Applying to the PhD Program

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The application deadline for the 2012 admissions process has passed. The next application cycle for Fall 2013 will open September 1, 2012.
 
Apply to the PhD in Information Science Program 

The next application cycle will admit students for Fall 2013. (Admission is for fall quarter only.) The PhD application is updated annually and opens on September 1st. To be considered for admission, applicants must complete and submit the UW Graduate School online application through MyGrad. We encourage prospective applicants from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences to apply.

Application Deadline for Autumn 2013: December 1, 2012

  • All applicants (domestic and international) will use this deadline

Requirements for Application

All applicants to the PhD program must meet the following basic requirements:
  • Bachelors degree or higher (must be equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution)
  • Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (exceptions considered) 

Application Process

Review Application process page for helpful information about the following:
  • MyGrad Online Application
  • GPA calculation
  • Application fee and fee waiver
  • Check receipt of materials online
  • Application timeline
  • Reapplication procedures

Application Checklist

  1. Online Application Masterials - These materials are submitted online through the MyGrad application
    • Personal statement
    • Research statement
    • Recommendations (3 required)
    • Honors, achievements, major projects, grants and awards
    • Faculty with who you share research interests
    • Graduate assistantship
    • Resume or curriculum vitae
    • Transcripts
    • Optional: Other considerations
  2. Other application materials
    • Official GRE scores*
    • UW English language proficiency requirement, UW Grad School Memo 8 (all non-native English speakers)
*Applicants with a doctorate or professional degree (PhD, JD, MD, PharmD, etc) are not required to submit GRE scores. (Having a master's degree does not provide exemption from the GRE requirement.)
  
Additional information regarding these materials is located through each of the links in each section above. Please review each section thoroughly.

International applicants

An international student is defined as any person who is not a U.S. citizen and is not a US Permanent Resident, and requires a visa to be in the United States. This includes individuals who have visas with the designation F1, J1, H4 etc.

There are no separate application requirements or procedures for International applicants. These individuals will follow the same application process and will submit the same materials as all other applicants. (English language proficiency is not based on residency.)

Non-native English speakers should review the requirements on the Other application materials page and the UW English Language proficiency requirements in UW Grad School Memo 8.

International applicants admitted to the program may be required to provide financial ability documentation. Information about these requirements is included in the link, however, these materials are not required as part of the application process. (Applicants are asked to refrain from sending these materials until instructed to do so.)

Additional resources for international applicants are available on the UW Graduate School site, please review the Application Materials section of their website. International applicants will only be required to submit materials to the UW Graduate Admissions Office if they are recommended for admission to the program.

UW Graduate School Resources

The UW Graduate School is the governing body that oversees graduate admissions at the University of Washington. For the purposes of applying to a graduate program, applicants do not need to send any materials to the UW Graduate School. However, applicants admitted to the program may be required to submit additional materials. For more information, please refer to the UW Graduate School's Admissions page.

Mailing address

Most, if not all, application materials are submitted online (MyGrad) or electronically (official test scores). However, if it is necessary to mail materials to the Information School, please use the following address:

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

*If using a shipping service that does not deliver to PO Box numbers, just delete "Box 352840" from the address and the Information School will receive your package.

Prior to applying to the PhD Program, please review the following:

Still want to learn more? Consider attending an information session or recruiting event.

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 iask@uw.edu or by phone at 206-543-1794. Thank you for your interest!