<p>Does UW look at a letter of recommendation? Or is it unnecessary?</p>
<p>Honors (freshmen)requires one. They throw out others. [UW</a> Honors - Freshman Application Instructions](<a href=“http://depts.washington.edu/uwhonors/apply/freshman/]UW”>Freshman Admission | University of Washington Honors Program)</p>
<p>Homeschool admissions (freshmen): Recommendations are requested. [Homeschooled</a> Applicants — Plan for International Admission — University of Washington](<a href=“http://admit.washington.edu/Requirements/International/Homeschool]Homeschooled”>http://admit.washington.edu/Requirements/International/Homeschool)</p>
<p>Regular admissions (freshmen): “Letters of recommendation are neither required nor encouraged. We prefer that you tell us about yourself through the Writing Section of the application. Be thorough, and we’ll know everything we need to know.” [Homeschooled</a> Applicants — Plan for International Admission — University of Washington](<a href=“http://admit.washington.edu/Requirements/International/Homeschool]Homeschooled”>http://admit.washington.edu/Requirements/International/Homeschool)</p>
<p>I don’t think they throw them out for regular admissions…they show up in the list of submitted materials in myUW. If you need letters for another school application, I don’t think it hurts to have the recommender send them to UW if you think they are strong.</p>
<p>For grad school(if that is something you think you might do), I think you always need recs. In fact, the moment you start freshman year, you need to think about which professors thought you were really smart and hard working. Keep in contact with them at least until you apply to grad school. These people should be thought of as mentors, who can help you applying and later in your career. (In other words, if you party all the time, are always late to class, get so-so grades, turn papers in late, show disrespect to professors — then you can kiss those future recs goodbye.)</p>