Application checklist

A complete application includes:

• Transfer and Post-baccalaureate Application for Admission submitted by the application deadline
• $60 non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts from every college and university attended, even if you do not expect or desire to transfer credit 
• A Statement of Purpose that helps the admissions committee understand your academic goals, related experiences and/or preparatory course work, and professional goals

Note: if you are applying to an Outreach and Continuing Education supported location program you should submit materials specific to your program’s requirements in lieu of a Statement of Purpose. Contact your intended program for details.

Application fee

A non-refundable $60 application fee is required to process your application. When you apply online, you will be asked to submit a credit or debit card, over a secure connection, to complete your application. If you apply on the paper application, your application fee must be in the form of a check or money order, payable to "Western Washington University". Please ensure your full name and birth date are included on the check.

You may request a fee waiver if you have significant financial need, or a low expected family contribution (EFC) if receiving financial aid. When you apply online you will have the option to request a fee waiver at the time you submit your application. If you plan on using the paper application, please contact our office for a fee waiver request form and submit your form with your completed application. 

Transcripts

You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. Do not omit or exclude any institution, even if you do not expect or desire to transfer credit. Only transcripts issued within the last year will be accepted. If you earned a bachelor's degree from Western you need only send transcripts for any coursework you completed elsewhere after graduation.  

Students who have attended a Washington state community college are encouraged to have their transcripts sent electronically. Electronic transcripts enable us to process your application more efficiently and expedite awarding you transfer credit if admitted. We can serve you better – and faster – if your official transcripts arrive as soon as possible after submitting your application.

Applicants are responsible for requesting official transcripts. A transcript is considered official if it bears the official seal and authorizing signature of the issuing institution and is:

• sent directly by the school to the Office of Admissions; or
• sealed by the school and mailed or delivered to the Office of Admissions by you. If the envelope has been opened before it arrives in the Office of Admissions, the transcript is not official.

Statement of Purpose

All post-baccalaureate students, except those applying for an Outreach and Continuing Education supported program, are required to submit a Statement of Purpose with their application that addresses the following items:

1. Why are you pursuing further studies? What are your long-term academic and professional goals? Describe your related experience or preparation – either academic or experiential. Be as specific as possible.
2. After reviewing the requirements for admission to your intended academic program, including course prerequisites, how prepared are you to begin your program? If you need additional prerequisite courses or otherwise do not meet admissions requirements, what specifically are you lacking? Indicate which courses you plan to take as well as how many academic quarters you plan to enroll.
3. Why is it necessary for you to enroll at Western? Do other four-year universities or community colleges offer what you need at this time? Can you meet your goals as a non-matriculated student, attending classes on a space available basis?
4. If you are seeking admission to an undergraduate program with selective admission criteria, are you assured departmental admission? Because capacity is an important consideration, please detail any information or advising you have received from the department.

Submitting application materials

To help the Office of Admissions match your documents with your application, we recommend you include your full name and birth date on all materials mailed separately from your application, or Western ID number (W number), if known.

MAIL ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:

    Western Washington University
    Office of Admissions
    Old Main 200, MS 9009
    516 High Street
    Bellingham, WA 98225-9009

Equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation

Western Washington University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request an accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Access Center (DAC), (360) 650-3083 (voice), (360) 255-7175 (VP), drs@wwu.edu. One week advance notice is appreciated. To request application materials in an alternate format, please contact the Office of Admissions, (360) 650-3440, admissions@wwu.edu.