By Karen Manning

Special to The Pilot

Fall semester curriculum (college -credit) classes at Sandhills Community College begin August 15.

Enrolling at Sandhills is relatively easy. An application is available online or at the college. There is no charge to apply. Transcripts from high school and, if -applicable, previous colleges must be requested.

New students take a placement test, which helps determine the appropriate beginning point - classes that are not too easy or, conversely, too difficult. The SAT or ACT are not needed to enroll, but these scores can be used for class placement. New students meet with a pre-adviser to discuss the programs, declare a major and make a plan for courses needed

The placement test and pre-advising needs to be carried out prior to August 9, and is on a walk-in basis. A photo -identification is needed and there is an administrative fee of $7. The admissions office is located in Stone Hall on the -campus at 3395 Airport Road in Pinehurst.

Registration for classes will be on August 11, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for current and returning students. Registration for new students will begin at 1 p.m. Current and past students can register for classes using WebAdvisor up to August 5.

Open-Door Policy

North Carolina community colleges have an open-door policy. This means that those 16 or older with a high school -diploma or GED can attend. If the -individual is 18 or older and does not have a high school diploma, the Continuing Education division of the college offers adult high school classes and preparation classes for taking the GED tests.

It is also possible to take curriculum classes as a non-degree seeking student. An application needs to be submitted and prerequisites must be met if required for the class.

Ease of Transfer

About half of the 850,000 students enrolled in N.C. community colleges choose to begin a track that will allow them to complete an associate's degree and transfer their course credits to a four-year college or university in order to earn a bachelor's degree.

Sandhills Community College was the very first comprehensive community -college in North Carolina to offer a -transfer program. Every effort is made to help students fulfill the general education requirements that will transfer into the degree program at the desired college or university they plan to attend. A large majority of these University Studies -students are able to transfer to their first college or university choice and do well academically after transfer.

All information regarding transfer can be found on the college's website in the University Studies program area.

Instruction at a community college can be much more personal than a large -university. Classes are not held in -tremendous auditoriums with hundreds of -students or taught by teacher's assistants. All instructors in courses that transfer hold at least a master's degree in the -subject they teach. The college has an exceptionally successful tutoring center plus math and English labs to help -students succeed.

As the number of college applicants steadily rises, and the competition for a slot as a freshman at a four-year college or university is fiercer than ever before, more and more students are finding themselves not being accepted into the four-year school of their choice. The open door policy at Sandhills Community College coupled with seamless university transfer arrangements changes earning a -bachelor's degree from a dream to a -reality.

Those who work toward a bachelor's degree can save a considerable amount of money by completing their first two years of coursework at Sandhills because tuition and fees are much less than what is experienced at four-year colleges and universities. It is free to apply.

Tuition for a semester at Sandhills, as a full-time student taking 12 credit hours, will cost $798. Student fees are $32.50 and parking is convenient and free. Typical costs for 12 credit hours at an N.C. state university are around $1,600 and student fees are generally $1,300. Parking fees can run students upwards of several -hundred dollars each year and parking is convenient for underclassmen.

Compare four semesters at Sandhills at $3,322 with $11,600 at a state university. Private four-year colleges can cost $70,000 or more in tuition and fees for four semesters. Add in rooming, board, transportation and other associated costs and you can see why a local community college is a very wise choice if money is a consideration.

Programs of Study

About 300,000 North Carolina community college students are earning a degree, diploma or certificate that will prepare them for a particular job. Health-care associate degrees and law enforcement training are always popular.

Sandhills Community College offers many health-care career paths: emergency medical science, health and fitness science, medical laboratory technology, polysomnography, radiography, -respiratory therapy, surgical technology, therapeutic massage, nursing, nursing assistant, practical nursing, medical office administration and medical office coding. Through Continuing Education, there are other offerings, including medical -terminology, medical coding, phlebotomy technician, EKG technician and mediation aide.

The college offers several automotive technology programs, five programs in computer technologies, cosmetology, three engineering programs, a golf course management program, three hospitality and culinary arts programs, a program in landscape gardening, several management and business technology programs and four career paths in public services.

Sandhills Community College has entered into agreements with two other community colleges to offer partner -programs in health information technologies (HIT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA). Students are able to begin these programs at Sandhills and complete them at Pitt Community College (HIT) and Fayetteville Technical Community College (PTA).

Paying for College

Sandhills Community College encourages all applicants to apply for financial aid. Students often qualify for aid without realizing they meet the requirements. A large portion of Sandhills Community College students receives scholarships through the college's Foundation or through industry scholarships. There are grants available, as is student employment through work-study opportunities.

The financial aid application is filled out and submitted at www.fasfa.gov. A -computer is available at the Pinehurst campus or at the Sandhills Hoke Center in Raeford for those who wish to apply but do not have a computer with access to the Internet.

History

One of the fastest-growing and highly regarded educational institutions in North Carolina, Sandhills Community College is a fully accredited two-year college that has served students since 1964. The -college had humble beginnings above the Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Southern Pines. It is now one of the most impressive North Carolina community college campuses on 150 longleaf pine-covered acres on Airport Road in Pinehurst. There are 15 structures housing classrooms and offices, ample parking and the magnificent 32-acre Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. A new classroom building, Logan Hall, is under construction and an older building, Blue Hall, is scheduled to be renovated in the near future.

The Students

With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, Sandhills Community College serves the diverse academic needs of young and old alike. >Curriculum students come to the college from 57 -different North Carolina counties and 10 percent are from out of the state. While 67 percent of students come to the college directly from high school, 33 percent are non-traditional students. More than half of Sandhills students are first-generation students (their parents do not have a -college degree). Approximately half of the students on campus are part-time -students (they take fewer than 12 credit hours).

Continuing Education

More people than ever are taking Continuing Education classes in the areas of professional development, computers, online non-credit and certification -courses, human resources development, community education and basic skills. This division also provides customized training programs for businesses and industries in the service areas of Moore and Hoke counties.

Continuing Education classes begin throughout the year. A schedule of classes is mailed to all households in Moore and Hoke counties three times a year. Classes are also listed on the website. Registration is needed at least a week prior to the start date of class.

More Information

The college website contains complete information on all curriculum programs, registration and financial aid information, and Continuing Education offerings. It is found at www.sandhills.edu.