MBA Admissions

Join us for an upcoming Zoom Information Session to learn more about the Milgard MBA program and admission process!

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How to Apply
Information for International students
Information for Applicants with International baccalaureate degrees
Graduate Management Admission Test
GMAT/GRE Guidelines to Request Waiver

Admission Requirements

The following are required for admission to the Milgard School of Business MBA Program and the University of Washington Graduate School:

1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Prefer 3.0 grade-point average calculated from the applicant's final 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.
3. For those not qualifying for a GMAT waiver competitive scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).  We will accept scores from the GRE if it was completed in the last 5 years. 
4. Minimum of two years of managerial and/or professional work experience:

• Management: Defined as direct responsibility for the assets of an organization; supervision of two or more people (e.g., manager, executive leader, team leader, group/project coordinator, etc.); special projects; processes; databases; budgets, etc.
• Professional: Requires professional expertise in business functions such as sales, accounting, human resources, finance, marketing, operations, etc. and/or technical functions such as engineering, research, logistics, computer programming, sciences, etc.

Complete application.  See  How to Apply  for more details.

International students

The Milgard MBA is a part-time program and does not fulfill the requirements for a student visa. International students seeking a full-time program may wish to consider the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington Seattle campus.

Applicants with international baccalaureate degree or higher

August 1 (autumn quarter) is the final date for applicants with international baccalaureate degrees or higher to apply to the Milgard MBA.

Your international transcript must include:

• Degree statement, including date of graduation and title of academic degree awarded
• All coursework with grades
• The record must be submitted in the original language along with a certified English translation

For application review by the Milgard MBA admission committee you may provide copies if they meet the criteria outlined above.

If you are admitted to the Milgard School and choose to attend, then the UW Graduate School will require you to submit official International Academic Credentials.  For additional information on this requirement, refer to the UW Graduate School website.

English language proficiency

The UW Graduate School requires proof of English language proficiency as outlined in Policy 3.2.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

*The GMAT/GRE is currently waived for all applicants. Applicants may leave the test sections blank when submitting the application.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized assessment that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. The Milgard School of Business uses the test as one predictor of academic performance in the MBA Program.

The GMAT measures verbal, mathematical (algebra and geometry), and analytical writing skills that you have developed over time in your work and education. The GMAT consists of four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Skills section, and the Verbal Skills section.

All applicants who do not qualify for a GMAT waiver must complete the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)* and provide official scores to UW Tacoma. However, students who have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may submit GRE scores instead of GMAT scores. Scores are effective for five years.

If you have taken the GMAT or GRE more than once, we will consider only your highest score during the past five years.

The unofficial GMAT score, provided to you as soon as you complete the test, should be included on your application. Your application will not be considered complete until the official GMAT score is received at UW Tacoma. Plan accordingly so that you take the GMAT in plenty of time for the official score to be received by the Priority Date and to have time to retest if necessary.

Applicants are advised to prepare for the GMAT by becoming familiar with the test format and content. Good preparation includes taking practice tests to increase speed and comfort levels with the test materials.

GMAT preparation guides and software are available in many bookstores or purchased online. Visit the GMAT website to learn more about test taking and preparation, to schedule a GMAT test, and to find testing locations.

*GMAT WAIVERS

Upon presentation of the needed documents, the GMAT or GRE requirement for admission is waived for applicants who meet any of the following criterion:

1. The GMAT/GRE requirement is waived for applicants who possess a terminal degree from an accredited institution. Examples of terminal degrees include the Ph.D., MD, JD, PharmD, Ed. D, and other degrees deemed equivalent to these by the Graduate Programs committee.
2. The GMAT/GRE requirement is also waived for applicants who have previously completed a graduate degree from a *regionally accredited U.S. university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.
3. The GMAT/GRE requirement is also waived for applicants possessing certain active professional licenses such as the United States CPA, CFA, or CMA.
4. The GMAT/GRE requirement is waived for graduates of an AACSB accredited business school or ABET accredited engineering school who earned a 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale in their final 90 graded quarter/60 graded semester credits. 
5. For students graduating in majors outside of business or engineering, the GMAT/GRE requirement is waived for graduates of *regionally accredited U.S. universities whose business program is accredited by the AACSB or whose engineering program is accredited by ABET and who earned a 3.40 or higher on a 4.0 scale in their final 90 graded quarter/60 graded semester credits.
6. The University of Washington Tacoma is a military friendly university and we value both the service and the leadership experience gained in that environment. As such, the GMAT/GRE requirement is waived for non-commissioned officers who attained a rank of E-5 or higher and possess 5 or more years of active duty military service and graduated from a *regionally accredited U.S. university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GMAT/GRE requirement is also waived for commissioned officers with 3 or more years of active duty military service who graduated from a *regionally accredited U.S. university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
7. In addition, applicants may petition to waive the GMAT/GRE requirement if they can demonstrate at least 5 years of full-time post-baccalaureate professional experience in position(s) requiring supervisory decision-making and leadership. Experience based waivers are not automatic and are subject to a review by the Graduate Committee. Applicants must submit a written request asking that the above items evidenced in their application file be considered as a substitute for GMAT scores. The committee’s decision on waiver of GMAT/GRE is final and the committee reserves the right to request applicants to submit a GMAT/GRE score.

* Regional accreditation is the educational accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities in the United States by one of seven regional accrediting agencies.

Waiver requests should include the following:

1. Copies of unofficial transcripts.
2. Proof of professional license when applicable.
3. Copy of relevant diplomas.
4. Current resume or CV that includes specific job duties and functions of each position highlighting your career progression.
5. Proof of military experience and rank where applicable.
6. Written GMAT/GRE waiver request that outlines:
   1. All quantitative coursework taken at the college level
   2. Current job responsibilities that indicate quantitative preparedness and analytical skills
   3. Professional growth and career progression 

Waiver requests should be submitted electronically. They will be reviewed for completion and forwarded to the admission committee for review.  Waiver requests are competitive and reviewed holistically.  The committee’s decision on waiver of GMAT/GRE is final.  A GMAT waiver approval is valid for one year and those granted a waiver are expected to apply within one year of such waiver being granted.
 

HOW TO APPLY

 Required Supplemental Application Materials & Resume

Your resume, submitted online in plain text, or uploaded in Word or PDF, should include the following:

• All managerial and professional work experience since graduating from high school
• Any relevant community and/or extracurricular activities
• Any awards, honors, or other forms of recognition (academic, community, military, etc.) earned

Unofficial Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. If you aren't able to upload the document, then please mail copies of your unofficial transcripts to the Milgard School of Business, ATTN: MBA Program Advisor.

Admission Essays

All applicants must submit the 2 required short essays online in plain text, or upload in Word or PDF in one paginated document using a minimum font size of 11. An opportunity is provided to include an optional essay.

The required essays (750 words per essay maximum) address the following topics:

Essay 1: What are your career goals?
Essay 2: How will the UWT MBA program help you accomplish your career goals, given your current professional and educational background? If you are interested in a concentration, please highlight that in this essay.

Optional Essay

Use this essay to include any other information you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (250 words maximum) and uploaded in Word or PDF in one paginated document using a minimum font size of 11.

Apply for the Milgard School of Business MBA Scholarship

Applicants interested in being considered for a scholarship from the Milgard School of Business must complete the online scholarship application. See the scholarship webpage for deadline.

Questions:

For any questions about the application process or help in completing your application, please contact the Milgard School of Business at (253) 692-5630 or email the MBA program.