College Admission Standards for High School Students

New minimum standards for admission to Washington's public baccalaureate institutions took effect fall 2012. The standards apply to students who aspire to enter a baccalaureate institution directly from high school. They spell out the numbers and types of high school credits that high school students need to complete to qualify for admission.

Washington Administrative Code (WAC 392-415-070) requires that courses meeting or satisfying the core course requirements be designated with a “B” on students’ standardized high school transcripts.

Because the term "core course" may have different meanings depending upon context, the term "College Academic Distribution Requirements" (CADR) is used to describe those courses that meet the minimum requirements and, therefore, should carry the “B” designation on the transcript.

Each school district is responsible for determining which of its high school courses meet CADR guidelines and for ensuring that “B” designations are included on transcripts.

Completing the CADR courses does not guarantee admission to one of the state's six baccalaureate institutions. The CADR courses are one of a number of criteria institutions consider when making admission decisions.

- Revised Admission Standards 2012

- Report on Revised Minimum Admission Standards