Admission

Wilson Community College is a co-educational comprehensive community college that is open to all applicants who are high school or GED graduates or who are at least 18 years of age. Wilson Community College has an Open Door Policy, which means that students are assisted in selecting programs that serve their needs and objectives in life, consistent with their background aptitudes and expressed interests. Some programs such as Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing Education, Dialysis, and Surgical Technology, have additional admissions requirements.

Caution-Possible Effect of Criminal Record

Students entering or seeking to enter certain programs of study at the College should be aware that their ability to complete the program, be licensed or certified, or be employed may be affected if they have a prior criminal record. In such cases, the actual violation of law and the length of time since that violation may be the deciding factor. Programs that require agency sponsorship and programs that require practicums, internships, or clinical experience depend on community agencies to fulfill that requirement and some of those agencies require criminal background checks prior to the student being allowed in their facilities. If the participating community agency will not accept the student because of a criminal record, the student may be unable to continue in the program. Students completing certain programs of study may be prohibited from obtaining credentials or licenses due to a criminal record. In some cases, employers may be required by law to do a criminal background check prior to employment. Programs where a student's prior criminal record may come into question include, but are not limited to, Allied Health programs, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Criminal Justice Technology, Cosmetology, Early Childhood Education, Healthcare Management Technology, Human Services Technology, and Paralegal Technology.

Admission Procedures

Students entering Wilson Community College are accepted and admitted into college if they have a:

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• High school diploma from a regionally accredited public or private high school or home school registered with the appropriate educational agency such as NC Public Instruction
• High School Diploma from a correspondence school that is regionally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) or part of a regionally accredited college or university.

College Identification Number/Card

The College takes its custodial responsibility for maintaining personally identifiable information very seriously. In order to comply with the provisions of the Identity Theft Protection Act of 2005, the College provides the following information on the collection and use of personally identifiable information.

• In order to maintain the integrity of academic records, it is necessary to collect personally identifiable information for positive identification of students and to make the connection between students and their academic records.
• Once personally identifiable information has been collected, its use will be limited to that same identification and connection to records.

All applicants are assigned a distinctive College Identification Number and it is that number, not their social security number, which will be an in-house identifier throughout their career at the College. Anytime a student has the need to be identified by the College, the student will be asked for their college ID number.

Student photo ID cards, including the College Identification Number, will be issued to new curriculum students, Adult High School students, and GED students free of charge during every registration period. For future semesters, the student ID card will be marked for continued enrollment. Students will be encouraged to have new ID cards made annually. Replacement for lost cards will be available in Student Services for a $5 fee. The student ID card will be used as a College Library Card.

For purposes of positive identification in regards to security, the College requires that students carry their ID card on their person and be prepared to present it upon request.

Admission Status First-Time Students - Curriculum Degree Seeking

The procedures listed below must be followed for admission to a curriculum program and must be completed before official acceptance is granted:

1. Submit a completed and signed application before the start of the semester. Applications are available in Room C-101, on the website www.wilsoncc.edu or on the College Foundation of NC website at www.cfnc.org.
2. Take the placement test in English, math, reading, and computer skills unless exempt.
3. Submit official transcripts of all high school and other academic work.
4. Select a major.
5. Meet with Admissions Counselor.

The College will accept faxed transcripts where registration time constraints are an issue, but official transcripts must follow to be added to a student's educational record/admissions file.

Notice of Admission Acceptance

Applicants are notified as to admission status by mail or personal interview with an admissions counselor.

Admission Refusal

Wilson Community College reserves the right to refuse admission to an applicant if it appears such action is in the best interest of the College and/or the applicant. Admission and readmission policies are administered through the Division of Student Services. All appeal decisions can be referred to the Dean of Student Services, where all decisions are final.

Special Credit Students

Applicants who do not complete the admissions procedures as outlined above may register as a Special Credit student. Special Credit students are students who are enrolled for course credit but are not pursuing a degree or diploma. This Special Credit status is not eligible for financial aid or veterans' benefits.

Special Credit students must meet course prerequisites and/or co-requisites and present documentation showing previous course work or successful placement test scores if applicable. Special Credit students meet with a special credit advisor at the time of registration. Students who accumulate 13 hours of course credit are encouraged to see an admissions counselor and declare a major.

Readmitted Students

Previously enrolled students and applicants who seek to enroll after being out for two (2) consecutive semesters, including the summer semester, are to:

1. Complete an updated application;
2. Meet with an Admissions Counselor.

Transfer Students

Students who have previously attended another college should submit official transcripts from ALL institutions they have attended to receive transfer credit for courses applicable to their chosen major. The Director of Admissions and Registration, in consultation with instructor(s) and/or the associate dean, will evaluate all transcripts on a course by course basis. Evaluation criteria include comparable content and credit hours, grade, accreditation, and the number of years since the credits were earned.

1. The College will accept credit for those courses with curriculum validity with the credit hours adjusted to the Wilson Community College scale for students who transfer from other accredited post secondary institutions.
2. A letter grade of "D" is not transferable.
3. Quality points earned at other institutions will not be calculated in a student's grade point average.
4. A transfer student intending to graduate from Wilson Community College must complete at least 25% of the credit hours in the major course of study at Wilson Community College.
5. Students enrolled in curriculum programs who wish to take course work at another college for transfer back to Wilson Community College for credit toward graduation are strongly encouraged to discuss such with their academic advisor prior to registration at the other college. This is to better ensure transferability of credits. Also, certain key courses are required to be taken at Wilson Community College.
6. Courses with quarter hours credit may not transfer to Wilson Community College or another college or university.

Concurrent Enrollment

Wilson Community College has concurrent enrollment agreements with area high schools. Interested students should consult their high school counselor and/or principal for information. Students participating in concurrent enrollment are not eligible for financial aid. According to state guidelines, concurrent enrolled students are only permitted to register during the regular registration period, may not early register, and may not displace tuition paying students.

Concurrently enrolled students must meet prerequisites or corequisites and must provide documentation or must take placement test to demonstrate academic preparedness for the course(s) in which they wish to enroll. (see Special Credit Students).

International Students and Permanent Residents

Wilson Community College is not authorized to issue I-20 documents, and as such cannot be a destination institution for international students wishing to come to the US for purposes of continuing their education. In addition to admissions procedures described above, international students must meet with an admissions counselor prior to enrolling in order to document their legal status. Any non-US citizen who applies for admission to the College must submit certified transcripts of all secondary and college course work with notarized English translation. College transcripts from countries other than the United States must be translated and evaluated by an independent company that provides such services to international students. Otherwise, no college credit may be given. For contact information for such companies, please see the Director of Admissions and Registration. Depending on Visa classification, international students may not be eligible to register for classes. Undocumented aliens have out-of-state status for tuition purposes, unless specifically exempt.

A non-resident of the United States who has resided in NC for a 12-month qualifying period and who has filed an immigrant petition with the United States INS may be considered a state resident for tuition purposes if they:

• Provide documentation showing their lawful admission to the US, and
• Provide official transcripts showing graduation from a NC public high school.

For more information on international admissions, students may contact the Special Populations Counselor.

Residency Status

In-State Tuition

To qualify for in-state tuition, a legal resident must have maintained his/her domicile (one's permanent dwelling place of indefinite duration) in North Carolina for at least the 12 months immediately prior to his/her classification as a resident for tuition purposes. In order to be eligible for such classification, the individual must establish that his/her presence in the State during the 12-month period prior to enrolling was for the purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile rather than for purposes of mere temporary residency incident to enrollment in an institution of higher education. The burden of establishing other facts that justify classification of a student as a resident entitled to in-state tuition rates is on the applicant. Applicants/students who are initially classified as out-of-state for tuition purposes must pay tuition at the out-of-state rate unless and until all appeals are heard and settled.

All questions regarding residency for tuition purposes should be directed to the Director of Admissions and Records in Room C-101. International students, depending on visa classification, may not be eligible for North Carolina residency status and in-state tuition.

Regulations concerning the classification of students by residence for purposes of applicable tuition differentials are set forth in detail in A Manual to Assist The Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in The Matters of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes. Manuals are available in the Library and the Registration Center (Room C-101). Appeals of the initial residency classification to the College Residency Appeals Committee must be made within 10 calendar days of the initial classification. These appeals are to be made to the Dean of Student Services.

Residency Classification Appeals

Students wishing to appeal their initial residency classification must do so in writing within 10 calendar days to the Dean of Student Services. This first appeal will include more specific student/applicant residency information collected on the Residence and Tuition Status Application and a review of other relevant information and documentation presented by the applicant/student. The Dean of Student Services, the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, and the Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services serve as the Residency Appeals Committee for the College. The student/applicant will be informed in writing of the committee's decision.

A student wishing to further appeal a decision of the College Residency Appeals Committee to the State Residence Appeals Committee may do so by indicating in writing to the Dean of Student Services within 10 days of receipt of the ruling of the College Residency Appeals Committee. The Dean will then assist the student in making that appeal to the State Residence Appeals Committee.

Home Schoolers

Home schools must be registered with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Home schooled students should submit transcripts of all courses taken, grades received, the graduation date, and proof of registration with NCDPI. Home schoolers who wish to participate in concurrent enrollment should contact the Dean of Student Services.

Change of Personal Data/Information

Being able to quickly and dependably contact students by phone or through the mail is important. A student's address as last listed in their educational record in the Registration Center is considered to be the student's address of record. As all official correspondence is directed to the student's address of record, students must notify the Registration Center when there has been a change in their name, address, or telephone number. It is the student's responsibility to keep the College informed of any directory changes.

Some changes in personal data, including but not limited to name changes, may require certified copies of legal/court documents. Examples include marriage licenses and divorce or adoption decrees. Normally a state driver's license or a social security card with the new name will be accepted as adequate documentation.

Non-Graduates under 18 years old

Non-graduates will not be permitted to enroll in most curriculum programs. Non-graduates 18 and over may enroll in certain vocational programs but will not be eligible for financial aid. Transcripts of education that have been completed must be submitted for entrance into those programs. As of July 28, 2001, students under 16 years old who meet certain requirements are eligible to enroll in designated curriculum courses under NC Legislative House Bill 1246.

College Tech Prep - Articulated Credit

In cooperation with local schools, Wilson Community College supports and participates in College Tech Prep. High school students planning to continue their education in a career technical field can earn college credit while still in high school. These include, but are not limited to, office systems, information systems, business programs, and drafting. In order for high school courses to be considered, graduates must enroll in the community college within two years of high school graduation, must receive a grade of B or better in the course, and must have a raw score of 80 or higher on the standardized VoCATS end of course test.

For graduates from local public high schools after June 2008, VoCATS scores will be on their official transcripts and all transcripts will be evaluated by the Admissions Office for advanced credit. Graduates prior to June 2008, should apply for advanced credit through the Admissions Office and should contact the guidance/counseling office of their high school to request their VoCATS scores.

Selection of Majors

Students may change their major anytime up until the last day of classes, effective the following semester. Students may not change their major during the regular or late registration periods. Special Credit students who accumulate 13 semester credit hours are encouraged to declare a major and be admitted into a curriculum program. Students who select, declare, or change majors must do so by contacting an admissions counselor in Room C-101.

Registration

Registration for classes is conducted at the beginning of each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester, as listed in the academic calendar. Actual dates and times are posted on campus and on the College's website, www.wilsoncc.edu advertised in local media, and mailed to new and continuing students. Registration for classes is not complete until tuition and fees are paid by the student, financial aid, or a third-party sponsor.

Eligible students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors and to early register. The College considers the academic advising process to be a valuable resource for students as they plan their class schedules each semester. With the advent of WebAdvisor, students will be able to register for classes online, after having met with their advisors. Students who early register or register for classes, are approved for financial aid, and find that they will be unable to attend must officially withdraw from those classes. Otherwise, their financial aid award will be charged for the tuition and fees and the student may be liable for repayment to the aid-funding source should they fail to attend. (See Withdrawals From Courses in Academic Policies section)

Grade Point Average

A student's grade point average (GPA) will be based upon all credits earned at Wilson Community College. Please see the section on Standards of Academic Progress for information regarding GPA required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Transcripts

A transcript is an official record of coursework completed at the College, and may include the credit hours transferred from other institutions. Requests for transcripts must include the student's signature and, though most transcripts are printed on demand, may require 24 hours for processing. Students must meet all financial and other obligations to the College before transcripts can be released.

Students may request an official transcript by:

1. Completing a transcript request form in the Registration Center or online on the College website at www.wilsoncc.edu.
2. A written request by letter or fax including full name, College ID or social security number, dates of attendance, curriculum/program of study, and signature. The Registration Center fax number is (252)246-1384.
3. The first official transcript is free to the student. Each official transcript thereafter is $3.00, which must be paid at the time of the request.

NOTE: With the advent of WebAdvisor and online registration, students will be able to view and print student copies of their transcripts online. Student copies differ from official transcripts in that they are not signed and sealed by a College official and as such are generally not accepted as evidence of college credit by other colleges and universities and some employers.

Placement

Placement Testing Services

Curriculum students will be placed in English, reading, mathematics, and computer courses based on results of the placement tests unless earned college credit or SAT/ACT scores waive placement testing. A departmental placement test is also required for BIO-168. Applicants and/or students who do not place into BIO-168 would enroll in BIO-094. Placement tests are given by appointment all during the semester, except during registration periods. The College administers the COMPASS computerized placement test and the ASSET paper and pencil test. Study guides are available in the College Library. Placement testing is for course placement and is not an admissions test. Placement tests are not used to exempt curriculum level courses. The College will accept Asset, Compass, and Accuplacer placement test scores from another college if they are considered to be valid with respect to time since the testing was done.

Placement test scores become invalid after one year if the applicant does not enroll in the College and after three years if the student enrolls in the College but does not take college level English, math, reading, or computer courses.

Placement Retesting

An applicant may test only three times within a twenty-four month period in English, math, and reading, regardless of whether the test is taken at another test site or for the purpose of attempting to qualify for admission to any program. Applicants and/or students may take the computer placement test only once. The test results of applicants who do not follow these procedures will be invalid and will not be used to place or admit applicants into programs. Applicants desiring to retake a portion of the placement test must wait at least three (3) months unless one of the following conditions applies:

1. For the COMPASS test, those who score within 1/2 of the most recently measured standard deviation score for each testing area.
   • 14 points for writing
   • 9 points for pre-algebra
   • 8 points for reading
   • 9 points for algebra

     Those applicants may retest on any of the next available test dates. If the applicant fails to achieve the desired score on the second test, the student must complete all developmental courses in that particular subject area. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn from a developmental course are not eligible to retest. (ASSET scores for retest eligibility are available in the Division of Student Services.)

2. An applicant who has been referred to the Learning Center for developmental work must present a statement signed by a member of the Learning Center staff certifying the completion of 80 hours of study in that particular subject area.
3. A student who has completed RED 080, ENG 080, or MAT 060 who has earned a final average in the course of at least 95% with no assignment lower than a 90% may be allowed to retest. The instructor may present a request to the Arts and Science/Developmental Studies Associate Dean for approval in that subject area. Upon approval, the instructor sends written approval with signature to the Student Services Testing Coordinator indicating approval to retest, student's name, and subject area. Students must complete the course before retesting.

Waived by Earned College Credit

Applicants who have earned college level credit from a regionally accredited institution for math, English, and/or computer courses may be exempted from being required to take a placement test if the course(s) are transferrable and, in some cases, are no more than three years old. Transferability and time limits are subject to review by the Director of Admissions and Registration, the Associate Dean, and the instructor(s).

Waived by SAT or ACT scores

Applicants who have scored a 450 on the SAT math or verbal portions or a score of 20 on the English, reading, and math subtests of the ACT will be exempted from being required to take a placement test. The SAT and/or ACT must have been taken within the past three years.

Developmental Courses

Certain course prerequisites may make it necessary for students to enroll in developmental courses, which are identified by a numerical "0" prefix. (i.e. RED 080, ENG 090, etc.) Developmental courses may increase the cost and length of studies to complete a degree or diploma. Students who need a developmental class from each of the four areas - math, reading, computer literacy, and writing, may not register for more than 14 hours of instruction per semester, including ACA 111 or ACA 122. Developmental courses are only valid for three years.

Chart of Prerequisites in English, Reading, Math, and Computer Literacy

Classes in English, reading, math, and computer literacy must be taken in order. This chart shows which classes must be successfully completed before the next class may be taken. Placement testing determines where each student is eligible to begin in a series of classes.

Learning Center

Students who place below developmental level courses must complete 80 hours of study in each deficient subject area in the Learning Center before being allowed to retest and subsequently be accepted into a curriculum program.

College Level Entry Placement (CLEP) Advanced Placement Exams

Students may request credit for subjects tested under advanced placement or CLEP examinations. Test scores must meet American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. Credit must be applicable to the student's current curriculum. Only official test scores reports will be accepted.

Curriculum Catalog Requirements

Students are expected to meet the catalog requirements in effect at the time of their enrollment into a curriculum program. Anyone not enrolled for 12 months or more must be readmitted under the requirements of the most current catalog.

Most courses can be counted for credit toward graduation for an indefinite period of time. Developmental courses do not count toward graduation and are only valid for three years. Other courses that depend heavily on technology, speed and accuracy, physical skills, or memorization will be subject to review after three years by the associate dean and course instructor unless the student has been continuously enrolled. Courses subject to review include, but are not limited to, those with the following prefixes: ACC, AHR, ASL, AUT, CIS, COS, CSC, CTS, DBA, DDF, DFT, ELC, HEO, HET, IPP, HYD, ISC, MEC, NET, NOS, OST, SEC, SPA, SPI, WEB, AND WLD. A student's academic advisor can recommend substitution of courses for adequate cause. Substitutions must have written approval from the advisor, Director of Admissions and Registration, the Associate Dean, and the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services.

Transfer Statement

Colleges and universities vary widely in general education requirements for entrance into and completion of study in a major field. At the earliest possible date, students are advised to carefully study the catalogs of colleges to which they are considering transfer and consult an admissions representative to determine transferability of courses already taken and those they plan to take at Wilson Community College. Only courses approved in the comprehensive articulation agreement are transferable to UNC system schools.