I’m currently a direct admit as of last year in Computer Science. If your transcript says Computer Science and Engineering or something like that then you are a direct admit and you should receive an email or letter in the mail confirming it soon (I believe it was an email). If it says pre-_____ that is essentially meaningless until you actually apply for a major and means you almost for sure are not a direct admit unfortunately.
@UWrandomUsername Do you know how the schools pick their direct admit applicants?
@UWrandomUsername Oh, that is reassuring to hear. Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like being a CS DA?
@CAClassof2019 DA from 2010 here – you can see the guidelines for direct admit here: http://www.cs.washington.edu/prospective_students/undergrad/admissions/direct_admission
“The best high school preparation for pursuing computer science and computer engineering in college is to take advanced high school classes (Honors, AP, IB, etc.) in English, math, and science. Students we admit through DA have usually taken calculus. In science, physics is the preferred high school laboratory science course. It is not necessary to have had computer programming courses in high school, or computer-related work experience, to gain admission to our program.”
Note that no prior CS experience is necessary to become a direct admit. They look for potential, not prior experience.
@speedsolver you’re back!!! do you know if “computer science” under a person’s unofficial transcript is indicative of DA for sure?
@speedsolver Thank you! I applied for Foster’s business major, but I’m assuming it’s the same process as well? If my transcript says Business Administration, does that mean I’m in?
@iloveescargot Hello! I thought I’d drop in to see how y’all are faring with decisions rolling out. To answer your question – I believe so, but I’d honestly wait for official notification (I got an email, not sure if they still do that or if they switched to snail mail)! Software can always have weird bugs. 
@CAClassof2019 Yes, it’s a similar process. Same answer as above – I believe you’re a direct admit, buuuut I’d wait for official notice.
@speedsolver Thank you! I think I remember reading that they’re sending it via email this year as well.
Awesome, best of luck!
For anxious future UW CS hopefuls browsing through CC next year: I can confirm that if you have “Pre-science” listed as your major on your unofficial transcript, you did not get DA.
DA emails were sent out today - check your inboxes!
For future reference, I had Computer Science listed on my unofficial transcript, and I did indeed receive a DA email. So this should be a pretty accurate way to tell early!
Congrats y’all! =)
Yup I got my email today and Computer science is listed on my unofficial transcript as well. Extremely excited! Does anyone know what a good schedule would be for first quarter and also when orientation dates are?
@speedsolver thank you!! and thanks so much for all the helpful information and advice you’ve provided over the years, it was super helpful and I really appreciate it 
@TheNotoriousB from the page that was linked in the email, it seems like math + cs + one other class is the norm for first quarter?
Are you guys attending Visit Day?
@iloveescargot No problem! Let me know if you have any other questions!
I got an email saying I was a direct admit to engineering. I called the admissions office and they said that means I got a direct admit to my specified major. I checked the official transcript and it says pre-engineering. Can someone please explain this to me?
They probably haven’t updated it yet.
@snowchocolate Some departments don’t file the paperwork to officially update your major until after you accept your spot.
okay, thank you!