Running Start Students: University Application Strategies

Running Start is a dual credit enrollment program in Washington, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Montana, and Illinois, which allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while completing their high school degrees. Students can take college courses online or on campus, earning both high school and college credits for these courses. Running Start students applying to universities must submit their high school and college transcripts, with college credits potentially qualifying them for sophomore or junior standing.

Application process

Running Start is a dual credit enrollment program in Washington, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Montana, and Illinois. The program allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while completing their high school degrees. Students can take college courses numbered 100 or above at Washington's 34 community and technical colleges, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Northwest Indian College, and Washington State University.

To apply for the Running Start program, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a junior or senior in high school (grades 11-12)
• Be enrolled in a Washington State public high school or, if homeschooled or attending private school, enroll through the local public high school
• Live in the State of Washington

Students must submit the following applications:

• An admissions application to the desired college
• A Running Start application

Students must also meet the college's entrance requirements. For example, to place into English 101 at Lower Columbia College, students must have a 3.0 GPA or better in all high school English/Literature classes or score a 3 or 4 on the English portion of the Smarter Balanced assessment.

Running Start students pursuing admission to the University of Washington Bothell for the autumn quarter immediately following high school graduation must apply as first-year students. Students who take time off after high school graduation (excluding the immediate summer term) must apply as transfer students.

Running Start classes should be entered in the high school coursework grid, including anticipated coursework credit for 12th grade. Students should select the box “Dual enrollment with high school” or “I took this course at a college and/or I received college credit for this course” to indicate that the course is part of Running Start. Transcripts are not required for admission consideration, but having an unofficial copy can be helpful for completing the application.

Students should begin their academic planning early by working with high school and college advisors to ensure they are making the most of their college credits. Students can use tools like the University of Washington Equivalency Guide and transfer planning worksheets to help with this process.

Benefits of Running Start

The Running Start program offers several benefits to students:

• Accelerated path to a bachelor’s degree
• Tuition-free college courses
• Opportunity to explore areas of interest before starting college
• Head start on college prerequisites for the intended major

Eligibility

Running Start is a dual credit enrollment program in Washington, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Montana, and Illinois. It allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while completing their high school degrees. Students can take college courses online or on campus, earning both high school and college credits for these courses.

To be eligible for the Running Start program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be in grades 11 or 12: Only juniors and seniors in high school, as determined by their high school and/or school district, are eligible for the program.
• Enrolled in a Washington State Public High School: Students must be currently enrolled in a public high school in Washington State.
• Submit Applications: Students must submit an admissions application and a Running Start application to the desired college or university.
• Enroll through a Local Public High School: Home-schooled or private school students must enroll through their local public high school and have junior or senior standing. They do not need to attend classes at the public high school, but it is the public high school's responsibility to establish their grade placement.
• Washington State Residency: Students must live in the State of Washington to participate in the Running Start program.

Additional Considerations:

While not always listed as strict eligibility requirements, the following factors should also be considered:

• Academic Planning: Running Start students are encouraged to begin their academic planning early, in partnership with high school and college advisors, to ensure they are on track with their college credit requirements and prerequisites for their intended major.
• Social and Academic Readiness: The Running Start program requires maturity, independence, and dedication. Students should carefully evaluate their social and academic readiness for the faster pace and increased demands of college-level courses.
• Transportation: Students are typically responsible for their own transportation to and from college.

Deadlines

Firstly, Running Start students aiming to enrol at the University of Washington (UW) Bothell in the autumn quarter immediately after their high school graduation must apply as first-year students. The relevant application deadline for this cohort is typically in the spring of their graduating year. It is important to note that these students are considered freshman applicants, and their college credit may later qualify them for sophomore or junior standing.

On the other hand, if Running Start students intend to start or continue college after leaving high school (excluding the summer term immediately following high school), they should apply as transfer applicants. The deadline for transfer applications may differ from that of first-year applicants, so students should refer to the specific university's admissions page for this information.

Additionally, Running Start students should be mindful of deadlines related to academic planning and prerequisite courses. While not directly tied to application deadlines, these factors can influence a student's readiness for university-level studies and their intended major. Early academic planning, in partnership with high school and college advisors, is recommended to maximise the benefits of their college credit.

Moreover, for students considering the University of Washington, it is important to be aware of the deadlines for submitting transcripts. While unofficial transcripts can be helpful during the application process, official transcripts from both high school and college are required once a student is admitted. Running Start credits are transferred only after the receipt of these official and final transcripts.

Finally, prospective Running Start students should also pay attention to deadlines specific to the Running Start program itself. These may include deadlines for application, testing, registration, and mandatory orientation. Meeting these deadlines is crucial to ensure a smooth transition into the program and subsequent university applications.

Costs

The Running Start program covers the cost of tuition for college-level courses (those numbered 100 and above), up to Full Time Equivalency (FTE). FTE is calculated by how many minutes the student is in class at high school during that semester. However, students are responsible for paying mandatory fees, books, and transportation to and from college.

Students are also responsible for paying tuition for credits beyond their approved enrollment/funding limit and for classes below college-level (below 100-level). Students must also pay class fees each quarter.

Running Start students who qualify for free/reduced-price meals may also qualify for some fees to be waived. The Running Start Fee Waiver and Textbook Assistance program is available for eligible students to help with some of the college costs.

Students who are eligible for free/reduced-cost meals pay only lab and studio art fees. Books and transportation costs are the student’s responsibility.

Academic planning

Running Start is a dual credit enrollment program in Washington, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Montana, and Illinois. It allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses (numbered 100 or above) while completing high school. Running Start students can earn both high school and college credits for these courses, which they can then apply to a four-year degree.

Start Planning Early

It is recommended that applicants, especially those with a significant number of college credits, begin their academic planning early. Working in partnership with high school and college advisors can help Running Start students make the most of their college credits and ensure they are on track with their high school requirements.

Understand the Credit System

Running Start students can take a full range of courses as long as they are college-level (numbered 100 or higher) and meet the qualifying criteria. Each college course is worth a certain number of credits, and students typically need to complete a specific number of credits to graduate high school and/or meet college prerequisites. For example, at the University of Washington, students are expected to declare a major by the time they have completed 105 credits.

Take Advantage of Transfer Agreements

If you plan on taking a significant number of Running Start courses, a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) can be useful. These agreements ensure that most of your transfer credits fulfill the general education requirements expected for an undergraduate degree.

Be Mindful of Deadlines and Requirements

Running Start students should be mindful of application dates and deadlines when applying to universities. Additionally, they should be aware of any requirements, such as submitting official transcripts. While some universities do not require official transcripts at the time of application, they may require them once the student has been admitted.

Focus on Prerequisites and General Education Requirements

While in the Running Start program, students can focus on completing prerequisites for their intended major. Additionally, they can work on general education requirements, also known as Areas of Inquiry (AOI). These requirements typically include credits in Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Arts & Humanities.

Understand the Financial Responsibilities

While the Running Start program covers the cost of tuition for college-level classes, students are typically responsible for mandatory fees, books, and transportation. It's important for students to be aware of these financial responsibilities and plan accordingly.

In conclusion, academic planning for Running Start students involves careful consideration of course selections, credit requirements, transfer agreements, application deadlines, and financial responsibilities. By starting their planning early and working with advisors, Running Start students can make the most of their college credits and set themselves up for success in their academic careers.

Frequently asked questions