Admissions > Master's and Ph.D.

Admission Criteria For International Applicants

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You will find a link to the electronic application at the bottom of this page.

Following are criteria for competitive applicants.

GPA: Cumulative of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- The average GPA of admitted both Ph.D. and Master's students is 3.7.
GRE: Graduate Record Exam test scores from an exam taken within the last 5 years.
- GRE General Test: The recommended GRE scores for competitive applicants are:
  Quantitative score of:
  - 760 (for General Tests taken prior to August 1, 2011)
  - 160 (for General Tests taken on or after August 1, 2011)
  Verbal and Analytical scores are more subjective.

Note: Check the Score Reporting Schedule to make sure your official scores will be received by our admission deadline.
Applicants should ask Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send official scores to the University of Washington, institution code 4854. ETS transmits official scores from the Computer-delivered test 10 - 15 days after test date. Scores from Paper-Delivered GRE tests are delivered approximately six weeks after the test date, therefore, if taking the Paper-Delivered GRE Test, we recommend applicants schedule the GRE exam no later than October 18, 2015.
Contact Educational Testing Service (ETS) for scheduling information.

Following is a list of all application materials required to be submitted in the online application only. The electronic application pages will provide more details on each of the application items that is required. There is no application form for teaching or research assistantships. All applicants are automatically considered for these positions.

Electronic Application and $85 Fee - online application only
Resume or Curriculum Vitae - online application only
Statement of Purpose - online application only
Personal Statement (optional) - online application only
Three Letters of Recommendation - online application only
- Submit recommender e-mail addresses into the electronic application form at least one month ahead of the deadline in order to give recommenders sufficient time to submit the letters
- Please do not have referents mail in reference letters. They will not be accepted
- Referents may only submit a reference for you via the on line application system
Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts - online application only
- Scan and upload an electronic copy of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended via the online application system. Do not mail transcripts; official transcripts will not be accepted
GRE Scores - request that ETS send directly to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions Office
- Institution code 4854
- Note: Check the Score Reporting Schedule to make sure your official scores will be received by our admission deadline
TOEFL (The EE Department does not accept any other exam - request that ETS send directly to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions Office
- Institution code 4854
- Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. No waivers of this English proficiency requirement may be given. See Graduate School Memo #8 for details.
- Official test scores must be sent by ETS directly to the University of Washington and must be received by the University of Washington within two years of the test date
- TOEFL test takers should consult the Educational Testing Service
- The minimum score recommended for admission is 600 (paper-based exam), 250 (computer-administered), or 92 (TOEFLiBTI). Students admitted with scores below these requirements are required to take the University of Washington Academic English Program Diagnostic Examination (AEP) and an appropriate English language course
- The TOEFL is not required of applicants who are citizens of Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom, as English is the first language of those countries
- The TOEFL is not required for applicants who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom.
Teaching Assistant Eligibility - all applicants who meet minimum criteria are considered
- In order to be considered for a Teaching Assistant position at the time of admissions, applicants who are non-native speakers of English must submit a score of 26 on the speaking portion of the TOEFLiBT. Also available for students living in the Seattle area or for students after their arrival in the U.S. after admissions is the UW Versant English test; a minimum score of 65 will satisfy the spoken English requirement for TA eligibility. See Memo #15 for details.

If you are offered admission, please return to the application at the link below to indicate your intention to attend and read important information on next steps in order to enroll in classes, establish your UW NetID, requirements for English proficiency and instructions to request visa application.

DO NOT MAIL ANY MATERIALS TO THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (BEYOND WHICH ARE PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS), AS THEY WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY FACULTY.

University of Washington Graduate School Admissions
uwgrad@u.washington.edu

PROCEED TO APPLICATION

Questions? - Please e-mail all questions to grad@ee.washington.edu.

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