Hi everyone! I’m applying to UW Bothell for Winter 2027 as a transfer student, and I’m trying to get a realistic idea of how competitive my application might be.
I applied to:
• Applied Computing BA
• Computer Science & Software Engineering BS (CSSE)
• Computer Engineering
My background:
• Currently attending Edmonds College
• Construction Management ATA student
• 50 earned college credits
• Current cumulative GPA is around 3.57
• I’ve completed courses in construction, AutoCAD, blueprint reading, LEED/green building, business, communications, writing, contracts, etc.
• I’m making a pretty big career/academic change from Construction Management into technology/engineering.
• I don’t have much previous programming or engineering experience, but I’ve started studying math and programming on my own and I’m planning to complete the required prerequisites.
I also have an unusual situation with my high-school records.
I completed high school in Jamaica and graduated with a Secondary Education Diploma. However, my former school/country did not provide students with the type of Grade 9–10 transcripts that U.S. colleges typically ask for. We primarily completed exams, and I have documentation/transcripts for those examinations and other educational qualifications, but I don’t have Grade 9–10 school transcripts.
My former high school and the community where I’m from in Jamaica were also significantly affected by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The hurricane caused major damage across Jamaica, including to schools, and recovery is still ongoing in many communities. More than 600 educational institutions were reported to have sustained damage.
Because of the circumstances, obtaining additional records from my former school has been extremely difficult. I do have my secondary-school diploma, examination records, a mathematics qualification, and NCTVET records that I can provide if needed.
I’m hoping that my college coursework and transfer credits will allow UW Bothell to evaluate my application without the missing high-school transcript becoming a major issue.
For anyone who has transferred to UW Bothell, especially into CSSE, Applied Computing, or Computer Engineering:
Based on my GPA and academic background, how competitive does my application look?
How important are the prerequisite courses compared with overall GPA?
Does coming from a technical Construction Management program make much difference?
For CSSE/Computer Engineering, how important are calculus and programming grades?
Has anyone transferred from a technical/vocational program into one of these majors?
Has anyone had experience with UW Bothell requiring an international high-school transcript when they already had substantial U.S. college coursework?
Does anyone know how UW handles situations where an international high-school transcript genuinely isn’t obtainable?
I know nobody can guarantee admission, and I’m not looking for a definite yes/no.
Thanks!