Transfer Admissions

Transferring from another university or community college? Start your journey with UW Marine Biology here!

In-Person Advising Availability – August Update

Zoom visits remain available and can be booked as usual through the link below.

In-person visits will be limited during August. Previously scheduled in-person visits will still take place, but new in-person appointments cannot be self-scheduled online at this time.

To inquire about possible in-person availability, please email marbiol@uw.edu.

Non-UW Prospective Student Virtual or In-person Visit

Prospective students and families can meet with the advisers as part of a campus visit. The Marine Biology program is unable to give guided tours of labs or facilities, but an advising appointment can overview our programs, answer questions and assist with planning for UW.

For current high school students (including students in Running Start or IB programs) of any grade, or students currently or previously enrolled in other community colleges or universities considering transfer to the UW.
Families are welcome to join virtual or in-person appointments.
Marine Biology Campus Visits can be booked up to 90 days in advance.

Book a UW Marine Biology Advising Visit

Other services are available to make the most out of an in-person UW campus visit, including:

Recommendations for College Transfer Students:

If you are studying in Washington State, the University of Washington has pre-approved transfer equivalencies you can find through the UW Office of Admissions: UW Transfer Equivalency Guide.

If you are transferring from an out-of-state college or university, the UW does not have pre-approved transfer equivalencies, but we can make general recommendations by subject to prepare for the UW Marine Biology program.

Students are not required to complete an Associate’s degree to apply, but it is recommended to complete as many of the basic science and math courses listed on the worksheet above prior to admission.

To prepare for a successful application and transfer from an out-of-state university or college, refer to the following planning worksheets:

Marine Biology Major Transfer Planning Worksheet

Marine Biology Major Requirements Worksheet

UW Transfer Equivalency Guide

Our advisers have created course checklists for a few of our local community colleges. If your college is not listed here, you can use the UW Transfer Equivalency Guide and Marine Biology Major Transfer Planning Worksheet above to create your own. If you need any help with transfer equivalencies, please email our advisers at marbiol@uw.edu.

Bellevue College Transfer Planning Worksheet

Everett College Transfer Planning Worksheet

Seattle Colleges Transfer Planning Worksheet

Shoreline College Transfer Planning Worksheet

Prior to admission, applicants can use the UW MyPlan tool to create an academic plan including courses you have already taken as well as courses you plan to take at the UW.

UW MyPlan

Prospective transfer students at any stage of the planning or application process are invited to contact the Marine Biology Adviser. Students can consult with the adviser about their individual academic planning prior to admission, and are invited to visit the campus for in-person advising appointments. Schedule a visit to campus around one of the weekly Transfer Thursday events to get general information about the transfer admission process.

For additional resources about transferring to the UW, please explore transfer.uw.edu.

When you’re ready, apply at:

University of Washington Admissions

Meet some of our recent transfer students

Mollie Ball – October 2024

From transferring in to UW, and discovering the geosciences through GEODUC, we spoke to Mollie Ball about her experience becoming a scientist. Seizing research opportunities and building her community within GEODUC, Mollie’s student profile highlights her first-generation, transfer student journey while sharing advice for other undergraduates.

John Plinka – October 2024

In a conversation with transfer student John Plinka, we found out about what brought him to UW Marine Biology and what drives his passion for social consciousness and scientific advancement. After a whirlwind first year in the program, John shares more about what being a transfer student is like as an older student, and his plans for the future after graduation.

Do I need to complete an associate's degree before applying to the UW?

I need to fill out a separate application to be admitted to the Marine Biology major?

How do I fill out the UW application if I want to major in Marine Biology?

Are there other courses not listed on the worksheet that I can take to prepare?

Community college students can apply to study at Friday Harbor Labs. Courses offered in autumn and spring terms listed under the ‘Marine Biology Quarter‘ are intended for students in their first two years of any college.

UW summer quarter is open to registration from any student, and the introductory marine biology course (FISH/OCEAN/BIOL 250: Marine Biology) is offered annually in summer. This course has no pre-requisites.

In addition to specific Marine Biology requirements, our students must complete the general education requirements in the College of the Environment to graduate from the UW.

How long will it take to complete a BS with a Major in Marine Biology from UW?

If you transfer to UW with 90 credits from your community college, you can usually graduate from UW in six quarters of full-time study (90 credits). Some students are at UW for one or two extra quarters if they decide to take a reduced course load or to complete a double major or a minor or if they have not taken many of their College of the Environment General Education Requirements. We enjoy meeting with students to create graduation plans and to discuss difficulties if they arise.

I have more than 90 credits from my community college. How many of these credits will count toward my degree?

After your credits have been evaluated by our Office of Admissions, you will know how your classes transferred to UW. If you have more than 90 credits, we can add some of the additional credits toward the 180 credits needed for graduation if this is useful in completing your academic goals. You can have up to 135 total credits from another school count for your degree. It would be difficult to complete the Marine Biology major in just 45 credits, or three quarters, but we might be able to work out a plan.

Marine Biology