Admission and Timeline

Important Dates
 

Do You Qualify?
       

To qualify you must  be enrolled in a participating district (see “Participating High School” list).             Additionally, you must meet the following Pre-Selection criteria (these may vary by district).

• Strong academic standing in high school to guarantee high school graduation at completion of Running Start program.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in high school at the time of application.
• Must be in at least your high school sophomore year to apply for the Running Start Program.
• Completed one year of Algebra, one year of Geometry, or Integrated Math 1 and Integrated Math 2 with a grade of “B” or higher in each course by the end of the sophomore year.
• Completed two years of English with a grade of “B” or higher in each course by the end of the sophomore year.
• Completed one year of Chemistry with a grade of “B” or higher by the end of the sophomore year.

Apply Now!
 

To apply for the Running Start Program you must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the Rock Valley College Enrollment Information Form.

The Enrollment Information Form will be submitted to the RVC Admissions Office. Once accepted to the College, students will receive a welcome letter with and an RVC ID number (this is not to be confused with official acceptance into the Running Start Program).

2. Complete the RVC ACCUPLACER placement tests for college-level reading, sentence skills, and math. You may submit ACT or SAT scores for a possible waiver of the ACCUPLACER. You must score the minimum subject scores listed below for college-level placement:

                                                              Reading – 246+

                                                                                English/ Writing – 250+

                                                                                Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, & Statistics – 257+

• Group Testing: Your school may be arranging a Group Testing date. Please check with your school to learn more.
• Prepare: Visit the RVC Testing Center webpage to prepare for the test.
• Retesting: You have one re-test opportunity to be completed by the testing deadline.

3. District Approval - Each district has an individual approval process.  Please contact your high school counselor for additional information.

4. Acceptance Packet - Accepted students will be mailed a Running Start Participation Agreement to complete and return to the RVC Early College office.