Student Services
   
   Student Services exists to serve and support the academic purpose of the college and its students through outstanding personalized services.

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF ADMITTANCE
   Polk Community College maintains an "Open-Door" policy and may admit any high school graduate or GED certificate holder.
Students may enter in the fall, spring, or summer sessions. Correspondence concerning Admissions, Student Records or Registration may be addressed to:
     Registrar's Office, Polk Community College
     999 Avenue H NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
  Prior to registering for courses, a student shall have on file in the Registrar's Office a completed admission application, official high school transcript or GED scores, a copy of placement test results, official transcripts of all previous college work, and an affidavit of residence. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Registrar's Office.

GENERAL ADMISSION PROCEDURES for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, College Credit Certificate Programs, and Non-degree Students
   Applications for admission are processed year round. However we recommend that prospective students begin at least six weeks before the start of the semester in which they expect to enroll in order to complete all requirements and be well prepared for course registration.
  • A "New Student Packet" and the application for admission can be obtained by contacting the Registrar's Office in Student Services on either the Winter Haven or Lakeland campus.
  • The completed application and the affidavit of residence, along with a non-refundable $20 application fee, may be submitted in person or mailed to the cashier at: Polk Community College, 999 Avenue H, NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881. Please do not mail cash. Applicants are notified of their application status by mail.
  • Request that official transcripts be sent directly to the Registrar's Office from the high school or State GED office and from all colleges attended. These must be received within three weeks of the application date.
  • First time in college applicants will receive a College Placement Test (CPT) "ticket" at the time the application is submitted. If the application is mailed, a "ticket" will be sent to the student along with a letter of acceptance.
  • Students whose first language is not English must provide documentation of English proficiency. See the International and Visa Student section for more details.
  • Complete placement testing requirements. All new PCC degree-seeking and non-degree students are required to complete a battery of tests in communications and mathematics prior to enrollment. Based on test results, students are "placed" in appropriate level courses in English, reading, and math.
  • Complete Academic Advising. No appointment is
    required. See advising section for hours.
  • Consult Course Schedule Booklet for important
    registration dates.
  Helpful recorded messages:
              Admission Information              297-1001
              Registration Information           297-1090 
              Transcript Request Information 297-1002
For additional information, please call 297-1000 and ask for the appropriate department.


FIRST TIME IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
   Admission may be granted to those who have:

  • Graduated with a Standard Diploma, College-Ready Diploma, or International Baccalaureate Diploma from a secondary school including Florida public, private, and out-of-state schools in accordance with Florida Statute 240.321(5)(b) *see below
  • Earned a High School Development (GED) Diploma through any state Department of Education or the military provided the scores are comparable to Florida GED passing scores and have been administered in the English language.
  • Completed a Home Education Program pursuant to the requirement of Florida Statute 232.02(04). Student must submit the PCC Home School Affidavit signed by a parent or legal guardian

*Applicants who have received a Certificate of Completion or other Special High School Diploma are not eligible for admission. Upon earning a GED these students may apply.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
   Students who have previously attended a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations may be admitted as transfer students and:
  • High school diploma requirement may be waived provided a PCC transcript evaluation determines that the student has completed a minimum of 12 academic credits with an overall grade point average of 2.0
  • Students will enter PCC with the equivalent academic status they held at the transferring institution. Students with a warning or probationary status will hold this status at PCC. Students on academic suspension or dismissal will not be admitted during the term immediately following the imposition of the academic suspension status.
  • Students enrolled in associate degree or certificate programs will receive an evaluation of transfer credit once all admission requirements have been met. The student will be mailed a copy of the transcript evaluation. See the section "Transfer of Credit to PCC" for details.
  • It is the student's responsibility to assure that transcripts are sent to PCC to complete admission requirements. A restriction on future registrations will occur if not received by the due date.
TRANSIENT STUDENTS
   Students attending other regionally accredited institutions who wish to earn credits at PCC to fulfill degree requirements at their home institution must meet the following requirements for enrollment:
  • Submit a PCC Admission Application and a $20
    application fee.
  • Submit an official statement from the home institution certifying good standing and indicating the particular courses to be taken.
  • Take the appropriate placement test if no verification or transcript accompanies the transient form.
  • Assume responsibility for selecting the appropriate courses that the home institution will accept toward the program of study.
  • Request an official PCC transcript be sent to the home institution at the end of the semester.
   PCC students wishing to attend another college as transient students must:
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  • Have met any pre-requisites for the desired courses.
  • Take courses that meet the requirements of the student's degree program.
  • Complete a Transient form with a PCC Academic Advisor.
  • Send an official transcript to PCC Registrar's Office at the end of the term.
READMISSION TO PCC
   A student will maintain an active application status provided a break in enrollment does not exceed one year by attending PCC at least one term each academic year. Students returning after an absence of one or more academic years and those students who applied but never attended must:
  • Complete an Application for Readmission at no cost.


 
  • Submit transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges or universities attended since attending or applying to PCC.
  • Retake the CPT if it has been more than two years, for those who have not completed English or math requirements.
  • If returning after five (5) years, have high school and all previous college transcripts sent to PCC, pursuant to F.S.119.041.
  • Meet the graduation requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of readmission.
   Presently attending students changing from non-degree to degree program status will use the readmission application, and submit any required documents to the Registrar's Office to become eligible.
EARLY ADMISSION AND DUAL ENROLLMENT
ADMISSIONS
   Polk Community College provides acceleration 
opportunities to academically talented students from all
Polk County public secondary schools and most area
private high schools. The application process begins with the high school counselor. Home schooled students are also eligible to participate. Home schooled students must complete the Home School Dual Enrollment Application Packet, which is available from the Coordinator of Testing, in WAD145, or by calling 863-297-1010, ext. 5201.
   Acceleration is available to all high school students
through two dual enrollment programs: Full-time Early 
Admission and Dual Enrollment. A third program, 
Executive Leadership Program, is only open to public 
high school students.
  •  Full-time Early Admission
    Students seeking Full-time Early Admission must 
    be a high school senior, have an unweighted grade point average of 3.2 or higher for all courses completed in grades 9 through 11 and must have earned a grade of "B" or better in either Algebra II or a higher level math course, to qualify for enrollment. Social maturity 
    and academic motivation also contribute to 
    success in college level courses.
    Full-time Early Admission candidates are required to complete and pass all sections of the Florida College Entry-Level Placement Test (CPT),  register and success fully complete 12 or more credit hours per semester, and maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average at PCC.
  • Dual Enrollment
    Students interested in dual enrollment must 
    qualify as high school students. Students of less 
    than junior standing are eligible to take one course per semester. Second term juniors and seniors are 
    eligible to enroll in two courses per semester. 
    Exceptions to this rule must be approved in writing by the director of secondary education. Requirements to qualify for Dual Enrollment are based on the number of credit hours in which the student wishes to enroll: 
    • 1 to 7 credits — minimum 2.5 unweighted high 
    school grade point average in all courses up 
    through the end of the previous semester, plus a 
    passing score on the sections of the CPT that are
    relevant to the courses in which the student 
    wishes to enroll.
    • 8 to 11 credits — minimum 2.5 unweighted high
    school grade point average in all courses up 
    through the end of the previous semester, a grade
     of "B" or better in either Algebra II or a higher level math course, plus a passing score on all sections of 
    the CPT.

   Dual enrollment courses may be taken at PCC, at the 
high school with a PCC approved instructor, via the
internet or at the high school via television. Courses may
be taken as part of the students' regular high school 
curriculum or in addition to their high school load.
Students are required to maintain a 2.0 college GPA and
a 2.5 high school GPA to remain eligible for Dual Enrollment. 

  • Executive Leadership Program
    To receive three college credits for this high 
    school course in career exploration and
    leadership development, students must apply for
    admission as a dual enrollment student and 
    secure the recommendations of their high school 
    counselor and principal. The college placement
    test is not required to participate in this program.

LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAMS ADMISSION
   Special standards and procedures are established for 
admission to certain Associate in Science, Associate in 
Applied Science and certificate programs. For details on 
criteria please consult the Programs of Study section of 
this catalog.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION
   Teachers and public school employees who want to 
take courses for teacher certification or recertification 
must meet the same admission requirements as new 
and transfer students. 

CONCURRENT ADMISSIONS PROGRAM (ConAP)
  PCC participates in the United States' Army Concurrent 
Admissions Program (ConAP). As a ConAP member,
PCC admits eligible, new soldiers upon enlistment and 
guarantees full admission during their enlistment and for 
two years after they complete their active military service..
ConAP also applies to soldiers enlisting in the Army 
Reserve. Admission for qualified Reserve soldiers is 
deferred until completion of the initial active duty training (about six months). Students are subject to the catalog in effect at the time of the class enrollment at PCC.

INTERNATIONAL AND VISA STUDENTS ADMISSION
   Polk Community College is authorized to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Non-immigrant alien students are classified as either International students (F-1) or other Visa students. People in the United States with a B1/B2 tourist visa, an M-1 Vocational Student visa, or a J-1 Exchange student visa are not eligible to attend PCC until after completion of the admission requirements for international students and have obtained an F-1 visa or an INS approved change of status to F-1.
   B1/B2 visa holders and J-1 Exchange student visa holders may submit a new application for an F-1 visa at an U.S. embassy in their home country or other foreign country or they may submit an application to Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) while here in the United States to change their visa status to F-1.
   M-1 visa holders must travel to their home country or to another foreign country with their I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status) to apply for an F-1 visa at an U.S. embassy abroad. Change of status while in the U.S. is not available.
   International students enter the United States with F-1 visas specifically for the purpose of obtaining an education. All international students are required to attend PCC on a full-time basis and pay out-of-state tuition and fees during their entire enrollment at PCC. People who enter the United States with visas other than F-1 are here for purposes other than obtaining an education. Most are eligible to attend school while here as long as attending school does not interfere with their original purpose for being in the U.S. Like international students, visa students are required to pay out-of-state tuition and fees during their entire enrollment at PCC. Check with the International Student Advisor to determine your eligibility to attend school.
International and visa students must submit all required documents and meet all conditions of admission by the following deadlines:
  • Fall Semester or Term I (August - December)  - May 15
  • Spring Semester or Term II (January - early May) - October 1
  • Summer Semesters or Terms III or IV (May - early August) - March 15
  In addition to the regular admission procedures, International and visa students are required to complete additional admission requirements. International students should begin the admission process three to six months prior to the beginning of the semester in which they wish to enroll.

:Photograph - Students
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