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Online Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences

Personal Statement

All applicants to the online Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences program need to submit a personal statement, which should address the four topics listed below.

Your ISS personal statement performs a number of important functions. It gives a more complete picture of your background, including your preparation in the social sciences and your readiness for bachelor’s degree completion. It also represents the first step on your path to the reflective, integrated learning that is an essential component of the ISS program.

Your personal statement will become the first artifact in your e-portfolio. You’ll be asked to return to this statement in the future to assess your learning and to better understand your development in the program.

Preparing Your Personal Statement

Your statement should address the following topics and questions in an essay of 750 to 1,000 words:

  • Your expectations of the ISS program. What do you hope to learn? What life goals — intellectual, personal and professional — will this degree help you accomplish?
  • One significant question, issue or problem in human society that you find meaningful or compelling. Think of the types of stories that grab your attention when you follow the news or interact with social media. How did you become interested in this issue? How do you think the ISS program can help further your understanding of it?
  • Two courses you’ve already completed in social science disciplines and that you hope to apply toward the ISS degree program. Possible subject areas include American ethnic studies, anthropology, communication, economics, geography, history, international studies, philosophy, political science, sociology or women's studies. Why do these particular courses represent significant learning experiences for you? (Note: You should have a grade of 2.5 or higher in these courses, as with all other social science courses you wish to apply toward the ISS program.)
  • Your level of comfort and preparedness for learning in an online environment. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 signifying the highest level, how comfortable are you with online learning? Describe your background and experiences with technology and with any prior online courses or programs. Were these experiences positive or negative? What contributed to or detracted from your success?

Submitting Your Personal Statement

Instructions for submitting your statement vary depending on your applicant type. Please click the relevant link below for additional application instructions, including how to submit your ISS personal statement.

  • New Students: Students from UW Evening Degree, UW Bothell and UW Tacoma, along with transfer students from other institutions
  • Returning UW Seattle Students: Former UW Seattle students who have not been enrolled for at least two consecutive quarters
  • Continuing UW Seattle Students: Currently enrolled UW Seattle students who want to change their major to ISS