Information for Counselors

Thank you for the work you do to prepare your students for their transition from high school to college. The following resources are designed to help you when working with prospective Western Michigan University students.

Receive updates from admissions

Sign up to receive email notifications and updates from the Office of Admissions by joining our counselor mailing list.

Your admission connection

Further questions about WMU admissions? Looking to have a representative visit your students? Discover the counselor for your school and start the conversation today!

Application deadlines and criteria

First-year students should apply online using Common App. View details for all entry terms on the Important Dates and Deadlines page.

Application criteria

Our goal is to admit students who will be successful at WMU and contribute to the Bronco community. Visit the Admissions Criteria page for details on items we consider during application reviews.

Application Fee Waiver

To expedite the timeline for us receiving and reviewing applications and to minimize the number of steps required from you, please use the fee waiver process within the Common App platform. Students who are eligible for an application fee waiver may self-identify on the Common App. As their school counselor, you will receive a notification to review the request. Once you have verified the student's eligibility, we will waive a student's application fee. If you encounter difficulties with the Common App process, you may also send us a copy of the NACAC fee waiver request on behalf of the student. Completed paper waivers may be sent to WMU via mail or electronically to @email.

Assured admission program

WMU is committed to assisting in the education goals of our future students. Increasing access to higher education is an institutional focus, and to support this effort, we have established an Assured Admission program for incoming first-year students. A student's academic performance (including a minimum GPA 3.00+ ) and conduct/behavior are the main criteria for the program. View more information on the Assured Admission Program website.

counselor updates

You are invited to view a digital copy of our 2023-24 High School Counselor Resource Guide below or on issuu.com.

Admitted student checklist

This helpful checklist provides information on next steps for students admitted to WMU.

Special application populations

For additional information for students who may fall under one, or more, of these special populations, follow the links for further resources. Contact your admissions representative if you have any questions on these populations.

• Dual Enrollment: Current high school students in the greater Kalamazoo area may apply to dual enroll at WMU.
• Early/Middle College: High school students who attend an early/middle college are invited to apply and enroll at WMU. Early/middle college graduates are considered beginners with advanced standing and should apply as a first-year student. They will be able to indicate enrollment in an early/middle college as part of the application.
• Foster Youth Initiative: WMU offers unique scholarship and support opportunities for students who have aged out of the foster care system.
• College Assistance Migrant Program: The purpose of the WMU College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) is to provide academic and financial support to assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers or their children in successfully completing their first undergraduate year at the University and continuing in their post-secondary education.
• DACA/Undocumented Students: WMU does not factor in citizenship status in the admission decision and provides in-state tuition for DACA/undocumented students. There is privately funded assistance available on a limited basis that can be applied to tuition and residence hall payments for DACA/undocumented students.

WMU visit opportunities

The best way for a student to experience WMU is to visit campus. multiple times! WMU offers visit opportunities throughout the year and targeted programming to assist throughout each stage of a student's college-search process.

• Fall Open House: High school seniors are encouraged to attend one of our fall open house events. Students will dive deeper into academic programs and campus life, hear highlights from various departments, visit with professors, advisors, and current students, discover how WMU can help them land their dream job and submit any official documents to complete their admission application.
• Campus Tours: Experience first-hand what it means to be a Bronco. Tours are offered daily and on Saturdays and begin with a presentation, followed by a student-led exploration of student-centered spaces, dining facilities, residence halls and classrooms. Open to all prospective students and their families.
• Spring Open House: Kick-off the college search process by attending this special program targeted to high school sophomores and juniors. Students will hear tips and tricks for navigating admissions applications, managing costs and expectations of senior year.
• Future Bronco Day: Open to all admitted high school seniors as an opportunity to complete all next steps for enrollment in one day. Events are hosted in the spring of the student's senior year.
• Virtual Experiences: We also offer a variety of opportunities for students and their families to learn more about WMU without leaving home! Visit our virtual experiences page for a list of full opportunities.