any specific things UW looks for in an applicant? overall application advice? (also happy almost halloween!)
According to the Common Data Set, these factors are “very important” in the UW’s admission decisions:
Academic GPA
Application essay
Rigor of secondary school record
These factors are “important”:
Extracurricular activities
First generation college student
Standardized test scores
Talent/ability
Volunteer work
Work experience
These factors are “considered”:
Character/personal qualities
State residency
These factors are “not considered”:
Class rank
Recommendations
Interview
Alumni/ae relation
Geographical residence
Religious affiliation/commitment
Racial/ethnic status
Level of applicant’s interest
Good luck!
@UWfromCA Thank you so much!! That helps a lot 
In addition, know whether your desired major is open or competitive. If competitive, spend a lot of time understanding when you compete to get into that major. Engineering and CS are now compete-at-freshman-admissions (they used to be compete after two years at UW). Nursing you still start as pre-nursing and compete for a spot as a junior. Understanding when it’s “too late” to get a major and whether/when you will know for sure there’s a spot in your major for you are important parts of choosing whether to go to UW after you have all your acceptances.