As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides
educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts
students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.
At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity
to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore
and ready to redefine success.
Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied
experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their
profession in real-world environments.
Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community
with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts
calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.
Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375
student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like
champions on the field and in the classroom.
Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed.
WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community
programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education
for deserving students in the region and beyond.
Western Carolina University offers the Academic Success Program (ASP) as an opportunity
for students to begin their college experience early and to prepare them for success
in college and beyond. This program is designed to provide a full year of support
to facilitate a successful first-year experience and to help student develop skills
to excel in their college career. It helps motivate them to set higher goals in school
and in life and holds them accountable for demonstrating attitudes and behaviors that
coincide with reaching their goals.
ASP is a conditional admission program in that students who are invited to participate MUST successfully complete a 5-week (June 20-July 27) intensive summer program. Students
are enrolled in to seven credit hours of courses, all of which count toward graduation,
and participate academic, social, and transitional support events, workshops, and
seminars. The highly structured learning community environment is designed to guide
and support students as they prepare for and transition in to their first college
experience.
Financial aid--including federal aid--may apply to ASP! Fill out your 2018-2019 FAFSA
to receive consideration for financial aid.
Why a Summer in Cullowhee?
Get a jump-start on your major, or earn liberal studies requirements.
Connect with other students and make friends.
Earn 7 credits toward graduation in just five weeks.
Receive individual support from the Writing and Learning Commons and Math Tutoring
Center.
Be matched with a high-achieving peer mentor.
Learn the ins and outs of the university process during the slower-paced summer session.
Go on a field trip within your learning community: last year's trips included trips
to the Duke Energy Center, the Cherokee Heritage Museum, and a float down the French
Broad River.
Build relationships with key faculty and staff members who will continue to support
you throughout your time at the University.
Enjoy the local community and adventure opportunities the mountains of Western North
Carolina provides during the summer.
Academic Structure
Students take a freshman seminar, a liberal studies course, and a transition course.
More in-depth information about the structure of ASP, including a typical schedule,
can be found on our Academic Structure page!
4. If you have disability accommodations from high school or a documented disability,
please register with the Office of Accessibility Resources.
5. If you would like to apply for financial aid for the summer, please fill out the 2018-19 FAFSA. You might have already filled out the 2019-20 FAFSA for your fall enrollment which
will apply to Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Summer 2020.
6. Next, please refer to the Admitted Students site and follow the step by step instructions (if you have not done so already).
You will log in to your Catamount Gateway account, the same account you used to apply
to continue the process. Remember, your Orientation date will be June 20-21, 2019.
