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Admissions Policies And Procedures

Thanks for your interest in the Transitions Program. The Transitions Program is a career development program for single parents, displaced homemakers or women who speak English as a second language with specific service goals and admissions criteria. The program includes funding and benefits from private organizations and donors, including scholarships, and has a competitive admissions process. Please read this notice carefully and follow all instructions. Admission policies include both minimum requirements and priority admission for specific populations.

Service Goals

The MHCC Board has established a variety of college goals, including access, diversity, persistence and transfer. This means that college programs need to provide broad access to all groups in the community, increase diversity, increase how long students stay in school, and increase the number of students completing degrees and transferring to university programs. Transitions has additional and related goals, including recruitment of bilingual and bicultural students to train for health careers, and expanding opportunities for survivors of abuse, violence and addiction.

Priority Groups

The Transitions admissions policies support these goals by giving priority to students with the highest need and are most prepared to benefit from the program and be successful in school. Note: All applications will be considered. The criteria below are preferences, but not requirements for admission. These criteria will be used to assess each student individually. Priority will be given to applicants who meet the most criteria.

Students most prepared to benefit and succeed:

Students whose applications and references demonstrate motivation, discipline, stability and responsibility to be successful in Transitions and to continue in school
Students who have completed high school or a GED
Students who are ready for college-level reading and writing (completed or have CPT placement above Reading 90 and Writing 90)
Students who have had a year or more to recover from major losses, abuse, trauma, or addiction

Students with highest need:

Low-income students
Survivors of domestic violence or addiction
Bicultural and bilingual students (non-native English speaking students should be enrolled in or placed at ENL 201 or higher)

Admissions Process

To be considered for admission, you must complete the following steps:

Attend a 2 hour information session. Call 503 491 7680 ext 0 for dates, times and location
Apply for federal financial aid
Take the MHCC college placement test .
Submit a Transitions application. Admissions applications may be submitted after attending an information session. You will be considered for the next available class.

Selection of applicants for personal interviews

Transitions staff will select candidates for personal interviews and notify you at least two weeks before the next Transitions class whether you have been selected. Your interview and final admissions decisions will take place at least one week before classes start. An interview is the final step before admission, but does not guarantee admission.

Reliability and Following Instructions

Applicants’ readiness for Transitions and for college success will be evaluated in several ways, including whether:

Your application is complete, neat and readable.
You are on time and remain for the entire 2-hour information session.
If invited to an interview, you are on time for the interview.

Developing Back-up or Alternative Plans

Mt. Hood Community College offers many resources for adults returning to school. You may want to explore or register for alternatives services or classes while you wait for a decision on your Transitions application. The attached list will get you started! If you register for other classes or programs and then are admitted to Transitions, you can drop those from your schedule at that time.

If the class is full

If the next class is full when you apply, you will need to apply again.

Communication

You will need to maintain a phone number, or reliable message phone number, while you are waiting for a decision on your application. Please also keep us informed of any address, phone or email changes after you apply. You will also need to regularly review your correspondence and messages. If we are unable to contact you quickly, we may have to deny your application and move on to the next applicant.

Re-application

If we review your application and you are not selected, you are welcome to re-apply at a later date. Applicants must wait at least three months before reapplying. There are several steps you can take to strengthen your application in the future. Depending on your background and if it is appropriate to your situation, it may be helpful to:

Obtain a GED, and/or complete Reading 90 and Writing 90 (speak with a college advisor to get help with this)
Successfully complete other basic skills classes, such as College Study Skills or computer classes, to demonstrate your time management skills and motivation (speak with an advisor)
Obtain strong references from community professionals
If you have been through major loss, abuse, trauma or addiction, participate in counseling or other personal development programs that could help you develop and demonstrate your stability, self-management skills and self confidence. (see the Mental Health resources guide at )
If you are lacking some basic resources, such as housing or childcare, or your family is experiencing conflict or instability, seek community resources to make sure your basic needs are met. These might include resources for housing, income, mental and physical health, family counseling, or healthcare. There are many resources listed on the college website. Check out at by clicking here.