Admissions
ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Deadlines for Admissions
The application deadline for the Department of Biology is January 2nd of each year for admission in the following Autumn Quarter.
The deadline for International applicants is November 1. This deadline will ensure that there is sufficient time to process the paperwork in Graduate Admissions.
All application materials must now be submitted online. We do not need hard copies of any items you submit online.
Apply online: https://www.grad.washington.edu/applForAdmiss/
Admission Requirements
Entering students have generally completed an undergraduate biology program with college-level courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The department is also prepared to accept promising students with less traditional backgrounds who would fit into interdisciplinary programs.
Each application is reviewed by several faculty. Faculty will be looking at the applicant's statement, background, letters, and scores. About 10 students per topical grouping are invited to visit the department, meet the faculty and students, and see the department, university, and facilities. Based on these visits and the overall record of the applicants, the department accepts about 10-16 graduate students per year.
Some minimum entrance requirements are set by the University Of Washington Graduate School. These include a baccalaureate degree (BS/BA) from a college or university in the United States or an equivalent institution, receipt of GRE scores, and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Our Institutional Code is 4854. Departmental codes are no longer used.
We strongly urge that you take the GRE no later than October. No subject test required. Registration forms or previous score reports may be requested from the Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, telephone 1-800-537-3160; by e-mail at gre-info@ets.org.
There is no minimum GRE score, although our more competitive applicants generally score above the 75th percentile in all areas.
If you receive a preliminary score report after our January 2nd deadline; fax the results immediately to the Biology office. The fax number is (206) 543-3041.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED IN ONLINE APPLICATION:
·Unofficial Transcript/s: You may submit unofficial copies online. If admitted Graduate Admissions will require an official transcript.
·Faculty of Interest to You: List 3 University of Washington Biology faculty that you want to meet with if interviewed.
·Designate Recommenders: We require 3 letters of recommendation sent in online. These should be from faculty or research colleagues who you have worked with on a project.
·Submit a Resume or Vitae: Upload your CV with the following information:
Professional Experience (include position, approximate dates, duties and name of supervisor)
Honors awarded for scholarship
Special Skills
Publications
Present position or activities
·Submit Statement of Purpose: Please provide a concise narrative outlining your reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree in Biology at the University of Washington (one page maximum)
·Self Report GRE Scores: Subject test not required.
·Self Report Undergrad GPA: Report your cumulative grade point average for last two years.
·International applicants must submit signed hard copies of the application and official transcripts to The UW Graduate School:
Office of Graduate Admissions, University of Washington, 301 Loew Hall, Box 84808, Seattle WA 98124-6108
For exemption from the English as a Second Language (ESL) requirement, a minimum score of the following is required
580 (TOEFL)237 (TOEFLC)70 (TOEFLiBT)*
90 (MLT)7.0 (IELTS
Students admitted with scores as indicated below must take the University of Washington Academic English Program Diagnostic Examination (AEP) to determine ESL course placement upon matriculation.
500-579 (TOEFL)173-236 (TOEFLC)45-69 (TOEFLiBT)** 80-90 (MLT)6.0-6.9 (IELTS)
Students who become U.S. citizens after matriculation are not excused from their original ESL requirement. Matriculated students may exempt themselves from some or all of these course requirements by retaking the TOEFL, TOEFLC, TOEFLiBT, MLT, IELTS, or the diagnostic test administered at the University of Washington and achieving a passing score.This requirement must be met before a degree will be conferred.
Graduate Non-Matriculated (not available to International students)
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/nondegree/register/steps_gnm.asp
Depending on space availability in courses our faculty members allow Graduate Non-Matriculated students to attend.
If you are considering a visit to campus email biolgrad@u.washington.edu or call 206-685-8240. Be prepared with the day you will be able to be on campus, a listing of faculty you would be interested in meeting with and then email a CV to be sent out with the request for a visit.