uw transfer application essay

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How to apply: Transfer

Main content, application process.

• Complete the UW Tacoma Transfer Application*
• Pay the $60 application fee ($75 for international applicants) when you submit your application
• Write your personal statement
• Submit standardized test scores  (optional)
• Submit your transcripts

*A complete application includes all supplemental materials, essays and transcripts.

Important Dates

Application deadlines for transfer admission vary by degree program. You are encouraged to turn in your application as early as possible to ensure that you receive priority consideration. Applications received after the application deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Review important dates for transfer students.

• Winter Quarter: Priority Date: October 15| General Admissions Deadline: November 15
• Spring Quarter: Priority Date: January 15 | General Admissions Deadline: February 15
• March 15: Priority scholarship deadline

MAJOR, PRE-MAJOR OR UNDECLARED? 

Transfer applicants can apply to be directly admitted to a major, or can apply as a pre-major or an undeclared student.

Direct admission to a major

Often students who transfer in junior standing will want to be directly admitted to their major. Some majors are capacity-constrained and have a separate application process. Each program has different prerequisites; you should check the program website to see if you qualify to be admitted to your major. For other majors, you will simply indicate your interest on the general application to be considered for direct entry to the major.

Admission as a pre-major/undeclared student

If you know what you want to study, but are not yet ready for admission to your major, you can select a pre-major. Pre-major status helps you connect with program advisors and faculty in order to plan your studies for admission to your chosen major. You can become a pre-major student in one of three ways:

• If you apply for but are not admitted to your major, then you may still be admitted to UW Tacoma as a pre-major in your chosen field. You can begin attending and work with your advisors to plan your studies to re-apply for admission to your major.
• If you know your major but are not ready to apply for direct admission, then you can submit an application as an undeclared student and indicate in your admissions personal statement which major you are interested in. When you are admitted to the school, the admissions staff will note in your record that you are a pre-major in your chosen field.
• Apply as an undeclared student and after you come to UW Tacoma tell your academic advisor which major you are planning to enter. Your advisor will then update your student record to note that you are a pre-major in your chosen field.

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What are your chances of acceptance?

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How to Write the University of Washington Essays 2023-2024

The University of Washington has two supplemental essays that are required for all applicants, and one optional, “additional information” prompt. While we typically encourage students to respond to any optional prompt, this one is actually optional, as you should only respond if there truly are unusual circumstances that have impacted your high school career. If you are applying to UW’s Honors Program, you will also have to write an additional essay.

UW is one of the top public universities in the country, with elite STEM programs and a location that offers unparalleled access to Amazon and Microsoft, among other influential companies, so you’ll want to make sure your essays truly shine. In this post, we’ll break down how to brainstorm for and write each one, so you can be sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

Read these University of Washington essay examples to inspire your writing.

University of Washington Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words)

Prompt 2: Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words)

Prompt 3 (optional): You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:

You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education

Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations, you have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended. (200 words), uw interdisciplinary honors program applicants.

We want to understand your desire to learn new things and to push your education outside of the areas of learning that you are most familiar with. Tell us why this type of learning interests you and which subjects you’re excited to explore in college. (450 words)

All Applicants, Prompt 1

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words).

This prompt is the first of the five options on the Coalition Application and is purposefully phrased nebulously to allow for a wide range of responses. You can relay any experience that reflects or shaped who you are. 

To start, examine your many identities, and choose one that you want to highlight. All experiences are valid, whether they are traditional or unconventional. Focus on the things that make you different from others, and reflect on how they shaped you as a person. Remember that this is your main college essay, so be sure to pick an experience that was integral to your growth throughout high school. 

This is a good chance to tell the story behind any major extracurriculars on your activity list. For example, you might write “debate team captain” as an extracurricular, but this essay is where you can recount the grit and dedication it took for you to reach that position, as you once were extremely shy. You can also use this space to explore identities that don’t appear elsewhere on your application, such as your role within your family. For example, you can write about how you tutor your younger brother in math, and how watching his face light up after understanding a new concept sparked your love of teaching. 

A common theme across all college essays is “show, don’t tell.” This phrase is thrown around frequently, but is easier said than done. A few things to keep in mind when showing rather than telling are vividness and authenticity, which can be created by invoking imagery and specific details. For example, rather than saying “I like tennis and the game has always fascinated me,” try conjuring an image in the reader’s mind such as “At the start of my first official match, I gripped my trusted red racquet tightly, swaying ever so slightly from foot to foot in the ‘ready’ stance that I had practiced for years.” While the first response may be true, it is generic and can apply to any tennis aficionado. The latter response better authenticates your experiences than the former, and demonstrates your sincerity to readers. 

All Applicants, Prompt 2

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the uw. (300 words).

This question serves two purposes: it gives UW an opportunity to learn more about how you developed your values, and it allows them to consider how you might interact with others on campus. It is easy to get mired in focusing on describing your community, but remember, UW wants to learn about you through seeing how your community impacted you. Use a description of your community to frame your essay, but always remind yourself to connect the story back to how it changed you. Once you have framed the essay with a description of who you have become as a result of your community’s impact, be sure to extend this thread to your potential future influence on UW.

There are several ways to interpret community. You could interpret it in the literal sense by explaining how your hometown and family have guided your ambitions. For example, maybe growing up on your family’s farm inspired your appreciation for agriculture and working with your hands. You hope to share this appreciation with other students by working on the UW farm and organizing workshops where students can learn how to plant their own flowers or herbs.

Or, perhaps the community you want to highlight is less conventional, such as the coffeeshop you work at. You could discuss how your coworkers are from all walks of life, and how you’ve befriended a retired older couple that picks up weekend shifts. They offer you advice based on their many life experiences, showing you the importance of having an older mentor. This makes you want to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter at UW.

Regardless of what your community is, be sure to highlight how you’ll contribute to UW’s diversity, whether that’s through your perspective, actions, ideas, cultural traditions, etc.

All Applicants, Prompt 3 (optional)

You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. for example, you may use this space if:.

This portion of the application is optional, and while we recommend that you fill out most “optional” essays, this space is truly optional. If you don’t have any unusual circumstances, you can leave it blank without penalty. If feel that the parameters apply to you, you should fill this section out. This is your chance to explain anything that hasn’t been addressed in other parts of your application. Since the maximum is 200 words and the prompt is straightforward, you can (and should) also be totally straightforward in your response, rather than painting a picture with vivid imagery. 

For the first prompt, an example of a response could be:

“In the sophomore year of high school, my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and it profoundly affected multiple areas of my life, including my academic performance. For that reason, there is a significant dip in my grades in the spring semester of that year.”

For the second:

“Because my parents own a small restaurant, it is often my responsibility to watch my younger siblings while they are working, and even help out by doing the dishes or bussing tables in my free time. For that reason, I was unable to join as many extracurriculars as my after school time went towards helping ensure the family restaurant was running smoothly.” 

For the last prompt, you can briefly state school-related limitations or opportunities, like if your school did not have an AP or IB program, or if it did have a special internship program that you participated in. Keep in mind that some universities designate admissions officers to research your region and know what programs your school has or doesn’t have – this might be something you want to look into before filling out this section. However, you might want to fill out this section if the school you’re applying to does not have regional admissions officers.

If there is a specific school program or opportunity that you wish to mention, we recommend doing so via your activity list or one of your essays, rather than in this short, 200-word window. If you find that you don’t have space in the rest of your application, then this section is fine.

Please reflect and respond to the following question, and in doing so explain your interest in the UW Interdisciplinary Honors Program. What is interdisciplinary learning and why is it important to you? (300 words)

While you might be tempted to approach this prompt in the way you would approach a traditional “Why This Major?” essay, hold on for a second and reread the prompt. Rather than being asked why you are pursuing a particular major or area of study, you’re being asked about why learning new things interests you and which “subjects you’re excited to explore in college”. 

Although you will likely be most excited to study the topics relevant to your major, this prompt specifically requests that you “push…outside of the areas of learning that you are most familiar with.” UW admissions officers are hoping to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of your intellectual potential, so your response should focus on a topic other than your intended major.

However, be sure to discuss an area of interest that has some alignment with the rest of your application, so that it doesn’t feel totally out-of-the-blue. If you’ve never been a part of any music-related classes or activities, writing about your passion for songwriting may feel a little disjointed. 

Of course, our identities are complicated, but remember that the people reading your applications don’t know you outside of what you tell them, which means it’s crucial that the various pieces of your application come together to form a cohesive unit. Otherwise, your readers may not understand who exactly you are.

To give an example of something you could write about, maybe your intended major is biology, but you’ve also studied Latin throughout high school. You could focus your essay on how you hope to read ancient and medieval scientific texts, to learn more about how human understanding of the world around us has evolved.

Another approach to this essay could be identifying a topic that has nothing to do with biology but ties into some aspect(s) of your identity. Perhaps growing up in a multilingual, bi-racial household, with parents from South America and East Asia, meant you were constantly participating in family gatherings and celebrating holidays with very different cultural contexts. In college, you hope to study anthropology and sociology, even though you have no direct experience with either of those subjects, so that you can not only understand your own identity better, but also be better prepared to engage with those who have their own complicated stories.

Note that the prompt asks you to not only describe one of your academic interests, but also explain “why this type of learning interests you,” with regards to interdisciplinary learning. To answer this part of the prompt, you’ll want to identify one or two of your goals for college, and how you see interdisciplinary learning in particular helping you reach them.

The second example given above already does this, as the student explains that they want to be able to better communicate with people from cultural backgrounds that differ from their own, and they clearly connect that goal to the subjects they are focusing on. 

The student in the first example is starting to get to this component of their essay, but needs a little more personal connection. They could get that by, for example, writing about how they’re not sure how they can best utilize their skills within the vast field of biology–as a doctor, researcher, educator, or something else–and throughout college, hopefully exploring the history of the subject will give them a clearer idea of the right path ahead.

Here are some finals tips for you to consider when responding to this essay: 

• 450 words is on the long side for a supplemental essay, so take the time to share an anecdote that integrates your interest in a specific topic with your background, personal values, and overall love of learning, rather than just stating your points in a direct, factual way
• Explain why the University of Washington specifically can help you reach your goals, by referencing a few course offerings, campus organizations, research opportunities, and so on that align with your interests
• Not to sound cheesy, but have fun! As we noted at the beginning of this breakdown, you have more freedom here than in a “Why Major?” essay, so highlight your curiosity, excitement, and any quirky connection you have to your topic, rather than worrying about whether or not you’ve taken enough APs or done enough extracurriculars related to your topic

Where to Get Your University of Washington Essays Edited 

Do you want feedback on your UW essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Transferring to the UW

Apply to uw.

Your research has led you to a place of navigating time lines and managing details.

Consider all financial options and responsibilities

Apply to the uw and major, consider your living and commuting options, submit free application for federal student aid (fafsa).

Complete the FAFSA each year by January 15 to be considered for priority financial aid at the UW.

Submit Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) - for undocumented students only

Financial aid , through state and institutional funds, is available to students who are not eligible for federal aid because of immigration status.

Create a budget and understand the types of aid available to you

Understand your budgeting and financial situation and the associated costs of being a student. In addition, make sure you understand what makes you eligible for aid at the University of Washington.

Research scholarship opportunities for transfer students

The UW-Seattle offers scholarships that cover a wide range of academic pursuits, musical and athletic talents as well as community service and research activities. Start researching what options are available.

Continue meeting with an academic adviser at your current institution

Your academic adviser will continue to be a helpful resource as you start exploring what classes you will want to transfer and what classes you will want to complete while still at your current institution. Almost all transfer students will have some requirements yet to be completed. This is entirely normal and expected. Students who start at the UW as freshmen are not expected, nor even encouraged, to complete their General Education requirements in their first two years. It is more important in your freshmen and sophomore years to decide on a major and begin completing its requirements, while taking some General Education courses. If possible, try to complete any sequences you started before you transfer.

Submit UW application and send transcripts to UW Admissions

Follow the UW Admissions checklist to make sure you have everything you need to apply and then submit your application! Still have questions? You can also find your admissions counselor .

Submit major application

(if applicable - not all majors will direct admit or require an application)

Some UW majors will require an additional application during the UW admissions process. It is possible to be admitted to the UW but not a specific major. Browse the UW's various academic programs . Most departments offer regular information sessions introducing the major and its required courses. Get in touch with departmental advisers to find out when sessions will be offered and to learn more about the program. UAA Advising also has some great general suggestions on how to choose a major .

If your first choice of major is capacity-constrained , and you have not applied and been admitted directly to that department, do you have a non-capacity-constrained major you'd be willing to study? If you were denied from your first-choice major and accepted to the university, make sure to review the list of undergraduate majors by admission status to consider other major options.

Consult the Disability Services Transfer Checklist to understand your accommodation options

Do you receive disability accommodations at your current institution? Consult the Disability Services Transfer Checklist for tips on how to manage your transition and then contact UW Disability Resources for Students to begin the process of transferring your accommodations to our campus.

Set up your UW NetID

After you have applied for admission, you will receive an email invitation to create a UW NetID. Follow the instructions in the email you receive. The process is different for freshman and transfer applicants.

To access services and functions at the UW you will need a NetID , which is simply our term for your username at the UW. Your NetID will also be your username for UW email. It’s yours forever, so choose wisely. A UW NetID is how you access MyUW , your personal gateway to the UW’s online resources.

Evaluate the cost of living on or near campus

There are many options for living on or near campus. On-campus housing is provided through Housing & Food Services . Due to high demand and limited space, new residents may be assigned to double or triple rooms based on priority and date of application and, in some cases, length of commute. Keep in mind that you may not be notified of your housing until closer to July for our autumn quarter admits. Late applicants may be assigned to temporary housing or placed on a waiting list for the beginning of autumn quarter. There are abundant off-campus non-UW living options as well.

Evaluate the cost of commuting and what your commute could look like

Did you know that the UW is a commuter campus? Most of our students commute from all over the region. Whether you are coming from north, south, east or west side, the UW is very accessible and easy to get to. If you decide to commute to campus, map out your path and factor in commuting time into your day. Get help from UW Commute Options if you need help planning your commute.

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Transfer Student Information and Resources

This page includes information for students interested in transferring to the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington (UW Seattle Campus).

Who is considered a transfer student?

Transfer students come from different institutions such as:

• A Washington State College or University
• An out-of-Washington State College or University
• An International College or University
• UW Bothell or UW Tacoma

Applying to Foster

Transfer students should apply to Foster via the Standard Admission process. Note that you must submit two applications: one to Foster and one to the UW Office of Admissions.

• Be sure to read the “Transfer & Running Start Freshman Applicants” section!
• UW Admission: Check the UW Admissions website for UW application deadlines and requirements. Visit the UW Transfer Application website for an application checklist.

Be sure to thoroughly review the websites above, as there are different requirements for both applications. For example, the UW application requires official transcripts, and the Foster application requires unofficial transcripts in PDF format.

Connect with Foster

There are many opportunities for transfer students to connect with resources within Foster!

1. Transfer Thursdays/General Information Sessions: If you are planning to apply to Foster as a transfer student, consider attending an online General Information Session led by a Foster Academic Adviser, held on Thursdays. Please see the bottom of the Admissions Information Sessions & Workshops page for specific dates and link information.

2. Drop-in Advising: Have a quick transfer question? Attend a Drop-in Advising session. See Drop-in Advising for schedule and link information.

3. Foster Opportunities for all students: If you are not yet admitted to Foster, there may be opportunities for you to join groups, programs, and activities within the Foster community. See Foster opportunities for all students here.

For additional transfer prerequisite information and application info, please see the “Transfer & Running Start Freshman Applicants” section of the Standard Admission page.

Be boundless

© 2024 Foster School of Business, University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Apply to the Communication or JPIC major

The Department of Communication offers the following programs of study for undergraduates: The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication (COM) The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication: Journalism and Public Interest Communication (JPIC)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the Communication (COM) and Journalism and Public Interest Communication (JPIC) majors are online and available the first week of autumn, winter, and spring quarters for admission the following quarter. Students may apply to only one of the two programs at a time.

Once their application has been submitted, applicants will receive a copy of their application via the email they used as a confirmation of submission. If no copy has been received, it may either be in another mailbox, such as Spam or Junk, or it may indicate that the application has not been fully submitted. Applications may be edited after they are submitted up until the deadline. No late submissions will be accepted.

Students will be notified by the end of the fourth week of the quarter for the autumn quarter cycle and the end of the fifth week of the quarter for the winter and spring quarter cycles with their admissions decision.

Both the Communication (COM) and Journalism and Public Interest Communication (JPIC) majors are capacity-constrained. Students must complete all minimum requirements to apply and must then compete with the entire applicant pool for a limited number of spaces. This includes completing the application form by the noted deadline. We recommend that all applicants meet with their general adviser before applying to figure out other major options as well. To be eligible to apply to the COM or JPIC major, students must meet the following prerequisite criteria, including minimum grades and the successful completion of prerequisite coursework. All criteria met guarantees eligibility, NOT admission.

• Minimum prerequisite grades, COM GPA, and cumulative GPA of 2.5. Eligible courses to count towards COM and cumulative GPAs include all UW, transfer, AP, and IB courses. These do not include CR/NC or S/NS courses.
• For COM applicants: COM 200 and another COM 200-level course must be completed prior to applying. Courses cannot be in-progress during the quarter of application.
• For JPIC applicants: COM 200 must be completed prior to applying. Course cannot be in-progress during the quarter of application.
• All applicants must be current students at the University of Washington (autumn and winter admission cycles). For more information about admission to the UW as a first-year student or transfer student, click here .

The COM and JPIC applications include:

• Basic Information. This includes name, address, email, student number, COM courses taken, and grades. Please note: all applications must be submitted using UW emails. Applications will not be considered if the email used in the application is a personal email address.
• Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended, including UW, are required to be uploaded via the Google Form as part of the application.
• Program Interests. If you are interested in the Departmental Honors Program , student organizations, minors, and/or additional majors, please indicate so when applying so that we can help you plan out your time at the UW.
• Why are you interested in Communication as a major?
• What do you hope to learn in this major and how will it further your personal and/or professional goals?
• What experiences have prepared you for a Communication major/career?
• How would you apply what you have learned in your Communication courses to your career and goals? 
• Writing Sample. Communication: Journalism and Public Interest Communication applicants only . Applicants are to provide any previously published work, creative writing, or previous essays exemplify their writing capabilities.
• Additional Comments. If you would like to further explain any parts of your application, please use this section.

The UW Department of Communication Admissions Committee assesses applications to its major holistically. We’re looking for students who contribute to the Department in important ways, and who would benefit from the opportunities we have available. We encourage you to use the application to share how the major is important to you. The Department bases its considerations on the full application, but the following categories are the primary means through which we evaluate your potential:

• Cumulative GPA as well as prerequisite and course-specific grades, with emphasis on grades received in COM 200 and any 200-level COM courses.
• Relevance: Does the student answer the prompt by citing ways in which the major would affect their life and vice versa?
• Originality: Is the response thoughtful?
• Depth: Does the student support the position with information, details, reasons, or examples?
• A strong writing sample that shows the student’s writing capabilities. ( Communication: Journalism and Public Interest applications only )

Transfer students may apply to the University of Washington Seattle campus and the COM or JPIC major simultaneously during spring quarter admission cycles only for autumn quarter admission.

Students will be required to complete and submit their UW admissions application and a separate major application to either COM or JPIC. Students applying during autumn or winter quarter admission cycles for the following quarter’s admission to UW will be eligible to apply to the COM and JPIC majors once they have started their first quarter at the UW. All prerequisites and admission eligibility criteria to COM and JPIC must be completed at the time of application.

Admission to COM and JPIC are contingent upon admission to the UW. Submission deadlines for UW and the COM and JPIC majors may differ. Please refer to the UW Admissions page for more information. In your UW application essay, we recommend that you speak to your interests and goals while studying COM or JPIC. The strongest applicants to the UW are not those who show only evidence of previous academic rigor, but those who also show interest in fields of study at the UW and intent with what they wish to do with those studies.

Department of Communication advisers do not evaluate transcripts to determine how courses may transfer to the UW. Transcripts are evaluated officially by the UW Office of Admissions only when a student applies to the university. If you are transferring from a Washington area community college, you can determine the way your classes transfer to UW by using the Admission Office’s Transfer Equivalency Guide .

After submitting your enrollment deposit to the university, admitted transfer students will attend the required Transfer Advising & Orientation hosted by UW First Year Programs . This is a chance for you to meet with a COM adviser and create a plan to successfully complete your course requirements. If you have questions about transfer student admission to the COM or JPIC majors, please visit our academic advising page .

The Department of Communication considers appeals for only: a) new information that was not available at the time of the original application, or b) correction of material error in the original application. Appeals are extremely selective and should address one or both of these criteria to be considered. To appeal an admissions decision, email a statement of no more than 200 words that outlines one of the above reasons. Appeals should be received no more than one week after the initial decisions are delivered (Friday before 5 p.m. PDT) and you will receive a response within 10 days. These statements are reviewed by academic advising and the Department chair (or her appointee), who make a final decision. Please be specific and succinct in addressing why the admissions decision should be reversed. Appeals can be emailed to Communication Advising at [email protected] .

102 Communications Box 353740 Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: (206) 543-2660 Fax: (206) 616-3762

Graduate Program (206) 543-6745 Undergraduate Program (206) 543-8860

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University of Washington

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Transfer Student Admissions

If you are not currently enrolled at the University of Washington on the Seattle campus but are planning to transfer in for autumn or winter quarter, you must first apply to the UW as a transfer student . You'll then need to apply separately to the Informatics program. You'll hear back about each separately. 

Informatics has two admissions cycles per year:

• The application to start the program in Autumn 2024 is now open, with a deadline of April 8, 2024.
• The application to start the program in Winter 2025 will open in September 2024, with a deadline in early October 2024.

Note, if you are enrolled at the UW Seattle campus during the application process, you are not considered a transfer student, though you may have transferred in for a previous quarter. 

Application requirements

To apply to the Informatics program as a transfer student, UW Bothell student or UW Tacoma student, you must:

• Submit a UW transfer application by the specified deadline. Learn more about the transfer process . *Note: International applications are only accepted for the Autumn Quarter.
• Complete all three  prerequisite courses by the end of the quarter prior to submitting your application.
• Online application
• Schools and transcripts
• Prerequisite courses
• Application essay

See the Application Materials page for detailed information on each of the above items.

More information

• Learn more at a planning session or recruiting event.
• See our Advising & Support page for current drop-in advising hours
• Join the UW iSchool prospective student email list

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We are excited that you are interested in the University of Washington Bothell and thinking about joining our Husky family! If at any time you have questions during the application process, please feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] or at 425-352-5000.

Application checklist

• Important Deadlines
• How to apply
• Writing and Activities Sections

✓ Confirm you meet our academic requirements for admission

Review our detailed breakdown of UW Bothell’s academic requirements for admissions. You may also want to review our advanced coursework policies.

✓ Prepare to pay the application fee or request a fee waiver

The non-refundable online application fee is $60 for domestic students or $75 for international students. An application fee waiver can also be requested.

✓ Prepare your writing section essays

You will be required to submit a personal essay under the general Common App writing section and a diversity essay under the UW Bothell specific questions. See the writing prompts below for more information.

✓ Prepare your activities and experience statements

You will be able to identify and describe up to ten of the most significant activities you have participated in throughout high school. Find more about the activities prompt below.

✓ Gather your courses and grades

You will need to enter all your course and grade information on your application profile to apply to UW Bothell.

✓ Fill out and submit your Application

Important deadlines, september 1.

UW Bothell application opens

Filing period opens for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). You should complete the FAFSA or WASFA each year by January 15th to be considered for priority funding.

November 15

Early action deadline.

Regular decision deadline.

January – March

Admissions notifications go out.

Deadline to confirm your enrollment and submit your enrollment deposit.

Submit your final official transcripts when they become available after you finish your senior year of high school.

May 1 – August 31

Complete UW Bothell 101 and new student Orientation.

Start your Application

• Create an account on the Common App website .
• Complete your general Common App sections under the Common App tab.
• Use the College Search tab to add the University of Washington Bothell to your College List.
• Start the UW Bothell application from your My Colleges List. This will contain some additional information specific to UW Bothell’s application and allow you to submit your full Common App for consideration with UW Bothell.

Note: The first-year application is only for freshman applicants (including Running Start students). If you are a transfer student, you can find information about your application here .

Writing and activities sections

Did you know?

You can use our Writing & Communication Center even before you are a UW Bothell student. The staff works with students of all writing abilities and can help you craft a great personal statement.

The written responses are our best means of getting to know you and your best means of creating a context for your academic performance. When you write your essays, tell us about those aspects of your life that are not apparent from your academic record:

• A character-defining moment
• The cultural awareness you’ve developed
• A challenge faced
• A personal hardship overcome

Personal essay directions:

Choose one of the following prompts (limit: 250-650 words).

• Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt or one of your own design.

Diversity question directions:

Respond to the following prompt (limit: 300 words).

• Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington Bothell.

Activities and experiences:

Identify and describe up to ten of the most significant activities you have participated in throughout high school. Your list should include activities, skills, achievements, or qualities from any of the following categories:

• Leadership in or outside of school (athletics, student government, cultural clubs, band, scouting, community service, employment, etc.)
• Activities in which you have worked to better your school or community
• Exceptional achievement in an academic field or artistic pursuit
• Personal endeavors that enrich the mind (independent research, music, language/culture school, reading, personal business, writing, etc.)
• Family caregiving responsibilities or a high school job

Identify the a category type for the activity (academic, art, athletics, etc.), provide details of the activity/experience and write a short description (limit: 150 characters).

Note: The Activities/Experience and Personal Essay sections of the Common App are only for first-year applicants. Transfer students will have different Personal Statement prompts depending on the desired program.

Required Application Materials and Documents

In order for your application to be reviewed for admission, it must be submitted with the non-refundable application fee or fee waiver, and all supporting documents must arrive in our office by our deadline . We highly recommend allowing ample time for materials to arrive.

Any outstanding materials will be noted under “Tasks” on your “To Do List” in your MyUW Student Center.

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First-Year Applicants

A first-year student includes anyone who is currently a student in high school or who has not taken college coursework since graduating from high school.

First-Year Application and Materials Deadlines

Applications and all required application materials must arrive in our office by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the noted deadline dates.

Please note that it may take up to 72 hours for our system to reflect that you have submitted an application; you will receive an email the next business day acknowledging its receipt.

Students who submit their application within 5 days of the deadline will not receive a reminder of materials that are missing from their application.

Early Action is non-binding. You’ll receive your admissions decision earlier but will not be required to commit until the national deadline of May 15.

Transfer Applicants

A transfer student is anyone who has attended another college or university after graduating from high school and wishes to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at UW–Madison.

In order to be eligible for transfer admission, you must have completed or be in the process of completing at least 24 transferable semester hours of college-level work after high school graduation. AP, A-Level, IB, and CLEP cannot be used toward the 24 transferable credit requirement. We do not admit freshman-level transfer students.

Transfer Application and Materials Deadlines

Required first-year application materials.

We cannot begin to review your application until all required materials are received. These deadlines and requirements pertain to both domestic and international applicants.

Application requirements for admission to the university are the same for all students, regardless of the academic major/area of interest.*

*Students who wish to be considered for direct admission to a program in the areas of dance or music, will also need to complete an additional application and an audition. Learn more about our  Direct Entry  process.

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1. Admissions Application

First-year applicants can apply using either the Common Application  or the UW System Application

UW–Madison does not prefer one application over the other. Please choose only one application and use only that application all the way through to submission.

Please note that we do not start processing fall term applications until September 1.

Applicants will be asked to identify both a first and second choice major when completing the application for admission. If we are unable to offer you admission to your first choice major, your second choice will be considered in our application review to assess interest and preparation. Due to the competitive nature of some of our programs, admissions expectations may be different for students pursuing majors in business, engineering, dance, and music. We encourage you to visit our direct entry page to learn more.

2. Application Fee

The application fee is $70.00 US and is non-refundable.

Electronic payment is preferred. If you apply using the UW System Application, the fee can be paid by check or money order, drawn on a bank located in the United States and payable to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Send the check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment . Please include the applicant’s name with payment. Do not send cash.

Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. Eligible students can request a fee waiver as part of their application. If you did not request an application fee waiver at the time of application, but are eligible to have your fee waived, you may print the Application Fee Waiver Request Form and have your counselor/advisor submit it to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. If the College Board or ACT grant you a fee waiver, we will also accept it.

3. Two Essays

As part of our holistic review, we refer to the essays you submit to understand more about you. What you choose to share gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of our community. Tell us about you and your unique story to help us know you beyond your GPA and test scores. Your essays might also be used for campus program and scholarship review.

If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the  first-year Common Application essays . If you apply with the UW System Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

• This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

All applicants will also need to respond to this prompt:

• Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

Keep these tips in mind as you work on your writing:

• Develop your thoughts before you begin the writing process, and create an outline.
• The maximum word count for each essay is 650, but we recommend planning for 300–500 words.
• Do not type directly into the web form. Instead, work on your draft in word processing software.
• Allow time to develop and revisit your writing.
• Check for spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread your final version.
• Be genuine and honest in your writing.

4. Course and Grade Information

We require course and grade information from all schools you attended for grades 9–12.

If you apply via the Common Application, you may meet this requirement one of two ways*:

• Self-report your coursework within the application to meet the course and grade information requirement to complete your application for admission

– OR – 

• Have your school submit an official transcript from your school(s).

If you apply via the UW System Application, you may meet this requirement one of two ways*:

• Submit an unofficial transcript within the UW System Application at the time you complete it

       – OR – 

*If you have already graduated from high school, an official final transcript with your graduation date is needed to meet this requirement.

How to Send Official Transcripts

Students applying from outside the United States can find  country-specific official transcript requirements here .

If you were or are homeschooled, we will need additional documentation to complete a full, holistic review of your application. Learn more about specific application policies and requirements .

If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) , submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts.

Note: official transcripts from all schools and colleges attended (including dual credit) will be required prior to enrollment. Incorrect reporting of courses and/or grades may result in your admission offer being revoked and scholarship awards being forfeited. Official college transcripts are also required to award college credit. Official transcripts should be sent directly from each school attended.

GPA and Class Rank:  Applicants are expected to achieve a high level of performance in the course work they pursue and an increasingly strong academic record. We ask for your GPA and class rank. We also realize that many schools consider GPA on different scales and some do not report GPA or class rank at all. We consider both GPA and rank in the context of your school. We typically see unweighted, academic GPAs between a 3.8 and a 4.0, and a class rank in the 85–97 percentile.

5. One Required Letter of Recommendation

We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor, or faculty member. If you choose, you can also submit another letter of recommendation from an additional source, such as an employer, coach, research mentor, community leader, or clergy. Students with an interest in engineering are encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher. Remember to have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter.

We encourage applicants who have been away from formal classroom teaching for an extended period to request a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to their academic potential, such as an employer (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer, or some other individual in an official instructional capacity.

Those who apply using the Common Application should request a recommendation through that system.

If you apply using the UW System Application, select the link that best describes your situation:

• Invite someone to submit a recommendation  (I have my NetID)
• Invite someone to submit a recommendation  (no NetID)

Recommendations that are mailed to our office  Letters of recommendation must be sent directly from the school and/or recommender, in a sealed envelope. Recommendations  must include the applicant’s full name, birth date, and campus ID number (if known). Additionally, letters of recommendation from a school staff member may also be sent through Naviance. Please note that letters of recommendation expire after one year from the date it is written.

6. TOEFL, IELTS, and DET Scores (English Language Proficiency)

First-year applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school.

All English proficiency exams should be sent electronically, directly from the testing service.

Please note: Sending official test scores from the testing agency does have an additional costs and will add 3-6 weeks to the application completion process. Plan to send your test scores early to ensure your scores arrive before the the materials deadline.

We do not superscore any English Proficiency exam and score reports cannot be older than two years from the time you apply.

How to Send Official Test Scores

Duolingo English Test (DET)

• Minimum accepted score: 115+
• When submitting your score(s): Search category should be “Undergraduate,” then select “University of Wisconsin–Madison”
• Please do not send to offices listed under “Other,” as we are unable to retrieve those scores
• The DET should be sent with sub-scores
• Minimum accepted score: 6.5+.
• IELTS does not require a code.
• Select our account name, “University of Wisconsin, Madison Undergraduate”
• Please do not send paper copies of your IELTS scores.
• We do accept the IELTS Indicator.
• Minimum accepted score: 80+
• When submitting your score(s): TOEFL test code is 1846
• We do not accept “MyBest” score from TOEFL nor any English Proficiency exam
• For each TOEFL you submit, we will require the full score report
• We do not accept the TOEFL iTP Plus for China, but we will accept the iBT Special Home Edition

If you feel that you qualify for an English Proficiency Exam waiver based upon the requirements above, please submit all required transcripts to our office. Other test scores such as ACT, SAT, or AP (Advanced Placement) scores do not meet the requirements for a waiver. Once your transcripts are received in our office (are no longer displayed on your to-do list in your Student Center), we will determine your waiver eligibility. Waivers will not be processed prior to receipt of both the admissions application and transcripts.

Optional First-Year Application Materials

7. act and sat scores (test optional through the spring 2027 term).

Including scores from either the ACT or the SAT with your application is optional for students applying for admission through the spring 2027 term, with an application deadline of October 1, 2026.

You will not be disadvantaged in our evaluation process if you do not include these scores for consideration in your application.

More information on our test optional policy can be found by viewing our  ACT/SAT Test Optional FAQs .

You will indicate your choice regarding including test scores at the time of application. The choice that you indicate on your application is final.

If choosing to include ACT or SAT test scores with your application, submit your official scores directly from the testing site.

Please note sending official test scores from the testing agency does have an additional costs and will add 2–4 weeks to the application completion process.  Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT); we receive all scores electronically on a daily basis so there is not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

Statement on Score Choice:  Students choosing to include test scores with their application are encouraged to submit all exam scores. It can be a benefit to see your complete testing history as part of our comprehensive review, and since we will only consider your highest score (by test date), there is nothing to be gained by suppressing scores through Score Choice. However, applicants are free to use the College Board’s Score Choice option for the SAT and/or the similar option offered by ACT. Superscores are not considered in our review.

Required Transfer Application Materials

Transfer students can apply using the  UW System Application .

You will be asked to identify both a first and second choice major when completing the application for admission. If selecting a major in the School of Business or College of Engineering as your first choice major, you must select a second choice major outside of the School of Business or the College of Engineering. If we are unable to offer you admission to your first choice major, your second choice will be considered in our application review. Due to the competitive nature of some of our programs, admission expectations may be different for students pursuing majors in business, engineering, dance, and music. We encourage you to visit our direct entry page  to learn more.

Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. Eligible students can request a fee waiver as part of their application. If you did not request an application fee waiver at the time of application, but are eligible to have your fee waived, you may print the Application Fee Waiver Request Form and have your counselor/advisor submit it to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

The application fee is not required if your last school attended is a UW System institution and it is within one year of enrollment as a degree seeking student at that institution.

You will need to answer the following prompts:

If you are applying to transfer from another UW System institution, you will only be required to submit the second essay.

College Transcripts:

We require course and grade information from your enrollment in any and all colleges and universities. This should include all college-level coursework completed to date, including your current term in progress, and (if applicable) college classes taken while in high school.

You must submit an official transcript from all institutions(s) in which you were enrolled to meet the course and grade information requirement to complete your application for admission.

Official transcripts should be sent directly from each school attended.

Applicants that are currently or were previously enrolled at UW College, a UW System branch campus, or UW Colleges Online must submit their transcripts according to the UW System guidelines .

High School Transcripts:

We require official high school transcript(s), sent to us by your school. We review your high school record to check for proof of graduation, the completion of core preparation requirements, and to learn more about your educational background. High school grades will play a more important role in the admission review for applicants who have completed fewer transferable college credits. If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts. If you were or are homeschooled, we will need additional documentation to complete a full, holistic review of your application. Learn more about specific application policies and requirements .

We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor, or faculty member. Students with an interest in engineering are encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher. Remember to have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter. *

* While we would prefer to receive a letter from the most recent year/semester, many students are taking courses virtually due to COVID-19 and making connections virtually may be challenging for some students. If you think a letter from a past high school teacher, high school counselor, college teacher, or academic advisor can speak to your current strengths as a student, we will accept those letters to make admission decisions.

Transfer applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit a official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school or a college level English composition course was successfully completed at an accredited US institution. This requirement will not be waived for English composition taken at U.S. branch campuses abroad.

We do not superscore any English Proficiency exam and score reports cannot be older than 2 years from the time you apply.

Optional Transfer Application Materials

7. act and sat scores (optional).

Scores from either the ACT or the SAT are not required of transfer applicants. However, you are welcome to provide us your scores. Your results will be considered as supplemental academic information and may help strengthen your application. Test scores can be sent directly from the testing service. Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT); we receive all scores electronically on a daily basis so there is not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

Additional Required Materials for International Students

Application materials and process for reentry students, application materials and process for second degree students.