Admissions

Create your online applicant profile. After creating your profile, you will be asked to select program information:

1. Select your application type: “Graduate”
2. Select your graduate program: “Business Administration – Foster School of Business – MS in Entrepreneurship”
3. Indicate your desired entry date (e.g. Summer 2020)

Essay 1 (600 words maximum)

Entrepreneurs are problem-solvers, always thinking of ways that things could be better. What business, product, new venture idea, area of interest, problem(s) are you looking to solve?

Essay 2 (600 words maximum)

Anything else you’d like to tell us?

Video

We’d like you to show us who you are beyond what we read on paper. What is the motivation for your entrepreneurial journey? Create a short video (max 90 seconds) describing your entrepreneurial drive or spark. There is no right or wrong way to create this video, however, feel free to be creative (or not) and have fun!

Your resume must be uploaded to your online application. It should be a complete summary of your education, key student activities, and professional work history (if applicable) in reverse chronological format. For each student activity and work position, include:

• Company or organization name
• Position title
• Dates of engagement
• Responsibility summary: 2 to 4 sentences describing your primary responsibilities
• Accomplishment bullets: 2 to 4 bullets for each position

Two letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should speak to your entrepreneurial ability and could come from your supervisor at work, a colleague, a fellow student, a mentor, or a professor. We encourage you to prioritize recommenders who know you well and can provide rich detail. Your recommenders will be asked to comment on your level of perseverance, bias for action, leadership, interpersonal skills, and coachability.

We suggest designating your recommenders early, at least a few weeks before the application review date you are aiming for. Recommenders will receive an email directing them to the online recommendation form.

You must have completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for admission. The minimum GPA is 3.0 for the last 90-quarter or 60-semester credits. Studies conducted outside of the U.S. need to be converted to a four point scale (see below) and translated to English. Transcripts are required for all undergraduate and graduate-level institutions attended.

We review each applicant’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. Your prior scholastic performance should indicate an ability to complete graduate level work.

Required format for all transcripts
Do not send official transcripts to our office via mail. Scan copies of your original transcripts in PDF file format and upload them to the online application. Make sure to include any transcript keys that describe the institution’s grading scale. These are typically found on the back side of most domestic transcripts.

The Graduate School Application asks applicants to report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 0.0 – 4.0 scale for the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded credits. If your university was not on such a system, please refer to the instructions provided on the Graduate School “Understanding the Application Process” for converting from an international grading system to a 4.0 scale. If you would like to calculate your GPA prior to applying, the application refers applicants to the Foreign Credits website, and to use the GPA calculator for this process.

If you attended a university that does not grade courses or provide a GPA, check the “I do not have a GPA” box. Self-generated online grade reports or versions that have been cut and pasted into a Word document will not be accepted.

The following information must be on all transcripts:

• Full name of applicant (former names are acceptable if indicated on application)
• Name of degree-granting institution
• Title(s) of academic degree(s) awarded
• Dates of enrollment, including date of graduation/degree conferral
• Names of individual courses
• Grades, marks, or ratings of individual courses
• International transcripts must include official English translations
• Both marks sheets and degree statements are required, if applicable

Neither the GMAT nor GRE are required for admission. We do not believe that GMAT/GRE tests are formal predictors of a candidate’s entrepreneurial aptitude or ability. We do measure an applicant’s academic aptitude by looking at their previous academic courses and GPA. However, individuals with recent GMAT or GRE scores may choose to submit them for admission consideration. If you are concerned about your GPA, you may want to consider taking the GMAT or GRE to help support a low GPA.

If you choose to include your score, request that your official scores be sent to the University of Washington MS in Entrepreneurship Program. Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score sections in the online application.

GMAT Score Reporting: University of Washington – Seattle, Michael G. Foster School of Business, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (code 459-75-94)

GRE Score Reporting: University of Washington (Institution Code–4854)

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

• A 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, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.
• Official documentation from the applicant’s undergraduate degree-granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed above) verifying that all instruction is in English. A minimum of three years of enrollment at the undergraduate institution is required and the degree must be equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
• Complete one of the following English language proficiency exams:
  • TOEFL: minimum score requirement is 92 iBT, though we recommend a score of at least 100. Request that your official scores be sent directly to the University of Washington from ETS (school code 4854). Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score section in the online application. Applicants with scores below the minimum score requirements are highly encouraged to retake the exam before submitting an application.
  • IELTS: minimum score requirement is 7.0, though we recommend a score of at least 7.5. Request that your official scores be sent directly to the University of Washington via the “E-Delivery service” option. Printed hard copy Test Report Forms will not be accepted. It could take up to 21 days for the University of Washington to process your results so please take the exam well in advance of the application deadline. Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score section in the online application. Applicants with scores below the minimum score requirements are highly encouraged to retake the exam before submitting an application.
  • Duolingo: minimum score requirement is 120 though we recommend a score of at least 125. Request that your official scores be sent directly to the University of Washington from Duolingo by selecting, “University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).”

NOTE: Most test scores are valid for two years. Applicants with scores below the minimum score requirements are highly encouraged to retake the exam before submitting an application. ALL SCORES must be submitted electronically to the University of Washington.

Interviews are by invitation only and take place after an initial review of your completed application. Competitive applicants will be invited to interview with an MS in Entrepreneurship admissions team member. Each interview is meant to be a casual conversation that allows us to assess your communication skills and get to know you better. Interviews are conducted online through video conferencing.

A non-refundable application fee of $85 must be paid by credit card through the online application system. You must submit a separate application and pay a separate application fee for each graduate program you are applying to. We are not able to transfer applications between programs.

Completed applications will be reviewed after each round and admission notifications sent via email approximately 8 weeks after the applicable deadline. Applications will only be reviewed once all required elements are submitted.

Once an offer of admission has been made, the applicant will have three weeks to consider the offer and pay a non-refundable, non-transferrable $1,500 tuition deposit. This deposit must be paid with a credit card online and is applied to the summer quarter tuition balance.

If you are an admitted international applicant and indicated you would be requesting an I-20 or DS-2020, you will be given separate instructions. The request for visa status requires you to provide statements of financial ability.

Refer to our International Applicants section below for more information. Due to the program starting in the summer quarter, there is a limited amount of time to submit your request and provide the financial documents. Delaying this process may result in not obtaining your visa in time to join the program.

Admitted international applicants are required to show proof of adequate financial support. Visit the UW Graduate School’s financial ability requirement page for more details.

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. For more information on the required test scores and how to submit them to the University, please visit the Admissions page.

As a non-citizen there are a series of steps required to start a business in the United States. This is not a process you should navigate alone, and advanced planning is crucial. You are encouraged to hire professionals, such as an immigration attorney, who will help guide you through the complexities of U.S. immigration. Consult with experts on tax law in both your home country and the U.S. before taking the plunge, as the rules for foreign nationals can be more complex than if you were a citizen.
Since we cannot advise you on how to start a company in the U.S., we strongly recommend that you consult an immigration attorney for specific details on the required visa, financial requirements, and the application process.

International students interested in working during or after the program should consult International Student Services (ISS) for more details about your options.

In general, international students may pursue on-campus employment for up to 20 hours per week.

Off-campus employment, including paid or unpaid internships, requires prior authorization from ISS. Working without authorization has serious consequences and can impact your ability to study, travel, or work in the U.S. throughout your life.

Many students do not qualify for authorization until they have completed three quarters of study in the MS in Entrepreneurship program or have completed a degree program in the U.S. immediately prior to enrolling in MS ENTRE. Upon completion of the MS ENTRE program, eligible students may apply for post-graduation work authorization. Please see the ISS webpage on employment for more information.

UW CIRCLE, the Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange) is the UW’s primary portal to resources, community and activities that help international and domestic students maximize their Husky Experience, together.

UW Graduate School is the first step in starting an application. Visit their site to get a better understanding of the minimum admission requirements and application process.

UW International Student Services (ISS) works with enrolled F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents. As applicants planning ahead, you may find useful information on their website on employment and visas.

EducationUSA is a network of advising centers all over the world that provides information and opportunities to study in the U.S.

FIUTS, The Foundation for International Understanding Through Students, advances international understanding through cross-cultural experiences, student leadership, and community connections.

Does Foster offer an application fee waiver?
Unfortunately, Foster is unable to offer fee waivers as our application portal and fee is managed by the UW Graduate School. A limited number of fee waivers are available through the Graduate School based on financial need. Please visit the Graduate School website for more information.

Can I apply to start in the fall term?
No, our program starts once a year in the summer quarter. The first day of the program varies but is always in mid-June.

How do I know if I should be applying as an international applicant?
You should submit an international application if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder). This includes:

• International students who currently hold an I-20 from another school
• International applicants planning to apply for a new student visa (F1/ J1)
• International applicants who currently have an H1-B, H4, or other visa that allows for full-time study

What is the application deadline for international students?
International applicants must apply in either Round 1 or Round 2, if a new student visa is required. The Round 3 application deadline is the final deadline for international applicants who already possess a valid study-eligible visa, to ensure enough time to transfer the necessary visas by the start of the school year.

Can I apply to multiple Foster graduate programs?
You are welcome to apply to multiple graduate programs at Foster. Each program has its own application and admissions process, so you will need to complete an application to each individual program you wish to apply to.

Do you have rolling admission?
No. We review applications at the deadline to which they were submitted and send out admission decisions approximately 8 weeks after the relevant deadline.

Do you accept transfer credits?
No, we do not accept transfer credits. Our program is rooted in team building and collaboration thus many assignments will be completed in small groups. If you are admitted, we require that you take all the courses, even if you have already taken them at another university.

Can I take electives in the MS ENTRE program?
Our program is designed to be lockstep in that all courses build upon each other throughout the 12-month program. Students may have access to MBA elective courses, but this is on a case by case and space available basis.

Are there any prerequisites for the MS ENTRE program?
There are no prerequisites, but all prospective students are expected to have solid entrepreneurial experience and/or drive. Prior business classes such as accounting, marketing, and strategy are helpful but are not required to be admitted into the program.

Are any of the application components weighted more heavily than the others?
Components of the MS ENTRE application are not weighted. All the factors are important aspects of the application, and we do a comprehensive review and look at the total application holistically.

I was able to submit my application without both letters of recommendation and/or without official test scores. Is this okay?
You can technically submit your application, but it is not considered complete until all application materials have been received. Furthermore, your application will not be reviewed by the admissions committee until all materials are received. It is up to you, the applicant, to ensure that all materials are received by the deadline. Commonly forgotten components are:

• Official English language test scores like TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
• Two letters of recommendation
• Video

Does this program qualify as STEM?
No, Foster’s MS ENTRE program is not STEM-designated.

Is the MS ENTRE program full-time or part-time?
The MS ENTRE program is full-time, and classes will mostly take place during the mornings and/or afternoons each quarter. Occasionally there will be an evening event and there is an evening class during winter quarter one night a week.

I will finish all my courses and degree before the program start date, but my graduation will not take place until after the program start date, am I still eligible?
You would be eligible to enroll in the MS ENTRE program if you will complete all degree requirements before the start of our program (mid-June). In the online application, you will be asked to upload your unofficial transcripts and degree statements. If you are offered admission, and after your degree is conferred, you would need to provide updated official transcripts to the Graduate School for verification.

When can I expect a decision on my application?
Completed applications will be reviewed after each round and admission notifications sent via email approximately 8 weeks after the applicable deadline. Applications will only be reviewed once all required elements are submitted.

How will I know my admissions decision?
All decisions will be sent via email to the email address you used in the application. The status on your application portal will also be updated if you’ve been admitted or denied.

Can Foster provide feedback on my application if I am denied admission?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide denied candidates with feedback. There normally is not a single deciding factor that led to a denial, and the decision is usually dependent on the competitiveness of the entire applicant pool. If you are interested in reapplying for the program next year and wish to speak with an admissions counselor about ways to strengthen your application, you may contact [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

What if I want to defer my acceptance and attend the following year?
The MS ENTRE program allows deferrals to be made only once and must be applied for the following entry cycle.

If I’m admitted, how long do I have to accept the offer?
You will have approximately three weeks to accept our offer of admission. When you accept, you are also required to pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit. This is the only way to reserve a spot in the upcoming cohort.

What if I don’t respond to my admission offer?
You will forfeit your offer and the offer will be rescinded.

Can I pay a portion of the deposit now and a portion later?
In order to reserve your seat in the program and accept your admission offer, you must pay the full $1,500 non-refundable enrollment deposit. Unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to accept partial payments.

I received an offer from a competing program with a deadline but I still have not heard from Foster’s MS ENTRE. What should I do?
Please email [email protected] letting us know about your deadline and we will try to update the status of your application in time for you to make a decision. While we can’t make any guarantees, we will do our best to make accommodations. In the email, please include proof of admission to the other program.

What are the scholarships available to the MS ENTRE Program?
Please see the Program Fees & Financing page for more details about scholarships and other funding possibilities.

Is work experience required before applying to the MS ENTRE program?
Work experience is recommended, but not required for admission to the MS ENTRE program. We admit students with a range of experience as well as students who enroll directly from an undergraduate program. Applicants without professional work experience are encouraged to include relevant project, volunteer, and internship experience in your application materials. What’s most important is how your prior knowledge and experiences prepare you for success in the program, and that this program is a great fit with your goals.

Can I work while I am in the program?
Attending graduate school is a significant investment of time and money. While incoming students are strongly encouraged not to work during the MS in Entrepreneurship program, we do understand some students may seek part-time work and assistantships.

Classes will mostly take place during the mornings and/or afternoons each quarter. Occasionally there will be an evening event and there is an evening class during winter quarter one night a week. If pursuing part-time work, students need to find a job with flexibility in scheduling. The most likely time students would be available to work would be evenings, some Fridays, and weekends.

Are standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE) required for applicants to the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program?
Neither the GMAT nor GRE are required for admission. We do not believe that GMAT/GRE tests are formal predictors of a candidate’s entrepreneurial aptitude or ability. We do measure an applicant’s academic aptitude by looking at their previous academic courses and GPA. However, individuals with recent GMAT or GRE scores may choose to submit them for admission consideration. If you are concerned about your GPA, you may want to consider taking the GMAT or GRE to help support a low GPA.

If you choose to include your score, request that your official scores be sent to the University of Washington MS in Entrepreneurship Program. Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score sections in the online application.

GMAT Score Reporting: University of Washington – Seattle, Michael G. Foster School of Business, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (code 459-75-94)

GRE Score Reporting: University of Washington (Institution Code–4854)

The application asks for my GPA in several sections. Should I report my cumulative GPA or my last 60/90 credits?
Both. We recommend that you report and enter your GPA based on the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits, when prompted to “Self-Report GPA.” Though we recommend that you report and enter your cumulative GPA, as stated on your bachelor’s degree transcript when adding your transcript.

Do I need to calculate my GPA on a U.S. 4.0 scale?
Yes. We ask you to calculate your cumulative GPA on a U.S. 4.0 scale if your institution’s grading scale is not on a 4.0 scale. Please use the Scholaro GPA conversion resources provided in the application portal. You do not have to pay for a third-party evaluation.

I attended a school outside of the United States. How do I report my GPA if it is not on a U.S. 4.0 scale?
All applicants should calculate their GPA to a U.S. 4.0 scale if the GPA isn’t already on this scale. Please use the Scholaro GPA conversion resources provided in the application portal to calculate your GPA to a U.S. 4.0 scale.

My school does not provide grades. How do I report my GPA?
Most schools provide some form of letter or number grades, marks, percentages or other forms of scoring. Please calculate your institution’s scoring methods to a U.S. 4.0 scale. If your university does not provide grades, there is a box on the application which you can check to indicate this.

My GPA is below a 3.0. Can I still apply?
Yes, you are welcome to apply if your GPA is below a 3.0. Each year we admit applicants with GPA’s that may fall below a preferred 3.0 GPA who have strong MS ENTRE qualifications. We recommend that you consider how you can strengthen your application and demonstrate your academic readiness in other parts of your application. We would be happy to talk with you more about this if you’d like to make an appointment.

Do I need to submit an official or unofficial transcript in my application?
We recommend that you either upload the PDF version of your unofficial transcript OR scan copies of your official transcripts and upload them as a PDF file to your application. Make sure to include all pages and any transcript keys that describe the institution’s grading scale. These are typically found on the back of most domestic transcripts.

Self-generated online grade reports or versions that have been cut and pasted into a Word document will not be accepted.

Where do I send my transcript?
Please do not send transcripts to our office by mail or digitally. You may submit your application using copies of your official or unofficial transcripts. Should you be admitted to Foster, we will provide further instructions on how to submit your official transcripts to the UW Graduate School once an offer of admission is extended.

Does my transcript need to be translated if it is not in English?
Yes, if your original transcript is not in English, you must submit an official translation in addition to the copy of your original transcript. Transcripts and degree documents that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation (translated by a university, government official/organization, or a certified translation service, example: American Translators Association).

Do I need to submit transcripts for every school I have attended, including schools that I transferred from or where I did not earn a degree?
Please submit your transcript from the undergraduate institution where you earned your bachelor’s degree at a minimum. We also recommend that you include transcripts for all other coursework that you would like to be considered with your application, including community colleges with transfer credits. You should also include transcripts for any graduate degrees earned or additional coursework taken.

I have a 3-year bachelor’s degree. Can I still apply?
The UW Graduate School requires that all graduate students have the equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate degree from the United States for admission. In some situations, additional course work or degrees in addition to a 3-year degree may meet the requirement. If you have questions about your degree prior to applying, please inquire at [email protected].

I don’t have full-time work experience, can I use two professors as my recommenders?
Yes. If you do not have a current or previous manager to use as a reference, you may use professors. We prefer two professional recommenders such as current supervisor, previous manager, peer team member, or someone you’ve worked with closely in another unit.

What is the deadline for recommenders? Will they still be able to submit their recommendation after the application deadline that I’m applying to?
All application materials should be submitted by the deadline; this includes letters of recommendation. If there is an issue with your recommendations arriving on time, please let us know.

What can my recommenders expect?
Recommenders will receive an automated email once you designate them in the application system. Make sure you’ve notified and asked them to be a reference before you designate them. Then, they will be asked to fill out a short fill-in-the-bubble survey about traits we look for in a candidate. Lastly, they have the opportunity to upload a letter of recommendation or type it in directly to the text box. Recommenders can expect to spend 5-15 minutes completing the online form and then additional time to write the letter itself, which may vary per person.

If I am a re-applicant from a previous year to the MS ENTRE Program, can I reuse my letter(s) of recommendation from a previous year?
Unfortunately, you cannot reuse letter(s) of recommendation. We update components of the application each year and as such the recommendation letter may have a new prompt.

What if my recommender hasn’t completed the recommendation?
We suggest that you reach out to your recommender and follow-up with them directly. If they are non-responsive, you can withdraw their information in the application system and designate a new recommender.

Can I have the TOEFL requirement waived?
All applicants should meet the University of Washington’s English Language Proficiency requirement. We cannot waive this requirement and we cannot waive the TOEFL exam. However, you may choose a method other than the TOEFL exam to meet the requirement, if applicable. There are several ways to demonstrate English Language Proficiency outlined in the UW Graduate School Memo 8 if English is not your native language.

What are the English language exams that I can take to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement?

TOEFL iBT
Complete the TOEFL exam. Minimum score requirement is 92 iBT/ 580 PBT, though we recommend a score of at least 100 iBT.

IELTS
Complete the IELTS exam. Minimum score requirement is 7.0, though we recommend a score of at least 7.5.

Duolingo English Test
Minimum score requirement is 120, though we recommend a score of at least 125.

My transcript is in English. Does this satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement?
No, transcripts in English do not satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement for a Medium of Instruction document. Your transcript or an official letter from your college or university must clearly state that the Medium of Instruction was 100% in English to fulfill the requirement.

My university conducts all courses in English, do I still need to take an English language exam?
You do not need to take an English language exam if the Medium of Instruction of your entire degree program was in English and your transcript clearly states that the Medium of Instruction was English. In this case, you may provide an official letter from your university stating that the Medium of Instruction was 100% English.

English is not my native language, but I am living and working in the United States. Do I still need to take an English language exam?
You must submit documentation of English Language Proficiency as outlined in the UW Graduate School Memo 8 if English is not your native language. Living and working in the United States does not satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement.

Do I need to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores? How do I report my official scores to Foster?
Yes, official English test scores are required before your application will move to review by the admissions committee.

Applicants using TOEFL test scores must submit official scores electronically via ETS, using the University of Washington’s institution code 4854. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.

Applicants using Academic IELTS test scores must submit official scores electronically via the IELTS system (E-TRF), using the University of Washington’s organization ID 365. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.

Applicants using Duolingo test scores must submit official scores electronically by selecting, “University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).” Minimum score requirement is 120, though we recommend a score of at least 125. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.