Running Start

Office Hours

M-F 8:00am-5:00pm

(360) 383.3123

Running Start is a statewide partnership between high schools and community/technical colleges in Washington. The program serves high school juniors and seniors. Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes, or solely at the college. Students receive both high school and college credit for classes completed at the college. Students do not need the permission of the high school to enroll in the program - the student and parents make this choice.

Running Start students take college-level courses without paying college tuition. Beginning Fall quarter 2009, new legislation requires students to pay mandatory fees ($6 per credit up to 10 credits per quarter), and any course or lab fees. To be exempt from paying mandatory fees, low-income students should complete and submit the Running Start Fee Waiver Petition form by the beginning of their first quarter. Click here for the Fee Waiver Petition form.

Running Start students are expected to obtain their college textbooks. Most students will purchase their books. Students who cannot afford all their books may be eligible to borrow textbooks from the Running Start Book Loan program. See below for more information on obtaining college textbooks.

Running Start Information Meetings:

Students and parents are warmly encouraged to attend a one-hour Running Start Information meeting to learn more about the program and have questions answered by a Running Start advisor.

Information Meetings - Fall Quarter 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 4:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 118
Thursday, November 19, 4:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 212
Thursday, December 10, 4:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 118
  

To be eligible:

Students must be in 11th or 12th grade as determined by the public high school. Home schooled students will work with their school's District Office annually to determine grade level. Students attending a private school must register with a public high school to receive Running Start funding for free tuition.

Eligible students must place at college-level English and reading as determined by WCC placement tests.

Testing for Running Start Admission:

To qualify for Running Start, students take both the Sentence Skills (English) and Reading placement tests. (Students who have earned a score of "4" or "5" on the AP English exam are exempt from placement testing.) Please call 360.383.3123 for more information and to sign up for testing. A Testing Fee of $20 must be paid before testing unless you are eligible for a fee waiver. Click here for the Fee Waiver Petition form.

Click here for Sample Questions (Only Sentence Skills and Reading sample questions are relevant for the WCC placement test. DO NOT USE the sample MATH questions.)

Please call 360.383.3123 to sign up for one of the below sessions:

Wednesday, October 21, 3:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 134
Tuesday, October 27, 3:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 134
Tuesday, November 10, 3:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 134
Tuesday, November 24, 3:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 134
Tuesday, December 15, 3:00 - 5:00pm, LDC 134

Bring picture ID and your social security number when you test. Before you test please come to the Running Start Office (Laidlaw Center, room 134) to fill out an application and pay your Testing Fee (or submit a Fee Waiver Petition form). The Running Start Office is open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm and can be reached at 360.383.3123.

Testing is usually conducted in the Laidlaw Center, near the Running Start Office. Click here for a campus map.

When you complete the English and Reading tests, you will be given your scores. Please bring them to the Running Start Office where you will receive more information and learn about your next steps. If you need further information about enrolling in courses, please contact the Running Start Office at 360.383.3123 or email .

Special testing instructions for students with an IEP or 504 plan:

Students who need to test under special conditions should make arrangements through a Running Start advisor before coming to the College. Advisor names and phone numbers are listed below.

ESL - English as a Second Language Testing:

Students for whom English is not the native language should contact the Running Start Office at 360.383.3123 and arrange to take the QUIA test at the College. Please allow 3.5 hours for this test.

Orientation Sessions for New Running Start Students:

New Running Start students will be mailed an Orientation invitation approximately three weeks before the beginning of their first quarter. During Orientation students tour the campus, talk with experienced Running Start students, and visit the Bookstore.

Textbooks

Most students will purchase their books from the WCC Bookstore. Click here for a link to the WCC Bookstore web page. Click here for more tips on obtaining books. Students who cannot afford all their books may be eligible to borrow some of their textbooks from the Running Start Book Loan program. Click here for the quarterly Book Loan application.

Running Start Advisors are happy to answer your questions.
Laine Johnston, WCC Running Start Advisor, 360.383.3126
Sarah Pearson, WCC Running Start Advisor, 360.383.3122
Email rstartwhatcom.ctc.edu

Important Forms:
Book Loan Application
Fee Waiver Petition
High School Referral (for non-Running Start classes taken by under-18 students)
Parent Permission Form

Click here for a special announcement from Vice President for Educational Services Trish Onion regarding new mandatory fees

Click here for the Fall 2009 Running Start Brochure

Click here for AP Scores and WCC Equivalencies.

View Running Start videos:

Introduction

What is Running Start?

About Whatcom Community College

Getting Started

Reaching Your Goals

Last Thoughts and Advice