Running Start at Olympic College
02/19/15
What is Running Start?
• A student choice
• Tuition-free college classes for high school juniors and seniors
• Earn high school and college credit
• Professional – Technical and academic classes
• Flexible and challenging
Who is Eligible?
Students who:
• Are classified as a junior or senior
• Are under age 21 at the beginning of the school year
• Not a high school graduate
• Place into college-level English and/or math
• Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or above (may write appeal letter)
Benefits & Considerations
• Benefits
– Save college tuition and time towards a college degree – Take a variety of challenging and advanced classes – Experience a diverse learning environment
– Are “regular” college students – Receive outstanding instruction
– Can transfer credits and earn an associate degree
• Considerations
–Classes cover more material in depth at a faster rate –Transportation and scheduling challenges
–Students may miss high school friends and activities –Grades are permanent record
–Adult atmosphere
Educational Options
• University Transfer
• Preparation for transfer to four-year colleges as a junior
• Completion of lower division general education requirements
–Associate of Arts (AA)/Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) –Associate of Science (AS-T)
–Major-Related Program (MRP)
• Professional Technical
• Training and skills development to prepare for work
• Some competitive or restricted admission
–Associate in Applied Science (AAS)/Technical Arts (ATA) –Certificates and Certifications
Class Options
• Delivery (face to face, online, hybrid)
• Schedule (day, evening, weekend, 1-5x/week)
• Locations (Bremerton, Poulsbo, Shelton)
• Enrollment (Full-time, part-time, one year or two years)
–Juniors eligible for 2 years, 6 quarters, a maximum of 90 credits –Seniors eligible for 1 year, 3 quarters, a maximum of 45 credits
–Part-time students cannot extend their eligibility or carry credits forward –Can start part-time or full-time and increase or decrease credits following
quarter or school year
Credits and Equivalency
• A full-time RS student can earn up to 9 HS credits per year
• SK counselors work with students to relay which OC classes are equivalent to specific SKHS requirements
• 1 college credit = .2 high school credits
• In general:
*College credit eligibility is based on actual minutes enrolled at the high school
Application Steps
1. Complete an OC Application for admission. You will receive an OC Student ID number.
Application Steps
2. Schedule the Accuplacer assessment online
–$20 fee (each session)
–Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills and math
• Test Tips:
–Utilize test prep sites
• www.accuplacer.collegeboard.org
• www.freeaccuplacerpractice.com
–Take all subjects
• Secure prerequisite scores
–Review don’t cram
–Consider waiting to test
Application Steps
3. Submit Application Packet to the Running Start Office including:
a. Running Start Application b. Accuplacer scores
c. High school transcript (and appeal letter if GPA is below 2.5) d. Student & Parent Agreement form
– Bring a copy of Accuplacer scores to your high school counselor
• You will be notified by email of eligibility & next steps…
–Online tutorial
–Appointments with counselors & advisors –Registration
–New Student Orientation
Running Start Costs & Funding
• Tuition is free for up to 15 credits per quarter (fall, winter, spring)
–College-level courses numbered 100 and above
• Students/families need to plan to pay for:
– Fees (Student Service, Technology, Security & other class fees) –Textbooks and supplies
–Transportation
• Assistance is available for low-income families
–Running Start Tuition and Fee Waiver
• Fees and Excess Tuition Costs
–Running Start Textbook Library
• Textbook Rentals
College Expectations
• Prepare for, attend and actively participate in classes
• Be responsible for academic course work
• Be self motivated
• Conduct self as a responsible adult
• Use campus services and ask for help when needed
• Any changes in schedules need to be pre-approved by high school
• Prepare an educational plan
Planning to Transfer?
• Transferring with a degree versus credits alone
• In-state versus out-of-state institutions
• Application status
University Transfer Tips
• Determine courses needed to be major ready
• Research grade and foreign language requirements
• Admissions is not guaranteed
• Confirm requirements with Admission at the transfer college
4-Year Degree Options Close to Home
• OC partnerships:
–Western Washington University –Washington State University –Western Governors University –Old Dominion University
–Brandman University
• OC Bachelor Degrees:
–Bachelors of Science, Nursing
–Bachelors of Applied Science, Information Systems
Next Steps
• Identify your educational goals
• Talk with your parent(s)/guardian(s)
• Plan with your high school counselor
• Register for full time classes @ SKHS in Skyward by March 6th. Then when accepted in Running Start, your high school counselor will reduce SKHS classes as necessary.
• Review high school graduation requirements
• Do well in your freshman & sophomore classes
• Review application timelines
2015 Timeline
• January/February: Apply online, prep for the assessment test and compile application materials
• February/March: Attend your HS and/or OC RS Info Session
• April: Take the Accuplacer test – scores to high school counselor
• May 1: Apply to Running Start program
• Mid May: Meet with HS counselor and Running Start advisor
• June 10: Register for classes
• Early September: Attend Running Start New Student Orientation
• September 21: Start classes!
Credit Equivalent Classess
1 college credit = .2 HS credit
Junior Year
• English 101 and 102
• History 136 and 137 (US History-OC courses).
TCC – History 146 & 147
• Math – varies based on accuplacer results
Senior Year
• English (1 qtr of a Literature Class)
• POL-S 202 American Government
• CWP – Soc 190, Pols 203, Hist 253, Hist 257, or Hum 253
SK Diploma Requirements
(Fulfilled through courses & PACK)
• Total credits in required areas
• State Assessment— ELA / EOC
• Post High School Plan & necessary components
• PACK—Attendance is mandatory. Important information
is disseminated here.
Alternative to SK Diploma
through an AA degree
• Be sure to talk to your counselor if you wish to earn
your diploma through an AA.
Questions?
Olympic College Contact:
Running Start & High School Outreach Email: [email protected]
Web: www.olympic.edu/runningstart Phone: 360-475-7646
Fax: 360-475-7643
THANK YOU!
Click to edit Master subtitle style
ERIN RUNESTRAND
Director of Running Start & High School Outreach Olympic College 360.475.7648 HSS 208 1600 Chester Avenue Bremerton, WA 98337
02/19/15 Running Start at Olympic College
