Western Michigan University

Statistics

Scholarships & Financial Aid

School Says - General Information
Students who choose Western Michigan University get an edge in work and life by taking full advantage of a school that combines the resources of a national research university with the personal attention and atmosphere often found at a smaller institution. WMU focuses on providing the tools students need to become successful alumni, and its top-notch programs, faculty and facilities have attracted national as well as international attention. • The Carnegie Foundation classifies WMU as one of the nation's 139 public research universities. • U.S. News & World Report names WMU among the top-100 public institutions in the nation and the top 30 in the Midwest. • WMU is just one of 97 public universities nationwide authorized to have its own chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. WMU was founded in 1903 and enrolls more than 24,000 students from across the United States and 84 other countries. Twenty percent of the student body is composed of graduate students, while minorities make up 11 percent and international students 4 percent. The University places equal emphasis on offering high-quality academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through its seven degree-granting colleges: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Education, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Fine Arts, Haworth College of Business, and Health and Human Services. Students may choose from 237 programs, including 140 bachelor's programs, 29 doctoral programs and 67 master's programs. A wide variety of these offerings have earned a national or international reputation, such as those in aviation, blindness and low vision studies, creative writing, engineering management, evaluation, jazz studies, and medieval studies. But despite its size and complexity, the University offers the personal attention and support crucial to helping students succeed. At WMU, students don't have to look far to find first-year mentoring programs, extensive career and employment services, or experienced advisors and tutors.

School Says - Student Body
There are nearly 300 registered student organizations, including a wide range of Greek, academic honorary and professional organizations. In addition, the University has nationally recognized arts programs, a lively cultural calendar, and NCAA Division I-A teams in the Mid-American Conference and Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Six men's and 10 women's varsity sports, intramural teams, and club sports add vitality to campus life.

School Says - Academics
Instructional programs are designed so graduating students are ready to immediately add value to their work places and prepared to achieve success in whatever endeavors they pursue. The rich blend of majors and minors is supplemented by programs such as the Lee Honors College, which is one of the oldest honors programs in the nation and offers the intimacy of a small college with the resources of a major university; BroncoJobs Plus, which conveniently puts many of WMU's career and job-search resources online; and University Curriculum, which helps undecided students select a major.

School Says - Admissions
Admission to WMU is based on a combination of factors, including grade point average, ACT scores, number and kinds of college-prep courses, and trend of grades. Admission of high school students to the University is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors. Quantitative factors include grade point average and ACT or SAT scores. Qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, the number and type of academic classes taken, personal recommendations and trend of grades. The Office of Admissions reviews each application for these criteria. To be considered for the Medallion Scholarship, students must apply by Dec. 1. Transfer students with a minimum of 26 transferable hours (39 quarter hours) at the time of application and a GPA of at least 2.0 (C average) are considered for admission. The trend of the most recent grades is also taken into account. Applicants with fewer than 26 transferable hours (39 quarter hours) at the time of application also must submit a high school transcript. In such cases, admission is based on both college and high school records. For an application or additional information, students should contact: Office of Admissions Western Michigan University 1903 W. Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5211 United States Telephone: 269-387-2000 World Wide Web: www.wmich.edu/admi/undergradapp

School Says - Campus Life
Kalamazoo is a vibrant college town in southwest Michigan's Kalamazoo County, which has a population of more than 238,000 people. The campus is located midway between Detroit and Chicago, about two and one-half hours from each city. The region offers a wide array of entertainment: sports, such as professional baseball, hockey and soccer; music of every variety; intimate coffee houses and comedy clubs; and dining, from fast food to international cuisine. In addition, the area is dotted with lakes, parks, golf courses, and hiking, biking and cross country ski trails. It also is situated just 45 minutes from Lake Michigan's sandy beaches and 30 minutes from excellent local skiing.

School Says - Cost Aid
WMU's tuition and fees are among the most affordable in Michigan. For 2007-08, tuition and fees for full-time freshmen and sophomores cost $7,260, while the cost of room and board is $7,042. Books and supplies as well as personal and travel expenses vary based on individual factors. A student/WMU compact called the Western Edge is making the University even more affordable. Started in fall 2007, the compact helps students find the right career path and earn their degrees quicklyÂâ€"bucking what has become the national trend of taking about six years to graduate. Less time in school automatically saves money, and it allows students to head for graduate school or enter the job market sooner.In 2006-07, some 18,000 students received financial assistance totaling nearly $200 million. Merit-based programs include the Medallion Scholarships, which are valued at $40,000 over four years and are WMU's most prestigious award for entering freshmen. Need-based loans, grants, college work-study and other aid options are provided for students who demonstrate particular financial need. To be considered, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students Say - Academics
"Western Michigan University is a large school with "variety of classes and majors" and solid "possibilities for undergraduate research." "A lot of the programs at Western are very competitive." Engineering, occupational therapy and speech pathology are notable. The theater department and the School of Music enjoy some national renown. Jazz studies is particularly outstanding. There's also a "wonderful" aviation program. In other ways, WMU is a "typical Midwest directional" school. The faculty is uneven. "It's kind of a luck of the draw on who you get," explains a chemistry major. Some professors are "tremendously talented and well qualified." Others are "inexcusably awful." Several students also note "a language barrier" with T.A.'s in the hard sciences. Views of the administration are extremely split. Some students tell us that management is "available at all times if you have any questions or concerns." Others insist that the staff is "a little disconnected" and "very hard to reach." Critics also point out that "the financial aid department is slow, confusing, inefficient, and often confused itself.""

Students Say - Campus Life
"Many students would like to see efforts to "beautify the campus," update some older buildings, and add "more parking spots." Campus life is lively if you want to get involved. "There are a lot of student organizations on campus" and "clubs for all sorts of interests." "Students regularly take advantage of the recreation center." "Football games are usually pretty popular in the fall and hockey games in the winter" and "The partying scene is pretty hefty," too. WMU students describe themselves as "voracious beer drinkers." "Thursdays are the big party days" and the fun usually continues through the weekend. "Going out to the bars is quite common." Greek life certainly doesn't dominate here, but "the areas around fraternity village are usually packed on Saturday nights." Off campus, "Kalamazoo is a great little city" with "a good music scene," although some students warn that it is "not generally all that safe." It's also well-situated geographically. When the urge for a road trip strikes, "it is easy for students to travel to Detroit, Chicago, or Grand Rapids.""

Students Say - Student Body
"Virtually everyone here is "middle class" and from Michigan. "The student population is generally white, but there is a sizable minority population and they seem to fit in just fine," relates a senior. "Many people here are those that were either rejected from a bigger school or couldn't afford to go to another school." Students tell us that you'll find "a wide variety of personalities" and "an incredibly diverse community of kids" at WMU. There are students who "take their academic career seriously." Others are "shy and will not get involved." Still others are "slackers." There are also nontraditional students who "have children, spouses, and regular jobs outside of class." "You really tend to notice different social atmospheres depending on the major you're in," observes a senior. "

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