How to Apply

We are excited that you are interested in the University of Washington Bothell and thinking about joining our Husky family! If at any time you have questions during the application process, please feel free to contact us by email at uwbinfo@uw.edu or at 425-352-5000.

• Application checklist
• Important Deadlines
• How to apply
• Writing and Activities Sections

Application checklist

✓ Confirm you meet our academic requirements for admission

Review our detailed breakdown of UW Bothell’s academic requirements for admissions. You may also want to review our advanced coursework policies.

✓ Prepare to pay the application fee or request a fee waiver

The non-refundable online application fee is $60 for domestic students or $75 for international students.
A need-based fee waiver can also be requested. Fee waivers are not available for international students.

✓ Prepare your writing section essays

You will be required to submit a personal essay under the general Common App writing section and a diversity essay under the UW Bothell specific questions. See the writing prompts below for more information.

✓ Prepare your activities and experience statements

You will be able to identify and describe up to ten of the most significant activities you have participated in throughout high school. Find more about the activities prompt below.

✓ Gather your courses and grades

You will need to enter all your course and grade information on your application profile to apply to UW Bothell.

✓ Fill out and submit your Application

Important deadlines

September 1

UW Bothell application opens

November 15

Early action deadline.

December 1

Filing period opens for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). You should complete the FAFSA or WASFA by February 28 to be considered for priority funding.

January 15

Regular decision deadline.

January – March

Admissions notifications go out.

May 1

Deadline to confirm your enrollment and submit your enrollment deposit.

July 31

Submit your final official transcripts when they become available after you finish your senior year of high school.

May 1 – August 31

Complete UW Bothell 101 and new student Orientation.

Start your Application

1. Create an account on the Common App website.
2. Complete your general Common App sections under the Common App tab.
3. Use the College Search tab to add the University of Washington Bothell to your College List.
4. Start the UW Bothell application from your My Colleges List. This will contain some additional information specific to UW Bothell’s application and allow you to submit your full Common App for consideration with UW Bothell.

Note: The first-year application is only for freshman applicants (including Running Start students). If you are a transfer student, you can find information about your application here.

Writing and activities sections

Did you know?

You can use our Writing & Communication Center even before you are a UW Bothell student. The staff works with students of all writing abilities and can help you craft a great personal statement.

The written responses are our best means of getting to know you and your best means of creating a context for your academic performance. When you write your essays, tell us about those aspects of your life that are not apparent from your academic record:

1. A character-defining moment
2. The cultural awareness you’ve developed
3. A challenge faced
4. A personal hardship overcome

Personal essay directions:

Choose one of the following prompts (limit: 250-650 words).

• Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt or one of your own design.

Diversity question directions:

Respond to the following prompt (limit: 300 words).

• Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington Bothell.

Activities and experiences:

Identify and describe up to ten of the most significant activities you have participated in throughout high school. Your list should include activities, skills, achievements, or qualities from any of the following categories:

• Leadership in or outside of school (athletics, student government, cultural clubs, band, scouting, community service, employment, etc.)
• Activities in which you have worked to better your school or community
• Exceptional achievement in an academic field or artistic pursuit
• Personal endeavors that enrich the mind (independent research, music, language/culture school, reading, personal business, writing, etc.)
• Family caregiving responsibilities or a high school job

Identify the a category type for the activity (academic, art, athletics, etc.), provide details of the activity/experience and write a short description (limit: 150 characters).

Note: The Activities/Experience and Personal Essay sections of the Common App are only for first-year applicants. Transfer students will have different Personal Statement prompts depending on the desired program.

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