Become a Warrior

Ready for the kind of hands-on, real-life experience that's only possible at a top-ranked urban research university? A vibrant community of scholars stands ready to help you soar.

Pursue your passion

When you apply, you'll be asked to choose a major from the hundreds of degree programs available at Wayne State. If you're undecided, select an exploratory track, which allows you to check out your options while staying on course for graduation.

  • First-year

    You are considered a first-year student if:

    • You are a current high school senior who will go to college after graduation
    • You are a high school graduate who has not earned credit at a college or university
    • You are a GED holder who has not earned credit at a college or university

    Incoming first-year students are welcome to apply for fall 2024 using either the

    University application or Common Application

    Use the code WSU2024 to receive a waiver on your application fee. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

    Decisions can be expected 4-6 weeks after all application requirements are received and processed by Undergraduate Admissions. Check for it on your application status page, using the email address and password created for your applicant profile page. 

  • Transfer

    Decisions can be expected 3 weeks after all application requirements are received and processed by Undergraduate Admissions.

    To transfer to Wayne State, you must have at least 24 transferable credits of previous college work and a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA from all higher education institutions you have attended.

    • If you have completed an associate degree, you may be admitted with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

    Apply now 

    Use the code WSU2024 to receive a waiver on your application fee. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

    Decisions can be expected 3 weeks after all application requirements are received and processed by Undergraduate Admissions. Check for it on your application status page, using the email address and password created for your applicant profile page. 

  • Postbac

    If you have already completed a degree and are interested in earning college credit without intending to use it toward another degree — or if you want to get into a graduate program but need to raise your GPA first — this type of admission is for you.

    Post-bachelor students are welcome to apply for 2024.

    Apply now

    Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

  • Graduate

    Take the first step in joining a top-ranked urban research university. If you're applying to a graduate program, you must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.

    Incoming students are welcome to apply now for Spring/Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Winter 2024:

    Apply now

    Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

    College of Nursing applicants

    Beginning Fall 2024, applicants who are interested in receiving a PhD, DNP, MSN, or graduate certificate from Michigan’s premiere research institution, please apply through the AACN-operated universal application system NursingCAS. Applicants are not required to submit a separate WSU application.

    College of Nursing NursingCAS application

    For Winter 2024 MSN and Graduate Certificate programs, please use the general university application.

  • International

    You should apply as an international student if you are not a permanent resident or citizen of the United States. You should also apply under this status if you have graduated from a secondary institution and completed pre-university educational curricula in your own country.

    Undergraduate application

    Graduate students

    Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

Returning to WSU?

If you have previously enrolled at Wayne State University, you do not need to complete another Undergraduate Admission application. Please visit the Returning Students webpage for more information.

Reapplying for admission

If you are reapplying for admission and have applied within the last year, you are only required to submit the Undergraduate Admission application. Your transcripts and application fee do not need to be resubmitted. If it has been longer than a year since you last applied to Wayne State, you will need to submit the application fee.

Application fee

There is no fee for undergraduate guest students.

Students may pay the required $25 nonrefundable application fee by credit card online or by check mailed to: Wayne State University, P.O. Box 02759, Detroit, MI 48202.

The WSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions accepts fee waivers for the application fee for first-year and transfer students. The applying student’s high school guidance counselor must sign the university fee waiver prior to application submission at WSU. Transfer students may submit the NACAC Transfer Fee Waiver and must have attestation from a financial aid officer or staff member from their current or most recently attended college/university. Application fee waivers are subject to the approval of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and are granted based upon evidence of financial need.

Please note that fee waivers are not accepted for postbaccalaureate or non-matriculating students.

The following documents may also be used to waive the application fee:

  • ACT or SAT verification that a fee waiver was used to register for the test. These waivers are available only from a high school guidance office.
  • Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver form provided by NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling).