Washington State University

Find the right fit

Helping students find the right fit

Here are some tips to help your students decide which degree options are right.

Do your research

  • Check the WSU website for up-to-date information on classes, fields of study, faculty contacts, living options, athletics, clubs and activities, and more.
  • Review viewbooks, applications, departmental brochures, visitation program invitations, etc. If you haven’t received anything yet, you can see PDF versions of WSU brochures or join our mailing list on our info page.
  • If you know someone who attended or is currently attending the university, talk to him or her about his or her experiences.

Make a list

Think about what college characteristics are most important to you so that you know what to look for in your visit.
  • Do you want to live in a residence hall or in a Greek chapter house?
  • Is there a specific major that you’ve committed yourself to?
  • Will you feel overwhelmed in a large lecture hall?

Ask questions

  • Do professors teach classes, or are most taught by teachers' assistants (graduate students)?
  • What is the average class size? Will my professors know who I am?
  • What is the food like in dining hallls? Is it similar to what I get at my high school?
  • Does the school have a housing crunch, or will there be space for me?
  • Does the school require freshmen to live on campus?
  • What do students do for fun at night and on the weekends?
  • How safe is campus?
  • What is the weather like throughout the year?
  • How diverse is campus?
  • Does everyone go hone on the weekends and holidays?
  • Should I bring a car?
  • Should I bring a computer, or does the school have enough conputer labs?

Visit campus

Visiting campus is the best way to see if the fit is right. Students who come to WSU often tell us that it was their visit to the campus that made up their minds.

  • The standard WSU visit itinerary includes a campus tour and an admissions presentation. You're also welcome to arrange to visit an academic department, campus housing, dining, student resources, and various points of interest. If you can, pick a time during the work week when school is in session; it's best to get a first impression of what the campus is like when it’s in full swing.
  • If you would like to find out more about a specific sport, club, or program, you can arrange to meet with a coach, attend a practice or meeting.
  • Ask about how to apply for admission, financial aid, and housing; pick up whatever information (brochures, etc.) are available. Ask about student orientation and registering for classes.
  • Pick up any student-produced material that you can find. Ask for these in the admissions office. Student newspapers, community bulletins, campus event calendars, and such will give you an idea of what campus life is like. Check out bulletin boards, too, to see generally what the day-to-day energy of the place is.
  • Pack a camera and a notebook. If you plan to visit more than one campus, keep notes and take pictures. Important details tend to merge together by the time you start your final considerations.
  • Speak with an admission counselor to get a feel for what resources are available to students. Get business cards from each of your contacts, so that when you get home you can contact a real, live person with additional questions or concerns.
  • Make sure to see everything you are interested in and most importantly, make sure to get all of your questions answered. Use this handy checklist to help you get the most from your visit.

More about visiting WSU

After your visit ask yourself:

  • Do I feel at home here?
  • Is this campus what I pictured college to be?

 

Pullman campus snapshot

Diverse Student Population
  • 16,097 undergraduate students
  • 16 percent multicultural students
  • Students from all 50 states
  • 5 percent international students from more than 80 countries
Friendly community
  • Small-town atmosphere
  • 27,000 residents in Pullman, including students
  • 620-acre campus
  • Award-winning Student Recreation Center
  • Recently ranked safest college campus in Washington
More sun, less rain
Pullman gets about half the rainfall of Seattle
Academic strength
We offer academic programs that rank best among the nation and have received international recognition
  • More than 200 undergraduate fields of study
  • 70 master's degree programs
  • 44 doctoral degree programs
Low 15:1 student-faculty ratio
75 percent of classes have less than 40 students.
Study abroad
More than 100 study abroad programs in 70 countries in the world
Transfer profiles:
  • New enrollment for 2010-11: 1,1672
  • Average freshman GPA: 3.42

Office of Admission, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 509-335-5586, Contact Us