General Student Admission Guide
To be admitted to NorQuest College, applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program to which they are applying. Specific admission requirements are listed with each program section of this calendar.
For all programs, applicants are accepted on a first-qualified, firstserved basis when their application and supporting transcripts/documents have been received and evaluated.
Applicants must be 18 years or older by the start date of the program. If underage, the applicant must demonstrate suitability for the program and have written parental consent. Applicants for career programs must be 18 years of age before attending any work or clinical placements to comply with external workplace regulations.
ApplyAlberta is the new provincewide online application system that enables students to apply to one or more post-secondary institutions and authorize transcript transfers between participating institutions.
Applicants enter their personal and academic information only once. The information is transferred automatically to each institution to which the individuals choose to apply. Applicants who use ApplyAlberta are not charged a fee for Alberta high school or post-secondary transcripts transferred between post-secondary institutions.
New Student Technology Features
MyMail: The College-Issued Email Address
(Refer to Standard Practice 2.24: Electronic Communications with Students)
NorQuest College issues a lifetime college email address to all applicants, which will be used as the primary communication vehicle between the Office of the Registrar, applicants, and registered students.
Students are expected to check their College MyMail account on a regular basis so that they do not miss any communication from the College. Electronic communications sent by the College will be deemed received on the next College business day after the day the message was sent regardless of any error, failure notice, Internet service provider problem, virus, email filters, or auto-reply related to students’ email, unless the error or problem originated with the College. Failure to receive or read official College communications sent to the student’s College email account in a timely manner does not absolve the student from knowing and complying with the content of the official communication.
MyQuest: The Online Student Service Centre
Once you apply to NorQuest, you will be issued a MyQuest username and password, giving you access to all of your student account information online anywhere the Internet is available. Some features include:
- Viewing your admission checklist and admission status in real-time
- Viewing and printing your timetable
- Viewing your grades and printing an unofficial transcript
- Viewing your tuition and fees each term
- Paying your fees online with a credit card
- Updating your address and contact informatio
Application Dates for Annually Offered Programs
The following full-time programs are offered once per year in the fall term only. Applications will be accepted for fall 2011 as of January 3, 2011. However, applications for distance programming (continuous delivery) of these programs will continue to be accepted throughout the year.
Applications are accepted for all other full-time programs throughout the year.
Admission Steps
Step 1: Apply and Pay Application Fee
Application Fee
An application requires a nonrefundable fee of $50 CDN. (Some part-time, evening, or short courses may be exempt from this fee.) International applicants (both in Canada and outside Canada) pay a non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of $100 CDN. Applications received without the fee will be returned. Application fees cannot be applied toward tuition. The application fee must be paid each time an application for a new program is submitted.
Applicants who apply through ApplyAlberta will have their Alberta high school and post-secondary transcripts sent directly to NorQuest College. If you do not apply through ApplyAlberta, make arrangements to have your high school transcripts and any post-secondary transcripts (if you have previously attended a postsecondary institution) sent directly from the issuing institution. (See the “Transcripts” section below)
Applications are processed according to the date they are received; therefore, you are advised to apply well in advance of your desired program start date.
Returning Applicants
Applicants who are reapplying to the College are required to meet all conditions (if applicable) outlined on their withdrawal forms before being considered for reacceptance. Appointments with counsellors or advisors may be required to determine the applicant’s readiness to return.
Applications for admission from former students with outstanding financial accounts will not be considered until such time as the account has been settled. Application fees that are collected from students with an outstanding balance will automatically be applied to the outstanding balance of the account.
Step 2: Acknowledgement from the College
Over the coming academic year, NorQuest College will be transitioning to adopting the college email as our primary means of communicating with applicants and registered students.
You will receive a letter of acknowledgement and/or an admission package from the Office of the Registrar notifying you of your status and whether any further information or documentation is required. Carefully read all communications from the Office of the Registrar, as there will be important information or deadlines requiring your attention. Complete and submit any items that may be required to fulfill any outstanding admission requirements as soon as possible. Ensure that we have your current address and telephone number.
Along with a College email address, NorQuest College provides applicants with a secure logon to our online student centre, MyQuest, where real-time information on your admission status can be found. You can continually check your admission status and update your personal information.
The Office of the Registrar will assess your transcript(s) to ensure that you meet admission requirements. It is your responsibility to prove that admission requirements have been met. If the information provided on transcripts does not allow the Office of the Registrar to determine admission eligibility, you may be asked to provide further information or to have an academic skills assessment. (See the section “Academic Assessment,” page 11.)
Some programs require additional basic skills assessment testing even if you meet the academic admission criteria. See the program information section in this calendar for detailed requirements.
Complete applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. When you apply to a program and do not submit all of your admission requirements by the program start date, you must reapply and pay an application fee to be considered again.
Step 3: Admission Decision
Once steps 1 and 2 are complete, a decision is made regarding your admission. Certificate and diploma program applicants receive their admission decision on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis. If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a communication confirming your acceptance and requesting your tuition deposit. You can also check MyQuest for any admission decision. Applicants who do not meet admission requirements will be advised of the reason and offered assistance in choosing another program, if applicable. To inquire about your application status at any time, contact the Admissions unit in the Office of the Registrar.
Applicants who have not submitted all admission documents by the program start date must reapply to the program to be considered again.
Step 4: Tuition Deposit
A tuition deposit or sponsorship confirmation is necessary for applicants to confirm their attendance in a program and reserve a seat. If you delay your tuition deposit confirmation, you may find all seats filled. Once your deposit has been paid or sponsorship confirmation has been received, you will receive a registration package that will provide information on the registration process.
- Canadian citizen/permanent resident deposit: Domestic applicants are required to pay a tuition deposit of $200 CDN toward the first term’s tuition.
- International (both in Canada and outside Canada) deposit: International applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable, non-transferable tuition deposit of $500 CDN towards the first term’s tuition. International applicants may not defer their seat.
If you are admissible but the program quota has been filled, you may be placed on a waiting list or permitted to defer to the next available program offering (see Seat Deferral below). Applicants are accepted from the waiting list according to their tuition deposit return date. If a space becomes available and you are next in line, you will be contacted immediately. Be sure to have your funding arrangements in place, as cancellations may occur close to the date of a program. If your funding is not in place, the space will be offered to the next qualified applicant on the waiting list.
Waiting List
If you are admissible but the program quota has been filled, you may be placed on a waiting list or permitted to defer to the next available program offering. (See “Seat Deferral” below.) Applicants are accepted from the waiting list according to their tuition deposit return date. If a space becomes available and you are next in line, you will be contacted immediately. Be sure to have your funding arrangements in place, as cancellations may occur close to the start date of a program. If your funding is not in place, the space will be offered to the next qualified applicant on the waiting list.
Seat Deferral
Applicants who are offered space in a program but who are unable to accept, or waiting list applicants who are unable to attend may defer their seat one time only to the next available program offering, based on the following guidelines:
- One seat deferral per program is granted. Deferrals will be granted only when the request is received prior to the start date of the program; otherwise a new application and application fee will be required.
- The applicant assumes the risk of deferring his/her application. If the next intake is cancelled, the applicant will not be able to defer again nor will he/she be eligible for a refund of the tuition deposit.
- International applicants may not use the seat deferral option.
College Cancellation of a Course or Program
NorQuest College reserves the right to cancel courses or programs for operational reasons. When the College cancels a course or program, all College fees (including application fees) will be refunded.
Refusal of Admission
NorQuest College reserves the right to grant or refuse admission to any individual. Former applicants who have lost good standing may be denied re-entry.
Transcripts
The application process cannot be completed until appropriate transcripts have been received. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to NorQuest College.
Provide an official transcript from each high school and post-secondary institution (college, university, technical institute) you have attended. Photocopied documents are not acceptable as they are not considered official. Once submitted, all transcripts become the property of NorQuest College and will not be released to nor photocopied for you or anyone outside the College. This is standard practice among Canadian post-secondary institutions and is designed to protect the transcript’s authenticity.
Alberta High School Transcripts
To request an Alberta high school transcript, contact:
Alberta Education Transcript Services
2nd Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard
10044 - 108 Street, NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 5E6
Phone toll-free 310.0000,
Extension 780.427.5732
Tel. 780.427.5732
Fax 780.422.2137
www.education.gov.ab.ca
High School Transcripts from Other Provinces
Transcripts can be obtained by contacting the appropriate board of education in the province in which you attended or are attending high school. Ontario high school students can apply for transcripts directly from the high school attended.
Post-Secondary Transcripts
Transcripts from post-secondary institutions must be issued and signed by the institution and bear the institution’s official seal. (It is not necessary to request official transcripts for course work previously completed at NorQuest College.) In order to obtain official copies of your post-secondary transcripts, contact the Registrar’s Office of the institution(s) you originally attended.
International Transcripts
Documents not printed in English must also include a certified English language translation. Translations must be word-for-word, and in the same format as the original document. English translation services are provided by several agencies in Alberta.
Members of the Association of Translators
and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA)
Edmonton Office
P.O. Box 546
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K8
Tel. 780.434.8384
Edmonton Immigration Services Association
Cromdale School
11240 - 79 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5B 2K1
Tel. 780.474.8445
Fax 780.477.0883
All documents submitted in support of an application for admission become the property of NorQuest College and will not be returned or photocopied for you. An exception may be made for transcripts of applicants outside Canada.
IQAS Evaluation
Transcripts that have been evaluated by IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service) can be submitted to assist the Office of the Registrar with transcript evaluations; however, IQAS assessments are advisory only. NorQuest College reserves the right to ask for further proof of admission criteria if necessary.
Academic Assessment
Applicants may be required to write admissions tests:
- To determine whether they have the requisite academic skills for program entrance
- To determine placement in academic upgrading courses
Academic Assessment for Post-Secondary Programs
If you have not passed courses that are required for entrance into a career program or lack proof that you have completed the courses, you may be able to request an academic assessment. (Or our admissions advisor may recommend this assessment.)
Once your official high school and/or post-secondary transcripts have been evaluated, you can:
- Book a testing appointment by calling 780.644.6130. If you are unable to come to Edmonton for testing, ask about testing in your home community.
- Complete one or more tests (reading comprehension, math, writing, biology, etc.).
If your scores meet admission standards, these may be accepted in place of the published admission requirements.
Adult Upgrading/English Language Training Placement Tests
When you apply for Adult Upgrading or English Language Training programs, you may be required to complete an academic assessment for placement purposes. The placement assessment tests may include a standardized reading test, essay, and/or math test. It is not necessary to study for these tests. If you require your academic assessment in an alternative format because of a disability, we will make special arrangements for you. If you are unable to come to Edmonton for testing, ask about testing in your home community. Your advisor will schedule your assessment, and will contact you to discuss your results and program plan.
Services to Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability, it is important that you identify the support you require at the time of application. You will be referred to the Centre for Excellence in Learning Supports for assessment to ensure that resources are available and that extra funding sources have been requested. You will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available resources. Your registration may be deferred until appropriate resources are in place. The Centre for Excellence in Learning Supports will notify the Office of the Registrar when resources and supports are in place.
Students with disabilities who do not declare their disability at least one month prior to the start of classes may not be able to access their choice of accommodations. They will, however, be provided an alternative that will meet their needs and that can be provided by NorQuest College in a timely fashion.
Applicants currently receiving AISH funding must apply to NorQuest College well in advance to ensure that their application is processed in time for the program start date. Applicants are served on a firstcome, first-served basis depending on resources available. Admission may be deferred until resources become available.
Funding
Investigate and apply for funding from sponsorship agencies as early as possible. Funding approval takes an average of four to six weeks. Please allow enough time to receive funding before classes start. . Click here for further information on financial aid.
Payment of fees or a guarantee of funding must be in place in order for admitted students to start a program or course.
Please note: Students are responsible for fees unpaid by their sponsor.
English Language Proficiency
(Refer to Standard Practice 2.23: English Language Proficiency Requirements)
The English language proficiency (ELP) requirement applies to specified programs for applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship or country of origin.
Proof of English language proficiency must be provided by an applicant prior to an offer of admission into a program. Acceptable forms of ELP must include competencies in reading, writing, listening, and spoken English proficiency. Each competency must have been completed within two years prior to application to a program. An offer of admission may be made once the applicant meets the acceptable ELP scores for the program to which he/she is seeking admission. Acceptable evidence of English language proficiency may be obtained through any one of the following tests:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- CLBA (Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language)
- CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)
- Other ELP test as deemed acceptable by the Office of the Registrar
Please refer to the program admission requirements in this calendar to see whether ELP is an admission requirement and what scores are acceptable.
Applicants have the right to appeal if they are dissatisfied with an ELP admission decision. Applicants may also be granted a waiver of ELP if they meet very specific criteria. For more information, please refer to the full ELP standard practice. This policy can be found on the student intranet Campus Life at http://student.norquest.ca under “College Services,” “Policies.”
Visiting Students
Please note that this practice is currently under review and may change. For more information, check with the Office of the Registrar.
NorQuest students visiting other accredited institutions:
- A NorQuest College student wishing to take a course at another accredited post-secondary institution must have written confirmation from the appropriate program coordinator that the course and credits will be accepted in the student’s NorQuest program prior to registering at another institution.
- NorQuest’s Office of the Registrar will provide a permission letter for the student to submit to the host institution specifying the course(s) the student can take.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that NorQuest College receives the official transcript from the host institution once their course(s) are complete.
Students from another institution visiting NorQuest:
- NorQuest College provides opportunities to students who wish to take courses while maintaining their student status at their home institution. The credits earned at NorQuest College can be transferred back to the home institution, if approval is received.
- Prior arrangements must be made by the visiting student. A letter of permission specifying the course or courses the student can take is issued by their home institution and provided to NorQuest’s Office of the Registrar.
- Visiting students will be subject to all rules and regulations applicable to the students of NorQuest College.
- Visiting students are assessed and pay full tuition and fees to NorQuest College for any courses taken.
|
