Skip to main content

Admission

Pathways for Inclusive Excellence

Pathways in detail   Admission process

Pathways for Inclusive Excellence (PIE) provides specialized curriculum and individualized support for talented students who need additional STEM and college preparation before they begin their engineering or computer science career.

At the College of Engineering, we believe that building a workforce with diverse perspectives promotes engineering excellence and innovation for our common good. Some students have highly sought-after skills such as multilingualism, multicultural perspectives, and unique work and life experience yet have limited access to STEM education.

group photo of students making the 'w' sign

PIE is for students who might benefit from additional time and resources to ensure a strong STEM foundation.

PIE programs will set students up for success by offering holistic programming and support starting the summer after high school and through the first or second year at UW. Your University of Washington admission letter will state that you have been selected for the conditional admission cohort and you will receive further information about next steps.

Pathways

Group shot of Engineering Dean’s Scholars students

Engineering Dean’s Scholars

A one-year program aimed at providing students with a strong first-year foundation in the College of Engineering and the UW. For students who select an engineering major (not including computer engineering) as their first choice on their UW freshman application.

Group shot of Allen School Startup students

Allen School Scholars Program

A one-year program aimed at providing students with a strong first-year foundation in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering (Allen School) and the UW. For students who select computer science or computer engineering as their first choice major on their UW freshman application.

Group shot of STARS students

STARS

A two-year program designed to holistically support students to strengthen academic preparation and develop professional skills while they work through their STEM pre-requisite courses. For students who select engineering or computer science as their first choice major on their UW freshman application.

Pathways in detail

All of the PIE programs provide students with a supportive environment that is committed to their success, but they differ slightly in the support offered and time commitment expected of each student.

  Engineering Dean's Scholars Allen School Scholars Program STARS
 
Cohort size
~50 ~60 ~30
 
Majors
Engineering (not computer engineering) Computer Engineering,
Computer Science
Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science
 
Advising
Quarterly advising appointments with OMAD adviser and dedicated engineering adviser Required quarterly advising appointments with dedicated Allen School adviser Dedicated STARS adviser
Required appointments based on stage in program
 
Community building
Yes Yes Yes
 
Housing
On-campus housing is strongly encouraged for the first year. On-campus housing is strongly encouraged for the first year. On-campus housing is highly recommended for the first year.
 
Mentorship
Peer Mentoring Peer Mentoring Peer Mentoring
Faculty Mentoring
 
Required courses
Yes Yes Yes
 
Supplemental instruction
Two classes per quarter for the first year Three classes over the first year One to three classes per quarter for the first two years
 
Summer component
Those admitted into PIE will be given an algebra assessment in early May. Based on their results, some students will be asked to participate in a four-week virtual summer course from July 24 to August 18 with a launch meeting on July 21.

This is a low-intensity course over four weeks. Class time will be a maximum of four hours per week.

PIE students not requested to participate are welcome to join.
 
Required on-campus summer transition
Two-week bridge program prior to the start of classes.  Students will get to know staff, build community, get familiar with the campus and available resources, get math and science refreshers, and build new skills.

Four-week bridge course that prepares students to transition to the UW by combining computer science content, college readiness skills, community building, and on-campus housing.

Two-week bridge program prior to the start of classes.  Students will get to know staff, build community, get familiar with the campus and available resources, get math and science refreshers, and build new skills.
 
On-campus dates for summer
September 10 to September 26, 2023 August 22 to September 15, 2023 September 10 to September 26, 2023
 
Contact information
Scott Pinkham, Assistant Director, Engineering Dean's Scholars
spinkham@uw.edu

Leslie Ikeda, Senior Program Manager, Allen Scholars, 
ikedal@cs.washington.edu

Lindi Rubadiri-Mujugira, STARS Director,
lindirm@uw.edu

Admission process

 

COHORT SELECTION 

The UW Office of Admissions selects the PIE cohort and notifies students of their conditional admission status.

 

INFO SESSIONS

Information sessions for PIE-A and PIE-E admits. A Zoom link will be sent in an email.

 

INTAKE FORM 

Deadline for PIE cohort admitted students to complete intake form.

 

HUSKY EXPERIENCE

UW Admitted Student Day

 

MATCHING

Students are matched with one of the two options for their admission type: a) PIE-E admits: Engineering Dean’s Scholars or STARS b) PIE-A admits: Allen School Scholars Program or STARS

 

 

DECISION DAY 

May 1 is the national college decision day deadline. By this deadline, confirm intent to enroll and accept a program match.

 

Note: Any student not wishing to participate in the PIE program can still attend UW as a pre-major.