Admissions

Student Services

The mission of Student Services is to encourage students to learn, grow and achieve success in a supportive academic environment. The Student Services mission is accomplished by providing a variety of services in accordance with the Forsyth Technical Community College mission. Student Services staff members coordinate these services in cooperation with all other divisions on campus. Services for students include recruitment, placement testing, accommodations for students with disabilities, admission, orientation, registration, counseling and career services, information and referral services, student records, career guidance, drug and alcohol awareness education, academic advising and student activities.

General Information

Forsyth Tech is an equal opportunity institution and operates under an open-door admissions policy. The College is open to anyone 18 years of age or older and high school graduates 16 years of age or older. Admission to the College does not guarantee acceptance to the program of your choice or guarantee continued enrollment in the College. Forsyth Tech offers programs of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate in areas of business, health, general education and engineering technologies. In addition, the College offers the associate in arts and associate in science college transfer degrees, including 16 pre-major courses of study.

Admissions

The admissions process requires the following:

• Application
• Official high school transcript or GED scores
• Official transcripts from all colleges or schools attended since high school

Placement tests may be required

Other documents may also be required to participate in clinical or practical training courses in certain programs such as:

• Health examinations
• Reference forms, when requested
• Specific licensure
• CPR for health programs
• Proof of U.S. citizenship/permanent residency may be required to be eligible for certain licensure exams

All official documents become the property of the College.

Admission to the College does not imply immediate admission to the program desired by the applicant. Placement in certain programs is limited, and admission to a specific program of study is based on guidelines developed to ensure the student’s chance of success in the program and the availability of space.

• If an applicant applies but does not enroll, his/her documentation remains on file for only one year.
• After one year, the applicant must re-submit any required documentation.

The applicant should submit a completed application to the Admissions Office for the semester he/she plans to enroll. Although potential students may apply at any time prior to the beginning of the semester, the applicant is encouraged to complete the admissions process as early as possible. This allows adequate time for processing and satisfying admissions requirements for the programs of study. Write, call or access our Web site to obtain an application and detailed information about instructional programs. You may also visit the Admissions Office located in room 123, 1st Floor, Allman Center.

Counselors and advisors use the applicant’s educational achievements and placement test results to assess his/her potential for success in specific instructional programs. If evaluations of the applicant’s test scores indicate his/her lack of readiness to enter a specific course, the applicant may be required to enroll in a developmental education course.  

Forsyth Tech reserves the right to refuse admission to any student whose enrollment or continued presence is considered a risk for campus safety or disruption of the educational process.

Admissions Office
Forsyth Technical Community College
2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103-5197
336.734.7556
admissions@forsythtech.edu
An online application is also available at
http://www.forsythtech.edu

Please read the Economic & Workforce Development section of this catalog to learn about admissions requirements for non-credit programs.

Transcripts/Credit Assessment

The Admissions Office requires an official transcript from a high school, an adult high school diploma program or a general education development (GED) certificate program that is regionally accredited through an accrediting agency approved by Forsyth Tech. Questions regarding the accreditation of online high schools may be directed to the director of Admissions. Applicants who have earned the GED certificate in North Carolina are requested to provide their GED test scores either by bringing them to the Admissions Office or requesting them from the NC GED Office.

Write to:
NC GED Office
5016 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC  27699-5016

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree may substitute their official college transcript showing the graduation date in place of their high school transcript for certain programs. Students desiring transfer credit must request official transcripts from post-secondary institutions they have attended before credit can be evaluated.

Applicants for most programs will be required to submit scores on either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the American College Test (ACT) or Accuplacer, the placement test given at Forsyth Tech. Other placement test scores may be evaluated by the admissions staff. Information concerning the SAT/ACT may be obtained from local high school counselors. Information on the placement test is available at the Testing Center located in room 133, 1st Floor, Allman Center, Main Campus or by calling 336.734.7324.

Test results, which are valid for three years, are used in helping students assess their skill levels and achievements in relation to their interests and desires. This information provides a basis for placing students in appropriate courses. Students are permitted to retest once within a 12 month period. There is a $10 retest fee.

Admissions Requirements for Home School

The home school administrator must show and provide proof that the home school is certified by the North Carolina Department of Non-Public Instruction. This means that the administrator must have a school approval number (if available), a charter for the school or anything that denotes approval from the North Carolina Department of Non-Public Instruction and provide copies of this information with the application.

The home school administrator must provide an official home school transcript. If the home school administrator and/or the student does not have the proper certification, the student cannot be admitted to a curriculum program at Forsyth Tech. If the student is over 18, they can enroll as a special credit student only.  If the student wishes to enroll in a curriculum program, he/she must obtain a general education development (GED) certificate or adult high school (AHS) diploma from Forsyth Tech’s Economic & Workforce Development program before being eligible to be admitted.

Admissions Requirements for Programs

The basic requirement for admission to any program is a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants who are not high school graduates may arrange to complete their high school requirements through the Economic & Workforce Development program [general education development (GED) or adult high school (AHS)].

Some programs have selective enrollment, and prospective students are encouraged to apply early. Some of these selective enrollment programs have application pools for the program. Students in the application pools may take the general education courses required in the program.

Health Programs

Health programs use a selective admissions process. Students in health credit programs who are assigned to clinical settings will have additional fees for uniforms, liability insurance, parking and other requirements. Students who are not admitted and want to be considered for a different program must complete a new application. Students meeting minimum requirements are assessed on a rating scale that ranks previous course grades in related courses and completion of other health-profession training programs. Highest ranking students will be admitted. Students not admitted must re-apply to be considered for the next acceptance class. Students applying to the associate degree nursing program and the practical nursing program are required to take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills).

Admission to a health technologies program does NOT guarantee eligibility for licensure or certification. For example, the North Carolina Board of Nursing has regulations that identify reasons for prohibiting licensure for associate degree nursing and practical nursing graduates. The reasons are referred to the department chairperson.

All students in nuclear medicine technology, radiography and radiation therapy technology come under the radiation exposure regulations of the state and federal government (radiation safety hazard regulation). Any student who receives exposure in excess of permissible limits as defined by the regulations will be advised of the possible harmful effects and may be dropped from the program. Regulations pertaining to students below the age of 18 are more stringent than those for the older student.

Transfer Credit

Applicants who have attended other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions may transfer credits in courses comparable in content, objective, quality and credit hours to those offered at Forsyth Tech. In addition, all veterans or active duty military can receive physical education credit upon receipt of the necessary documentation. When the granting of transfer credit is in question, the student may be asked for additional documentation such as a course description or course syllabus.

For accepted students, Forsyth Tech evaluates transfer credit for equivalent courses with the grade of C or better from member institutions of the North Carolina Community College System and other post-secondary institutions accredited by a regional accrediting association. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis will be considered only after receiving (in writing) the requirements necessary to receive a passing grade. In this situation the transfer credit technician, registrar and the academic dean, in consultation with the department chairperson, will make a recommendation to the vice president of Instructional Services. The vice president of Instructional Services will then make the final decision on the transfer of credit for questionable courses.

International students who have attended a college or university outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by a NACES member (www.naces.org) before Forsyth Tech will review them for possible transfer credit.

Credits transferred from other schools will be reflected on students’ transcripts as hours earned and will not be used in the computation of grade point averages. A grade of TR will be given to show that the course was transferred from another college.

Many courses with technical or skill content have time limitations on the acceptance of transfer credit. This includes credits earned at Forsyth Tech, as well as at other institutions. Generally, courses in this classification taken more than five years before entry into Forsyth Tech cannot be considered for transfer purposes. The department chairperson responsible for the program of study determines the specific time limitations. Inquiries concerning transfer credits granted must be made to the college transfer technician in the Records Office during the student’s first semester of enrollment. If a student disagrees with the transfer credit granted, he/she should send a written request for re-evaluation to the Registrar. After consulting with the division dean, the transfer credit technician will notify the student of the final decision on transfer credit to be granted.

Changing Program of Study

A currently enrolled student (or student who has been out for fewer than three consecutive terms) pursuing a program of study may change programs by filing a Change of Program Form in the Records Office, unless the desired program is one with specific admissions requirements (such as health technology programs or BLET). Students who have been out for three or more terms, or who wish to change to a curriculum program with selective enrollment (see above) must file an updated application in the Admissions Office. Students who receive financial aid or veterans benefits must check with the Financial Aid Office before changing their program of study.

Re-Admission

Students who have withdrawn in good academic standing and who have not been enrolled for three or more semesters must submit a new application. If the application for re-admission is for a different program, standard admissions requirements for new students will apply.

There are specific additional guidelines for re-entry into a health program. These guidelines may be obtained from the Health Technologies Division.

Former students who re-apply for admission may be asked to supply the Admissions Office with transcripts and test scores. Students who have been suspended for disciplinary reasons or health/safety reasons cannot be re-admitted without submitting a request for readmission to the vice president of Student Services. The request for re-admission is subject to review by the division dean.

Special Credit Students

Students interested in taking only a limited number of courses may enroll as special credit students. Special credit students are permitted to register for some credit courses without having to be admitted as a degree seeking student, provided that prerequisites have been met and such registration does not preempt students enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program. Some credit courses will not be available to special credit students without prior instructional division approval.

For admission to Forsyth Tech, a special credit student must complete an application for admission. An applicant, at least 18 years old, who did not graduate from high school, earn a GED, or an Adult High School diploma may take courses as a special credit student provided they meet course prerequisites. Special credit students may be asked to take the placement test and may have to furnish official transcripts in order to meet course prerequisite requirements.

While there are no limitations on the number of credit hours a special credit student may earn, students earning 12 or more credit hours will be advised to seek admission into a program. Special credit students who decide to complete a program of study at Forsyth Tech should apply for admission by submitting an updated application. Special credit students cannot be admitted to a degree program unless the required documentation was submitted to the Admissions Office during the time the student seeks acceptance. They must meet current admissions requirements and, if approved, will be accepted under the program of study in effect for the program at the time of acceptance. Satisfactory completion of courses as a special credit student does not automatically guarantee admission to a program.

Generally, students are approved for special credit status in the following circumstances:

• The student wishes to take some relevant credit courses prior to making a decision about applying for a specific program. Students may wish to choose this route in order to reduce their course load once in the program and thereby improve chances for success.
• The student wishes to take specific courses but does not plan to pursue and complete a program of study at Forsyth Tech.
• The student has not been granted admission into a specific program that has already reached its enrollment limit at the time of application but wishes to complete the related courses.

All policies, rules and the code of conduct apply to special credit students. Special credit students are not eligible for any form of financial aid through Forsyth Tech.

International Students

Forsyth Tech is authorized 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 a F-1 student visa. Additional information may be found on our website at www.forsythtech.edu/admissions/international-student-info.

Procedures for Enrollment

Students must submit the following:

1. Forsyth Tech International (F-1) application for admission
2. $40 processing fee (check or money order made payable to Forsyth Tech)
3. I-134 Affidavit of Financial Support form and supporting documentation.
4. Proof of English proficiency

• TOEFL score of at least 500 (paper), 173 (computer based) or 61 (Internet based)
• Successful coursework in English at a high school or institution of major learning in the U.S.

1. Proof of health insurance coverage

1. Medical History Form

1. Student Responsibility Form

Undocumented Immigrants

The North Carolina Administrative Code provides that community colleges shall admit an undocumented immigrant only if he or she attended and graduated from a United States public high school, private high school, or home school that operates in compliance with State or local law or have received a diploma from an Adult High School that is located in the United States and operates or operated in compliance with State or local law.  Online high school diplomas and GED’s are not acceptable for admission.  Undocumented students are charged the out-of-state tuition rate and are not eligible for Financial Aid. Contact the Admissions Office for additional information.

Articulated Courses Tech Prep Programs of Study

Forsyth Technical Community College and the local high schools have entered into the North Carolina School-to-Community College Articulation Agreement. This agreement allows students to outline specific high school programs of study that will grant them advanced standing credit when they enroll in a community college upon high school graduation.

The North Carolina School-to-Community College Articulation Agreement allows students in high school to take academic and vocational courses that will exempt them from certain required courses at the community college level. Forsyth Tech has outlined many programs of study in degree and diploma areas for which students can receive advanced standing credit. If the prerequisites are met, the student is exempted from the placement test in that subject area.

Students are encouraged to declare that they are a college prep student and work with their high school counselor to register and select the correct sequence of courses in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. The final high school transcript must indicate successful completion of the correct sequence of courses with a grade of B or better and appropriate VoCATS test scores. Students need to self-identify and submit the Articulated Credit Agreement Form at the time of Forsyth Tech application in order to request transcript review for credit to be granted.

List is subject to change as curriculum programs are updated at the state level:

Advanced Placement (AP)

Secondary school students enrolled in advanced placement (AP) courses may receive college credit upon completion of the courses with a score of 3 or higher and forwarding the results to the Admissions Office for evaluation.

International Baccalaureate Program

Secondary students enrolled in International Baccalaureate Courses (IB) may receive college credit upon completion of the higher level courses and receipt of the necessary score 5, 6 or 7. Test results and transcript need to be submitted to the Admissions Office for evaluation.

Career and College Promise: Taking College Classes while in High School

Still in high school but ready for college courses? At Forsyth Tech, high school juniors and seniors can earn college credits that will give them a head start on their college careers.

Career & College Promise is a program that offers North Carolina high school students a clear, focused and affordable way to begin their two- or four-year college work by earning college credits tuition free. The program is open to all high school juniors and seniors, who maintain a “B” average and meet other eligibility requirements.  Access the Career and College Promise.

Career & College Promise provides three paths to help advance eligible students’ post-high school success. Students must choose and commit to one of these paths, and changing of pathways is not generally permitted.

• The College Transfer Path – Earn tuition-free course credits toward a four-year degree by taking courses through Forsyth Tech.  Initiative for qualified high school students, age 16 and above and in the 11th or 12th grade.  Credits transfer seamlessly to all University of North Carolina institutions and many of North Carolina’s Independent Colleges and Universities.  There are currently 4 College Transfer pathways available at Forsyth Tech.
• The Technical Career Path – Earn tuition-free course credits at Forsyth Tech toward an entry-level job credential, certificate or diploma in a technical career.  Initiative for qualified high school students, age 16 and above and in the 11th or 12th grade.  There are currently 35 Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways available at Forsyth Tech.

Junior and senior high school students who are at least 16 years old may enroll in curriculum math, science, and vocational/technical credit classes tuition free. Students are responsible for fees, supplies and textbooks. Students are considered Career and College Promise students.

To qualify for Career and College Promise, students must meet Forsyth Tech admissions procedures and prerequisites for courses. Students may receive both high school honors credit and college credit for completed coursework. All course grades apply towards graduation from a program at Forsyth Tech. Courses in the AA and AS college transfer degree programs are transferable to all public four-year senior colleges and universities in North Carolina and many private NC institutions. High school students may also enroll in Associate in Applied Sciences degree, diploma or certificate program coursework. If classes are taught through Corporate and Continuing Education, the student must pay tuition. Continuing Education classes do not earn curriculum college credit.

Procedures for Enrollment

Students must submit the following:

1. Forsyth Tech Application for Admission (only on first enrollment)
2. Parental Consent/Counselor Permission Form (each semester)
3. Transcript from High School (students must have a “B” average)
4. Standardized Test Scores (SAT, ACT, CPT, Accuplacer, ASSET, and/or COMPASS)
5. If a student is home-schooled, a copy of the North Carolina Home School Registration from the North Carolina Office of Non-Public Instruction is required.
6. During advising a completed registration card indicating the course number, course section number, the title of the course and alternative section numbers is completed.

The Application Packet including an application, official high school transcript, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, CPT, ASSET, and COMPASS), Parental Consent/Counselor Permission Form, and other supporting documents for Career and College Promise students, should be sent for review and admission to the office of Educational Partnerships. Advising and selection of courses is conducted at the designated time each semester. Course prerequisites and all admission’s procedures must be met for Career and College Promise admission to occur.

Early College of Forsyth

Early College of Forsyth is a joint program of the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools and Forsyth Technical Community College. Students will have the opportunity to complete the requirements for a North Carolina high school diploma and earn college credits that may lead to early completion of an Associate in Arts and/or Associate of Science college transfer degree in a rigorous learning community. Instead of attending a regular high school, students will take all the high school and college courses on the main campus of Forsyth Tech. Tuition is free for all college courses; but juniors and seniors pay nominal fees each semester.

The program is designed to allow students to complete all of their high school requirements and complete the two-year Associate Degree in four years. Students who complete the four-year program will receive their high school diplomas and Associate degrees that will transfer to the UNC system schools. A second option would allow students to exit after four years with a high school diploma and some college transfer credits. Students would then enter a university as a sophomore.

Interested students must submit an application and supporting materials, and will be chosen on the basis of academics and other criteria. Students interested in applying must submit/complete:

1. Early College Application
2. Writing Samples
3. Transcript for grades 6, 7, and 8
4. Attendance Profile
5. Discipline Profile
6. Standardized Test and EOG Test scores, percentile and level submitted on Counselor Required Recommendation Form.
7. College Placement Test Scores
8. Three Recommendations (counselor and two other school-based adults)

Students should submit their application to the Early College of Forsyth Principal’s Office on Main Campus, Ardmore Hall, 2^nd floor.

Forsyth Middle College

The Forsyth Middle College is a high school located on the campus of Forsyth Tech. It is a collaborative project of the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools and Forsyth Tech. The program is designed to provide students with an alternative academic environment to complete their high school coursework while also having the option to enroll in college-level classes as a part of the Career and College Promise Program. The Forsyth Middle College operates on a five-day schedule, Monday through Friday, from noon to 5:00 p.m.

The Forsyth Middle College is a program for juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age and who are interested in earning their high school diploma and furthering their education at the community college or a four-year college or university. Students must have a clean behavioral record and the self-motivation to complete the requirements for their high school diploma. The program is primarily serving young people who have had an A, B, or C average in high school and then encountered a sudden decline in their educational experience. It is not designed for students who have long-term grade difficulties or inability to succeed in rigorous high school coursework or Career and College Promise classes.

To be admitted to the program, students must complete an application and a 50-word essay explaining why they would like to be a part of the Forsyth Middle College. Grade transcripts and a counselor recommendation from the previous high school are also required as part of the application process. Students are required to take the CPT. A selection committee consisting of the Forsyth Middle College principal, the counselor and a teacher, interview the student to evaluate his or her candidacy for the program. New students are admitted once every quarter with the average enrollment totaling 100. Please inquire in the office of Educational Partnerships or the Forsyth Middle College Principal's Office on Main Campus, Snyder Hall.

Stokes County Early College High School

Stokes Early College (SECHS) is a joint program of the Stokes County School System and Forsyth Technical Community College. The academic design of the school is rigorous and expects students to successfully complete high school and college coursework. Students may receive their Associate in Arts and/or the Associate of Science College Transfer Diploma in four years and their Associate in Arts degree in five years. Another option would be to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree. Proper student selection is critical to student success and includes:

1. Application,
2. Interview,
3. Representative enrollment from comprehensive district high schools,
4. Consideration of first-generation college status,
5. Performance on EOGs/EOCs,
6. School counselor recommendation, and
7. Performance on College Placement Test. Please call 336.593.5402 ext. 1103 for more information.

Students must submit their application to the Early College Principal’s Office. Call 336.593-5402 ext. 1200 or 336-734-7236 for more information.

Application Process:

1. Submit Application
2. Submit 50 word writing sample on why you want to attend the Early College
3. Take the College Placement Test
4. Submit three references:
   1. A teacher,
   2. Your middle school counselor, and
   3. A community person that knows you well (no relatives please).
5. Submit transcripts for grades 6, 7, and 8
6. Submit attendance records. (*obtain from middle school counselor).
7. Submit Discipline Profile. (*obtain from middle school counselor).
8. Submit Standardized Test and EOG Test scores, percentile and level submitted on Counselor Required Form. (*obtain from middle school counselor).

An interview team consisting of the principal, the Forsyth Tech College Liaison and teachers will interview each student and make the admission decision.