Running Start

If you participated in Running Start during high school...

Congratulations on your hard work and academic accomplishments while in Running Start! As a Western First-Year student with Running Start experience, your transition may feel similar to that of a new First-Year and a transfer student. Here are some tips to help you to capitalize on your achievements and continue developing your academic goals at Western.

Your first experience with Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center staff will be at your Advising and Registration session. For more information, please visit the New Student Services/Family Outreach website.

Academic Goals and Advising

Think back to your academic experiences and goals during Running Start and use them to establish academic goals as a Western student. Ask questions and seek advising. bringing a lot of credit is an asset and it may be complicated. You may want to meet with advisors a couple times per quarter in your first year at Western.

Where to go for academic advising:

Know How Your Credits Count

Make sure Western has your final transcript from all institutions where you earned credit: previous college(s) including final quarter and degree awarded if you earned a degree, The College Board for Advanced Placement tests and/or International Baccalaureate credits.

Avoid Duplication or Unnecessary Coursework

Check out the Transfer Course Equivalency Guide to find out how the credits you already earned count toward Western requirements.

Students transferring to Western with a Washington State 2-year college Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) Associate Degree have completed the General University Requirements (GURs).

Your previous college credits and grades may count toward your chosen major or minor.

Degree Works

Degree Works in Web4U allows you to complete a ‘What If’ analysis to see how your coursework applies to different majors and/or minors.

Key Policies to Know

Your GPA does not transfer to Western. You establish your Western GPA based on your academic performance in your 1st quarter at Western.

Western expects students to apply to a major around the time they have completed 90 credits and requires students to connect with advisors if they have not declared a major by the time they have completed 105 credits. Read the policy about declaring a major in the Catalog.

Explore Majors at Western

  • Many students have ideas of possible majors and careers while they attended a previous college. Now is the time to start connecting those ideas to possible majors at Western.
  • Keep in mind some majors have prerequisite classes, a GPA requirement, and an application process/deadline.
  • Explore Programs of Study at Western
    • See what majors Western offers.
    • Learn how to declare a major—each Program of Study explains the specific requirements to declare that major and includes contact information for department advisors.
  • Explore Academic Departments
    • Check out the department websites to learn about the professors and the opportunities each department offers its students.
    • Meet with faculty and staff advisors to discuss the opportunities and steps to declare the major.
  • Not sure what you want to study? Have questions?
    • Schedule a Choosing a Major appointment with an Academic Advising Center or Career Services Center advisor.
    • Review the Academic Advising Center's comprehensive Choosing a Major website.
    • Check out What Can I do with a Major in…?
    • See what types of first jobs WWU grads get with different majors.
    • Complete an assessment of your personality and/or interests as they relate to careers and majors.

Next Steps to Maximize Your Western Experience