Admissions and Applications | Washington Public Universities

Students from all walks of life are welcome at Washington’s public universities. With nearly 80% of first-time applicants accepted, it’s easy to start your path toward a degree here.

Admissions teams use a holistic review process, carefully looking at your full story. While your academic record—especially the courses you’ve taken, your grades, and trends over time—is the most important factor, they also consider your experiences, leadership, and personal background. Every application is assessed this way, even if you haven’t met all the standard admission criteria. All Washington public universities follow the same admissions standards, so you’ll find consistent expectations across institutions.

Here are some tips to ensure your application is competitive:

Take rigorous courses in high school, especially in math and English.
Continue math all four years of high school if possible.
Keep your grades up through senior year—your final year matters.

If you don’t meet the standard admission requirements, you still have options. Washington’s public universities offer alternative admissions pathways that consider your unique experiences and potential.

View Admission Information

Admission Requirements

Students enrolling in a Washington public university must at least meet the following two admission requirements.

Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Complete the right coursework (CADRs)

Students can meet coursework requirements through high school coursework or college coursework. These requirements include:

Courses

Credits Required

English

4 years

Math

3 years

Social Sciences

3 years

Science

3 years

World Language

2 years

Fine, Visual or Performing Art

1 year

Senior Year, Math-Based Quantitative Course

1 year

Learn About CADRs

Application Process

Most schools offer both priority and regular admission periods, with earlier deadlines giving you a better shot at scholarships and guaranteed review. Some schools may also accept applications later if they still have space.

In general, here’s what the application process includes:

1

Check the requirements

Check the school’s application website to learn about high school course requirements, known as the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs), or other components of the application.

2

Start the application

If you’re applying to several universities, the Common App is a great way to submit one application to multiple schools at once. If you’re applying to just one or two universities, you can also use each school’s own application.

3

Submit an application

When you’re ready, submit your application and any required materials. At the end of your application, you can pay the fee or request a fee waiver if you qualify.

4

Send transcripts

When you apply, you can use an unofficial high school transcript—most students do. If you’ve already graduated from high school, plan to send a final, official transcript (or another acceptable document listed by your school). If you’ve taken dual credit courses, be sure to submit either your exam scores (like AP, IB, or Cambridge or IB) or official transcripts (like Running Start and College in the High School) to get credit for those classes.

5

After you apply

After you submit your application online, you will receive an email confirming that the school has received it and commonly will be provided with a link to check your application status, as well as an expected timeline for admissions decisions.

SAT and ACT: What You Need to Know

Washington’s public universities don’t require SAT or ACT scores for admission. Some schools won’t consider them at all, while others give you the choice to include them if you think they strengthen your application. No matter what, you won’t be penalized if you decide not to share test scores.

Here’s how different universities handle test scores:

Test Not Considered (EWU, WSU): These schools don’t look at test scores at all—even if you send them. No extra materials are required to replace them.
Test Not Required (UW Bothell, UW Seattle, UW Tacoma): Test scores aren’t used for admissions decisions. However, they might be used for class placement, honors programs, or scholarships if you choose to share them.
Test Optional (CWU, Evergreen, WWU): You can decide whether to include test scores. If you don’t submit them, you won’t be at a disadvantage. In some cases, you may be asked to share other proof of college readiness, like dual-credit coursework or other assessments.

Two Pathways to Admission

There’s more than one way to be admitted to a Washington public university—and both paths are equally valued. You can apply through the standard admissions process, or you can qualify for guaranteed admission through the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP). With WAGAP, if you have a 3.0 GPA or higher and have completed the required courses, you’re guaranteed a spot at participating universities.

If you’re not sure which path is the best fit or you’re concerned about meeting eligibility requirements, reach out to the admissions offices at the universities you’re interested in. They can walk you through alternative options and help you find the right path forward.

More About WAGAP