Admissions

Students playing a board game, in a common space in the Valley's

First-year admitted students

Are you ready to pursue your purpose at Western? We can’t wait for you to embark on an exciting future with us.
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Office of Admissions
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5211 USA
(269) 387-2000

Welcome, new Broncos! Here are your next steps.

Congratulations on being admitted to Western Michigan University, first-year students! We’re thrilled to welcome you as a Bronco! We’ve outlined your next steps as you prepare for enrollment at WMU.

We encourage you to register for Future Bronco Days and learn more about becoming a part of the WMU community. These events specifically designed for incoming first-year students allow you to review how to complete your next steps, engage with WMU representatives and get your questions answered.

You should receive an invitation to these events in the new year. For more information, see the Future Bronco Days page.

 

Step 1: Confirm your admission

Let us know that you plan to attend WMU by confirming your admission and submitting your $100 Enrollment Deposit, or request a deposit waiver. This fee confirms your enrollment and is applied to your fall semester tuition. Visit our Enrollment Deposit instruction website for more information. The enrollment deposit, or an approved waiver, must be submitted prior to registering for orientation.

Note that the enrollment deposit is automatically waived for Pell Grant-eligible students (studentaid.gov) when you confirm your admission in the Gold Gateway.

Confirm admission now
View confirmation instructions

Step 2: Create your Bronco NetID password

  • Admitted students receive a Bronco NetID and password creation instructions via email from the Office of Information Technology. Check your spam folder in case you haven’t received the email within three days of your application decision. Your Bronco NetID is different from your Western Identification Number (WIN). Visit the Change Password page to set your Bronco NetID password. If you do not have your Bronco NetID, please contact the Technology Help Desk at (269) 387-HELP or email helpdesk@wmich.edu.
  • Be sure to check your WMU email regularly, as important University business such as your financial aid offer details will be sent there.

 

Step 3: Activate your two-factor authentication

After you set your Bronco NetID password, all logins will require you to use two-factor authentication (2FA) as part of the WMU login process. Have your phone and Bronco NetID password ready. Learn more at wmich.edu/it/2FA.

Step 4: Complete your FAFSA and apply for scholarships

In addition to submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we encourage you to apply for both institutional and external scholarships. See more information below on next steps and get access to our financial aid checklist and other resources.

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed by May 1. If you have already submitted your FAFSA, it may not be reflected on your Gold Gateway checklist until February.
  • Incoming first-year students are encouraged to review and apply additional scholarships using ScholarshipUniverse, WMU's scholarship-matching tool, which students can log into using their Bronco NetID and password.
  • ScholarshipUniverse houses both institutional and external scholarships.
  • Your part in the financial aid process doesn't end when you receive your financial aid offer letter. Depending on your situation, you may have to complete additional steps. Our financial aid next steps will help you finish the process. To find out what requirements you need to complete, check your WMU email. You can check the status of your financial aid anytime.
  • Tenemos varios recursos en Español para asistirse en el proceso de explorar Financial Aid y FAFSA.

Step 5: Register for orientation

After confirming your admission, you should sign up for orientation. Please note: All incoming domestic undergraduate students starting summer I, summer II or fall are required to participate in orientation.

Once you have completed the admission confirmation process (Step 1 above), it’s time to register for New Student Orientation. The delivery of orientation information will come to you in a number of ways, but your first steps are:

  • Log into the New Student Hub using your Bronco NetID and password to register for the in-person orientation date of your choice.
  • Also in the New Student Hub, complete your pre-advising information, including the pre-advising survey, ALEKS math placement (especially important for engineering, aviation and science students) and Foundations in Writing.

At orientation, you will meet with an advisor who will assist you in registering for classes. Your academic advisor will use the information you provide in the survey to assist you with your course registration.

Log into New Student Hub
Explore New Student Orientation

Step 6: Submit the housing contract

Students and families moving hampers and a TV into a residence hall room.

Living on campus is a great way to meet people and enhance your college experience. On-campus housing registration begins in early February for students enrolling in the fall semester. Students with a completed housing contract for fall choose their own room in the summer. Registration begins in October for spring students and in March for summer students.

View video on room selection

Step 7: Submit official test scores

If you decide to enroll at WMU and choose to submit self-reported scores, you must provide official test scores prior to New Student Orientation. See testing policy for details and review the ways to submit your scores.

Learn how to send test scores

Step 8: Submit final transcripts and advanced credit

Transcripts should be sent from your high school to the WMU Office of Admissions. If you have official college transcripts or AP/IB test scores, please send those as well. Transcripts and advanced credits must be received 10 days before the beginning of the fall semester to avoid delays in financial aid disbursement and course registration.

Learn how to send transcripts

Engage with us on social media

Join WMU, as well as other admitted students on social media, and share your excitement about becoming a Bronco using #FutureBronco! View links to our channels.

 

Admission cancellation

If you wish to cancel your admission, please complete the cancellation form. The $100 enrollment deposit will be refunded if the cancellation is received prior to the following dates:

  • Fall - June 1 (extended for fall 2024 only) 
  • Spring - Dec. 1
  • Summer I - April 1
  • Summer II - June 1