BioEngineering

Application Materials

General Information

Students can apply to the Department of Bioengineering using the College of Engineering web-based application, available at www.engr.washington.edu/uapp/. We no longer accept paper applications. Admission is competitive and is based on prerequisite course work, a minimum overall GPA of 2.50, a personal statement describing interest in bioengineering, and work/research experience (especially if related to the field). Satisfying minimum requirements guarantees consideration but not acceptance. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements may petition for special consideration.

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Personal Statement

The personal statement is submitted as part of the College of Engineering online application.

The personal statement should contain an explanation of your interest in Bioengineering. You may also use the personal statement to relate important or unusual experiences, such as research, volunteer work, and leadership or cultural experiences. The personal statement is also a place to explain how you could contribute to diversity within the Department of Bioengineering. Factors that contribute to diversity include, but are not limited to: cultural awareness, activities, or accomplishments; educational background and goals; living experiences, such as growing up in a disadvantaged or unusual environment; and special talents. Finally, you may use a portion of the personal statement to address any academic difficulties, such as a poor performance one quarter or a low grade in a pre-requisite course. If the circumstances of your academic difficulties are larger than a single course or quarter, you may need to submit a separate petition.

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Transcripts

All applicants are required to submit an unofficial UW transcript (printer friendly version) and unofficial transfer transcripts along with their application. Transcripts can be submitted as described below.

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Letter of Recommendation (optional)

If you have participated in research as an undergraduate, we will accept a letter of recommendation from your faculty research supervisor. We ask you not to submit any other kind of recommendation letter. Appropriate letters of recommendation can be submitted as described below.

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Special Consideration Petition (optional)

A 2.5 cumulative GPA is the minimum required to apply to the Department of Bioengineering. For some students, however, circumstances may warrant a petition for special consideration. If you think you may want to petition, please contact the Bioengineering Academic Counselor who can help you decide whether a petition is worthwhile and how to focus your letter.

Students who have not completed one or more prerequisite courses, or who have certain prerequisites in progress, will also need to submit a petition for special consideration. The petition should address the circumstances as to why the courses was not able to be completed in time for application, as well as any additional background you have in the particular subject area.

Address the letter to the Chair of the Department of Bioengineering but please submit the letter to the Bioengineering Academic Counselor as described below.

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Submitting Application Materials

You may hand-deliver transcripts, letters of recommendation, and special consideration petitions to the Bioengineering Main Office in the William H. Foege Building, room N107.

You may also mail application materials to the following address:

Academic Counselor
Department of Bioengineering
Box 355061
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5061

Please note that application materials must arrive in our office by 5 p.m. on the day of the deadline (not postmarked).

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