UW Admitted Students Day (Campus Visit Checklist)
Use your UW–Seattle admitted-student visit to check whether your intended major, degree path, support needs, and full cost match your goals. Confirm dates and deadlines in your official UW invitation or MyUW account. Ask about major access, course requirements, transfer credits, and aid, then compare what you learn with your other college offers before deciding.
Sustainability matters in college planning: a choice should be workable for your academics, finances, well-being, and daily life over time. An admitted-student event can help you test that fit, but a busy schedule and polished presentations may not answer every question. I encourage families to arrive with a short list of priorities, gather details from official sources, and leave time to compare options.
Here, “UW” means the University of Washington–Seattle. UW Bothell and UW Tacoma have separate programs and event details. Dates, registration rules, and enrollment deadlines can change by year, so use your invitation and MyUW account as the source for your personal schedule.
Admissions and Program Overview: Direct Admission, Major Access, and Advising
This part of your visit is about what your admission offer includes and how you reach your intended major. Admission to UW does not always mean admission to a specific major. Confirm the major’s entry route, application steps, deadlines, and advising support with the department.
Before the visit, read your admission letter closely. Note whether it names a major, a pre-major path, or another academic status. “Direct admission” means you have been admitted to a particular program through the route stated in your offer. If your offer does not say this, ask rather than assume.
At the academic session, ask:
- Is my intended major open to me now, or must I apply after enrolling?
- What courses or grades are required before I can apply?
- How many times can I apply, and when are decisions made?
- What happens if I am not admitted to that major?
- Can an adviser help me map a second-choice academic path?
Some majors have limited capacity and their own selection process. Ask the department for its current requirements and process; don’t rely on general admission statistics or another student’s experience. UW admission is holistic, and no single GPA or test score guarantees admission.
| What your offer or session says | What to verify | Useful evidence to bring home |
|---|---|---|
| A specific major is listed | Whether that confirms major admission and what conditions apply | Written answer from the department or offer terms |
| Pre-major or exploratory status | Prerequisites, application dates, and selection steps | Current major-admission page and course map |
| You are a transfer student | How prior courses affect prerequisites and eligibility | Transfer evaluation and department guidance |
| You are unsure of your field | How students explore options and when choices must be made | Advising contacts and a sample academic plan |
A key next step is to write down the name of the office or adviser who can confirm your major pathway after the event.
Degree Curriculum and Requirements: Credits, Prerequisites, and Transfer Evaluation
Use this part of the visit to find out what you must complete to earn your degree. A degree audit is a record or review of how completed and planned courses meet degree rules. Ask how to obtain one, and check the current catalog and department plan for your specific program.
UW bachelor’s degrees generally require 180 quarter credits, though some programs require more. A quarter credit measures course credit in UW’s academic calendar. The number alone does not show how long your path will take: prerequisites, course availability, placement, and major requirements also matter.
UW’s general bachelor’s requirements include at least 45 of the final 60 quarter credits in residence at UW, subject to applicable rules and exceptions. “In residence” refers to credits earned through UW under the rules set by the university. Confirm how this applies to your program with the Office of the Registrar or an academic adviser.
For first-year students, ask how introductory courses lead to upper-level study. For transfer students, ask which completed courses count toward the major, which count only as electives, and whether any must be repeated. A course that transfers for credit may not meet a particular program requirement.
Bring an unofficial transcript or a list of completed courses if you are a transfer student. Ask for a formal transfer-credit evaluation and a program-specific review; do not treat an informal conversation as a binding credit decision.
| Question | Why it matters | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| What courses must I take in year one? | Prerequisites can shape later course choices | A sample first-year plan |
| Which courses are required for my major? | Major rules may differ from general degree rules | Current program checklist or catalog page |
| Will my prior courses meet major requirements? | Transfer credit and major credit are not always the same | Official transfer evaluation and department review |
| Are key courses offered every quarter? | Course timing can affect your path | Current course sequence and advising guidance |
Before you leave, note where you can find the catalog and degree requirements online. Requirements can change, so save the current official page and confirm which rules apply to your entry year.
Academic Success and Student Experience: Support, Housing, and Campus Resources
A campus visit should help you picture the routines that support learning, not just the buildings. Ask how students reach advising, tutoring, accessibility services, libraries, and other resources. Confirm service details with each office, since eligibility, appointments, and hours may vary.
Ask the academic department how advising works: whether students have assigned advisers, when they can meet, and who helps with course planning or major applications. If you need disability-related support, contact the appropriate UW office to learn about its process and required documentation. A visit conversation is useful, but it does not replace an official accommodation request.
Consider the practical parts of campus life, too:
- If you plan to live on campus, check the housing application, costs, contract terms, and dates in your account.
- Ask how meal plans work and whether options fit your needs.
- Walk the route between likely class areas, residence halls, transit, and services.
- Check the time and cost of your likely commute, using current transit information.
- Ask about orientation, placement tasks, and when you will meet an adviser.
UW is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Accreditation is a review of an institution against standards set by an accrediting body. You can verify institutional status in NWCCU’s directory; accreditation does not tell you whether a particular major is the right fit.
I advise families to separate what they see from what they still need to verify. A welcoming event can give a strong sense of community, while a specific service question may need a follow-up with the office that provides it. Record both impressions and facts.
Career Pathways and Employment Outcomes: Internships, Outcomes, and Net Cost
Use this part of the visit to connect coursework with your goals after college. Ask how students find internships, research, field experience, or career advising in your intended area. Access and eligibility can vary, so ask what steps students take and when they can begin.
A career service is a resource for exploring work, preparing applications, and connecting with opportunities. Ask whether support is open to all students or tied to a school, major, or year of study. If a department shares employment outcomes, ask how the figures were collected, what students they cover, and whether they reflect your program.
Financial fit deserves the same careful check. Net cost is the estimated amount you pay after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the cost of attendance. Compare more than tuition: include housing, meals, fees, books, transportation, and other listed expenses. Review your aid offer and ask whether grants are renewable, what conditions apply, and what costs are not covered.
| Cost or opportunity | What to check before deciding |
|---|---|
| Grants and scholarships | Amount, renewal rules, eligibility, and any required action |
| Loans or work-study | Whether the offer includes borrowing or a work opportunity |
| Housing and meals | Current charges, contract dates, and what the estimate includes |
| Transportation and books | Your likely costs based on your own plans |
| Internship or research access | Eligibility, timing, application steps, and advising contact |
Compare the UW offer with other offers using the same categories. Do not choose based on sticker tuition alone, and do not assume an internship or job outcome is guaranteed. Save the official aid details and contact Student Financial Aid with questions about your award.
Your Campus Visit Checklist: Before, During, and After
A useful checklist turns a packed event into a set of decisions you can verify. Before you go, identify your top academic and financial questions. During the visit, record answers and office contacts. Afterward, confirm deadlines and unresolved details through official UW sources.
Before the event
- Confirm the campus is UW–Seattle and check your invitation for date, registration, check-in, and event schedule.
- Review your admission letter and note your admitted status and any conditions.
- Find the current major requirements and write down questions about access and prerequisites.
- Bring a transcript or course list if you are transferring.
- Set a realistic yearly cost range and review your aid offer.
- Plan travel, parking or transit, meals, and accessibility needs.
- Bring a phone charger, notebook, and a way to save contact details.
During the event
- Attend the session for your intended academic program, if offered.
- Ask about major entry, advising, course order, and backup pathways.
- Ask how transfer courses are evaluated, if relevant.
- Visit student support, housing, and financial aid tables that match your needs.
- Note the name and email of each office that can answer follow-up questions.
- Take short notes after each session: confirmed, unclear, or needs follow-up.
After the event
- Check every answer against your offer, the current catalog, MyUW, or the relevant UW office.
- Request a program map or degree review if you still do not understand your course path.
- Compare full net costs across colleges, including living and travel costs.
- Confirm the enrollment-confirmation deadline in your personal account; do not assume one date applies to everyone.
- Complete housing, orientation, placement, advising, and aid tasks by the dates shown in official UW communications.
A practical way to organize notes is to label each item “verified,” “estimate,” or “open question.” This keeps a friendly conversation from being mistaken for a formal decision.
Visit scenarios: What to test in person
These are planning scenarios, not claims about a particular student or guaranteed event offering. Use them to shape questions around your own situation.
| Student situation | Visit focus | Decision test |
|---|---|---|
| First-year student admitted to a major | Confirm what the offer guarantees and what requirements remain | Can you explain the first-year course path and any conditions? |
| First-year student interested in a capacity-limited major | Ask about prerequisites, selection timing, and alternate plans | Would you still consider UW if your first-choice major path changes? |
| Transfer student | Ask how credits apply to both the degree and major | Do you have an official evaluation or a clear next step to obtain one? |
| Student comparing aid offers | Review total costs and aid terms with the same categories | Can your family estimate the remaining yearly cost? |
Before making your choice, check the current deadlines calendar and your account. A campus event can inform the decision, but the official offer, program rules, and aid notice govern the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
These quick answers cover common planning questions for admitted students visiting UW–Seattle. Your invitation, MyUW account, current catalog, and official office guidance take priority when dates or requirements differ. Use the answers as a starting point, then verify details for your program and entry year.
Is UW Admitted Students Day for UW Seattle?
Not always. Confirm the campus in your invitation. UW Bothell and UW Tacoma have separate events and requirements.
Where do I find the event date and registration rules?
Check your official invitation and MyUW account. Dates and registration steps can change by year.
Does admission to UW mean I am admitted to my intended major?
Not necessarily. Check your admission letter and confirm the major’s entry route with the department.
What should transfer students bring?
Bring a course list or unofficial transcript and ask how to obtain an official transfer-credit evaluation.
How many credits does a UW bachelor’s degree require?
Generally 180 quarter credits, though some programs require more. Check the current catalog for your degree.
Can I assume my transfer courses meet major requirements?
No. A course may transfer as credit without meeting a specific major requirement. Request a program review.
How do I compare UW’s cost with another college?
Compare net cost, including aid, housing, meals, fees, books, and transportation, using official estimates.
Where can I confirm my enrollment deadline?
Check your offer, MyUW, and UW’s current deadlines calendar. Do not rely on an assumed universal date.
What if I am still unsure about my major?
Ask how students explore options, when they must choose, and what advising is available. Also learn the rules for any major you may later pursue.
What should I do after the visit?
Verify open questions with the relevant office, compare academic fit and net cost, then complete required tasks by the deadlines in your account.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
