First Time in College Students

First-Time-in-College Students

Admission may be granted to any individual who has:

• Graduated with a standard high school diploma or International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma from a secondary school, including a Florida public or private school, or an out-of-state school, in accordance with Florida Statutes.

• Earned a General Education Development (GED) diploma through any state Department of Education or the military, as long as the test was administered in the English language.

• Completed a Home Education Program pursuant to the requirement of Florida Statute 1002.41 and 1003.43. The student must submit a Homeschool Affidavit signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Some additional high school diplomas qualify for college admission under the Florida state guidelines. For information on other high school diploma completion codes, a student may contact the Admission and Registrar’s Office at 863.297.1000.

Polk State offers a robust First-Year Experience Program for incoming students. Upon application, the student is advised to follow the admission checklist found on the College website on the Admission Steps page. These steps include a pre-advising session to teach the student how to make the most of the student services resources available, how to work with a student success advisor in degree planning, and what to expect from the first year at college. Any student who is attending college for the first time since his or her high school graduation must attend, even if the student was previously dual enrolled. 

Each student seeking an Associate in Arts degree is required to take the First-Year Seminar course (SLS 1122), which is discussed in the pre-advising session.  More information about this course is available at the following website.