Rappahannock Community College (RCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Rappahannock Community College (RCC) is a two-year public institution and is part of the 23 community colleges of the Virginia Community College System. The college serves the counties of New Kent, Lancaster, Gloucester, King George, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Mathews, King William, Middlesex, King and Queen, Richmond, and Essex. The history of Rappahannock Community College dates back to 1969 when representatives of the 13 counties of the Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck region met in Urbanna to get approval for the creation of a community college that would serve both the sides of the Rappahannock River. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Glenns in 1970 and the college started enrolling students in 1971.

Rappahannock Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for awarding associate degrees. The main campus of the college is located in Glenns on a 100-acre site in the Gloucester county and features a large wooded area, nature trail, and a pond. There is one more campus of the Rappahannock Community College in Warsaw and an off-campus facility at the King George High School in King George County.

Information Summary

Ranks 86th in Virginia and 3358th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	45.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$6,240
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	26 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	64% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,082

Academics

Rappahannock Community College offers associate degrees and certificate programs to students. The degrees awarded by Rappahannock Community College include Associate of Arts and Sciences transfer degrees and the Associate of Applied Science degrees.

The Associate of Arts and Sciences transfer degrees are offered in areas such as Liberal Arts, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Science, Teacher Prep/Education, and Business Administration. The transfer degree programs are aimed at students who eventually want to transfer to a 4-year college or university.

The Associate of Applied Science degree programs prepare students for the workplace. This degree is not transferable to a 4-year university. The fields of study available with the Associate of Applied Science degrees are Business Management, General Engineering Technology – Electronics and Industrial Electricity, Protective Services Technology, and Emergency Medical Services. The Rappahannock Community College also offers the Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing (ADN program) and a certificate program in Practical Nursing (PN program). Both of these programs are approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

Rappahannock Community College also offers certificate programs in areas such as Administrative Support Technology, Accounting, Autism, Banking, Entrepreneurship, Human Services, and Marine Trades.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Rappahannock Community College accepts any candidate who is competent to benefit from a college education. Candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent or who are 18 years or older can seek admission to the college. Students are required to submit the admission application form and official transcripts from all high schools, colleges, or universities previously attended. First-time college students or those who plan to take English and Math courses are required to take the COMPASS placement test for initial placement in reading, writing, and math classes. Students can seek exemption from the placement test based on their SAT/ACT scores.

International students need to submit an application for admission and a certificate of finances to demonstrate availability of funds to finance the education expenses for a year. They are required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English by submitting their TOEFL scores. International students are also required to complete the placement test in reading, writing, and math.

Financial Aid

Rappahannock Community College participates in a variety of financial aid programs to help students meet their educational expenses. The basic aim of providing financial aid is to bridge the gap between family resources and annual educational expenses of the students enrolled for various programs. The different forms of financial aid available to students include: federal and state grants, work-study opportunities, and scholarships. To apply for financial aid from the Rappahannock Community College, students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education. The Rappahannock Community College recommends a priority deadline of April 15 to apply for financial aid.

Different types of federal and state aid programs that provide financial assistance to the students of the Rappahannock Community College include the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP), Commonwealth Grants (COMA), Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP), and Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (PTAP). Various student employment options include on-campus and off-campus part-time opportunities. Various scholarships available for the students of the Rappahannock Community College include the Abingdon Woman’s Club Scholarship, BayLands Federal Credit Union Business Scholarship, Inez Douglas Belden Scholarship, and the Norman A. Bowen Memorial Scholarship and Fund for Engineering Excellence.

It must be noted that the Rappahannock Community College does not participate in Federal Family Education Loan Program or Federal Direct Loan Programs.

Student Financial Aid Details

Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Virginia.

Students

Rappahannock Community College encourages the development of a well-rounded personality and therefore provides numerous options to students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Students have the freedom of joining various clubs on campus. Some popular clubs include The Dread Poets Society, National Student Nurses Association, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, and the Anime Club. The Counseling Center provides guidance to students and helps them solve problems regarding academic progress. It also provides valuable career development advise, job exploration guidance, personal counseling, and testing services.

There is a bookstore on the campus, known as the Follett’s Bookstore, which stocks textbooks (new and used), school supplies, gifts items, and college clothing. The library at the Glenns campus has print, online, and audio books, full-text journals, magazines, newspapers, reference books, popular fiction books, and DVDs. The campus also has tutoring and testing services for the students. The student lounges have vending machines and recreational equipment. Students are encouraged to participate in college governance and are nominated by the faculty and staff to serve in various governance committees.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Rappahannock Community College encourages students to participate in intramural activities. There are numerous club sports, such as soft ball and baseball, which students are recommended to join as they provide an excellent platform to hone their leadership and decision-making skills. Equipment for various recreational activities such as football, ping pong, card games, table games, volleyball, and exercise is available at the Student Activities Office.

Bibliography

Rappahannock Community College. General Admission to the College. Web. 9 August 2011.

Rappahannock Community College. Financial Aid Announcements. Web. 9 August 2011.

Rappahannock Community College. Rappahannock Community College Fact Book 2009-2010. 2009. Print.