400.200 ADMISSION POLICY
Any applicant for admission to Wenatchee Valley College shall be admitted when, as determined by the president of the district or designee, such applicant:
- Is competent to profit from the curricular offerings of the college, and
- Would not, by his or her presence or conduct, create a disruptive atmosphere within the college inconsistent with the purposes of the institution, and
- Is a member of a high school class that has graduated, or
- Has earned a high school diploma or GED.
All other applicants may apply for special admission. The president of the district or his or her designee determines admission.
Adopted by the board of trustees: 7/12/00
Last reviewed: __/__/__
Policy contact: Student Services
Related policies and procedures
1400.200 Admission Procedure
1400.200 ADMISSION PROCEDURE
The following general and special admission programs procedures are in place at Wenatchee Valley College. For additional information contact the admissions office.
A. GENERAL ADMISSION
- Full-time students who qualify for general admission must submit a completed Washington community college application form and pay a one-time admission fee. High school and college transcripts may be requested in certain circumstances. WAC 131-12 establishes general admissions standards for Washington community colleges.
- Part-time students who qualify for general admissions must complete an application form and are encouraged to submit all official transcripts.
B. SPECIAL ADMISSION
Special admission is discretionary and requires the approval of the chief student services officer or designee. Special admission is viewed as an enrichment program, and high school students who have fallen behind on graduation requirements are rarely admitted.
The chief student services officer or designee must approve students seeking special admission to the college. The college reserves the right to determine admission to the college and/or certain classes. The following conditions apply to all special admission students:
- Students must take the full placement test to determine that they have college level reading, writing and math skills. There is a fee for the test.
- Once placement scores have been determined, student should contact the office of the chief student services officer for a special admission enrollment packet. All special admission students must submit a completed special admission enrollment packet that includes signatures from a parent or guardian, an appropriate high school official, and the chief student services officer or designee. In the case of home school students, the standard home school form is accepted.
- Upon completion of the special admissions enrollment packet, the student and parent
or legal guardian must meet with the chief student services officer or designee for
an interview. The purpose of the interview is:
- To access the student’s ability to communicate independently on his or her own behalf with college staff.
- To determine if the potential student is competent at an appropriate academic level and/or artistic or technical level to be successful.
- To determine if the potential student is judged to have the ability and maturity to participate in an adult learning environment.
- The chief student services officer or designee will weigh the student’s previous academic record, test scores, recommendation and interview to determine if an exception to the minimum age requirement is warranted.
- The chief student services officer or designee may grant full admission to the college or admission for one quarter on a conditional basis. There may be further restrictions or limits placed as part of conditional acceptance. The chief student services officer or designee may limit the number of courses taken during a quarter. During the conditional quarter, the student must earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in each course. During subsequent quarters, the student must meet the college’s academic standards set forth in the college catalog. The student must adhere to the Wenatchee Valley College Student Rights and Responsibilities and Student Code of Conduct.
- Admission decisions of the chief student services officer or designee are final.
C. RUNNING START ADMISSION
Running Start is a state-mandated program allowing high school students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously by taking college-level classes. Additional special admission requirements for this program include:
- Attending a Running Start orientation meeting.
- Being certified as a junior or senior by the participating high school. There are no exceptions to this condition of enrollment.
- Earning a placement test score that indicates a readiness for college work.
- Submitting a completed Running Start application form with all necessary signatures.
D. COLLEGE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSION
Wenatchee Valley College may enter into an agreement with a district high school to offer college classes in the high school. Normally, the instructor is a high school instructor who meets the qualifications to be appointed as a part-time faculty member for the college. The established college course outlines are followed to insure the same student learning outcomes as are achieved in an on-campus class.
Students may enroll in college in the high school classes if they:
- Are high school sophomores, juniors or seniors.
- Earn a placement test score that indicate a readiness for college work.
- Register according to high school and college processes.
- Pay associated fees.
E. HIGH SCHOOL 21+ ADMISSION
The State Board of Education has established minimum standards for graduation from high school in Washington state. Wenatchee Valley College, in cooperation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, has established the following requirements for those who wish to complete their high school diploma at WVC.
- Be at least 21 years of age, and
- Not currently possess a high school diploma.
Students who meet both these requirements may enroll in adult basic education (ABE) classes at the state ABE tuition rate, plus fees, in order to earn high school credits and complete a high school diploma. Students must attend a high school credit advising session prior to enrollment.
F. ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
Adult basic education classes assist eligible students to prepare for high school equivalency testing, such as the General Educational Development (GED®) tests, to improve English language skills for college or career success and to improve basic skills for college success. These classes are available at the state ABE tuition rate, plus fees. Students must complete basic skills assessments prior to enrollment.
G. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION
International students must submit the following items to the international student adviser.
- A Washington community college application form and admissions fee payment.
- Copies of high school and college transcripts translated into English.
- A completed declaration and certification of finances form and accompanying financial documents.
- Evidence of enrollment in an approved health insurance plan.
- Evidence of English language proficiency. All applicants whose native language is
not English should furnish this. Methods of demonstrating proficiency include but
are not limited to:
- A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) internet based score of 26, a computer based score of 83 or a paper based score of 380.
- Graduation from a U.S. high school.
- Completion of an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
- College level placement test scores.
- Payment of the non-refundable international student application fee.
Additional information on international student admissions may be obtained from the WVC international student adviser or the college catalog.
H. SUMMARY OF ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES FOR GENERAL/SPECIAL ADMISSION
Most Wenatchee Valley College students enter through general admission, but a growing number of students are specially admitted. The following principles apply to Wenatchee Valley College admission criteria and enrollment procedures:
- Admission is generally based on achievement rather than age, provided the student is at least 16 years of age. For example, a student who passes the GED qualifies for general admissions, regardless of his/her age.
- Students who are eligible for general admission may take any class for which they have the prerequisites.
- Special admission is discretionary and requires the approval of the chief student services officer or designee. Special admission is viewed as an enrichment program, and high school students who have fallen behind on graduation requirements are rarely admitted.
- Running Start is a state-mandated special admission program with very specific entrance requirements that are generally not negotiable.
- Younger students are generally not admitted unless they have reached junior standing in high school. This is consistent with Running Start guidelines.
The table below summarizes the criteria for categorizing students and the procedures that apply to the various admission categories:
Enrollment Category-Student | Qualifying Criteria | ||
General admission-matriculating | HS diploma or equivalent* OR student’s HS class has graduated* | ||
General admission-continuing | HS diploma or equivalent* OR student’s HS class has graduated* | ||
Special admission-Running Start | Junior/senior standing in HS AND acceptable placement scores and signatures from parent/guardian, HS, and WVC officials** | ||
Special admission-CIHS | Sophomore, junior or senior standing in HS AND acceptable placement scores and signatures from parent/guardian, HS and WVC officials** | ||
Special admission-continuing | Junior/senior standing, written approval of parent/guardian, HS and WVC official** |
*The diploma must be from an accredited high school. The test of General Educational
Development (GED) is the most common equivalent experience to the high school diploma.
**High school official is normally the high school counselor; the WVC official is normally the concurrent enrollment coordinator or a counselor. In some instances, approval of a WVC instructor is also required.
I. Limited Enrollment: Allied Health Science
Admission to allied health science (AHS) limited enrollment programs is a separate procedure that can be initiated after admission to the college. The college offers four limited enrollment allied health programs: medical assistant, medical laboratory technology, nursing, and radiologic technology. Allied health program applications will be accepted and reviewed annually. Fall program applications will be accepted at the end of the previous spring quarter. The following items must be submitted:
- A Washington community college application form.
- The supplemental application for admissions to allied health programs.
- High school or GED transcripts.
- All college transcripts.
All AHS program applicants must have earned a 2.5 or higher grade point average (GPA) in high school or college. The college GPA is used to determine admission when applicants have earned 15 or more college credits. Only completed applications will be considered for admission. More specific information on admission to these programs can be obtained from the allied health educational planner and/or the Wenatchee Valley College website. An application fee is required.
Approved by the president’s cabinet: 8/23/05, 12/15/15, 2/2/16, 2/21/17
Presented to the board of trustees: 9/21/05, 1/20/16, 2/17/16, 3/15/17
Last reviewed: __/__/__
Procedure contact: Student Services
Related policies and procedures
400.200 Admission Policy