Applications accepted online only February 1, 2017 March 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm

CUESTA COLLEGE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM: SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA Online Application Instructions: Fall 2017 Admission Certificate Program with Associate Degree Option Applications accepted online only February 1, 2017 March 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm The Cuesta College Paramedic Program (CCPP) application and admission criteria are subject to change from year to year. It is the applicant s responsibility to follow current application instructions and meet all requirements and due dates. The Cuesta College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, www.caahep.org) and approved by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This 12-month fulltime program prepares graduates to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic (NREMT-P) licensure examination, leading to licensure as a California paramedic. Passing this exam is required to be employed as a paramedic. The exam must be taken at applicants expense, upon completion of all program requirements. Cuesta College Paramedic Program licensure exam pass rates are available at: NREMT-P Pass Rates. Class selection is limited to 20 students. If there are more eligible applicants than there are seats in the program at the time of the application deadline, a computerized random draw of all the eligible applicants will be used to determine class selection. In the event of a tie for final seats, a computerized random draw will determine the order of acceptance. If available spaces remain in the program at the time of the application deadline, admission will then be granted to eligible applicants in the order received until all seats are filled. Applicants with coursework in progress during the Spring 2017 semester may be considered with a Letter of Good Standing from the instructor. Note: Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may constitute grounds for denial of licensure, for more information see the NREMT Criminal Conviction Policy. Meet with the Director of Nursing and Allied Health to discuss any concerns before applying to the program. TABLE OF CONTENTS Important Dates & Application Requirements... 2 Application Instructions... 3 & 4 Ineligible Applicants... 4 Submitting Transcripts... 5 Final Program Admission Requirements... 6 Financial Aid & Scholarship Information... 7 A.S. Paramedic Degree Info... 7 Supplemental Form - EMT Work Experience... 8 Supplemental Form - Personal Statement (Equivalency Applicants Only)... 9 Supplemental Form - Work Experience Equivalency Form (Equivalency Applicants Only)... 10 Supplemental Form - Letter of Good Standing (Only to be used if notified)... 11 1

IMPORTANT DATES December 31, 2016: Feb., 1, 2017 to March 15, 2017: March 15, 2017: April 17, 2017: Date month, 2017: June 6, 2017: August 21, 2017: **Deadline to complete prerequisite courses Fall 2017 admission applications accepted. Application deadline at 4:00pm. Notification of Eligibility emailed to all applicants Notification of Admission emailed to all eligible applicants Mandatory program orientation for admitted students Program begins First day of class APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS To earn a Paramedic Associate in Science Degree additional requirements are required (see page 7). 1. Official Sealed Transcripts: Refer to the Application Instructions page for information on submitting transcripts. 2. Proof of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification: Certification must be current at time of application and throughout the entire program. NREMT certificate does not meet this criterion. 3. Prerequisite coursework completed by December 31, 2016 with a grade of C or better: Required prerequisite courses: 1. BIO 212 Human Biology* 3.0 credits 2. ENGL 156 College Reading and Writing** 4.0 credits 3. MATH 123 Elementary-Algebra** 5.0 credits Completion of higher level college courses, i.e., BIO 205 (Human Anatomy), BIO 206 (Human Physiology), ENGL 201A (English Composition) and Math courses with a grade of C or better are accepted. Completion of Human Anatomy is strongly recommended. English and/or Mathematics assessment test(s) with placement into a higher level English or Math course will satisfy the above requirements. If there are available seats in the program after the application deadline, then applicants with coursework in progress during the Spring 2017 semester may be considered. They will be required to submit a completed Letter of Good Standing from the instructor see form on page 11. 4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Work Experience: 1,000 hours or approved equivalency. Must use one of the forms below: a. EMT Work Experience Verification Form: EMT work experience must be current within 2 years of the application due date. This form must be completed with an employer cover letter and submitted before the application deadline - see form on page 8. EMT work experience applicants must have a minimum of six months full-time or a minimum of 1000 hours part-time and/or volunteer EMT work experience with an emergency medical service provider. b. Work Experience Equivalency Form: If an applicant does not meet the 1,000 hours of EMT work experience, in order to be evaluated for equivalency substitution on a case-by-case basis, they must complete and submit a Personal Statement AND the Work Experience Equivalency Form before the application deadline see forms on pages 9 & 10. Equivalency applicants must demonstrate experience which allowed them to develop the essential skills needed to enter the paramedic program and be successful, either through a similar education program, military, work, and/or life experiences. 2

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Complete all application requirements by the due dates. 2. Contact a Cuesta College counselor for questions about the application, program prerequisites, requirements, and/or course equivalencies: Recommended: If you have completed any prerequisite coursework at colleges other than Cuesta, contact a Cuesta counselor at least 3 weeks in advance of the application due date to determine equivalency. 805-546-3138: Counseling Department, San Luis Obispo campus 805-591-6241: Counseling Department, North County campus 3. You must apply for admission to Cuesta College, if either of the following apply: If you have never been a student at Cuesta College. If you have not attended Cuesta College for two or more consecutive semesters. Apply online: http://www.cuesta.edu/apply/ After you submit your application, you will receive a welcome email that includes important information regarding your mycuesta log-in information, your my.cuesta.edu email account, and your student ID number, beginning with 900. You will need this number to complete the application. 4. Request official, sealed transcripts and submit them to Cuesta College Admissions and Records (Due by: 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2017). Must include one of the following: Official, sealed, High School transcript with graduation date posted, GED report, or equivalent. Official, sealed, College transcripts with an Associate degree or higher (other than Cuesta). Official, sealed, transcripts of all prerequisite coursework (colleges other than Cuesta). Refer to the Submitting Transcripts page for instructions and additional information. 5. Prepare an electronic copy of your EMT certification to be uploaded to your online application. Scan or take a digital picture of *both sides* of your current EMT certification card and save it to your computer in preparation. Online application will prompt you to upload it. 6. Complete and submit the online application, including all supplemental documentation (EMT certification files), by the application deadline. Applications and EMT certification must be submitted online. No printed applications will be accepted. Plan ahead to submit your application before the deadline. Access to the online application will be automatically disabled at 4:00pm (Pacific Standard Time) on March 15, 2017. Applications not submitted by this time cannot be accepted, including applications in progress. Print or save a copy of all application instructions and documents submitted for your records. After submitting your application, a confirmation email that your application was received will be sent to you from Admissions & Records. This is to confirm the receipt of your application only and does not reflect program eligibility or acceptance into the program. If you have not received this email by March 16, 2017, it is your responsibility to contact the Admissions & Records Office at 805-546-3100, Ext 2555 to confirm the status of your application. 3

7. Eligibility notification: March 17, 2017: Notification will be emailed to all applicants informing them of eligibility status. Applicants deemed ineligible will be provided a limited timeframe to dispute this decision by April 3, 2017. The ineligible notification email, will include instructions. 8. Admission notification: April 17, 2017: Notification of program admission status will be emailed and mailed. NOTE: If any of these email notifications have not arrived in your my.cuesta.edu mailbox by the dates provided, you must contact Admissions & Records immediately and in advance of any deadlines by calling 805-546-3100, ext. 2555. Be sure to check your mycuesta email inbox directly, even if email forwarding has been enabled, to ensure that these emails are not filtering into your SPAM/JUNK mail folders. Missed deadlines due to non-receipt of emails will not be accommodated. 10. EMT licensure requirements: To remain eligible, it is the applicant s responsibility to maintain a current EMT license throughout the entire application process timeframe and if accepted, throughout the duration of the program. 11. Updating Your Contact Information: If your name or contact information changes after submitting your application, you must notify Admissions & Records immediately by calling 805-546-3100, ext. 2555. Updating your contact information online at mycuesta alone will not update your Paramedic program application. Failure to notify Admissions & Records with any changes to your contact information may result in delays or non-receipt of important information and cause your application to become ineligible. INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Applicants are INELIGIBLE for admission in the following situations: Any hold on your Cuesta student account. All holds must be cleared by the application due date in order to remain eligible for program admission in the current application cycle. In situations of financial hardship, applicants may appeal their situation by submitting a statement detailing your situation to the Paramedic Director. Failure to submit by the due dates all official, sealed transcripts for all coursework completed and from all colleges and universities attended (other than Cuesta) even for nonprogram prerequisites, even if you withdrew. Incomplete or in progress applications not submitted by the due date. Failure to meet any deadlines and/or respond to time-sensitive emails (emails will be sent to the applicant s mycuesta email address). Failure of accepted applicants to meet final program admission requirements. 4

SUBMITTING TRANSCRIPTS Official transcripts are accepted either electronically or by mail. DO NOT submit transcripts with your application or hand deliver. All transcripts must be submitted to the Cuesta College Records Office by the application due date: Request official, sealed, transcripts from other colleges early! It can take several weeks for them to arrive. Cuesta transcripts do not need to be submitted. Unsealed transcripts and informal academic records are not official and cannot be accepted. If you have previously submitted sealed, official transcripts for all coursework taken at other colleges, you do not need to send new transcripts unless you have since taken additional coursework. Call the Records office at 805-546-3139 to confirm that all of your transcripts have been received and recorded. Official, sealed transcripts from colleges or institutions outside Cuesta may be sent to the Cuesta College Records office either electronically or by mail. (If mailing your transcripts, the envelope must be postmarked by the application deadline). To submit your official U.S. (non-foreign) transcripts electronically: request that the other school(s) or institution(s) send them to the Cuesta College Records office. To submit your official U.S. (non-foreign) transcripts by mail: request that the other school(s) or institution's) mail them to you, and you can then mail them to Cuesta. If you choose to mail your transcripts to Cuesta, DO NOT OPEN them! They must remain sealed or they will no longer be official. Mailing transcripts takes considerably longer than sending them electronically, so please plan accordingly. If mailing your U.S. transcripts to Cuesta, you are strongly advised to use the Return Receipt service through the United States Postal Service so you can receive a notice showing proof of receipt. Mail your official, sealed, U.S. transcripts to: Cuesta College Office of Admissions & Records c/o Paramedic Admission P.O. Box 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106 If using AP Scores for equivalency of program prerequisites: Official, sealed test scores must be submitted to Cuesta by the application due date. To view your scores and send them to Cuesta, go to the College Board website at https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores. For more information, go to: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd.html Foreign Transcripts: Transcripts of all prerequisite coursework, high school diploma, and/or college degree(s) from schools or institutions outside the United States must first be translated. agency approved by Cuesta College Admissions and Records. Once officially submitted to Cuesta, evaluation takes additional time. Official foreign transcripts are due at least two weeks in advance of the application due date. Plan ahead, and start this process early. Contact the Admissions and Records office at 805-546-3140 to find out how to get an application for Academic Credential Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), or to ask about what other agencies are accepted. All transcripts must be received by the Cuesta College Records Office on or before the application due date. If mailing your transcripts, the envelope must be postmarked on or before the due date. It is the applicant s responsibility to call the Cuesta Records office to confirm that ALL official transcripts, with final grades posted, have been received before the application due date. Do not contact the Counseling Department to verify records. To confirm, call 805-546-3139. 5

FINAL PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTED APPLICANTS ONLY The following mandatory final admission requirements must be completed by all students accepted into the Paramedic program before the program start date, and by the due dates provided at the pre-program orientation. Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in being dropped from the admit roster. Only applicants selected for admission will need to complete the following final admission requirements. All final program requirements are to be completed at the applicant s expense prior to their final acceptance into the Paramedic program. Further details and forms will be provided at the mandatory pre-program orientation. 1. Mandatory Pre-Program Orientation on June 6, 2017 Applicants selected for admission will be provided with additional details in their notification of admission status letter. 2. Background Check and Drug Screen A background check and drug screen, required by clinical agencies, must be completed at the applicant s expense. Instructions and forms will be given to students at the pre-program orientation. A list of convictions that would prevent clinical participation are included in the Central Coast Consortium Background and Drug Screen Policy on the Nursing & Allied Health Division webpage. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact the Nursing & Allied Health Clinical Coordinator at 805-546-3100 ext 2798. 3. Physical Examination and Proof of Immunity A physical exam and proof of immunity are required at the applicant s expense. Students admitted into the program will receive forms and instructions for completing these requirements at their pre-program orientation. Cuesta College forms must be used. Proof of immunity is required for: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) x 2 Varicella (Chickenpox) x 2 Hepatitis B series x 3 Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Tuberculosis screening Seasonal influenza (flu) (will need to be obtained in October 2017). 4. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification Information on CPR requirements and local training sites is available on the Nursing & Allied Health Department Division website, under Student Resources. 6

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION Various education funding sources are available for Nursing & Allied Health students, including financial aid and scholarships. In order to meet funding deadlines, applicants are advised to apply for financial aid and/or scholarships prior to hearing if they have been admitted. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 805-546-3143, or go to the Financial Aid website at: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutmoney/finaid/ to learn about the various funding sources available. It is the applicant s responsibility to be aware of and meet all deadlines. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for state and federal financial aid resources. The FAFSA is also required for many Cuesta College Scholarships. The FAFSA can be viewed at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ or accessed from Cuesta s Financial Aid website after October 1 st. Complete a Cuesta College Scholarship application on Cuesta s Financial Aid website to be eligible to apply for Allied Health Program Scholarships. Estimated Paramedic Program Costs are available on the department webpage. PARAMEDIC PROGRAM Certificate Program with Associate of Science Degree Option All students who satisfactorily complete the Paramedic Program are awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Paramedic To obtain an Associate s Degree in Paramedic, additional requirements exist. This degree option can be earned at any time, and is not required to be accomplished before or during the Paramedic certificate program. Cuesta College requires the completion of 60 credits or more to earn an Associate s Degree. All coursework needs to be completed with a grade of C or higher. Refer to the Cuesta College catalog for specific degree requirements for Paramedic Associate in Science Certificate Program with Associate of Science Degree Option In addition to the Paramedic certificate program coursework, the requirements to earn a Paramedic Associate in Science Degree from Cuesta College are: Math 126B, 127, 128, or higher level course English 201A Political Science 202 or History 207A/B Cultural Diversity course Health Education course Refer to the Cuesta College catalog for specific degree requirements. Further information is available through the Cuesta College Counseling Department. Students are encouraged to call ahead and schedule a phone or in-person appointment: Recommended: If you have completed any prerequisite coursework at colleges other than Cuesta, contact a Cuesta counselor at least 3 weeks in advance of the application due date to determine equivalency: 805-546-3138: Counseling Department, San Luis Obispo campus 805-591-6241: Counseling Department, North County campus 7

A Work Experience Verification Form with an employer cover letter, ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD, must be submitted for each employer. Complete Part A and have your employer(s) complete Parts B and C. Submit completed form(s) and employer cover letter(s) or have your employer mail it directly to Cuesta College s Office of Admissions & Records before Application Deadline: March 15, 2017. Required EMT work or volunteer experience must be current within two years of the program start date and must meet one of the following requirements: A minimum of six months full-time EMT work experience with an EMS provider A minimum of 1000 hours of part-time and/or volunteer EMT work experience with an EMS provider A. Applicant information Name: Address: CUESTA COLLEGE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM EMT Work Experience Verification Program Admission Application Form - Fall 2017 Phone Number: Email: B. Employer information Name of Employer: Name of Supervisor: Address: Phone Number: Email: C. Employer please complete the following information as it pertains to the applicant listed above: Position held by applicant: Dates Employed: start date end date Part time Volunteer work Total # of hours worked: - Full Time Paid work If applicant is currently working, please note the total # of anticipated hours to be worked by March 15, 2017: Please write a cover letter with a description of applicant s EMT work experience, ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD. Work verification forms will only be accepted if accompanied by an employer cover letter. Submission/receipt of this form and cover letter are necessary to satisfy the requirements of a complete Paramedic Program application. Supervisor s signature: Date: Please mail completed form with employer cover letter to: Cuesta College - Office of Admissions & Records c/o PARA Program Application P.O. BOX 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA, 93403-8106 8

CUESTA COLLEGE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM Personal Statement Program Admission Application Form - Fall 2017 - Equivalency Applicants Only- If an applicant does not meet the 1,000 hours of EMT work experience OR a minimum of 1000 hours part-time and/or volunteer EMT work experience with an emergency medical service provider, then they must submit a Personal Statement (in addition to the Work Experience Equivalency Form). All equivalency applicants will be evaluated for equivalency substitution on a case-by-case basis by the Paramedic Program Director and Admissions Committee. Equivalency applicants must demonstrate experience which allowed them to develop the essential skills needed to enter the paramedic program and be successful, either through a similar education program, military, work, and/or life experiences. Personal Statement Instructions: Please submit a typed Personal Statement answering the following question: What are the traits and characteristics that all great paramedics share? As part of your response, you should demonstrate how your past experience models these trait and characteristics. Your answer should typed on plain white paper and be at least 250 words in length. Submit your completed Personal Statement to Adrienne Smith via email or mail, before the application deadline: March 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm: Email: adrienne_smith@cuesta.edu U.S. post mail: use the address below: Cuesta College - Office of Admissions & Records c/o PARA Program Application P.O. BOX 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA, 93403-8106 9

CUESTA COLLEGE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM A Work Experience Verification Form with an employer cover letter, ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD, must be Work Experience Equivalency submitted for each employer. Complete Part A and have your employer(s) complete Parts B and C. Program Admission Application Form - Fall 2017 Equivalency applicants must demonstrate experience which allowed them to develop the essential skills needed to enter the paramedic program and be successful, either through a similar education program, military, work, and/or life experiences. A Work Experience Equivalency Form with an employer cover letter, ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD, must be submitted for each employer. Complete Part A and have your employer(s) complete Parts B and C. Submit completed form(s) and employer cover letter(s) or have your employer mail it directly to Cuesta College s Office of Admissions & Records before Application Deadline: March 15, 2017. A. Applicant information Name: Address: Phone Number: Email: B. Employer information Name of Employer: Name of Supervisor: Address: Phone Number: Email: C. Employer please complete the following information as it pertains to the applicant listed above: Position held by applicant: Dates Employed: start date end date Part time Volunteer work Total # of hours worked: - Full Time Paid work If applicant is currently working, please note the total # of anticipated hours to be worked by March 15, 2017: Please write a cover letter with a description of applicant s work experience, ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD. This letter should highlight the applicant s experience under your employment, that involved developing or utilizing their skills in leadership, interpretation, judgement and critical decision-making. Work Experience Equivalency forms will only be accepted if accompanied by an employer cover letter. Submission/receipt of this form and cover letter are necessary to satisfy the requirements of a complete Paramedic Program application. Supervisor s signature: Date: Please mail completed form with employer cover letter to: Cuesta College - Office of Admissions & Records c/o PARA Program Application P.O. BOX 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA, 93403-8106 10

CUESTA COLLEGE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM Letter of Good Standing Program Admission Application Form - Fall 2017 Instructions: This form should be used to request a letter of good standing for applicants applying to the Cuesta College Paramedic Program who are IN PROGRESS to complete a pre-requisite by the required date specified in the application instructions. ***Only use this form if you are notified to do so. Submit your completed form to Adrienne Smith via one of the following: Email: adrienne_smith@cuesta.edu Fax: (805) 546-3975 U.S. post mail: use the address below A letter of good standing will indicate academic status; it s not a letter of recommendation or a guarantee that the student will complete the course. FOR STUDENT TO COMPLETE PRIOR TO BRINGING THIS FORM TO INSTRUCTOR: First Name: Last Name: MI: Student ID: Email: FOR INSTRUCTOR TO COMPLETE: Course: Quarter/Semester: School: My signature below, as instructor of this course, confirms this student is attending class regularly and meeting class requirements with a C or better. Instructor s Signature Date Instructor s Name (Please Print) If mailing, address to: Cuesta College - Office of Admissions & Records c/o PARA Program Application P.O. BOX 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA, 93403-8106 ST 12/2016 11