ADMITTED STUDENT HANDBOOK
ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
For more information on completing these tasks visit: www.wku.edu/admissions/timeline
Apply to WKU
Send us your scores and transcripts
Visit campus and attend events Page 3
Apply for housing Page 4
Complete FAFSA
Page 6
Register for TOP Page 8
Sign up for M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan
Page 14
Accept scholarship and financial aid
Page 7
START CLASS
BOWLING GREEN
You’re not just joining the Hilltopper family, you’re joining the Bowling Green community. Recognized as one of the top college towns in the nation, Bowling Green is a historic city on the rise, and it’s the perfect setting for your ideal college experience.
BOWLING GREEN OFFERS:
l Parks, trails, and plenty of recreation activities
l Entertainment including live music, minor league baseball, an amusement park, and over 100 restaurants within a mile of your Hilltop home
l Quintessential historic downtown district only blocks from campus
l Friendly and supportive community eager to welcome you GREAT
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AMERICAN DONUT SHOP
BOWLING GREEN WATER TOWER
CAPITOL ARTS THEATRE
CHANEY’S DAIRY FARM
LOST RIVER CAVE
CORVETTE MUSEUM
JACKSON’S ORCHARD
VISIT US
We’re called the Hilltoppers for a reason. Our 200-acre hilltop community of scholars, dreamers, and doers is home to more than 15,000 students who refuse to take the flat path. Our picturesque campus is the destination for engaged, motivated students who willingly accept a challenge, want to be part of something larger than themselves, and will eagerly do what is needed to build a better tomorrow for themselves, their community, and our world.
We want you to feel right at home at WKU, and to ensure you’re prepared for the transition, we host numerous events throughout the year to allow you to meet and connect with the students, faculty, and staff who will ensure your success. Check out our current event offerings at wku.edu/admissions/events.
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HOUSING
Living on campus at WKU will give you the unique opportunity to live in a community with people from down the road to across the globe.
Live-in staff members will help you build an amazing community so that you will not only leave WKU with a degree, but also with memories and friendships to last a lifetime.
All incoming students should submit a housing application. The housing application opens on December 1st and has a priority deadline of March 31st.
Visit wku.edu/housing for more information.
AMENITIES IN RESIDENCE HALLS
l Wi-Fi
l Ethernet Access
l Air Conditioning
l Elevators*
l Vending Machines
l Ice Machine
l Laundry Room with Free Laundry
l Closet
*In most halls
COMMUNITY AREAS
l Study Room
l Community Lounges
l Theatre Room*
l Kitchen on Every Floor*
l Lobby
l 24-Hour Security and Information Desk
MOVABLE FURNITURE
l Adjustable XL Twin Bed
l Desk
l Desk Chair
l Dresser
l Trash Bin
l Recycling Bin
l Window Blinds
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LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
In addition to our standard housing assignments, WKU also offers Living Learning Communities (LLCs). In a WKU LLC, students with similar academic or social interests live together on a residence hall floor and participate in activities tailored to their specific majors or interests.
Home to most LLCs, the First Year Village hosts special events for our first year students. These halls utilize space in a way that enables deep faculty and peer engagement that connect directly to student success.
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STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Department of Student Financial Assistance is here to help you every step of the way. For more information visit wku.edu/financialaid. GET STARTED
FAFSA
You should complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. The FAFSA is set to open this winter. Completing the FAFSA early gives students the best opportunity to qualify for various forms of financial assistance, though submissions are continuously accepted. Be sure to include WKU’s federal student code, 002002 on your FAFSA.
STEP 1
Fill out
STEP 2
STEP 3
Get scholarship offer & accept scholarships
$
Get official aid offer in spring
STEP 4
Meet with a Financial Aid counselor once you receive your aid offer
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FAFSA
NET PRICE CALCULATOR
WKU offers an online tool that allows you to estimate your cost of attendance and potential financial aid awards.
By completing a simple form about your background, plans for housing while in school, and family finances, you can receive information on estimated costs and awards.
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TOPPER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
From information sessions with current students called TOP Guides to academic advising and class registration, TOP prepares students for taking the next step toward making the Hill their home.
To confirm your attendance at WKU, you will need to register for TOP.
TOP registration opens in early Spring. Check out wku.edu/top for up-to-date registration information and answers to frequently asked questions.
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YOU’RE WKU BOUND!
HILLTOPPER BASICS:
Upon admission to WKU you were assigned a WKU ID number, NetID, and a TopperMail. These will be used to access different WKU accounts throughout your time on the Hill. You can also download the iWKU app for account information at the touch of a button.
WKU ID:
Your WKU ID, also called your 800 or 801 number, is a nine digit number. Please keep this number in a secure location, as you will use it throughout your time at WKU.
WKU NETID:
The NetID allows single sign-on access for WKU email (TopperMail), TopNet, and Blackboard.
TOPPERMAIL:
Information about your Toppermail account will be shared with you in the days following your admission. This will serve as the main point of contact with your professors.
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RESTAURANT GROUP
Fuel your climb to the top at over 20 on-campus restaurants and cafes.
Whether you’re picking up a snack with a friend at a grab and go location or debating ideas with a professor over a meal at a full-service restaurant, affordable meal plans and versatile dining options ensure that great food and great company is always just steps away.
Fuel your climb to the top at over 20 on-campus restaurants and cafes. Whether you’re picking up a snack with a friend at a grab and go location or debating ideas with a professor over a meal at a full-service restaurant, affordable meal plans and versatile dining options ensure that great food and great company is always just steps away.
HERE ARE SOME DINING CHOICES
ON WKU’S CAMPUS
*Restaurant options are subjecttochange
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MEAL PLANS
A WKU meal plan is a convenient and cost efficient way for a student to eat on campus using their WKU ID.
All students living on WKU’s campus participate in a meal plan. Meal plans are made up of meal swipes/value meals and meal plan dollars. The amount of swipes and dollars allotted depend on the student’s selections.
MEAL SWIPES/VALUE MEALS:
Meal swipes can be used in Fresh Food Company and Hilltopper Hub for an all-youcare-to-eat meal or snack. They can also be used in all other locations with the exception of Starbucks, Spencer’s Coffee, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Java City to purchase a preset ‘Value Meal’. The student will use their WKU ID to ‘swipe’ or ‘use a meal swipe’ to purchase a Value Meal at these locations.
MEAL PLAN DOLLARS:
The Meal Plan Dollars associated with each Meal Plan are for the student to use at dining locations if they want something other than the Value Meal options, to purchase a meal for a friend, or to use at our two on campus convenience stores. Students will save 11% on applicable purchases using the Meal Plan Dollars associated with the Meal Plan.
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CHOICES
For a full list of dining options visit: wku.edu/dining
PARKING
All students at WKU are welcome to bring their car to campus but will need to purchase a parking pass. All parking spots on campus are clearly marked and parking availability is dependent upon the type of parking pass purchased.
Parking passes are available for purchase beginning in late spring or early summer.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
WKU also offers a variety of transportation services, including the most popular, Topper Transit. A variety of transit services are provided for the WKU community. Service is FREE to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Three fixed day service routes move passengers from point to point around campus.
On Saturdays, an off-campus route (Green Line Shopping Shuttle) is used to transport passengers to and from area shopping centers.
TOPPER TRANSIT
Para-transit service is provided at no charge for disabled passengers and requires registration with PTS. All Topper Transit buses are ADA and wheelchair accessible.
You can download the iWKU app to track Topper Transit shuttle locations to hop on and take a ride.
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GET INVOLVED
Check out wku.edu/sao for a glimpse at all the student activities that WKU has to offer and be sure to reach out to the Office of Student Activities if you have any questions about getting involved. You can find their contact information in the campus directory at the back of this book.
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Scan here for ways you can get involved on campus.
M.A.S.T.E.R. PLAN
Experience the Hilltopper spirit one week early at M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan.
M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan is WKU’s transition program for all new undergraduate students and is designed to help you smoothly transition to your new life as a Hilltopper.
LEARN AND PRACTICE WKU TRADITIONS
AT M.A.S.T.E.R. PLAN YOU’LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO: GET ACCLIMATED TO CAMPUS
MEET FACULTY AND STAFF IN YOUR COLLEGE
MEET YOUR NEW HILLTOPPER FRIENDS
MOVE-IN ONE WEEK
EARLY
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR M.A.S.T.E.R. PLAN, VISIT WKU.EDU/MASTERPLAN
The red towel tradition at WKU traces its roots to the legendary Coach Edgar Allen (E.A.) Diddle. Diddle coached men’s basketball at WKU from 1922-1964, retiring with 759 wins, the most by any NCAA coach at that time. As early as the 1920s, Coach Diddle was carrying a wet towel as a way of cooling himself in the days before air conditioning, but gradually “it became kind of an instrument.”
The towel became part of Diddle’s coaching technique. He struck his hand with it in frustration or slapped the floor with it. Instead of calling time-outs during games, he used the towel to signal players on the floor, and after he threw it in the air to celebrate a victory. Spectators loved Diddle’s use of the towel.
While the color of the towels changed from white to red, over time, the symbol became ingrained in WKU’s history. In fact, Diddle’s successor as basketball coach, John Oldham, sketched a logo idea of a hand waving a red towel. That rough sketch was quickly transformed into a finished product that is largely unchanged today.
- David Lee, University Historian 2021
IN HONOR OF OFFICIALLY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE HILLTOPPER FAMILY, WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE A PICTURE PROUDLY HOLDING YOUR FIRST RED TOWEL. WITH THIS TOWEL, YOU CAN SHARE WITH THE WORLD THAT YOU’RE #WKUBOUND!
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THE STORY OF THE
“The red towel is one of WKU’s many rich and storied traditions that define the Hilltopper Spirit. Our WKU Family looks forward to sharing that special spirit with you as you join our welcoming community and begin your own climb to greater heights.”
Timothy C. Caboni, WKU President
1971 Current 1980 15
WKU CAMPUS RESOURCES
ACADEMIC ADVISING www.wku.edu/advising academic.advising@wku.edu
(270) 745-5065
ADMISSIONS www.wku.edu/admissions admission@wku.edu
(270) 745-2551
CAMPUS OPERATOR/DIRECTORY www.wku.edu
(270) 745-0111
CAMPUS TOURS www.wku.edu/visitwku tours@wku.edu
(270) 745-2551
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER www.wku.edu/career careerhelp@wku.edu
(270) 745-3095
HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE www.wku.edu/housing hrl@wku.edu
(270) 745-4359
INTERCULTURAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CENTER www.wku.edu/isec isec@wku.edu
(270) 745-5066
MAHURIN HONORS COLLEGE www.wku.edu/honors honors@wku.edu
(270) 745-2081
MEAL PLANS/RESTAURANT GROUP
wku.edu/dining wkurg@wku.edu
(270) 745-2416
OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
www.wku.edu/financialaid fa.help@wku.edu
(270) 745-2755
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
www.wku.edu/transportation transportation@wku.edu
(270) 745-2361
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCE CENTER (SARC)
www.wku.edu/sarc sarc.connect@wku.edu
(270) 745-5004
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
www.wku.edu/sao
sao@wku.edu
(270) 745-2459
TOPPER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
www.wku.edu/top top@wku.edu
(270) 745-4242
TUITION AND BILLINGS
www.wku.edu/bursar
billings.receivables@wku.edu
(270) 745-6381
WKU POLICE
www.wku.edu/police
(270) 745-2677
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Office of Admissions
Potter Hall 117
1906 College Heights Blvd #11020
Bowling Green, KY, 42101 - 1020
Phone: (270) 745-2551
Email: admission@wku.edu
WKU ADMITTED STUDENT HANDBOOK
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to equal opportunity in its educational programs and employment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, veteran status, or marital status. www.wku.edu/eeo WKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) © 2023 Western Kentucky University. Printing paid from state funds, KRS 57.375
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