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Four Year Colleges
Use these websites below to explore your four-year college options. Consider location, student population, majors, student life, cost, as well as other aspects when exploring your options. Also, consider the Selectivity of college admissions.
Best Colleges resource: https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/
Check out the Best Colleges in Washington: https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/washington/
Washington Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
America’s largest regional interstate tuition savings program
Looking for a way to make an out-of-state college experience affordable?
Consider the Washington Undergraduate Exchange: WUE (pronounced “woo-wee”) Coordinated by WICHE. WUE is a regional tuition-reciprocity agreement that enables students from WICHE states to enroll in more than 150 participating two- and four-year public institutions at 150 percent of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition. WUE is the largest program of its kind in the nation, and has been in operation since 1987! WUE is not a short-term exchange—it is meant to be used for a full degree. Visit www.wiche.edu/wue to learn more about the program and admission process. Click here to view the WUE Handout PDF
College Admission Requirements
Click here for a list of admission fees and deadlines for Public and Private Colleges in Washington State.
Four Year College Admission Requirements
Minimum college admission standards for public baccalaureate institutions include:
2.0 GPA
Taking the SAT or ACT and having the scores sent directly to the college or university. Not all universities require the SAT/ACT. Check the university you are interested in to see if it's required.
Test Optional Universities: colleges with test-optional policies in place affirm that they will not penalize students for the absence of a standardized test score. Together, we strongly endorse a student-centered, holistic approach to admission that will not disadvantage any student without a test score. To see which institutions are Test Optional click HERE!
Test Blind/Test Free/Score Free: Institutions that will not consider ACT/SAT scores, even if submitted. To see which institutions are Test Blind/Test Free/Score Free click HERE!
Completing courses that meet the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs). Note: Each school district is responsible for determining which of their courses meet state CADRs.
Please review specific admission information by visiting each school's website above.
Washington Public Four Year Colleges
Independent/Private College in Washington State
Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW)ICW is an association of 10 private, nonprofit colleges in the state. ICW's member institutions share a commitment to high-quality, academically rigorous learning, and to an education that emphasizes critical thinking, lifelong learning, ethics, leadership, and community service. To learn more about admission requirements, visit their websites below:
Other College Requirements
Each college has individualized admission requirements. Visit admission websites to learn about specific requirements.
Four Year College Admission Testing Information
Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions and merit-based scholarships. Colleges don't prefer one over the other, so explore both tests to decide which one is right for you.
Potential College Athletes
Student-athletes have specific requirements and need to register with the NCAA. Visit NCAA to learn more.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS
Every 4-year College and university, community college, and technical school requires applicants to submit different components. Research the documents that are required by exploring specific college’s websites. The following is a list of items that may be included in the application process:
APPLICATION FORMS
Most students use online applications, but paper applications are usually available too. Online is the preferred way to apply. Application are available on colleges website under the admission tab, on sites like The Common Application, the Universal College Application and other online applications sites. When creating your online application accounts keep good records of your login and password information. fill in the blank on the application form itself.
APPLICATION FEES
Fees vary, but generally it costs form $35 to $50 to apply to each college. Online applicants will pay by credit card. All four-year public schools in Washington charge a non-refundable application fee. Many colleges offer fee wavers.
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
Some colleges do not require transcript with the initial application. Read directions carefully. If required, transcripts are ordered in the counseling office.
FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
At the end of your senior year, request a final transcript for the college you've decided to attend. Transcripts will be sent directly to the admissions office or location of your choice.
ADMISSION TEST SCORES
Some colleges require or recommend that you send scores form tests such as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT. Colleges only accept scores from the testing organizations. Request scores be sent directly from SAT or ACT. Send scores as soon as you begin applying to a college. Do not wait!
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
May colleges require letters of recommendation form teacher or adults who know you well. Ask your references well in advance of the deadlines to write you a recommendation.
ESSAYS
Your essays are a chance for you to give admission officers a better idea of your character and strengths.
How to Write the College Essay
AUDITIONS and PORTFOLIOS
If you're applying to music, art or theater programs, the colleges may want to see samples of your work.
SEPARATE APPLICATIONS
Separate applications may be required for honors, special programs, college scholarships. These may have separate Due Dates.
ADMISSION OPTIONS
There are a bunch of application deadline options to choose from. They will vary from school to school. Keep in mind that the college might have different deadlines for their financial aid forms.
REGULAR DECISION: Regular Decision deadlines are non-binding and widely available. Regular Decision deadlines for fall admission usually occur in the preceding January or February, and students receive a decision by April.
ROLLING ADMISSION: Schools with Rolling Admission deadlines (also non-binding) accept applications until the programs fill up, often as late as April and through the summer. However, there is a chance of losing your spot if the class fills up, so it’s best not to wait too long. (Many rolling admission schools recommend applying on the same timeline as their Regular Decision counterparts.) Also, some colleges with rolling deadlines will still have set admission deadlines for particular academic programs (such as physical therapy). Again, check with your schools to be sure!
EARLY ACTION (EA): An option to submit your applications before the regular deadlines. Early Action is the term used to describe the application process which permits a student to make application to an institution of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the normal response date. Decisions can be admit, hold for further review, or deny. The candidate is not committed to enroll at that particular institution. Student will be able to wait until May 1 to accept so that they can compare the financial offers of multiple schools.
~ Student may apply to other colleges (not binding).
~ Some colleges have an early action option called EA II, which is later application deadline than their regular EA plan.
~ Institution will notify the applicant of the decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time after the Early Action deadline.
~ Student applying for aid will adhere to institutional aid application deadlines.
~ Student will not be required to make a commitment prior to May 1st but is encouraged to do so as soon as a final college choice is made.
RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION (REA): A non‐binding agreement that prevents the applicant from applying to other schools early (ED or EA). Stanford allows students to apply REA, which prohibits students from applying to Ivy league schools or private college/universities early. Under REA, students are allowed to apply to public colleges and universities early, but not private college and universities. However, students are allowed to apply regular decision (RD) to private college and universities.
SINGLE-CHOICE EARLY ACTION: Single-Choice Early Action is offered by some schools. This program differs from other Early Action programs, as it does not allow a student to apply to other schools under any type of early action, early decision or early notification program.
EARLY DECISION (ED): An option to submit an application to your first-choice college before the regular deadline. Early Decision is the term used to describe the application process in which a commitment is made by the student to the institution that if admitted, the student will enroll. Early Decision plans are binding. Only a student who can make a deliberate and well-reasoned first choice decision should apply under early decision. If accepted you must attend that school and withdraw any applications sent to other schools. You won’t be able to compare financial aid offers. Any student considering Early Decision should meet with the College and Career Center and their school counselor in September of senior year to go over this option.
~ Student may apply to other colleges but submit only one Early Decision application.
~ Institution will notify the applicant of the decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time after the Early Decision deadline.
~ Student applying for aid will adhere to institutional Early Decision aid application deadlines.
~ Institution will respond to application for financial aid at or near the time an offer of admission is extended.
~ If admitted, student will enroll unless aid award is inadequate.
~ Immediately upon acceptance of an offer, student will withdraw all other applications and make no subsequent applications.
~ There are pros and cons of applying early to colleges and universities:
Pros of Applying Early:
Higher acceptance rate of applicants (depends on the college)
More scholarships awarded to early applicants
Demonstrating high level of interest to a specific school or a few schools
Earlier notification of admission decision – usually by mid‐December
Earlier notification of financial aid package
Peace of mind earlier in senior year
Cons of Applying Early:
More competitive applicant pool
More work to be done near the beginning of senior year