First Year Students
Put together the strongest application possible and get the help you need along the way.
We’re glad you’re applying to Willamette, and we’ll do everything we can to help you stay on track. Keep in mind that the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll have all the information you need to finalize your college decision. Feel free to reach out to us anytime — we’re here to help!
We offer test-optional admission and accept either the Common Application or Coalition on Scoir.
Steps to complete your application:
Early Action
Early Action is non-binding. You are not committing yourself to attend Willamette by applying early and you have until May 1, the national reply date, to make your enrollment decision.
- Application due by November 1
- All required supporting materials submitted by November 15
- Receive an admission decision by December 13
- Enrollment deposit due by May 1
Early Decision
Early Decision is a binding commitment to enroll should an offer of admission be extended.
- Application due by November 1
- All required supporting materials submitted by November 15
- Receive an admission decision by December 13
- Enrollment deposit due by May 1
Regular Decision
- Application due by January 15
- All required supporting materials submitted by January 29
- Receive an admission decision by February 14
- Enrollment deposit due by May 1
Spring Entry
- Application submitted by November 1
- Receive an admission decision by November 15
- Enrollment deposit due by December 13
Students may submit their application and required supporting materials after the above deadlines. Late applicants will be considered on a space-available basis. We strongly encourage late applicants to contact the Office of Admission to discuss their application and interest in Willamette prior to applying.
Final Deadlines
- Fall Entry
- Application and all required supporting materials due by July 15
- Enrollment deposit due by July 31
- Spring Entry
- Application and all required supporting materials due by December 1
- Enrollment deposit due by January 5
The admission committee reserves the right to delay an admission decision if additional materials or grades will prove helpful in the review of an application. Applicants will be notified via email of these requests.
You can apply to Willamette University through the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir. Both applications are free to submit to Willamette and provide us with a broad range of academic and extracurricular activity to learn more about each applicant. Each application also requires an essay, which offers you the opportunity to share more about yourself while demonstrating your writing and communication skills. We have no preference for which application you submit - choose whichever is easier for your college application process.
APPLY WITH COMMON APP Apply Coalition with Scoir
Counselors submit official high school transcripts through the Common Application or Scoir. We also accept transcripts as official if sent from your counselor through Parchment, MaiaLearning, Slate.org and email to bearcat@willamette.edu. Your senior grades must be submitted as soon as they are available. To ensure adequate academic preparation for success in Willamette’s rigorous curriculum, we recommend the following pattern of secondary school coursework:
- Four years of English
- Four years of mathematics (including algebra, geometry and trigonometry)
- Four years of social science coursework
- Three to four years of lab-based science coursework
- Three to four years of a foreign language
Counselors may submit School Report Forms and Recommendations through the Common Application, Scoir, MaiaLearning, Slate.org and email to bearcat@willamette.edu.
Willamette offers test-optional admission, but if you do decide to report your standardized test scores then you must submit your official score report(s). Please note that students attending secondary schools that print SAT and/or ACT scores on official transcripts do not need to submit score reports from either testing agency.
If you take the SAT and/or ACT more than once, the Admission Committee will review your highest scores from each section, resulting in what is widely known as a superscore.
Letter(s) of recommendation may be submitted by your teachers (preferably English, math, science or history) through the Common Application, Scoir, MaiaLearning, Slate.org and email to bearcat@willamette.edu.
Transfer Students
Wherever you are on your educational journey, we'll provide the resources you need to make a smooth transition to Willamette.
Thanks for your interest in applying to Willamette! If you have graduated from high school, or have a completed GED, and have or will receive college-level credit from an accredited institution, then you qualify as a transfer student. Review the information below and let us know if you have any questions.
Transfer Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and enrollment deadlines are determined at the point of admission. Once all of your credentials are received, the Admission Committee will review your application for admission. Photographs and copies of official documents submitted by the applicant cannot be accepted.
Note: If you are graduating from high school this year and are dually enrolled in an early start program with your high school and a partnering college, please apply as a first-year student. Not sure if you are a transfer student? Contact us at 503-370-6303 or bearcat@willamette.edu.
Steps to complete your application:
Fall Entry
- Application and all required supporting materials due by April 15
- Enrollment deposit due by May 1
Spring Entry
- Application submitted by November 1
- Receive an admission decision by November 17
- Enrollment deposit due by December 8
Students may submit their application and required supporting materials after the above deadlines. Late applicants will be considered on a space-available basis. We strongly encourage late applicants to contact the Office of Admission to discuss their application and interest in Willamette prior to applying.
Final Deadlines
- Fall Entry
- Application and all required supporting materials due by July 15
- Enrollment deposit due by August 4
- Spring Entry
- Application and all required supporting materials due by December 1
- Enrollment deposit due by January 5
The admission committee reserves the right to delay an admission decision if additional materials or grades will prove helpful in the review of an application. Applicants will be notified via email of these requests.
Transfer students should utilize the Willamette Transfer Application to apply. The application is free to submit and provides us with a broad range of academic and extracurricular activity to learn more about each applicant. The application also requires an essay, which offers you the opportunity to share more about yourself while demonstrating your writing and communication skills.
Willamette Transfer Application
Transfer students must submit an official transcript for each college attended, including those from dual-enrollment credits earned in high school and regardless of interest or intention on transferring prior credits earned to Willamette University. Transcripts should be sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Admission via Parchment, email to bearcat@willamette.edu or mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
Transfer students who have completed fewer than 60 semester or 72 quarter credits of transferable college credit must also submit an official final high school transcript with a clearly marked graduation date or official GED scores prior to enrollment. The transcript must be sent directly from the applicants high school to be considered official. If you are unsure if you are required to submit your high school transcript, contact the Office of Admission.
Letter(s) of recommendation may be submitted by a recent college instructor. You'll have the opportunity to invite an current or former instructor in the application. They will be notified via email and can login to upload a document or send one as an attachment to an email sent from your instructor to bearcat@willamette.edu.
International Students
We welcome applications from citizens of other countries.
We appreciate your interest in applying to Willamette University, and we value the richness and diversity that international students bring to our campus community.
Please follow the instructions above based on your prior educational background. Students currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, secondary school should follow the application guidelines for First Year Students.
Students who have graduated from secondary school or completed leaving exams and begun university-level studies, including two- or four-year institutions in or out of the United States should follow the application guidelines for Transfer Students.
International students should also note the following requirements:
Fall Semester
Willamette’s fall semester begins the last week of August and ends mid-December.
- Application and all required supporting materials due February 1
- Receive an admission decision by March 1
- Financial Guarantee Statement due April 1
- Enrollment deposit due May 1
Spring Semester
Willamette’s spring semester begins mid-January and ends mid-May.
- Application and all required supporting materials due November 1
- Receive an admission decision by November 17
- Financial Guarantee Statement due December 1
- Enrollment deposit due December 8
We are unable to accept applications from international students after the deadlines above. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission to discuss your interest in Willamette and opportunities to apply for a future entry term.
The admission committee reserves the right to delay an admission decision if additional materials or grades will prove helpful in the review of an application. Applicants will be notified via email of these requests.
Applicants must submit official academic records. Official academic records must be sent directly from the student’s school, government agency or test provider. Transcripts, leaving exams and English language proficiency exams will not be accepted from the student or a parent. All records should be in English.
Academic records could include:
- Secondary school transcripts for the school years most similar to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the United States.
- Leaving exams used to signify the completion of secondary school.
- Transcripts for post-secondary education, including from a two- or four-year institution in the United States or university level education in another country.
All records are reviewed and, if necessary, the applicant will be notified that further evaluation is required by World Education Services, or WES. First year applicants are recommended to request a Document-by-Document evaluation. Transfer applicants are recommended to request a Course-by-Course evaluation. Evaluations will be considered official when received directly from WES.
Willamette offers test-optional admission for students whose primary language is English or education is completed in English. For students who indicate on their application that they will submit test scores, an official score report must be issued from the testing agency for exams completed within the prior five years.
If your primary language is not English, you are required to submit scores from one of the following English proficiency exams. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Willamette University. This requirement can be waived at the discretion of the Office of Undergraduate Admission if the primary language of instruction of your secondary or post-secondary education has been English. English proficiency exam scores will only be accepted for exams completed within the prior two years.
Minimum Score Requirements
- TOEFL
- Paper-Based: 560
- Computer-Based: 220
- Internet-Based: 83
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE: 60
- Duolingo: 105
Willamette University also recognizes completion of Level 5 coursework from Pacific International Academy as proof of English language proficiency.
You must include a copy of the photo identification page of your passport as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Financial Guarantee Statement must be completed in conjunction with supporting documentation of financial resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they and their family can cover the total cost of the first year of attendance after scholarship and financial aid by Willamette.
Willamette University does not offer financial aid up to the full cost of attendance, including direct costs (tuition, housing, food) and indirect costs (books, supplies, transportation). If you require full funding, we encourage you to seek other funding sources or pursue your education through alternative means.
The Financial Guarantee Statement is available in the applicant status page
after the student has been admitted.
Documents can and should be submitted in the following methods:
Application, including Essay
Electronically through the chosen application platform.
Letters of Recommendation/Reference
Recommenders can submit through the chosen application platform or via email as an attached document to bearcat@willamette.edu.
Materials must be sent directly from the recommender to Willamette University.
Academic Records
Secondary schools and universities can submit electronic documents to bearcat@willamette.edu or mail materials to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
USA
Materials must be sent directly from a school/university official to Willamette University.
Exam Scores
Exam scores should be sent directly from the testing agency to Willamette University.