Allen School Undergraduate Programs
The University of Washington is a great place to study Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and many related technology fields!
As you launch into your time at UW, it’s important to recognize that many students discover a new academic passion during their first year — they indicate preference for one major on their UW application, but an exciting introductory course in another field causes them to reconsider. This is healthy! Students who come to UW intending to major in a field other than Computer Science or Computer Engineering sometimes take our introductory course, discover that they love the field and have a flair for it, and become our majors. Students who come to UW intending to major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering sometimes discover that another major — for example, Informatics or Human Centered Design & Engineering — is better suited to their interests. Don’t feel constrained; explore the breadth and depth of the University of Washington!
As with many other programs at UW, the Paul G. Allen School is capacity-constrained: the number of interested students significantly exceeds the number of student places that are available. (We can’t expand arbitrarily. Providing a world-class Computer Science or Computer Engineering education requires appropriate class sizes, laboratory facilities, faculty, etc.). Below you will learn about the different admissions pathways to get into the Allen School.
Why the Allen School?
The Allen School offers a world-class education that prepares undergraduate students for careers in the technology industry and beyond! With dedicated faculty, a vibrant community including over 2,000 undergraduate students, state of the art facilities, and innovative, hands-on coursework, undergraduate students can expect a collaborative and supportive environment that prepares them to thrive in computing.
Learn more about opportunities and resources for Allen School undergraduate students:
- Allen School-Affiliated Student Organizations
- Allen School Faculty
- Career Preparation
- Research Opportunities
- Study Abroad – Allen School Exchange Programs
- Teaching Assistantships
- Undergraduate Student Services
Undergraduate Admissions
Like many other UW majors, both Computer Science and Computer Engineering are capacity-constrained, meaning the number of interested students significantly exceeds the number of students we are able to admit. Due to this high demand, students must apply for admission into the Allen School.
Admissions Pathways
This is our majority pathway, intended for students who are applying directly from high school or without completing any college coursework after graduating from high school. Students apply by listing either Computer Science or Computer Engineering as their first choice major on the UW first-year application. This pathway typically takes around 4 years to complete.
Our transfer pathway is intended for students who will be transferring from another college or university after completing prerequisites and other minimum academic requirements. Students must apply through both the UW transfer application and the Allen School’s departmental application. Priority is given to students who are transferring directly from a Washington State community or technical college. This pathway typically takes around 2 years to complete.
Learn more about transfer admissions
Running Start students who are dual enrolled while in high school should apply as first-year students
This pathway is intended for students who are interested in applying to the Allen School after enrolling at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus, especially those who discover a passion for computing after enrolling. Students must complete prerequisites and minimum academic requirements before becoming eligible to apply through the Allen School’s departmental application. Current UW Admissions is competitive and there is no guarantee that a student will be able to enter an Allen School major after enrolling at the University of Washington. This pathway typically takes around 2-3 years to complete.
In total, the Allen School is able to admit around 630 new undergraduate students across our three pathways each year. Unfortunately, due to capacity constraints, the Allen School is not able to offer post-baccalaureate admissions for students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree at this time.
Resources for Prospective Undergraduate Students
Allen School Resources
For resources related to a particular Allen School admissions pathway, please check out our Direct to Major, Transfer, or Current UW Student admissions pages. In addition, our Undergraduate Student Services Team student employees may be able to provide additional support to applicants:
Student Recruitment Representatives
This team works with prospective Direct to Major and transfer applicants, particularly focused on supporting students who may have limited access to college preparatory resources.
Peer Advisers
This team offers a variety of supportive options for students who are already enrolled at the UW’s Seattle campus and are interested in applying to an Allen School major through the current UW student admissions pathway.
University of Washington Resources
There are a number of resources offered by other UW offices and departments that may be helpful for prospective students who are working on their applications to the UW’s Seattle Campus:
The UW Office of Admissions manages the first-year and transfer application processes and provides guidance for prospective UW undergraduate students.
The Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment (MOR) team, housed in the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, supports applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds with navigating the application process and getting to know the UW.
The residency office helps students understand their residency category and the criteria needed to prove Washington residency for admissions & tuition purposes, if applicable.
International Student Services (ISS) supports international students attending UW on F-1 or J-1 visas with immigration advising and related resources. International students can also receive admissions support by emailing intladm@uw.edu!
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers information and support for applying for financial aid, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. Don’t forget to submit FAFSA or WASFA by the UW’s priority deadline!
Similar UW Majors
There are many other computing related majors at the University of Washington besides Computer Science and Computer Engineering. To learn more, you can visit the UW Majors Website and sort by “computing” under areas of interest! In addition, the Allen School has an extensive list of Non-Major Options available for students studying a different UW major with an interest in computing.