51-01.2 Open Admissions

Procedure Description

Florence-Darlington Technical College accepts the responsibility to provide educational opportunities within our service areas of Florence, Darlington, and Marion Counties, by assessing the needs of our regional businesses and industries, while guiding potential students in achieving positive educational and occupational outcomes consistent with their potential.

In order to provide positive educational and occupational outcomes consistent with a student’s potential, open admissions is defined as a practice which (1) admits all citizens who can benefit from available learning opportunities, and (2) be placed into specific programs of study where the potential for success is in line with the program admissions standards and learning outcomes. The definition of open admissions implies a commitment to assess student potential and provide appropriate developmental programs of study if required.

In support of this definition, Florence-Darlington Technical College adheres to the following procedures:

1. Utilizes admissions procedures that concentrate on career guidance and the assessment of competency in basic skills through the approved college placement tests. In addition, the Office of Admissions uses Multiple Measures to assign placement scores to incoming students based on appropriate GPA and specific high school coursework. This revised approach was developed and approved by the Curriculum and Instruction Committee. See the chart and specific GPA requirement below.

FDTC Placement Scores for Math, Reading, and Writing

*MAT 107 is recommended as the prerequisite for MAT 120

Expiration Dates:

Next Generation = 5 years ACT = 5 years NSAT = 10 years

High School Graduates: 3.0 GPA and above

High school graduates who are Life Scholarship eligible will be placed into MAT 155/101/107/170 and ENG 155/101/160 unless their placement test scores place them into higher level courses or If Algebra I, Algebra II, and

Geometry = B Average then placement courses would include MAT 110, MAT 120, MAT 170, or MAT 175 depending on program requirements.

High School Graduates: 2.6 GPA and above

For High School Graduates with GPA 2.6 and above, Math will be reviewed per high school transcript if Algebra 1, Algebra II, and Geometry = B average and placement courses would include MAT 110, MAT 120, MAT 170, or MAT 175 depending on program requirements.

High School Graduates: Less than 2.6 GPA

High School Graduates with GPA less than 2.6 will be placed into ENG 155/MAT 155. Test optional if student wants to place in higher level courses.

*NEW-GED College Ready:

GED recipients who score between 165-174 on the GED will be placed in ENG 155 and MAT 155/101/107/170. GED recipients who score ≥ 175 on the GED will be placed in ENG 101/160.

Dual Enrollment:

• High school students taking technical courses via dual enrollment must have an overall high school GPA of 2.5 to be awarded waiver scores for ENG 155.

• High school students taking general education courses via dual enrollment must have an overall high school GPA of 3.0 to be awarded waiver scores for ENG 101. Math will be reviewed with a High School Transcript reflecting an Unweighted GPA ≥ 2.6 or Weighted GPA ≥ 3.2 if Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry = B Average, then MM2. (MM2 courses include MAT 110, MAT 120, MAT 170, or MAT 175 depending on program requirements.)

2. Utilizes minimum placement criteria for admissions. The criteria reflect an analysis of the entry- level skills for each curriculum.

3. Each curriculum program has been established through the minimum competencies set in math, reading, and English on the approved college placement tests and course progression.

4. Minimum academic standards and procedures have been established for academic probation for those students who do not maintain satisfactory progress.

5. Specific entry-level skills have been established for admission into each program. The Office of Admissions & The Testing Center, in conjunction with the academic departments, establishes, monitors and evaluates entrance requirements, testing procedures, and instruments used by FDTC for effective student placement.