Computer Science Direct Admissions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

So when I applied I was super nervous about whether or not I would get directly admitted into computer science at UW. I have been programming for quite awhile so spending another semester doing general education requirements would be not too fun.

I promised myself that if I got in I would post statistics so that next year students have a better feel for what it is like. So here is what I think got me in.

ACT:33 composite, 34 super-score
1: 35 Eng, 32 Math, 30 Reading, 28 Science
2: 30 Eng, 34 Math, 35 Reading, 31 Science
I also sent my 800 SAT Math II score. Theoretically, it was not considered however they did mention applicants that get in would be competitive at other top institutions.

GPA: 3.95 with about 11 AP courses on it (senior course load is 5 AP)

I did not mention computer science in my personal statement. However, I did inside of my cultural one.
I did put a short essay in the free response and additional info section asking them to consider me for the computer science program and I gave them a bunch of new information that was not elsewhere in the application.

I also HIGHLY recommend you put an alternative major on your form (not computer engineering). It will only help your chances of getting in.

Two of my activities were about computer science.

An interesting thing to note is that my unofficial transcript STILL does not stay which major I got into. I suspect this could be because my Spanish class was dual credit with UW.

If anyone else got in please post your stats.

2

how did you find out you got in?

3

@batepapo You find out in the official admissions letter; if it lists a specific major (e.g. ‘Computer Science’) rather than a pre-major (e.g. ‘pre-Science’) then you got direct admission to that major.

As another datapoint if people are interested, I also just got accepted DA to Computer Science with the following:

SAT (old): 2310 (800 writing, 740 reading, 770 math)
SAT (new): 1560 (800 reading/writing, 760 math)
I also sent in a SAT Math II score of 800 and a SAT Chem score of 700 just because I figured there was no harm in sending more scores.
no ACT.

GPA: 3.89 (although it’s worth mentioning that I pretty much had a 4.0 after a weak freshman year)
Including this year, I also took 11 AP classes (1 as a freshman, 2 as a sophomore, 4 each junior and senior), along with a good number of Honors classes as a freshman/sophomore.
I got 5’s on all the AP tests I took with the exception of AP World, which I got a 4 on. Took AP CS as a sophomore, if that matters to anyone.

My personal statement was kind of CS related… but not really. I talked specifically about CS in the additional info/space section.

I had a variety of CS activities, for example teaching a 2-week CS summer camp thing.

I had taken Oceanography a few years ago for UW credit at my high school, and I think because of this (as others have said) my major shows up as ‘NON-MATRICULATED’ on the unofficial transcript.

4

Ok thanks, looks like I got direct admit!

5

@Cubby208 @batepapo @etherealfog hey guys, on my admission portal, it says I was admitted, and my requested majors were Computer Science, Computer engineering. However, the official admission letter that came in mail today says my major is “Pre-Science”. Can you please explain to me why I got Pre-Science and what the difference between being accepted as Pre-Science & Computer Science?

IM REALLY SAD AND ANXIOUS NOW. I WAS REALLY HAPPY THAT I GOT IN, BUT NOW THAT IT SAYS PRE-SCIENCE. IM RLLY SAD.

6

Pre science means you did not get direct admit. You will need to apply for comp sci later and average a gpa of 3.7 to get in. The point system at udub seems a bit weird. A 3.7 means you are getting a 94/100 A in your classes.

7

@MisterStudentt, here is some additional information.

The department’s website states:

“For 2017, over 5,000 freshmen applicants indicated Computer Science or Computer Engineering as their first choice major. Of these applicants, around 150 students were offered direct admission. These admits have an average unweighted gpa of 3.97 and are mostly Washington state residents. Average test scores are: ACT 34, SAT math 764, SAT verbal 758.”

The Engineering Admissions Statistics page states:

“The Allen School admits approximately 200 students per year. [NB: This figure has been stated on this page for the last few years; the Seattle Times appears to have reported updated information last week (see below).] We typically have space for approximately 40% of students who apply. Cumulative GPAs of admitted students generally range from 3.4-4.0. The minimum GPA to be considered for admission is a 2.5 average in prerequisite courses.”

A few days ago, an article in the Seattle Times about Paul Allen’s $40 million gift to the establish the new Allen School for Computer Science & Engineering reported:

"Students are usually admitted at the end of their freshman year or the start of their sophomore year. But the school also admits some students directly, at the same time they are admitted to the university as freshmen. This year, direct admission will be offered to 150 students. All but five of them are Washington residents.

"Although computer science and engineering is a tough program to get into, the picture is getting better. In 2016, 43 percent of bachelor’s applicants were admitted to the program. In previous years, the admission rate was lower.

“[The CSE Department] is now enrolling about 370 new undergraduate students each year, double the number it was able to accommodate in 2012… This year, it is asking for $6 million from the Legislature to increase the number of students it graduates by 120 degrees per year. Most of that increase would be in bachelors degrees, Lazowska said.”

8

I also had enrolled in a UW course prior to applying to I had “non matriculated” listed as my major on my unofficial transcript. I just got direct admittance into CS today in my FAT letter.

9

See y’all at the direct admit visiting day?

10

I shall be there

11

I (hopefully) will be there as well.

12

I’ll be there too! just shout “3advanced5me” and I’ll say howdy

13

If you mention math of any sort I will smirk at you. Then YOU WILL KNOW.

14

BTW there is a GroupMe for all CSE DAs, DM me for the link. No UW commitment required.