Residents of southwest Washington can establish a four-year college plan without leaving home thanks to an innovative co-admission program that is primed to become an educational model for the state, according to Washington State University Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink.
“The new co-admission program is the most efficient transfer system available,” Dengerink said. “It represents a success for the state by providing residents of southwest Washington an opportunity to earn a four-year degree in a seamless and timely manner.”.
The program gives high-ability students enrolling as freshmen at Vancouver’s Clark (Community) College or Lower Columbia Community College in Longview, Wash., an opportunity to qualify for co-admission to WSU Vancouver, providing they meet Washington State University’s admission criteria. Students who do not qualify for admission to WSU Vancouver right out of high school still have the option of co-admission after accruing 40 college credit hours and meeting WSU’s transfer admission requirements.
Not only are co-admitted students guaranteed entry to WSU Vancouver, they are assured placement in their academic program of choice. This benefit is especially important at a time when lack of state funding is forcing many schools to no longer accept transfer students, or to place student caps on popular undergraduate programs.
Students pay Clark or LCC tuition until they actually transfer to WSU Vancouver. But because they are simultaneously admitted to WSU Vancouver, they can utilize libraries, computer labs and fitness facilities, or access student employment and scholarship opportunities at both campuses all four years.
The program was launched in May; therefore, fall enrollment figures will be difficult to predict.
“While we anticipate limited enrollment in September, word-of-mouth advertising and joint promotional efforts should cause student numbers to swell quickly,” said Nancy Youlden, director of Student Services at WSU Vancouver.
