Old Main lawn in the summer time. The sun shines through tall trees and casts big shadows on the bright green lawn. A red Japanese maple by the staircase stands out with its rusty foliage.

There's a lot going on. Let us help.

All of the rapid changes these days can be hard to keep up with, but our dates and deadlines shouldn't be. While our office is currently closed to visitors, we're still here for you!

Some Deadlines Below Have Changed Due to COVID-19

Learn more about confirmation and housing application deadlines, and more.

COVID-19 Admissions FAQs

Guide for First-Year Students Admitted for Fall

Congratulations on your admission to Western! We look forward to welcoming you as one of the newest members of the Western family. Below is a guide to help you set yourself up for a successful transition to our campus community.

Confirm Your Enrollment

You have successfully completed the first and biggest step in becoming a Western student—welcome! You have a lot to look forward to here. Your next step to joining our community is to confirm your enrollment.

 

Confirm Now

What to Expect After You Confirm

After confirmation, you will receive important information about how to register for our Fall Advising & Orientation program, activate your Universal Account and Western email address, register for courses, and more.

Email and Mailing Address Changes

To ensure you receive our communications, please let us know about email or mailing address changes as soon as possible by emailing: admissions.evaluators@wwu.edu. Be sure to include your full name and Western ID number.

Enrollment Confirmation Fee

After you receive notice that you are admitted, you have until June 1 to secure your spot in our incoming class. To reserve your spot, you’ll need to confirm your enrollment and pay the non-refundable $280 confirmation fee. If you’re admitted after April 15, you’ll need to confirm within three weeks of being admitted. This one-time fee helps pay for new student orientation, advising, and academic support.

Postpone Your Fee

If you have demonstrated significant financial need on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then you can postpone your fee until your first tuition bill. To request to have your fee postponed, email admissions@wwu.edu with an explanation of your circumstances, along with your name and Western ID number.

Declining Your Offer

If you do not intend to come to Western, please decline your offer so your enrollment space can be considered for another student.

Timeline

Admitted Student Day: April 17

Join us Virtually!

In consideration of the safety of our visitors and campus community due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19), we will be moving our Admitted Student Day program to a virtual event; the in-person visit will be suspended. Details will be coming soon!

Anytime

Visit Campus

Visiting college campuses is the best way to decide if they're a good fit for you. We invite you to come experience campus for yourself. See why students love this place and choose to call Western home.

January 31 or Anytime

Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you haven’t done so already, submit the FAFSA or WASFA* to apply for financial aid. While Western’s priority deadline is January 31, it’s never too late to apply! Western’s school code for the FAFSA is 003802.

Admitted fall first-year student are notified about financial aid on a rolling basis beginning mid-December. Financial aid offers for any fall first-year applicant who applied by the deadline will be sent out by the end of April. Western’s Financial Aid Department will send you information about how to access your financial aid status online within two weeks of admission.

As you review estimated annual expenses, it may be helpful to know that payment for tuition, fees, housing, and meals is charged quarterly and due at the beginning of each quarter. Also, remember that costs for transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses are flexible and can be reduced depending on your lifestyle choices.

Your application for admission also serves as your application for most scholarships at Western. All scholarship offers for on-time first-year applicants will be sent out by the end of April.

We encourage you to seek external scholarship opportunities through your high school, community organizations, and local businesses. You can also look at online scholarship search sites such as:

All students are invited to apply for campus jobs, where they are recognized as students first and employees second. Most campus jobs are conveniently located near classes and provide outstanding opportunities for professional development and a built-in network of support. If you need help finding work, Western’s Student Employment Center can help—it’s a free resource that connects students with on- and off-campus jobs and volunteer opportunities.

*Washington state residents ineligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status may apply for state financial aid by completing the WASFA.

June 1

Confirm your Enrollment

You have successfully completed the first and biggest step in becoming a Western student—welcome! You have a lot to look forward to here. Your next step to joining our community is to confirm your enrollment.

Apply for Housing

Living on campus is optional, yet 88% of first-year students do. That’s because residence halls are more than just places to sleep. They provide instant community, make it easy for students to familiarize themselves with campus, and are within minutes of their classes. Residential communities include quiet, substance-free, gender-inclusive, gender-neutral, Honors Program, international options, and more.

May 31

Activate Your Universal Account

A Universal Account is required to sign up for orientation, register for classes, and much more. You will receive instructions on how to set up your account after you confirm your enrollment.

June 1 to July 15

Submit Test Scores and College Transcripts

To be eligible for college credit, make arrangements to send all official college transcripts, AP, IB and Cambridge exam results to the Office of Admissions as soon as they are available and no later than July 15. We cannot award college credit based on your high school transcript. All college transcripts and test scores received by June 1 will be processed in time for initial course registration at Fall Advising & Orientation. Official documents should be sent to admissions.documents@wwu.edu.

June 1 to Late July

Complete the Math Placement Assessment

The online ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA) will need to be taken at least two weeks before you attend Fall Advising & Orientation session, and must be taken at least twice. Scores are needed to register for the majority of math courses at Western and serve as prerequisites for some courses in other departments. See the website for exemptions and frequently asked questions.

Sign Up for Advising & Orientation

Sign up for a two-day orientation session for new first-year student and their families. You must sign up for one orientation session, at which you will receive advising and register for fall quarter classes. Sessions take place in August and September before classes begin.

June 15

Housing Deposit Due

Once you’ve received the message in MyHousing that your deposit is due, follow the payment instructions to make your deposit.

July 1

Submit Measles Documents

You will be unable to register for classes until you provide proof of measles immunity. Detailed instructions will be mailed after you confirm your enrollment.

August 1

Submit Final High School Transcripts

Make arrangements with your high school to send your final high school transcript with your graduation date sent by August 1. Official documents should be sent to admissions.documents@wwu.edu

September 20: Move-in Day

Move-InCountdown

September 23: Fall Quarter Classes Begin!

Six Western Admissions Counselors stand side-by-side smiling at the camera.

We're Here for You

Please contact us if you need help any step of the way at admissions@wwu.edu or (360) 650-3440. We’ll connect you directly with your dedicated Admissions Counselor, and can put you in touch with other resources on campus.