Candidates for admission to the Master of Architecture program must apply to both the M.Arch. program and the Graduate School of the University of Washington.

Admission to the M.Arch. Program is a highly competitive process. The Department of Architecture's M.Arch. Admissions Committee gives priority to applicants whose apparent abilities will enable them to complete the program expeditiously and with a high level of achievement. In evaluating applicants, the committee considers the following materials:

Online

The first step in the application process is to apply online to the Office of Graduate Admissions. This application will request the following documents:

• On-line Application for Admission to the Graduate School: submit together with the $75 application fee.
• Three letters of recommendation (applicants will be prompted to list three recommenders on the online Graduate School Application).
• GRE test scores. Report Scores to the UW Institution Code: 4854; Department Code 4401.
• TOEFL test scores (for international students). Minimum test scores for admission to the Master of Architecture: 580 TOEFL, 237 TOEFLC, or 92 TOEFLiBT.

Application Status
Please submit your Graduate School Application online before forwarding supplemental materials. Your application status can be checked on-line after you have submitted.
 

Hardcopy

In addition to the on-line application, the process requires that the following items are sent directly to the Department of Architecture (note: all other documents are submitted as part of the on-line process):

• A hardcopy of the completed on-line Application for Admission to the Graduate School.
• The Master of Architecture application form. This form must clearly indicate the degree program for which the applicant wishes to be considered. 
• M Arch 3+ and 2+ Year applicants: A one-page statement of purpose should clearly articulate the candidate's goals and the extent to which the M.Arch. program can be expected to prepare him or her for them. Although this statement should be primarily forward-looking, some information about the candidate's background may be helpful.
• M Arch 1+ Year applicants: A statement of purpose which must include a specific and clearly-articulated plan of study. Applications that do not include a clear plan of study cannot be evaluated seriously. This statement should also include a list of faculty in the department who are best qualified to work with the candidate on the program of study. The Graduate Program Coordinator will ask the faculty on this list, and others who can comment on the proposal, to evaluate the application. In order to be admitted to the program, it is essential for candidates to gain the support of faculty who share academic interests with them.
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
• Copy of official GRE test scores
• Copy of official TOEFL test scores (international students)
• A portfolio of work in graphics and design (or similar work appropriate to the program). The portfolio should be no more than 20 pages in a format no larger than 1.5 x 10.5 x 11.5 inches. It must show evidence of the applicant's preparation for study in architecture. For the two-year program this should include models and freehand, technical, and digital drawings of architectural projects. If possible it should also include other examples of design and artistic work, such as furniture, painting, and/or photography. (Advice on preparing the portfolio)

The application form and all supporting materials must be received at the following address on or before January 15:

University of Washington
Graduate Admissions Committee
Department of Architecture
Box 355720
208 Gould Hall
Seattle, WA 98195-5720

Decisions will be mailed to applicants no later than April 15.

Applicant files will be retained for one year. Reapplication for the following year requires the submission of a new application to the Graduate School, along with the application fee. When reapplying, candidates should also consider updating the portfolio as well as transcripts or other application materials to reflect current activity or coursework.

Reapplication Procedure

Application materials are retained for one year.  If you wish to reapply to the program, our department can reactivate the following items: transcripts, letters of recommendation and statement of purpose. The UW Graduate Admissions Application and the Department Application must be resubmitted new for each admissions cycle. 

Reapplicants must also submit in writing to the department (by December 15) which items from your prior application to reactivate and which you will be replacing/updating.   Students who were not previously accepted and wish to reapply are strongly encouraged to submit new application materials to strengthen their chance of admission.

Please contact the Graduate Program Adviser to confirm reapplication prior to January 15.