Specific Application Requirements

Category of Student

There are eight categories of students admitted to the College, each with specific admissions requirements.

1. First-Time College Student

• Submit an official transcript from an accredited high school with date of graduation or High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET TASC) test scores.
• If you are 21 years of age or younger, submit proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccination.
• If you graduated from a home school program, provide a transcript with parental signature and date of graduation.
• If you graduated from a non-accredited high school or did not complete your High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET TASC), you may be admitted to Del Mar College by individual approval by the Director of Admissions. Test scores must be submitted before applying for individual approval. Note: Individual approval may be subject to conditions established by the U.S. Department of Education for special assessment to be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Please refer to the Financial Aid section of the Catalog or contact the Office of Financial Aid Services at (361) 698-1293.
• If you are a Texas high school student and have not passed the state assessment test, you may be admitted to Del Mar College by individual approval from the Director of Admissions. An official high school transcript and test scores must be submitted before applying for individual approval.
• Submit test scores utilizing the Texas Success Initiative Placement Exam. Completion of a Pre-Assessment Activity will be required prior to registering for the exam. Some students may be exempt from these tests based on their SAT, ACT or STAAR (check with the Student Enrollment Center on the eligibility of STAAR scores).

2. High School Students: Special Programs

Del Mar College, in cooperation with specific area high schools, has designed special programs in which high school students can earn college credit while still attending high school.

Requirements to participate in one of these programs can be obtained from your high school counselor, the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center, or the Office of Early College Programs.

The special high school programs are as follows:

• Dual Credit

  This program offers you the opportunity to receive credit for a college course while simultaneously earning credit toward high school graduation. To participate in Dual Credit classes, your high school district must have a contractual agreement with Del Mar College, and students must meet all Del Mar College admission requirements. For more information, contact the Office of Early College Programs at (361) 698-1634 or visit the Dual Credit Programs section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/dualcredit).

• Early Admissions

  The program offers you the opportunity to study at the College and receive only college credits while completing requirements for high school graduation. You need to complete the Request for Early Admissions form at the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center. Interested students will need to complete an Early Admissions form at the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center. For more information contact them at (361) 698-1290.

Both Dual Credit and Early Admissions are designed for high school students who have demonstrated the ability to accept academic challenge and responsibility.

To be eligible for Dual Credit or Early Admissions programs, you must meet the following requirements:

• must be at least a freshman in high school
• submit proof of Meningitis vaccination
• submit high school and/or college transcript(s) (if applicable)
• approval of the high school counselor, principal and parent or guardian
• meet Del Mar College admissions requirements, including assessment
• take only those classes for which assessment levels are met
• adhere to all policies of the College

Standardized test norms and appropriate scores are subject to change.

3. Returning Students

If you were previously enrolled at Del Mar College but have been away for one year or longer, you must submit, to the Student Enrollment Center, a new Application for Admission and official transcripts of study completed at other colleges during the period of absence. Placement tests may be required. Additionally, students will need to submit proof of having received a bacterial meningitis vaccination pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 62.

4. Transfer Students

Transcript Requirement

Official transcripts are critical if you are transferring from other colleges. Be sure to follow these steps:

• Submit current official transcripts of credit earned from each institution of higher education previously attended. If you attended another higher education institution but earned no credit, you must submit an official high school transcript or High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET or TASC) certificate. If your previous course work does not include college credit in English and math, you must provide placement test scores.
• If you are unable to furnish a transcript prior to registration, you may be allowed to register with the understanding that an official transcript(s) must be on file in the Student Enrollment Center within the first semester. If you do not meet this deadline, you may be ineligible to register in any subsequent semesters.

Students Transferring in Credit

Official transcripts are critical if you are transferring from other colleges. Be sure to follow these steps for having prior credit evaluated for potential transfer to Del Mar College:

• Students transferring in credit will be required to complete a Transfer Evaluation Request Form (TERF) and submit the form to the Registrar's Office. The form can be accessed on the Transcripts section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/transcripts).
• Once all of your official transfer transcripts have been received by the Student Enrollment Center, the evaluation request will be processed. To ensure proper advising and course selection, submit your transcripts as early as possible. You will be notified via your Del Mar College email account once your request has been completed. It is highly encouraged to submit your admission documentation as soon as possible to ensure timely evaluation.

Be aware that even though a course transfers to a specific institution from Del Mar College, if the course was taken elsewhere, it may not transfer and would not count as a Del Mar College credit. This is especially true for courses taken at private institutions and when semester credit hours differ. Students may be required to resubmit transcripts if their records have exceeded retention guidelines.

Credit Earned

You will be credited with all courses you are entitled to according to the transcript of record if the former institution is recognized by one of the following associations:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Transfer Disputes

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has established the following procedures for Del Mar College to resolve transfer disputes involving lower division courses:

• If Del Mar College does not accept course credit earned by you at another institution of higher education, Del Mar College will give written notice to you and the other institution that the transfer of the course credit is denied.
• The two institutions and you shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Coordinating Board rules and/or guidelines.
• If the transfer dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction or to the satisfaction of the institution at which the credit was earned, within 45 days after the date you received written notice of the denial, Del Mar College will notify the commissioner of the THECB of its denial and the reason for the denial.

The commissioner of higher education, or the commissioner's designee, will make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice to you and the institutions.

You may consult with the College's Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer throughout this process.

Admissions Conditions

When transferring, there are four conditions of admission:

1. If you are eligible for readmission to your former college, you are eligible for admission to Del Mar College.
2. If you are on scholastic probation, you will be admitted under the same status at Del Mar College.
3. If you are on scholastic suspension, you must appeal for admissions through the Registrar's Office.
4. If you are on disciplinary probation at your former college, you must appear before the Dean of Student Engagement and Retention before registering. If approved for admission, you may be placed on disciplinary probation at Del Mar.

5. Transient (Summer Only) Students

If you are transferring from another institution of higher education for the summer terms only, you must provide an official transcript from your most recent institution attended and meet the eligibility requirements for the courses that you will register for at Del Mar College. Assessment scores may be required. Year-round Federal Pell Grant is available to all eligible students, even if they received a full Federal Pell Grant during the fall and spring semesters. Students who receive the maximum student loan for the fall and spring semester may not be eligible for loans during the summer sessions (see the Financial Aid section of the Catalog).

6. Undocumented Students

Undocumented students are eligible for enrollment on the same basis as documented students. Contact the Student Enrollment Center at (361) 698-1290 for additional information.

7. International Students

Requirements for International Student Enrollment

If you are an international student wishing to study at Del Mar College, you must complete the following procedures to be considered for admission. Once you obtain your F-1 or M-1 visa and begin studies, you must comply with all international student regulations in order to maintain the status of your visa and remain enrolled.

Submit all of the following documents:

• Completed application for admission by completing the online application found at the Apply Texas website (https://www.applytexas.org). Paper applications are available at the Student Enrollment Center.
• Documentation of a meningitis vaccination if you are 21 years of age or younger and have not been enrolled for a least one fall or spring semester at Del Mar College.
• Official transcripts showing completion of secondary education or college work. All foreign transcripts are required to be evaluated into U.S. equivalency to show a minimum of a U.S. high school diploma. If you wish to use credits obtained from an institution outside the boundaries and territories of the United States toward a certificate or degree from Del Mar College, a course-by-course evaluation must be completed. If you would like your coursework evaluated, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website (https://www.naces.org) for an approved agency. These agencies are independent and not affiliated with Del Mar College. Del Mar College reserves the right to determine acceptability and/or placement of international academic credit. Evaluation by an international evaluation agency does not guarantee acceptance or use at Del Mar College.
• Financial statement showing proof of funds of at least $18,000 per academic year to cover your educational and living expenses. An additional $5,000 is required per dependent.
• Copy of your current passport (name, passport number, citizenship, etc.).
• The language of instruction at Del Mar College is English. If English is not your native language, you must submit official scores on a language proficiency exam from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) website (https://www.ets.org/toefl). Test takers should provide the following address to have their official scores sent to Del Mar College:

  Del Mar College
  Office of Admissions
  101 Baldwin Blvd.
  Corpus Christi, Texas 78404

You must show proficiency in English according to the following information:

• TOEFL paper 550; TOEFL IBT 79; TOEIC 780; or Academic IELTS overall band score 6.5 allows students to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test for admission into college-transfer courses. Scores are valid for two years.
• Students who have recently taken approved college assessment tests (ACT, SAT, STAAR) may be exempt from all, or part of, the TSI Assessment. See the Assessment Requirements section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/assessment_requirements.aspx) for more information.
• Students who do not meet one of the above requirements for English proficiency, must take the ESOL Program's placement test for admission into the ESOL Program. Minimum scores on approved ESOL tests for admission into the Del Mar College ESOL Program are: TOEFL 347; TOEFL IBT 19, IELTS 2, TOEIC 255, COMPASS/ESL 42. Scores are valid for two years. You will be referred to the ESOL program for testing and evaluation. Before beginning your academic program, you must take the Texas Success Initiative placement test.

Upon admission, you will be issued the I-20 form. Present this form and the receipt for the I-901 fee when you apply for your student visa.

If you are an international student transferring from a U.S. college or university, you must provide a current I-94, I-20, and passport in addition to the documents listed above.

Del Mar College does not provide housing, though there are several real estate agents and housing locator services in Corpus Christi that may assist you in securing accommodations.

As an F-1 or M-1 student, you are not eligible for financial aid. However, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships. Also, you may not work without permission. If you are in an academic program, you may be eligible to work part-time on campus. After one academic year you may be eligible to work off campus; however, specific criteria must be met and authorization is required by the U.S. government. For more information, email enroll@delmar.edu.

8. Military Personnel and Military Dependents

If you are an active duty military personnel or a dependent, you must complete the regular College admissions requirements and must complete 15 semester credit hours, in residence, to be eligible for an associate degree.

For more information, refer to the Veterans and Military Service Members Information section of the Catalog.