Access to Excellence

The Access to Excellence (A2E) program is a fully-funded opportunity for students from backgrounds historically underrepresented at Willamette University (see eligibility below). A2E is designed to invite students and their families to experience campus life firsthand and connect with a community that values diverse perspectives and experiences essential to Willamette’s culture.

Participants and their guest will attend Bearcat Day, our admitted student event, and continue with A2E’s exclusive programming. All costs, including travel to and from campus and overnight accommodations, are covered for both the student and one guest.

This year’s theme, Servant Leadership and Resilience, reflects Willamette’s commitment to supporting one another in a connected world. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a renowned leader in the anti-apartheid movement, once said:

"There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in."

At Willamette, resilience and servant leadership are guiding principles. Our students are encouraged to understand the struggles of others, offer a helping hand, and support each other’s success. Willamette’s motto, Non nobis solum nati sumus, or “Not unto ourselves alone are we born,” underpins our commitment to using our skills and ambitions to serve others—an ideal that will inspire and shape students throughout their time here.

A2E Program Dates

March 14–15, 2025
April 4–5, 2025
April 17–18, 2025

A student sitting on a bench under a cherry blossom tree

What to Expect from A2E

During A2E, students will first take part in Bearcat Day activities, gaining a comprehensive admitted student experience, before moving into exclusive A2E programming. Over two days, you’ll have the chance to:

Experience life as a Willamette student
Build connections with faculty, staff, current students, and fellow admitted students
Explore the city of Salem and the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest
Engage in meaningful, identity-based discussions to begin shaping your journey at Willamette

A brick building near a stream and grass on the Willamette campus

Eligibility

To participate, submit the Access to Excellence application (available for students in their Applicant Portal). To qualify, you must:

Be admitted to the Willamette College entering class of 2025. This includes first-year applicants, transfer students and those who have graduated high school and are completing a gap-year.

As a program designed to increase access to higher education for students who have been historically underrepresented at Willamette, we strongly encourage students who identify as any of the following to apply:

Students who have experienced hardships and/or overcome adversities which
limit the access to higher education.
First-generation college students - those with parents or guardians who have not obtained a bachelor’s degree.
Students eligible for the Pell Grant or who qualify for free or reduced lunch in secondary school.
Students who live in small towns or rural areas.
Students with DACA or undocumented immigration status.

A group of Willamette students, one biking, some chatting on the grass, and others in the stream

How To Apply

Submit and complete an application for admission to Willamette College by the Early Action/Early Decision or Regular Decision priority deadline.
Submit the Access to Excellence Application in your Willamette Applicant Portal, which includes responses to two questions:
- How would participation in the Access to Excellence program aid in your college search process?
- One of the following:
  - How have you found a way to celebrate your identities or other’s identities?
  - How could Willamette support you based on your identities, life experiences, and values?
- Responses are limited to no more than 300 words.

Two students walking on a paved path near brick buildings

Deadlines and Notification

Students may apply to attend A2E after submitting their application for admission. We strongly encourage students to apply prior to receiving their admission decision.

Priority Deadline: February 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific

This is ideal for students who would prefer to attend the first event on March 14-15, 2025.

Final Deadline: February 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific

Students who apply by the final application deadline will be considered for the remaining two Bearcat Day/Access to Excellence dates.

A2E applicants will be notified by email on February 21, 2025 for the first A2E program (March 14-15). All other applicants will be notified by February 28, 2025.

The sun is setting while a group of students play volleyball

Travel Grant

Willamette University will cover all costs associated with travel and participation in our A2E fly-in program. Once invited to attend the program, participants will receive information regarding event registration which will include logistics for flight and/or ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and dietary needs. The travel grant can also cover costs for one guest to join the participating student. A guest may include, but is not limited to a parent, guardian, counselor, older sibling or any other individual who has been supporting the student’s college search and decision process.

Two students laying in the grass and chatting

Access To Excellence Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any

Questions?

Please contact the Office of Admissions at bearcat@willamette.edu or 503-370-6303 with questions regarding the program or application process.

Email Us Undergraduate Admissions Team

Access To Excellence Frequently Asked Questions

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