Welcome to WCU—we're glad you're a part of the Graduate School family. Please follow the checklist points below for the information you need as a newly admitted student.
Contact your adviser.
Your adviser is your primary contact for advising and registration. To locate your adviser’s e-mail or phone number, go to http://www.wcu.edu/directories/facstaff/.
Review the current online Graduate Catalog.
The Graduate Catalog can be found on the graduate school website (http://www.westerngrad.com/). Visit WesternGrad.com for other useful information and resources.
Login to My Cat.
My Cat allows you to register for classes, review class schedules, check grades, view financial aid information, and pay account balances. My Cat is located at http://mycat.wcu.edu/ or from the Western Carolina University home page (http://www.wcu.edu/).
- Your username is your 9-digit student ID#.
- Your password is your 2-digit birth month, 2-digit birth date, 2-digit birth year (MMDDYY).
- If you need assistance accessing My Cat, WebCat, or your email, please contact IT Services at 866-928-7487 or itshelp@email.wcu.edu.
Register for Classes
- Go to the Registrar’s web site (http://www.wcu.edu/registrar/).
- Select “Student Registration Guide” from the menu on the left. This page provides information about how and when to register for classes.
Access your WCU E-mail.
All WCU students are assigned an e-mail account (Catamount Mail). To access your Catamount Mail:
- Login to My Cat and click on “Catamount Mail.”
- The first part of your WCU e-mail address is your username.
- Your initial password is your My Cat password.
- IMPORTANT: Catamount Mail is the official communication method for university/student communications including messages concerning notifications and alerts as well as course information from instructors.
Obtain a CatCard.
Obtain a WCU identification card (CatCard) by mailing or emailing (CatCard@email.wcu.edu) a recent photo of yourself (no hats or sunglasses) with your name, WCU student ID number, and date of birth.
- Digital photos should be submitted in JPEG or Bitmap format
- Distance/online students are not required to obtain a CatCard, but will not be able to use the library without one.
- CatCard Office, 109 Killian Annex, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723; phone: 828-227-7003; Fax 828-227-7600
Obtain a Parking Permit.
Vehicle registration at WCU is available at the OneStop Student Services Center in Killian Annex (828-227-7170). Students taking courses at the WCU campus in Asheville should contact WCU Programs in Asheville (828-251-6642).
Purchase your textbooks.
The Cullowhee bookstore is located on Norton Road behind the University Center on main campus. Students may also purchase textbooks online at http://books.wcu.edu/. Contact the bookstore regarding hours and availability at 866-272-4102. For specific information regarding textbook availability at the WCU campus in Asheville, please call WCU Programs in Asheville (828-251-6642)
Complete Your Release of Information Form.
Before any WCU employee can discuss most specific issues pertaining to a student's records with third parties, we must have consent from the student. University personnel must also be able to verify a student's identity before discussing the student's academic records by telephone. Once you have made your tuition deposit, you can log in to complete the Release of Information form here
Complete WCU's online orientation:
The Graduate Experience WebCat Online Course is offered online in January and August through WCU's WebCat platform. The session takes a few hours and allows you to work at your own pace from the comfort of your own computer. This course is free, non-credit, and required to be completed before you begin classes. Please note that you must be registered for classes to participate in the Graduate Experience course. Learn more about graduate orientation
Other Information and Contacts:
• WCU Graduate School: gradsch@email.wcu.edu; 828-227-7398 or 800-369-9854
• WCU Programs in Asheville: 828-251-6642
• Educational Outreach (distance and military students): 828-227-7397
• Disability Services: www.wcu.edu/disabilities
Students must self identify. WCU is committed to equality of educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities.