What are the general transfer student requirements for the University of Washington?

For the University of Washington, transfer applicants generally need a strong record in college-level coursework, and UW pays close attention to the classes you complete before applying. In most cases, you should have completed at least a substantial amount of transferable college credit, and competitive applicants often have finished core academic subjects such as English composition, math, and social sciences. UW also expects transfer students to be in good academic standing at all colleges attended.

A key baseline is that transfer admission is built around your college work, not your high school record, once you have enough college credits. If you apply with fewer college credits, UW may still look more closely at high school coursework and grades. For most transfer applicants, the university wants to see progress toward general education requirements and preparation for the major you plan to enter.

UW typically reviews whether your credits are transferable, your cumulative college GPA, and how well your completed courses match UW expectations. English composition is especially important, and many applicants also complete college-level math before transfer. If you are aiming for a competitive major, there may be specific prerequisite courses beyond the general transfer requirements.

Washington community and technical college students often have the clearest transfer pathways because UW has established course equivalencies and planning tools for those schools. Students transferring from four-year colleges or out-of-state colleges can still apply, but they should check carefully which credits will transfer. The application also includes academic history and other required materials, and some programs may ask for additional information depending on the major.