Admission to the University of Washington Graduate School is necessarily a selective process. The prospective student must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign country. The student's record should be a strong one with an average grade of B or better. The primary criterion and the priority for admission of new applicants into a graduate program is the applicant's ability, as decided by the University, to complete the graduate program expeditiously with the highest level of achievement in the student's career.
Admission to the department is competitive, and all components of a student’s application will be considered in evaluating his or her eligibility for admission.
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
Applicants to the graduate programs should be well prepared and have a strong undergraduate GPA for the last 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours of graded undergraduate course work to be considered for admission. - Quality and Difficulty of Courses Taken and Universities and Colleges Attended
Each transcript is individually reviewed. The department recognizes that some academic institutions are more competitive and high grades are more difficult to obtain. - GRE General Test
The department requires applicants to take the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination. Information is also available the Educational Testing Service. If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship or fellowship, the scores should be received by January 15. - Letters of Recommendation (2)
The confidential letters can be submitted electronically by recommenders indicated on the on-line application, or may be placed in sealed envelopes and included with your application materials, or sent directly to the department by the recommenders. Writers should be in a position to rank the applicant’s performance as a student and/or researcher. We do not have special forms for recommendations, but ask that the referee send the recommendation in letter format. - Statement of Objectives
A statement of objectives should be written providing the department with information about the applicant not found in his or her transcripts and other official documents. For example, statements can include personal histories, professional and academic goals, and specific research interests if applicable. - English Requirements for Foreign Nationals
The University of Washington requires TOEFL scores for foreign nationals whose native language is not English. The minimum acceptable score is 580 or 237 on the computerized exam. However, applicants with scores slightly below will be considered for admission if other aspects of their applications are strong. Further information on English Language Ability for Admission to the UW Graduate School
Students admitted with TOEFL scores below 580/237 will be tested for English upon their arrival to campus, and will very likely be required to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses (for which they are charged an additional fee). Students who intend to apply for teaching assistantships should take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and must meet additional requirements. This is discussed in the Financial Aid section. - Undergraduate Degree
Prospective students should hold an undergraduate degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Applicants with strong grades in related disciplines (physics, other engineering disciplines) will be considered. Students with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering may need additional preparatory classes, which may, with departmental approval, also be applied toward their degree.
International Students
International graduate students constitute an important segment of the Graduate School. The University of Washington encourages academically qualified applicants from other countries and also those noncitizen applicants who are attending, or have degrees from, other universities in the United States. International applicants must be prepared to provide evidence that they will have available approximately $56,000 for each year of study. Frequently Asked Questions for International Students at the UW
Graduate Program Staff
Wanda Frederick
Manager Graduate Programs
wanda@aa.washington.edu
(206) 616-1113