UPDATED 12/02/2020
Washington’s public baccalaureate college and universities are committed to easing COVID-19 related disruptions so as not to disadvantage students’ ability to strive for and attain an education at a Washington public four-year college or university.
The following questions and answers only pertain to Washington’s public four-year college and universities: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University.
Winter 2021 (Quarter Institutions) and Spring 2021 (Semester Institutions) Admits
Students should continue to seek challenges in current academic studies. Research tells us that students who engage in advanced and rigorous coursework in high school enroll, continue and graduate from college at higher rates.
Districts and schools should continue to emphasize the role and value of learning by providing students with learning opportunities that allow for meaningful student engagement with content through different modes and feedback to align with learning outcomes and student needs.
Important to a successful transition from K-12 to postsecondary pathways is support for students’ self-determination of their college and career path. Teachers, counselors, schools, families and students should honor students’ recognition of their own learning and readiness and preparation for college coursework. Students should be confident in seeking college placement exams to access readiness for the next step in their education. We strongly encourage families and teachers to assist students in understanding their readiness for next-level coursework and support students for future success.
It is important to note that for many of the institutions these are “priority” deadlines. Priority deadlines are dates set by colleges and universities by which applications are given the most consideration must be received. Priority deadlines precede regular decision deadlines.
We would encourage districts and schools to continue to encourage students who have applied or are considering applying to enroll in one of our nationally recognized public four-year institutions.
Washington’s public four-year college and universities and community are open and excited to welcome Washington students pursuing dynamic educational opportunities. Our institutions are engaging communities dedicated to quality education. We understand we will need to be flexible and balance health and safety; we are working to implement a balance that meets these needs while continuing our commitment to a dynamic and meaningful education.
To learn more contact the Office of Admission for the college or university you are interested or if you have questions or concerns regarding the listed deadlines.
- Central Washington University: Accepting applications for winter 2021; Deadline November 1.
- Eastern Washington University: Accepting applications for winter 2021; No set deadline.
- The Evergreen State College: Accepting applications for winter 2021; Deadline October 1.
- University of Washington Tacoma: Accepting applications for winter 2021: Deadline October 15.
- University of Washington Bothell: Accepting applications for winter 2021. No set deadline.
- University of Washington Seattle: The deadline for winter quarter has past (September 1) and spring is not a regular quarter of admission and is limited to applicants to a few programs. Students may contact the admissions office for further information at askuw@uw.edu
- Washington State University: Accepting applications for spring 2021: November 15
- Western Washington University: Accepting applications for winter 2021; Deadline September 15.
In addition, the Washington Student Achievement Council revised the Minimum Admission Standards for public four-year college and universities. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Admission Standards policy was revised on March 31, 2020 to allow for institutional flexibility for admissions.
Washington’s public four-year institutions do not re-calculate pass/no pass scores into numeric grade equivalents.
If your school is able, please designate a change to Pass from a ranked grade and add a notation regarding COVID-19 on the transcript so Admissions is aware when reviewing final transcripts.
When considering pass/no pass as an alternative to ranked grades for college credit-bearing courses, we urge students to consider the long-term impacts to their education and career goals including, but not limited to, preparation for majors (e.g. nursing, engineering, and other STEM fields); prerequisite requirements; admission and transfer to out-of-state institutions and graduate and professional schools.
Alignment with Washington and national higher education requirements, NCAA and NAIA requirements, transfer, military enlistment and veteran benefits is critical for students’ long-term success
We recognize the local determination of K-12 grading policies. During this time and our approach to admissions before the pandemic, is to consider multiple measures in the admissions process. GPA is one criteria. Institutions also look at the courses students have taken and their performance over four-years of high school.
We recognize that COVID-19 will have an indelible impact on our personal and professional memories and be in its own category and part of our shared history. Differences among districts existed before the pandemic and like then and now we are prepared to review the range of policies so as not to advantage or disadvantage students for winter 2021 for quarter institution and spring 2021 for semester institution admissions.
We would encourage students to reach out to us to discuss their applications further. A list of admissions contacts can be found here.
As we work to protect the health and safety of our communities during this unprecedented time, we are carefully planning for a wide range of possibilities.
Washington’s public four-year college and universities and community are open and excited to welcome Washington students pursuing dynamic educational opportunities. Our institutions are engaging communities dedicated to quality education. We understand we will need to be flexible and balance health and safety; we are working to implement a balance that meets these needs while continuing our commitment to a dynamic and meaningful education.
At this juncture, however, it is too soon to predict and evaluate the impacts of COVID-19, if any, on instruction beyond fall. We will continue to carefully monitor the rapidly evolving situation and will keep students and families informed as decisions are made.
Winter 2021 (Quarter Institutions) and Spring 2021 (Semester Institutions) Transfer Applicants
Together we:
• Moved all activities related to transfer admitted student programs, transfer advising and campus visitations to a virtual experience/ platform.
• Integrated flexibility into the transfer process to ease, to the extent possible, the disruption for Washington’s community and technical college students.
Yes. The deadlines for Washington’s public four-year college or universities for winter 2020 for quarter institutions and spring 2021 for semester institutions are identified below.
It is important to note that for many of the institutions these are “priority” deadlines. Priority deadlines are dates set by colleges and universities by which applications are given the most consideration must be received. Priority deadlines precede regular decision deadlines.
We would encourage transfer institutions to encourage students who have applied or are considering applying to enroll in one of our nationally recognized public four-year institutions.
Washington’s public four-year college and universities and community are open and excited to welcome Washington students pursuing dynamic educational opportunities. Our institutions are engaging communities dedicated to quality education. We understand we will need to be flexible and balance health and safety; we are working to implement a balance that meets these needs while continuing our commitment to a dynamic and meaningful education.
To learn more contact the Office of Admission for the college or university you are interested or if you have questions or concerns regarding the listed deadlines.
- Central Washington University: Deadline November 1, 2020.
- Eastern Washington University: Deadline December 15, 2020.
- The Evergreen State College: Deadline October 1, 2020.
- University of Washington Tacoma: Deadline October 15, 2020.
- University of Washington Bothell: Deadline October 1, 2020.
- University of Washington Seattle: The deadline for winter quarter has past (September 1). Students may contact the admissions office for further information at askuw@uw.edu
- Washington State University: Deadline November 15, 2020.
- Western Washington University: Deadline September 15, 2020.
We do not anticipate any delay in providing transfer admission decisions.
We continue to integrate flexibility into the transfer process to ease, to the extent possible, the disruption for Washington’s community and technical college students. This includes changes in modality of lab science or studio courses due to COVID-19 and a student’s transfer of these credits to a Washington public four-year college or university. To determine how credits will transfer we encourage students to consult with the appropriate department for the major they intend to transfer. A list of contacts to identify the appropriate department can be found here.
In addition, institutions are working with faculty and staff to provide support for students when they arrive on our campus to meet students where they are in their learning and assist students in meeting the outcomes required of their subsequent courses.
Each campus sets its own selection requirements, which may include an expectation of letter grades in major preparatory coursework. While all campuses have been encouraged to be as flexible as possible, you will need to check with each campus individually for guidance on whether completing remaining major pre-requisites in fall 2020 for a Pass or Credit grade will impact a decision. For institutional contact information click here.
Washington’s public four-year college and universities and community are open and excited to welcome Washington students pursuing dynamic educational opportunities. Our institutions are engaging communities dedicated to quality education. We understand we will need to be flexible and balance health and safety; we are working to implement a balance that meets these needs while continuing our commitment to a dynamic and meaningful education.
At this juncture, however, it is too soon to predict and evaluate the impacts of COVID-19, if any, on instruction beyond fall. We will continue to carefully monitor the rapidly evolving situation and will keep students and families informed as decisions are made.
Financial Aid
To learn more about financial aid and your intended institution, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for your intended college or university and college and university Office of Financial Aid websites are listed below.
• Central Washington University: http://www.cwu.edu/financial-aid/involuntary-loss-income
• Eastern Washington University: https://www.ewu.edu/apply/financial-aid-scholarships-office/
• The Evergreen State College: https://www.evergreen.edu/financialaid
• University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/financialaid/
• Washington State University: https://financialaid.wsu.edu/
• Western Washington University: http://www.finaid.wwu.edu/
Prospective Students Fall 2021 and Beyond
Districts and schools should continue to emphasize the role and value of learning by providing students with learning opportunities that allow for meaningful student engagement with content through different modes and feedback to align with learning outcomes and student needs.
Important to a successful transition from K-12 to postsecondary pathways is support for students’ self-determination of their college and career path. Teachers, counselors, schools, families and students should honor students’ recognition of their own learning and readiness and preparation for college coursework. Students should be confident in seeking college placement exams to access readiness for the next step in their education. We strongly encourage families and teachers to assist students in understanding their readiness for next-level coursework and support students for future success.
In addition, the Washington Student Achievement Council revised the Minimum Admission Standards for public four-year college and universities. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Admission Standards policy was revised on April 27, 2020 to allow for institutional flexibility for fall 2021 admissions.
The deadlines for Washington’s public four-year college or universities for fall 2021 are identified below.
It is important to note that for many of the institutions these are “priority” deadlines. Priority deadlines are dates set by colleges and universities by which applications are given the most consideration must be received. Priority deadlines precede regular decision deadlines.
However, most of Washington’s public four-year college and universities continue to accept applications for fall 2021 beyond these initial deadlines.
We would encourage transfer institutions to encourage students who have applied or are considering applying to enroll in one of our nationally recognized public four-year institutions.
Washington’s public four-year college and universities and community are open and excited to welcome Washington students pursuing dynamic educational opportunities. Our institutions are engaging communities dedicated to quality education. We understand we will need to be flexible and balance health and safety; we are working to implement a balance that meets these needs while continuing our commitment to a dynamic and meaningful education.
To learn more contact the Office of Admission for the college or university you are interested or if you have questions or concerns regarding the listed deadlines.
In addition, the Washington Student Achievement Council revised the Minimum Admission Standards for public four-year college and universities. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Admission Standards policy was revised on April 27, 2020 to allow for institutional flexibility for academic years 2020-21 and 2021-22.
We recognize the local determination of K-12 grading policies. During this time and our approach to admissions before the pandemic, is to consider multiple measures in the admissions process. GPA is one criteria. Institutions also look at the courses students have taken and their performance over four-years of high school.
We recognize that COVID-19 will have an indelible impact on our personal and professional memories and be in its own category and part of our shared history. Differences among districts existed before the pandemic and like then and now we are prepared to review the range of policies so as not to advantage or disadvantage students for fall 2021 admissions.
We would also encourage districts and schools to continue to encourage students who have applied or are considering applying to enroll in one of our nationally recognized public four-year institutions. Washington’s public four-year college and universities and community are open and excited to welcome Washington students pursuing dynamic educational opportunities. Our institutions are engaging communities dedicated to quality education. We understand we will need to be flexible and balance health and safety; we are working to implement a balance that meets these needs while continuing our commitment to a dynamic and meaningful education.
We would encourage students to reach out to us to discuss their applications further. A list of admissions contacts can be found here.
Washington’s public four-year do not re-calculate pass/no pass scores into numeric grade equivalents.
If your school is able, please designate a change to Pass from a ranked grade and add a notation regarding COVID-19 on the transcript so Admissions is aware when reviewing final transcripts.
When considering pass/no pass as an alternative to ranked grades for college credit-bearing courses, we urge students to consider the long-term impacts for their education and career goals including, but not limited to, preparation for majors (e.g. nursing, engineering, and other STEM fields); prerequisite requirements; admission and transfer to out-of-state institutions and graduate and professional schools.
Alignment with Washington and national higher education requirements, NCAA and NAIA requirements, transfer, military enlistment and veteran benefits is critical for students’ long-term success.
In addition, the Washington Student Achievement Council revised the Graduate Admission Standards Policy for public four-year college and universities. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Graduate Admission Standards Policy (Policy 3.4) was revised on November 23, 2020 to allow for institutional flexibility for fall 2021 graduate and professional program admissions.
Contact Information