Apply for Fall 2027

Apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline to receive a response from the Office of Admissions by December 31. If you are admitted, you will also receive expedited scholarship review and financial aid notification.

WWU Application Common App
Explore Guaranteed Admissions

An Orca splashes above the water in Bellingham Bay, with WWU Campus in the distant trees.

First-Year Admissions

Already applied?

Be sure to check your WWU Admissions Portal for reminders, announcements, and updates.

Check Your WWU Admissions Portal

Are you a first-year student?

Apply as a first-year student if:

You’re in high school, even if you’ve earned some college credit or are enrolled in Running Start.

OR

You have graduated from high school or earned your GED and haven’t enrolled in any college coursework since graduation.

You should apply as a transfer student if you’ve enrolled in college coursework after graduating from high school or completing your GED. If you require a student visa to study in the United States, you should apply as an international student.

Choose the Application That's Best for You

You can apply to Western using the WWU Application or the Common App. Both applications receive full consideration for admission and scholarships so that you can choose the best option for you. Please only submit one application.

WWU Application

This application might be best for you if you are applying to only a few schools. Once you submit your application, you can track its status in your WWU Admissions Portal.

Apply with the WWU Application

Common App

You can also apply to Western through the Common App. The advantage of the Common App is that you can use the same system to apply to more than 1,000 schools, including every public 4-year college and university in Washington state!

Apply with the Common App

Once we receive your application from Common App, you will get an invite to set up your WWU Admissions Portal.

What You'll Need to Submit

A Complete Application for Admissions Includes:

The Application - The WWU App or the Common App
$70 non-refundable application fee - Fee waivers are available for students who demonstrate financial need.
High school transcripts (or equivalent) - An unofficial copy will work. You can upload it to your application or WWU Admissions Portal, or have your school send it to admissions.documents@wwu.edu.

Optional, but helpful:

Essay & Activities List - Not required, but recommended. An essay helps us understand your goals, interests, and any challenges you’ve overcome.
SAT or ACT Scores - Western is test-optional. If you have strong scores and want them considered, you can include them in your application. If not, don’t worry! Your application will still get a full review.

Woodring College of Education Applicants

If you plan to apply to Woodring College of Education (teaching majors), test scores may be considered as part of the application process.

First-Year Student Application Deadlines

Western Washington University application deadlines for undergraduate students by quarter.

For Fall Quarter (most first-year students apply for fall)
Deadline Type	Date	Why It's Important
Early Action	November 1	You'll get an update on your application by December 31. Your application will receive priority scholarship review. You will also receive priority financial aid notification if admitted. You still have until May 1 to say YES to Western.
Regular Decision	January 31	You’ll receive a decision on your application beginning in March. Your application will receive priority scholarship review. This is also the priority filing date for the FAFSA and WASFA.
Late Application	After January 31	You will have access to fewer financial aid opportunities. Your application will be reviewed after all on-time applications are reviewed.

Application Deadlines for Other Quarters

Winter: September 15
Spring: January 31

What To Expect After You Apply

You will get an email confirming that we received your application. The timing depends on which application you used:
- If you submitted the WWU Application, you will receive an email within an hour.
- If you submitted the Common App, you will receive an email in 2-5 business days with instructions on how to set up your WWU Admissions Portal.
Your WWU Admissions Portal displays a personalized checklist that will show you what materials we have received and those that are still missing.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, and most Regular Decision applicants will receive an admissions decision by early April. You’ll receive an email and text message when a decision is ready in your WWU Admissions Portal.

Already applied?

Be sure to check your WWU Admissions Portal for reminders, announcements, and updates.

Check Your WWU Admissions Portal

Learn About Scholarships

Admission to Majors

At Western, admission to a major depends on your program of interest. A select number of majors offer Direct Admission, meaning if you’re admitted to Western, you’re also automatically admitted to that major. For all other programs, you may be required to submit an additional application or other materials.

View full list of Direct Admission Majors

Popular Majors with Extra Requirements
Major	Extra Step
Art	Requires Portfolio
Computer Science	Requires Program Application
Design	Requires Portfolio
Early Childhood Education	Requires Program Application
Elementary Education	Requires Program Application
Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies	Requires Program Application (not required for Fall 2027 applicants)
Human Services	Requires Program Application
Industrial Design	Requires Portfolio
Music	Requires Audition
Psychology	Requires Program Application
Secondary Education	Requires Program Application
Special Education	Requires Program Application

Meet Madisyn

"Western was one of the only places that offered environmental justice on a scale that I loved, including the connections that I could get with my professors. I don’t think I could get the same level of education at a big institution, learning about environmental racism and justice."

Madisyn Cook

Environmental Policy

Look Inside with Our First-Year Student Viewbook

At Western Washington University you will encounter opportunities for academic excellence, community, and growth. Here you can find you, be you, and stand out!