Making sure you’re completing certain classes in high school is the key to unlocking access to a university in Washington. Your high school schedule is more than just a path to graduation. It’s also your college admission blueprint.
Washington’s public universities require you to pass a certain set of high school courses. These requirements (also known as CADRs) are created both to help you succeed in multiple paths after high school and ensure you’re eligible for admission at a Washington public university.
Generally, if you want to go to college in Washington as a first-year student, you’ll want to focus on earning the strongest cumulative unweighted GPA you can and complete high school courses spanning multiple subject areas including English, math, social studies, science, language and arts, most of which align with high school graduation requirements. Some subjects you need to take all four years, others just require a year or two.
Find a handy chart on this page with your course blueprint.
You can consult an in-depth overview of the requirements online as well, but meeting annually with your school counselor is a good place to start to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success. You can also reach out to admissions offices who are eager to hear from students.