FAQ's for Prospective Students

International application processes and requirements vary based on application types. Note that graduate applicants should also review program-specific admission criteria, deadlines and requirements.

Choose your application type: 

Undergraduate  Graduate  Study English  Exchange & American University Experience   Guest Students  

Deadlines to apply vary based on application type. We cannot guarantee admission in to the desired semester if you apply after the deadline, but we will do our best to process the application.

Choose your application type: 

Undergraduate  Graduate  Study English  Exchange & American University Experience Guest Students  

If your application deadline has passed, you may email @email. We cannot guarantee late-admission to the desired semester but we will do our best to process the application.

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. International students are billed at the non-resident rate corresponding to degree level.  Some courses entail additional fees, which are automatically billed to your student account upon registration.  Most undergraduate students take 12 to 16 and most graduate students take 6 to 9 credit hours per semester. 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. 

Choose your application type to review your requirements for proof of sufficient funds. American University Experience (AUE) and study abroad students should consult their programs for tuition and cost information. 

Undergraduate  Graduate  Study English

While most U.S. federal financial aid is restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international students may apply to other funding sources. There are funding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate  international students, including scholarships and assistantships, depending on type of study. 

International students must demonstrate English proficiency to enter a degree-seeking program at Western Michigan University. The WMU Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) offers an intensive English program for students who do not meet English proficiency requirements. Completion of the advanced level of CELCIS satisfies English proficiency requirements; no additional test scores are necessary to begin study in an academic program at WMU. Visit English Proficiency for more information on demonstrating English proficiency and acceptable tests and scores. 

Test scores received via e-mail or as a photocopy are not considered official. Official test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to WMU. 

SAT and ACT scores are not required of international applicants for admission consideration. SAT and ACT scores can be useful for placement in mathematics courses and an automatic invitation to join the WMU Lee Honors College. Students should request that official scores be provided to Western Michigan University using the following institutional codes: 2066 for ACT and 1902 for SAT.

Degree certificates, final and/or official transcripts are not generally required as a pre-condition of admission to WMU, and admission decisions will be processed prior to receipt of these documents. However, admitted and enrolled students are required to send official transcripts and proof of degree.  They should be submitted to our office as they become available or upon your arrival at WMU. Please note that official transcripts are original transcripts delivered directly from the institution via email to oiss-info@wmich.edu or in a sealed envelope.

Western Michigan University undergraduate students who have completed university-level academic credit at another institution may be able to apply some of those credits towards a WMU degree. 

Please refer any inquiries about graduate-level transfer credit to the academic department.

Transfer Undergraduate Credits to WMU  

Supplemental materials that were not attached to the application may be submitted by email, fax or postal mail. Note that official test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to WMU; the institutional code to report TOEFL or GRE scores is 1902. 

1. By email* to oiss-info@wmich.edu
2. By fax to (269) 387-5899
3. By postal mail to
   Western Michigan University
   International Student and Scholar Services
   1903 W. Michigan Ave.
   Kalamazoo, MI, 49008-5246

*For security purposes, credit card information received via e-mail will be destroyed upon receipt. Payments may be submitted via fax or postal mail only. Test scores sent via e-mail will not be considered official.

All documents must be translated into English and accompanied by a copy of the non-translated originals.