STARS scholars
The Washington State Academic RedShirt (STARS) program provides support to talented students beginning their engineering or computer science career.
Related information
Pathways for Inclusive Excellence
Get in touch
Ali Cho, Director, STARS
alicho21@uw.edu
Setting up students for success
STARS is part of Pathways for Inclusive Excellence (PIE), a collaboration of support programs for engineering and computer science students. STARS provides support for talented students who might benefit from additional STEM and college preparation as they begin their engineering or computer science career. Students admitted to STARS gain individualized and long-lasting support through a community of students, staff, faculty and industry mentors.
Curriculum requirements
Most STARS students are required to participate in additional foundational coursework and complete their degrees within four to five years. However, we recognize that each student is unique, and students work closely with the STARS team to develop a graduation plan that aligns with their needs and interests.
The admissions process
All students who apply to the College of Engineering or the Paul G Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering are automatically considered for Pathways for Inclusive Excellence (PIE), a cohort to student support programs. Students are notified of their admission to PIE in their acceptance letter from the University of Washington.
Students who are admitted to PIE are considered a direct admit to engineering (PIE E) or computer science (PIE A). Those who complete their PIE program are guaranteed placement into an engineering or computer science major. Though placement into a specific major is not guaranteed, 98% of STARS scholars have been placed into their first-choice major.
PIE programs start the summer after high school and continue through the first or second year at UW.
Did you know?
The Husky Promise is our guarantee to Washington state students that we will not let financial challenges stand in the way of discovering their potential or achieving a UW degree.
Learn more about the Husky PromiseSTARS in detail
Support STARS
The STARS program is helping leaders from first-generation, low-income, and underserved communities thrive as engineering students. Help us in our mission.
Make a gift
Sponsors
Join us in appreciation for support and current or past funding from these organizations:
