WCA Hospital

School of Medical Technology
Admission Requirements

WCA School of Medical Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran's status, national origin, color, creed or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its program or activities. To be considered for admission, students must comply with the program's established admission requirements and meet the minimum technical prerequisites. Special circumstances may be addressed on an individual basis by the Program Director and Admissions Committee.

Academic Prerequisites for Admission

A minimum of three years of college education (90 semester hours or more) which will culminate in a baccalaureate degree (or higher) from the respective college following completion of the year of clinical internship education is required. The following specific course requirements must be satisfied prior to the student's clinical experience:

Biological Sciences:
A minimum of 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours. This must include: microbiology and immunology (immunology must be either a separate course or an intricate part of the microbiology course). Coursework in anatomy & physiology, and genetics or molecular biology are highly recommended; these subject areas will be included in the internship, but it is recommended a student take these foundational courses at their college/university. The remaining courses may be selected from upper level courses offered within the biology department. The content of these courses must be acceptable toward the college/university's requirements of the degreed major. Survey courses are not acceptable.

Chemistry:
A minimum of 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours. This must include: one full academic year of general chemistry (may include either quantitative or qualitative analysis), and biochemistry and/or organic chemistry. The content of these courses must be acceptable toward the college/university 's requirements of the degreed major. Survey courses are not acceptable.

Mathematics:
A minimum of one semester or one quarter of college level mathematics is required. Coursework in statistics is highly recommended; although this subject area will be included in the internship, but it is recommended a student take this course at their college/university. Remedial mathematics courses are not acceptable.

Recommended Elective Courses:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Genetics or Molecular Biology
• Hematology
• Pathophysiology
• Parasitology
• Mycology
• Instrumentation
• Physics
• Computer Science
• Statistics
• Management/Supervision
• Business/Administration
• Education

Work done at other institutions is closely examined and handled similarly to the current college transcript. No credit is given for non-traditional education unless it has been previously accepted by the degree-granting institution.

Transcript Evaluation

All applicants will have their credentials evaluated by program officials and the Admissions Committee of the WCA Hospital School of Medical Technology. Students with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of not less than 2.75 and an overall science GPA of 2.7 (B-) will receive first consideration.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 (C+) is required for an interview to be granted; however, individuals with a low GPA who feel they should be granted an interview may submit a written letter, mailed to the Program Director, stating their rationale. Received letters will be carefully considered and the recommendation submitted to the Admission Committee for a final decision. An advisor may request an interview for a student by contacting the Program Director directly.

A student who receives any grade less than a “C” (C– or below) in any Junior or Senior year course must re-take that course (assuming a typical full-time course load).  The student may still apply for an internship position, but must show when the course(s) will be repeated prior to entry into the internship year.  Contact the Program Director with any questions.

Seven Year Limit for Prerequisites

Graduates (US or foreign) who have completed college prerequisites seven or more years ago are required to complete current credit-bearing courses in Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry (or Organic Chemistry) prior to acceptance into the program and must score a minimum of 2.7 (B-) in each course. These applicants are further encouraged to acquire more current coursework in other core sciences (ie. anatomy, physiology, genetics, statistics, chemistry).

Applicants with Foreign Degree

A candidate who has completed his/her education in a foreign country and is basing his/her eligibility on a baccalaureate degree from a foreign college/university, must comply with NAACLS directives and the policies of the board certifying agencies affecting this category of student.  The applicant is required to have his/her transcript(s) evaluated by an evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.  Contact the ASCP Board of Certification office (See Related Links) for a list of foreign transcript evaluation agencies.

The original, official evaluation (a photocopy will only be accepted if it is made and signed by a notary public who authenticates the photocopy) showing degree equivalency and a subject breakdown must be submitted.  Foreign applicants should request that their official transcript evaluation report include both degree equivalency and course specifics.  All reports should be mailed directly to the Program Director of the WCA Hospital School of Medical Technology (or sealed in an envelope by the notary public with his/her signature on the sealed envelope flap).

Foreign students who already hold a bachelor's degree and will not be enrolled in a US college or university during the internship year must be either a citizen of the United States or hold Permanent Residency Status in order to be eligible to attend the WCA Hospital School of Medical Technology.  In order to be granted an interview, the student must submit a copy of documents proving residency status with his/her application. 

English as a Second Language

Students for whom English is a second language are required to submit as part of their application an official report of one recent (within the last 3 years) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or (within the last 2 years) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score if one or both of the following is/are true:
    □  I am NOT currently enrolled in a US college/university
    □  I completed 3 or more years of study at a foreign institution

If one or both of the above statements is/are true, you must include the original TOEFL or IELTS score report (a report copy will only be accepted if it is made and signed by a notary public who authenticates the photocopy from the original document) with your application for admission. Students taking the Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) exam, must also take the TSE-A (Test of Spoken English - Academic). Any fees related to these evaluations are the responsibility of the student.

Applicants must obtain the following scores or better for whichever test-type is taken as shown in the tables, to be considered eligible to attend the WCA Hospital School of Medical Technology:

TOEFL® Score minimum	iBT Internet Based Test	PBT Paper Based Test
Listening	20	54
Reading	21	65
Writing	22	59
Speaking	27	TSE-A score -50
TOTAL SCORE	90	575

IELTS® Score minimum	Academic Reading and Writing Test
Listening	6.5
Reading	6.5
Writing	6.5
Speaking	6.5
TOTAL SCORE	7.0

Foreign Students Currently Enrolled in a US University

A foreign student who is currently enrolled in a US college/university does not need to have his/her transcripts evaluated by a secondary agency since the college/university has accepted/verified the foreign courses that are required for the completion of his/her US degree in Medical Technology.

Even though you will be enrolled in a US college/university during your internship year, you are required to mail with your application the following documents in order to be granted an interview:

1. A letter from the Registrar or Dean (or similar) of your baccalaureate university attesting to:
   • Your full-time student status
   • Your financial good standing with the university
2. Photocopies of residency status:
   • Your passport
   • Your VISA
   • Your I-20 form issued by your university

Medical Laboratory Technician

Individuals who hold an MLT degree and wish to gain their MT degree must enroll in a Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science degreed program at an academic institution (see College and University Affiliates) and apply to the WCA Hospital Program as a 3 + 1 student (or 4 + 1) after prerequisite course work for both the baccalaureate degree requirements and WCA application requirements have been met.  No credits are awarded for work experience or credits earned in an MLT program unless those credits were accepted by the baccalaureate degree-granting institution.  The WCA Hospital School of Medical Technology does not offer testing to allow a student to “opt out” of any aspect of the internship; enrolled students must complete the internship year in its entirety.

Acceptance Criteria

A numerical ranking of applicants created using science GPA, reference score average and interview scores is utilized by the Admission's Committee to help direct decisions, but is not the sole basis of student selection.
Students are selected on the basis of:

• Cumulative grade point average
• Science and Math grade point average
• Curriculum preparation/related coursework
• Personal interview
• Letters of recommendation
• Related work/volunteer experience
• Ability to accomplish essential functions of the program

Technical Prerequisites for Admission

An applicant must have the following abilities in order to accomplish the essential requirements of the program.

1. Effective oral, written and social communication skills in Standard English language.
   1. be able to read and comprehend technical, instructional, professional and informational materials.
   2. follow written and verbal instructions.
   3. have social and communication skills to effectively and concisely interact with patients, physicians, health care providers, hospital personnel and coworkers in both direct and indirect verbal contact and in written format.

1. Physical and behavioral skills.
   1. be able to sit, stand or walk for moderate periods of time, lift and carry moderately heavy objects, and reach bench tops, shelves and patients in hospital beds or collection chairs.
   2. have manual dexterity necessary to perform phlebotomy and the fine manipulations required to safely and accurately perform and report laboratory tests.
   3. be able to distinguish color, clarity, odor and special characteristics of clinical specimens. Have visual acuity necessary to use a microscope and distinguish colors of the spectrum and discriminate fine cellular details. Be able to read graphs, fine print and video displays to adequately perform laboratory tests.
   4. be aware of and recognize potential hazards and adhere to the rules and guidelines for laboratory and hospital safety .
   5. be able to effectively tolerate the stresses of the hospital/laboratory environment, responding professionally to everyday workplace stresses, including STAT situations, noise, smells and encounters with incorrigible personnel. Work well with others and share knowledge and problem solving skills in a positive manner.
   6. be ethical, honest, and compassionate. Follow hospital rules for patient confidentiality. Willingly to take responsibility for ones own actions and be forthcoming about errors or areas of inadequacy. Critically evaluate ones own performance and accept constructive criticism as a mode of professional and personal growth.