International Students Guide - University of Washington Tacoma

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2015-16

EARN A PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON DIPLOMA in a small-campus environment where you get personal attention from world-class professors. A UW degree links you for a lifetime with the benefits of the University of Washington’s 150-year international reputation for exemplary teaching and research.

Classes are rigorous, but students feel a strong connection to faculty at UW Tacoma.

Along with a vibrant campus life, you will enjoy the chance to get involved in research, community projects, mentoring programs, study away and internships. Our campus is located in the middle of a flourishing city, surrounded by museums, cafes, stores, coffee shops and transportation—and by the incredible beauty of the Puget Sound and the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

WHY CHOOSE THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TACOMA? Excellent reputation: The University of Washington is ranked:

#14 Public Universities, U.S. News and World Report

#15 Academic Ranking, World Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong Rankings

#25 in world, Times Higher Education World University Rankings Rigorous education with top-notch faculty and library resources Beautiful campus in a vibrant downtown location Safe location with 24-hour campus security Small class sizes: average class size is 29 students Personal attention from faculty and staff

Strong student support: writing and math tutoring center, student health center and student involvement

Approved for SACM (Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission) scholarships

TACOMA, WASHINGTON Tacoma is a city full of history, culture and charm, located on the Puget Sound in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. To learn more about Tacoma: tacoma.uw.edu/admissions/tacoma-south-sound

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT

2013 – 2014 2014 – 2015

CHINA

OTHER HONG KONG

204 245

Since 2013, the number of all UW Tacoma international students has increased 20%

NATIONALITY MIX OF F-1 STUDENTS INDIA JAPAN KOREA TAIWAN

36% 29% 16%

14% 6%

5%

4%

Bangladesh Brazil Bulgaria Canada Cambodia Germany Iran Jamaica Kazakhstan Macedonia Malaysia Mexico Mongolia Philippines Russia Saudi Arabia Turkey Thailand Vietnam

UW TACOMA

CAMPUS PROFILE

SETTING: Urban TYPE: Public TOTAL STUDENTS: 4,501 TYPE OF HOUSING: On-campus, apartment, homestay

COST OF ATTENDANCE: $34,209 undergraduate non-resident tuition and fees per academic year

TOP UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS: 1. Business 2. Computer Science 3. Communication 4. Politics, Philosophy and Economics

TOP GRADUATE PROGRAMS:

BE BOUNDLESS tacoma.uw.edu/iss

1. Computer Science 2. Accounting 3. Nursing All information shown is current as of Autumn quarter 2014

INTERNATIONAL FRESHMAN ADMISSION A complete international freshman application includes:

FULFILL THE REQUIRED HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES (CADRs)

Complete online admissions application, including personal statement and activity log

Math – 3 yrs Social Sciences – 3 yrs

Submit high school transcripts with official translation if transcript is not in English

Fulfill the CADRs, UW Tacoma’s minimum course requirements

Proof of English proficiency (see next page)

Lab Science – 2 yrs World Language – 2 yrs

Sr. Year, Math-Based Quantitative Course – 1 yr Fine, Visual or Performing Art – 0.5 yr Academic Elective – 0.5 yr

US$75 international application fee You must have at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to be considered for admission. Once admitted, you will also need to provide proof of financial resources in order to qualify for an I-20 for F-1 student visa status.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER ADMISSION For those holding 40 college credits* or more, a complete international transfer application includes: Minimum transferable college GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

Successful completion of intermediate algebra, graded 2.0 or higher

Proof of English proficiency (see next page)

Submit all post-secondary official transcripts US$75 international application fee Once admitted, you will also need to provide proof of financial resources in order to qualify for an I-20 for F-1 student visa status.

APPLY ONLINE: tacoma.uw.edu/apply

*For those who have taken college classes but do not hold 40 transferable credits, please do all of the above AND send us your official translated high school transcripts.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS All international undergraduate applicants must complete the English proficiency requirement one quarter prior to their quarter of anticipated enrollment (e.g. if the applicant is applying for Autumn Quarter 2016, they must meet the English proficiency requirements by the end of Spring Quarter 2016). International undergraduate applicants to UW Tacoma can fulfill the English language proficiency requirements for general admission in ONE of four ways: 1. Submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores at or above the following minimum scores: TOEFL (internet-based) TOEFL (paper-based) TOEFL (computer-based) IELTS (academic only)

83 558 220 6.5

THE TOEFL INSTITUTION CODE FOR UW TACOMA IS 9965.

2. Submit official SAT or ACT scores at or above the following minimum scores: SAT (critical reading or writing) ACT (combined English/writing)

500 22

3. Transfer students can fulfill the English proficiency requirement based on classes if ALL of the following apply:

Enter as a transfer student at UW Tacoma with at least 30 transferable college-level credits from another U.S. higher education institution; AND Earn a 2.75 or higher overall grade point average (GPA) in transfer coursework; AND

Complete two transferable English composition classes with a GPA of 3.0

or higher in each class.

4. Successfully complete the UW Intensive English Program For more information on meeting these requirements, see our website at: tacoma.uw.edu/english-req

GRADUATE STUDENTS Students applying to a graduate (master’s level or higher) program at UW Tacoma must follow the UW Graduate School guidelines for English proficiency. Graduate students should send TOEFL results to code 4854.

For the policy, see: grad.washington.edu/policies/memoranda/memo08.shtml

ABOUT UW TACOMA YEAR FOUNDED: 1990 MISSION: educate diverse learners and transform communities by expanding the boundaries of knowledge and discovery.

STUDENT HOUSING: on-campus apartment-style living; homestays; independent living. More information at tacoma.uw.edu/iss/housing INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES:

URBAN-SERVING: UW Tacoma is an integral part of its community. Faculty and student research is global in scale in local in impact.

LOCATION: 46-acre downtown campus surrounded by museums, restaurants, retail, housing and businesses.

TACOMA is a safe and friendly city of more than 200,000: theater, arts, music, books, food, parks.

FREE LIGHT RAIL connects campus to the rest of downtown and to the Tacoma Dome transportation hub.

PUGET SOUND REGION includes Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Olympia. Home to Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, REI and many others.

UW LIBRARIES: UW Tacoma Library is one of 23 on UW’s three campuses. Worldclass, award-winning system open to all UW students, faculty and staff.

professional, friendly advisors and student ambassadors are always available to help with any questions about UW Tacoma or about visa status. tacoma.uw.edu/iss

UNIVERSITY Y STUDENT CENTER: Recreation and fitness facilities, exercise classes, game room and social spaces, student programming and event spaces.

VISIT CAMPUS: We welcome you and your family to visit our beautiful campus in the heart of downtown Tacoma. A campus visit is an excellent way to explore the UW Tacoma student experience. Join us for a campus tour, meet with an admissions advisor, or participate in one of our openhouse-style events. Come see for yourself how UW Tacoma can be part of your future. tacoma.uw.edu/visit

VANCOUVER, BC 174 miles 2010 Winter Olympics site Whistler Mountain

CANADIAN BORDER 143 miles

SEATTLE, WA 33 miles Space Needle Pike Place Market Experience Music Project (EMP) Starbucks headquarters, original store Seattle Mariners baseball Seattle Seahawks football Seattle Sounders soccer

TACOMA, WA University of Washington Tacoma

SNOQUALMIE PASS 68 miles Skiing / Hiking

MT. RAINIER 70 miles

MT. ST. HELENS 156 miles

PORTLAND, OR 143 miles Powell’s Bookstore Nike Headquarters Most bike-friendly city in U.S.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS Accounting BABA American Studies BA Arts, Media and Culture BA Biomedical Sciences BS starting Autumn 2016 Business Administration BABA Communication BA Computer Engineering BA Computer Science BA/BS Criminal Justice BA Environmental Science BS Environmental Studies BA Ethnic, Gender and Labor Studies BA Finance BABA Global Honors Option Global Studies BA Healthcare Leadership BA Hispanic Studies BA

History BA Information Technology BS Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences BA International Business BABA Law and Policy BA Management BABA Mathematics BS Marketing BABA Politics, Philosophy and Economics BA Psychology BA Social Welfare BA Sustainable Urban Development BA Urban Studies BA Writing Studies BA There are 24 undergraduate minors and certificate programs. For a full list: tacoma.uw.edu/majors

GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS Accounting MAcc Business Administration MBA Computer Science and Systems MS Cybersecurity and Leadership MCL Educational Leadership EdD Education MEd

Nursing MN Geospatial Technologies Nursing MN Social Work MSW

MSGT

for more information on UW Tacoma programs: tacoma.uw.edu/majors

FOR MORE INFORMATION: UW Tacoma International Students Services uwtiss@uw.edu 253-692-4762

BE BOUNDLESS tacoma.uw.edu/iss

1900 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA 98402-3100

THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TACOMA is accredited as a part of the University of Washington by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Individual academic programs may have additional accreditations. The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with university policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at 253-692-4522 or dssuwt@uw.edu.

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