uw personal statement questions

• Faculty & Staff

How to apply

Follow this checklist to make sure you have everything you need to submit a complete application for admission.

The applications

Self-report your courses and complete cadrs, choose your program, the writing section, additional information about yourself or your circumstances, the application fee, send test scores, send transcripts.

Make sure you also know what’s not considered .

The UW application for freshman autumn admission opens September 1 each year. (See dates and deadlines for additional information.) You may apply to the UW using one of two applications — ApplyWeb or the Common App. Please apply with only one application . The UW does not have a preference of application platform. The deadline for both is November 15, and decisions will be released March 1–15.

Ready to get started?

• Apply using ApplyWeb
• Apply using the Common App

Questions about the applications?

• Instructions for ApplyWeb
• Instructions for the Common App
• Join us for a webinar about applying with the Common App.

NOTE : The UW will not accept the Coalition application for the autumn 2023 – 24 application cycle.

All freshman applicants will self-report their courses on the application. A minimum level of preparation in six subject areas must be met for admission. (Learn more about satisfying CADRs .) You are required to provide complete and accurate information when self-reporting. Although official transcripts are not required at the time of application, you will be required to provide a final official high school transcript if you are admitted and plan to enroll at the UW.

If your first-choice major participates in Direct to Major or Direct to College admission, be sure to select it as your first choice on the application to be automatically considered. Second-choice majors are not considered for direct admission programs.

The writing section is a required and important part of your application. Learn more about the essays , including prompts and word count. 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.

Maximum length : 200 words

You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information here if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:

• You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
• Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
• You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended

U.S. freshman students

The application fee is nonrefundable and must be submitted each time you apply for admission. It cannot be transferred to another quarter, campus of the UW or to another student.

• Application fee: $80
• Fee waivers available
• Spring: freshman applications not accepted

Learn more about the application fee .

International freshman students

The application fee is nonrefundable, and must be submitted each time you apply for admission. It cannot be transferred to another quarter, campus of the UW or to another student.

• Application fee: $90
• Fee waivers not available
• Winter/Spring: international freshman applications not accepted

The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for most applicants. Homeschooled applicants and applicants who come from schools with non-standard grading practices that do not have letter or numeric grades are still required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about SAT/ACT scores .

International freshman students — English proficiency

International students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the minimum requirement for admission. Learn more about English proficiency .

U.S. schools and international schools that follow a U.S.-style curriculum

Do not send high school or college transcripts unless you receive a request from the Office of Admissions. The application asks you to provide a detailed account of your academic coursework, and that’s all we need to review your application.

Schools outside the U.S. that follow a national/local curriculum

Regardless of whether you are applying as a U.S. or international student, if you have attended a school outside of the U.S. that follows a national compulsory curriculum, you are required to upload a scanned, unofficial copy of your transcript for grade levels 9 and higher as part of your application.

Do not mail high school transcripts or mid-year school reports to the Office of Admissions.

Things we do not consider

No interviews/demonstrated interest.

The UW does not conduct formal interviews or consider demonstrated interest in the admission decision.

No letters of recommendation

We ask that you not send letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials such as drawings, CDs, DVDs, books or other portfolio-type items. We will learn everything we need to know about you through your essay responses.

No Common App personal essay

The Common App personal essay will not be reviewed as part of your application to the UW. Be sure to complete the UW writing section to tell us everything you want us to know.

Application Essays

Instructions :.

The McNair application written component consists of 4 short answer questions and a 1-page personal statement essay. The short answer questions should be between 3 and 6 sentences and be a direct response to the prompt. These questions can be typed or copied directly into the text boxes on the electronic application form. To make filling out the form more manageable, we recommend writing them in a Word or Google doc and then using the copy/paste functions. The 1-page personal statement essay should be well-written and answer the prompt about your educational journey. We recommend that you have your paper edited and use one of the UW Writing Centers, either at Odegaard or the Instructional Center . This essay should be written in Word or Google Docs and saved as a PDF before uploading it to the McNair Application Form.

Short answer Prompts:

(1) research interest prompt.

Tell us about your research interests. In 3-6 sentences, describe what you would like to study and why. This can be during your undergraduate, graduate, or professional career.

For example:

• What impact do you want to make through your involvement in research?
• Is there a specific social, environmental, or health problem you would like to address?
• Or is there an academic area that you are incredibly passionate about?

(2) Graduate School Interest Prompt

Tell us about your graduate school interests. In 3-6 sentences, tell us about the type(s) of graduate programs (i.e., Ph.D., Master’s, etc.) you might be interested in and why.

• What are your educational and career aspirations?
• How would graduate school support you in achieving these goals?
• If you have specific programs in mind, please tell us about those as well.

(3) McNair Program Impact Prompt

In 3-6 sentences, tell us what you hope to learn and achieve by participating in the TRIO McNair Program. 

(4) Community Engagement Prompt

In 3-6 sentences, tell us how you engage with and within your communities through extra-curricular activities, work, or volunteering.

Community is defined broadly and can be a student organization, religious group, or family, among other things. If applicable, include how community engagement connects with or influences your research and graduate school goals.

Similarly, we consider engagement broadly. Depending upon the context, this may include work, volunteering, or participating in family activities and family obligations.

Personal Statement Essay Prompt

Describe your personal, educational journey. We want to hear your story and what shapes your interests and motivates you to pursue your goals.

• What are your current and future educational and research interests?
• What factors influenced the development of these interests? These can be things that happened inside the classroom or outside of it.
• If applicable, what is your family’s educational background, and how has that influenced your educational journey?
• What is your academic plan (major(s), minor(s), etc.), and how does this plan of study connect to your educational and research interests?
• What is your projected timeline for completing your degree and attending graduate school?
• What do you enjoy about your current academic work, and what do you hope to learn and achieve from your fields of interest?
• Finally, include information about your academic successes and challenges.

This Essay should be 1-page maximum, single-spaced, 11 or 12pt font, 1″ margins. Upload a PDF copy of your essay.

ADVISING APPOINTMENTS

Advising for can be scheduled for either in person or online appointments (held via Zoom).

We accept appointments Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm. To schedule an advising appointment to speak with an McNair Adviser, email [email protected] .  To leave a voice mail, call (206) 543-6460.

Be boundless

Connect with us:.

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Our lobby is open 9:00-5:00. We also offer virtual appointments.

Our lobby will be closed all day July 4-5, 10 & 24.

• Undergraduate Students
• Graduate Students
• Recent Graduates & Alumni
• Staff & Faculty
• Managers of On-Campus Student Employees
• Career Fairs
• Online Resume Review
• Drop In Coaching
• Career Coaching Appointments
• Workshops and Events
• Career Courses
• Connect with Employers
• Connect with Alumni & Mentors
• Free Subscriptions for Huskies
• Private Space for Virtual Interviews
• Husky Career Closet
• Professional Headshots
• Find Purpose
• Build Skills
• Get Experience (internships)
• Build Relationships (networking)
• Tell Your Story (profiles, resumes, cover letters, interviews)
• Find Success (jobs, service programs, grad school)
• Arts / Media / Marketing
• Consulting / Business
• Non-profit / Social Justice / Education
• Law / Government / Policy
• Physical & Life Sciences
• Sustainability / Conservation / Energy
• Tech / Data / Gaming
• First Generation Students
• International Students
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Students of Color
• Transfer Students
• Undocumented/DACA Students
• Student Veterans
• Students with Disabilities
• Featured Jobs & Internships
• Handshake Access Details
• Internship Advice
• On-Campus Employment
• Job Search Tips
• For Employers
• Peace Corps
• Diplomat in Residence
• Baldasty Internship Project
• Get Involved

Crafting a Personal Statement

• Share This: Share Crafting a Personal Statement on Facebook Share Crafting a Personal Statement on LinkedIn Share Crafting a Personal Statement on X

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.

Connect with us:

Contact us: 9a-5p, M-F | 134 Mary Gates Hall | Seattle, WA 98195 | (206) 543-0535 tel | [email protected]

The Division of Student Life acknowledges the Coast Salish people of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot Nations. Student Life is committed to developing and maintaining an inclusive climate that honors the diverse array of students, faculty, and staff. We strive to provide pathways for success and to purposefully confront and dismantle existing physical, social, and psychological barriers for minoritized students and communities. We engage in this work while learning and demonstrating cultural humility.

Quick links

• Make a Gift
• Directories

Writing the Statement of Purpose: General Advice

Excerpts from an article on statement of purpose writing by Dr. Steven Olswang, University of Washington Provost, written for the Fulbright Commission:

Applying to Graduate Schools in the US: The Statement of Purpose

Copyright © The US-UK Fulbright Commission, used by permission of the author:

Steven G Olswang, JD, PhD Vice Provost and Professor, University of Washington; Fulbright Academic Administrative Fellow

"Perhaps the most difficult part of the application process for admission to graduate school...is the composition of a Statement of Purpose. It may be helpful first to understand a little about graduate education...before undertaking to write this Statement.

Graduate Education Overview " ...Faculty at institutions of higher education in the United States take their work with graduate students very seriously. Faculty take strong personal interest in their graduate students (after all, they will work with those students for many years), and expect their students to complete their programs once admitted. Faculty expect their students to go on after graduation to important positions in academia, industry, or government. Therefore, the work of graduate students affects the reputation of the Faculty. As a result, the selection of the right graduate students is very important to both the faculty and the long term reputation of the department and university.

Why the Statement of Purpose? " Faculty want to know as much as they possibly can about all applicants. This is especially true today because most graduate programs have only a limited number of admission slots available. Test scores, grades and degrees, institutions of previous study and personal recommendations are all important indicators of an applicant's future success. However, these data do not reveal much about the individual, his/her motivation, why the applicant is interested in that particular program, or whether the applicant is the kind of student the Faculty want around the department. The Statement of Purpose exists to allow applicants to convey something personal about themselves and to convince the Faculty making the admissions selection that the applicant is an especially attractive candidate.

" The Statement of Purpose should not relate a life story or flatter either the applicant or intended readers. It provides applicants the opportunity to present information that is not conveyed through objective data, in a clear, direct, and concise way, to explain their interests, motivations, goals and special talents. It must be honest.

Writing the Statement of Purpose " So with this broad understanding of the Statement of Purpose and its function, how should it be written? " The first thing to remember is that each application process for each university is different. That means that the questions asked in the application MUST be the questions answered, and answered directly. An effusive, evasive, or non-responsive answer will inevitably result in rejection. Be absolutely clear what the application instructions ask of you and tailor your statement accordingly. That may mean that each application requires that you write a somewhat, if not entirely, different Statement of Purpose, since each Statement must answer a particular question.

"As a general rule, the two generic questions that need answering, at least inferentially, in most Statements of Purpose are: "Why are you interested in this program?", and "What makes you special?". This allows applicants the opportunity to provide Faculty substantive information about themselves. This is where applicants can demonstrate that they did their homework about the program and that they thought seriously about the strengths and weaknesses they bring to graduate study.

Answer the Question! " The following are some questions that Faculty ask themselves when they read a Statement of Purpose:

Why are you interested in graduate study? " There is some personal reason that made you decide to continue your education beyond the bachelor's degree. Tell them directly why. This may be something that you have always wanted to do, or for which your parents or others were role models, or perhaps you have recently been excited by new possibilities of learning. All the Faculty had their own reasons for going on to get their graduate degrees and they will want to know that you are truly interested for a legitimate reason. Do not try to write what you think Faculty want to hear ("to advance the field"); they have heard it all already.

Why are you applying to this particular graduate program? " Is the program noted for a particular emphasis, speciality, or orientation? Is it in the same city where your sister lives, and you could get free housing that would allow you to go to graduate school? Are there particular professors with whom you want to study because of their area of expertise? Whatever the reason, explain it. This is where the Faculty evaluating your application will be able to tell if you have thought seriously about their particular program. It will indicate your interest in them and show that you did your homework, a good early sign of a serious student.

What is it about you that is special? " It is important that you explain your motivations and your goals This is what will distinguish you from all other applicants and make you memorable to the Faculty...Explain your academic background and your performance in the bachelor's degree program. If you wrote a bachelor's thesis, briefly explain its importance and what you learned from writing it. Be sure to mention any prizes you may have won. If you worked while in school, tell why, especially if it was for a Faculty member. If you had any special experiences outside the formal learning environment that directly relate to the field of study you are interested in pursuing (e.g. travel or study abroad; employment in the field) tell about those. Describe any experience that demonstrates your creativity, dependability, and independence - these are important personal characteristics that Faculty desire in their students.

Are there items that need special explanation? " Faculty will first look at the empirical data in your application: your grades, transcripts, test scores, even the recommendations, before reading the Statement of Purpose. They will spot peculiarities they want explained. Is there a gap in your years of study; did it take you more than the traditional time to finish your degree; did you leave to work to support your family, or to care for an ill family member; did you change fields; do you have related work experience? All these are questions that need to be answered. Unexplained voids in your record make you a less attractive candidate. On the other hand, honest explanations make you human and the kind of person with whom others will want to work.

Do you add diversity to the program? " American institutions of higher education are very interested in diversifying their student body, particularly at the graduate level. If you are a woman, a member of a minority group, disabled, or have another distinguishing characteristic that may be relevant, let the Faculty know in your Statement in an appropriate way. It may relate to your motivation to pursue a graduate degree. Understand that under American law, Faculty cannot ask questions about many personal topics. Since it is unlikely that many international students will interview in person at all the graduate schools where they submit applications, the Faculty will know you only by what you write in your Statement.

What to Avoid " While there are some things that a Statement of Purpose must address, there are some matters that generally also should be avoided.

Do not be overly informal. " The written Statement of Purpose for many applicants is the way they first introduce themselves to their prospective professors. The Statement should be formal, direct, and appropriately respectful in tone. Undue informality or attempts at irrelevant humour should be avoided.

Do not include irrelevant information. " Try to keep to the topics that directly relate to your qualifications and desire for admission to the graduate program. Information about hobbies, outside interests, academic pursuits that do not have any real connection to your credentials for success in your chosen field only take up valuable space and divert the Faculty's attention from what is really important in your Statement.

Do not write your life story. " If the application instructions give a specific -or maximum - length for the Statement of Purpose, do not exceed it. If there is no stated length, remember that Faculty on admissions committees may be reading hundreds of such Statements. Be brief, yet complete. Do not talk about anything in your life before you began your baccalaureate program, unless it's absolutely relevant. A suggested maximum length is four pages, three is even better.

Style & Presentation " A guide of this kind would be incomplete if it did not mention something about the presentation of the Statement. We live in an era of word processors and personal computers. Unless the directions specifically require that the Statement of Purpose be hand-written - and I doubt that any still say that - it should be typed or printed, double spaced, with absolutely no spelling or grammatical errors. It does not matter if you are applying for a graduate program in English Literature or Physics, Art or Physical Education, you are expected to be literate and to be able to communicate well. A spelling error on your application will make the Faculty evaluating your application view you as careless and not really interested enough in their program to consider you further. Many will stop reading the Statement at that point, regardless of how good your other records are. They will react similarly to errors of grammar, pronoun errors, using plural verbs with singular subjects, and the like. Proof-read your statement many times. Have someone else read your Statement critically. Run it through 'spellcheck' and 'grammarcheck' on your computer. " ...In sum, the Statement of Purpose is your way to introduce yourself personally to a group of intelligent people . In this document you are asking strangers to allow you to enter their working homes for an extended length of time to learn from them. This presents them with a major decision. In this statement you must present yourself in a favourable light, show who you are, express your interest in them and the subject they teach and tell them why you are special enough to be admitted. It must be honest in conception, accurate in detail, and direct in address. And it must look good and be error-free.

"If you are satisfied that you have given a fair and accurate picture of yourself, as seen in your best light, Faculty will be equally pleased."

•   Facebook
•   Instagram
•   Twitter
•   Newsletter

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

In This Section

• Info Sessions & Events
• New Students
• Returning UW Seattle Students
• Continuing UW Seattle Students
• Postbaccalaureate UW Students

Be boundless

Brought to you in partnership with UW Continuum College

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

University of Washington

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of Washington?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Washington’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Personal statement essay.

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

Diversity 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.

Additional Info Short Response

Additional information about yourself or your circumstances 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

UW Honors Short Response

We want to understand your desire to learn new things and to push your education outside of the areas of learning that you are most familiar with.

Tell us why this type of learning interests you and which subjects you’re excited to explore in college.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 tips for writing perfect university of washington essays.

College Essays

The University of Washington is often ranked among public Ivy Leagues —that is, public schools with the academic clout and selectivity to elevate their reputations. So if you want to be a Husky, it's not just about good grades and test scores. You'll also need to prove yourself with a good University of Washington essay, combining your technical skill with your knowledge of the school and your reasons for wanting to attend to attract attention from admissions officers.

But to do that, you need to know how to write great UW essays. The University of Washington uses the Common Application , which can be submitted to multiple schools and includes an essay section with several different prompts. The supplemental UW essay prompts are pretty standard, but we have all the helpful tips you need to make sure your application is set to impress.

Feature Image: Cody Logan/ Wikimedia

What's Included in the University of Washington Essay Section?

There are two required essays you need to write for the University of Washington, along with an optional third essay. These essays are:

• Common App essay (650 words)
• Short response (300 words)
• Additional information (optional, 200 words)

Part of the Common App includes answering an essay prompt in 650 words or less. While there are seven Common App essay prompts, the University of Washington doesn't allow you to choose which prompt to answer; all applicants must answer the same prompt and submit them as part of their Common Application .  

The University of Washington application also includes a required short response question of 300 words and an optional short essay of 200 words.

Additional space is available, but it's recommended that you don't take it unless you absolutely need it. Show restraint when responding to UW essay prompts; it shows that you can be concise and follow directions , and you won't run the risk of volunteering too much information or making yourself memorable for the wrong reasons. That said, we'll cover some exceptions below!

What Is the Common Application Essay Prompt?

Although there are seven Common App essay prompts , the University of Washington requires you to answer a specific prompt; you don't get to choose. The maximum length of this essay is 650 words, but the University of Washington recommends the essay be closer to 300-400 words.

This is the Common App essay prompt you must answer:

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

This essay prompt is pretty broad; it allows you to focus on any significant experience in your life. To answer it effectively, you'll want to relate a specific anecdote or event that had a strong impact on you as a person and how you define yourself today.

When answering this prompt, you'll want to choose a particularly significant experience. It doesn't need to be super rare, but the experience should hold deep meaning for you. Ask yourself: what defines you? What do you find important? Can you connect a key part of your personality or a goal you have to a specific event in your life?

You should also focus on only one experience. Don't try to cram in as many stories as possible—concentrate on the one incident that's most important to you, and use this essay as a chance to really delve into the specifics of it. How did the experience make you feel at the time? Why did it have such an impact on you?

If you decide to write about a negative experience, try to put a positive spin on it. You don't need to stick with a happy-go-lucky story—maybe you lost a friend because of a heated argument, or forgot to pick up your little brother from school one day. Regardless of the incident, keep the focus on how this situation ultimately taught you something important about life, such as the value of responsibility or the meaning of maturity.

Tips For Brainstorming Topics for Your University of Washington Essay

If you're struggling to come up with an experience to write about, try these brainstorming ideas:

• A time you helped someone in need, such as a friend, a classmate, or a sibling, and how your assistance revealed to you the value of cooperation or compassion. For example, did you tutor a peer in math? Help your sibling recover from a bullying incident?
• A time you made a mistake or acted against your true character and what this taught you about morality and being true to yourself. Perhaps you lied about a grade you got to your parents or said something out of anger to a friend and later regretted it.
• An incident that emphasizes a particular skill or ability you have. For example, you could write about the time you organized a winter holiday food drive at your high school and how it highlights your leadership skills and passion for social work.
• A time you faced a challenge and how you ultimately overcame it. Maybe you struggled severely with geometry and were about to fail your math class, but because of a great friend who encouraged you to keep trying, you eventually raised your grade from a D- to a B.

When writing this essay, make sure to avoid pretending something is more important or unique than it actually is. Don't tell a story the admissions committee has likely heard hundreds of times. Choose an event that speaks to your life and has had a large impact on how you see yourself. Basically, don't write about what you think the admissions committee wants to read. For example, instead of discussing how you've been in Honor Society since 9th grade, it'll be a lot more interesting if you wrote about somebody you met through Honor Society or why you decided to drop out of it.

Also, don't focus too much on the negative part of the story. While it's OK to write about a time when you made a mistake, did something wrong, or faced a challenge, try to avoid writing only about the bad parts. Your story should overall be optimistic and reveal something positive about yourself.

What Is the Short Answer Prompt?

Once you've finished the Common Application essay, the University of Washington has an additional requirement for you—a short response question with a 300 word limit.

The University of Washington suggests that concise writing is particularly valuable, and recommends that the Common App essay be between 300 and 400 words rather than 650. Though they don't offer word count recommendations for the other prompts, it's best to assume they're looking for short answers. Cutting out 100 words might feel excessive, but do try to leave some breathing room within your essay rather than squeaking in right under the allotted 300 words .

Additionally, the University of Washington states that students tend to answer this essay more informally than the longer essay. However, they expect formal, polished essays for both prompts, so don't slack off on proofreading or editing this essay.

For the UW short response essay, here is the required prompt:

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 UW.

UW offers a helpful tip right below the prompt: "Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints." What this means is that UW wants to see students who are going to be right at home in that diverse student body. When answering this question, consider specifically what you might add to the community. What perspective do you bring? What traits make you a good fit?

Some students might struggle with this, because it's easy to assume that UW means they're only looking for students from diverse backgrounds, such as students of color, LGBTQ+ students, or students of other marginalized identities. But the prompt doesn't at all mean that you have no chance if you don't belong to one of those communities. Students who fit into those groups may have an easier time of identifying what diversity they bring to the school, but belonging to a marginalized group doesn't in any way guarantee admission.

The University of Washington is looking for students who foster and embrace diversity, so be sure to think on those terms. Consider, for example, how your rambunctious family Thanksgiving taught you to embrace chaos, and how your ability to stop Great Aunt Kathy from throwing mashed potatoes at your cousin for bringing up a sensitive political issue translates to a college campus. Think about how having several different friend groups in high school—nerds and jocks, for example—taught you to move between spaces while always being your authentic self.

For students who are of marginalized backgrounds, the same advice still applies. You likely have different lived experiences than other students, but UW wants to know exactly what you're going to bring to the student community . You can discuss advocacy work, for example, or how your less advantageous upbringing taught you to work hard for everything you want. Always come back to that request to "Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW."

Embracing diversity isn't just about being a member of a marginalized community; think about how you participate in your social groups and how your experiences before college will help you have and, more importantly, create a good experience for others. Again, it's not about what identity you do or do not have, but rather about how you build communities and support others. UW is a big school, but you'll still be interacting with people from all walks of life on a daily basis—how will you navigate difference and fit into a student body made up of so many different people?

Let UW know exactly how they're going to help you make a slam dunk.

What Should You Add in the Additional Information Section?

The University of Washington essay prompt offers an additional 200 words for you to talk about yourself and your unique circumstances. This section is optional, and UW advises that the following types of students may benefit from taking the opportunity to expand on their application:

• You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
• Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
• You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended

Even if you don't fall into one of these groups, it's wise to take advantage of this additional space. Everyone has a goal that's important to them, after all, which is explicitly included in the second bullet point. However, you only have 200 words, so you'll need to make them count .

Again, UW mentions earlier in their guidelines for the writing section that they value brevity. Don't try to hit that 200 word mark just because it's there—use only the space that you need. Be succinct and clear about any obstacles you've overcome, what draws you to your major, and what makes you want to attend UW specifically.

For example, say you, like many prospective UW students, are interested in becoming a doctor. The University of Washington is highly ranked among medical schools , so saying you want to go there because it's a good medical program isn't doing any legwork in setting you apart from other students . Instead, use this space to talk about why your major is important to you, and why placement at UW is going to help you achieve more.

Following the medical school example, maybe your primary care doctor was a UW grad, and the depth of care they gave you convinced you it wasn't just what you know as a doctor that matters, but also how you deploy that knowledge. Because you want to make the same difference in somebody's life, you're applying to UW to have access to the same information and instruction that your doctor did. In essence, use this space to explain something you didn't have space to explain elsewhere, but make it count .

Be careful not to retread the same ground! This is an opportunity to flesh out your application, not to hammer something home. If you haven't had a chance to discuss that your grades slipped sophomore year because of a family illness or that your local library has a special box for you because of all the engineering books you keep checking out, now's the time to mention it. Keep it short, direct, and original—the admissions office is reading this supplemental section in the context of your application, so you don't need to revisit anything.

Careful not to fall into the trap of using more space than you need.

Should You Use the Additional Space? How?

It can be tempting to use UW's provided additional space to squeeze a few more words into your application, but resist it . Those word counts are there for a reason, and you should aim to get under, not exceed them.

That said, there are legitimate reasons to use this additional space. The University of Washington mentions clarifying answers from elsewhere on the application or providing extra information to the admissions office.

If you have special considerations as a student that you want to be sure the office is aware of, but that you didn't discuss in the previous additional information section, you could include that here. You could also include relevant awards or distinguishing recognition you've received. If your high school had an unusual grading system, it might be useful to explain how to interpret your grades.

But don't take the lack of a word requirement to mean that you can talk about whatever you want, or that you should use this space to expand on one of your earlier essays . Use only what you need, no more. Try to keep it under 200 words. Brevity is important!

Tips and Advice for the University of Washington Essays

Specific advice for each prompt will help you craft a better essay, but there are some general things to keep in mind, too !

Proofread Your UW Essays

It's a small space, so there should be fewer mistakes, right? Nope . You still need to proofread . Consider writing your essays by hand and then transcribing the drafts—it feels like more work, but turning written words into typed words is a great way to spot mistakes. Go through multiple drafts, and read your essay out loud before you submit it.

Don't let typos get through; no matter how good the rest of your essay is, a typo will make it look as though you didn't edit it at all, suggesting you didn't take your time. Do everything you can to avoid the perception that you wrote it up without thinking! On the UW admission website they are very specific that you should “write like it matters, not like you’re texting. This is an application for college, not a message to your friend.”

Get Editing Help

Seek feedback from those you trust, not just those who are going to tell you your essays are great . You want your essays to be as good as possible, so let people who are going to be truthful with you make suggestions. They'll help you write a better essay, and a fresh pair of eyes can spot holes in your logic and errors you might miss after repeated revisions.

Think about going to teachers or counselors rather than friends or family. Though they undoubtedly want to help you, they might also be worried about hurting your feelings. Someone who's a little more objective but still wants to see you succeed is the kind of editor you want.

Be Specific

Always remember that you're applying to the University of Washington. Don't just write an essay that could impress any college (that's what the Common Application essay is for!); write one that ties into UW's core values . Their vision includes an emphasis on discovery, research, community, optimism, and even celebrating the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All of these are angles ripe for exploration in your essays . If one of your answers is lacking, try folding a little of this vision into it by finding parts of your essay that match the mission and making them stand out more.

Read Essays That Got Students Into UW

It can be tricky finding essays that got applicants into UW, but it can also be a great indicator of what the school values in an application. Take these essays by Issa Rice . Though written for a different set of prompts, it's not hard to see why Rice was accepted.

Notice how his essays could only come from him; they're so tied to personal experience that it's unlikely anyone else would have the same essay. That's the kind of personalization you want to strive for. Your essay should speak about your own unique experience and leave the admissions office with a clearer picture of who you are as a person, not just as a collection of grades and test scores.

What's Next?

Crafting a perfect essay is just one part of the admissions process to the University of Washington. Because UW is a moderately selective school, you need to be aware of all admissions requirements before applying to be sure that your application is up to snuff .

As you're writing and rewriting your UW essay, be sure that it meets all the guidelines of a good college essay in addition to the UW requirements. A little extra polish will go a long way to cementing your application in the admission office's memory!

If you're struggling to understand why UW uses the Coalition App and what that means, never fear! We have all the information on what distinguishes one application system from another , helping you plan your college applications with less stress.

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Allen School Peer Advisers

Our Mission: Allen School Peer Advisers work under the direction of the Allen School Academic Advising Team to assist current and prospective students navigate their undergraduate experience.

Allen School Peer Advisers support students pursuing or majoring in Computer Science and Computer Engineering at the University of Washington by

Connecting students to academic support services at UW including campus resources as well as professional academic and career advisers

Educating students on degree requirements, admissions processes, and important policies and procedures

Providing academic and career advice grounded in their experiences as a current Allen School student

Personal Statement Review Resources▼

• In-person or virtual 1:1 personal statement review appointments (RSVP required, space is limited)
• A Presentation for you to view that provides best practices and suggestions for how to write a strong personal statement for your application

20 min in-person or virtual 1:1 Peer Adviser Appointments

If you would like to schedule a 1:1 review appointment (in-person or virtual) click here . All in-person appointments will be held in the Bill & Melinda Gates Center building (CSE 2), in the undergraduate student services suite on the first floor.

Additional Questions & Support

If you would like to discuss course planning or have other admission questions, please book an appointment to meet with a Peer Adviser , or attend Quick Questions to chat with an Allen School Academic Adviser ( held M-F ). More information about course prerequisites, the personal statement prompt, and the application process can be found on this page. Additionally, all prospective students are highly encouraged to attend a current UW student information session , held on the second Tuesday of each month via Zoom.

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.

Email a Peer Adviser

[email protected]

Email the peer advisers for answers to simple, close-ended questions. For more complex questions, please plan to speak with a peer adviser at an appointment.

Connect with a Peer Adviser

The Allen School Peer Adviser team meets with current CSE students and current UW students who are considering applying to the Allen School. Peer Advisers can talk about Allen School admissions, personal statement feedback, course planning, internship prep, connecting with research, and general tips for being a successful student, getting involved at the Allen School and UW, and so much more.

Peer Adviser Advising Appointments

If you would like to meet with a peer adviser virtually or in-person (20 min appointments), please schedule an appointment online . Appointments book up to 3 weeks out, so if you are seeing no available meetings please check back for more availability.

Resume Lab: For current Allen School CSE majors, peer advisers are available to meet during weekly resume labs to provide feedback on your resume and/or LinkedIn. The virtual resume lab will potentially have a small group of other Allen School students, and a Peer Adviser will rotate between each student to review and provide suggestions for roughly 10-15 mins/student. You will be required to share your screen with your resume. Appointments are required for the Resume Lab and can be booked 3 weeks in advance on our website .

Personal Statement Review: For applicants applying to the Allen School through the current UW student admissions pathway , peer advisers can provide personal statement review. Personal statement review is not available for the ENGRUD Placement personal statement prompt since it is a separate admissions pathway through the College of Engineering or the BS/MS program. Please note that Allen School academic advisers are unable to provide personal statement review. During your appointment , a peer adviser will review your rough draft and provide suggestions and edits based on their knowledge of the current UW student admissions pathway to the Allen School. Please note that personal statement review is only available for current UW students and is not available for prospective high school or transfer students. Peer advisers only work during the fall, winter, and spring quarters. Personal statement review is not available during the summer.

Meet the Peer Advisers

2023-2024 Peer Advising Team▼

Melissa Mitchell

Lead peer adviser.

Name Pronunciation: Muh-lis-uh Pronouns: she/her Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? The Allen School offers so many resources and opportunities, but some of them might not be widely known about or challenging to find. I hope to help students discover resources and take actions that will bring them closer to achieving their individual goals. Happy to talk about course planning, undergraduate research, internship recruitment, or other topics! CSE Classes Taken: 143, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 341, 351, 390R, 391, 421, 442, 446, 447, 473, 492J/L, 493 (Deep Learning), 582, 590 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: LING 200 (Introduction to Linguistics), MATH 208 (Linear Algebra), ENGL 281 (Intermediate Expository Writing) Extracurricular Involvement: Teaching assistant (311/312/416), research assistant (NLP), hackathons Interests: Reading, bouldering, running, hiking, traveling, learning random things

Read Melissa's Advice for Students!

Research Peer Adviser

Name Pronunciation: JAY-den Pronouns: he/they Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I'm excited to help students plan out their courses. Course planning can be tricky and overwhelming at times, but there are a variety of different paths towards meeting degree requirements, and I look forward to helping students find specific solutions among these paths that work best. In addition, as someone pursuing a double degree in music, I hope that I can help students pursuing double majors and double degrees with long-term course planning. I would also like to connect students with research opportunities as doing undergraduate research was a very valuable and educational experience for me. CSE Classes Taken: 142, 143, 163, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 351, 390H, 391, 440, 461, 474, 492J, 496 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: PHYS 142 - Honors Electromagnetism, MUSEN 325 - Accompanying, MUSIC 470: Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis Extracurricular Involvement: CEO of Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (UWROV), VP of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, Co-Chair of Q++, Member of School of Music Student Advisory Council, Karate Club, and various music ensembles on campus Interests: Music, video games, swimming, tennis, cosplay

Read Jaden's Advice for Students!

Deeksha Vatwani

Peer adviser.

Name Pronunciation: DEEK-sha Pronouns: she/her Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I want to help students find their community here at the Allen School and make sure they know about all the resources available to them here! CSE Classes Taken: 142, 143, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 341, 451, 452, 480, 490 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: ANTH 101! Extracurricular Involvement: Women in Computing, Software Engineering Career Club, Girls Who Code Interests: Coffee shops, thrifting, poker, and volleyball

Read Deeksha's Advice for Students!

Name Pronunciation: same as “hi” Pronouns: he/him Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I've always valued the support I received from peers and advisers during my academic journey. Having faced numerous challenges as a student, I recognize the significance of having someone to turn to for guidance and help. This role offers me the chance to give back and have a positive impact on fellow students. With my extensive experience working with different departments, I'm excited and glad to help fellow students navigate various resources. Additionally, I enjoy connecting and talking with diverse individuals. My aim is to help foster an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported in seeking advice and making important decisions. CSE Classes Taken: 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 344, 351, 403, 421, 422, 440, 473, 490, 492 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: ARCH 200 & 201: Architecture Design & Representations; ARCH 415: Architectural Sketching; INFO 200: Intellectual Foundations of Informatics; PSYCH 210: Human Sexuality Extracurricular Involvement: CSE peer adviser, PM intern for a VR fitness game company, Variety of CSE student organizations like GEN1, COM2, and Ability. Interests: Photography, Handcrafting, Travelling, Video games, listening to podcasts, and looking at the sky.

Read Hai's Advice for Students!

Name Pronunciation: JAK + suhn Pronouns: he/him Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I was not directly admitted to the UW CSE program; I applied and got in during my freshman year. At that time, the advising team was instrumental in my journey, guiding me meticulously through course planning, personal statement writing, and resume editing. Their support was invaluable during a period filled with stress and uncertainty. Now, as I approach my senior year, I am eager to offer the same guidance and support to those new to the major or those looking to apply! Come say hi! CSE Classes Taken: CSE 311, CSE 312, CSE 351, CSE 373, CSE 332, CSE 331, CSE 416, CSE 442, CSE 421, CSE 344, CSE 484, CSE 473 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: DANCE 102, PSYC 210, AMATH 351-353, CFRM 405, SPANISH Extracurricular Involvement: CSE 373 TA, CSE Peer Advisor Interests: Basketball, Web Development, Bowling, Hip pop, Fitness, Swimming

Read Jackson's Advice for Students!

2022-2023 Peer Advising Team▼

Pronouns: he/him Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I really love that we provide a space for us all to come and talk through the tough decisions or challenges we are going through in our lives! I like being able to connect students to the many different resources the Allen School has to offer and I am glad to share what advice I can from the mistakes and lessons I have learned from my time in the Allen School! CSE Classes Taken: 143, 311, 312, 332, 333, 344, 351, 373, 391, 421, 446, 447, 451, 461, 480 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: Math 318 - Advanced Linear Algebra: Tools and Applications, Engr 105 - Introduction to Engineering Design, LSJ 322 - Human Rights In Latin America, Honors 230 - Prison Logics and Abolition Futures Extracurricular Involvement: (Incoming) TA for 12x series, Technical Project Manager/Developer for Impact++, Peer Adviser, Orientation leader Interests: Reading, listening to podcasts, running, hiking, backpacking, learning to play guitar, and crafting things

Read Sam's Advice for Students!

Pronouns: she/her Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I love meeting new people and getting to know people, especially if I can help them achieve a goal, find direction, learn anything new, or work through something. Teaching, mentoring, and advising have always been very meaningful, fun, and fulfilling for me and I have created so many rewarding friendships and connections through this type of work in the past and have always enjoyed it a lot, so I wanted to become a Peer Adviser during my college years to continue it all through Peer Advising. Also, I like meeting a lot of new people in our CSE department since it is pretty big now, and seeing students grow over the year! I also learn a lot about myself and become a better person through Peer Advising so I'm happy to be here again this year. CSE Classes Taken: 190, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 341, 344, 351, 421, 442, 451, 473, 480, 484 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: INFO 200: Intellectual Foundations of Informatics, PSYCH 210: Psychology of Human Sexuality, MUSIC 185: The Concert Season Extracurricular Involvement: Impact++, Engineers Without Borders, BEA (Business Ethics Association), CSE TA for CS + Social Good class, CSE Ambassador, CSE Peer Adviser, UW Alumni Association Student Ambassador, Neah Bay Riverways Volunteer Program, Unite UW, UW Northwest Women (various outdoor activities) Interests: Martial arts, traveling, hiking, skydiving, flying helicopters, any water or snow activity, baking/cooking, painting/sketching, playing violin/cello/piano, watching football games, road trips, going to concerts/live music, chasing sunsets. Within tech, I'm interested in tech + social good, accessibility, distributed systems.

Read Isha's Advice for Students!

Research-Focused Peer Adviser

Pronouns: he/they Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? Course planning can be tricky and overwhelming at times, but there are a variety of different paths towards meeting degree requirements; I'm excited to find specific solutions among these paths that work well for different people. In addition, as someone pursuing a double degree in music, I hope that I can help students pursuing double majors and double degrees with long-term course planning. I also think undergraduate research positions are very enjoyable and educational, and I would like to enable more students to have these opportunities. CSE Classes Taken: 142, 143, 163, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 351, 390H, 391, 492J Favorite Non-CSE Classes: PHYS 142 - Honors Electromagnetism, MUSEN 325 - Accompanying, MUSIC 470: Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis Extracurricular Involvement: CEO of Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (UWROV), CSE 12X TA, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Co-Chair of Q++, Member of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, School of Music Student Advisory Council, Karate Club Interests: Music, video games, sudoku puzzles, swimming, tennis

Connor Espig

Pronouns: he/him Why did you decide to become a peer adviser? I hope to help prospective and current students navigate college and industry! CSE Classes Taken: 142, 143, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 341, 344, 351, 391, 421, 446, 461, 473, 544 (In Progress: 451, 484) Favorite Non-CSE Classes: ENGL 282 (Intermediate Multimodal Composition), ACCTG 219 (Essentials of Accounting), PSYCH 210 (The Diversity of Human Sexuality) Extracurricular Involvement: Council Member of the Interfraternity Council, Leadership Chair of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Interests: Guitar, Traveling, Weight Lifting, Badminton, Baking, Cooking, Hiking, Reading

Read Connor's Advice for Students!

2021-2022 Peer Advising Team▼

Ketaki Deuskar

Pronouns: she/her CSE Classes Taken: 143, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 344, 351, 421, 442, 446, 457, 461 (current: 484, 451) Favorite Non-CSE Classes: PSYCH 210 (Human Sexuality), GH 456 (Global Mental Health), HSTCMP 202 (World Wars 1 and 2) Extracurricular Involvement: CSE 143 TA (previously: 142, 311), Peer Advisor, former ACM officer (Vice Chair, Social Event Coordinator, Associate Officer), UW Dream Project Mentor Interests: Tech + social good, reading, cooking, teaching, traveling, watching sunrises/sunsets, planning road trips, The Office

Read Ketaki's Advice for Students!

Pronouns: she/her CSE Classes Taken: 190, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 341, 351, 421 Favorite Non-CSE Classes: Pharm 301 - Medications and Health, Info 200 - Intellectual Foundations, PHG 303 - DTC Genetic Testing Issues Extracurricular Involvement: Impact++, Engineers Without Borders, BEA (Business Ethics Association), TA for CS + Social Good class, CSE Ambassador, Peer Adviser, UW Alumni Association Student Ambassador, Neah Bay Riverways Program Interests: martial arts, baking/cooking, hiking, traveling, painting

Annalice Ni

Pronouns: she/her CSE Classes Taken: 143, 311, 312, 331, 332, 351, 391, 333, 344, 421, 484, 451, 446, 455, 461, 492E - computer ethics seminar, (current: 442, 490 - Deep Learning) Favorite Non-CSE Classes: PSYCH 250 - Racism and Minority Groups, MATH 318 - Advanced Linear Algebra, HONORS 220 - The Biology of Human Diversity Extracurricular Involvement: Research at Ubicomp Lab, Peer Advising, CSE Strategy Planning Group, (prev. ACM) Interests: Computer ethics, applied ML, reading, video games (mostly Nintendo Switch), arts & crafts, cooking, rock climbing

Read Annalice's Advice for Students!

Pronouns: he/him CSE Classes Taken: CSE 143, 311, 312, 332, 373, 351, 333, 391, 421, 473, 446 (Fall quarter) Favorite Non-CSE Classes: Math 318 - Advanced Linear Algebra: Tools and Applications, Engr 105 - Introduction to Engineering Design, LSJ 200 -Introduction to Law, Societies, and Justice (I am taking this in in the fall and am incredibly excited!), Honors 230 - Prison Logics and Abolition Futures Extracurricular Involvement: Orientation Leader (former), Technical Project Manager for Impact++, Peer adviser! Interests: Reading, listening to podcasts, running, hiking, backpacking, learning to play guitar, and doing sudoku :)

Khang Phoong

Pronouns: he/him CSE Classes Taken: 142, 143, 154, 373, 311, 312, 331, 332, 351, 391, 344, 444, 446, 447, 421, 481N (NLP Capstone), 498 (Research) Favorite Non-CSE Classes: HSTAA 402 (Witchcraft in Colonial New England), MUSEN 301 (Wind Ensemble), MUSICP 329 (Clarinet) Extracurricular Involvement: Peer Adviser, TA for CSE 312, Research Assistant with the ICTD Lab, Former Secretary of Hip Hop Student Association/ Member of the Dance Team Interests: Clarinet, Dancing, Watching Korean Entertainment Shows

Read Khang's Advice for Students!

University of Washington Information School

Master of science in information management.

• Advising & Support
• Capstone Projects
• Upcoming Info Sessions
• Videos: Alumni at Work
• Request more information

MSIM Admissions FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about the MSIM program . If you are not able to locate your question/answer below, please email  [email protected]  with your inquiry.

Learning about the Program

General admissions questions, application eligibility & requirements, application materials, international & non-native english speakers.

Q: Do you offer MSIM Information Sessions? A: Yes. We offer information sessions year-round, both on-campus and online.  View schedule of dates, times, and locations .

Q: How do I decide which MSIM degree option is right for me? A: This decision is dependent on your academic and professional background, goals and desired timeline.  Compare the programs side-by-side to determine which option is the best fit for you and explore our FAQ about the online vs. residential degree options. Still unsure? Attend an information session to learn more from admissions staff and ask questions.

Q: What can you tell me about the MSIM student body? A: See MSIM class profile information: Early-Career  ("1 year Early-Career MSIM" refers to the Early-Career Accelerated track while "2 year Early-Career" is the traditional Early-Career track) and Mid-Career .

Q: Do MSIM students work on campus? A: Yes! 63 percent of first-year Early-Career MSIM residential students had secured an on-campus job midway through their first quarter in the program. Among the Early-Career MSIM residential students with on-campus jobs, 27 percent are working at the iSchool as a TA, GA or reader/grader.

Q: Do most students participate in internships? A: Within our graduating Class of 2020, out of 142 respondents, 25% completed two or more internships.

Q: Is the MSIM program considered a STEM discipline? A: Yes, the MSIM program is a STEM discipline.

Q: What is the best undergraduate major to have if I want to apply to the MSIM program? A: The only requirement to apply to the MSIM graduate program is a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. We do not require that applicants have a bachelor's degree in a specific area or that they take specific prerequisite courses.

Q: How competitive is the program? A: The level of competitiveness for admission into the MSIM programs fluctuates from year to year depending on the applicant pool and on the number of admission spaces available. For the past couple years, the admit rate for the Early-Career residential program has been below 25 percent. The admit rate for the Mid-Career program has generally been above 80 percent. The online mode is new as of 2021, so data for those tracks is not yet available. See MSIM class profile information:  Early-Career  ("1 year Early-Career MSIM" refers to the Early-Career Accelerated track while "2 year Early-Career" is the traditional Early-Career track) and Mid-Career . 

Q: Can I take classes in the MSIM program before being admitted? A: If you would like to take iSchool courses without formerly being in a program, please read all the information for taking classes as a  non-degree-seeking student .

Q: Do you accept transfer credits? A: No, the MSIM program does not accept transfer credits.

Q: How many times do you admit applicants each year? A: For the degree tracks in residential mode, we admit students for autumn quarter only. For the online mode , students can begin in any academic quarter. 

Q: Are applicants allowed to defer enrollment to a different quarter or year? A: For residential students, if there is a strong chance you will not be able to start the MSIM program in autumn, please wait until the next cycle to submit an application. Admitted students can request a deferral, however, these requests are only approved in the event of rare extenuating circumstances.

Q: I am a Washington state resident. Am I eligible for a tuition waiver or reduction? A: All of the MSIM programs are self-sustaining and are not supported by state funds. As a result, all applicants (in-state, out of state and international; residential or online) pay the same tuition.

Q: I am a Washington state employee. Am I eligible for a tuition waiver or reduction? A: The UW tuition-exemption benefit applies only to state-supported programs, and not self-sustaining programs. Therefore, MSIM students who are Washington state employees do not qualify for the tuition exemption.

Q: How do I qualify for an iSchool scholarship? A: The iSchool has a limited number of merit-based scholarships available each year. All applicants to the MSIM program who apply by the deadline are automatically considered for these awards. Recipients will be notified shortly after admissions decisions are conveyed.

Q: How does the MSIM admissions committee make admissions decisions? A: Applicants are evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative factors, with emphasis on the fit of the applicant to the program. The evaluation is based on GRE/GMAT scores (if required), GPA, resume, personal statement, and recommendations. Because we consider these items as a package, there are no minimums or target ranges. (The exception to this is the English Proficiency requirement. If using tests to fulfill the English language proficiency requirement, a minimum score is required.) Each student is rated individually on the strength of the combination of all of these factors.

Q: What are the requirements for admitted students? A: In order to accept the offer of admission, applicants are required to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit , which will go toward their first quarter tuition. Additionally, applicants will need to fulfill other requirements as outlined by the UW Graduate School, such as submitting official transcripts and measles immunization documentation  (residential students only).

Q: What are the basic requirements to be eligible to apply to the MSIM program? A: The only requirement to apply to the MSIM graduate program is a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. (If your degree was earned outside the United States, it must be equivalent to a 4-year degree from the U.S.) We do not require that applicants have a bachelor's degree in a specific area or that they take specific prerequisite courses.

Q: What is the minimum acceptable GPA? A: The MSIM admissions committee values applicants from a wide range of backgrounds with varied skillsets. As such, we encourage all students to apply, regardless of GPA. Applications are reviewed holistically, and both qualitative and quantitative factors are taken into account when admissions decisions are made. Applicants with a lower GPA may want to provide additional information in the Extenuating Circumstances part of the application.

Note: The UW Graduate School has a minimum GPA requirement . As detailed on their website, individual programs may consider qualified applicants with a GPA below a 3.0.

Q: The application is asking for the GPA of my last 90-quarter or 60-semester credits. How do I do this type of calculation? A: There is a  help link  included in the online application that can help you calculate your GPA and the instructions are provided below:

To calculate the Grade Point Average (GPA) for the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded credits:

• Working from the most recent quarter/semester, add the graded course credits (excluding thesis or dissertation courses) until you reach 90 quarter or 60 semester credits. Use these 90 quarter or 60 semester credits to calculate your GPA.
• To calculate your GPA, multiply each course grade by the credits to achieve grade points. Add all grade points and divide by the total number of credits.

Conversion between quarter and semester credits

If the last 90 quarter or 60 semester credits span two or more institutions on different academic calendars, use the following formulas to convert grades to a single system. Multiply by 1.5 when converting from semesters to quarters and divide by 1.5 when doing the reverse. For example, a 4-credit class under a semester system is equivalent to a 6-credit class under a quarter system (4 x 1.5 = 6) and vice versa (6 ÷ 1.5 = 4).

Q: I attended a school outside the U.S. with a different grading scale. How do I calculate my GPA? A: The help link in the application includes information about calculating GPAs from schools outside the U.S. We understand that GPA calculations can be difficult and encourage applicants to do their best.

Q: I don't have a bachelor's degree OR my bachelor's degree is from a school that is unaccredited, but I have a lot of work experience. Can I still apply to the program? A: The UW Graduate School requires that all graduate level applicants have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. The MSIM admissions committee has no specific policy regarding admitting students who do not have a bachelor's degree. However, if you submit a complete application by the deadline, it will be reviewed. If the admissions committee decides to recommend you for admission to the program, we will have to enter a petition on your behalf with the UW Graduate School. We are not able to guarantee that this petition would be approved.

Q: I have a 3-year bachelor's degree from a school outside the United States. Am I still eligible to apply to the program? A: Although the MSIM admissions committee has no specific policy regarding admitting students who do not have a bachelor’s degree, the UW Graduate School requires that all graduate students have a degree equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate degree from the United States. Most 3-year undergraduate degrees from schools outside the United States do not fulfill this requirement. However, if you have a 3-year bachelor's degree and would like us to review your transcript, please contact our office at [email protected] . Please note, 3-year degrees from India do not fulfill the requirement.

Q: What is the most important aspect of the application materials? A: The MSIM admissions committee uses a holistic approach when reviewing applications. We place considerable weight on the personal statement, recommendation letters, student’s background and resume in coming to a final decision.

Q: Is my selection of the Early-Career vs. Early-Career Accelerated degree option binding? A: Yes. Students should carefully consider which degree option is right for them prior to applying. After starting the program, students may request a switch to the alternate option. However, these types of switches will be rarely granted, especially for those wanting to opt in to the Accelerated track due to its faster pace. Mid-Career applicants should indicate their intended degree plan, but their choice is not binding.

Q: What makes a strong personal statement? A: The personal statement is your opportunity to present your goals and experience as they relate to information management. We’re interested in how you see the field from your own personal perspective. What drew you to it in your past experience? What do you hope to do after you graduate? What is it that excites you about the field and makes you want to dive deeper into it? We’re assessing 1) your understanding of what information management is 2) your understanding of how it fits with what we teach and 3) your writing skills.

Q: How strictly are the word counts for the personal statement questions enforced? A: We don’t have strict limits on exact word counts of the personal statement. However, if it is significantly longer than the given word limit, the committee members might choose to rank your application lower. Part of the purpose of the personal statement is to determine if you can communicate effectively within given parameters.

Q: After my application is submitted, can I edit my application materials? A: No. After you submit your application, you are not able to edit your personal statement, statement of purpose, resume, supplemental question responses or extenuating circumstances. Recommendations and test scores (if applicable) will still be accepted up to two days after the application deadline.

Q: Which transcripts do I need to submit with my application? A: Please provide unofficial transcripts from all colleges, universities and institutions where you have earned collegiate level credit, including those where you took classes as a non-matriculated student or started a different graduate program.

Q: Do I need to upload official or unofficial transcripts into the online application? A: Scans of either official or unofficial transcripts can be submitted online. Applicants can request an official transcript from their school, open and scan it. Once it is opened, it is no longer official. Another option is to copy/paste a transcript from an online system into a word document. All transcripts are reviewed, if we have questions, we’ll contact the applicant directly.

Q: Do I need to mail official transcripts to the Information School? A: No. Please do not send paper transcripts to the iSchool. All application materials, including transcripts, are submitted online.

Q: I am not able to obtain copies of some of my transcripts. What do I do? A: Applicants are required to list all schools they have attended or where they earned academic credit. If you aren’t able to obtain a transcript, you still need to list the school in the application. In place of the transcript, upload a document that summarizes why you aren’t able to obtain a transcript and/or the steps you took to try and obtain it.

Q: How do I know whether or not my recommendations have been submitted? A: Once the recommendation requests have been sent, the status will update automatically if/when a recommendation is submitted for you.

Q: My recommender lost the email that included the link to complete the online recommendation. What do I do? A: Log back into your application, the recommender section includes a “Resend Email” link that can be used to send another recommendation email request.

Q: Can I submit 4 recommendations? A: The application requires two recommendations. The system is set to allow three recommenders to be entered. The reason for this additional spot is to account for a recommender who may fail to submit one. It is much better to have three recommendations and a complete application than two recommendations and an incomplete application.

Q: My recommender wants to send a paper letter. Is this OK? A: The admissions committee strongly prefers that applicants use the online recommendation system in the Application for Graduate Study. We have additional questions besides just the letter that we ask them. 

Q: My recommender is having a hard time with the online recommendation system. What should they do? A:  Recommenders can contact our office at  [email protected] or 206.543.1794 for assistance.

Q: My letters of recommendation are on file with a recommendation service. Can I submit these with my application? A: We strongly recommend that all applicants use the online recommendation system for several reasons. Oftentimes, the letters stored in a letter service system are generic and not specific to the UW Information School or MSIM program. Therefore, these letters are not as strong as those that are more detailed and written specifically for this application process. Also, these types of letter services often require that paper copies be mailed to our office rather than allowing for online submission. We can accept paper letters, however, the process takes much longer. If you decide you want to use letters on file with a recommendation service, please contact our office,  [email protected] or 206 543 1794, for specific instructions.

Q: How can I retain the right to view my recommendations? A: You may view your recommendations only after you have been admitted to and are enrolled in the program. At no time can an applicant have access to a recommendation that has been submitted on their behalf. Current students can review their recommendations with an advisor. We are unable to give you copies of your recommendations, but we can forward them to another institution or department.

Q: How do I request an application fee waiver? A: The application fee is $85 USD, payable online by debit or credit card. Learn more about the Application Fee Waiver Policy on this page .

Q: I was not admitted in one of the earlier rounds for this year. Can I reapply to another round this year?

A: You should make sure that you submit the best application possible. We consider each applicant once per year. Applicants who are denied are not moved to a later round. 

Q: I was denied for a previous round. Will my application be consider in the remaining rounds for this year?

A: Denied applications are not reconsidered in later rounds. Decisions are made for each round.

Q: I was waitlisted. Will I be in the next round or when will I know if I am accepted?

A: Yes, applicants on the waitlist will continue to be notified of their status at the end of each round.

Q: What are the GRE/GMAT requirements? A: Applicants with an undergraduate degree from outside the U.S. or Canada must submit official GRE scores. All Mid-Career applicants are exempt from this requirement.

Q: How do I report GRE or GMAT scores to the UW? A: The GRE report code is 4854 (no department code). The GMAT report code is 459-RN-51. Once your scores are reported to the UW, they will match up with your application after your application has been submitted. If your application is in progress and has not been submitted, your scores will not show as received.

Q: I already submitted official test scores (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL) to the UW. I am not happy with my scores and would like to submit updated scores. Can I submit additional scores? A:  Yes. You are welcome to submit multiple score reports to the UW. The admissions committee will consider all official scores that are reported to the UW by the final application deadline. Once official scores are reported to the UW, we are not able to delete them from the system.

Q: I just submitted my application and I know my test scores were reported to the UW several weeks ago. Why aren't my test scores showing up? A: After your application is submitted, it normally takes a couple days for your test scores to show as received. You are able to check the status of your application by logging on to the application website.

Q: I am an international applicant, do I need to take the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo? A: All applicants who are non-native English speakers (regardless of citizenship) must fulfill the UW English language proficiency requirements, please  see UW Grad School Policy 3.2 for more information . 

Q: What is the minimum English Language Proficiency test score required? A: Please check the materials page for the most up to date details on English Language Proficiency requirements.

Q: Can I use the TOEFL "MyBest" composite score to demonstrate the minimum required TOEFL score? A:   We accept MyBest TOEFL composite scores as a means of meeting this requirement.

Q: I am a non-native English speaker. Can I submit TOEFL scores after I've been admitted to the program? A: If you choose to submit TOEFL scores to fulfill the requirement, they must be received by the application deadline. The MSIM admissions committee may use them in the decision process.

Q: I am a non-native English speaker, but I have a degree from an accredited school in the United States. Do I still need to submit an English Langue test scores? A: No. If you have earned a degree (bachelor's, master's or Ph.D.) from an accredited institution within the United States, you do not need to submit English Language proficiency test scores.

Q: I am a non-native English speaker, but I attended a school where all instruction was in English. Do I still need to submit TOEFL scores? A: No. Attending an institution where the instruction for your undergraduate degree was entirely in English is one way to fulfill the language proficiency requirement. You’ll need to obtain documentation from your undergraduate institution that verifies this. This documentation should accompany your transcript in the program application.

Q: I am a non-native English speaker. Can I request that the English language proficiency requirement be waived? A: No. The English language proficiency requirement is established and enforced by the UW Graduate School. The Information School is not able to provide an exemption from this requirement.

Q: Is the MSIM Program classified as a STEM discipline? A: Yes, the MSIM program is classified as a STEM discipline. International students in the MSIM program may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension.

Q: I am a student from India with a 3-year bachelor’s degree, with some additional education after that. Does my education fulfill the UW Graduate School requirement for a “4-year U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent”? A: Since this a requirement of the central UW Graduate School, it’s a good idea to confirm directly with them whether your education meets the requirement at [email protected] . Traditionally, however, the Graduate School has issued the following guidelines for additional qualifications from India — to combine with a 3-year degree bachelor’s — which are deemed sufficient for graduate admission:

• A 3-year bachelor degree plus CONFERRAL of an Indian master's degree. These two qualifications are sufficient for graduate admission. (One year completion of a master's program without conferral of the degree is NOT sufficient.)
• A 3-year bachelor degree plus CONFERRAL of the Post Graduate Diploma (PGD 1-year minimum early-career), recognized by AIU (Association of Indian Universities) or AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education). These two qualifications are sufficient for graduate admission.

Q: My transcripts are not written in English. How is the process different for me? A: Foreign transcripts should be submitted in the original language along with an English translation.

Q: Do international applicants have to provide financial ability documentation when they apply to the program? A: International applicants may be required to show financial ability. However, those materials are not submitted during the admissions process. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be given instructions regarding financial ability requirements and documentation.  Learn more about this process .

Q: What is the job placement rate for MSIM graduates? A: Check out  MSIM job data and salary information .

The iSchool provides career counseling and assistance, including individual advising, education, and events with employers, but we do not provide automatic placement services for students or graduates.

Q: What types of jobs do MSIM graduates do? A: A broad range of career opportunities in the information field is open to graduates of the MSIM program.  Read more about career opportunities . 

Full Results

Customize your experience.

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

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: Nov 15

You Have: 

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. 

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

We're here to help.

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

Get the Reddit app

Join the A2C Discord!

r/ApplyingToCollege is the premier forum for college admissions questions, advice, and discussions, from college essays and scholarships to college list help and application advice, career guidance, and more.

UW Seattle Personal Statement

Now that UW is on common app, can we use our common app essay 4 the personal statement?

I worked really hard on my common app essay so I would like to submit it. Technically the common app essay isn't required for UW

TLDR: is the personal statement and common app essay interchangeable?

• Communities
• Nation / World

Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow speaks at termination hearing

• Life + Home
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• For Subscribers
• Corrections
• Contributor Content
• Celebrate Michigan

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Create Account

Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families

On June 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a key step toward fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to promoting family unity in the immigration system. DHS will establish a new process to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests for certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens who have been continuously physically present without admission or parole in the United States for 10 years or more; have no disqualifying criminal convictions; do not pose a threat to national security and public safety and pass vetting; are otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status; and merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

If paroled, these noncitizens will generally be able to apply for lawful permanent residence without having to leave the United States and be processed by a U.S. consulate overseas. DHS estimates that 500,000 noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens could be eligible to access this process; on average, these noncitizens have resided in the United States for 23 years. Approximately 50,000 noncitizen children of these spouses are estimated to be eligible to seek parole under this process.

For more information on this new process, see the DHS Fact Sheet: DHS Announces New Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families .

Additional information on the application process, required fee, and other key information will be detailed in a forthcoming Federal Register Notice. USCIS will reject any filing received prior to the publication of the Federal Register Notice.

To be considered on a case-by-case basis for a discretionary grant of parole in place under this process, an individual must:

• Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
• Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024; and
• Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.

In addition, individuals must not have disqualifying criminal history or otherwise constitute a threat to national security or public safety and should otherwise merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

Noncitizen children of spouses who are granted parole under this process may also be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis under this process if they are physically present in the United States without admission or parole and have a qualifying stepchild relationship with a U.S. citizen parent as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act as of June 17, 2024.

In order to be considered for parole, an individual will need to file a form with USCIS along with supporting documentation to show they meet the requirements and pay a fee. Further information regarding eligibility and the application process, including a notice in the Federal Register, will be published in the near term. USCIS will reject any filings or individual requests in relation to this process received before the date when the application process begins later this summer.

Upon receipt of a properly filed parole in place request, USCIS will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a grant of parole is warranted based on a significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons and whether the applicant merits a favorable exercise of discretion. All requests will take into consideration the potential requestor’s previous immigration history, criminal history, the results of background checks and national security and public safety vetting, and any other relevant information available to or requested by USCIS.

• We do not want you to become the victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or accredited representative working for a Department of Justice recognized organization can give you legal advice. Visit the Avoid Scams page for information and resources.

Some common scams to be aware of include:

• Government impersonators:  Look out for individuals who pose as USCIS officials. USCIS will only contact you through official government channels and will not contact you through your personal social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Scam Websites: Some websites claim to be affiliated with USCIS and offer step-by-step guidance on completing a USCIS application or petition. Make sure your information is from uscis.gov, dhs.gov, or is affiliated with uscis.gov. Make sure the website address ends with .gov.
• Payments by Phone or Email: We will never ask you to transfer money to an individual. We do not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, or gift cards as payment for immigration fees. In addition, we will never ask you to pay fees to a person on the phone or by email.
• Notarios Públicos and unauthorized practitioners of immigration law: In the United States, a notario público is not authorized to provide you with any legal services related to immigration benefits. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ)-recognized organization can give you legal advice. For more information about finding legal services , visit our website.

When will the process start?

USCIS will soon publish a Federal Register Notice to implement this process, explain the application process, and provide additional guidance on requirements to be considered for parole in place. This notice will explain what forms to file, the associated filing fees, any required documentation, and supporting evidence that will be needed to request parole in place. The application process is expected to begin later this summer.

What happens if I apply to USCIS prior to the start date of the process?

USCIS will reject any filings received before the date when the application process begins. This includes applications filed through our paper and electronic filing processes as well as requests submitted in person at our offices.

What will be the duration of parole? What happens when it ends?

Under this process, a qualifying individual may be granted parole on a case-by-case basis for up to three years. This period provides an opportunity for eligible spouses of U.S. citizens granted parole to file a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (and concurrent Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, if applicable). At the conclusion of the parole period, USCIS anticipates that these individuals will have either a pending adjustment application or final adjustment adjudication completed.

Application Process

What can I do now to prepare my application before the process begins?

Individuals should wait for additional information to be issued, including the date on which the process begins, when applications will be accepted, and what forms to use to apply for parole. Until then, individuals may consider preparing by gathering evidence, including:

• Documentation to establish that the noncitizen has been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024;
• Evidence of a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024; and
• Evidence of additional favorable discretionary factors that the applicant would like USCIS to consider.

Those who are interested in this process should also consider opening or updating their myUSCIS account at  https://my.uscis.gov .

Will I need to submit my biometrics?

Applicants must submit certain biographic and biometric information to USCIS for screening and vetting purposes. More information about the biometrics collection process will be provided in the forthcoming Federal Register Notice and other guidance to follow.

Will the parole application be available for filing online, on paper, or both?

Further filing instructions will be available in the near term.

What is the fee for applying for parole under the process?

Information regarding the form to use and associated filing fees will be detailed in the forthcoming Federal Register Notice.

Can the fee be waived?

USCIS will provide future guidance about the application process, including filing fees, for individuals seeking parole under this process.

Questions related to potential beneficiaries

I was lawfully admitted to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa but overstayed my period of authorized stay. Am I eligible for parole in place under the process?

No. By law, parole is only available to noncitizens who are “applicants for admission” under Section 235(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1225(a). Therefore, parole in place under this process may be granted only to certain individuals who are present in the United States without admission. This process is not available to those who were previously lawfully admitted to the United States. However, an individual may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status to that of lawful permanent resident (LPR) without parole in place if previously lawfully admitted and applying as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen.

If I am in removal proceedings that are pending before an immigration judge, am I eligible for this process? Who will decide my parole application?

Noncitizens in removal proceedings may apply for parole in place under this process before USCIS if they otherwise qualify under this process. USCIS will weigh, on a case-by-case basis, the existence and circumstances of the removal proceedings, as well as the applicant’s positive equities, in determining whether to grant parole in place. However, a noncitizen who is in removal proceedings because they are an enforcement priority under the Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law , issued by Secretary Mayorkas in September 2021, will be disqualified from receiving parole in place pursuant to this process.

If my parole request is pending and I am encountered by CBP or ICE, will I be placed into removal proceedings?

The Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law  direct the Department to focus its limited resources on noncitizens who pose a threat to our national security, public safety, or border security. The Guidelines  remain in effect. An application under this process does not prevent CBP or ICE from taking enforcement action against an individual when otherwise appropriate under applicable law and policy. CBP and ICE reserve the discretion to place these noncitizens in removal proceedings.

If USCIS denies my application for parole, will I be placed in removal proceedings?

If USCIS denies a request for parole, USCIS maintains discretion to issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) or refer the case to ICE for possible enforcement action consistent with the Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law issued by Secretary Mayorkas on September 30, 2021.

If I have criminal history, can I apply for parole under this process?

All applicants will undergo national security and public safety vetting as part of this process. Those who pose a threat to national security or public safety will be disqualified from this process and, where appropriate, may be referred for law enforcement action. Noncitizens who pose a threat to national security or public safety will not be eligible for this process, as aligned with our immigration enforcement priorities. If a noncitizen poses a threat to national security or public safety, DHS will detain, remove, or refer them to other federal agencies for further vetting, investigation, or prosecution as appropriate.

Disqualifying criminal history includes criminal convictions that are likely to render the individual statutorily ineligible for adjustment of status, as well as convictions that do not render noncitizens statutorily ineligible for adjustment of status but nevertheless warrant their disqualification from this process in the exercise of discretion. Further guidance on this topic is forthcoming.

Can the undocumented child of a noncitizen spouse covered by this policy also be considered for a grant of parole in place under the process?

Noncitizen children of potential requestors may be considered for parole in place under this process along with their noncitizen parent, if the child is physically present in the United States without admission or parole as of June 17, 2024 and has a qualifying stepchild relationship to a U.S. citizen as of that date. To qualify as a stepchild under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the noncitizen child must be unmarried, under the age of 21, and the marriage of their noncitizen parent and U.S. citizen stepparent must have taken place prior to the child’s 18 th birthday. Further guidance on this topic is forthcoming.

Employment Authorization

If I am approved for parole, when can I apply for an employment authorization document (EAD)? Can I apply for an EAD at the same time as when I apply for parole?

An individual who is granted parole is immediately eligible to apply for an EAD from USCIS and can do so by submitting a completed  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , using the (c)(11) category code. Further information about the process to apply for an EAD will be included in the forthcoming Federal Register Notice.

How long will it take to receive a decision on my employment authorization application?

Application processing times vary. USCIS has several tools that individuals can use to request information about their applications submitted to the agency, including the  Case Status Online tool.

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Get a Passport

Renew or Replace a Passport

Get My Passport Fast

Prepare to Apply

Passport Help

Legal Matters

Get a Passport Homepage

Share this page:

Apply for your First Adult Passport

Apply for a Child Under 16

Apply as a 16 or 17 Year Old

Get My Application Status

Get a Passport Card

Respond to a Letter or Email

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply with their child, you will need to show us more documents.
• You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82.
• Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years. 

Steps to Apply

1. fill out form ds-11 and print it.

Use our Form Filler tool  to fill out your child's form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF . 

Tips to complete your child's form :

• Do not sign your child's form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee. 
• You can apply for a passport book , a passport card , or both documents.
• You may ask for a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no extra cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

2. Get Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (and a photocopy)

Your evidence must be an original or replacement copy. The document must have the official seal or stamp of the office which issued it. You must submit one of the following documents for your child:

• Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
• Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
• Lists the parent(s)' full names
• Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
• Has the registrar's signature
• Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Please note you must also provide a document, such as a birth certificate, that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. 

If you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our  Citizenship Evidence page  for more information.

Paper only : You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document. 

Returning your child's document : We will return your child's document in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive the new passport.

Tips for making a photocopy :

• Black and white (no color)
• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
• Use a single side of the paper

If you do not submit a photocopy, you must submit a second copy of your citizenship evidence. We will keep this copy for our records.

3. Show Your Relationship to Your Child

You must submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Examples include:

• U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce or custody decree
• A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show  both  U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

4. Get a Photo ID (and a photocopy)

Both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID. 

You must show at least  one  of these photo IDs:

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card 
• In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Current (valid) foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
• In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
• Temporary driver's license with photo

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to our  Identification page  for more information.

5. Show More Documents (if both parents or guardians cannot apply)

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit  Form DS-3053  and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

6. Provide a Photo

You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to our  Passport Photo page  for photo requirements and to see examples of photos. 

• Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.
• Some  passport acceptance facilities
• A company which offers photo services
• Home. Ask your friend or family member to take your child's photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo quality paper. 

7. Calculate Fees

When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee. You will pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution (acceptance) fee to the facility which takes your application. 

• Add $60 to your application fee if you want  expedited service .
• Add $19.53 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport in 1-2 days after we issue it.  

Child Applicants :

For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to our  Passport Fees  page.

*How to fill out your check and pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. Please note you must pay a separate execution (acceptance) fee. 

Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State if they are applying at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

8. Find Location to Apply

In the United States:

• Traveling in more than 3 weeks?  Go to a  passport acceptance facility  such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment. 
• Traveling in less than 3 weeks?   Make an appointment  to apply at a passport agency or center.

In another country:

• Contact your  U.S. embassy or consulate .

9. Track Your Application Status

You can  subscribe to email updates  about your application status, and  learn more about each status update .

It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your child's application status is “In Process.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you send my child's passport and supporting documents.

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

• New passport book
• New passport card
• Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

• Delivering application to us : Pay for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
• Returning the passport to you : Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport   1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid. 

You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

What countries require Form DS-3053 "Statement of Consent" to be notarized at an embassy or consulate?

In certain countries, a DS-3053 must be notarized at a  U.S. embassy or consulate  and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Currently, these countries include:

Special Passport Fairs

Find a Special Passport Fair  near you!

We're holding special passport fairs all across the United States to help you get your passport more easily. New events are added to our site every week.

Most events are for first-time applicants and children, (who use Form DS-11). If you can use Form DS-82, you can renew by mail at your convenience!

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

How to Apply for your Child's Passport

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person for your child's U.S. passport!

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Introducing Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that puts powerful generative models at the core of iPhone, iPad, and Mac

New Capabilities for Understanding and Creating Language

Image Playground Makes Communication and Self‑Expression Even More Fun

Genmoji Creation to Fit Any Moment

New Features in Photos Give Users More Control

Siri Enters a New Era

A New Standard for Privacy in AI

ChatGPT Gets Integrated Across Apple Platforms

Text of this article

June 10, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Setting a new standard for privacy in AI, Apple Intelligence understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced Apple Intelligence , the personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that’s incredibly useful and relevant. Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. It harnesses the power of Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. With Private Cloud Compute, Apple sets a new standard for privacy in AI, with the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers.

“We’re thrilled to introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation. Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products — and what our products can do for our users,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence. And it can access that information in a completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them. This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”

Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively. With brand-new systemwide Writing Tools built into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.

Whether tidying up class notes, ensuring a blog post reads just right, or making sure an email is perfectly crafted, Writing Tools help users feel more confident in their writing. With Rewrite, Apple Intelligence allows users to choose from different versions of what they have written, adjusting the tone to suit the audience and task at hand. From finessing a cover letter, to adding humor and creativity to a party invitation, Rewrite helps deliver the right words to meet the occasion. Proofread checks grammar, word choice, and sentence structure while also suggesting edits — along with explanations of the edits — that users can review or quickly accept. With Summarize, users can select text and have it recapped in the form of a digestible paragraph, bulleted key points, a table, or a list.

In Mail, staying on top of emails has never been easier. With Priority Messages, a new section at the top of the inbox shows the most urgent emails, like a same-day dinner invitation or boarding pass. Across a user’s inbox, instead of previewing the first few lines of each email, they can see summaries without needing to open a message. For long threads, users can view pertinent details with just a tap. Smart Reply provides suggestions for a quick response, and will identify questions in an email to ensure everything is answered.

Deep understanding of language also extends to Notifications. Priority Notifications appear at the top of the stack to surface what’s most important, and summaries help users scan long or stacked notifications to show key details right on the Lock Screen, such as when a group chat is particularly active. And to help users stay present in what they’re doing, Reduce Interruptions is a new Focus that surfaces only the notifications that might need immediate attention, like a text about an early pickup from daycare.

In the Notes and Phone apps, users can now record, transcribe, and summarize audio. When a recording is initiated while on a call, participants are automatically notified, and once the call ends, Apple Intelligence generates a summary to help recall key points.

Apple Intelligence powers exciting image creation capabilities to help users communicate and express themselves in new ways. With Image Playground, users can create fun images in seconds, choosing from three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. Image Playground is easy to use and built right into apps including Messages. It’s also available in a dedicated app, perfect for experimenting with different concepts and styles. All images are created on device, giving users the freedom to experiment with as many images as they want.

With Image Playground, users can choose from a range of concepts from categories like themes, costumes, accessories, and places; type a description to define an image; choose someone from their personal photo library to include in their image; and pick their favorite style.

With the Image Playground experience in Messages, users can quickly create fun images for their friends, and even see personalized suggested concepts related to their conversations. For example, if a user is messaging a group about going hiking, they’ll see suggested concepts related to their friends, their destination, and their activity, making image creation even faster and more relevant.

In Notes, users can access Image Playground through the new Image Wand in the Apple Pencil tool palette, making notes more visually engaging. Rough sketches can be turned into delightful images, and users can even select empty space to create an image using context from the surrounding area. Image Playground is also available in apps like Keynote, Freeform, and Pages, as well as in third-party apps that adopt the new Image Playground API.

Taking emoji to an entirely new level, users can create an original Genmoji to express themselves. By simply typing a description, their Genmoji appears, along with additional options. Users can even create Genmoji of friends and family based on their photos. Just like emoji, Genmoji can be added inline to messages, or shared as a sticker or reaction in a Tapback.

Searching for photos and videos becomes even more convenient with Apple Intelligence. Natural language can be used to search for specific photos, such as “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt,” or “Katie with stickers on her face.” Search in videos also becomes more powerful with the ability to find specific moments in clips so users can go right to the relevant segment. Additionally, the new Clean Up tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.

With Memories, users can create the story they want to see by simply typing a description. Using language and image understanding, Apple Intelligence will pick out the best photos and videos based on the description, craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and arrange them into a movie with its own narrative arc. Users will even get song suggestions to match their memory from Apple Music. As with all Apple Intelligence features, user photos and videos are kept private on device and are not shared with Apple or anyone else.

Powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri becomes more deeply integrated into the system experience. With richer language-understanding capabilities, Siri is more natural, more contextually relevant, and more personal, with the ability to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. It can follow along if users stumble over words and maintain context from one request to the next. Additionally, users can type to Siri, and switch between text and voice to communicate with Siri in whatever way feels right for the moment. Siri also has a brand-new design with an elegant glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen when Siri is active.

Siri can now give users device support everywhere they go, and answer thousands of questions about how to do something on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Users can learn everything from how to schedule an email in the Mail app, to how to switch from Light to Dark Mode.

With onscreen awareness, Siri will be able to understand and take action with users’ content in more apps over time. For example, if a friend texts a user their new address in Messages, the receiver can say, “Add this address to his contact card.”

With Apple Intelligence, Siri will be able to take hundreds of new actions in and across Apple and third-party apps. For example, a user could say, “Bring up that article about cicadas from my Reading List,” or “Send the photos from the barbecue on Saturday to Malia,” and Siri will take care of it.

Siri will be able to deliver intelligence that’s tailored to the user and their on-device information. For example, a user can say, “Play that podcast that Jamie recommended,” and Siri will locate and play the episode, without the user having to remember whether it was mentioned in a text or an email. Or they could ask, “When is Mom’s flight landing?” and Siri will find the flight details and cross-reference them with real-time flight tracking to give an arrival time.

To be truly helpful, Apple Intelligence relies on understanding deep personal context while also protecting user privacy. A cornerstone of Apple Intelligence is on-device processing, and many of the models that power it run entirely on device. To run more complex requests that require more processing power, Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of Apple devices into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence.

With Private Cloud Compute, Apple Intelligence can flex and scale its computational capacity and draw on larger, server-based models for more complex requests. These models run on servers powered by Apple silicon, providing a foundation that allows Apple to ensure that data is never retained or exposed.

Independent experts can inspect the code that runs on Apple silicon servers to verify privacy, and Private Cloud Compute cryptographically ensures that iPhone, iPad, and Mac do not talk to a server unless its software has been publicly logged for inspection. Apple Intelligence with Private Cloud Compute sets a new standard for privacy in AI, unlocking intelligence users can trust.

Apple is integrating ChatGPT access into experiences within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.

Siri can tap into ChatGPT’s expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly.

Additionally, ChatGPT will be available in Apple’s systemwide Writing Tools, which help users generate content for anything they are writing about. With Compose, users can also access ChatGPT image tools to generate images in a wide variety of styles to complement what they are writing.

Privacy protections are built in for users who access ChatGPT — their IP addresses are obscured, and OpenAI won’t store requests. ChatGPT’s data-use policies apply for users who choose to connect their account.

ChatGPT will come to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year, powered by GPT-4o. Users can access it for free without creating an account, and ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts and access paid features right from these experiences.

Availability

Apple Intelligence is free for users, and will be available in beta as part of iOS 18 , iPadOS 18 , and macOS Sequoia  this fall in U.S. English. Some features, software platforms, and additional languages will come over the course of the next year. Apple Intelligence will be available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to U.S. English. For more information, visit apple.com/apple-intelligence .

Press Contacts

Cat Franklin

[email protected]

Jacqueline Roy

[email protected]

Apple Media Helpline

[email protected]

Images in this article