MLIS: Application materials submitted online  

The online application opens annually by September 1st. Before you apply online, we recommend gathering the necessary information, preparing your personal statement and supplemental responses, and saving them as separate electronic documents. These steps will allow you to copy and paste your prepared statements into the online application. If you try to compose your answers online, the session may time out. However note that you do not have to fill out your application in one setting; you can start the application soon after September 1st, fill in parts of it, then save it and return to it later.

The following materials will be submitted online:

1. Personal Statement

Your personal statement should be between 750-1000 words. Your statement should communicate to the Admissions Committee your aspirations for your future in the library and information science professions. Among other things, it could discuss: what you hope to accomplish from this program, your reasons for choosing the University of Washington Information School and our MLIS program, your special interests and abilities, your tentative goals for your professional career, your experience with information technology, and your leadership experience and potential for leadership in the profession. Since we welcome applicants who have varied cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds, we encourage you to discuss your personal history, family background, and influences on your intellectual development, especially if you want us to include these factors in the review of your application.

2. Designate Recommenders

On the UW Graduate School application you will be asked to provide names and contact information for three persons from whom you have requested recommendations. Your recommenders will be sent an e-mail prompt with instructions for submitting their letter of recommendation online once you activate their names as ready for the e-mail instructions. For this reason we recommend you start your application soon after September 1st - so your recommenders are given plenty of time to receive this e-mail prompt and write your letter. (Note that once you start your application you can always save it and return to it later to finish filling it out.) Requesting your letters of recommendation online will allow you to see when the letters have been submitted. Additional instructions are available within the online UW Graduate School application.

Request recommendations from three people who know you well and who are able to comment on your academic competence, ability to engage in graduate study, and potential for future success in the library and information science professions, or who can comment on your employment experience. Unless academic- or work-related, do not submit recommendations from family members, clergy, or friends.

Though we prefer that your recommenders submit their letters through the online option, they can also opt to send a letter via regular mail. If they choose this option, the recommendation should be written on company or organizational letterhead and sent with a completed MLIS Recommendation Cover Sheet, in pdf form below:

Recommenders who choose the regular mail option should send their letter to:

MLIS Admissions Committee
Information School
370 Mary Gates Hall, Box 352840
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-2840

Please consider that paper letters of recommendation take much longer to process than the electronic recommendations, which are updated automatically when submitted by the recommder. 

3. Resume or Curriculum Vitae 

Upload an electronic copy of your curriculum vitae or résumé, in Microsoft Word, RTF, or PDF format. Your curriculum vitae or résumé should include the following information:

  • Work experience related to the library and information professions (include employer, position title, and dates of employment)
  • Other types of employment experience (include employer, position title, and dates of employment)
  • Involvement with volunteer, community, and/or diversity-related activities (include organization, position title , and dates of service)
  • Relevant honors, awards, publications and presentations

4. Program Delivery Mode Preference

The MLIS program is delivered in two modes: residential and online. (Law MLIS students are included in the residential program, though they have a separate application in MyGrad.)

Please specify your preference for program mode. Think carefully about your response, as you will not be able to change your preference once you submit this application or once you begin the program. Your application will only be considered for modes you specify in your response. Please type in only one of the following choices:

1) Residential program only
2) Prefer residential, but would accept online
3) Either program
4) Prefer online, but would accept residential
5) Online program only.

After you type in your preference, you may explain your choice in 50 words or less. Your preference indicates that you have considered the program modes thoroughly and will accept the results of your decision. (Please be very explicit with your choice, we prefer that you provide a numerical choice so there is no confusion regarding your program preference.)



5. Supplemental Question #1

In 2011 the Information School will celebrate its Centennial. Imagine that, having been admitted to the 2011 cohort, graduating, and becoming a leader in the information professions, you are returning for your 25-year reunion.  Looking back at those 25 years, what has been the greatest innovation in your field and how have you been a part of it? (100 words or less) 

6. Supplemental Question #2

Please describe your experience with diversity and your potential to engage diversity in the field or the profession. (100 words or less)

 

 

If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Information School’s Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) by e-mail at mlis@uw.edu or by phone at 206-543-1794.