Checklist for Newly Admitted Graduate Students

myWCU is a secure portal for applicants, students, faculty and staff designed to make accomplishing tasks and finding information easier. myWCU allows you to register for classes, review class schedules, check grades, view financial aid information, and pay account balances. myWCU is located at https://mywcu.wcu.edu/ or from the Western Carolina University home page  https://www.wcu.edu/, under Quick Links
 

You should have already received an email to claim your myWCU account. If you need assistance accessing myWCU, please contact IT Services at 828-227-7487 or submit a ticket at ithelp.wcu.edu 

Some common registration holds include:

• Missing social security number. If you didn't provide your social security number at the time of application, you will need to provide it if you are an admitted student. Contact the Registrar's Office at 828.227.7216 to clear this hold. 
• Immunization hold: Contact the Student Health Center or 828.227.7640 for immunization requirements. 

Please address your holds by contacting the appropriate phone number.

Registration is restricted until hold requirements are met.

 

All admitted graduate students are required to have an official transcript on file with the Graduate School that reflects a conferred bachelor’s (or higher) degree from a regionally accredited institution.

If you uploaded transcripts with your online graduate application, please contact your bachelor’s degree institution and request that an official transcript be sent to Western Carolina University at this address:

WCU Graduate School
110 Cordelia Camp
1 University Drive
Cullowhee, NC  28723

Electronic transcripts sent directly to Western Carolina University from the institution or its transcript service can be sent to gradadmissions@wcu.edu

If you did not upload transcripts with your online application, but rather sent official copies, you do not need to resubmit transcripts after your admission.

If you submitted official transcripts with your application, but had not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, you will need to resubmit an official copy that reflects conferral of your degree.

Failure to submit required transcripts will impact your ability to register for future terms.

After you accept your offer of admission, you should receive an email with instructions on how to activate your Catamount Mail account. If for some reason, you do not receive this information within 72 hours after your admission, please contact the IT Help Desk at 828.227.7487.

After your email account has been activated, you can access it from any WCU web page under Quick Links or through your myWCU account.

Catamount Mail is the OFFICIAL communication method for university/student communications including important notifications and alerts, as well as course information from instructors. It is your responsibility to check your Catamount Mail account regularly. Please include your student ID# (92#) with all official student communications.

Information about how to apply for financial aid or scholarships is available online.  

Please monitor the Graduate School web page for other sources of financial assistance that may be available.

Individual programs may also have financial assistance available - check with your advisor or graduate program director.

Tuition and Fees

Your advisor is your primary contact for advising and registration information. Your advisor's name can be found in your Admission Information letter. To locate your advisor’s e-mail or phone number, search the faculty/staff directory.

You will register for classes through your myWCU account. Please refer to this Registration Tutorial for detailed instructions on how to register for classes. More information on registration is available on the Registrar's Office web page.

Obtain a WCU identification card (CatCard) by mailing or emailing (CatCard@email.wcu.edu) a recent photo of yourself (no hats or sunglasses) with your name, WCU student ID number, and date of birth.

• Digital photos should be submitted in JPEG or Bitmap format
• Distance/online students are not required to obtain a CatCard, but will not be able to use the library without one.
• CatCard Office, 109 Killian Annex, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723; phone: 828.227.7003; Fax 828.227.7600

 

See the Parking Services website for information about obtaining a Cullowhee parking pass. Parking passes are not required for Biltmore Park students.

The Cullowhee bookstore is located on Norton Road behind the University Center on main campus. Students may also purchase textbooks online at http://books.wcu.edu/. Contact the bookstore regarding hours and availability at 866.272.4102. For specific information regarding textbook availability at Biltmore Park, please call WCU Programs at Biltmore Park (828.654.6498)

The Graduate Catalog can be found on the Graduate School website (in the RELATED INFORMATION section).  Please review the Graduate Catalog and become familiar with the policies, procedures and requirements of the Graduate School and your program of study.