A.     Selective Admissions Programs

Howard Community College has selective admissions requirements for certain programs.  Information pertaining to admissions into these programs is available in the Office of Admissions and Advising and in program publications.

B.  Secondary-School Students

Various enrollment options are available to secondary-school students.  In addition to general state laws and college admissions policies regarding admission to the college, specific policies and procedures apply regarding the admission of concurrently enrolled high school students.  As with all other students, admission to the college is not a guarantee that a student can enroll in specific courses unless appropriate prerequisites are fulfilled.  Howard Community College reserves the right to grant admission to secondary students on an individual basis.  Consent to enroll is dependent upon fulfillment of specific application requirements and on what the college determines to be in the student’s and its own best interests.  The award of high school credit for college coursework is arranged through a student’s high school and does not involve the college in any way.

C.  Concurrent Enrollment

High school juniors and seniors may enroll part-time (up to two classes per semester) at the college during the academic year and the summers prior to the junior and senior year.  The Early Entrance Program has been designed to facilitate the enrollment process.  Students who participate in this program must complete Early Entrance application procedures.  Public and private schools have their own procedures, which must be followed.

D.  Gifted and Talented Students

Any student in an earlier grade than high school junior may only be considered for enrollment at the college if they have completed the seventh grade and are enrolled in a public or private school gifted and talented program or can otherwise demonstrate exceptional abilities.  Application procedures include completion and submission of the Early Entrance application form, submission of middle school grade reports or high school transcripts and test scores as appropriate, an appropriate score on the college’s placement exam and demonstration of social and emotional maturity.  An interview with a member of the Admissions staff is also required at which at least one parent or guardian must be in attendance.  Enrollment decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and enrollment is limited to a maximum of two classes per semester.

E.  Early Admission

This full-time enrollment option is available for high school seniors only.  It enables them to complete high school graduation requirements through full-time enrollment at the college, including at least one college-level English course, under a very strict set of circumstances.  The college’s application procedures include completion of the Early Entrance application, appropriate placement testing, and an interview with a member of the Admissions staff at which at least one parent or guardian will be in attendance.  Students must consult with their guidance office for specific high school procedures and for the courses required to satisfy high school graduation requirements.

F.   Graduating High School Students.

The college has a variety of programs designed to benefit graduating high school students who will be incoming freshmen.  While these students can matriculate via general application procedures, these programs are designed with specific advantages in mind.  Some of these programs are selective.

G.  Home-Schooled Students

The same general policies and procedures, including restrictions, apply to home-schooled students as those that apply to concurrently enrolled students, early admissions students, and students who have graduated high school.  Due to the absence of traditional high school transcripts, placement test and college entrance exam scores have a greater importance to admissions decisions for home-schooled students seeking to enroll concurrently as well as for those seeking acceptance to a selective admissions program.  Furthermore, whenever recommendations are required, at least two must be provided by individuals other than a student’s parent.  As is true for other concurrently enrolled and gifted and talented students, the primary purpose for the enrollment of home-schooled students must be for academic enrichment and not to supplement or substitute for coursework that comprises the student’s secondary school curriculum.  Howard Community College reserves the right to grant admission to home-schooled students on an individual basis.  Consent to enroll is dependent upon fulfillment of specific application requirements and on what the college determines to be in the student’s and its own best interests.

H.  Transfer Students

Transfer students follow general application procedures.  Specific procedures apply for transfer students seeking credit for prior college-level coursework.

I.    Military Personnel

The application fee is waived for active duty military personnel and their dependents who complete general application procedures.  In accordance with Maryland state law, all active duty military personnel and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition regardless of their legal residence if they reside in Maryland at the time of their admission and subsequent enrollment.  Likewise, if they reside in Howard County, they are eligible to pay in-county tuition.

J.   International Citizens

Admission eligibility and tuition rates vary for international citizens based upon immigration and residency status and federal and state law.  All applicants who are not United State citizens are required to verify their immigration status with specified official documents based upon immigration status.  Photocopied credentials are not acceptable.  International citizens seeking admission with F-1 immigration status must consult the Office of Admissions and Advising regarding the college’s specific requirements for the issuance of the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility.  Requirements include completion of the college’s application for F-1 student status and submission of the associated application fee, proof of the necessary level of English proficiency by submission of an official TOEFL:  Test of English as a Foreign Language score or the appropriate score on the college’s English placement test demonstrating proficiency, certification of adequate finances, official secondary and/or postsecondary transcripts as appropriate, and proof of health insurance that covers health care in the United States.  Specific application deadlines apply based upon the semester for which students are seeking admission.  F-1 students must consult the Office of Admissions and Advising whenever they plan to leave the United States during the period of time covered by their I-20, or when they seek an extension of stay, or apply for employment authorization or optional practical training.  F-1 students attending other colleges or universities may attend Howard Community College if they have satisfied specific admission requirements, including adherence to standard application procedures, presentation of proof of their immigration status (I-94) and submission of a letter of consent from the institution that issued their I-20 granting consent to enroll at Howard Community College.

K.  Students Seeking Readmission

Students who have been out of the college for more than two years must be readmitted.  They must complete a new application, but do not need to pay another application fee.  Students previously dismissed for academic reasons must submit a letter requesting approval for readmission from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Students seeking readmission to clinical nursing classes must consult the Nursing Student Handbook to determine re-entry procedures.  Readmission procedures for the clinical coursework in allied health programs are subject to change.  Students should initially contact the Office of Admissions and Advising for further information.

Policy Manual Review/Revision:  7/1/00