Requirements and Application Tips for Transfer Students

Minimum requirements for transfer admission include a 2.00 cumulative transferable GPA and a 2.00 in the quarters prior to application review and enrollment. The Admissions Committee will undertake a holistic review of your application and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Get Ready to Transfer

Here are a few tips to help you get started and make the most of your time as you prepare to join our community.

1. Review our majors pages to explore and compare majors, narrow down your interests and figure out which majors align with your goals.
2. Check out our Programs of Study to learn more about the majors that catch your eye. You’ll find details about prerequisites, how to declare your major, and any important deadlines to keep in mind.
3. If you have questions about a specific major, reach out to an advisor in that academic department — you’ll find their contact information in each Program of Study.
4. Review the transfer application checklist to familiarize yourself with requirements and deadlines.

We’re looking for applicants who are academically prepared and will actively contribute to our campus community. That’s why we use a holistic approach when we review your application. 

While academic achievement is the most significant factor in the review process, the Admissions Committee considers many factors when making an admission decision. Our comprehensive review process also considers clarity of academic goals, completion of major prerequisites and related experiences, number of transfer credits and distribution of current students, contributions to and/or experiences with multiculturalism, special talent, personal circumstances, and space availability.

How to Strengthen Your Application for Admission

1. Complete college-level math and English before submitting your application for admission.
2. Familiarize yourself with the requirements for your intended major and complete as many prerequisites as possible prior to transfer.
3. Complete courses that fulfill Western's General University Requirements (GUR) whenever possible. (Note: Students who plan to transfer with a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) Associate's Degree from a Washington State community college generally have all their GUR fulfilled.)
4. Help the Admissions Committee understand you better by submitting an essay that addresses your academic goals, related experiences, and any academic or personal challenges you have overcome.
5. Students applying with fewer than 40 completed transferable quarter (27 semester) credits must meet first-year admission requirements and should demonstrate strong academic achievement in high school.

While your academic performance is very important in the admission decision, we believe that ability, potential and success are not measured exclusively by grades. While the essay is optional, it presents a great opportunity to highlight your strengths, experiences, or personal circumstances that may not be reflected in your transcript. 

If your cumulative GPA is below 2.5, we strongly encourage you to include an essay that helps us understand your grades, trends, and growth over time. The Admissions Committee may also request an essay during the review process if additional context is needed for their assessment of your candidacy.

Essays are also used in the selection process for certain scholarships, including Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and Multicultural Achievement (MAP) awards.

Transfer Essay Prompts

• What areas of study interest you, and how have your previous college experiences, life events, or personal interests shaped that direction? Explain how Western Washington University aligns with your academic interests or future plans.
• What interests, passions, or meaningful activities have shaped your life outside the classroom?
• Every transfer journey is different, and sometimes it involves unexpected challenges or a change in direction. If your academic record shows low grades, repeated courses, or other areas that might raise questions, we invite you to tell us more. What contributed to your experiences, what have you learned, and how are you prepared to succeed at Western?

Essay Tips

• Spend time reflecting before you start your application so you can compose a well-written essay that reflects your goals and what you want the Admissions Committee to know before you apply. The best college essays are those that make the reader feel like they know you, so write with authenticity.
• Don't be shy. Applying to college is great practice for eventually applying for jobs in the "real world," where you are expected to "sell" yourself. Have you made a positive difference in the lives of others, whether in your family, community, or school? Tell us about it.
• Express your pride and appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusion of all identities. Enthusiasm for and experience within diverse environments will be key to your success here at Western and beyond.
• Proofread! The content of your essay is important, but so is the quality. Ask a professor, parent or friend to read through your essay, or visit the writing center at your current college. They can catch errors and provide feedback that helps you present yourself well.