Applications are accepted for fall quarter only. Up to 40 students are accepted into the BASW program. The Admissions Committee makes final decisions based on the strength of the overall application materials. All materials should be compiled and sent directly to the School of Social Work Admissions Office.

To qualify for consideration to the BASW major, applicants must:

• Be a continuing UW student or a transfer/returning student in the process of admission to the UW (Transfer students can obtain applications to the UW through the Undergraduate Admissions Office, http://admit. washington.edu/admission/)
• Submit all official undergraduate transcripts
• Have at least a 2.00 GPA
• Have completed at least 65 college-level credits by the time of enrollment in the program
• Have completed the following with at least a 2.0 grade in each prerequisite course: Biology 100, 101, 118, 161 or Genome 261; Psychology 101; Introductory Sociology; Economics 100, 200, or 201
• Submit the undergraduate program application form
• Submit admissions essay and résumé
• Submit the personal disclosure statement.

Factors considered in the admission decision include:

• The applicant’s GPA. Admission is competitive. The mean GPA was a 3.30 for those accepted for Fall 2009;
• The applicant’s experience (paid or volunteer) in social and human services;
• The applicant’s personal statement describing his or her interest in social welfare, relevant volunteer or practice experience, paid employment, or any honors received.

Students may consult with the School of Social Work admissions director for consideration of special circumstances.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for admissions to the BASW program is April 1 for the following fall quarter.

BASW applicants are considered for fall quarter admission only.

Transfer students from community colleges or other four-year institutions must apply to the University for admission in addition to applying to the BASW program. The University’s application deadline for fall quarter is normally February 15, but check with the UW Undergraduate Admissions Office for updated information.

Application Forms

The forms used to apply to the BASW program are located on the this website under Admissions, an admissions checklist is included in this section for your convenience. It is a helpful document for organizing your application materials.

Admissions Essay

The BASW Admissions Committee asks each applicant to write an essay following the guidelines below. The essay should be typewritten, double-spaced with a font size of 12. The admissions essay is a critical element in the Admissions Committee review of each applicant’s qualifications. Applicants are urged to carefully follow the instructions we provide regarding the essay and be as thorough as possible within the essay length limits set. You are encouraged to contact the admissions office staff with any questions about the essay.

Part I
Please write a brief (one page maximum) autobiographical statement that supports your interest in social work. To the extent possible, include information about the following:

• Any special obstacles that you have met and overcome
• Examples of leadership
• Other influences, either positive or negative, that have shaped your interest in social work.

Park II
Please describe your volunteer or work experiences that relate to social services (one page maximum).

Include a brief discussion of:

• Your duties as a social service provider
• What you learned from the experience
• How the experience has influenced your career goals
• Any involvement with disadvantaged populations
• Any involvement with social issues.

Résumé Requirement

Please provide a résumé that includes:

• Any social service experiences (paid or volunteer), with dates and hours of involvement
• Any special awards, achievements, honors that you may have earned
• Special skills (e.g., bilingual skills, artistic talent, research skills).

Transcripts

Applicants must submit a complete set of official college-level transcripts to the School of Social Work as part of the application packet. Transfer students will need two sets of transcripts, one for the UW Admissions Office and one included with the undergraduate application materials.

Washington State Patrol Background Check and Personal Disclosure Statement

Washington state law requires that all individuals who have access to children under 16 years of age, persons with developmental disabilities, and vulnerable adults such as older people disclose through the Washington State Patrol (WSP) background information concerning crimes and offenses against these populations. These include crimes against children or other persons, certain civil findings related to abuse of vulnerable populations, and crimes relating to financial exploitation. These crimes and offenses do not include such things as traffic violations. This disclosure is very important since students come into contact with members of these populations during their education at our School.

Since successful completion of practicum credits, which may involve services to these populations, is required for the BASW degree, we require applicants to complete a personal disclosure statement. Applicants who are offered admission to the School will receive instructions to complete the WSP check with the admission letter.

Please answer the questions and attach any necessary explanations to the personal disclosure statement form in the application forms section of the website. Be certain to sign the form. Return the form with the materials you send to the School of Social Work.

Applicants who are offered admission to the School will be required to complete the WSP check.

Procedures for Transfer Students

A separate and additional procedure for admission is required for transfer students. Applicants from community colleges and other four-year institutions must file a UW admission application. Forms are available at 320 Schmitz, 1400 Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98105. The fall quarter UW application deadline is February 15.

Information about financial aid, scholarships, housing, and other programs is also located in Schmitz Hall. After acceptance into the UW and enrollment are confirmed, a transfer evaluation summary is conducted by the Undergraduate Admissions Office. The UW Admissions Office evaluates all two- or four-year institution credits for acceptance. On the day of registration, transfer students must meet with the Social Work academic adviser to conduct an audit of past courses to determine how they may apply to the undergraduate degree.

Most credits accumulated at other institutions will be transferable to the University and applicable to the total 180 required for graduation. Each transfer situation, however, is reviewed individually, and some loss of credits may occur. Exemption provisions exist for some social welfare courses when comparable coursework has been completed at an accredited institution.

Applicant Responsibilities

The Admissions Committee wishes to give all applications as prompt and thoughtful consideration as possible. The following steps help to make this possible:

• Submit all completed application materials together at the earliest possible date in one envelope.  No action can be taken until all essential materials are received.
• Review all application forms and materials for completeness and accuracy before submitting them. It is to the applicant’s advantage to submit the strongest possible materials.
• Keep copies of the admissions essay and all other materials submitted for consideration by the Admissions Committee.
• Notify promptly, in writing, the School of Social Work Office of Admissions of any change of address or if you wish to withdraw from consideration.
• Update transcripts if you are applying while still in school.
• Use the application checklist in the application forms section of the website to help ensure all application materials are complete before sending the materials to the School.
• Be certain your name is on all material submitted for consideration.
• Use only current year admissions forms to ensure the correct application procedures are followed.

Applying to the UW Tacoma Program  

Application to the Tacoma program is made directly to the program using a separate application packet. All application materials are available online. For further information, please contact the Tacoma Social Work Program Office at 253-692-5820, tsocial@u.washington.edu, or www.tacoma.washington.edu/social/

NOTE: Admission and program requirements are subject to change without notice. All applicants will be informed of such changes.