Admissions Requirements and Procedures

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College operates as an open admissions college as required by the 1976 Code of Laws of South Carolina, as amended. Consistent with statutory requirements and existing policies, OCtech makes every effort to minimize geographic, financial and scholastic barriers to post-secondary curricula and services offered by the College. A high school diploma (or GED certificate), though desirable, is not a prerequisite for admission to the College, but may be required for specific curriculum admission and federal financial aid.

Entrance Requirements
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College has an “open door” admissions policy which allows students who meet the following requirements to enroll:

1. Graduates holding diplomas from secondary schools upon presentation of certified credentials.
2. Students 18 years of age or older, not possessing a high school diploma, but who can present evidence of being able to successfully pursue, and to profit from, the proposed course of study. Placement tests will be used as a counseling tool to help the student determine the course of study in which he or she has the greatest possibility of experiencing success.
3. Under certain circumstances approved by the College President, an applicant under the age of 18, who has not graduated from high school, may be considered for enrollment through a special agreement between the College and the principal of the school where the applicant is attending or last attended.
4. Applicants must meet an established minimum reading requirements to be admitted to Associate Degree and Diploma programs, as well as to Certificate programs that require general education competencies. Applicants who do not possess minimum reading competencies for selected programs may require further assessment or referral to other community agencies prior to enrollment at OCtech.

General Admissions Procedures
To be accepted as a student at OCtech, an applicant must complete the following requirements or meet other multiple measures as published:

1. Complete a free application, which can be obtained from the Office of Admissions, or apply online.
2. Take the college placement test designed to aid counselors and advisors in determining the best course of study for each student. Qualifying ACT or SAT
   scores, or other designated criteria, may also be presented in lieu of the college placement test. Please contact the Office of Admissions for details on the required scores/criteria.
3. Submit official high school or GED transcript. Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with this link.
5. Meet with the Advising Center Staff to register for classes during the scheduled registration period.

Each curriculum has established admissions criteria. The applicant should apprise him/herself of these through contact with a member of the Admissions staff.

Students will receive notification of acceptance by the Office of Admissions after all admissions requirements are met.

OCtech admits students with advanced standing by transfer of credits from other regionally accredited colleges and universities and military service schools. An official transcript of the work attempted at all post-secondary institutions attended is required to be on file with the Registrar as well as an application for admission.

If you have taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate , College Level Entrance Program (CLEP), and experiential learning credit,  you must request that an official copy of your documentation be sent to Records Office.

General Admissions Procedures
To be accepted as a student at OCtech, an applicant must complete the following requirements or meet other multiple measures as published:

1. Complete a free application, which can be obtained from the Office of Admissions, or apply online.
2. Take the college placement test designed to aid counselors and advisors in determining the best course of study for each student. Qualifying ACT or SAT
   scores, or other designated criteria, may also be presented in lieu of the college placement test. Please contact the Office of Admissions for details on the required scores/criteria.
3. Submit official high school or GED transcript. Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with this link.
5. Meet with the Advising Center Staff to register for classes during the scheduled registration period.

Each curriculum has established admissions criteria. The applicant should apprise him/herself of these through contact with a member of the Admissions staff.

Students will receive notification of acceptance by the Office of Admissions after all admissions requirements are met.

If you have taken the ACT or SAT, you must request the official score report to be sent to the Registrar at StudentRecords@octech.edu.

Students who have completed Algebra I or higher with a "C" or better and have a 2.5 or higher weighted GPA reflected on their high school transcripts may exempt placement testing under certain circumstances.

Course Placement Services

OCtech has adopted The College Board’s Next Generation ACCUPLACER  test to help students succeed in their educational goals for students who do not meet published multiple measures. The Next Generation ACCUPLCER  scores are used to place students in designated entry-level courses or in educational programs designed to upgrade academic skills. The Next Generation ACCUPLACER  is administered on a walk-in basis Monday - Thursday. The first testing session is free of charge, though there will be a fee assessed for the second and subsequent attempts within that five year period. The test scores are only good for five years from the date the test was taken.

Visit our Testing Center page for more information.