How to apply
*The 2022 first-year application is now closed. The 2023 application will reopen in September.
We are excited that you are interested in the University of Washington Bothell and thinking about joining our Husky family! If at any time you have questions during the application process, please feel free to contact us by email at uwbinfo@uw.edu or at 425-352-5000.
Application checklist
✓ Confirm you meet our academic requirements for admission
Review our detailed breakdown of UW Bothell's academic requirements for admissions. You may also want to review our advanced coursework policies.
✓ Prepare to pay the application fee or request a fee waiver
The non-refundable online application fee is $60 for domestic students or $75 for international students. An application fee waiver can also be requested.
✓ Prepare your personal statement
You will be required to submit a personal statement (Coalition Essay). See the personal statement prompts below for more information.
✓ Prepare your activities and experience statements
You will be able to identify and describe up to eight of the most significant activities you have participated in throughout high school in the Profile section of the Coalition Application. Find more about the activities/experience statements below.
✓ Gather your transcripts for submission
You will need a copy of your official high school transcripts to apply to UW Bothell. You can find more information about transcripts on our FAQ page.
✓ Fill out and submit your Coalition Applicaiton
NOTE: the Coalition Application is only for First Year applicants (including Running Start students). If you are a transfer student, you can find information about your application here.
Important deadlines
September 1
UW Bothell application opens
October 1
Filing period opens for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). You should complete the FAFSA or WASFA each year by January 15th to be considered for priority funding.
November 15
Early action deadline.
January 15
Regular decision deadline.
January - March
Admissions notifications go out.
May 1
Deadline to confirm your enrollment and submit your enrollment deposit.
July 31
Submit your final official transcripts when they become available after you finish your senior year of high school.
May 1 - August 31
Complete UW Bothell 101 and new student Orientation.
How to apply
Start your Coalition Application
- Create an account on the Coalition Application website.
- Once created, you will be able to login and will be asked to fill out some basic information to determine whether you are a first year student or a transfer student.
- Create and complete your Coalition Profile, including your activities and experience statements.
- Upload documents and materials (i.e. transcripts, personal statements, etc.) to your Locker. You can also upload these documents when answering the questions in the UW Bothell application section of the Coalition Application. Read more about the requirements for your personal statement and see the prompts.
- Add the University of Washington Bothell to your College List.
- Start the UW Bothell application from your College List. This will contain some additional information specfic to UW Bothell's application and allow you to submit your full Coalition Application for consideration with UW Bothell.
Note: The Coalition Application is only for First Year applicants (including Running Start students). If you are a transfer student, you can find information about your application here.
Follow-along! Step-by-Step guide to filling out your Coalition Application for UW Bothell
Personal statement and Activities/experience
Personal statement
The Personal Statement (Coalition Essay) is our best means of getting to know you and your best means of creating a context for your academic performance. When you write your personal statement, tell us about those aspects of your life that are not apparent from your academic record:
- a character-defining moment;
- the cultural awareness you've developed;
- a challenge faced;
- a personal hardship overcome
Directions: Choose one of the following Coalition Essay prompts (recommended length: 500-650 words).
- Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
- Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
- Has there been a time when you've had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
- What is the hardest part of being a student now? What's the best part? What advice would you give a sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?
- Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.
Did you know?
You can also utilize our Writing & Communication Center even before you are a UW Bothell student. They work with students of all writing abilities, and will help you craft a great personal statement. Schedule an appointment with the Writing & Communication Center here.
Activities/experience
Identify and describe up to eight of the most significant activities you have participated in throughout high school. Your list should include activities, skills, achievements, or qualities from any of the following categories:
Identify the a category for the activity (club, sport, academic, etc.), name the activity/experience, and write a description (one sentence is required but 2-4 sentences is preferred).
Note: The Activities/Experience and Personal Statement prompts are only for First Year applicants. Transfer students will have different Personal Statement prompts depending on the desired program.