University of Washington Acceptance Rate

The University of Washington is a public research university in Washington state. Its primary campus is in Seattle, but it also has campuses in Tacoma and Bothell.

The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and has an acceptance rate of 48%. Below, we break down what you need to know about the University of Washington admissions process.

What Is the Acceptance Rate at the University of Washington?

The University of Washington acceptance rate is 48% at the Seattle campus. The Tacoma campus and Bothell campus both have an acceptance rate of 88%.

Enrollment at the Seattle campus is at over 50,000 students. Most students study full-time and on campus. 60% are Washington residents, 24% are out-of-state students, and 15% are international students.

University of Washington Admissions Requirements

The admissions requirements at the University of Washington vary depending on if you're an undergraduate or graduate student. There's also a slight variation between applying as a first-time student and applying as a transfer student.

Undergraduate students must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must have completed all College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs):

• four credits of English
• three credits of math
• three credits of social sciences/social studies
• three credits of science, including two credits of lab science
• two credits of world languages
• one credit of senior year math-based quantitative courses
• half a credit of fine, visual, or performing arts
• half a credit of a college elective

The university does not require a minimum high school GPA and does not require ACT scores or SAT scores. No letters of recommendation are required, but students will need to write an essay and pay an application fee of $80. Fee waivers are available.

Transfer students who have fewer than 40 college credits will need to submit their high school transcript. Otherwise, they will only need to send their college transcripts.

Graduate students will need to have at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA. Additional requirements vary by program, but may include test scores, letters of recommendation, or a resume.

How To Apply at the University of Washington

The application process at the University of Washington is relatively simple for undergraduate students and varies for graduate students. We've broken down the steps to applying at the University of Washington below.

Step 1: Check Application Deadlines and Choose Your Application Format

There are several different application deadlines at the University of Washington depending on what time of year you want to start. Most freshman students begin their first year in the fall.

Applications for first-year students wanting to start in the fall are open from September 1 through November 15 the year before. The university does not participate in early action or early decision.

The application period for transfer students wanting to start in the fall is from December 15-February 15. Graduate applications deadlines vary by program.

Undergraduate students have two choices for how they apply: either through the Common App or ApplyWeb. Both are college admissions systems that allow students to input their data and apply to multiple colleges.

Graduate students will need to apply through the university's application system. Potential applicants can access this system through the Graduate School website.

Step 2: Complete the Application

If you have not created an account yet on the platform of your choosing, that will be your first step. Once you've done so, you can proceed to the University of Washington application.

The undergraduate application will have several sections, including:

• high school courses and average GPA
• your chosen major
• essays and short response questions
• additional information about yourself or your circumstances (not required)

There is an $80 application fee for both first-time students and transfer students. Graduate students have an application fee of $85.

Step 3: Submit Required Documents

Transfer students are required to submit their college transcripts as part of the application process. However, first-time students will only need to submit their high school transcripts if the university requests them, as the university bases admissions on your self-reported scores.

Graduate students may have several documents to submit. All graduate programs require students to submit college transcripts, but some programs may require additional documents like a resume or letters of recommendation.

Step 4: Wait for a Response

The university does not begin reviewing first-year applications until the application period has closed. Students applying for fall admission will be notified within the first few weeks of March.

Transfer students applying for fall admission should receive their notification sometime between May 1 and June 30. The timeline for graduate students varies by program.

Tips for Applying to the University of Washington

The University of Washington uses a holistic review process, meaning they look at not just grades but also your extracurricular activities and your essays. When applying, use the essay and short answer areas to your advantage.

For those who have less-than-stellar grades or who are lacking in extracurriculars, the additional information section gives you an opportunity to explain why and how you did or are going to change that for college.

FAQs About Getting into the University of Washington

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about getting into the University of Washington.

What Is the Cost of Tuition at the University of Washington?

Tuition at the University of Washington depends on if you're an in-state or out-of-state student and if you're an undergraduate student or graduate student.

Undergraduate in-state students pay an average annual tuition of $12,645 per year, while out-of-state students pay $41,997. These figures do not include housing, food, or supplies.

Graduate residents pay an average of $21,186 per year, while non-residents pay an average of $36,888 per year. However, this varies by program and again does not include housing, food, or supplies.

What Is the Graduation Rate at the University of Washington?

The graduation rate at the University of Washington is 84%. Graduation rate looks at how many first-time, full-time students graduate with their bachelor's degree within six years.

Can I Get a Refund on My Application Fee?

The application fees at the University of Washington are non-refundable. However, fee waivers are available to students who qualify.