What Does it Take to Get Into the University of Washington?

Ranking No. 14 In The World, The University Of Washington Is A Trailblazer For Public Research Universities…

Through their rigorous curriculum and competitive research programs, this Seattle-based university strives to achieve one simple goal: make the world a better place through research and positive community impact. The faculty, staff, and students that make up the University of Washington work together to create innovative ideas, conduct advanced research, and bring the solutions they find to their surrounding communities.

If you want to learn how to get into the University of Washington so you can join this unique and powerful group of students, keep reading. You may find that you too can become a Washington Husky!

What You’ll Find In This College Guide:

• The University of Washington’s Ideal Student
• What You Need To Get Accepted Into The University of Washington
• The University of Washington’s Campus Life
• From Application to Career: What You’ll Experience at The University of Washington 
• Your Future at The University of Washington

The University Of Washington's Ideal Student

The average GPA and SAT scores of incoming freshmen are:

• Average GPA: 3.75 (unweighted)
• SAT: 1370
• ACT: 29

The University of Washington’s requirements reflect their admissions process, which has proven to be one of the most challenging among public universities. Because of their rigorous curriculum, they want to make sure that incoming freshmen are well-prepared for the challenge.

While grades and scores are crucial to a student’s acceptance, the qualities that a prospective student carries is of equal importance, and often reflect well on their grades.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The faculty and staff at the University of Washington push their students to challenge themselves in order to take their education to the next level. Impressive grades and scores won’t be enough for admission; it’s important that you have a challenging academic record to support your grades.

• Did you challenge yourself in high school with upper level classes, Advanced Placement or honors?
• Did you go the extra mile in assignments and projects, and do extra work that wasn’t required?

Showcasing how you took ownership of your education will make your application stand out. The University of Washington admissions is looking for students who didn’t just go through the motions with their high school classes. They firmly believe that your education is what you make of it, so show them how you took ownership!

LEADERSHIP AND RESPECT

The University of Washington is dedicated to creating effective leaders through their academic programs. Along with good leadership, however, comes a respect for authorities and peers.

• Were you given the opportunity to be a leader for a class, student organization, club, or sport?
• How did you use your leadership skills to make the social environment of your school a better place?
• While you were a leader, did you see the importance of respecting those you lead as well as the authorities that oversee your leadership?

When you’re talking about your leadership history, be honest about your experiences. Talk about the extent to which you were a leader and include anything you wish you had done differently. A sign of maturity is being able to observe your weaknesses and the many ways you can improve, and this is something that the University of Washington admissions will be looking for.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

The University of Washington is one of the leading research universities in the world, thanks to its impressive faculty, facilities, and curriculum. If you want to impress the admissions office, you’ll need to show them you share that passion for research!

• In high school, were you involved in any research-based projects?
• Did you have any opportunities to employ innovative ways to complete a project?
• What were some unique ways you used research techniques in the classroom?

Since the University of Washington’s curriculum is research-based, make sure that you include whether or not research has been an important part of your academic career. A strong interest or history in research will certainly help your application.

INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY

The University of Washington strives to make their community function through the principles of inclusion and involvement. Their community is one of their top priorities, and the students are the ones who make a positive impact.

• What kind of community service efforts did you participate in during high school?
• How were you involved with creating an atmosphere of inclusion in your group projects?
• How do you want to use your skills to make your community a better place?

Promoting a spirit of inclusion is very important for the University of Washington. Without their students, they couldn’t make the impact on the world they strive for. Inclusion is one of their core values, so make sure you speak about why inclusion is needed in our communities now more than ever, and how you plan on using your time at the University of Washington to put that vision into action.

WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE: THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON’S PROGRAMS

While the University of Washington’s curriculum is research-based, they hold national rankings for the quality of their wide array of academic programs.

• Information Technology (#13 in the U.S.)
• Architecture (#28 in the U.S.)
• Physics (#34 in the U.S.)
• Education (#35 in the U.S.)

The University of Washington combines a rigorous curriculum with a less stressful, public university atmosphere. This is why The University of Washington is known as a “Public Ivy”, where students can receive an Ivy League education with a public university experience and price tag.

This college is the perfect example of how rankings don’t always tell a complete story. Rankings can provide accurate information regarding the quality of a school’s education, but other factors to consider include the amount of academic programs offered, financial aid, and career opportunities. Despite seemingly “lower rankings,” the University of Washington is still a premiere university, and a fantastic college to attend!

IN SUMMARY: THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON’S IDEAL STUDENT

Students at the University of Washington are focused on maintaining a spirit of inclusion while employing unique and innovative ways to conduct research. Their focus is on helping their students grow to their fullest potential, and then using their new found strength to serve their surrounding community.

In order for them to stay on track with their mission, vision, and values, the University of Washington needs students who take their education seriously. Be sure that you include any advanced classes you took in high school that challenged you and the opportunities you had to  be a leader.

Along with your leadership history, talk about the importance of inclusion and how you respect your co-workers, fellow students, and superiors. After all, everyone’s time is worthwhile, and everyone’s opinion is valid.

Finally, touch on your experience with community service. The University of Washington wants their students to be able to confidently bring their skills into their communities and have something positive to offer.

What You Need To Get Accepted Into The University Of Washington

The University of Washington’s requirements accurately reflect their challenging admissions process. There are many components and several prerequisites, and every year, many high school students decide that they’re up for the challenge.

Like many great colleges, the University of Washington follows a holistic review for their admissions process. They believe that every part of the application is important and relevant to their admissions decision. This holistic review is good news for you, because it gives you more freedom to be honest and include a wide range of personal experiences.

THE APPLICATION

You can apply for the University of Washington by using the Coalition for College application. Simply create an account, and add the University of Washington to your list of colleges.

80% of the application will be taken care of when you complete your Coalition profile. This large section includes personal and contact information, family history, grades, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities.

COLLEGE ACADEMIC DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS (CADRS)

In order for the University of Washington to ensure that their students have an appropriate background for their curriculum, they request some prerequisites that applicants must complete before they graduate high school.

One credit equals the completion of one course. For example, if a certain subject requires four credits, that means that you must take four years of that class. Likewise, half a credit equals one semester.

• English (4 credits)
• Mathematics (3 credits)
• Social studies (3 credits)
• Foreign language (2 credits)
• Laboratory Science (2 credits)
• Advanced Math Courses (1 credit)
• Experience with either fine, visual, or performing arts (.5 credit)
• Electives like home economics, shop, or band (.5 credit)

SELF-REPORTED COURSEWORK

In lieu of official transcripts, the University of Washington asks you to fill out a self-reported coursework form. In order to provide accurate responses, it may help to have your school reports or unofficial transcripts in front of you though. In this section, you’ll list every class you took in high school and include each grade you received.

If you were involved in any academic programs like Running Start, dual enrollment, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, there are specific instructions included in the Coalition application for you to complete this section.

ESSAYS

The first essay you’ll write is the general Coalition essay. It’s not required to apply for the University of Washington, though you’re welcome to write one anyway.

The only required essays are included with the University of Washington supplement, and they only need to be 300-400 words. Two of these short essays are required and their prompts are available year-round so you can begin writing them as soon as possible.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SUPPLEMENT

In addition to your required essays, the University of Washington supplement includes a chance for you to declare your intended major. University of Washington admissions requires their applicants to state their intended area of study because they have three kinds of majors:

• Open majors
• Majors with minimum requirements
• Capacity-constrained majors

Open majors and majors with minimum requirements don’t require pre-screening measures. Once you’re admitted to the University of Washington, you can pursue any of these majors if you meet the basic requirements.

Some open and minimum requirement majors are:

• Microbiology
• Art
• Earth and Space Sciences
• Nutrition and Health Sciences

Capacity-constrained majors, on the other hand, are highly selective, and in order for students to be granted admission to any of these majors they must provide solid evidence that they’re eligible for the rigorous curriculum. Some of these majors are:

• Biochemistry
• Neuroscience
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Nursing
• Applied and Computational Medical Sciences
• All Engineering programs

TEST SCORES & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY

You must submit your scores from either the SAT or the ACT, though the University of Washington doesn’t prefer one test over the other. They don’t require any additional SAT Subject Tests, although you may submit these scores if you think it’s necessary.

Next, you’ll need to list your extracurricular activity involvement. Since the University of Washington is research-based and focused on serving their community, make sure that you include your history in community service efforts. Include any academic-based student organizations you were involved with, as well.

SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

The University of Washington admissions doesn’t require their applicants to provide any letters of recommendation or supplementary materials. They’re confident that they will have all necessary information from the Coalition application you submit. They also don’t schedule any formal interviews or alumni meet-ups for prospective students.

In the rare case that you need to provide an official transcript, letters of recommendation, or any supplementary materials, you’ll be directly contacted by the University of Washington admissions office.

THE APPLICATION FEE

The application fee for the University of Washington is $80, and fee waivers are available for U.S. students only. The option to submit a fee waiver in included in the Coalition application.

DEADLINES

The University of Washington doesn’t participate in any Early Action or Early Decision application options.

• Regular Decision: November 15th

Students can expect to receive an admissions decision in early to mid-March.

CAN I GET INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON?

The University of Washington follows a holistic admissions approach, giving you more freedom to be honest about your high school experience and your future goals. On your application, focus on your passion for research and your desire to use it for the betterment of your community. This is one of the University of Washington’s primary values, so draw attention to that part of your educational career.

Pay special attention to their prerequisites as well; depending on the major you intend to pursue, you may need to provide some supplementary materials. Spend a substantial amount of time writing your essays. While they’re short, make sure your essays are well-written, straight-forward, and honest. Overall, if you’re honest about how you intend to use your education to serve others, you’ll be submitting an impressive application that the University of Washington can’t ignore!

The University Of Washington's Campus Life

Located in the heart of Seattle, Washington, the University of Washington has more than enough to offer its students, regardless of their backgrounds or interests. Whether you enjoy the outdoors or the arts, Washington state is one of the most picturesque and versatile states in the U.S. and thousands of students are proud to call it their home for four years.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The University of Washington has over 850 student organizations on campus, ranging from the arts to robotics, movies to music. You can join any club and find your community by visiting the HUB: the Husky Union Building. The HUB is literally a “hub” for students to study, meet up with classmates, or hold their organization’s meetings.

The University of Washington also has a substantial Greek Life, where over 4,000 students every year find leadership opportunities and a new found passion for community service and philanthropy.

ATHLETICS

The Huskies are members of the Pac-12 conference and offer countless opportunities for students to get involved in either competitive or non-competitive sports.  

If you’re interested in playing for the University of Washington competitively, you’ll be joining one of the best collegiate athletic programs in the country. Aside from their iconic football team, you can get involved with cross country, rowing, tennis, and many more.

The University of Washington’s intramural sports teams offer unique and fun sports in comparison to their competitive opportunities. Specific sports teams are available based on season. In the fall, you can play unique sports like innertube basketball, pickleball, and spikeball. For other seasons, you can choose from fun options like trench dodgeball, battleship, goalball, and ultimate frisbee.

If you’re not interested in playing on a team, the University of Washington also has top-notch recreational facilities, complete with gym equipment, fitness classes, a rock wall, a swimming pool and sauna, and volleyball courts.

HOUSING AND DINING

Undergraduates have many options for housing arrangements, including on and off campus dorms. 27 residence halls are available for students to choose from, depending on their preferences. Whether you want to live close to the heart of campus and near all the action, or in an apartment-style dorm in a quieter part of Seattle, the University of Washington’s housing office has options for you.

Along with a stellar housing program, you can select a flexible dining plan that works for you and your dietary needs. However, some dining programs are required for certain dorms on campus. The dining plans include options like retail restaurants, market-style grocery stores, coffee shops, and food trucks.

A UNIQUE TAILGATING EXPERIENCE

The University of Washington uses their geography to their advantage, especially when it comes to football games. This college is one of only three in the U.S. where you can arrive at games by boat. Instead of tailgating in parking lots, true Husky fans can arrive at games in boats and support their teams from the Husky Harbor.

From Application To Career: What You'll Experience At The University Of Washington

From the beginning of the application process, the University of Washington is dedicated to taking your application seriously and helping you reach your fullest potential during your four years at their unique university.

While you’re completing the early steps of your application, it’s important that you know what to expect. Their powerhouse curriculum does most of the work on its own, but without the University of Washington’s career center, you wouldn’t have the resources, tools, or connections to make your future happen after graduation day.

YOUR APPLICATION

The University of Washington’s ideal student is focused on research and using that information to make their community a better place. Pay close attention to the University of Washington’s requirements, and make sure that you provide the right amount of information. Don’t overwhelm your application with too many unrelated facts, but don’t downplay any impressive information that could increase your chances of acceptance either.

Focus on the ways you challenged yourself with classes during high school. Showcase the ways you were a leader yet also respected the students and teachers you worked with. Talk about your ideals around inclusion and community. Finally, include why you’re passionate about making the world a better place!

YOUR ESSAY

While the general essay included with the Coalition Application isn’t required, you are more than welcome to write it if you think it’s necessary. The essays included with the University of Washington supplement, however, are required, and the prompts are available year-round, Make sure to spend a substantial amount of time preparing for them.

YOUR COLLEGE YEARS

While attending the University of Washington, take advantage of the vast amount of opportunities available for you. Play a fun and unique sport on their intramural teams, tailgate in Husky Harbor, and visit as many dining locations as possible.

While the University of Washington’s campus culture is a great environment to grow in, step off campus every once in a while and enjoy everything Seattle has to offer. Check out all the tourist hot spots like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Washington state also offers great opportunities for hiking and climbing, as it has some of the most scenic views in the country.

YOUR CAREER

Every year, the University of Washington gathers impressive statistics about its graduating classes. Their career center gives their students the resources, tools, and connections to launch them into the professional workplace.

In 2018:

• 74% of students had a job secured at graduation
• 89% of graduates began working for a large company or corporation
• On average, employed students had a starting salary of $60K

Your Future At The University Of Washington

Regardless of what you want to study, the University of Washington is the best option for thousands of students every year. From its focus on research and community service to fun sporting events, the University of Washington’s campus culture will help you grow to your fullest potential. You’ll find a healthy balance between working hard in class and enjoying all that Seattle has to offer.

Of course, the University of Washington is still a highly competitive college. At any point during the college admissions process, feel free to reach out to WeAdmit’s professional counselors. We can help you create an application that is focused on the University of Washington’s mission, vision, and values, giving you the best possible chance of becoming a UWash Husky!

Don’t Wait Any Longer, Get Started On Your University Of Washington Application Today!