Thank you for your interest in applying to an undergraduate program at Western Michigan University! Learn more about applying to undergraduate programs:
- List of undergraduate programs
- Application requirements
- Costs and scholarships
- Deadlines to apply
- English language proficiency
- Transfer to WMU
- Study as a guest student
Application requirements
Western Michigan University asks all students to complete an online application. International applicants will need the following to successfully complete this application:
- Copy of passport identification page
- Proof of English language proficiency*
- Transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary schools attended or are attending, including diplomas, examination results, mark sheets and certificates.* Unofficial transcripts and other academic documents are acceptable for admission decision-making. Uploaded documents will show as received only AFTER an admissions counselor has completed the evaluation.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (I3S) will accept credential evaluation reports from certain credential evaluation services to make admission decision at Western Michigan University for undergraduate and graduate international admissions. Although it is not required, we strongly encourage submission of evaluation reports to expedite application processing and decision-making. Admitted and enrolled students are required to send your official high school or university transcripts and proof of degree before the beginning of the second semester of your studies.
Following are the evaluation agencies that you may use to get your transcripts evaluated:
World Education Services: www.wes.orgEducational Credential Evaluators: www.ece.orgAcademic Evaluation Services: www.academicevaluations.orgGlobal Credential Evaluators: www.gceus.comSpantran: The Evaluation Company: www.spantran.com - $100 non-refundable application fee
- Proof of sufficient funds for the first academic year of study at WMU according to estimated cost of attendance. Proof of sufficient funds is a bank statement in your own name for cost of attendance. If the bank statement is not in your own name, then additionally provide a letter signed by your financial sponsor indicating that they will pay your cost of attendance.
*Official documents are those sent directly to International & Student Scholar Services (I3S) from the issuing institution or testing agency. Hand-carried transcripts will be accepted if in a sealed envelope from the institution. Documents sent by the student cannot be accepted as official.
If any documents are not issued in English, also provide an official English translation of each document.
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Costs and Scholarships
Cost of Attendance
The tuition rates for Western Michigan University are set by the Board of Trustees each July for the following academic year. Current tuition and fee rates are available through the WMU Registrar's Office. Note that aviation flight science should expect additional flight fees.
For immigration purposes, international students must provide proof of sufficient funds for the first academic year of study at WMU based on an estimated calculation of the total cost of attendance which includes tuition, fees and living expenses.
An additional $4000 per year will be required if the student plans to bring a dependent. The student must also be prepared to meet increasing costs due to inflation and other fluctuating economic conditions on a continuing basis.
Information on Exchange Visitor Program Eligibility
Effective Spring 2020 enrollment semester, initial application requests for Forms DS-2019 for J-1 academic student category may be issued based on the following eligibility criteria, provided all other requirements for international admission are met:
- Program is carried out pursuant to a written agreement between WMU and a foreign academic institution or foreign government;
- Program or student is financed by the US government, student's home country government or qualifying international organization pursuant to federal regulations; or
- Student is supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds, which must be at least 50 percent of funding for the entire program at the time of application.
For current enrolled WMU J-1 students who are matriculating between levels:
WMU J-1 students matriculating between levels may be eligible for a Form DS-2019 to continue studies with proof of WMU full assistantship/associateship for at least one year of funding with possibility of renewal, provided all other eligibility requirements are met. The Form DS-2019 will be noted accordingly. Additional proof of funding required for dependents.
Scholarships
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education and can be awarded upon various criteria that might include academic merit and demonstration of financial need. The Western Michigan University Haenicke Institute for Global Education offers a merit-based award to international students who meet the selection criteria. Some scholarships are also offered through Western Michigan University academic departments and have various application times and deadlines.
Proof of Sufficient Funds
For immigration purposes, international students must provide proof of sufficient funds for the first academic year of study at WMU according to the following estimated costs of attendance which includes estimates on tuition, fees and living expenses for the fall and spring semesters. Note that the College of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts and the Haworth College of Business have differential tuition rates.
| Regular Admission | College of Engineering and Applied Sciences | College of Fine Arts | Haworth College of Business | ||
| Dual Enrollment Pathway Program (ESL (CELCIS) + university coursework) | Tuition and fees | $20,344 | $20,977 | $25,025 | $22,739 |
| Living expenses* | $14,776 | $14,776 | $14,776 | $14,776 | |
| Total (one academic year) | $35,120 | $35,743 | $39,791 | $37,505 | |
| Undergraduate Lower-level Up to 55 credits | Tuition and fees | $18,912 | $19,216 | $23,784 | $18,912 |
| Living expenses* | $14,776 | $14,776 | $14,776 | $14,776 | |
| Total (one academic year) | $33,688 | $33,992 | $38,560 | $33,688 | |
| Undergraduate Upper-level 56 or more credits | Tuition and fees | $20,595 | $20,900 | $25,613 | $20,632 |
| Living expenses* | $14,776 | $14,776 | $14,776 | $14,776 | |
| Total (one academic year) | $35,371 | $35,676 | $40,389 | $35,408 |
*Living expenses account for room and board, books and supplies and medical insurance.
The figures above are calculated estimates for immigration purposes only. For an individual estimate of expected cost of attendance, visit the WMU Registrar's Office.
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Deadlines to apply
For students needing visas, it is recommended to apply early. The U.S. government will allow for prospective students to apply for their F visas up to 365 days in advance. Please note, students will still only be allowed to enter the United States within 30 days of their program's start date. View consular processing times here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
Application deadlines vary by semester and term dates.
| Semester | Deadline | Term Begins |
| Fall | June 15 | Early September |
| Spring | October 15 | Early January |
| Summer | March 15 | Early May |
The WMU application system will not accept late submissions. If your application deadline has passed, you may email oiss-info@wmich.edu. We cannot guarantee late-admission to the desired semester but we will do our best to process the application.
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Transfer to WMU
Credit Equivalencies
Western Michigan University students who have completed university-level academic credit at another institution may be able to apply some of those credits toward a WMU degree.
Credit equivalencies for select partner institutions are available.
Guidelines for Transfer Credits
The following are WMU's basic guidelines regarding transfer of credits.
- Credit evaluations will not be processed until a student has been admitted to WMU.
- Transfer credits will only be considered for institutions reported on your admission application.
- Credit evaluations are only conducted for undergraduate students; graduate-level students must meet with applicable academic advisors to request transfer credits.
- The International Admissions and Services office must receive an official transcript (original transcript) before a credit evaluation can be requested. Note: Photocopies of official transcripts, faxed copies of official transcripts or scanned copies of official transcripts are not considered official.
- Official transcripts received from an institution outside of the United States must include an English translation.
- If the attended institution from which a student wishes to have credits transferred is outside the U.S., the international institution must be recognized by the country's Ministry of Higher Education or equivalent government agency.
- Normal processing time for a credit evaluation is at least 10 business days.
- For the evaluation of some transfer courses, it may be necessary for students to provide detailed course descriptions and syllabus.
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Study as a Guest Student
Undergraduates who are currently attending other colleges or universities may apply for "guest" student status at Western Michigan University. WMU offers a variety of courses to help guest students complete degree programs at their primary institutions.
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