Admission

General Admission

All degree and certificate seeking students, both full-time and part-time enrolling in credit-bearing classes, must complete a general admission application except for Adult Basic Education, English Language Acquisition, International Students, Running Start, and Gold Card/space available enrollment. Please note: There are admission application deadlines prior to the start of each quarter. Please contact the Admissions Office concerning these deadlines. When applying, these steps should be followed:

1. Complete a Community and Technical College Application for Admission, available online at the YVC website (www.YVCC.edu), then mail the required non-refundable application fee to the Cashiers Office or pay in person at the Cashiers Office in the Deccio Higher Education Center.
2. Prepare for the placement process. Placement results are used to place students into appropriate level courses with the ultimate goal of improving student success in the classroom. Preparation material can be found on the Testing Center website www.YVCC.edu/placement.
3. Complete the placement process. Students with concerns about their placement results should see their assigned advisor or a counselor. Placement test fees are nonrefundable.
4. Submit an official copy of all previous college transcripts to the YVC Admissions Office. Transcripts must be mailed directly to the college or presented by the student in an officially sealed envelope.
5. Once the above steps have been completed, the student will receive notification and information when appropriate about new student orientation and registration. The application for admission is valid for four consecutive quarters (excluding summer quarter).
6. Certain professional/technical programs have Selective Admission processes. There are also special admission processes for College and Career Readiness (ABE, ELA), International Student, Running Start, Underage Student Admissions, and Bachelor of Applied Sciences Programs. Additional information may also be found on the website (www.YVCC.edu).

Former Students

Former students who have not attended YVC for the preceding four quarters (excluding summer quarter) are required to reapply for admission to the college.

Part-Time Students

Students enrolling in fewer than 12 credits are required to follow the general admission guidelines if they are pursing a transfer degree or wishing to enroll in a professional/technical program. Students wishing to enroll in English, math, or any course with a placement test score requirement must take the placement test. Students enrolling in 12 or more credits are considered full-time.

Selective Admissions in Professional/Technical Programs

Certain professional/technical programs in the Workforce Education Division have additional admission requirements. Admission to YVC does not guarantee entrance to these programs. Students must meet the application deadlines and entrance requirements prescribed by the program:

• Dental Assisting
• Nursing
• Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)
• Pharmacy Technology
• Surgical Technology
• Phlebotomy
• Medical Assisting
• Veterinary Technology
• Radiologic Sciences
• Medical Billing and Coding

To be considered for programs with selective admissions, please:

• Refer to specific program requirements in this catalog and/or website.
• Contact the department directly for an application packet.
• Submit all required paperwork by the program deadlines.
• Complete all required prerequisites.

Selective Admissions in Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees

YVC has selective admission requirements for the bachelor of applied science degrees. Beginning prerequisite coursework at YVC does not guarantee entrance into these programs. Students must meet application deadlines and entrance requirements prescribed by the program.

• Dental Hygiene
• Business Management
• Information Technology Networking-System Administration
• Teacher Education

Special Admissions

International Student Program

YVC offers a friendly International Student Program, which gives personal attention from the moment of application all the way through to transfer or graduation. We will do what we can to make the student’s time in the United States enjoyable and rewarding; however, we will challenge students to do the best they can and to succeed. Acceptance and admission into the college is based on a thorough review and evaluation of the student’s entire application file. Please allow a at least eight weeks to process the application. Once students have fulfilled all admission requirements, they will receive a letter of acceptance and Form I-20 that they must take to the American Embassy or Consulate to apply for an F-1 visa. The I-20 cannot be sent until all documentation and a $30.00 application fee are received and the student is formally admitted to college.

Application Requirements

1. An official International Student Application Form.
2. A nonrefundable application fee of $30.00. Fees are subject to change.
3. Official copies of transcripts from high schools, national exams, intensive English-language programs, and all colleges or universities attended (translated into English). These must be sent directly to YVC from the issuing institution or testing center. Students who wish to transfer credit from international institutions must have their international transcripts evaluated through the Foundation for International Services (FIS) or World Education Services (WES).

• Contact the International Student Program Office or the Admissions Office for more information.

4. Evidence of English competency which will allow successful completion of course of study. Please submit at least one of the following (minimum scores or better):

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with minimum scores or 487 (paper-based), or 163 (computer-based) or 57 (Internet-based), or
• IELTS (International English Language Test System). A minimum scored of 5.0 is required, or
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communications). A minimum score of 850 is required, or
• STEP/EIKEN (Society for Testing English Proficiency). A minimum score of Pre-1 is required, or
• Official verification of successful completion of another nationally-recognized test of English competency, or
• Proof of successful completion of an advanced level of English at an approved English language center in the United States with a grade point average of 2.0 or above, or
• Successful completion of Central Washington University’s English as a Second Language Program (UESL) program, or
• Three (3) credits of college-level English composition from an accredited U.S. college or university with a grade of C (2.0) or better, or
• Proof of English competency may be determined for native English speakers who completed education (primary and/or secondary) in Australia, Canada (English speaking provinces), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States. Applicants who meet this native proficiency requirement must provide academic credentials, including school names and dates attended, from primary and/or secondary schools. Native English speakers from other countries (not listed) where English is the official language for their education for primary and/or secondary schools may be considered with proof of English competency documentation such as academic credentials, or
• Proof of successful completion of at least 3 years of high school English in the United States.

• *TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, and STEP tests must have been taken within two years immediately preceding the requested quarter of admission. Prospective students applying from abroad must submit official test score reports to the college. All new students must complete YVC’s placement process for English and math after arriving and before they enroll in their first quarter at YVC.

5. The financial statement must be completed by a bank official and/or sponsor and submitted with proof of financial ability. You must show assured support for the first year and projected support for the total years needed to complete your degree. Documents should not be more than three months old. Faxed or scanned copies of bank statements are initially accepted, but YVC requires an original copy of the document for additional verification.
6. International Students must purchase or show proof of health insurance at least nine months (one-academic year). Once accepted to YVC, students cannot register for classes until they have purchased or provided proof of medical coverage. Please contact the International Student Program for more details. The college does not have grants, scholarships, loans, or other forms of financial assistance available to international students. On-campus employment is limited, so international students cannot expect to work after arrival. While not required to live on campus, international students are encouraged to do so for the first year in order to share cultures and ideas in a safe, inexpensive, friendly, and informal atmosphere.

For further information, please visit our website at www.YVCC.edu/International.

Running Start

The Running Start Program is a partnership between YVC and Washington State public high schools. The program offers eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take classes that satisfy both high school and college credit requirements, get a head start on earning college credits, seek a greater academic challenge, or take courses not offered in high school. Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes or solely in college classes.

To participate in this program, students must place into college-level English and MATH 085  through the YVC placement process. Students are responsible for their own transportation, college fees, and textbooks. For more information or an application, visit our website www.YVCC.edu/RunningStart.

Underage Student Admission

YVC does not desire to replace or duplicate the functions of the local public schools regarding providing instruction to students under the age of 18. For applicants under the age of 16, academic and emotional maturity are of particular concern; however, the college recognizes there are certain circumstances when an underage applicant would benefit from college-level coursework. To respond to the needs of those students, the college has established the following special admissions policy. Students are responsible for tuition, class fees, books, and class supplies.

1. Any applicant not qualifying for admission through regular admissions procedures or qualifying for an established program must request consideration of admittance under the special admissions procedure.
2. Before students can attend class the request for admittance must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Committee.
3. If the student is accepted they will receive a welcome/email with instructions on how to proceed with the registration process.
4. A personal interview with the Admissions Committee may be requested at the discretion of the committee.
5. Students admitted under the special admission procedure:

• Will be admitted on a course-by-course basis.
• May register for class if space is available after the class has met at least once or after the third day of the quarter, whichever is later.
• Must have the underage special admissions advisor’s approval before adding or dropping a course.

6. Any student who received probation, suspension, or dismissal status on YVC transcripts will not be admitted under special admissions.

Determine your application track and follow instructions:

Audition Based

Music or Drama Performance Course

1. After audition, complete Underage Special Admissions application
2. Complete Walk-in Registration form
3. Complete Supplemental Application/Registration form
4. Attach instructor permission/entry code (usually an email)
5. Send all documents together to:

YVC
Attn: Underage Special Admissions
PO BOX 22520
Yakima, WA 98907

or

Drop them off at C117 in the Deccio
Higher Education Center
1000 S. 12th Ave. Yakima, WA

Academic Based

College-level courses such as History, Science, Math, English etc.

1. Complete Underage Special Admissions application no later than two weeks before the start of the quarter
2. Complete Walk-in Registration form
3. Complete Supplemental Application/Registration form
4. Submit a signed release from a school or school district official - (If the student will be leaving high school during the regular school day.)
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from a school representative (teacher, counselor etc.) addressing the student’s ability to participate successfully in an adult learning environment
6. Send all documents together to:

YVC
Attn: Underage Special Admissions
PO BOX 22520
Yakima, WA 98907

or

Drop them off at C117 in the Deccio Higher Education Center
1000 S. 12th Ave. Yakima, WA

7. Dependent upon the courses requested, students may be required to complete the placement process to demonstrate competency and the ability to benefit from college level coursework. Once the application has been reviewed the student will be contacted if the placement process is required.

Veteran Status

Selected programs of study at YVC are approved by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (WTECB/SAA) for enrollment of those eligible to receive benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC.

YVC does not and will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollment or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admissions activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will pay educational benefits to eligible students enrolled in approved programs. Students should contact the Veterans Office to complete the application process. Copies of all transcripts from previous colleges must be on file when applying, or only two quarters will be certified. Veterans should also send YVC a copy of their Joint Services Transcript when they apply for admission. This can help prevent an overpayment of VA benefits.

YVC grants academic credit for prior military training for training that applies to student’s certificate or degree requirements. To grant credit for documented military training or experience, the student must submit their Joint Services Transcript (JST) to the Admissions Office and the corresponding course must be offered by YVC. Military programs and classes will be evaluated by each department at YVC to determine if a course equivalency exists. For a list of military training programs and classes that qualify for academic credit, please visit the Transfer Credit page on the Admissions website.

An advance payment, which is sent to the school, may be requested. Benefits for the preceding month are paid directly to the student. The monthly amount is based upon the enrolled credits that count toward the approved program.

If enrollment status is:

• Full time: 12 credits or more
• 3/4 time: 9 to 11 credits
• 1/2 time: 6 to 8 credits
• Less than half time: contact the Veterans Office

Yakima Valley College should limit student enrollment to 85% veteran enrollment for each separately approved educational or vocational objective.  In the event that a veteran wishes to enroll in a program that has already reached the 85% cap, he or she may do so but will not be eligible for VA funding. Chapter 35 and 31 students may still enroll even if the 85 percent has been realized.

All students receiving veteran’s benefits must maintain adequate progress toward their degree. To verify satisfactory progress, monthly reports of attendance and progress are requested from instructors. VA recipients who fail to maintain minimum standards (2.0 GPA) are subject to academic probation or suspension. This could cause the reduction or cancellation of benefits.

Students are responsible for providing necessary information and changes, such as program, credit load, address correction, or any other change that may affect their VA status. Students must contact the Veterans Office after registering each quarter.

Deployed veterans returning to YVC within one year after returning from deployment do not need to reapply for admissions. Students must provide the Veterans Affairs Office with a copy of their orders.

Yakima Valley College adheres to the requirements of the Principles of Excellence as stated in Executive Order 13607, signed into law in April 2012, and PL 116-315, Section 1018 which is effective as of June 2021.  This means if veteran students are called for active duty mid-quarter, special provisions are available for the processing of course extensions and course withdrawals in compliance with the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003. See the Veterans Coordinator for details. This means in part that any student who is a member of the Army Reserve or National Guard and is deployed due to State or National call during a quarter (this also includes any Active duty component), will not owe any tuition debt and their transcript will not reflect a Withdrawal or an Incomplete.  They can then come back to YVC and start fresh after they return from deployment.

Veterans may enroll in classes ranging in size from a 1-10 instructor-to-student ratio to a 1-48 instructor-to-student ratio, however the most typical class is a 1-30 instructor-to-student ratio. 

For additional information and assistance, contact the Veterans Affairs Office.

Records related to veteran’s administration are retained in accordance with the Washington state community and technical college system’s General Retention Schedule, Record Series CT0401.050. This includes a record of all veterans enrolled who received Veterans Administration Educational Assistance and may include Certificate of Enrollment, cumulative enrollment by quarter, record of counseling and contacts made by the college’s Veterans Coordinator, etc. The minimum record retention period adheres to Veteran’s Administration guidelines or institutional policy, whichever is longer.