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Normandale Community College Policies and Procedures

3.1.1 Admission to the College Procedure

Related MN State Board Policy: 3.4 Undergraduate Admissions

Related MN State Board Procedure: 3.4.1 Undergraduate Admissions

Related MN State Board Policy: 3.5 Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program

Related MN State Board Procedure: 3.5.1 Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program

Purpose: To provide clear, accessible information to students regarding admission requirements to the college as well as the appropriate level of academic preparation necessary for success in specific programs of study.

Part 1: Enrollment Process

Normandale Community College considers all applicants for admission regardless of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, disability, national origin, marital status, status in regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Admission to the college is open to all students meeting the College’s admission requirements.

Subpart A: The process of enrolling at Normandale Community College typically involves four steps:

  1. Submitting a completed online application; 
  2. Receiving an email and/or letter from the Normandale Office of Admissions indicating that the student has been accepted for admission to the College;
  3. Completing or receiving waivers for all required placement tests; and
  4. Participating in New Student Orientation. Most students admitted to Normandale will be required to complete each of these steps in order to enroll in classes. However, these steps may vary based on the applicant's background, academic record, or status.

 

Part 2: General Admission

Any individual who has graduated from an accredited high school or successfully completed a General Education Development (GED) examination is eligible for admission. Admission to the College does not automatically qualify a student for all college-level courses and programs.

General admission includes students who have attended another college (transfer students) before applying to Normandale.

General admission includes both degree seeking and non-degree seeking students.

An application for general admission can be submitted online or using the Normandale application form for general admission.

Transfer students should submit official college transcripts of previous college coursework at the time of application.

Subpart A: Application Deadline

The application deadline for fall and spring semesters is ten business (days) prior to the start of the semester.

Subpart B: Students Whose First Language is Not English

Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation. The placement survey results will determine whether strengthening English language skills through the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program is necessary to maximize student success. The placement survey results will indicate specific EAP course placement

Subpart C: Denied Admission

A student who was suspended from another college or university for academic reasons within the year prior to their application to Normandale will be denied admission.

  1. Notification of the denial of admission will be sent to the student with information about the appeal process.
  2. Supporting documentation must be submitted with the online Admissions Appeal form. 
  3. The Director of Admissions will review and approve or deny letters of appeal
  4. The student will be notified via email of the appeal decision
  5. A student who was suspended or expelled from another college or university for disciplinary reasons will be denied admission.

Subpart D: Financial Holds

Students who have financial holds at another MN State institution may be admitted to Normandale Community College but will not be allowed to enroll in courses until the financial hold has been removed. Normandale staff do not have the ability to remove a financial hold put forth by another MN State institution. It is the student’s responsibility to work with the issuing institution to have the hold removed from their record.

Subpart E: Selective Health Science Programs

The Nursing, and Dental Hygiene programs have established selective admission criteria that reflect the probability of academic and employment success.

  1. A student must apply for admission to the college prior to applying for admission to a health science program.
  2. A separate application is required for admission to each of the health sciences program.
  3. Each program has application deadlines different then the application deadline for general admission to the college.
  4. Each program has specific admissions criteria.
  5. The Health Science Enrollment Manager will review and make admission decisions to the health sciences programs based on the admission criteria for each program.
  6. Students will be notified in writing of the admission decision.

Part 3: International Admission

International students are individuals who are not citizens of the United States and who reside outside the United States, or individuals in the United States on a non-immigrant F-1 student visa.

  1. An international student is defined as a person seeking admission to the college who is not a U.S. citizen or is not a U.S. immigrant.
  2. Permanent residents, refugees, and political asylums are U.S. immigrants and should complete the general admissions process.
  3. International students should apply online for admission and submit the International Student Documentation form with all required documents.     
    1. No admission decision will be made until the application packet is complete.
  4. F-1 students are required to have completed secondary education and need to provide official academic records from the secondary school.
    1. Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by English translations from a certified English translation service.
      1. If the records are not official or original, certified or attested true copies signed by authorized government official, U.S. embassy staff or notary public should be sent. The college may decline use of any documents submitted.
    2. Academic records must demonstrate equivalent grades of “C” or better in a minimum of five academic subjects within a college preparatory tract.
    3. Vocational preparatory courses, English, and theological courses may not be used for this requirement.
  5. Students whose native language is not English must submit one of the following:
    1. A minimum score of 500 on the paper-based Test of the English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    2. A minimum score of 61 on an internet computer-based TOEFL test score
    3. A minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test only
    4. A U.S. college transcript showing recent completion of a composition course with a grade of “C” or higher is also acceptable proof of proficiency.
  6. Applicants must submit a notarized, current, original bank statement showing the required dollar amount in U.S. currency for adequate financial support to cover all educational and living expenses to fund one academic year (tuition and fees, books, housing, food, transportation, medical insurance, and other expenses).
    1. If using a financial sponsor, the financial sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support (I-134) and a notarized, current, original bank statement in U.S. currency.
    2. The bank statement must be in English, certified by a bank official, and not less than two (2) months old at the time of application.
  7. All admitted F-1 students are required to purchase medical insurance through the college.
    1. This may be waived with proof of insurance purchased through an exchange program or government agency.
    2. The college is not responsible for any medical bills incurred by any student
  8. Students already in the U.S. must submit photocopies of
    1. Passport including photo, date valid
    2. Visa
    3. I-94
  9. Students wishing to transfer credit from a university outside of the U.S. must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts by an approved academic credentialing agency.
    1. World Education Services (WES), P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113
    2. Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203
  10. Students maintaining F-1 status who would like to transfer from a U.S. school/college/university must submit an International Transfer Release form and a copy of a current I-20.
  11. Students currently attending a U.S. high school should contact the Office of Admissions to determine documentation needed for English proficiency.

Subpart A: Application Deadlines

  1. The application deadline for new international students from outside the U.S is June 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester.
  2. The application deadline for transfer International students is July 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester.
  3. There is no summer admission for international students.

Part 4: Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program

Minnesota high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with demonstrated academic achievement may enroll in college-level courses at Normandale Community College, while in high school, through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program administered by the MN Department of Education for fall and spring semesters. Sophomores may enroll in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and juniors and seniors may enroll in CTE and general education courses.

Subpart A: PSEO General Education Program

  1. Students applying for admission to the PSEO program should apply online and submit the PSEO Student Documentation Form with all attached documents.
    1. No application fee is required.
    2. No admission decision will be made until the application is complete.
  2. Normandale Community College follows the PSEO admissions guidelines set forth by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Students are admitted based upon class rank or qualifying results from a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test such as Pre-ACT, ACT, PSAT, or SAT.
    1. High school seniors must rank in the top one-half or 50th percentile of graduating class or score 50% or higher on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test.
    2. High school juniors must rank in the top one-third or 66th percentile of graduating class or score 70% or higher on a nationally standardized, norm referenced test.
    3. Students applying from high schools that do not provide rank must have a 3.0 G.P.A. for juniors or a 2.5 G.P.A. for seniors or meet the qualifying percentiles on the nationally standardized, norm-referenced tests.
    4. Homeschooled or students to attend alternative learning program, which does not provide class rank or G.P.A., are eligible for admission based upon the qualifying percentiles on the nationally standardized, norm-referenced tests. Students who have less than one year of experience at an alternative learning program or home school are also required to submit previous high school transcripts.
  3. All application materials must be submitted together and include:
    1. A completed and signed Normandale Community College PSEO Application form.
    2. A current official high school transcript showing class rank/size.
    3. ACT, SAT, Pre-ACT or PSAT scores, if available, to determine class rank.
    4. ACT, SAT or MCA scores, if available, for possible wavier of placement testing
    5. A Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) PSEO Program Notice of Student Registration Form. Parts 1 and 2 of the form must be completed and signed.

  4. Application Deadlines
    The application deadlines for the PSEO program differ from the deadlines for application for general admission.
    1. Fall semester application deadline is June 1.
    2. Spring semester application deadline is December 1.
    3. The PSEO program is not funded during the summer session.
  5. College Readiness
    High school coursework and GPA are the determining factor for a student's eligibility to enroll in college-level courses as a participant in the PSEO program.
    1. Course placement is determined by the high school GPA and the courses completed at the time of application.
    2. Students must indicate college-level placement in reading at a minimum.
  6. Restrictions
    Students participating in the Normandale PSEO program are not eligible:
    1. To enroll in developmental courses (below college-level courses)
    2. To enroll in courses with supplemental fees
    3. To enroll in study abroad courses
    4. For financial aid
  7. Expectations
    PSEO students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college guidelines. All courses must be taken for a letter grade. A “Pass/No Credit option is not permissible.

Subpart B: PSEO Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program

Minnesota high school sophomores, juniors and seniors may enroll at Normandale Community College through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Private and home-schooled students are not eligible for participation.

  1. Students applying for admission to the PSEO-CTE program should apply online and submit the PSEO Student Documentation Form with all attached documents.  
    1. No application fee is required.
    2. No admission decision is forthcoming until the application is complete.
  2. Normandale Community College follows the PSEO admissions guidelines set forth by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
    1. Students enrolled in a public district in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. (Nonpublic and home schooled 10th grade students are not eligible to participate in PSEO, including CTE courses.)
    2. Students in the 10th grade are admitted based upon the results for the 8th Grade MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) reading test or, an Accuplacer reading score of 78 or higher if the student has not taken the MCA reading test.
    3. Students in the 10th grade must also meet other course prerequisites or course enrollment standards established by the college. These standards include but are not limited to assessment test scores, program admission or other requirements.
    4. Students in the 11th and 12th grade must meet other course prerequisites or course enrollment standards established by the college for the career and technical course in which they choose to enroll. These standards include but are not limited to assessment test scores, program admission or other requirements.
  3. Students may enroll in one career and technical education course the first semester, if the participating student earns a grade of “C” or better in the course taken in the first semester, the student may enroll in more than one career and technical course in subsequent semesters.
  4. A student who first enrolls under this provision while in 10th grade and wishes to enroll in general education courses in 11th or 12th grade must complete all three sections (reading, writing and mathematics) of the Accuplacer, attain a reading score of 78 or higher, and attend an Advising and Registration session or participation in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program.
  5. A student who first enrolls under this provision while in the 11th or 12th grade and wishes to enroll in general education courses under PSEO must meet the Normandale Community College PSEO general education admissions guidelines set forth by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
  6. All application materials for the PSEO/CTE program must be submitted together:
    1. A completed and signed online Normandale PSEO application form
    2. MN Department of Education PSEO Program Notice of Student Registration form. Parts 1 and 2 of the form completed and signed.
    3. Evidence of a passing score on the MCA 8th grade test, if not on high school transcript (10th grade applicants only)
    4. A current official high school transcript
    5. ACT, SAT, MCA scores. If available, for possible waiver of placement testing
    6. Official transcripts of previously completed college-level coursework (College in the Schools, Advance Placement, International Baccalaureate, PSEO at another college, etc.)
  7. Application Deadlines
    The application deadlines for the PSEO program differ from the deadlines for application for general admission.
    1. The fall semester application deadline is June 1.
    2. The spring semester application deadline is December 1.
  8. Restrictions
    Students participating in the Normandale PSEO program are not eligible:
    1. To enroll in developmental courses (below college-level courses)
    2. To enroll in courses with supplemental fees of more than &85, except fees associated with digital course materials
    3. To enroll in study abroad courses
    4. For financial aid
  9. Expectations

    PSEO students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college guidelines. All courses must be taken for a letter grade. A “Pass/No Credit option is not permissible.

Part 5: Summer High School Enrollment Program

Summer High School Enrollment (SHEP) is available for those high school students in the 11th and 12th grade levels who may wish to take classes during the summer months. Tuition, fees and books are the student’s responsibility.

  1. All SHEP application materials must be submitted together:
    1. A completed online SHEP Application form. 
    2. A current official high school transcript.
    3. ACT, SAT or MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) scores, if available.
    4. A SHEP Acknowledgement Form signed by a parent or guardian.
    5. Records of Immunizations (alternative or home-schooled students only).
  2. Financial Responsibility

    Tuition, fees, and books are the student’s responsibility. Applicants must submit a form signed by a parent or guardian acknowledging all financial responsibility.

  3. College Readiness
    Students must meet other course prerequisites or course enrollment standards established by the college. These standards include but are not limited to program admission or other requirements. Students may submit MCA, ACT or SAT scores for course placement.
    1. An ACT reading sub score of 21 and above; or an SAT Evidenced Based Reading and Writing score of 480 and above; or an MCA 10th grade reading score of 4 1047 and above, exempts a student from taking the associated placement test in that academic skill area. It also authorizes a student’s placement in the introductory college-level courses in that academic subject.
    2. An ACT English sub score of 18 and above; or an SAT Evidenced Based Reading and Writing score of 480 and above, exempts a student from taking the associated placement test in that academic skill area. It also authorizes a student’s placement in the introductory college-level courses in that academic subject.
    3. An ACT mathematics sub score of 22 and above; an SAT mathematics score of 530 and above; or a MN Comprehensive Assessment 11th grade mathematics score of 1148 and above exempts a student from taking the associated placement test in that academic skill area. It also authorizes a student’s placement in the introductory college-level courses in that academic subject.
  4. Restrictions

    Applicants are accepted to the summer program only and are not considered students in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program nor admitted as general enrollment students at Normandale Community College.

Part 6: Visiting Students

  1. Visiting Students
    Students currently admitted at another college or university and are not a candidate for a degree, diploma, or certificate at Normandale Community College may choose to enroll at Normandale as a visiting student.
    1. Visiting students do not have an admission status to the college.
    2. Visiting students should not apply for admission.
  2. Requirements
    1. Visiting student status is not available to individuals currently on suspension or having a financial hold at another MN State institution.
    2. Visiting students may use financial aid from their home institution (financial aid is not available through Normandale).
    3. The maximum number of enrolled credits at all MN State System Institutions cannot exceed 22 in any semester.
    4. Visiting students must meet any required course prerequisites or placement levels.
    5. Visiting students may need to request manual registration to enroll in developmental courses
    6. Visiting students are not required to attend Advising and Registration.
    7. Visiting students are responsible to verify how the Normandale course(s) transfer to current or future colleges or universities. Course transfer is determined by the receiving institution.

Related Documents: Policy 3.1 Admission to the College

Procedure History:

Date of Adoption: Established prior to 2011

Department / Owner: Admissions, Student Affairs

Date and Subject of Revisions:

01/05/2024: Changes to include online application versus paper only; course placement survey changed from placement testing;

5/1/19: Updated MnSCU to MN State; Updated PSEO Program changes; no deferred admission for ABE students; College Readiness has been updated; updated changes to the Summer High School Enrollment program (SHEP).

Next Review Date: 2027