University of Washington Seattle • International Application Instructions • 2032237 / 09.11applicat ion forinternational undergraduates20121. Complete the Application for International Undergraduate Admission.2. Follow the application instructions and the writing section instructions, both are included in this packet.3. Mail your completed application to the University along with the application fee and other required materials.4. Make sure you sign the application form. Follow These Steps to Apply to UW SeattleApplication ChecklistFor more information about each item, refer to pages 2-3 in this packet or consult the Web at /Apply/International/Documents.● Application form, signed and dated● $75 Nonrefundable application fee, bank check (draft) or money order payable through a U.S. bank ● Statement of Financial Responsibility form ● Writing Section of the application● Official secondary-school transcripts from all schools attended for grades 9 and higher ● Official college, university, or other postsecondary transcripts from all schools attended ● Official English proficiency exam scores ● Official scores from SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing (Optional)● Transfer Applicants only: Academic Planning Worksheet (Optional)LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALSPlease do not submit letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials. We will not consider supplemental materials such as letters of recommendation, artwork, CDs, DVDs, writings, books, etc. Please tell us about yourself through the Writing Section of the application and we will know everything we need to know about you when we review your application.Application DeadlinesAUTUMN QUARTER 2012 SUMMER QUARTER 2012 ONLINE APPLICATION AVAILABLEInternational Freshman December 1, 2011 December 1, 2011 October 1–December 1, 2011International Transfer February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 December 15, 2011–February 15, 2012International Postbaccalaureate February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 December 15, 2011–February 15, 2012No international student applications are accepted for winter or spring quarters.5. Mail the application form and all required documents on or before the application deadline to:BY REGULAR MAIL:International Admissions University of Washington Office of Admissions Box 355852Seattle, WA 98195-5852BY EXPRESS MAIL:International Admissions University of Washington Office of Admissions1410 NE Campus Parkway — 225 Schmitz Hall Seattle, WA 98195Apply!We strongly encourage you to consider using the online application when you apply to the UW. Not only is it easily accessible anytime dayor night but it can speed up the initial review of your application. We have also found that the online application can be more accurate than the paper application since the data you enter online is exactly how itwill appear to us. T o start the online application, go to / Apply/International/Apply and select “Online Application,” then follow the instructions to set up an account. Please use your legal name when setting up the account because this will be the name that appears on the application you submit. Only submit one application – if you apply online, do not submit a paper application. Duplicate applications will delay the processing of your application.The Application FeeThe application must be submitted with a nonrefundable application fee of $75 in U.S. currency. Applications received without the application fee cannot be processed. Online applications cannot be processed unless the application fee is paid online at the time you submit the application. Credit card payments are accepted for the online application only. For paper applications, mail a bank check (draft) or money order payable through a U.S. bank and made out to the University of Washington. Be sure your name as the applicant appears on the check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH.When To Apply — DeadlinesThe University welcomes international student applications for either summer or autumn quarters. Summer quarter begins in mid-June and autumn quarter begins in late September.f The application deadline for international freshmen applying for either summer 2012 or autumn 2012 is December 1, 2011. The online application will be available from October 1 – December 1. f The application deadline for international transfers or international postbaccalaureates applying for either summer 2012 or autumn 2012 is February 15, 2012. The online application will be available from December 15 – February 15.We encourage applicants to apply early and to verify all admissions materials have been submitted. All application materials, including transcripts and test scores, must be mailed and postmarked on or before the published application deadline. Late applications will not be considered.English Proficiency ExamOfficial exam results from the TOEFL or IEL TS must be sent directly tothe University from the testing agency and must be received by the published application deadline. For minimum score requirements and more information, visit /Requirements/International/ EnglishProficiency.Submitting official exam resultsf December is the last month for international freshmen to take an English proficiency exam. For freshmen applying for autumn or summer quarter 2012, we will accept test scores from any exam taken on or before December 31, 2011. January test scores will not be accepted and will be considered late. f International transfers and postbaccalaureates must submit exam scores from an exam taken on or before February 15. Any exams taken after the February 15 deadline will not be considered.f Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University. Score reports provided to the applicant (i.e. school copies, examine score reports, student copies, or photocopies of score reports) will not be accepted.f Make sure the name on your score report matches exactly the name you give on your admission application form. Even a slight difference in the name will prevent the scores from being matched to your application file.f If there are any differences in your name, be sure to list the name discrepancy on your application (in question PI-5) or notify the Admissions Office in writing by email or postal mail.f TOEFL and IELTS scores are only valid for two years from the exam date. If scores are more than two years old, new exam scores must be submitted. Institutional TOEFL scores administered by other colleges/universities will not be accepted.Statement Of Financial ResponsibilityT o complete the application, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she has sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses for one full year at the University. According to current U.S. immigration regulations,all international students are required to verify funding in order to obtain immigration documents for study in the U.S. All applicants are requiredto complete and sign the Statement of Financial Responsibility form and submit it along with the UW application for admission. If you are offered admission to the University, you will be asked to submit an original bank letter or statement that verifies sufficient funding before immigration documents can be prepared. Please do not submit bank documents at this time.Academic Credentialsf Official academic records (transcripts) from all secondary schools or high schools attended must be submitted by all freshman and transfer applicants. Official English translations must be provided if the official transcript is not in English.f Official academic records (transcripts) from any college, university, professional school, or technical school attended must be submitted by all transfer and postbaccalaureate applicants. Official English translations must be provided if the official transcript is not in English.f Transcripts must be received from all schools attended, both in the U.S. and outside the U.S. Transcripts must include all course work completed before the application deadline. The UW requires fall/autumn term grades for all transfer and postbaccalaureate students. If fall term transcripts are not available by the application closing date, submit them as soon as they become available. Late applications will not be accepted, however, so be sure to submit all other required materials by the closing date. Freshmen are not required to submit fall/autumn term grades.f Students who are still enrolled in secondary school should submit transcripts that include grades/marks received in the 9th, 10th, and 11th years. If the 9th year was completed as part of junior high school in your country, then you must also submit an official transcript from that school.f Students who have already completed national secondary school exams (i.e. HKCEE, O-level, GCSE, SPM, etc.) must submit an official copy of the final exam certificate that shows subjects completed and grades received for the final exam. Students who take a national secondary school exam like the ones listed above but who will not have an official exam certificate by December 1 will not be eligible for admission consideration until 2013. Unofficial, preliminary, or predicted grades on one of these exams will not be accepted.f Students who have completed secondary school already should submit transcripts that include grades/marks received in 10th, 11th, and 12th years. 9th grade transcripts are not required if you already graduated high school. f International transfer students attending WA state community colleges are encouraged to submit winter quarter grades. Although this is not a requirement, the information may help in the review of your application.What is an Official Transcript?U.S. AND CANADAA high-school transcript from any high school, college, or university in the U.S. or Canada will be considered official if it has an original signature, the official seal of the issuing institution, and it is sent directly by the school to the Office of Admissions. Applicants can also mail or deliver their transcript in a sealed envelope by the issuing school as long as it is not opened by the applicant.2 International Application Instructions• University of Washington SeattleUniversity of Washington Seattle • International Application Instructions 3ALL OTHER COUNTRIESOfficial secondary school transcripts must include a list of all coursescompleted with grades/marks obtained, the amount of time spent on the course, and the general time frame of the academic year in your country . School profiles should be included with official transcripts if available. T o be official, academic records must be original documents or photocopies that have been stamped as true copies by school officials at the institution attended or by other educational authorities. Notarized copies are NOT considered official documents.English TranslationsAll transcripts written in any language other than English must beaccompanied by an official literal English translation in the same format as the originals. T o be official, the translations must be original and also be stamped as official by the school or be certified as accurate by a certified translator. Student translations are not considered official.Academic Planning Worksheet for Transfer Applicants only (optional)International transfer applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the Academic Planning Worksheet (APW). Preparation for your intended major is a significant part of the admission decision. You are encouraged to use the APW as a planning tool, but we also recommend you complete and submit the worksheet as part of your application to the UW. If you apply online, the APW is part of the application and should be completed when you submit the online application. If you submit a paper version of the application, you will need to download the APW and submit it with your UW application.T o download an Academic Planning Worksheet (APW) for your intended major, go to /Requirements/International/Plan/Worksheets and select your intended major . Majors are organized alphabetically within the school and colleges of the University. Each major links to a planning worksheet in PDF format.The University Honors Program allows exceptionally high-achieving students to interact with each other through common academic core curriculum and informal social gatherings. It enhances the UW experience through small classes, individualized advising, a community of Honors students and faculty , and much more. The applicationprocess is competitive: Last year , the Honors Program reviewed more than 2,700 applications and invited about 700 students. International freshmen interested in applying to the Honors program should follow the instructions below. International transfer applicants who have participated in Honors programs should contact the University Honors Program directly for advising and information on the application process: /uwhonors/apply/transfer or 206.543.7444.The Honors Program admission application is the same form as your UW application for admission but the Honors Program has a separate evaluation process with additional required materials. T o be considered for the Honors Program, you must complete and submit the UW application and all required materials to the Office of AdmissionsAND submit a copy of your application directly to the Honors Program, including the Honors Essay and a letter of recommendation from a teacher , counselor, faculty member , or principal. For more information on the Honors Program application, the Honors essay topics, and requirements, visit /uwhonors/apply/freshman.IMPORTANT DATESNovember 15, 2011 – Scholarship Priority Deadline December 1, 2011 – Final UW Application Deadline for international Freshmen January 31, 2012 – Final Honors Letter of Recommendation Deadline March 15 - 31, 2012 – UW Office of Admissions Notification Period April 1 - 15, 2012 – UW Honors Notification Period Applying to the Honors Program (Freshman Applicants Only)How to Apply to HonorsThere are two ways to apply – the choice is yours.ONLINEThe Honors Program admission application is offered as a part of the UW admission application. Applying online saves you time and ensures the Honors Program receives your complete application (University and Honors) more quickly. f You will be able to access the Honors Program section of the UW application only if you answer “yes” to the question, “Do you plan also to apply to the Honors Program?” on page 2 of the UW online application.f After submitting the online application, the recommender you list in the Honors portion of the application will receive an email containing a link to the Honors Letter of Recommendation form. After your recommender completes the online form, you will be notified via email that the recommendation has been submitted. ON PAPERf Completely fill out the UW Application for International Undergraduate Admission, including the writing sections. f Check the "Honors Program" box on page A1 of the application form.f Complete the required Honors Essays and request one letter of recommendation.f Send a copy of your entire UW application for international undergraduates,including the writing sections and a copy of your transcripts, directly to the Honors Program. You must also submit the required Honors Program Essays and one letter of recommendation.f Send the UW application for international undergraduates, the application fee,and all required admission materials to the Office of Admissions.SEND ALL HONORS ADMISSION MATERIALS TO:University of Washington University Honors Program 211 Mary Gates Hall Box 352800Seattle, WA 98195-2800 USAThis is additional information for items marked with on the application form.HOUSING & HONORS PROGRAMThe Office of Admissions is asking these questions only to make it easier for you to get important information from other campus offices.f In no way will your answers to these questions affect your chances of admission. Your interest in the Honors Program or on-campus housing will neither help nor hurt you in the admission process.f If you answer yes to either question, the appropriate office—Honors or Housing—will contact you. Keep in mind that your relationship with that office is independent from your relationship to Admissions. It is your responsibility to keep in touch with each office if your address or other important information changes. Housing, Honors Program, http://depts. /uwhonorsC-1. CLASSIFICATION/ENTRY TERM Choose from the following three application types the ONE that best describes your status: International FreshmanA student who has completed or will complete secondary school but who has not yet attended any college or university. If you have completed high school and plan to enroll in university level courses before attending the UW, you should apply as an international transfer student.International TransferA student who is attending or has attended any post-secondary institution but who has not yet completed a four-year bachelor's degree, regardless of the number of credits completed. International Postbaccalaureate (fifth-year student) A student who has already completed or will complete before enrolling at the UW a four-year bachelor's degree considered equivalent to a U.S. degree.Entry Term (Quarter)All applicants must indicate the quarter they wish to begin enrollment at the UW. This application may be used only for the quarter indicated. Think carefully before choosing which quarter, because you cannot delay or defer your enrollment once you have applied.Summer vs. AutumnThe admission standards for summer and autumn quarters are exactly the same; therefore, there is no advantage in the admission process in choosing summer. If you select summer, be aware that you must begin course work at that time and register for at least 12 credits to maintain your F-1 student status. Failure to enter summer quarter cancels autumn admission and any registration.f Summer quarter begins on June 18, 2012. f Autumn quarter begins on September 26, 2012. Academic calendar of the UW,/students/reg/calendar.htmlMJ-1. MAJORFreshmen are not required to declare amajor at this time. However, to assist your UW advisers, you are encouragedto indicate in MJ-1 which majors (e.g., English, psychology) or subject areas (e.g., pre law, medicine) interest you. Transfer and Postbaccalaureate appli-cants are strongly advised to select yourintended major. List of majors offered by the UW,see page 6.Help with choosing a major, www./uaa/gateway/advising/majors/intro.phpPI-2. SOCIAL SECURITYNUMBER (SSN)If you provide a U.S. Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (TIN), it will be used to match your admission test scores with your application. SSNs and TINs are not used for student identification; you will be assigned a UW student number once admitted.UW’s Use of the SSNYour SSN and other information from your application may be provided to educational research agencies for thepurpose of conducting research andanalysis related to Washington Statehigher education. Protecting the release of student information will be in accordance with all appropriate state and federal laws.PI-3. DATE OF BIRTHYou must provide your date of birth for identification purposes. Please enter Month/Day/Year.PI-4, PI-5. NAMEPrint or type your legal name clearly. It should be written exactly the same way as it appears on your passport or otherlegal documents. To avoid confusion, use your full legal name whenever you contact Admissions. If the name on any of your academic records or test scores is different from your legal name as provided in PI-4, please write the names in PI-5.AD -1. MAILING ADDRESSIndicate here the address to which the Office of Admissions should mail all correspondence. Notify Admissions in writing no more than two weeks in advance if:f your mailing address changes orf you wish correspondence sent to your permanent address rather than to the mailing address you originally specified.AD-2. PERMANENT FOREIGNADDRESSU.S. Immigration requires that all international students provide apermanent foreign address. The Office of Admissions will not use this address unless you have also listed it as yourmailing address in AD-1.AD-4. EMAIL ADDRESSLike your mailing address, your email address should be one at which you can be reached reliably throughout theadmission process. The UW will use email to communicate with you in a timely manner. Make sure this email address is valid and checked regularly. If it changes, promptly notify the Office of Admissions in writing.CR-4. CURRENT VISA INFORMATIONPlease indicate your current visa status. This information will help us process your application better and will be used only to prepare UW immigration documents if you are offered admission.f If you are currently a student in theU.S., or you have attended school in the U.S. within the past 5 months, indicate your SEVIS Identification Number and the name of the school application instructionsthat issued your I-20.f If you are currently in the U.S. on any other type of visa other thanthe student visa, indicate the exactvisa type and whether you intend to change to a student visa beforeenrolling at the UW.f If none of these categories appliesto your situation, please explain inCR-4d.F1C, F13C. PARENT CONTACTOnly one name can be entered in UW student records as the parentalcontact, so we are asking you to choose which parent or guardian the UW may contact with information about programs and policies that may be of interest. If you do not check either box, the first parent/guardian listed will automatically be entered as the parental contact. Regardless of how you answer this question, you still have the option in F-12 and F-24 to decide if this parent/guardian may have access to information in your admission file.SC. SCHOOLS & COLLEGES ATTENDEDFailure to disclose all schools, colleges, universities, and institutions of highereducation you have attended may result in denial of admission to the University.CC-I1, CC-I2. COURSES IN PROGRESSThe information you record here could be crucial to your admission if you plan to satisfy College Academic Distribution Requirements through course work before enrolling at the UW. Any courses that will be completed before you enroll at the UW should be listed along with the term and year that they will be completed. List all courses that will be completed during this academic year.AL-1. ADVANCED CREDITIndicate the full official name of the school, the type of advanced-credit program, and the month/year it was or will be completed.DG-1. DEGREESIndicate the full official name of the de-gree and the month/year it was or will be completed. For example, write out Associate of Arts & Sciences rather thanjust AAS. Also, the date of the degree should be as clear as possible. Writing 2012 is not as informative as ExpectedAugust 2012.4 International Application Instructions• University of Washington SeattleUniversity of Washington Seattle • International Application Instructions 5FormatContent as well as, spelling, grammar , and punctuation will be considered. Please proofread your personal statement carefully. If you apply online, you must submit the writing section in the spaceprovided on the online application. If you apply using the PDF or paper application, type your personal statement on standard size white paper . Double-space your lines, and use only one side of each piece of paper. Print your name, the words “Personal Statement,” and the date at the top of each page, and attach the pages to your application. Please do not submit multiple copies of your essay .Freshman ApplicantsA. Personal StatementChoose topic 1 or 2. Recommended length: 500-650 words1. Discuss how your family’s experience or cultural history enriched you or pre-sented you with opportunities or challenges in pursuing your educational goals. 2. Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.B. Short ResponseChoose one of the following two topics and write a short essay . Recommended length: 250-500 words1. The University of Washington seeks to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. How would you contribute to this community?2. Describe an experience of cultural difference or insensitivity, positive or nega-tive, you have had or observed. What did you learn from it?C. Journal of Activities & Achievements (Optional)Directions: Identify and describe up to five of your most significant activities and achievements during grades 9-12. Write a paragraph about why this activity or achievement had meaning for you. T ell us about your highest level of achievement or honor you attained; any responsibilities you had; and the contribution you believe you made to your school, community, or organization. Don’t just describe the activity or achievement: tell us what it says about you.Y our journal should include activities, skills, achievements, or qualities from any of the following categories:f Leadership in or outside of school, e.g., athletics, student government, cultural clubs, band, scouting, community service, employment f Activities in which you have worked to better your school, community, or familyf Exceptional achievement in an academic field or artistic pursuit f Personal endeavors that enrich the mind, e.g., independent research or reading, private dance or music lessons, weekend language or culture schoolThe writing section is a critical part of the application. It is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to create a context for your academic performance and personal history. The personal statement should be a comprehensive narrative, outlining aspects of your life that are not apparent from your academic record: a character-defining moment, the cultural aware-ness you’ve developed, a challenge faced, a personal hardship or barrier overcome.the writing section of the applicationTransfer ApplicantsPlease address the following topics in your personal statement. Recommended length: 750-1000 wordsAcademic HistoryT ell us about your college career to date, describing your performance, educational path and choices. Explain any situations that may have had a significant positive or negative impact on your academic progress and or curricular choices. If you transferred multiple times, had a significant break in your education, or changed career paths, explain. What are the specific reasons you wish to leave your most recent college/university or program of study?Your Major and Career GoalsT ell us about your intended major and career aspirations. Are youprepared to enter your intended major at this time? If not, describe your plans for preparing for the major. What led you to choose this major? If you are still undecided, why? What type of career are you most likely to pursue after finishing your education? How will the UW help you attain your academic, career , or personal goals?Note: If you selected a competitive major , you have the option of selecting a second-choice major in the event you are not admitted to your first-choice major . Please address major and/or career goals for your second-choice major , if applicable.Cultural UnderstandingThoughtfully describe the ways in which culture had an impact on your life and what you have learned about yourself and society as a result. How has your own cultural history enriched and/or challenged you?Educational Challenges / Personal Hardships (if applicable)Describe any personal or imposed challenges or hardships you have overcome in pursuing your education. Examples: a serious illness, a disability, first generation in your family to attend college, significantfinancial hardship or responsibilities associated with balancing work, family and school.Community or Volunteer Service (if applicable)Describe your community or volunteer service while in college, including leadership, awards, or increased levels of responsibility.Experiential Learning (if applicable)Describe your involvement in research, artistic endeavors, and work(paid or volunteer), as they have contributed to your academic, career or personal goals.Postbaccalaureate ApplicantsPlease go to /Apply/International/Documents/Statement#Postbac for the essay questions. Recommended length: 750-1000 words。
