University of Washington Transfer Application: A Comprehensive Guide

Applying to the University of Washington (UW) as a transfer student can be an exciting yet complex process. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the application requirements, focusing on key aspects to help you navigate the process successfully. The University of Washington seeks students who can benefit from its wealth of academic and cultural opportunities and contribute to its rich diversity of experiences.

Understanding the Transfer Applicant Definition

Transfer applicants are students who are currently or were previously enrolled at a college or university other than the University of Washington’s Seattle campus after graduating from high school. Running Start students who are currently in high school and/or did not continue with college after high school graduation are not considered transfer students and should apply through our Direct to Major pathway.

Key Steps in the Transfer Application Process

The journey to becoming a UW transfer student involves several crucial steps:

Submit the UW Transfer Application: This is the initial step for all transfer applicants. Good preparation for your intended major is the best way to prepare for admission at the UW, but it’s only part of what we’ll be looking at.
Apply to Your Desired Major: As a transfer student applicant, you’ll apply directly to your desired major. The process of applying to a major can be complex. Some UW programs require that you enroll at the UW before applying to the major, while others require a separate application in addition to the UW application.
Set Up Your NetID: After applying to the UW and receiving your application acknowledgment letter from the UW admissions office, set up your NetID. This process can take several days.
Submit the College of Engineering Major Application: Transfer students must submit the general application for the UW before they apply for admission to the College of Engineering.
Course Summary Page: A course summary page is required, listing all prerequisites and other relevant classes required for the department. Information already available on your UW transcript will automatically be filled in with options to edit.

Application Deadlines and Quarters

Most degree-seeking students apply for autumn quarter. Spring quarter is not open for general admission. If you wish to apply for summer quarter as a degree-seeking student please consult an admissions counselor.

Application Fee and Waivers

The application fee is nonrefundable and must be submitted each time you apply. It cannot be transferred to another quarter, to another campus of the UW, or to another student. Fee waivers are not granted to international applicants. As part of WashU’s commitment to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, they are happy to waive their $75 application fee when it presents a financial hardship.

Academic Requirements

Successful applicants present at least a 3.5 GPA from a two-year or four-year college in courses across a broad academic curriculum and have completed a first-year composition course.

Prerequisite Coursework

All applicants to the Allen School are required to complete the Allen School prerequisite courses by the departmental application deadline for the quarter that they are applying. Prerequisite coursework is essential to ensure that applicants are prepared for upper division coursework upon entering our program so that they are able to graduate on time.

Determining Course Equivalency

If you are attending a Washington State Community College, you can also use our online Equivalency Guide to determine how your community college coursework might transfer to the UW. If you have college coursework from a regionally accredited 4-year or out-of-state institution, you can use our online UW course catalog to determine which courses at your institution are most closely related to our prerequisite courses.

Prerequisite Exception Request

The Allen School admission uses a holistic review process, which considers academic achievement, personal characteristics, socioeconomic disadvantage, higher education institution(s) attended, and residency. However, our admission process is not intended to cause large gaps in a student’s academic experience and we will consider requests to apply with one prerequisite in progress. Please note: if a prerequisite course is not offered at your current institution, you are still expected to have the course in-progress at the time of application. This does not apply to applicants studying at foreign universities who do not have access to an English Composition course. The Prerequisite Exception Request Form is now open for applicants who will be applying for the spring or autumn 2026 transfer admissions cycles!

Specific Course Requirements (Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering as an Example)

Before applying for Allen School transfer admissions, applicants must complete a minimum of 30 graded credits & the Allen School prerequisite courses. Listed below using UW courses numbers, use the Determining Course Equivalency dropdown to learn how to find equivalent courses at your current institution.

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Math: Please note that taking two semesters of Calculus is considered equivalent to taking three quarters of Calculus.
Computer Science: The Allen School’s introductory computing sequence is taught in Java and we strongly prefer that students have college level experience with Java before enrolling at the UW.
English: Any college level English or writing course, including courses in other subject areas with a writing designation printed on your transcript, can count toward the English Composition requirement for the purpose of admissions.
Natural Science: Only calculus-based physics mechanics courses are considered equivalent to PHYS 121. Science courses must have a lab component.

Standardized Tests

The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for transfer applicants. Students who have taken the exams are welcome to send their scores, however, there is absolutely no advantage or disadvantage in doing so. International students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the minimum requirement for admission to the Seattle campus of the UW. SAT and ACT exams are not required for international students.

Personal Essay

Your personal statement should be a comprehensive narrative essay outlining significant aspects of your academic and personal history, particularly those that provide context for your academic achievements and educational choices. Applicants are encouraged to give context to any academic inconsistencies including grading irregularities (e.g. repeats, drops, S/NS grades, etc.) on their transcript by explaining any circumstances that may have affected their academic performance in their application essay. Personal characteristics are evaluated through the personal statement and Work History/Activities sections of the departmental application. Transfer applicants are encouraged to fully answer all portions of the personal statement; the departmental application is reviewed separately from the UW transfer application so applicants should feel free to repeat any relevant information in both personal statements.

Holistic Review Process

The Allen School admission uses a holistic review process, which considers academic achievement, personal characteristics, socioeconomic disadvantage, higher education institution(s) attended, and residency. We recognize that transfer students often have complex academic histories. Our academic review will primarily focus on a student’s most recent grades and grades in prerequisite subject areas.

Transfer Credit

To students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree, the Office of Admissions awards transfer credit according to the guidelines linked below. WashU awards academic credit for course work that resembles, by official description, a comparable course offering from one of its undergraduate schools. To ensure proper transfer credit, please submit a copy of the catalog description for any course whose nature is not immediately clear by title or course number. Credit is awarded if grades of C or better appear on your transcript. Final decisions concerning transferring course credits are made by your academic dean at WashU. Students admitted to Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, or Business, may transfer a maximum of 60 semester hours of credit toward the degree at WashU. If you plan to enroll in Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, or Business you must complete the final 60 hours and a minimum of four consecutive full-time semesters in residence in order to earn a degree.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

Many departments at WashU will accept for credit and placement a score of 4 or 5 on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) tests or a score of 5 or better on the higher-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. The UW encourages and applauds participation in any of these programs. They are challenging and demanding, and we believe they provide excellent preparation for university study.

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Additional Tips for Prospective Transfer Students

Plan Your Course of Study: Major planning worksheets will help you plan your course of study prior to transferring to UW Bothell. They provide a fill-in-the-blank format to track your progress to UW Bothell.
Consider Financial Aid: If you are seeking assistance to help fund your UW Bothell education, consider applying for financial aid.
Explore Major Options: You must select one of our undergraduate schools (Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering) when you apply. You should select the school that offers the major program that most interests you. Because slots for transfer students are very limited, when you are admitted to a school, you will be expected to remain in that school after you enroll at WashU. If you decide to pursue a major in a different school, you will be required to apply for transfer into that school after one full semester at WashU.
Understand Residency Preferences: The University of Washington is a public institution which means that funding for the university comes partially from Washington State. For this reason, priority in admissions is offered to Washington State residents and Washington State Community College students.
Avoid Sending Supplemental Materials: We ask that you not to send letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials such as drawings, CDs, DVDs, books or other portfolio type items.
WashU is test optional: The ACT science section is optional and not required by WashU.

Special Considerations

Pre-Health/Pre-Med: Transferring as a PreHealth or PreMed student is challenging. Additional coursework in biology and chemistry is advised. Must have completed Calculus I & II at the college level.
College of Art and College of Architecture: Transfer applicants to the College of Art and College of Architecture are required to submit a portfolio for review by the faculty using the SlideRoom function on the Common Application.

Financial Aid

If you are seeking assistance to help fund your UW Bothell education, consider applying for financial aid. When filling out your application for admission, indicate your intent to apply for need-based financial aid.

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