Running Start Students

Running Start offers qualified students in 11-12 grade the opportunity to take college courses while completing their high school degree. Students earn both high school and college credit for these courses, which they can then apply to a four-year degree.

Many UW Bothell applicants participate in Running Start at some level.

Benefits of Running Start

  • Accelerate your path to a bachelor’s degree.
  • Save money with tuition-free college courses.
  • Explore areas of interest before you start college.
  • Get a head start on college prerequisites for your intended major.

Admission to UW Bothell

Running Start students pursuing admission to UW Bothell for the autumn quarter after their high school graduation, must apply as first-year students. Once you enroll at UW Bothell, your college credits may then qualify you for sophomore or junior standing.

If you start or continue college after graduating high school (excluding the summer immediately following your high school graduation), you must apply as a transfer student.

Applying as a First-Year Student

  1. Apply to the UW Bothell using the Common App. Be mindful of our first-year application dates & deadlines.
  1. Running Start courses are typically listed on your transcript(s).
    • To submit your unofficial transcript with your application, add your counselor on Common App under “My Colleges” in the “Recommenders and FERPA” section.
    • Alternatively, you may also directly submit an unofficial transcript through your UW Bothell app status portal. Access will be provided after submitting your Common App.
  1. We do not require official transcripts at the time of application submission. Once admitted, UW Bothell requires that you submit an official final transcript from each school/institution where you have attempted credits. For Running Start students, this includes both your high school and college transcripts. Running Start credits are transferred once we receive official final transcripts.

Major Planning Worksheets

Applicants should begin their academic planning as early as possible by working in partnership with high school and college counselors and advisors to make the most of their credits. UW Bothell’s competitive majors have prerequisite courses which can be found on the major planning worksheets. The following are additional suggestions to help with academic planning:

  • While focusing on prerequisites is encouraged, students can also work on general education requirements, otherwise known as Areas of Inquiry (AOI). Students at UW Bothell are required to complete at least 15 credits in each AOI, which include Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Arts & Humanities. Learn more about bachelor’s degree requirements.
  • If you plan on taking a significant number of Running Start courses, a Direct Transfer Agreement is a useful aid. These agreements ensure that most of your transfer credits fulfill the general education requirements expected for an undergraduate degree. For details visit the Direct Transfer Agreement page.

For any questions, please reach out to our Welcome Desk or admissions counselors via the Contact Us page.