An interesting question. Food for thought.

<p>It seems anyone trying to apply to UW with a gpa lower than 3.7 and act/sat scores lower than say 26/1800, people seem to say that they are probably not likely to get in. But when you look at percentiles, there is still atleast 20-30% of people with scores/gpa's lower than that, that are reported to attented UW. So if you say these people are not likely to get in, how did that 20-30 percentage of people get in? Im not just trying to contradict everyone its a serious question haha. Do they transfer from another college and thats their hs gpa? They have connections? Essays that overcome for it? or ???</p>

<p>You have to factor in athletes. I know a kid who had one AP class out of four years of high school and a 1600 and he got in. However, his family (for generations) have all gone to UW. Connections do help. Essays can tip you over if they truly are phenomenal (this is more rare).</p>

<p>oh yeah forgot about athletes. there were 3 from my school that got scholarships to UW to plaly football and they all had 2.5’s at the highest. haha. good point</p>

<p>Actually, just a correction… UW doesn’t take legacy into account
I had a 3.6 + 1920 SAT (high school… was not my best time. I have a 3.8 now) and I got in</p>

<p>the decision process is multifactorial. High school grade and sat/act scores do not necessarily matter more then any other of their decision points.</p>

<p>For example, for several reasons I was 1/2 a credit short of graduating hs, and so I got a GED. (For the record, while I was in hs my gpa was around 2.0 ish)</p>

<p>I went to an oos university for a while year getting a ton of 0.0’s (as in, I dropped the class but didn’t have the brains to officially withdraw). My gpa for the year was around 0.24. No kidding.</p>

<p>Over the next 14 years I apply myself in the workforce moving myself up to a pretty high paying job. I decided I wanted to go back to school…UW. So I knew I’d have to go to a community college first and ace it for them to forgive my past</p>

<p>I graduated (got my AA) w/a community college with a 3.93 finishing it in 5 quarters. I explained the entire situation to UW and not only did I get in, but I have a 3 year scholarship from them (different application, but still through the uw)</p>

<p>i truly believe that anyone can go to almost any school they like, if they have patience and apply themself.</p>

<p>oh, and for the record, i never bothered to take the SAT or ACT</p>

<p>My bad! I thought it mattered because of the kid from my school who got in.</p>

<p>@TravelGirl: Thats an interesting story of hope! I like it, and good job! Yeah i know its not all about the numbers, but i’d say about 50% of your application is, and i had just noticed from looking at other threads what people are saying. I think Dividebyzero is partially correct, and youre partially correct too. In end all they really care about is if you can prove to the college you have something to offer, whether that be sports, academics or a great attitude.</p>

<p>From experience, I definitely can say that it’s not all about #s to get into unis. I recently was admitted to 2 unis in Washington (early action) and my GPA is below both of their middle-percentile, or whatever it’s called. I beleive the unis disregarded or overlooked my GPA because of my essays + ECs + course rigor. I just hope UW does the same! haha</p>

<p>When you’re on the borderline scorewise, college admissions seem arbitrary. Remember you have no idea who else the admissions office is looking at.</p>

<p>Even if you don’t get admitted immediately, there is a chance if you get waitlisted which happens to a lot of people actually. My friend got waitlisted but eventually was admitted into the school.</p>