ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Gaston College subscribes to the open door admission policy. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Gaston College Application for Admission at least six weeks prior to enrolling to ensure that their information is processed.

Please note Admissions requirements for:

• Curriculum Program (Students seeking AAS, Diploma, Certificate,
• Huskins Program (College Gateway)
• Dual Enrollment Program
• Continuing Education Program (Economic and Workforce Development)

Curriculum Program

Gaston College subscribes to the open door admission policy. High school graduation or the equivalent is required of all applicants for degree programs. Applicants must be 18 years of age or possess a high school diploma or equivalent, unless they are dual enrollment students.

Although restrictive standards for admission are not imposed, admission to the college does not guarantee immediate admission to the degree program desired by the applicant. Admission to certain programs may be affected by special program requirements.Go to Admissions Process to enroll.

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Huskins Program(College Gateway)

The Gaston College Huskins Program offers qualified juniors and seniors in Gaston and Lincoln Counties the opportunity to take college courses tuition free during their high school day. The legislation in North Carolina that provides this opportunity is called the Huskins Bill. Students taking Huskins courses are eligible to earn both high school credit and community college credit.

Prior to registering for a Huskins course, a student must be approved by the high school principal. Criteria used by the principal include attendance in high school courses, maturity, and grades. For transferable courses, an overall "B" average is recommended; for career technical courses, an overall "C" average is recommended.

Huskins students must meet the same prerequisite and course admission requirements as adult college students; therefore, students may be required to take a placement test. The COMPASS Placement test is administered by Gaston College and used to evaluate a student's readiness for college level work.

The placement test can be waived for students who have scored 500 or higher on the verbal section and 520 or higher on the math section of the SAT, or 21 or higher on the math and 21 or higher on the English portion of the ACT. The placement test is free and can be scheduled through the high school counselor (ASSET), or by calling the Admissions Office of Gaston College (COMPASS).

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Dual Enrollment Program

Upon the approval of their high school principal, high school juniors and seniors may be admitted as special dual enrollment students to appropriate credit and/or non-credit courses. Dual enrollment students must be at least 16 years of age and have completed 10th-grade English. Applicants are admitted on a space available basis into regular classes at the college.

Applicants must be enrolled at least half time at the high school and be making progress toward graduation. In the case of courses offered in the summer, the principal must certify that a student was enrolled at least half time in high school courses during the preceding semester and made appropriate progress toward graduation. High school seniors who will graduate in May are not eligible to enroll in summer courses as dual enrollment students.

All dual enrollment students are required to take the college placement test to determine eligibility to enroll in a college credit course. The college placement test evaluates skills in reading, writing and math. Dual enrollment students who have scored 500 on the verbal or critical reading section and 520 on the math section of the SAT, or who have scored 21 on the English section and 21 on the math section of the ACT are not required to take the college placement test. All course prerequisites apply to dual enrollment students.

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Continuing Education Program

The application and registration process for Economic and Workforce Development (non-credit) programs is completed at the first class meeting. Some classes may require pre-payment or pre-registration to assure a place in class. A special form is used for Economic and Workforce Development students.

Economic and Workforce Development courses do not require an application for admission to the general college. North Carolina residents 65 or older do not pay registration or other fees, except for self-supporting classes.

The same age restrictions for curriculum (credit) students apply to Economic and Workforce Development students and dual enrollment students.

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