The Application

Who is Encouraged to Apply?

The Husky 100 is not about what you have accomplished it is about how you have grown and transformed during your time as a student. UW juniors and seniors (by credits earned) and matriculated graduate students on the Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses are eligible. Those students graduating autumn quarter of this academic year are also eligible to apply.

Applicants must be in good academic standing and not on academic probation, as determined by the Office of the Registrar.

Your UW Story

The Husky 100 celebrates students who make connections between experiences and classroom learning. Husky 100 students are engaged in their communities, work at becoming effective leaders, and attempt to solve difficult and ambiguous challenges. They strive to be prepared for their future – no matter what it brings. The Husky 100 celebrates students who have achieved and those who persist despite setbacks.

Every story includes twists and turns, highs and lows, that all contribute to personal, professional, and academic development. As such, when selecting the Husky 100, we want to understand what you’ve done and most importantly what you’ve learned through your Husky Experience; in other words, how you have transformed because of your time at the UW.

Through the following three prompts, address all Husky 100 Criteria. You may use your preferred format (essay, video, e-portfolio – more information below) to tell your story. 

• What moments, experiences, relationships, successes, or setbacks have had the greatest impact on you during your time at the UW?
  • These can be experiences from in and out of the classroom (or Zoom room), on and off-campus, affiliated with UW or not. You must include at least one academic experience and one out-of-class experience. 
• Connect your stories. Show us how you make meaning across experiences. 
  • How have these experiences shaped your understanding, perspective or behavior in the other experience(s)?
  • What learning did you take away from these experiences, and how did it change or impact you?
• What does this mean for your future; your goals, actions, relationships, and future self?

Formats for Applications + Rules & Restrictions

We are providing the option of three formats so that you can choose the one you feel is best suited to your strengths while conveying your unique story. You can choose an essay, a video, or E-portfolio. For more information on the various formats, please visit the Q&A section of this page.

• • Essays can be no longer than 1,200 words
  • Videos can be no longer than 4 minutes and 30 seconds and should be submitted via a publicly-available link (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.)
  • E-portfolios (electronic portfolios/websites) should include no more than six webpages, including a homepage, and contain no more than 1,200 words in total

Resume or CV

You must submit a resume or CV with your Husky 100 application. Tailor your resume or CV to demonstrate your involvement, experiences, responsibilities, awards and coursework as they relate to the Husky 100 selection criteria.

Letter(s) of Endorsement

Your endorsers will answer the following questions: How long have you known this student and in what capacity? What makes this student stand out as deserving of the Husky 100 recognition? Would you be proud for this student to represent the University of Washington to the community? Why or why not?

Examples of Potential Student Experiences

UW students engage inside and outside the classroom in a myriad of ways. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Service learning
• Community service
• Participation with groups/teams/clubs/organizations – in and out of the classroom, and on- and off-campus
• Case study competitions or other team projects set in the classroom
• Mentoring others, or have been mentored themselves
• Work on- or off-campus
• Internships or practical experience in a career or field of interest
• Research, field work or lab work
• Tutoring or teaching
• Studying abroad
• Capstone/senior projects
• Thesis/dissertation
• Portfolio work
• Community organizing
• Participating in learning communities
• Taking unique responsibility for family or personal relationships
• Overcoming challenging life circumstances

Remember: we’re looking for more than a list of your activities and accomplishments. We want to know what you did, what you learned, how you contributed, what you would do differently, how this prepares you for the future, how you made a difference.

Resources for Building Your Application

UW career centers:

• Bothell
• Seattle
• Tacoma

Husky Leadership Initiative: E-portfolio gallery

Connect the Dots

The Husky 100 find connections – not boundaries – between what they learn in the classroom and what they discover beyond it. They link subject matter and practical experience. They grow with every observation, conversation and endeavor. They question the answer.

Discovery Mindset

The Husky 100 embrace innovation and novel ways of thinking. They are curious, driven and resilient. They see challenges – not problems – which they engage with passion and creativity. To them, ambiguity is opportunity. They respond to shifting situations with optimism, determined to find the way forward.

Commitment to Inclusive Community

The Husky 100 seek understanding of and engagement with diverse communities, and knowledge of different cultures in a complex world. They navigate various settings and workplaces; and through partnership and service, these students work toward a more just and equitable world.

Capacity for Leadership

Motivated from within, the Husky 100 lead from wherever they are without need for a role, title or position. They lead from the side, from the front, from behind, from within. They are activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, managers, mentors, family members, explorers and teachers. They engage others to make a difference with their organizations and communities. They are self-aware, confident, resilient and mindful leaders who put the needs of others ahead of their own.

Ready for What Is Next

Energized by their Husky Experience, the Husky 100 are ready for life’s next steps – no matter what those might be. Undeterred by the risk of failure, they pursue their own goals with savvy and fortitude. With an understanding of their strengths and backed by strong communities and relationships, they know how to find the people, resources or information to fill the gaps.

About the Husky 100

Who is eligible to apply?

Juniors, seniors and graduate students on any of the UW’s campuses may apply. To be considered for this honor, students must submit a completed online application by the application deadline, and be in good academic standing with the UW. Students who graduated in the previous autumn quarter are eligible to apply.

Why should I apply? What is included as part of the recognition?

The Husky 100 will:

• Receive formal recognition from UW’s top leadership and one-of-a-kind mementos honoring their inclusion in the current year cohort
• Be featured on the Husky 100 website, and in campus and departmental announcements
• Have opportunities to expand their networks with UW students, alumni, faculty, staff and leaders in their field
• Have access to cross-campus support for advising, counseling and other resources
• Have access to support and engagement opportunities from the UW Alumni Association

Application

What is expected in an e-portfolio?

E-portfolios – electronic portfolios or websites – must highlight your Husky Experience and should include no more than six webpages, including a homepage, and contain up to 1,200 words in total.  You don’t need to be a web developer to submit an effective e-portfolio. The quality of your content is the most important thing. And, lucky for you there are many tools available to help you create dynamic and engaging e-portfolios at no or low cost to you – many offer student discounts. A few options are:

wix.com
weebly.com
wordpress.com
squarespace.com
adobespark.com

What is expected in a video?

Videos can be up to 4 minutes and 30 seconds long. The video should be submitted via a link (Vimeo, YouTube, or other site).  You don’t need to be a film director to create effective video applications.  While quality videos are always appreciated, it’s the quality of your content that matters.

For questions regarding equipment and support, UW Bothell students can contact uwbit@uw.edu.

UW Seattle students can find equipment at the Student Technology Loan Program.

UW Tacoma students can find equipment and support with Information Technology.

What is expected in an essay?

Essays can be up to 1,200 words. You don’t need to be a published author or creative storyteller to submit an effective essay. The content of your story is what matters.

UW Bothell Students can find writing support at the Writing and Communication Center.

UW Seattle Students can find writing support at the Odegaard Writing & Research Center and CLUE.

UW Tacoma students can find writing support at the Teaching and Learning Center.

Do I need to address all five criteria in my application?

Each application will be evaluated on the student’s ability to address all of the Husky 100 criteria that relate to their own student experience. The way in which you link the criteria to one another – “connect the dots” – will make your application stronger.

Which experiences should I highlight?

As part of your application, you should emphasize a few high-impact experiences that helped you define your Husky Experience. Keep in mind that you will also submit a resume or CV with your application. Think of every aspect of your application as complementary to one another, and highlight those connections.

What is considered a high-impact experience?

A high-impact experience is something that helped define your Husky Experience. These experiences may include study abroad, service learning, conducting research or volunteer work. A more expansive list can be found in the Eligibility and Application Components section at the top of this page.

How is everything weighted? Internships, high impact experiences, GPA and so on?

Your application will be evaluated holistically, which means all of the components of the application will give you an overall application score. No single component of the application will be evaluated separately. However, among the Husky 100 Criteria, be sure that address how you Connect the Dots.

Do I have to submit a transcript as part of the Husky 100 application?

A transcript is required to verify that the applicant is in good academic standing. Without a transcript, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Nominations and Endorsements

What is the difference between nominating and endorsing a student?

A nomination serves as an invitation to apply to be part of the Husky 100 and is an acknowledgement from the nominator of the student’s personal growth and contribution to their community. Any member of the UW community can nominate a student but the student must still then apply.

An endorsement is a formal statement (and is part of a student’s application) as to why the student deserves to be recognized as part of the Husky 100. Students must ask an endorser to write an endorsement on their behalf.

Who may nominate a student?

Anyone – faculty, staff, alumni, community members and students – may nominate up to ten UW students to be part of the Husky 100. Once nominated, a student is invited to complete the online application in order to be considered.

How do I nominate a student?

Follow the instructions and link at the top of this page.

Do I need to be nominated, or may I apply directly myself?

Any matriculated junior, senior or graduate UW student in good academic standing may apply directly to the Husky 100. Reviewers will have no way of knowing if a student self-applies or was nominated.

How do I endorse a student?

As part of the Husky 100 application, each applicant will enter an endorser’s name and contact information. Then, the endorser will receive an email with instructions on how to submit an endorsement online by the application deadline. Endorsers will briefly answer each of the following questions (no letter of recommendation required):

• How long have you known this student and in what capacity?
• What makes this student stand out as deserving of the Husky 100 recognition?
• Would you be proud for this student to represent the University of Washington to the community? Why or why not?

Who should I ask to endorse me?

You may have up to two endorsers. One must be a UW faculty or staff member, and the second (optional) endorser may be anyone you choose, such as a community member or a peer. Endorsers should speak to your contributions to the community, whether on campus or beyond.

Are peer endorsements weighted differently?

Peer endorsements are encouraged but not required. A strong peer endorsement will help strengthen your application.

May I change my endorser?

You may make changes to your application until you submit it. At that point, your application becomes final.

Do I need to secure a second endorser, or is it optional?

The second endorsement is optional. Your application will not be at a disadvantage if you do not submit a second endorsement.