UW Application Writing Section

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

Hi, I’m applying to University of Washington in the Fall of 2016.
I was taking a look at the writing section of the application, and I came across the part that requires to list your “Activities & Achievements”.
It says max length to discuss each activity is 50 words.
My concern is, when I look at the section titled “Format for the Writing Section”, it says,
“We’ve observed that most students write a polished formal essay for the Personal Statement yet submit a more casual Short Response and Journal of Activities & Achievements. Give every part of the Writing Section your very best effort, presenting yourself in standard, formal English.”

How am I supposed to be formal in this “Activities & Achievements” section?
And when they mean by “skills” what are they talking about?

Will these be good things to list?

  • Society of Women Engineers Award
  • AP Scholar Award with Distinction
  • Salutatorian
  • Tutoring Award x 2
  • Community service at a hospital for 130+ hours. (Or should I talk about total community hours? That’ll be about 280+ hours)
  • Musical Instrument for 7 years
  • Gap year: spending a time in my home country that I haven’t been to for many years to polish my language skills while getting work experience.

Any tip will be appreciated!!! Thank you in advance.

I will copy and paste what it said on University of Washington website below:

"E. Activities & Achievements (Required)

Directions

Using the grid provided below, identify up to five of your most significant activities and achievements during grades 9-12. In a few bullets or sentences, indicate your contribution.

Maximum length: 50 words for each activity.

You may include activities, skills, achievements, or qualities from any of the following categories:

Leadership in or outside of school-e.g., athletics, student government, cultural clubs, band, scouting, community service, employment
Activities in which you have worked to better your school or community
Exceptional achievement in an academic field or artistic pursuit
Personal endeavors that enrich the mind, e.g., independent research or reading, private dance or music lessons, weekend language/culture school

Format for the Writing Section

We’ve observed that most students write a polished formal essay for the Personal Statement yet submit a more casual Short Response and Journal of Activities & Achievements. Give every part of the Writing Section your very best effort, presenting yourself in standard, formal English."

2

Bump!

3

Bump anyone? B-)

4

^:)^

5

This is the only writing sample the UW will receive from you so try your best and have your application read by your teachers, parents, advisors, peers, etc. I think what they mean by ‘skills’ is what you personally gained from the activities rather than just a list of your activities. They know what music, tutoring, etc involves, so tell them how you grew in your activities and what strengths you applied in doing them. For example, are your ‘skills’ in music more technical, do you like to work cooperatively with the other musicians or are you a stand-out soloist, do you grind out hours of practice on your own or do you mostly love to perform? This is how they learn about who you are and what makes you tick. I really don’t think there are wrong answers here. Dig deep and ponder what you love about each of your activities. Your gap year is very interesting. Tell them what you discovered about yourself while traveling and working in your home country.