- When do I apply to the Landscape Architecture
Department?
Both the BLA and MLA programs have once a year
application dates for the following Autumn Quarter. You must
apply by January 15th for the MLA program and by February
15th for the BLA program, to start the following Autumn Quarter.
- Do I only apply to the Department of
Landscape Architecture?
No. You must also apply to the University of
Washington if you are not already enrolled. You apply to
the Undergraduate School for the BLA program and to the Graduate
School for the MLA program.
- How do I apply to the University of Washington?
Undergraduate Students may contact the University
of Washington, 1410 N.E. Campus Parkway, 320 Schmitz
Hall, Box 355852, Seattle, WA 98195, 206-543-9686, for
an application. Be sure and read the Frequently Asked Questions
section.
If you would like counseling about the application
process, advice on how your credits may transfer and/or suggestions
about writing your Personal Statement to apply to the UW, contact
the Undergraduate Advising Center, Academic Counselor, Kurt
Xyst, 171 Mary Gates Hall, Office #B, Box 352805, Seattle,
WA 98195, 206-543-7682, 206-543-2551, 206-543-2550, Fax: 206-685-8299,
email kxy@u.washington.edu
Prospective undergraduate students are encouraged
to attend Transfer
Thursdays. There is an Information Meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Advisors are available 1:00-4:00 p.m.Bring your transcripts,
if you would like to see an advisor.
Graduate students may contact the University
of Washington, Graduate Admissions, 301 Loew Hall, Box
352191, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2191,
206-543-5929. You must now apply on-line.
International students should read the Frequently
Asked Questions section of International Admissions.
- Will you please send me a catalogue and
application?
The Department of Landscape Architecture provides
all Department information and application materials on the
web.
You can download
an application and recommendation forms off of our website.
You can find courses offered in the Landscape Architecture
Department under the Academics
and Research section of our website.
The University of Washington has also put the entire
catalogue for the University on their website, in the
Student Guide section. The Student
Guide section is also where you would find the Time Schedule
of courses offered each quarter at University and the Tuition
Rates.
You can purchase a hard copy of the University
of Washington catalog at the University Book Store, 4326 University
Way, Seattle, WA 98105, 206-634-3400.
- What do I need to apply to the Landscape
Architecture Department?
Both the BLA and MLA applications require:
- a Department Application
- a Statement of Interest
- Official Transcripts from any junior colleges,
colleges or universities you have attended
- Three Letters of Recommendation.
- a Portfolio
The MLA application also requires GRE scores
and a copy of the University of Washington Graduate School
Application.
International students must also submit their
TOEFL scores and complete the Preliminary
Evaluation Process (PEP) before applying to the Department
of Landscape Architecture and the University of Washington
Graduate School.
Undergraduate International students should go
to the University's
International Student site for further application instructions.
- Who should write my Letters of Recommendation?
The Letters of Recommendation are an important
part of the application. Choose people to write in support
of your application that can speak to your skills and abilities
in different capacities:
- Professional recommendations may be from
employers, etc.
- Service recommendations may be from volunteer
coordinators, directors of clubs or organizations, coaches,
etc.
- Academic recommendations may be from college
faculty, high school teachers, etc.
- What goes into a portfolio? What are
the best portfolios like?
Portfolios are personal demonstrations of your
creative skills and abilities to date. It can include examples
from courses, work experience, and any of your interests
and achievements. The portfolio should show things about
you that your academic record, statement of interest, and
letters of recommendation may not show. The admissions committee
looks for your creative abilities and spatial skills, as
they assess your potential in and commitment to landscape
architecture. Here is your chance to show what is unique
about you.
People often include freehand drawings, graphics,
photography, photos of three-dimensional works, printed out
websites they have designed, posters, invitations, poetry,
and creative and expository writings. The committee will NOT
look at slides, CD's, non-printed out websites, videos or cassettes.
The layout and craft of your examples in the portfolio is important
in communicating your message. The portfolio does not (and
should not) be expensive, but simply neatly, carefully, and
thoughtfully composed.
Do not include any original artwork, only reproductions.
Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for us to mail the
portfolio back to you, or make arrangements to come in and
pick it up.
- What do I say in the Statement of Interest?
This is an important part of the application
that the committee uses to understand your personal and professional
motives and goals. In 1-2 pages, explain your reasons for
wishing to pursue a career as a landscape architect, and
why you would like to be in this Department. Provide a coherent,
well-organized, well-presented, and personable introduction
to yourself, your motives, and your aspirations and achievements.
Tell the committee what benefit you would bring to the program
and the profession.
- How recently will I need to have taken
the GRE or TOEFL and what kind of scores do I need? Do I
need to send the scores to the Department?
Your Graduate
Record Exam (GRE) scores only stay in the database
for five years. If you already have a Graduate Degree,
you will need to speak with the Graduate Program Coordinator
to see if you need to retake the GRE. For more information
about the GRE, contact them at their website or the Educational
Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, telephone 1-800-537-3160
or by e-mail at gre-info@ets.org.
The GRE is only part of the MLA Admissions process.
You need to be competitive but they also look at your work
experience, transcripts, Statement of Interest and Letters
of Recommendation and portfolio.
International students are required to submit
a TOEFL score (except applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland,
New Zealand or the United Kingdom). The test scores must be
less than two years old. Be sure and check the University of
Washington's website for required
TOEFL test scores.
Undergraduate International students should go
to the University of Washington's website to find out the required
TOEFL test scores.
Please do send a hard copy of your GRE and TOEFL
scores to the Department. Eventually, we will be able to get
both scores off of the Graduate School or Undergraduate School
databases, but they are backlogged and behind in entering the
scores. Our BLA and MLA Admission Committees need those scores,
once they start the admissions process.
- How do I sign up for ESL (English As
A Second Language) courses?
International students, whose TOEFL scores
are not high enough, may be required to fulfill the English
language proficiency requirement by taking Academic English
Program courses. You will find these courses listed on the UW
website <http://www.washington.edu/students/timeschd/>:
Go to the current Quarter and then English Department. They
will be listed as ENG 100, 101 or 102. For further information,
contact The University of Washington, Residency Classification
Office, 264 Schmitz, Box 355850, Seattle, WA 98195. Telephone:
206-543-5932. Or you can contact English Language Programs,
UW Extension, Box 354232, Seattle, WA 98195. Telephone: 206-543-6242.
The course fee will be on your MyUW
account.
- What Official Transcripts do you need
and how many?
The Department of Landscape Architecture needs
one official transcript from each college or university you
have attended. This includes Community Colleges, Extension
courses, and Foreign Studies. If the Foreign Studies was
included on your Domestic University transcript, write that
on your application, so that we will not be expecting a transcript
to be sent.
The Graduate School needs one copy of official
transcripts from those schools that have granted you a Bachelor's
or higher degree, once you have been admitted into the program.
The transcripts sent to both the Department and
to the Graduate School should be sent in a sealed envelope
bearing the Registrar's seal.
International students need to submit to the
University of Washington's Undergraduate or Graduate School,
one official sealed copy of a transcript from each university
or college they attended, at the time they apply to the University.
A separate department determines how the grading system of
each International School compares to the University of Washington.
Undergraduate students should go to the University
of Washington's website and look under Admissions, then Undergraduate
Admissions: Freshmen, Transfer, International or Postbac students
to get instructions on applying to the University.
- Do you accept students into the programs
at different times?
No. Both the BLA and MLA are competitive programs
and there is a once-a-year application process and starting
time. The admissions process takes about three months for
each program. The required studios are offered sequentially,
starting Autumn Quarter.
There are classes students can be taking ahead
of time, either as a matriculated or non-matriculated student.
See the Prerequisite Courses
and Extension Courses section of this Frequently Asked
Questions part of our website.
- Who decides if I'm accepted, and what
are the odds?
Both the MLA and BLA Admissions Committees
are overseen by the Chair of the Department and are made
up of two or three professors and two to four students. The
professors and students on the committees change each year.
Acceptance rates vary each year and are always
competitive. The BLA program generally has 30-50 applicants.
The MLA program generally has 80-100 applicants. A total of
30 applicants are accepted each year, with approximately 15
positions for BLA candidates and 15 positions for MLA candidates.
- What if I am not accepted and want to
try again?
The number of people who apply and are accepted
varies from year to year. You are welcome to try more than
once, as you may have taken more classes, gained work experience,
or simply become more polished since your last application.
The pool of applicants also varies each year.
You may continue to take courses that would count
towards a BLA or MLA degree and try again later. Often people
working on a Bachelor's degree will then work on a double degree.
Your other Bachelor's degree needs to be almost complete by
the time you enter the BLA program or be a flexible degree
that allows you to take courses that work around your studio
classes. Some example of double degrees past students have
worked towards include: Art, Botany, Geology, History, Psychology,
Geography, Construction Management, and Urban Horticulture.
It is easier to obtain a double Bachelor's degree
than to finish one Bachelor's degree and try to re-enter the
UW as a Post Baccalaureate. Only a few Post Baccalaureates
are allowed into the University of Washington each year.
- Can I obtain a Minor in Landscape Architecture?
Yes, as of the year 2000, you can now obtain
a Minor
in Landscape Studies. See requirements for a Minor under
the Academics and Research section and then Program Information
of the Department website.
- Do I need to know what I want to write
my thesis about before applying to the MLA program?
No, but your general area of interest should
be consistent with the Department focus on Urban Ecological
Design.
Some students enter the MLA program knowing their
specific area of interest and retain this interest throughout
the program. Some students change their area of interest once
they start taking classes. Some students enter the program
without a specific area of interest and develop one during
the first two years of studio and coursework.
MLA students should be open to considering thesis
topics during their first two years in the program, gradually
focusing in on the specific topic they will write their thesis
on. Consultation with Departmental faculty, to find an area
of shared interest, is an integral part of this process.
- How can I find out more about the Urban
Design and Preservation Planning & Design Certificate
Programs?
These programs are offered to students through
the Urban Design and Planning Department in the College of
Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP). Students should plan
ahead to participate in these programs and finish their Landscape
Architecture degree on time.
Urban
Design Certificate Program
Preservation
Planning & Design Certificate Program
- What is the new Public Art Program?
The Public
Art program is offered to all students by the Department
of Landscape Architecture, Design Architecture, and Art.
It is an exciting opportunity the Department is glad to
develop. For more information, please check the website
for the Public Art Program.
- Which prerequisite courses are required
to apply to the programs?
The BLA program requires that you have taken:
- LARC 300 - Introduction to Landscape Architecture
- offered Summer and Autumn quarters.
AND One of the following:
- LARC 352 - History of Landscape Architecture
- offered two nights a week Autumn quarter.
- LARC 353 - History of Modern Landscape Architecture
- offered two nights a week Winter quarter.
The following classes are highly recommended
for applying to the BLA program:
- ART 121 - Drawing - offered Autumn, Winter,
Spring and Summer quarters.The Art Department will open
up all of the art classes to non-majors Summer quarter.
- BIOL 116 - Introductory Plant Biology - offered
AWSp quarters, or BIOL 117 Plant Identification and Classification,
offered Sping and Summer quarters.Either of these courses
are recommended to take before BIOL/EHUF 331 Landscape Plant
Recognition, which is a required course to graduate from
Landscape Architecture. Or take BOT 110 or BOT 113 in Junior
Colleges.
- ESS 101 - Introduction to Geological Sciences
- offered Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters. This is a prerequisite
course to take ESS 315 Environmental Geology, which is a
required course for the BLA program, offered winter quarter.
You can also take ESS 301(Geology of the Northwest), offered
Spring quarter.
The MLA program does not have any prerequisite
courses before applying. Taking courses is one way to stand
out from the crowd and show that you have researched your decision
to become a Landscape Architect.
- What courses can I take before I am accepted
into the program?
Courses offered to non- majors are listed below.
These courses may help you decide if this is the profession
you want to pursue or can help lighten your load later on,
if you are accepted into the program.
- LARC 300 Introduction to Landscape Architecture
- offered Summer and Autumn quarter.
- LARC 361 Experience of Place - offered Autumn
quarter.
- LARC 322 Introduction to Planting Design -
offered Spring quarter.
- LARC 352 History of Landscape Architecture
- offered two nights a week Autumn quarter.
- LARC 353 History of Modern Landscape Architecture
- offered two nights a week Winter quarter.
- LARC 362 Urban Landscapes - offered Spring
quarter.
- LARC 363 Ecological Design and Planning -
offered Spring quarter
- LARC 498U History of Urban Design and Planning
- offered two nights a week Spring quarter.
- LARC 498A/598B Ecological Evaluation & Design
Perception: Cedar Rock Biological Reserve - offered Summer
quarter.
- LARC 498 History of Public Art - offered Winter
quarter.
Often an elective studio open to non-majors is
offered Summer quarter.
- ART 121 Drawing - offered Autumn, Winter,
Spring and Summer quarters. Any basic drawing class from
a Community College or other schools would be a help.
- ESC 210 Introductory Soils - offered Autumn
and Spring quarters. Or take ESC 311 for a soils requirement.
- ESC 311 Soils and Land Use - offered Winter
quarter.
- BIOL/EHUF 331 Landscape Plant Recognition
- offered Spring and Summer quarters. Required for both the
BLA and MLA programs.
- ESS 315 Environmental Geology - offered Winter
quarter. This is a requirement for the BLA program only.
- ESS 301 Geology of the Northwest - offered
Spring Quarter. This can be taken in lieu of ESS 315, for
BLA program only.
- EHUF 480 Selection and Management of Landscape
Plant - prerequisite ESC 210, recommended BOT 110 - offered
Autumn quarter. This is a requirement for the BLA program
only.
Both the BLA and MLA programs require an Environmental
Legislation/Law course. Some suggestions to fulfill this requirement
are:
- ARCH
574/CM 500 Design and Construction Law - offered
one night a week Spring quarter.
- FM 377 Environmental Impact Assessment and
Regulation in Forest Resource Management - offered Winter
quarter.
- MGMT 200 Introduction to Law - offered every
quarter. BLA students only are allowed to use this course
as their Environmental Legislation requirement.
Both the BLA and MLA programs require at least
one computer course. Most students take LARC 440 Computers
in Landscape Architecture (not open to non-majors) and a CAD
(Computer Aided Design) course, at the very least. Computer
skills are important in the profession of Landscape Architecture.
- CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) classes are
suggested. You need to know CAD for an Internship or Entry
level position in the profession. North Seattle Community
College offers evening CAD courses. You can reach them
at 206-527-7305. The AutoCAD classes are offered through
the Construction, Engineering and Drafting Department.
They offer TDR 174 Beginning AutoCAD and TDR 175 Intermediate
AutoCAD. The Landscape Architecture CAD courses at the
UW are offered only to students in the program, due to
class size.
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems) courses
are offered through the Geography Department.
The BLA program also requires the students take
one course in UDP (Urban Design and Planning), Ecology and
Forestry. See the Directive
Electives section of the BLA program portion of this website,
for suggested courses.
- How can I take classes at the UW before
becoming matriculated (formally accepted into the University)?
How does UW Extension Work?
Non-matriculated students can take courses
open to non-majors at the UW as an Extension student
any time of the year. During Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters,
matriculated students have first priority for enrollment.
During Summer quarter, Extension students have equal priority
for enrollment with matriculated students.
Any credit courses completed as an Extension
student are recorded on a transcript. If and when you are accepted
to the University, there is a record you have taken these courses
and these credits transfer.
The Extension Office publishes a course catalog
for courses offered through the Extension Program. Many of
the Certificate Programs offered through Extension, however,
are not considered credit courses. Examples include: Wetlands
Science and Management, Screenwriting, Film and Video Production.
However, most of the Construction Management courses are considered
credit courses. Check with the Extension Office to determine
whether or not a course is offered for University credit.
If Extension students wish to take credit courses
at the University, which are not listed in the Extension Program
Course Catalog, they must get permission from the professor.
A form from the Extension Office must be signed by the professor
before or during the first week of the course.The form can
be downloaded off the web from the extensions
program. The professor will sign the form only if it is
a course open to non-majors and there is room in the class.
Be sure and attend the first day of class. The UW must give
first priority to matriculated students. Payment for the class
is still made to the Extension Office.
Credit courses offered at the University of Washington
can be found by checking the UW
website: Go to the current Quarter and then to the Department
where you are interested in taking a course. You will find
the SLN (Schedule Line Number - four digit number that tells
the computer system which class it is). You need this number
to fill out the above permission form. You will also find where
and when the class meets.
Students who are at a Community College or other
college, can take prerequisite courses, as an Extension student,
before they transfer to the UW. Examples of courses often taken
before transferring are LARC 300, 352, 353, 322, and 498U.
The UW accepts very few Post Baccalaureate students.
Taking courses as an Extension student has become more common.
Only 12-15 non-matriculated courses count towards
a Master's degree. However, the MLA students end up having
more credits than they need to graduate, so this has not been
a problem. Taking courses through Extension is a helpful way
to explore the profession, or take some of the required courses
at a less expensive rate, to lighten your academic load later.
Extension courses charge by the credit only.
If you are matriculated into the University and have not established
residency, you must pay out-of-state tuition, which is higher
than in-state tuition.
Taking courses as an Extension student, and doing
well, is also a way to raise your gradepoint average, if this
is an issue. The University will hopefully see that you are
more focused and mature and ready to study hard.
Contact the Extension
Office for more information about their program and how
to register. You can obtain a Summer quarter catalog, with
an application in the back, at 320 Schmitz Hall, Box 355840
(corner of University Ave. and N.E. Campus Parkway), Seattle,
WA 98195 or call 206-543-9686.
The UW
Extension Office is located at 4311 11th Ave Northeast,
Seattle, WA 98105. Their telephone number is 206-543-2320.
- How long am I considered an out-of-state
student?
In Washington State, you have been able to
establish your residency by
residing in Washington State for one year, being financially
independent, and obtaining a Washington State Driver's license,
bank account, and vehicle registration. This does not apply
to International students. Residency requirements are changing
as of 2003, please see http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/residency.html for
details.
- How much is tuition?
The tution costs are listed in the UW
website student guide. The student guide section is
also where you can find the UW catalog and the time schedule
of classes offered for each quarter.
- Can I take required classes ahead of
time?
Yes. There are some classes you could take
ahead of time as an Extension student. See the Prerequisite
Courses and Extension Courses section of this Frequently
Asked Questions portion of the our website. If you move here
early to establish residency, Extension courses offer a less
expensive way to take courses ahead of time.
- Are Scholarships or Teaching Assistant
(TA) positions available?
Department Scholarships are awarded to students
in their second and third years. Students apply for them
Spring quarter. Opportunities for department scholarships
are small in amount and number and so it is recommended to
rely on scholarships and sources of funding outside the Department.
The Department offers several Teaching Assistant
and Research Assistant positions. The students for these positions
apply Spring quarter and are selected by the Faculty.
Students are e-mailed throughout the year with
scholarship opportunities from other organizations. This information
is also posted to the Scholarships and Jobs board outside the
Department office.
The Grants
& Funding Information Services Center (GFIS) is located
in the Reference and Research Services Section of Suzzallo
Library, ground floor, on the UW Campus. Their email is gfis@u.washington.edu.
Telephone: 206-616-3084. They can help with Internet Searches
for grant and scholarship money. They offer workshops for
faculty, staff and students to do their own web searches.
Some Students, particularly the hard science
majors, are able to find a TA position in the Departments of
their undergraduate degrees (e.g., Biology, Forestry, Program
on the Environment, etc...). Contact these departments directly
to inquire about opportunities.
Undergraduate scholarships are listed on the University of
Washington website for the Undergraduate
Scholarship Office.
There is a Fundraising Resource Center at the
Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4620.
- How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Contact the Financial
Aid Office at the University of Washington, 105 Schmitz
Hall, Box 355880, Seattle, WA 98195. Telephone: 206-543-6101
or 543-9610.
You will need to file a FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid), which is the basic financial application
that students (and their families) must complete to be considered
for Financial Aid. Please note that the FAFSA must be received
by the Federal Application Processor by February 28th, the
application priority filing deadline. It is recommended that
it be mailed by February 15th. The Application Instructions
and other information about financial aid at the University
can be viewed on their website.
Applications are also in a rack outside the Financial
Aid Office in Schmitz Hall.
