Health Sciences Competitive Selection
College Admission & Competitive Selection Process
Admission to Ogeechee Technical College and selection into a competitive Health Sciences program cohort are separate processes. Once admitted to the College, students must meet all applicable competitive selection requirements and participate in the competitive selection process to be considered for a competitive selection program cohort. Students are responsible for understanding and completing the requirements of both.
Admission to OTC does not guarantee selection into a competitive Health Sciences program cohort.
Please read this information carefully and review all program-specific requirements and deadlines before beginning the competitive selection process.
College Admission Process
To be eligible to participate in competitive selection, students must first complete all applicable Ogeechee Technical College admission requirements, including:
- Submit a completed Application for Admission.
- Submit an official high school transcript or approved high school equivalency documentation, as required.
- Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or postsecondary institutions, if applicable.
- Provide all additional documentation required by OTC for admission and residency/tuition classification.
- Meet any applicable age requirements for the intended program.
Students are responsible for ensuring that all required documents are received by OTC within established deadlines.
Acceptance to Ogeechee Technical College does not guarantee selection into a competitive Health Sciences program cohort.
Competitive Selection Process
Enrollment in certain Health Sciences program cohorts is limited based on factors such as available clinical placements, laboratory and instructional capacity, accreditation requirements, and other program-specific considerations. Therefore, the number of students selected for each program may vary by cohort.
Only students who meet all minimum eligibility requirements by the applicable deadline will be considered for competitive selection. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee program cohort selection.
When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available seats, eligible applicants are ranked according to the published competitive selection criteria for the program.
Competitive Selection Requirements
To be considered for selection into a competitive Health Sciences program cohort, students must complete all requirements by the published deadline. Depending on the program, requirements may include:
- Admission to Ogeechee Technical College
- Successful completion of required prerequisite or general education courses;
- Completion of the appropriate TEAS Test in the OTC assessment center. Tests taken off-site will not be accepted.
- Submission of the appropriate program-specific online Interest Form for Competitive Admissions.
- Attend the appropriate competitive admissions workshop within one year before the term of interest.
- Submission of required licenses, certifications, or other program-specific documentation, if applicable; and
- Completion of any additional requirements identified for the individual program.
- Applicants must be free of any academic misconduct violations, such as documented plagiarism, cheating, or other violations of the OTC Student Code of Conduct.
Students should carefully review the Program-Specific Competitive Selection Requirements for their intended program.
Courses Evaluated for Competitive Selection
Each competitive Health Sciences program identifies specific courses that are evaluated as part of the competitive selection process. Students should refer to the program-specific requirements in this handbook to determine which courses are required and which courses are included in the calculation of the competitive selection score.
Only courses identified as Courses Evaluated for Competitive Selection will be included in the competitive selection GPA calculation. Other courses completed as part of the program curriculum will not be included unless specifically identified in the program's selection criteria.
Courses in Progress
All courses required for competitive selection must be completed and final grades posted by the published competitive selection deadline. Students with any required courses that are still in progress at the deadline will not be considered for the current competitive selection cycle.
Transfer Credit
Students who wish to have transfer coursework considered as part of competitive selection must ensure that all required official transcripts have been received and evaluated by OTC by the published deadline.
Coursework completed at another institution will be considered in accordance with OTC's established transfer credit policies and the competitive selection requirements of the applicable program.
Course Expiration
Some courses are subject to a time limit for transferability. The Registrar’s Office can provide a list of these courses. The Registrar will not award transfer credit for exemption exams taken at other colleges.
Multiple Attempts per Course
Students may attempt a course more than once. When multiple attempts exist for a course evaluated for competitive selection, the highest grade earned will be used to calculate the competitive selection GPA.
Students considering repeating a course should consult with their advisor and Financial Aid prior to registration, as repeated coursework may affect financial aid eligibility.
Entrance Examination
Applicants to competitive Health Sciences programs requiring the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) must complete the examination and meet the applicable minimum score by the published competitive selection deadline.
All TEAS exams used for competitive selection must be taken in person at the Ogeechee Technical College Assessment Center and can be scheduled here. TEAS scores from exams taken at another institution, testing center, or through an online/at-home testing option will not be accepted for competitive selection .
Associate of Science in Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Echocardiography, and Radiologic Technology
Applicants must:
- Earn a minimum TEAS score of 75; and
- Have a minimum competitive selection GPA of 3.0 in the courses identified for their program.
Practical Nursing
Applicants must:
- Earn a minimum TEAS score of 60; and
- Have successfully completed the ATI Nursing Essentials program or an approved Allied Health Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), diploma, or degree.
Because the Practical Nursing program does not require core courses for competitive selection, a competitive selection GPA is not calculated as part of the eligibility requirements.
Students are encouraged to complete the TEAS well in advance of the competitive selection deadline, as testing availability may be limited as deadlines approach.
Competitive Selection Application
Students seeking selection into a competitive Health Sciences program cohort must submit an Interest Form by the published deadline.
Submission of an application for admission to Ogeechee Technical College, declaration of a Health Sciences major, or completion of prerequisite coursework does not substitute for submission of the required Interest Form.
A separate Interest Form may be required for each program for which a student wishes to compete.
Students who are not selected and wish to compete during a future selection cycle must submit a new Interest Form and meet all requirements in effect for that selection cycle. Students are responsible for verifying that previously completed coursework, entrance examination scores, and other requirements remain valid.
Competitive Selection Ranking
OTC uses an objective, quantitative process to rank eligible applicants for selection into competitive Health Sciences programs.
Only applicants who have satisfied all minimum eligibility requirements by the published deadline will be included in the competitive selection ranking.
Applicants are ranked according to the competitive selection criteria established for the individual program. Available seats are offered beginning with the highest-ranked eligible applicant and continuing in rank order until all available seats have been filled.
Notification of Selection
All applicants who complete the competitive selection process will be notified of their selection status through their OTC student email.
Students are responsible for monitoring their OTC email and ensuring that their contact information remains current throughout the competitive selection process.
Selected students must accept their seat according to the instructions and within the timeframe provided in the selection notification. Failure to respond by the stated deadline may result in forfeiture of the seat. The available seat may then be offered to the next eligible applicant based on competitive selection ranking.
Once selection is confirmed, students will receive additional information regarding program orientation, advisement, registration, and requirements that must be completed before beginning the program.
Additional Program and Clinical Requirements
Selection into a Health Sciences program may require students to complete additional requirements before participating in occupational or clinical coursework. Depending on the program and requirements of clinical affiliates, these may include:
- Criminal background check;
- Drug screening;
- Immunization and health documentation;
- CPR certification;
- Professional liability insurance;
- Program orientation;
- Required uniforms, supplies, or equipment; and
- Other requirements established by the program, clinical affiliates, accrediting agencies, or regulatory bodies.
Students are responsible for all associated costs unless otherwise specified by the College.
A criminal conviction or other background finding does not necessarily prevent a student from being selected into a Health Sciences program; however, certain findings may prevent a student from participating in clinical experiences and/or becoming eligible for professional certification, registry, or licensure.
Students who test positive for prohibited substances may also be ineligible to participate in required clinical experiences.
Ogeechee Technical College cannot guarantee a student's eligibility for professional licensure or certification or placement at a clinical affiliate. Eligibility for clinical participation is subject to the requirements and approval of participating clinical facilities and applicable regulatory, licensing, and credentialing organizations.
Students are expected to maintain professional and ethical standards throughout their enrollment and comply with the Ogeechee Technical College Student Code of Conduct, applicable program policies, and requirements of assigned clinical affiliates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does admission to OTC mean I have been selected into a cohort in my Health Sciences program?
No. Admission to Ogeechee Technical College and selection into a competitive Health Sciences program cohort are separate processes. Students must meet all applicable competitive selection requirements and participate in the competitive selection process to be considered for program cohort selection.
Does meeting the minimum requirements guarantee program selection?
No. Meeting the minimum requirements makes a student eligible to compete for program selection. When the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available seats, applicants are ranked according to the published competitive selection criteria.
What happens if I am not admitted to a competitive selection program?
Students who are not admitted to the competitive selection program of their choice may be eligible to compete during a future competitive selection cycle. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to discuss their options and should carefully review the requirements and deadlines for the next selection cycle.
What expenses should I expect if I am selected into a competitive selection program?
In addition to tuition and textbooks, Health Sciences students may have program-specific expenses associated with uniforms, equipment and supplies, background checks, drug screenings, immunizations, CPR certification, professional liability insurance, testing, and professional certification or licensure.
Students should review the estimated cost information provided for their specific program and speak with the program advisor regarding anticipated expenses.
How do I know which Health Sciences program is right for me?
Students who are unsure which Health Sciences career best fits their interests and goals are encouraged to speak with an OTC advisor, Career Services, and faculty within the programs they are considering.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
For questions regarding admission to Ogeechee Technical College, contact Michelle Fields, Director for Admissions, at mfields@ogeecheetech.edu.
For questions regarding the Competitive Selection Process, contact:
- Rose Williams, Academic Advisor | rlwilliams@ogeecheetech.edu
o Advises students interested in the Echocardiography, Radiologic Technology, or Sonography programs
- Teresa Brooks, Academic Advisor | tbrooks@ogeecheetech.edu
o Advises students interested in the Nursing and Practical Nursing programs
For questions regarding program curriculum, career expectations, or program-specific requirements, contact the appropriate program advisor.