US holisticUnited States · Bachelor’sResearched 0d ago

Computer Science

University of Washington

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Overview

University of Washington admits first-year Computer Science applicants through the Allen School's Direct to Major process within UW's broader holistic first-year review. For this bachelor-level program, academic preparation and performance lead the review, while essays and the activities log are also explicitly used; portfolios are not considered, and SAT/ACT scores generally do not factor into review except limited special cases and separate English-proficiency requirements for international applicants.

Admission criteria

PortfolioLow

This program does not use portfolios for first-year Computer Science admission. UW explicitly asks applicants not to send supplemental portfolio-type materials, and the Allen School says no additional materials are required beyond the UW first-year application.

Bar to clear: Not used by this program

Statement of PurposeMedium

The Common App personal essay is required and important, and for Allen School Direct to Major review the personal side is based on the essays plus the activities log. UW uses the essay to understand the person behind the transcript and values clear, original writing that adds context, perspective, responsibilities, leadership, community engagement, obstacles, or academic inconsistencies.

Bar to clear: Required Common App personal essay, 250-650 words

Academics & GPAHigh

This is the leading factor. UW says academic preparation and performance are primary, and the Allen School states Direct to Major decisions consider high school grades, strength of schedule including senior year, and coursework rigor. Competitive applicants are expected to take the most rigorous curriculum available, especially in English, math, and science, and often go beyond minimum CADR requirements.

Bar to clear: Middle 50% admitted GPA 3.75-3.98; rigorous senior-year coursework

Test scoresLow

Standardized tests are mostly not used in this program's admission review. UW permanently removed the SAT/ACT requirement, reviewers generally do not see scores, and UW says submitting test scores will not advantage applicants for direct admission to Computer Science or Computer Engineering. However, international first-year applicants must meet UW's English-proficiency testing minimum unless exempt, and homeschooled or non-standard grading applicants may still need SAT/ACT.

Bar to clear: IELTS 6.0+ overall or TOEFL iBT 76+ or Duolingo 110+ if English testing is required

Application components

Common App personal essayActivities logSelf-reported high school courses/grades or uploaded transcript record where requiredEnglish proficiency test report for international applicants who must prove English proficiencySAT/ACT score report only for homeschooled or non-standard grading applicants

How to stand out

→Prioritize rigorous high school coursework, especially English, math, and science, and keep senior-year academics strong.

→Use the essay to add context the transcript cannot show: responsibilities, obstacles, leadership, community engagement, unusual circumstances, or why your record looks the way it does.

→Do not build a computing-only application; the Allen School states no prior programming experience is required and no separate CS portfolio is requested.

→List Computer Science as your first-choice major, because second-choice listing does not receive Allen School Direct to Major consideration.

→If you are an international applicant, clear the English-testing minimum early and aim above the minimum because UW publishes higher average enrolled English scores.

Source confidence

93%Well sourced

Sources

Direct to Major (First-Year) Admissions - Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering

www.cs.washington.edu/academics/undergraduate/admissions/direct-major/

Program-specific page stating no separate application or additional materials; evaluation uses academic achievement and personal characteristics, with high school grades, schedule strength, course rigor, activities log, and essays.

How to apply - Office of Admissions

admit.washington.edu/apply/first-year/how-to-apply/

Official first-year application page stating the essay is required and important, first-choice major matters for direct admission, and portfolio-type supplemental materials should not be sent.

Holistic review - Office of Admissions

admit.washington.edu/apply/first-year/holistic-review/

Official page stating academic preparation and performance are primary and outlining the personal achievements and characteristics considered in review.