How to Enroll in Running Start

How to Enroll in Running Start

Follow these steps to get enrolled in the program as a new student:

  1. Apply to Skagit Valley College
  2. Establish English and/or Math Placement
  3. Submit Your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)
  4. Register for classes by attending a New Student Registration Event, or meeting one-on-one with an SVC Advisor

Check out our Important Dates and Deadlines 

Have questions or need help? Contact dualcredit@skagit.edu or call 360.416.7600

  • Plan early! Enrolling in Running Start is a multi-step process. It requires collaboration with you, your high school counselor or school district office, and the college.  
  • We communicate mostly via email. Be sure to check your email spam/junk folder! Add enrollment@skagit.edu and dualcredit@skagit.edu to your safe sender list so you get our emails. 
  • We offer Running Start Information Sessions throughout the year. Join us for an Info Session to learn more about the application steps and get your questions answered. You can see the schedule of sessions and RSVP online: Events

Step 1. Apply to Skagit Valley College 

Create an account and apply to SVC through the Online Admissions Application Portal (OAAP). Once you create an account*, you will be automatically prompted to start the application.

It typically takes 2-3 business days for the college to process your application once you submit it, but it may take longer during high volume periods.

You will receive your ctcLink ID number (this is your student ID#) via email once your application has been processed.

Application support:
Every Monday 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Mount Vernon Campus - Lewis Hall
Every Tuesday 11 – 1 p.m. | Whidbey Island Campus - Oak Hall 

Apply Now

Make sure you select Skagit Valley College and Running Start when you apply!

College: Skagit Valley College
I will be enrolling as a: Running Start
Program: Academic or Professional Technical (this is your choice)
Term: Choose the quarter that works best for you. Running Start students can enter any quarter, and the majority of Running Start students enter in the summer or fall quarter to align with the high school academic year.

(Degree or Certificate)
I am seeking:

 This is your choice. The best option for students planning to transfer to a four-year bachelor degree is Academic Transfer DTA.
Academic Focus Area: This is your choice and it is not required.

*You may already have an OAAP account if you have previously applied to any Washington community or technical college through programs such as College in the High School, CTE Dual Credit, or Running Start.

If you do not receive your ctcLink ID number within a week of submitting your application to SVC, please email enrollment@skagit.edu to check your status. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and date you applied.

Sample email:

Hello, my name is YOUR NAME. My birthdate is XX/XX/XXXX. I am planning to enroll in Running Start at SVC. I applied on XX/XX/XXXX. Can you please check my application status and provide my ctcLink ID number? Thanks!



Step 2. Establish Placement

Once you have your ctcLink ID number (sent to you via email), your next step is to see which level of English and math classes are right for you. This is called “establishing placement.”

The easiest way to establish placement is to submit your unofficial high school transcript. Check out Course Placement | High School Transcript.

It typically takes 2-3 business days for the college to process your placement, but it may take longer during high volume periods. You will receive an email from enrollment@skagit.edu with your placement results.

  • Submit a paper copy of your high school transcript to Enrollment Services at any SVC campus.
  • Email a copy of your high school transcript to enrollment@skagit.edu.

In your email, include your full name, your ctcLink number, and a short message saying that you’re submitting transcripts to establish placement for Running Start.

Sample Email: 
Hello, my name is YOUR NAME. My ctcLink number is XXXXXXXXX. I am sending you my high school transcript to establish placement for Running Start. Thank you!

Homeschool Students:
We do not accept homeschool transcripts for placement. Please see your other placement options, including Accuplacer and Directed Self-Placement at www.skagit.edu/placement.

Placement Details

  • We cannot accept screenshots of your Skyward account or report cards for placement.
  • Running Start students must submit their high school transcript, even if you want to try other placement options.
  • We encourage you to establish placement before attending a New Student Registration event (Step 4) - this will help you get done faster!
  • It’s okay if you’re still taking some classes at the high school - you can still send your transcript, and we’ll let you know if it works for placement.
  • If you did not place into the math or English level you wanted using your high school transcripts, you can try other placement options at skagit.edu/placement.

Step 3. Submit Your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)

After you establish placement, you must meet with your high school counselor or school district representative to complete your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF).
This form must be completed, signed, and submitted every quarter you are in Running Start!

Download Running Start Enrollment Verification Form 

Once your RSEVF is completed and signed, you can:

  • Submit a paper copy of your RSEVF to Enrollment Services at any SVC campus.
  • Email a scanned copy of your RSEVF to dualcredit@skagit.edu. A clear photo of the form will be accepted. In your email, include your full name, your ctcLink number, and a short message saying that you’re submitting your RSEVF.

Sample Email: 
Hello, my name is YOUR NAME. My ctcLink number is XXXXXXXXX. I am sending you my Running Start Enrollment Verification Form. Thank you!

Be sure you have all required signatures before submitting your form:

  • Your high school counselor or school district representative
  • Your parent or guardian (if you are under 18 years old)
  • We will not process your RSEVF until it has all required signatures!

It typically takes about 3-5 days for the college to process your RSEVF. You will be notified when your form has been processed. This form must be completed, signed, and submitted every quarter you are in Running Start!

  • Determines how many college credits that Running Start will pay for. If you exceed your credit limit, then you will be responsible for the additional tuition costs.
  • Indicates if you qualify for fee waivers. 
  • Ensures your high school/district knows you are enrolling in Running Start. 

Step 4. Attend a New Student Registration Event

Join us for New Student Registration in person or online.

During the registration event, you will learn more about your course options, work with advisors to determine your schedule, register for classes, and explore campus resources and opportunities.

Step 5. Get Ready for Your First Day of Class

  • Check your SVC email and Canvas regularly before classes begin.
  • Buy textbooks early — classes appear in the Cardinal Bookstore about a month before the quarter starts.
  • Complete and submit your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form each quarter so you can register for classes on time!

Have questions or need help? Contact dualcredit@skagit.edu or call 360.416.7600

 

Office Hours

Mount Vernon Campus
Mon.–Thurs: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m.-Noon
360.416.7700

Whidbey Island Campus
Mon.–Wed: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thurs: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m.-Noon
360.679.5319

San Juan Center
Mon.—Thurs: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fri: Closed
360.378.3220