When should I apply to Oakton?
Now. Don't wait. If you know you would like to attend Oakton,
apply now and start the process.
How much does Oakton cost?
Tuition is figured by the credit hour. See Tuition
for current in-district and out-of-district rates. In figuring
costs, also consider student and lab fees, textbooks, and other
materials.
Am I eligible for financial aid? When and
how do I apply?
For more information, contact the Financial
Aid Office.
How do I register?
New traditional age students will receive a letter from the Admissions office indicating
the date and time they are to attend an Orientation and Registration event. These events
provide the information and assistance needed to register for your first semester at OCC.
Each semester after that, you should meet with an advisor to plan your schedule
and make sure you are on the right track. Call or stop by the
Advising and Counseling Center to schedule an
appointment.
I am a senior in high school and want to take a course here.
Can I do that?
Yes. Oakton offers a Concurrent High School Enrollment option.
Contact the Admissions Office for an application
and to find out more details.
Can I get credit for high school courses?
Yes. Check with The Advising and Counseling Center or
the Registration and Records Office about
NSERVE and advanced placement courses.
What is a credit hour?
A credit hour, sometimes called a semester hour, refers to the number of credits
you receive towards graduation for each class you successfully complete.
Credit hours are determined by the number of hours per week you are in class
for that course. For example, a class meeting from 9:00 - 9:50 AM three days
a week will generally earn three credit hours.
What is the difference between a full-time
and part-time course load?
Oakton defines a full-time load as 12 or more credit hours.
A part-time load is anything less than 12 credit hours.
What is the difference between an Associate
of Arts or Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science
degrees?
Although both types of degrees (AA/AS and AAS) require a minimum of 60 credit
hours, they are different in purpose. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree
prepares students for entering a career field, while the Associate of Arts (AA) and
Associate of Science (AS) degrees satisfy the requirements of the first two years of
a baccalaureate degree. Therefore, AA and AS degrees require a greater number of
general education courses.
What is a Certificate?
A certificate consists of career courses in a chosen program. Students who already
have a degree frequently pursue a certificate when changing fields.
What courses will meet the requirements for
a degree or a certificate?
All requirements for degrees and certificates are listed in the
Catalog by program. It is essential that you familiarize yourself
with the Catalog, since this is an agreement between you and the
college. If you have not skipped more than one semester in your
enrollment since you started at Oakton, you can follow the
requirements listed in the Catalog for the year you began at
Oakton or for the current year. If you meet all the requirements listed
for a degree or certificate, you will be awarded that degree
or certificate.
If I want a degree or certificate that Oakton does not offer,
what should I do?
Through a joint agreement or chargeback, Oakton district residents may attend
another community college that offers a curriculum not available at Oakton and
still pay the in-district tuition rate. For more information, check the Catalog.
How do I get a chargeback?
To arrange a chargeback, contact the Office of Registration
and Records.
Does Oakton offer courses over the Internet?
Yes, several courses are offered online and many additional courses
incorporate Internet resources. See Oakton Online
for more information on distance learning opportunities.
Do I have to take all the required courses
in one semester?
No. That would be impossible. You space your courses out according
to your needs.
How many courses should I take?
This question can really only be answered for each individual
case. In general, students who work full time may find it better
to take fewer classes than students who do not work or work part time.
You need to be the judge of how to balance your work load with your academic
load, social life, and other responsibilities.
How much time will I be expected to study
for each course?
Again, this will vary between individuals. Learning Center
personnel suggest students plan to spend two-three hours outside
of class for each hour in class per week. Therefore, a full-time
student should allow 24 - 36 hours of study time per week.
How do I know what English and math courses I should
take?
All students who plan on taking credit courses at Oakton must take the
College's assessment tests. You can however, under certain conditions,
have the Mandatory Assessment requirement waived. A couple examples are:
you have completed English 101 with a grade of 'C' or better at another
institution; or you have successfully completed 24 hours of college work
with a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Receiving a waiver for the Mandatory Assessment
Requirement does not waive you from fulfilling the math and English
requirement of Oakton degrees.
Do I have to take developmental classes, especially
since they do not count toward a degree?
To address any deficiencies you might have and to prepare for
higher level college courses, you should take any developmental
courses that are recommended. In most cases, students will not
be allowed to take a higher level course in English or math if
they do not complete the pre-requisite developmental course. Although
these courses may not count towards graduation, they prepare students
for success in college-level course work, which is very important.
If I test into English 072/075 can I take
other courses?
Speak with an advisor to determine which courses, if any, you
are able to take in addition to English as a Second Language or contact
the Coordinator for Non-native
Students.
I have taken classes at another college or university.
Will they count at Oakton?
To find out what your previous college courses equal here at Oakton, you
must have your transcript evaluated. The evaluation process consists of
two steps:
1) having an official transcript mailed to Oakton
from your former college or university (contact the Registrar's Office
directly to start the process); and
2) completing a Request for Evaluation Form
with Oakton's Office of Registration and Records.
How much does an Oakton transcript evaluation cost?
Oakton has no fee for evaluating a transcript.
I have a degree from a college or university in
another country. How will it transfer?
To receive credit for coursework from another country, the foreign
transcripts must be evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A form with instructions is available in the
Office of Registration and Records. Refer to the ECE form for appropriate
foreign transcript evaluation fees. Remember to complete a
Request for Evaluation Form listing ECE as the transfer institution.
How long does it take for a transcript evaluation?
It takes approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks for your transcript to
be evaluated. Once it is reviewed, you will receive notification in the mail.
Schedule an appointment to see an advisor after you receive the evaluation to
discuss how the courses align with your Oakton degree requirements.
How do I calculate my GPA?
Divide the grade points earned by the number of hours taken. Grade
points are figured by multiplying the number of credit hours of
each course by the grade earned, where grades from A to F are
worth from 4 to 0 points.
How do I raise my GPA?
Obviously the answer to this is to obtain higher grades in your
courses. You may also re-take courses in which you have
received a low grade. If you re-take a course at Oakton, the higher
grade will count in your GPA, but both grades will continue to
show on your transcript. In other words, replacing a D or F grade with
an A, B, or C will raise your GPA more quickly than taking new courses
and averaging the grades.
Another way to achieve academic success is to plan your course load carefully
to enable you to be more successful and to ask for
tutoring assistance and
study skills strategies through the Learning
Center.
Can I eliminate F grades on my transcript?
Students may petition, one time only, for the Forgiveness Policy
explained in detail in the Oakton Catalog. Basically, if you have
15 hours or less of F grades, you must complete 15 consecutive
hours of 100 level courses (or higher) with grades of C or better.
If you have 16 hours or more of F grades, you must complete an equal
number of hours of 100 level courses (or higher) with grades of C or
better.
Once you have completed the courses -- meaning the semester has ended
and the grades are submitted -- you may write a letter to the Director
of Registration and Records asking to take advantage of the Forgiveness
Policy.
I got a D in a course; should I take it over?
This depends on the course and its importance in your major.
If you believe you can do significantly better in the course the
second time around and it is necessary for your major or chosen
career, it is probably a good idea to take it over. Both grades
will appear on your transcript; however, the higher of the two
will count in your GPA.
Will my grade point average from other colleges
transfer?
No. If you attended another college before coming to Oakton, your
GPA starts over at Oakton. If you transfer to another college after
Oakton, you must report all institutions you have previously attended.
Your combined GPA may be calculated for admission purposes, but
your GPA from Oakton and from other colleges you have attended
will not transfer.
I have experience in the field for the degree I am
earning. Will I receive credit for job experience?
The Oakton Catalog lists provisions for students to receive
college credit for job experience if they compile a portfolio and
follow procedures that are available in the Advising and Counseling
Centers.
