Frequently Asked Questions
Housing & Dining
Is it mandatory that exchange students live in the dormitories?
Yes, exchange students are required to live on campus, unless they are married and their spouse is with them. In that case, the couple would be required to live in the married student housing apartments on campus.
I have special dietary restrictions and have to cook for myself, is it mandatory that I purchase a meal plan?
McEachern & Orton Hall do not require you to purchase a meal plan and have cooking facilities. You should select McEachern or Orton Hall as your housing choice if you have special dietary needs.
How do I decide between the meal plans?
Level 1 is the lowest cost meal plan and is normally purchased if you do not eat often at the dining halls on campus and do not purchase many items at the markets on campus or at the coffee shops. Level 3 is the highest plan and is normally used by those who make frequent purchases at the markets or coffee shops on campus and frequently eat at the dining halls.
*Special Notes: If you choose Level 1, you can add money to that account during the semester, but if there is money left over in your dining account at the end of the semester, you DO NOT receive a refund!
Are there any dorms that provide cooking facilities?
Yes, all the residence halls have some kind of kitchen area, but in any hall besides McEachern or Orton, it is not very convenient to cook many meals.
Are there washers and dryers in the dorms?
A. Yes. All dorms have washers and dryers and the fee for these is built in to the room and board charge.
*Special Note: If you are on a room and board exchange, you are responsible for paying the washer and dryer fee!
Do I have to bring blankets or bed linens with me?
No, international students can get these when checking into housing for no charge, but they need to ask for them at desk and return them when they check out.
When/how is the $300.00 housing fee due/paid?
The $300.00 housing fee is a down payment for the total housing cost of the semester you are coming to WSU. It can be paid when the $60.00 deposit is made on the web at the time of application. If it is not paid before you come, it will be due as part of your bill due Sept 3 (for Fall semester). If you are on a room and board exchange to WSU, the Education Abroad office will pay the $300. You
will be responsible for the deposit and hall dues.
Drinking Policy
What is the drinking policy in the U.S. and at WSU?
The legal drinking age is 21 in the U.S. and the drinking policy is strictly enforced,
both on campus and off campus! If you are under 21, you may not drink in the
WSU dorms or off campus.
Graduate level, 500 and 600 level courses
Can I take graduate level classes?
Yes, you may be able to take one or two 500 & 600 level classes with the permission of the instructor.
Can I take all graduate level classes?
You may take all graduate level courses only if you apply and are accepted as a graduate student. To apply as a graduate student, fill out a Visiting International Graduate Student application to obtain the Department and Graduate School's approval. This is a long process and can take 4-6 months to complete. The application deadline for graduate students is February 1.
Citizenship Question:
Can I come on your exchange program, even though I have dual citizenship with my country and the United States and still get the tuition waiver?
No, we can not waive the tuition for you if you have an U.S. Passport. You can still participate on the exchange, but you will have to pay the out of state tuition.
Fees Question:
How do I know what fees and charges I have at WSU?Students can look on the WSU METRO web site at www.metro.wsu.edu to see when fees are put on their account. Payments to a student's account can also be made on this website. To see the estimated fees of specific items for your exchange, please visit the link called "What You Will Pay" on the "How to Apply" page under the Education Abroad website.
Bank Account
Can I apply for a bank account while on an exchange program at Washington State University?
Yes! Incoming exchange students can open their own bank account once they arrive. You may need to provide the bank with a social security number, which you can apply for during orientation in your first week in Pullman. Depending on the bank, you may be required to keep a US$50.00-$100.00 deposit in your account.
Banks in Pullman, WA 99163
American West Bank: http://www.awbank.net/
Bank of Whitman: http://www.bankofwhitman.com/
WA State Employees Credit Union:
http://www.pullman-wa.com/svcbus/wsecu.htm
U S Bank main site: http://www.usbank.com/
Seafirst Bank under Bank of America: http://www.bankofamerica.com/
WA Mutual Savings Bank: http://www.washingtonmutual.com/
Weather
What is the weather like in Pullman?
Temperatures in Pullman can vary greatly from 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, so bring clothes for any season. The weather may be hot for a time in April and also in August and September. The cold season is typically from November through February.
Ask Us!
The Education Abroad staff is available to help with your questions concerning your exchange to WSU.
- Email: edabroad@wsu.edu
- Phone: 509-335-2373