Here's what students and graduates are saying about WICHE's student exchange....

  • "I've always known I wanted to study marine biology, but that's difficult in my land-locked home state. Thus, I began looking at schools on the West Coast and fell in love with Western Washington University. The WUE program allowed me to turn down full-ride scholarships from local universities and study what I was passionate about in the Pacific Northwest, without burdening my parents too much. Without WUE, I'd most likely be pursuing a major that didn't hold my interest and waiting for graduate school. At Western, I have the opportunity to get hands-on experience through engaging labs, study in a university-owned marine center, and even go on study abroad trips to learn about tropical marine biology in Mexico!"

    Kaitlyn, Utah resident, Class of 2014, Western Washington University, Creative Writing and Marine Biology
  • "I am currently studying at Midwestern University in the Podiatric Medicine program. My wife and I are so grateful for the assistance that WICHE's PSEP has given us. It gives us peace of mind knowing that our indebtedness will be greatly reduced! The stresses of school are many, and it helps to know that we have some financial assistance through this program. Thanks to Utah's participation in WICHE's PSEP, I will soon be the doctor I want to be and can return to Utah to practice. I plan to "pay it forward" as soon as I can! Thanks WICHE! "

    James, Utah resident, Class of 2015, Midwestern University, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
  • "What a blessing WICHE has been for me and my family as I pursue my medical training in podiatric medicine. It has also given me the time to volunteer in a homeless clinic setting. The people I had the privilege to serve were warm and grateful; their kindness changed me and softened my heart. WICHE PSEP support has played a critical role in helping me manage financial matters in my home and I want to extend my appreciation to the State of Utah for offering this program to its residents."

    John, Utah resident, Class of 2014, Midwestern University, Podiatric Medicine
  • "By the time I graduate from this program, WRGP will have saved me upwards of $20,000! I could not be happier to have had this opportunity and hope it continues for students like me in the future. And applying for the WRGP resident rate at Mines was extremely simple. It's the best!"

    Ian, Utah resident, Class of 2014, Colorado School of Mines, Geological Engineering
  • "I am currently studying optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry. My home state, Utah does not have a public O.D. program, so WICHE's PSEP made graduate school affordable. Thanks to this wonderful program, I am able to attend my dream school, live in southern California, and pursue my dream career. PSEP made all my dreams come true! "

    Song, Utah resident, Class of 2016, Southern California College of Optometry
  • "The University of Hawaii has access to resources in East Asia that I would not be able to get anywhere else. However, given the high cost of living in Hawaii, attending school there would have been very difficult. I am married with a kid on the way, so things are tight. The help from WICHE makes it much easier for me to complete my education with the resources I need."

    Steve, Utah resident, Class of 2015, University of Hawaii, Japanese/East Asian Studies
  • "Although I will still carry a large burden of debt when I graduate, WICHE has helped me significantly decrease the amount of money I’ve had to borrow for optometry school. This will undoubtedly help me after graduation as I begin to pay back these loans, but I have even felt the benefits of WICHE PSEP funding now, during school. It has decreased my stress knowing that I will be in a better financial situation when I start my career, and this has helped me focus more on my education and training, contributing to my success as a student."

    Chris, Utah resident, Class of 2013, Pacific University College of Optometry
  • "I am a non-traditional student in that I am a student and a mother. PSEP has made it possible for me to pursue my goal of becoming a veterinarian. I could not have chosen this path without PSEP reducing my cost of tuition, so that our new family will not have an unreasonable amount of debt. I am passionate and excited about my future career and hope to someday contribute to veterinary medicine in Utah. Thank you, WICHE!"

    Carissa, Utah resident, Class of 2014, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine
  • "WUE helped to decrease the cost of tuition at Colorado State University, so that I am basically paying the same as in-state tuition. Colorado has one of the highest costs for higher education, but CSU has one of the top veterinarian schools in the country. Utah did not have a direct veterinary program or the other benefits of CSU. By being able to attend CSU as an undergraduate, I know that what I am learning gives me a better chance to acheive my dream of becoming an exotic animal veterinarian! I am so grateful for the help that WUE has given me, and I hope the program continues so that others are able to achieve their dreams as well!"

    Annie, Utah resident, Class of 2010, Colorado State University, Biological Sciences
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    "Living in a semi-rural area in Northern Utah, there are few options for graduate nursing education. The University of Arizona and WICHE’s WRGP have allowed me to study in my home state and do clinical rotations in the area where I hope to serve. There is no better way to assist my community than to learn from their clinical needs and put them at the forefront of my future practice. I’d like to thank WRGP and the University of Arizona for making my studies affordable. Without WRGP, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my career dreams. I look forward to giving back by serving my home community!"

    Elizabeth, Utah resident, Class of 2013, University of Arizona, Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner
  • "I’d always dreamed of attending college out of state. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, explore, and redefine myself. When I came across Western Washington University, I knew it was the perfect place for me. I applied and was accepted, but was extremely nervous about how I would afford tuition, until I was offered WUE. It allowed me to pursue my education in a setting where I am surrounded by positive people, invigorating academics, and a breath-taking natural environment. I now work in admissions at WWU and see firsthand how WUE allows students like me the opportunity to dream big!"

    Jilian, Utah resident, Class of 2012, Western Washington University, Sociology and Elementary Education
  • "I grew up in a rural community in central Utah. Thanks to WICHE’s PSEP, it is financially feasible for me to attend a veterinary college and I am on my way to fulfilling my dream of becoming a veterinarian. A reduced student debt load is an important factor for those who desire to serve a rural area. I am grateful for the WICHE program, and I hope that Utah legislators will continue to support veterinary medicine studies in order to meet the state’s workforce needs."

    Khirsta, Utah resident, Class of 2012, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • "I graduated with my DVM from Colorado State University in 1996. I returned to Utah after my residency and have been in private veterinary practice for more than 13 years and now employ a staff of eight. The WICHE program made my life-long professional goal possible. It gives students access to a top-quality education from well-established programs at a lower cost that what a state would have to spend to operate its own program. WICHE makes cost-prohibitive dreams come true!"

    Dr. John Farrer, DVM, Utah resident, Class of 1996, Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • "The cost of education is a formidable obstacle to anyone desiring to enter veterinary medicine, and the cost for nonresident students is almost double. I was accepted at several veterinary schools, but without WICHE PSEP support, I would have had to refuse the offers. WICHE support makes the costs manageable, and has allowed me to embark on my dream. I am now enrolled at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and am thoroughly enjoying the curriculum as I prepare to serve my home state of Utah."

    David, Utah resident, Class of 2013, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • "I am very grateful to the State of Utah for allowing me to study veterinary medicine through the WICHE program. After graduation, I returned to Utah and have been practicing here for five years.Given the large ratio of debt to income for a veterinarian, my financial burden would have been insurmountable without WICHE support. I hope Utah will continue to give hard-working students the chance to access the best quality education available through the WICHE program."

    Dr. Kate Hooley, DVM, Utah resident, Class of 2005, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • "I studied veterinary medicine at Washington State University and WICHE funding reduced my debt load substantially. The support allowed me to return to my home state of Utah to practice for three years following graduation. Subsequently, I have been able to pursue a veterinary residency, instead of postponing it for financial reasons. I encourage Utah's legislators to continue to support the WICHE program. "

    Dr. Melissa C., DVM, Utah resident, Class of 2006, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine