Cascadia College > Advising and Counseling > Underage Student Admission

Underage Student Admission

Cascadia College does not wish to duplicate or replace the functions of local high schools. However, high school students may request special admission to take specific courses at the college on a quarterly basis. Underage students (9th -12th grade level status) who are not Running Start students may enroll under exceptional circumstances. Students seeking enrollment as an underage student on a long term basis should explore admissions through our Running Start Program.

NOTE: If you are a Running Start Student trying to enroll for summer class, contact the Running Start Office and notify that you are enrolled as a Running Start student who would like to enroll for the summer. You do not have to complete Underage Admissions. The summer tuition is on your own and due by the tuition deadline June 2nd. If you register after the tuition deadline, tuition is due within one business day of registration.

 
Underage Admissions Deadline:

All steps must be completed by deadline date. For best completion of steps, submit completed documents in advance and by the deadline date listed below. 

See the enrollment calendar for all other dates.

Winter Quarter 2024
December 1st, 2023 by 12pm

Spring Quarter 2024
March 1st, 2024 by 12pm

Summer Quarter 2024
June 13th, 2024 by 12pm

Fall Quarter 2024
September 12th, 2024 by 12pm

 
Follow all the steps below to apply for underage student admission:

To qualify for an exception to Cascadia’s general admission requirements as an underage student, the following steps must be completed:

1. Apply for admission to Cascadia

Complete Cascadia’s application for admission. There is no application fee. Classes fill quickly, and we cannot guarantee admission to a particular class. For the best chance of getting into the class you want, apply before the priority underage student application deadline. After we receive your application, we will send you a student ID number via email.

How to do it:

  • Online at the Washington State Colleges Web Admissions Center

 

2. Determine Placement.

Students must demonstrate academic preparedness for college-level work by placing into English 101 College Composition.

Students are eligible to participate in the Underage Admissions Program with an English 95 or English 101 placement.

Placement into English 101:

Placement is based on one of the following methods:

  • Accuplacer
  • Smarter Balanced score of 3 or 4 on the English Language Assessment (score must be from the test taken during the sophomore year of high school)
  • SAT score of 480 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
  • ACT score of 19 on both Reading and Writing
  • Second semester grade of B or higher in Junior year English course

Placement into English 95:

Accuplacer + Graded Essay

Students placing below English 101 on Accuplacer write an essay. Graded by Cascadia faculty, the essay determines English 95 or English 101 placement.

English 95 is a pre-college level course. For any pre-college level Math or English course, Running Start students are responsible for full tuition and fees. English 95 will not meet any high school requirements or apply towards a Cascadia degree.

If you are taking the Accuplacer Placement, visit our placement page and click on Accuplacer Placement for information on taking the placement and current placement schedule. There is a $42 fee the Accuplacer Placement.

3. Get the Underage Admissions Packet.

Read through the packet and submit the following completed documents:

  • School District Enrollment Release Form
    • The School District Enrollment Release Form is only needed in the initial quarter and not required for registration in subsequent quarters.
  • Parent/Student Release Form
  • Most recent high school transcript
  • A written statement from the school principal or counselor from the school district documenting why enrollment in the specific college course is necessary.
  • Copy of qualifying scores showing placement into English 95 or English 101

Download and print the  Underage Admission Packet.

 

4. Once you have all the completed documents ready to turn in, email all to vashe@cascadia.edu. 

  • School District Enrollment Release Form
  • Parent/Student Release Form
  • Most recent high school transcript
  • A written statement from the school principal or counselor from the school district documenting why enrollment in the specific college course is necessary.
  • Copy of qualifying scores showing placement into English 95 or English 101

If approved for Underage Admissions, you will be emailed the next steps for registration.

5. If approved for Underage Admissions, sign up and attend CORE (Cascadia's Orientation and Registration Experience). At the CORE session, you will:

  • Receive an introduction to Cascadia's programs, services, and degree option
  • Learn about resources available for students' academic and personal success
  • Get help from an academic advisor interpreting your placement test scores and choosing courses that promote your academic success
  • Learn how to search, select, register, add, drop, or withdraw from classes for the upcoming quarter
  • Register for classes for the upcoming quarter

6. Pay tuition and fees by the tuition deadline

See Waivers for information on reduced tuition.

7. Students will be expected to adhere to Cascadia’s Academic Standards and Progress.

Students who plan to apply credits earned at Cascadia towards completion of a high school diploma from their current high school are responsible for consulting their high school counselor to ensure that the college classes meet high school graduation requirements. College officials are not responsible for advising students as to whether or not a college class will meet high school graduation requirements.

8. Get your computer and email account information.

  • Visit the Student Accounts page for information about setting up your network and email account.

9. Buy your books.

10. Attend Classes.