GC Catalog 2011 2012 - Gaston College

Student InformationAdmissionssection and 21 or higher on the math sectionof the ACT. (All test scores must be lessthan five years old.) A transfer student whohas earned a grade of “C” or higher in bothcollege-level algebra and college-level Englishfrom a regionally-accredited institution shallhave the test waived. The student will needto submit official documentation of these testscores or grades to the Admissions Office.5. Complete the online New StudentOrientation.PLEASE NOTE:Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit aGaston College Application for Admission at leastfour weeks prior to start of the semester. Thisensures the applicant ample time to complete theentire admission and enrollment process. Applicantstransferring to Gaston College from another collegeor university must submit an application and meetthe admission requirements for the program ofstudy they intend to pursue at Gaston College.Students who have not registered for a two-yearperiod are required to re-apply and meet currentadmissions requirements.Programs of Study with Additional AdmissionRequirementsApplicants not having attainted a high school diplomabut who are 18 years of age may apply for andenroll in certain certificate and diploma programs.These programs of study include Air Conditioning,Heating & Refrigeration, Electrical/Electronics, Welding,and Certified Nursing Assistant I. In addition tocompleting the general Gaston College admissionsapplication, these applicants must take the COM-PASS Placement Test and complete the online newstudent orientation prior to registration. Non-highschool graduates may also register for courses asa Special Credit student. However, they are limitedto a total of two classes and must meet any courseprerequisites prior to registration.Admission for Special Credit or Visiting Students(Non-degree Applicants)Students wishing to register for credit courses buthave no intention of completing a program of studywill be classified as Special Credit or Visiting studentsand may be admitted to credit classes with advisor'sapproval. Students registered as Special Credit orVisiting Students may earn a maximum of 15 hoursbefore having to declare a curriculum major or programof study. Tuition and fees are the same as forregular curriculum students. Credits earned may beapplied to a degree, diploma, or certificate programby submitting a Petition for Major Change form to theAdmissions Office.ResidencyStudents who are not North Carolina residents payout-of-state tuition for credit (degree) classes. A student’sofficial residency status is determined at thetime they complete the admissions application accordingto the residency policy of the state of NorthCarolina, the North Carolina Community College System,and the Gaston College Board of Trustees. Inorder for a student to be considered a legal residentfor tuition purposes, the applicant’s residency mustbe established and maintained in North Carolina forat least twelve months preceding the date of enrollment.Immigrants lawfully admitted to the UnitedStates for permanent residence may establish NorthCarolina residence in the same manner as any othernon-resident.The legal residence of a person under 18 years ofage is that of his or her parents, surviving parent, orlegal guardian. In cases where parents are divorcedor legally separated, the minor’s domicile is deemedto be North Carolina for the time period that eitherparent, as a North Carolina legal resident, claims theminor as a taxable dependent.A change of address does not automatically entitlea student to pay the same tuition as a North Carolinaresident. A request to change one’s residencystatus must be submitted to the Admissions Officeprior to registration. More information on residencyrequirements may be obtained from the Office ofAdmission.International StudentsInternational students seeking admission to GastonCollege must submit, along with an admissions application,an official or certified copy of their highschool transcript and an official/certified copy ofany college work completed. If the original copies ofthese transcripts are in a language other than English,an official English translation is required. Studentswhose foreign transcripts cannot be evaluatedby college personnel are responsible for providinga transcript evaluation from a recognized Americantranscript evaluation agency. Proof of English proficiencyis required. This may be established by makinga minimum total score of 76 (internet-based),207 (computer-based), or 540 (paper-based) on theTest of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TheTOEFL is published and administered in most countriesby the Educational Testing Service, P. 0. Box899, Princeton, NJ 08541.Once an international student is admitted to the U.S.with F-1 status, certain obligations must be met inorder to maintain that status. The international studentmust continue to carry a full course of study.This is defined as undergraduate study at a college8