Admissions

Your MBA Future Starts Here

We have made applying clear and straightforward so you can focus on the next step in your career. With rolling admissions, flexible starts, and a program built for working professionals, there is no need to wait.

Application Deadlines (2025–2026)

Start Term
Priority deadline
For incoming Domestic & WA State Residents
Deadlines for international students*
Students requiring F1 Visa appointments
from their home country.
Fall 2025Extended to August 31, 2025March 15, 2025
Winter 2026Nov 16, 2025(speak with program team)
Spring 2026Feb 26, 2026(speak with program team)
Summer 2026May 1, 2026(speak with program team)
*Apply early to account for visa processing time.

Early start for Fall term

Autumn quarter classes start in early September, three weeks prior to the general campus-wide start of autumn quarter. The MBA cohort program begins with a leadership course, BBUS 501 – Leadership and Ethical Decision Making.

Application Checklist

  1. UW Graduate School online application
  2. Resume (2+ years professional experience)
  3. Two short essays (plus optional third)
  4. Two professional recommendations
  5. Unofficial transcripts (official if admitted)
  6. English proficiency (if required)
  7. GMAT/GRE (optional)

Step-by-Step Application

Click on each step to view more details.

  1. Create a New Applicant Profile at the University of Washington Graduate School application website.
  2. Select the Graduate application type and then select the UW Bothell Program:
    • Business Administration – Bothell Business – (MBA)
    • Note: All students enter the General MBA option and may optionally later select the Leadership MBA or Technology MBA option.
  3. Complete the remainder of the Application, including the UW Bothell School of Business MBA Program Application Form.
    This form will ask you to provide:
    • Current employment status and employer
    • Employment position/title
    • Full-time work experience after you earned your bachelor’s degree
    • Full-time work experience after the completion of your first bachelor’s degree.
  1. Upload one PDF of your resume at the application website.
    Admission requires the equivalent of 2 or more years of full time, professional level work experience. Please upload your latest resume, in PDF, Word, or plain-text, showing the following:
    • Educational background, Bachelor’s degree(s) earned, schools attended and dates of attendance.
    • A minimum of 2 years of full-time equivalent professional level work experience, post baccalaureate, with brief descriptions and dates of employment
    • Relevant community and/or extracurricular collegiate activities
    • Awards, honors, or other recognition (academic, community, military, etc.) you have received
    • Include your LinkedIn profile link
  2. Upload one PDF containing your two short application essays at the application website.
    • Optional Third Essay: Complete if you wish to address any issues or factors that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application. The “3rd optional essay” can be written into the blank space after you answer the previous 2 questions.
  3. Provide contact information for at least 2 professional recommendations.
    Recommendations should come from past or present colleagues and supervisors. Personal recommendations, such as those from family and friends will not be considered. Recommendation letters are a critical component of the application package.
    • After the references contact information is submitted, an email will automatically be sent to them with a link to a recommendation form. Once the reference has completed the recommendation form, the word “Received” will appear next to their name.
    • Please do not mail anything to our office.
  4. Upload one PDF transcript copy of your 4-year bachelor’s degree (or the required 4-year equivalent from an accredited foreign institution).
    • Include a transcript for each college or university you attended. If the PDF file size limitations are too small to upload all documents, save all as one condensed, black and white PDF.
  5. If English is not your native language, you may be required to demonstrate English Language Proficiency.
  6. Applicants are required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4 point scale) for the bachelor degree’s last 90 quarter credits, OR, the last 60 semester credits.
    • If your GPA is below the required 3.0, please explain the discrepancy in the optional 3rd essay space.
    • For a Master’s, doctoral, or professional degree, the total cumulative average may be used.
    • If you earned additional credits from an accredited institution after your degree, you may include these credits in calculating your GPA.
  7. Submission of a GMAT/GRE score is NOT required, but may make your application more competitive.
    If evidence of your academic success in rigorous undergraduate or graduate degree programs is limited, submitting a GMAT or GRE score may help your admission chances. The following types of applicants tend to benefit the most from submitting GMAT or GRE scores:
    • Applicants with no educational experience in the U.S./Canada and no educational experience outside their home countries.
    • Applicants with no professional experience in the U.S./Canada and no professional experience outside their home countries.
    • Applicants with a GPA below 3.0.
    • Applicants who lack evidence of quantitative skills.  

Log in to the UW Graduate School application website to confirm receipt of your application materials.

All required materials must be received before your application will be reviewed. You may be contacted by the UW Bothell MBA Program Office requesting additional material as needed.

You will need to submit your application once required documents are uploaded. You may submit your application prior to providing recommendations and English language proficiency.

Once submitted, the application will be forwarded to the admissions committee.

The MBA Admissions Committee will review completed applications as soon as possible after all remaining application steps have been completed and all documents received. Some applicants may be selected for 30-45 minute interviews.

Admission decisions are usually communicated within three weeks of the interviews.

International Applicants

UW Bothell offers F-1 visa sponsorship for international students applying to our graduate program. Applicants requiring an F-1 visa for study in the United States should be aware that USCIS processing can be time-consuming. We strongly recommend that applicants submit their applications as early as possible ahead of application deadlines.

Applicants who are currently in the U.S. on other visa types (H4, L2 etc.), and who will continue to stay on that same visa type, may apply for winter, spring, summer or autumn quarters for the MBA program.

Learn more about international applicant requirements and process.

Immigration information for F1 students

Transcripts

In the online application, upload transcripts from each post-secondary school where a degree was earned (Bachelor of Arts or higher). Applicants are required by the UW Graduate School to have earned the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 or above grade point average. Applicants with a GPA that is slightly below 3.0 may be considered.

Official transcripts upon admission

Upon admission to the program, the University of Washington Graduate School will request an official transcript be sent directly to them. Applicants will receive notification as to which transcript to send and where to send it. Do not mail transcripts or any documents to our office at UW Bothell.

UW graduates

Students who completed a degree from the University of Washington are required to upload a copy of their UW transcripts during application. If a UW graduate is accepted into the program, they will not need to submit final transcripts for their UW degree(s).

GMAT/GRE Policy

Not required but may help strengthen application if:

  • GPA is below 3.0
  • Limited academic or quantitative background
  • Minimal professional experience in US/Canada

What to expect after you have submitted your application

  1. Decisions are usually communicated within 3 weeks of interview.
  2. If admitted, official transcripts will be required.
  3. Pay enrollment confirmation deposit.
  4. Officially accept admission offer.
  5. Complete the required agreements and waivers.
  6. Attend a virtual orientation.
  7. Register for classes.

Take your first step today

Apply Now
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Questions?

For questions regarding your submitted online application, please contact our program team.

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