All applicants to UW must meet a minimum level of preparation in six subject areas known as the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CDAR). These subject areas are admission requirements and must be completed before enrolling at the UW. To be competitive, applicants should try to challenge themselves by exceeding the minimum requirements.

• Use two tools for choosing courses:

  1. The transfer planning worksheet outlines preferred courses for admission to the UW. It is not a prerequisite list; rather, it is a list of suggested courses that will facilitate your studies once you are on campus.
  2. The course equivalency tables outline how courses in each Washington State Community College will transfer into the UW.

Try to finish a series (Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, Physics) wherever you begin the series. If you cannot complete Physics or Calculus before starting at the UW, it is advisable to take those series at the UW.

Experience as an intern or volunteer will significantly strengthen your application. You will also learn more about yourself, your working style and your interests, which can help you write your admissions essay and refine your career goals.

If you cannot find a volunteer opportunity that is in the area you’re interested in, find opportunities that use similar skills (for example, landlocked students who want to study marine biology could volunteer in stream restoration).