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How to Apply for Admission as a Freshman

This information is for students who haven't taken any college credits after graduating high school or earning their GED. If you took college classes while in high school, you’re considered a freshman student. Ready to begin your one-of-a-kind hands-on education experience? Follow the steps below.

1

Apply Online

Complete the online admission application and pay the $60 application fee.

EWU accepts application waiver forms from NACAC, ACT/SAT, CAMP and other college support programs. You can upload your waiver during the application process. Talk to your high school counselor or admissions advisor to learn if you qualify.

Freshman applicants can also apply to EWU through the Common App.

Apply Now

2

Submit High School Transcripts

You can send your unofficial transcripts yourself, or you can ask your high school to send them directly to us through Parchment, Naviance or via mail.

If you’re admitted, you’ll need to ask your school to send your final official transcripts to us before the start of the term.

3

Submit College Transcripts

You can send your official college transcripts, or you can ask your college to send your official transcripts directly to us through Parchment, Naviance or via mail. Remember to include transcripts from any colleges or universities you attended.

If you attended EWU for Running Start, we’ve already got your college transcripts.

4

Complete the FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA online. EWU’s FAFSA code is 003775.

5

Apply for Scholarships

Complete the EWU Scholarship Application.

Already Started?

Perfect! Log in to your EWU application with the username and password you created. You’ll be able to pick up where you left off. If you’re applying via the Common App, you’ll need to access your Common App account.

Application Deadlines for Undergraduate Students

Winter 2025Spring 2025Fall 2025
Application OpensApplyApplyApply
Priority Application Deadline*Feb. 1, 2024Feb. 1, 2023Feb. 1, 2025
Final Application DeadlineDec. 23, 2024  March 17, 2025 Sept. 1, 2025        
FAFSA AvailableJan. 1, 2023Jan. 1, 2023Dec. 1, 2025
Priority FAFSA DateNANAFeb. 1, 2025
Scholarship Application AvailableNANANov. 1, 2024
Scholarship Application DeadlineNANAFeb. 1, 2025

*When you complete an admissions application by the priority application deadline, you will be automatically considered for most new student scholarships.

Other Dates & Deadlines

Freshman Student Admission Requirements

There are two paths to admission to EWU as a high school student.

Path 1: Automatic Admission

  1. Have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 (or higher) on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Complete a series of required high school classes.

If this is you, you’ll be automatically admitted. You still have to submit your application and final transcripts (after graduation)! This is why working hard in high school pays off.

Path 2: Review Process

  1. We’ll look at your grades from high school and college, how hard your classes were and your senior year course schedule.
  2. To be eligible for review, you must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA in high school and any applicable college work.

Required High School Classes

The College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR) are a series of high school classes required to attend a public university in Washington. If you’ll be a freshman or high school student at EWU, here’s the list of classes you need to take.
CreditsSubject
4English
3Social Sciences
3Laboratory Science (One credit algebra-based)
3Mathematics (Including Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry*)
2World Language (American Sign Language and American Indian Language accepted)
1Fine Art (May be replaced by one credit from any other category)
1Senior Year Quantitative Math

* Be sure to take a math-based quantitative course in your senior year. Acceptable courses include algebra I, algebra II, geometry, pre-calculus and above, math analysis, statistics, applied math, appropriate career and technical courses, or an algebra-based science course such as chemistry or physics. If you take and pass pre-calculus, math analysis or calculus prior to your senior year, you’re exempt from this requirement.

Running Start students have to meet CADR requirements, too.

ACT or SAT Test Scores

EWU is test blind. You are not required to submit test scores to be considered for admission or any automatic scholarships. We do not use test scores for admissions, scholarships, the Honors Program, or class placement. All new applicants will go through a holistic review process.

You will still have to show that you’re ready for college, however, you can do that several ways. (See above!)

Transferring College Credits

If you already have college credit, your college transcripts will be evaluated after you’re admitted. EWU will figure out how your classes transfer and what classes you can take next.

If you were an EWU Running Start student, all of your EWU Running Start credits will transfer directly. To gain a better understanding of what college credits may transfer to EWU, you’ll want to explore the Eastern Transfer Guide.

EWU’s Non-discrimination Policy

Eastern Washington University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.