COE Short Answer Question
Describe how you could bring a broad perspective to the engineering classroom. Factors to discuss include, but are not limited to: multi-cultural awareness, activities, or accomplishments; educational background and goals; living experiences, such as growing up in a disadvantaged or unusual environment; and special interests or talents. (Limit to 250 words)
Departmental Essays
Provided below are the personal statement prompts used for the past several engineering department application processes. Students are encouraged to use these prompts to begin drafting their personal statements.
Aeronautics & Astronautics
Write a brief personal statement (approx. 1 page, no more than 500 words) that will give the departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your interest in this program. You may wish to describe your experiences (e.g. work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been important to you. You may if you wish, include personal hardship or barriers you have faced and explain how they have affected your education and you may wish to discuss any unusual circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of your record.
Bioengineering
Your personal statement should explain your interest in Bioengineering, your motivation to join our program, and your goals for the future. Please include a paragraph explaining how the research in the department matches your interests. (You can go to http://depts.washington.edu/bioe/people/core to look at faculty research in detail.) Please describe any work or volunteer experience related to the field (for example research or internship experience). We will also accept letters of reference from your faculty research mentors or internship supervisors. If you have applied previously to the department, please discuss what has changed or improved since your last application.
If you have overcome significant obstacles (financial, medical, cultural, etc.) to get where you are, you may describe them in the essay. You may also use a portion of the statement to address any academic difficulties, such as a poor performance one quarter or a low grade in a pre-requisite course. However, if your cumulative GPA falls below the 2.5 needed to apply to Bioengineering, or if you have academic problems to explain that are larger than a single course or quarter, please address these topics through a formal petition rather than the personal statement. To inquire about the petition process, contact the Lead Academic Counselor, Kelli Jayn Nichols, at knichols@u.washington.edu or 206-685-2022.
If you plan to complete more than one major, please provide an intellectual or career justification for the double-degree.
While we do not limit you to one page, it is important that your essay be well written. Be clear about what you want to say so that you do not digress or repeat yourself. Say what is important to say, but try to do it concisely.
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Write a brief personal statement that will give the departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your interest in this program. You may wish to describe your experiences (e.g. work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been important to you as well as your future goals. You may also use the personal statement to discuss any unusual or extenuating circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of your record. For example, if you have had to overcome significant obstacles (medical, financial, cultural or personal) to reach where you are now, you may wish to discuss these and how they have affected your education.
If you are requesting conditional admission, please address this in your personal statement and indicate when and how you plan to resolve the deficiency.
Chemical Engineering
Write a brief personal statement (approx. 1 single-spaced page) that will give the departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your motivation and interest for joining this program. You may wish to describe your experiences (e.g. work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been important to you as well as your future goals. You may also use the personal statement to discuss any unusual or extenuating circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of your record. For example, if you have had to overcome significant obstacles (medical, financial, cultural or personal) to reach where you are now, you may wish to discuss these and how they have affected your education.
Computer Science and Computer Engineering
Practical guidelines: Write approximately one page, single-spaced. Do not repeat content from your short response; we read both the essays. Formatting will be removed, so do not use special characters, italics, or other formatting. Proofread. Be concise.
Prompt: Computer science and engineering requires creativity, teamwork, and strong academic ability. We value breadth of interest, leadership, and diversity. Tell us about your academic and personal interests, goals, and what you will bring to the CSE community.
In addition, address any of the following topics if they apply to you (do not discuss if they do not apply):
Electrical Engineering
Write a brief personal statement (approx. 1 page) that will give the departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your interest in this program. You may wish to describe your experiences (e.g. work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been important to you. Also, you may wish to discuss any unusual circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of your record.
Optional Supplemental Topic (may be approx. 1/2 page):
Describe any personal hardship or barriers you have faced and explain how they have affected your education.
Human Centered Design & Engineering
There are many possible degrees to pursue at the UW. We would like to learn a bit about why you are interested in an HCDE degree. Also, please tell us how an HCDE degree would help you achieve your goals, educational or otherwise. Finally, in your statement please share something about what you would contribute to the departmental community by joining us.
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Write a brief personal statement (approx. 1 page) that will give the
departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your
interest in this program. You may wish to describe your experiences
(e.g., work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been
important to you. You may wish to describe how you could bring a
broader perspective to the engineering classroom based on your awareness of cultural differences. Also, you may wish to discuss any unusual circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of your record, or any personal hardship or barriers you have faced, and explain how they affected your education.
Mechanical Engineering
Write a brief personal statement (approx. 1 page) that will give the departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your interest in this program. You may wish to describe your experiences (e.g. work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been important to you. Also, you may wish to discuss any unusual circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of your record.
Optional Supplemental Topics (may be approx. 1 additional page):
(1) Describe any personal hardship or barriers you have faced and explain how they have affected your education.
Materials Science & Engineering
Please write a brief personal statement (approximately one page, single-spaced) describing your interest in Materials Science & Engineering. Explain how you learned about the discipline, why you would like to study in this program and your future aspirations. You may also include any work or research related experience. If you have encountered any unusual or extenuating circumstances that have affected your academic record, please include this in your personal statement.
The information you provide in your personal statement will help the MSE Undergraduate Admissions Committee learn about you. We look forward to receiving your application.
Bioresource Science And Engineering
Personal Statement
Write a brief, 1 page personal statement that will give the Bioresource Science and Engineering departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your background. Your statement must include your reasons for choosing Bioresource Science and Engineering, and your career objectives. You may also include other factors such as personal, family, economic and educational circumstances.
Honors and Activities
Please include a list of school, work or community honors and activities if applicable. Please indicate your most significant contribution, the organization name (if appropriate), and dates of service/award.