Other Application Materials


In addition to information submitted through the online application process, the other materials listed below are required. Mail these materials to the address below:

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

    1. Three recommendation letters

    We strongly encourage and prefer that you ask your recommenders to submit their recommendations online using the tool in the online application. However, if your recommenders are unable to do so, they must submit their letters by mail.  Please refer to guidelines for choosing recommenders under Prepare to Apply Online.

    2. Official transcripts from each relevant institution attended

    Request that one official transcript from each relevant college or university attended be sent to the Information School. Relevant transcripts include transcripts which account for the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits of graded work, transcripts from institutions from which you received (or expect to receive) a degree, and transcripts for any other academic work that you would like the Admissions Committee to review. Each transcript should be sent in an envelope sealed by the institution; photocopies of transcripts or transcripts not in sealed envelopes will not be considered official.

    3. GRE scores

    Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report should be sent directly to the Information School. The institutional code for the University of Washington is 4854; you do not need a department code.

    We accept GRE scores of any age; however, we do require that the score report be sent from an official source, such as the Educational Testing Service or from a graduate program you previously attended (on university letterhead). If you cannot obtain an official score report for your previous GRE scores, please contact the Information School’s Office of Student and Academic Services by e-mail.

    Applicants with an earned doctoral level degree from an accredited institution in the United States (PhD, MD, JD, etc.) are not required to submit GRE scores.

    4. English language ability tests

    Applicants who are not citizens of the United States on the date of admission must submit an official copy of one of the following English language ability tests to the University of Washington: TOEFL, IELTS, MLT.  Please read through the UW Graduate School's Memo #8 for more information about our English language requirements and ability tests.

    The following applicants are exempt from this requirement:

      • Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
      • Non–United States citizens who have received a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or from institutions in the countries listed above.

    5. Curriculum Vitae or Résumé

    If you did not submit your curriculum vitae or résumé with your online application, you must submit it by mail.

    6. Additional materials for international students

    International applicants must submit  the above materials (numbers 1 through 5) to the Information School (use the address listed at the top of this page) as well as additional required materials to the UW Graduate School at:

    University of Washington
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    Box 84808*
    Room 301, Loew Hall
    Seattle, Washington  98124-6108

    *If the shipping service you are using does not deliver to a PO Box, simply remove "Box 84808" from the address and your package should successfully arrive at the UW Office of Graduate Admissions.

    NOTE: The Information School has no access to check if materials were received in the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Please use the contact information at the bottom of the "additional required materials" page above to contact Graduate Admissions.

    If you have questions about the application process, please contact the iSchool’s Office of Student and Academic Services at iSchoolphd@uw.edu or 206-543-1794.