How to Apply for the Gateway to College Program - 5-Step Application Process
Please review the eligibility requirements before applying to the program:

• Be at least 17 years of age and not older than 20 years of age by the first day of class.
• Reside within Anderson, Oconee, or Pickens County.
• Must not have obtained a high school diploma or GED prior to enrolling in the program.
• Must have a minimum eighth (8th) grade reading level (this will be assessed at time of application).
• Must complete a college-administered examination in reading, English, and mathematics.
• Must have a high school GPA of 2.0 or lower and be behind in credits for their grade level at the time they dropped out of high school.
• Must be able to complete requirements to receive a high school diploma during the term of their 21st birthday.
  
  AAny exceptions to the above criteria will be on an individual student basis and must be approved in writing by the superintendent of the District and the president of the College or their designees. The District will determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether or not to refer or approve students who dropped out of a high school outside of the District boundaries. .

Step 1: Complete an application packet

• Complete the application packet in full. Don’t forget to sign it.
• Complete your written answers to the 3 questions.
• Get a copy of your transcripts from all high schools that you have attended as well as exit exam reports.
• Complete the “Consent Form” (included in application), sign it and, if you are under the age of 18, have your parent or guardian sign it as well.
• Take the “School District Information Form” into either your neighborhood school or your school district office and have someone from your school or the district office fill it out and sign it. The high school or district office must refer and approve students attending Gateway to College. A signed “Agency Referral Form” must be presented with your application packet to be considered for acceptance.

Step 2: Attend an Orientation
Students must make a reservation to attend an orientation by calling Gateway to College at (864) 646-1460. A student cannot just show up at an orientation; a reservation must be made.

Bring all application materials to the orientation. These include: an application packet; essays; transcripts; exit exam reports; and the approved school district information form and agency referral form.

At the orientation, students will:

• Receive detailed information on the Gateway to College program to include the expectations and benefits of the program.
• Have a chance to ask questions about the program.
• Have application materials reviewed to make sure the students meet all basic eligibility requirements.
• Allow us to have a chance to meet prospective students and learn why they are interested in this program.
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Step 3: Attend a 2-day Evaluation Session
At the orientation, if students meet the eligibility requirements, they will be referred to a 2-day Evaluation Session. Each day will be about 4 hours long. The Evaluation Sessions will require 100% attendance and completion of in-class and homework assignments. Students must be on time to each session.

Students must be referred to an Evaluation Session from an orientation. They cannot attend an Evaluation without attending an orientation first.

Students will take a Gateway to College assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics. This gives students the opportunity to show us that they have the reading, writing, and math skills necessary to achieve success in an academic environment. The students will take the TABE reading test to determine grade reading level.

Students will also take a career interest inventory and a learning styles inventory.

Step 4: Participate in an Individual Interview
At the orientation, in addition to the Evaluation Sessions, students will also be scheduled for an Individual Interview. Again, this is only if students meet the eligibility requirements.

The interview will be one-on-one with a Gateway to College staff member, and will allow students to discuss any questions they may have about the program. This is our chance to get to know students in an individual setting and learn more about their strengths and motivation. Interviews will be about half an hour long.

Step 5: Selection Committee Review
The selection committee will review all applications for the Gateway to College program. It is very important that students turn in all required application materials by the deadline. Acceptance is not guaranteed. Space in the program is limited.

The selection committee will be evaluating applicants based on the following factors:

• Meets all the eligibility requirements.
• Application is complete, and all application materials were turned in by the deadline.
• Achieves the minimum standard scores on all evaluations.
• Displays positive behavior, attitude, and participation at the Evaluation Sessions.
• Completes the Individual Interview.
• Displays a commitment to completing the Gateway to College program

Students will be notified by letter of the Selection Committee’s decision. If a student is accepted, he/she will be sent a letter of acceptance, an appointment time to attend a Gateway to College new student orientation, additional paperwork to complete, and contact information for the student’s assigned Resource Specialist. Once the admissions process is completed, students will meet with their Resource Specialist to register for classes, receive textbooks, be informed of appropriate fees they need to pay for the semester, and be provided a campus map and TCTC Catalog.


Orientation/Intake ScheduleSpring 2007 (PDF)