What is UW acceptance rate?

The University of Washington (UW) acceptance rate hovers around 39-48% overall, but varies significantly by residency, with in-state (Washington) residents admitted at a higher rate (around 50-54%) than out-of-state (non-resident) applicants (closer to 40-46%), making it a competitive but accessible public university, especially for Washington residents.

What GPA do you need to get into UW?

The University of Washington (UW) doesn't have a strict minimum GPA, but successful applicants typically have a very strong academic record, with the middle 50% of admitted first-year students in Autumn 2024 having a GPA between 3.74 and 3.98 (on a 4.0 scale). UW emphasizes rigorous coursework, so strong grades in challenging classes (AP/IB) are crucial, alongside essays and extracurriculars, for both first-year and transfer students, with slightly different requirements for campuses like Tacoma or Bothell. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is UW hard to get into?

Getting into the University of Washington (UW) is competitive, especially for out-of-state students, with overall acceptance rates around 39-40%, but significantly lower for non-Washington residents compared to Washington state residents (around 48% for in-state vs. 40% for out-of-state). Successful applicants generally have strong academics (high GPA, test scores), a compelling personal narrative, and often excel in specific, in-demand majors like Computer Science or Engineering, requiring a holistic review of essays and activities to stand out. 

What is the out of state acceptance rate for UW?

In-State vs.

In general, out-of-state applicants tend to face stiffer competition than in-state applicants. UW's out-of-state acceptance rate (46%) remains significantly lower than its in-state acceptance rate (54%). In-state applicants are prioritized and read twice by two different staff members.

Ask UW Admissions! Six frequent admissions questions answered

Is UW better than Harvard?

Neither University of Washington (UW) nor Harvard is definitively "better"; they excel in different areas, with Harvard often seen as more prestigious overall but UW dominating specific fields like computer science, public health, and biology, offering strong research opportunities and lower costs, while Harvard provides unparalleled global network and resources. Your choice depends heavily on your intended major, financial situation, and career goals, as UW shines in specialized STEM/public health, while Harvard offers broader, traditional prestige. 

Is it harder to get into UW or WSU?

It's significantly harder to get into the University of Washington (UW) (Seattle campus) than Washington State University (WSU); UW has a much lower acceptance rate (around 39%) and is considered very selective, especially for popular programs like Computer Science, while WSU is much more accessible (around 85-88% acceptance) and generally easier to get into if you meet their basic requirements. 

What majors is UW famous for?

Annually, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus grants around 480 degrees to those studying Computer Science, which is the institution's most popular major. Other popular majors include Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Informatics, and Biochemistry.

Is a 3.4 UW GPA bad?

A 3.4 is on the verge of an A- and demonstrates consistently good test-taking, studying, and research skills. A 3.4 is comfortably above the national average GPA for high school graduates and is considered competitive at most colleges and universities.

What's the hardest major to get into at UW?

What are the most competitive majors at the University of...

1. Computer Science and Computer Engineering: These two programs, offered by the Paul G. ...
2. Business Administration: Foster School of Business is another well-known highly competitive program at UW.

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche and Business Insider, followed by schools like Florida State University and Tulane University, based on student surveys about campus party culture, access to bars, and Greek life.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What college is 100% acceptance rate?

Yes, many colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, often through open admissions policies, meaning they accept all applicants who meet basic requirements, including many community colleges, specialized career schools, and some online or regional universities like Broward College, Empire State University (SUNY), University of Maryland Global Campus, and Utah Valley University, though availability and specific programs vary. These institutions guarantee admission for qualified applicants, focusing on accessibility, with some examples including Delta State University, Montana State University Billings, and the Academy of Art University. 

Is UW a prestigious school?

Yes, the University of Washington (UW) is widely considered a prestigious university, consistently ranking among the top public and global institutions for its strong research, academics, and beautiful campus in Seattle. It's known as a research powerhouse, attracting significant federal funding and housing renowned faculty, while also being highly selective in admissions.
 

Is a 3.7 UW GPA bad?

A 3.7 GPA is a strong GPA, but it may not guarantee admission to highly selective colleges. Admissions committees consider your entire application when making their decisions, including your test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and essays. A 3.7 GPA may make you a competitive candidate.

Is 70% a 2.0 GPA?

Yes, in the common U.S. system, a 70-79% is typically a 'C' grade, which converts to a 2.0 on the 4.0 GPA scale, though exact ranges can vary slightly by institution, with some placing 70-72% as a C- (1.7) and 73-76% as a C (2.0).
 

Is a 4.0 UW GPA good?

Is a 4.0 GPA Good? Yes! A 4.0 is the highest possible score with a regular class load, otherwise known as an unweighted GPA. It demonstrates academic excellence and the ability to earn the highest possible grade in every class.

What GPA is needed for Harvard?

Harvard doesn't have a strict minimum GPA, but successful applicants typically have nearly perfect GPAs (around 3.9-4.0 unweighted, 4.15-4.25+ weighted) and rank in the top 10% of their class, demonstrating exceptional achievement in the most rigorous courses (AP, IB, Honors) available, as they use a holistic review process that values course difficulty and context.
 

What is the lowest GPA UW will accept?

There's no single minimum GPA for the University of Washington (UW); it varies by campus, program, and whether you're a freshman or transfer, but competitive freshman admits often have 3.8+ GPAs, while some campuses or programs might have a 2.0-3.0 baseline for general admission or specific pathways like guaranteed admission for UW Tacoma (3.0+ CADRs) or UW Bothell (2.0+ CADRs), and UW-Madison freshmen often need 3.5+. Competitive majors at UW Seattle often need 3.5+ or strong prerequisite GPAs. 

What is the #1 college in Washington?

The University of Washington (UW) in Seattle is consistently ranked as the number one university in Washington state by various sources like U.S. News & World Report, Niche, and WalletHub due to its strong academics, research funding, diverse programs, and overall reputation, often appearing high in national and global rankings as well.
 

Is UW a public Ivy League?

The 2001 book “Greenes' Guides to Educational Planning” expanded the Public Ivy schools list to 30 public universities, divided by region (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest, and West). Schools on this list include Indiana University, Bloomington, the University of Georgia, and the University of Washington.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is UW or ut better?

Academics: UW and UT Austin both offer rigorous academics and are ranked in the top public institutions in the US. While UT Austin is known for its strong engineering, business, and communication programs, UW has a strong reputation in the fields of computer science, engineering, and life sciences.

How to increase chances of getting into UW?

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission. If you're able to score a 1500 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.