Audience Tools

Master of Library and Information Science

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MLIS Application Materials

MLIS Application for Graduate Study

The online application opens annually on Sept. 1. Visit the Application for Graduate Study and create a login ID and password.

Retain your login ID and password, as you will need them to:

  • Save a partially completed application
  • Pay the application fee ($85 payable by debit or credit card)
  • Monitor the submission of recommendations and test scores (if applicable)
  • Check the status of your application

Once you have paid the fee, you will be unable to make further changes to your application with the exception of letters of recommendation, contact information and transcript updates.

Application Fee and Fee Waiver

The application fee is $85 USD, payable online by debit or credit card. Qualified applicants can request a fee waiver through the Graduate School following the process outlined on the Graduate School's website. 

Application Materials

Note: Submitting GRE scores is not required.

Review and/or consideration of incomplete applications or late materials is at the discretion of the MLIS 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.

Personal Statement

The MLIS graduate program desires individuals who have a unique passion and vision for their future in the library and information science field. In your statement of purpose, please list the area(s) of study that most interest you, and discuss how the UW iSchool MLIS program will help you meet your professional goals.

Please respond in approximately 350 words or less.

If you are not familiar with the variety of academic options available to our students, you may want to reference the career pathways on our website.

Diversity Statement

Diversity is a core value and foundational concept in the Information School. The MLIS program seeks to create a community of students that is inclusive of underrepresented populations and in service to underserved communities. How would you contribute to these efforts? (You may want to consider the iSchool diversity statement when writing your response.)

Please respond in approximately 350 words or less.

Essay

Think about current trends and issues in the library and information science field. Select one and briefly summarize the topic. Then analyze its significance and implications in the following ways:

  • For you as an information professional.
  • For the impact it will/does have on an organization where you are interested in working.

Please respond in approximately 500 words or less. If you choose to use citations, they will not contribute to the word count.

Note:

  • If you are less familiar with the field, you can do some preliminary research on current trends and issues by referencing websites like this: http://www.ala.org/tools/future/trends. 
  • If you are not sure how to get started, visit your local library and ask a librarian.
  • We are looking for your thoughts on trends and issues, not a citation-heavy research paper. If you do include citations, you may use the style of your choice.

Short Answer Response

The field of library and information science requires flexibility, adaptability and perseverance. Give an example of a situation when you overcame an unexpected challenge.

Please respond in approximately 100 words or less.

Recommendations (2 Required, 3 Recommended)

Enter the names and contact information for two to three recommenders into the Application for Graduate Study. These individuals will be sent an e-mail prompt with instructions for submitting their recommendation online.

Request recommendations from 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.

Two recommendations are required and this application component will be considered complete once two recommendations have been received. Providing information for three recommenders is highly encouraged, but not required. Three recommendations provide the review committee varied viewpoints from your professional and academic background to take into consideration. 

Make sure to give the recommenders time to submit the application by your selected application deadline. You are able to monitor if letters have been received. Activated means they were sent to the recommender but not yet completed. Received means they were completed and received by the admission team. You are able to resend letters as well as add new recommenders if needed. You are able to submit your application before having the recommendations be listed as received. 

Instructions for recommenders

Thank you for agreeing to provide a recommendation for an applicant to the MLIS program. While there are no requirements or specific format that we ask you to adhere to, we are happy to provide the following guidelines:

  • Don't write a standard letter that contains basic information.
  • Only write a letter if you can provide concrete examples and detailed feedback.
  • We are looking for evidence of potential success in the program and in the field, after graduation.
  • Share 1-2 stories that tell us something specific that the applicant has accomplished.
  • For academic recommenders, discuss how the applicant would do in a rigorous graduate program — specifically academics and/or research.
  • For professional references, discuss examples of the applicant's leadership, innovation and/or creativity
  • For those in the library and/or information world, it is OK to use industry-specific jargon and acronyms.
  • We often receive inquiries about Question 2 in the online recommendation system - "2. In making this evaluation, what group are you using as a basis for comparison?" It is intended to provide context to your relationship with the applicant. For instance, are they one of 1,000 undergraduate students who you've taught over the past 10 years or are they one of 10 employees you supervise on a daily basis? Please know, this is a standard question in the application system and we (MLIS Admissions Committee) are not able to remove or alter it. Therefore, if you would prefer not to answer it or if your relationship with the applicant does not lend itself to this type of question, please feel free to enter "n/a" in that section. This type of answer will have no negative impact on the applicant.
  • Make sure and submit the letter by the application deadline. 

If you have any questions or have difficulty using the online application system, please contact our office at iask@uw.edu.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Upload a PDF of your résumé or curriculum vitae. There is no preferred formatting or specific requirements that need to be met. However, your submission should include the following information, as applicable:

  • Academic history (including institution, degree, dates of attendance)
  • Professional experience (including employer, position title, and dates of employment)
  • Involvement with volunteer, community, and/or diversity-related activities including the organization, position title, and dates of service
  • Honors, awards, publications, and presentations
  • Research experience

Program Delivery Mode Preference

Select your program mode preference from the dropdown menu in Question 4 on the Program Information page in the Application for Graduate Study. The five options are:

  • Residential program only
  • Prefer residential, but would accept online
  • Either program
  • Prefer online, but would accept residential
  • Online program only

Your preference indicates that you have considered the program modes thoroughly and will accept the results of your selection.

Applicants will also confirm their Program Delivery Mode preference in the body of the Application for Graduate Study.

Transcripts

In the Report Prior Schools section of the Application for Graduate Study, list all schools (colleges, universities and institutions) where you have earned collegiate-level credit.

In the Submit Transcripts section of the application, upload a transcript for each school listed.

Each transcript should be complete, legible and include the following: name of the institution, name of the student, dates of attendance, courses taken, grades/marks/credits earned and be organized by term (quarters, semesters or trimesters).

Please observe the following guidelines:

  • All transcripts should be submitted through the Application for Graduate Study. Please do not mail (or email) transcripts to the iSchool unless specifically directed to do so.
  • The following types of documents can be accepted:
    • Unofficial transcript from the school, often a PDF
    • Official transcript that the applicant scans and uploads into the Application for Graduate Study
    • Information from an online system or dashboard (Applicants are welcome to copy/paste into a Word document. As long as it is complete and legible, we are happy to accept it.)
  • Degree audits cannot be accepted in place of a transcript as they are not a comprehensive summary of the coursework a student has attempted.
  • Applicants should not submit transcripts that they have typed out themselves. Any documentation that is submitted should originate from the degree-granting institution.
  • Foreign transcripts: if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation.
  • Certificate coursework: You only need to provide a transcript for certificate coursework if you earned academic credit in the process of earning the certificate. If you earned continuing education units (CEUs), a transcript does not need to be submitted.
  • Study abroad (credits earned at a school outside the U.S.): Please refer to instructions for foreign transcripts.
  • Study abroad (credits earned at a school inside the U.S.): Transcripts that fall into this category should be submitted as any other domestic transcripts.
  • Transcripts from a clearinghouse or automated service may not be accessible when submitted through the Application for Graduate Study. As such, it is best to avoid using these services, if possible.
  • In order to submit electronic transcripts, the applicant should have them sent to themselves and then upload them into the Application for Graduate Study.

Please note: The MLIS admissions committee retains the right to require that official transcripts be submitted for review at any time; during the application process or after admissions decisions have been made.

Applicants admitted to the program who accept the offer of admission will be required to submit official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions to the Graduate School.

Extenuating Circumstances (optional)

If there are extenuating circumstances, not addressed in other sections of your application, related to your academic transcript, resume, or other facets of your application that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please describe them. Please limit your response to 200 words.

Scholarship Information (optional)

All applicants are automatically considered for a limited number of iSchool merit-based scholarships. If there is additional information you would like to provide the committee that you feel is relevant to your being considered for a scholarship, please let us know. (Please limit this response to 500 words.)

In the past, we have had specific scholarship money for new students who are employed by the state of Washington, first-generation college students or who are active duty military or have veteran status. Please indicate if you fall into one or more of these categories. This information will not be used during the decision-making process. It will only be used for scholarship consideration after admissions decisions have been made.

**Responding to this question does not guarantee that you will receive a scholarship.**

Official GRE scores (optional)

Though not part of our standard requirements, applicants with a lower GPA are encouraged to submit official GRE scores. If it is necessary to enter a low GPA petition with the Graduate School, having submitted official GRE scores may be beneficial and support the petition. When reporting scores, please use ETS report code 4854, no department code needed.

Note: The MLIS admissions committee does not use GRE scores when making admissions decisions.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Non-Native English Speakers

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. (See UW Policy 3.2 for Graduate School policies.)

Non-native English speakers will indicate how they will fulfill the requirement in the application. The options are:

  • Official TOEFL scores (submitted to the UW with ETS code 4854, use Department code 99)
  • Official Duolingo scores
  • Official IELTS scores (submitted to the UW with organization code 365)
  • U.S. degree (bachelor's or higher)
  • Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a specific country in Policy 3.2
  • Medium of Instruction document from undergraduate institution

Additional information:

  • The MLIS program does not have a minimum TOEFL requirement, though TOEFL scores may be taken into account during application review.
  • If fulfilling the requirement via U.S. degree or a degree from a specific country in Policy 3.2, no additional documentation is required as we'll use transcripts submitted with the application to verify that the requirement has been fulfilled.
  • If using a medium of instruction document, we will accept a notation directly on the transcript or a separate document issued by the institution. If submitting a separate document, include it with your transcripts when they are uploaded into the application.

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