Each program at UWB admits for different quarters and has different prerequisites. International students may apply to UWB for any quarter that their program admits.
In addition to general University requirements, program prerequisites, and distribution requirements, F-1 students are required to have an overall GPA of 2.0, a TOEFL score of 580 (237 computerized version) or a Michigan Language Test score of 90%, and two English Composition courses with at least a 3.0 grade in each course. Click below for more detailed information on TOEFL and English course requirements.
An International Student is a citizen of another country who has been issued a visa by a U.S. Consul in their home country solely for the purpose of entering the U.S. to pursue an education.
F-1 students must transfer to UWB from another university (including UW Seattle) or a community college in Washington State. UWB does not issue F-1 visas; we only issue the required transfer paperwork and issue the new I-20 to the student once they have been admitted into a program at UWB. Since there is no pre-major status at UWB, students must apply and be admitted directly into their major. UWB offers degrees in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Computing and Software Systems, Nursing, Master of Education, MBA, and Teacher Certification.
Transcripts from schools outside the United States must be evaluated by an independent evaluation service. The University of Washington, Bothell does not have the resources to perform detailed evaluations of foreign transcripts. Below is a list of independent credential evaluation services endorsed by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES).
The evaluation will verify the accreditation of the school and establish the credit equivalencies so the University of Washington, Bothell will be able to give you as much credit as possible. Please request a course-by-course evaluation, and have an official copy sent directly to the University of Washington, Bothell. You must also submit an official copy (translated) of your transcript to UWB. Since the evaluation takes extra time, you may need to check application deadlines to make sure that your file will be processed before the deadline.
To find the list of independent credential evaluation services, click below!
Why is the TOEFL requirement so high? UWB does not have much extra support for non-native English speakers. If a student enters UWB with a lack of English skills, there are few services. It is therefore concluded that by the time a student is enrolling in 300 and 400 level coursework, the student should have full command of the English language. The faculty at UWB voted to require a minimum score of 580/237 as an indication that the student has the English skills necessary to succeed in this academic environment that requires excellent oral and written communication skills.
TOEFL exams are required for F-1 students even if they have completed a Bachelors or Masters in a non-English speaking country. If an F-1 student has completed a Bachelors or Masters degree in the US, NO TOEFL is required.
