Frequently Asked Questions about the Running Start Program

Questions

1. What is the Running Start program?
2. How does the program work?
3. What classes can I take?
4. How do I know if Running Start is right for me?
5. Should I do Running Start or AP (Advanced Placement)? or IB (International Baccalaureate)? or Honors classes?
6. What does it cost to be in Running Start?
7. Do I need to find my own transportation to the college to attend classes?
8. Can home and private schooled students participate in Running Start?
9. How is junior / senior standing determined for private schools and home schooled students who want to participate in Running Start?
10. How do I qualify for Running Start?
11. When are the Running Start tests given?
12. How many times can I take the test?   
13. Why do you ask for my Social Security Number in order to apply to the college?
14. After I qualify on the Running Start test, what are the next steps?
15. What are the deadlines for Running Start?
16. How do I know which classes at LCC apply toward my high school graduation requirements?  
17. Can I attend LCC part-time or full-time in Running Start?
18. Can I take evening classes?
19. Can Running Start students take online courses?
20. Should I stay at LCC to finish my A.A. degree before transferring?
21. Is it possible to obtain both a high school diploma and a college associate degree after completing two years in the Running Start program?
22. Should I take either the SAT or ACT test if I am in Running Start?
23. Can I participate in college activities and clubs, such as student government?
24. If I am a senior in Running Start, how do I get my LCC grades sent to a university to which I'm applying?

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Answers

1. What is the Running Start program?
   Running Start is a program approved by the Washington legislature which allows qualifying high school juniors and seniors to take classes at Lower Columbia College which fulfill high school graduation requirements plus earn college credit.
   
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2. How does the program work?
   Running Start students attend regular LCC classes during the day or in the evening, along with “regular” college students. College credit is granted upon completion of the course requirements, and these credits normally transfer to most colleges and universities.
   Your enrollment at Lower Columbia College creates your official college transcript. College transcripts are considered confidential information and are released to no one – including parents -- without your permission. At the end of each quarter, your grades are mailed to your high school and included in your high school GPA. Credits also apply to high school graduation according to individual school district policy.
   
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3. What classes can I take?
   You can choose from a full range of academic and professional / technical courses as long as they are college-level (numbered 100 or higher) and you meet the qualifying criteria. Your high school counselor can tell you which courses at LCC are accepted by your high school to meet specific graduation requirements, such as CWP or CWI.
   
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4. How do I know if Running Start is right for me?
   Running Start is not for everyone. It requires not only college-level skills, but also college-level maturity. Successful Running Start students are generally self-motivated, emotionally mature, and looking for additional academic challenges. They also have excellent study and time management skills.
   
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5. Should I do Running Start or AP (Advanced Placement)? or IB (International Baccalaureate)? or Honors classes?
   There are advantages to all of the above programs. Much would depend on whether you want to challenge yourself at the high school environment or want a different learning environment, such as Lower Columbia College. You should contact the university to which you plan to transfer to ask about their acceptance policies in regards to each of the above.
   
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6. What does it cost to be in Running Start?
   If eligible, the tuition for college-level classes is covered by the school district, subject to the maximum enrollment limit defined on the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form. Students who exceed the maximum enrollment limit will pay tuition for any credit(s) which exceed the maximum. In addition, RS students pay for books, transportation, and some miscellaneous class fees. Limited textbook assistance is available for those with financial need.
   
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7. Do I need to find my own transportation to the college to attend classes?
   Yes. If you do not have a car or a driver’s license, public transportation is available through Community Urban Bus Service (CUBS). Student rates are available.
   
   Students who drive cars may park in any designated LCC parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must display an official parking decal in their vehicle when parking on campus. Students are issued parking decals upon payment of registration fees. For more information see Parking.
   
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8. Can home and private schooled students participate in Running Start?
   Yes. You must enroll through the local public high school and must be considered a junior or senior. You do not have to attend classes in the public high school in order to participate in Running Start.
   
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9. How is junior / senior standing determined for private schools and home schooled students who want to participate in Running Start?
   It is the responsibility of the public school district to establish grade placement criteria for homeschoolers who want to earn a high school diploma from a public high school. Some schools consider age appropriateness; others review credits and prior learning. In other cases, a standardized achievement test may be used in the absence of adequate documentation of a student’s home-based education.
   
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10. How do I qualify for Running Start?
    Running Start is limited to juniors and seniors in high school. Home schooled and private schooled students must access the program through a public high school in Washington, thus must also live in the State of Washington.
    
    Potential students must take the Running Start test. It is an untimed, multiple-choice test given on a computer and covers reading, writing and math. 
    
    You must achieve college-level scores on the reading and writing portions of the test, which qualifies you to take most 100-level or above classes (except math). If you do not score at college-level on the math portion of the test, you can choose to pay for pre-college math courses until you reach college level.
    
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11. When are the Running Start tests given?
    There is a deadline to test for each quarter. Once you qualify, you do not need to test again. 
    
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12. How many times can I take the test?
    After your first test you can re-test any time after 24 hours. You can take only the part you need, (reading, writing, math) or you can take all three parts. You can test any time that the Testing Center is open; no appointment is needed. Hours are subject to change quarterly. Call the Testing Center at 360.442.2352 to confirm the testing hours for the quarter.
    
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13. Why do you ask for my Social Security Number in order to apply to the college?
    To comply with federal laws, we are required to ask for your Social Security Number (SSN) or individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). We will use your SSN/ITIN to report Hope Scholarship/Life Time tax credit, to administer state/federal financial aid, to verify enrollment, degree and academic transcript records, and to conduct institutional research. If you do not submit your SSN/ITIN, you will not be denied access to the college; however, in accordance with state law (RCW 28B.10.042) and federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the college will protect your SSN from unauthorized use and/or disclosure. If you do not have a Social Security Number or if you do not wish to divulge it for privacy reasons, a randomly assigned Student ID (SID) number will be mailed to you.
    
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14. After I qualify on the Running Start test, what are the next steps?
    Eligible students must attend a Running Start Orientation at LCC. Each quarter, you will need to complete a "forecast" form to project courses for the upcoming quarter. The high school counselors should have a supply of these forms. You will be mailed a letter every quarter announcing the deadline. You will also receive a calendar for the whole year at the Running Start Orientation. 
    
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15. What are the deadlines for Running Start?
    There is a deadline for every step of the Running Start process, including a deadline to take the test and apply. You can find the deadlines to sign-up for the next test or other deadlines on the Running Start page.
    
    The Running Start Manager will coordinate one or two days to be at your high school to register you for the next quarter, If you miss that day you need to make an appointment with  your high school counselor, then an appointment with LCC's Running Start Manager.
    
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16. How do I know which classes at LCC apply toward my high school graduation requirements?
    Your high school counselor can answer this question when you meet with him/her to "forecast" your Running Start classes. Different schools accept different courses from LCC to meet specific requirements, such as CWP/CWI or Senior English. It is critical that you work with your high school counselor to make sure that you are meeting your high school graduation requirements. On this form, the high school counselor will indicate what specific graduation requirement each course meets, even if it is an elective.
    
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17. Can I attend LCC part-time or full-time in Running Start?
    Yes, you can take all of your classes at LCC, or some at LCC and some at your high school. The average credit load for Running Start students is 11 credits per quarter (approximately 3 classes). The maximum number of credits for which Running Start will cover tuition is 15 credits per quarter, providing you do not exceed the combined enrollment limit which is detailed on the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form.
    
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18. Can I take evening classes?
    Yes, Running Start students can attend day or evening classes.
    
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19. Can Running Start students take online courses?
    Yes, Running Start students can take college-level courses through eLearning. Successful distance learners need certain skills, most importantly, a high degree of discipline and motivation.
    
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20. Should I stay at LCC to finish my A.A. degree before transferring?
    There are advantages to do so in transferring to a 4-year university in Washington and some in the Portland area (universities which have "transfer agreements" with LCC). At some universities in Washington, it may be difficult to transfer with an assortment of credits if you do not complete an A.A. degree. This is a good question to ask the university to which you plan to transfer.
    
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21. Is it possible to obtain both a high school diploma and a college associate degree after completing two years in the Running Start program?
    Yes, it is possible to graduate from high school with an Associate Degree at the same time.  This takes careful planning, so be sure to ask the LCC Running Start office for advising help toward an A.A. degree. If you do not plan to graduate from a public high school, you have the option of asking the college to issue a State of Washington high school diploma upon completion of an associate degree.
    
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22. Should I take either the SAT or ACT test if I am in Running Start?
    Yes. Some universities will require either SAT or ACT scores, even if you earn an Associate Degree from a community college.
    
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23. Can I participate in college activities and clubs, such as student government?
    Yes. You may participate in any activities on the college campus, except intercollegiate sports. You may also participate in any high school activities, but may not compete in the same activity at both the high school and college level.
    Example: a debate student may not compete in both high school and college debate teams. You must choose one level for competition.
    
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24. If I am a senior in Running Start, how do I get my LCC grades sent to a university to which I'm applying?
    You will need to complete a "Transcript Request Form" at the Registrar's Office to mail your official transcript to the university where you are applying. You will also need to ask your high school to mail your official high school transcript.
    
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