High School Counselors
Welcome to the High School Counselor resource page at Western Colorado University. We value the role you play in student’s lives and look forward to working with you as your students transition to Mountaineers! We encourage you and your students to explore our visiting options.
Watch The College Tour
Western Colorado University is featured on season 7 of Amazon Prime’s series The College Tour. Tune in to our 30-minute episode to hear directly from our students about our academic programs, recreation opportunities, unique location and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Western’s GPA and test score requirements?
- Middle 50% of Enrolled First-Time Freshmen
High School GPA 3.12-3.93 ACT Composite 21-27 SAT Composite 1020-1200 - Optional for 2023 semesters: Send your official ACT and/or SAT test scores to Western (ACT code: 0536, SAT code: 4946).
- Middle 50% of Enrolled First-Time Freshmen
- Are there any additional application requirements? Letters of recommendation, personal statement, essay, etc.
- Western has an optional essay and encourages students to submit letters of recommendation, personal statements, etc. if they feel their application needs extra support.
- Can the application fee be waived?
- Yes, please visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s website for their Application Fee Waiver form.
- For additional information or assistance with waivers, please call the Admissions Office to speak with a counselor at 970.943.2119.
- Will AP/IB/dual credit classes transfer?
- Yes, AP, IB and CLEP equivalencies can be found here. Dual credit or concurrent credit is likely to transfer if it’s from an accredited college or university with a grade of C- or better.
- Will dropping class XYZ during senior year affect a student’s admission decision?
- No, we honor admission decisions regardless of schedule changes. However, students will want to be mindful of Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) set by the state of Colorado. Not meeting these requirements could affect their class placement.
- Can transcripts be emailed? Where do I send them?
- Official transcripts can be emailed to admissions@western.edu. Otherwise, we use Parchment (Naviance), e-Scrip, Clearinghouse, Overgrad, Scoir or the U.S. Postal Service.
- Is there an application deadline?
- Western operates on a rolling admission cycle. We accept applications until our incoming class is full.
- Do you accept the Common Application?
- Yes, you can find Western Colorado University on the Common Application.
- Yes, you can find Western Colorado University on the Common Application.
- What are the next steps for a student who has been accepted?
- All next steps for Accepted Students can be found here.
- Visiting Options for deposited students
- The admitted student weekend and admitted student reception registrations will be available later this fall. Be on the lookout for these events and more!
- What merit scholarships does Western offer? What are the requirements?
- Western offers a variety of merit scholarships. You can view the scholarships and the requirements for them here.
- Does Western offer any tuition discount programs like Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
- Yes! Here at Western, we offer WUE and a Central Plains (CP) Tuition Discount Program. Under these programs, students who live in a qualifying state pay 150 percent of Western’s total in-state tuition. You can find more information on our Discount Programs here.
- What is the annual cost to attend Western?
- Western’s Tuition and Fees for 2022-2023 can be found here.
- Is work-study available? What are the jobs?
- Yes, work-study is available. We have dozens of positions throughout the academic year and summer. You can find a complete list of jobs here.
- Can the tuition or housing deposit be waived?
- Students who qualify for the Pell Grant are eligible to have the tuition deposit deferred because of financial need. The housing damage deposit cannot be waived, but students are encouraged to set up a payment plan with Residence Life. They can be reached at reslife@western.edu or 970.943.2101.
- Are athletic scholarships offered?
- Yes, students should be in close communication with their coach on any athletic awards. Coach contact information can be found here.
- What majors does Western offer? What are the most popular programs?
- You can find a full list of Western’s academic programs here. Our most popular programs are Biology, Environment and Sustainability, Recreation and Outdoor Education, Exercise and Sports Science and Business.
- What kind of academic support is offered on campus?
- Western offers a Math Tutoring Center, a Writing Center and has Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) offered in conjunction with some courses. Each department on Western’s campus offers weekly SAI time slots. Additionally, most departments have a list of private tutors that students can contact directly.
- Does Western have a Career Services office?
- Yes, you can find our Career Services page here.
- Are there any new or updated majors?
- Yes! For fall 2019, we introduced the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering. We also have several new 3+2 programs which allow students to earn their bachelor’s and masters’ degree in five years. You can find info on the 3+2 programs here. Check out our new majors in the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering.
- How accessible are the faculty?
- Western’s faculty pride themselves on being available for students. We regularly hear students talk about having coffee with their professors or utilizing office hours. All faculty are required to hold office hours at least two days each week. Faculty also serve as academic advisors for students.
- What’s the average class size?
- The average class size at Western is 17 and our largest classroom on campus holds 66 students.
- Is there an Honors program? What are the requirements?
- Yes, information on the Honors Program can be found here. Incoming freshmen are invited to the Honors Program if they have at least a 3.5 GPA and a 25 ACT or 1190 SAT.
- What opportunities to visit campus are available?
- We offer information sessions and campus tours Monday-Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. A student ambassador will then take the group on a full campus tour at 11:00 a.m. You can view available dates and further details here.
- Is there a virtual tour?
- Yes! You can find the student-built virtual tour here.
- Are there counselor visit opportunities?
- Yes! In addition to our daily campus visits and Preview Days, we offer summer counselor workshops.
- Can’t make it on campus? Explore Western Remotely!
- Do students need a car? How much is parking on campus?
- Students don’t need a car, but if they decide to bring one, parking is free and plentiful at Western. Our campus and the town of Gunnison are small so it’s easy to walk, ride a bike, skate or scoot around. Gunnison also has a free bus service that runs around town and up to Crested Butte. You can find information on bus routes and times here.
- What’s new on campus? (Buildings, programs, clubs, etc.)
- The Mountaineer Bowl is under renovation! The $15 million project is being made possible through the lead commitment of alumnus Paul M. Rady (class of 1978) and his wife, Katy. Here’s the story.
- This year, we have added three new certificate programs and four new emphasis concentrations, bringing our total areas of study to 111 programs.
- Certificates in Advanced Spanish Proficiency and Spanish Language and Culture can be paired with any bachelor’s degree.
- Anthropology students can now earn a certificate in Cultural Resource Management.
- The Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability has introduced three new emphasis concentrations: Climate Action Planning, Food Systems and Public Land Management.
- An emphasis in Fisheries & Aquatic Ecology is also now available for those pursuing a degree in Biology.
- What are the residence halls like? How many years do students have to live on campus?
- Western requires students to live on-campus for two years. Studies have shown that students who live on-campus are more involved and ultimately retain at a higher rate year-after-year. Generally, first-year students live in traditional-style residence halls where they have a roommate and share a bathroom with other residents on their floor. Second-year students are usually placed in suite-style living. Our suites typically include a roommate and a shared bathroom with another suite. For upperclassmen, apartments are available. You can view all of our housing options here.
- Are laptops provided for students?
- Western does not provide laptops. However, there are several computer banks and labs across campus that are available for students. If a student wants to bring their own laptop, they are free to choose between Mac or PC.
- What are the key characteristics of students that succeed at Western?
- Western students don’t fit a typical mold. We see the most successful students being the ones that push their comfort zones, ask for help and try new things. Most of our staff will agree; Western and the Gunnison community encourage people to be themselves. Whether that be an artist, athlete, cowboy, musician or bookworm, you can find a place at Western.
- What athletic division is Western in?
- Western competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Athletics. For more information, please visit our Athletics page.
- Western competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Athletics. For more information, please visit our Athletics page.
Summer Experience
The Summer Experience at Western Colorado University is a workshop that allows the campus community to share both the school and the Gunnison Valley with the counselors and educators who guide students through their post-secondary options. The event is free of charge to all eligible counselors and coordinators.
Summer 2023 Dates:
July 13-14, 2023
Questions? Contact visit@western.edu
Day One
| Check in and Lunch | Noon | Western Colorado University campus |
| On-campus conference and tour | 1-4 p.m. | Western Colorado University campus |
| Transportation to Crested Butte | 4-5 p.m. | 30-mile drive north along scenic Colorado Highway 135 |
| Check-in at Elevation Hotel and free time in Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte | 5-6 p.m. | Elevation Hotel |
| Dinner | 6-8 p.m. | Dinner at Elevation Hotel, hosted by Western Colorado University’s president |
Day Two
| Breakfast | 8-9 a.m. | Elevation Hotel |
| Crested Butte excursion | 9-11 a.m. | Pickup and drop-off at Elevation Hotel |
On-Campus Conference and Tour
- Tour of Western’s tree-lined, walkable campus
- Greeting from Western Colorado University President Brad Baca, M.A.
- Presentation: What’s new and exciting at Western Colorado University?
- Presentation: Financial Aid at Western Colorado University
Complimentary Meals
- Day One: lunch, dinner
- Day Two: breakfast, box lunch for the road
Options: Crested Butte Excursion
- Free time in towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte
- Guided hike in the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado”
Take the Next Step
Apply to Western
Apply to Western
We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.
Visit Western
Visit Western
The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.
Alumni Community
Alumni Community
We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.
Request Information
Request Information
Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.