Interdisciplinary: Ph.D. Program In The Built Environment
Application Procedures
Application Deadline
All application materials are due by Feb. 1. International applicants must submit Graduate School application materials, whether on-line or in hard copy, by Nov. 1.
Application Forms
A completed Application for Admission to the Graduate School and a Departmental Application form must be submitted.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation: at least two from college instructors and, if appropriate, one from an employer. Additional letters are welcomed but not required. Applicants should include letters from instructors knowledgeable about the applicant's research and academic potential, one preferably to include the master's thesis advisor. You should specify your recommenders and have them submit their letters as per the instructions which are part of the online Graduate School Application process. If necessary, you may use this downloadable form and have your recommenders send them by postal mail.
Curriculum Vitae
Please submit a detailed biographical outline, including publications, and explanation of work responsibilities.
Exhibit
An exhibit of work which best illustrates the applicant's interests and abilities in areas related to the built environment must be submitted. This can be an essay, a paper, a publication, a report, or a project for which the applicant has had major responsibility. The exhibit will not be returned and should fit in letter-size files.
Statement of Purpose
Prepare a statement outlining your career objectives, reasons for choosing to undertake doctoral study in the built environment and your expectations from the program. The admissions committee uses this statement to understand your personal goals and desires with respect to the field. It is important to outline clearly your research objectives and focus. You are encouraged to prepare this document very carefully. For more guidance on the Statement of Purpose, see Admission Criteria
Official transcripts
Please have one official copy of transcripts from each post-secondary school you have attended sent to the program. Domestic students: if accepted to the program, you will then need to send official transcripts to the Graduate School. International students: must also send one official copy of transcripts from each post-secondary school you have attended sent to the Graduate School by the Graduate School's November 1st deadline. Please see Required Application Materials for International Students for more information.
Graduate Record Exam
Graduate Record Examination results must be submitted by all applicants. Although recent scores are preferred, tests taken within the past five years are acceptable. Score reports over five years old from the test date are no longer valid. Tests should be taken no later than December in order to meet the February deadline. Request Educational Testing Service forward your GRE score report using our institution code 4854. There is no department code. For further information about GRE examinations write to: Educational Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6000 or see: GRE.
English Proficiency
Prospective international, immigrant and permanent resident students whose native language is other than English and who have not received a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution where the native language is English must submit a satisfactory TOEFL score (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum allowable TOEFL score is 580 (paper-based), 237 (TOEFLC) or 70 (TOEFLiBT, please note that the score of 70 on the TOEFLiBT includes only the total of the listening, writing and reading section of the test—the speaking section is not included). Students admitted with scores below these will be tested for English proficiency upon arrival and will be required to complete any assigned ESL courses along with their regular academic program. There is an additional fee for each required ESL course. The Test of Spoken English is required of all International Teaching Assistants, regardless of where prior degrees have been obtained. International applicants expecting to apply for a teaching assistantship are encouraged to take this test and submit the score along with their application for admission. English proficiency test scores older than two years will not be accepted.
The Michigan Language Test (MLT) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination are also acceptable. Please see Graduate School Memorandum No. 8 for more information.
Submitting the Application
Apply directly on-line to Graduate Admissions. Please access the On-Line Graduate Admissions.
As part of the On-Line Graduate Admissions process, arrange for your recommenders to send their recommendations electronically, if possible.
Mail a copy of the Application for Admission to the Graduate School, one official copy of all transcripts, GRE scores (and TOEFL if required), along with the Departmental Application Form, a curriculum vitae, a work exhibit, a statement of purpose, and any sealed reference form letters of reference that your recommenders did not upload, to:
Neile Graham, Program Coordinator
Ph.D. in the Built Environment
University of Washington
Box 355740
Seattle, WA 98195-5740
NOTE: International applicants must send official transcripts to Graduate Admissions as well as to the Program. U.S. citizens and permanent residents send only the application and fee to Graduate Admissions.
Applications are considered only once a year, in February, for Autumn Quarter admission.
For questions please contact: Neile Graham, bephd@u.washington.edu, 206-543-5996.