1. If your father is an alum or your siblings are now at the UW, you have a better chance to get in. Wrong. The UW has more than 70,000 alums, and it would take up all of UW’s space if alum relationships were used as criteria.
2. If your family has donated lots of money to the UW, you will get in. Wrong. Former President Mark Emmert once told a group of publishers that he had to call a $12 million donor explaining why the UW had to reject his grandson.
3. The UW is accepting fewer U.S. freshmen due to the state’s budget cut. Wrong. Of the 14,000 students who applied, the UW actually accepted more U.S. students this year than last year by 0.2 percent. Last year, the acceptance rate was 56.8 percent; this year’s is 57 percent.
4. The acceptance period is over. Wrong. Another 60 percent of transfer students from community colleges will get in, due to commitment to a state contract. Letters will be sent out in May. Thirty percent of acceptance seats have been set aside for transfer students.
5. If you have been rejected, you have no more chances. Wrong. You can petition and ask to be placed on a wait list. Not everyone who gets accepted will choose the UW.
6. Great extracurriculars make up for weak academics. Wrong. Activities alone won’t get you in.
7. It’s OK to tell the UW that it made a mistake in not admitting you. Wrong. Don’t let your anger show in your correspondence. Although there is no formula for reviewing student applications, sometimes as many as three individuals evaluate an application. You can share with the admissions office any information you omitted in the initial application process though; this will increase your chances of getting admitted. ♦