Admissions

General application information

If you need assistance with the application process

please contact the Admissions Office toll-free at 1-877-877-1593
or e-mail wolfgram@wou.edu

• When to apply
• Application procedures
• Special admissions
• Advanced placement
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Policy

When to apply

WOU utilizes a rolling admission policy, however students are enouraged to apply early to receive priority consideration for scholarships, awards, financial aid and university housing.

High school students can apply for admission after completing their junior year. Students must complete the Undergraduate Application for Admission form available from Western Oregon University Office of Admissions or apply online at www.wou.edu/apply. Grade point average and subject requirements will be verified on receipt of an official high school transcript. A decision regarding admission will be determined once this information and ACT or SAT test results are received by the Office of Admissions.

Application procedures for incoming freshmen

Freshmen are encouraged to apply beginning their senior year to receive priority consideration for scholarships, awards and financial aid. The application procedure for entering freshmen consists of the following steps:

1. Complete and return an application for admission and the required $50 non-refundable application fee or Oregon University System Request for Deferral of Application Fee. Students can apply for admission online at wou.edu/apply.
2. Have an official high school transcript sent to the Office of Admissions documenting all course work completed to date.
3. Students entering as freshmen are required to provide ACT or SAT Reasoning Exam scores, including standardized writing examination scores, to the Admissions Office. ACT and SAT Reasoning Exam scores are used for scholarship consideration and initial course placement, but the scores also may be used to determine admission if the required high school grade point average has not been achieved.
4. Upon graduation, submit a final official transcript documenting all high school course work and date of graduation. Freshmen earning college credit are required to submit an official transcript from each college or university attended.
5. Students with a complete admission file by the stated WOU scholarship deadline will receive priority consideration for university scholarships. The scholarship deadline for freshmen is traditionally February 1. Contact the Office of Admissions or Financial Aid to confirm WOU's scholarship deadline.

WOU is committed to serving all students. Applications for admissions will be reviewed throughout the year. The Admissions Office reserves the right to rescind the admission of any student who fails to meet the conditions of their admission to WOU.

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Special admissions

All Oregon University System institutions conduct more comprehensive reviews of applicants who do not meet the minimum admis-sion requirements. Reviews include additional factors such as standardized test results, rigor of courses taken, review of writing sample or personal essays, non-cognitive factors, and other indicators that predict success in college. Academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to an OUS university. A university may evaluate a persons behavior and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university. An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions.

A limited number of students who do not meet admission requirements, but can demonstrate a level of college preparation that will enable successful transition to college, may be admitted through action of the Comprehensive Admission Review Committee. The director of Admissions has the authority to refer students to the committee.

To be considered by the committee, you must submit the following:

1. A complete admission file.
2. A personal letter stating why you do not meet the admission requirements and what you are doing to address deficiencies. The petition should include information on your career and academic goals and why you want to attend WOU. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address specific support services they would utilize if admitted to WOU.
3. Three letters of recommendation from school personnel who can objectively evaluate your academic preparation. Letters from family members and friends will not be reviewed by the committee. Letters from employers and athletic coaches are discouraged.
4. Review of these materials by the committee does not guarantee admission. With conditional admission, additional courses and academic support activities may be recommended or required. WOU has the right to rescind a students admission if they fail to meet any condition established by the committee.

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Advanced placement

Students who receive qualifying scores in College Board Advanced Placement exams may, upon admission to WOU, be granted credit and/or advanced placement in courses counting toward a bachelor’s degree. The amount of credit allowed will be determined by the program entered and the score received in the exam. A minimum score of a three is required and in some instances a four is the minimum score.

Examinations are arranged through high school counseling offices. Copies of the test scores should be sent to the Office of the Registrar at WOU. Upon WOU’s receipt of the scores and enrollment of the student, the appropriate units will be credited toward the total hours required for graduation.

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Western Oregon University International Baccalaureate (IB) policy

Western Oregon University recognizes and awards IB achievement by awarding credit to students who score 5 or above on higher level IB exams.

• WOU IB credit award table

Students completing the full IB Diploma with a score of 30 or higher receive the following:

1. Guaranteed Admission to WOU. Students are required to submit ACT (including writing) or SAT scores for placement purposes.
2. Provost’s Achievement Scholarship. A renewable four-year award of $2,500 per year will be awarded. Students will also automatically be considered for other WOU scholarships provided they meet application deadlines.  The combination of WOU scholarships and need-based campus-based aid may not exceed the total cost of tuition and fees.
3. Sophomore Standing. Students with a full IB Diploma and a score of 30 or higher will be granted sophomore standing.
4. Honors Program.  The WOU Honors Program will automatically accept students with a full IB Diploma.
5. Priority Housing. Students who submit their housing application by June 25 will receive priority placement in the residence halls.
6. Study Abroad and International Internship Programs. WOU will provide IB Diploma  recipients with customized workshops focused on their international interests and needs and help match them with a WOU study abroad program or international internship. IB Diploma recipients will also receive personalized advising and support in preparing applications for prestigious awards such as the Fulbright Student Program, the Rhodes Scholarship and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. For a list of WOU international study opportunities, visit http://wou.edu/studyabroad or contact Study Abroad and International Exchanges Office at 503-838-8905, email: studyabroad@wou.edu.

Approved fall 2006 for entering class of 2007

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For more information

• Request viewbook and other informational material
• Visit campus
• Maps and directions

Contact

The Office of Admissions toll-free at 1-877-877-1593 | or e-mail: wolfgram@wou.edu
Location: APSC room 408