn't high school anymore. There are still federal rules and mandates the college needs to follow. That means you need to be responsible for your own records, financial aid and billing. That does not mean your parents cannot help you with paying for this, or occasionally help with paperwork, but you need to step up and take responsibility for yourself. In most cases, your parents will not be able to do most of this for you. There is little thing called FERPA (yes a Federal law) that prohibits the college from discussing anything or changing anything on your record with out your consent. Students can sign waivers giving their parents permission to speak with school officials, but the fine print usually dictates that this is only to discuss records. This means the college cannot give them copies of grades, transcripts or any other items. Parents cannot register their children in classes, or change their schedule. The student needs to be present.

Community Colleges are a wonderful place to a get a quality education and save some money. They are honorable institutions, and people need to treat them as such. Getting accepted isn't brain surgery, but there are steps potential students need to follow.