Visit college campuses you are interested in. Visit college websites to get familiar with their admissions requirements, deadlines, and scholarships as these are different for every college.
Take and retake the ACT/SAT
Apply for admission to colleges you are interested in beginning in late August. You can apply to as many as you would like. Some colleges charge an application fee. Apply before November.
Check for other documents the college/s require. Most will need your Shot Record and Proof of Residency (Driver's License).
Apply for financial aid and scholarships. Colleges have competitive and noncompetitive scholarships. Apply before November.
After you apply to a college, request your transcript to be sent to the college/s. Do this at Transcript Request Form .
After you apply to a college, check your college e-mail often. E-mail is how they will communicate with you.
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA is FREE to file. Filing is a requirement to be eligible for TN Promise and the HOPE scholarship.
Request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend at FINAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST.
All local TCATs have waiting lists for all of their programs. Following are the programs our local TCATs have the longest waiting lists for:
TCAT Murfreesboro: Auto Technology, Computer Information, Industrial Maintenance
TCAT McMinnville- Industrial Maintenance , no waiting list for Machine Tool Technology
TCAT Shelbyville- Auto Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Information Technology
TCAT Smyrna- Auto Technology, Informational Technology, Industrial Maintenance
Program enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis by date of completed application. (A completed application includes all items required for enrollment.)
Must be at least 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent.
1. Apply for admission to the particular TCAT/Tech School.
2. Request your transcript to be sent to the TCAT.
3. Send other required documents (proof of residence, shot record).
3. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA is FREE to file. Filing is a requirement to be eligible for TN Promise and the HOPE scholarship.
4. Request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend at FINAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST.
All students are allowed three college/university/TCAT visit days that will not count as an absence.
Get parent/guardian permission to visit a college.
Schedule the college visit by going to the admissions page on the college's website.
Before you leave the college, get a letter from the admissions office on their letterhead verifying you were there for the purpose of a tour.
Have your parent/guardian write a note stating that you had their permission to be absent from school to visit a college. Staple this note to the letter from the college.
Put the letters/notes in the school SCHOOL EXCUSE NOTES box.
Students are encouraged to set up additional college visits during Fall break, Thanksgiving Break and Spring Break. Colleges are usually on their normal schedules during this time.