Admissions
Jamiere Abney, Director
wou.edu/admission/
503-838-8211 (TTY)
Toll free: 877-877-1593, ext. 1
To attend classes at WOU, students must apply for and receive formal admission. WOU’s admission process reflects the institution’s strong commitment to providing an excellent student-centered education.
To be eligible for admission and to be admitted to freshman standing, students need to fulfill each of the following requirements:
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Graduate from an accredited high school.
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Have at least a 3.00 cumulative high school grade-point average.
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Applicants with a cumulative grade-point average below 3.00 are also required to provide a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher who can objectively evaluate their academic preparation and future success at WOU. Applicants have the option to provide a personal statement addressing their academic deficiencies and the specific steps they are pursuing to meet WOU’s admission requirements in lieu of a letter of recommendation.
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Submission of ACT or SAT scores is optional for freshman applicants. Freshman applicants who do not meet the 3.00 grade-point average are encouraged, but not required, to submit ACT or SAT scores.
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Satisfactorily complete, with a grade of C- or better, 15 subject requirements: (four in English, three in math culminating in algebra II or higher, three in science, three in social science and two in second language (two years of the same second language required).
Alternatives to 15 subject units:
a. Score an average of 470 or above on the SAT Subject Test in two sections (Math level I or IIC and another test of the student’s choice*). The combined score must be 940 or above for the SAT Subject Test.
* Applicants taking the SAT Subject Test to meet the second language requirement are required to receive a score of 530 or above in the foreign language section.
b. Make up high school course deficiencies by taking high school or college course(s) for specific subject requirements and achieve a grade of C- or better.
c. Students who do not meet the second language requirement should refer to the second language requirement section.
Note: If you do not meet these traditional admission requirements or alternatives, please see the comprehensive admission review section or contact Admissions for a review of your eligibility.
Freshmen are encouraged to apply beginning their senior year of high school to receive priority consideration for WOU scholarships. The application procedure for entering freshmen (students with no preparation beyond high school) consists of the following steps:
- Complete and return an application for admission and the required $60 non-refundable application fee, WOU Request for Deferral of Application Fee Form, College Board Application Fee Waiver or NACAC Request for Application Fee Waiver. Students can apply for admission online at wou.edu/admission/.
- Have an official high school transcript sent to Admissions documenting all coursework completed to date.
- Applicants with a cumulative grade-point average below 3.00 are required to provide a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher who can objectively evaluate their academic preparation and future success at WOU. Applicants have the option to provide a personal statement addressing their academic deficiencies and the specific steps they are pursuing to meet WOU’s admission requirements in lieu of a letter of recommendation.
- Submission of ACT or SAT scores is optional for freshman applicants. Freshman applicants who do not meet the 3.00 grade-point average are encouraged, but not required, to submit ACT or SAT scores.
- Upon graduation, submit a final official transcript documenting all high school coursework and date of graduation. Freshmen earning college credit are required to submit an official transcript from each college or university attended to the Office of the Registrar.
First-year students who attend WOU within one year of their high school graduation are required to live on campus (see University Housing policy). Admissions reserves the right to rescind the admission of any student who fails to meet the conditions of his or her admission to WOU.
WOU conducts comprehensive reviews of applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements. Reviews include additional factors such as standardized test scores, rigor of courses taken, a personal statement, letters of recommendation from educators, noncognitive factors and other indicators that predict success in college. Academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to WOU.
WOU may evaluate a person’s 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. For information, go to wou.edu/admission/.
For information, go online to wou.edu/admission/.
Students completing the full IB Diploma with a score of 30 or higher receive the following:
- Guaranteed admission to WOU.
- Sophomore standing. Students with a full IB Diploma and a score of 30 or higher will be granted sophomore standing.
- Honors Program. The WOU Honors Program will automatically accept students with a full IB Diploma.
WOU requires two years of the same high school-level second language with a grade of C- or above or acceptable performance on proficiency-assessment options. The second language requirement applies to students graduating from high school or earning their GED in 1997 and thereafter.
For information, visit our website at wou.edu/admission/.
High school students can apply for admission after completion of their junior year. Applications will be accepted through the end of the first week of classes. Students who wish to apply for financial aid, scholarships or university housing are advised to consult Admissions regarding deadlines.
International Student Admissions
International Education and Development
wou.edu/international/
503-838-8425
WOU offers full admission and conditional admission to eligible international students. International students must complete all of the following in order to be considered for admission.
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Complete and return the application form along with the application fee of U.S. $50. The application is available online at wou.edu/international/. You may submit this electronic application and then mail original documents to the International Education and Development office to complete your application file. You are advised to send the non-refundable fee in the form of an international money order or check in U.S. dollars. Prospective applicants may request an application form at wou.edu/international/.
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Submit official transcripts or exit exam results of previous school work including secondary and middle schools, other colleges and universities and professional schools. Original documents are preferred, but certified copies are acceptable. Certified copies of exact English translations of these records are required.
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Provide proof of proficiency in the English language unless native language is English. Prospective students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 500 (paper-based), 61 (Internet-based); or an IELTS score of 5.0 for undergraduate admission. Graduate admission requires a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 79 (Internet-based); or an IELTS score of 6.0. Students who are citizens of or who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university in the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: Australia, the British Caribbean and British West Indies (Bahamas, Jamaica, etc.), Canada (except Quebec), Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States.
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Submit personal or parents’ bank statement showing a balance of at least $33,000. Also complete a Financial Affidavit Form. The current tuition at Western Oregon University is approximately $17,200 per academic year. The tuition amount is subject to change at the beginning of each academic year.
Transfer Students
- Students with 36 or more transferable, college-level quarter hour credits (24 semester hours) must have a cumulative 2.25 grade point average or higher in all college-level work attempted and be in good academic standing, disciplinary/student conduct and financial standing at all prior institutions attended.
- Students with fewer than 36 transferable, college-level quarter hours are required to provide an official high school transcript or GED scores and must meet freshman admission requirements.
- Transfer applicants who obtain an Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) or an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree (AAOT) from an Oregon community college are admissible with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00.
A transfer student who does not meet the regular admission requirements may be considered for admission by the Comprehensive Admission Review Committee. Refer to section on comprehensive admission review or contact Admissions.
- Complete and return an application for admissions and the required $60 non-refundable application fee or WOU Request for Deferral of Application Fee form.
- Have an official, complete transcript sent from each college or university attended. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar from the issuing institution. Unofficial or student copies are not acceptable for the awarding of transfer credit. Omitting an institutional record from your application may result in disciplinary action. The director of admissions reserves the right to rescind the admission of any student who falsifies information on their application for admission.
Admissions reserves the right to rescind the admission of any student who fails to meet the conditions of his or her admission to WOU.
Greg Davis
Dual Enrollment Partnerships at Designated Community Colleges
Western Oregon University offers the Degree Partnership Program (dual admission and enrollment) at the following Oregon Community Colleges:
The DPP program is designed to allow qualified students access to Western Oregon University and their selected community college. As a DPP participant, students can attend classes at either institution, utilize financial aid to pay tuition incurred at both institutions, and have the option of using campus facilities and services. There is also flexibility in scheduling with access to more classes and one application process to attend both institutions. Learn more at wou.edu/partnerships/.The state of Oregon has a number of transfer agreements in place to facilitate a smooth transition from Oregon community colleges to four-year public universities.
WOU has approved major-specific articulation agreements with Oregon community colleges. In addition, WOU has Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAGs) with many California community colleges. WOU also has a TAG agreement with Chemeketa Community College.
Students with qualifying transfer courses will be awarded credit at WOU in accordance with Undergraduate Academic Regulation U-13 . Credit for the following standardized exams are awarded as follows:
Students from designated states who have earned specific transfer degree will be considered as having met WOU’s General Education requirements.
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