Audience Tools

Master of Science in Information Management

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MSIM Application Materials

MSIM MyGrad Application

The online application opens annually on September 1. Applicants are encouraged to start their MyGrad application as early as possible so as to allow time to become familiar with the program and avoid technical difficulties. The application does not have to be submitted in one session; applicants can log back in multiple times before submitting the application.

It is our expectation that you have thoroughly researched the UW iSchool and the MSIM program prior to completing this application. Accordingly, you should be familiar with the vision, mission and values of the iSchool and the MSIM program. You should also have a general understanding of the academic design of the MSIM program, its curriculum and specializations. Please be sure to use this foundational knowledge as the basis for responding to the prompts below.

Personal Statement

Please tell us “your story” by describing life opportunities and challenges you have faced and how these experiences have served as motivation and preparation to pursue a UW MSIM degree. You may include cultural, societal, geographical, financial, educational and other factors that have shaped who you are and form your unique offering to the MSIM program.

(~500 words, graphics can be included but are not required)

Statement of Purpose

Based on your knowledge of the UW iSchool and the MSIM program, please describe your motivation for pursuing a UW MSIM degree. Include your past preparation for your fields of study, your professional/academic plans while an MSIM student and your future career goals. Please be specific about why the UW MSIM program is a good fit for you in the context of your values and goals.

(~500 words, graphics can be included but are not required)

Specialization Interest (Full-Time applicants only)

Indicate your preference of specializations from the drop down menu in Question 4 on the Program Information page in the MyGrad application. You can rank all 6 specializations in order of interest or you can only list your top choice. (When ranking, 1 indicates the highest preference and 6 the lowest.) If you are not interested in doing a specialization or aren’t sure, please mark one of those selections. Our recommendation is that each applicant indicate their top two specialization preferences.

Note: this rank ordering is not binding. Specialization choices may be changed at any time during your tenure as an MSIM student. This information gives us a preliminary class specialization profile to assist in academic planning.

Recommendations (3 Required)

Enter the names and contact information for three recommenders into the MyGrad application. These individuals will be sent an e-mail prompt with instructions for submitting their recommendation online.

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, potential for future success in the information management profession, or who can comment on your employment experience. Unless academic- or work-related, do not submit recommendations from family members, clergy, or friends.

Résumé 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:

  • Academic history (including institution, degree, dates of attendance)
  • Professional experience (including employer, position title, and dates of employment)
    • Mid-Career MSIM applicants must demonstrate at least five years of full-time, professional work experience in technology, information, or management positions.
    • Applicants to the Full-Time program are not required to have work experience.
  • Involvement with volunteer, community, and/or diversity-related activities including the organization, position title, and dates of service
  • Honors, awards, publications, and presentations

Extenuating Circumstances (optional)

If there are extenuating circumstances, not addressed in other sections of your application, related to your academic transcript, resume, test scores or other facets of your application that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please describe them. Please limit your response to 250 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 students 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.**

Transcripts

Upload transcripts for all colleges, universities and institutions where you have earned collegiate level credit. Each transcript must include the name of the institution, dates of attendance, courses taken and grades/marks/credits earned. The Information School reserves the right to ask for an official transcript.

Please observe the following:

  • Foreign transcripts, if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation.
  • 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.

Please note: The MSIM 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.

GRE/GMAT Scores

Applicants are required to submit official test scores for either the GRE or GMAT (not both). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score reports should be electronically reported to the University of Washington.

Applicants to the Full-Time MSIM program who have earned a professional or doctoral level degree from an accredited institution in the United States (PhD, MD, JD, etc.) are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Having a master's degree does not provide exemption from the GRE/GMAT requirement.

Applicants to the Mid-Career MSIM program who have substantial relevant work experience, beyond the minimum 5 years, or those who have a master’s degree, may request to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement by submitting a short petition in the extenuating circumstances part of the application. The petition should address why the requirement should be waived, using evidence from the applicant's academic and work history.

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. The most common way to fulfill this requirement is to submit official TOEFL scores. The ETS report code is 4854.

Additional ways to fulfill the English language proficiency requirement are outlined in UW Graduate School Memo 8. The MSIM admissions committee will accept any form of documentation listed, except the IELTS. The MSIM admissions committee will not accept the IELTS to fulfill the UW English language proficiency requirement.

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