Admissions

Click ‘Apply Now’ and select ‘New Applicants’ or log in under ‘Returning Applicants’ to start a new application.

From here, create your online application profile by selecting the “First-time Users” option or log into your account under “Returning Users”. You will create a new user account and profile.

Once completed, applicants should follow the prompts to start a new application. After creating an application, ensure that you follow these steps to select the correct program:

• Under “Program Selection” select “Graduate”
• Filter search “By Campus” and select “Seattle”
• Select “Business Administration – Foster School of Business – Hybrid 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.

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 and academic history in reverse chronological format. The resume should be 1-2 pages and include but not limited to:

• Name and location
• LinkedIn profile (please provide as full url, not a hyperlink)
• Education including dates of attendance/conferral
• Professional experience – chronologically from most recent professional experience including:
• Month and year
• Identify as Full-time, Part-time, Remote, Internship, Self-employed/side business, and / or Contract
• Name of company (if contract, please name employer and sponsor company)
• Job title
• Location of role – if remote, note region located – ex Remote – Greater Seattle, Remote – Portland)
• At minimum, list all roles since undergraduate degree achieved. Addressing significant gaps appreciated. If non-traditional education journey, please outline experience during and prior to undergraduate program.
• Brief description of role, responsibilities, and achievements

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

• One recommendation must be 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.

Recommendation Guide – for recommenders
Recommendation Guide – for applicants

The Hybrid MBA Program does not require submission of admission exam scores; however, successful applicants must clearly demonstrate quantitative ability and evidence of program readiness. This can be demonstrated through strong academics, significant professional experience, an exam score (GMAT/GRE/EA*), or completion of an MBA preparation course (to build or refresh foundational business knowledge in areas like finance, accounting, statistics, and economics).

For a candidate to be competitive without a test score, they must demonstrate strong quantitative or analytical ability and program readiness by meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• A degree in STEM or a business-related major (undergraduate, masters, or advanced degree), with strong performance and multiple quantitative or analytical courses (for example Statistics, Engineering, Accounting, Technology, Calculus, Financial Modeling, Budget Forecasting).
• Clearly demonstrated quantitative or analytical professional work experience. Professional certifications in a quantitative-related field, e.g., CPA, CFA, PE, etc.
• 6 or more years of progressively responsible professional work experience demonstrating deep quantitative or analytical aptitude.
• A University of Washington undergraduate or graduate degree with a strong academic record, especially in a STEM or business-related major.
• Successful completion of an MBA preparation course, which is strongly recommended for individuals with a liberal arts degree or if it’s been a significant time since graduation of undergraduate degree.**

If not submitting a test score, you will be asked to complete the “Test Optional Summary of Qualifications” section of the application and detail, in 150 words or less, 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.

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Submitting test scores

We do not have a minimum score requirement, nor is there a program preference for exam, and have admitted students with a wide range of scores:

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

Applicants who demonstrate the above without submission of test scores will not be penalized. Hybrid MBA is a program for working professionals and as such, we consider applications based on a holistic evaluation of years of professional experience, career growth, community involvement, empathy, and of course, academic or work exposure to business acumen and quantitative reasoning. We find enormous value in the applicant’s personal reflective essays, recommendations, and 1:1 interview, getting to know the whole candidate – and in the context of the competitiveness of the overall applicant pool.

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 advising appointment.

*The Hybrid MBA Program accepts expired or older than 5 years test scores.
**Incoming students (especially those who have been in the professional world for some time) often find value in the completion of an MBA prep course or studying for an entrance exam (like GMAT/GRE) prior to program start, to prepare for the rigorous Hybrid MBA full credit load, lockstep curriculum.

Applicants to Hybrid MBA are required to have a 4-year US baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, demonstrating at least a 3.0 GPA overall or in last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester hours. On occasion, petitions for low GPA applicants may be considered.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to upload a pdf of unofficial transcripts to the online application portal. Transcripts are required for all undergraduate and graduate-level degrees earned, and they are recommended for partially completed programs / transfer credit programs.

Successful applicants who enroll in the Hybrid MBA are required to submit an official copy of your transcripts per the UW Graduate School transcript submission policy.

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 (marks sheets and degree statements are required, if applicable)

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GPA Requirements

Applicants must have:

• at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point-average on a 4 point scale (or equivalent measures of performance if a graduate of an institution with no grading system; or equivalent grade-point-average from an accredited foreign institution) for those credits earned at the regionally accredited institution awarding the bachelor’s degree; or
• at least a 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4 point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits; or
• a cumulative 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4 point scale) from an accredited institution for a Master’s, graduate doctoral degree, or professional doctoral degree.

Petitions to the Graduate School for low GPAs may be considered on behalf of an applicant who demonstrates significant professional experience and evidence of quantitative and analytical skills through a GMAT/GRE/EA exam or MBA prep course. Contact HMBA admissions at [email protected] for guidance.

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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 (translated, if applicable). Please refer to the Graduate School’s guidance on international transcripts and detail regarding World Education Service (WES).

A non-refundable application fee of $90 must be paid by credit card through the online application system.

Professional Experience

Applicants to the Hybrid MBA Program are current full time working professionals (and intend to continue through the MBA) and 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, non-traditional education journey, or currently unemployed are encouraged to connect with an admissions advisor to confirm eligibility or how experience translates to the minimum professional experience requirement.

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Education

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

If you completed your undergraduate degree from a non-US institution, the UW Graduate school can assist you with the validation of your degree. You can reach out via email or set up an advising appointment with them to review your transcript/school.

Click “Schedule a GEMS Appointment” and then chose “international degree verification”.

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General Intellectual Ability

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). We also welcome evidence of academic readiness for Hybrid MBA, in the form of MBA prep courses or other relevant study/certificates.

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Demonstrated Leadership Potential

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

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Communication and Interpersonal Skills

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

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Community and Belonging

We strive to create a community that reflects Foster’s commitment to bettering humanity through action. We believe a robust student body is built through the shared and varied experiences, backgrounds, career paths, goals, and perspectives of our students, and that this wealth of perspectives helps foster a supportive and collaborative environment.