Transfer Requirements

Applying as a transfer student

WSU Tri-Cities welcomes transfer students! You’re considered a transfer for admission purposes if you have attended college since graduating from high school (not including the summer immediately following high school graduation).

If you are still in high school but have earned college credits (e.g., through Running Start), follow the steps for first-year admission.

Bridges Logo

Interested in transferring from community college to WSU Tri-Cities?

Check-out the Bridges transfer program!
Bridges is a direct transfer program that will help save you money on college costs and pair you directly with a transfer advisor that is knowledgeable in your program of study. This program is intended for students who have earned less than 45 quarter credits at CBC or BMCC with a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA.

How to Apply as a Transfer

1. FILL OUT THE TRANSFER APPLICATION
The priority application date for fall semester is July 15 and November 15 for spring semester, but we accept transfer applications throughout the year. To be considered for merit-based awards you must apply by the priority application date.

2. REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS FROM ALL THE COLLEGES YOU’VE ATTENDED
If you have less than a full year of college credit to transfer, we may ask you to also have your high school transcript (or GED) sent to WSU.

Transcripts and test scores must be sent directly from the school or testing agency to WSU via postal mail, fax, or an accepted documentation service such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, or eScrip-Safe. Please note, we do not accept official transcripts sent via email. If you are requesting your transcripts be sent through an accepted documentation service, please request that they send it to WSU through the U.S. Postal Service. If they send it via electronic mail, we will not receive the transcript. 

Washington State University Tri-Cities
Office of Admissions
2710 Crimson Way
Richland, WA 99354
Fax: 509-372-7100

3. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
To make sure you receive the highest possible amount of financial help, file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) by May 1.

After you apply

When we receive your transfer application, the application fee or waiver request and official transcripts from the colleges you’ve attended, the Office of Admissions will review your application and all supporting materials. During our review we’ll determine your total number of transferable college credits, cumulative GPA in the transferable work and which University common requirements (UCORE) you’ve completed. Courses that are applicable to your major will be evaluated by the department you’re planning to major in.

We will notify you of the admission decision by letter once we have completed our review.

For more information on checking your application status through WSU’s secure online portal, visit my.wsu.edu.

Some WSU requirements to be aware of…

While you can surely take care of your graduation requirements after you enroll here, preparing in advance for these two WSU requirements can help you make the most of your time, both before you transfer and after.

WRITING PORTFOLIO

All students at WSU are required to complete a writing portfolio after reaching 60 credits, which is generally during the junior year.

The writing portfolio consists of two parts:

  • A packet containing three samples of original graded writing from three different college courses
  • A two-part impromptu timed essay

Keep all the papers you write for your college courses. You can use papers written for classes you took at your previous college in your portfolio packet.

See the writing portfolio guidelines for more information.

ADMISSION TO YOUR MAJOR

At WSU Tri-Cities students are advised by a team of professional advisors.

In some programs at WSU Tri-Cities, you need to be admitted to your major before you can take upper-level courses in that subject. With advance planning, you may be able to meet departmental requirements before transferring.

Be sure to contact the program you’ll be majoring in to see what the requirements are for admission to your major.

Meet Bernie

Bernadette Gagnier hadn’t found her ideal career path post life in the U.S. Marine Corps until she discovered that Washington State University Tri-Cities had a wine science program. She said transferring to WSU Tri-Cities was one of the best decisions she’s made to date.
Read more…

Check out the transfer credit equivalency data base to learn more about how to transfer your credits.

Note: This is a guide to the admission process, not a statement of policy. See the WSU General Catalog for official requirements and regulations.