Admissions

Policies and Procedures

The following state Albany Technical College’s (“the College”) policies and procedures governing the admissions process:

Nondiscrimination

In accordance with the Statement of Equal Opportunity, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era' or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law).

The College will:

1. Strive to increase the future student's opportunities,
2. Guide the implementation of all activities related to admissions, its academic programs, student financial aid and the recruitment, assessment, academic advisement/placement and retention of students, and
3. Continuously work towards complimenting all academic programs.

Admissions Process

Admission to a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) college is a multi-step process which consists of evaluation of prior academic experience and assessment for postsecondary readiness of eligible applicants.

Albany Technical College adheres to the TCSG policy stated above and defines the following for the purpose of admissions to the College. Future students must:

1. Submit a completed Application for Admissions and $25.00 non-refundable fee;

2. Take the college entrance exam, if required.

Future students needing special accommodations must self-identify with the Special Needs Coordinator prior to making an appointment with the Testing Center. The entrance exam may be waived for diploma programs if the student has completed acceptable college or technical college credit for English and Math with grades of "C" or higher; meets minimum SAT scores of 310 math and 270 critical reading; or attained ACT scores of 14 Reading, 13 English and 14 Math.

The entrance exam may be waived for degree programs if the student has completed acceptable college or technical college credit for English, math and psychology with grades of "C" or higher; or meets minimum SAT scores of 380 math and 290 critical reading; or attained ACT scores of 16 Reading, 14 English and 17 Math; or a minimum of 525 on the English Language Arts (ELA) Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) to exempt the reading and writing portions of the Compass exam.

The entrance exam will be waived if the applicant holds an associate degree or higher. An official transcript is required for this waiver.

3. Submit official high school transcript or GED® score report showing graduation date and diploma type.

4. Submit official college or technical college transcripts for all previously attended institutions. Applicants who wish to have prior college credit evaluated for transfer or intend on using a funding source that requires the evaluation of prior college credit, such as HOPE Scholarship or Veterans Educational Benefits, must submit all post-secondary transcripts along with their admission application.

5. Attend the College’s mandatory New Student Orientation and the specific area of study Orientation, if applicable.

6. Register for classes during the dates specified on the Student Calendar.

Some Health Care Technology programs require additional admissions assessment exams. Future students interested in health-related programs should inquire with the Office of Admissions or program Faculty Advisors for additional admissions information at least 30 days prior to the term they wish to enroll.

Required Academic Criteria

A General Education Development (GED^®) diploma or high school diploma (verified by an official transcript including graduation date and diploma type) will be required for admission to the Technical College unless otherwise specified by the program’s standards. Home schooled students may follow an alternative path for admission, described below. High school diplomas from unaccredited institutions, Certificates of Attendance or special education diplomas are not recognized for admission purposes. Students with diplomas from secondary schools located outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated for equivalency by an approved outside evaluation organization. Applicants who have successfully completed (C or better) a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credit hours at the degree level may submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges accredited by an accepted accrediting agency in lieu of a GED^® diploma or high school diploma. However, if applying for financial aid, a high school transcript is required.

In order to be accepted by a Technical College, the applicant must have been awarded a high school diploma from a secondary school that is on the TCSG approved accreditation agency list. Graduates of unaccredited high schools must obtain a GED^® diploma.

Applicants of home schools located in Georgia who did not attend a recognized accredited program must adhere to the following alternative path for admission:

• Submit a Certificate of Attendance form from the local superintendent’s office verifying that (1) the parent or legal guardian notified the superintendent of intent to home school and (2) that the parent or legal guardian submitted the required attendance reports as required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.

• Submit annual progress reports or a final transcript for the equivalent of the home-schooled student’s junior or senior years. The final progress report should include the graduation date.

Applicants of home schools located outside the state of Georgia who did not attend a recognized accredited program must adhere to the following alternative path for admission:

• Submit annual progress reports or a final transcript for the equivalent of the home-schooled student’s junior and senior years. The final progress report should include the graduation date.

• Submit SAT or ACT scores that meet the TCSG system minimum requirements.

Presidents of Technical Colleges may waive the GED^® diploma/high school diploma requirement for those secondary students or those pursuing a GED^® diploma who are otherwise eligible to enroll in a specific program of study.

College entrance exam

ATC, in accordance with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), uses the ACCUPLACER instrument for measuring proficiency in reading, writing, algebra and math. An applicant must achieve minimum admissions scores on these tests as specified in the program state standards. Acceptable scores on a statistically validated test such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or American College Test (ACT) will be accepted in lieu of the ACCUPLACER test. Entrance scores vary by program. The program-specific entrance scores are minimum requirements, and some programs require higher scores. Reasonable accommodations are made during testing for those who need them and who have self-identified with the Special Needs Coordinator. Students who apply for associate degree programs must meet the following current score requirements:

Assessment results will be valid for placement purposes for a period of 60 months and are transferable to any TCSG college.

Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education documenting equivalent program-level English and math coursework successfully completed (C or better) may be used in lieu of completing the corresponding portion of the TCSG-approved assessment instrument.

Transfer Admission Requirements

Applicants to ATC who have been previously enrolled at a post-secondary institution will be considered for admission under the following criteria:

1. Applicants who are in good standing at their previous institution may be accepted in good standing.

2. Applicants who are on academic probation at their previous institution may be accepted only on academic probation.

3. Applicants who are on academic or disciplinary suspension will not be accepted unless they have satisfied the conditions of their suspension and are eligible for re-admission into their former college.

Applicants for transfer admission must submit the following to the Admissions Office:

1. Application for Admissions and a $25.00 non-refundable fee;

2. Official transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended;

3. Official high school transcript;

4. SAT, ACT or other nationally recognized admissions entrance exam scores, as applicable.

If scores are not available, a student should report when scheduled for the admissions entrance exam.

Incoming Transient Student Admission Requirements

Students wishing to attend Albany Technical College as a transient student must meet the following conditions:

1. Submit an Application for Admissions and a $25.00 non-refundable fee;
2. Present a Transient Agreement Form (TAF) or letter from the Registrar of the home institution to the effect that the student is in good standing, which course(s) the student is eligible to register for, and that the student is eligible to return to that institution.
3. Pay the Albany Technical College schedule of tuition and fees.

The 18 credit hour maximum may be waived for transient students upon the written recommendation of the home institution.

Admissions Requirements for Non-Credit Courses

1. Students must submit a completed non-credit application.

2. Students must be 16 years of age or older.

3. A high school diploma or GED^® is not required unless specified in the course requirements.

4. An admissions test is required for entry into certain courses.

5. No financial aid is available for non-credit courses.

Notification of Acceptance

Admissions Applications are processed and the names of applicants placed on a list for program admission on a first-come priority. Students are notified by regular mail, electronic mail, or in person, of their acceptance into a program, and how to register for classes.