— WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY —
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE
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 16,121 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
BELLINGHAM, WA
POP. 89,000 #1 public, master’sgranting university in the Pacific Northwest for 20 years in a row – U.S. News & World Report
With 250+ student clubs and organizations, it’s easy to meet friends and get to know campus and Bellingham
Classes average 27 students — that means you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and classmates
More than 99% of classes are taught by distinguished faculty, not graduate teaching assistants
On Campus Housing — develop meaningful relationships in our safe and supportive community; you can choose to live in one of 16 residence halls (dorms) — or you can choose to live off campus, in our apartment complex 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, K2 Sports, and many more
VANCOUVER, CANADA 55 MI / 89 KM
SEATTLE, WA 90 MI / 145 KM SALT LAKE CITY, UT LAS VEGAS, NV LOS ANGELES, CA
CHICAGO, IL
BOSTON, MA NEW YORK, NY
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
EXPAND. 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/Anthropology, BS Biology/Mathematics, BS
3
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology Emphasis, BS General Emphasis, BS Marine Emphasis, BS Molecular & Cellular 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 Community Health, BS Computer Science, 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 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
History, BA* History/Social Studies, BA Human Services, BA Humanities History 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 Health & Fitness Specialization, BS Sport Psychology Specialization, BS
L
Language, Literacy & Cultural Studies, BAE Latin American Studies, BA Linguistics, BA
M
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
Special Education, BAE Statistics, BS
P
W
Philosophy, BA Physical Education & Health P-12, BAE Physics, BS * Political Science, BA Political Science/Social Studies, BA Politics/Philosophy/ Economics, BA Psychology, 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*
T
Theatre, BA*
U
Urban Planning & Sustainable Development, BA
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 * Related Bachelor of Arts, Education (BAE) degree or teaching endorsement available This list of academic programs is subject to change without advanced notice.
ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
PRE-PROFESSIONAL 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 & Innovation Environmental Justice Film Studies Holocaust and Genocide Studies 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 diversity.
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
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TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS. 2019-2020 ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE NonResident Tuition
$23,463 +
Student Fees*
Housing & Meals**
Books and Supplies**
Personal Expenses**
Getting Around**
$2,083
$12,519
$996
$2,445
$1,338
Emergency Health Insurance
$1,158
NonResident Total
= $44,002
Costs represent annual expenses for full-time students (10-18 credits) * Fees include enrollment confirmation, 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 will be automatically considered for available scholarships, including the International Achievement Award, an annual award of $4,000 to $10,000 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
APPLY. 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
“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
• Recommended IELTS score of 6.5 • Duolingo English Test recommended score of 105 • “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
• Declaration 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.
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.
VISIT.
CONNECT.
We invite you to visit our beautiful campus in Bellingham, Washington.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: admissions.wwu.edu/connect
SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT AT: admissions.wwu.edu/visit 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 the Disability Access Center, Wilson Library 170, 360.650.3083 (voice) or 360.255.7175 (VP), disability.wwu.edu. One week advance notice is appreciated. (10/07/20 version)
Ready to learn more? Contact our International Admissions Counselor at international.admissions@wwu.edu or +1 (360) 650-4764. OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS Old Main 200, MS 9009 516 High Street Bellingham, WA 98225 ourwestern
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