WELCOME TO THE UW!

1. WELCOME TO THE UW! The UW’s Mission Statement: The primary mission of the University of Washington is the preservation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge. Fall 2004

2. Presentation Outline • UW Basics • Get to Know the UW – Academics, First Year Programs, Housing, Student Life, etc. • Admissions – How To Apply • Core Subject Requirements • Selecting the Freshman Class • Annual Student Budget University of WashingtonOffice of Admissionswww.freshman.washington.edu206.543.9686 Fall 2004

3. University Facts • The University of Washington was founded in 1861 and is the oldest public university on the West Coast. • The 693-acre campus is 5 miles north of downtown Seattle (a 10-minute bus ride away). • Student Body: • Total enrollment = 39,136 • Undergraduates = 27,963 (71.5%) • Freshman = 4,977 • Graduate & Professional Students = 11,173 (28.5%) • Washington residents = 81.2% • Out-of-state residents = 18.8% (includes 41 states, DC, Guam and 25 foreign countries) • 3,360 instructional faculty. Fall 2004

4. Academics at Washington • Over 1,800 undergraduate courses offered each quarter. • You have until your junior year to declare a major. • Professors are very accessible through scheduled office hours and informal meetings. • Average class size for all undergraduate classes is 35. First/second year classes = 42 Third/fourth year classes = 28 Maximum class size for English composition classes is 22; foreign language classes, 24. 148 undergraduate majors in 12 schools and colleges: Architecture & Urban Plan. Arts & Sciences Business Administration Dentistry Engineering Forest Resources Information Medicine Nursing Ocean & Fishery Sciences Public Health & Comm. Med. Social Work Fall 2004

5. First Year Programs…and Beyond • Summer Advising • Early Fall Start • “Dawg Daze” Welcome Week • Freshman Interest Groups (FIG’s) • Honors Program • Freshman Seminars • Discovery Seminars • Career Center Get out there and get involved! The UW has over 500 clubs and organizations, intramural activities and NCAA Division I Sports, and numerous on and off campus activities. Fall 2004

6. Undergraduate Research • Participating in research can provide you with opportunities to: • Contribute to meaningful scholarly pursuits • Sharpen your critical and analytical thinking skills • Work one-on-one with faculty • Complement and extend your classroom learning • Prepare for graduate-level study • Clarify your career goals Christine Palermo: "I showed my data to Professor Cangelosi, and we realized I had made a new discovery.” Fall 2004

7. Stepping out… • International Programs and Exchanges • The UW study abroad program is the largest on the West Coast! • Over 350 programs in more than 60 countries • Benefits: learn a new language or perfect a current one, cultural immersion, academic enhancement, global understanding, and personal growth…to name a few! • Financial aid, scholarships, insurance, etc. remain in tact. Fall 2004

8. Why live on campus? National research shows that, as opposed to those who commute, students who live on campus… • Are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to earn their baccalaureate degree in four years. • Are more likely to achieve a higher GPA. • Are more fully involved in academic, social and extracurricular activities. • Are more likely to have a positive collegiate experience. Fall 2004

9. Housing Options Residence Halls: • 6,662 students • 7 on-campus residence halls • Special Interest Houses: First-Year Experience, Early Fall Start, FIG’s, International, Outdoor, SAFE, and Honors • Resident Advisors • Academic, social, and leadership activities • 3 full-menu dining facilities, 13 cafes/espresso bars, 3 convenience stores, 300 vending machines • Greek System: • 16 sororities; 27 fraternities • Leadership, academic, and social activities • In-house dining facilities • Learn more…contact the Panhellenic Association and/or IFC Fall 2004

10. Welcome to Seattle! • What to do in downtown Seattle? • Visit the infamous Pike Place Market. • See the city from the top of the Space Needle…a great view! • Downtown shopping at Pacific Place, Westlake Center, Nordstroms, etc. • Catch a show at the Paramount, 5th Ave. Theatre, or any of the other theatres downtown. • Stepping out… • Hiking and snow sports in the Cascade Mountains. • Kayaking on Lake Washington. • Island hopping in the San Juan’s. Fall 2004

11. How To Apply? • Easily apply online! • If applying online is not for you, no problem. You can also: • Download a PDF version and print out a paper application. • Or request that a paper one be sent to you. When is the application due? Priority Date: DECEMBER 1st Deadline: JANUARY 15th Fall 2004

12. Online Status Check • Apply (online or via paper). • Get mailed an user name and password. • Set up your MyUW account. • Check the status of your application online. • Keep your user name and password in a safe place. • Notification of your admissions decision will be via postal mail and may occur anytime between December and mid-April. Fall 2004

13. Core Subject Requirements • 4 Years of English • 3 Years of Math (through 2nd level of Algebra) • 3 Years of Social Studies • 2 Years of Foreign Language (through 2nd level) • 2 Years of Science (one year with a lab) • ½ Year of Fine, Visual, or Performing Arts • ½ Year of Electives in Core Requirements Fall 2004

14. Academic Performance • GPA -- unweighted on a 4.0 scale. • Test Scores -- SAT I and/or ACT I (highest combined score from a single test date; scores must be sent directly from testing agency). Fall 2004

15. More on the SAT I: Class of 2005 submits the current ACT or SAT I. Class of 2006 (and future classes) submits the ACT Plus Writing or the new SAT I.

16. Additional Factors • High school curriculum. • Challenging senior year curriculum. • Enrollment in Honors, AP, IB, or college courses. • Grade trends. • List of awards, achievements, and activities. i Remember we receive about 16,000 applications every year, and chances are there will be a lot of applicants with your same GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Use the rest of your application to make yourself stand out! Fall 2004

17. Additional Factors – The Personal Statement • There is one required personal statement and two optional ones. 1. Describe an experience in your life that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. 2. Describe any personal hardships or barriers you’ve had to overcome and explain how they have affected your education. 3. In the context of your life experience, describe your understanding of cultural differences, how this awareness was acquired, and how it has affected you. (Remember, when a college says optional, they mean highly recommended!) Fall 2004

18. Admissions Chart Fall 2004

19. Annual Student Budget (2004-2005) WA Residents Nonresidents Tuition and Fees $5,286 $17,916 Room and Board $7,017 $7,017 Books $900 $900 Personal Expenses $2,253 $2,253 Transportation $396 $396 Total $15,852 $28,482 i Remember…The FAFSA is available online January 1st…apply by February 28th! Fall 2004

20. Come Visit! • Campus ToursWeekdays 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. • Freshman Information SessionsFridays 1:30 p.m. • Drop-In Class ScheduleWeekdays all four quarters www.freshman.washington.edu/visits www.freshman.washington.edu206.543.9686 Fall 2004