Information on Open Admissions

MVCC is an open admissions institution as are all community colleges within the State University of New York system. We will provide educational services to all who can demonstrate that they can benefit from them.

The open admissions format does not require that applicants compete for space based on past performance, superior grades or standardized test scores. The College does reserve the right to recommend a starting point for each applicant with regard to their readiness to pursue the requested major.

Many of our programs have prerequisite requirements. These prerequisites are stated so that applicants are aware of the level of difficulty within the program. If applicants do not possess the appropriate prerequisite background, it may be recommended that they begin their college program in an alternate major. Or, they may be required to take remedial courses equivalent to those entry prerequisites. The need to take remedial course work can extend the time needed to complete a degree or certificate.

The College does not require that applicants take either the SAT or ACT for Admission.

MVCC wants every student to be successful at the college. To try and ensure that you are placed in the correct level of courses for you as you begin your college courses, all applicants are required to take placement tests to determine their mathematics skills and English reading and writing proficiency. The tests are not used for the purpose of determining an applicant’s eligibility for admission to the college. If it is determined that you need to take developmental or remedial course work in preparation for required courses in a program, it may take you longer than the time listed in the catalog to complete the degree or certificate.

All applicants for a degree or certificate program (matriculation) are required to take the MVCC placement tests prior to selecting courses. Persons wishing to take courses for personal enrichment (non–matriculated) are also required to take the MVCC placement test before scheduling a course with a required test score prerequisite. You will receive your test score print out and placement recommendations immediately following the testing session.

If you have completed college course work that is equivalent to MVCC course work or a required prerequisite for an MVCC course, you may be exempt from all or part of the MVCC placement testing. To have your status assessed, do the following:

Applicants for matriculation should submit official transcripts to the Admissions Office to document course completion. An assessment of placement testing needs will be completed during the review of the application prior to acceptance.

Those seeking to enroll as non-matriculated students will need to supply a copy of a grade report or transcript to show proof of equivalent prerequisite or course completion. Assessments will be completed by the Head of the academic department offering the course, or by their designee. It is recommended that you provide a catalog description of the course completed where a course title does not adequately describe the material covered.

Non–native speakers of English may be required to take an English proficiency exam in addition to the placement test.

Students with disabilities requiring special testing accommodations should contact Disability Services at 315.792.5413 for direction.

A schedule of placement testing dates, time and locations for each semester is available on our web site. All questions concerning the placement testing program should be directed to our Placement Testing Specialist, Payne Hall Room 104A, Utica Campus, telephone (315) 731.5802.

Placement test page

Part-time -

a student enrolled for less than twelve (12) credit hours and/or equivalent non-credit (remedial) credit hours in a given semester.

Full-time -

a student enrolled for twelve (12) or more credit hours and/or equivalent non-credit (remedial) credit hours in a given semester.

Matriculated Student Status -

a student who files an application for admission and is officially accepted by the College prior to the beginning of a semester. The deadline for matriculation is the end of the last business day prior to the start of classes each semester. Only matriculated students can receive federal and/or state Financial Aid. Matriculation is in effect until graduation, dismissal, or until such a time that the major is deactivated by the College.

Non-matriculated Student Status -

a student who enrolls in either credit or non-credit courses without applying or being accepted into a degree or certificate program. No federal and/or state Financial Aid is available to non-matriculated students.

Applications and processing

1. International Student Applicants, those who must apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa in order to attend college in the United States, should contact our International Admissions Office for applications and information on policies, procedures and costs. Use the contact information at the beginning of this section or log onto our International Admissions web site.
2. All other Applicants MVCC provides a free Admission application. It is available from the Admissions Office, Rome Campus Student Services Office, from local high school guidance offices or from our web site. Applicants can also use the State University of New York application but will be required to pay the associated processing fee.

MVCC applications should be returned to the Admissions Office address (Contact Info).

A complete application must include:

1. An official High School transcript. Applicants who have been out of high school for a number of years may submit a copy of their diploma including graduation date
. OR
2. A General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
OR
3. Foreign Diploma Copy with certified English translation - Immigrants
AND, as appropriate,

An original copy of any/all: Advanced Placement (AP) reports; CLEP exam scores; N.Y State College Proficiency Exam Scores; DANTES score reports; certificates issued for the completion of no-collegiate instruction.

Transfers -

send an official transcript for each college from which transfer credit is being requested. If no transfer credit is being requested and/or transcripts are not available, you still must report yourself as a transfer for Financial Aid purposes.

Note: Applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution need not supply a copy of their high school transcript, diploma, or GED. However, on your application, please list: high school name, address and graduation date, or GED and completion date.

Former MVCC Students should contact the Admissions Office for appropriate guidance on re-enrollment.

MVCC uses a rolling admissions process for accepting students. Applications are reviewed as soon as they are considered complete. Students are notified of their acceptance once the completed application is reviewed. Notifications begin:

• For Fall (August) semester - on December 1 prior to requested term
• For Spring (January) semester - on October 1 prior to requested term
• For Summer (May) semester - on March 1 prior to requested term

Waiting List

MVCC reserves the right to develop a waiting list for enrollment when qualified applicants for a program exceed available space.

1. Applicants will be placed on the waiting list as soon as their application is complete and reviewed.
2. Applicants will have a date/time stamp placed on their wait list decision according to the data entry date/time of their decision on the MVCC student computer system.
3. Waiting list applicants will be notified via correspondence from the Admissions Office. Those who choose to remain on the waiting list will be notified of available space in the order in which they were assigned to the waiting list. There is no guarantee that space will become available for the term requested. Waiting list applicants cannot register for classes in the requested program until space becomes available. Should space not become available for enrollment in the term requested, waiting list applicants will be offered priority in the next term where space for that program becomes available: they may enroll as a non-matriculated student until matriculation becomes available.
4. Should a waiting list applicant choose to enroll in an alternate curriculum, they are removed from the waiting list entirely.

All full-time accepted applicants for the Fall semester are required to pay a thirty ($30) dollar advanced tuition deposit within thirty (30) days of the date on their acceptance letter.

Deposit Waivers

1. Applicants who cannot pay the advanced tuition deposit due to personal or family financial circumstances should fill out the deposit waiver request which accompanies your acceptance letter. Return it to the Admissions Office in the envelope provided.
2. Dependents of MVCC employees are eligible for a deposit waiver. Contact the Admissions Office after acceptance to request the waiver.

Advanced Tuition Deposit and Residence Hall Housing Requests

Residence Hall space is limited. Accepted applicants will have their housing request forwarded to the Residence Life Office once the Advanced Tuition Deposit or Approved Waiver is received and recorded by Admissions. Those sent a Residence Hall contract must pay a one-hundred ($100) dollar housing deposit within a specified time. If no payment is received, then they will be removed from the housing list.

Admissions will mail accepted applicants a Registration Packet prior to the beginning of registration periods each semester. The packet will contain all of the information and instructions necessary for you to prepare for enrollment and to complete the registration process: example, accepted applicants for the fall semester receive their packets beginning May 1st. The packet will address: Placement Testing; Class Scheduling; Health Forms and Immunization Requirements; Tuition Payment, including Certificate of Residence; Vehicle Registration; Bookstore Contact; and Start Date of Classes.

Note: International Applicants will receive their information directly from the International Admissions Advisor.