Admissions
Welcome
CFCC operates under an open door policy. The college may accept any person who is at least 18 years of age or a high school graduate or its equivalent. There are additional admission requirements for some programs such as Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Phlebotomy and Practical Nursing. See the information under Health Sciences for further information.
Applicants for curriculum programs should submit a final high school transcript and a transcript of any prior college academic work. Official transcripts are required; faxed transcripts are not acceptable. Applicants should also plan to take any appropriate placement tests and meet with a counselor/advisor. This assessment information aids those advising the individual in establishing realistic educational and career goals.
General Admissions Process
Please read through all instructions before beginning. You can NOT be accepted to CFCC until all FOUR of the Admission Process steps are completed.
1 Choose your Program
Curriculum courses earn college-level credit that lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate upon satisfactory completion. Many curriculum courses qualify for transfer credit to four-year institutions.
CFCC has two tracks from which to choose. The College Transfer track is for students who plan to transfer to a senior institution when they complete their studies at CFCC. Students graduating from the Transfer programs are awarded an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree. For more information, visit the College Transfer Program web page.
The Vocational/Technical track is for students who complete coursework leading to a broad range of vocational and technical careers. Students graduating from the Vocational/Technical programs are awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of General Studies (AGE), Diploma, or Certificate. For more information on the various programs offered, visit the Academic Department web page and learn more about each of the programs offered.
Unsure of the career path or program that is right for you? Visit the Career Center for assistance in Making Career Choices.
2 Application
An application for admission must be submitted prior to registration. Applications should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the registration deadline.
3 Transcripts
Official high school or General Education Development (GED) Transcript
Request official transcripts from a regionally accredited high school/GED agency and any colleges attended. Faxed or Electronic transcripts are not acceptable. (Transcript request forms are provided in the application packet for your convenience). High school/GED transcripts must indicate the date graduated. Official transcripts are those received either by mail or by hand-delivery to CFCC in the original, sealed envelope from the awarding institution or agency. Home schooled students must submit a copy of the home school's approved registration from the state in which they are registered, and an official transcript including the graduation date and documentation of completion of competency testing. Please note that the NC Division of Non-Public Education home school laws apply only to schools enrolling students of compulsory attendance age (at least 7 years of age but not yet 16 years of age). Home schools are not empowered by state law to issue diplomas to post high school age students. They may, however, obtain their high school diplomas either through the NC Community College adult high school diploma program or through its GED program. See http://www.ncdnpe.org/FAQs/hhh114e.aspx
IMPORTANT
The high school graduation date MUST appear on the transcript of applicants to programs requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. If you are just completing High School request from your school that a transcript be sent to CFCC after final grades are posted. YOU CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THIS STEP IS COMPLETE.
Official transcripts are required; faxed transcripts are not acceptable at this time.
North Carolina public high school graduates may request their official high school transcripts be sent electronically to the Admissions Office via the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) website at www.cfnc.org.
Official College Transcript(s)
Official college transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended must be submitted to CFCC.
If you need transcripts sent to Cape Fear Community College from another college or high school, print a copy of the form to request that transcripts be sent to CFCC.
4 Testing
Take the Accuplacer test, if applicable. All applicants to degree, diploma, and certain certificate programs are required to have placement test scores on file prior to being accepted at CFCC. CFCC will accept official copies of placement tests taken at other colleges (ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER), SAT or ACT results meeting the minimum scores listed below, which arrive on official high school transcripts, and official copies of SAT or ACT results mailed directly from College Board or ACT. Contact College Board (SAT) at 1-866-756-7346 (CFCC Code 5094), or American College Testing (ACT) at 1-319-337-1313 (CFCC Code 3185). All placement scores are valid at CFCC for five years from date of examination. Form to request test scores from previous schools
The placement test may not be necessary if the applicant meets one or more of the following requirements:
- Successfully completed comparable writing and reading and/or math developmental course at other North Carolina Community Colleges See a Counselor in A220 (Wilmington Campus) or NA-100 (North Campus) for possible credit.
- Achieved CFCC's cut-off scores for desired curriculum programs by submitting official ASSET, COMPASS or ACCUPLACER (CPT) scores taken at another institution within the last five years.
- Achieved the following minimum scores within the last five years: SAT Verbal or Reading/Writing - 470; ACT English/Reading - 19; SAT Math - 500 or ACT Math - 20; and has submitted an official copy to the Admissions Office.
- Satisfactorily completed a college level English Composition and/or Mathematics course above the developmental level at an accredited college or university.
Students and prospective students may take the placement test twice (2 times) in twelve (12) consecutive months (one initial test and one retest). See the Placement Test Schedule.
For additional information please visit the Testing Services website.
Notification of Acceptance: You should receive an acceptance letter 7-10 days after all of the above steps have been completed. Early acceptance will enable you to attend (by invitation) a new student orientation/registration.
Medical Examinations: A medical history is required for specific program admission or completion. Students are notified of this requirement as applicable to their program of study. Selected programs within the college may require drug screening prior to final acceptance into the program. Contact the Admissions department for further information.
Provisional Admissions
Students whose official high school transcripts have not been received by the Admissions and Records Office at the time of registration may be admitted provisionally. All admissions requirements must be met within thirty (30) calendar days from the first day of the semester. Those students who do not meet admissions requirements within thirty (30) calendar days may be dropped from courses and will not be allowed to register until all admission requirements are met. Provisionally admitted students are required to take the placement assessment prior to registration. Official post-secondary transcripts are required; faxed or electronic transcripts are not acceptable. ***
Provisional admittance is granted during Final Adjustment Day only. *** (Refer to the schedule of classes for Registration dates and times).
