Admissions
General Admission to the College
Any person who has a high school diploma, its equivalent, OR who is 18 years of age and able to benefit from a program of study at Blue Ridge Community College may be admitted.
Identity Verification: In order to provide a safe and secure learning environment, admission to our colleges require that all new credit applicants verify their identity. Applicants will need access to a computer or mobile device that has a camera in order to provide a real-time photo of themselves (Liveness Check) and upload a photo ID (Driver's License, Passport, ID Card, etc.).
Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) will not engage in high-pressure recruiting tactics when recruiting Service members. BRCC will recruit Service members through standard Outreach protocols: email, phone or text follow up to a new application or inquiry by the Service member. BRCC will not engage in repeated attempts to recruit Service members who have indicated they are no longer interested in attending BRCC.
Several BRCC programs prepare students Virginia State licensure. At this time, Nursing, Veterinary Technology, Substance Abuse Counseling and Emergency Medical Services are not available for students who reside outside the state of Virginia. At the time of application, out-of-state students who request enrollment in Nursing, Veterinary Technology, Substance Abuse Counseling and Emergency Medical Services will receive an email notification that the program restricts enrollment of out-of-state students. Instructions will be provided on the appeal process.
The College reserves the right to evaluate special cases and to refuse admission to applicants when considered advisable in the best interest of the College. Students also may be denied admission if there is reason to believe that they present a danger to themselves, other students, and/or college employees. Blue Ridge Community College has the right to deny or revoke the admission of convicted sex offenders, https://www.brcc.edu/registered-sex-offender-policy/.
Eligibility for In-State Tuition
To find out more information about eligibility for in-state tuition rates, establishing Virginia residency, or the residency re-classification procedure: https://www.brcc.edu/tuition-financial-aid/tuition/residency/
Curricular Students
Curricular students are those who wish to work full- or part-time toward the completion of a degree or certificate offered by the College. To be officially admitted to a curriculum, the following items are required:
- completed application for admission;
- demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics (see English and Math Placement section)
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended if transfer credit is requested by the student.
Students enrolling in Career Studies Certificate programs are waived from “demonstrated proficiency” unless a course in the program requires a reading, writing, or math prerequisite.
Admission to the College or a curriculum does not necessarily guarantee admission to a particular program. Additional qualifications may be required for admission to a specific program, such as Aviation Maintenance Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, or Veterinary Technology.
Persons entering associate degree programs must be high school graduates or the equivalent, or otherwise considered eligible by the College.
Non-Curricular Students
Non-curricular students are those who do not currently intend to apply credits toward completion of a degree, diploma, or certificate offered by the College. A non-curricular student is, therefore, not formally admitted to the curricula of the College, but attends classes on a part-time or full-time basis under special conditions.
To take courses at the College, the following are required:
- completed application for admission;
- demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics (see English and Math Placement section) or satisfied pre-requisites, if required, for the courses that the student intends to complete.
Class Level
| Level | Credits |
|---|---|
| Freshman | Fewer than 30 credits completed in the designated curriculum. |
| Sophomore | 30 or more credits completed in the designated curriculum, including relevant transfer credits. |
Credit Status
| Level | Credits |
|---|---|
| Full-time | 12 or more credits |
| Part-time | Fewer than 12 credits; the financial aid award for students taking fewer than 12 credits will be reduced. Contact the Financial Aid office for additional information. |
Enrollment Priorities
When enrollments must be limited for any curriculum, first priority will be given to all qualified students who reside in the political subdivisions supporting the College, provided such students apply for admission to the program by the scheduled deadline. The priority list is as follows:
- residents of the political subdivisions supporting the College, (the counties of Augusta, Highland, and Rockingham and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro);
- other Virginia residents, in-state;
- out-of-state and resident alien students.
Mathematics and English Placement
To determine placement for college-level English and math courses, refer to Table M (Math) and Table E (English) below.
Mathematics Course Placement (Table M)
High School Grade Point Average (HS GPA) for Math Placement*
| If you have... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|
| 6+ years since high school graduation | Informed Self-Placement |
| Less than 2.0 HS GPA | MDE 10 |
| 2.0-2.99 HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154 + MDE 54, MTH 155 + MDE 55, MDE 60 |
| 2.0-2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154+MDE 54, MTH 155+MDE 55, MTH 161+MDE 61 |
| 3.0 + HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MDE 60 |
| 3.0 + HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155. MTH 161, MTH 167 |
| Course | Minimum Placement Requirement** |
|---|---|
| MDE 10 | 1.99 or lower HS GPA |
| MDE 60 | 2.0 + HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 111, MTH 132 | 2.0 HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 154 + MDE 54 | 2.0-2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 154 | 3.0 + HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 155 + MDE 55 | 2.0 - 2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 155 | 3.0+ HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 161 + MDE 61 | 2.0-2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 161 | 3.0 + HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 167 | 3.0 + HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
SAT/ACT/GED Scores for Math Placement***
| Test | If you scored... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|---|
| SAT-Math | 500 or above | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161, MTH 167 |
| SAT-MTH | 470-490 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| ACT-Subject Area Test Math | 18 or above | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161, MTH 167 |
| ACT-Subject Area Test Math | 17 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| GED-Math | 165 or above | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| GED-Math | 155-164 range | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154 + MDE 54, MTH 155 + MDE 55, MDE 60 |
| GED-Math | 154 or below | MDE 10 |
- *
High school GPA (HS GPA) is valid for five (5) years after the date of high school graduation. Students who completed high school 6 or more years ago may be placed through informed self-placement. Placement into non-gateway courses (e.g. MTH 162, MTH 245, MTH 261, and MTH 263) may be done at the discretion of the college.
- **
Minimum placement requirements apply to students who completed high school five years or less ago.
- ***
SAT, ACT, and GED test scores are valid for five (5) years after the date of the test.
English Course Placement (Table E)
High School Grade Point Average (HS GPA) for English Placement*
| If you have... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|
| 6 or more years since high school graduation | Informed Self-Placement |
| Less than 2.0 HS GPA | EDE 10. ESL students should take any or all of ESL 41, ESL 42, CST 100 |
| 2.0-2.99 HS GPA | ENG 111 + EDE 11; ENG 115. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| 3.0 + HS GPA | ENG 111 or ENG 115. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| Course | Minimum Placement Requirement** |
|---|---|
| EDE 10. ESL student should take ESL 41, ESL 42, and CST 100. | 1.99 or lower HS GPA |
| ENG 111 + EDE 11. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. | 2.0-2.99 HS GPA |
| ENG 111 | 3.0+ HS GPA |
| ENG 115 | 2.0+ HS GPA |
SAT/ACT/GED Scores for English Placement***
| Test | If you scored... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|---|
| SAT-ERW, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 480 or above | ENG 111 |
| SAT-ERW, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 400-470 range | ENG 111 + EDE 11. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| SAT-ERW, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | Below 400 | EDE 10 |
| ACT, Subject Area Tests English and Reading | 18 or above | ENG 111 |
| ACT, Subject Area Tests English and Reading | 15-17 range | ENG 111 + EDE 11. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| ACT, Subject Area Tests English and Reading | 14 and below | EDE 10. ESL students may take ESL 41, ESL 42, CST 100. |
| GED-English | 165 or above | ENG 111. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
- *
High school grade point average (HS GPA) is valid for five (5) years after the date of high school graduation. Students who completed high school 6 or more years ago will be placed through informed self-placement.
- **
Minimum placement requirements apply to students who completed high school 5 or less years ago.
- ***
SAT, ACT, and GED test scores are valid for five (5) years after the date of the test.
English as Second Language
Students who have English as their second or other language should consider the following courses to support their successful transition into curricular study in English.
Our ESL classes
- prepare you for college level courses;
- take one to three semesters, depending on your level of English;
- are challenging, so that you will succeed in college.
For more information: https://www.brcc.edu/academics/esl-courses/
ESL Optional Placement
Students will gain the most benefit from taking all three classes in this level. However, they may select one or more depending on their skill level. Students enrolled in 2 or more years of ESL in U.S. high school will find these courses beneficial. Adult students who have lived in the U.S. for less than three years will find these classes very helpful for long term academic success.
| Courses | Description |
|---|---|
| ESL 41 Composition | Students who need work on academic writing from paragraphs to essays, grammar review, and technology skills for writing. |
| ESL 42 Reading | Students who need work on reading comprehension and vocabulary development. |
| CST 100 Principles of Public Speaking | Students who need work on speaking, pronunciation, and making presentations. |
| ESL 95 taken with ENG 111 | Students who feel they need extra support in writing English compositions, reading comprehension, and vocabulary development should take this support class along with their ENG 111 class. |