Running Start/Early College Dual Credit Programs

The Running Start/Early College Dual Credit Programs are intended to encourage highly motivated and academically talented high school students to supplement their regular high school work with selected college courses.

Early College is an initiative that allows high school students to take college classes on their high school campus. For the most part, students in an early college class are taught by college professors and take the class with their high school peers. Students who successfully complete the college class receive both high school and college credit.

Running Start is a program that allows eligible high school students to take a college course at a UH Hilo as part of their high school coursework.

More information on these programs can be found on the UH System Hawaii P-20 website.

Applicants must comply with the regular admissions application process. After consultation with their parents and high school counselor, qualified applicants should submit the following items to the Admissions Office:

• an application for admission to the university;
• a letter of recommendation or Dual Credit form from the principal, teacher or school guidance counselor, and parent;
• a recent official high school transcript; and
• scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) exam, if applicable.

Applicants will be admitted on a part-time, non-degree status.

Once admitted, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Students participating in a second or subsequent semester of the Running Start/Early Admission Program must re-apply for admission by submitting:

• an application for admission, if applicable;
• a new letter of recommendation or Dual Credit application from the principal, teacher, or school guidance counselor; and
• a new official high school transcript, if applicable

New ACT or SAT test scores are not necessary unless requested, and the student has retaken the test and new scores are available.

Applicants 14 years of age or older or rising freshmen at a public, private, charter, or independent high school may be considered for admission to UH Hilo’s Early Admission Program. Students younger than 14 may request admission through the campus’ exception process, which may include but is not limited to:

• Interview with student
• Placement exam(s)