WWU 2014-2015 International Guide

i n t e r n at i o n a l

student guide

2014 - 2015 active

minds

changing

lives

student community everything within reach

total enrollment: 14,950 10 minute walk across campus

95% undergraduates 0.8 miles/1.3 KM to

2,795 new freshmEn downtown bellingham 1,045 new transfer students

academics and beyond 160+ academic programs

52 miles/84 KM to

mount baker ski area

Bellingham, WA

Pop. 80,000

55 miles/89 KM to

vancouver, canada

90 miles/145 KM to seattle, wa

200+ student clubs 6 miles/10 KM of trails and organizations adjacent to campus 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio

average class size: 30

Why Western?

The premier public liberal arts and sciences university in Washington state, Western Washington University combines exceptional academic quality with affordable tuition in a natural setting of spectacular beauty. Ours is a diverse community of scholars with a deep appreciation for the role international students play in enriching our campus culture and expanding our global understanding.

With just under 15,000 students, Western is large enough to offer tremendous choice, yet small enough that you won’t get lost in the crowd.

Western provides the welcoming community, personal faculty relationships and individual attention you might expect from a small liberal arts college along with the lab and field research opportunities and vast resources you would expect from the third largest public university in Washington state.

Top reasons to study at Western

1.

For the past 16 years, U.S. News and World Report has ranked Western #1 among public master’s granting universities in the Pacific Northwest, and among the top two in the western United States.

2.

Learn from award-winning professors: More than 98% of our classes are taught by distinguished faculty, not graduate teaching assistants.

3.

Located 90 miles (145 km) north of Seattle, Washington and 55 miles (89 km) south of Vancouver, Canada, Western is the perfect location for those who want the safety and community of a smaller city along with access to big city life. A beautiful West Coast city of 80,000, Bellingham blends urban offerings – food, shopping, music and art – with a friendly, small-town feel.

4.

Get the most from your money. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Washington Monthly magazines rank Western as a top value in higher education.

5.

Western offers more than 160 degree programs in seven distinct colleges. Choose any program at Western and you’ll find excellence in academic offerings, faculty, student experience, and student outcomes.

6.

We provide both undergraduate and graduate students ample opportunities to engage in world-class research, and conduct more than 10 million dollars in funded research annually. Western is ranked in the top 2% in the nation – 13th among 560 similar master-granting institutions – for the number of students who go on to earn research doctorates, according to The Survey of Earned Doctorates.

7.

With an average class size of approximately 30 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, you will form lifelong connections with other students and your professors.

8.

With easy access to snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, sailing and hiking, our beautiful location near mountains, lakes, and a bay ensures you’ll never lack for things to see and do.

academic excellence, outstanding options

We involve undergraduates in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors across a wide range of disciplines. With more than 160 distinctive academic programs, Western will prepare you for rewarding careers in business, science, engineering, education, environmental science, the arts, and more.

Examples of Majors College of Humanities and Social Sciences: American Cultural Studies, Canadian-American Studies, Communication Studies, English, Psychology College of Business and Economics: Accounting, Business and Sustainability, Finance, International Business, Management, Marketing College of Science and Engineering: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics Woodring College of Education: Elementary Education, Human Services, Registered Nurseto-Bachelor of Science of Nursing program (RN to BSN), Secondary Education, Special Education, TESOL

College of Fine and Performing Arts: Art Studio, Art History, Dance, Design, Music, Theatre Huxley College of the Environment: Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Planning Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies: The Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration is an individuallydesigned major. Innovation, selfdirection, strong advising and student-faculty collaboration distinguish a Fairhaven education.

Degrees Awarded by College: g College of Humanities and Social Sciences g College of Business and Economics g College of Science and Engineering g Woodring College of Education g College of Fine and Performing Arts g Huxley College of the Environment g Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies

committed to international student success

Western believes the international student experience should be both academically rewarding and personally enriching. Our International Student and Scholars Office supports international students on a variety of matters, from advising about immigration status, to assisting with academic, cultural, financial and personal concerns in coordination with faculty and other university resources.

We offer a strong residential experience with 16 residence halls (dorms) and one apartment complex. Many international students choose to live alongside both American and other international students in one of two International Communities on campus.

We offer a credit-bearing academic Bridge Program to support international students’ transition to the academic rigors of Western. Designed specifically for international student success, topics range from academic resources, professor expectations, and student rights and responsibilities, to reading and writing. Western’s high-caliber Intensive English Program (IEP) is also an option for international students who want to study at Western but may need some additional studies in English first: wwu.edu/iep.

For more information about what Western offers both inside and outside the classroom, join our mailing list at admissions.wwu.edu/connect or take a look at the freshman viewbook or transfer guide: admissions.wwu.edu/freshman-viewbook admissions.wwu.edu/transfer-guide Or, better yet, come visit us to find out for yourself why international students from nearly 40 countries choose to call Western home.

Schedule your visit online at admissions.wwu.edu/visit or contact Gisella Casasnovas at gisella.casasnovas@wwu.edu.

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2014-15 International

International

Tuition $ 18,945

Fees* 1,462

Total Personal Expenses** $ 1,833 emergency health insurance $ 855

Books & Supplies** $ 1,098

$

Costs represent annual expenses for full-time students (10-18 credits) * fees include technology, health services, student recreation center, public transportation, etc. ** not a fixed cost; varies depending on student. Housing and meals expenses can be reduced with room type.

On-campus Housing/Meals** $ 10,042

Scholarship information is available online at admissions.wwu.edu/international-scholarships.

Transportation** $ 1,284

35,519

$

Admission Requirements

To apply for admission, submit:

for complete application instructions, visit admissions.wwu.edu/international/international-instructions

• An International Student Application for Admission and $55 fee • Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, or high schools attended • Evidence of English proficiency: “B” or better grades in two English composition courses if earning a transferable associate degree from a Washington State Community College; TOEFL score of 80 iBT/550 paper; or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher • SAT or ACT test scores (required only for freshman and transfer applicants residing in the U.S. or Canada with fewer than 45 quarter [30 semester] credits) • Statement of Financial Responsibility, signed and dated, as well as verification of funds, signed by a bank official

Application Priority Dates International Transfer & Post-baccalaureate Fall & Summer*

March 1

Winter

October 1

Spring

January 15

International Freshman Fall

January 31

Winter

October 1

Spring

January 15

Academic Calendar An academic year at Western consists of three quarters and runs from late September to mid-June. There is an optional summer quarter as well.

Fall Quarter: Late September to mid-December Winter Quarter: Early January to late March Spring Quarter: Early April to mid-June Summer Quarter: Late June to late August Conditional Admission and Intensive English Program requirements vary. Visit admissions.wwu.edu/international for application details. *Due to the intensive academic nature of summer quarter and limited course options, summer quarter entry is strongly discouraged for new international students. Students should contact International Student and Scholar Services to receive advisement prior to applying for summer quarter.

Office of Admissions Phone (360) 650-3440 Email admit@wwu.edu

admissions.wwu.edu/international

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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, 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. See WWU’s Policy on Providing Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity & Employment Diversity, Title IX Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345, MS 9021, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request an accommodation, please contact disAbility Resources for Students, Old Main 120, 360.650.3083 (voice) or 360.650.7175 (VP), drs@wwu.edu. One week advance notice appreciated. To request this document in an alternate format, please contact the Associate Director of Admissions, Office of Admissions, 360.650.3440, admit@wwu.edu.

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