Admissions Q&A
You’ve got questions. Of course you do! On the following pages we’ve answered some of the most common questions adult students have about returning to school and attending Westchester Community College. This should be enough to get you started, but when you have MORE questions—and you will—give us a call at 914-606-6735 or email us at [email protected]. We’d like to help make your transition back to school easy.
General
It is not unusual for adults to be nervous about college. From your first phone call or visit to Westchester Community College, the staff and counselors in the Admissions Office are here to help make your transition to college a smooth one. Our dedicated admissions counselors will listen to your particular concerns and questions and will offer advice on how best to reach your goals. You will also learn about the College and its programs and services. Counselors are available by phone or by individual appointment, or you may decide to attend an information session just for adults. We are here to help you make the academic decisions that are right for you.
The counselors and staff in the Admissions Office will provide you with all the details on how to apply to Westchester Community College. We will tell you what records you need and what forms to complete. We will be there each step of the way.
Many of the credits that you took at another college may transfer to Westchester Community College. Your transcripts will be reviewed by an evaluator in the Registrar’s Office to see which credits will transfer. Even if you took classes many years ago, you may still be able to earn credit for these courses.
Freshman
For admission purposes, you are a freshman if you have not taken college-level work since high school graduation. If you have taken college-level credits during high school, you are considered a freshman. Freshmen may also include students who have received a high school equivalency diploma and adult learners entering higher education for the first time. For admission purposes,
Transfer
You are a transfer student if you have taken one or more credits of college-level work since high school graduation. (College work taken before high school graduation does not apply.)
Non-matriculated/Non-degree/Visiting Student
The Non-matriculated/Non-degree/Visiting Student is a student who does not intend on earning a degree or certificate at Westchester Community College. They are just interested in taking courses for personal reasons. Note, the Non-matriculated/Non-degree/Visiting Student terms are interchangeable. They are all the same status.
Readmit/Returning Student
For the purposes of registration, a readmit/returning student is anyone who has already taken one or more credit classes at Westchester Community College or one of its extension sites.
Matriculation
A matriculated student is one who has been formally admitted to the college, has registered in a curriculum or designated program and is pursuing courses toward a degree or certificate. A matriculated student may be full- or part-time, and may take day or evening courses depending on course offerings and personal preference.
In order to be matriculated at the college the student must meet the following conditions:
- Possess a Regent’s High School diploma (an IEP “diploma” is not acceptable as proof of high school graduation).
or - Possess a GED (General Equivalency Diploma)
and - Be formally admitted and pursuing courses leading to a degree or certificate.
Non-Matriculation
A non-matriculated student is one who submits an application and enrolls in classes without the intention of earning a degree or certificate.
Westchester Community College has an open admission policy guaranteeing admission to all students who meet the criteria outlined below. Admission is open to applicants on a space available basis, and is determined without regard to the race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or handicap of applicants.
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Possess a local or Regent’s high school diploma (an I.E.P. [Individual Education Plan] certificate of completion is not a recognized diploma)
- Possess a high school equivalency diploma (GED)
- Be admitted under the Home-Schooled Student requirements
- Be admitted through the New York State 24 College Credit GED Program
Academic Support
The professional staff of our expanded Academic Support Center (ASC) offers you free tutoring and support in reading and math. An extensive series of academic workshops in test-taking, note taking and study skills are offered each semester to help you sharpen your academic skills. In addition to the ASC, tutoring centers for many other areas such as science and writing are available to you. Your faculty and counselor will direct you to these services.
Affordability
Westchester Community College is one of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York. Community colleges were created to provide higher education at an affordable cost. Tax dollars help offset the higher costs charged by other colleges which gives you a quality education that is affordable. Westchester Community College offers the lowest tuition in Westchester county.
Yes, Westchester Community College participates in both federal and state financial aid programs. Most financial aid is based on income and students are required to complete an application form and provide documentation of family income. Financial aid workshops are held to take you through the application process step by step.
Class Locations
Westchester Community College’s main campus is located in Valhalla, NY on the former Hartford Estate. It is easily accessible by car and public transportation. Most classes are offered at the main campus. The beautiful 218-acre campus includes classroom buildings, a Student Center, a recently renovated Library and many other facilities. Maps & Directions.
Yes, Westchester Community College has extension sites located throughout the area to help you attend classes closer to home and work. Sites are located in Mahopac, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, Shrub Oak, White Plains, and Yonkers. You may take classes at the main campus or extension sites, or both. Whatever works best for you!
Course Flexibility
Westchester Community College’s distance learning program offers courses online and through video cassette. You’ll be able to do your coursework at times that really work for you.
Yes, you can choose to attend full-time or part-time. Whichever the case, a counselor can help you decide how many classes to take each semester.
Westchester Community College knows that you are busy, so classes are offered during the day, evenings and weekends. Click here for upcoming course schedules.
Supportive Counseling & Student Services
Admissions counselors are available to assist you with your adjustment to college, direct you to appropriate academic services and help you in any way they can. Every enrolled student is given an academic advisor who will help them plan their course schedule each semester.
Prospective women students are encouraged to attend a Taking the First Step Workshop or meet with a counselor to discuss their concerns about returning to school and how to apply and register for classes. A special orientation for women accepted to the College, a variety of workshops of interest to women, and academic and personal counseling are available.
Westchester Community College has a Children’s Center on campus that is available to children from 6 weeks to 5 years and 9 months old. There is a fee for this center.
Career-Oriented & Transferable Courses
Many adults are not sure of their direction when they start college. Our career center will help you with both personal and career exploration, providing you the opportunity to look at your interests, values and skills, as well as possible careers. Once you decide, professionals are there to help you with resume writing, interview skills and the job search. A cooperative education program allows you to gain work experience in your field while also earning college credit.
Most colleges will accept Westchester Community College credits. Our transfer office will help you investigate other colleges and their requirements so you and your counselor can plan a transferable program for you.
In addition to the almost 70 student clubs on campus, the Student Forum is a social organization for part-time and adult students, sponsoring trips, special Meet and Munch evenings and a variety of other activities for you to meet other adult students. College is not all work!
Special Programs for Adults
In addition to college credit courses, Westchester Community College offers many non-credit courses through our Continuing Education office. Continuing professional education and personal enrichment classes are available for adults not interested in pursuing a college degree. Many of these courses are offered in short time frames, with no tests to worry about.
A variety of non-credit classes in all facets of computers are available. Students can develop skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and other software packages, as well as the internet, programming and web page development.
The English as a Second Language Institute at Westchester Community College offers courses at all levels of instruction to help you develop stronger English skills in listening, speaking, grammar, reading and writing. The Institute can get you started on the way to improved English skills for your work or to prepare you to participate in college-level course work.