Admissions

Becoming involved in the multitudes of extracurricular activities offered is the single most important thing you can do as a student at the University of Washington. This is a very, very large school and it's important to find a smaller group to call home.

Due to economic pressures this year, the state budget for our school's funding has unfortunately dropped and many of this year's students are planning more for our financial future at this school (my primary reason for coming to Cappex). My first piece of advice would be to get as much financial aid as possible even before the school has issued aid to you. In college, you can NEVER have too much money. I did not apply for any because I thought it was one big lottery game that I was never going to win, but I have learned it never hurts to try.

Secondly, be prepared to read and write like never before. Also, be prepared to actively read (underline, highlight, whatever floats your boat) and take good notes.

Thirdly, the taking good notes tip also applies to lectures, which you should go to. Even if they are Pod-Casted or on the internet because chances are you will procrastinate listening to them. Figure out a note-taking structure that you can best review when it comes down to studying.

Lastly, figure out your ideal study space. Ask yourself, do you need silence? Do you need lots of space? Do you need to be super comfortable? There are many libraries, buildings, grassy wet knolls, and other atmospheres to surround yourself in when you need to get down to business. Guaranteed, there will be a place for you, and it will be quite rewarding when you find it.

If you learned a language in high school, take language placement tests at UW as soon as possible. Almost every major has a language requirement that you can test out of, and it's a pain to try to deal with that when you're three years into college and you've forgotten almost everything.
--
Plan to live on campus or as close as possible. It's very difficult to be involved in extracurriculars, study groups, or social events if you live more than 15 minutes away from campus.

Be prepared to lose weight when you start school: you walk a LOT on campus. UW's Seattle campus is also on a hill, so you go downhill to get anywhere and have to work to get back. Also prepare for rain, and don't take the higher food plans from the college. Buy your food from the local grocery stores or restaurants, which are fairly inexpensive.

You're going into college. YOU are responsible for making it the best years of your life. Everything is here, just ask for it.

I know it's a given, but honestly, to succeed in your classes you just simply have to do your work. I've changed my attitude to simply Just do it. It's hard sometimes (and sometimes I fall short), but doing SOMETHING is better than nothing. Often times, late work is not accepted or else you really get a low grade. Just do it.

Don't just skip class because you don't want to go. If you're really tired, just sit in the back of class and TRY to stay awake. Believe me, I KNOW it's hard.

Figure out a schedule that works for you. Manage time for studying, eating, sleeping, relaxing, and having fun.

Umbrella. Need I say more?

And something I struggled with was figuring out the systems of the school. Signing up for a FIG entering the UW was probably the best decision I've ever made. I can go on and on about how it helped me transition into college (easy making friends, help on common classes and interests, insight into what the college offers, clubs, studying abroad, etc.)

Read the back section of the planner they give you. I made some mistakes and missed opportunities by not reading my planner. It helps so much. Just read it and it'll make your life a lot easier.

Research classes (find the rating of professors and classes on your school account) before registration.

Don't sweat or stress. There's a lot of fun things, groups, and activities to get involved with. Keep it in your head that college is supposed to be the best years of your life. It's what you make it.

Just be proactive.

1) Never believe that high school is the same as college because immaturity may lead to regrettable mistakes.
2) Try hard, but don't try too hard. The key to making sure excessive effort isn't necessary is to stay on top of all assignments so that there isn't an ample amount of cramming.
3) They say that college may be too different from high school. Take this with a grain of salt because people adapt and grow into their environment differently. So don't let the horror stories and intimidation scare you.

Involve yourself in anything, and if you hate it choose something else. Work hard on all your activities, and have goals for each year and each quarter. Dorm your first year if you can, and try to meet your roommates before school starts.

Don't be afraid of how big the campus is! There are so many ways to get involved and meet people. The Honors program is one of those ways--it makes the campus a whole lot smaller. You attend Honors classes with most of the same people and can even live with them. It's a great opportunity that definitely should be considered.

Visit the school. Learn about the UW's offered majors and minors. My friend is studying medicine and UW doesn't have pre-med, so she's majoring in Art and still taking pre-med classes. You don't have to know exactly what you want to do, but try to figure out a few areas you're interested in and ask a UW advisor about classes offered that relate.

Also: learn to love Pho, boba, and music and coffee snobs.

Oh! and it's NOT Pike's Place Market. It's Pike Place Market. It's not a market that belongs to some dude called Pike.

Oh! Oh! :) There's more to Seattle than the UW campus, which is of course wonderful and busy, but there's more. There's also more to Seattle than the Space Needle (which is not the tallest thing in Seattle) and Pike Place. Before the first quarter of your first year, grab your roommate or best friend and bus around. Go to Georgetown and get a slice of Stellar Pizza. Go to the Seattle Art Museum the first Thursday of the month for free admission. Wander through the very large Goodwill on Rainier for cool junk and then get some dim sum. Chances are, you're still a teen. If you are, register for Teen Tix. You'll get way cheaper tickets to things from movies to ballet to museums to plays. I saw a Seattle Rep production for $10 when all the old people had to see it for more than $40.

Meet the Washington State CADR's
Do more than the minimum
Somehow amaze people. Being a 4.0 student is good, but being a student who runs her own homeless shelter is better. Have achievements and interests outside of school, because it will help you succeed in school.