UW-Tacoma will admit all qualified students from state community colleges

The University of Washington campus in Tacoma is guaranteeing admission for students transferring from a state community college who have an associate's degree and a 2.75 grade-point average.

The policy, announced Wednesday, is in effect for those students applying for fall enrollment. The campus is currently accepting applications. Students must still apply for admissions to a specific major, which may involve additional requirements.

The UW's Seattle campus announced in 2003 that it would no longer automatically admit transfer students because of the large number seeking to enroll. Tacoma officials expect their adoption of the transfer policy to encourage more students to seek higher education.

"We hope very much that this will be helpful in not only bringing students to us, but bringing students to the community colleges as a pathway," said Jim Coolsen, special assistant to the chancellor.

The Tacoma campus serves about 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students. It enrolled freshman for the first time last fall, becoming a four-year undergraduate campus.

The UW also operates a branch campus in Bothell and is developing one in Everett.

Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Charles Mitchell said that the transfer agreement would help both current community college students and high school students.

"The Seattle Community Colleges appreciate having a wide variety of opportunities, especially those at the state's publicly supported four-year colleges, for our transfer students," he said in a statement.

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For more information about the UW's Tacoma campus, visit tacoma.washington.edu.