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. While they may be slightly modified for the Autumn 2009 application, 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.) If you have work or volunteer experience related to the field (for example research or internship experience), please tell us about it. 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 (approx. 1- 2 pages) 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 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.

Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Please write approximately one page (total) on the topics below. We look for well-written essays and for applicants who express themselves creatively and effectively. We also look for breadth or depth in an applicant’s interests and activities.

It is not necessary to repeat information that you discussed in the short response section of this application; the CSE admissions committee will consider both the short response and this essay. It is best to write your essay in a plain text document, then copy and paste it here when you are ready.

The field of computer science and engineering is broad, and requires people of many backgrounds, interests, and talents. While strong academic preparation is crucial, we also wish to maintain a rich, diverse student population. Please discuss any unusual experiences, activities, or interests you would bring to the CSE community. In addition, please discuss the following topics (when applicable):

  • We are very interested in your future goals. Please discuss where your aspirations in computer science or computer engineering will enable you to go, and how getting a CS or CE degree fits into your long term plans.
  • If you overcame any significant obstacles (such as medical, financial, cultural, or personal challenges), or have taken an interesting path to find computer science and engineering, please discuss that here.
  • If you wish to transfer from another four-year institution, please discuss why the UW CSE department is your best option. If you are applying as a post-baccalaureate student, please address why you are returning for a second degree.
  • If you plan to pursue more than one major, explain why both majors are important to your goals.
  • The UW’s standard satisfactory progress policy requires graduation by the time you earn 210 credits. If you expect to earn more than 210 credits, please tell us why and briefly discuss your plan for graduating. If admitted, you will need to discuss your plan with an adviser.
  • If you have applied previously to our department, please clarify specifically how you have improved as an applicant since the last time you applied.

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, and what degree option you plan to pursue (Human Computer Interaction or Individualized). 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

Write a brief personal statement (approx. 1 page) that will give the departmental admissions committee a better understanding of your interest in MSE. You may wish to describe experiences (e.g. work, research, leadership, or extracurricular) that have been important to you. 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 to reach where you are now, you may wish to discuss these and how they have affected your education.

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.