Table of Major Application Dates
| Quarter | Application Open Date & Time | Application Deadline Date & Time | Decision Letters Sent By Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | September 25th 2024 at 8:00 AM | October 11th 2024 at 5:00 PM | November 1st 2024 |
| Winter 2025 | January 7th 2025 at 8:00 AM | January 24th 2025 at 5:00 PM | February 14th 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | April 1st 2025 at 8:00 AM | April 18th 2025 at 5:00 PM | May 9th 2025 |
Past Acceptance Data
| Academic Year | % Acceptance Rate | Accepted Applicants Average Prerequisite GPA | Declined Applicants Average Prerequisite GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| AY 23-24 | 100% | 3.60 | N/A |
| AY 22-23 | 84% | 3.49 | 3.09 |
| AY 21-22 | 79% | 3.58 | 3.46 |
| AY 20-21 | 60% | 3.67 | 3.25 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply during the summer?
No, the admissions committee does not meet during the summer. Students that meet the requirements after spring quarter grades post, must wait to apply when the application opens fall quarter.
How do I calculate my prerequisite GPA?
To calculate your GPA of the eight prerequisite courses use this downloadable Excel spreadsheet by clicking here.
Can I repeat a class I didn’t pass?
Yes, students can repeat a class they didn’t pass, at any time. For a class to count towards a major requirements, it must be a C- or above. Any letter grades below C- is considered not passing even if it provides credit towards general university requirements (GURs). Credit is granted for courses completed with grades of D- or higher on the A–F grading system. Grades of D+, D and D-, however, represent a level of work that is unacceptable in a student’s major or minor, supporting courses for majors and minors, ENG 101, and the courses that satisfy a student’s writing proficiency requirement. For complete details about records and grading please visit the Registrar’s Office Website by clicking here.
Can I repeat a class to increase my previous grade and prerequisite GPA?
Yes, you may retake one of the eight prerequisite classes previously passed (C- or above), once in an attempt to raise your prerequisite GPA. Students must wait until Phase III of registration to repeat a class previously passed. This sometimes makes it difficult to enroll in a class with a waitlist during fall, winter and spring quarters. Sometimes students can only repeat a class they previously passed during summer quarter.
Please note, if you retake more than one class previously passed, we will only use the new GPA of the first class you retook. Repeating classes not passed with a C- or above, do not count as the one allowed repeat. If you have any questions, please contact the major advisor by email bns@wwu.edu.
Can Students Reapply?
Yes, students may apply to the major more than once, but to reapply they must meet with the major advisor as soon as possible after receiving their declination letter.
Do you accept letters of recommendation or additional application materials?
No, additional materials or letters of recommendation are not accepted.
Eligibility to Apply
Students applying to the Behavioral Neuroscience major must first meet the following requirements:
- Declared BNS Pre-major.
- Complete at least 75 undergraduate credits.
- Complete at least 12 credits at WWU.
- Complete the following courses with an average grade point of 2.9 or higher: CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163; BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206; PSY 101, and PSY 220.
Application Short Answer Questions
Applicants must respond to the following questions on the application. We recommend creating responses for the short answer questions in a separate document, so that you may save your work and come back to it. There is a 4,000-character limit (including spaces) for each response. On average students submit 1-2 paragraphs for each question. Please be clear and concise.
- What are your career goals?
- How do you see the BS in Behavioral Neuroscience curriculum contributing to your career goals?
- Describe the area of behavioral neuroscience research that interests you. Identify the WWU Biology and Psychology faculty members whose research interests match yours.
- Describe any research experiences you have had. If you have conducted research, briefly describe the research and your role in the project.
- Describe volunteer, work, or other experiences that you feel have prepared you to succeed in the Behavioral Neuroscience major.
- Provide any additional information that you think will help us make an informed decision about your application.
- Reapplication Process. IF YOU ARE REAPPLYING, please clearly state how your application has improved from your original application.