Admissions Policies

Application Procedures for Curriculum Programs

Curriculum students entering all associate degree programs, some diploma and certificate programs, are required to be diploma graduates of a valid high school or GED© program. High school transcripts showing graduation, and transcripts from all postsecondary enrollment are required. Students are responsible for releasing all transcripts to Western Piedmont Community College.

The College will accept graduates from valid high schools and adult high school programs, GED© programs, home schools approved by the NC Division of Non-Public Education, and valid American schools abroad. Foreign students must have graduated from a secondary school that is equivalent to secondary schools in the United States; otherwise, they must complete a valid GED© or high school program. Only the English version of the GED© will satisfy proof of high school graduation equivalency.

All students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate will be required to sit for the ASSET or COMPASS placement test. Students may be exempt from the placement test if they submit appropriate SAT or ACT scores or an official college transcript verifying completion of a college level English and math with a grade of “C” or better. Permission to register may be denied if all admission requirements are not complete.

Admission Procedures for Continuing Education Programs and Courses are Found in the Section on Continuing Education.

Special Students

A special student is defined as one who is enrolled in curriculum credit courses but who is not working toward a degree or diploma. Special students will be allowed to register for courses upon providing documentation that prerequisite courses are met.

For admission, special students need only to complete the application available in the Admissions Office. Special students, however, will be asked to submit proof of high school graduation and meet placement criteria if they desire to be reclassified as regular students. Special students pay the same tuition and fees as regular students, and must meet course prerequisites, if any.

Transfer Students

A transfer student is a student entering Western Piedmont Community College who has earned credit at another institution and wishes to apply those credits toward a WPCC degree or diploma. In addition to submitting all other application materials, transfer students must have official transcripts sent to Western Piedmont by the institution which originally granted the credit. To be considered for credit, courses must have been taken at a regionally accredited institution. Transfer students must meet the admission requirements of a beginning student; however, students who hold an Associate Degree or higher may be exempt from WPCC placement testing. Students who have successfully completed ENG 111 with a grade of “C” or better may be exempt from the reading and writing sections of the placement test. Exemption from the numerical, elementary algebra, or intermediate algebra sections of the placement test is dependent on the major students are pursuing. Questions regarding exemptions for the placement test should be directed to the Director of Enrollment Management. To receive consideration for an exemption, a student must submit an official copy of his/her previous college transcripts.

Transfer credit may be allowed for courses in which students have made a grade of “C” or better. Transfer credit will not be allowed for courses in which students have received a grade for credit by examination. Credits from colleges operating on the quarter system are recalculated on a semester-hour basis. In no case shall the combined total of any transfer credit hours, credits by examination, credit for external examinations or course substitutions represent more than one-half of the specified number of hours required for the degree or diploma toward which students are applying those credits. A grade point average for graduation, honors, and continuing enrollment is computed only for courses taken at Western Piedmont Community College.

Visiting Students

Students working toward a degree at other institutions may take courses at Western Piedmont for transfer. Written permission from the student’s home institution should be obtained stating that the courses at WPCC will be acceptable toward degree requirements. Also, students must meet and document all course prerequisites prior to taking courses at WPCC.

Career and College Promise Program (CCP)

Western Piedmont Community College offers opportunities for eligible high school juniors and seniors to enroll in specific pathways leading to a certificate, diploma, or college degree as well as provide entry level job skills. Tuition for courses in approved pathways will be waived; however, the student is responsible for student fees as well as the cost of books. Interested students should contact their high school counselors and the Director of Enrollment Management for more information.

Foreign Applicants (From Outside the United States)

Proficiency in the English language and satisfactory academic records are important factors in the admission decision for all applicants from outside the United States. Foreign students must have graduated from a secondary school that is equivalent to secondary schools in the United States.

Furthermore, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the College placement tests are required of all foreign applicants. Each foreign student should contact a university in his/her native country for information about the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Foreign applicants should write to the Admissions Office of Western Piedmont Community College for additional information.

Residency Requirement

Under North Carolina law, persons must qualify as state residents for a tuition rate lower than that for nonresidents. North Carolina statute 116-143.1 requires that, “To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least twelve (12) months immediately prior to his or her classification as a resident for tuition purposes.” A 12-month presence in North Carolina, even when coupled with a declaration of intent to remain permanently, does not, in and of itself, entitle an applicant to in-state tuition.

Failure to provide accurate information for residency classification can result in classification as a nonresident and/or disciplinary action. Students who believe that they have been erroneously classified shall be permitted to appeal the classification to the campus appeals officer within one month of the initial residency determination.

Regulations concerning the classification of students by residence are set forth in the “North Carolina State Residence Classification Manual.” A copy of the manual is available in the Admissions Office for student inspection.

Readmission

Western Piedmont Community College follows the Records and Retention Schedule provided by the North Carolina Community College System. Students who have not attended the College for a period of two semesters and later wish to be readmitted should contact the Director of Enrollment Management. Students should be aware that some programs have specific requirements for readmission. Additionally, some programs limit the number of times students can be readmitted.

Students who were suspended due to academic deficiencies may seek readmission after one calendar year. Any student who was suspended due to a violation of the Student Code of Conduct must meet the terms of his/her suspension to be considered for readmission.

Former students will not be readmitted until all financial obligations to any program or activity under the administrative jurisdiction of the College have been satisfied.