I'm a high school junior looking into the Running Start program at Highline Community College. Can someone share what the application process is like? Are there any specific requirements or documents I should be aware of?
The Running Start program at Highline Community College is a great opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits while still in high school. Here's a broad overview of the application process:
1. You need to be eligible. You must be enrolled in a public high school in Washington State, and at least a junior or senior.
2. Submit an application: This involves filling out the Running Start Application form. It's essentially a form where you provide basic personal information and educational history.
3. Placement Test: Depending on your high school grades or any standardized test scores, you might need to take a placement test. Highline typically uses the Accuplacer test for this. If you have already taken the SAT or ACT, those scores could potentially be used for placement purposes instead. Make sure to check the specific score requirements.
4. Verification Form: You will need to submit a Running Start Verification form which confirms your eligibility for the program. This form should be filled out by a high school counselor or principal and it shows that you're enrolled in a public high school not exceeding full-time enrollment when combined with your college courses.
5. New Student Orientation: After you've been accepted into the program, you'll be required to attend a Running Start New Student Orientation session. This orientation will provide you with a lot of helpful information to prepare you for the program.
Additionally, it's important to remember that there are deadlines for submission of these documents and for enrollment, so ensure that you check the Running Start admission dates on the Highline Community College website.
Keep this in mind though – in the Running Start program, your tuition is covered, but fees, books, and transportation are your responsibility. Also, grades earned through Running Start course will affect your college GPA, so choose your courses wisely.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your application!
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