DMACC Ankeny Admissions Process

Hi all! Does anyone have experience with the admissions process at DMACC's Ankeny campus? How competitive is it? Any special considerations they are looking for in an applicant? Thanks for your help!

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny has an open-admission policy. What this means is that as long as you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, you can get admitted.

That said, getting admitted to DMACC doesn't necessarily guarantee admission to specific programs. Some programs like Nursing, Automotive Technology, or Paramedic Specialist, for example, have additional requirements and could be more competitive due to the limited number of seats available. For these programs, factors like GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, and sometimes even interviews can play a part in admission decisions.

To increase your chances of acceptance into these selective admission programs, you might want to consider achieving high grades in your high school coursework, particularly in the relevant prerequisite subjects for your intended program, and also obtaining letters of recommendation if they are required.

If you're looking at general studies or other non-selective programs, the process should be straightforward—submit your application, high school transcript or GED scores, and any college transcripts if you've previously attended another college.

One last aspect to consider is placement testing. DMACC uses ACCUPLACER or ALEKS tests to assess your readiness for college-level coursework in English and Math. Depending on your scores, you may need to take some developmental (non-college credit) classes before diving into your program's curriculum. If you have relevant ACT or SAT scores, they can sometimes be used in place of placement testing.

I'd recommend reaching out to DMACC's admissions office if you have specific questions about your situation! They're the best resource for up-to-date and personalized advice.