Student Services

Student Engagement & Access Team

Our mission is to attract and support the next generation of outstanding computer scientists and computer engineers who reflect the population of Washington state and the varying needs, backgrounds, and experiences of technology users around the world.

We do this through K-12 outreach and recruitment efforts aimed at broadening participation in computing and undergraduate retention efforts aimed at ensuring that students of all backgrounds feel like they can belong and thrive in the Allen School.

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K-12 Outreach

Allen School K-12 Programs:

• CS Education Week A series of events for K-12 students & teachers to learn more about computer science, usually the first or second week of December.
• K-12 Outreach List of Allen School K-12 education programs for high school students!
• Allen School Ambassadors Ambassadors are current UW students studying Computer Science or Computer Engineering who meet with prospective students. Check out our ambassador page to schedule an appointment with an ambassador!
• Changemakers in Computing During our CIC summer program, high school students develop coding skills, explore the Changemaking impact through technology, learn about post-high school pathways, and build community with other changemakers.
• Student Recruitment Representatives The Allen School Student Recruitment Representatives aim to expand access to the Allen School by increasing the visibility of our Direct to Major and Transfer admissions pathways in underserved communities and connecting prospective students with admissions counseling resources.
• School Visits This webpage helps high school counselors, community college advisers, and community partners throughout Washington state to provide the most up-to-date advising to their students. They are also able to request a variety of different recruitment and outreach visits.

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Recruitment

We seek to increase the visibility and usability of our Direct to Major and Transfer admissions pathways to students across Washington state. Our approach focuses on offering multiple ways to access information about the Allen School, providing quality application advising and support to direct-to-major applicants, and engaging admitted students throughout their decision-making process.

Core Programs & Webpages

• Apply to the Allen School This webpage serves as a first stop for prospective students to learn about undergraduate and graduate admissions pathways, get to know the Allen School, and find other resources on the UW campus.
• Information Sessions We offer monthly high school and transfer information sessions that help prospective students learn about our undergraduate program, what it is like to be a student at the UW, and how to apply.
• Direct-to-Major Admissions This page explains the admissions process for high school and running start students interested in applying directly to the Allen School.
• Transfer Admissions The Transfer Admissions page focuses on the process of applying to the Allen School as a transfer student. It includes frequently asked questions and other important information about transferring.
• Admitted Student Day We participate each year in the Admitted Student Day event hosted by the Office of Admissions. Our sessions serve freshman applicants who are directly admitted to the Allen School.

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Retention

We believe that we need to actively work toward an inclusive community where all students – from all different backgrounds and experiences – feel like they belong, can succeed, and thrive in the Allen School. We provide opportunities and spaces for students to engage in intentional community building.

Core Programs & Webpages:

Allen School-Affiliated Student Organizations Currently there are 19 Allen School-Affiliated Student Organizations, which include five identity-based organizations focused on fostering community within shared affinity spaces. Student Organizations provide departmental socials, networking events, mentorship programming, and much more!

Allen School Scholars Program The Allen School Scholars Program (Allen Scholars) is a one-year cohort-based program that focuses on supporting emerging leaders from first generation, low-income, and underserved communities from Washington state who are pursuing a degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. All Washington Resident students who select Computer Science or Computer Engineering as their first-choice major on the UW freshman application are considered for Allen Scholars by the Office of Admissions. Allen Scholars provides additional intensive academic skill-building and holistic support for students to build a strong first-year foundation in the Allen School and beyond.

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Student Engagement & Access Spaces

Student Engagement & Access Lounge (CSE1 202)

The Student Engagement & Access Lounge is located in Allen Center Room 202. The lounge is intended for students who are underrepresented in the computing field to feel less isolated and have a physical space to share and celebrate with other students with similar experiences. Students are welcome to use this space 24/7 to meet with other students, study, and relax.

Allen School Meditation Room (CSE1 027B)

The Meditation Room is located within the Allen School Undergraduate Student Lounge in Room CSE 027B. This is a dedicated community space for all Allen School students who seek a quiet place to reflect, meditate, or pray. Students seeking additional quiet spaces across campus can visit the HUB Meditation Room and the ECC Serenity Space.

Guidelines

• The Meditation Room may only be used by Allen School community members with active Husky Cards.
• Use of the Meditation Room is on a first-come, first-served basis
• Please keep speaking, chanting, music, and other activities that might disturb others to a minimum.
• Only food or drinks for meditation/prayer purposes are permitted. General eating is not permitted.
• The burning of incense and candles is not permitted.
• General study, other than that related to reflection, meditation, or prayer is not permitted.

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about our spaces and/or there are problems with the rooms, please reach out to our team at outreach(at)cs.washington.edu. Community members may also find the Allen School Feedback Mechanisms page helpful when concerns arise.

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Meet The Student Engagement & Access

The Student Engagement & Access (SE&A) team at the Allen School is part of the Undergraduate Student Services Team (USST). All staff members on the Student Engagement & Access team have distinct roles that focus on different aspects of our mission.