Transfer Orientation (Ellensburg) | Central Washington University

Transfer Students

We are excited for you to start the next chapter in your college experience with us! We are here to support you during this transition and hope to help you add to the strong foundation you have already built. We encourage you to utilize the many resources available and contact us if you are unable to find an answer. Many students are the first in their family to go to college and we want to help you be successful. If you will be enrolled at one of the centers other than Ellensburg view the page for our CWU Centers and online students.

Wildcat Guides: Spring 2021, Summer 2021 (coming in June), Fall 2021 (coming in Sept)

Your Orientation Experiences

Start with CENTRAL 301: Your Orientation and Transition Portal

Central 301 Button

CENTRAL 301: Your Orientation and Transition Portal is a course designed specifically for transfer students. We know you may already have some experiences that will assist you as you start at CWU. Our goal is to continue on that trend and expose you to campus-wide resources and services before you start your first quarter by providing deadlines and action items. These resources and services will ensure your transition to Central Washington University is seamless. You will be added to CENTRAL 301 the day after you accept your offer of admissions! You can register for Links Orientation at the end of this course!

1st Quarter at Central:	Spring 2021	Summer 2021	Fall 2021	Winter 2022
Opening Date & Link:	View Now	April 1, 2021	View Now	October 1, 2021

Wildcat Day

Wildcat Wednesdays

Wildcat Day is an optional event for admitted students and their support networks. You will be introduced to academic majors and campus resources, learn about clubs and organizations, and explore campus! View the 2021 Wildcat Day schedule.

Todos Somos Familia is a Spanish language orientation during each Wildcat Day for Spanish speaking support networks. You and your support networks will receive valuable information about what to expect at CWU.

Virtual Wildcat Day

Recordings from April 17, 2020 can be viewed on our homepage.

Links Orientation

Students Connecting

Links Orientation consist several experiences hosted by orientation leaders where transfer students are able to build community with other students, learn about university resources and discover what Central has to offer.

Wildcat Wednesdays are live events hosted most Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. During Wildcat Wednesdays, Orientation and Transition Programs partner with students and CWU campus resources on topics that will assist you in your transition to Central! Check your email or this website each week for the topic for the following week. View our previous Wildcat Wednesdays on our homepage!

Welcome Week

Move In

Welcome Week will help you feel at home at Central. You will continue to build connections with other students, become familiar with campus and get acquainted with the many resources available to you. We want to help prepare you with valuable educational sessions and workshops online or in-person.

As a transfer student, you have the option to design your own orientation experience. Welcome Week is only mandatory for first-year students but we invite transfer students to attend sessions they feel are of value.

2021 Dates - September 17 through 25

Fall 2020 Wildcat Guide: Volume II

First Six Weeks

Wildcat Cup

The First Six Weeks programming picks up where Welcome Week ends. Orientation & Transition Programs, in collaboration with faculty and campus-wide staff, facilitate programs online and around campus. Topics address the academic and transitional issues new students typically face during the first six weeks on campus. Each event is categorized into the dimensions of wellness or dimensions of student life; social, cultural, environmental, emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual, occupational and financial.

Transfer students are welcome to attend any of these events.

Transfer Resources

Campus

Common Questions for Links Orientation

Where can I find COVID-19 updates?

You can find information about COVID-19, parent and student Q&As and #CWUtogether resources on COVID-19 Updates.
Is Links Orientation still happening in person?

We are still assessing our ability to host in-person sessions this summer. As we learn more we will widely share information via email and on this site.
How much does orientation cost? (What do my fees cover?)
Orientation fees for transfer students:

At CWU we work to balance the impact of fees as well as providing the right services to support student success. Our Orientation fees are the lowest among the 4 year public institutions in Washington State. While that is important, the fees might still be stress provoking. To help alleviate those feelings, we do not assess the fees until financial aid is able to help cover those costs. That means they will not appear on your first quarter bill until after classes begin. The fees are assessed to all incoming student during their first quarter on campus.

Student Fee
- $60 for transfer students
What it Covers
- The fee includes cost of providing virtual sessions, staffing for orientation office, publications, programs such as Welcome Week, First Six Weeks, Wildcat Success Day and ongoing programming
I cannot afford the orientation fees, can you waive them?

During the times of COVID-19, we are unable to waive orientation fees.
When is move in day?

On campus housing move-in is scheduled for September 17-19. Watch your CWU email for additional details.
What's the best way to get in touch with the Orientation team?

We encourage you to reach out to us via email at cwu.orientation@cwu.edu. You can also reach out to us via zoom for live assistance! Please note that hours for zoom are M-F, 9AM-5PM PST except during the noon hour for lunch. We look forward to helping you!
What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation/No Show Policy

The $60 Orientation fee is assessed to all incoming transfer students.

How do I pay? When will I be charged?

Fees will be charged to your student account in September. This will allow financial aid to cover these costs. The charge will be due at the start of the students' first quarter.

What if I withdraw from CWU?

If you participate in orientation and decides not to enroll in classes or attend Central Washington University, unfortunately there is not a refund option available. This is because the $60 fee is specifically for orientation.
What tasks do I need to complete for Orientation?

We recommend you read through CENTRAL 301 to become familiar with the various resources available to you as a CWU student. After that, we ask that you fill out the registration form at the end of CENTRAL 301. This will provide advisors with information they need to support you with class registration. We encourage you to also check out previous Wildcat Wednesday recordings and Q&A's on our homepage!

This page contains links to sites outside of cwu.edu.