Western Washington University (WWU)

• Location: Bellingham, Washington, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1893,
• Number of students: about 14,650,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Western Washington University (WWU) is one of the leading institutions of higher education in the Pacific Northwest, awarding degrees in more than 200 bachelor's degree programs, 40 Master's and doctoral degrees.

Opened in 1893, WWU took as a basis a private school for women and specialized in teacher preparation. A few decades later, in 1977, the educational institution received the status of a university and its current name. Today, Western Washington University has more than 14,000 students, making it the third largest university in Washington State.

Western Washington University has seven colleges, each of which teaches specialized US higher education programs ranging from science and engineering, economics and business to performing arts, humanities and social sciences. Each direction is developed under the guidance of highly qualified teachers with a higher degree in their field and many years of academic and research experience: they not only impart high-quality, trend-oriented knowledge, but also attract students to scientific work and internships, helping in the development of professional qualities and skills.

In addition to practice-oriented professional preparation, WWU students can expect a rich extracurricular life with opportunities for growth in creativity, sports, social, scientific and other activities.

WWU comprises seven specialized colleges offering programs in the following scientific fields:

• Humanities and Social Sciences,
• Science and Engineering,
• Business and Economics,
• Fine and Performing Arts,
• Interdisciplinary Studies,
• Environment,
• Pedagogy and Education.

In addition to specialized colleges, WWU also includes research institutes and centers engaged in intensive scientific work in important areas: from intercultural interaction, economics and business relations to financial education, justice administration, and ecology. Both qualified specialists with many years of experience and students of bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs participate in the research.

WWU has eight residential complexes located in three parts of The Ridge campus, within walking distance of each other. Four residences with similar characteristics have been prepared in other educational territories, North Campus and South Campus. According to statistics, 88% of students choose to live on campus (however, graduate and doctoral students receive rooms only if there are available places, undergraduate students are a priority).

Residential complexes offer various room formats: standard, luxury, apartments. The rooms also have different capacities: the buildings have single, double and triple rooms with full furniture, access to bathrooms and common areas. Some buildings have small kitchens where residents can cook their own meals.

WWU academic venues have large dining halls with their own kitchens, where qualified chefs prepare dishes of national and international cuisine. Here you can find both full-fledged hot lunches, as well as pastries, sandwiches, various drinks and sweets. There are also fast food outlets in the territories offering a wide variety of quick snacks.

The main areas of extracurricular activities at WWU are sports, social activity, and art. Every year, more than 250 student organizations and clubs are available on campus, helping to develop important skills: from communication, teamwork, public speaking to physical health, talent realization, and expanding career prospects.

WWU has formed men's and women's teams in several competitive sports: basketball, cross country, track and field, soccer, tennis, and swimming. Students can participate in sports sections as amateurs without entering the competitive level, but they can also earn scholarships, receive additional points, and realize their potential in competitions with other universities in the region.

Thematic clubs, including creative and social ones, operate under the guidance of the Student Union. Thanks to responsible students, association members perform at external venues, have maximum opportunities to promote their ideas on campus grounds. The list of communities includes:

• A cappella singing,
• Software development,
• Anime,
• American Sign Language,
• Cinema, literature,
• Board games,
• Ceramics,
• Chinese culture,
• Circus art,
• Cybersecurity,
• Improv comedy, theater,
• Digital photography,
• Charitable crafts,
• Study abroad,
• Figure skating.

The WWU operates an Outdoor Recreation Center, planning regular excursions and hikes in the wilderness. Students sign up for any program they like, gather in small groups led by an experienced instructor, and explore the region: architectural, historical and cultural attractions, natural beauties of the state.

• No. 3 among leading universities in the Northwest Pacific region according to US News & World Report,
• US leader in the number of graduates with a doctoral degree,
• One of the best institutions awarding master's degrees, according to Washington Monthly rankings,
• Included in the College Consensus ranking in the "Best Green Colleges" category,
• 99% of classes are taught by faculty with advanced degrees,
• Student-to-faculty ratio - 17:1,
• Average class size - 26 students, no more than 30 students study in each classroom,
• High rate of employment in the specialty,
• 14% of students are representatives from other states and countries.

The main campus is located in Bellingham, 140 km from Seattle and 89 km from Vancouver, occupies 215 acres of territory, including not only academic and sports infrastructure, but also the Sehom Hill Arboretum, accessible for walking and sports. There are seven specialized colleges, each of which has its own building and specialized facilities. WWU's equipment meets all current trends in the world of education, providing students with equipment for scientific and project activities, lecture studying, creative and sports training.

Among the key premises are:

• Creative studios: painting, electronic music recording, musical instrument classes,
• Specialized laboratories: ecology, mechanical engineering, marine sciences and others,
• Sports and entertainment center: three basketball and volleyball courts, a six-lane indoor swimming pool, gym and fitness rooms, climbing and bouldering walls.

The infrastructure includes residences, the Student Union building, a number of research centers, and more.

WWU operates almost year-round as the study programs at different levels slightly differ in training dates. In general, the study periods are as follows:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Winter: January-March,
• Spring: March-June,
• Summer: June-August.

Study days are weekdays, from Monday to Friday, and rest is organized on weekends, national and international holidays.

Tuition covers medical services, use of non-academic buildings, leisure organization, use of student technologies, the Sustainable Development Fund. Approximate list of additional expenses:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Accommodation, meals,
• Books, school supplies,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Additional academic, career support not provided by the program,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process includes several stages:

• Filling out the registration form, providing documents and paying the entrance fee,
• Passing an interview, possible testing,
• Receiving an invitation to enroll,
• Making deposits for accommodation, booking a place on the course,
• Arriving at campus at the beginning of the semester and starting studies.

Admission to WWU is competitive, so academic and personal achievements from your previous place of study are important for enrollment. According to statistics from recent years, approximately 3180 applicants are enrolled in the first year.

WWU graduate statistics show that approximately 90% of students are employed or continue their academic path within six months of completing their studies. To date, WWU has trained more than 140 000 specialists who have found work around the world.

Foreign applicants wishing to enroll in one of the higher education programs at WWU must provide:

• Personal documents, including passport, visa or residence permit, medical insurance and health certificates,
• Academic certificates: certificate of full secondary education and preparatory courses / bachelor's or master's degree, depending on the degree of education chosen for admission,
• Language test results: TOEFL (from 79), Duolingo (from 105) or equivalent.

Some levels of education, such as doctoral studies, will require letters of recommendation, a letter of motivation, and a resume. Individual achievements and the availability of scholarships at previous places of study will be a plus.

WWU has a centralized scholarship system that allows students to fill out one application and be considered for all scholarships offered at WWU. A wide range of funding options are distributed across several categories: academic achievement, special talent, leadership qualities.

Additionally, there is a funding system focused on helping students in difficult life situations: the university provides discounts on tuition fees, grants, and selects employment programs for them.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision