Wake Tech’s Health Sciences programs are highly regarded and extremely popular. Some, such as Nursing and Dental Hygiene, receive three to four times more applications than they have available clinical space. As a result, Wake Tech cannot accept everyone who applies. Acceptance into Health Sciences programs is based on either a competitive-entry or a noncompetitive-entry process, based on the number of applications received.

Competitive-entry process

For programs that receive more applications than available seats, Wake Tech uses a competitive process with a point system – not a wait list. These programs include Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, LPN-to-Nursing Advanced Placement, Medical Sonography, Nursing, Practical Nursing and Radiography.

Students are assigned points based on grades earned in general education classes required for their program, such as ENG-111, PSY-150, BIO-163 or BIO-168. The better the grade, the more points a student is awarded. Those with the most points are admitted into the program and can begin clinical classes. Grades of "C" or better are required in all program-related curriculum classes.

Program-specific courses, such as DEN, NUR, SON and RAD, cannot be taken until a student is accepted into the program through the competitive process.

The point system is explained in detail during the information session and is listed on the program-specific admission checklists.

Noncompetitive-entry process

Noncompetitive programs have limited enrollment but do not use a point system to rank students for possible entry.

The Emergency Medical Science, Pharmacy Technology and Electroneurodiagnostic Technology programs admit students on a first-come, first-served basis until an enrollment cap is reached. Once classes are filled, additional individuals will be placed on a wait list and offered seats if and when they become available.

The Medical Assisting and Medical Laboratory Technology programs utilize a two-step acceptance process. Students with the most general education courses completed with a "C" or better grade and with the earliest program application submission date will be selected for the available seats.

To be considered for entry into any Health Sciences program, students must meet all minimum program requirements and apply before that program's application deadline:

• Emergency Medical Science (Fall entry) – May 15
• Emergency Medical Science (Spring entry) – September 15
• Medical Assisting (Fall entry) – May 15
• Medical Assisting (Spring entry) – September 15
• Medical Lab Technology (Fall entry only) – May 15
• Pharmacy Technology (Fall entry only) – May 15

Applications can be found online under each specific program's admission page and returned to [email protected] or the Perry Health Sciences Campus Student Services Center, at 2901 Holston Lane in Raleigh.