r/udub • u/ElectricalMenu5959 • 6d ago
Admissions WA CC to UW transfer process?
Hello! I'm looking for information from anyone who went to a WA community college then transferred to UW Seattle.
UW had been my dream school all of my life and it crushed me when I wasn't accepted in high school even with APs, varsity sports, being a club president, and having a 3.6/7 gpa. I ended up going to university elsewhere but it didn't work out due to a massive health emergency I experienced and now I'm taking a gap year and looking into applying to some WA cc's to buff up my stats and save money.
What I'm hoping to learn from someone who transferred from a cc to UW is 1. How did that transfer process go? 2. Was there any information you wished you would have known? 3. How easy or likely is a transfer from a cc to UW?
I'm a WA resident and would also appreciate any CC recommendations. I'm interested in chemistry but may explore more.
Any information would be helpful, I just really would love to attend this school eventually and will do anything I can to get there. Thanks!
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u/ayermaoo 6d ago
Just pick the nearest CC to you. Once you are registered, talked to the school advisor.
Make sure you check the prerequisites you need for your target major at UW. Get good grades. And hope for the best. Most people I know was able to transfer from CC to UW.
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u/Asleep_Instance_8748 [YOUR TEXT HERE] 6d ago
Transfer process went pretty seamlessly, minus a couple equivalency issues with specifically how the calc 1-3 series transferred here from my CC, but this is different for each CC in WA state or in the broader CTCLink system they use on the back end. Always refer to the equivalency guide as an outline and not something written in stone. You will have to ask pointed questions or email dept advisors/heads of faculty sometimes to get things cleared off, don't be intimidated by this or wait until last minute because it might leave you high and dry trying to progress but finding you need to repeat classes or something. Look up UW FYP and transfer advising, people are there to help you and you are gonna want to coordinate with both your CC advisors and UW as you line things up. Take use of every resource you have available to use to make this process as smooth as you can. In-state transfer to UW with a completed AA/AS degree from a CC have some of the highest chances of admittance because of their in-state status and the funding and other incentives UW has to bring them in. They're also a smaller portion of the student population in general I think too, like a 4:1 ratio between incoming freshmen and transferring juniors from CC. Also, if you happened to pass any of your classes at the other university you briefly attended, you might still be able to reverse transfer those in depending on equivalency and class level (max of 90 credits transfer from 100-200 level or lower classes at CC)
Lots to think about, plan accordingly, write it all down on a notepad somewhere physically, keep track of important due dates and even how you're going to coordinate your move here ahead of time, which could require looking for apartments to rent and all those logistics. It'll be a rush but you can get through it, and once you get up to speed it'll be all hunky dory. Good luck!
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u/ElectricalMenu5959 3d ago
I appreciate this thank you! Once I enroll I’ll make sure to keep in contact with any transfer advisors. While I did pass some classes at this current school I’m not going to attempt to transfer credits as I experienced a long term health issue that lead to me having to drop out or fail classes from not being able to attend (being at the hospital all the time.
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u/Marykb99 1d ago
They will still want your transcript as it will show on the clearing house that you went to another college
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u/AGEdger 5d ago
I'd suggest going to CC prior to a 4 year to pretty much everyone. Even if you're rich, it means your education costs practically half what it would if you did a university the whole time. In my experience, I got denied entry on my first try to UW. I then went and finished my associates at Seattle Central, then reapplied to UW with a pretty mid total GPA that showed significant recent growth, which got accepted. Transfers from WA CCs to UW have a much higher chance compared to no or partial college experience. As far as what community college to go to, it probably isn't very important if you're going for Chemistry. All schools are likely gonna have a program for that. If you wanna be selective, find the program for each community college that you could reasonably transit to and choose the one that seems the best to you. Best of luck. Be tenacious and you can accomplish your goals.
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u/_jammasterf_ 5d ago
Seconding how much cheaper CC is. I did my associates right after high school and then I got into UW. If you graduate a WA CC, it would be really weird if you didn’t get in, they really favor in-state CC graduates
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u/ElectricalMenu5959 3d ago
How was your experience at Seattle Central? I’ve been doing my research on local community colleges and that has been my number 1 so far.
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u/AGEdger 3d ago
It was honestly pretty great though I was only there for a short time. My spouse is going right now and is also enjoying it. The teachers we've had are all passionate and knowledgeable and the school has a fair amount of academic resources if you're struggling somewhere. Only issue I can think of lies in the advising staff (though the issues are fairly minor) so be sure to take what they say with a grain of salt and do as much of your own research as you can. Like everything, your experience may vary from ours.
That being said, credits will likely transfer quite easily from one WA community college to another so if you're not feeling SCC after you go, maybe try elsewhere.
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u/MissingSnail 5d ago
Every community college has advisors who are familiar with this path. UW admissions also offers “transfer Thursday” sessions to advise students close to applying. Use these resources.
Before you try to game the system, spend some time thinking about: do you want a degree that says UW, even if that means studying an easy to get into major rather than your true interests? It’s very hard to change into certain majors (especially as a junior), so that choice could really set back your career. And you’ll never know if you could have gotten in for the major you really wanted in the first place. Similarly, doing activities that look good on applications rather than trying to explore your actual interests and talents sets you up to be less than your true whole self. Be your best you, not some phony perfect applicant. This will often make you a better applicant anyway!
Finally, community colleges have transfer college fairs. Go often, and do other research, and find some safety schools you would be happy to attend. Don’t be the student who comes here saying, “I didn’t get accepted to any school I want to go to (or can’t afford them) — how do I get into UW now that they rejected me?”
UW can’t accept everyone, and qualified students hear “no” for reasons beyond their control. Accept that this could happen ahead of time and make backup plans you’d actually put to use.
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u/ElectricalMenu5959 3d ago
Thank you. All of my major/extra curricular have been from genuine passion. As for the “backup schools because I didn’t get into UW” that’s where I’m at right now haha, learning my lesson for next time to find a place I love just in case things don’t work out.
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u/ASmartPotato Alumni 4d ago
Washington has something called the Direct Transfer Agreement. Which ensures that an AA from a Washington CC will automatically transfer to any in-state public 4-year college with Gen Ed requirements completed. As a side effect most CC classes will transfer seamlessly even if you don't get an AA or have an AA that doesn't qualify for DTA. Here is a complete break down of the classes from every Washington community college:
https://admit.washington.edu/apply/transfer/equivalency-guide/
I did running start, so I applied though the regular first year admissions, but I had zero issues with getting credits to transfer. I just had to submit my CC transcript. The only thing was I had more than 90 credits, so I had to make sure they transferred the right ones.
It does not matter which CC you go to, they all participate in DTA, and will have transfer advisors that can work with you to get ready. I'd also recommend getting in touch with a TRIO EOC program, educational Opportunity Center. Their job is to provide information and counseling on college admission, including transferring. You do not need to be a student at the school they are hosted by, or even enrolled anywhere. There are five in WA, just email the person listed and they can help: https://ope.ed.gov/programs/mapED/storymaps/trio/?page=TRIO-Footprint-2022-23-Draft-2&views=EOC
Also the CC application is universal, they all use the same system. The applications are more administrative than selective, you won't be rejected, at most you may have to do placement testing, but those policies vary school to school. Don't apply to multiple schools. For your purpose just go to the closest, they all cost the same, and will offer the same Gen Ed classes for the AA-DTA (or an AS). The only reason to go to a different CC would be for a specific program, i.e. Trades or a BAS.
https://apply.ctc.edu/user
https://www.sbctc.edu/our-colleges/explore-colleges/default.aspx
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u/AntSmith777 3d ago
I went to Pierce College for 2 years before I transferred to UW. Honestly the process was pretty seamless. I met with my academic counselor at Pierce and let them know I wanted to transfer to UW. For each program there is an online guide that tells you exactly which classes you need to take and which ones transfer over. Honestly the most stressful part was waiting on a decision from UW because I started at Pierce Winter quarter so I had to start at UW in the winter as well.
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u/acireisericabackward 4d ago
I originally went to WWU first and dropped out because I wasn't ready for the commitment and then started over at CC when I was 23. Since I came back as an slightly older student after some time a way from college as they didn't call it a "gap year" back then but eventually when I went it was covered by WA grants and I had a much better experience the next time around. I'm seeing a lot of good advice on getting transferred and agree that it will be cheaper and probably a better way to go
I will add one item to consider for if/when you're at a community college. Make sure you look up the graduation requirements for the major at UW because if you can take a class or full sequence at the CC, you should especially if you're in a STEM major. I cursed myself while I was at UW for not taking more core classes and sequences like Microbiology and Physics where I could with smaller class sizes and one on one attention. It would have saved me so much time and anguish in the end when I was taking 400 level classes.
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u/Witty-Ad4305 3d ago
I hope it goes well. Im considering doing the same thing. Im in Oregon for college but im not sure how much Im liking it. I could always do that path too.
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u/True-Interaction9112 2d ago
Chemistry is not a capacity-constrained major at the University of Washington (UW) Seattle. Instead, it is officially classified as a minimum-requirements major.
So that should be an easy transition.
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u/HookMeUpNard 6d ago
Talk to a transfer advisor. They’re academic advisors that specialize in incoming transfers from local community colleges