• Admission
• Visa and Other Documentation
• Academics
• Housing and Arrival
• Fees and Billing
• Contact Your WU Exchange Coordinator
• Site Map

WU Enrollment and Registration

Congratulations on your choice to attend Washington University! In addition to the admission letter, Overseas Programs will notify you by email that you have been admitted. Then, you will be asked to reply by email with a prioritized list of WU courses of interest for your first semester at WU. You may list up to ten courses with the most important ones at the beginning of your list. Up to seven of these courses will be entered into the WU registration system by Overseas Programs as soon as possible. Preferably, your list will be received by Overseas Programs several days before the registration system is open to all students (mid-April for fall semester or mid-November for spring semester), thus giving you the best chance of successful registration in preferred courses. Later, you will be given your WU student number and password so you can make on-line additions and deletions to your course schedule; meanwhile, Overseas Programs will handle this for you.

Please choose Arts and Sciences courses primarily, because you are restricted in registering for WU courses outside Arts and Sciences. You also may choose English language courses offered by University College (code U15). If you wish to enroll in courses outside of Arts and Sciences and University College, please contact your Overseas Programs exchange coordinator for guidance, noting this cannot exceed half your course load and requires sufficient preparation and instructor approval.

While attending WU, you must be enrolled in at least 12 units of academic credit (this is a student visa requirement). The typical course load is 15-16 units; maximum is 21. A lighter load might be advisable for an exchange student who needs to gain proficiency in hearing and speaking American English. Your English proficiency will be evaluated upon your arrival in St. Louis. Initially, you can register in extra units, ignoring time conflicts, and then adjust down to a manageable schedule later.

Academic Advisor

Your Overseas Programs exchange coordinator will be your advisor for the duration of your visit. Additionally, an appropriate person will be identified to function as your academic advisor in order to assist you with understanding course requirements, clarifying prerequisites, etc. Also, upon arrival, you will be shown how to use WebSTAC for adjusting your course schedule, reviewing your financial account (for medical insurance, housing, and meal plan fees), and other functions.