INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE
Bellingham, Washington
ACTIVE MINDS CHANGING LIVES
Experience Western welcomes international students from 39 countries around the world. Located on the Northwest Coast of the United States in Bellingham, Washington, Western provides an exceptional academic experience at an affordable cost in a beautiful, safe and inviting coastal city. With approximately 15,500 students, the campus community is the perfect size—large enough to offer significant academic options, resources and diversity and small enough to provide support, a welcoming community and direct access to renowned faculty.
“When I first began studying in America, I rarely talked in front of class, but professors and students here are exceedingly supportive and they encouraged me and helped me to be more active in class.”
Prisca Leung Hong Kong
ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/INTERNATIONAL 1
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
VANCOUVER, CANADA 55 MI / 89 KM
BELLINGHAM, WA
POP. 89,000
#1 public, master’sgranting university in the Pacific Northwest for 19 years in a row U.S. News & World Report
Classes average 29 students—that means you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and classmates
With 200+ student clubs and organizations, it’s easy to meet friends and get to know campus and Bellingham
SEATTLE, WA 90 MI / 145 KM
SALT LAKE CITY, UT LAS VEGAS, NV
CHICAGO, IL
BOSTON, MA NEW YORK, NY
LOS ANGELES, CA
More than 99% of classes are taught by distinguished faculty, not graduate teaching assistants
You can choose to live off campus, in our apartment complex, or in one of 16 residence halls (dorms)— international students can also choose to live in a special international community We’ll help you find internships—most students graduate from Western with internship experience, working with regional companies like Microsoft, Boeing, the Washington State Legislature, Merrill Lynch, REI, Swedish Hospital, the Seattle Mariners, the White House, Tesla, NASA, the National Wildlife Federation, the United Nations and K2 Sports, and many more
Outside and National Geographic Adventure magazines have ranked Bellingham among the top communities for outdoor lovers, making it the perfect place to live and study A short walk takes you from campus into downtown Bellingham, loved for its vibrant arts, live music, great food and coffee, and unique local shops
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WWU.EDU/MAJORS
Western is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, which means your experience will be diverse and transformative, teaching you to be a strong scholar, a successful professional, and a changemaker in your community.
A Accounting, BA American Cultural Studies, BA Anthropology Anthropology, BA * Anthropology/ Biology, BA Anthropology/Social Studies, BA Archaeology Concentration, BA Biocultural Concentration, BA Applied Mathematics, BS Art History, BA Art Studio, BA, BFA *
B Behavioral Neuroscience, BS Biochemistry, BS Biology Biology, BA * Biology/ 3
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Anthropology, BS Biology/Mathematics, BS Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology Emphasis, BS General Emphasis, BS Marine Emphasis, BS Molecular & Cellular Biology Emphasis, BS Business Administration Business Administration, BA Finance Concentration, BA International Business Concentration, BA Management Concentration, BA Management Information Systems Concentration, BA Marketing Concentration, BA Operations Management
Concentration, BA Business & Sustainability, BA Business & Sustainability – Energy Studies Concentration, BA
C Canadian-American Studies, BA Chemistry, BA, BS * Chinese Language & Culture, BA * Communication Sciences & Disorders, BA Communication Studies, BA Community Health, BS Computer Science, BS Cybersecurity, BS +
D Dance, BA, BFA Design, BA, BFA
Early Childhood Education, BAE Early Childhood Special Education, BAE Earth Science (Elementary or Secondary), BAE East Asian Studies, BA Economics, BA Economics/Accounting, BA Economics/ Environmental Studies, BA Economics/ Mathematics, BA Economics/Political Science, BA Economics/Social Studies, BA Elementary Education Professional Program Energy Policy & Management, BA Engineering Electrical Engineering, BS Manufacturing Engineering, BS Plastics & Composites Engineering, BS English Creative Writing Emphasis, BA * Literature Emphasis, BA * Environmental Education, BA Environmental Policy, BA Environmental Science Environmental Science, BS
Marine Science Emphasis, BS Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecology Emphasis, BS Toxicology Emphasis, BS Environmental Studies, BA * Environmental Studies/ Journalism, BA Exceptionality & Disability, BAE
F Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies Interdisciplinary Concentration, BA, BAE Interdisciplinary Concentration – Law, Diversity & Justice Emphasis, BA Financial Economics, BA French, BA * French/German, BA French/Spanish, BA
G General Science (Elementary, Middle or Secondary), BAE Geography, BA * Geography/Social Studies, BA Geology, BA, BS Geophysics, BS German, BA * German/Spanish, BA
H
L
History, BA * History/Social Studies, BA Human Services, BA Humanities History of Culture, BA Religion & Culture, BA Humanities & Social Sciences Student/ Faculty Designed Major, BA, BS Huxley College of the Environment Student/ Faculty Designed Major, BA, BS
Language, Literacy & Cultural Studies, BAE Linguistics, BA
I Industrial Design, BS
J Japanese, BA * Journalism News/Editorial, BA Public Relations, BA Visual Journalism, BA
K Kinesiology Health & Fitness Specialization, BS Movement Studies Specialization, BS Sport Psychology Specialization, BS
Politics/Philosophy/ Economics, BA Psychology, BS *
ADDITIONAL A CA D E M I C O P P O RT U N I T I E S
R
In addition to the bachelor’s degrees listed, you can enrich your academic experience through the Honors Program, Distinguished Scholars programs, certificates, & over 90 minors, including these:
M
Recreation, BA
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, BS Mathematics, BA, BS * Mathematics/Computer Science, BS Multidisciplinary Studies, BA Music Music, BA, BMus Composition Concentration, BMus History & Literature Concentration, BMus Performance Concentration, BMus Music Education P-12, BMus
S
N
W
Nursing RN-to-BSN, BSN +
Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, BA
P Philosophy, BA Physical Education & Health P-12, BAE Physics, BS * Political Science, BA Political Science/Social Studies, BA
Science Education, BAE Secondary Education Professional Program Sociology, BA, BS * Sociology/Social Studies, BA Spanish, BA * Special Education, BAE Statistics, BS
T Theatre, BA *
U Urban Planning & Sustainable Development, BA
Arabic & Islamic Studies Arts Enterprise & Cultural Innovation Business Analytics Diversity in Higher Education Embedded Systems Energy Policy Entrepreneurship & Innovation Film Studies Foreign Cultures International Studies Internet Resources Creation & Management Leadership Studies Queer Studies Raza Latina Studies STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) Sustainable Design User Experience (UX) Design Women’s Literature
P RE - P RO F ES S IO NA L PAT H WAYS While these are not majors, preprofessional pathways can be incorporated into or taken alongside the 160+ majors offered at Western. Pre-Chiropractic Pre-Dentistry Pre-Law Pre-Medicine Pre-Nutrition Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Optometry Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician Assistant Pre-Veterinary
BA = Bachelor of Arts BS = Bachelor of Science BAE = Bachelor of Arts, Education BFA = Bachelor of Fine Arts BMus = Bachelor of Music BSN = Bachelor of Science in Nursing * Related Bachelor of Arts, Education (BAE) degree or teaching endorsement available + Requires specialized transfer degree
This list of academic programs is subject to change without advanced notice.
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
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Tuition and Scholarships 2018-2019 ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE NonResident Tuition
$21,801 +
Student Fees*
Housing & Meals**
Books and Supplies**
Personal Expenses**
Getting Around**
Emergency Health Insurance
$2,014
$11,466
$924
$2,301
$1,260
$1,000
NonResident Total =
$40,766
Costs represent annual expenses for full-time students (10-18 credits) * Fees include technology, health services, student recreation center, public transportation, etc. ** Not fixed costs; varies depending on student, living arrangements and meal plan
Many international students choose Western because they find it to be the best combination of low cost and high quality. International Student Scholarships: Every international applicant who completes their admission application by the deadline will be automatically considered for available scholarships, including the International Achievement Award, an annual award of $1,500 to $2,500 dependent on Grade Point Average.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities: Students may be eligible to receive additional scholarships once enrolled, including those offered by International Student and Scholar Services.
Western has a long tradition of making college affordable, and is considered one of the top 100 best values in the United States among public colleges for combining educational excellence with economic value. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 5
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Applying to Western Admission Requirements • Application for admission and scholarships • Official academic transcripts from all colleges, universities and/or secondary schools attended • Evidence of English language proficiency, including one of the following*: • Recommended TOEFL score of 80 iBT/550 paper • Recommended IELTS score of 6.5 • “B” or higher grades in two English composition courses, if earning a transferable associate degree from a Washington state community college *If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still be eligible for conditional admission
• Statement of Financial Responsibility on the application for admission (Note: U.S. federal regulations requires all
international applicants to provide sufficient proof of funds to cover the yearly cost for tuition and estimated living expenses before a form I-20 can be issued. You are encouraged to upload your financial documents with your application.)
Guaranteed Admission and Conditional Admission Guaranteed: Western has many community college partners throughout the state of Washington. Visit admissions. wwu.edu/partnerships to determine if your college has a guaranteed admission agreement with Western. Conditional: Students who do not yet meet the English language requirement may apply for Conditional Admission and begin their studies in our high-caliber intensive English language program before moving on to their undergraduate degree program. Visit wwu.edu/iep for more information.
“Western has an inclusive environment that is curious about international students and their individual stories. It’s an excellent place to be an international student.”
Batu Dashnyam Mongolia apply at admissions.wwu.edu/international
APPLICATION PRIORITY DATES International Transfer & Post-baccalaureate Fall & Summer* March 1 Winter September 15 Spring January 1
International Freshman Fall January 31 Winter September 15 Spring January 1 *Students should contact International Student and Scholar Services to receive advisement prior to applying for summer quarter.
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
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Visit
Connect
SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT AT admissions.wwu.edu/visit
Ready to learn more? Contact our International Admissions Counselor at international.admissions@wwu.edu or +1 (360) 650-4764
We invite you to visit our beautiful campus in Bellingham, Washington.
CAN’T VISIT? LEARN MORE:
Virtual Tour: admissions.wwu.edu/virtual-tour Bellingham: admissions.wwu.edu/bellingham Academics: admissions.wwu.edu/academics
Western Washington University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity & Employment Diversity, Equal Opportunity Office, WWU, Old Main 345, MS 9021, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu. To request this document in an alternate format, please contact the Associate Director of Admissions, Office of Admissions, 360.650.3440, admissions@wwu.edu. For disability accommodation, please contact disAbility Resources for Students, Old Main 120, 360.650.3083 (voice) or 360.650.7175 (VP), drs@wwu. edu. One week advance notice is appreciated. As part of Western’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning and working environment, we want to make you aware of our Annual Security & Fire Safety Report. This report, which contains information about campus safety, fire safety, crime prevention, crime statistics, prevention and wellness initiatives and more, is available for download at www.wwu.edu/vpess/annualsafetyreport.shtml. To request a paper copy of this report, please contact the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services Office at vpsa.office@wwu.edu or (360) 650-3839.
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OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS Old Main 200, MS 9009 516 High Street Bellingham, WA 98225 ourwestern
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