- The applications
- Self-report your courses and complete CADRs
- Choose your program
- The writing section
- Additional information about yourself or your circumstances
- The application fee
- Send test scores?
- Send transcripts?
- Students impacted by disasters and emergencies
Make sure you also know what’s not considered.
The applications
The UW application for freshman autumn admission opens September 1 each year. (See dates and deadlines for additional information.) You may apply to the UW using one of two applications — ApplyWeb or the Common App. Please apply with only one application. The UW does not have a preference of application platform. The deadline for both is November 15, and decisions will be released March 1–15.
Ready to get started?
- Apply using ApplyWeb
- Apply using the Common App
Questions about the applications?
- Instructions for ApplyWeb
- Instructions for the Common App
- Join us for a webinar about applying with the Common App.
NOTE: The UW will not accept the Coalition application for the autumn 2023 – 24 application cycle.
Self-report your courses and complete CADRs
All freshman applicants will self-report their courses on the application. A minimum level of preparation in six subject areas must be met for admission. (Learn more about satisfying CADRs.) You are required to provide complete and accurate information when self-reporting. Although official transcripts are not required at the time of application, you will be required to provide a final official high school transcript if you are admitted and plan to enroll at the UW.
Choose your program
If your first-choice major participates in Direct to Major or Direct to College admission, be sure to select it as your first choice on the application to be automatically considered. Second-choice majors are not considered for direct admission programs.
The writing section
The writing section is a required and important part of your application. Learn more about the essays, including prompts and word count. Please note that the UW essay questions must be answered within our application. For the Common App, that means within our UW questions. We do not consider the Common App essay.
Additional information about yourself or your circumstances
Maximum length: 200 words
You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information here if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:
- You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
- Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
- You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended
The application fee
U.S. freshman students
The application fee is nonrefundable and must be submitted each time you apply for admission. It cannot be transferred to another quarter, campus of the UW or to another student.
- Application fee: $80
- Fee waivers available
- Spring: freshman applications not accepted
Learn more about the application fee.
International freshman students
The application fee is nonrefundable, and must be submitted each time you apply for admission. It cannot be transferred to another quarter, campus of the UW or to another student.
- Application fee: $90
- Fee waivers not available
- Winter/Spring: international freshman applications not accepted
Learn more about the application fee.
Send test scores?
The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for most applicants. Homeschooled applicants and applicants who come from schools with non-standard grading practices that do not have letter or numeric grades are still required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about SAT/ACT scores.
International freshman students — English proficiency
International students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the minimum requirement for admission. Learn more about English proficiency.
Send transcripts?
U.S. schools and international schools that follow a U.S.-style curriculum
Do not send high school or college transcripts unless you receive a request from the Office of Admissions. The application asks you to provide a detailed account of your academic coursework, and that’s all we need to review your application.
Schools outside the U.S. that follow a national/local curriculum
Regardless of whether you are applying as a U.S. or international student, if you have attended a school outside of the U.S. that follows a national compulsory curriculum, you are required to upload a scanned, unofficial copy of your transcript for grade levels 9 and higher as part of your application.
Do not mail high school transcripts or mid-year school reports to the Office of Admissions.
Students impacted by disasters and emergencies
Natural disasters and emergency situations, including international conflicts, have impacted the lives of many students and their families. While entirely optional, you may share information regarding how any of these events have affected you or your family circumstances in a specific question on the application or as part of your essay response. If your circumstances prevent you from submitting your application by the deadline, please contact the Office of Admissions.
We welcome applications primarily from undergraduate students displaced from their universities by the conflict in Gaza. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
Things we do not consider
No interviews/demonstrated interest
The UW does not conduct formal interviews or consider demonstrated interest in the admission decision.
No letters of recommendation
We ask that you not send letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials such as drawings, CDs, DVDs, books or other portfolio-type items. We will learn everything we need to know about you through your essay responses.
No Common App personal essay
The Common App personal essay will not be reviewed as part of your application to the UW. Be sure to complete the UW writing section to tell us everything you want us to know.
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