1. Get a Running Start program packet and Running Start Contract.

Get the Running Start packet and Running Start contract here at the links below.

NOTE: *** 2012 Packet and Contract now available*** Updated February 1, 2012.

Running Start Packet [PDF]

Running Start Contract [PDF]   

Packets and contracts are also available on the Cascadia campus at the Kodiak Corner/Student Services Center .  

• "Optional" Information Session on:

• Wednesday, April 11

  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  Room CC2-360

   

Visit the Campus Map and Directions page to locate the Cascadia Building and learn about parking options and rates.

2. Apply for admission to the college

 Beginning August 1, 2011 there is an application fee of $30.

5/2/12 Note: The Admissions step may be bypassed (temporarily) if the $30 application fee is a financial burden.

Go directly to the Compass Placement Test. A temporary Cascadia Student ID will be assigned to you when you arrive for testing.

Students qualifying for Running Start will be required to apply for admissions and pay the $30 application fee before class registration.

After we receive your application, the college will send you a student ID number via email or U.S. mail. You may also obtain your student ID number at the Kodiak Corner by showing your photo ID.

Apply online at the Washington State Colleges Web Admissions Center

3. Pay $30 Non-Refundable Application Fee.
 

5/2/12 4/6/12 Note: The application fee is not required prior to taking the Compass placement test, but will be required prior to class registration in Step 7 below.

Online Applicants:
http://appfee.cascadia.edu/

In Person Applicants:
Payment can be made in person at the
Kodiak Corner during business hours.

4. Take the COMPASS placement test.  

To be eligible for Running Start, you must score at least 80 on the test in both reading and writing. A score of 80 meets the prerequisite for English 101.  

Note: New Compass cutoff scores above established by the college effective November 3, 2011.

4/25/12 Compass scores from other colleges are acceptable as long as scores are from a single testing session.

Beginning February 13, you may retake the Compass test once every 30 days, but you cannot combine reading and writing scores from different test sessions.  

4/25/12 Cascadia will also accept Accuplacer scores of at least 86 in both reading and writing within the same test session. Accuplacer scores cannot be combined with Compass scores.

Go to the Kodiak Corner/Student Services Center at Cascadia. No appointment is necessary, but allow 2 hours for testing 

You must pay a nonrefundable testing fee and bring photo identification (such as a high school ID card, a driver’s license, state issued ID card, or a passport). 

5. Submit the Running Start contract to the college by the quarterly Running Start application deadline.

Deadlines:

Winter Quarter 2012: Nov.10, 2011 by 4:30 pm

Spring Quarter 2012: Feb 10, 2012 by 1:30 pm

Fall Quarter 2012:     May 14, 2012 by 4:30 pm

Include these items in your application:

• Your COMPASS test scores
• Signed Running Start contract

Bring your application materials to the Kodiak Corner/Student Services Center . 

The Running Start contract may be downloaded at the link located in Step 1. 

6. Attend a Running Start Student Orientation. The orientation is mandatory for new Running Start students.

At the orientation you will:

• Learn about being a college student
• Learn special requirements of Running Start
• Learn how to select college courses
• Participate in a question and answer time
• Sign up for a registration appointment
• Be provided a Running Start Enrollment Verification Form for Step 7

Parents are welcome but not required to attend Orientation.

You will sign up for an orientation session when you submit your test scores and contract to the Kodiak Corner/Student Services Center.

The Running Start Office will send a confirmation message and additional instructions to the email address you provide on the Running Start contract.

7. Register for classes. 

Here is a link to a PowerPoint presentation to assist you in reading the Cascadia class schedule and tips for selecting classes:

Finding Classes PowerPoint [PPT]

Here's a link to a video tutorial detailing the actual registration process on your registration day:

Registration Tutorial

Go to the location given to you when you signed up for a registration time in Step 5. BEFORE your registration session, do the following:   

• Review the online course schedule or the schedule booklet available on campus.
• Meet with your high school counselor to determine which college courses will fulfill your high school requirements.
• Fill out and sign a Running Start Enrollment Verfication form with your high school counselor. (Verification forms are provided at the orientation and available at the high school.) An electronic version of the Enrollment Verification Form [PDF] may be downloaded here.
• Bring the completed and signed Running Start Enrollment Verification Form to your registration session along with photo ID. You will not be able to register without your Verification Form and photo ID.

8. Pay your class fees and/or tuition for under 100 courses by the quarterly deadline.

Payment may be made online or in person. Please visit the "How to Pay" page on the college website for payment methods.

To view payment deadlines, please see the Academic Calendar.

9. Get your student ID card and parking permit or bus pass.

Go to the Kodiak Corner/Student Services Center.

The Parking permit/bus pass form is available at the Kodiak Corner.

You must bring photo identification.

10. Get your computer and email account information.

Go to Student Account Management page on the Cascadia web site.  

11. Buy your books.

• On campus at the University Bookstore OR
• Online at www.ubookstore.com