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How to Apply

Last updated on February 4, 2023 for Fall 2025 Admissions.

It is important to read all directions carefully before proceeding with your graduate school application. Since all entry-level graduate courses are year-long sequences beginning in the autumn, applications for admission are normally accepted only for autumn quarter. The application website opens around the beginning of September for admission the following autumn. In addition to the requirements below, see also the pages about Admission Requirements and International Applicants

Deadline:  All application materials must be received electronically by Monday December 9, 2024 to be considered for admission for the following autumn quarter.

 

Application Materials

The UW Online Application Portal is open as of September 2024 for admission in the fall of 2025.  While completing the online application, all applicants will be asked to submit the following:

Unofficial Transcripts: Information regarding all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, including unofficial transcripts from the relevant institutions. Admitted applicants will be required to provide official transcripts.

Advanced Mathematics Courses: Enter a detailed list of all mathematics courses beyond the level of elementary calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra that you have taken or will take before you begin graduate work at the University of Washington. For each course completed, include the following information:
- School
- Course number and title

- Course credits, grade (if in progress, note this in lieu of a grade), course level and start date

- Ignore "course type" field
In the additional details section enter:
- Instructor
- Title and author of textbook(s) used
- Material covered (about as much information as would appear in a college catalogue.)
- Indicate if any of the topics were covered in the course:

  1. Finite abelian groups
  2. Cosets and quotient groups
  3. Unique factorization domains
  4. Galois theory
  5. Uniform convergence
  6. Metric spaces
  7. Compact sets, connected sets
  8. Theoretical development of differentiation and Riemann integration
  9. The inverse and implicit function theorems
  10. Lebesgue integration

Resume or CV: Upload a 1-2 page PDF document to the application website. The following components should be included: employment history (including internships, part time jobs, research assistantships, and teaching experience), special math programs you have participated in (such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates or Budapest Semesters in Mathematics), honors and awards, publications, special skills, and present position or activity.

Personal Statement: On the application website, you will be asked to upload a Personal Statement as a PDF document. The suggested length is roughly 1000 words. Some of the topics you could address are the following (you're not expected to cover all of these topics):

  • Describe a recent mathematical experience that influenced your decision to apply to graduate school in math.
  • What academic or scholarly experience has been most challenging for you, and how did you handle it?
  • Describe aspects of your personal history — such as cultural, educational, economic, or family background, or prior work experience — that have influenced your intellectual development, interests, career plans, and goals.

  • Have you initiated or participated in activities that work to increase participation of underrepresented populations in the mathematical sciences?
  • Is there anything else you would like us to know about you that we should consider as part of your application?

Finally, your Personal Statement should answer the question: Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree in mathematics specifically at the University of Washington?  

PDF of Paper (optional): If you have written or coauthored a paper (such as a Bachelor's or Master's thesis or a published or archived paper) that shows your potential as a researcher in the mathematical sciences, you may attach it to your application for our consideration.

GRE Scores:  The GRE Mathematics Subject Test is strongly recommended, but it is not required. In addition to supplying us with useful information, we believe that preparation for the GRE subject test is helpful for reviewing the undergraduate material you will need to know as a TA for our program.  There are free test prep materials available on the GRE Math Subject Test website.

In order to submit your GRE scores, you will need to arrange for ETS to electronically send the official scores directly to UW using Institution Code 4854. (Department code is not required.) In order to meet the application deadline, you need to take the tests prior to November 30. Once your application is submitted, the official scores should appear within 48 hours.

If you are unable to take the GRE or if the cost or travel to take it would be a hardship for you, we will still seriously consider your application. In that case other components of the application materials, such as letters of recommendation and evidence of mathematical interests that go beyond course work, will be especially important.

Letters of Recommendation: You will be asked to enter the names and contact information (affiliation, email, phone), for at least three letters of recommendation.   Individuals will be contacted as soon as you enter them into the application.  Please ask your recommenders early enough so that they can submit their letters by December 9.  We cannot guarantee letters received after this date will be included in application review.

Application Fee:  The University of Washington Graduate School Admissions Office charges a nonrefundable $85 application fee to process your application. The fee is paid online using a Mastercard or Visa in order for your application to be complete.  See the Graduate School’s application page for more details.   

Application Fee Waivers:   The University of Washington offers fee waivers for graduate school applications under some circumstances. The following is a list of the fee waiver programs that we are currently aware of. All waiver requests must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the application deadline of December 9. You will be receive an answer to your request by December 2.  

  • Need-based:   US applicants who qualify on the basis of financial need can request a fee waiver from the Graduate School as part of their online application. International applicants are not eligible for need-based fee waivers. More information is available on the Graduate School’s fee waiver instructions page.    
  • UW recognized programs:  The University of Washington Graduate School offers fee waivers for McNair Scholars and PPIA Fellows who have submitted documentation.  See the fee waiver instructions page for more details.   
  • UW Math Department recognized programs:  The Math Department offers fee waivers for Math Alliance Predoctoral Scholars and participants in MSRI-UP.  To request a Math Department program related waiver, send an email to gradmath@uw.edu with documentation of your membership in the specific program.
  • Diversity Commitment:  We understand that there may be circumstances in which students do not belong to any of the above categories, and yet have a need for support and encouragement. In such cases, we may offer a limited number of fee waivers for exceptional candidates.  Please send a copy of your resume and transcript to gradmath@uw.edu.  In the email, please explain why you are asking for a waiver, tell us your citizenship,  and describe any aspects of your identity or experience that are underrepresented in mathematics. 

DO NOT REQUEST THE WAIVER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. If the waiver is granted and applied you will no longer be able to make changes to your application.

International applicants who are not native English speakers are also required to provide evidence of English proficiency in order to receive financial support.   Please see International Applicants for details regarding the English proficiency requirements for graduate admission and TA appointments.

TOEFL Scores: If you are required to submit TOEFL scores as an international applicant, request ETS to electronically send your official scores to the University of Washington using Institution Code 4854. (Department code is not required.) In order for your scores to arrive by the December 9 application deadline, you need to complete the tests no later than December 1.

Visiting students: The Mathematics Department accepts applications for Visiting Graduate Student status, but the application procedure is somewhat different; see the relevant page for more information.

If you have further questions about applying to our program, please contact us at gradmath@uw.edu. Thanks for your interest in our programs. 

Apply now by going to the admissions portal: Online Application Portal, make an account for yourself and follow the instructions on the application.  We do not accept paper applications or recommendation letters.  

 

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