Appealing for Admission or Continuation in Chemical Engineering

Students may appeal for admission to or continuation in the Department of Chemical Engineering by writing a letter to the Department chair. The letter should describe any extenuating circumstances and may include any additional information in support of the appeal that the student believes is relevant. Issues that will be considered (and that the student may wish to address) include, but are not limited to:

1. Cumulative GPA
2. GPA in required courses or courses in chemical engineering
3. Number of course repeats, incomplete grades, and withdrawals
4. Difficulty of previous course loads (type of courses and number of credits)
5. Personal statements
   • Adequacy of college preparation
   • Reasons for choosing chemical enginneering
   • Applicable employment experience
   • Maturity
   • Record of honors, activities, and service
   • Other (includes health, financial, and family problems)
6. Grading practices of transfer institutions
7. Letters of recommendation
8. Appropriate test scores (SAT, etc.)

The letter and supporting material will be transmitted to the Admissions Committee of the Department. Students planning to appeal must notify the department of their intent to appeal within one week of receiving the notification. The full appeal must be made within 30 days of notification of admission denial, placement on probation, or dismissal. A response to the appeal must be made by the Committee within 30 days, but typically the response is made within one week.

Applicants appealing for upper-division admission should plan to complete their appeal process prior to the start of spring quarter, as CHEM E 310 is only offered in the spring. This means students interested in submitting an appeal should contact ChemE advising within one week of receiving notification of the admission decision to indicate an intention to appeal. 

Any student denied admission or continuation may request a personal interview to discuss or amplify any matter in his/her application or in the admission or continuation policy statement. No student shall be denied this right.

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. This policy applies to all programs and facilities, including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, employment, and patient and hospital services. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. Discrimination is prohibited by Presidential Executive Order 11246 as amended, Washington State Gubernatorial Executive Orders 89-01 and 93-07, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington State Law Against Discrimination RCW 49.60, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, State of Washington Gender Equity in Higher Education Act of 1989, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 as amended, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 as amended, other federal and state statutes, regulations, and University policy. Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action compliance efforts at the University of Washington are coordinated by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, University of Washington, 442A Gerberding Hall, Box 351240, Seattle, Washington, 98195-1240, telephone 206.543.1830.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services