College Edge is designed for incoming first-year UW Seattle undergraduate students. Many aspects of this program and the courses are situated to help students acclimate to the rigor of a university education. The program is not open to first-year students from UW Bothell or Tacoma. The program is not open to incoming UW Seattle Transfer students. 

Any incoming first-year UW Seattle student is eligible to sign up for this program. We do not have an admission application-- you have already been accepted into the University of Washington, Seattle! 

Students need to sign up between May 1-August 22, 2025. Keep in mind that the seminars are small and that courses fill quickly, so registering early on ensures that you have the biggest array of courses to select from. 

You truly cannot make a "bad" choice when it comes to taking classes in your first year, as all students need some general education requirements. College Edge offers several different course options for incoming first-year students.

Within the list of Discovery Seminars, you will find courses that span topics in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Each of these courses will show up as an “ARTSCI” course on your transcript and will fulfill an Area of Inquiry requirement. 

We also have several sections of English 108: Writing Ready, Learning Ready: Preparing for Success at a Global University. English 108 is more than a bridge course to better prepare students for the demands of writing at the university level; it's a space to learn more about who you are as a writer and learner so that you're able to build confidence in your strengths as a writer, identify and address where your writing can continue to grow, and develop individualized strategies for academic and personal success as you enter the University of Washington. English 108 will benefit any student who wants to feel more confident in their writing--whether that's because they're perhaps anxious writers, they struggle with getting started, or if they just want to brush up on their skills before they enter future composition courses at UW. 

All College Edge courses are 5-credits and students should count on 10-15 hours of work outside of class hours each week. Additionally, your faculty may highlight other events and opportunities to explore outside of class hours that expand your knowledge of the course material and the UW.  

Students can request to change courses, based on space availability per course, through the second day of the program (August 26, 2025) by contacting college-edge@uw.edu. Please do not contact instructors about making a course change as they are unable to add and drop students. 

Yes and seeking for support as you navigate your college coursework is strongly encouraged! If you are having a hard time in class, be sure to communicate with your faculty member. 

Throughout the College Edge program (and during the regular academic year), students have access to writing and research coaching in the Odegaard Writing and Research Center. This is one-on-one support for any subject matter. To schedule your visit, https://depts.washington.edu/owrcweb/wordpress/ 

While there are small courses and seminars offered at UW, many of your initial courses as a first-year student will be quite large introductory lecture courses. The benefit of starting with College Edge is that you will be in a class with 25 students or fewer. This intimate environment allows you to get to know your professor and classmates on a personal level before your first full academic quarter.

All College Edge instructors had to apply to teach in this program, meaning that they were selected because they are deeply invested in fostering close relationships with undergrads and want to set you up for success in the next four years ahead. College Edge courses will encourage inquiry and curiosity, help you make life-long friends, and dig into academic content that you can continue to explore in the years ahead.  

Unfortunately, there may be a few classes that we had to cancel due to low enrollment. It just doesn’t make for a great community-building experience for students when fewer than 10 students are enrolled in a class. 

We would love to help you sign up for a different course option. You can email Liz Copland (college-edge@uw.edu) with your top three choices of alternative courses, and she will follow up with you to get you moved over. If you would like to meet to discuss course options, you can request a zoom meeting at any time. 

No! This is a great benefit of participating in this program. All students pay the same tuition whether they are in-state, out-of-state or international student participants. 

While you will complete it one month before Autumn quarter begins, your 5-credit College Edge course counts toward your Autumn quarter course load. After completing College Edge, you have several registration options:

You could take 10 additional credits in Autumn quarter, giving you 15 total credits by Winter quarter (5 from College Edge + 10 from Autumn)

You could take up to 18 additional credits in Autumn quarter, giving you 23 total credits by Winter quarter (5 from College Edge + 18 from Autumn).

Full-time enrollment at UW is 12-18 credits, so students want to be sure to complete 10 credits in addition to their College Edge course. If you have questions or concerns about your schedule, do not hesitate to contact college-edge@uw.edu

No, the program is designed for students to complete one 5-credit course with a UW faculty member. The coursework is condensed, meaning that you are completing the equivalent of 10-weeks of coursework over a four-week period so you can expect to be busy. Additionally, the courses all meet on the same days and times, making it impossible for students to enroll in more than one at a time. 

Yes, there will be a virtual welcome session for College Edge offered via Zoom- date TBD. A meeting link will be sent to students via their UW email addresses the week prior.

This meeting will cover the logistics of where to go on the first day, what to expect in the academic advising sessions, an overview of what to expect in your College Edge course, and resources to support students during the program. If you are unable to attend, the recording of the meeting will be sent out afterwards.

The College Edge program costs $2400 (housing and food is a separate fee). This fee covers 5-credits of UW coursework, academic advising, a registration fee, and access to the IMA facilities.

Student housing on campus is optional, but encouraged as it is a great way to make friends. There are separate housing and meal plan fees charged through UW Housing and Food Services.

College Edge charges will be visible on your student’s MyUW account after they have registered.

In the Accounts section, under Tuition & Fees, your student will see two balances, one for “Student Fiscal Services” and one for “PCE-Continuum College.” CollegeEdge fees will be next to the “PCE-Continuum College” section. Click Make Payment to go to the UWPCE Payment Portal. Additional payment instructions can be found here: https://www.degreereg.uw.edu/payment-procedures.

If a student withdraws from the program after August 21st, they can submit a refund petition request to Continuum at c2reg@uw.edu and utilize this process: https://www.degreereg.uw.edu/drops-refunds/tuition-forfeiture-petitions

The Housing and Food Services charge for room and board is separate and can be paid by visiting the MyHFS platform. There are details on this website: https://www.washington.edu/parents/finance/#:~:text=Paying%20for%20housing%20%26%20food,with%20Flywire%20for%20international%20students.

If you attend the first day of class and realize that it's not the right fit, please contact college-edge@uw.edu and we will do our best to support your transition into another option, based on space availability. After the second day of class, it is not possible to make a transition, as many courses are 6-hours into the content of the course and into several assignments worth of work.

If you are living on campus, you can move into your UW residence hall room starting on your assigned move-in date between Friday, August 22 and Sunday, August 24, 2025 (see the page on housing for detailed information).

When you arrive at your residence hall, check in at the front desk of your assigned hall, Lander or Willow, and they will tell you where to go! Move-in will continue throughout the weekend. 

Please note that International students can arrive in the United States no earlier than Saturday, August 16, 2025 (30 days prior to the beginning of International Student welcome week).

Living on campus is optional and local Washington state residents are able to commute to campus while participating in the College Edge program. You may also find alternative housing near campus for the four-week program.

You will need to be on campus by your first class session on Monday, August 25, 2025. If you are unsure where your classroom is located, you can log into your MyUW account and view your Autumn quarter course schedule to see the classroom details. Each UW building has a three-letter abbreviation, for example, Bagley Hall is going to be listed as "BAG" and Condon Hall is going to be listed as "CDH".

The University of Washington has an interactive campus map available to aid you in finding different buildings on campus. 

Please check your UW email for details on your assigned session or contact college-edge@uw.edu to confirm when you need to arrive. 

Just because you're commuting doesn't mean you can't have an amazing College Edge experience! The key is being intentional about getting involved. Block out time between classes to hang out on campus, ask classmates if they want to eat or study together, and show up early or stay late to chat with your professor. Use campus study spaces as your "home base" to meet people, and leverage group projects and study groups to build connections. Take advantage of campus events, workshops, and student organization meetings - these are perfect for networking and making friends. Consider finding a few commuter buddies in similar situations, and create a group chat to coordinate meetups, study sessions, and campus activities. Technology is your friend too: join campus social media groups, follow student organization accounts, and use apps to stay connected. Remember, college connections aren't about where you sleep, but how actively you choose to engage. Your college experience is what you make it - commuter status doesn't define your potential for awesome memories and meaningful relationships.

After you get settled into your Residential Hall, your time is your own. It is very likely that you will find other new College Edge students moving in near you and this is a great time to introduce yourself. Check out the dining hall options near where you will be living. You could explore the journey from your dorm room to your classroom, to prepare for the program to start on Monday using the campus map.  If you head out to University Way, known informally as "the Ave", you could visit the UW Bookstore to purchase some supplies or Husky gear. Take a walk on the Burke Gilman trail to see how sprawling the UW campus is and to checkout University Village or Gasworks park! Whether you have lived in Seattle all of your life or are brand new to this city, there is so much to do and explore on and near campus.  

In addition to class, students will have access to academic advising sessions to connect to important resources and answer questions. Advisers can give you an overview of what you can expect in College Edge, share suggestions for how to launch in your first year successfully, and introduce a host of resources on campus to support your journey. 

College Edge will also offer a series of social engagements outside of class that students can sign up for. These are designed to get students into cool campus spaces, make friends and connections with other students in the program, and showcase ways to engage as UW students. These social engagements are optional but a great way to make more connections and build confidence on campus.

In addition to the College Edge social programming, students living in the UW Residential Halls (Lander and Willow) can also engage in an array of social activities organized by UW Housing and Food Services. Group excursions might include a visit to Pike Place Market, attending a Mariners game, visiting Seattle Center, and more. 

While the campus may be quieter during the period of College Edge, students have the advantage of visiting offices before the rest of the students return for Autumn quarter. College Edge can be a great time to build connections with advisers, apply to campus jobs, and explore resources that will be helpful in the years to come. 

The IMA is the University of Washington's physical recreation center. Students can break a sweat in the pool, on the track, in the weight rooms, on the basketball court and more. Don't forget to bring you Husky Card (required for entry).

As a College Edge student, you will have free access to the IMA from August 25-29 and September 8-16, 2025. Please note that the IMA is closed to all students, faculty, and staff from August 30-September 7, 2025 for annual updates and maintenance. During this time you might consider a run on the Burke Gilman Trail or a visit to the UW Waterfront Activities Center for some alternative ways to get moving. If you are living in a UW Residence Hall, you also have access to Housing and Food Services exercise facilities in the various residential halls.  

For more information or questions, contact recinfo@uw.edu. During this period, there are plenty of other ways to get exercise on campus! If you are living on campus, check out the workout facilities located in a nearby residence hall, walk or run on the Burke Gilman Trail, or check out a canoe at the Waterfront Activities Center. 

Yes, the Waterfront Activities Center is a great place to visit after class and on weekends during College Edge! Students can rent boats and other equipment to get out onto Lake Washington and further explore the city. Visit the WAC website for details on hours and rental rates: https://www.washington.edu/ima/waterfront/

The University of Washington's 700-acre campus is sprawling! With fewer people on campus during the month of College Edge, it's the perfect time to acclimate to campus landmarks. Here's a campus map website to help you find your way. 

Getting to know the University of Washington's vast campus and the greater Seattle area is a huge benefit of participating in the College Edge Program. Traveling on public transportation to engage in field trips is an exciting element of College Edge coursework.

During the regular UW academic year, all students can access free transportation with their UW Husky Card (UPASS). However, your UPASS is not automatically activated until September 16, 2025. Therefore, students have some steps to take to be able to travel for free during the College Edge program. Please complete one of these two steps to ensure that you can participate in class fieldwork and travel:

If you are 18 years-of-age or younger

You can apply for a FREE ORCA card, which allows you to ride Seattle Metro bus system and the Sound Transit Light Rail at no cost. Here’s how to get your card:

1. Complete the Application: Fill out the ORCA card application form. You can do this online or in person at designated locations: https://info.myorca.com/youth-ride-free/
2. Provide Identification: You will need to submit one form of ID. Acceptable forms include: Student ID or Birth certificate
3. Receive Your Card: After your application is processed, your ORCA card will be mailed to either your campus mailbox or home address within 5-10 days.
4. Important Deadline: To ensure your ORCA card arrives before your College Edge course starts, it is strongly recommended that you complete your application by August 11, 2025.

If you are 19 years-of-age or older

As an eligible student, you can request early activation of your UPASS. To do this, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the Early UPASS Activation Form: Fill out the required form to initiate your UPASS activation: https://forms.office.com/r/Qfmi3DUYtM
2. Important Deadline: To ensure that your UPASS is activated in time for your class field trips, it is strongly recommended that you submit the form by August 11, 2025.

By completing your Early UPASS Activation request on time, you will be ready to take full advantage of your transportation benefits for all upcoming class activities.

College academic advising is a comprehensive support system designed to help students navigate their educational journey. An academic advisor is a professional who provides guidance and support to students throughout their college experience. You are strongly encouraged to connect with academic advisers when you arrive for College Edge. 

Academic advisors serve multiple critical functions:

• -Help students choose and plan their academic majors and course selections.
• -Connect students with campus resources and support services.
• -Ensure students meet graduation requirements.
• -Guidance on course prerequisites and academic planning.

The University of Washington Seattle offers several types of academic advising to support students throughout their academic journey. Here are a few resources but not an exhaustive list of support! 

General Undergraduate Advising: Provided by UAA Advising, this service helps students explore majors, develop academic plans, and understand university requirements.

Major-Specific Advising: Once students declare a major, they primarily meet with college or department advisers for program planning and academic community connection.

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) Academic Counseling Services: Provides holistic advising through programs like Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), TRIO Student Support Services, and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP).

Pre-Professional Advising: Academic advisers help students prepare for pre-professional fields, while the Career & Internship Center offers specialized coaching for pre-health and pre-law students.

Yes! You will have the option of weekly drop-in hours with Liz Copland to get your questions answered throughout College Edge. You can also contact college-edge@uw.edu at any time with questions or concerns. 

UW Libraries is a network of 15 different libraries across UW campuses offering a world of resources, services and support. Whether you’re looking for a place to study, need help finding resources, or want to create a digital project, UW Libraries can help. While there are reduced hours during College Edge, during the day you can take advantage of these quiet spots to get your coursework done or gather with classmates to study. 

If you are looking for a space to study after hours, you might consider using one of the study spaces in the HFS (Housing and Food Services) facilities. Residents may use the rooms casually for studying or group activities as long as there is not a prior reservation for the space. If you are in need of a space for a gathering and would like to make a reservation, HFS residents can reserve a meeting room at no charge.

Scout is a great tool for finding open spaces to study, eat or utilize technology on and around campus: https://scout.uw.edu/seattle/ 

Dawg Prints is your on-campus copy and print partner. Available throughout UW libraries, print jobs are quickly sent to conveniently located print-release stations. You can pay for these services with the swipe of a Husky Card or for guests via a Dawg Prints Card.

https://finance.uw.edu/c2/printing-copying/dawg-prints-printer-locations

UW Seattle offers a wide range of health and wellness services, from exceptional medical care and counseling services to recreation classes, safety resources, sexual assault and relationship violence advocacy, peer coaching, alcohol and other drug consultation, educational workshops and more. Most services on this site are limited to currently enrolled UW Seattle students, while others are open to faculty, staff and the general public. Visit this site for details and options: https://wellbeing.uw.edu/unit/husky-health/

If you are unwell and need to miss class, the most important step after getting some care is to contact your instructor and keep them up to date with what you are facing. You will work directly with them to create a plan for how to move forward in your course. If you have questions or are having a hard time contacting your instructor, email college-edge@uw.edu and we will assist you.