RichmondCC Students Have Guaranteed Path to Western Carolina

Sept. 4, 2025 - Richmond Community College students now have a direct path to Western Carolina University

through its new guaranteed admission program, WCU Connect.

Designed specifically for community college students, WCU Connect provides expanded benefits and a smooth transition into WCU for those who qualify. Highlights of the program include:

• Guaranteed general admission to WCU for students who meet eligibility requirements
• Early access to WCU resources like major-specific advisors, admission counselors, Hunter Library, select campus events and a 10 percent discount at the bookstore
• Priority orientation and special campus event access
• A WCU Connect Card
• Invitation to the Brinson Honors College for residential students with a 3.5+ GPA, including up to 12 hours of transferable honors credit from RichmondCC

“We are excited to be able to now offer our students guaranteed admissions to Western Carolina. Guaranteed admission programs help our students create a better road map to a higher degree and take the guesswork out of the admission process,” said RichmondCC Associate Vice President of Student Services Patsy Stanley. “This is just another reason to start your college journey at RichmondCC.”

RichmondCC students may sign up for WCU Connect at any stage of their community college program and will immediately begin receiving some of the benefits. To maximize the benefits of WCU Connect, it is recommended that students submit their application to WCU approximately one year prior to their planned transfer. Once they have officially submitted their WCU application, they will have a special “WCU Connect” tab on their Catamount Portal, which will display various highlights and benefits of the program.

RichmondCC students who wish to participate in the program must:

• Submit Western Carolina University application for admission and records by WCU deadlines.
• Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps.
• Be in good standing at current college and other institutions attended.
• Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct.
• Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at current college and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term.
• Earn an associate’s degree from RichmondCC.
• Enroll at Western Carolina University within one academic year (within the next two regular terms (fall/spring semesters) of completion of the associate degree).

For More Information

If you would like to learn more about WCU Connect or any of the other eight guaranteed admissions programs with NC universities, RichmondCC will be hosting “College Transfer Planning Roadmap” to help students and their parents make a successful college transfer plan.

“Planning a successful college transfer while aiming to graduate on time requires careful strategizing, understanding your goals, and ensuring you meet all necessary academic and administrative requirements,” Stanley said. “We are offering three different sessions on this topic, including one online.”

• Sept. 9 from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. in the Lee Building, room 107, Hamlet Campus.
• Sept. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. ONLINE
• Sept. 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. Honeycutt Center, room 130, Scotland County Campus

Call RichmondCC’s Career & Transfer Advising Center at (910) 410-1700 to learn more.