features
International
for students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are coming from abroadApplication Instructions
on this page:
Submitting Your Application
To submit an International Student Undergraduate Application:
- Apply online or print an application from the web and mail to the Office of Admissions at the address below.
- Send all supporting documents (official transcripts, TOEFL scores, evidence of financial responsibility, application fee, and SATI or ACT test scores [if required]) to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline for the quarter for which you are applying.
To avoid delays, mail all of your application materials and supporting documents to:
Office of Admissions
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-9009
USA
Complete Application File
The following items are required from each international applicant and must be received in the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline before applicants will be considered for admission.
A complete application file consists of:
- Application
- Non-refundable application fee of $50
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency
- Evidence of Financial Responsibility
- Official Academic Credentials
All documents submitted with the application become the property of the Office of Admissions and will not be released to the student. Notarized copies of international transcripts are acceptable for the admissions decision; however, if admitted, the student must present the original upon request.
Confirmation
You should receive a confirmation email within 2 weeks after Western receives your application. If you don't receive confirmation, please contact the Office of Admissions.
Application Fee
A non-refundable $50 application fee is required with your application. When you apply online, you will be asked to submit a credit card, debit card, or electronic check to complete the application. If you use a paper application, your application fee must be in U.S. currency, and checks or money orders should be made payable to “Western Washington University”. Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) are accepted through the online application, or if accompanied by the Application Fee Payment by Credit Card Form (page 9 of the application PDF).
Official Academic Credentials
Official academic credentials must be sent from their institution of origin or the Ministry of Education directly to Western Washington University, Office of Admissions. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR OWN TRANSCRIPTS. THEY CANNOT BE ACCEPTED, EVEN IN A SEALED ENVELOPE. If we are unable to interpret your academic credentials, we will notify you that it is necessary for you to provide a course-by-course evaluation of college credit. This is generally done by the Foundation for International Services.
Transfer applicants must submit official credentials from postsecondary institutions attended with certified English translations when necessary.
Freshman applicants and transfer applicants who have earned fewer than 45 quarter credits (30 semester credits) must also submit:
- Official secondary school credentials certified English translations when necessary; and
- Official SAT I or ACT test scores
SAT I and ACT test scores are official if they are:
- Sent directly from the testing agency to the WWU; or
- Sent directly from the high school (handwritten scores are not acceptable)
Test scores sent directly from the testing agency will enable the Office of Admissions to process your application more quickly.
English Language Proficiency
English proficiency is generally demonstrated by a minimum score on the TOEFL of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based). Transfer students whose TOEFL scores are below the minimum requirements may be admitted with an Academic English Program (AEP) provision if they have previously studied in the United States, earned a grade of B (3.0) or better in English 101 and English 102, and demonstrate strong academic potential. Students who are unable to take the TOEFL may also be considered for admission with an AEP provision; however applications that include TOEFL results will be given the strongest consideration. Prior to course registration, AEP students meet with an AEP advisor to determine the extent of college-level English courses to be required during their first quarter at Western.
If taken, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service and must be postmarked by published application deadlines. Photocopies of TOEFL score reports cannot be accepted. Western's institution code is 4947.
Students may also be considered for Conditional Admission, a program that allows students to be fully admitted to the university upon successfully completing at least one quarter of the Intensive English Program.
Statement of Financial Responsibility
Proof of sufficient funds is required for the visa application process to gain entrance into the United States.
- International students must complete the Statement of Financial Responsibility (Section 5) on the application for admission.
- Students must also submit an official bank statement and letter of support from a parent or sponsor certifying that sufficient financial resources in U.S. funds will be available to meet the applicant's educational expenses for one year and that there is reasonable expectation that you will have funds for the complete course of study.