Fall Applicant Timeline
While our office is currently closed to visitors, we're still here for you!
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The timeline below is for fall quarter applicants, please note the timeline and deadlines are different if you are applying for a different quarter. We recommend you contact your Admissions Counselor if you have specific questions about applying for another quarter.
First-Year Student Application Deadlines
Early September: Fall Application for Admission and Scholarships goes live!
In the fall and early winter students should:
- Send in their high school transcripts (official or unofficial)
- Schedule an in-person or virtual campus visit
- Contact our helpful Admissions Counselors with questions
- Take the SAT or ACT and have scores sent to Western (optional for 2021 applicants)
October 1: Begin Applying for Financial Aid
You can file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)* as early as October 1. Your FAFSA or WASFA must be submitted by January 31 (Western’s priority filing date) to be considered for the most favorable financial aid. Western’s school code is 003802.
*If you are resident of Washington state and are ineligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, you can apply for state financial aid by completing the WASFA.
November 1: Early Action Deadline
Why wait? If you complete your admission application by November 1 you'll be considered for Early Action. Early Action guarantees an admission response by December 31. Admitted Early Action students also receive expedited scholarship review and financial aid notification. Students admitted to Western via Early Action have until May 1 to confirm their intent to enroll.
November–April: Notification of Admission and Scholarship Decisions
Don't worry if you don't hear from us right away. About half of our students receive their admissions decisions after the application deadline. The majority of on-time applicants will receive admission notification by early April. Scholarship awarding will begin in December.
December: Financial Aid Notification Begins for Early Action Admits
Financial aid notices will start going out to Admitted Early Action students who submitted a valid FAFSA.
January 31: Regular Decision Deadline and Priority Scholarship Deadline
This is the last day to submit your application for fall quarter to Western before it’s marked late. On-time applicants get full consideration for merit scholarships.
January 31: Financial Aid Priority Deadline
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1 at fafsa.gov. You must file your FAFSA by January 31 (Western's priority filing date) to be considered for the most favorable financial aid. Financial aid award notification begins in December for admitted Early Action students and continues through mid-April. Western's Federal School Code is 003802. If you are a non-citizen eligible for resident tuition under HB 1079, please submit the WASFA to apply for student financial aid.
Mid-March: Financial Aid Award Notification Begins for Regular Decision Admits
Financial aid notices will start going out to students who submitted a valid FAFSA by the FAFSA priority deadline.
Early April: Admitted Student Day
Join us for our Saturday Open House for admitted first-year students!
Early April: Regular Admission Decision Notifications
We make admission decisions on a rolling basis. Most applicants will receive an admission decision by early April.
Mid-April: Merit Scholarship Notifications
Merit scholarship recipients are notified by mid-April.
May 1: Confirm Your Enrollment
May 1 is National College Decision Day.
May 1: Apply for On-Campus Housing
Living on campus your first year is optional, but the majority of first-year students choose to live on campus. The University Residences Housing Application will be available in February. If you plan to live on campus, apply for on-campus housing by the May 8 deadline.
June 1–late July : Sign up for Fall Advising & Registration
These two-day orientation sessions for you and your family take place in August and September before classes begin. At your session, you will receive advising and register for fall quarter classes.
September: Classes Begin
Welcome to Western—make your plans to move to campus. Classes begin September 23!