WEBBTIDE 2001-2002 @ SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Volume 37 No.16 May. 24 - Jun. 06, 2002 [ ARCHIVE ] [ FEEDBACK ] [ HELP ]
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Expanding campus population raises UW standards, school becomes more competitive

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      Stanford, Harvard, Yale; these are colleges that many students grow up dreaming about attending, but for obvious reasons, this is a hard goal to meet. A lot of students in Washington State may apply to these and other major schools in the nation, but many also apply to in-state colleges like the University of Washington as a backup plan. However, in the past couple of years, the UW has become much more competitive and a lot more difficult to get into. It almost seems like the UW is turning into an Ivy League school.
      Each year, thousands of soon-to-be freshmen apply to the UW. The college has a general guideline known as the index number that they use to help decide whom they accept and whom they do not. This number ranges from zero to 100, 100 being the most competitive index number possible. It is calculated by using the student's unweighted GPA and SAT and/or ACT scores.
      Last year, students with a minimum index number of 70 - about a 1,150 SAT score and a 3.55 GPA - were considered to be the top applicants. So far this year, students with an index of 79 - a 1,150 SAT score and 3.76 GPA - are considered to be the top applicants and have received an immediate offer of admissions. They do consider other criteria as well, like the difficulty of classes the student took, their personal statement, and any extracurricular activities the student took part in.
      Fall quarter 2001, the University of Washington welcomed their largest freshmen class ever. They expected 5,100 students to accept their offer of admissions, however about 300 more than anticipated did. In February, 2002, the Seattle Times reported that Tim Washburn, UW executive director of admissions and records, said that the UW's incoming freshman class will be the most competitive that they have seen in at least 30 years. He went on to say that there are only about 4,900 slots for the 15,400 students anticipated to apply. Many other colleges across the nation have experienced this rise in enrollment, including Washington State University, Central Washington University and Western Washington University.
      There are many factors that contribute to this. One is what's become known as the baby boom echo. There is a huge bulge in population of 18 to 24-year-olds. And more students are either staying in college or returning. It is predicted that about 73,000 students will graduate from high school in Washington State this year, much more than in the past. Another factor is the recession that our economy is currently experiencing. Both private and out-of-state colleges tend to be more expensive, and many students can no longer afford the tuition.
      Getting into the University of Washington as a transfer student without an associated degree is even more difficult than applying as a freshman. Because of this, many high school and college advisors encourage students to finish their associate's degree. In the University of Washington's Transfer Admissions and Planning booklet, they inform students that "The Direct Transfer Agreement ensures that Washington community college students who complete an academic transfer associate degree will have access to the University." There is, of course, a criterion that must be met. For instance, the students must be classified as a resident of Washington state, complete all core subjects, and earn a transfer GPA of at least 2.75.
      In the past there have been rumors of the UW changing their Direct Transfer Agreement, however there has been no confirmation that this is true. Jeff Omalanz-Hood, a Shoreline Community College advisor, says that the University of Washington's policy is to give a two-year notice before changing the agreement, and as of now there has been no notice. So it still seems like the Direct Transfer Agreement is a good way to go. Of course there is no harm in applying to the UW, however if you do not get in, don't think that it reflects personally on your academic achievements.
      Many very intelligent and hard-working students have been rejected from the University of Washington in the past couple of years that would have had no problem getting in before. I know this because I was refused admission when I applied straight out of high school; however I have just received an acceptance letter for fall of 2002 under the Direct Transfer Agreement. So what I can tell you is that although you may get discouraged, stick in there and if the University of Washington is where you want to go, then the Direct Transfer Agreement might be a good way to get there.

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by Payton Jay

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Expanding campus population raises UW standards, school becomes more competitive
.	Stanford, Harvard, Yale; these are colleges that many students grow up dreaming about attending, but for obvious reasons, this is a hard goal to meet. A lot of students in Washington State may apply to these and other major schools in the nation, but many also apply to in-state colleges like the University of Washington as a backup plan. However, in the past couple of years, the UW has become much more competitive and a lot more difficult to get into. It almost seems like the UW is turning into an Ivy League school. Each year, thousands of soon-to-be freshmen apply to the UW. The college has a general guideline known as the index number that they use to help decide whom they accept and whom they do not. This number ranges from zero to 100, 100 being the most competitive index number possible. It is calculated by using the student's unweighted GPA and SAT and/or ACT scores. Last year, students with a minimum index number of 70 - about a 1,150 SAT score and a 3.55 GPA - were considered to be the top applicants. So far this year, students with an index of 79 - a 1,150 SAT score and 3.76 GPA - are considered to be the top applicants and have received an immediate offer of admissions. They do consider other criteria as well, like the difficulty of classes the student took, their personal statement, and any extracurricular activities the student took part in. Fall quarter 2001, the University of Washington welcomed their largest freshmen class ever. They expected 5,100 students to accept their offer of admissions, however about 300 more than anticipated did. In February, 2002, the Seattle Times reported that Tim Washburn, UW executive director of admissions and records, said that the UW's incoming freshman class will be the most competitive that they have seen in at least 30 years. He went on to say that there are only about 4,900 slots for the 15,400 students anticipated to apply. Many other colleges across the nation have experienced this rise in enrollment, including Washington State University, Central Washington University and Western Washington University. There are many factors that contribute to this. One is what's become known as the baby boom echo. There is a huge bulge in population of 18 to 24-year-olds. And more students are either staying in college or returning. It is predicted that about 73,000 students will graduate from high school in Washington State this year, much more than in the past. Another factor is the recession that our economy is currently experiencing. Both private and out-of-state colleges tend to be more expensive, and many students can no longer afford the tuition. Getting into the University of Washington as a transfer student without an associated degree is even more difficult than applying as a freshman. Because of this, many high school and college advisors encourage students to finish their associate's degree. In the University of Washington's Transfer Admissions and Planning booklet, they inform students that "The Direct Transfer Agreement ensures that Washington community college students who complete an academic transfer associate degree will have access to the University." There is, of course, a criterion that must be met. For instance, the students must be classified as a resident of Washington state, complete all core subjects, and earn a transfer GPA of at least 2.75. In the past there have been rumors of the UW changing their Direct Transfer Agreement, however there has been no confirmation that this is true. Jeff Omalanz-Hood, a Shoreline Community College advisor, says that the University of Washington's policy is to give a two-year notice before changing the agreement, and as of now there has been no notice. So it still seems like the Direct Transfer Agreement is a good way to go. Of course there is no harm in applying to the UW, however if you do not get in, don't think that it reflects personally on your academic achievements. Many very intelligent and hard-working students have been rejected from the University of Washington in the past couple of years that would have had no problem getting in before. I know this because I was refused admission when I applied straight out of high school; however I have just received an acceptance letter for fall of 2002 under the Direct Transfer Agreement. So what I can tell you is that although you may get discouraged, stick in there and if the University of Washington is where you want to go, then the Direct Transfer Agreement might be a good way to get there.	.
by Payton Jay