Admissions

Garrett Application for Admission
If you need assistance with the application, email the Admissions Office.

Admissions Application (PDF format)
Print file, fill out the application and return to the admissions office by mail.

Word Document format
(This is a Microsoft Word document.  Please fill out the application, save to your hard drive and email it back as an attachment to Admissions Office.

Placement Indicator Schedule
Download Admissions Fact Sheets

1. Please have the high school guidance office of the school attended send a TRANSCRIPT record of high school courses and grades directly to the College.  If a high school equivalence diploma is held, please submit an official record of the SCORES.

2. Prior to registration at Garrett College, students are given placement indicators in reading, writing, and mathematics.  Students identified by placement indicator as needing additional preparation for college-level courses will be required to take the prescribed pre-college level courses. Some of these courses may be taken concurrently with an academic program.  Students will be assisted by an advisor in making this determination.

3. ACT and SAT scores, if available, should be sent to the College.  They are not used as an admission requirement. The College's ACT number is 1695.  The SAT number is 5279.  ACT and SAT testing centers and dates of tests are available from the College or from the high school guidance offices.

4. Students who have achieved an ACT verbal score of 21 and/or an ACT math score of 21 will be exempt from portions of those Garrett placement indicators.  Similarly, students who have taken SAT tests and have earned a verbal score of 550 and/or a math score of 550 will be exempt from Garrett placement indicators in those areas, but all students must provide a writing sample to ensure appropriate enrollment in college writing courses.  These students will be permitted to enroll in College-level composition and/or math course(s).

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STUDENT CLASSIFICATION
A full-time student is one who registers for 12 or more credit hours.  A part-time student may not register for more than 11 credit hours.  During summer sessions, six credit hours are considered a full-time student load.  Students wishing to enroll for more than 6/7 credit hours in one summer session must receive special permission from the Dean of Academic Affairs.

All new students (full-time/part-time, degree/non-degree) are required to complete an admissions application and submit the application to the Admissions Office.

Full-time Degree Seeking Student
This classification is for the student who intends to seek a degree or certificate on a full-time basis and declares a program of study upon admission to the College.

Part-time Degree/Certificate Seeking Student
This classification is for the student who intends to seek a degree or certificate on a part-time basis. The student seeking a degree must declare a program of study on or before the completion of 30 semester hours.  A student seeking a certificate must declare a program of study on or before the completion of 15 semester hours.

Special Student
The Special Student classification pertains to a student who does not intend to declare a program of study leading to a certificate or degree.

Dual Enrollment Students
High school students may be admitted to specific college courses and earn both high school and college credit upon satisfactory completion of the course(s).  Dual enrollment courses are usually offered via distance learning.  Students must evidence readiness for these courses through completion of the college placement indicators. Dual enrolled high school students are held to the rules, regulations, and standards of the college regardless of their physical location at the time the course is offered.

Class Status
Freshman: A student entering a degree program having completed less than 28 credit hours of college level studies (1-27 credit hours).

Sophomore: A student entering a degree program having 28 or more credit hours of college level studies.

NOTE: A full-time or part-time student seeking a degree is automatically placed in a General Studies program if no other program of study is indicated at the time of admission and/or registration.

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IF YOU DESIRE CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Garrett College allows students to earn credit by examination through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).  Interested students may contact the Office of The Dean of Academic Affairs for additional information.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDIT
Students who complete Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school with the allowable minimum score will receive college credit for the course(s) when certified documentation is presented to Garrett.

MILITARY CREDIT
Course equivalency credit may be granted for certain military experiences as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE).  Courses appropriate to Garrett's curriculum and applicable to the student's major program of study will be accepted. These include credits taken in required general education courses, program major courses, and electives as allowed within the major.  A maximum of 40 military credits will be accepted at Garrett.  The Dean of Academic Affairs may be contacted for additional information.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
Students who have gained college-level learning through work experience or other non-collegiate activities may try to acquire Garrett credits for these experiences by developing a portfolio.  A maximum of 30 hours of credit applicable to a degree may be acquired through examination, portfolio, or a combination of both.  The Assistant to The Dean of Academic Affairs may be contacted for additional information (301-387-3102).  Students in certificate programs may acquire no more than 50% of the credits required in the certificate through these means.

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STUDENT RESIDENCY
At the time of admission to or initial enrollment in any credit course at Garrett College, each student will sign a statement affirming domicile and the factual basis for the claim of a domicile. For purposes of enrollment and tuition status, a student is a Maryland or Garrett County resident if the student maintains a legal domicile there and has done so for at least three months prior to enrollment.

Residency status is also declared by affidavit from each student at each semester's registration with the College.  At the time of each subsequent enrollment, the student will indicate whether his or her domicile is the same as or different from that affirmed at the initial enrollment.

"Domicile" is considered a person's permanent place of abode, where physical presence and possessions are maintained and where one intends to remain indefinitely.  

The key determinant in establishing one's domicile and, hence, one's residency is financial support. Each student is either financially dependent or independent.  A dependent student is one who received more than one-half of his or her financial support from others in the most recently completed calendar year.  The dependent student's domicile is the residence of the person contributing the greatest portion of the support, without regard to whether the parties are related by blood or marriage.

An independent student is one who has provided more than one-half of his or her financial support in the most recently completed calendar year.  The independent student's legal residence is his or her domicile.

To establish in-county or in-state residency or eligibility for West Virginia reciprocity, each student must provide factual documentation.

Documentation has two levels.  Each level specifies criteria for sufficient proof.  All documentation provided must reflect a period of not less than three months prior to the date of enrollment.

Level 1:

• Valid Drivers license
• Registration of a motor vehicle
• State Income Tax Report
• Ownership of legal/primary living quarters

Level 2:

• Proof of ownership
• Rental or lease of legal/primary living quarters
• Voter registration in State & County
• Other

Registration without documentation: Students who lack the required documentation may be permitted at the discretion of the Director of Records and Registration to register. However, in such cases all residency issues must be resolved each semester no later than the last day to add classes. If the student fails to provide the documentation by the deadline, the student may be withdrawn from classes.

APPEAL PROCEDURE
If a student disagrees with the residency assignment, the student has a right to appeal the decision made by the Director of Records and Registration.  

Appeal procedures are as follows:
A. The student must notify the Dean of Administration in writing within three working days of the student's registration expressing the desire to appeal the decision.  The student must state the reasons for said appeal.

C. The Dean of Administration will determine the student's domicile status based upon the evidence provided and inform the student of that decision.  The Dean of Administration will give written notification to the Director of Records and Registration.

D. A subsequent appeal by the student may be made to the President of the College in writing within five working days after the Dean of Administration's written notification is sent to the student.  The written request for an appeal must state the reasons for appeal.  The President may review the determination of the Dean of Administration.  The President will make a determination and send written notification to the student and the Director of Records and Registration of the outcome of the review.

E. Any further appeal may be made by the student through appropriate judicial channels.

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TRANSFERRING TO GARRETT COLLEGE
Students may transfer a maximum of 40 credits into Garrett from post secondary institutions approved by the American Council on Education.  However, not all credits may be applicable to the student's curriculum, and each student must earn at least 24 credits in residence at Garrett. Students who wish to transfer credit hours to Garrett College should have a transcript of previous work forwarded to the Office of Records and Registration prior to enrollment. Appropriate credits are accepted in transfer to Garrett; grades do not transfer.  Students should consult with their advisors to determine which transfer credits are applicable and which requirements must be completed.

Students whose quality grade point average is at the 2.00 level or higher at the sending institution will receive credit for all transferable course work in which a grade of "D" or better was achieved. However, a minimum grade of "C-" must be earned in English Composition I for it to be transferable.

Students whose quality grade point average at the sending institution is below the 2.00 level will receive credit for all transferable course work in which a grade of "C" or better was achieved. Guidelines for the number and kind of transfer credit used to satisfy the major requirements of Career-Occupational Programs are made by the directors of the various programs. All students must complete at least 24 credit hours at Garrett College in order to be eligible for a degree.

Students seeking a certificate must take at least 12 credit hours of their program at Garrett College. Students who have attended another college, but have withdrawn while on academic probation, suspension, or dismissal status from  that  institution,  will  be  subject to the  same procedures as Garrett College students who are in the same academic situation.

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TRANSFERRING FROM GARRETT COLLEGE
Garrett College has a variety of transfer program majors.  Transfer agreements have been developed with many two-year and four-year institutions which specify your course of study while at Garrett.  An advisor will work with you in planning a parallel transfer program to the school of your choice in the appropriate major program of study.

Talk to an advisor about your career goals and the school to which you plan to transfer.  If you do not have any specific four-year school in mind, an advisor can help you to plan a program that will be acceptable at most colleges throughout the country.  If you have not selected a major or four-year school, the advisor can plan a course of study which will permit you to exercise the widest possible latitude in choosing a major and four-year school. Remember that when done properly, transferring is a relatively easy process which does not result in a loss of credit at the time of transfer.  The key to success is working closely with an advisor.

Your academic transcript can be obtained from the Office of Records and Registration. Written authorization from the student is required before any transcript(s) will be released.  This applies to all students; no exceptions please (a release form is available).  The Director of Records and Registration processes transcript requests daily.  Please allow at least a 24 hour advance notice for all requests.  There is no charge for the first copy; subsequent copies are $2.00 each.

Articulation Agreements - Garrett College is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education and The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association.  Credits earned at Garrett College are generally transferable to two-year and four-year colleges and universities throughout the United States.  

Specific articulation agreements have been developed between Garrett College and all four-year colleges and universities in Maryland.

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PROGRAMS OF STUDY
To provide students with educational experiences directed toward specific occupations and careers, Garrett College offers several types of academic programs:

1.Associate in Arts Degrees: Transfer or 4-year College/University Parallel Programs. These programs are designed to parallel the first two years of study at 4-year colleges and universities so that students may transfer to such institutions without loss of time or credit.

2.Associate of Arts in Teaching

3.Associate in Applied Science Degree: Career or Occupational Programs
These programs are designed to provide job entry skills and knowledge in particular fields, such as business, technologies, and paraprofessional support positions. They are particularly geared to the employment needs of the community served by the College.

4.Certificate Programs
These programs are designed to provide job entry skills and knowledge in particular  areas,  such  as Business  Management, Computer Applications, Computer Information Technology, and Human Services.

CHANGING YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY
The date of matriculation in a program of study will be recorded.  If a student changes program majors, he or she will be responsible for completing the major requirements of the program which are in effect at the time of curriculum change.

Students are responsible for adhering to regulations and policies stated in the current College catalog. Although students may be "grandfathered" whenever possible regarding specific program requirements, changes in course prerequisites and policies governing audits, withdrawals, academic standards, etc. apply to all students regardless of date of matriculation.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Garrett College is committed to the principle and practice of Equality of Opportunity and Affirmative Action in employment and education.

A. Admission.  Garrett College provides an easily accessible education for all students who can profit from college-level instruction. All high school graduates are admitted to the College. Students who have not received a high school diploma are admitted on a provisional basis.  No individual is denied admission to Garrett College because of race, religion, social, economic, or political affiliation.  In order to attract women, minorities, and handicapped students to the College, affirmative steps will be taken by the personnel of the Admissions Office.

B. Treatment.  The College will also insure that enrolled students are treated without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, political affiliation, marital status, national origin, age, and physical or mental limitations.  Specifically, this equitable treatment will include the following areas:

1. Access to and participation in course offerings and extracurricular activities, including campus organizations and competitive athletics.

2. Eligibility for financial aid and access to all college services.

3. Use of available facilities.

In addition to Affirmative Action guidelines, Garrett College monitors its policies and procedures as they relate to the following Federal Legislation:

A. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended, prohibits discrimination against students on the basis of sex, including admissions and recruitment of students; denial or differential provision of any aid, benefits, or services in any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training or other education program or activity; financial or other benefits.   

B. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, states:  "No qualified handicapped person will, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives or benefits from Federal financial assistance."

Requests for information about these regulations and questions may be directed to the Office of Affirmative Action, Garrett College, McHenry, Maryland 21541, or to the Director, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C. 20207.

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GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY
Grievance procedures provide a method for identifying and correcting noncompliance with the above Federal legislation which, however inadvertent, may be denying students their rights to equal treatment. They can also assist in the development of a climate and mechanisms for solving problems surrounding compliance with the issue of discrimination.  Any questions which arise with respect to equal treatment can be pursued with the Affirmative Action Office of the College.  This person has specific knowledge about Title IX and Section 504 as well.
The College prefers to encourage an "open door" policy with respect to grievances and expects to be able to correct a noncompliance by this method.  In the event that a violation is determined and a formal hearing is necessary, Garrett College does maintain a formal grievance procedure. Questions may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR HANDICAPPED STUDENTS
The facilities of Garrett College are accessible to all students. Special services are available which enable handicapped students to participate in all college programs.  For more information, write or call the Office of Affirmative Action.

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