As a member of the North Carolina Community College System, Western Piedmont operates under an “open door” admission policy. Any person, 18 years of age or older, or who is a high school graduate, who is not currently under suspension or expulsion at another institution of higher education and who is able to profit from further formal education, will be served by the College. The College serves all students regardless of race, religion, association, sex, age, disability, or ethnic origin. Admission requirements for “limited enrollment” programs are published with the program description.
All students must submit a properly completed application to the Office of Admissions. Application forms are available in Student Services, from local high school counselors, and online.
Students under suspension or expulsion at another institution of higher education may appeal for admission to WPCC by using the “Student Grievances“ procedure.
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 High School Equivalency Diploma program. High school transcripts showing graduation, and transcripts from all postsecondary enrollment are required. Students are responsible for requesting all transcripts to Western Piedmont Community College.
The College will accept graduates from valid high schools and adult high school programs, High School Equivalency 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 High School Equivalency exam or high school program. Only the English version of the High School Equivalency exam will satisfy proof of high school graduation equivalency.
All students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate will be required to sit for college placement tests. Students may be exempt from placement testing 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. Other exemptions for eligible high school students may be applicable. Contact the Coordinator of Career and Testing Services for questions regarding exemptions from placement testing. Permission to register may be denied if all admission requirements are not complete.
Students may enroll on a provisional basis for one semester until all admission requirements are met, such as placement testing and the receipt of high school and/or college transcripts. However, all admission requirements must be met before a student may enroll for a second semester. Students who receive provisional acceptance do not qualify for veteran's benefits or financial aid.
Admission Procedures for Workforce and Professional Development Programs and Courses are Found in the Section on Workforce and Professional Development.
Non-Degree Seeking/Visiting Students
A non-degree seeking/visiting student is defined as one who is enrolled in curriculum credit courses but who is not working toward a degree or diploma. Non-degree seeking/visiting students will be allowed to register for courses upon providing documentation that prerequisite courses are met.
For admission, non-degree seeking/visiting students need only to complete the application available in the Admissions Office. Non-degree seeking/visiting 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. Non-degree seeking/visiting 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 math sections of the placement test is dependent on the major students are pursuing and the highest college-level math completed with a grade of "C" or better. Questions regarding exemptions for the placement test should be directed to Career and Testing Services. 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. Only courses applicable to a student's program of study will be considered for transfer credit. 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.
Residency Requirement
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 (365 days) 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.
Students who believe that they have been erroneously classified shall be permitted to appeal the classification to the Director of Enrollment Management. Residency classification will be determined prior to the academic term start. Residency reclassifications that are completed after the academic term start will be made effective the following academic term.
Regulations concerning the classification of students by residence are set forth in the "North Carolina State Residence Classification Manual." A copy of the manual and the application for residency are available in Student Services and online on the WPCC website.
DACA Students
Current NCCCS policy allows DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) applicants to enroll in WPCC at the out-of-state tuition cost. However, acceptance to the college does not guarantee acceptance to a specific program. DACA students do not qualify for federal or state financial aid.
International Students
Western Piedmont Community College is authorized by the U.S. Department of Naturalization and Immigration to issue an I-20 to students who meet the International Student admissions requirements and who are applying to study in the U.S. under an F-1 student visa.
International applicants must show proficiency in the English language and graduate from a secondary school that is equivalent to secondary schools in the United States. International applicants must also certify their ability to pay for out-of-state tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, and living expenses for at least one full year of study.
The following information is required to be submitted as a complete package by the deadlines published on the WPCC website before consideration for acceptance: A completed admissions application, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, official high school transcripts and English translations, official college transcripts and English translations, affidavits of financial support with supporting documentation.
International students should contact the Director of Enrollment Management for further information regarding admission.
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.