Information for students who plan to apply to a 2-year college
High school seniors must apply if they want to attend a two-year college after they graduate. Almost all two-year
colleges (often called “community colleges”) adhere to an open-door policy. This means that all applicants may
attend. As part of the admissions process, an applicant to a community college must take a placement exam that
generates scores in math, reading and English skills. The student’s scores determine the level of classes he/she will
be allowed to begin taking. If a student scores below the level determined by the college for first-year college
courses (100 level), he/she will be required to take remedial courses (numbered lower than 100). While the student
will be required to pay for tuition, books and fees (if applicable) for any remedial courses, he/she will NOT earn
college credit for courses below the 100 level.
A student may take the placement exam repeatedly. Only when a student scores at the prescribed beginning college
level on the placement exam will he/she be allowed to take courses at the 100 level, or higher.
Types of programs offered by a community college:
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Certificate of Proficiency - - This is a credential earned by completing a sequence of courses related to a
specific vocational-technical area such as computer technology or medical billing. Students focus on
completing vocation-specific coursework, balanced by minimal general education courses such as English
or math. A student must earn a minimum of 45 credits at Clark College to earn a certificate of proficiency.
Associate in Applied Science & Associate in Applied Technology Degrees - - These degrees require 90
credits and are designed for students who want to gain specific vocational-technical career skills. Students
complete vocation-specific coursework, balanced by some courses in academic subjects such as English,
math, science, etc. Although the Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Applied Technology
degrees are not designed to guarantee transfer to a four-year college or university, some of these institutions
may accept technical coursework for students in certain areas of study.
Examples of these types of degrees at Clark College include Automotive Technology, Computer
Technology, Nursing, Paralegal, Construction Technology, Business Administration, Culinary Arts,
Machining Technology, Medical Office-Business Technology, Diesel Technology and Fitness Trainer.
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Academic Transfer Degree - - This also is called an “Associate in Arts” degree. This type of degree is
designed for students who eventually intend to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or
university. These students complete the first two years of coursework toward their Bachelor’s Degree while
attending a community college. Then they apply to a four-college or university. In most cases, the degree
from the community college meets the first two years of general education requirements at the four-year
school, making the student eligible to begin his/her junior year of study upon entrance to the four-year
school.
Examples of these types of degrees available at Clark College include Art, Biological Sciences, Chemistry,
Business Administration, Computer Science, Education, English, Engineering, Journalism, International
Studies, Music, Law, Mathematics, Theater, and Women’s Studies.
Recommended timeline:
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First semester of senior year:
o Identify and learn about community colleges that match your interests and goals by these methods:
 Attend college fairs to learn about schools that offer campus demographics and location,
academic programs, extracurricular activities, athletics and services you are looking for.
Also, meet with admissions representatives who visit your high school’s career center.
 Personally visit colleges that interest you. Tour and ask questions of staff and students.
 Read colleges’ web sites.
 Obtain information about colleges in your high school’s career center.
o Apply for scholarships open to seniors.
o Attend a financial aid presentation at a college or university near you to get help in filling out your
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In our area, Clark College and WSU Vancouver
offer evening sessions in December and January for students who plan to apply to any type of postsecondary college, university or accredited technical training school.
o In December, obtain your FAFSA worksheet from you high school’s career center. With your
parents/guardians, fill it out.
o As soon as possible after January 1, submit your FAFSA to the federal government.
o January: Find out what scholarships are offered to first-year students by the community college you
want to attend. Apply by the deadline(s)!
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Second semester of senior year:
o March/April: Turn in your application to the community college you want to attend. There is no
application deadline to apply to a community college. However, high school seniors are encouraged
to apply mid-way through their second semester to ensure time for placement testing, orientation,
academic advising and registration for fall-term courses at the community college.
o As soon as possible after submitting your application to a community college, take the college’s
placement exam. Your scores will be required when you meet with an academic advisor to plan your
program of studies. There is no fee at Clark College to take the Compass placement exam.
o Apply for scholarships available to seniors.
o After you graduate, arrange for your final high school transcript to be mailed to the college you will
attend. See the clerk in the counseling center for assistance.
SAT/ACT
Community colleges do not require scores from either of these exams for admissions purposes. Also, in most cases,
students who earn an academic transfer degree from a community college and have maintained a cumulative GPA of
at least 2.75 will not be asked for an SAT or ACT score when they apply for admission to a four-year college or
university. This is because they will be admitted on the “strength” of their community college grades. However,
academic transfer students who apply to the University of Washington will be required to submit SAT or ACT
scores and transcripts from their high school and community college.
Use the resources and assistance in your high school’s career center!
The career center in each high school in the Vancouver School District offers a wealth of information and advice for
prospective college applicants and their parents. Information is readily available about all phases of the college
search, application and admission processes; scholarships and financial aid; job acquisition skills, and careers.
Juniors who plan to apply to a community college are urged to make an appointment with their school’s career
specialist to discuss their post-high school plan and obtain desired assistance and resource materials. Parents are
welcome to attend advising sessions with their son/daughter!
Phone numbers for career specialists:
School of Arts & Academics: 313-4607
Fort Vancouver High School: 313-4055
Lewis & Clark High School: 313-4357
Columbia River High School: 313-3922
Hudson’s Bay High School: 313-4445
Skyview High School: 313-4227
Helpful web sites
College searching and admissions information:
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Each VSD high school career center has its own web site. To access it, go to the home page for the
student’s high school and follow the link to the career center.
www.clark.edu - Clark College’s website
www.lcc.ctc.edu – Lower Columbia College’s website
www.pcc.edu – Portland Community College’s website
http://cset.sp.utoledo.edu/twoyrcol.html - Links to more than 1000 U.S. two-year colleges
www.getin2college.com – comprehensive college counseling information
www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool - college Opportunities On-Line. Links to 7000 colleges.
www.mapping-your-future.org – planning website
www.collegenet.com – list of colleges that meet certain criteria
www.petersons.com – college search
www.gocollege.com – find colleges that match your goals and interests, tips, etc.
www.supercollege.com – a variety of college-related resources
Paying for college:
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www.wiredscholar.com – SallieMay site for financial aid
www.studentaid.ed.gov - federal student aid website. Or call 1-800-433-3243; TTY 1-800-730-8913 for
hearing impaired)
www.fastweb.com – huge scholarship search engine
www.tuitionrx.com – variety of information about paying for college
www.finaid.org – student aid resource site
www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams (avoid scholarship scams)
www.scholarships.com – free college search site
www.lunch-money.com – search for scholarships, colleges and careers
www.scholarshiphelp.org – Lots of help to find out about and apply for scholarships