Transfer Thursdays
Thinking about transferring to the UW? If you are, Transfer Thursday is your gateway to transfer information. At a Transfer Thursday session, you can speak to an admissions counselor who will tell you all about applying to the UW. You can also meet with an undergraduate academic advisor who will help you prepare for your intended UW major. Bring your questions and your unofficial transcript(s). It’s one-stop shopping for the prospective transfer student.
Where:
University of Washington
171 Mary Gates Hall
When:
Every Thursday
1:00 to 4:00.
Admissions sessions
begins at 2:30!
For more information:
(206) 543-2550 or click here.
UW Virtual Tour
Credits
James Meadows
Editor
Jamie Yaptinchay
Technical Designer
Contributors to this Issue:
Judi Clark
Kathleen A. Elkins
Deanna Fryhle
Susan Inman
Sylvia Kurinsky
Mary F. Lampe
Tamara Leonard
Kate Long
James Meadows
Mariko Navin
Melissa Wenzel
The Transfer eNewsletter is a project of the UW Undergraduate Advising Gateway Center.
Undergraduate
Gateway Center
171 Mary Gates Hall
Weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
By Susan Inman, Lead Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions
Talking about a ballpark, Yogi Berra once quipped, “Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.”
Many rumors circulate about admission to the University of Washington. Here are the most common rumors, along with the useful facts:
Rumor: The UW is closed to transfers.
Fact: Each year, transfer students from Washington community colleges comprise at least 30% of the entering undergraduate class at the UW! Even so, the UW in Seattle cannot enroll every interested student, so every applicant should look at the range of options available through the University of Washington in Bothell and Tacoma, as well as other colleges and universities.
Rumor: There’s no way I’ll get in, so why bother applying?
Fact: Students who don’t apply certainly won’t get in. This autumn alone the UW expects to enroll more than 1,200 new transfer students. Which applicants are most successful? Those who show that they are prepared to succeed academically in a specific major and those who show that they will enhance the intellectual and cultural vitality of the university community will do well. The application readers in the Admissions Office assess not only academic achievement, but also an applicant’s background, personal story, and experiences. In short, tell your story through the application!
Rumor: If I pick an obscure major, I’ll get in!
Fact: The transfer admission policy does look at evidence of a need to enroll at the UW as well as the availability at other institutions of an applicant’s intended academic program. This doesn’t mean, however, that applicants should select a major because they believe they are less popular and therefore will make admission easier. What makes admission easier is being clear about intentions and goals – this is always to the benefit of an applicant in the review process.
Rumor: It’s easier to get in winter quarter (or spring quarter, or autumn quarter, or summer quarter).
Fact: We can never predict with certainty how many applications and available spaces there will be in a future quarter. The “best time” to apply is when an applicant is adequately prepared to move into his or her intended major. Applicants should always investigate requirements and timelines for any major they are interested in pursuing – this, too, is part of preparation.
Rumors are seldom worthy of action or inaction, so get the facts. If you have questions, go to the transfer website or give the Admissions Office a call (206-543-9686).