How Hard Is It Really To Get Into The University of Washington? (average - slightly above student)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

I’m a rising senior in high school and I’ve been told a huge array of things about my chances of getting into UW, from I have a slim chance, or that I will probably get in. I looked up average GPAs of acceptees and also saw different results, from low 3.6 to high 3.8. I really want to know how difficult is it, truly, and if I even have a chance.

Like I said in the title, I’m not a great student, but I think I’m somewhat decent.

Unweighted GPA (approximate because my school’s online grade checker is offline during the Summer):
Freshman: ~3.45 (two honors classes, max allowed in my school)
Sophomore: ~3.55 (same as above)
Junior: ~3.62 (As an IB Diploma candidate, all IB classes)

SAT: Not taken yet (I know I’m dumb), but I believe I will get around a mid-1300 to low 1400 based on PSAT.

Other credentials:

I took all available honors classes Fresh and Soph year, and am an IB Diploma candidate. Fairly competitive high school.

Over 100 hours of community service, mostly at an elementary school mentor program and as a volunteer counselor at camps. I also volunteer with a Seattle based organization that supports Asian-Americans (I’m Asian).

Additionally spent my Junior-Senior Summer volunteering at a Summer elementary school.

I have pretty strong letters of recommendation

I have two high officer positions at two clubs (but not VP or P). The clubs are based on debate and engineering.

I am a first generation Asian immigrant and will be the second educated generation.

I will be working a job during my senior year.

If it matters, I also plan to do NROTC at the UW if accepted.

If I have a chance, I’d really like to know so that I can stop stressing about it. If I don’t, please tell me frankly.

2

The Common Data Set reports the unweighted GPA of enrolled freshmen in 2016 as follows:

3.75 to 4.00: 65.40%
3.50 to 3.74: 25.96%
3.25 to 3.49: 6.20%
3.00 to 3.24: 1.89%
Under 3.00: 0.55%

The average unweighted GPA of enrolled freshmen in 2016 was 3.78.

Middle 50% ACT range of enrolled freshmen in 2016 was 26-32.

Good luck!

3

The other thing to consider is that UW admits by major. A lot depends on what major you want and whether you want that major to be guaranteed the day you start freshman year or whether you are willing to work hard and compete for a spot in your major after doing prerequisite classes.

– The credentials needed to get direct-admit to bioengineering are very high, since they only admit about 12 freshmen or so each year. But, that is the most competitive case, and other majors are not as oversubscribed.

– Some people consider getting accepted for something like “Pre-xyz” as the same as a rejection and would prefer to go to a school where they are guaranteed to get into their major. Others are happy to be accepted to UW and work towards the major they wanted over their first year or two on campus.

You’re signed up for that SAT, right? The application deadline is Nov 15th and test scores are due Dec 31st.

4

There are only a handful of majors that offer direct admission to (a small number of) freshmen (e.g., computer science, business administration, biochemistry and audition based majors such as music). You can review the admissions requirements (and pathways) for all of the 180 majors here:

http://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/degree_programsTOC.html

http://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/academic-planning/majors-and-minors/list-of-undergraduate-majors/

Starting this year, prospective engineering students (including bioengineering) may be offered “direct to college” admission:

https://www.engr.washington.edu/admission/directtocollege/faq

For direct admission to biochemistry, the catalog notes:

"Direct Freshman Admission

"Open to freshman students formally admitted to the UW

"Score of 5 on the AP chemistry examination

"Indication on the UW freshman application of biochemistry as the student’s first choice of major

"Successful direct-admission applicants generally have received a minimum 1400 on the SAT (math and verbal sections), or minimum 30 on the ACT

“Admission is for autumn quarter only”

For direct admission to computer science, the website notes:

“Most students offered DA have a high school GPA of 3.85-4 (unweighted), and strong test scores (usually 700+ on each section of the SAT; 30+ on the ACT). Remember that these numbers are only one factor in our selection process. Regarding test scores specifically, it’s helpful to know that other factors are typically more important (grades, curriculum, essays, and activities). Also note that hundreds of students with these high grades and test scores are not offered DA; no grade or test score guarantees admission.”

And:

“If you were not offered Direct Admission, it is not an indication of your ability to excel in this discipline. Instead, it is an indication of the small number of students to whom we offer Direct Admission. For 2017, fewer than 3% of UW freshman applicants who listed Computer Science or Computer Engineering as their first-choice major were offered Direct Admission; these students had an average unweighted GPA of 3.97; average test scores of ACT 34, SAT Math 764, and SAT Verbal 758; took a rigorous high school curriculum; provided evidence of meaningful extracurricular activities; submitted strong personal statements; and were mostly Washington residents.”

For direct admission to Foster School of Business, the catalog notes:

“The Foster School enrolls a small number of students each year directly out of high school, prior to completion of any university-level prerequisites. Freshmen applicants to the University listing Business Administration as their intended major are automatically considered. Admission is offered to students with exceptionally competitive academic records, including but not limited to high school GPA and SAT or ACT scores.”

5

Just found another major that offers direct admission to highly qualified freshmen:

Neurobiology

“The department enrolls up to 15 percent of its incoming class directly from high school. Students accepted to the UW who indicate neurobiology as their preferred major on their freshman application are considered. Strong applicants have completed chemistry, biology, and calculus in high school and generally have received a minimum 1400 on the SAT (mathematics and verbal sections) or a minimum 30 on the ACT. Admission is for autumn quarter only.”

6

UW also admitted an extra 1000 students this year than they anticipated so they’re going to be accepting less people in the upcoming years to balance out.

7

You have a very high chance of getting in! A lot of the time, this site can be very discouraging but I know people with high GPAs (3.8-4.0) with mediocre SAT scores (1080-1200) who got in. Like you, they participated heavily in extracurriculars.

You’ll be fine; the University of Washington isn’t super selective. Focus on your essay and you’re golden.

PS: You mentioned that you have strong letters of recc. (I don’t think that those are required lol)