University of Washington Seattle

Office of Admissions

• Freshman
• Transfer
• International
  • 1. Take Standardized Tests
  • 2. Explore Majors
  • 3. Gather Required Documents
    • Statement of Financial Responsibility
    • Personal Statement
  • 4. Keep Deadlines in Mind
  • 5. Apply For Admission
  • 6. Apply for Honors
  • 7. Send Transcripts
  • 8. The Review Process
  • 9. The Admission Decision
    • Guidelines for Special Admission and Appeal
• Postbacs

Format

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation, will be considered. Please proofread your personal statement carefully. If you apply online, you must submit the writing section in the space provided on the online application. Please do not send duplicate copies. If you apply using the PDF or paper application, type your personal statement on standard size white paper. Double-space your lines, and use only one side of each piece of paper. Print your name, the words “Personal Statement,” and the date at the top of each page, and attach the pages to your application.

2009 International Freshman Applicants

Sections A and B are required, section C is optional.

A. Personal Statement – Choose either 1 or 2. Recommended length: 500-650 words.

1. Discuss how your family’s experience or cultural history enriched you or presented you with opportunities or challenges in pursuing your educational goals.
2. Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

B. Short Response – Choose one of the following two topics and write a short essay. Maximum length: 250 words

1. The University of Washington seeks to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. How would you contribute to this community?
2. Describe an experience of cultural difference, positive or negative, you have had or observed. What did you learn from it?

C. Activities Log – Activities, Leadership, Achievements, Community and School Service, Employment (Optional)

Directions: Identify and describe up to five of the most significant activities you have participated in during secondary school, grades 9-12 (please do not include activities from elementary or junior high school). Your Activities Log should include school activities, skills, employment, leadership roles, church involvement, research, personal enrichment, and/or community service.

Format: List the title of each activity, the year(s) you were involved in the activity (from when to when), and the specific time commitment for your involvement, e.g. “2 hours a week, once a month” or “once for 6 hours.” For each activity, write a substantial paragraph about why this activity had meaning for you. Don’t just list the activity, but describe your level of involvement, the importance it had to you, and what that activity tells us about you as an individual.

2009 International Transfer Applicants

Please address the following topics in your personal statement. Recommended length: 750-1000 words.

Academic History

• Tell us about your college career to date, describing your performance, educational path and choices.
• Explain any situations that may have had a significant positive or negative impact on your academic progress and or curricular choices. If you transferred multiple times, had a significant break in your education, or changed career paths, explain. What are the specific reasons you wish to leave your most recent college/university and/or program of study?

Your Major and Career Goals

• Tell us about your intended major and career aspirations. Are you prepared to enter your intended major at this time? If not, describe your plans for preparing for the major. What led you to choose this major? If you are still undecided, why? What type of career are you most likely to pursue after finishing your education? How will the UW help you attain your academic, career, and/or personal goals? Note: If you selected a competitive major, you have the option of selecting a second-choice major in the event you are not admitted to your first-choice major. Please address major and/or career goals for your second-choice major, if applicable.

Cultural Understanding

• Thoughtfully describe the ways in which culture had an impact on your life and what you have learned about yourself and society as a result. How has your own cultural history enriched and/or challenged you?

Educational Challenges / Personal Hardships (if applicable)

• Describe any personal or imposed challenges or hardships you have overcome in pursuing your education. Examples: a serious illness, a disability, first generation in your family to attend college, significant financial hardship or responsibilities associated with balancing work, family and school.

Experiential Learning (if applicable)

• Describe your involvement in research, community service, artistic endeavors, and work (paid or volunteer), and the ways in which it has contributed to your academic, career or personal goals.

2009 International Postbaccalaureate Applicants

The following questions should be answered in your statement. Recommended length: 750-1000 words.

• Why are you pursuing a second bachelor’s degree? Why do you wish to do so at the UW? How did you reach the decision to go into your proposed field of study? What are your long-term academic and professional goals? Be as specific as possible.

• If you are seeking admission to a department that has competitive admission or specific prerequisites: are you assured of department admission? Have you spoken with a departmental adviser to discuss admission requirements for the department?

• If you feel your undergraduate grade point is low, please explain why it might not be a reliable indicator of your academic potential. If you have exceptional academic course work that was completed after your first bachelor’s degree, please explain the difference in your academic performance then versus now.