Step 4: Apply and Interview

For All Applicants

This page contains crucial information about:

Deadlines

Application deadlines for the Full-time MBA Program are October 15, November 15, January 15 (final deadline for international applicants), and March 15. Deadlines specified indicate the last date upon which you may submit an online application, and the date on which all supplemental materials must be postmarked. If you apply early, your application will be held and reviewed when the program application deadline arrives.

How to Apply Online

Application Fee Applicants must pay a non-refundable online application fee of $75 with a credit card or debit card. Applicants submitting one application for multiple programs pay only one fee.

Online Application Guidelines

  • Fill out the online application completely.
  • If your name has changed and may appear differently on any of your supporting documents (such as transcripts or test score reports,) please indicate your former name in the space provided on the application.
  • You must provide us with an e-mail address in order to receive information about your application status. All communication regarding the status of your applications, including admission decisions, will be through e-mail. Admitted students will also receive some types of information via postal mail.
  • Be sure to notify the MBA Program Office of any mailing or e-mail address changes after the application is submitted.
  • Provide an alternate contact with a telephone number and e-mail address different from your own.
  • In the Employment History area, include background on your three most recent full-time positions. Do not leave this section blank or refer to your resume.
  • Although you may change your academic focus or career plans if you are admitted to the MBA Program, please indicate your intended areas of academic and industry focus.
  • Your full legal name should appear on all supporting materials.

Supporting Materials

Your online application must be accompanied by supplemental materials.

Essays

The required essays allow the admissions committee to learn about you, your accomplishments and your professional aspirations. Please prepare these essays thoughtfully and candidly. Follow the instructions and carefully adhere to the maximum word limit that is listed with each essay question. Responses should be double-spaced and each page should clearly list your full legal name and the essay topic.

Resume

Enclose a one-to two-page current resume describing all chronological work experience since high school. Your resume must include your full legal name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.

Recommendations

Two recommendations are required. Individuals who are well acquainted with you and your managerial capabilities, preferably employers or supervisors, should complete recommendations. You are advised to request recommendations well in advance of the application deadline to ensure your application packet is complete when submitted.

Recommendations may be submitted electronically or via hardcopy. When choosing electronic submission, please carefully follow the instructions on online submission of recommendations, which are provided in the online application. If your recommender prefers to submit a hardcopy letter, please provide him or her with a copy of the recommendation form (pdf) and include the sealed letters of recommendation with your other supplemental materials.

Transcripts

Please include two official transcripts in sealed envelopes from each post-secondary school you have attended. Do not open these envelopes; if the seals are broken they are no longer considered official. If you attended the University of Washington, you must still request and submit two official sealed transcripts. All transcripts must have a degree conferral and diploma date. If your transcript does not indicate this information, please provide an official copy of your diploma or other documentation.

If you list additional classes that you have taken (e.g. university extension courses or post-graduate courses,) you must also provide us with official transcripts to support this work.

Although the admissions committee prefers to have transcripts enclosed in the application packet, some schools will not release official transcripts directly to applicants. In this case, institutions can send transcripts directly to:
MBA Admissions
University of Washington Business School
Box 353200
Seattle, WA 98195-3200 U.S.

Test Results

GMAT

All applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) administered by Pearson VUE. It is recommended that you take the GMAT as early as possible to allow time to retest if necessary. The GMAT must be completed by the application deadline at the latest. Request that Pearson VUE send your official scores to the University of Washington with the appropriate code from the table below. Include a photocopy of your unofficial score report in your application packet.

Program Codes for Official Submission of GMAT Scores

  • Full-time MBA........459-75-20
  • Evening MBA..........459-75-46
  • Multiple Programs...459-75-20

GMAT scores are valid for five years. If you have taken the test more than once, the admissions committee will use your highest total score to evaluate your application. For registration information and testing location, call 800-GMAT-NOW (800-462-8669) or visit the GMAT Web site.

TOEFL for Permanent Residents

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants who are not citizens of the U.S. including permanent resident applicants who hold a “green card” in the U.S. and international applicants currently in the U.S. on any type of visa. The applicants identified below are the only ones exempt from completing the TOEFL requirement:

  • Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States
  • Applicants who have received a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution located in one of the countries listed above

Contact the MBA Program office if you are uncertain whether you are required to take the TOEFL. Applicants who score below 600 (250 on the computer-based test, 100 on the Internet-based test) should retake the test before submitting an application. TOEFL scores are valid for two years and must be sent directly to the University of Washington (school code 4854). Include a photocopy of the score report with the other supplemental materials in your application packet. For more information, contact TOEFL/ETS Services at toefl@ets.org or call 877-863-3546. For registration information and testing locations, call 800-468-6335 or visit the TOEFL Web site.

Applying to Multiple Programs

Applicants to the Full-time MBA Program use an online application. This same application is used for the Evening MBA Program. You may apply to one or two UW MBA programs in any single year. Although you are able to apply to both programs in one year, you may not re-apply in a given year to the same program.

When you use one application to apply to multiple programs, you must meet the earliest program’s application deadline. Indicate all programs to which you are applying to on your application form. It is not necessary to submit duplicates of your resume, transcripts or recommendation forms, but you must submit the required essays for each program to which you apply.

Re-applicants

MBA applications are retained for two years. If you applied to the program in the past two years, and wish to reapply, submit the following:

  • A new online application
  • An updated resume
  • One essay providing information on what has changed and what you have accomplished since the last year you submitted an application
  • $75 application fee
  • International applicants: A new Statement of Financial Ability (pdf), with new financial documentation

New recommendations, standard essays, official score reports, and official transcripts are not required (unless you've completed additional coursework). Of course, you have the option of updating any of these items. And remember, GMAT scores are valid for only five years and TOEFL scores for only two years so new test scores may be necessary.

If you are reapplying more than two years after a previous application to the UW MBA Program, follow all application instructions and resubmit all new official documentation. Indicate ”reapplying” as your applicant status.

Transfer Applicants

Applicants who have completed coursework in another MBA program must complete a full application and comply with the same deadlines and admissions requirements as other applicants. The admissions committee will not evaluate previous coursework for transfer status until an application has been submitted and reviewed. To be considered as a transfer applicant to the Full-time MBA Program, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of the first year MBA core courses at another AACSB-accredited institution. If only a portion of the first year core coursework has been completed, an applicant will be considered, but if admitted, will be required to start the UW MBA Program as a new student.

When applying as a transfer, indicate “transfer applicant” as your status in the online application. In addition to all other required transcripts, transfer applicants must also provide an official transcript of all completed graduate-level business coursework. Transfer applicants must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (or equivalent) per course for coursework to be considered.

For more information, please see transfer students.