FAQ
If you have a question not covered in this material, please e-mail the Robinson Center or call (206) 543-4160.
Transition School/Early Entrance Program
- When are applications available?
- Applications are available in October for the following year’s class. For example, if you are applying for the fall of 2013, your application will be available in October 2012.
- How do I apply?
- To begin the application process download an application and instructions from our Application Center
- How old/young can I be when I apply?
- Students cannot turn 15 before August 31st of the year they will enter Transition School. For example, if a student is applying for fall 2013, they cannot turn 15 before August 31, 2013.
- During what grade do most applicants apply?
- Most applicants apply during their 8th grade year.
- What is the Institutional ACT?
- The Institutional ACT is comparable to the national ACT (the national college entrance exam), but for University of Washington use only. For more information on the I-ACT, please contact the UW’s Office of Educational Assessment.
- What do I have to score on the I-ACT or ACT to be considered?
- We look for students who score at the 85th percentile on the Reading, English and Math subtests of the I-ACT or ACT. The written section is not required.
- How many teachers do I have to have do teacher recommendations?
- We require that applicants have two teachers make recommendations. One teacher needs to teach either History of English and the other Math or Science. In some circumstances a third teacher recommendation may be required.
- How many students apply a year?
- The number of applicants to Transition School varies from year to year. An average of 150 students take the I-ACT or ACT and submit an application to TS.
- How many students are interviewed a year?
- This number again varies from year to year. From the 150 average students who take the ACT an average of 45-50 students are interviewed.
- How many students are admitted a year to TS?
- A maximum of 18 students are admitted to Transition School a year.
- How much is tuition for a student’s Transition School year?
- Tuition for the 2012-2013 school year is $13,000, not including books.
- How much is tuition once students attend the UW when they are EEPers?
- Early Entrance Program students pay regular university tuition. For the 2011-2012 academic year tuition per quarter for a full time resident student was $3,600, not including books.
- Are there scholarships available?
- Yes, scholarships are available. During a student’s Transition School year the Robinson Center offers need-based financial aid. Once a student attends the UW they are eligible for aid through the UW financial aid office and are eligible for any and all scholarships and financial aid for which traditional UW students are eligible.
Academy FAQ
- How many students apply each year, and how many are accepted?
- Up to 35 students are admitted each year to the UW Academy. On average we receive 90 complete applications each year.
- When should I take the ACT or SAT?
- You should take the ACT with Writing Exam or SAT during the fall or winter of your 10th grade year. Please see the UW Academy Application Handbook for more information about testing options. The UW Academy does not accept the I-ACT.
- What kind of test scores and grades do I need to have a good chance of acceptance?
- You must have excellent test scores, grades, teacher recommendations and writing skills to increase your likelihood of acceptance. For the Academy class of 2012 the average ACT Composite score for accepted students was a 31 (range 25-35). The average GPA for accepted students was 3.91 (range 3.65-4.0). We also look at the intensity of applicants’ high school coursework. It is important that prospective Academy students pursue a rigorous courseload including honors, pre-AP and pre-IB, and/or Advanced Placement coursework if possible.
- I am in the 9th grade. May I apply to the UW Academy?
- Unfortunately, we are only able to consider current 10th grade students for the UW Academy. Depending on your age, you may be eligible for the Early Entrance Program, the Robinson Center’s program for younger students.
I am not a Washington State resident. May I still apply to the UW Academy?
We are now able to consider out of state students for admission to the UW Academy. Academy students who are not Washington State residents will be required to pay 1.) non resident UW tuition and 2.) the Academy Non Resident Fee for their first and second years at the UW. For the 2012-13 school year, the Academy Non Resident Fee is $5,000.
- We are currently unable to consider international students for admission to the UW Academy.
Will I receive a high school diploma?
No. You will meet any high school deficiencies through your classes at the UW. You will not be at a disadvantage when applying to graduate schools and jobs because you do not have a high school diploma. Nearly all graduate schools and employers are most interested in your college academic record, extracurricular activities and awards.
Financial aid is available, but students should complete a FAFSA by mid-February to be eligible for the maximum amount of financial aid. Academy applicants are automatically considered for a handful of merit and need-based scholarships offered by the UW Honors Program and the UW Academy.
Summer Programs FAQ
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the Robinson Center for Young Scholars Summer Programs are divided by age group.