Navigating Admissions at the University of Washington: Understanding SAT/ACT Requirements

The University of Washington (UW) is a highly selective institution, and understanding its admission requirements is crucial for prospective students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of UW's testing policies, academic expectations, and other factors considered during the application process.

Admission Overview

The University of Washington's acceptance rate stands at 39.1%, indicating a very selective admission process. To increase your chances of acceptance, it's essential to meet UW's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores (if submitting), and other application components.

GPA Expectations

The average GPA at the University of Washington is 3.83, suggesting that successful applicants are typically near the top of their class and well above average. A transcript showcasing mostly A's is highly recommended. If your GPA falls at or below the school average, a strong SAT or ACT score can help compensate.

Standardized Testing: A Shifting Landscape

UW has a test-optional policy. For admission to the UW, test scores are not required. The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for most applicants. The UW is technically test-optional. However, test-optional can mean different things at different schools. At the UW, you will not be disadvantaged for sending low scores or for not sending scores. In fact, when reading your application, the reviewers will not see your test scores, if provided. Historically, the SAT/ACT were a small consideration in the holistic review compared to curriculum quality and performance in courses. The UW’s holistic review considers far more than academic performance. Personal achievements and context are also important considerations.

Homeschooled applicants and applicants who come from schools with non-standard grading practices that do not have letter or numeric grades are still required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Exceptions include home-schooled applicants with at least one year of college coursework (i.e.

Understanding the SAT at UW (if submitting)

While UW is test-optional, many applicants still choose to submit their SAT scores. If you opt to submit, understanding the score ranges of admitted students can be beneficial.

SAT Score Ranges

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1333, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1500. Aiming for a score within this range will strengthen your application.

Recommended Score: 1400
25th Percentile: 1200
75th Percentile: 1470
Reading: 590-700 (middle 50%)
Math: 610-770 (middle 50%)

A score below 1200 doesn't automatically disqualify you, but you'll need compensating strengths in other areas of your application.

SAT Testing Strategy

UW superscores the SAT, meaning they consider your highest Reading and Writing and Math section scores from all test dates. Retaking the test to improve a weaker section can be advantageous. Aim for the mid-1400s to be competitive.

Understanding the ACT at UW (if submitting)

Similar to the SAT, submitting ACT scores can be a way to demonstrate your academic readiness, even though it's not required.

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ACT Score Ranges

The average ACT score at University of Washington is 30. The 25th percentile ACT score is 28, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Recommended Score: 31
Composite: 27-33 (middle 50%)
English: 26-35 (middle 50%)
Math: 26-32 (middle 50%)

Aiming for a score of 33 or above will significantly improve your chances. Even though University of Washington likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 28 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application.

ACT Testing Strategy

UW superscores the ACT, taking the highest section scores across multiple test dates. The optional writing section is not required, but applicants may submit it if it strengthens their profile. Focus on improving any weaker sections in additional attempts. Plan around 33 for a UW average ACT.

Test-Optional Considerations

The University of Washington permanently removed the SAT/ACT requirement for incoming students. At the UW, you will not be disadvantaged for sending low scores or for not sending scores. In fact, when reading your application, the reviewers will not see your test scores, if provided. Historically, the SAT/ACT were a small consideration in the holistic review compared to curriculum quality and performance in courses.

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. The UW application for first-year autumn admission opens September 1 each year. (See dates and deadlines for additional information.) You may apply to the UW using the Common App. All first-year applicants will self-report their courses on the application. A minimum level of preparation in six subject areas must be met for admission. (Learn more about satisfying CADRs.) You are required to provide complete and accurate information when self-reporting. If your first-choice major participates in Direct to Major or Direct to College admission, be sure to select it as your first choice on the application to be automatically considered. The writing section is a required and important part of your application. Learn more about the essay, including the prompt and word count. Please note that the UW essay question must be answered within our application. For the Common App, that means within our UW questions. You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information here if something has particular significance to you. The application fee is nonrefundable and must be submitted each time you apply for admission. The application fee is nonrefundable, and must be submitted each time you apply for admission. International students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the minimum requirement for admission. Do not send high school or college transcripts unless you receive a request from the Office of Admissions. However, uploading an unofficial copy to your Common App application is encouraged. that follows a national compulsory curriculum, you are required to upload a scanned, unofficial copy of your transcript for grade levels 9 and higher as part of your Common App application. If you have college/university coursework, you do not need to submit official transcripts. We ask that you not send letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials such as drawings, CDs, DVDs, books or other portfolio-type items. None of the Common App writing section prompts will be reviewed as part of your application to the UW.

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Holistic Review Process

UW emphasizes holistic review. Admissions officers weigh coursework rigor, grades, essays, recommendations, and personal qualities. The UW’s holistic review considers far more than academic performance. Personal achievements and context are also important considerations.

Academic Preparation (CADRs)

A minimum level of preparation in six subject areas must be met for admission. Almost all applicants will have satisfied these subject requirements through high school course work, which is generally defined as that completed in grades 9-12. If CADRs are not entirely satisfied through high school course work, college level course work may also be used. In general, five quarter credits (or three semester credits) at the college level equals one year of high-school study. For example, if you completed three years of English in high school, you can use one college English composition or literature course to bring your total to four years. A passing grade must be received in all core subject requirements; this includes a Pass in a course taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis. College course work must be at the 100 level or higher.

Here's a breakdown of the required subject areas:

English: Four years of study are required.
Mathematics: Three years are required.
- Intermediate Algebra: At Washington community colleges, qualifying courses in intermediate algebra are listed as equivalent to MATH 098 in the University of Washington Equivalency Guide.
- Mathematics courses with intermediate algebra as a prerequisite: This includes any higher-level math courses such as elementary functions, calculus, and beyond.
Social Sciences/History: Three years of study are required in history or in any of the social sciences (e.g., anthropology, contemporary world problems, economics, geography, government, political science, psychology, sociology).
World Languages: Two years of a single world language are required. Any natural language that has been formally studied may be used to satisfy this requirement, including American Sign Language (AMESLAN, the language of the deaf community) and languages no longer spoken, such as Latin and ancient Greek. Students who have never studied a world language will need to complete ten quarter credits (or six semester credits) of a single world language.
- A Level & AS Level [A/AS]: With a passing grade, the A Level world language exam will satisfy the world language requirement and award 15 transfer college credits. AS Level exams may also meet the requirement and award 7.5 credits with a passing grade, but this varies by language.
- Placement into the third quarter of a world language by a UW Placement Exam satisfies the world language requirement. For placement and proficiency testing information, visit the UW Undergraduate Advising page. If the Testing Center does not offer a test for a language, it may be possible to have proficiency level evaluated by a UW faculty member in a one-on-one test; contact the appropriate UW language department to inquire about this possibility.
Science: Two years of science are required, including one year of algebra-based science. Some courses may fulfill more than one science requirement and if taken in the senior year, may also fulfill the senior year math-based quantitative requirement (any algebra-based science course).
Senior Year Math-Based Quantitative Course: One year of math-based quantitative course work is required in the senior year.
Fine Arts: One-half year or one trimester of study is required in the fine, visual or performing arts, to be chosen from art appreciation, band, ceramics, choir, dance, dramatics performance and production, drawing, fiber arts, graphic arts, metal design, music appreciation, music theory, orchestra, painting, photography, print making or sculpture. Two quarter credits (or two semester credits) satisfy the requirement, chosen from art, art history, cinema/filmmaking, dance, drama (except drama as literature), music or photography. One-half year of study is required.

Additional Application Components

Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.

Application Essays: The writing section is a required and important part of your application. The UW essay question must be answered within our application.
Transcripts: Students currently enrolled in high school are required to submit an academic transcript for grades 9, 10, and 11 and to list the courses in progress. If you did not complete high school, you must submit a transcript for all years completed, including grade 9. Coursework completed before grade 9 or its equivalent will not be considered as having satisfied the CADRs. If you have college/university coursework, you do not need to submit official transcripts. However, uploading an unofficial copy to your Common App application is encouraged. If you follow a national compulsory curriculum, you are required to upload a scanned, unofficial copy of your transcript for grade levels 9 and higher as part of your Common App application.
Recommendations: We ask that you not send letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials such as drawings, CDs, DVDs, books or other portfolio-type items.

Application Deadlines and Fees

The UW application for first-year autumn admission opens September 1 each year. The application fee is nonrefundable and must be submitted each time you apply for admission.

Financial Aid

All prospective students planning on exploring financial aid should submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid). The priority financial aid deadline is February 28th each year. FAFSA not only helps to secure federally subsidized grants and loans to help fund your education, but it is also required in some outside scholarships as well (including the UW Academy need-based scholarships). Students always have the option to refuse any aid that is offered after filing. You do not have to have completed your annual tax return in order to complete the application. WASFA is used to determine undocumented students’ eligibility for state financial aid. If eligible for WASFA you will have access to in-state tuition, either the College Bound Scholarship, or the Washington College Grant (formerly known as the State Need Grant).

English Language Proficiency

Proof of English language proficiency is required for all students who completed more than half (at least 7 years) of their primary and secondary education in schools a) where English was not the language of instruction and b) in countries outside the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom.

Admission Numbers

Here are the applicant and admissions numbers per year for University of Washington:

Total Applicants: 48840
Acceptance Rate: 53%

Additional Resources

UW Academy Program: The fee to apply to the UW Academy Program is $85. Waivers are available for students and families who qualify for free/reduced lunch.
Online Support: From December through February, we host online drop in application support on Wednesdays from 4-5 pm PST for students. The Robinson Center will hosts two online writing workshops in January to work with a current Robinson Center student to get support with their application materials.

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