Fall quarter is already winding down and the frantic period of winter registration is in the rearview mirror. The next transfer application deadline is coming up on February 15, 2018 so if you haven’t had a chance to get to a Transfer Thursday session, try to do so as soon as possible. Transfer Thursday is held every Thursday, even during the winter break. Attend the Admissions Information session at 1:30 p.m. and then check in with departmental or general advising. Check out the TT schedule on the UW Transfer Portal.  You can find out which departments are offering information sessions and drop-in advising on any given Thursday so you can plan your visit accordingly.

The Transfer Portal has a wealth of information about important considerations for prospective transfer students so spend some time browsing through it! You will likely find answers to many of your questions. Transfer Thursday is a great opportunity to get more questions answered if you can’t find what you need on the portal or on the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising website. 

In this issue of the newsletter, we are again featuring profiles of transfer students from several departments, as well as updates from departments and news about other offices of interest to students, including the Career & Internship Center and Academic Support Programs. We hope you enjoy reading about the student experiences and learn about some of the opportunities that await you at the UW!

Academic Support at the UW

Need academic assistance? Our programs help UW students realize their potential—at the University and beyond. We provide a space for all students to be included, challenged and supported in their educational journey.

CLUE (Center for Learning and Undergraduate Enrichment)

CLUE is the UW’s free, late-night, multidisciplinary study center located in Mary Gates Hall. Open Sunday through Thursday from 7pm-11pm, it is an inclusive space for all students to receive academic support.

We offer drop-in tutoring, discussion sessions, exam reviews, and we have a writing center. Subjects: Math, Chemistry, Physics, Writing, Economics, Computer Science and Engineering, Statistics, Biology, Spanish, French, Arabic, Korean, and Japanese. Discussion and exam reviews vary from quarter to quarter. Check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Student Success Coaching

Just as a sports coach pushes you to achieve your goals and holds you accountable, a academic success coach works with you to identify challenges that come up in an academic context and come up with a game plan. Our student success coach is available for 1:1 appointments to help you do this!

To learn more and schedule an appointment, visit our website.

Academic Achievement Courses

Our Academic Achievement courses are great for recent transfer students who are interested in improving their academic performance. Students are presented with interesting course material and learn strategies to improve their note-taking, essay writing, reading, time management, and study skills. As a part of the course, students will be with a tutor-mentor (a junior or senior UW student) three hours per week to work on class assignments and learn about University resources.

English Department Update

We would like to announce an exciting new major at the University of Washington—Cinema Media Studies.

The Cinema and Media Studies major allows students to develop their understanding of how film and media function as distinctive modes of transmitting and critiquing cultural values and practices. The Department of Comparative Literature, Cinema & Media also hosts an array of CMS Faculty from a number of backgrounds.

We also have two new minors in English to announce. First, the ENGLISH minor is a fairly unrestricted  minor, one that allows students who are interested in literature and writing to choose pretty freely from most of our coursework  to complete this area of study. The second WRITING  minor  is more  writing specific, focusing on  a series of writing and rhetoric courses taught in  the English Department.

Please get in touch with English/Comparative Literature and Cinema Media Studies Advising if you have any questions:  206-543-2634 or nsisko@uw.edu.

Health Informatics and Health Information Management

Health Informatics and Health Information Management has an exciting new curriculum with additions of Health Data Analytics, Research Design and Statistics for HIHIM and Health Data Management to the mix of 76 credits focused on managing, collecting, analyzing and protecting patient records, disease concepts, information technology and healthcare legal foundations.  The addition of these classes keeps the program on its cutting edge and accredited so that students can sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator, RHIA credential, which is the ‘gold standard’ for the field.

Because of the shift in the curriculum there are now two course schedules. A two year plan is available for full time enrollment and a three year plan is available for part time enrollment. Classes begin in autumn and run through spring with a summer break. Admission deadlines are February 15th for early acceptance or May 1st for the regular acceptance deadline.

One of the fastest growing fields in the country; it is expected to grow by 23% between now and 2023. If students are interested in a combination of management, healthcare, technology, legal, health data governance and medical science this may be the perfect career. Information meetings are held monthly and details can be found on the department website. Prospective students are encouraged to meet one on one with an adviser to discuss their qualifications for the program. 

Landscape Architecture

The Department of Landscape Architecture offers a minor in Urban Ecological Design. Students now have more flexibility in the selection of Landscape Architecture classes they may take to fulfill the requirements for minor. The minor is structured provide an interdisciplinary experience addressing four key areas: ecological infrastructure, culturally-based place making, design for ecological literacy, and human and environmental health. You’ll find these themes integrated throughout the Landscape Architecture curriculum, bringing “urban ecological design” to life through theoretical investigations, built examples, and student projects.  

Requirements

25 total credits, composed of:

• 20 credits of LARCH courses open to non-majors
  • o [LARCH 212, 300, 322, 341, 352, 353, 361, 363, 450, 451, 454, 498]
• 5 credits of courses 200 level and above from within the College of Built Environments (ARCH, CEP, URBDP, CM) or from ESRM or GEOG

A 2.0 minimum grade is required in all courses counted toward the minor.

The Department has also revised its curriculum so that students admitted into the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) professional degree program may complete their degree in seven quarters — two academic years plus a Summer Quarter — along with the traditional nine quarter — three academic year—degree schedule.  These adjustments afford greater flexibility for students wishing, while not affecting the required professional degree requirements.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is a professionally accredited degree program, which students apply to enter while completing two years of General Education coursework and three pre-requisite classes: 

• LARCH 300/Introductory Landscape Architecture Design Studio, offered Summer and Autumn Quarters (6 credits, VLPA);
• LARCH 352 History of Landscape Architecture, offered Autumn Quarter (5 credits, VLPA/I&S); and
• LARCH 353 History of Modern Landscape Architecture, offered Winter Quarter (5 credits, VLPA/I&S).

These three classes can be taken before admission to the University of Washington through Non-Degree Enrollment.  For more information, see:  http://www.nondegree.washington.edu

To learn more about both the minor and major offered, visit our Department website and follow links under Programs and Admissions:  http://larchwp.be.washington.edu/

News from the Career & Internship Center

By Sha’terika Perkins

This quarter the Career & Internship Center launched programming specifically for transfer students. We are currently in the midst of our first Career Exploration course for incoming transfer students and we also offered two transfer student specific workshops called. One workshop, “Fast Track to Career Exploration”,  helped transfer students  maximize their time at UW by giving space to learn about ways to explore career options while getting skills employers want. Additionally, we offered “Career Transition 101” for our students who are pursuing a career change. Please check out our event calendar next quarter at https://careers.uw.edu/events/student/ for all of our workshop and employer events.

Speaking of events, did you know that winter quarter is prime time for internship opportunities? That’s right, there are several job and internship fairs and opportunities to connect with employers through industry specific panels and networking events. More and more employers are valuing internship experience as a major part of their hiring process and it is a great way for you to test out some possible career options. Don’t miss out! The first step is to make sure your materials (i.e. resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile), networking, and interviewing skills are ready to go. Attend one of our workshops or schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor at https://careers.uw.edu/schedule-an-appointment/ for one-on-one support. 

Transferring to Success in the Department of History

Being a transfer student can be hard. Not only are you entering a new environment, with a whole new set of rules and systems, you’re also arriving after the hustle and bustle of freshman orientation where others have already established friendship groups and tackled the newness together. It can seem like everyone knows their way around and has found their little niche, except for you.

Read more...

UW Tacoma Milgard School of Business

By Heidi Norbjerg

The Milgard School of Business at UW Tacoma offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree with options in accounting, finance, management, marketing and general business.

Our new Milgard Success Center is dedicated to career management and helps our students pursue relevant and educational internships that allow them to apply the skills learned in class to real-world work situations while gaining valuable experience.

We are currently accepting applications for Autumn 2018. Students must first apply to transfer to UW Tacoma and then second apply to the Milgard School of Business. The priority application date is March 15.

Milgard also has many scholarship opportunities for incoming students - students with 3.0 or higher transfer GPA are encouraged to submit the Milgard scholarship application. The application opens on April 1 and closes May 1.

Right now our website features a great story about current Milgard student and transfer from Pierce College, Chris Burd - check it out here!

Visit our website to learn more or contact Milgard School of Business Undergraduate Recruiter & Advisor Heidi Norbjerg at norbjerg@uw.edu.  

What’s New in Pre-Health Advising

In an effort to better serve both current and prospective UW students, the Pre-Health Advising team is moving their “Pre-Health Advising Quick Questions” to Mary Gates Hall Suite 141 on Thursdays 2-4 when classes are in session.  This is during the regular Transfer Thursday sessions for prospective transfer students to the UW.

This move will take place in winter quarter.

While the sessions are scheduled on Transfer Thursday to better accommodate prospective transfer students, they are designed for current and prospective UW students who have quick questions as they explore, prepare for and apply to professional health programs.

Learn more at www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/prehealth,  or search “UW Pre-Health Advising”.

Student Profile: Alexis McClimans, Slavic Languages and Literatures

I transferred from Bellevue College, where I received an Associates in Arts and Sciences. While there, I was considering a number of different educational pathways, until I had the opportunity to work with Lynn Walker, an English professor, studying the evolution of Tolstoy’s writings. Her guidance, coupled with my growing infatuation with 19th century Russian literature inspired me to pursue a degree in Russian language and literature. Though it would be some years before I applied to the UW following my time at Bellevue College, I never lost the desire to pursue a degree in Russian.

Some of the most enjoyable aspects of my experience at the UW have been my time abroad and the courses I’ve taken within the Slavic department. I have felt an enormous amount of support from the Slavic department, in my courses and in my larger academic career, such that the general academic stress one is bound to feel has been nothing short of enjoyable. The department faculty and professors have given me the opportunity to explore new paths and expand my academic horizons, which lead to me working with the Georgian language and eventually travelling to Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as Russia.

Another enjoyable aspect of my UW experience was my time abroad, in St. Petersburg. There, I was able to put what I had learned here at the UW to use, synthesizing my Russian history, language, and literature courses in a real-world ‘practicum’ of sorts. It was also there that I decided upon the next steps in my academic journey. Once I returned home I began working on my graduate school applications to Master of Library and Information Science programs throughout the country. As I continue along my academic journey, I hope to combine my work in the information  sciences with my Russian studies.

Student Profile: Jessica Chandler, Landscape Architecture

Name: Jessica Chandler
Major/Year: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) ‘19
Previous Institution: Shoreline Community College
Year and Quarter Transferred: Summer 2016

ABOUT ME: My name is Jessica Chandler. I am non-traditional student who spent my early twenties traveling and pursuing a career in horticulture. I lovingly refer to myself as a late-bloomer, because I've tried on many different hats in my life. I’ve lived in Seattle for ten years, where I discovered my green thumb, and my love of the grey hoodie. If I don’t have my head down at Gould hall, I am probably at the Roller-Rink.

THE TRANSFER EXPERIENCE

Why did you decide to transfer, and how did you choose UW?

I always knew that I hoped to transfer; the goal was to be the first person in my family to earn a Bachelor's degree. When starting Shoreline Community College, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my education. With my career experience and blossoming interests, I began to narrow down my field. Once I decided how I wanted to specify my studies, I looked at all schools within Washington state. UW was my first choice because the program I was applying for was interdisciplinary and held in high esteem.

What was the hardest part of transferring?

The hardest part about transferring for me was the transition into a more rigorous academic experience. There were a lot of growing pains in the first quarter, because the expectations were a lot higher than what I had previously experienced. I worked full time and maintained good grades while in community college. After transferring, I had to adjust my expectations of what could be accomplished in a day and change my schedule to reflect my increase of responsibilities in relation to school.

What resources were most helpful to you when you were preparing to transfer?

It was most helpful for me to walk into Gould Hall and speak, face-to-face with the program coordinator for Landscape Architecture. She helped me understand exactly what was required of me. I would recommend asking for help as I navigated this mostly on my own, and I found it to be an uncomfortable experience.       

What advice do you have for prospective transfer students?

Once you decided what you want to study, I would highly recommend looking at the requirements for the major and gear your prerequisites towards giving you skills that will help you fulfill those requirements. You are your own best advocate; while I received thoughtful advising in community college, they weren’t able to give me informed advice in relation to my future career path, because they didn’t really understand the field. Calling the Department of Landscape Architecture office and asking questions will allow you to make informed decisions about your schedule while you are still preparing to transfer. Certain classes will help you to build your portfolio and give you insights that will help you to have an easier transition into UW. Any visual or digital art classes will be of great use to you! The Adobe Creative Suite will be your new best pal!

 THE HUSKY EXPERIENCE

How did you decide to pursue a degree in Landscape Architecture?

I have enjoyed a career in horticulture for close to ten years. My passion for plants gave me a jumping point for narrowing down a field of study. As I took classes in community college, I begin to become more interested in issues of equity and public health. In my career, I had met Landscape Architects who shared their enthusiasm for the field. This peaked my curiosity, and I went from there. 

What has been your favorite class or project so far, and why?

I really enjoyed the Ecological Systems Studio for a few reasons. It was really engaging to begin to think of ecology in the urban fabric. It was great to compile all the skills and information we have been gaining since the beginning of the year and use it to think about complex problems that still need solutions. In this studio, we cultivated the practice of representation as a research method, and I believe this will always be a part of my design process. Seeing the accumulation of your own thinking and learning has been a powerful experience. This studio tied together my interests with my developing skills and allowed for me to really engage with the material.

You are currently studying abroad in Rome. How has what you’ve learned in Rome supported your learning in the classroom, field, and community?

Studying abroad has been a dynamic experience! It's amazing to have a city become your classroom, especially as it relates to urban planning and landscape design. This type of educational experience is immersive; it allows you to hone your skills of observations and recording. This is a great opportunity to think about design from the eyes of an outsider. It’s a skill to try and understand a place without knowing it, and every day in Rome is like getting to know a new friend. It takes time to understand its history, its scars, and the things that make it beautiful. I believe this lesson, patience with unfamiliarity, will always affect my work.

Student Profile: Rachel Fricke, School of Aquatic & Fishery Science

When I transferred to UW last winter, I knew I would major in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. After my freshman year at the University of Southern California I wanted to deepen my understanding of watersheds and the organisms they are home to, and this led me to visit UW’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS). With the help of SAFS advisor Sam, I had the opportunity to sit it on a watershed ecology course, and from that point forward I knew UW was where I needed to be.

While I waited to hear back on my transfer application, I interned with Spokane Riverkeeper and completed a few prerequisites at Spokane Falls Community College. My time at Riverkeeper allowed me to start conducting research in a lab at UW shortly after starting here. Through the Wood Lab I study the encystment behavior of Fasciola spp., a waterborne parasite of livestock that is increasingly infecting humans. I had the opportunity this past June to present my research at the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Conference in Santa Barbara, CA via a Conference Travel Award from UW’s Undergraduate Research Program.

Through the support of my mentor Dr. Chelsea Wood, I also conducted research on schistosomiasis this summer with the Upstream Alliance in Saint Louis, Senegal. The Upstream Alliance is an international partnership working to find ecological levers for the control of schistosomiasis, a highly prevalent parasitic disease of humans caused by Schistosoma spp. Schistosomiasis is endemic to many regions of the developing world, and the Upstream Alliance is reintroducing native prawns above a dam on the Senegal River to eat the snails Schistosoma spp. use as intermediate hosts. As part of the Upstream Alliance team, I spent field days sampling snails in sweaty waders at rural water sites along the river, then dissected the thousands of snails we had collected in the lab to look for parasitic infections.

After I graduate, I hope to continue researching the various relationships between watersheds and human society. I’m pursuing a second degree in Environmental Studies to further my knowledge of environmental public policy, and plan to ultimately integrate my scientific and management interests by working for a non-governmental organization.