All Information

Appeal of an Admission

Decision Contact the Registrar if you have concerns about an admission decision.

Cancelling Your Program

If, for any reason, you cannot attend the program to which you were admitted, please notify us of your intention to cancel your admission.  To do so, you can e-mail us at webadmission@rdc.ab.ca or phone us 403.342.3400. 

Choosing Another Program

If you are not admitted into the program of your choice, you will be told the reason and offered assistance in choosing another program.

Clear Admission

Clear admission will be offered when all final documents have been received, showing you have met all program admission requirements.

Deferring Your Acceptance for Admission

You can defer your acceptance once if you are unable to attend because of special circumstances.  You must inform the Registrar's Office in writing if you wish to defer acceptance.

Refusal of Admission

The College reserves the right to refuse admission to any person.

Response Letters to Applications

You will be advised by mail as to which documents are needed to complete your application. A Conditional Offer of Admission is given if:

• your application form shows that you have completed or are completing the program admission requirements.
• you submit official documents (such as final transcripts) before the program begins.

Note: Acceptance may be cancelled if these documents are not received by stated deadlines.

Test and Interview Results

Test and interview results will be kept confidential according to College policy and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  You may ask the Registrar for results of tests given by the College for admission purposes.  If you have been rejected on the basis of interviews, you can ask for the rationale for rejection from the program Chairperson.

Wait Lists

• If you qualify for admission after the program has filled, you will be placed on a wait list. You will be advised if space becomes available.
• If you are on a wait list when the program starts, you may stay on the wait list for admission to the next available term. All admission requirements and documents MUST be provided before you will be considered for the next available term.
• If the program for which you are waitlisted has been declared oversubscribed, you will be given an opportunity to indicate that you wish to be considered for the next intake.

Assessment

To assist students in registering in courses for which they have adequate preparation, RDC requires or suggests assessment in the following areas:

Communications Course Placement

Students will be required to take a College placement test before registering in a 200-level written communications course. (Students with 60% or greater in English 30 or ELA 30-1 will be exempted from this test). Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark in this test will be required to complete COMM 150 before they can register in the required 200-level course. Students should take the placement test early in the event preparatory work (COMM 150) is required.

Mathematics Diagnostic Test

First year university math is difficult for many students. RDC offers the opportunity for students registering in the courses to complete a diagnostic test prior to the start of classes. Completion of the test will allow students to anticipate weak areas and receive assistance prior to and during classes.

Placement Testing

Placement Testing is a requirement for all students wishing to enter the Career and Academic Preparation Program. General Studies students needing or wishing to take High School equivalency courses may be required to arrange for placement testing prior to registration.

Categories

You may apply as one of the following:

Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older. You must be out of school for at least one full year before the program starts. Admission under this category is not automatic. Check the specific admission requirements for the program you want to enter. (See the program section of this guide.)

RDC Career and Academic Preparation courses and upgrading courses from other colleges are equivalent to Alberta high school diploma courses for admission purposes.

Regular Student

You are able to meet the regular admission requirements for the program. (See the program section of this calendar.) The regular admission requirements may include:

• suitable courses, grades, and averages
• tests, auditions, portfolios, or other approved criteria.

The Registrar will evaluate courses taken in other educational institutions for equivalence.

Unclassified Student

You may take a maximum of two courses per term without presenting documents. Prerequisites for courses must be presented.

Visiting Student

You must present approval from another accredited institution to take a course(s) at RDC. Your home institution will determine admission requirements.

College Advanced Placement

• You must have successfully completed at least one 30-level course.
• You must have a minimum final mark of 80% in any Grade 12 subject that is a prerequisite for the chosen College course.
• You must have a letter from your high school principal indicating:
  • you are currently enrolled in high school
  • you are eligible for, or have had a successful background in, a gifted education program, and
  • you show social maturity, creativity, exceptional talent, and a commitment to finishing tasks.

When to Apply

Applications will be accepted according to the dates published in the Academic Schedule.

All Applicants (Except Apprenticeship) Submit

• a completed Application for Admission form to the Registrar's Office by mail, in person or electronically.
• a non-refundable application fee. The fee for Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents is $70.00. International Students pay $140.00.  This fee is applicable for the 2010-2011 year. 
• official transcripts of all previous secondary and post-secondary education. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Registrar.

Note: All documents submitted become the property of the College. They are not returned to you.

Admission to Another Program (for students currently enrolled at RDC)

Apply at the Registrar's Office.  Applications will be accepted according to the dates published in the Academic Schedule.

International Students

For admission to RDC, follow all procedures outlined above, and if your first language is not English, submit evidence that you are capable in the English language. The College will accept as proof

• a minimum TOEFL score of:  550 paper based, or 213 computer based, or 80 internet based   OR
• a minimum grade of 60% in ELA 30-1 OR
  • IELTS - accept minimum score of 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 on each band score
  • CAEL - accept minimum score of 60 overall, with at least 60 on each band score
  • MELAB - accept minimum score of 85 overall, with at least 80 on each band score

Note: IQAS - you may be required to have your documents evaluated by IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)

University Transfer Entrance

• As above
• A minimum grade of 60% in ELA 30-1
• An average of 60% overall on subjects required for the particular program

More Information?

Assessment & Test Services
Room 2208 Campus Map - Second Floor
Assessment 403.342.3219
Test Centre 403.342.3292
Email test.centre@rdc.ab.ca

If you are studying at RDC under student visa, you must consult the calendar of the institution to which you intend to transfer regarding their policy on admitting international students.

Readmission

You must reapply if

• you are accepted and do not attend, or
• you completely withdraw from a program, or
• you leave the College for one term or more (Spring/Summer excluded)

Current admission policy will apply in most cases.

Requirements

The admission requirements for each college program are listed in the program sections of this guide.

Certificate and Diploma Admission Chart 2 Page - PDF Format - 32KB

University Transfer Admission Chart  2 Page - PDF Format - 43KB

Most college programs require computer skills, especially in the areas of word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and web navigation.

Alberta Education Courses Used For Admission and Prerequisite

Alberta Education Course Name	RDC CAP Course Name
Accounting 10/20	Accounting 075
Biology 10/20	Biology 075
Biology 30	Biology 095
Chemistry 10/20	Chemistry 075
Chemistry 30	Chemistry 095
Computing 20	Computing 085
ELA 10-1/ELA 20-2	English 075
ELA 30-1	English 095
ELA 30-2	English 090
French 10/20	French 101
French 30	French 102
Math 10 (Pure)	Math 075
Math 20 (Pure)	Math 085
Math 30 (Pure)	Math 096
Math 31	Math 097
Physics 10/20	Physics 075
Physics 30	Physics 095
Social Studies 13	No equivalent
Social Studies 23	No equivalent
Social Studies 30	Social Studies 095
Social Studies 33	Social Studies 090
Spanish 10/20	Spanish 101
Spanish 30	Spanish 102

Alberta Grade 12 Course Groups

Because of the changes to English Language Arts Curriculum, effective September 2003, RDC will accept the following:

• English 30-1 as meeting English 30
• English 30-2 as meeting English 33

Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. These groups are:

Group A (Humanities)

• Additional Language (other than English) at the 30 level
• ELA 30-1
• Language (other than English) at the 30 level
• Social Studies 30

Group B (Fine Arts)

• Art 30
• Art 31
• Commercial Art 35
• Drama 30
• Music 30
• Music 31
• Performing Arts 35A, 35B, or 35C
• Visual Communications 32A, 32B, or 32C

Group C (Sciences)

• Biology 30
• Chemistry 30
• Mathematics 30 (Pure)
• Mathematics 31
• Physics 30
• Science 30

Group D (Optional Subjects)

• One 5-credit subject at the 30 level, Or Two 3-credit subjects at the 30 level (Special Projects 30 excluded).
• Math 30 (Applied) Or Five 1-credit CTS Units

CAP - Alberta Education Grade Comparison

Note: This grade comparison does not represent grade conversions made by RDC instructors when grades are assigned. It is a statement of competence equivalency between Career and Academic Preparation Program and Alberta Education courses and is used for admission purposes only.

Alberta Education %	CAP gpa	CAP
100 - 90	4.00	A, A+
89	3.95
88	3.90
87	3.85
86	3.80
85	3.75
84	3.70	A-
83	3.63
82	3.56
81	3.50
80	3.43
79	3.37
78	3.30	B+
77	3.23
76	3.15
75	3.08
74	3.00	B
73	2.93
72	2.85
71	2.78
70	2.70	B-
69	2.60
68	2.50
67	2.40
66	2.30	C+
65	2.23
64	2.15
63	2.08
62	2.00	C
61	1.93
60	1.85
59	1.78
58	1.70	C-
57	1.60
56	1.50
55	1.40
54	1.30	D+
53	1.23
52	1.15
51	1.08
50	1.00	D
0-49	0	F

Credentials from Other Provinces and Countries

If you are from another province or country, you must have qualifications comparable to those of Alberta applicants. The Registrar's Office has information on specific requirements.

Quotas and Enrolment Limits

Many RDC programs and courses have limited enrollment, and fill quickly due to a high number of applications.

Residency Requirement

In order to qualify for an RDC program credential, students must complete 25% of the credit requirements for the credential through enrollment in RDC courses. Please note that some RDC programs may have a different residency requirement.