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Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650-3440
http://www.wwu.edu

  1. Western gives priority admissions consideration to Washington residents transferring directly from a state community college who have completed (1) a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA-AAS) associate degree; (2) an Associate of Science - Transfer degree; or (3) are otherwise unable to progress at the community college.
  2. The Direct Transfer Agreement Associate of Arts and Sciences degree is built around distribution or General University Requirements (GUR). This degree option is recommended for non-science/engineering majors. Students who have fulfilled requirements of the DTA-AAS degree will have met all of Western's General University Requirements and have junior status. The DTA-AAS degree must have a minimum of 90 credits, 75 of which must transfer directly. For a listing of Pierce College's courses accepted on transfer to Western, contact a Pierce College advisor or locate it online at www.ac.wwu.edu/~admit/ccindex.html. Students are strongly encouraged to include major preparation courses within their DTA-MS degree. Major planning guides can be found online at www.acadweb.wwu.edu/advising/advising/html.
  3. The Associate in Science - Transfer degree is built upon major specific program requirements in math and sciences. Students who have fulfilled requirements of the Associate in Science - Transfer degree will enter Western with 90 credits, junior standing, and a solid lower-division math/science preparation for majors in science and/or engineering technology. While the Associate in Science - Transfer degree contains some distribution courses; additional distribution [i.e. General University Requirements - GURs] must be completed at Western prior to graduation. This pattern of study is typical for all science/engineering technology majors.
  4. Students who wish to transfer without the Associate Degree may apply for admission at any time, provided admission requirements are met. It is recommended that those students follow the guidelines listed online at www.ac.wwu.edu/~admit/transfer.html, complete college level math and English prior to applying to transfer.
  5. "D" grades may be used for elective courses and for GURs, with the exception of English 101, which requires a grade of "C-" or better. "D" grades do not apply to the major, minor, or professional education sequences. "P" grades can be used for electives only.
  6. WWU does not encourage students to repeat courses unless the student's major requires a higher grade. When a student repeats a course, both grades are included in the cumulative GPA computed for admission. There is no time limit applied to the transferability of credits (courses do not lose their value). However, major requirements can and do change and students are expected to make timely progress toward graduation.
  7. The student's entering GPA (used to determine admission) is not used at WWU after transfer. The student's GPA at WWU is computed only on those courses completed at WWU.
  8. Freshmen: Running Start students are considered freshmen in the admission process regardless of number of credits earned. Running Start students must submit both high school and college transcripts and either SAT or ACT scores. Minimum requirements include a high school GPA of at least 2.50 and specified high school curriculum for admission consideration (see catalog). Minimums do not assure admissibility.

    Students who apply for admission with fewer than 40 transferable credits are also required to send a high school transcript and test scores. These students need to meet high school as well as college admission selection criteria. lt is strongly recommended that these students complete college level math and English prior to applying to transfer.
  9. Both transfer and Running Start applicants must complete Western's Admission Application form. A $36 application fee must accompany the application. Application (available online) deadline dates are fall - April l~ (freshman - March 1); winter -October 15; spring - January 15; summer - April 1st (freshman - March 1).

    Western typically has more applications than transfer spaces; so while the strongest applicants are admitted on a rolling basis, many applications are held until the admission deadline. Decisions are then made according to the number of enrollment spaces available and the size and qualifications of the applicant pool. Academic achievement, nature of courses, number of transferable credits, grade trends, desired program of study, major preparation, multicultural experience, special talent, and individual circumstances may also be considered.

    Additional application procedures and elevated admission standards are required for students planning to enter the following majors/programs: Art, Biology, Business, Communication, Communications Sciences & Disorders, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, English, Environmental Studies/Sciences, Fairhaven, Music, Psychology, Sociology, and Teacher Education; and for certain other colleges and major programs. Early major program review is advised and lack of major preparation may impact the admission decision.

  10. Tuition and fees are estimated for 2002-2003 at $1240 per quarter for resident students and $3967 per qtr. for non-residents. After students have been notified that they are admissible, WWU asks for a $100 non-refundable confirmation fee. This deposit confirms that the applicant is planning to enroll and will be credited toward tuition. All tuition and fees are due two weeks after registration. (Tuition is subject to Legislative change.)
  11. Applications for financial aid are received throughout the year and aid is available based upon need. For first-round consideration for fall quarter, students should have their FAFSA applications completed and on file by February 15. The FAFSA application is available from any financial aid office or you can apply on-line at www.finaid.wwu.edu/finaid/. The Title IV - FAFSA Code for WWU is #003802. Special scholarships are available for transfer students and Phi Theta Kappa Scholars. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (360) 650-3471 for information and applications. Or, visit the Financial Aid website
  12. Many housing options are available to transfer students both on and off campus. Housing of both types is at a premium and students are encouraged to apply early. Around 3,700 students live on campus in traditional residence halls, coed halls, and apartments. Western has a residence hall open only to upper division students and other halls for students who prefer more quiet surroundings. Students who have double occupancy and are scheduled for three meals a day, seven days a week will be expected to pay $5817 for room and board (subject to minor change). On-campus housing priority is determined by the date the application for admission is received - see www.housing.wwu.edu. Information regarding off campus rentals can be accessed through the local newspaper www.bellinghamherald.com
  13. Three types of academic advisement are available to transfers. First, students may access pre-transfer information through the Admissions Office www.ac.wwu.edu/-admit/ccindex.html. Secondly, new transfers are encouraged to attend Transitions, a summer orientation and advisement session designed for them. Thirdly, advisement on campus is available in each academic department and through Western's Academic Advisement Center
  14. At least 90 quarter credits must be earned at a four-year school, including at least 45 at Western, before a community college transfer student will complete a Baccalaureate degree. Additionally, at least 60 of these credits must be at the upper division (300-400) level. Western also has an upper division writing proficiency course requirement. This is generally a course required for your major and must be completed at WWU.
  15. WWU may accept a maximum of 15 occupational-technical credits if they have been completed as part of an approved OTA - Associate degree. Additional credit (advanced placement) for technical proficiency may also be granted by the Dept. of Engineering Technology, provided the student is a Technology major.
  16. In general, credit for experience and other non-traditional credits are not considered transfer credits, but WWU will allow 15 credits of such to transfer if it comes as part of an approved associate degree. Armed forces courses and experiences are evaluated individually after the student has been admitted and enrolled. As such, they are not transferable credit, but credit granted would be added to the total number of transfer credits a student brings from the community college.

Updated 6/03

Contact information

  • Fort Steilacoom (253) 964-6501
  • Admissions Office, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood WA 98498-1999
  • Puyallup (253) 864-3254
  • Admissions Office, 1601 39th Avenue SE, Puyallup WA 98374-2222