Answers to Your Admissions Questions:

High School Issues

What courses should my child take in high school to be best prepared for college?

Encourage you child to take the most rigorous high school classes in which they can succeed. For example, 4 years of English, 4 years of college prep Math, 4 years of Lab Science, 2 to 4 years of Foreign Language, and 3 to 4 years of Social Sciences. This, along with other required high school classes, should give your child the best preparation for college level work. A student who is successful in the Core 40 or Academic Honors programs will have the necessary coursework to be admitted into many colleges, but the best prepared students are the ones who have succeeded in rigorous classes throughout their high school years.

My child has not taken 3 years of college prep courses in high school. Can he still be admitted to PNC?

Yes. Student GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, and high school classes are all taken into consideration when evaluating an application. If a student applies to PNC without having all of the high school classes to be required admitted into their chosen major, there is the possibility that they may be admitted to our General Studies program as a "pre" student if the other information indicates college level ability. As a "pre" student, a student can prove their college ability while taking classes toward their major.

When should my child plan to take the SAT/ACT?

We recommend students take their SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year. This gives them the opportunity to retake the test in the fall of their senior year, should they want to improve their scores. PNC will accept either an SAT or an ACT and will count the highest scores achieved.

My child has a learning disability. Is there anything we need to be doing to prepare for college while he is in high school?

All students who plan to enter college after high school should take the most challenging high school curriculum that is manageable. Students who have been challenged and learned how to study and manage their time are often the most successful in college. To contact a PNC admissions advisor to discuss high school preparation and admissions requirements, call 1-800-872-1231 ext. 5505.

PNC Student Support Services offers students with disabilities accommodations and the support necessary to meet the challenges of higher education. Information about accommodations offered at PNC and documentation required to receive assistance may be obtained by contacting Student Support Services at ext. 5312.

Admissions Issues

Can my child be accepted to PNC without taking the SAT/ACT?

Yes. PNC does not accept or deny students solely on one piece of information. To be admitted directly to a degree program, a recent high school graduate does need an appropriate SAT/ACT score. However, without the SAT/ACT test score, a student may be admitted to a pre-program and required to demonstrate college ability. Once the student has completed 12 college-level credit hours with "C" or better grades, the SAT/ACT requirement is waived.

When should my child apply for admission to PNC?

We recommend students submit applications early in their senior year, after six semesters of high school have been completed.

What is the application fee?

There is no application fee for new students. Students transferring from other colleges, however, are required to pay a $30 college transcript evaluation fee.

When will we hear if our child has been admitted?

Completed applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Students are informed of our admission decision as soon as possible, generally within two weeks of completing the application process.

How and when will my child be assigned an advisor/counselor?

When the application is processed and the student is admitted, a letter is sent to notify the student of the admission. This letter includes the academic advisor's name and contact information.

My child is unsure of a major choice. Is choosing a major necessary for admission?

Choosing a major is not necessary for admission. 70 percent of all college freshmen across the United States change their major at least once. When filling out the PNC application, the student should indicate "Undecided" as the choice of major. Once admitted, the student will be assigned an advisor who will provide academic and career counseling, including career testing. This can help the student in choose a degree program. Students admitted with an undecided major can enroll in general education classes that will apply to most degrees.

My child is home-schooled. What documentation is required to complete the admissions process?

To apply, your child can submit an on-line application through our website, or request a paper application to mail to PNC. We will need transcripts from the home school, showing the individual high school courses taken each year (i.e. Algebra, Geometry, Biology, English), grades for each class, overall grade point average, and graduation date. SAT or ACT test score reports should be submitted with the transcripts.

Our child wants to stay home, but PNC does not offer the major that he/she desires. Do PNC credits transfer to other universities?

PNC credits are Purdue University credits and will generally transfer to other universities. The student should work with his/her academic advisor to select courses that are required for and transferable to the specific degree program the student plans to pursue at the transfer school. PNC students routinely transfer successfully to other universities.

Is housing available on or within walking distance of the PNC campus?

PNC currently has no housing on the campus. However, University Park Apartments, privately owned off-campus housing, is available. Students interested in the University Park Apartments can get further information at www.universitypark.info or by calling 219-785-7275.

Who can I call for additional information?

You may speak with an admissions advisor by calling 1-800-872-1231 ext. 5505. Our advisors will be happy to speak to you on the phone or meet with you in the admissions office. Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6p.m. and Friday 8a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can current high school students take courses at PNC? How do they apply?

Yes, high school students can take courses at PNC if they meet the High School Non-Degree student requirements. To be admitted as a High School Non-Degree student, students must submit an application with high school transcripts and meet two of the following three requirements: rank in the upper third of their class, have a 3.0 GPA, and score 1000/SAT or 21/ACT. The High School Non-Degree application is available on-line or can be requested by phone or mail.

Will classes taken as a non-degree student count as college credits?

All college-level courses taken as a non-degree student at PNC carry college credits and are posted to the student's Purdue transcript. If a non degree-seeking student is considering pursuing a degree, he/she should select courses that are required for the degree. The academic advisor assigned to the student can assist with this selection.