Admitted First-Year Guide
Get Your Personalized New Student Checklist
Keep track of the steps you've completed and what you still have to do.
Due Dates
Choose the quarter you were admitted for.
Prepare for Academic Success
Keep Up Your Good Work
Enrollment is contingent upon your continued academic success, including completion of any conditions specified in your offer of admission, satisfactory completion of all attempted coursework not currently on file, and receipt of official final transcripts.
Plan for Your Major
Because you may need permission to register for courses that require prerequisites, major or pre-major declaration, etc., you are encouraged to contact academic departments prior to course registration. You can view our Programs of Study, which include contact information for each academic department, at catalog.wwu.edu. We also encourage you to visit the Academic Advising and Student Achievement Center (AASAC) as it includes information about the many academic resources available to Western students.
Transfer Equivalency Report
If you have earned credit through an official college transcript or test scores from AP, IB or Cambridge, you will receive instructions on how to obtain your official Transfer Equivalency Report (TER) via email after confirming your enrollment to Western, and prior to registration, when possible. The TER provides information about the number of credits that have been accepted in transfer and details the courses that transfer to Western as well as their Western course equivalent. If you are currently enrolled in courses, you should plan to send an updated official transcript to the Office of Admissions as soon as grades are posted.
Planning Your Finances
Residency Info
Check your residency status. Your residency status is noted in your acceptance letter. Becoming a Washington resident after enrollment is extremely difficult, so be sure this classification is correct. If you have questions, contact the Office of Admissions to request a reclassification questionnaire. Residency information is available at admissions.wwu.edu/residency.
Tuition and Fees
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. Monthly payment plans are available as well. Also, remember that costs for transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses are flexible and can be reduced depending on your lifestyle choices.
Scholarships
Your application for admission also serves as your application for most scholarships at Western. All scholarship offers for on-time first-year fall 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:
- TheWashBoard.org (for Washington residents)
- CollegeBoard
- FastWeb
Student Employment
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.
Merriman Financial Literacy Program
Join us in building a financially empowered community at Western Washington University! The Financial Literacy Peer Coaching team is here to help you navigate the world of personal finance. Schedule a free appointment with a peer mentor.
Also, check out iGrad, a free and powerful award-winning personal financial literacy learning platform available to students, staff, and alumni.
Visit the Merriman Financial Literacy Program site to learn more.
Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date
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.
Resources
You’ll find academic contacts at catalog.wwu.edu. Here are a few other numbers that might come in handy as you’re getting to know Western. It’s okay to call!
Academic Advising and Student Achievement Center
Campus Operator
Career Services Center
Disability Access Center
- disability.wwu.edu
- (360) 650-3083 (voice)
- (360) 255-7175 (VP)
Financial Aid Office
New Student Services/Family Outreach
Registrar's Office
Scholarship Center
Work Study Center
Veteran Services
Have a question?
You can find our contact information here, or feel free to submit this form, and we'll get back to you right away.