Admissions

Online Application Profile

Create your online application profile via the UW Graduate Admissions website

1. Select “Graduate” as your application type, and “Business Administration – Foster School of Business – Executive MBA” as your graduate program.
2. Indicate the quarter and year you wish to enter (e.g. Autumn 2024).
3. Make Cohort selection – i.e. Monthly Cohort or Weekly Cohort. Select ultimate degree for this program as “Master’s.”

Transcripts & GPA Reporting

Unofficial transcripts are required for your undergraduate and graduate, if applicable, institutions attended. Transcripts must be uploaded within the online application; do not send official transcripts to our office via mail. Please see detailed instructions regarding the content and format of acceptable unofficial transcripts below. **Please note that official transcripts sent directly from institutions are required only after an offer of admission is accepted by the applicant. Instructions for submission of official transcripts will be provided to admitted students at a later date.

Required format for all transcripts

We require scanned copies of transcripts submitted via PDF file within the online application. Please make sure to include any transcript keys that describe the institution’s grading scale (typically found on the back side of most domestic transcripts).

Required content for 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
• If applicable, both marks sheets and degree statements are required

GPA Requirement

The University of Washington Graduate School has a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement for all graduate admission applicants. A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 (U.S. scale) or better is generally the standard for a competitive candidate. However, we holistically review all aspects of your application including prior academic performance when making an admission decision. If you have specific concerns related to your undergraduate GPA, please email the program admission director with “Admission GPA requirement” in the subject line.

Reporting your Grade Point Average

The Graduate School Application asks applicants to report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 0.0 – 4.0 (U.S. 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 (ex: The Evergreen State College) that does not grade courses or provide a GPA, check the “I do not have a GPA” box.

Personal Statement

This item is very important in the review process. It is your opportunity to explain why an MBA is good for you and your career and how you will add value in the Executive MBA learning environment. The personal statement should minimally address the following four topics:

1. Why are you interested in earning an MBA? What specific business knowledge, skills or insights do you hope to further develop?
2. Briefly describe one business lesson/insight AND one people leadership (direct/indirect) lesson/insight you have gained from your current or previous roles that may be unique to your industry or would add value to an Executive MBA classroom discussion.
3. Describe the most challenging team you have been on (either as a leader or contributor). What did you learn about yourself from that experience?
4. Engaging and contributing to your EMBA team and classroom learning, as well as successfully completing classes will require significant effort and time. Given your busy work and personal schedules, how have you prepared to dedicate the time required?

There is no minimum length. Most statements are two to four pages. The document is uploaded as part of your online application submission.

Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Your resume/CV is the most important part of your application. It outlines your professional work history to help EMBA admission readers understand how you might contribute to classroom discussions. You are not limited to one page – more is better. If submitting a CV, we recommend listing your full-time work experience toward the top; this allows highlighting of your work experience for admission readers.

We consider full-time professional work that preceded an undergraduate degree. On the other hand, we typically do not consider experience from graduate research (RA)/teaching (TA) assignments during graduate school. We do, however, consider medical residencies following medical school. We may consider some Post-Doc experience, especially when the role was full-time and included leadership/management responsibilities.

FORMAT – we recommend using a chronological listing, starting with your current or most recent role, rather than functional, targeted, or combination formats. The chronological format more easily shows role/career progression.

ROLES – you should include all roles that you consider part of your professional experience record.

RESPONSIBILITIES – you should indicate the MAJOR job functions for each role listed.

LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT – we take a very broad view in this area. When applicable, you want to list experience related to formal direct supervision, cross-functional team leading, and major program, project, or product management responsibilities.

SCOPE – this assesses the impact/reach of your role responsibilities. In addition to knowing your major job functions and leadership/management responsibilities for each role, it is valuable to know the size of teams you led/managed, size of budget you oversaw, or number of customers/patients/clients your efforts impacted.

Recommendations

Two recommendation sources are required. Applicants are encouraged to have their recommenders use the online submission option instead of mail-in option.

The best recommendation sources are from current and former managers. Other recommendation sources include mentors, executive/career coaches, clients, or peers. A good recommender is familiar with your skillset and familiarity with your potential for senior leadership and/or executive roles. View recommenders’ overview.

Applicants do not have to wait until recommendations are completed to submit an application. Recommendations can be submitted after you file your application.

Organizational Acknowledgment

EMBA candidates must supply the Organizational Acknowledgment form from their employer. The form acknowledges that the employing organization agrees to support an EMBA applicant’s attendance at all required class days and activities. The acknowledgment does not imply financial support nor job promotion assurances.

The acknowledgment form can be signed by a company agent authorized to approve an applicant’s time away from the worksite to attend EMBA classes. In most cases, an applicant’s direct manager can sign the form. However, policies vary from organization to organization; if unsure, applicants are encouraged to seek guidance from their direct managers.

Individuals who are self-employed, not currently employed, or will not be employed upon EMBA enrollment need not supply this form. However, these applicants should notify the EMBA admission staff of this fact.

Download the Organizational Acknowledgment form.

One of the best ways to truly appreciate the level and intensity of interaction and discussion in the Executive MBA classroom is to experience it yourself through an EMBA Class Visit.

We suggest requesting a class visit two weeks in advance so that we can ensure you receive driving and parking information and class materials. While we do our best to accommodate each request, we are limited by classroom seating capacity, current EMBA Student Host availability, and professors’ daily teaching agenda.

For visitors from outside Seattle, we also offer overnight accommodations (when available) at our partner hotel, Silver Cloud Inn – University District (near the University Village). Please make sure to inquire about accommodations when scheduling your EMBA Class Visit.

In these small group (limited to 10) sessions, participants meet the director, learn about the Foster EMBA experience, and enjoy breakfast/lunch. The event includes an EMBA Class Visit.

Learn about the Executive MBA Program from work, home or on your phone in this fast-paced session! The Admissions Director provides an overview of and responds to questions about the Executive MBA, how it differs from other MBA programs, including important program details: student profiles; curriculum highlights; teams; the commitment required, etc.

Can’t make it to an event? Watch a prerecorded information session!

The Foster School offers four MBA options designed for full-time working professionals. These events include an overview to understand which programs might be best suited to your personal and professional goals. The programs represented include the Evening MBA, Executive MBA, Hybrid MBA and Technology Management MBA programs.

Designed for potential applicants who have attended an information session or met with an EMBA admission representative, attend an informative one-hour session to learn how to submit your best application.

Submit your information to view an application workshop video.

Is an EMBA right for you? A quick resume evaluation will help you decide.

Executive MBA students enter the program with a great variety of professional experience in a wide range of industries, and that’s great – but it sometimes makes it hard for prospective students to tell if the program is a good match for their background and career goals. If you’re unsure whether you’re a good fit for EMBA, just submit your resume for a quick review. EMBA Admission Director Randell Hernandez will review your professional background. Following the review, we will arrange for a one-on-one meeting or phone conversation with either the Admission Director or Executive Director.

To get started, send us your resume as an email attachment. We’ll take it from there.

Foster EMBA has one intake per year, autumn quarter only. Applications are accepted throughout the year and processed on a rolling basis, with three priority deadlines: December 1 (Round 1), February 1 (Round 2), and April 1 (Round 3). Applicants with fewer than 10 years of full-time work experience, a GPA below a “B” average, and/or whose entire higher education experience occurred outside the United States are encouraged to apply through Round 1 or Round 2 to ensure fullest consideration.

Students are selected based on an overall evaluation of their applications. A significant factor in selection is an applicant’s potential contribution to the program based on professional and management experience. We require a minimum of seven years work experience. We seek to create a diverse student cohort that represents a wide range of geographic regions, industries, companies and job functions.

The 21-month program fee for students enrolling Autumn Quarter 2023 is anticipated to be $130,200* The program fee is equally divided among six academic quarters. The program fee includes: instructional fees; textbooks and course materials; meals and lodging at Fall Residence; class day parking; light breakfast, lunch and breaks on class days; and most on-the-ground expenses of the required International Immersion (second year).
* Fees are subject to approval by the University of Washington’s Board of Regents.

Travel to and from the Residence Sessions, incidental costs at each Residence Session (e.g., phone calls, laundry, souvenirs), travel to and from Seattle for Monthly Cohort students, and travel to and from the International Immersion.

An undergraduate degree is required for UW graduate admission. However, a non-degreed EMBA applicant with outstanding work experience may be considered. We evaluate candidates on a case-by-case basis and subject to approval by both the Foster faculty committee and the UW Graduate School.

Evaluations are generally based on applicant having an earned associate’s degree or above, extensive total work experience (15-20 years) including senior-level/executive roles, and demonstration of quantitative skills. Applicants without an undergraduate degree are required to take the GMAT or Executive Assessment (recommended).

Potential applicants without an undergraduate degree must consult with the EMBA Admission Director prior to applying. Inquiries may be sent to [email protected].

The GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment is not required for admission for applicants with an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university who fulfill the UW Graduate School GPA admission requirement. (Note: Applicants without an undergraduate degree must take either the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (preferred). Please consult an EMBA admission staff member.) However, you should be aware that a number of preparation modules are required prior to Autumn Quarter classes.

Interviews are conducted after an initial review of your application and can take place several ways. The applicant can come to the UW campus, the interview can be completed over the telephone, or an interview can be scheduled with an EMBA Admissions representative at your location, if we are visiting that area.

Yes. All entering EMBA students are required to complete the EMBA Summer Workshop.

The EMBA Admission Committee evaluates each section of the application carefully. At times, we may refer to your undergraduate coursework for evidence of previous academic achievement or demonstration of strong quantitative skills. The Admission Committee understands that most applicants have been out of school for some time; so therefore, we will place more emphasis on an applicant’s career progression and achievements. We will also consider any post-secondary education experience as well.

There are a few primary sources of loans for Executive MBA students:

• Federal Stafford Direct Loan
• Graduate G-PLUS loans
• Private MBA Tuition Loan
• Veterans’ Affairs Education Benefits (depending upon eligibility)

For a list of private education loan and/or credit programs for students and their families visit www.washington.edu/students/osfa/gradaid/alt.loans.html.

No. Your earned degree is the Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business.