New Students

WWU graduate students around a table in Stefania Heim's workshop

Congratulations and Welcome to Western!

Once you've confirmed your admission to a graduate program, you'll need to complete each item on the following Checklist for New Students as soon as possible.

 

Visit Your Department Office

Meet the graduate coordinator, your adviser, and other faculty members. Complete employment documents if you are a TA. Ask about student organizations and other ways to be involved in your discipline. Most departments also offer orientation activities to help you acclimate to the department and campus.

Submit Final Transcripts

Official transcripts are required of candidates upon acceptance of an offer of admission. Submit requested final transcript(s), printed within the last two years, to the Graduate School. You will not be able to register until the Graduate School receives all required transcripts.

Please note that your official degree transcript, which indicates the degree awarded (ex: B.A., B.S., M.Ed.), must be on file. Recent graduates should request transcripts to be sent after the degree status is updated by their academic institution.

Orientation

Learn about new student basics like setting up your accounts, registration, parking and housing in Bellingham, student services, and more. Bring your questions! Watch your email for an invitation.

The Graduate School offers an opportunity for new graduate students to gather at the beginning of fall quarter. Orientation is primarily student-led and focuses on support, community, and wellbeing as graduate students. New grads can expect to hear from a panel of second-year students, meet the Research & Writing Studio and peer advisor TAs, learn about getting involved with GSAC, meet students in other programs; and get basic info and resources for their time in graduate school. Check the Orientations and Trainings page for time and place of upcoming orientations.

Measles Immunity Documentation

Measles clearance must be obtained before you are allowed to register. Send proof of measles immunity to the Student Health Center.

Claim Your WWU Universal Account & Set Your Password

All students receive an Universal Account. This account will provide you with access to:

  • Your @wwu.edu email

  • Web4U portal (registration, student account, financial aid, housing)

  • Office 365 apps

  • 1 TB of cloud storage with OneDrive

  • Microsoft Teams collaboration software

  • University computers and the campus wireless network

  • Canvas learning management system

Claim your Universal Account at Set Your New Universal Account Password.

Please note: Once you are enrolled as a Western student, all official university correspondence will be delivered to your WWU email.

Register Online

In order to register for the first time, you will need to have activated your Universal Account and provided Measles Immunity documentation to the Student Health Center.

Once you have done that, you can log in to Web4U using your universal account credentials, and access the registration menu.

In order to register for classes, you will need to have the Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) of the sections you want to add to your schedule. If you need to find CRNs, ClassFinder is a convenient way to look them up.

Graduate Students are generally eligible to register during any phase of registration. The one exception to this is Fall Quarter. Phase I of Fall Quarter registration occurs in the Spring and is only available to continuing students. Fall Quarter registration for new graduate students begins with Phase II (generally late August) and continues through the first week of classes (end of Phase III). See Important Dates and Deadlines on the Registrar's Office website for begin and end dates of registration phases.

Please note: If you were an undergraduate student at WWU in the spring and will begin a graduate program in the fall, you are a new graduate student, not a continuing graduate student.

Verify Your Mailing & Email Addresses

You can view and update address information through Web4U. If you update your address online, it is not necessary to contact individual university offices to make changes.

Get Your Western Photo ID Card

Your WWU photo ID will be issued by the Western Card Office located in Old Main 110. You must bring identification. Prerequisite: You must be registered.

Pay Your Tuition & Fees

Check online for tuition and fees deadlines. You will not receive a statement in the mail. You should check your account online and ensure that you pay on time to avoid late fees and registration holds. Students with tuition waivers must pay the portion of tuition/fees that they are responsible for by the deadline.

Explore Transportation & Campus Parking Options

The WTA bus system is an easy and effective way to get to and from campus, or you can explore student parking permit options. It's important to keep in mind that graduate students have the same credit waitlist ranking as undergraduate seniors when it comes to parking permits. 

If You Require Services Related to a Disability

Contact the Disability Access Center before you arrive on campus. For access services, information and referrals, email drs@wwu.edu, call 360-650-3083, or visit the DAC offices.

Seek Out New Student Activities & Information

There are many organizations (religious, social, political) which may be of interest to graduate students. Please contact the Associated Students office for more information.

I-20 Validation for International Students

After you have registered, you must obtain I-20 validation from the Designated School Official at Western. Contact International Student & Scholar Services for a brief appointment at +1 360-650-7971 or email isss@wwu.edu.

Tuberculosis Screening for International Students

Schedule your on-campus tuberculosis (TB) screening at the Student Health Center within the first week of classes. More information will be provided at the International Student Orientation.