Admission Info

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.

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 Right Arrow

Important Dates

Central Washington University
Priority Admissions: January 31
Regular Admissions: Open Until Full
FAFSA Priority: January 31
College Choice Day: May 1
Eastern Washington University
Priority Admissions: February 1
Regular Admissions: September 1
FAFSA Priority: February 1
College Choice Day: May 1
The Evergreen State College
Priority Admissions: December 1
Regular Admissions: September 1
FAFSA Priority: February 1
College Choice Day: May 1
University of Washington Bothell
Priority Admissions: November 15
Regular Admissions: January 15
FAFSA Priority: February 28
College Choice Day: May 1
University of Washington – Seattle campus
Priority Admissions: November 15
Regular Admissions: November 15
FAFSA Priority: February 28
College Choice Day: May 1
University of Washington Tacoma
Priority Admissions: January 15
Regular Admissions: May 31
FAFSA Priority: February 28
College Choice Day: May 1
Washington State University – all campuses
Priority Admissions: March 31
Regular Admissions: N/A
FAFSA Priority: March 31
College Choice Day: May 1
Western Washington University
Priority Admissions: November 1
Regular Admissions: January 31
FAFSA Priority: January 31
College Choice Day: May 1

Admissions Overview

All of Washington’s public four-year institutions use a holistic admissions process. For specific details, please see the admissions page for each university. Letters of reference are not required.

https://www.cwu.edu/admissions-aid

Application Type
Common App or Institutional App accepted
Fee
$60
Admit Rate
88%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.3
Essay Requirement
Essay required only for students with a GPA under 2.5. May be required for 2.99 GPA or below.
Standardized Test Policy
Test optional policy.

The SAT or ACT is not required for admission of all first-year applicants.
WAGAP Participating Institution
Yes. Students still must submit their application, an unofficial transcript, and final transcripts after graduation.
Placement Testing
English and Math: Accuplacer and ALEKS

https://www.ewu.edu/apply/contact/

Application Type
Common App or Institutional App accepted
Fee
$65
Admit Rate
89%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.31
Essay Requirement
No
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test not considered policy
Students do not need to submit test scores to be considered for admission or automatic scholarships. EWU will not use test scores when making an official admissions decision, awarding an automatic scholarship offer, or determining eligibility for the Honors Program.
WAGAP Participating Institution
Yes. Students still must submit their application, an unofficial transcript, and final transcripts after graduation.
Placement Testing
English and Math: Multiple Measure Placement

https://www.evergreen.edu/admissions-and-aid

Application Type
Common App or Institutional App accepted
Fee
$60
Admit Rate
96%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.14
Essay Requirement
If no SAT/ACT score, then an essay is required.
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test optional policy
Students do not need to submit test scores, but if they choose not to, must submit an alternative. Submitted test scores will be considered along with all the information provided in a student’s application. Instead of submitting test scores, students can submit an essay answering a specific prompt.
WAGAP Participating Institution
Yes. Students still must submit their application, final transcripts after graduation.
Placement Testing
No

https://www.uwb.edu/admissions/

Application Type
Common App
Fee
$60
Admit Rate
86%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.6 – 3.9
Essay Requirement
Yes
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test not required policy
WAGAP Participating Institution
N/A
Placement Testing
English and Math: Directed Self-Placement

https://www.admit.washington.edu/

Application Type
Common App or Institutional App accepted
Fee
$80
Admit Rate
Washington Rate: 46%
Out-of-State Rate: 39%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.74 – 3.98
Essay Requirement
Yes
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test not required policy
WAGAP Participating Institution
N/A
Placement Testing
English and Math: Self-Placement

https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/admissions

Application Type
Common App
Fee
$60
Admit Rate
87%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.3 – 3.8
Essay Requirement
Yes
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test not required policy
WAGAP Participating Institution
Yes.
Placement Testing
English and Math: Modified placement exam based on ACCAAF exam or Tacoma Directed Self Placement Math Test (DSP), Writing Selection Survey

https://admission.wsu.edu/

Application Type
Common App or Institutional App accepted
Fee
$70
Admit Rate
Pullman Rate: 85%
Tri-Cities Rate: 77%
Vancouver Rate: 81%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
Pullman: GPA 3.4 – 3.9
Tri-Cities: GPA 3.2 – 3.8
Vancouver: GPA 3.2 – 3.8
Essay Requirement
No
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test not considered policy
Beginning with the Fall 2022 admission cycle, the Washington State University (WSU) system, including all campuses, will neither
require nor use test scores for admission
consideration.
WAGAP Participating Institution
Yes. Students still must submit their application, an unofficial transcript, and final transcripts after graduation.
Placement Testing
English and Math: ALEKS and Writing Placement Process

https://admissions.wwu.edu/

Application Type
Common App or Institutional App accepted
Fee
$70
Admit Rate
93%
GPA of Admitted Students (Middle 50%)
GPA 3.3 – 3.9
Essay Requirement
Yes
Standardized Test Policy Application
Test optional policy
WAGAP Participating Institution
Yes. Students still must submit their application, an unofficial transcript, and final transcripts after graduation.
Placement Testing
Math: ALEKS