Timeline

How to Make Applying to WOU Simple

You can apply to WOU in just a few minutes, or you can take longer if you want. Although the form is long (we admit it!), it is full of helpful information and you can stop and start as much as you like. You’ll have to start an account first, but that part is easy. It will also help you get back to an application if you start but don’t finish the first time. If you prefer a paper application, you can download one, fill it out and send it in the regular mail to Admissions.

WOU accepts application throughout the year, so there is no set deadline. However, it can be very helpful if you apply before Feb. 1 of your senior year in high school because then you can get admitted and still have time to apply for WOU scholarships (free money!) before March 1 of your senior year. Admissions tries to give you an answer about your application within two weeks, but remember, you can get a faster answer at Preview Days or Instant Wolf Fridays. You’ll get an answer letter in the mail
after Admissions has reviewed your application.

Definitions of Admissions Terms

Letter of recommendation: This is a letter to universities from a high school teacher or guidance counselor. In the letter, the writer will talk about you and why he or she believes you will be a good college student. The writer might talk about how hard you work in class, your attendance, how you work with others and many other topics. Many high schools have a form for students to fill out when they want a teacher or counselor to write this kind of letter. Ask your counselor what he or she prefers.

ACT/SAT: Two tests that students can take when they are high school students. Some students take both, and some take just one. If you are a student who has a GPA of 3.0 or better, you can apply to WOU without those test scores. However, most university across the nation do require at least one of these scores.

GPA: It stands for grade-point average. Basically, this number is a gauge of how good your grades were in high school. A 3.0 is a B average. If you have a high school GPA of 3.0 or better, you can apply to WOU without ACT or SAT scores. If your GPA is lower than 3.0, there are some additional things you need to provide in order to apply to go to WOU. (Click the Admissions tab on the left). Students can find their GPAs on their high school transcripts or their latest report card.

Registrar: All issues that have to do with classes, transcripts, GPAs, graduation and other academic-based records happen in this office. There is an actual person who is the registrar, but a customer service representative for that department also can answer your questions.

Transcript: This is a list of all your grades from four years of high school. Your high school guidance counselor can get you official copies of your transcript. They will be in a sealed envelope. DON’T open it! College admissions offices won’t accept a transcript envelope that isn’t sealed. Some high schools prefer to send official transcripts directly to the college a student is applying to; check to see what your counselor prefers.

Tuition Equity: A law that allows students who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States and who meet some other requirements to be exempt from non-resident tuition and fees.

How to Apply if You Are a Freshman (first-year student)

Following this timeline will help you stay on track when applying to WOU.

  1. Ask your high school counselor to send an official transcript to WOU Admissions. It’s OK that it probably only has your grades through your junior year in high school. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to WOU using an electronic system (such as Parchment) or by mailing to Admissions, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth, OR 97361.
  2. If your GPA is below 3.0, have a teacher or counselor send a letter of recommendation via email to wolfgram@wou.edu or in the regular mail to Admissions, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth, OR 97361.
  3. If your GPA is below 3.0, you’ll need to send SAT or ACT scores to WOU. Usually, these come right from the companies that administer the tests. You should have received information when you took the tests about how to get the scores sent to universities.
  4. If you want to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship (for people with high GPAs and test scores), the Honors Program or Athletics, you’ll need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
  5. After you graduate high school, you must turn in a final official transcript that includes your graduation date.
  6. If you’ve earned any college credits before starting at WOU, you’ll need to submit a transcript from each college or university, even if you didn’t go to classes there. For example, if you took classes in high school that earned you college credit through a community college, you’ll need a transcript from that community college. Contact the college’s Registrar to get a copy of your transcripts sent to WOU. If you participated in Willamette Promise, WOU will already have  record of the college credits you earned.

We hope this Admissions timeline is helpful for you. Next, we’re going to look at ways to pay for college. Click on the Paying for College tab to learn about financial aid.

Paying for College