Transfer Thursday

Every Thursday, prospective students who want to transfer to the University of Washington can come to campus to find out about the admission process, academic areas of study, and other topics such as financial aid and housing.

Because so many UW offices are involved, the offerings each week vary. You can use the information on this page to get the most out of your visit. Choose a date that offers the appropriate admission session, departmental information session, and/or drop-in advising for your interests and questions.

After choosing a date for your visit, you're encouraged to register online.

Note: Students already offered admission to the UW should sign up for an Advising & Orientation date rather than attending Transfer Thursday.

Admission for Transfer Students Session

Nearly every prospective transfer student has questions about the admission process. In this 45-minute session, a representative of the UW Office of Admissions will cover core subject requirements, the personal statement, academic planning worksheets, and the comprehensive review process. This will be followed by a discussion of UW general education requirements by a pre-major adviser.

Because Running Start students use the freshman application, this session is not relevant to them; instead, they should check out the Office of Admissions information for freshmen page for admissions-related information.

The Admission for Transfer Students session, which is offered every week, is intended for prospective transfer students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or refugees. All sessions are held in MGH 258.

Dates for Autumn 2009:

October 22 @ 2:30 pm
October 29 @ 2:30 pm
November 5 @ 2:30 pm
November 12 @ 2:30 pm
November 19 @ 2:30 pm
December 3 @ 2:00 and 3:00 pm
December 10 @ 2:00 and 3:00 pm
December 17 @ 2:00 and 3:00 pm
December 24 @ 1:30 pm
December 31 @ 2:00 and 3:00 pm

The Admission for International Students session, which is offered many weeks during autumn and winter quarters, is appropriate for international applicants. All sessions are held in MGH 191A, except for December 17, which is in MGH 136.

Dates for Autumn 2009:

October 22 @ 2:30pm
November 5 @ 2:30pm
November 19 @ 2:30pm
December 3 @ 2:30pm
December 10 @ 2:30pm
December 17 @ 2:30pm

Departmental Information Sessions

Before and after the Admission for Transfer Students session, you can find out about the majors and minors you're interested in by attending departmental information sessions. If the major or program you're interested in does not offer an information session (or drop-in advising), you're encouraged to schedule an appointment with the department; you can find the contact information for your department of interest in the directory of college and department advisers.

Drop-In Advising

Pre-major advising is offered by Undergraduate Advising at the Gateway Center (MGH 171) between 2:30 and 4:30pm. Advisers in the Gateway Center help students compare and contrast different majors; help students understand the decision-making process that goes into choosing a major; and often help students prepare for "back-up" plans if their intended major does not pan out. Their job is to know the entrance and graduation requirements of all majors on campus, but the true experts on the programs are the department advisers. If you are fairly decided upon your major, we strongly encourage you to work directly with your academic department rather than a pre-major adviser.

The following departments offer drop-in hours for transfer students on most Thursdays. If the major or program you're interested in does not offer drop-in advising (or a departmental information session), you're encouraged to schedule an appointment with the department; you can find the contact information for your department of interest in the directory of college and department advisers.

• Art
  11:00 am–3:00 pm, Art 104
• Biology
  1:00–3:30 pm, Hitchcock 318
• Chemistry & Biochemistry
  1:30–4:00 pm, Bagley 303
• Community, Environment, and Planning
  1:00–2:00 pm, Gould 208Q
• Computer Science & Engineering
  2:00–3:00 pm, CSE 101
• Early Childhood and Family Studies
  3:30–5:00 pm, Miller 206
• Engineering
  1:00–3:00 pm, Loew Hall 301 (Not available 12/24 or 12/31)

• English
  11:00 am–7:00 pm, Padelford A2B
• Environmental Science and Resource Management
  3:30–4:20 pm, Anderson 116 (Not available 12/24 and 12/31)
• Environmental Studies
  3:30–5:00 pm, Mary Gates Hall 274 (Not available 12/17, 12/24, 12/31) poeadv@uw.edu
• History
  1:30–3:20 pm, Smith 206A (Available 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17)
• Jackson School of International Studies
  1:30–3:20 pm, Thomson 111

• Marine Biology (minor)
  2:30–4:30 pm, Fisheries Science Building 116 (Not available 12/24 or 12/31)
• Math
  1:00–3:00 pm, Padelford C-36
• Physics
  2:30–4:30 pm, Physics-Astronomy Building C139A (Not available 12/24 and 12/31)
• Political Science
  3:30–5:00 pm, Smith 215 (Not available 12/24)
• Paper Science and Engineering
  3:30–4:20 pm, Anderson 116 (Not available 12/24 and 12/31)
• Psychology
  3:00–4:30 pm, Guthrie 119A (Not available 10/22, 12/17, 12/24 and 12/31)

• Admissions
  DROP-IN: 3:30 pm–4:30 pm, Mary Gates Hall 171
• Evening Degree Program
  DROP-IN: 3:00 pm–4:00 pm, Mary Gates Hall 171 (every week from Oct. 15 through Dec. 31)
• Financial Aid
  DROP-IN: 11:00 am–5:00 pm, Schmitz 105
  INFORMATION SESSIONS: 3:30 pm, Mary Gates Hall 191A, 11/5 and 12/3
• Housing & Food Services
  DROP-IN: 11:00 am–5:00 pm, Schmitz 301

• International Programs & Exchanges
  DROP-IN: 11:00 am–4:00 pm, Schmitz 459
  INFORMATION SESSIONS: 3:00 pm every Thursday, Schmitz 459
• UW Bothell
  DROP-IN: 2:00–4:00 pm, Mary Gates Hall 171 (Available 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 12/3 and 12/10)
• UW Tacoma
  DROP-IN: 2:00–4:00 pm, Mary Gates Hall 171 (Available 10/15, 11/19, and 12/17)

More Things to Do

Sample a UW Class

As long as you're here on campus, why not find out what the classes are like? UW Admissions provides a list of classes that you are welcome to sit in on. No sign-ups, no permission, just go! Professors do ask that you arrive on time, stay for the whole class, and generally conduct yourself in a manner that will not disrupt the class. This list includes classes at various times throughout the week, but some are offered on Thursdays.

Transfer Cafe

Tau Sigma, the national honor society for transfer students, organizes this weekly event, held from 2:30 to 3:30 pm every Thursday in Mary Gates Hall 171. It is an informal gathering of admitted and prospective transfer students designed to aid transfer students in their transition to student life at the UW. Feel free to drop in and chat with someone who's gone through what you're going through!

Online Resources

• Choosing a Major — An introduction.
• Disability Resources for Students — The Disability Resources for Students Office (DRS) coordinates academic accommodations for enrolled students with documented disabilities.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement — For all new freshmen and transfer students.
• Finances — From the Student Guide.
• General Education Requirements of UW's Schools & Colleges
• I'm a Transfer Student — Selected episodes of the UW advising podcast series.
• Transfer eNewsletter — This publication is intended for prospective transfer students to the UW, as well as for the advisers who advise them.
• Transferring Credit — From the Student Guide.
• UW Course Equivalencies for Washington Community Colleges
• UW Transfer Admissions — Follow these steps to a successful transfer application.
• What Can I Do with a Major In...? — This helpful site lists dozens of majors and offers common career areas that follow, along with typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities.