Each year, from an application pool of approximately 400, the Michael G. Foster School of Business PhD Program admits a class of approximately 15 highly qualified PhD students. In ranking applicants, we give primary consideration to academic potential and aspiration. Each applicant is evaluated in terms of the following:

• Academic accomplishments to date, as evidenced by graduate and undergraduate grades and courses taken
  
• Institutions attended
  
• Scholarships, awards, and honors earned
  
• Graduate Management Admission test (GMAT) scores, or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  
• Relevant nonacademic experience
  
• Academic and other references
  
• Statement of academic objectives

Access to application forms and more application information provided at the bottom of this page* and the Application Checklist.

Admission decisions are also influenced by the availability of faculty, the number of students already in the program, and the availability of financial support in each major area of specialization.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

February 1

SELECTION PROCEDURE

After February 1 all the applications are sorted and distributed to the relevant departments. Each department has a committee that reviews all the applicants to their discipline, identifies the top candidates, and provides a rank ordered list of about 5-6 students to the PhD Program Faculty Director and Program Coordinator. The Graduate School extends offers based on the faculty-generated lists and the number of openings available to each department. Depending on timing and location of the candidate and available funds, some financial support is provided to some candidates to visit the campus to meet with faculty and students to determine if the UW is a good fit for you.

Please keep in mind the following. First, it is critical to submit all of your application materials by the due date. Second, it is the faculty within the department, not the Director or the Coordinator, who makes the admission decisions. Third, the decisions are made after March 1. Fourth, most GMAT scores of all those that apply are above 600 (68th percentile of all test takers) and thus it is rare that anyone is admitted with a a score below 600. The average GMAT score was 720 for the last three incoming classes. If you wish to have more information about the research or faculty interests or have other questions about what a department offers, you can contact us at any time and we will respond quickly or forward your inquiry to the deparment representative on the PhD committee who could best answer the question.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Students are admitted Autumn Quarter only. Applications for admission and financial aid must be received by February 1. Due to possible administrative or mail delays, we suggest that applicants submit all materials early to ensure full consideration. Please note that some of the materials have to be submitted online with the application to the Graduate School.

Please see the basic information and instructions from the Graduate School.

Transcripts

Please include one official transcript from each university you have attended. The transcript should be sealed in an envelope with the school registrar’s signature across the seal and sent to us unopened. Please note that international applicants have to submit another official transcript to Graduate Admissions.

Recommendations

Three recommendations are required. Individuals who can address your academic performance and promise should complete the recommendation.

Resume

Please include a copy of your resume. This is particularly valuable if your resume reveals relevant experience not addressed elsewhere in your application materials.

Statement of Purpose

This can also be referred to as statement of academic objectives. Please state as clearly as possible your objective in pursuing a PhD program and your areas of interest for teaching and research. Please let us know if you wish to be considered for teaching and research assistantship.

GMAT

Applicants should take the GMAT in January or earlier, because scores from later examinations will not arrive in time. For registration information and testing locations, call 800-GMATNOW for U.S and 800-462-8669 for Canada or visit the Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) website at www.mba.com. Request that GMAC send your official scores to the University of Washington, school code 459-75-53. Allow three to four weeks for our office to receive your scores. We can also accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), but GMAT scores are preferable.

International Applicants

Applicants to the Michael G. Foster School of Business who are not citizens of the United States and whose native language is other than English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) unless they meet the following exceptions:

1. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom are exempt from this requirement.
2. Applicants who received a bachelors or higher degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or from accredited institutions in the countries listed above, are exempt from the TOEFL requirement. International applicants are not exempt from taking the TSE if they want to be eligible for the School’s financial aid package. The University requires the TSE for international applicants who intend to apply for teaching assistantships. The new TOEFL iBT with a speaking section can be taken in lieu of the TSE.

The University will not accept TSE or TOEFL scores that are more than two years old.

*Access Application Forms and More Information