Admissions

 

GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

The Admissions Office, located on the first floor of Weltner Hall, can be reached by telephone at (229) 386-3230 and by mail at ABAC 4, 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, Georgia 31793-2601. The toll free number is 1-800-733-3653. Information may also be obtained by visiting our web site at http://www.abac.edu.

 

The Office of Admissions at ABAC is responsible for providing information to prospective students, evaluating their applications, and notifying them of their admission status.

 

The Director of Admissions makes a final decision on applications. This decision may be appealed by the applicant under provisions set forth by the College and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

 

Applicants for admission should submit the necessary forms and fees, and other information no later than twenty days prior to the registration date for the semester they expect to enroll. An application form may be found in the back of this catalog. The calendar at the front of this catalog provides the registration dates for each semester.

 

The applications and records submitted to the College become the property of the College and will not be returned to the applicant or sent to another institution. The records of applicants who do not actually enroll within twelve months after completing an application will be destroyed, and a new application and fee will be required.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (More detailed requirements are listed below).

 

All New Applicants

 

All applicants applying for admission must submit the following documentation:

 

           Undergraduate Admission Application

           A $20.00 non-refundable Application Fee (subject to change) or $25.00 fee for internet processing

           Certification of Immunization (All applicants must submit a medical form verifying immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. This information will not affect the student’s status at the College and will be held in strict confidence by the staff of the Health Center. The form is in the back of the catalog).

 

Freshmen Applying for Pre-Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Programs (AA, AS)

 

Applicants applying for freshman admission must submit the following additional documentation:

 

           Official High School Transcript from an accredited high school

 

           SAT I or ACT Scores

 

           Official GED Scores, if applicable

 

Transfer Students from Another Institution

 

Applicants applying for transfer admission must submit the following additional documentation:

 

           Official transcripts from each institution attended

           Students who are applying for Pre-baccalaureate/Transfer Programs with fewer than 30 transferable semester hours (45 quarter hours) must also meet Freshmen admission requirements.

 

Career Programs

(Associate of Applied Science Degrees)

 

Applicants applying for admission to career programs must submit the following additional documentation:

 

1)         Official High School Transcript

2)         SAT I or ACT Students must have a Freshmen Index (FI) of 1540* including SAT I Verbal score of 330 (ACT 12) and SAT I Math score of 310 (ACT 14).

3)         Applicants are not held to College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) course work requirements

4)         Students admitted to career degree programs who score below 430V SAT (17 ACT) and/or 400M SAT (17 ACT) must take the University System of Georgia’s College Placement Examination (CPE) in Reading, English, and Mathematics or the comparable three sections of COMPASS administered by a University System institution.

5)         Separate program-specific applications are required for the Nursing program. (For additional information students must contact the Division of Nursing at 229-386-3262). Admission to the college does not guarantee formal admission to the Nursing program.

6)         Students who have earned an AAS may apply for admission to a program leading to the baccalaureate degree. These students will be required to meet the regular freshman requirements and will not be held to CPC requirements.

 

SAT I applications and testing information may be obtained from the College Examination Board (Box 592, Princeton, New Jersey 08540). ABAC uses re-centered SAT scores. An Institutional Scholastic Aptitude Test (ISAT) is given by the office of Student Development at ABAC each term. ISAT scores can be used only for admission to ABAC. ACT testing materials may be obtained from the American College Testing Program (3355 Lenox Road, N.E., Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 33026-1332).

 

*Freshmen Index=For SAT Testing: Combined SAT I Verbal and Math scores plus (High School (college-calculated) Grade Point Average x 500). For ACT Testing: (college-calculated GPA x 500) + (ACT composite x 42) + 88. For both ACT & SAT indexing, the high school grade point average is calculated on College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) course work required for admission.

 

Exceptions to the SAT and ACT requirements are discussed in the Special Admissions section.

 

The current Board of Regents policy states grades and courses are to be accepted from accredited high schools which meet the standards of a regional accrediting association (i.e., Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC), The Accrediting Commission of Independent Study (ACIS), Georgia Private School Accrediting Commission (GAPSAC), or a public school regulated by a public school system and State Department of Education).

 

Transient

 

Applicants applying for transient admission must submit the following additional documentation:

 

           Transient Form or Letter of Good Standing

           The Transient Form/Letter of Good Standing must indicate permission to take specific courses at ABAC.

           Transient students are admitted for one semester. If they wish to remain at ABAC longer than one semester they must submit a new Letter of Good Standing from their Dean or Registrar, or must meet all admission requirements for transfer admission. A transient student can enroll for no more than three consecutive terms.

 

DETAILED ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR PRE-BACCALAUREATE /TRANSFER PROGRAMS

 

Regular Admission (Summer/Fall 2002)

 

           SAT verbal score of 330 or ACT English score of 12 and

           SAT math score of 310 or ACT Math score of 14

           16 CPC Units

           (1830 FI)

            (A FI of 1640 would permit provisional admission with fewer than 16 CPC units.)

 

In addition to meeting the above admission criteria, applicants graduating from high school within the past five years must meet the requirements of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) of the Board of Regents.

 

Note: Applicants will be given the COMPASS if the verbal SAT score is less than 430 (ACT English 17) or the math SAT score is less than 400 (ACT Math 17). See details on page 148.

 

College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) Requirements

 

CPC Area (Units)

Institutional Emphasis/Courses

English (4)

Grammar and usage

Literature (American, English, World)

Advanced Composition

 

 

Mathematics (4)

Two courses in Algebra and one in Geometry

Advanced Mathematics

 

 

Science (3)

At least one laboratory course from the life sciences and one laboratory course from the physical sciences

 

 

Social Science (3)

One course focusing on United States studies, one course focusing on world studies, and one course from any Social Science area. (Public school students in Georgia must also complete one-half Carnegie unit each in Political Science/Government and in Economics).

 

 

Foreign Language (2)

Two courses in the same foreign language emphasizing speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

 

Satisfying College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) Deficiencies

 

Students who are CPC deficient must satisfy the required course work according to established guidelines listed below or may eliminate the CPC deficiencies by presenting the stipulated passing scores on the SAT II (subject exam).

 

A student must satisfy all CPC deficiencies prior to earning 30 semester hours (45-quarter hours). In the areas of social science, science, and foreign language, the student is required to complete the appropriate courses with a “C” grade or better. Students receive credit for courses used to satisfy College Preparatory Curriculum deficiencies, but such credit may not be used to satisfy core curriculum or degree requirements.

 

English - Students who complete fewer than the four required units of English will be required to take the COMPASS in English, and Reading. Based on the student’s score, the student would (1) exempt Learning Support English and/or Reading or (2) be placed in Learning Support English and/or Reading.

 

Mathematics - Students who complete fewer than the four required units of mathematics will be required to take the COMPASS in mathematics. Based on the student’s score, the student would (1) exempt Learning Support Mathematics or (2) be placed in Learning Support Mathematics.

 

Science - Students who complete fewer than the three required units of science will be required to complete additional course work in a laboratory science. The course(s) must be in the specific content area(s) in which the student is deficient.

 

Social Science - Students who complete fewer than three acceptable units of social science will be required to complete additional course work chosen from approved social science courses. The course(s) must be in the specific content area(s) in which the student is deficient.

 

Foreign Language - Students who complete fewer than two units of the same foreign language will be required to complete one additional three-semester hour introductory foreign language course.

 

Applicants who graduate from non-accredited or unapproved high schools, including home schooled students and GED recipients, may satisfy CPC requirements by passing the SAT II Subject Tests. Applicants who pass the Basic Group plus two additional SAT II Subject Test will be eligible for admission to ABAC if all freshmen admission requirements are met. The SAT II Subject Tests are administered through the College Board. An alternative to the SAT II Subject Tests would be the submission of a portfolio of work demonstrating coverage of the CPC subjects. The student’s portfolio will be assessed to determine whether or not the applicant has completed the equivalent of each area of the CPC. To determine eligibility for admission, the student’s SAT Score must be at or above the previous year’s fall semester SAT average score of the first-time freshman admitted to the institution.

 

 

(Basic Group)

Passing Minimum Score

English Writing

520

 

 

Math IC

500

 

 

Math IIC

570

 

 

American History and Social Studies

 560

 

 

Biology

520

 

 

Additional SAT II Subject Tests

 

 

 

Chemistry

540

 

 

Physics

590

 

 

English Literature

530

 

 

Foreign Language

To be determined

 

 

World History

540

 

 

Exceptions to the CPC Requirements

 

In order to make the University System more accessible to citizens who are not of college-going age and to encourage life-long learning, the University System of Georgia does not require CPC units for non-traditional students. All students must, however, be screened for placement in Learning Support courses using the CPE/COMPASS as administered in a University System of Georgia institution and must meet University System criteria for exemption or exit from Learning Support reading, English, and mathematics.

 

Limited Admission (Summer/Fall 2002)

 

           SAT verbal score of 330 or ACT score of 12 and

           SAT math score of 310 or ACT score of 14 and

           (1640 FI)

 

An applicant will be given the COMPASS if the verbal SAT score is less than 430 (ACT English 17) or the math SAT score is less than 400 (ACT Math 17). This examination must be taken before a student can register for classes at ABAC.

 

Students will be required to enroll in Learning Support courses if their placement test scores fall below either the University System of Georgia minimum or the institutional minimum. They may exit Learning Support by earning passing scores on all required parts of the COMPASS. (If any required part of the COMPASS is not passed, the student will be required to enroll in the appropriate Learning Support course. Upon successful completion of all required Learning Support courses and passing the COMPASS, the student will exit the Learning Support areas (English, Reading, and Math).

 

Under the semester system, students are limited to a total of three attempts in each Learning Support area, including both required and voluntary participation. Students who do not complete the requirements for each area after a maximum of three attempts per area are subject to Learning Support Suspension. Contact the Learning Support Office for copies of the department’s policy.

 

DETAILED ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR CAREER ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

 

Associate of Applied Science

 

Students wishing to enroll in career degree programs (AAS) must meet the following admission requirements:

 

Must have graduated from an accredited high school and must have a Freshman Index (FI) of 1540, in addition to the minimum SAT I Verbal 330 and SAT I Math 310. Applicants are not held to CPC requirements.

 

For placement purposes, students must take the College Placement Exam (CPE/COMPASS) at a University System of Georgia institution. The CPC/COMPASS scores will be used to place the student in Learning Support courses or in regular freshmen courses. (Students scoring 430 Verbal/ACT English 17 or higher and 400 Math on the SAT/ACT 17 or higher are exempt from CPE/COMPASS testing).

 

Students who are eligible for admission to ABAC programs leading to baccalaureate degrees without screening for Learning Support are exempt from taking the CPE or COMPASS.

 

Certificate Programs

 

Students seeking admission to certificate programs with more than 19 hours of coursework must meet the same admissions requirements as stated above.

 

Students seeking admission to certificate programs in the Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources (Soil Resources Technician, Landscape Maintenance Technician, Turfgrass Equipment Technician, Agricultural Machinery Technician, Horse Operation Management, General Animal Industry Management, Precision Agriculture Technician. Pesticide Application Technician, General Family & Consumer Sciences, Children & Family Services and Interior Design) must meet the following admissions requirements:

 

           Graduate from an accredited high school with a minimum GPA of 1.8

           GED (if applicable)

 

Students admitted in a certificate category may apply for admission to programs leading to an associate degree or associate of applied science degree if they meet regular or Limited Admission requirements or if they show exceptional promise and are admitted as a Presidential Exception.  Students admitted in this category must fulfill all Learning Support and College Preparatory Curriculum requirements.

 

SPECIAL ADMISSION CATEGORIES

 

Admission Of Transfer Students

 

All of the regulations applicable to students seeking admission as beginning freshmen are applicable to transfer students subject to the following interpretations:

 

            A transfer student is one who has terminated enrollment at one institution and seeks admission to another. Students may not disregard their records at other institutions. Failure to report previous college attendance is considered to be sufficient cause for expulsion from this college and cancellation of any credits earned.

 

            A transfer applicant must arrange for official transcripts of all previous college work to be sent to the Office of Admissions, which will determine the applicant’s qualifications for admission on the basis of these transcripts. Transfer students are normally acceptable for admission if they are eligible to continue at or to return to their sending institution.

 

            An applicant, pursuing a pre-baccalaureate/transfer degree, who is transferring from an institution or program that did not require the College Preparatory Curriculum shall submit a transcript of secondary school credits unless the applicant has

 

           an associate degree

           has completed 30 semester credit hours of accepted transfer core curriculum credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA and has completed Learning Support and CPC deficiency requirements.

 

Applicants with more than 30 transferable semester hours must meet all of the prevailing Learning Support requirements (i.e., Learning Support and CPC deficiency make-up courses) applicable to freshmen at the sending institutions which are also applicable at ABAC prior to being granted admission at ABAC for freshman admissions.

 

Students with fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours must meet the freshman admission requirements. While deficiencies in science, social science, and foreign language should be satisfied during the student’s first semester of enrollment, students transferring from programs not requiring the College Preparatory Curriculum must satisfy these deficiencies before earning 20 hours of college level credit.

 

Transfer students admitted as Limited Admissions students (including Presidential Exceptions) who have CPC deficiencies documented from another University System institution shall be required to satisfy those deficiencies by specific content area in the same manner as Limited Admission students in the Limited Admissions area.

 

Students who have earned a career associate degree may apply for admission to a program leading to the baccalaureate degree. These students are required to meet the regular freshman admission requirements. They will not be held to CPC requirements. Students who have not completed a career degree or certificate may apply for admission to a program leading to the baccalaureate degree if they meet regular or limited admission requirements.

 

Readmission

 

 Any student who has not attended ABAC for one calendar year must apply for readmission through the Registrar’s Office. In addition, the student must furnish an official transcript from any institution attended since their last enrollment at ABAC. Former ABAC students who have been enrolled at ABAC within one calendar year and have not attended any other college since last attending ABAC may enroll, if eligible, without submitting an application for readmission.

 

 Former students who have attended another institution since their enrollment at ABAC must furnish official transcripts from each institution attended since last attending ABAC, and must meet transfer admission requirements as listed in the catalog in effect at the time of return. Students requesting readmission due to Learning Support dismissal should refer to page 148 for additional information.

 

Non-Traditional Admissions

 

Non-traditional students are defined as individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

 

1.         Have been out of high school at least five years or whose high school class graduated at least five years ago.

2.         Hold a high school diploma from an accredited high school or have satisfactorily completed the GED.

3.         Have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours.

4.         Have not attended college within the past five years (or are in good standing at the last college attended if admitted to that college as a non-traditional student).

 

Non-traditional students (as outlined above), may, upon request, be exempted from the requirement to take the SAT or ACT. Students requesting this exception will, however, be required to take the CPE/COMPASS and may, based on its results, be placed in Learning Support courses prior to regular freshman courses.

 

Admission of Transient Students

 

Transient admission is defined as admission for a limited period of time for a student who is regularly enrolled in another institution and who expects to return to that institution.

 

An applicant for transient admission must supply the Office of Admissions with a statement from the dean or registrar of the institution in which the student is regularly enrolled which clearly sets forth the student’s current status and recommends the student’s acceptance and the requested course(s) to be completed at ABAC. Transient students must provide a letter of good standing each term of enrollment. Students may enroll as transients a maximum of 3 consecutive semesters; students desiring to continue at ABAC for more than 3 consecutive semesters must apply for admission as transfer students and comply with the regulations stated.

 

Admission of Students with Outstanding Scores

 

Although successful completion of designated high school course work is necessary for student success in college, those few students who score at the upper five percent of all students nationally on the SAT I have demonstrated potential for success in college and may be considered for admission.

 

Students who demonstrate very high academic ability by achieving SAT I-Composite (Verbal + Math) score in the upper five percent (for 1997-98, the 95th percentile was 1360 SAT/31 ACT) of national college-bound seniors according to the most recent report from the College Board and who show other evidence of college readiness may be admitted under this section. (An ACT score which is equivalent to this SAT I score may also be used.) Institutions must carefully evaluate such students to determine their ability to benefit from college course work. Students must satisfy any CPC deficiencies in areas other than English or mathematics.

 

Joint Enrollment/Early Admission of High School Students/Postsecondary Options

 

The University System of Georgia recognizes the need to provide academically talented high school students with opportunities for acceleration of their formal academic programs. This recognition has led to the development of two organized programs: (1) a joint enrollment program in which the student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school as a junior or senior, enrolls in courses for college credit; and (2) an early admission program in which the student enrolls as a full-time college student following completion of the junior year in high school. Public high school students, classified as juniors or seniors, who are at least 16 years of age and who meet the eligibility criteria may choose to participate in the Post Secondary Options program which pays for tuition during the academic school year (excluding summer terms). The minimum admission standards for both the joint enrollment and early admission programs have been developed to allow certain advanced students to receive both high school and college credit for some courses.

 

Admission Standards

 

1.         Minimum SAT score of 970, combined Verbal and Mathematics sections, or an ACT composited score of 21;

2.         Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 in academic subjects;

3.         Exemption of LS requirements for early admission;

4.         Written recommendation from the high school principal or counselor;

5.         Written consent of parent or guardian (if the student is a minor);

6.         Completion of the University System of Georgia CPC requirements with the following exceptions:

 

(a)        Students with SAT I Verbal scores of at least 530 (or ACT English scores of at least 24) who have not completed the final unit of high school English and/or social studies may be permitted to fulfill these high school requirements with the appropriate college courses taken through the joint enrollment or early admissions program.

(b)        Students who have not completed the CPC requirements may be admitted through the joint enrollment program if they are enrolled in the necessary high school courses and are scheduled to complete the requirements by the end of their senior year. With the exception of English and social studies courses taken by students with SAT I Verbal scores of at least 530 (or ACT English scores of at least 24), a college course may not be used to fulfill both the16 high school CPC requirements and college degree requirements.

(c)        Students who do not necessarily meet all of the above criteria but who demonstrate very high academic abilities through their SAT performance may be permitted to enroll in college courses at the discretion of the institution. Institutions may set additional requirements but may permit students with scores of at least:

 

           700 on the SAT I Mathematics test to enroll in college courses that require advanced mathematical ability;

           700 of the SAT I Verbal test to enroll in college courses that require advanced verbal ability; and

           In addition, students with extremely high combined SAT I scores may be  admitted through the provision for Outstanding Students as described above.

 

International Students

 

ABAC welcomes the enrollment of international students in any area of study that it provides. The applicant must submit an official English translation with his or her secondary school transcripts. The applicant should be among the upper level in academic achievement with high grades in school subjects and in examinations given by the Ministry of Education or similar agency where national examinations are available.

 

In addition to meeting all of the regular admission requirements, prospective international students whose native tongue is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Test scores will be used in placement of students and a minimum score of 523 is required. The applicant must show financial independence or sponsorship.

 

The out-of-state fee requirement listed in the catalog shall apply to all international students except those accepted under the special provisions of the Board of Regents. International students must show that they will be adequately covered by health and accident insurance and must obtain a social security number during the first semester of enrollment.

 

Auditors

 

Persons wishing to attend regular college classes without credit may apply for admission as auditors. An application may be obtained from the Admissions Office. Applicants must provide proof of high school diploma or GED. Fees are the same as for credit students.

 

Non-Degree Students

 

Students with prior college degrees (pre-baccalaureate or higher) who are not degree seeking students may be classified as non-degree.

 

1.         Students who have earned the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution will be allowed to take courses with no limitation on the number of hours of undergraduate credit.

2.         Students who hold an associate degree or less may enroll as non-degree students for a maximum of 10 semester credit hours (including institutional credit). Students may not enroll in any course for which there is a Learning Support prerequisite unless they have been screened for and have exempted the relevant Learning Support course(s).

 

Amendment 23 (Persons 62 years of Age & Older)

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Constitution, the University System established the following rules with respect to enrollment of persons 62 years of age or older in units of the University System. To be eligible for enrollment under this provision such persons:

 

1.         Must be residents of Georgia, 62 years of age or older at the time of registration, and shall present a birth certificate or other comparable written documentation of age to enable the institution to determine eligibility.

2.         May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses offered for resident credit on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

3.         Shall meet all System and institution undergraduate or graduate admission requirements; however, institutions may exercise discretion in exceptional cases where circumstances indicate that certain requirements such as high school graduation and minimum test scores are inappropriate. In those instances involving discretionary admission, institutions will provide diagnostic methods to determine whether or not participation in Learning Support will be required prior to enrollment in regular credit courses. Reasonable prerequisites may be required in certain courses.

4.         Shall have all usual student and institutional records maintained; however, institutions will not report such students for budgetary purposes.

5.         Must meet all System, institution, and legislated degree requirements, if they are degree-seeking students.

 

LEARNING SUPPORT

 

A beginning freshman whose placement tests and SAT or ACT scores reveal weaknesses in basic academic skills will be accepted into the Program of Learning Support. On the basis of placement testing, he/she may be placed in learning support courses, in regular college-level courses, or in a combination of the two. Credit earned in learning support courses is not transferable.

 

Complete information pertaining to the Program of Learning Support will be found in the “Academics” section of this catalog.

 

ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

 

In addition to the general Admissions Policies described in the catalog, each unit of the University System may increase the requirements, entry levels, and/or testing procedures for programs at the undergraduate or graduate levels, provided they are in agreement with University System of Georgia Polices and are published in official college publications. As part of its Admissions Policies, each unit of the System may also develop such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to protect the health and safety for its students, faculty and staff.

 

Each unit of the University System reserves the right to refuse admission to a non-resident of Georgia, to an applicant whose admission would cause the institution to exceed its maximum capacity, to an applicant whose request for admission is only to a program that is already filled, to an applicant whose transcript(s) are from an unaccredited institution or who is otherwise ineligible for admission.