APPLY NOW!
There are several ways you can apply to Western State College - please select from the options below. If you are applying for admission as a freshman or transfer student please submit the following:
- Application (online or paper version)
- There is no application fee for online applications. Include the application fee of $30.00 for paper applications. Make checks payable to Western State College of Colorado.
- Your official high school and/or college transcripts
- ACT and/or SAT scores
- Current courses in progress. List all high school or college courses that you are taking now or plan on taking before enrolling at Western.
- Personal essay (optional, but required for Scholarship Application)
- One to two pages, double spaced, typed
- Two letters of recommendation (optional, but required for Scholarship Application)
Application Options:
- Online Application (no application fee!) or
- Paper application - (Download here, submit with $30 application fee), or, request that one be sent to you.
- Students seeking a second degree may be admitted as a post BA student. To apply either use the online application OR download and send in the post BA application form Official transcripts are required for this application, but an essay is not.
- An applicant not wishing to pursue a degree at Western may be admitted as an unclassified student. To apply, download and send in the unclassified application form. No transcripts or essay are required for this application. Unclassified students can take a maximum of 12 credit hours before applying for formal admission.
- Students who leave Western and wish to return must fill out the readmission application .
Send all materials to:
Western State College of Colorado
Admissions Office
600 N. Adams St.
Gunnison, CO 81231
Fax: 970-943-2363
Details about Applying
Your admission depends on your academic record, ACT or SAT test scores, and extracurricular activities. We admit students who have demonstrated their ability to succeed.
Timeline
Western makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis (we review completed applications as they arrive). We will notify you of our decision within 4-6 weeks after your completed application arrives.
Admissions Requirements:
High School Students
- Graduation from an accredited high school. You should have 4 units of English, at least 3 units of Math including two units of Algebra and a unit of Geometry, at least 2 units of Laboratory Science, and at least 2 units of Social Science. Foreign language and computer science units are important but not required.
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale of college-prep courses) and/or rank in the upper 60% of your graduating class. Weighted GPAs are considered.
- A score of 19 or higher on the ACT or 900 on the SAT. The writing portion of the ACT and SAT tests are not required for admission.
Transfer Students- see admissions requirements and other useful information at the Transfer Center.
Students with a GED
If you have not graduated from high school but have successfully completed a GED program with a minimum average score of 500 overall and a minimum of 410 in each area, we will consider your application for admission. Applicants with a GED under 21 years of age must also provide ACT or SAT test scores. High school transcripts and 2 letters of recommendation are highly recommended.
International Students
International students must have graduated from a program equivalent to an American high school or have scored 550 on the paper version, 213 on the electronic version or 96 on the iBT version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). More information is available on our international student pages.
Teacher Licensure Students
For more information on our Teacher Licensure programs go to www.western.edu/education/
Transferring AP, IB and CLEP credit
Western recognizes that many students have taken Advanced Placement tests, CLEP tests and/or participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The following links provide specific equivalencies for individual tests. A minimum score of 3 is required for credit to be granted for most Advanced Placement tests (for some a score of 4 is required). Western will grant International Baccalaureate credit for tests with a score of 4 or better. Students may be awarded a maximum of 18 credits from CLEP exams.
Tips on Applying to Western
- Apply for Undergraduate Admission either by applying online or by filling out the paper application and mailing it to the Admissions Office.
- Send in your high school and/or all college transcript(s). College transcripts must be official and arrive at Western in a sealed envelope directly from your previous college. GED students must submit a copy of their high school equivalency certificate and GED scores.
- If your transcript does not include your ACT or SAT score, request that ACT (Code 0536) or SAT (Code 4946) forward your test scores to Western. International students must submit TOEFL (Code 4946).
- Include a personal essay - one to two pages, double spaced, typed on a topic of your choice. Here are some suggested topics:
- Why do you wish to attend Western?
- What is your strongest/weakest point?
- Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?
- What do you want to do in the future?
- Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or others who know your academic ability, character, and ability to succeed are optional, and will be considered if included.
- Send your current courses in progress (high school or college).