INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
Getting Started
1. What is WACAS?
2. When should I start using WACAS?
3. How exactly do I get started?
4. Once I’ve established an account, how do I use WACAS?
Anticipating Potential Problems
5. What if I forget my log-in or password?
6. Why isn’t every college I attended listed in WACAS?
7. What if I don’t remember the names of the courses I’ve taken?
8. If i fdont know what i’m going to major in. Can I still use WACAS?
9. Some of my courses don’t seem to transfer. Why is that?
10. Does the WACAS Planning Guide apply to other public institutions in Washington?
11. How accurate is the WACAS Planning Guide?
Life after WACAS
12. I’ve used WACAS; now what?
13. How do I get more information about majors?
14. When I’m ready, how do I transfer to the University of Washington?
15. Getting Help
1. What is WACAS?
Students at Washington Community Colleges
WACAS is a Web-based tool for students planning to transfer to the UW. Once you create a WACAS Account and enter data about your academic record, you can research the requirements of UW majors, discover how courses taken (or to be taken) at Washington community colleges transfer to the UW, and learn how those courses apply toward your intended major. A WACAS Account gives you the ability to:
- Research the requirements of one or more majors at the UW.
- Verify transfer credit by inputting courses taken (or to be taken) at Washington community colleges.
- Have community college course work evaluated against the requirements of one or more bachelor’s degree programs at the UW.
- Update information saved in your account, ensuring accurate transfer planning.
All Other Students
WACAS is a tool for students planning to transfer to the University of Washington. It may be used by any prospective transfer student. Although some of the features are designed specifically for students at Washington community colleges, there are many feature non-WA community college students may find useful. WACAS gives you the ability to:
- Research the requirements of one or more bachelors’ degree programs (majors) at the UW.
- Save Planning Guides to your account for easy reference.
- Review descriptions of UW courses.
- Establish an account that will enable us to notify you of upcoming local UW event and events of interest in your area.
2. When should I start using WACAS?
Students at Washington Community Colleges
Now! You should start planning for your transfer as soon as you begin your college career. WACAS will help you look into the future so that you are fulfilling not only your community college’s requirements but also UW admission, major, and graduation requirements.
All Other Students
Now! As soon as you have decided to transfer to the UW it’s a good idea to research the requirements, to make sure you are taking the appropriate courses. It’s also a good idea to choose introductory and general classes in your area of interest, as they are more likely to transfer. Transferring Credit
3. How exactly do I get started?
Students at Washington Community Colleges
To get started you should create a WACAS New User Account.
- When asked to select a community college to establish your account, select the college you are currently attending. In the future, if you transfer to another institution, you can continue to use the same account.
- Once you have completed your log-in information, you will have access to all Member benefits.
Establishing an account does not obligate you to participate in future UW events. However, we will let you know of upcoming events in case you’d like to get more information about the UW.
All Other Students
There are two ways for you to use WACAS: you can become a Member or sign-on as a Guest.
Students who become Members can use all the features of WACAS, except Your Courses. WACAS recognizes only courses from Washington community colleges. To establish an account select “Log in/New User” from the WACAS homepage and follow the directions. Your school association will be “University of Washington.”
Guests have the same benefits as Members, excluding the option of saving information on WACAS or receiving notice of upcoming events. To log-on as a Guest select “Log in/Guest” from the WACAS homepage and follow the directions.
4. Once I’ve established an account, how do I use WACAS?
Students at Washington Community Colleges
There are two major components of WACAS that you will find most useful, Your Courses and Planning Guides.
Your Courses
Start building a course portfolio in the section of WACAS called Your Courses. You will be asked to list the courses you have taken, the term you took them, and the grades you received. To speed up this process, we recommend you have a copy of your college transcripts handy before you log on. Be sure to include courses you are planning to take in future quarters.
Planning Guides
Once you have entered all Your Courses, request a Planning Guide for as many majors as you are interested in. The Planning Guides will outline your progress toward UW graduation and major requirements.
Using your WACAS Planning Guides, you and an adviser will have a valuable tool to create a more effective course schedule that satisfies multiple requirements, thereby saving you time, money and frustration.
There are many more useful Options on WACAS.
All Other Students
Once you have established an account you can request Planning Guides that outline University, college/school, and major requirements for graduation. Using Planning Guide(s) and the Course Descriptions you can evaluate your progress toward a UW degree.
If you are planning to take courses at a Washington community college before transferring use the “Students at Washington Community Colleges” column of this page to find out about WACAS options that may help you select courses.
5. What if I forget my log-in or password?
Press the help button. We will need your name, school, email address, and Social Security Number to restart your account and email you the necesssary information.
6. Why isn’t the college I attend listed in WACAS?
WACAS can articulate only courses from Washington State community and technical colleges. However, you can still request a Planning Guide to review UW requirements and majors.
If you took a course at a community college out of state or at any four-year institution, your academic courses will likely transfer. For more information, check the Transfer Portal or consult a UW admissions counselor.
7. What if I don’t remember the names of all the courses I’ve taken?
The fastest way to enter Your Courses into WACAS is to have a copy of your transcript on hand. If you don’t have one at this time, WACAS provides lists of courses to choose from for each school. Keep in mind that your Planning Guide is only as accurate as you make it. If some of your information is missing or entered incorrectly, your Planning Guide will not be as useful to you.
8. I’m not sure what I’m going to major in. Can I still use WACAS?
Whether or not you know your intended major, WACAS gives you the flexibility to evaluate your academic record against the requirements of any major you’re interested in. WACAS also stores your file so you can return to it, perhaps to try other majors you hear about in the future.
9. Some of my courses don’t transfer. Why is that?
Technical, vocational, trade, remedial, and below college-level courses may not transfer to the UW. For more information, check the Transfer Credit Policies section of the UW transfer website or contact us.
10. Does the WACAS Planning Guide apply to other public institutions in Washington?
No. At this time, the information provided by WACAS applies only to the Univesity of Washington. Graduation, major and admission requirements vary widely; contact directly the other institutions you may wish to transfer to.
11. How accurate is the WACAS Planning Guide?
The WACAS Planning Guide is unofficial and based on the information that you provide. There are also personal situations – most notably, whether you intend to earn an academic associate degree from a Washington community college – that affect how your general education requirements are fulfilled. This is why it is so important to see advisers regularly, both at the college you’re attending and at the UW.
12. I’ve used WACAS; now what?
Make the Most of Your Planning Guide
Completing a Planning Guide is just the beginning. If you take advantage of all the resources available to you, you’ll be more likely to enjoy a smooth and efficient transfer experience. Those resources include Web-based information, in-person visits to advisers, telephone and email exchanges, and printed materials.
Once you have completed a Planning Guide you should schedule an appointment to meet with someone who can answer any questions and help you planning your courses for the following term. Use the table below to contact the office most appropriate to your question.
A Quick Guide to Resources for Transfer Applicants
CC advising or transfer center
- Select courses at the community college
- Select courses to satisfy associate degree requirements
- Research several four-year institutions
- Narrow my areas of academic interest
- Decide if an associate degree is the right choice for me
- Research majors at more than one four-year institution
UW admissions counselor
- Evaluate my admission options
- Decide if an associate degree is the right choice for me
- Learn about the UW and its student services
UW departmental advisers
- Assess my progress toward requirements for my intended major at the UW
- Evaluate those courses not included in WACAS or the UW Transfer Guide that may satisfy major requirements
- Complete my application for admission to a UW department
UW Undergraduate Gateway Center
- Apply transfer credit to UW degree requirements
- Assess my progress toward UW general education and graduation requirements
- Prepare for admission to professional schools (med school, law school, education, etc.)
WACAS Help
Technical questions about using WACAS
Update Your Information
Continue to update the information you have stored on WACAS. Because requirements change, we recommend that you:
- Add to Your Courses database after you complete each successive academic quarter.
- Request new Planning Guides for your area of interest at least once a year.
Update Personal Information, especially your email address. This information may be necessary to contact you for upcoming events or to address problems you have encountered.
13. How do I get more information about majors?
Go to the departmental web site, attend an information session , join an email discussion group, or contact the department.
14. When I’m ready, how do I transfer to the University of Washington?
Start by requesting a copy of Transfer Admission & Planning, a comprehensive guide to the transfer process; this 24-page booklet includes an application for admission. Or go to the UW transfer website to apply online.
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