Freshman
As you think about what you’d like to study at the UW, it can be useful to understand a few nuances of the UW major system. The vast majority of students enter their major through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW. However, some majors do admit students directly as freshmen. Explore the details of the programs that interest you on our majors page. Outlined below you will find information about how majors factor into the freshman application, as well as how the type of major you choose may impact your experience as a UW student.
Your major and the application for admission
Your requested first- and second-choice majors may be used as factors in your admission decision. Some majors admit students directly as freshmen. You must indicate these as your first-choice major on the freshman application to be considered for direct admission. Except for computer science and engineering, only a small percentage of students enter a major directly as freshmen. The majority enter through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW. The following majors admit students directly as freshmen.
- Architectural Studies
- Biochemistry
- Business administration
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Computer engineering
- Composition (music)*
- Construction management
- Engineering (any major in the College of Engineering)
- Guitar (music)*
- Informatics
- Jazz studies (music)*
- Music
- Music education
- Neuroscience
- Orchestral instruments (music)*
- Organ (music)*
- Piano (music)*
- Statistics
- Strings (music)*
- Voice (music)*
* For most music majors, an audition on your primary instrument is also required.
Computer science and computer engineering
Most students earning computer science or computer engineering degrees from the UW will be admitted directly to the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering as freshmen. You must list computer science or computer engineering as your first-choice major on the freshman application to be considered for Direct to Major admission. You will not be considered if you only list computer science or computer engineering as your second-choice major. If you’re not admitted directly to the Allen School as a freshman, it’s unlikely that you’ll be admitted to computer science or computer engineering as a UW student.
Engineering
If you’re interested in an engineering degree other than computer engineering, select any engineering major (or engineering undeclared) as your first-choice major on the freshman application. You will automatically be considered for Direct to College admission to the College of Engineering. If admitted Direct to College, you’ll enter the UW with an “engineering undeclared” designation and have the opportunity to explore all engineering disciplines (except computer engineering) before requesting placement in an engineering major. All engineering undeclared students who meet the requirements are guaranteed placement into an engineering major. If you’re not admitted directly to the College of Engineering as a freshman, there are opportunities to apply at a later date. However, admission to engineering majors is competitive, and space may be limited.
Your second-choice major
Are you willing to study something other than your first-choice major if you are admitted to the UW? Or, maybe you can’t decide between a couple of majors? Be sure to list a second-choice major on the freshman application.
Transfer
Transferring to the UW takes careful planning, and preparation for your intended major is a factor in the transfer holistic review. For that reason, it’s important to understand the requirements of your major(s) before you apply.
University vs. departmental deadlines
All transfer students must submit an application for general admission to the UW. In addition to the general application, some majors also require a departmental application. The due dates for departmental applications vary. Other majors require that you enroll at the UW before applying to your major. Find specific requirements for each major on our majors page.
Your second-choice major
Some UW majors are in greater demand than others, and capacity may be limited; we can’t guarantee that you’ll be admitted to the major of your choice. You may apply to more than one major, so we encourage you to explore and develop a plan for a second-choice major. Use your personal statement to explain what you’ll do if you’re not admitted to your first-choice major. This information will help Admissions staff understand your plans.
Types of majors at the UW
The vast majority of students enter their major through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW. While the details of that process may vary from major to major, they can be generalized into three different major types — open, minimum requirements and capacity-constrained.
Open majors
Open majors are available when you’re admitted to the UW or can be declared at any time by any student in good academic standing.
Majors with minimum requirements
Minimum requirements majors have a set of prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA. All current UW students who meet the minimum requirements are admitted.
Capacity-constrained majors
Capacity-constrained majors are selective and have extra requirements, which may include an additional application process. Completing the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee entry. You can apply to most of these majors once you are a UW student. However, for majors in the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and the College of Engineering, the main pathway is direct freshman admission. Current UW students may apply to them after enrollment, but space is extremely limited.