WELCOME TO
WESTERN
~16,000
95%
200+
27
enrollment
undergraduates
academic programs
average class size
18:1
<100
4.3 Yrs
3,000+
student-to-faculty ratio
miles to Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.
average time to graduation
student jobs
99%
180+
250+
650+
classes taught by faculty, not graduate assistants
acres of forest adjacent to campus, with 6 miles of trails
student-run clubs and organizations
Western students study abroad in 50+ countries each year
#1 PUBLIC, MASTER’S-GRANTING UNIVERSITY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOR 20 YEARS IN A ROW – U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT 2
This is your place to
MAKE WAVES
From the beautiful natural environment to the welcoming community, Western is a breath of fresh air and a wonderful place to call home. Get ready to collaborate with faculty who are equal parts expert and mentor, have real conversations, make deep connections, and develop innovative solutions to problems that matter.
3
THRIVE “Not only does Western have a culture I’ve never seen anywhere else in the world, but it also is in, perhaps, the best location possible. Two major cities within driving distance, and on the bay — what’s not to love?” ZACHARY NEW
Idaho Falls, ID Chinese Language and Culture
Explore Bellingham: Schedule a Visit: 4
ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/BELLINGHAM ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/VISIT
VANCOUVER, BC LUMMI NATION
BELLINGHAM
MOUNT BAKER SKI AREA
SAN JUAN ISLANDS OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
NORTH CASCADES
SEATTLE TACOMA
OLYMPIA
SPOKANE
MOUNT RAINIER
MOUNT ST. HELENS
VANCOUVER PORTLAND, OR
Outside and National Geographic Adventure magazines have ranked Bellingham among the top communities in the country for outdoor lovers
A short walk takes you from campus into vibrant downtown Bellingham, loved for its support of the arts, live music, great food and coffee, and unique local shops
Mount Baker, which gets the most annual snowfall of any ski area in the world, is only 52 miles to the east 5
EXCEL Join an academic community that’s invested in your success.
89%
of bachelor’s recipients were either employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduating – 2018-2019 Graduate Outcomes Report
6
Western Honors Program
Connect With Internships
Build Your Own Major
Research Your World
Study Abroad
Find Your Opportunity
Recognized as one of the best in the nation, the Honors community is rigorous and collaborative. Honors curriculum is compatible with any major and gives you access to small classes taught by highly sought-after professors.
You can design your own major through Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Huxley College of the Environment, and in our College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Earn credit while experiencing other cultures and languages during a quarter, semester or year-long study abroad trip.
Western students have interned for Microsoft, Boeing, REI, Swedish Hospital, the Seattle Mariners, Tesla, NASA, the National Wildlife Federation, and the United Nations, among others.
When you do research as an undergraduate student your lab could be a lab, but it could also be a coastal research vessel, old growth forest, or mountain top in another country.
ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/ACADEMICS
ONE OF THE BEST VALUES IN THE NATION AMONG PUBLIC COLLEGES FOR COMBINING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE WITH ECONOMIC VALUE – KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE 7
EXPAND
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, BS 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/ Anthropology, BA, BS Biology/Mathematics, BS Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology Emphasis, BS General Emphasis, BS Marine Emphasis, BS Molecular & Cellular
8
Biology Emphasis, BS Business Administration Business Administration, BA Business & Sustainability, BA Business & Sustainability – Energy Studies Concentration, BA Finance Concentration, BA International Business Concentration, BA Management Concentration, BA Management Information Systems Concentration, BA Marketing Concentration, BA Operations Management Concentration, BA
C
Canadian-American Studies, BA Chemistry, BA, BS* Chinese Language & Culture, BA* Communication Sciences & Disorders, BA Communication Studies, BA Computer Science, BS Cyber Security, BS†
D
Dance, BA, BFA Design, BA, BFA
E
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 Science and Technology, BS Energy Policy & Management, BA
Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering, BS Manufacturing Engineering, BS Plastics & Composites Engineering, BS English Creative Writing Emphasis, BA ELL/Bilingual Education Emphasis, BA Literature Emphasis, BA* English Language Learners & Bilingual Education, BAE Environmental Education, BA Environmental Policy, BA Environmental Science Environmental Science, BS Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecology Emphasis, BS Marine Science 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
History, BA* History/Social Studies, BA Human Services, BA Humanities Histories of Culture, BA Humanities & Social Sciences Student/Faculty Designed Major, BA, BS Huxley College of the Environment Student/Faculty Designed Major, BA, BS
I
Industrial Design, BS
J
Japanese, BA* Journalism News/Editorial, BA Public Relations, BA Visual Journalism, BA
K
Kinesiology Exercise Science Specialization, BS Pre-Healthcare Professions Specialization, BS Sport Psychology Specialization, BS
L
Language, Literacy & Cultural Studies, BAE Latin American Studies, BA Linguistics, BA
M
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, BS Marine and Coastal Science, 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
N
Nursing (RN-to-BSN), BSN†
P
Philosphy, BA Physical Education & Health P-12, BAE Physics, BS* Political Science, BA Political Science/Social Studies, BA Politics/Philosophy/ Economics, BA Psychology, BS* Public Health, BS
R
Recreation Management & Leadership, BA Religion & Culture, BA
S
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
W
Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, BA
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.
ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
PREPROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS
In addition to bachelor’s degrees, you can enrich your experience through the Honors Program, Distinguished Scholars programs, certificates, and 90+ minors including:
While these are not majors, pre-professional pathways can be incorporated into or taken alongside the 175+ majors offered at Western.
Arabic & Islamic Studies Arts Enterprise & Cultural Innovation Business Analytics Cybersecurity Entrepreneurship & Disability Film Studies Holocaust and Genocide Studies Honors International Studies Leadership Studies Queer Studies Raza Latina Studies Salish Sea Studies STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) Sustainable Design User Experience (UX) Design Women’s Literature
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
BUILD YOUR OWN MAJOR Through Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, students can design their own majors, called interdisciplinary concentrations. Fairhaven faculty work closely with students through intensive advising and classes of 15-20 students. Curriculum focuses on social and environmental justice and environmental justice and diversity.
9
GET INVOLVED 250+
student-run organizations
10
Your Multicultural Center
Athletics: Game On
Get Outside
All About the Arts
Established in 1991, the Ethnic Student Center (ESC) is home to 19 ethnic and cultural clubs. From organizing cultural events on campus to advocating for the creation of a new Multicultural Center, students in the ESC are dedicated to building community with students who share similar backgrounds and are typically underrepresented in University settings.
Nestled between the mountains and the bay, this is a beautiful place to explore — whether you prefer city boardwalks along the water or overnight adventures in the wilderness. Western’s Outdoor Center will outfit you with everything you need for backpacking, hiking, skiing and biking.
Western is a fierce NCAA Division II competitor, with recent national championship wins in women’s soccer and rowing. Other DII sports include basketball, men’s soccer, cross country, women’s volleyball, indoor and outdoor track, softball and golf. Western also boasts 23 club sports, a generous number of intramural sports for all skill levels, and a state-of-the-art recreation center.
Western and the Bellingham community are loaded with opportunities to see, show and make art. On campus there are three professional art galleries, 300 annual performances and exhibits of student work, and, in 2019, Western’s Associated Students produced 20+ concerts.
Build Your Community
With 250+ student-run clubs, an active and engaged student government, and regular activities in your residential community, it’s easy to try new things, connect and build community.
11
HOUSING
Living on campus is optional, yet nearly 90% of first-year and more than 20% of new transfer students do. That’s because your residence hall is more than a place to sleep — it’s your community.
All residential communities feature nearby dining, free laundry facilities, study lounges, access to computer labs, TV and game rooms, and bike storage
New students who meet deadlines are prioritized for housing their first year, and can choose from any of our 16 residence halls
Living Learning Communities include Pride Housing, the Honors Program, Fairhaven College Sustainable Food, and Viking Launch
Housing types include suite and hall-style options, substance free areas, and gender neutral housing
Explore WWU Housing:
HOUSING.WWU.EDU 12
Learn about off-campus housing:
WP.WWU.EDU/OFFCAMPUSLIVING
TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS 2020-2021 Estimated Cost of Attendance WA Resident Tuition
$6,705
NonResident Tuition
$23,463
+
Student Fees *
Housing & Meals **
Books and Supplies **
Personal Expenses **
Getting Around **
$2,103
$12,519
$996
$2,445
$1,338
WA Resident Total
$26,106 =
Costs represent annual expenses for full-time students (10-18 credits) * Fees include a one-time enrollment confirmation fee, technology, health services, student recreation center, public transportation, etc. ** Not fixed costs; varies depending on student, living arrangements and meal plan
Based on information included in your application for admission, you’ll automatically be considered for scholarshps that recognize academic achievment, commitment to diversity, leadership, and special talents Out-of-state first-year student scholarships — including the competitive Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program — range from $6,000 to $13,425 per year
NonResident Total
$42,864
Merit-based, leadership, activity and diversity scholarships for Washington residents range from $1,000 to $6,000
Learn More About Scholarships ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/SCHOLARSHIPS 13
APPLY Challenge yourself by taking classes that push you to think in new ways, explore tough topics, and support you in becoming a well-rounded student. Our admission decisions are based on a comprehensive review, and take into consideration: • Grade trends • Course rigor • GPA • Preparation for major for transfers • Contributions to community
• Achievements • Diverse experiences • Your Admission essay and activities list • Test scores, if provided *
Admitted First-Year Students ** GPA middle 50%
3.26-3.86
ACT middle 50%
Start your application, learn more about requirements, and get tips on standing out in the admission process:
22-29
SAT middle 50%
1080-1300
ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/APPLY
* 2021 applications are test optional. Test policies for 2022 and beyond have not yet been determined. ** Due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, many 2020 applicants were reviewed without test scores.
14
FALL APPLICANT TIMELINE Early September November 1
December January 31
Fall First-Year Application Goes Live @ ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/APPLY First-Year Early Action Deadline
First-year students who complete their admission application by November 1 will be considered for Early Action, which guarantees an admission response by December 31 as well as expedited scholarship review and financial aid notification for admitted Early Action students. Students admitted via Early Action will have until May 1 to confirm their intent to enroll. Financial aid award notification begins for admitted Early Action students who have submitted a valid FAFSA or WASFA for financial aid consideration at Western.
First-Year Regular Decision Deadline & Priority Scholarship Deadline
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. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis — most Regular Decision applicants will receive an admission decision by early April. Merit scholarship recipients are notified by mid-April.
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)* beginning 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. File the FAFSA at fafsa.gov — Western’s FAFSA code is 003802. File the WASFA at readysetgrad.org/wasfa. *Washington state residents ineligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status may apply for state financial aid by completing the WASFA.
March 1 May 1
Transfer Application Deadline
Last day to submit your fall quarter application before it’s marked late.
National College Decision Day
Deadline to accept your offer of admission. If you haven’t already, apply for on-campus housing.
15
APPLICATION TIMELINE First-Year/Running Start
Transfer/Post-Baccalaureate
Fall Quarter - Early Action*
November 1
Fall Quarter
March 1
Fall Quarter - Regular Decision
January 31
Winter Quarter
September 15
Winter Quarter
September 15
Spring Quarter
January 1
Spring Quarter
January 1
Summer Quarter
March 1
* See page 15 for information about Westernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Early Action Deadline
Join our mailing list to receive admission tips and special invitations: ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/CONNECT
Admissions Counselors are here to help answer your questions. Find yours: ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/TEAM
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS (360) 650-3440 admissions@wwu.edu | admissions.wwu.edu Western Washington University (WWU), in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Inquiries may be directed to the Executive Director, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Western Washington University, Old Main 345, MS 9021, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; (360) 650-3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu. WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request an accommodation in the application process, please contact the Disability Access Center, Wilson Library 170; (360) 650-3083 (voice) or (360) 255-7175 (VP); drs@wwu.edu. One week advance notice appreciated. To request this document in an alternate format, please contact the Office of Admissions, Old Main 200; (360) 650-3440; admissions@wwu.edu. (7/2013 version)