Running Start Information Session

RS Staff: Angelia Riveira, Running Start Advisor Kyle Carrigan, Running Start Interim Director David Welz, Program Support Supervisor

What is Running Start? A program that allows eligible 11th and 12th grade students to take courses at colleges and some universities tuition free. Students earn both high school and college credits for these courses, accelerating their progress through the education system.

Admission Requirements Applicants with a 3.4 cumulative GPA or higher will automatically be admitted. Applicants with a 3.00 - 3.39 cumulative GPA will be considered for admission based on grades AND test scores. Applicants with a 2.00 - 2.99 cumulative GPA will be considered through CWU's Running Start Admission Review Process. In this process, we consider grade trends, course rigor, and test scores. Generally, we are looking for placement into ENG 101. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 are not admitted.

Admission Requirements Homeschool students should submit appropriate scores and a home school transcript. Home school students are evaluated on an individual basis. Generally, we are looking for placement into ENG 101

Testing for Admission & Placement CWU uses placement testing when considering admission for students with a cumulative high school GPA of less than 3.4 CWU requires placement testing for enrollment into English, math, and some science courses.

Testing for Admission and Placement Appropriate tests include: Smarter Balance Accuplacer SAT ACT

Testing for Admission and Placement Students planning to enroll in pre-calculus or calculus based math courses need to submit ALEKS or Accuplacer scores Accuplacer and ACT-R testing are offered at CWU on an appointment basis Cost is $25/test for Accuplacer or $50 for ACT-R Schedule at www.cwu.edu/testing RS can pay for low income students to test

Which classes can RS students take? Running Start students are treated like other students at CWU. They can take whichever courses they meet the pre-requisites for. Most students will be taking 100 & 200 level courses that would be open to other college freshmen and sophomores.

More about classes… Running Start students need to prioritize high school graduation requirements: High school graduation requirements General education courses Pre-major courses Credits do transfer to other institutions, but you need to confirm with that institution that the credits will transfer the way you intend.

General Education & Transferring Credits Credits taken through Central Washington University will transfer to other schools the same way credits taken at community colleges will transfer. Credits transfer to all public colleges & universities in Washington State. Credits will transfer to most private universities and public universities out of state.

General Education & Transferring Credits General education fulfills the first two years of a bachelor’s degree General education consists of basic skills and breadth requirements General education is similar across different colleges Within Washington State, fulfilling general education at one school will generally satisfy general educations at other schools

CWU General Education vs. Associate of Arts Degree Community College AA-DTA English 101 2nd English Composition course Mathematics Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning 3 Arts & Humanities courses from 3 different subjects 3 Humanities courses from 3 different subjects 3 Social & Behavior Science courses from 3 different subjects 3 Social Science courses from 3 different subjects 3 Natural Sciences courses from 3 different subjects (1 must be lab) 1 Reasoning Skills Course 15 credits of general transferable electives 1 Computer Fundamentals Course Foreign Language (required for admission to universities) 15 credits of electives

Benefits Earn up to two years worth of college tuition free Greater diversity in course choice Easier transition to university after graduation Enjoy learning in a more mature academic environment Get involved with on campus activities Still participate in high school activities

Benefits Last year, Running Start students: Participated in theater productions like the Red Curtain and Chicago Participated in the Orchesis Dance Company Took classes through the Douglas Honors College Served as teaching assistants to professors Participated in the ROTC program Took part in clubs and other campus activities and held jobs on campus

How much does it cost? Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition. They do pay mandatory fees, buy their own books, and provide their own transportation. Students can take up to 15 credits tuition free depending on how many courses they are taking at their high school.

Savings Students may take up to 15 credits a quarter with Running Start, depending on how many classes they take at the high school. CWU charges $2,634 (tuition and fees) for 15 credits a quarter Students attending full time fall, winter, and spring save $2,634 x 3 = $7902 a year on tuition and fees.

Book and Testing Assistance Students who qualify for the following may be eligible for assistance with testing at CWU and books: Free or reduced lunch in school district Family receives public assistance Student is foster youth Primary parent receiving unemployment

How do RS students do in classes? Running Start students tend to do very well in their courses. Last fall, 45% of Running Start students earned a 3.5 or higher GPA The average GPA for Running Start students is 3.3 90% of students meet academic standard (2.0 or higher) On average, students take around 10 credits a quarter

Important Considerations Creating a high school and college transcript Faster pace can be a challenge for some students Less social and free time Program is not free – students pay for books, fees, & transportation Class availability is not guaranteed Adult environment – content of courses not censored for younger students. FERPA

Getting Started www.cwu.edu/runningstart/admissions Complete application and submit a high school transcript online. Schedule and/or submit necessary test scores for admission and/or placement into English and math. Meet with your high school counselor to determine which courses you need for graduation. Meet with RS advisor to develop an education plan and register for classes.

New Student Advising Fall: late May/early June Winter: late November/early December Spring: late February/early March Running Start advisors are available to answer questions and discuss education goals with you year round.

Questions? Ask us now Contact our office: 509-963-1351 runningstart3@cwu.edu Hebeler 121