Tips for Running Start students

Success Strategies for Running Start Students

Maximizing your educational journey starts with understanding how your dual-enrollment credits integrate with a four-year university experience. At WSU Vancouver, we recognize the hard work and dedication required to balance high school responsibilities with college-level coursework. Whether you are enrolled in Running Start, College-in-the-High School, or other dual-credit programs, your academic progress provides a significant head start toward your bachelor’s degree.

Navigating the transition from a community college environment to the university requires a clear understanding of admission classifications, financial aid implications, and credit evaluation. This guide provides essential resources to help you leverage your earned credits, understand your academic standing, and ensure a seamless enrollment process as you join our campus community.

Defining Running Start and Dual Enrollment

You are classified as a Running Start student if you are a high school student enrolled in college-level courses at a partnered community college to fulfill high school graduation requirements. These resources also apply to students earning credit through:

  • Dual enrollment with other colleges outside of the Running Start program.
  • College-in-the-High School programs.

Please note that earning college credit through exam scores—such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or CLEP—follows a different evaluation path. Review how WSU awards credit for national exams online.

Review how WSU awards credit for national exams online

Questions?

Email: van.admissions@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-546-9788
Location:The Cougar Center is located in the upper level of the Student Services Center.

Cougar Center Schedule

  • Monday8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Tuesday8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Wednesday8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Thursday8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Friday8:00am – 5:00pm

Admission Guidelines for Running Start Students

First-Year Status

You are considered a first-year applicant for admission purposes. Decisions are based on your GPA and coursework reflected on your high school transcript.

First-Year admission criteria

Transcripts

While community college transcripts are not required for the initial admission decision, submitting official records after completing all college courses is strongly encouraged.

Post-Graduation Coursework

If you continue taking college courses after high school graduation but before applying to the university, your classification will change to a transfer student for admission and scholarship purposes.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Eligibility

Award Consideration

You remain eligible for first-year admission awards, including the Vancouver Academic Achievement Award and various opportunities within the WSU General Scholarship Application.

Maximum Time Frame (MTF)

For financial aid purposes, you are viewed as a first-year student. However, all Running Start credits count toward your Maximum Time Frame.

  • Federal Policy: Requires degree completion within 150% of the program length.
  • State Policy: Requires completion within 125% of the program length.
  • Exceeding these limits may require an appeal and a formal graduation plan developed with an academic advisor. You will receive notification when approaching these limits.

Credit Evaluation

Transferring Credits to the University

To ensure your credits are evaluated, submit an official college transcript after finishing your final term. You may also submit transcripts during the application process for an earlier preliminary review.

Academic Impact and Class Standing

The number of credits you transfer will determine your academic class standing, which may range from first-year to junior.

  • Registration Benefits: Higher class standing often allows for earlier course registration.
  • Placement Exams: You might be exempt from math or writing placement assessments depending on your transfer credit evaluation.
  • Associate Degrees: Students who earn a Washington Direct Transfer Associate Degree (DTA) will fulfill lower-division UCORE (general education) requirements. These students are granted junior status and 60 semester credit hours, though specific upper-division UCORE requirements will still apply.