Application Materials & Info
The application process for the 2024-25 school year opens November 15, 2023. Interested 8th grade students will need to create an online profile through the RC website. In addition to the questions posed within the application, the following documents must be uploaded within the application portal:
- ACT scores
- Grade reports from 6th and 7th grades
- All quarter or trimester grades available to date from 8th grade
- (Optional) Smarter Balanced Assessment scores from 7th grade
- Three total recommendations as follows:
- One teacher recommendation from a current 8th grade Math or Science teacher
- One teacher recommendation from from a current 8th grade Humanities teacher (Language Arts or History)
- One additional recommendation - this can be from a third teacher or school staff member (from 6th, 7th, or 8th grades) in any subject area or from a non-family adult who has supervised the student in an on-going capacity and can speak to the student's other personal attributes or characteristics. Examples include but are not limited to: an electives class teacher, a community volunteer group supervisor, a religious or clergy supervisor, or a private instructor.
- Non-refundable $75 deposit (this may be waived upon demonstration of financial need)
The TS application includes two parts.
- PART 1: Student Profile Section: Students should begin and submit the profile portion of the application as soon as possible which can be completed in multiple sessions. Applicants should complete the profile sections thoroughly and then selecting the “submit” button which officially opens an application. This does not mean your application is complete, just that the profile section of your application is complete and can no longer be edited. This will create your digital application and allow you to upload other required documents.
- PART 2: Document uploads: After submitting the Student Profile portion of the application, applicants will continue uploading ACT Scores, Grade Reports, send Teacher Recommendations electronically, and submit payment up until the application deadline.
- By submitting the Student Profile portion of your application, this allows teacher e-recommendations to be sent and provides your recommending teachers enough time to complete the questions before the deadline. TS will email the recommendation forms directly using provided contact information. All portions of the application, including teacher recommendations, must be completed and returned by February 16, 2024 at 5pm.
Application Dates
November 15, 2023 – Applications Open! Applications for all interested 8th grade students open online through the Robinson Center website.
February 16, 2024 – All Applications Due Complete online applications are due to the Robinson Center by 5pm
Mid-March through Early May – Interviews for selected applicants
By or before May 31, 2024 – Admission Decision Notifications All Transition School applicants will be notified of final admission decisions.
ACT Test
All Transition School applicants must submit ACT scores. Results from the ACT exam provide insight regarding an applicant's readiness for college-level work. We do not expect applicants to prep extensively for the ACT; at most, read through the practice test and familiarize yourself with the format of the test. If the Transition School is the right educational fit for you, you should be able to take the exam without much preparation.
ACT Reading, Math, and Science scores in the 85th percentile or higher show potential readiness for college-level work. However, we review applications with a holistic lens, so students applying with ACT scores below the 85th percentile are still encouraged to submit all materials. The Writing portion of the ACT is not required.
Code: When asked for a school code for the Transition School, enter either 481174 (if asked for a 6-digit code) or 9899 (if asked for a 4-digit code). The Transition School test code is different from the UW Seattle code.
ACT Test Dates for 2023-24 application cycle
- October 28, 2023
- December 9, 2023
- February 10, 2024*
*February 10, 2024 is the final ACT date to meet the Transition School application deadline. Scores from the February 10, 2024 ACT will not be available to include in the application by the February 16, 2024 deadline; however, an applicant testing on February 10, 2024 may upload proof of testing registration and submit scores as soon as they become available, typically within 2-3 weeks, at which time their complete application will be reviewed.
Grade Reports
Academic grade reports from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are required and can be uploaded to the online application portal. Screen shots of official online report cards may be substituted if necessary. 6th and 7th grade academic reports must include final grades for all courses completed. 8th grade reports must include all 1st semester or trimester grades whichever are most current at the time of application.
Teacher Recommendations
Applicants will select two educators who can speak to the student’s academic performance and behavior in the classroom. One recommendation must come from a current Math or Science teacher and the second from a current Humanities (Language Arts or History) teacher.
In addition, applicants will select a third person who can speak to the student's other personal attributes and characteristics that may extend beyond the classroom. This recommendation must be from a non-family adult who has supervised the student in an on-going capacity and may include a third teacher or school staff member from 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, a community group or volunteer supervisor, a religious or clergy supervisor, or a private instructor.
Those individuals selected by the applicant to provide a recommendation will not need to write a letter. Applicants should communicate their intentions to apply to Transition School and request permission to include the person’s email address in the Robinson Center online portal as part of the Transition School application. Transition School will send each recipient additional information and a questionnaire about the applicant to submit directly to TS.
While not required, applicants are encouraged to waive their right to review the teacher recommendation forms to allow those providing a recommendation to do so honestly in support of the student's academic pursuits.
Application Review
Once all the application materials are completed and the application fee is paid, applications are reviewed by the TS Admissions Committee. This committee determines whether the applicant will move on to the next stage of the admissions process with an interview. Families of applicants will receive emails through each stage of the process to communicate progress.
Interview
Should the candidate be invited for an interview by the Admissions Committee, both the applicant and parent(s)/guardian(s) participate in an Interview with the Admissions Committee, either via Zoom or on campus at the Robinson Center.
Admission Decisions
Applicants and their families will be notified of admission decisions for the 2023-24 applicant cycle (Fall 2024 cohort) by or before May 31, 2024.
Appeals Process
All interviewees are allowed one opportunity to appeal the placement decision made by the Admissions Committee. Applicants that are waitlisted have not been formally denied and cannot appeal their position on the waitlist. Waitlisted students are eligible to appeal if they are denied after the waitlist period has expired. Generally, applicants petition for an appeal if they believe their academic or personal circumstances could not be considered adequately through the standard admission review process or that an error occurred in the application review. All appeals must be received within two weeks of the Transition School’s admission decision.
How do I appeal?
More qualified applicants apply to TS than can be accepted. This means that, given a strong applicant pool, not all qualified applicants may be offered a seat in the class. All students can view the current status of their application to the Transition School by logging into their account on the RC website and clicking “View Applications” on the left column menu. When an application has been officially denied following the interview, the application status will reflect this change and offer applicants a new link which they can follow to appeal the decision. Clicking on the “appeal” link will bring up a page where applicants can describe their appeal and upload up to three documents that contribute to the case they are presenting to the Admissions Committee. We recommend preparing these materials prior to clicking the link.
What do I need to include in my appeal?
All appeals must include a formal appeal letter (no more than 2 typed pages), composed by the student applicant, which presents a clear and concise explanation of the applicant’s reasons for seeking reconsideration. Applicants should keep in mind that the application committee has already reviewed the original application. Appeals must present new information about the applicant or seek to provide additional explanation about aspects of the academic record that are not as strong, including information about circumstances and hardships, such as personal or family illness, factors related to a disability, or familial or cultural barriers that may have affected the applicant’s academic performance and record. Appeal letters should clearly explain why the applicant thinks they are a good candidate for the Transition School and why they are in need of the highly accelerated education offered by the Robinson Center.
Additionally, appeals may include (but do not require) supporting materials like updated transcripts, additional letters of support, or other documentation of the student’s learning experiences.
What is the process for considering appeals?
All appeals are considered by the Robinson Center Admission Committee, which will reconsider each case and make initial decisions based on the information provided. If the RC Admission Committee decides not to support the appeal, it will be taken to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, where it will be considered a second time. Final decisions will originate from Dean’s Office, approximately three weeks after the appeal was received.