Professional Program Application (PPA) Policy (ACAD 100-016)

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the Professional Program Application (PPA) process at Baker College. The policy establishes clear guidelines for the application, ranking, and admission process for limited-enrollment professional programs. It ensures equity, transparency, and consistency in program admissions while adhering to accreditation standards and clinical site capacity limitations.

2.0 Definitions

Direct Admission - A pathway for high-achieving high school students to gain direct entry into a professional program, provided they meet ongoing academic requirements.

Priority Deadline - A designated timeframe for early application submissions that allows for timely review and ranking of applicants.

Professional Program Application (PPA) - A structured process for students to apply to limited-enrollment programs that require specific admission criteria.

Ranking Score - A calculated score based on the student’s academic performance in prerequisite health science courses, used to determine placement in professional programs.

3.0 Scope

This policy applies to all students seeking admission to the following professional programs at Baker College:

• Cardiac Sonography
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy Assisting
• Physical Therapy Assisting
• Radiological Technology
• Surgical Technology
• Veterinary Technology

This policy governs the application, ranking, and acceptance process for these programs.

4.0 Policy Statement

The application process for professional programs is designed to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection of candidates who meet the academic and professional standards required for program admission. This policy establishes the framework for application submission, eligibility requirements, ranking procedures, and seat allocation.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must have completed or be currently enrolled in all prerequisite and general education courses required for the program.
• Minimum grade requirements must be met as determined by the specific program guidelines.
• Any required standardized tests, certifications, or prerequisite experiences must be completed and documented at the time of application.

Application Submission

• All applications must be submitted by the stated deadline to be considered for admission.
• Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.
• Applicants must provide accurate and verifiable academic records and any additional required documentation.

Ranking and Selection Process

• Applicants will be ranked based on a combination of academic performance, relevant experiences, and any additional criteria determined by the program.
• A standardized scoring system will be utilized to ensure consistency.
• In cases of ranking score ties, priority will be given based on the earliest application submission.

Seat Allocation and Acceptance

• Seats are offered in order of ranking, with applicants given a specified timeframe to accept their offer.
• Failure to respond within the allotted timeframe will result in the seat being offered to the next highest-ranked applicant.
• Conditional offers may be extended based on midterm grades, with final acceptance contingent on meeting the minimum final grade requirement.

Final Grade Verification

• If an applicant was admitted based on midterm grades, a final grade review will be conducted.
• If the applicant fails to meet the final grade requirement, their admission offer will be rescinded, and the seat will be reassigned to the next eligible candidate.

5.0 Procedures

Application Process

The PPA application opens in Week 9 of the semester and remains available through the end of the term. The application consists of eight questions and requires students to list their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice for programs and campus locations. A priority deadline (Week 13) is set to encourage early applications.

• Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must meet the following academic requirements:

    • Minimum grade of 2.7 in all health science prerequisite courses.

    • Minimum grade of 2.0 in all general education courses required for the program.

    • Completion of a background check verifying eligibility for the professional track.

• Ranking Process

  • Step 1: Verification of Eligibility: Before ranking and seat allocation, each student’s academic record is verified to ensure they have completed or are currently enrolled in the required general education courses. The verification process includes:

• Checking that all required general education courses (specific to each program) have been completed or are in progress.

• Confirming that students meet the minimum grade requirements through final grades or midterm grades (if applicable).

• Step 2: Direct Admit Students

  • Direct admit students are tracked in Salesforce and tagged in J1. The list is manually updated and verified before the ranking process to ensure all standards and eligibility have been met and maintained. 

  • Direct admit students' applications are verified as meeting the minimum requirements. As long as minimum requirements are met, they are granted their first-choice seat immediately. Minimum requirements for direct admit students are outlined in the CoHS and CoN program student handbook addendums.

  • Direct admit students bypass the ranking process and are guaranteed placement in their selected program.

• Step 3: Ranking Calculation Students who are not direct admits are ranked based on their academic performance in health science ranking courses, which vary by program. The ranking score is calculated as follows:

  • Identify the student’s grades in the health science ranking courses.

  • Multiply the grade received by the number of credits for each ranked course. This gives the honor points for that course.

  • Sum the honor points for all ranked courses.

  • Calculate the total honor points possible based on the maximum grades that could have been achieved.

  • Divide the student’s total honor points by the total honor points possible and multiply by 100 to get the final ranking score:
    Ranking Score = (Total Honor Points Earned / Total Honor Points Possible) × 100

• Step 4: Tie-Breaker Process If two or more students have the same ranking score and have applied to the same program at the same campus, a tie-breaker is required. The tie-breaker will be determined based on:

  • The date and time the application was submitted.

  • The student who submitted their application first will be offered the seat.

• Step 5: Seat Allocation and Acceptance

  • Open seats are offered to students in descending order, starting from the highest ranking score.

  • Students are given a designated period to accept their seat.

  • If a student fails to respond within the allotted timeframe, the seat is offered to the next highest-ranking student.

• Step 6: Final Grade Reevaluation (If Midterm Grades Were Used)

  • If a student was ranked and offered a seat based on midterm grades, their eligibility is reevaluated once final grades are posted.

  • If the final grade meets the program’s minimum requirements, the student retains their seat.

  • If the student does not meet the final grade requirement, the seat is rescinded and offered to the next highest-ranking student.

• Seat Offer Process

  • Week 14: Seat offers are sent to the highest-ranking applicants who meet PPA requirements.

  • Students have seven days to accept or decline an offer. If they fail to respond, the seat is offered to the next highest-ranked applicant.

  • Seat offers are contingent on final grades. If a student does not meet the minimum requirements upon final grade submission, their offer is rescinded and awarded to the next qualified applicant.

6.0 Responsibilities

Academic Advising Team

Communicates the application timeline and process to students. Assists students who are not admitted in identifying alternative pathways.

Admissions Office

Manages the direct-admission process and verifies eligibility for direct admission. 

PPA Ranking Committee 

Manages the application and ranking process. Maintains official student records related to the PPA process. Creates and maintains communication flows provided to students regarding the PPA process. Creates and coordinates advisor training related to PPA. Collaborates to increase persistence for Pre-PPA students. 

Program Directors

Ensure the application process aligns with program accreditation standards. Participates in direct admission applicant review. 

7.0 Citations & Related Information

Document A:  Professional Program Application Website