Radiography Admissions Requirements

The Radiography Program understands and accepts the concept of the open-door policy for general admission to Randolph Community College. Admission to the college does not, however, guarantee admission to the Radiography Program. Admission to the Radiography Program is competitive. If you have questions about the admissions process for the Radiography Program, please call the Admissions Office at (336) 633-0224.

In addition to the Randolph Community College requirements for admission, the following are minimum requirements for admission to the Radiography Program in fall 2009:

PHASE I (Completed by January 15)

1. Complete general admission requirements of Randolph Community College including placement testing.

A. Complete an RCC application.

B. Complete an Radiography Program Application of Intent.

C. Provide official copies of high school transcript and/or GED test scores and all college transcripts.

D. Take placement tests. Call 336-633-0224 to schedule. SAT/ACT scores may be used to fulfill general

admission requirements. Students who do not meet the cut scores on placement test(s) must

complete and pass Developmental Studies courses with a grade of “C” or better.

E. Meet with Financial Aid Office if necessary.

2. Evidence of “C” or greater in the following:

• High School biology, or college-level general biology, or SCI 095.

• High school chemistry, or college-level chemistry, or SCI 095.

• High school algebra, college algebra, has met the placement test cut score for MAT 070 or has successfully completed MAT 070.

3. A 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the most recent transcript, college or high school.

A 2.5 GPA must be maintained throughout the admissions process.

PHASE II (Completed by March 15)

1. Attend mandatory information session (will be notified by mail of date and time). Students will receive an invitation to the information session and must attend before taking the Psychological Services Bureau test (PSB).

2. Take the Psychological Services Bureau test. Students will be assessed a charge to take the PSB. Students must meet the minimum cut score, however, the higher the score the more points the student will receive in the ranking process for competitive admissions.

Students will be notified by certified mail of acceptance into the Radiography Program by April 1 for fall enrollment. Students must respond in writing within seven calendar days to accept placement in the program. If a student declines or does not respond by the deadline, another student will be offered placement. Only twenty students will be admitted.

PHASE III (Completed by June 15 of each applying year)

1. Complete an eight-hour observation experience in Radiography. This will be set up through the Health Occupations Department at Randolph Community College. Students will receive instructions about this process by letter.

2. Current CPR certification for adults and children.

3. Complete student medical information form (including current immunizations and negative TB test).

PHASE IV (Completed in August)

1. Attend New Radiography Student Orientation. Students will be notified of date and time.

2. Attend the College Orientation/Registration session (new students only) during regular registration.

3. Student will complete registration cards during Radiography Orientation.

4. Pay tuition. Purchase liability insurance. Liability insurance is purchased at the time fees are paid each fall while enrolled in the Radiography program.

5. Purchase textbooks, uniforms and other supplies.

NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSIONS/INFORMATION SESSION

When Phase I of the admissions process has been successfully completed, applicants will be notified by letter to attend a required information session. The purpose of the information session is to answer questions about the program and for representatives from the Radiography program to share important information. Students who do not attend will not be admitted into the program.

The Admissions Office will begin making early offers of admission to a selected number of highly qualified applicants in March. Applications for fall admission into the program will not be accepted after January 15.

Applicants who are not admitted may reapply before the January 15 deadline of the next year. Twenty students will be accepted into the program each fall.

READMISSIONS

Readmission is limited to one time only and only in the fall semester.

To initiate the readmission process, the student must submit a written request for readmission to the College. This written request must be sent to the vice president for student services by January 15 for readmission the following fall semester. The circumstances for leaving the program must be clearly documented and include a compelling reason why readmission should be granted. Requests for readmission must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Committee of the College. A plan for success, including certain requirements and/or restrictions, may be imposed on the student as a condition of readmission.

Students requesting readmission will be required to take the PSB test and meet the minimum score for admission into the program. Contingent upon meeting this requirement and approval from the Admissions Committee, the student will be granted admission into the fall class. Any previous Radiography classes completed with a “C” or better must be audited by the student at their expense. The student is expected to fulfill all attendance requirements. Classroom activities and assignments for the class are to be completed as assigned but no grade will be awarded. This will ensure the student benefits from the class audit and successful completion of the program. Students will also complete testing, without a grade, to be used for study purposes. In order to progress to the next course level, the student must complete competency testing with a score of 77% or greater at the end of each semester. All clinical competencies completed during an earlier admission are invalid. The student will receive notification from the College regarding their readmission by April 1. The student will be required to attend the fall Radiography orientation prior to the start of classes.

PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH

It is required that there be evidence that the physical and emotional health of the student be such that he/she can be expected to provide safe care to the public.

Evaluation of health will continue throughout the program. An applicant or student who presents problems in physical or emotional health which have not responded to appropriate treatment within a reasonable time may be denied admission or asked to withdraw. The student is denied admission or asked to withdraw to protect his/her own health and that of clients to whom he/she is assigned.

Guidelines for Evaluation of Physical Health

Physical health is defined as being free of disabling or contagious disease, being able to perform fine and gross motor skills, and being able to perform normal weight-bearing activities.

Assessment of physical health is based on a completed physical/health form, a medical examination, and observations by Radiography faculty. A physical examination performed no more than one year prior to the prospective date of entry into the program is required. The Admissions Office will provide each applicant with a copy of the physical examination form. A licensed physician, a registered physician’s assistant, or a certified nurse practitioner may perform this examination.

Completion of the health form for the state of North Carolina is required.

If a physical health problem threatens to prevent or prevents satisfactory classroom or clinical performance, the student is referred to an appropriate professional. The recommendation of the professional is utilized to advise the student regarding admission or continued enrollment. Applicants or students may be denied admission or continued enrollment until the identified problem is satisfactorily corrected.

Guidelines for Evaluation of Emotional Health

Emotional health is defined as reacting appropriately to stressful situations, coping with everyday stress effectively, using healthy coping mechanisms, and understanding one’s own ability to cope with stressful situations.

Assessment of emotional health is based on physician information provided through the completed health history form, observations by nurse faculty, and evaluation by a qualified mental health professional when previous or current emotional health problems have been identified.

If an emotional health problem threatens to prevent or prevents satisfactory classroom or clinical performance, the applicant or student is referred to an appropriate professional. The recommendation of the professional will be utilized to advise the applicant or student regarding admission or continued enrollment.

Applicants or students may be denied admission or continued enrollment until the identified problem is satisfactorily corrected.

NUMERICAL RANKING SYSTEM

The numerical ranking system was implemented as an objective means for evaluating Radiography applicants. Applicants will be ranked based upon points earned. Students with the highest number of points will be selected for admission into the Radiography program.

When two or more students have the identical point count total, the highest score on the natural sciences part IV of the PSB will be the deciding factor. If additional distinctions need to be made due to identical scores, the highest score on the math skills portion of the PSB will be the next deciding factor. Should additional distinctions need to be made due to identical scores, reading comprehension scores will be the third deciding factor. Randolph County residency will be the final deciding factor.

PSB: Students must achieve the minimum score, or above, when tested in essential math skillsand reading comprehension. Students must also meet the minimum composite score.Failure on any one section will result in not meeting this requirement. The test scores are good for three years. Students may test twice in a one-year period. Students must meet atotal percentile score of 30 or better.

GPA: A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

GENERAL COLLEGE COURSES: Points will be awarded in the ranking process for a grade of “C” or better in BIO 163 or BIO 168 and BIO 169 as well as ENG 111 and PSY 150.

ADDITIONAL DEGREES: Points will be awarded in the ranking process for diplomas or degrees in science, health are or related fields with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Points will also be awarded for active certifications in the healthcare profession. Contact the Admissions Office for additional information at (336) 633-0224