Admission Information

Academic and Class Information	Applying for Admission	Programs with Selective Admissions	Preparation for Degree Study
Health and Wellness	ID Cards	Parking

Admission to the College

Admissions: 432-335-6400
Wrangler Express: 432-335-6849

Odessa College is committed to equal consideration of all qualified applicants for admission without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin, and without regard to disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

An applicant will be eligible for admission to the college when the Office of Admissions has on file a completed application form along with all other items required under the appropriate admissions category. Assessment procedures are used for placement in particular courses or programs, not as a basis for admission to Odessa College.

Once an applicant is admitted to Odessa College and registers for classes, that person’s file becomes part of the permanent Odessa College file. The student may continue to register for credit classes from one semester to the next unless the student becomes ineligible for scholastic, financial or disciplinary reasons. Students who return to OC after not enrolling for one or more semesters are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their address and other contact information, reaffirming residency status for tuition purposes, and supplying appropriate transcripts if the student has attended any other college or university since last attending Odessa College.

Wrangler Express Center

The Wrangler Express Center, located on the first floor of the Saulsbury Campus Center, is your first stop during your visit to Odessa College. The Wrangler Express provides various services and has extended hours to better serve YOU. During your visit, the Wrangler Express can assist you with:

Applying for admissions
Applying for financial aid
Making a payment
Setting up a payment plan
Obtaining a student ID
And much MORE…

Wrangler Express Center Hours:
Spring & Fall
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am-7 pm
Friday: 7:30 am-5 pm
Saturday: 9 am-Noon

Summer Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am-7 pm
Friday: 8 am-5 pm
Closed Saturdays

For information, please call 432-335-6848.

Applying for Admission

Applications can be filled out online in the Wrangler Express Center, first floor of the Saulsbury Campus Center or click here to get started NOW! As of the fall 2006 semester, all students applying for admission or readmission must complete a core residency questionnaire to determine residency status for tuition purposes . Students may also be required to submit documentation of TSI (Texas Success Initiative) status. All transcripts and other official documents submitted for admission purposes become the property of Odessa College and will not be returned to the student.

Returning Students Not Currently Enrolled – Students who have attended OC but have not taken classes within the last calendar year must reapply for admission in the Admissions Office.
High School Graduates – Graduates from an accredited high school need to submit an official high school transcript with date of graduation and rank in class. Odessa College defines an accredited high school as a Texas public high school authorized through the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or if located in a state other than Texas, that state’s comparable agencies and/or regional accrediting association.
TxCHSE or GED – Students who have successfully passed testing requirements under the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE) or a General Education Development (GED) Test must submit official TxCHSE or GED test scores.
Transfer Students – Transfer students who are seeking admission must provide an official transcript from every institution attended.
Visiting Students/Non-degree Seeking – Visiting students are enrolled in another college or university and only wish to take a few courses at OC for transfer. Non-degree seeking students also may be students who attend for personal interests or enrichment. These students are not eligible for Title IV federal grants, loans, or work-study assistance and are limited to 15 semester credit hours in this status. They may not be required to provide official copies of all transcripts from every college or university previously attended.
Homeschooled Students – Homeschooled students seeking admission to Odessa College are required to:
1. Be at least 16 years of age.
2. Submit an application for admission at Apply Texas.
3. Comply with TSI requirements.
4. Provide official transcripts according to the Homeschool Transcript Guidelines along with a notarized Verification of Homeschool Completion form. Additional documents may be required.
Individual Approval – Includes individuals who have graduated from an unaccredited high school or nontraditional setting, as well as any person 18 years of age or older who does not qualify under categories 2, 3, 4, or 5 above. Students admitted on individual approval without a TxCHSE/GED certificate of completion or high school transcript with official graduation date and rank are not eligible to receive Title IV federal financial assistance. OC may request an official copy of the completed coursework. Students admitted under individual approval may appeal the status to the review committee in writing. Additional documents may be required.
International Students – Applicants from outside the United States may be admitted to Odessa College by meeting regular admission requirements and deadlines set for receipt of materials for international students. International students must agree to comply with all international student regulations in order to remain enrolled. Deadlines for receipt of materials: March 1 for summer, June 1 for fall, October 1 for spring. Please contact the Enrollment Services Coordinator. Applicants’ files must contain the following:
1. Odessa College International Application for Admission and Registration Survey.
2. A $50 (U.S. currency – money order, cashier’s check, credit, or debit card) non-refundable application fee.
3. A deposit of $1,500 (U.S. currency – money order, cashier’s check, credit, or debit card) to be held in escrow. The deposit will be returned to the student during the last semester of the student’s study with OC.
4. Copy(ies) of passport information (name, passport number, address, etc.)
5. Official high school/secondary or college/university transcript(s). Transcripts must be translated into English. (Athletes must provide a high school/secondary and college/university transcripts if transferring). Please click here for a list of Foreign Credential Evaluation services.
6. Demonstrated proficiency of the English Language. Acceptable tests, official score reports and/or course work that a student from a non-English speaking country can submit for consideration are the following:
  1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 525 on the paper test or 61 on the Internet-based test.
  2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum score of 6
  3. TSI Assessment - 342 on the reading and a writing - essay score of 4 or an essay score of 4 and a multiple-choice score of 332
  4. SAT - minimum score of 480 on the critical reading or Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test (EBRW)
  5. ACT - minimum score of 19 on the English test
  6. CLEP - minimum score of 50 with essay on the English test
  7. International Baccalaureate Program - minimum score of 4 on the English A1 Higher Level (HL) exam
  8. Two consecutive years of English at the secondary/high school or college/university level with a passing grade and a minimum score as indicated on one of the approved tests outlines in items i through vii may also be submitted for consideration.
7. When receiving a borderline score on an above English proficiency test, the Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management may select a panel of Odessa College employees to further evaluate English proficiency based on interview conversations, transcripts showing English instruction, additional English proficiency tests or writing samples. Contact the Enrollment Services Coordinator for additional information.
8. A physician’s statement with evidence of good physical health and showing proof of immunization against diphtheria and tetanus within the last 10 years, a negative result on tuberculosis test and a bacterial meningitis vaccination if under the age of 22 and attending a Texas college or university for the first time.
9. Financial statement showing proof of a minimum of $17,000 in available funds per calendar year to cover educational and living expenses. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid through the Odessa College Student Financial Aid Office.
10. Proof of medical insurance prior to registration. Verification of medical insurance is required for each subsequent semester of enrollment.
Special Enrollment Opportunities for Current High School Students include:
1. Dual Credit – High school freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors can earn college credit through Odessa College while they earn high school credit through their high school for selected courses. Students must have permission from the school district and their parent/legal guardian. The dual credit program is open to students who meet the following criteria:
  1. Have the appropriate score on the TSIA, STAAR EOC, PSAT, SAT or ACT;
  2. Have an overall high school grade point average of 2.0 or above in the semester immediately preceding enrollment in a college course;
  3. Have the approval of their high school counselor and parent/legal guardian; and
  4. Pay tuition fees for the college courses unless other arrangements have been made.
    
    High School students interested in dual credit enrollment opportunities should contact their high school counselor for assistance with course selection. Dual credit students must be TSI exempt or must pass the TSIA in the content area(s) of courses they wish to take.
2. Early Admissions – Odessa College will consider for early admissions, active high school students on the basis of individual merit. Students must have permission of the parent/legal guardian.
  
  Under the Early Admissions program, a student can enroll for a course or courses for college credit, but the course or courses may not count for high school credit. It is permissible for a student to participate in both Dual Credit and Early Admissions at the same time.
  
  Early Admissions students must provide the same materials as students in Dual Credit and contact the Dual Credit Office at 432-335-6476 about testing requirements.
3. Early College High School - Odessa College, in partnership with Ector County Independent School District (ECISD), offers two early college high schools. The high schools start with the 9th grade and are housed on the Odessa College campus. Students are selected through a process determined by ECISD.
  1. Odessa Career & Technical Early College High School (OCTECHS) - students take high school and college -evel classes in select programs with a career and technical education (CTE) focus to complete an associate degree in addition to their high school diploma. For more information contact the OCTECHS offices at 432-456-6400.
  2. Odessa Collegiate Academy - students take high school and college-level classes with an arts and sciences focus in order to earn an associate degree or 60 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree in addition to their high school diploma. For more information contact the OCA offices at 432-456-6429.

Programs With Selective Admissions Requirements

Admission to OC does not automatically include admission to all programs at the college. The following programs have selective admissions criteria. If a student anticipates enrolling in one of these programs, he or she should check with a department representative about program admission requirements:

BAAS - Automation
ExxonMobil BAAS in Leadership and Management - Entrepreneurship
Exxon Mobil BAAS in Leadership and Management - Occupational Safety & Health Management
Cosmetology
Emergency Medical Services
Fire Academy
Nursing
Physical Therapist Assistant
Radiologic Technology
Surgical Technology

Preparation for Degree Study

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recommends that high school students who plan to seek a four-year college degree follow the advanced or advanced honors diploma option. Students who plan on earning a technical degree (A.A.S.) should follow a tech-prep plan when possible. If a tech-prep program does not exist in the desired field, a student should follow the advanced or advanced honors diploma option and take electives in the field of interest. Students who graduate with the regular high school diploma are still admitted to OC but may find themselves needing to take courses that are not in the degree plan in order to prepare them for the higher-level courses or degree study.

Adults who have been out of the educational system for a period of time or who may not have earned a high school diploma or GED are encouraged to pursue degree options. Career exploration opportunities are available and placement tests may be given to help determine what preparation, if any, a student may need in order to succeed in degree courses.

Health and Wellness for Students

Maintaining a healthy state of mind and body is important to student success in college. Even though Odessa College does not operate a student health clinic on campus, college services are available to provide referral options to a variety of local health care and other service facilities.

Students should contact the OC Pathways Advising Center at 432-335-6433 for assistance in locating needed services. Click here for information about bacterial meningitis. .

Identification Cards

Odessa College requires photo identification cards for all on-campus, credit-hour students. ID cards are used for admission to Student Activities events, athletic events, fine arts presentations, library privileges, obtaining copies of transcripts, and student schedules.

Full information regarding ID cards can be obtained from the Wrangler Express in the Saulsbury Campus Center.

Parking on Campus

A permit is required for each vehicle (including motorcycles and mopeds) parked on campus. The parking permit is issued by the Wrangler Express when students pay their tuition and fees. Students also may purchase an additional permit at the Wrangler Express during registration or at other times of the year during regular office hours. A copy of parking regulations is available at the Wrangler Express or from the Campus Police Office.

Continuing education students will be provided a courtesy parking sticker when they register for non-credit classes.

Vehicles parked on campus without a permit properly displayed will be issued a Citation. Failure to pay fines assessed by all citations will result in holds placed on registration and transcripts.

All vehicles must be parked in the appropriate parking spaces:

Visitors	- white spaces
Students	- yellow spaces
Employees	- blue spaces