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Healthcare faqs

Transfer Student Questions

Why am I in a different major than the major I chose?

Students are originally placed into the Interdisciplinary Studies (AF53) AAS degree with a concentration if they are trying to get accepted into a competitive healthcare Associate Degree program. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program serves as a holding place to allow students time to complete all required prerequisite classes necessary for their program of study. Students cannot apply directly into the competitive healthcare programs due to the competitive nature of each program.

Dental Assisting and Medical Assisting students are originally placed into the Healthcare Assistant Certificate (HA21) Program with a concentration because these are both competitive diploma programs.The Healthcare Assistant Program serves as a holding place to allow students time to complete all required prerequisite classes necessary for application into their program of study.

I am a transfer student. What is the process to apply to a competitive healthcare program at GTC (Gwinnett Technical College)?

As a transfer student, you will follow the regular admission criteria. This includes providing official transcripts from all the colleges and universities that you have previously attended. Once you have been accepted to the college, our Admissions Office will forward your transcripts to our Registrar’s Office for your transcripts to be evaluated for transfer credits. This process can take 4-6 weeks to be completed from the date you are accepted to the college. And credits must have transferred and be reflecting in your Gwinnett Technical College’s transcript before they can be included in the application for a competitive program. Thus, please complete your admission process to Gwinnett Technical College at least six weeks before the deadline to apply to a competitive program. If all the prerequisites needed to apply to your program of interest do not transfer in, make sure to speak with one of your Enrollment Advisors to determine your next steps.

I’m a transfer student. Why is my GPA 0.0?

When a student transfers, the GPA from your original institution is not carried over to GTC. Courses that a student has completed will transfer if the student has a C or higher in the course, comparable course-to-course transfer may be accepted based on demonstrated learning competencies consistent with Gwinnett Tech courses, program of study applicability, and credit requirements. The credits for that course will transfer, but not the grade. You begin your GPA with the courses you will complete at GTC.

I’m a transfer student. Why didn’t all my credits transfer?

Transcripts are evaluated according to the guidelines and policies set forth by Gwinnett Technical College. GTC will only consider transfer credit for prior coursework that meets the following criteria:

  1. Applicable to the courses required in your program of study
  2. Courses must be equivalent in competencies, outcomes learned, and topics covered
  3. Credit weight must be equal
  4. Official transcripts from regionally accredited postsecondary institution verifying a minimum grade of C (2.0)
  5. College-level coursework
  6. To graduate, at least 25% of the program credits must be earned from courses taken at Gwinnett Technical College.
  7. Time limit/expiration of coursework (5, 7, and 10 years)

I am finishing my prerequisite classes at another school, but I want to apply to a healthcare program here. When should I apply to Gwinnett Tech?

We encourage students to apply to Gwinnett Tech at least six weeks before the application deadline of your intended program. This allows time for Admissions to receive your transcripts and AP scores (if applicable) and evaluate them for transfer credit. This also gives students time to schedule entrance exams like TEAS and Kaplan (if applicable) before the deadline. For example, if you are completing prerequisites for Nursing and the application deadline is February 15th, you should apply to Gwinnett Tech by the end of fall semester to allow time to take the Kaplan exam.

Do I need to take FYES 1000 if I’m a transfer student?

Transfer students who have an Associate’s Degree or higher or 30-degree transferrable credit hours will not need to take FYES 1000.

How to check if FYES 1000 has been waived.

You can see if FYES 1000 has been exempted in your DegreeWorks. If you believe that you should be exempt from FYES 1000, please contact us at healthteam@gwinnetttech.edu for advisement.

I have transfer credits, but I cannot see what my grade was. Can you tell me what my grade was?

You can see the grades from transferred courses in your unofficial Gwinnett Technical College Transcript and in your DegreeWorks. Your unofficial transcript can be accessed through your student BANNER account in your student dashboard. DegreeWorks can also be accessed through your student dashboard. The grades will be shown as TR. The TR means those are transferred credits, and the letter that follows the TR will be the grade you received. For example: ENGL 1101 – English Composition – TRA. This means this course transferred in and you received an A as your final grade.

I took AP classes. Why weren’t they transferred in? We cannot transfer AP credits from other college’s transcripts. You will need to request an official copy of your AP scores from CollegeBoard.org. An official score report from CollegeBoard must be submitted to Gwinnett Technical College for evaluation 4 weeks prior to the program application deadline.

Application and Application Process Questions

When do I need to complete my prerequisites to apply to a program?

Prerequisites need to be complete by the prerequisite deadline date stated on the Competitive Program Admissions Chart found at https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/, under Program Applications and Forms.

Where can I find the program application?

Program Advisement Forms and Program Applications for all Competitive Healthcare Programs can be found at https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/

How do I apply to my program?

Students can find step by step instructions to apply in each application or Program Advisement Form. Program Advisement Forms and Program Applications for all Competitive Programs can be found at https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/

Is there a waitlist if I am not accepted into a Healthcare program?  

There is no wait list for Healthcare Competitive Health programs. Students can apply the next year if they meet all the requirements for the program they are trying to enter.

Should I wait until the application deadline to apply?

No. If your grades have been posted or your transfer credit evaluation has been completed and you have the required prerequisites, you should submit your application and all required documents (Unofficial transcript, Driver’s license, Permanent Resident card, and applicable test score results) if it is posted on our website. Applications are usually posted about 2-3 months before the application deadline.

Can I apply after the deadline?

No applications will be taken after the deadline date. No exceptions are made.

I’ve taken a class more than once. Which grade is used for my application?

A student may retake a course, however only the most recent attempt will be considered for the prerequisite GPA calculation used for the initial screening process.

Do I need letters of recommendation to apply to a program?

No, we do not accept letters of recommendation.

When will I know if I have been accepted into my program?

Students will be notified via their student email account if they have been accepted or denied. It can take several weeks after the deadline date to receive this email. Students are encouraged to check their student email account daily after the deadline date.

How will I know if I have been accepted into my program?

You will receive an acceptance or denial notification through your student email account. Thus, you are encouraged to check your student email daily since the length of time to receive a notification can vary from program to program.

My application was rejected. How long do I have to make corrections and resubmit my application?

Students have 24 hours to make corrections and resubmit their application. Should be received before the application deadline date.

What do I do if I am not accepted into my program?

We can advise you on other healthcare programs you may be interested in applying to or provide options to increase your GPA if you plan to apply again in the future.

Can I apply to multiple programs?

Yes, however, if you were to be accepted into more than one program, you will need to inform the program you wish to pursue as soon as possible.

How can I increase my chances of getting into a competitive healthcare program?

  • Meet with an Enrollment Advisor or email the Health Team each term before registration begins.
  • Know which prerequisite classes are competitive and maintain a competitive grade point average (GPA).
  • Know when the Prerequisite Deadline is for your program.
  • Study for your Healthcare Exam (ATI TEAS or KAPLAN) if your program requires it to obtain a competitive score.
  • Submit your program application and Exam scores before the Application Deadline, follow the instructions in the application.

Who do I send my shadowing information to?

To maintain an objective point of view, our healthcare programs do not utilize additional documentation such as shadowing or letters of recommendation when determining the top candidates for a program.

Will any of my classes expire before applying to my healthcare program?

All ALHS and BIOL courses expire within 5 years. All CHEM and PHYS classes expire within 10 years. We encourage students to speak with an advisor to see if your courses will expire before your application date.

Do the competitive healthcare programs require an additional application?

Yes. Students need to first be accepted as a student to Gwinnett Tech. Once a student meets all competitive criteria, they will apply to their competitive program using a separate application on our website. Applications can be found at https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.

How competitive is admissions to a healthcare program?

Most of our degree programs utilize a competitive admission process. Competitiveness depends on the number of applicants and the quality of the applicant pool. Most competitive programs have about 2 – 3 applicants for every seat available. Competitiveness varies from year to year with each applicant pool.

Can I retake a class to increase my chances of getting into a program?

Yes, you can re-take prerequisite courses to increase your competitive GPA. However, it is important to know the following:

  • Some programs will average the grades among all your prerequisites while some will only look at the grade that you received in your last attempt.
  • Financial Aid might not pay for a re-taken course depending on how many times it has been attempted before.
  • Per Gwinnett Technical College’s academic policy, you can only attempt a course up to three times here at Gwinnett Tech.

Thus, speak with one of your Enrollment Advisors before re-taking a course.

Program Questions

Where can I find more information about my program?

There are many ways to obtain additional information regarding your program of study, such as:

How long are healthcare programs?

Students can find information about the length of each healthcare program on our Competitive Program Admissions Chart found at https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/, under Program Applications and Forms, or prospective student information handout. This time does not include the time needed to complete the prerequisite classes.

What is the difference between Nursing and Nursing Bridge?

The Associate Degree in Nursing is designed to provide a course of study that prepares the graduate to practice as a nurse generalist. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in the practice of nursing and prepares the student to function safely within the framework of the Registered Nurse’s role.

The Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge program is designed for students who have completed their education and are currently licensed as LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse), Paramedics, or CSTs (Certified Surgical Technologists) in the state of Georgia. The program is designed to provide nursing courses in an accelerated option to bridge into the second year of the Nursing curriculum. At successful completion of the program, the nursing student is awarded an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

When do I apply for a criminal background check and drug screening?

After you have been accepted to a competitive healthcare program, you will be notified by the program when your mandatory meeting will be, and they will go over when and how to apply for a criminal background check and drug screening.

Can I work full time and be in a healthcare program?

No, as our healthcare programs are typically day programs with a schedule of 8-4:30 M – F.

Where can I find more information about my program?

There are many ways to obtain additional information regarding your program of study, such as:

Can I complete the program completely online? There are options for many of the general education courses to be taken online. Technical Courses or program specific courses will be required to be taken on campus. Most of our healthcare programs offered are full-time day classes. Students can expect to be in class and/or clinicals Monday through Friday.

Testing Questions

Is there an entrance exam for the healthcare program?

Many of the healthcare programs require an entrance exam and some of the programs do not require an exam. See the list below to determine if your program requires an entrance exam.

Programs that require the Kaplan Exam

The Nursing and Nursing Bridge program requires students to take the Kaplan Exam before the application deadline for the year they are applying to the program. The Kaplan exam should be taken the semester they are taking their last prerequisite class. Students can only take the Kaplan Exam twice per year at Gwinnett Technical College and must wait 30 days between their exams. We do not accept Kaplan exam scores from other colleges or universities.

When can I take the Kaplan exam?

You must take the exam within one year of the application deadline. The Kaplan exam should be taken the semester they are taking their last prerequisite class.

Will you accept my TEAS exam score instead of Kaplan?                                        

No, the traditional Nursing and Nursing Bridge programs require the Kaplan exam as part of the application process.

Programs that require the ATI TEAS Exam

Cardiovascular Technology, Computed Tomography Clinical Specialist, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Echocardiography Technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist, Medical Assisting, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Technology

Where can I find more information about entrance exams?

You can visit the webpage for Gwinnett Technical College’s Assessment Center and click on the test that you want to learn more about (https://gwinnetttech.edu/programs/assessment-testing-center/ ).

How do I register for the TEAS exam?

You may visit the Assessment Center website for more information on how to register for the TEAS exam https://gwinnetttech.edu/programs/assessment-testing-center/teas/

What is the TEAS exam?

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) is a multiple-choice assessment that measures basic skills in academic content in the areas of Mathematics, Reading, Science, and English & Language Usage.

How many times can I take the TEAS exam?

Students can take the TEAS twice using Gwinnett Tech as their institution. After that, students can take the exam as many times as they want, and it does not require a waiting period between taking the tests.

Can I take the TEAS exam at another institution?

Yes, however, you will need to request your official exam results to be sent to Gwinnett Tech. A copy of the ATI TEAS score report must also be attached to the student’s competitive health application upon submission.

How do I register for the Kaplan exam?

You can register here: https://www.kaptest.com/nclex/partner/-gwinnett-tech-college

Then register with the school to take the Kaplan Admissions Test to select the date/time and testing location: https://gwinnetttech.edu/programs/assessment-testing-center/

Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus                            

Building A, Room 117

2875 Old Milton Pkwy

Alpharetta, GA 30009

Lawrenceville Campus

Building 100, Room 528

5150 Sugarloaf Parkway

Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Advisement Questions

What are my chances of getting into the program?

Students can increase their chances of getting accepted into their program by maintaining a competitive prerequisite GPA and test score (if applicable).

Should I take all of the classes listed on my DegreeWorks?

No. Students should not use DegreeWorks for course advisement, as it only shows how to complete their current program (Interdisciplinary Studies or Healthcare Assistant) and not their intended competitive healthcare program pathway. Students should contact an advisor on what prerequisites are required to apply to their program. You can email an advisor on the Health Team at HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu.

Why isn’t it recommended to take science courses during summer or a mini-mester?

Our Science courses can be very rigorous and require 3 or more hours of study time, 7 days a week. Summer and mini semesters are only 8-weeks and are accelerated. Taking a science course in an 8-week semester usually does not give students enough time to understand the material and be able to make an A in the course.

Who is my advisor?

At Gwinnett Technical College, you have a team of Advisors called the Healthcare Team. The Enrollment Advisors are in the One-Stop Center on campus and are available to help answer your questions about admissions, financial aid, registration, class selection, and more! You can schedule an appointment with a Health Team Advisor on the QLess App https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/one-stop/

Is there tutoring available?

The Learning Success Center is located on the Lawrenceville Campus in Rooms 904, 906, & 910 and on the Alpharetta North Fulton campus in Room 137. Students can receive free tutoring for English and Math. https://gtclibrary.libguides.com/LearningSuccessCenter

The Science Tutoring Center offers support from experienced peer tutors ready to help you master content or develop science study skills. The Science Tutoring Center is in Building 900, Room 1.109 on the Lawrenceville Campus and Building A, Room 328 on the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus. https://gtclibrary.libguides.com/stc

Can I apply to the program if I have not completed my prerequisites yet?

There are certain programs that allow students to apply while they are taking their last prerequisites classes such as:

  • Surgical Technology
  • Central Sterile Processing
  • Medical Assisting
  • Dental Assisting
  • EMS Professions Diploma

All other programs do not allow students to apply while they are in progress.

Can I be a full-time student while completing my prerequisites?

No, the way the prerequisite courses are sequenced, there are not enough courses to take for a full-time schedule. Also, we recommend to only take 2 – 3 prerequisites a semester to ensure students have enough time to study and make the best grade possible in their competitive prerequisites.

What is the difference between institutional overall GPA and prerequisite GPA?

Your overall GPA is the average grade among all the courses that you have attempted here at Gwinnett Technical College (GTC). This GPA is on your official and unofficial GTC transcript. It is also on your DegreeWorks.

Your prerequisite GPA is the average grade among the courses you must complete to apply to your program of interest. These courses are known as prerequisites. And prerequisites vary from program to program. To calculate the GPA among your prerequisites, you can use the calculation chart in the application for your program of interest. All program applications can be found at: https://gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/  

What does it mean that my program is competitive?

A competitive program means that there are more applicants than spots available in a particular program, so not all students can be accepted. Applicants will be ranked based on their prerequisite GPAs (Grade Point Average) (Grade Point Average) and Healthcare Exam scores (ATI TEAS and KAPLAN). Not all programs require testing. Top ranked applicants will be accepted into each program based on the number of spots available in that year.

What is a prerequisite?

General Context: A class you must complete before taking a more advanced class.

Competitive Healthcare Program Context: A set of classes which must be completed before being considered a candidate for their program.

Where can I take my classes?

Students may take general education classes at the Lawrenceville or Alpharetta –North Fulton campus and online (GVTC online or E-Campus).

Can I take my prerequisites online?

Yes, however, students are required to take science courses on campus at Gwinnett Technical College.

How do I get advisement for classes?

You can do this by scheduling an appointment with the Health Enrollment Support Team. Appointments are available by Phone, Webex (Video Conferencing), and On Campus. To schedule an appointment, click on one of the following links or download the QLESS mobile app: https://gwinnetttech.edu/qless/

·        For an appointment with the Lawrenceville campus, click here: https://kiosk.us2.qless.com/kiosk/app/home/11951 

·       For an appointment with the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, click here:https://kiosk.us2.qless.com/kiosk/app/home/18811

Does the Accuplacer exempt me from any of my classes?

The ACCUPLACER does not exempt students from taking prerequisite courses. NEXT GENERATION ACCUPLACER is a placement test to help measure a student’s skills in reading, writing and math. The ACCUPLACER determines if a student needs a support course before taking diploma or degree courses.

Can my AP, CLEP, or Dual Enrollment credits fulfill prerequisites credits?

If you have taken AP or CLEP credits you will need to submit an official copy of your transcript from https://www.collegeboard.org/ during your Admission process so the Registrar’s Office can evaluate your transfer credit. If you have obtained college credit through Dual Enrollment classes, you will need to submit an official copy of your college transcript where your classes were taken.

Can I take my prerequisite classes at another college?

Yes. However, students need to ensure that the college is regionally accredited. We do not confirm if a class will transfer over until a student has been accepted and a transfer credit evaluation is completed. Students can see a list of approved accreditations we accept here: TCSG-List-of-Recognized-Accreditation-Agencies.pdf

I got a “C” in a prerequisite course. Should I retake it?

Typically, we recommend retaking any 3-credit course in your prerequisites for a higher grade if a student receives a “C” to assist in increasing competitive GPA. Students may also have the option to do the CLEP exam for some prerequisites. Make an appointment or email the Healthcare Team for more information if you think this may be an option for you.https://gwinnetttech.edu/programs/assessment-testing-center/clep-exams/

Paying for College Questions

What are my payment options?

If you have applied for financial aid through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and you are eligible for funding (state funds or federal funds), you can use your financial aid award to pay for your classes. However, please make sure that you understand your funds and how they are disbursed so that you do not miss any payment deadlines. Your enrollment team can assist you with this.

Also, there are payment plans available and you can learn more about these here: https://gwinnetttech.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/bursar/payment-plans/

Once you have established your grade point average (GPA) within Gwinnett Technical College, you will be eligible to apply for Gwinnett Technical College internal scholarships.

Finally, we encourage you to learn more about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in case you might be eligible for this type of funding.

What is the cost of attendance for healthcare programs?

Students may contact the program support specialist for a breakdown on the cost of a healthcare program.

Josh Vejar – Health Sciences/Health Imaging – Jvejar@GwinnettTech.edu

Saadia Jackson-Collins – Nursing – SJCollins@GwinnettTech.edu

Will Financial Aid pay if I retake a class? If you are in good standing with Financial Aid and not on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Suspension, you can retake a class one time if you have passed the class previously.