Skip to main content

Weather-Related Announcement

Close

Western Carolina University Suspends Classes Amid Outages and Road Closures; Advises Safety Measures for Students and Parents.

Learn More

Admitted Students

“I’ve been admitted—what now?” you may ask. Congratulations! Landing here is a good first step.

Your first step is to make sure that WCU is the best fit for you. As excited as we are that you have applied and have been admitted, we do not presume that an offer of admission means that you plan to enroll (or should enroll, for that matter). You may have been admitted to multiple colleges or universities. Have you visited to see which campus is the best place for you? Your higher education is a tremendous investment. Be sure to take WCU for a test drive at an open house or through a campus tour. As much as we would like for you to enroll, we are most interested in enrolling students who have done their homework regarding college selection so that they find the perfect fit, perform well and graduate from WCU.

Once you know that you want to become a Catamount, you need to reserve a space in the class by submitting your enrollment deposit. Acceptance to WCU does not ensure that a space is reserved for you—submission of the enrollment deposit in advance of deadlines does so.

Do not forget to finish strong and to submit official final records of all high school or college work as well as any credit-bearing examination results (i.e., AP, IB or CLEP subject examination results). Remember that all admission offers are conditional upon the submission of timely official records showing successful completion of remaining coursework. Timely submission of college transcripts and examination results are very important in the credit assessment, advising and registration processes as well.

Speaking of advising and registration, the four important steps you must complete in order for advising and registration for your first term at WCU to occur are submitting your nonrefundable enrollment deposit, submitting your immunization records, completing Pre-Registration, and registering for Orientation (read more about these steps below). While these four steps are essential to being able to register, the path to enrollment has more steps than these key four. Continue reading for more information about the necessary steps from gaining admission to actually enrolling as a Catamount.

Your Next Steps

You have been admitted. You have narrowed your college selection to WCU. Now what? How do you navigate the ascent from admitted student to enrolled student?

(Note: The next steps differ for transfer students who have been admitted to WCU for distance and online programs. Those students should refer to the materials they receive and information found at the Recently Admitted Distance and Online Learning Students site.)

Remember Catamountportal.wcu.edu, the place where, as an applicant, you could check your admission decision status? Well, now that you have been admitted, this is where you will go to pay your Enrollment Deposit. Once you have paid your enrollment deposit, you can go to MyWCU to conduct additional university business and to follow a recommended timeline that will guide you on your ascent to becoming a Catamount.

When you log onto MyWCU (using your 9-2 number (student ID number) and access instructions that you received in your acknowledgement letter) and click on “your timeline,” you will discover a guided path that details four major steps—with actions, recommended dates and links pertaining to each—that will lead to Step 5, your enrollment at WCU:

  • Submit your nonrefundable enrollment deposit ($300): This is our way of assuring that we will fill the entering class without overbooking the class. Think of your offer of acceptance as a declaration that you are eligible to fly. Think of your enrollment deposit as guaranteeing you a boarding pass. Submit your deposit online at Catamountportal.wcu.edu
  • Apply for financial aid
  • Complete and return residence hall agreement
  • Choose your residence hall and meal plan
  • Complete and submit Immunization Record form: Completed immunization records are required by the state of North Carolina for your enrollment (they must be official health department or physician records). This also helps our health service professionals collect information to keep you healthy and safe.
  • Take the Foreign Language Placement Exam
    • Note: Not all students are required to take a foreign language, please log in to your MyWCU account and click on Incomplete Items for more details.
  • Submit a photo for your CatCard
  • Purchase your computer
  • Complete Preregistration: Our preregistration program for new undergraduates is designed to help you become familiar with course offerings and provide your academic adviser with information about your interests. Once the preregistration completion period opens (you will receive notification from Advising), you will log into MyWCU using your 9-2 number. Find additional details on Pre-Registration.
  • Register for Orientation: Orientation is required of first-time and transfer students. We want to arm you with information that helps ensure your success. Multiple sessions will be available but select sessions will begin to fill when orientation registration opens so be sure to note orientation dates and registration timelines.
  • Follow up on financial aid
  • Enroll in or waive student health insurance
  • Request/send final transcripts
  • Register your vehicle
  • Pay your tuition
  • Complete your release-of-information form
  • AP and dual-enrollment credit (if applicable)
  • AlcoholEDU and Haven
  • Verify that we’ve received your transcripts

You have arrived! Enjoy the Week of Welcome (WOW) and your new identity as a Catamount.

Remember, certain actions, such as Preregistration completion and orientation registration, only occur during certain windows of time, so read everything you receive from WCU for special instructions.

Office of Web Services