personal statement for uw

Online Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences

Personal statement.

All applicants to the UW Online Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences program need to submit a personal statement, which should address the four topics listed below.

Your ISS personal statement performs a number of important functions. It gives us an opportunity to become acquainted with your goals, influential learning experiences in your life and your reasons for choosing the ISS program. The personal statement also helps us assess your preparation in the social sciences and your readiness for bachelor’s degree completion. 

Your personal statement is a sample of your college-level writing, and we'll assess it on the following criteria:

• Clarity: The essay is clear at the level of the individual sentence or statement so that the reader understands what you are saying
• Depth: The level of development of your ideas and use of concrete details
• Originality: The grounding of your essay in your individual knowledge and experience, rather than reliance on generalizations

Please do not use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT to generate your statement since it invariably produces writing that is notably unoriginal.

If you're admitted to ISS, your personal statement will be the first step on your path to reflective, integrated learning. It will become the first artifact in your e-portfolio. You’ll be asked to return to this statement in your senior capstone course, ISS 401 , to assess your learning and to better understand your development in the program.

Preparing Your Personal Statement

Your statement should address the following topics and questions in an essay of 750 to 1,000 words:

• Write a brief introduction to your individual story.  That is, create a brief sketch or snapshot of who you are and how you came to be. What facts or events do you believe were most formative? What do you consider essential to a good understanding of your identity? What has your life journey looked like, and how did it bring you to this moment of application to ISS?
• What are your expectations of the ISS program?  What has your educational journey looked like? What do you hope to learn? What life goals — intellectual, personal and professional — will this degree help you accomplish?
• Discuss one significant question, issue or problem in human society that you find meaningful or compelling. Think of the types of stories that grab your attention when you follow the news or interact with social media. Why do you think this social phenomenon or problem is important both to you and others? What aspects of it do you find intriguing, promising or alarming? Use concrete detail in your discussion.
• Describe a memorable or impactful learning experience, something that has stayed with you and remained meaningful.  This could be a particular college-level course, assignment or project you completed. However, you may also describe learning that has happened in other contexts, such as work, a volunteer experience, sport or hobby, etc. The point is to describe what you learned and how you learned it. Again, be as concrete and detailed as possible.

Submitting Your Personal Statement

Instructions for submitting your statement vary depending on your applicant type. Please click the relevant link below for additional application instructions, including how to submit your ISS personal statement.

• New Students : Students from UW Evening Degree, UW Bothell and UW Tacoma, along with transfer students from other institutions
• Returning UW Seattle Students : Former UW Seattle students who have not been enrolled for at least two consecutive quarters
• Continuing UW Seattle Students : Currently enrolled UW Seattle students who want to change their major to ISS

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Crafting a Personal Statement

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A Personal Statement is a written component of a student’s application to a graduate or professional degree program that allows a student to explain their reasons for applying, and usually serves as the answer to a specific prompt that is given, such as “How will completing the _____ program at _____ college help you achieve your professional goals?” When no prompt is provided, the goal is to tell your story which creates a more holistic view of who you are and your candidacy.

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Impressing: Personal Statement

The best personal statements are memorable. They paint a picture in the mind of the reader and tell a story about who you are, how you got here, and where you want to go. The personal statement is vitally important because it is frequently used to help determine who gets interviewed and ranked. Overarching theme: Look over your CV and think about the experiences before and during medical school that inform what kind of family physicians you will become. Often there is a common thread that holds together even the most disparate of experiences – this common thread is usually one of your core values as a person. Identify this theme and write your personal statement so the reader could easily verbalize this theme in one sentence after reading your statement. Experiences to highlight: Use your experiences to give programs an idea of who you are. Be specific – talking about the aspects of care that you like in Family Medicine is good, but it’s even better when programs can see how your personal experiences reinforce aspects of family medicine that resonate with you as a person. It’s okay to include patient vignettes and talk about your accomplishments, but be sure to relate it back to yourself. How did the experience impact you? What did you learn about yourself? How will the experience make you a better family physician? What about the experience demonstrates your commitment to the discipline of family medicine, your ability to work with others, your ability to work with patients? Choose one experience and tell a story. This is a good way to open your statement, to develop your theme and make it memorable. Commitment to specialty: Talk about why you are choosing family medicine. Programs want to know why your’e attracted to a career in family medicine. What experiences convince you that this is the right field for you? Strengths that you bring: What do you bring to a program? What are you naturally good at? What specific skills do you have that will serve you well in residency? Future plans/what you are looking for in a residency program: At the end of this long road of school and training, what kind of work do you see yourself doing? What types of training do you want during residency to be able to accomplish this goal? Organize your statement: There are many ways to organize your statement to get these points across. One common way of organizing the personal statement is a three paragraph form reminiscent of those essays you had to write in high school. To use this approach the first paragraph tells a story to open the theme, the second paragraph fleshes out other experiences that highlight the them and discuss your commitment to family medicine, and the third paragraph reviews your strengths and future plans/training desires. However, this is a personal statement and you are free to write and organize it as you desire. Do:

• Write in complete sentences.
• Use the active voice.
• Make your writing interesting – use a thesaurus and vary sentence length and structure.
• Have other people read your personal statement and give feedback.
• Give yourself plenty of time to work on your statement and revise it based on feedback.

Don’t:

• Rehash your CV or write an autobiography.
• Use abbreviations – spell things out.
• Violate HIPPA.
• Start every sentence with an “I.”
• Make it longer than one page, single spaced, 12 point font.
• Have spelling or grammatical errors.
• Write a statement that could be used for several different specialties (i.e. one that talks about wanting a primary care career but not specifically family medicine). If you are still deciding on a specialty and applying to different fields, write two different statements.

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Apply to the Economics Major

On this page:.

Updates & Announcements Application Requirements When to Apply Admissions: By the Numbers The Personal Statement The Holistic Review Tutoring Resources Frequently Asked Questions Information Sessions

Updates & Announcements

Spring 2024 Admission Cycle (for 2024 Autumn Quarter Admission to ECON) Updates: The Undergraduate Programs Application for the Spring 2024 cycle is now closed. Application results were sent to each applicant, via email, on May 6th, 2024.

Autumn 2024 Admission Cycle (for 2025 Winter Quarter Admission to ECON) Updates:

The Undergraduate Application and the RTW Registration for the Autumn 2024 Admission Cycle are not yet open. As soon as updates are available, we can notify you via email --   Sign up to be notified!   (@uw.edu login required)

Application Requirements

The following materials and criteria are required for a complete application to the Department of Economics:

• Eligible applicants must be accepted and be currently-enrolled UW students with 45 credits completed. For more information about admission to the UW as a first-year student or transfer student, see here .
• Prospective Transfer Students : Please see our website detailing the Direct-to-Major Transfer Admission Pathway . Keep in mind that a numerical grade in each prerequisite course is required before applying to the Economics major. In addition, general resources regarding transferring to the UW can be found at the university's Transfer Planning Resources page. 
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
• These courses must be completed with a standard/numerical grade. Credits earned through  Advanced Placement (AP) , International Baccalaureate (IB) , or Advanced Level (A-Level) exam scores are acceptable.
• Prerequisite courses may not be in-progress. Courses must be completed before applying.
• Each course may only be repeated one time each. Applicants may enter the higher of the two grades earned in a repeated course for consideration.

"Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters" Note: As UW students have been uniquely impacted by the current global pandemic, certain academic quarters have been deemed “Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters” by the Office of the University Registrar. As a result, UW students have the option to change their original/numerical grade to the “S/NS Grading Option” for these quarters, and “S” grade designations can be counted toward degree requirements. Applicants to the Department of Economics may enter-in “S” as their grade for the “prerequisite” courses, when prompted on the application form. For details on this updated policy, see here .

• Incomplete forms will not be considered.
• Link to Application
• Unofficial Transcripts may be saved as a PDF from the Academics tab of your MyUW. ( See an example! )
• Official Transcripts are not required.
• Cumulative UW GPA must be above 2.5 to be eligible for application
• If you need additional help accessing your UW Unofficial Transcript, click here for detailed instructions.
• Please include a transcript from your other institution(s) in PDF format. Unofficial Transcripts are acceptable. Official transcripts are not required.
• See the personal statement prompt below.  
• Please see  RTW Exam website  for details.
• We advise students to take the RTW in the same admission cycle that they are applying.
• Students applying to switch from the Bachelor of Arts to the Bachelor of Science do not need to retake the RTW, and may have their previous RTW score considered, if preferred.
• RTW scores will be reported directly to the Department of Economics. Students do not need to supply their RTW score on their applications.
• Students  receiving  scores below 3 will not be admitted except in very rare/unique situations.  
• For those planning to pursue a double major or double degree, please submit a PDF of your MyPlan, showing your quarterly plans from the quarter you are applying through graduation as accurately as possible. We understand that plans are not permanent and can change, but we want all applicants to be well-aware of their academic plans, especially in regard to the UW's  Satisfactory Progress Policies .

See here for instructions on how to create a PDF of your MyPlan.

When to Apply?

Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on the second Friday of the quarter.

Applicants will be notified of their results by the end of the 6th week of that quarter/cycle, in time to register for the subsequent quarter.

You may refer to the UW Academic Calendar to identify when each quarter begins and when each "Second Friday" application deadline will be.

Admissions: By the Numbers

The Department of Economics is a  capacity-constrained  major. Meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee admission to the major.

(These GPAs are averages, not cutoffs; roughly half of the students accepted to the major in Spring 2024, for example, had prerequisite and overall GPAs lower than 3.58 and 3.67, respectively. The admissions considerations are holistic. Please be aware that the admissions committee considers many factors when making its decisions, including cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, RTW score, the overall strength of the applicant’s academic background/transcript, and the quality of the applicant’s personal statement.)

*Prerequisite coursework included in this average are ECON 200, ECON 201, Statistics, and MATH 124 coursework. English Composition is omitted from this average.

**Average Overall GPA included in this average is a combined calculation of student applicants' UW GPA and any GPAs from transferred coursework.

The Personal Statement

Please submit a personal statement with your completed application. You may discuss some or all of the following that pertains to you:

• Describe an experience where your background, identity, or interests have helped to shape your educational goals.
• If you have faced a hardship, setback, or challenge, how did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? If the causes for the recent “extraordinary circumstances” quarters (Winter 2020, Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Autumn 2020, & Winter 2021) impacted your ability to succeed, please briefly describe.
• If you are pursuing a double major or double degree, why are both academic programs important to you?
• If you have previously applied to this program, what has improved since your previous application?

Maximum parameters: 

• 1 single-sided page
• typed & double-spaced
• 12pt. Times New Roman font
• 0.5” margins

See an example!

There is no word limit, but the above parameters are required. Applicants will be prompted to upload a PDF file of their Personal Statement in the Undergraduate Application Form.

The Personal Statement is an important piece of your application. Please be sure to address the prompt(s), and adhere to the parameters.

UW has plenty of resources that can help you write a great personal statement:

• Odegaard Writing & Research Center
• The Writing Center at The Center for Learning & Undergraduate Enrichment (CLUE)
• The Writing Center at the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Instructional Center (OMA/D IC)
• Applications & Personal Statements resource page by UW Academic Support Programs

The Holistic Review (i.e. How will my application be considered?)

In reviewing each application, a broad range of factors are taken into consideration. All aspects of the application are highly-considered -- Prerequisite course grades, overall academic performance, RTW exam results, and the personal statement. Each component of the application should complement each other, and showcase a student's interests and abilities toward studying economics as they earn their UW degree. For example, if a student mentions high enthusiasm in learning economics, then that enthusiasm should also be reflected in the student's grades in economics-related coursework, as well as their result on their RTW exam, etc.

For students with credits and transcripts from other institutions, it's important for us to see a student's progress through each academic term. This is why we request for each applicant to submit a transcript for each college-level institution attended. We are aware that a "transfer credits summary" typically appears on your UW transcript. However, this does not provide us with complete information about the transfer courses taken.

This holistic approach in reviewing applications to the Department of Economics allows our program to focus beyond just a few factors, and consider the applicant as a whole.

Tutoring Resources

There are a number a tutoring resources available at the UW for courses such as ECON 200, ECON 201, introductory statistics and calculus.

• Economics Tutoring Resources
• Math Study Center
• Statistics Tutor & Study Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have some questions? Please be sure to check out Frequently Asked Questions page.

Information Sessions

Interested students are also highly-encouraged to attend a Prospective Student Information Session  for an in-depth look at the application & admissions process.

The University of Washington, as a standing policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. This policy applies to all University programs and facilities including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, and employment. Such discrimination is prohibited by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1978, Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, other federal and state statutes and regulations, and university policy. Inquiries regarding the application of these laws and regulations to the University may be directed to the University’s Equal Employment Officer; to the director; Seattle Regional Office, Office for Civil Rights, US. Department of Education; or to the director, Seattle Area Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Department of Labor.

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• Declaring Major

The Biophysics Track is no longer accepting new students as of Spring 2024

Admissions to the Physics major is capacity constrained and requires an application. Completion of the application does not guarantee admission. Members of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee review each application holistically and make decisions based on the requirements below. . Standard Admission Requirements – Successful applicants typically have grades ≥ 2.6 in recent physics and math courses as well as a cumulative GPA ≥ 2.6.

• Completion of Phys 121, 122 & 123 (or Phys 141, 142 & 143)
• Completion of Math 124, 125 & 126 (or Math 134, 135 & 136)
• Currently enrolled in physics lecture course higher than 220
• Personal Statement. Describe reasons for choosing major, include strategies for success.
• Graduation Plan (completed in MyPlan, pre-approval by an advisor is recommended).

Early Admissions Requirements – Successful applicants typically have grades ≥ 3.2 in recent physics and math courses as well as a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.2. Appropriate for Transfer Applicants who wish to apply for direct admission to the Physics major while applying to the UW.

• Completion of Phys 121 & 122 (or Phys 141 & 142)
• Completion of Math 124 & 125 (or Math 134 & 135)
• Currently enrolled in Phys 123 (or Phys 143) & Math 126 (or Math 136 or 200-level math)

Admission Cycles (Standard and Early)

Winter Quarter Admission

ONLY for recently admitted UW transfer students or current UW students who have completed ≥ 105 credits and ≥ 5 post high-school college quarters. Either Standard or Early Pathway, as appropriate.

PROCEED TO APPLICATION FOR NEXT ADMISSIONS CYCLE

ALL applicants must submit a pdf of academic transcripts and graduation plan. You can activate UW Google here . Contact Physics Student Services if you have difficulty accessing the form.

If admitted to the Physics major, current UW and entering transfer students must register at UW Seattle during the first quarter of admittance to the major. Students not enrolled for the quarter following the application decision will forfeit their admissions offer and will need to reapply for a future application cycle.

Personal Statement

This statement (500 words or less) should discuss reasons for choosing the Physics major and strategies for success, including lessons learned from previous successes / difficulties and plans for accessing support. The statement should also address how the chosen degree option (Applied, Comprehensive, Biophysics, or Teaching) is suited to life and career goals.

Graduation Plan (entered in MyPlan)

Pre-approval of your graduation plan is strongly recommended; admission may be provisional based on completion of a graduation plan approved by Physics Student Services by end of the quarter (new majors who do not have an approved graduation plan on file by the end of the quarter in which they are accepted will have a hold placed on their registration until their graduation plan is approved by Physics Student Services.) Plans can change over time, however applicants should develop a well-considered plan for degree completion. Some entries may be "elective", but all required courses for the selected degree option should be present in an appropriate quarter. A list of physics courses, the quarters in which they are offered, and their prerequisites may be found at the bottom of this page for the upcoming year.  You should assume a similar schedule in future years.

Admission Decisions

Applicants receive admission decisions to their UW email within 2 weeks of the application deadline , in time for registration the following quarter. If admitted, follow the directions in the email acceptance message; if you do not accept the offer by the deadline you will need to reapply.  Transfer applicants will be informed of their status by UW Admissions.

Admitted applicants must register in the academic quarter following the application decision (not including summer quarter); students who do not register will forfeit their admission offer to the major and will need to reapply in a future application cycle.

Applicants receiving a negative admission decision who believe important facts were overlooked by the admissions committee may appeal the decision by submitting a petition for reconsideration to Physics Student Services within two weeks of the notification email date. Submit only pertinent information not included with your original application. Applicants receive appeal decision emails one week after the deadline.

In accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations, the Department of Physics reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals. To request accommodation in the application process, contact the Physics Department at 206-685-1832 or [email protected] , or the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 (206-543-6452 TTY, 206-685-7264 FAX, 253-642-0142 VP) or e-mail to [email protected] , at least ten days in advance of the application deadline

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What is a personal statement?

The personal statement, also called the statement of purpose, is a special type of writing sample. Personal statements are commonly requested when applying to scholarship programs and graduate/professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or for internship applications. It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, and the unique ways you can contribute to the program/organization to which you are applying. Some personal statement prompts may ask you to describe your experiences and principles around concepts of diversity.

If a position asks for a diversity statement in particular, review our diversity statement resources .

A statement of purpose is designed to communicate five things:

• Writing ability, including grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc.
• Connections between your past education/experiences and future goals.
• Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area.
• What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
• How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future.

What makes a personal statement compelling?

Good personal statements tell stories that demonstrate your strengths.

• Know your strengths. How can you be of value or how can you contribute? Begin by looking at your good experiences for evidence of your strengths and then ask those who know you best for their thoughts. Don’t overlook the value of a true friend’s honest assessment of your strengths. Many people find they have hidden strengths that are only obvious to their closest friends and family.
• Know your audience. Research the program(s) and organization(s) you are applying to by searching online, reading catalog/program descriptions, and emailing for more information. Talk with professors, graduate students, advisers, and colleagues you met through internships.
• Make a good case for the “match” between you and the program or organization to which you are applying.
• Tell a story that demonstrates your strengths through examples to set you apart from others and show how you can contribute. Avoid just writing a first-person essay where each paragraph is a direct response to the points you are being asked to address. Avoid starting every sentence with “I” or “I want”.

How do I get started?

• Set a timetable for yourself. Ideally, you should work on your essay for at least a month.
• Identify your strengths. Reflect on your response to the question, “what are three words people would use to describe you and why?”.
• Intellectual influences. Who were your favorite professors (and why)? Identify the best paper you ever wrote, the most influential book you have read, and the single most important concept you have learned.
• Encouragement. Write down the actual words of a professor, teacher, or someone else in your life who encouraged you to pursue this field of study.
• Turning points. Where were you and what were you doing when you first thought of going in this particular direction? How have your interests evolved?
• Experiences. List volunteer, travel, family, and life experiences that have inspired you to follow this career path.
• Academics. How have you prepared to succeed academically?
• Skills. What skills have you honed through your experiential and educational choices?
• Personal attributes. What personal attributes make you particularly likely to succeed?
• Be sure to tailor your statement to fit content, length, and other requirements of the individual scholarship/department/program to which you are applying.
• Create an outline for each paragraph before you write it, making sure that all of the components of the questions/prompts are being addressed.

What are some basic tips for writing a personal statement?

• Tell concrete, vivid stories, and use examples to demonstrate your strengths and “match.”
• Don’t have too many different ideas in your essay. Only include information that supports your thesis or is consistent with your theme.
• Don’t exaggerate or make things up.
• Write in the active voice.
• Be yourself – don’t use words or styles you wouldn’t normally use.
• Be clear, concise, and direct; make each word count.
• Try not to repeat an idea too many times.
• Don’t write an autobiography – you are marketing yourself, not telling your life story.
• Don’t be a clown (although some humor can be appropriate).

Organization

• Follow directions regarding length. If no limit is given, aim for 1.5 to 2 pages of single-spaced text.
• Don’t start your essay with “I was born in” or anything similar to this statement.
• Start your essay with an attention-grabbing lead: an anecdote, quote, question, vivid description of a scene, etc.
• Link your paragraphs with transitions.
• End your essay with a conclusion that refers to the introduction, relates to your theme, or summarizes your main points.
• Revise your essay at least three times.
• Ask someone to critique your personal statement. You can utilize Career Services or the Writing and Communication Center
• Proofread! Don’t rely exclusively on your computer for spell check and grammar check.

Personal statement examples

Poor personal statement.

Having graduated with an MA in English from Purdue University, with an emphasis on the writing of poetry, I feel that I have come a long way as a writer. I think that my poetry is strong, but I also feel that I need to continue in a concentrated study of writing and poetry. This is an important stage for me, and I think that continuing in a writing program – especially one as strong as the University of Washington program – is the best way for me to accomplish my goals. Eventually I would like to be teaching poetry writing at the college level. After teaching creative writing at Purdue, I realize that it is something that I would like to continue doing as a career, along with writing my poetry. I have also taught composition at Purdue, and I enjoy teaching at that level as well. If accepted into the program at UW, upon graduation I would like to teach composition, and continue to write and publish poems, in the hopes that I will eventually be able to publish enough to allow me to gain employment as a creative writing teacher.

Better personal statement

Every morning at 10:00 a.m. I come face to face with the power of language so free; it happens in a classroom. The students I teach at Seattle Central Community College come from night work in an industrial bakery, from a Vietnamese refugee camp, from a 9-to-5 job in a car wash, or from the day care center where they have left their children. All come to the English Skills Shop to improve their use of language and they move through the same process I have undertaken: uncovering their voices. When they get discouraged, I read aloud excerpts from their own writing. They applaud themselves. In this room, their varied experiences count. I remind them that the only reason to learn how to write well is because they have something to say. And they do. Until this past summer, I had no training in creative writing, nor even in literature; all my knowledge was absorbed like trace minerals from mass consumption of contemporary American fiction. The writer who does most masterfully what I attempt in my own stories is Wallace Stegner. He makes the intricate webs connecting his characters visible by illuminating the tears of dew balanced on each strand. Last summer I enrolled at the University of Washington and have been working ever since to find resonance in my own stories and study the voices within others’. Through an advanced short story class and a creative writing conference, along with literature and critical theory classes, I’ve become a more critical reader and a better writer.

I’m looking for a graduate program which combines the two elements I’ve found most valuable in my recent studies: strong mentors and tight community. I seek teachers who can pull me out of the details of works and phrases to see the whole piece, its form and contradictions. I seek guidance; the self-motivation is there. To balance the hours of solitary writing, I want a graduate program, which nurtures a supportive community. Throughout this process of thawing my voice, I’ve taken periods of formal training and applied the techniques; I see graduate schools as one of these steps. Through it expect to move to another level in my writing and myself, the ability to honestly and compellingly explore the world through stories. The stronger and more fluid connection between my life and writing, the better I’ll be able to teach that connection to others. I would like to write my own stories and teach others how to write theirs. In the end, both undertakings help us all find our voices.

Good personal statement (with commentary)

My awakening to the wonder of human cultural diversity began with my entry into Army Basic Training. Living in an open barracks for three months with women from every corner of the United States opened my eyes and mind to the amazing variety of cultural groups just within our own country. Since then, I have lived, worked, and traveled in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I gained valuable cross-cultural experience as a member of a multi-national task force, which provided Emergency Medical Service in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. In addition to these experiences, my Army training has enabled me to develop strong skills in leadership, teambuilding, and organization. These are all qualities that will help me to be successful in my chosen field of Community Health Nursing. [In this paragraph, she shares her turning points, skills and attributes. She also connects her past and present.]

I have chosen the focus area of cross-cultural nursing because I know that making health programs culturally accessible is as important as making them geographically and financially accessible. This has been clearly demonstrated to me at the Washington Poison Center where we provide telephone information services to the entire state of Washington. Poison Center services are underutilized by non-English speaking population groups and those with English as a second language. This is due, in part, to a lack of awareness or understanding of the services provided by the Poison Center. Cross-cultural health education is the key to informing these populations of the benefits of using Poison Center services. [In this paragraph, she discusses why she is applying for this program and talks about some related experiences.]

As a cross-cultural nursing consultant, I will work with multidisciplinary teams planning and implementing community health programs for underserved populations. I will bring to these teams the unique nursing perspective and an expertise in the effects of culture on health-seeking behaviors for underserved populations. Washington State has a rapidly growing Hispanic population with a large subculture of migrant farm workers. I intend to spend some time in rural eastern Washington working with Public Health officials and community leaders to increase the focus on primary prevention for this population group. I am also interested in working with Hispanic populations in other locations. With these plans in mind, I am currently studying Spanish. In addition, I plan to teach cross-cultural nursing subjects in the academic setting and in other venues such as hospital in-service training. [In this paragraph, she talks about her future goals. She also describes why she is a unique candidate.]

• School of Law

J.D. Admissions

J.d. admissions first year applicants.

To be considered for admissions, applicants must follow the application instructions, register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and Credential Assembly Service (CAS), take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and demonstrate that they have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian university or the foreign equivalent whose program has been deemed comparable to that of a four-year baccalaureate degree, prior to registering for the first academic quarter at UW Law.

Application Deadlines

• October 1 - Applications open for incoming first-year students
• November 15 - Early Decision Program application deadline
• January 15 — Application deadline for the  Gates Public Service Law Scholarship , which includes both the JD application and the Gates Public Service Law Scholarship application. Please note that you must have an LSAT score on file in order to proceed with the selection process. The last LSAT accepted for consideration is the January 2024 administration.
• March 15 - Priority application deadline for incoming first-year students 

These deadlines are non-negotiable.

Admissions Policy

The law school faculty has adopted the following policy regarding admission to UW Law:

The primary goal of the University of Washington School of Law admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will contribute beneficially to the learning environment of the law school. As the state’s public law school, we have a responsibility to educate lawyers who will serve the legal needs of all members of society, through the practice of law, the formulation of public policy and other law-related activities. Our admissions policy is designed to identify individuals who will help fulfill this responsibility.

In measuring academic potential, we evaluate candidates holistically, balancing multiple considerations in selecting a cohort of students for each incoming class. No single factor is dispositive for admission, including GPA and standardized test scores. Factors we consider include but are not limited to: the rigor of the applicant’s undergraduate curriculum; the nature and attainment of an advanced degree; the applicant’s pre- and post-college experience as it relates to the applicant’s academic and professional potential; the quality and strength of recommendations which address the applicant’s academic and professional potential; variations in the level of academic achievement over time; any other indicators that may aid in the determination of academic and professional potential. Additionally, we encourage law students to identify any aspects of their backgrounds that would benefit the diversity of the law school community and the legal field as a whole.

Nondiscrimination Policy

UW Law provides for a selective admission process with the objective of attracting students who demonstrate the strongest prospects for high quality academic work. This selective admission process shall assure that the University's educational opportunities shall be open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability or veteran status. The process of admission shall be mindful of the need for diversity in the student body and for highly-trained individuals from all segments of the population. For more information, please visit here .

Applicant Responsibility and Accuracy of Information

Applicants are under a continued obligation to notify the law school immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date an application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change any of the responses to their application. UW Law reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory scholastic standing for work in progress, if final records fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission or if the admission decision was based on incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information furnished by the applicant. In addition, the law school may also report its findings to LSAC's Misconduct and Irregularities Committee.

Character and Moral Fitness

Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the law school; however, because state bar associations often prohibit persons with criminal records from being admitted to the bar regardless of their degrees or training, it may be impossible for such individuals to practice in some states. In addition to the bar examination, there are character, fitness and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners .

Application Instructions

An application is complete and ready for evaluation when the following items are received:

• Application - Applicants may submit the application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) .
• $60 Application Fee - The application fee will be collected through LSAC.
• Personal Statement - The University of Washington School of Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. Advancing access to justice, facilitating a fair and thriving global marketplace and fostering an environment of inclusivity and equity is integral to who we are. The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who strive to be leaders; demonstrate outstanding academic, professional and leadership promise; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have background and experiences that will enhance the diversity of the student body, thereby enriching the law school educational environment. As such, applicants are invited to write a personal statement that describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community. Please limit your response to 700 words . Applicants may include the following factors in their personal statement or the optional supplemental statement: perseverance against substantial obstacles; social or economic disadvantage; family or personal adversity; social hardships; disability; prejudice or discrimination; leadership potential; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity.
• (Optional) Supplemental Statement - Applicants may supplement their personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional questions: (a) why are you interested in pursuing a legal education at the University of Washington; (b) what life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why; or (c) if you were asked to create a non profit organization, what would be the organization, its mission and its purpose? Please limit your response to 500 words .
• Résumé   - Please provide a résumé detailing any significant vocational, non-vocational, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, any service in the Armed Forces, job descriptions and major areas of responsibility along with dates of employment (mm/yyyy) and the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, publications or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application. Also please include details as to any foreign language proficiencies you possess, including the level of ability with regard to speaking, comprehension, reading and writing. Your résumé may not exceed three (3) typewritten pages .
• Credential Assembly Service Report - The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report will include: (1) the applicant's transcript(s) from each institution of higher education prior to obtaining your bachelor's degree; (2) Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score(s): and (3) any letter(s) of recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that LSAC has received all necessary materials to complete the CAS file. You are advised to confirm that your CAS file is complete; LSAC will not send the law school a CAS report until then.
• Letters of Recommendation - Two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required and must be submitted through LSAC's Letter of Recommendation Service. The strongest recommendations are those submitted by a professor who knows an applicant's work well and can give a well-substantiated assessment of their academic potential. For applicants who have been out of school for some time, professional recommendations are appropriate.

Please note : all records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or duplicated.

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• Gates Public Service Law Scholarship

University of Washington (UW) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: Nov 15

University of Washington 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One 500 word essay (required), one 300 word essay (required), one 200 word essay (optional). Supplemental Essay Type (s): Oddball ,  Community , Additional Info 

At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Please note that the uw essay questions must be answered within our application. for the common app, that means within our uw questions. we do not consider the common app essay., essay prompt, tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words max).

You can think of this prompt as the slightly more general cousin to the Common App’s first prompt, which is about your background. You can write about almost anything in your life experience that has shaped who you are today. But maybe you feel like you used your best story in your personal statement. What to do? Your goal is to reveal a different side of yourself, so try thinking in opposites! If your personal statement was about your family, maybe this essay could focus on school or work. If your personal statement was about your leadership skills, could this essay cover a time when you let someone else lead the way and learned something new? As you begin to zero in on the area of your life that you haven’t tapped into yet, think about how your past experiences still resonate in your life today. Maybe your summer job as a lifeguard taught a new sense of personal responsibility that has made you more attentive in your day-to-day life. Maybe an ill-fated childhood attempt to drink an entire carton of milk taught you how to balance enthusiasm and moderation in every major project you take on. The experience itself can be big or small, but its connection to who you are today must be clear. UW wants to know who you’ll be on campus, so show them!

Short Response

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the university of washington. (300 words).

Ah, the infamous “community” essay. Many schools ask students about their communities because they want to know how applicants relate to the people around them, forge connections, and commune with their peers. In this particular instance, the question calls attention to family as well, so consider how the people who you are related to (or those who you consider family even if they’re not bound to you by blood) have influenced your life and worldview. Maybe you’re very involved in your local synagogue, polka dancing club, or environmental organization. University of Washington wants to know about your life beyond the classroom and how you will continue those activities and interests on their campus. Why do you invest in the people you invest in?

Additional Information About Yourself or Your Circumstances (200 words)

You are not required to write anything in this section, but feel free to include additional information if something has particular significance to you. for example, you may use this space if:, -you have experienced personal hardships in obtaining your education, -your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations, -unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended.

This prompt is an opportunity for you to explain just about anything else that you haven’t covered elsewhere on the application. Usually, we recommend this type of optional essay only to students who have experienced a major academic strain or have had noticeable blemishes on their records. One example could be the explanation of a complication, like an illness that caused you to miss school and impacted your grades. Perhaps your family moved around a lot, which made it hard to transfer grades or connect with your peers. Maybe an undiagnosed learning disability caused you major challenges in school until you learned how to cope with it.  UW’s prompt covers these circumstances, and invites responses from applicants who feel that their unique circumstances are not represented elsewhere in their application. 

Additional Space (Optional) (200 words)

You may use this space if you need to further explain or clarify answers you have given elsewhere in this application, or if you wish to share information that may assist the office of admissions. if applicable, be sure to include the question number to which your comment(s) refer..

Admissions is giving you one more opportunity to address anything that needs to be addressed. If you feel inclined to answer, think about what else might admissions officers might want or need to know about you. You have an additional 200 words at your disposal to speak to them in your own voice, so use them as long as what you’re writing isn’t simply filler — if that’s the case, it’s better just to leave this blank. 

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Personal Statements

Personal statements can be the best way for a law school to get to know their applicants. Each school may phrase their personal statement prompt differently, so it’s helpful to check the language the school uses before drafting and submitting your statement. In general though, law schools look for an answer to two big questions: 1) Why is law school the next best step for you right now? and 2) Why should we choose you? Personality and character traits can be demonstrated in a personal statement by giving anecdotes that show (and don’t tell) the law school that you have particular qualities.

• Brainstorming a Personal Statement
• What is the Goal of a Personal Statement?
• DOs and DON'Ts of a Personal Statement

Your goal in brainstorming a personal statement is to find a core idea around which the statement will be centered. What will be the take away for admissions committees reading the statement? The takeaway should not be a list of your experiences or accomplishments. Go deeper. The takeaway should concern something more: key characteristics, skills, or abilities; lessons learned; personal growth; passions pursued; the impact of certain experiences; or qualities about you that indicate readiness for law school.

If you are having difficulty developing the core idea for your personal statement, consider these brainstorming ideas.

• Write down memorable episodes (even minor) from your life, then select those that best demonstrate something positive about yourself that you want to convey.
• Describe yourself in 6 words. What is it about you that comes to mind?
• Review your resume and think about the impact of each experience on your personal growth.
• Think of a strong belief or opinion you have and then write about a time when you took action in service of that opinion or belief. 

You can also check out CPLA’s “ Brainstorming Exercises ” for more suggestions on how to get started!

FIRST , and most importantly, the personal statement is your primary writing sample. In fact, it may be one of only two pieces of writing that the admissions committees will receive from you—the other being the LSAT writing section that you composed in a mere 50 minutes. Admissions committees want to know whether you are a strong writer, and they will evaluate your personal statement through this lens. Well-written personal statements should not only demonstrate that you are proficient in your use of the English language but should also demonstrate that you can be logical, persuasive, engaging, and concise.

SECOND ,  at many law schools, the personal statement is a proxy for an interview. Only a handful of law schools offer interviews to applicants. For all other law schools, the personal statement is typically the only opportunity that the admissions committee has to get to know something more personal about you than is reflected elsewhere in your application. It is called a personal statement for a reason. It should make admissions committee members feel as though they have met you. Ideally they will like who they meet.

THIRD , the personal statement gives the admissions committee greater insight into your critical thinking abilities. Are you able to reflect on your life experiences and identify how one or more of those experiences has impacted you in some meaningful way? Critical thinking is an essential quality for law students and lawyers, and admissions committees want to see you demonstrate that ability in your personal statement.

FOURTH , the personal statement may give admissions committees a sense of your motivations for attending law school. Was your decision to apply well reasoned or was it a result of not knowing what else to do after college? Admissions committees prefer to admit applicants who have come to the reasoned conclusion that law is the best career path for them. You can show this reasoning through the anecdotes you choose to include and/or through a couple of sentences towards the end of your statement.

FIFTH , the personal statement can be a form of tie-breaker for applicants with similar numbers and experiences. An applicant who has demonstrated critical thinking, persuasiveness, writing ability, or interesting life experience may have the upper hand.

Finally , Finally, the personal statement is potential and needed relief for admissions committees that review thousands of applications over the course of the admissions cycle. The other components of the application, while useful, can be dry and fatiguing to review in bulk. The personal statement is the one document that can bring life to an application file. Take advantage of that opportunity and give the admissions committees an engaging statement. It doesn’t need to be the great American novel, but it should at least give admissions committees a pleasant break from the rest of the application review process. They will be grateful.

(1) Review Each School’s Prompt Carefully

The prompt for each school is first available in August/September when law schools release that year’s application. The prompts typically don’t change much year to year, so you can get a head start by looking at the previous year’s application. For many applicants, the prompts are similar enough that the same personal statement template can be used with minor adjustments for each school (see Tip #2 on personalization). For some applicants, however, the prompts are different enough that they should write multiple personal statements. Be sure that the personal statement you use for a school does in fact respond to the prompt for that school. The ability to follow directions is a necessity for law school applicants.

(2) Personalize Your Statement

Most law schools want to see that you have put time and effort into researching why that school is a good fit for you. One of the ways you can demonstrate your due diligence is to include a paragraph (typically at the close of your personal statement) outlining several specific factors that have drawn you to that law school. Be specific. Important considerations to note: (a) Vague statements asserting that a law school is a good fit for you without any supporting evidence or information are not helpful, so do your research and work on articulating the reasons for your interest in each school. (b) You can review a school’s website to determine what you like about that school, but don’t just regurgitate information from the website. They want to know why that information is relevant to your interests and/or goals. (c) Top-ranked schools (typically, top 5 or so) pretty much know why you would like to attend, so personalization is less important unless there is something that truly differentiates that school from others for you. (d) Some schools have a separate “optional” essay allowing you to discuss why you want to attend that school. If that is the case for one of your schools, write the separate essay, and omit the personalized paragraph from your personal statement. If the school offers this additional essay prompt, you should treat it as a required statement and put time and effort into developing reasons supporting your desire to attend that school. (e) Be sure to submit the correct versions to each school. Save the school’s name in the title to help minimize any potential for error.

(3) Be Personable

As you now know, one of your goals as an applicant is to let admissions committees get to know you. It is just as important that they like you. Admissions committees are in no rush to admit applicants who are arrogant, pretentious, elitist, or rude. So the tone you use in your personal statement is important. Don’t assume that you need to use a formal tone just because you think lawyers write very formally. By using a formal tone, you are actually building a wall between yourself and the admissions committee—the opposite of what you should be doing. Aim for a more conversational (but not casual) tone so that the statement flows easily for the reader. Also, forget the big words that you think make you sound smart. They actually risk making you sound arrogant, pretentious, or even unintelligent (if used improperly). Strong writing conveys intelligence without the need for big words.

(4) Tell a Story

Another easy way to be both personal and personable in your personal statement is to start off with an anecdote about yourself that sets up the framework for the rest of the statement. For example, if you are highlighting certain characteristics in your statement, tell an anecdote that demonstrates those characteristics. If you are discussing a defining moment in your life, describe a scene from that experience. A well-told anecdote can immediately capture readers’ attention and draw them into your world. Even if you don’t include an anecdote in the statement, the topic that you choose should, in a sense, “tell a story” about you in a way that captures and keeps the reader’s attention.

(5) Be Concise

Some schools set no limit for personal statements, but most suggest either 2–3 or 2–4 pages. Be sure to check the school’s requirements for page count before you submit. You should write two pages, double-spaced in almost all cases. Do not make the error of thinking that more is better. Law schools value the ability to persuasively convey information in a relatively short space. Also, keep in mind that admissions committees are reviewing thousands of applications. Don’t waste their time.

1. DON’T  just restate your résumé in narrative form. That shows no critical thinking ability. If you are going to talk about more than one achievement or experience mentioned on your résumé, then connect the dots. Find a common theme that ties those items together. 2. DON’T address your weaknesses in the personal statement. Use an addendum. The personal statement should highlight the positives about you. 3. DON’T focus only on your high school activities or accomplishments. Focusing on achievements in high school can draw attention to a lack of similar achievements in college. 4. DON’T be overly dramatic. Understatement is better. 5. DON’T spend too much time talking about someone else. Always bring the focus back to you. 6. DON’T start your statement with a famous quotation, no matter how well you think it might fit with the theme of your personal statement. Admissions committees want to hear your words, not those of someone else. 7. DON’T use legalese or Latin phrases. 8. DON’T be careless. Be sure not to accidentally mention the wrong school in your statement. 9. DON’T use big words in an effort to impress the admissions committees. It sets the wrong tone for the statement. 10. DON’T write a position paper or opinion piece. Even written well, those types of writings are not particularly useful to admissions committees because they miss the point of the personal statement.

Center for Pre-Law Advising (CPLA) support for personal statements:

CPLA advisors are happy to help brainstorm or review drafts of personal statements for UW-Madison students and alumni .

Please note: application documents (personal statements, resumes, etc) require an appointment to be reviewed. You can submit documents ahead of time via email if you wish or bring them with you to the appointment. Please be aware that during peak advising times there can be a 2 week wait for appointments. Thank you for your understanding as we do our best to serve and support all those exploring and applying to law school. We look forward to working with you!

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UW-Writing Center support for personal statements:

The UW-Writing Center offers appointments for personal statement drafting help for current undergraduates and current graduate students. If you also plan to bring your statement to the Center for Pre-Law Advising (CPLA) for review, we suggest bringing it to CPLA for suggestions on the topic/content first, and then taking it to the writing center to improve the quality of writing.

Alumni and current students may attend a personal statement workshop put on by the writing center, usually scheduled in the fall.

Writing Center Workshops

Writing Center Appointments

Other Personal Statement Resources:

• Sample Personal Statements More
• Advice from Law School Admissions Deans More
• Personal Statement Prompts and Other Admissions Requirements by school (7 Sage) More

ADVISING & CONFIDENTIALITY:

We are here to support you in reaching your goals, including navigating academic or personal challenges as they relate to pursuing professional programs after graduation. While our advisors are able to keep most conversations private in accordance with FERPA, sometimes information disclosed during advising or in personal statements requires us to communicate with other support offices on campus (such as the Dean of Students or the Title IX Coordinator).

Why are we required to discuss certain situations with other offices? Due to various federal, state, and UW policies, we are not Confidential Campus Resources when it comes to incidents such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, or sexual discrimination. Two examples of Confidential Campus Resources are University Health Services and the McBurney Disability Resource Center.

To learn more about efforts related to campus safety and expectations of faculty and staff, please speak with your advisors or visit the Title IX information page and Clery Act information page .

The goal of communication is to ensure a safe and healthy campus community, and to ensure that students receive the information they personally need to be safe and healthy. However, we understand that you may have questions or concerns about these policies. Please do not hesitate to bring these up with your advisor.

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Admission to majors

As you think about what you’d like to study at the UW, it can be useful to understand a few nuances of the UW major system. The vast majority of students enter their major through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW. However, some majors do admit students directly as freshmen. Explore the details of the programs that interest you on our majors page . Outlined below you will find information about how majors factor into the freshman application, as well as how the type of major you choose may impact your experience as a UW student.

Your major and the application for admission

Your requested first- and second-choice majors may be used as factors in your admission decision. Some majors admit students directly as freshmen. You must indicate these as your first-choice major on the freshman application to be considered for direct admission. Except for computer science and engineering, only a small percentage of students enter a major directly as freshmen. The majority enter through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW. The following majors admit students directly as freshmen.

• Architecture
• Biochemistry
• Business administration
• Computer science
• Computer engineering
• Composition (music)*
• Construction management
• Engineering (any major in the College of Engineering)
• Guitar (music)*
• Informatics
• Jazz studies (music)*
• Music education
• Neuroscience
• Orchestral instruments (music)*
• Organ (music)*
• Piano (music)*
• Strings (music)*
• Voice (music)*

* For most music majors, an audition on your primary instrument is also required.

Computer science and computer engineering

Most students earning computer science or computer engineering degrees from the UW will be admitted directly to the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering as freshmen. You must list computer science or computer engineering as your first-choice major on the freshman application to be considered for Direct to Major admission. You will not be considered if you only list computer science or computer engineering as your second-choice major. If you’re not admitted directly to the Allen School as a freshman, it’s unlikely that you’ll be admitted to computer science or computer engineering as a UW student.

Engineering

If you’re interested in an engineering degree other than computer engineering, select any engineering major (or engineering undeclared) as your first-choice major on the freshman application. You will automatically be considered for Direct to College admission to the College of Engineering. If admitted Direct to College, you’ll enter the UW with an “engineering undeclared” designation and have the opportunity to explore all engineering disciplines (except computer engineering) before requesting placement in an engineering major. All engineering undeclared students who meet the requirements are guaranteed placement into an engineering major. If you’re not admitted directly to the College of Engineering as a freshman, there are opportunities to apply at a later date. However, admission to engineering majors is competitive, and space may be limited.

Your second-choice major

Are you willing to study something other than your first-choice major if you are admitted to the UW? Or, maybe you can’t decide between a couple of majors? Be sure to list a second-choice major on the freshman application.

Transferring to the UW takes careful planning, and preparation for your intended major is a factor in the transfer holistic review . For that reason, it’s important to understand the requirements of your major(s) before you apply.

University vs. departmental deadlines

All transfer students must submit an application for general admission to the UW. In addition to the general application, some majors also require a departmental application. The due dates for departmental applications vary. Other majors require that you enroll at the UW before applying to your major. Find specific requirements for each major on our majors page .

Some UW majors are in greater demand than others, and capacity may be limited; we can’t guarantee that you’ll be admitted to the major of your choice. You may apply to more than one major, so we encourage you to explore and develop a plan for a second-choice major. Use your personal statement to explain what you’ll do if you’re not admitted to your first-choice major. This information will help Admissions staff understand your plans.

Types of majors at the UW

The vast majority of students enter their major through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW. While the details of that process may vary from major to major, they can be generalized into three different major types — open, minimum requirements and capacity-constrained.

Open majors

Open majors are available when you’re admitted to the UW or can be declared at any time by any student in good academic standing.

Majors with minimum requirements

Minimum requirements majors have a set of prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA. All current UW students who meet the minimum requirements are admitted.

Capacity-constrained majors

Capacity-constrained majors are selective and have extra requirements, which may include an additional application process. Completing the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee entry. You can apply to most of these majors once you are a UW student. However, for majors in the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and the College of Engineering, the main pathway is direct freshman admission. Current UW students may apply to them after enrollment, but space is extremely limited.

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Personal Statement

Main content.

Most applications will require a personal statement. Your personal statement should consider and address the following topics.

• Why have you selected this health profession?
• What motivates you to learn more about this health profession?
• What do you want schools to know about you that has not been disclosed in other areas of your application?
• What hardships, challenges, or obstacles have influenced your educational pursuits?
• Did you have to work to pay for your education? How has that made you a stronger applicant?
• Provide context for any significant fluctuations in your academic record that are not explained elsewhere.
• Describe any special talents that could be transferable to this health profession.
• Express your commitment to helping others and mention any efforts made that enforce that commitment.
• Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.

The TLC Writing Center can offer assistance and critiques on your personal statement.

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Privacy Statement

Protecting the privacy of visitors to the uw-eau claire website.

We want to ensure that users understand what information we collect and how it is used. Because UW-Eau Claire is a public university, information collected at this website may be subject to release under Wisconsin and federal open records laws. During your visit to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's website, information is automatically collected and stored. For more detail on privacy, please see the expanded statement following.

This Privacy Statement explains the manner in which the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the http://www.uwec.edu website ("Site").

Personal identification information

We may collect personal identification information from you in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when you visit our Site, register on the Site, subscribe to a newsletter, respond to a survey, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. You can always refuse to supply personal identification information, though it may prevent you from engaging in certain Site related activities. For information on student privacy rights and our compliance to the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), please refer to information hosted by our Registrar's Office .

Non-personal identification information

We may collect non-personal identification information about you whenever you interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name and version, the type of device and technical information about your means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system, the Internet service providers utilized, your IP address, and other similar information. We use this information in an aggregate fashion to track access to the Site.

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Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance your user experience. Your web browser places cookies on your device for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about you. You may choose to set your web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

Third party vendors, including Google, may use cookies on our Site. 

We use the Google AdWords remarketing service — including the DoubleClick cookie and remarketing pixels — to advertise on third party sites (including Google) to previous visitors to our site. It could mean that we advertise to previous visitors who haven't completed a task on our site, for example using the contact form to make an inquiry. This could be in the form of an advertisement on the Google search results page, or a site in the Google Display Network. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on someone's past visits to the Site. Of course, any data collected will be used in accordance with our own privacy statement and Google's policy .

Opting out: You can set preferences for how Google advertises to you using the Google Ad Preferences page or the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page . 

We also use certain Google Analytics features-including remarketing and advertising reporting features that leverage cookies and tracking pixels-to monitor user behavior on our site and to better target our advertising efforts. 

Opting out:  You can install a browser add-on to opt out of Google Analytics tracking.

How we use collected information

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire may collect and use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To improve customer service. Your information helps us to more effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs.
• To personalize user experience. We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site.
• To improve our Site. We continually strive to improve our website offerings based on the information and feedback we receive from you.
• To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other Site feature. We may send you information you agreed to receive about topics we think will be of interest to you.
• To send periodic emails. We may use your email address to respond to your inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If you decide to opt-in to our mailing list, you will receive emails that may include university news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or you may contact us via our Site.
• To utilize third party service providers. We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Site or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may share your information with these third parties for those limited purposes if you have not denied permission to share that information.
• To serve advertisements on third party websites. We use third party remarketing services to advertise on third party sites to previous visitors to our site.

How we protect your information

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.

Sensitive and private data exchange between the Site and its Users happens over an SSL-secured communication channel.

Other websites

The UW-Eau Claire website contains links to other independently run websites within the UW-Eau Claire network and to some sites outside the "uwec.edu" domain. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

Changes to this privacy statement

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has the discretion to update this privacy statement at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage you to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. It is your responsibility to review this privacy statement periodically and become aware of modifications.

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By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this privacy statement. If you do not agree to this statement, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this statement will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

Contacting Us

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this Site or your experiences with this Site, or GDPR-related questions and requests, please contact us.

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Vicki Lord Larson Hall 1106 105 Garfield Ave Eau Claire , WI 54701 United States

Last revised January 29, 2024.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

105 Garfield Avenue  P.O. Box 4004  Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 

715-836-4636

Brief State Non-Medical Exemptions from School Immunization Requirements

All 50 states and Washington D.C. have laws requiring certain vaccines for students to attend school. Many states align their vaccine requirements with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices . All states allow exemptions from school immunization requirements for children who are unable to receive vaccines for medical reasons. State laws vary regarding non-medical exemptions, for religious or personal reasons. Personal exemptions are also referred to as "philosophical exemptions" by some states.

Thirty states and Washington D.C. allow exemptions for people who have religious objections to immunizations. Thirteen 13 states allow exemptions for either religious or personal reasons. Two states, Louisiana and Minnesota, do not specify whether the non-medical exemption must be for religious or personal reasons. Five states do not allow any type of non-medical exemption.

The map below indicates each state's non-medical exemption policy. The map also links to the statutes for each state regarding school vaccine requirements and exemptions. Below the map is a table which provides more information about state exemption laws including exemption exceptions, requirements to obtain a non-medical exemption and information on states that have removed certain exemption policies.

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Map Source: Adapted from the LexisNexis StateNet Database and the Immunization Action Coalition.

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