Fall Enrollment Procedures

• New Fall Enrollment Procedures
• Frequently Asked Questions

New Fall Enrollment Procedures*

Beginning 2007 eligibility to enter the Nursing Program will be determined by a “composite score” which is a combination of (a) overall college GPA in the last five years, (b) English GPA, (c) core biology (anatomy, physiology, and microbiology) GPA, and (d) core biology repetition. Course repetition is defined as repeating a course due to a previous grade of “D”, “F”, NC, or “W”. Students will be required to have a score of at least 72% to be admitted to the program.

To access the website for information on the Chancellor's Formula go to:  http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/cte/grants/nursing/nursing.htm                             

                         Next:  go to “programs” and link to “ADN Nursing”

                         Next:  Go to “appendix C:  work sheet to implement formula”

                         Next: Go to bottom of spreadsheet and link with “Data Entry”

                         Under student, you can try as many scenarios with students…student 1, 2, 3, 4, etc

                         College GPA is the last five years of college work overall  GPA

                         Core Bio GPA are only for Bio 120, 224, 240

                         English GPA for either English 120 or 150 (one)

                         Repetitions for core biology:  .33 = one time, .66= two times and 1= three times

1. The 2007-2008 catalog states that all applicants are bound by any new admission requirements. All applicants to the program will follow the new selection process regardless of when they began working on prerequisites for the program.

2. Applicants from Marin will continue to be given enrollment priority. In the event that there are more qualified applicants (those with a score of 72% or higher) than spaces in the program, enrollment will be based on computerized random selection. The top ten eligible applicants (the ten with the lowest numbers) from the prior year who are also Marin County residents for at least one year prior to the application process will be offered a space in the program the following year prior to filling openings with first time applicants.

3. Prerequisites must be completed by the end of the Fall semester prior to submission of the application to the program for the following fall admission.

4. The application period has changed. Applications will be accepted from January 2 through February 1 each spring for fall admission.

5. The Prerequisite Validation study from the Chancellor’s office identified that the greatest predictors of success in RN Programs are overall GPA, English course GPA, Core biology GPA, and core biology repetitions. The formula weighs overall college GPA in the most recent five years the heaviest, next is English, and the third is core biology GPA. Repeating core biology courses lowers the score.

6. The overall GPA will be calculated using the five most recent years on your transcripts. GPA is calculated the usual way. Divide grade points by units (30/13=2.31) The five most recent years are counted using 10 semesters of coursework (Fall and Spring).  Summer is not counted as an individual semester but course work in summer will count for calculation of GPA and course repetition.

7. English grade point will be calculated using only English 120 or 150 or their equivalents from other schools. If both English 120 and 150 are taken, the grade point from English 150 will be used.

8. Core biology GPA will be determined using the last grade from each of the following core biology classes: Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. GPA is calculated as above using all courses taken (BIOL 120, 224, 240) or their equivalents.

9. Core biology repetition will be calculated using the total number of course repetitions for core biology classes- anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Course repetition is defined as repeating a course due to a previous grade of D, F, W, or NC.  Eight years or 16 semesters (Fall and Spring) are used to calculate core biology repetitions.  Summer is not counted as an invidual semester but course work in summer will count for GPA and calculation of course repetitions.

10. Credit grades- A letter grade of “C” will be assigned to biology and English course work with a grade of “Credit” to calculate the composite score if letter grades are unavailable. Letter grades of C will be assigned to credit classes to compute overall college GPA only if the college system awards all grades with Cr/NC. If the college uses a system of letter grades and credit, the Cr grades are not computed in the overall college GPA. From this date forward, since English GPA and biology GPA are needed for the formula, these courses must be taken for a letter grade.

 *11. NEW FALL 2008

The Registered Nursing Program will establish additional prerequisites for entry into the program for Fall 2008. 

Applicants will be required to successfully pass the "Test of Essential Academic Skills" (TEAS) prior to entry into the program.  For information on this test click here: Test of Essential Academic Skills -10-07 PDF

To register for the Preparation course go to: marincommunityed.org register for Spring 2008  -  Section # 9198.

The TEAS Study Guide (about $40.00) and online practice testing (about $27.00) may be ordered from ATI from their website:  ATITESTING.COM. 

In the event that the applicant does not pass the test they will need to successfully complete remediation course work prior to entry into the program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Line out of courses mean? When is it used? Can a “W” be lined out?
Students may repeat any non-repeatable course taken at College of Marin for which a substandard grade of “D”, “F”, “NC”, or the symbol “W” has been recorded one time. Upon successful repetition of the course at College of Marin, the student may request that the substandard grade of “D”, “F” or “NC” be lined out. Equivalent coursework completed at other accredited colleges and universities may be accepted when approved by the appropriate department chair and the student has successfully completed 12 units at College of Marin. A student with two substandard grades in a non-repeatable class may not, however, line them out with work successfully completed at another college. The lower grade and units completed shall not be computed in the student’s grade point average or non-progress grade percentage. A “W” grade may not be lined out.

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Can courses be taken more than once?
Certain courses as defined in the college catalog may be taken more than once. Students may enroll up to the maximum number of times allowed but no course may be taken more than four times. Consult the catalog to determine which courses are designated as repeatable.

Non-Repeatable Courses
1. A student may repeat any non-repeatable course taken at the College of Marin for which a substandard grade of “D”, “F”, or “NC” has been recorded one time. Upon successful repetition of the course, the student may file a petition to have the original substandard grade lined out. (See Course Lineout Policy for specific requirements.)

2. A course may not be designated as repeatable unless the course content differs each time it is offered, and the student who repeats it is gaining an expanded educational experience for one of the following reasons:

a) Skills or proficiencies are enhanced by supervised repetition and practice within class periods.

b) Active participatory experience in individual study or group assignments is the basic means by which learning objectives are obtained.

3. A student may not register for or be placed on a waiting list of a non-repeatable course for more than one section of the same course per semester.

4. A student may petition to repeat a non-repeatable course after the second attempt based on one of the following circumstances listed below:

a) A substandard grade of “D”, “F”, or “NC” was due at least in part to extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illness, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. If approved, the student must wait until one week before the semester/session begins to register for the course. In addition, the grade received will not be calculated into the student’s grade point average, and the student will not receive credit for that enrollment. The grade and units on the student’s transcript will be annotated accordingly.

b) Two years or more must have elapsed since successfully completing the course with a C, CR or better grade. If approved, the student must wait until one week before the semester/session begins to register for the course. In addition, the grade received will not be calculated into the student’s grade point average, and the student will not receive credit for that enrollment. The grade and units on the student’s transcript will be annotated accordingly.

c) The course is needed to meet a legally mandated training requirement as a condition of continued employment (paid or volunteer). A verification letter is required at the time of registration.

d) A student has already enrolled twice in a non-repeatable course but has a documented disability verified by the DSPS counselor and has been making measurable progress.

5. A student who has received the symbol “W” after with-drawing from a course may re-enroll in the course. The student may not enroll in that course more than four times for units and a grade. This applies to repeatable and non-repeatable courses.

6. A student may petition for academic renewal without course repetition to alleviate previously recorded substandard grades. The petition may be approved if the District determines that the recorded substandard grades are not reflective of the student’s demonstrated ability. If the petition is approved the original substandard grades shall be disregarded in the computation of the student’s grade point average, and the student’s permanent academic record shall be annotated in such a manner that all work remains legible, insuring a true and complete academic history. Courses granted Academic Renewal would not be included for course repetition limits. (See Academic Renewal Policy for specific requirements.)

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What is Academic Renewal?
Students who have successfully completed 12 units at College of Marin may petition for Academic Renewal. Academic Renewal provides students with an opportunity reverse the negative impact of past academic failures at College of Marin. Students may petition the Academic Standards Committee for a review of their academic record. Students can request Academic Renewal for up to 3 semesters of substandard course work. Academic Renewal may only be requested once at any California Community College in accordance with Section 55764 of Title V. Academic Renewal is not automatic.

• The following criteria will be used in the Committee’s determination:
• 1. One year must have elapsed subsequent to the semesters to be renewed.
• 2. Students shall present evidence that the substandard work does not reflect the student’s academic abilities. Work from other colleges with recognized accreditation will be considered.
• 3. Students must have completed a minimum of 12 units with a GPA of 3.0 or 24 units with a GPA of 2.0 subsequent to the semesters requested for renewal. The student’s most recent semesters utilized to demonstrate that the substandard work is not a reflection of the student’s ability must not include “D”, “F”, “I” or “NC” grades. (Semesters with lined out “D”, “F” & “NC” grades do not count towards Academic Renewal.)
• 4. Course work with grades of “C”, “CR” or higher will remain on the record for the semester granted academic renewal status. All course work granted Academic Renewal status shall not be computed in the student’s grade point average or non-progress grade percentage and this shall be noted on the student’s permanent record; all work shall remain legible to assure a true and complete academic history.
• 5. In computing grade point average toward honors at graduation all work, including semesters designated as Academic Renewal shall be included.

How will academic renewal and line out affect my GPA and course repetition in the formula?
All course work granted line out or Academic Renewal status shall not be computed in the student’s grade point average or non-progress grade percentage; however, biology courses (anatomy, physiology, and microbiology) granted academic renewal or line out will be counted as course repetitions in the formula. It should be noted that courses repeated to improve grades of C or better are not computed into the over all college GPA; however, the last grade in the biology courses will be used as the grade in the formula. For example, if a student received a C in Anatomy, repeated the class and received an A, the A would be used in the formula for the anatomy grade but not in the over all GPA calculation.

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