Admissions

Applicants to the Hybrid MBA Program are required to have a minimum of 3 years full time post-baccalaureate professional work experience (by the first day of program)*.

*Individuals with a history of military service or non-traditional education are encouraged to connect with an admissions advisor to identify how experience translates to the minimum professional experience requirement.

We assess this by looking at the applicant’s work experience, accomplishments in community and extracurricular activities, and the applicant’s recommendations.

Applicants to the Hybrid MBA Program are required to have a 4-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (or accepted equivalent).

These skills are evaluated in the required essays, recommendation letters, and applicant interviews.

We review undergraduate (and graduate if applicable) history, taking note of the difficulty of the curriculum and scholastic quality of the school.  Applicants also have the option to submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or the Executive Assessment (EA).

In selecting the entering class, we will strive to create an environment representative of the organizations in which the students work. We believe that a diverse student body is reflected in the experience, cultural background, national origin, professions, career goals, living experiences and previous academic study of the students and helps to create such an environment.

• Online Applicant Profile (create your profile here)
• 2 Essays
• Resume
• 2 professional recommendations (one from current supervisor, second from professional contact within the last three years)
• Optional Admissions Exam (GMAT, EA or GRE)
• Unofficial transcripts*
• Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable (View Policy 3.2)
• $90 non-refundable application fee
• Interview (by invitation only)

NOTE: At this time, the Hybrid MBA Program is cannot accept any international applicants (including Canadians) requiring an F-1 or J-1 student visa or those intending to use a tourist visa for entry. Applicants with a valid US work visa (typically H-1B) are eligible to apply to the Hybrid MBA Program.  Other visa holders should verify eligibility prior to applying.

* If offered admission, official transcripts must be sent to the UW Graduate School

In order to apply to the Hybrid MBA program, you must first create a new applicant profile via the UW Graduate School website.

Note: Application portal for Autumn program start is opened each November for application submission.

ESSAY 1 – Personal Statement
(REQUIRED)
250-word maximum

The Foster MBA values community and collaboration. To get to know you better beyond your resume and transcript, please share “5 Random Things” about yourself. These can include life experiences, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything else that reveals what makes you unique. Please present your response in a numbered list from 1 to 5.

ESSAY 2 – Writing example of difficult professional decision
(REQUIRED)
400-word maximum

Describe a professional challenge, setback, or failure you faced. How did it affect you, what did you learn, and what would you change in your approach?

ESSAY 3 – Test Optional Statement
(OPTIONAL)
150-word maximum

Successful Hybrid MBA students are those who are prepared for fast paced delivery of complex content and maintain active, strong quantitative and analytical skills. If choosing not to submit a test score (also known as test optional), please detail the specific evidence in your academic (whether undergraduate studies or MBA preparation course) and/or professional experience that supports your analytical and quantitative preparedness for success in the program. Individuals submitting test scores are also welcome to provide additional information.

Your resume must be uploaded to your online application. It should be a complete summary of your professional work history in reverse chronological format. For each position, include:

• Company name and division/group/department
• Position title
• Dates of employment (month and year)
• Responsibility summary – a brief section describing your primary responsibilities
• Accomplishment bullets – 3-6 bullets for most recent position and 1-3 for former positions

Two professional recommendations are required (academic recommendations are not accepted).

• One recommendation must submitted by your current supervisor).
• One from a recent professional contact (from less than 3 years).

Alternate recommendations, including previous supervisors, will be accepted at the approval of Hybrid MBA Admissions (contact: [email protected]).

Designate your recommender in the online application. They will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the recommendation electronically.

The Hybrid MBA Program does not require submission of admission exam scores. However, applicants are welcome to submit a test score to demonstrate quantitative ability and program readiness. The Hybrid MBA Program accepts test scores older than 5 years.  

Admissions exam score submission considerations:    

Candidates who may be competitive without a test score are those who can demonstrate quantitative ability and program readiness by showcasing several criteria:  

• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2+ at an accredited institution (using a 4.0 scale), and  
• 8+ years of full-time, progressive work experience  

Competitive applicants will also be able to make evident at least one of the following:   

• Graduate degree (masters or doctoral)  
• Professional credential (ie CPA, CFA, JD, etc)  
• Previous Business undergraduate degree with a 3.6+ cumulative GPA (using a 4.0 scale)  
• Strong quantitative background (coursework or on the job experience)  
• Quantitative background could include Statistics, Engineering, Accounting, Technology, Calculus, Financial Modeling, Budget Forecasting, etc.    

Test scores are strongly recommended if your transcript or work experience does not contain evidence of your quantitative abilities/aptitude and may mitigate concerns regarding academic readiness.   

If you are not submitting a test score, you will be asked to complete the “Test Optional Summary of Qualifications” section of the application and answer the following question. We recommend that you adhere to a 150-word maximum response:  

• Please detail the specific evidence in your academic and/or professional experience that supports your analytical and quantitative preparedness for success in our rigorous Hybrid MBA program.  

Questions    

If I do not submit a test score, will it put my application behind those who apply with scores?
Not at all. For the Hybrid program, we consider applications based on a holistic evaluation of years of work experience, career growth, community involvement, empathy, and of course, academic or work exposure to business acumen and quantitative reasoning. We find the most value in the applicant’s personal reflective essays and 1:1 interview – we want to get to know the whole you.  

Should I submit my test scores if I already took the test and happy with the results?
We recommend anyone who already has test scores to submit them with their application. We do not have a minimum score requirement, and have admitted students with a wide range of scores:  

• Average GRE 316:  Scores can be sent to institution code 4854  
• Average GMAT 619: Scores can be sent to University of Washington – Seattle – Michael G. Foster School of Business – Hybrid MBA  
• Average Executive Assessment 149:  Scores can be sent to University of Washington – Seattle – Michael G. Foster School of Business – Hybrid MBA  

Contact us  

If you have questions, please reach out to us by emailing [email protected]. We are happy to discuss with you the optional test submission over email or by video conference. 

Applicants to Hybrid MBA are required to have a 4-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Transcripts are required for undergraduate and graduate-level degrees earned. For the application review process, you are required to upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts to your online application.

If you are offered admission to Hybrid MBA, you will be required to submit an official copy of your transcripts to the UW Graduate School. Please do not mail official transcripts to the Hybrid office; additional instructions will be provided to admitted students.

Transcripts from international institutions

A certified or attested copy of your academic record and diploma indicating the date and conferral of your degree are required.

If the original language of the academic record and diploma is not English, a certified English translation must accompany the original document. A school administrative officer of the institution from which the degree was received must certify official copies of credentials. If the institution will not issue an official translation, you may translate the transcripts and have your translation certified by a UW faculty member who is fluent in the particular language or you may contact your local consulate for translation assistance.

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
•     Both marks sheets and degree statements are required, if applicable

GPA Requirements
Competitive candidates typically have an undergraduate or graduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or higher. However, we holistically review applications when making an admissions decision. Performance on the GMAT or GRE, as well as other aspects of your application, may be used to assess your ability to succeed academically. If you have specific concerns related to your GPA, please contact one of our admissions counselors to discuss it.

A non-refundable application fee of $90 is required to submit your online application.

Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. If your native language is NOT English, you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency in one of several ways. Details and accepted exams are explained in Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements. Applicants should contact the Hybrid MBA office to ensure that test scores will be valid.

Online interviews are by invitation only and take place after an initial review of your completed application.

Notification of Admission Decision
An admission decision will be provided via email approximately 4-6 weeks after an admission deadline. All communication regarding the status of your application, including admission decisions, will be through electronic mail.

If you are offered admission, you will need to submit a $2,500 non-refundable deposit, signed letter of agreement and photo release form by the deadline indicated in your offer letter. Typically you will have two weeks to accept an offer of admission. Upon accepting your offer of admission, formal enrollment to the UW Graduate School takes an additional 2-3 weeks. Additional steps include providing official transcripts to the Graduate School for verification and proof of measles (rubeola) immunization prior to registration in Program Immersion courses. Additional information will be provided to admitted students.

• A Windows or Mac computer with at least 8 Gigabytes of RAM.
• It will be possible to access some but not all Hybrid activities with a tablet or smartphone; therefore, we do not recommend them as your only means of accessing program materials and activities.

• A high speed internet connection, 25 Mbps download, and 5Mbps upload speeds.
• If you are using your workplace internet, please verify that the address “http://canvas.uw.edu” is whitelisted.

• A good-quality webcam with a minimum 720p resolution.
• A headset: headphones with a microphone, or earbuds with a built-in microphone.
• Zoom software: download it from the Zoom website.