Savanna Hoffman
The University of Washington is a moderately selective school with an acceptance rate of 42.5%holistic and individualized, and the university is looking for students who will benefit from and contribute to the academic and cultural opportunities available. While the SAT or ACT is not a requirement, most applicants still submit their scores, and a high score, along with strong academic performance, can almost guarantee admission. International students are required to submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score to meet the minimum English proficiency requirement. Some majors admit students directly as freshmen, such as the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, while others require students to apply after enrolling at UW.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | December 1 |
| Application platforms | ApplyWeb or Common App |
| Application deadline for autumn admission | November 15 |
| Decision release date | March 1-15 |
| Application fee | Non-refundable |
| Submission of transcripts | Only upon request from the Office of Admissions |
| Submission of SAT or ACT scores | Optional for most applicants |
| Submission of English proficiency test scores | Mandatory for international students |
| Minimum academic requirements | Set by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the faculty of the UW |
| GPA | Considered very important |
| High school class rank and letters of recommendation | Not considered |
| Number of attempts at SAT | 4-6 attempts considered safe |
| Essay/Writing section | Considered optional |
| Number of graduate programs | More than 370 |
| Number of certificate programs | 50 |
| Number of degrees | 70 |
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What You'll Learn
International students must meet English proficiency requirements
International students applying to the University of Washington must meet English proficiency requirements. These requirements can be met by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores that meet the UW's minimum English proficiency requirement. The TOEFL iBT special home edition and the IELTS Indicator at-home exam will be accepted for international freshman applicants.
Students who have received their primary and secondary education in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, or the U.S. are exempt from this requirement. The UW does not consider TOEFL's MyBest score to meet the minimum English proficiency requirement for freshman admission.
The English proficiency requirement may also be met by attaining a minimum average grade of B in all high school-level English writing or literature courses where English is the primary language of instruction for all grade 10-12 classes. A minimum SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 580 or an ACT English score of 22 is also accepted. Official scores must be sent directly from ACT or the College Board. Although the UW no longer requires the SAT/ACT, international students may use these scores to meet the alternative English proficiency requirement.
For graduate admissions, applicants must submit official English language test scores electronically to the University of Washington via the testing center. The University accepts the TOEFL paper-delivered test for students in areas without internet testing access. Applicants using Duolingo test scores must submit official scores via Duolingo to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).
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SAT and ACT scores are considered
The University of Washington (UW) has a holistic admissions process that considers a range of factors when reviewing applications. While academic performance is important, UW also seeks students who will contribute to the university's energy and diversity of experience.
When it comes to SAT and ACT scores, UW has specific requirements and considerations. While SAT and ACT scores are considered in the admissions process, they are not the sole factor in evaluating a student's application. UW understands that students may want to retake these tests to improve their scores, and there is no penalty for submitting scores from multiple test attempts. The admissions officers focus on the submitted score itself rather than the number of attempts. However, taking the tests more than six times may raise questions about a student's study skills and ability to improve.
It's important to note that UW does not require SAT or ACT scores for most applicants. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools with non-standard grading practices that do not use letter or numeric grades are required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Additionally, international students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the minimum requirement for admission.
For students submitting SAT or ACT scores, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, UW considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. The university does not require or penalize multiple submissions of SAT or ACT scores. Students are encouraged to submit scores from 4 to 6 tests, as a reasonable number of attempts.
In addition to test scores, UW requires a completed application, including a detailed account of academic coursework, extracurricular activities, and essays. Applicants are not required to submit transcripts until requested by the Office of Admissions. However, admitted students who confirm their enrolment at UW will be required to send final transcripts for verification of admission requirements.
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High school GPA requirements must be met
The University of Washington considers a student's GPA to be a very important academic factor when it comes to admissions. The average high school GPA for entering freshmen is 3.6, but the range is between 3.74 and 3.98 on a 4.0 scale. This means that you will need to be near the top of your class, with mostly A's and several AP or IB classes. If your GPA is lower, you may need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you are prepared for college-level academics.
The University of Washington does not participate in early decision or early action admission. Admission decisions are made only after all freshman applications have been reviewed. The entire application is important, including essays and extracurricular activities. The University of Washington also considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional.
For Washington state residents, there is an alternative route through the Direct Transfer Agreement with state community colleges. Residents who have completed an associate degree at a state community college and achieved at least a 2.75 GPA are automatically admitted.
The University of Washington also has a process for appeals. A faculty committee meets to review the files of those who petition for "special consideration". There are no forms to fill out; instead, you write a letter to the committee. However, the University does not encourage appeals.
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Direct admission to some majors is possible
The University of Washington uses a holistic review process for admissions, and the vast majority of students enter their major through the standard admission process after enrolling. However, direct admission to some majors is possible for freshmen.
Majors in the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and the College of Engineering are capacity-constrained, and the main pathway for students is direct freshman admission. Students who are not admitted directly to the Allen School as freshmen are unlikely to be admitted to computer science or computer engineering as a UW student. If you are not admitted directly to the College of Engineering as a freshman, there are opportunities to apply at a later date, but admission is competitive, and space may be limited. If you are admitted directly to the College, you will enter with an “engineering undeclared" designation and have the opportunity to explore all engineering disciplines (except computer engineering) before requesting placement in an engineering major. All engineering undeclared students who meet the requirements are guaranteed placement into an engineering major.
If you selected an engineering major or "engineering undeclared" as your first-choice major on the freshman application, you will be considered for Direct to College admission to the College of Engineering. Regardless of the engineering major you selected on the application, you will be assigned "Engineering Undeclared" as your major if admitted directly to the College.
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Freshman applicants are required to meet minimum academic distribution requirements set by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the faculty of the UW. The University considers a student's GPA a very important academic factor. While letters of recommendation are not considered, students are required to provide a detailed account of their academic coursework.
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Transfer students must submit a general application
The University of Washington receives applications from transfer students seeking to pursue their first bachelor's degree. Transfer students are those who have completed college coursework from a regionally accredited college or university following the summer after high school graduation but have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.
Transfer applicants should submit a personal statement, which is a comprehensive narrative essay outlining significant aspects of their academic and personal history, providing context for their academic achievements and educational choices. The University of Washington Bothell encourages transfer applicants to use the MyMajor tool to determine what their major requires.
The University of Washington's admissions process for transfer students is holistic, considering more than just test scores and GPAs. The Office of Admissions calculates a GPA that is considered in the assessment of the application. However, they look beyond grades and standardised tests, focusing on the student's academic performance, personal qualities, and achievements. The University of Washington seeks students who can benefit from its academic and cultural opportunities and contribute to its diversity of experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Washington has a holistic admissions process that considers a range of factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, and essays. While there is no requirement for a minimum number of tests, applicants are encouraged to submit scores from 4-6 tests. The University of Washington does not require SAT or ACT scores for most applicants, however, homeschooled applicants and applicants from non-traditional educational backgrounds are exempt from this rule and must submit their scores. International students must also submit English proficiency test scores.
The application for freshman autumn admission opens on September 1 each year, with a deadline of November 15. Decisions are typically released between March 1 and March 15.
The University of Washington charges an application fee, which must be submitted each time an applicant applies for admission. This fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred.
Admissions officials at the University of Washington consider an applicant's GPA to be a very important academic factor. However, there is no specific minimum GPA requirement.
The University of Washington does not require essays as part of the application process. However, applicants may include additional information or essays if they feel it will enhance their application.
