Western Michigan University Admissions 2023: Application Fees & Deadline ,Kalamazoo,USA

Western Michigan University (WMU) is a public research university situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Known initially as the ‘Western State Normal School’, it provided 2-year training programs to students. It has undergone multiple name changes ever since. It currently offers over 250 degree programs across seven colleges.

Some of the interesting university facts are discussed below:

WMU Alumni Facts

• WMU Graduates are denoted as Broncos
• 9 out of 10 Broncos find a job they love in a field they choose

WMU Diversity Insight

• Excellence in Diversity Award recipient since 2013
• 100+ study abroad programs in 40 countries

Spread over 1300 acres, the university provides opportunities for the overall growth of students through a mix of practical and theoretical learning. With over 550 clubs and societies on campus, students at WMU get to learn and acquire skills ranging from creative writing and theatre to coding and even athletics.

Courses Offered

What are the courses available to international students?

WMU offers over 250 courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. It boasts of 153 undergraduate majors, 76 master’s degrees, and 33 doctoral degree programs. Students may also choose from 9 undergraduate certificate courses and 30+ postgraduate certification courses.

Some major study areas taught by the university include languages, science and information technology, visual and performing arts, education and public health, and business and commerce. International students may choose their area of specialization in either of the aforementioned fields.

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

The eligibility criteria and language requirements for applying to different programs offered to international students at WMU are given below:

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduates

Admissions are based on the SAT or ACT scores and the candidate’s high school grades. It is recommended that students include documents supporting their academic and non-academic achievements to increase their chances of selection.

An SAT/ACT score is not mandatory, and students can self-report their scores separately if they want. The university authorities will then review each application before shortlisting eligible candidates.

Eligibility Requirements for Graduates

Applicants must submit an official transcript from the institution they have completed their bachelor’s degree or equivalent in addition to relevant test scores such as GRE or GMAT. Applicants need additional documentation to verify their residency status and USD 100 as the application fee.

English Requirements for International Students

International students coming from non-English-speaking countries, such as India, need to prove their language proficiency through either of the following standardized English exam scores:

Accepted Exams	Minimum Undergraduate Score Required	Minimum Graduate Score Required
TOEFL (Internet-based test)	71	80
IELTS Academic	6.0 bands	6.5 bands
PTE Academic	48	54
Duolingo English Test	95	105

Note: These are generic requirements for graduates and undergraduates aspiring to study at the university. Some of the courses may have higher score requirements or different academic and language requirements.

Please refer to the intended course page on the university website to check the exact limit on each course.

What are the documents needed for the application?

The following set of supporting documents are required for international admissions at WMU:

Documents for International Students

• A copy of the passport identification page
• Proof of English proficiency
• Transcripts of all secondary and non-secondary education documents - bachelor’s degree (for PG students only), mark sheets, diplomas, examination results, and certificates
• USD 100 application fee (refundable)
• Proof of sufficient funds for the first year of your course at WMU, depending on the cost of attendance

Note: Document requirements may vary with different programs. To check the exact requirements, please refer to the intended course page on the university website.

Also, note that if any of the above documents are not in English, applicants will be required to submit an official English translation of each document separately.

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there an application fee?

Applicants must pay a certain amount as an application fee when seeking admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, or certification programs at WMU. As of 2021, applicants must pay USD 100 (non-refundable).

For those applying as freshmen, the application fee is USD 40 (payable online). Students are advised to check the university website for any changes in these fees with progressive years. 

What is the fee structure of the courses offered by the university? 

The tuition fee at Western Michigan University is based on credit hours and varies for different courses and majors.

Estimated International Cost of Attendance (COA) Budget 2021-2022

The cost of attendance for international graduates and undergraduate living on or off campus while studying at the university have been specified below:

Expense Type	Fall and Spring Cost* (in USD)	Summer Cost* (in USD)
Undergraduate Cost
Tuition and Fees	16,646	4,162
Housing and Meals	10,832	2,708
Books	1,106	277
Travel	1,106	277
Loan Fees	37	9
Other	1,864	466
Total COA	31,591	7,899
Graduate Cost
Tuition and Fees	12,760	3,449
Housing and Meals	11,096	2,774
Books	662	166
Travel	1,688	422
Loan Fees	216	54
Other	1,918	480
Total COA	28,340	7,345

Source: Western Michigan University

*University reserves all rights to revise the tuition fee before a new academic session. To learn about the latest course fees, it is recommended to check the university website.

Please note that this is only to give an idea of the cost of the study. The overall COA is likely to include additional charges such as health insurance, student fees, and miscellaneous expenses.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

Yes, international students studying at WMU can apply for financial aid or scholarships to pursue higher education at the university. These scholarships are available at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study and one can apply for these awards by fulfilling certain conditions specified below:

Diether H. Haenicke Scholarship: This is amerit-based scholarship awarded to international students on admission to WMU for the first time. The award amount is determined based on a candidate’s cumulative GPA (a four-point scale). It must be noted that international students who have applied for fully online degree programs are not eligible for this scholarship. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are:

• Applicants must be admitted to WMU.
• They must have non-resident international status.
• They must not be enrolled in a fully online degree program at WMU.
• The intending F-1 SEVIS Active students must mandatorily be studying in the USA.
• Students must be applying for the first time or should have sought transfer from another post-secondary educational institution.

Award Money

The amounts awarded as part of this scholarship are as follows:

Cumulative GPA (4-point Scale)	Annual Award Amount (in USD)
3.50-3.69	5,000
3.70-3.94	7,500
3.95-4.0	15,000

Freshman Scholarships: Offered to new students, the freshman scholarships are based on both academic and non-academic credentials of applicants. Issued by specific departments within WMU, applications are reviewed extensively by the relevant WMU authorities before disbursement. Some popular freshman scholarships include:

• Medallion Scholarship Program: Valued at USD 64000 for 4 years, this scholarship first shortlists 60 candidates using a holistic review process. Students are then required to appear for multiple interview rounds to help the university select the top 20 recipients.
• Foundation Scholars: Applicable to those with a GPA of 3.70 and above, this scholarship is also valued at USD 64000 for 4 years. Students with significant financial needs are preferred, and the deadline to apply for this scholarship is available on the university website.
• Bronco Merit: With a scholarship value of USD 16000, Bronco Merit is available only to students with a GPA of 3.85 and above.
• Bronco Honors: This scholarship carries a value of USD 12,000 and requires candidates to have a GPA of 3.60 and above.
• Brown and Gold: Offered for a period of 4 years, this scholarship is valued at USD 8000, awarded to candidates with a GPA of 3.30 and above.
• Bronco Recognition: The amount offered to candidates is USD 6000. This scholarship requires candidates to have a GPA of 3.00 at the time of admission.

Athletic Scholarships: WMU’s Financial Aid office disburses athletic aid to student-athletes regularly in line with the NCAA guidelines. Such financial help is usually part of a student’s financial aid package and is often factored in with other student aid offers to ensure compliance with Federal and NCAA guidelines.

Departmental Scholarships: Such scholarships are offered by different departments of the university and have an independent set of eligibility criteria one must adhere to. Departments offering them include the College of Arts & Science, College of Aviation, Lee Honors College, and College of Fine Arts, to name a few.

Endowed Scholarships: Students can access over 50 endowed scholarships sponsored by the donors and patrons of WMU. To understand the eligibility criteria and apply, it is recommended students log on to WMU’s ScholarshipUniverse portal. 

Note: The deadline to apply to these scholarships is December in 2021. Considering that the last date of application may vary with progressive years, students are advised to refer to the university’s website.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

WMU follows a semester-based calendar and offers admissions in three intakes:

International students may apply in either of the aforementioned intakes. Undergraduates are, however, recommended to apply in either Fall or Spring Intake. The Summer Intake offers limited options for degree programs and allows less time for visa preparation. Also, Summer Intake is more suitable for transfer and graduate applicants.

Undergraduate Deadlines

Students need to furnish their applications and all other related material to the Office of Admissions according to the given deadlines. The tentative deadlines for international undergraduates are mentioned below:

Semester	Deadline*	Term Begins
Fall	Mid-June	Early September
Spring	Mid-October (Extended to mid-November)	Early January
Summer	Mid-March	Early May

Postgraduate Deadlines

The application dates for graduate programs can vary by semester and term dates. It is recommended that applicants follow deadlines specified by the departments to which they apply.

If the department deadlines are not followed/considered, the general application deadlines are:

Semester	Deadline*	Term Begins
Fall	Early April	September
Spring	Early August	Early January
Summer	Mid-January	Early May

*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage students to check the school/department’s website for the exact deadlines.

Note: It is recommended to apply six months in advance before the start of a new academic session as the window for international applicants is most likely to close by that time. Also, International applications need to be processed early to allow students enough time for visa preparation.

What are the steps to the application process?

All international students may apply to the university digitally/online.

Undergraduate Application

Like most of the US universities, University Name accepts undergraduate applications via either of the following application portals:

• Common Application: apply.commonapp.org/login
• Coalition Application: www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org

The steps to apply are very easy and simply to follow. Do as the portal says and submit the application after a thorough review. Please note that both the portals are equally considered, none is preferred over the other.

Graduate Application

Graduates may apply directly through the university’s application portal at www.applyweb.com/lehighg/index.ftl. The step-by-step application process for graduates is discussed below:

Step 1: Visit westernmichigan.force.com/GraduateWMU/TX_CommunitiesSelfReg and sign up as a new student using an active email address.

Step 2: Create a new password as per the instructions.

Step 3: Press the ‘Start A New Application’ button.

Step 4: Start you application by adding the following details in the same order:

• Selecting International as student type
• Choosing the intended program type
• Choosing the intended campus
• Choosing the intake in which you want to study
• Pressing the ‘Start Application’ button

Step 5: Complete all the steps such as adding details of academic background, employment history, contact and citizenship details, additional information, exam scores, writing samples, and supporting documents covered in the image below:

Step 6: Pay the application fee of USD 100.

Step 7: Review and submit the application.

Next, wait for the results.

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

Students who complete their application by the ‘Early Action’ deadline will receive their admission decision after the winter break. Considering that application review also happens on a rolling basis, students can expect the university to confirm their admission in about 6 to 8 weeks.

Please note that for postgraduate degree programs at WMU, the response time depends on the department. It is recommended to register with an active email ID and check it frequently for the latest updates on admission related information. Also, students must remain active on the official website of the university to stay updated with any admission related announcements.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances of getting into this university? What is the acceptance rate?

While Western Michigan University is slightly selective in terms of admission, the acceptance rate is around 80%. Candidates looking to apply and be part of WMU must have around 1000-1210 marks in SAT and 19-26 points in the ACT.

To boost your chances of selection, check out the preparation tips for the standardized qualifying exams:

Undergraduates	Graduates
SAT Preparation Tips	GRE Preparation Tips
ACT Preparation Tips	GMAT Preparation Tips

For English proficiency exams, refer to:

Preparation Tips	Sample Papers
IELTS Tips and Tricks	IELTS Practice Tests
TOEFL Tips and Tricks	TOEFL Practice Tests
PTE Tips and Tricks	PTE Practice Tests

Pro Tip: Start preparing for these exams 6-8 months in advance (before appearing for the exam).

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

As per the Fall 2021 enrollment data of WMU, a total of 19,038 students we admitted to different courses at the university campus.

WMU Fall 2021 Enrollment

The diversity in student enrollment at WMU in 2021 can be observed as follows:

Student Type	Headcount
Total students	19,038
Graduates	3,729
Undergraduates	15,309
Female	10,051
Male	8,987
International	2,103
%age of international students	11.04%

Source: Western Michigan University

This share of 11% international students that joined WMU in 2021 came from various international countries, including India.

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

Yes, international students on a valid work permit on their study visa can work part-time while studying at WMU. Students can easily access career and employment-related opportunities via WMU’s extensive network of hiring partners, the ‘Handshake’ job search portal, and ‘work-study’ (on-campus employment).

While the work hours for private internships with hiring partners have their own criteria, students looking to get on-campus employment on a part-time basis need to submit a ‘Student Employment Eligibility’ form. Some terms associated with on-campus employment are:

Working Hours: 25 hours a week during active sessions and 39 hours during vacations.

Visa Rules: For students willing to work upon their arrival in the United States, the visa rules are applicable as follows:

F-1 Students

F-1 students who meet the following requirements may work on-campus:

• Full-time student of a WMU degree program
• Must have a valid, active SEVIS Form I-20 from WMU
• A valid, unexpired passport
• Have an I-94 arrival/departure record marked ‘F-1 D/S’

There is no waiting period before F-1 students are allowed to accept on-campus jobs

J-1 Students

J-1 students enrolled in degree programs must apply for work authorization through Immigration Compliance before working on campus. The eligibility criteria to work as J-1 visa students in the USA is as follows:

• Full-time student of a WMU degree program
• Have a valid, unexpired DS-2019 from WMU or any other outside sponsoring exchange visitor organization, authorizing students to engage in full-time studies at WMU
• Have a valid and unexpired passport
• Have an  I-94 arrival/departure record marked ‘J-1 D/S’
• Report employment information/status to Immigration Compliance

Students must also have a letter from a J-1 sponsor specifically authorizing the student to engage in on-campus employment at WMU. J-1 students are mandatorily required to apply and obtain this letter from Immigration Compliance. All other students must obtain this letter from their sponsoring organization.

There are other rules and conditions that must be fulfilled to work abroad as a student. For more information, it is recommended students visit the ‘Employment’ page on WMU’s website.

Note: International students are advised to check the conditions of working in a foreign country on their study visa. They are also advised to confirm any specific instructions on the same from their respective departments and faculties. Under no circumstances should they be found compromising with the law and order of the country.

Students must also get familiar with the rules and regulations of working in a foreign country and learn about the minimum wages they are entitled to. For more details, students can check the on and off-campus opportunities on the university website. Also, refer to the USA Study Visa Guide and F1 Visa Guide.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

Spread across an area of 1,313 acres, WMU is a plush campus with various amenities. WMU has a total of 11 colleges comprising 3 major schools on its 4 campuses and 3 regional locations, viz.

All these campuses teach through 11 colleges in the university premises. The list of WMU schools and colleges include:

1. College of Arts and Sciences
2. College of Aviation
3. College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
4. College of Fine Arts
5. College of Education and Human Development 
6. College of Health and Human Services
7. Graduate College
8. Haworth College of Business
9. Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
10. Lee Honors College
11. Thomas M. Cooley Law School

All colleges and campuses under the university are international. It means that international applicants may get a place in their dream course through either of the colleges on either of the campuses.

Is on-campus housing available? How much does it cost?

With student welfare being important to the WMU authorities, on-campus housing options are available for students at the university. Students in the first year of college can choose to live in the residence halls available on campus. Furthermore, they can even reside at the WMU apartments located near the campus.

Transfer students can live anywhere except for the Western Heights residence hall at WMU and engage with the Shilling Transfer Community to ease their transition to WMU via a series of activities and social events.

Accommodation Cost and Meal Plan Rates

The room and board rates, including the cost of meal plans have been specified by the university as follows:

Rooms Type	Semester Rates* (in USD)	Annual Rates* (in USD)
Traditional Halls – Double Room
Bronco Gold Plus meal plan	5,442.00	10,884.00
Bronco Gold meal plan	5,386.50	10,773.00
Bronco 14 meal plan	5,169.00	10,338.00
Traditional Halls – Single Room
Bronco Gold Plus meal plan	7,046.00	14,092.00
Bronco Gold meal plan	6,990.50	13,981.00
Bronco 14 meal plan	6,773.00	13,546.00
Room Only
Double room	2,778.50	5,557.00
Continuing single**	3,288.00	6,576.00
Single	4,382.50	8,765.00
Western Heights**
Bronco gold plus, meal plan	5,929.00	11,858.00
Bronco gold, meal plan	5,873.50	11,747.00
Bronco 14 meal plan	5,656.00	11,312.00
(**Meal plan is required in these residence halls)

Source: Western Michigan University

*Living costs vary depending on students’ lifestyle choices. Additionally, housing and dining rates are subject to change with progressive years. To know the exact costs of on or off-campus accommodation, please check the university’s accommodations webpage.

When looking for apartments, students must keep in mind that all apartments are contracted per bed rather than per unit. The apartment rent is charged per semester to the WMU student account.

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of doubts?

In case of doubts or questions, international students may contact the university at:

Website: wmich.edu

Telephone:

• Admissions: +1 (269) 387 2000
• University Operator: +1 (269) 387 1000

Address: 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49008-5200 USA