2012 is shaping up to be a promising year for Washington state high school students looking to get into the University of Washington (Seattle campus).

Because of a new state requirement, more in-state residents will be accepted into UW. This year, 4,000 Washington state residents will become freshman, which is up about 150 students from last year. Why? The legislature has passed this requirement in response to UW’s decision last year to cut the number of in-state resident admissions and increase both out-of-state and international admissions. The UW’s decision to increased non-resident students is due to the fact that their tuition is almost triple that of what resident students and helps subsidize the cost of Washington state students. 

However, because of the UW’s decision, many high school students in Washington have become increasingly discouraged from applying to the UW. Last year UW’s admission rate was 53 percent and reports of students with perfect SAT scores and high GPAs being turned away from the school was extremely disappointing. Although this year seems to be a better year for in-state residents to apply and become accepted into the Husky community, the word has already spread that UW is a difficult school to obtain admission and they do not respect high performing students. Already, Washington State University has seen a 13 percent spike in admissions of in-state students this year. Their admissions rate is 83 percent and it seems students discouraged from attending UW seek WSU instead.

Hopefully the legislature’s new law will stimulate the influx of Washington residents applying and reestablish high school student’s faith in UW and their ability to become Huskies.