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Admissions

The Foster MBA Program selects individuals with the highest potential for achievement in the management profession—those who have demonstrated the capacity for high-quality academic work, who possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and who will contribute to the diversity of the student body and the ranks of professional leaders.

2024 Deadlines and Evaluation Dates

The Foster Evening MBA Program offers one intake per year—each fall. You may apply to any of the deadlines below; however, you may only submit one application per academic year.

Round Application Deadline Evaluation Day Receive Notification Enrollment Deadline
1 February 13, 2024 Saturday, March 16, 2024 April 10, 2024 May 9, 2024
2 April 4, 2024 Saturday, May 4, 2024 May 24, 2024 June 20, 2024
3 May 30, 2024 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 July 17, 2024 July 31, 2024

Application Requirements and Selection Criteria

  • Online application profile
  • Required Essays (2), Optional Essays (2)
  • Resume
  • Letters of Recommendation (2)
  • Official GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE or EA Score Report or completed “Test Optional Summary of Qualifications”
  • Transcripts from a completed four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Video Interview Submission (Applicants are emailed instructions on how to complete this application requirement 3-4 days after the application round deadline)
  • Non-Refundable Application Fee ($85)

Please note that the Evening MBA program does not sponsor F-1 visas.

Click on each heading to learn about each requirement.

To get started, click the apply now button below, go to the “New Applicants” section, and select the option to “Go to the new application system” under “For admission to programs beginning in Autumn 2024 and beyond.” From here, create your online application profile by selecting the “First-time Users” option.

Please note that our Autumn 2024 application is on a new application system. If you’ve started an application or applied in the past, you will need to create a new user account and a new application in the new system.

Once in the application system, applicants should follow the prompts to start a new application. After creating an application, ensure that you follow these steps:

  • Under “Program Selection” select “Graduate”
  • Select search “By Campus”
  • Select “Seattle” under filter by campus
  • Select “Business Administration – Foster School of Business – Seattle Evening MBA”

You may save your information and return as often as you’d like until you submit your completed application. All aspects of your application, including the fulfillment of these requirements, are subject to verification.

Apply Now

Two essays are required and must be uploaded to your online application. The first optional essay allows you to tell us more about yourself, or to explain any areas of concern. The second optional essay allows you to share ways you have been involved with diversity, equity and inclusion in your professional or personal life, or within your community.

For all essays, we ask that you add your full name and the title of the essay at the top of each page. We encourage you to select a professional font, use a 10- or 12-point font size, and double-space your text. Please ensure you carefully proofread your essays before submitting them.

Essay 1: Post-MBA Plans (750 words maximum)
Tell us your ideas about what lies ahead in your career. What are the gaps or deficiencies currently preventing you from pursuing these potential career paths? How do you plan to use your time in the Foster MBA program to fill these gaps and advance your career?

Essay 2: Personal Resilience Essay (500 words maximum)
Resilience is one of the most important values of a successful Foster student. Tell us about what resilience means to you and share some of the ways that you have demonstrated resilience in overcoming personal or professional challenges. How do you anticipate showing resilience during your time as an MBA candidate?

Essay 3: Optional essay (500 words maximum)
Include this essay if you have additional information you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee in considering your application.

Essay 4: Optional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion essay (500 words maximum)
At the Foster School of Business, we embrace diversity as one of the foundations of both successful business strategy and a world-class educational experience. We share the University’s dedication to promoting the understanding and appreciation of human differences, and the constructive expression of ideas. We welcome you to share some of the ways you have practiced inclusion, promoted equity or supported the advancement of underrepresented groups.

Outline your work experience, in reverse chronological order. Be sure to include company name, a brief description of the organization (or a web address), your job title and detailed information about your responsibilities.

Please feel free to use up to three pages for your resume, and include all significant work experience since graduating from high school. Include educational background as well as your activities and community involvement.

Two recommendation letters are required as part of your application; however, you are permitted to submit up to three. Preferably, recommendations should be provided by professional contacts rather than academic or personal contacts. You may designate your recommenders at any time after starting your application. When you designate your recommenders in your online application profile, recommenders will receive an email directing them to their online recommendation form.

Your recommendations should be submitted by the application deadline for your selected application round. You can use the online application system to send your recommender a reminder email as needed. When your recommender has submitted the recommendation, you will receive a confirmation email.

The recommendation consists of two parts: a set of short-answer questions and a written assessment. In the written assessment your recommender will be asked to write about your strengths, discuss areas where you could improve, discuss your leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, motivation and initiative and comment on your accomplishments, managerial potential, and other personal qualities.

All MBA applicants are encouraged to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants with 6 or more years of full-time work experience may take the Executive Assessment (EA).

Applicants also have the option to apply with no test score. Applicants can apply “Test Optional” to the Evening MBA Program without a standardized test score.

Applying with a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE or Executive Assessment (EA) Score

For the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE and EA exams, all sub-scores including the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) score are evaluated. Scores should indicate a strong aptitude for business studies. You can review score averages on our Class Profile.

GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE and EA exams are offered year-round and can be taken multiple times. Tests are available at in-person testing centers as well as online. Scores are valid for five years. There is no departmental preference for the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE or EA exam.

Take the test as early as possible to allow time to re-test if necessary. The GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE or EA exam must be completed by the application deadline and official scores should be reported by the deadline. If you have taken a test more than once, the admissions committee will use your highest overall total score to evaluate your application.

Program Codes for Official Submission of GMAT, GRE and EA Scores
GMAT 459-75-20
GRE 4854
EA Foster School of Business – Evening MBA

Applying Test Optional

All applicants who choose to apply Test Optional agree to complete the “Test Optional Summary of Qualifications” in the application questions section of the online application. Applicants will submit a response to these questions in lieu of submitting a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE, or Executive Assessment scores.

  • If you select “yes” to applying without test scores, you are required to answer this short answer prompt:

    Please detail the specific evidence in your academic and/or professional experience that supports your analytical and quantitative preparedness for success in the program. (150 words maximum)

Please review the Test Optional FAQ section for a complete overview of the requirements for applying Test Optional and crafting a competitive application.

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. Transcripts are required for all undergraduate and graduate-level institutions attended. You are not required to have completed academic courses in any particular topics to be eligible for admission. An academic background in business is not required. Consistency in achievement is considered, but more weight is given to the last two years of study and courses within your academic area of focus.

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.

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 an official English translations
  • Both marks sheets and degree statements are required, if applicable

Please note: Official transcripts sent directly from institutions are required only after an offer of admission is accepted by the applicant.

GPA Requirements
Applicants should review our Class Profile for GPA averages for admitted students. Although Foster does not have a minimum requirement, a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better is generally the standard we look for in a competitive candidate. We holistically review all aspects of your application when making an admissions decision. Should your GPA fall below a 3.0 average, we closely evaluate your performance on the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE or Executive Assessment (if applicable), as well as other aspects of your application, to assess your ability to succeed academically in our program. If you have specific concerns related to your undergraduate GPA, please contact one of our admissions counselors to discuss.

Reporting your Grade Point Average
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. Specific instructions are provided on the Graduate School Application for converting and calculating your GPA if your university was not on such a system, and for converting from an international grading system to a 4.0 scale. Please read and follow the instructions carefully for converting your GPA to a 4.0 scale to complete this question. If you’d like to assess your GPA ahead of 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 “No” box to indicate that institution did not provide letter or numeric grades when entering your academic history 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 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, South Africa, 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 US bachelor’s degree. Documentation must be presented to the Graduate School.

OR

  • Complete an English Language Proficiency Exam. Refer to the table below for accepted exams and score requirements.
English Language Proficiency Exam Minimum Score Requirement Program Codes for Official Score Submission
TOEFL 100 iBT / 250 CBT / 600 PBT 4854
IELTS 7.0 or higher 365
Duolingo 120 or higher University of Washington Graduate Admissions

NOTE: Most test scores are valid for two years. Applicants with scores below the minimum score requirements are highly encouraged to retake their chosen exam before submitting an application. Official test scores must be sent directly to the University of Washington Graduate School by the application deadline.

All applicants will be asked to submit a video interview and will receive an email within 3-5 business days after the application deadline to which they applied with instructions on recording the video interview. The video interview allows us to get to know you better and to assess your communication skills and your ability to think on your feet as we review your application and consider your candidacy.

Once applicants receive the video interview invitation via e-mail, they will have approximately one week to complete this requirement. Applicants can test their video and sound before recording their video interview, answer practice video interview questions, and ask for technical support if needed within the video interview system. The email instructions will include the deadline to submit the video interview, and applicants must complete this requirement in order for their application to remain under review.

Applicants will be contacted if they are selected for an admissions interview later in the application review process.

A non-refundable application fee of $85 must be paid by credit card through the online application system.

Competitive Evening MBA candidates are invited to participate in Evaluation Day, a mandatory step in the admissions process. Evaluation Day involves personal presentations and group exercises designed to evaluate:

  • Communication skills
  • Decision-making abilities
  • Team skills
  • Leadership potential

Invitations to participate in Evaluation Day will be sent via email only.

Concurrent degree applicants must apply to each school, college or department of interest.
Additional admissions tests 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 programs of their choice to pursue a concurrent degree.

Next Steps

Here’s what you can expect after you have submitted your application.

Evaluation Day

Competitive Evening MBA candidates are invited to participate in Evaluation Day, a mandatory step in the admissions process. Evaluation Day is a large group interview which involves personal presentations and group exercises designed to evaluate:

  • Communication skills
  • Decision-making abilities
  • Team skills
  • Leadership potential

Invitations to participate in Evaluation Day will be sent via email only.

Notification

If you submitted a complete application, including all supplementary materials, by one of the application deadlines, an admission decision will be sent to you via email no later than 5 p.m. on the corresponding decision dates posted above. If you apply between deadlines, your application will be held and reviewed when the next application deadline arrives. All communication regarding the status of your application, including admission decisions, will be through email only.

Important Dates

Candidates who are admitted to the Evening MBA Program at Foster are required to attend a series of orientation and MBA preparation events prior to the official UW start date. Please be sure to mark your calendar for these mandatory events should you be admitted to the Evening MBA program for Autumn 2024. Orientation dates for Autumn 2024 will be announced soon.

Visiting Graduate Student Applications

On a limited basis, we accept applications from individuals who meet the Visiting Graduate Student (VGS) requirements and are eligible to take MBA courses without being admitted as a degree-seeking student. Before applying, we strongly encourage all prospective applicants to make an appointment with a member of our admissions team to verify eligibility, and to discuss the application process and upcoming deadlines. The application deadline for applicants is approximately 6 weeks before the desired quarter of enrollment. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a member of our admissions team, email [email protected] or call (206) 543-4661.