Application Steps for Current UW Students

The Informatics program admits majors once a year for Autumn quarter only. Follow the application process below to apply for the Informatics Major:

Application Deadline:
  • Opening date: January 22, 2009
  • Final closing date: April 15, 2009

1. Complete prerequisites.

Review the required and recommended Lower-Division Courses. Plan to complete prerequisites by Spring quarter of the year in which you apply. Prerequisites may be in progress at the time of application.

2. Prepare application materials.

Prepare your personal statement and have your unofficial transcript available before applying online.

A. Personal Statment

Prepare your personal statement (typically 2 pages) before you begin the online application.  The statement must be an electronic document in Microsoft Word, RTF, or ASCII text format. At the end of the online application form, you will upload your personal statement to our server. 

The personal statement should include the following:

  1. Be sure to include your full name and UW ID number, if you have one, on your statement.
  2. The Informatics major focuses on integrating people, information, and technology.  Please choose one of the topics below to express your interest in the Informatics program.
    1. Given your interests, academic preparation, work experience, personal and/or cultural experience, describe how you might contribute to the Informatics major and/or to the field.
    2. Describe a critical problem you perceive existing at the intersection of information, people, and technology. Why is this problem interesting to you? In other words, what is it about you personally that makes this problem important and interesting?
  3. Include any additional information that is important for the Informatics Admissions Committee to know:
    1. Demonstrated commitment to Informatics (e.g., related courses you have taken, work experiences, internships, etc.)
    2. Hardships and barriers you may have had to overcome (e.g., disabilities or socioeconomic disadvantage)
    3. Any exceptions or special considerations you are requesting (e.g., substitution of a transfer course or request for provisional admission pending completion of prerequisite courses).

B. Transcripts

You will need the information from your unofficial transcript in order to complete the online application.

3. Apply online for the Informatics major.