For many students taking classes at Seattle Colleges, graduating from the University of Washington (UW) is their goal. Although our community colleges offer competitive programs in many fields, they can also be a stepping stone for students interested in UW’s programs. Students transferring from Seattle Colleges are offered unique benefits, such as higher acceptance rates than those for high school applicants. However, the transfer process can be confusing to navigate, and once accepted, it can be tough to understand the dynamics of a large school like UW. I started my college education there, and I know that many aspects of the university, such as capacity-constrained majors and applying for financial aid, can be difficult to grasp.
For readers wondering about the transfer process, I gathered information during Transfer Day at UW, including words from advisors about what it takes to transfer from a community college.
Carlos Williams, the assistant director of admissions for transfer recruitment at UW, explained that the admissions department looks for students with a 3.0 to 3.5 GPA, roughly 90 college credits completed, and a major picked out with most or all prerequisites completed. According to Williams, transfer applications from those students have about a 70% chance of getting accepted. He also said that the best time to apply is when students have 40 to 60 credits under their belt, so they can hopefully get started in their major as soon as they’re accepted to UW.

Deeply involved in the university application process, Williams stressed the importance of reaching out to academic advisors for major-specific questions–for example, consulting business advisors about the Foster School of Business. To find advisor contact information, check the web pages for each major. Many departments have resources dedicated specifically for transfer students, such as transfer-specific advisors or informational sessions. Reaching out to a department before applying is a good way for prospective students to get to know the advisors in their desired program and find helpful application information.
When it comes to financial aid for transfer students, Williams shared that “The most aid [students] are probably going to get is going to be need-based aid,” stressing the importance of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the priority deadline: Feb. 28, 2025. While filling out the FAFSA and WASFA may seem obvious for those seeking financial aid, there is another benefit. The Husky Promise, a UW-specific aid program, offers full-tuition scholarships to roughly 8,000 students. To qualify, a student must be a Washington state resident, Pell Grant-eligible, and have completed their financial aid applications (FAFSA and WASFA).
Another way for transfer students to get funding is from the Martin Achievement Scholarship, which is only offered to community college students planning to transfer to UW in a year. In addition, the Martin Honors Scholarship is geared towards students already accepted to UW’s Seattle campus. Both scholarships are exclusive to community college students but fairly competitive. According to Williams, the number of applicants who receive the scholarship is about “four or five with each category, so not a ton of students.”

For first-generation college students, low-income households, and historically underrepresented groups, a great resource to utilize during the UW application process is the Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment (MOR) program. The program helps students navigate issues such as housing and registration. For those familiar with TRiO Student Support Service at the Seattle Colleges, MOR is a similar support.
Reflecting on my experience during my first year and a half at UW, my advice to transfer students is to try hard to find your community. Although this may seem obvious, it can be more difficult than expected. It’s ironic that even though there are 50,000+ students at the school, feeling isolated is common. As a competitive and rigorous university, UW offers attractive benefits, as it ideally will set up students for success in the working world. However, the drawback to this competition is that it can hinder elements of a good community. I was lucky enough to find a good group of people to spend time with, but I knew many people who struggled.
On the other hand, I found North Seattle College (NSC) to be an easier place to find a community. When I first took classes at NSC, I was glad to be around students who competed with themselves rather than with each other. I liked that the student body had a diverse range of life experiences and that students were passionate about the doors that education would open for them. I also liked the Seattle Colleges’ class structures, which are often built around a work schedule. The change of pace at NSC helped me realize that there are costs and benefits to each educational institution. For those considering a transfer, it’s exciting to join a world-class university and set yourself up for success after graduation. However, I encourage transfer students to be wary of getting isolated at school and find ways to keep community in their lives, whether through UW or outside communities. I bet you’ll enjoy your time more and your education will be better because of it.
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