Program FAQs

Application Frequently Asked Questions

How to do get a Student ID# for my application?

Go to LWTech.edu/apply and apply for general admission to the college (this is different than admission to Dental Hygiene). We will email you a Student ID (SID) number in 2-3 business days. It is free to get your SID. 

Is advising mandatory before I submit my Dental Hygiene application?

No. If you have taken all the prerequisites, you can complete the Dental Hygiene BAS online application and submit it by the deadline. Students are strongly recommended to review all materials on both the Dental Hygiene and Dental Advising Webpages.

I submitted my application for admission today and got a Student ID#, but my student email has not been created yet. I am not sure if it will be my name or not because I have a common name (Jeff Smith), so what can I put in the email field?

Email addresses are usually in the format s-first.lastname@lwtech.edu, but if you have a common name it may different; we encourage you to check with Enrollment Services at (425) 739-8100.

How late can I submit my application? When will the application close?

The application will close on the published deadline no earlier than 10 p.m. 

How many times may I apply to the Dental Hygiene program?

There is no limit to how many times a student can apply to the program.

I did not get in to the Dental Hygiene program. Why not?

Please email selective.admission@lwtech.edu if you have questions about why you were not admitted. Admission staff can review your points to see if there may be an area where you can improve your score. On average we receive 100 applications and only have space for 30 students. Unfortunately, you can be a great candidate, but still not get in.

If I get in, what will my schedule be like?  

It will be a mix of morning and afternoon hours. This is considered a full-time program and you may find it difficult to work while enrolled in the program. 

Do Dental Hygiene students attend classes in the summer?

Yes.

What happens if my recommender has not submitted the recommendation?

Please email Selective Admissions and let us know the status of your recommendations. Not following recommendation instructions will cause your application to be considered incomplete.

Is there a waitlist if I do not get in? If someone who is accepted decides not to attend will I have a chance to get in?

There is not a waitlist. If you don’t get in, you may try again the following year, but you must resubmit the online application again. Please check for any updates on the Dental Hygiene web page. In the rare situation when an accepted student decides not to attend, we will contact the applicant with the next highest points to offer them a space in the program.

Test Of Essential Academic Skills(TEAS) Exam Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is the TEAS test?

$115 (subject to change) if you take it at LWTech

How do I schedule my TEAS test?

Go to Assessment Center web page and fill out the web form to schedule your TEAS test. The test takes approximately 3.5 hours and cost $115 (subject to change). 

Can I take my TEAS test at another college?

Yes, you can take it at other colleges/testing centers that offer it; they may charge a similar amount for the test or more. You will also need to pay a fee (approximately $27) to have the results transferred to LWTech so we canaccess your scores. Go to the ATI site and order your TEAS transcript so it will be sent to LWTech.   

How do I study for the TEAS test?

You can find general study guides online or at the LWTech Bookstore. There are also free resources listed on the Dental Advising webpage.

How long my TEAS are valid?

Please submit your highest TEAS score that is no older than 2 years from the application deadline.

When can I retake my TEAS?

There is no requirement or timeframe for retaking your TEAS test at LWTech. Please submit your highest TEAS score that is no older than 2 years from the application deadline. 

Which version of the TEAS is required?

Version 6.

Which option shall I choose when I am taking the TEAS test?

“Lake WA Institute of Technology TEAS Applicants” is the correct option. 

Transcripts Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make sure my official transcripts sent by my former colleges arrive in time if they are being sent directly from the former colleges to LWTech?

Contact to check with Enrollment Services to make sure your transcripts have arrived. You can call at (425) 739-8100.

Can I transfer classes from a college or university to LWTech?

We accept transfer classes from regionally accredited Institutions within the United States or from institutions outside of the U.S. if you have international transcripts translated and assessed by an international credential evaluation agency.  You can find more information about transferring classes to LWTech on our website.

Can I send my transcript electronically?

Yes. Please have that college send your official e-transcript to admissions@lwtech.edu. More information about sending your electronic transcript is available on our website.

I took prerequisite classes at another college, but the name and number is slightly different than the prerequisites listed at LWTech. Can you give me an equivalency chart?

Advisors cannot guarantee that a course from another institution will count towards the pre-requisites for a competitive admission program.

ALL students must submit an official transcript to the college for evaluation to receive official confirmation that the course they are transferring in meets the requirements.

To learn more about transferring courses to LWTech, visit the Transferring to LWTech webpage.

Evaluation results will be available 2-4 weeks after the receipt of official transcripts. The total number of credits transferred in and the institution from which the credits were transferred will be posted to your LWTech transcript.

I took English 101 (or another prerequisite class) twice in order to get a better grade. Which grade will you take? How will you know which one to take? Will you split the difference? Do I lose points for taking a class twice?

Please report the highest grade on your application. 

Will you email me at my personal email and my LWTech email if I am accepted?

Yes, if you supplied both, we will email you at both addresses.

My prerequisite grades will not be available by the deadline to apply, but they will be available a few days after. How late can I turn those in and still be considered? Can I turn in unofficial transcripts in that case, and then supply official ones a few days late?

You can submit your application first and send your transcript as soon as possible afterward. Selective Admissions will evaluate what you have, but they will not call you or follow up with you about your transcript. All transcripts must be received by the application deadline to be considered. 

If I took pre-requisites at three different colleges, do I have to send all the transcripts from those colleges, or will the last college I attended send all transcripts since I had my first two college transcripts sent to them?

You must contact each separate college and request the official transcripts. Do not rely on one college to send them all. They only send the transcript from that individual college.

How long my science classes are valid?

Science courses have a 7 year time limit from the application deadline. Non-science courses do not have a time limit.

Contact Information Frequently Asked Questions

I have a question about the BAS in Dental Hygiene program and I already read the information on the Dental Hygiene web pages. Who should I contact?

Admission Coach

How to get a Student ID#, Student Email, and general information about the college: email Admission.Coach@lwtech.edu.

Advisor

For questions about class equivalencies, unofficial transcript review, and taking prerequisites: you are strongly encouraged to review the Dental Advising webpage in depth and to watch the recorded information session. If you have additional questions, you may email Advising@lwtech.edu or attend drop-in advising hours posted on the advising webpage.

Selective Admission Program Assistant

For specific questions about the Dental Hygiene application itself, the results, and questions about re-applying for the program: email Selective.Admission@lwtech.edu  

Selection Criteria Frequently Asked Questions

What is the selection criteria?

For the Summer 2022 cohort, the selection criteria are:

Stage 1

40 Pts Cumulative GPA from classes:

• BIOL&241
• BIOL&242
• CHEM&121(or CHEM&161)
• CHEM&131(or CHEM&261)
• BIOL&260
• ENGL&101 (or ENGL&102)

Multiply your required prerequisite course cumulative GPA by 10 to determine points.

• Meet or exceed a 2.5/B- in the following pre-requisite courses prior to application.
• Science courses must have been completed in the past 7 years.

0 Pts RDH Observations

• Observe Registered Dental Hygienists in two separate clinical settings for a combined total of 20 hours. 
• This is not a points bearing requirement, but is a required application element.

30 Pts TEAS test (less than 2 years old)

• Multiply Adjusted Individual Total Score by 0.30 for total points To tabulate TEAS points 
• Report highest TEAS score taken within 2 years of admission deadline

*Optional* 5 Pts 1000 hours 4 handed Chairside Dental Assisting

• No partial points awarded, applicants must have a minimum of 1000 hours of chairside dental assisting experience documented to earn the 5 points.
  

Total Points in Stage 1: 75 Points

Stage 2

Top 75 applicants from stage 1 by invitation only

Up to 25 Pts: Onsite Essay

Total Possible Points: 100 Points

The top 30 applicants with the highest score out of 100 points invited for admission to the Dental Hygiene BAS program

Additionally, applicants must have the following completed by the end of winter quarter preceding the start of the Dental Hygiene program with a B-/2.5 or higher.

These courses are not tabulated in the cumulative GPA scoring.

• NUTR&101
• PSYC&100 OR 200
• CMST&210 OR 220
• SOC&101
• MATH&146
• CMST&150 OR HUM&215 (or equivalent. See section on 'pre-requisite courses' below for more information)
• ENGL&102

What courses are required to apply and what is the minimum grade?

The minimum application requirement is "meet or exceed a 2.5/B- in the following pre-requisite courses prior to application." However, past cohort statistics for those admitted to the program are an average GPA of 3.8 or higher in the pre-requisite coursework.

Can I still apply if I haven’t finished all courses?

Yes! Courses not required for admission but are required by the start of the Dental Hygiene program.

Meet or exceed a 2.5/B- in the following courses by end of spring quarter preceding start of Dental Hygiene program:

• NUTR&101
• PSYC&100 or 200
• CMST&210 or 220
• SOC&101
• MATH& 46
• CMST 150 or HUM 215
• ENGL& 102 

What documents do I need to submit?

Please submit the following documents:

• Recommendation forms: no points
• PTIONAL: Chairside dental assisting experience verification (optional; up to 1000 hours): 5 pts
• Registered Dental Hygienist Observations (observe two different Dental Hygienists in two separate clinics; split the total 20 hours as evenly as possible.) 

Do I need to be vaccinated before applying?

Yes. Submit two copies of the Hepatitis B vaccination series; complete the first 2 of 3 (one month apart) by the application deadline. If you get selected, the third must be completed six months later. Or submit a current titer from a doctor or clinic. If you have questions about your results, please contact the clinic where you have taken the vaccinations.

Where do I send my official transcripts?

If your transcripts are coming electronically, please have the college send your official e-transcript to admissions@lwtech.edu. If you want to send us a hard copy, have the college send your official transcript to Lake Washington Institute of Technology at:

Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Attn: Selective Admissions (W201)
11605 132nd Avenue NE
Kirkland, WA 98034 

How I determine if any of my previous courses may be equivalent to the HUM 215 or CMST 150 (Diversity and Social Justice in America or Intercultural Communication) prerequisite.

The Dental Hygiene program is looking for a Humanities class with diversity content. If your class does not obviously fall under an intercultural or multicultural course title, you can check if you have done any of the classes below or send an email to Selective Admissions at selective.admission@lwtech.edu. 

These courses can fulfill the diversity requirement:

• Language and Gender: Introduction to Gender and Stereotypes
• Women and Power in Ancient World
• Introduction to Ethnic Studies
• Race, Ethnicity, Identity in Greco-Roman World
• Introduction to American Cultures
• African Studies
• Chicana/Chicano Literature
• Cultures of Middle Age
• History of Religion in U.S.
• Comparing Global Cultures
• Society and the Arts
• Media Matters: Race, Class and Gender
• Native American Studies
• Language, Culture and Power: The Politics of Language
• Women Writers