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 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, formerly named the Startup Program, was rebranded in 2023 to better reflect the student experience.

Photo of Allen Scholars students in front of the Microsoft sign

Admission Process

Students will be admitted into Allen Scholars through the Pathways for Inclusive Excellence (PIE) program. Students who select computer science or computer engineering as their first choice major on their UW freshman application and who would benefit from additional support are selected for PIE conditional admission. Your University of Washington admission letter will state that you have been selected for the PIE cohort.

Pathways For Inclusive Excellence (PIE)

Program Features

Allen Scholars provides a structured curriculum for students during their first-year at the University of Washington, establishing a tight-knit learning community and assisting in developing fundamental skills necessary for the rigor of the Allen School curriculum and the computing field as a whole.

By being part of the Allen Scholars Program, students will have:

24/7 Access to the Paul G. Allen Center
CSE2 building exteriors and interiors
24/7 Access to the Bill & Melinda Gates Center
CSE2 building exteriors and interiors
Access to Computer Labs and Free Printing
CSE2 building exteriors and interiors
Access to Undergraduate Study Spaces

Allen Scholars in class with Allen School Faculty
Opportunities to Connect with Allen School Faculty
2023 Allen Scholars Student and Staff at High Trek Adventures Field Trip
Quarterly Cohort Outings and Community Events
Allen Scholars stress toys
Allen Scholars and Allen School Swag
2023 Allen Scholar staff and mentors
Dedicated Staff and Allen Scholars Mentors

What to Expect Your First-Year

Holistic Academic Advising

Allen Scholars has a dedicated team of program staff who serve as a resource in helping support each individual student's academic and personal goals. Students work one-on-one with their assigned Academic Adviser each quarter to discuss academic planning, student engagement opportunities, scholarships, and other campus resources available to help navigate the university environment.

Cohort Community

Our program is structured to encourage students to build community with peers who are also beginning their journey at the UW and the Allen School. With over 33,000 undergraduate students attending the University of Washington and over 2,000 students enrolled in the Allen School, making connections as a first-year student can have an impact of students' sense of belonging and level of engagement.

In addition to having shared courses during their first year, Allen Scholars program staff host quarterly events for scholars to get to know one another, take a break from academics and to get to know Seattle.

In past years, students have played games at UW HUB Games, had a field day at the IMA and gone ice skating!

Program Curriculum

The Allen Scholars Program provides a specialized curriculum that equips students in building and strengthening foundational computing and problem solving skills. Students begin engaging with this curriculum the summer leading into their first year at UW, through the Summer Bridge Course. Once the academic year starts, students engage with the Introduction to Programming courses, the CSE Supplemental Workshops, the Direct Admit Seminar and the Allen Scholars Study Hall Course. More information on each of these can be found below:

Scholars begin their time in the Allen Scholars Program by participating in a 4-week long course during the summer before their first quarter at the University of Washington.

The Allen Scholars Summer Bridge Course (CSE 190E) provides an immersive start to students' UW experience as they experience living on campus, form meaningful connections with peers, staff, faculty and alumni within the Allen School community, and delve into dynamic and creative programming projects in preparation for their experience within the Allen School.

Participation in the Summer Bridge Course is required for all Allen Scholars and students receive graded college credits (5 credits) for the course upon completion. Students must live on campus and must be available for the entire 4-weeks of the Allen Scholars Summer Bridge Course.

On-campus housing, dining and transportation are paid for by the Allen Scholars Program for all students participating.

Scholars participate in supplemental workshops (CSE 190 W/X/Y) while concurrently completing the Allen School Introduction to Programming course series (CSE 12X). These Allen Scholars supplemental workshops are designed to reinforce and deepen mastery in programming concepts and problem solving. In addition to giving students the opportunity to further engage with concepts, students also benefit from weekly small group and one-on-one check-ins with Teaching Assistants (TAs).

Scholars participate in a weekly study hall throughout their first-year aimed at strengthening studying skill development and providing a dedicated study environment to promote academic excellence within the cohort.

Scholars participate in the Allen School Direct Admit Seminar that all Allen School direct admits are encouraged to take during their Autumn quarter. The Direct Admit Seminar is designed to support incoming direct admit students in their first-quarter at UW and in the Allen School by engaging in the following learning objectives: Academic Success, Career Preparation, Personal Growth and Well-Being, Inclusive Behavior and Responsibility, Community Building, Extracurricular Opportunities, Knowledge Building, and Positive Impact.

Summer
[5 credits] CSE 190E Allen Scholars Summer Bridge Course
**Note: CSE 190E is listed on the UW transcript under Autumn Quarter

Autumn
[4 credits] CSE Course
[2 credits] CSE Supplemental Workshop
[1 credit] Allen Scholars Study Hall
[1 credit] CSE 190B Allen School Direct Admit Seminar
[5 credits] Math Course

Winter
[4 credits] CSE Course
[2 credits] CSE Supplemental Workshop
[1 credit] Allen Scholars Study Hall
[5 credits] Math Course

Spring
[4 credits] CSE Course
[2 credits] CSE Supplemental Workshop
[1 credit] Allen Scholars Study Hall
[5 credits] Math Course

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will participating in the Allen Scholars Program delay my graduation date?

  • No. Students participating in the Allen Scholars Program complete the same curriculum as students who are directly admitted to the Allen School and are able to complete their degree at the same pace as non-scholars.

    • If I fail a class while in the Allen Scholars Program, will I still be eligible to be admitted to the Allen School?

  • Program staff work closely with students to ensure they are making progress on their degree and aim to connect students to the necessary resources that will support them in passing their courses. While failing one class may impact a student's academic standing in the Allen School, specific impacts will be discussed in a meeting with the student and their Allen Scholars Adviser with the goal of getting the student back on track.

    • Hear from Allen Scholars Alumni!

    Meet the Staff

    Leadership

    Photo of Chloe Dolese Mandeville, the Assistant Director of Diversity and Access

    Chloe Dolese Mandeville

    Assistant Director for
    Diversity & Access
    she/her

    Allen Scholars Staff

    Photo of Leslie Ikeda, Allen Scholars Senior Program Manager

    Leslie Ikeda

    Allen Scholars Senior
    Program Manager
    she/her

    Photo of Christina Huynh, Interim Program Manager

    Christina Huynh

    Allen Scholars
    Academic Adviser
    she/her



    Questions?


    Contact us at:
    allenscholars(at)cs.uw.edu