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Requirements

Each autumn quarter, the Michael G. Foster School of Business registers approximately 115 new Foster Evening MBA students. Our objective in the admissions process is to select the men and women who have the highest potential for achievement in the management profession. To meet this goal, the MBA Program admits those individuals who have demonstrated the greatest capacity for high-quality academic work and who will contribute to the diversity of both the student body and the ranks of professional managers.

This section describes the requirements you must meet in order to be considered for admission to the Foster MBA Program. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, capable computer skills—particularly with word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software—and solid skills in quantitative analysis. When you do submit an application, all aspects of that application, including the fulfillment of these requirements, are subject to verification. Click on each heading to learn more.

Degree Requirements

Foster MBA applicants must have completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. There is no specific set of undergraduate courses or majors required for admission. An academic background in business is not required.

We review each prospective student’s undergraduate history, taking note of the difficulty of the curriculum, the scholastic quality of the school, and the existence of any social or economic disadvantage that may have affected past academic performance. We also consider the applicant’s post-baccalaureate academic experience. Your prior scholastic performance should indicate an ability to complete graduate level work.

Admission Exam Requirements for All Applicants

We evaluate each individual’s performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), which provides a reasonably valid and reliable measure of the applicant’s general verbal and quantitative abilities. These attributes, which develop over a long period of time, are related to success in graduate management curricula.

All MBA applicants are required to take the GMAT or GRE. All sub-scores are evaluated. Scores should indicate a strong aptitude for business studies. The average GMAT score for the Foster School’s Evening MBA Program is 638 and the GMAT middle 80% is 560-720.

The test is offered year-round and can be taken multiple times. Scores are valid for five years. 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. If you have taken the test more than once, the admissions committee will use your highest total score to evaluate your application. For more information on the test, visit the GMAT website or call 800-GMAT-NOW (800-462-8669). To learn more about the GRE, visit the GRE website or call 1-866-473-4373.

Quantitative Proficiency Requirement

Foster MBA applicants must meet a quantitative analysis requirement. Each applicant must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with numbers and be able to perform complex quantitative analysis. College transcripts showing courses in advanced mathematics or courses in disciplines such as science, engineering and computer science that require similar quantitative skills may demonstrate this ability. It may also be demonstrated through a combination of a strong GMAT/GRE quantitative score, prior course work, and current employment responsibilities that, taken together, indicate to the admissions committee that the applicant has demonstrated college level skills in quantitative analysis.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Proficiency in English is required for admission to a graduate program at the University of Washington. If your native language is not English, you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

  • Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom.

OR

  • Official documentation from the institution verifying that your undergraduate degree is from an institution (in a country other than those listed above) where all instruction is in English. The undergraduate degree must be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Documentation must be presented to the University of Washington Graduate School. The Graduate School will determine grade equivalency and validate foreign transcripts.

OR

  • Complete the TOEFL exam. The minimum score requirement is 100 iBT / 600 PBT. TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the University of Washington (school code 4854). NOTE: Test scores are valid for two years.

Other Requirements

MBA applicants must have well-developed language and reasoning skills. During our evaluation process, which includes application review as well as Evaluation Day, we examine prospective students to determine their facility in reading, writing, and speaking English, and their mastery of the ability to reason analytically, logically and creatively.

We also evaluate each applicant in terms of:

  • Demonstrated Leadership Potential. We assess each prospective student’s level of responsibility by looking at his or her work experience, accomplishments in school and community activities, and extracurricular involvement during college or university. We also assess leadership potential by looking at assessments made in an applicant’s recommendations.
  • Ability to Communicate Clearly and Persuasively. The required essays demonstrate each applicant’s level of writing competence as well as his or her ability to think issues through.

In selecting the entering class, we also strive to create an environment that fosters a rich and satisfying learning experience and is representative of society as a whole. We believe that a diverse student body are reflected in the age, racial or ethnic origin, cultural background, activities and accomplishments, career goals, living and work experiences, and fields of previous academic study of the individuals helps create such an environment.

Concurrent degree applicants must apply to each school, college or department of interest.
Additional admissions test may be required. Application materials should be submitted separately to both programs, as the individual programs independently make admissions decisions. Applicants must be offered admission to both schools to be admitted to the combined program.