Point System for High-Demand Programs
WCC uses a structured point system to rank applicants to high-demand programs. Points are awarded based on prerequisite completion, academic performance, residency status, and other program-specific criteria.
The point scales and evaluation criteria are outlined below. While these include all point scales used by the college, not every program uses each one. Unless otherwise noted, the listed scales apply broadly across all programs. Be sure to check your specific program’s information page to confirm which criteria are applicable.
Point Scales for Competitive Admission Programs
The following outlines the point scales used for all WCC competitive admission programs. Please note that these scales are subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, scales apply to all programs. For program-specific criteria, refer to your program’s information page.
General Information
- GPA Calculations: Based on a 4.0 GPA scale.
- Grading: Course grades (including transfer courses) are calculated using WCC’s grading scale below.
- Semester Conversion: GPA calculations are based on semester hours. Quarter hours will be converted, and quality points will be recalculated using the formulas below.
How to Calculate:
- (2 x Number of Quarter Hours) ÷ 3 = Semester Hours
- Number of Semester Hours x Grade Points Per Hour = Quality Points
WCC Grading Scale
| Grade | Grade Points Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| A+, A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
Point Categories
1. Cumulative Program Prerequisite GPA
The student's grades/GPA of all required program prerequisite courses will be included in the calculation. Points will be awarded according to the scale below.
How to Calculate:
- Number of Credit Hours of Course x Grade Points Per Credit Hour = Quality Points
- Sum of Quality Points from All Prerequisite Courses ÷ Sum of GPA Credit Hours from All Prerequisite Courses = Cumulative Program Prerequisite GPA
Note (Registered Nursing Applicants ONLY): CNA prerequisite courses (e.g., HSC 100, 164, 165) are excluded from this GPA calculation.
Cumulative Program Prerequisite GPA Scale
| GPA Range | Points |
|---|---|
| 4.00 | 63 |
| 3.90 - 3.99 | 60 |
| 3.80 - 3.89 | 57 |
| 3.70 - 3.79 | 54 |
| 3.60 - 3.69 | 51 |
| 3.50 - 3.59 | 48 |
| 3.40 - 3.49 | 45 |
| 3.30 - 3.39 | 42 |
| 3.20 - 3.29 | 39 |
| 3.10 - 3.19 | 36 |
| 3.00 - 3.09 | 33 |
| 2.90 - 2.99 | 30 |
| 2.80 - 2.89 | 27 |
| 2.70 - 2.79 | 24 |
| 2.60 - 2.69 | 21 |
| 2.50 - 2.59 | 18 |
| 2.40 - 2.49 | 15 |
| 2.30 - 2.39 | 12 |
| 2.20 - 2.29 | 9 |
| 2.10 - 2.19 | 6 |
| 2.00 - 2.09 | 3 |
2. Residency Status
Students are awarded points based on their residency status, which is determined by where the student resides. Residency is verified using a valid Driver’s License, State ID, or three approved documents. For more information on policies and procedures, visit WCC’s Residency website.
Residency Status Scale
| Residency Status | Points |
|---|---|
| In-District (Washtenaw County) | 8 |
| Out-of-District (Michigan) | 3 |
| Out-of-State/International | 0 |
Note: Students who reside outside of Washtenaw County but have been granted a tuition discount will not qualify for In-District points. The tuition discount does not alter your permanent
residency status.
3. Experience - Applicable only to Physical Therapist Assistant and Radiography
Only one type of experience (option a or b below) may be awarded points. Required experience used to meet admission prerequisites or program requirements will not be considered for additional points. All submitted experiences will be evaluated by the department.
a. Employment Experience
Students must have direct patient care employment experience in a hospital or health care facility/agency within 8 years of the application deadline. Documentation is required via WCC’s Experience Form or DD-214 (for veterans).
Definition: Direct patient care involves any hands-on interaction between healthcare professionals and patients that is intended to diagnose, treat, manage, or adjust the treatment plan for a patient's medical condition. This includes, but is not limited to performing physical examinations, conducting procedures, taking vital signs, providing personal hygiene assistance, transporting patients, educating patients about their medical condition and how to manage it, and making necessary adjustments to the treatment plan based on the patient's response. Direct patient care requires direct interaction with patients to assess their needs and provide necessary care and treatment.
Experience Scale: Full-Time Employment (30 hours or more per week)
| Employment Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| 2 years or more | 8 |
| 1 year or more (less than 2 years) | 6 |
| 6 months or more (less than 1 year) | 4 |
| 3 months or more (less than 6 months) | 2 |
Experience Scale: Part-Time Employment (15 hours or more per week)
| Employment Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| 2 years or more | 4 |
| 1 year or more (less than 2 years) | 3 |
| 6 months or more (less than 1 year) | 2 |
| 3 months or more (less than 6 months) | 1 |
b. High School Health Science Technology Program
Students must verify completion of at least one (1) year in a high school health science technology program and provide an official transcript showing a grade of C/2.0 or higher. If the program is not clearly listed on the transcript, additional documentation may be required for verification.
Experience Scale: High School Health Science Technology Program
| Program Completion | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 Year | 4 |
4. Courses Completed at WCC
Students may be awarded additional points for each admission prerequisite course completed at WCC. Points will only be awarded for courses that are used to fulfill application requirements.
Note (Registered Nursing Applicants ONLY): CNA prerequisite courses (e.g., HSC 100, 164, 165) do not qualify for this point.
Courses Completed at WCC Scale
| Course Type | Points |
|---|---|
| Admission Prerequisite Course (per course) | 1 |
5. Military or Veteran Status
Students must verify their status by submitting appropriate documentation if they are currently serving or submitting Form DD-214 if they are a veteran.
Military or Veteran Status Scale
| Status | Points |
|---|---|
| Military or Veteran | 5 |
6. Alternate Candidate Status
Students who are reapplying after previously receiving alternate candidate status—but were not admitted—will be awarded additional points. Points are only awarded to students who received alternate status through WCC’s competitive admission process, not the former waitlist process.
Alternate Candidate Status Scale
| Frequency | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 time | 4 |
| 2 or more times | 8 |
7. Tie Breakers
If applicants are tied with an equal number of points for the final available seat:
- The applicant with the highest Cumulative Prerequisite GPA will be selected.
- If still tied, a lottery will determine placement.
8. Application Extension Process
If accepted or alternate candidate seats remain available after the initial application deadline, the following process will apply:
- Applications will close on the initial application deadline, as scheduled.
- Applications will reopen on the second day after the deadline (not the day immediately following) and remain open until all seats are filled.
- Once all seats are filled, the application will close, and no further submissions will be accepted.
- Students who do not meet all admission requirements by the initial deadline may apply for conditional consideration if they expect to meet all requirements by the semester listed on the program information page.
- Seats will be filled based on the submission date of the application, whether it is complete or incomplete.
- If multiple applications are submitted on the same day, placement will be determined by lottery.