Enrollment Information

Reading Area Community College is approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an institution of higher education, and is authorized to award the Associate in Arts Degree, the Associate in Science Degree, the Associate in Applied Science Degree, the Associate in General Studies Degree and the Certificate of Specialization, as well as appropriate diplomas and certificates.

The College operates on a two semester basis consisting of 14 weeks each, exclusive of examination periods and vacations. The unit utilized for credit courses is the semester hour.

Reading Area Community College has an open admission policy, which states that any student may enroll as a degree candidate. Based on placement test scores, some students may be required to complete courses in Community Education prior to enrolling in credit courses. A high school diploma will be considered valid if it was granted by a high school that has been verified by ACT and has a high school code listed online at the ACT website.

College entrance examinations, such as the ACT or SAT, are not required, however will be considered in lieu of placement testing. High school transcripts, G.E.D. certificates, and prior college transcripts must be submitted to complete the application file and may be used as a basis for admission to some selective admission programs of study.

Prospective students (and their families) who are having difficulty completing the application process may obtain assistance in the Welcome and Information Center.

The open admissions policy does not guarantee acceptance into a specific program of study. Some programs have requirements that must be met in order for students to secure licensure or certification upon completion of the program. These programs must comply with regulations established by various governing bodies. Other factors include limitations on enrollment based upon availability of college or community facilities used for practical experiences.

The following Associate in Applied Science and Certificate of Specialization programs have selective admissions procedures:
 

• Histotechnician Program, AAS  
• Medical Laboratory Technician, AAS  
• Nursing (DAY), AAS  
• Nursing (EVENING), AAS  
• Practical Nursing, CC   
• Respiratory Care, AAS  

Accessibility & Services for Students with Disabilities

Reading Area Community College strives to provide an environment that allows all individuals to develop to their fullest potential. In keeping with federal legislation and regulations, reasonable accommodations and individualized attention are provided for students with disabilities in order to ensure access to the campus and all of its academic programs and services. For information, contact Disability Services.

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Placement Test

All degree-seeking students are required to have their placement assessed before registering for credit courses according to one of the following:

• Unofficial or official college transcripts
• Unofficial or official high school transcripts (including home school evaluations)
• ACT, SAT, or AP exam score reports
• Enter Self-reported high school transcript information ( if graduated HS within past 5 years)
• Unofficial or official GED transcript
• Complete placement testing

Placement assessment is conducted to determine the placement of the student into developmental reading, writing, and/or mathermatics courses or college-level English and/or mathematics courses.

The placement test may be waived for students with certain credentials. For a complete list of waiver options, please visit this link.

Students who apply for a semester and do not enroll in that semester must submit a new application. Students who withdraw from Reading Area Community College and return after one or more years must reapply for admission. Students who have not completed required coursework within two years of taking the placement test will need to retake the appropriate test(s).

Prior to taking a placement test, students with documented disabilities should notify Disability Services to arrange appropriate accommodations.

Notification of Acceptance

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance after all necessary items have been received and processed by Enrollment Services. Students who submit applications or records under false pretenses are subject to dismissal without credit.

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Categories of Admission

There are two general categories under which applicants may be admitted to Reading Area Community College. They may enroll as full-time or part-time students in either category.

1. DEGREE CANDIDATES are applicants who wish to earn an associate degree or certificate. The College offers the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and the Certificate of Specialization.
2. NONDEGREE CANDIDATES* are those who wish to enter the College for purposes other than earning an associate degree or certificate. The category includes the following types of students:
   1. GUEST: Students attending another college or university who elect to take certain courses at Reading Area Community College and then return to their home institution.
   2. EARLY ADMISSION: Students currently in high school who wish to begin college-level coursework. Early Admission students must demonstrate college readiness in either Reading, Writing or Math in order to begin coursework at Reading Area Community College.
   3. NONDEGREE: Individuals may wish to take a specific course or courses for job improvement or enrichment but not necessarily work toward obtaining a degree. Coursework taken may be later applied toward a degree from the College or may be presented for transfer credit at another college or university.

*Nondegree Candidates do not qualify for Financial Aid.

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General Admissions Procedures

Degree Candidate

1. Submit the application for admission.
2. Submit official transcripts from high school and any college or university attended.  Transcripts should be sent to the Enrollment Services Office.
   NOTE: Applicants who hold a high school equivalency diploma (G.E.D.) should request that an official transcript be sent to Enrollment Services. Requests can be made to the Department of Education from the state in which you earned the G.E.D.
3. Take placement tests, if applicable.
4. Submit ACT, SAT, or AP exam score reports (downloaded pdf’s are acceptable)
5. Enter Self-reported high school transcript information here.

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Nondegree Candidates

Guest:

1. Submit the application for admission.
2. Complete the Permission to Transfer Form/Guest Registration Form. Once the form has been signed by the designated official at the applicant’s home institution and the form is returned to Records Office, the applicant will be registered for the requested courses on a space-available basis.

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Nondegree:

1. Submit the application for admission.
2. Complete the Nondegree Registration Form. Once the form is returned to the Records Office, the applicant will be registered on a space-available basis.

Readmission Procedures

A student who has previously studied at Reading Area Community College and desires to resume full-time or part-time study after an absence of one year or more must complete an application for readmission. The following procedures and regulations govern readmission to the College:

1. Applicants for readmission must complete the application for admission.
2. Applicants for readmission must fulfill all other admission requirements in accordance with the procedures outlined.
   NOTE: In most cases, high school transcripts do not need to be resubmitted by candidates who previously completed courses at RACC. However, transcripts from other schools attended in the interim will be required of those seeking readmission to degree programs.
3. Students seeking readmission to the nursing programs are processed through a special selection committee of the individual nursing program. The committee’s decision about readmission is based upon prior performance in the program, length of time the student had not been actively enrolled in a nursing course, programmatic changes since prior enrollment and space in the currently enrolled class at the point of readmission. For the Associate Degree Nursing program and the Practical Nursing program, only one readmission is permitted. For specific requirements, see individual programs.
4. Students seeking readmission are subject to the catalog under which they readmit.

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Early Admission Opportunities for High School Students

Early Admission Program:

RACC strongly encourages students to complete their high school diploma. The Early Admission Program is an opportunity for academically ready high school students to enroll in online and/or on-campus college courses at RACC.

High school students interested in enriching their curriculum with college courses may request consideration for the Early Admission Program by following the Early Admission application procedures.

Evaluation for Early Admission to the College is based on multiple measures and is on an individual basis. Students considering the Early Admission Program must exhibit maturity and demonstrate academic and college readiness to benefit from college-level courses.

Early Admission Application Procedures

1. Complete the application for admission. There is no fee to apply to the college. When completing the Online Application, select “Early Admissions” under admit type.
   Note: There are no application deadlines. However, students should apply early enough to complete the placement test and steps below in time to register for their desired start session.
2. Complete the Early Admission Supplemental Application Form. This form requires a signature from the student’s guidance counselor or other school official.
   Send the Supplemental Application form to:
   Admissions and Enrollment Services
   Reading Area Community College
   10 South 2nd Street, Box 1706
   Reading, PA 19603
   admission@racc.edu
3. Submit current transcripts. Applicants must submit high school transcripts and/or home school evaluations to the address above. ACT, SAT, or AP exams scores should also be submitted, as they might be indicators of college readiness.
4. Meet with an Enrollment Services Coordinator. The candidate’s assigned Enrollment Services Coordinator will contact you once after you submit your online application to set up a meeting to review your academic history. You must meet placement test requirements in order to enroll as an Early Admissions student. Depending on your academic history, the placement test might be waived for Early Admission to the college.
5. Prepare for and take the placement test. If your Enrollment Services Coordinator determines that you must take the placement test, then your next steps are to prepare for and take the test. Walk-in testing is available, or you can schedule an appointment by calling 610-607-6224. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations during the placement test, please contact Disability Services at 610-607-6245 for an intake appointment prior to scheduling your placement test. Click here to view a practice test and tips on how to do your best on the test.
6. Review your placement test results. Schedule a follow-up appointment with your Enrollment Services Coordinator to review your placement test results and discuss registering for classes.
7. Register for class. Early Admission students are permitted to enroll in two (2) courses each semester, must register for 100 or 200 level courses, and must meet the prerequisites for the courses they intend to take. If you were accepted as an Early Admission student based on your standardized test scores, you may still be required to take the placement test to earn prerequisites for your requested courses. Early Admission students must demonstrate college readiness in either Reading, Writing or Math in order to begin coursework at RACC.
8. Pay your tuition and fees. Be sure to review the tuition due dates.
9. Prepare for class. Obtain your student photo ID and parking tag from the campus security office in the lobby of Weitz Hall. If you are taking online classes, click here to learn more about the technical requirements and tips for success in an online learning environment. You will also want to be sure to purchase your books before your classes start at the Campus Bookstore.

Academically Exceptional K12 Student Admissions

Reading Area Community College is committed to student success. Academically Exceptional K12 students who have exhausted all their current K12 private and or public educational resources may seek to enroll at Reading Area Community College when able to provide all of the following documentation to the College:

1. Results of K12 gifted multidisciplinary evaluation for a Gifted Individualized Educational Plan (GIEP).
2. Evidence of student assessment, SAT/ACT scores, or Accuplacer scores administered by RACC, indicating the student meets the minimum guideline levels for placement into college-level courses.  
3. Signed Early Admissions Supplemental Application.
4. Signed FERPA Waiver Form.

All submitted documentation remain part of the student’s record.  Students enrolled in K12 are not eligible for financial aid.

Upon review of these documents, admissions may request the student take the placement exam and/or technical skills pre-test as a complementary assessment to determine readiness.  Reading Area Community College reserves the right to decline admission to any Early Admission applicant after a review of these required documents and, if applicable, placement test scores. Eligible students may enroll in academic courses under the professional guidance of a RACC advisor with final approval by the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost.

Follow the Early Admissions application procedure.

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Dual Enrollment at Local High Schools

RACC has partnered with area high schools to offer college credit for college-level courses students take at their high school. The courses taught at the high school must cover the same competencies as courses taught at RACC and the teacher must meet adjunct faculty qualifications. View a list of dual enrollment courses for the current academic year.

Dual Enrollment students concurrently complete their requirements for high school graduation at the same time they earn college credit. Students are eligible for dual enrollment courses by an evaluation of state standardized tests, cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and/or recommendation from their high school teacher and guidance counselor. Students are allowed to register for dual enrollment courses providing they meet the high school’s guidelines for dual enrollment and RACC’s course prerequisites.

Participating high schools include Antietam Middle Senior High School, Berks Career & Technology Center, Berks Catholic High School, Blue Mountain Academy, Brandywine Heights High School, Conrad Weiser High School, Daniel Boone Area High School, Exeter Township High School, Fleetwood Area High School, Governor Mifflin High School, Hamburg Area High School, Kutztown Area High School, Muhlenberg High School, Oley Valley High School, Reading-Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center, Schuylkill Valley High School, Tulpehocken Area High School, Twin Valley High School and Wilson High School. 

Working with their guidance counselors and/or dual enrollment teachers, students complete a RACC application, dual enrollment registration form, and FERPA form. The high school guidance counselor submits these documents along with student’s current high school transcript to Reading Area Community College.

Students will earn a grade on a RACC college transcript at the completion of the course.

All grades may be accessed through students’ Self-Serve/WebAdvisor account.

Students who wish to have an official transcript may request this in writing or by accessing RACC’s website for a transcript request form.

Since dual enrollment courses would be traditional college freshman selections, students should contact the registrars’ offices of the colleges where they plan to apply in order to confirm that the transfer credits will be accepted. Dual Enrollment courses prepare students for college-level rigor. Dual enrollment credits provide a pathway to RACC’s many AA and AAS transfer programs. 

For additional information, contact the Associate Vice President of Community and Academic Partnerships at 610-607-6219.

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SOAR Programs of Study at Career and Technology Centers

SOAR (Students Occupationally and Academically Ready) prepares students for college and careers in a diverse, high-performing workforce. A student from any state-approved program from any CTC in the state can transfer these program credits (9 or more) to any college offering these programs.

Approved programs for RACC include: Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications, Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology, Machine Tool Technology/Machinist, Administrative Assistant & Secretarial Science General, Accounting Technology/Technician & Bookkeeping, Childcare/Support Services Management, and Criminal Justice/Police Science.

These programs are identified by their Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code. A CIP code is used by schools and postsecondary institutions to categorize the Program of Study completed at the CTC and articulates to courses in one of RACC’s Associate in Applied Science degrees.

Students who have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA in their completed program of study at their CTC are eligible for college credits for up to three years after graduating from high school. Students are awarded credit, not a grade on their college transcripts. Students seeking their credit award need to provide RACC with the following items:

• Copy of High School Diploma 
• Official High School Transcript
• POS Perkins Statewide Articulation Agreement Student Documentation Cover Sheet, obtained from CTC program or high school counselor.
• NOCTI Skills Certificate or Certificate of Completion, obtained from CTC program or high school counselor
• Secondary Program Competency Task List signed by CTC program instructor

To view how the PA Bureau of Career and Technical Education SOAR Programs of Study taken at the High School level transfer to participating colleges including RACC, visit the CollegeTransfer.net website. Select the program of study by title or CIP code from drop-down menu and choose graduation year. 

Click Here to see how SOAR Programs are accepted at Reading Area Community College.

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International Student Enrollment

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester - June 1
Spring Semester - September 1

Reading Area Community College is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant foreign students under the F-1 status. The following preliminary procedures must be completed before international students can be considered for admission to Reading Area Community College:

1. International student applicants must complete an application for admission to Reading Area Community College. An online application may be used.
2. International student applicants must submit a letter of intent stating which major or course of study to be pursued at Reading Area Community College and the expected starting and graduating dates of the program. International student applicants must submit a brief statement of their academic and work background and the objectives they hope to accomplish at Reading Area Community College.
3. International student applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if the applicant is a non-native English speaker. The TOEFL score must be submitted to the College for review. Applicants must score a minimum of 450 (paper-based), 45 (internet-based) or above to be considered for admission. Registration forms and the TOEFL Bulletin of Information for Candidates may be obtained from American Consulates, and United States Information Agencies, as well as many educational centers throughout the world and on the Internet at www.ets.org/toefl Registration forms may also be obtained by writing, well in advance of the desired test date. (College institution code: 2743)
4. Applicants must send certified copies of all official transcripts (academic records), with English translations, of all training received at the equivalent of high school level or above. All transcripts become the property of the College and will not be returned.
5. Applicants must submit a notarized legal document of sponsorship from the person or organization that is responsible for the student’s tuition, fees, room, board and any other financial needs for the duration of study at Reading Area Community College. If the student is not sponsored, the document should indicate that the student is responsible for all of the above. Reading Area Community College is not responsible for tuition, fees, room, board, scholarship or any of the financial expenses incurred by students while attending Reading Area Community College.
6. Applicants must submit an original current US or foreign bank statement showing a minimum balance of the cost for one academic year in American dollars. If an original bank statement cannot be provided, the applicant must submit a signed official letter from a US or foreign bank stating, in American dollars, a minimum balance of the cost for one academic year. The required amount in the account(s) listed on the bank statement or official letter must be accessible by the sponsor and/or student for college-related needs while attending Reading Area Community College. This information must be provided in the individual or organization’s name sponsoring the student attending Reading Area Community College. (Internet bank statements will not be accepted.)
7. Applicants must submit verification of housing accommodations by lease, rent receipt or a statement of accommodation provisions by a sponsor or sponsoring agency.

Only after all of these steps have been completed will an admissions decision be rendered. Some time may elapse before a decision is reached and the applicant is notified. In any event, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Form 1-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) will not be issued until the applicant has been accepted for admission to the College.

Individual visa status changes will not be initiated by the College, but must be handled through the Office of Immigration.

International Credential Evaluator

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Post Office Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 U.S.A.
www.ece.org

World Education Services/Bowling Green Station
Post Office Box 5087
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10274-5087 U.S.A.
www.wes.org
*This is not a comprehensive listing. The College does not recommend any one evaluator over another. Students may use any accredited evaluation service. All costs are the responsibility of the student.

Important Websites

US Citizenship and Immigration Services
www.uscis.gov
The Test of English
As A Foreign Language (TOEFL)
https://www.ets.org/toefl/

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Selective Admissions Procedures

All applicants must fulfill the requirements for admission as degree candidates; that is, apply, forward official copies of all academic transcripts, and take the placement test. Additional procedures must also be followed for the College’s selective majors.

Histotechnician Program

Clinical resources are limited. Therefore, admission into the Histotechnician program is on a selective basis. The deadline to apply for “clinical student status” application to the January 1st in order to participate in the first summer practicum.

The student must meet the following ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA to be considered for selective admission into the Histotechnician Program:

1. At the time of application, the following courses must be completed, or currently in progress: BIO 250  , MAT 130  , and HTT 110  .
2. HT students must have a “C” or better in all courses in the HT curriculum.
3. The student must achieve an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
4. The student must achieve a science/math GPA of  2.5 or higher (combined GPA of BIO 250  , MAT 130  , and HTT 110 ​ .
5. No course in the Histotechnician Program curriculum, or which is a prerequisite for a course in the curriculum, can be repeated more than once.  This requirement includes any courses taken at RACC or at another institution.  It also includes courses from which the student may have withdrawn or in which the student earned less than a “C” grade.
6. No more than 12 credits of the Histotechnician Program curriculum may be repeated.  This includes courses taken at RACC and at other institutions.  It also includes withdrawals or courses in which the student earned less than a “C” grade.
7. Course repeats or withdrawals that are older than ten years may be excluded from consideration in the admissions process at the discretion of the program director.
8. The student must meet with the HT Program Director to determine eligibility and to certify that the student is able to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Histotechnician Student by agreement through the “Essential Functions” document.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The student must submit the following by January 1:

1. Submit a comprehensive Letter of Intent requesting clinical student status.
2. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation; at least one must be from a RACC faculty member.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. The HT Selection Committee will meet after January 1st to determine eligibility, evaluate the applicant’s application materials and assign a rank value to each applicant. A point system will be assigned to rank the student applicants. Incremental points will be awarded based on several criteria which include: cumulative GPA, science /math GPA (combined GPA of BIO 250  , MAT 130  , and HTT 110 ​ ).
2. Accepted students will receive a “clinical student status” beginning with the highest ranked student until all the available clinical spaces are filled. 
3. Students meeting the criteria but not assigned due to lack of clinical sites will be placed on a ranked waiting list. These students will be given a clinical assignment if space becomes available prior to the beginning of the summer semester. Students not given a clinical assignment will be required to re-apply the next year following the full application protocol.
4. Students who are accepted and decline their clinical placement will be required to re-apply the following year following the full application protocol.
5. The student will receive a notice stating the committee’s decision (Accepted, Accepted with provision, Declined, or Waiting list) and clinical site assignment by February 1st.
6. The student will register for the spring semester and summer practicum I.
7. Progression into clinical experience is contingent upon satisfactory completion of coursework, and maintenance of a 2.5 G.P.A. in science and math.
8. Accepted students will complete and submit the following by April 1st:
   • Full medical assessment including physical exam, medical history, and vaccinations or proof of immunity.
   • CPR certification for the professional rescuer (approved providers are AHA only).
   • “No record” status for PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check and FBI fingerprint check.
   • Proof of a negative drug screen within 30 days of the first day of the summer practicum.
   • Proof of current enrollment in a health insurance plan.
9. Students must agree to abide by dress code/personal appearance and other policies set forth by the clinical affiliates
10. The HT program reserves the right to review the academic performance and/or personal characteristics and qualities of any student within the program. Such a review may result in the dismissal of the student from the HT Program.

The above policies may be changed in keeping with the most recent accreditation agency requirements. The Histotechnician Program reserves the right to make changes in the admission process without prior notice.

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Medical Laboratory Technician Program

Clinical resources are limited. Therefore, admission into the clinical portion of the MLT program is on a selective basis for the second half of the program.

The deadline for application for the January class is June 1.

The student must meet the following ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA to be considered for selective admission into the clinical portion of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program: 

Applicants must:

1. Be a graduate of an approved secondary school or hold a high school equivalency diploma.
2. Have completed, with grades of “C” or better, two years of biological science (including advanced biology), laboratory chemistry, and algebra. If the previous academic experience is lacking or if placement scores indicate the need for preparatory work, the following Reading Area Community College courses may be used to provide the needed academic background: BIO 140  or BIO 150  , CHE 120  , MAT 035   , MAT 110  .
3. Upon declaration of the Medical Laboratory Technician major, meet with the MLT Program Director to determine eligibility, discuss the selective admission policies, and to certify that the student is able to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Medical Laboratory Technician Student by agreement through the “Essential Functions” document.
4. At the time of selective admission application, have following courses completed, or currently in progress: COM 121  , COM 141  or COM 151  ,BIO 250  ,BIO 255  , MLT 110  , CHE 150  , CHE 250  , CHE 251  , MAT 210  , MLT 120  , HEA 220  , IFT 110   . Students who require the summer to complete coursework may still apply but this will result in a reduction of assigned points and reduced rank position in the selection process.
5. Have a “C” or better in all courses in the MLT curriculum.
6. Achieve a combined math/science G.P.A. of 2.5 including the following courses: BIO 250  , BIO 255  , MAT 210  , MLT 110  , CHE 150  , CHE 250  , CHE 251  , MLT 120 .
7. Abide to the following policy: No course in the Medical Laboratory Technician Program curriculum, or which is a prerequisite for a course in the curriculum, can be repeated more than once. This requirement includes any courses taken at RACC or at another institution. It also includes courses from which the student may have withdrawn or in which the student earned less than a “C” grade.
8. Abide to the following policy: No more than 12 credits of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program curriculum may be repeated. This includes courses taken at RACC and at other institutions. It also includes withdrawals or courses in which the student earned less than a “C” grade.

Please note: Course repeats or withdrawals that are older than ten years may be excluded from consideration in the admissions process at the discretion of the program director.

APPLICATION PROCESS

For application into the clinical portion of the program, the student must do the following by June 1st:

1. Submit a comprehensive Letter of Application requesting entry into the next clinical class. 
2. Submit two letters of recommendation; at least once must be from a RACC faculty member.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. The MLT Selection Committee will meet after June 1 to evaluate the applicant’s application. A point system will be assigned to rank the student applicants. Incremental points will be awarded based on several criteria which include: the timeliness of the submitted documents, cumulative GPA, math/science GPA, program history and required course completion. Students who require the summer to complete coursework may still apply but this will result in a reduction of assigned points and reduced rank position.
2. The date of enrollment in the program will be the deciding factor between equally ranked students.
3. Accepted students will receive a clinical assignment beginning with the highest ranked student until all the available clinical spaces are filled.
4. Students meeting the criteria but not assigned due to lack of clinical sites will be placed on a ranked waiting list. These students will be given a clinical assignment if space becomes available prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Students not given a clinical assignment will be required to re-apply the next year following the full application protocol.
5. Students who are accepted and decline their clinical placement will be required to re-apply the following year following the full application protocol.
6. The student will receive a notice stating the committee’s decision (Accepted, Accepted with provision, Declined, or Waiting list) and clinical site assignment by July 1.

The granting of the Associates Degree in Applied Science in the Medical Laboratory Technician Program is not contingent upon a student passing any type of external certification or licensure.

Special Note for LCCC and NCC Students:

The student from Lehigh Carbon Community College or Northampton Community College who has successfully completed specific general education requirements at LCCC or NCC, and specific program requirements at RACC, may be granted sophomore-level standing and admission to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program per stated selective admission requirements at Reading Area Community College.

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Nursing Program

Associates Degree Nursing (ADN)Program

Admission to the nursing program is a separate process from general admission to the College and requires a separate application. Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive and selective.

Admission to the nursing program is based on the following criteria:

• ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) score
  • The ATI TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content domains of reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage.
    View the RACC TEAS information booklet.  
  • A minimum composite score of 58.7 is required. A score of 58.7 indicates a moderate level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content.
  • The TEAS must be completed prior to March 30 to be considered for fall admission.  
    • A prior TEAS score completed within two years of the TEAS deadline will be considered.  
    • The deadline to receive TEAS transcripts from non-RACC testing centers is March 30. The student assumes financial responsibility in transferring TEAS scores from other institutions.
• Combined BIO 250  and MAT 130  GPA. The GPA must equal a 2.5 combined GPA or greater.
• Student selection is based on a ranked score of the composite TEAS score, and the combined BIO 250  and MAT 130  GPA

Steps To Admissions

Step I: Apply to the College and Submit Official Transcripts

Students who are not yet admitted to the nursing program will be enrolled in the “Health Sciences (Nursing Intent)” program of study. This will provide a pathway for completing general education courses needed for the RACC ADN Program. Students in this program of study may also complete additional courses as indicated to be awarded the Health Sciences Transfer degree. Pre-nursing students should meet with their assigned advisor regularly to ensure that they are taking the appropriate courses for their educational goals.

Step 2: Take College Placement Exams

Take the college placement tests or submit appropriate SAT/ACT scores. Students must place at the college English composition level and the college math level of the placement test or take appropriate courses prior to submitting the petition.

Step 3: Complete the Nursing Program Prerequisite Requirements

Have completed coursework equal to 16 units of a standard high school course with a grade C or better and includes:

• Four units of English
• Three units of Social Studies
• Two units of Mathematics (1 of which is Algebra)
• Two units of Science with a related laboratory or its equivalent.

***A course must be one Carnegie unit in length, or its equivalent***

If a student does not have specified courses in high school, the student must complete science course prerequisites prior to applying for admission (petitioning) to the nursing program.

Applicants whose high school academics were completed outside of the United States must have high school and college transcripts evaluated by provide a NACES member organization, that verifies the equivalency to the U.S. educational system or will have to apply for a Certificate of Preliminary Education through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Contact the Welcome Center in Berks Hall, 610-607-6224, for more information. 

• View the Nursing Program Guide

Step 4: Petition (Apply to the Nursing Program)

Petitioning is the process of formally applying for admission to the nursing program. Deadline for petitioning is March 30.

Petitioning documents are located online through the RACC portal, by clicking on Self Service, Academics and then Nursing Petition.

• View Petitioning Instructions

To petition into the nursing program, students must:

• Submit the TEAS transcript
• Have met all pre-program pre-requisites
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
• Meet with a Health Professions Advisor. 
• Have completed the following courses with a grade “C” or higher:
  • MAT 130  
  • CSS 103  
  • BIO 250  Anatomy and Physiology I (Completed within five years of petitioning)

Step 5: Nursing Program Admission

• Once a student has met all program requirements, selected students will receive a notification of admission by April 30.
• All students who apply to the nursing program will be notified of their admission status by email. A student will receive either a provisional or alternate acceptance status. 
  • Provisional Acceptance:
    • A student is provisionally admitted to the program dependent upon completion of all program requirements.
  • Alternate Acceptance
    • Alternates have met the admission requirements but the number of applications received exceeded the number of students that could be accepted. Normally, the nursing program has students who decline admission, and attrition occurs. Should seats become available, students with alternate acceptance status may be offered full acceptance.
  • Students who apply or are on the alternate list are not carried over from year-to-year. Any students including alternates who are not offered full acceptance two weeks prior to the start of the semester may re-apply again for a future entrance year. Students are required to meet any new admission criteria as published for that future entrance year
• Upon receiving notification (full or alternate acceptance), a student will be enrolled in a mandatory online nursing orientation course.
• A student must actively engage in the online orientation course by May 15. A student who does not actively engage in the mandatory online orientation course by May 15 will forfeit admission to the nursing program.

Step 6: Complete Clinical Program Requirements

In order to comply with clinical agency requirements, the following admission requirements are mandated.

The following documentation as outlined in the online orientation course must be completed by July 15.

A student who does not complete mandatory clinical requirements by July 15 will forfeit one’s admission to the program.

Clinical requirements include:

• State Police criminal records check, child abuse history clearance and FBI check.
• An applicant convicted of any of the “prohibitive offenses” contained in the Older Adult Protective Services Act or an applicant convicted of any type of child abuse will be disqualified from admission to the Nursing Program or continuing in the program regardless of the amount of time that has elapsed from the date of conviction.
  • Completed physical form which demonstrates evidence of the “Essential Abilities/Qualities of a Professional Nursing Student” (see website for details).
  • Evidence of a negative drug panel.
  • Evidence of specific immunizations or antibody titers.
  • Evidence of current CPR Certification for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association
  • Evidence of current health insurance.

Additional Nursing Program Policies:

• All required pre-requisites and general education courses must have a grade of “C” or better. Nursing GPA - (All required general education courses) must be at least a 2.5 and include transfer courses as well as original course grades if repeated. No developmental courses are counted as part of the Nursing GPA.
• All required general education courses in the Nursing Curriculum cannot be repeated more than once for any reason (“W” as well as any grade less than a “C” grade). This includes courses completed at RACC as well as a transfer from another institution of higher learning. Course repeats or withdrawals that are greater than ten years may be excluded from consideration in the admissions process at the discretion of the program director.
• All nursing courses must be completed with a “C+” or better for progression within the program.
• Only one readmission is permitted to the nursing program and must occur within one year of program withdrawal.

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Students Requesting Readmission to the Nursing Program

Readmission into NUR 100 ** A student requesting readmission to NUR 100 must follow the same petitioning processes associated with the initial program attempt. Because students who reapply are ranked with an incoming cohort of applicants, readmission is not guaranteed.

1. Any student unsuccessful in a NUR 100  course must meet with the Director of Nursing Programs within 2 weeks of withdrawing or the unsuccessful attempt.
   1. Readmission into the nursing program may only occur one time.
   2. A student must resubmit a petition online via the RACC portal, under Self Service/WebAdvisor by the March 30^th deadline.
   3. A student will have one opportunity for a second attempt ofNUR 100  if they meet the published admission criteria and policies of the current readmission program. 
   4. An overall GPA of 2.5 or above is required to apply for readmission.

Readmission into NUR 150, NUR 200, or NUR 250 

1. Any student unsuccessful in a NUR course must meet with the Director of Nursing Programs within 2 weeks of withdrawing or the unsuccessful attempt.
2. Information will be provided at the time of the meeting regarding readmission.
3. Readmission into the nursing program may only occur one time and must be within 1 year of the first attempt at the unsuccessful NUR 150 , NUR 200 , or NUR 250   course.
4. If a student is approved for readmission, the student seeking readmission must complete or meet the following:
   1. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or above
   2. Be an active participant in a remediation course.
   3. Meet with the Student Success Coach to develop a study plan within 4 weeks.
   4. Pass a theory exam with a score of 77% or greater in one attempt on content from previously passed NUR course(s).
   5. Pass skills demonstration on the first attempt from a provided list.

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Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses

Advanced placement is for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who is a graduate of a National League of Nursing accredited practical nursing program.
Please schedule an appointment at HPadvising@racc.edu or call 610-607-6245 and ask for a HP advisor for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: A STUDENT MUST PETITION FOR ADMISSION TO THE ASSOCIATE NURSING PROGRAM BEFORE BEGINNING THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT for LPN PROCESS (see Steps to Admission above)
 

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Practical Nursing Program

Admission to the practical nursing program is a separate process from general admission to the College and requires a separate application. Admission to the Practical Nursing (PN) Program is competitive and selective.

Admission to the practical nursing program is based on the following criteria:

• ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) score
  • The ATI TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content domains of reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. 
    View the RACC TEAS information booklet.
  • A minimum composite score of 58.7 is required. A score of 58.7 indicates a moderate level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content.
  • The TEAS must be completed prior to June 30 to be considered for spring admission.  
    • A prior TEAS score completed within two years of the TEAS deadline will be considered.  
    • The deadline to receive TEAS transcripts from non-RACC testing centers is June 30.
• Combined PNP 109 and MAT 130 GPA. The GPA must equal a 2.5 combined GPA or greater.
• Student selection is based on a ranked score of the composite TEAS score, and the combined PNP 109 and MAT 130 GPA
• All required pre-requisites courses must have a grade of “C” or better.
• The overall GPA must be at least a 2.5 and include transfer courses.

Steps to Admission

Step I: Apply to the College and Submit Official Transcripts

Students who are not yet admitted to the nursing program will be enrolled in the “Health Sciences (Practical Nursing Intent)” program of study. This will provide a pathway for completing general education courses needed for the RACC PN Program. Pre-program nursing students should meet with their assigned advisor regularly to ensure that they are taking the appropriate courses for their educational goals.

Step 2: Take College Placement Exams

Take the college placement tests or submit appropriate SAT/ACT scores. Students must place at the college English composition level and the college math level of the placement test or take appropriate courses prior to submitting the petition.

Step 3: Complete the Practical Nursing Program Prerequisite Requirements

• Be a graduate of an approved secondary school or hold a high school equivalency diploma. Submit Official HS transcripts to the Welcome Center. 
• Applicants whose high school academics were completed outside of the United States must have high school and college transcripts evaluated by provide a NACES member organization, that verifies the equivalency to the U.S. educational system or will have to apply for a Certificate of Preliminary Education through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Contact the Welcome Center in Berks Hall, 610-607-6224, for more information. 
• Complete the prerequisite coursework as follows:
  a. EHR 100  - Medical Terminology for the Healthcare Profession

     b. MAT 130  - Math for Allied Health

     c. PNP 109  - Body Structure and Function I

Step 4: Petition (Apply to the Nursing Program)

Petitioning is the process of formally applying for admission to the practical nursing program. Deadline for petitions is June 30.

Petitioning documents are located online through the RACC portal, by clicking on Self Service, Academics and then Nursing Petition.

• View Petitioning Instructions

To petition into the practical nursing program, students must:

• Submit a TEAS transcript
• Have met all pre-program pre-requisites
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
• Meet with the Senior Academic Advisor for Health Professions (Tracey Rudnick @trudnick@racc.edu or 610-372-4721 x. 5067).
• Have completed the following courses with a grade “C” or higher:
• EHR 100   - Medical Terminology for the Healthcare Profession
• MAT 130   - Math for Allied Health
• PNP 109   - Body Structure and Function I
  ** PNP 109 and PNP 111 Body Structure & Function are the required science courses within the Practical Nursing Program. However, Anatomy and Physiology I and II can replace PNP 109 and PNP 111 if completed within 5 years of the start date into the Practical Nursing Program.

 Step 5: Practical Nursing Program Admission

• Once a student has met all program requirements, selected students will receive a notification of admission by July 30.
• All students who apply to the practical nursing program will be notified of their admission status by email. A student will receive either a provisional or alternate acceptance status. 
  • Provisional Acceptance:
    • A student is provisionally admitted to the program, dependent upon completion of all program requirements.
  • Alternate Acceptance
    • Alternates have met the admission requirements but the number of applications received exceeded the number of students that could be accepted.  Normally, the nursing program has students who decline admission, and attrition occurs.  Should seats become available, students with alternate acceptance status may be offered provisional acceptance.
  • Students who apply or are on the alternate list are not carried over from year-to-year. Any students including alternates who are not offered full acceptance two weeks prior to the start of the semester may re-apply again for a future entrance year.  Students are required to meet any new admission criteria as published for that future entrance year.
• Upon receiving notification (provisional or alternate acceptance), a student will be enrolled in a mandatory online nursing orientation course.
• A student must actively engage in the online orientation course by August 15. A student who does not actively engage in the mandatory online orientation course by August 15 will forfeit admission to the practical nursing program. 

Step 6: Complete Clinical Program Requirements

• In order to comply with clinical agency requirements, the following admission requirements are mandated. The following documentation as outlined in the online orientation course must be completed by December 15. A student who does not complete mandatory clinical requirements by December 15 will forfeit admission to the program.
• Clinical requirements include:
  • State Police criminal records check, child abuse history clearance and FBI check within 6 months of the start of the practical nursing program.
    • An applicant convicted of any of the “prohibitive offenses” contained in the Older Adult Protective Services Act or an applicant convicted of any type of child abuse will be disqualified from admission to the Practical Nursing Program or continuing in the program regardless of the amount of time that has elapsed from the date of conviction.
  • Completed physical form which demonstrates evidence of the “Essential Abilities/Qualities of a Professional Nursing Student” (see website for details).
  • Evidence of a negative drug panel.
  • Evidence of specific immunizations or antibody titers.
  • Evidence of current CPR Certification for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association
  • Evidence of current health insurance.

Additional Nursing Program Policies

All Practical Nursing prerequisite courses for the program cannot be repeated more than once for any reason (“W” as well as any grade less than a “C” grade).  This includes courses completed at RACC as well as a transfer from another institution of higher learning. Course repeats or withdrawals greater than ten years may be excluded from consideration in the admissions process at the discretion of the Director of Nursing Programs.

Practical Nursing program courses, PNP 101  , PNP 102  , PNP 103  , must be completed with a “C+” or better for progression within the program.

Only one readmission is permitted to the nursing program and must occur within one year of program withdrawal. 

Readmission into PNP  101 ** A student requesting readmission to PNP  101 must follow the same petitioning processes associated with the initial program attempt. Because students who reapply are ranked with an incoming cohort of applicants, readmission is not guaranteed.

1. Any student unsuccessful in a PNP 101 course must meet with the Director of Nursing Programs within 2 weeks of withdrawing or the unsuccessful attempt.
   1. Readmission into the practical nursing program may only occur one time.
   2. A student must recomplete and resubmit a petition online via the RACC portal, under Self Service/WebAdvisor by the June 30^th deadline.
   3. A student will have one opportunity for a second attempt of PNP 101 if they meet the published admission criteria and policies of the current readmission program.
   4. An overall GPA of 2.5 or above is required to apply for readmission

Readmission into PNP 102, PNP 103 

1. Any student unsuccessful in a PNP course must meet with the Director of Nursing Programs within 2 weeks of withdrawing or unsuccessful attempt.
   1. Information will be provided at the time of the meeting regarding readmission.
   2. Readmission into the practical nursing program may only occur one time and must be within 1 year of the first attempt at the unsuccessful PNP 102 or PNP 103 course.
2. If a student is approved for readmission, the student seeking readmission must complete or meet the following:
   1. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or above
   2. Be an active participant in a remediation course.
   3. Meet with the Student Success Coach to develop a study plan within 4 weeks.
   4. Pass a theory exam with a score of 77% or greater on one attempt on content from previously passed course(s).
   5. Pass skills demonstration on the first attempt from a provided list.

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Respiratory Care Program

Admission to the respiratory care program is a separate process from general admission to the College and requires a separate application (petition). Petitioning is the process of formally applying for admission to the Respiratory Care Program. 

Admission to the Respiratory Care Program is competitive and selective. The following information is meant to provide guidance and inform potential students regarding program requirements. 

STEP 1: REVIEW THE RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM GUIDE

The guide identifies all courses required to complete the Respiratory Care Program. 

• View the Respiratory Care Program and Curriculum Guide

STEP 2: REVIEW ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO PETITION 

To be considered for selective admission, the student must meet the following ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

The student must complete the following courses/exam prior to petitioning: 

1. BIO 250  
2. MAT 130  
3. Take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills Exam (ATI TEAS®)

Prior to scheduling the TEAS exam, a student must receive permission from an academic advisor from the Advising Center. To inquire about the TEAS, contact or visit the Student Success Center @:

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

LOCATION: BERKS HALL B-209

PHONE: 610-607-6245

EMAIL: ADVISING@RACC.EDU

a. The ATI TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content domains of reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. 

    View the RACC TEAS information booklet

b. A minimum composite score of 58.7 is required. A score of 58.7 indicates a moderate level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content. 

c. The TEAS must be completed prior to May 10 to be considered for fall admission. 

d. A prior TEAS score completed within two years of the TEAS deadline will be considered. 

e. The deadline to receive TEAS transcripts from non-RACC testing centers is May 10. The student assumes financial responsibility in transferring TEAS scores from other institutions. 

4. Respiratory Care students must have a “C” or better in all courses in the Respiratory Care curriculum. 
5. The student must achieve an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. 
6. The student must achieve a science/math GPA of 2.5 or higher (combined GPA of BIO 250 and MAT 130). 
7. Student selection is based on a ranked score of the composite TEAS score and the combined BIO 250  and MAT 130  GPA. 
8. No course in the Respiratory Care Program curriculum, or which is a prerequisite for a course in the curriculum, can be repeated more than once. This requirement includes any courses taken at RACC or at another institution. It also includes courses from which the student may have withdrawn or in which the student earned less than a “C” grade. 
9. Successful completion of Anatomy & Physiology courses may not be older than five years. An exception of this requirement is evidence of advanced, related study at the junior level or higher that is less than five years old and for which the passing of Anatomy & Physiology was a pre-requisite. 
10. No more than 12 credits of the Respiratory Care Program curriculum may be repeated. This includes courses taken at RACC and at other institutions. It also includes withdrawals or courses in which the student earned less than a “C” grade. 
11. Course repeats or withdrawals that are older than ten years may be excluded from consideration in the admissions process at the discretion of the program director. 

STEP 3: PETITION (APPLY TO THE RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM) 

Prior to petitioning, a student must receive permission from an academic advisor from the Advising Center. To inquire about petitioning, contact or visit the Student Success Center @:

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER 

LOCATION: BERKS HALL B-209

PHONE: 610-607-6245

EMAIL: ADVISING@RACC.EDU

Deadline for petitioning is May 10. To petition into the Respiratory Care Program, students must in addition to Step 2 eligibility criteria: 

1. Submit the TEAS transcript (Scores)
2. Once approved to petition, login to review Act 53 of 2020 located on the Pennsylvania Department of State portal.
3. Complete the petition: To locate and complete the electronic Respiratory Care Program petition documents:

     i. Login to the “myRACC” portal

     ii. Select Colleague-Self-Service

     iii. Select Academics 

     iv. Select Respiratory Care Program Petition 

4. Complete/sign the attestation of Prohibitive Offenses Disclosure form 
5. Any change in status of information contained in the original attestation must be communicated to the program director. 

STEP 4: SELECTION PROCESS 

1. Once a student has met all program requirements, selected students will receive a notification of admission by May 20. 
2. All students who apply to the Respiratory Care Program will be notified of their admission status by email. A student will receive either a provisional or alternate acceptance status. 
3. Provisional Acceptance

a. A student is provisionally admitted to the program dependent upon completion of all program requirements. 

4. Alternate Acceptance 

a. Alternates have met the admission requirements but the number of applications received exceeded the number of students that could be accepted. Normally, the nursing program has students who decline admission, and attrition occurs. Should seats become available, students with alternate acceptance status may be offered full acceptance. 

b. Students who apply or are on the alternate list are not carried over from year-to-year. Any students including alternates who are not offered full acceptance two weeks prior to the start of the semester may re-apply again for a future entrance year. Students are required to meet any new admission criteria as published for that future entrance year. 

5. Upon receiving notification (full or alternate acceptance), a student will be enrolled in a mandatory online Respiratory Care Program orientation course. 
6. A student must actively engage in the online orientation course by May 30. A student who does not actively engage in the mandatory online orientation course by May 30 will forfeit admission to the Respiratory Care Program. 

STEP 5: COMPLETE CLINICAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 

In order to comply with clinical agency requirements, the following admission requirements are mandated. 

The following documentation as outlined in the online orientation course must be completed by August 1. 

A student who does not complete mandatory clinical requirements by August 1 will forfeit one’s admission to the program. 

Clinical requirements include: 

1. State Police criminal records check, child abuse history clearance and FBI check. 
2. An applicant convicted of any of the “prohibitive offenses” contained in the Older Adult Protective Services Act or an applicant convicted of any type child abuse will be disqualified from admission to the Respiratory Care Program or continuing in the program regardless of the amount of time that has elapsed from the date of conviction. 
3. Completed physical form which demonstrates evidence of the “Essential Abilities/Qualities of a Respiratory Care Program student” (see website for details). 
4. Evidence of a negative drug panel. 
5. Evidence of specific immunizations or antibody titers. 
6. Evidence of current BLS Certification for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association. 
7. Evidence of current health insurance.

ADDITIONAL RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM POLICIES: 

1. All required pre-requisites and general education courses must have a grade of “C” or better. Respiratory Care Program GPA - (All required general education courses) must be at least a 2.5 and include transfer courses as well as original courses grades if repeated. No developmental courses are counted as part of the Respiratory Care Program GPA. 
2. All required general education courses in the Respiratory Care Program Curriculum cannot be repeated more than once for any reason (“W” as well as any grade less than a “C” grade). This includes courses completed at RACC as well as transfer from another institution of higher learning. Course repeats or withdrawals that are greater than ten years may be excluded from consideration in the admissions process at the discretion of the program director. 
3. All Respiratory Care Program courses must be completed with a “C” or better for progression within the program. 
4. Only one readmission is permitted to the Respiratory Care Program and must occur within one year of program withdrawal. 

RE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 

1. Any student unsuccessful in a RES course must meet with the Director of Respiratory Care within 2 weeks of withdrawing or the unsuccessful attempt. 
2. Information regarding readmission will be provided during this meeting. 
3. Only one re-entry to the Respiratory Care Program will be allowed for a student after withdrawing with a grade of W or receiving a failing grade in any Respiratory Care (RES) course. 
4. A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in college courses in order to qualify for re-entry. 
5. Re-entry into the program is limited to ONE year following unsuccessful competition of a course or withdrawal from a course. 
6. A student must meet with the Student Success Coach to develop a study and re-entry plan within 4 weeks. 
7. Pass a theory exam with a grade of “C” or greater in one attempt on content from previously passed RES course(s). 
8. Pass a skills competency evaluation on the first attempt from a provided list. 

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Enrollment Services

The goal of the Enrollment Services Office is to help new students be better prepared for the first semester at RACC. The staff provides a general introduction to the College and facilitates the enrollment for new students. Located on the first floor of Berks Hall, Enrollment Services oversees campus tours and information sessions, the college application process, placement testing and transcript evaluations.

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Advising

After completing placement testing, new students will meet with a professional advisor who will explain appropriate course placement and assist students with course selection and registration. Advisors are available on both a walk-in basis or by scheduled appointment.

Students who have prior college credits should have their official transcripts sent to RACC’s Assessment Center for evaluation several weeks prior to meeting with an advisor. In lieu of an official transcript, an advisor may allow one-time registrations upon receiving unofficial transcripts and final grades. However, college credit will only be awarded through the Assessment Center.

Current students already enrolled at the College, should see their faculty/academic advisor for advisement, course scheduling, and registration. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor on a regular basis to ensure that their graduation requirements are being met. Additionally, students can access Self-Service/WebAdvisor to register for classes, check grades, locate advisor name and contact information, access their financial aid, and make payments on their account.

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