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UW

University of Washington

One 650-word story about your character, on UW's own application. No Common App essay, no community short response this year.

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Required essays

1 (650 words)

Optional essay

Additional info (200 words)

Uses Common App essay?

No

Test policy

Test-optional

What UW rewards

University of Washington keeps its essay ask refreshingly simple for 2025-26: one required personal statement of up to 650 words, submitted through UW's own application (UW does not read your Common App essay). There's also an optional 200-word "additional information" box for context that doesn't fit elsewhere. The required community short response that UW used to ask for has been removed this cycle, so the personal statement now carries your whole written voice.

UW is test-optional for most applicants, and admissions reads applications holistically, meaning your essay is doing real work, not just filling a box. The core challenge: with only one essay, you can't spread yourself across "why UW," an activity, and an identity piece. You have to pick one true story and tell it so well that a reader closes your file feeling like they've met you.

01A single, specific story. UW says it plainly: tell a story from your life, not the story of your life. They reward applicants who can zoom into one scene, one season, one relationship and let it stand for something larger, rather than narrating a resume in paragraph form.
02Character you can see in action. The prompt asks for an experience that demonstrates or shaped your character. UW wants character revealed through what you did and chose, not adjectives you assign to yourself. Show the moment you were resourceful or stubborn or kind; don't just claim it.
03Reflection over event. Holistic readers care less about how dramatic your experience was and more about what you made of it. The strongest UW essays spend real estate on the thinking that happened after the event, how it changed a habit, a belief, or how you treat people.
04Honest, unpolished humanity. UW serves a huge, varied student body and values authenticity over a glossy hero arc. An essay that admits doubt, names a real flaw, or sits with an unresolved feeling reads as more trustworthy than one that ties everything in a bow.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

1 prompt for UW, each broken down with annotated examples.

Personal Statement (Required)650 words maximum

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

See all 1 prompt and get a read

Your chance

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Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at UW and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Application deadline (all first-year)November 15
Early Action / Early DecisionNot offered
Decisions releasedMarch 1-15

Cost

Sticker price$32,976
Avg net after aid$15,200
Meets full needPartial
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what UW weighs most Supplemental essays1 prompt, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $15,200/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes UW interview? Format, tips, and practice The UW Reader ProScore your draft against UW's exact prompts
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UW FAQ

What is UW's acceptance rate?

~39% overall (roughly 48% in-state, lower for out-of-state and international applicants), per the most recently reported cycle. At UW, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does UW require?

UW requires 1 supplemental essay on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does UW cost?

UW's published sticker price is about $32,976 per year, but the average family pays $15,200 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does UW require SAT or ACT scores?

UW is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are UW's application deadlines?

UW's application deadlines are Application deadline (all first-year) November 15; Early Action / Early Decision Not offered; Decisions released March 1-15. Add UW to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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