Central Wyoming College - Admissions FAQs

How many majors are offered?: 52 Associate degrees are offered, with another 12 Certificate and Credential programs. CWC is also home to the state of Wyoming's only TV and Radio Broadcasting program. For more information on academic programs, visit our Academics Page.
How do I find out who my student's advisor is?: New students will need to visit with an Academic Advisor soon after acceptance. Students currently enrolled should know their advisor. If they do not, they should contact the Records and Registration Office.
What will it cost for my student to attend CWC?: Current cost estimates including tuition, room & board, books and miscellaneous expenses are available on our Tuition page.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE)?: The Western Undergraduate Exchange is a program though which students from a participating state may enroll in other participating state institutions and programs at a special, reduced tuition level.

2006-07 Participating WUE States are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

All applicants from WUE states will receive the WUE tuition rate at Central Wyoming College.
How do I receive a Central Wyoming College catalog?: The current catalog may be viewed on the web by clicking here. If you or your student do not have good web access, you can request a hard copy of our catalog by emailing the admissions office .

General Information

Is there an application fee?

There is no application fee to apply to CWC.

Do you have on-campus housing?

Yes, CWC has residence halls, apartments, and family housing. Please see the housing links for more information.

Do you have housing for families?

Yes. CWC has apartments for families. Please see the housing links for more information.

Do I have to live on campus my first year?

No, CWC does not require students to live on campus.

Do I need my high school transcripts to apply?

Yes, you need to have your high school transcripts mailed to:
Central Wyoming College
Registration & Records
2660 Peck Ave.
Riverton WY 82501

Do I need to take the ACT or SAT to attend CWC?

Yes, CWC will need your ACT scores for class placement, or you will have to take a Compass Placement Test. You will need to request that your ACT scores be mailed to Registration and Records.

Do I need to take an entrance exam?

If you have your recent ACT scores mailed to CWC's Registration & Records Office, or if you are a returning college student, you will not need to take a placement test. If you do not have recent ACT scores, you will need to take the Compass Placement Test.

Do you have services for students with disabilities?

Yes, we have a Student Support Services consultant on campus to provide assistance to students with disabilities. Please contact CWC Student Support Services director for more information.

What if I'm having trouble understanding my class work?

Yes, CWC provides free peer tutoring services through Student Support Services. During the regular academic year, tutoring is available in almost every subject from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

Do you have an intercollegiate athletics program?

CWC participates in intercollegiate rodeo and also has a club soccer team.

Can I apply for college if I have a GED?

Yes you can apply for admissions at CWC with a GED. You will be required to take a Compass Placement Test.

What if I don't have my high school transcripts?

If you don't have high school transcripts because you were home schooled or earned a GED, you may still apply to attend CWC. You will be required to take a Compass Placement Test.

How many students attend?

Currently the CWC campus extends to 1100 students. Our outreach campuses include Lander, Thermopolis and Jackson Hole.

What is the student to faculty ratio?

14-to-1

What is the Central Wyoming Campus like?

The CWC campus is located next to the beautiful Wind River Mountains. The campus is small with beautiful trees and acres of green lawn. CWC has the look and feel of a traditional community college campus, yet continues to be on the cutting edge of technology. Students enjoy short walks to classes, recreational activities, and a safe and secure environment. For more information on the campus and activities, visit our Student Life Page.

What is Riverton like?

Riverton, Wyoming is a friendly town of about 9,500 full time residents. It is located near the beautiful Owl Creek and Wind River mountain ranges. For more information please check out the Riverton Chamber of Commerce.

How do I transfer to CWC from another college or university?

See Admissions for admission requirements for new freshmen and transfer students or fill out an on-line information request form to receive application materials.

What is the weather like in Riverton?

The average temperature is 44 degrees F, the lowest average minimum temperature is 17 degrees F, and the highest average minimum daily temperature is 82 degrees F. Keep in mind these figures include the whole year.

Where is the closest airport to Riverton?

Students can fly into the Riverton Airport on Great Lakes Aviation.

Does my student need to bring a computer?

It is not necessary to bring a computer. The CWC campus has computer labs for student use. For students who do bring a computer, all residence halls and family apartments on campus are wired for free Internet service. Currently CWC has high-speed Internet connectivity and wireless service is available campus wide. For more information on technology at CWC, visit Information Technology Services.

What support services are available to students?

The Central Wyoming College has a full range of support services that include the Student Counseling Center, Student Support Services, the Services for Students with Disabilities and the Academic Assistance Programs.

Are there jobs available to students on and off campus?

Yes. Many students find employment both on and off campus. On-and off-campus jobs are listed with the Student Employment Office in the Dobler Center located in the Administration Building. The Student Employment Office can help you find part-time, on- and off-campus employment.

How many students come from out of state and country?

Approximately 8% of students at Central Wyoming College are from out of state, with at least 34 from the 49 other states. We also have approximately 17 International students on campus from 13 countries.

How does my student become a Wyoming resident for tuition/fee purposes?

Please see the Registration and Records Office for information on residency.

What banks are available in Riverton?

Here is a partial listing of local banks:

Bank of the West (307)856-4181
First Interstate Bank (307)856-2211
Wyoming National Bank (307)857-5645
U S Bank (307) 856-2770
Central Bank and Trust (307) 857-4230
Wells Fargo Bank (307) 857-2615

When is New Student Orientation?

New Student Orientation consists of a series of events for both you and your student. A Fall and Spring Orientation Program is offered on campus just prior to the start of the term. Information regarding the times, dates and locations is mailed to admitted students. Contact Academic Advising for more information.

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Activities

What is there to do on campus and Riverton?: Central Wyoming College is a small but active residential campus. With intramural sports, outdoor programs, student clubs, free admission to CWC cultural and athletic events, a 18-hole disc golf course, and many social events to choose from, there is always something to be involved in on campus. Students enjoy concerts, films, and various performing arts and cultural events on campus year-round. The town of Riverton has a movie complex, an 18-golf course, an recreation league, an annual balloon rally and a variety of restaurants. Nearby Lander is at the foothills of the Wind River Mountains where excellent hiking and climbing activities are available. There are also great fishing opportunities in the area as well as seasonal activities, including water and nordic skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

Student Life

Are freshmen required to live on campus?: No. Freshmen at CWC have the freedom to live where they choose. CWC does offer on-campus housing.
How many people live on campus?: About 180 students call the Riverton campus home.
What athletics does CWC have?: Central Wyoming College is home to the CWC Rustlers. Our athletic program offers Rodeo and Women's Volleyball and Men's Club Soccer. Visit CWC Athletics for more information.

Parents Info

Does my student need to bring a car? If they do, what's the parking like?

No, although it is nice for the convenience of getting around on your own, traveling home, or for weekend trips. It is easy to get around Riverton on foot or on bike. WRTA also provides free bus transportation for students on a standard route through Riverton, to and from Lander, and a few other places in between. If they do bring a car, parking is easily obtainable, and FREE on campus.

What should my student bring to campus once classes begin?

In order to plan ahead and figure out what items you will need in your residence hall, please visit the CWC Housing site for additional information and a list of items to bring.

How does my student schedule a campus visit?

Please email the Admissions Office or call the Admissions Office at (307)855-2119 or 800-865-0193.

What happens if my student is struggling with the transition to college life?

If your student is having a hard time with the life-changing transition to college, we have a counseling service that is free of charge to our students! Your student has the opportunity to get help with day to day problems, or our counselors can also help students answer the age old question of what they want to do for a career. Our Counseling Department would be happy to help your student in any case.

If my student is having trouble with a certain class, is there any tutoring available?

Anytime your student is struggling with a class we encourage them to speak with our Student Support Services department. Students receive free tutoring on campus. Another great way for students to get help on our campus is simply networking through other students in their classes. Many of our instructors encourage working in groups, as it can help with teamwork skills for life. Also, students can visit with their instructors during office hours.

How safe is the campus?

We have a very safe campus, but it is important for any student to do everything they can to maintain their own safety, including locking vehicles, doors, and being aware of their surroundings at all times. Our Campus Safety Department coordinates a 24-hour presence on campus, as well as working with Housing staff to provide excellent coverage. They interface directly with our local police department. If you are interested, take a look at our Campus Safety Report to see the history of campus crime at CWC.

When is tuition due, and how do we pay tuition?

Tuition is due by the first day of classes. You can send checks to our Student Accounts/Cashier's office, 2660 Peck Ave., Riverton, WY or you can pay at the Cashier’s office on campus. You may also pay on-line by going to the College website and having your student take you into Web Advisor.

How does my student apply for scholarships?

To receive full consideration for general scholarships, your student's admission materials must be on file with Central Wyoming College. The Financial Aid Office has more information about specific programs and applying for financial aid, but it is a highly recommended that every student fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), regardless of how they will be paying for school – you just never know when they may be able to receive financial assistance, and since it takes 4-6 weeks to process a FAFSA, that time can be critical, so having one already completed saves a lot of time and may indicate the availability of extra financial assistance to your student.

How and where does my student buy books?

We have a full-service bookstore on campus, to serve the needs of your student. Book lists for classes are typically available about 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the semester. You can view the current semester booklist by going to the CWC Bookstore section for information on the books required for each class and the estimated cost. You can also place your textbook order by using the Bookstore link. You will need to include the Course number, book title and your physical street address, phone number and credit card information. You will be contacted by the Bookstore on the availability of new and used books and to let you know if there are any problems filling your order. Or you can contact the Bookstore at 1-307-855-2201 or 1-800-735-8418 ext. 2201. The Bookstore ships book orders via UPS so that they have a traceable method at the current shipping rates.

How can I get information on my student?

Colleges and universities are covered by a federal law, the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which essentially states parents have no immediate access to information on their student. To address this issue, Central encourages students to sign a release form prior to starting classes so that we can talk to you about issues such as payment, problems in classes, and involvement in activities. Contact the Records and Research Office if you have questions.

How do I know if my student is struggling academically or having other problems?

Without a signed release, we cannot talk to you about it, and we do not automatically contact parents unless the student is endangering himself or someone else. The Counseling Center coordinates a weekly meeting of various staff members throughout the academic semester to talk about students of concern, so that we can intervene early to try and prevent problems from occurring – we get referrals from faculty, staff, fellow students, and sometimes even the parents.

Encourage your student to sign the information release so we can talk to you about the problems but also ask your student questions. At mid-term, for example, many instructors post deficient grades for anyone who has Ds or Fs in their classes – ask your student to see those mid-term reports.

Is my student automatically covered by health insurance?

No, Central does not have a required health insurance policy nor do we have a health center on campus. Many students may still be covered by your own insurance policy but there are also inexpensive policies that can be purchased specifically for college students. Contact the Vice President for Student Services Office for more information.

Will my student’s coursework transfer to a university after he/she attends Central?

Yes, however, your student needs to be aware of a few things: developmental courses (numbers less than 1000) do not transfer; occupational courses in AAS, Certificate, and Credential programs are not designed for transfer; D and F grades will not transfer; and numerous major changes may result in completed coursework that is transferable but does not fulfill a desired niche at the transfer institution.

It is a good idea to make sure your students makes contact with the institution they plan to transfer to and get it in writing from the Registrar that questionable courses will transfer, to make sure that the courses they take here are transferable, and make sure they keep copies of syllabi and a College catalog so they can provide them in case an institution has questions. For more information, your student should talk to their academic advisor or talk to the Records and Research Office.

What job opportunities are available to my student when they are a student or even after?

There are many opportunities, both on and off campus. If a student is full-time we recommend that students work no more than 10-20 hours a week, but each student has to make that decision on their own. On-campus jobs may pay a little less but they give students a chance to connect to the institution and gain experience in their major field. Off-campus jobs are readily available for both students AND alumni in a variety of areas in the community, but try to encourage your student not to work too much.

How does my student schedule a campus visit?

Please email the Admissions Office or call the Admissions Office at (307)855-2119 or 800-865-0193.

What is the Parent’s PLUS Loan?

The Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a federal direct loan that parents apply for on behalf of their dependent undergraduate student(s). It enables parents with good credit history to assist their children who are enrolled at least half time (6 credits per semester) at a post-secondary school. The loan's interest rate is variable. Each July 1 it will change; however, it will never exceed 9 percent.
For your convenience, the FAFSA site has specific PLUS Loan information.

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