The iSchool has launched special summer 2020 admission cycles for both the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program and the Early-Career Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) program to offer recent graduates and young professionals increased access to an advanced, high-quality education.
Prospective students can apply through Aug. 1 to be considered for autumn 2020 cohorts. Read the full announcement.
Why is the iSchool adding these new admission deadlines?
We know that students’ post-graduation plans may be changing right now due to the impacts of COVID-19, and many working professionals may also be finding their job prospects and career paths altered. A master’s degree from the Information School can enhance your skills, grow your professional network and help open new pathways for a fulfilling career in the public, private or nonprofit sector.
What programs are included in the summer 2020 admissions cycles?
These special admissions cycles increase access to multiple degree options of two graduate programs: the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program and the Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) program, specifically:
While not officially part of this extended admissions cycle, the Mid-Career MSIM program is still considering applications for autumn quarter 2020 admission through Aug. 1. Prospective students with at least five years of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience can earn their MSIM in just one year on a part-time, work-friendly (evenings and weekends) schedule.
Program fit and eligibility
I am a graduating senior and have no background in computing, technology, management or information science. Are these programs a good fit for me?
Yes! The expanded deadlines offer increased access to master’s programs that are appropriate for recent graduates or young professionals interested in an autumn 2020 program start.
No work experience or prerequisite coursework is required. Our students come from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines and many have no prior background in technology, management or information science. Students from the arts, humanities and social sciences, to name a few, have found success in both our MLIS and MSIM programs.
- Learn more about the MLIS program and how to apply.
- Learn more about the MSIM program and how to apply.
I’m an international student. Am I eligible to apply?
Admissions are open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents as well as international students. However, international students are eligible to apply only if they are already in the U.S. on an F1 visa or are in the U.S. and will not need an F1 visa to enroll in the program (due to H1B/H4, L1/L2, E1/E2, TN status, etc.). Due to the late deadline of the application, there would not be sufficient time for visa processing for students requiring a new visa.
Admissions requirements & process
Are there different admission requirements for summer 2020?
While the admission requirements for all programs remain the same, we have worked to increase access to the degree by making application fee waivers more readily available and allowing many students to apply without submitting a GRE or GMAT test score.
Are test scores required to apply?
Test scores are not required for MLIS or Mid-Career MSIM applicants. While a GRE/GMAT score is required for the Early-Career MSIM application, for the summer admissions cycles, any applicant meeting at least one of the following criteria will be exempt from this requirement:
- Applicants who have earned an accredited bachelor's degree from the UW or any other regionally accredited institution located in the United States.
- Learn more about accreditation and how to confirm if your institution is regionally accredited on the UW Graduate School’s site.
- Applicants who have earned a professional or doctoral level degree from an accredited institution in the United States (PhD, MD, JD, etc.).
How do I apply for an application fee waiver?
For applicants during the summer 2020 admissions cycles, there are two ways to request a fee waiver:
- Qualified applicants can request a fee waiver through the Graduate School following the process outlined on the Graduate School's website.
- The iSchool is also offering fee waivers to applicants who submit a new application after May 1, 2020, and meet the following requirements: be a University of Washington undergraduate graduating in autumn 2019, winter 2020, spring 2020 or summer 2020; and earn a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA. If you meet these requirements, submit your request by the deadline specified by the summer application timeline. Students must request and be approved for the waiver before submitting their application.
I’m a non-native English speaker. Are the English language proficiency requirements different for the summer process?
No. Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of citizenship) must demonstrate proficiency with the English language. The most common way to fulfill this requirement is to submit official TOEFL scores. The ETS report code is 4854.
How will the deadlines work?
- There are three additional deadlines through the summer – June 1, July 1 and Aug. 1. See the program-specific summer application timeline chart for details:
- For each round, the MyGrad application and all application materials possible, including recommendations, should be submitted by the stated deadline.
- Review and/or consideration of incomplete applications or late materials is at the discretion of the admissions committee. If application materials are missing due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control, the committee will take that into consideration and make its judgment based on the information available.
- Some applicants may be contacted directly for additional information.
- Admissions decisions will be delivered within two weeks of each application deadline. If after a round of review, no decision has been reached, the admissions committee may choose to put some applicants "on hold" and move them to the next round of review. Applicants with this status will be notified.
- Admitted applicants will be asked to respond to the offer of admission by the reply deadline. If no response is received, their spot in the program may be given to another applicant.
- The final deadline is Aug. 1 and applications will not be accepted after that date.
Students specifically interested in the Early-Career MSIM
Will the GRE/GMAT waiver be available for future cycles? (Early-Career MSIM only)
We re-evaluate our admissions processes and application requirements every year. We have not yet finalized these decisions for the autumn 2021 admission cycle and will be sure to consider testing availability and efficacy when coming to a decision about a test score requirement.
I have an associate’s degree from the U.S. Am I eligible for a GRE/GMAT waiver? (Early-Career MSIM only)
No. Applicants to the Early-Career MSIM in summer 2020 who do not meet one of the criteria below are required to submit official GRE or GMAT scores:
- Applicants who have earned an accredited bachelor's degree from the UW or any other regionally accredited institution located in the United States.
- Learn more about accreditation and how to confirm if your institution is regionally accredited on the UW Graduate School’s site.
- Applicants who have earned a professional or doctoral level degree from an accredited institution in the United States (PhD, MD, JD, etc.).
I took some coursework at a U.S. institution (but don’t have a degree), is the GRE/GMAT waived for me? (Early-Career MSIM only)
No. Applicants to the Early-Career MSIM in summer 2020 who do not meet one of the criteria below are required to submit official GRE or GMAT scores:
- Applicants who have earned an accredited bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States.
- Applicants who have earned a professional or doctoral level degree from an accredited institution in the United States (PhD, MD, JD, etc.).
Are you considering/accepting students into all MSIM specialization areas during the summer admissions cycles? (Early-Career MSIM only)
We will not reject a qualified applicant we want in our cohort strictly because of the specializations they choose. We encourage applicants to focus on submitting their strongest application, including choosing the specializations that best align with their interests and career goals. The intended specialization is only one of many factors considered when assessing an applicant’s fit for our program.
Admitted graduate students and prior applicants
How will priority registration be handled for summer applicants? Will you save space in required courses?
We are committed to ensuring all enrolled students are able to take the core courses they need to begin their academic degree plan at the Information School and will work closely with students to make this process as efficient as possible.
I already applied and was denied. Can I apply again?
We welcome you to reapply if you have been previously denied admission. However, we will be unlikely to make admission offers to those who have not made significant changes to their application materials by improving their personal statement, re-evaluating the program fit for their career goals, or improving their academic or professional accomplishments.
If you have questions about improving your application to increase your chances of admission, we encourage you to attend a recruitment event or contact our admissions office at iask@uw.edu.
Prospective graduate students and families, applying for autumn 2021 or later
Will the summer deadlines be included in future admissions cycles?
We do not anticipate offering an expanded admissions timeline in the future. The decision to increase access to our programs for recent graduates and young professionals was made due to the unforeseen impacts of COVID-19 on the economy and resulting disruptions to job offers and career opportunities for both of these groups.
When will you be announcing the admissions requirements and timeline for autumn 2021 admission?
Information about admissions timelines for autumn 2021 will be posted by Sept. 1, 2020.
Additional Questions?
We'd like to know what they are. Please contact Student Services at iask@uw.edu.