1. Running Start Information Session

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

3. 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.

4. Admission Requirements
Applicants with a 3.4 cumulative GPA or higher will automatically be admitted.
Applicants with a cumulative GPA will be considered for admission based on grades AND test scores.
Applicants with a 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

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

8. 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
RS can pay for low income students to test

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Questions? Ask us now Contact our office: 509-963-1351
Hebeler 121