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

Writing Section

The writing section of the application It is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to create a context for your academic performance and personal history. When you write your personal statement, 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 or barrier overcome.

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.

2010 International Freshman Applicants

1. Personal Statement (Required)

Directions: Choose either A or B. Recommended length: 500-650 words

A) Discuss how your family’s experience or cultural history enriched you or presented you with opportunities or challenges in pursuing your educational goals.

OR

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

Tips

• Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. We welcome your imaginative interpretation.
• You may define experience broadly. For example, in option B, experience could be a meeting with an influential person, a news story that spurred you to action, a family event, or something that might be insignificant to someone else that had particular meaning for you. If you don’t think that any one experience shaped your character, don’t worry. Simply choose an experience that tells us something about you.

2. Short Response (Required)

Directions: Choose one of the following two topics and write a short essay. Recommended length: 250-500 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 or insensitivity you have had or observed. What did you learn from it?

Tip

• You may define culture broadly in Topic #2. For example, it may include ethnicity, customs, values, and ideas, all of which contribute to experiences that students can share with others in college. As you reply to this question, reflect on what you have learned – about yourself and society – from an experience of cultural difference.

3. Journal of Activities & Achievements (Optional)

Directions: Using the grid provided on the application, identify and describe up to five of your most significant activities and achievements during grades 9-12. Write a paragraph about why this activity or achievement had meaning for you. Tell us about your highest level of achievement or honor you attained; any responsibilities you had; and the contribution you believe you made to your school, community, or organization. Don’t just describe the activity or achievement: tell us what it says about you.

Your journal should include activities, skills, achievements, or qualities from any of the following categories:

• Leadership in or outside of school-e.g., athletics, student government, cultural clubs, band, scouting, community service, employment
• 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-e.g., independent research or reading, private dance or music lessons, weekend language/culture school

2010 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.

2010 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.