Tri-County Technical College — Local services in Pendleton

Everyone seems nice enough here, but the paperwork required for this place is...extreme. I've attended two other colleges before, and I have NEVER had to submit this much paperwork for anything I've ever done. I honestly thought it was just a crazy admissions process, but it just keeps going.

Prime example (after admission): The residency paperwork. I can understand needing several of the things they ask for, but not ALL of them. (So many trees have probably died due to all the paper involved.) I'm hoping it's a SC state law thing, but if it is, we really need to address this with government officials.

You have to submit copies of: *Completed residency application, with a notarized affidavit for your domicile. (I can't find anything online about them having a Notary, so I guess I'll have to call them or track one down locally.)

*Based on the residency application, it looks like if your spouse/guardian provides more than half of your support in the 12 months prior to your application, they require their signature be notarized as well.

*The best part about the whole "needing your spouse/guardian" info on everything, is that your residency is then based on THEIR residency (or at least that's what it looks like). Better hope they're an organized person, because you're going to need a copy of EVERYTHING about them. Just keep reading.

*Note: If you just said "Well I'm financially independent, I don't need all that extra paperwork", you would be wrong. Even if you ARE financially independent, you'll still need a guardian or spouse's tax return anyway. Hopefully that will be the only thing you have to get from them. Still sucks for people with estranged family though.

*Copy of lease, rental agreement, or closing documents *Federal and state income tax returns (for self AND spouse or guardian) *All your documentation for any income. So, W2 forms, 1099 forms, most recent pay stub showing year to date income, for either yourself and/or your spouse/guardian *Vehicle registrations for any cars you and your spouse/guardian own *Copies of your license, as well as your spouse/guardian

In the event your application is rejected, you'll need to reprint all of that documentation to resubmit it. I know they don't want to be responsible for documents, but with this much stuff, I feel like they should at least let you off the hook for some of it.

Keep in mind that my experience so far with the people has been great! I'm sure when I call to ask about this litany of requirements, they will be very nice and helpful. Maybe the classes will be wonderful too once I finally get to that point.

I guess my best tip to offer people is to start gathering all this paperwork when you apply. It might save you some time later. Also...maybe invest in a scanner/printer....

This is for most of the advisors, in other offices phone calls never were returned, teachers don’t teach, some teachers hardly grade, other teachers grade too many fussy things like your name being in the correct spot of the page or whether you can correctly spell their name or whether you came in class on time rather than 2 seconds late so we’re just learning how to deal with the boss of your worst nightmares not actual content I guess, bad attitudes, too worried about electronics rather than letting you figure out how you best learn, too concerned about the length of your shorts in the blazing hot summer when you have to HIKE to class, I’ve heard they want to address the TEACHER parking but NOT THE OVERALL parking, given zeros for work missed while in hospital/doctor notes, library hours are kind of wack, food is overpriced, air conditioning doesn’t cut on until you get there first thing in the morning so it’s usually incredibly hot and stuffy inside for at least an hour, most teachers are cocky (they think they’re the best), lots of staff strive to make you miserable not successful / to prove you wrong so they can always be right (which isn’t human, like we all make mistakes), the website is AWFUL for so many reasons, attendance is too strict based on the way they take attendance, paperwork at the school didn’t look necessary or make any sense sometimes (office stuff), “available” classes were not always shown thru tctc class scheduler like they’re supposed to, advisor often had incorrect classes in mind for what I need to take because I’m a transfer student so I know this by asking the school I wanted a degree from exactly what credits it required, etc etc etc. the worst part is my advisor harassed, insulted, and humiliated me about the sexual way she believes my appearance to be, she mocked it even though as the BBW she is you would think she understands the struggle to cover up or keep everything together at all times (especially after running around the incredibly...

The academic programs at TCTC, along with all of the faculty that I have encountered, are absolutely fantastic. They are competent and willing to engage students to whatever extent necessary to ensure their success, assuming that the student is willing to put in the effort necessary. (This is college, after all). Academic resources from the Library to the Tutoring Center and other forms of student support are tremendous.

I'm a current nursing student here, and I absolutely cannot say enough about the nursing faculty and the admin / support staff that keep things running seamlessly behind them.

That being said, the Financial Aid office, TC Central (the clearinghouse for financial aid, payment and registration issues) and Admissions has some work to do, to put it politely. Pinning down a correct answer, or getting the correct paperwork often requires multiple inquiries, calls or trips. I have had to meet with the director or assistant director of Financial Aid to get simple issues solved nearly every semester - due to mistakes or misinformation given by others in the department.

That being said, the administrative and leadership staff are sympathetic and responsive to student complaints and issues, and will universally bend over backwards to get them solved promptly. While this should never be necessary, their dedication is tremendously appreciated.

During the Spring 2020-Summer 2021 semesters, with the COVID-19 pandemic and it's associated disruptions, transitions to online / hybrid classes and labs were largely seamless, and the communication to students was outstanding.

I'm giving the four stars due to the difficulty working with TC Central and its associated departments - if the frustration and stress of dealing with them could be eliminated, TCTC would be an absolute top-notch...