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General Information General Information 
Nichole Fernkes
You are an international applicant if you currently hold or expect to hold a temporary U.S. visa. International applicants must submit the University of Washington Statement of Financial Ability form to show adequate financial support along with other application materials required by the UW Graduate School. When an international applicant is admitted to our graduate program, we send the UW Graduate School the details about the financial support offered to the applicant so that the financial support can be considered in determining financial ability. For more information, see Financial Ability for International Applicants on the Graduate Admissions Information web page.
Deadlines
Applicants must complete the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission by 12:00 midnight (Pacific Standard Time) on December 15, 2007. Official transcripts and official GRE and TOEFL scores must be received no later than December 31, 2007.
International Applicants
Required Tests
Official test scores from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) must be received no later than December 31, 2007. The institution code for the University of Washington is 4854.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Important Note! The UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission is undergoing major revisions prior to the 2007-08 admissions cycle. It is highly recommended that applicants applying for Autumn Quarter 2008 begin the online application after October 9, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact the ESS Graduate Program Assistant at advising@ess.washington.edu or at 206-616-8511. Applicants apply to the Department of Earth and Space Sciences and to the UW Graduate Admissions Office by completing all steps outlined in the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission and by completing these additional steps.
Additional Steps:
Student Services Office Department of Earth and Space Sciences Box 351310 University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195-1310
International Applicants only:
Q: Am I eligible to apply if I don't have an undergraduate degree in geology? A: Yes. Many of our graduate students in Earth and Space Sciences have undergraduate degrees in geology; however, our students also come with degrees in anthropology, atmospheric sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, geography, mathematics, oceanography, and physics to name a few. Q: What science courses do I need to take before I apply? A: Math, physics, and chemistry are fundamental to the study of Earth and Space Sciences. All applicants should take courses in these subjects before they apply at a minimum of the level we expect of students in our undergraduate program: one year of calculus with analytical geometry (MATH 124, 125, 126); at least two quarters of calculus-based Physics (PHYS 121, 122 123); and two quarters of general Chemistry (CHEM 142, 152). Q: How do I know what additional courses to take before I apply? A: We expect new graduate students to be ready and able to begin doing research in their chosen field. Because research interests in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington are so varied, we do not have one set of standard expectations. For example, applicants interested in seismology, space physics, atmospheres, mineral physics, or glaciology generally need a stronger background in mathematics and physics to be competitive. And because researchers in surface processes and geomorphology regularly use calculus-based process models and statistics in addition to geological concepts, applicants will likely be more competitive if they have training in these areas. If you are concerned about your background preparation, you should pay close attention to the current interests and directions of the research group that you would like to join and if you have questions, you should contact faculty members in that group to ask them what they expect of their new graduate students. Q: How do I learn about research opportunities within ESS for new students? A: We encourage prospective applicants to review information on the Web about ESS research and then, to contact ESS faculty. Prospective applicants should share their research interests, aspirations, and career plans with faculty and ask about present and future research opportunities. These early conversations often help prospective applicants clarify their goals and plan for graduate study. Q: Should I apply to the Master's (MS) or Doctoral (PhD) Degree Program? A: Applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree may apply to either program. (Applicants do not need an MS degree before they can begin working on a PhD degree.) Therefore, the decision should be based on an applicant's professional and personal goals. Because both our thesis MS and non-thesis MS degrees are research-based, academic and research activities during the first year are very similar for students seeking either MS or PhD degrees. Q: How do I apply for a teaching or research assistantship (TA or RA)? A: The Department of Earth and Space Sciences does not require a separate application for financial support. Applicants who are admitted are offered a TA or RA for the first academic year. Financial support for successive years is contingent on satisfactory progress and the availability of funding. In total, MS students are awarded financial support during the nine-month academic year for two calendar years, and PhD students are awarded support during the nine-month academic year for five calendar years. Q: What are the salary and benefits for TAs and RAs? A: TA and RA appointments require 20 hours of service per week, currently pay a gross monthly salary of $1,676 (pre-General Examination) and $1,747 (post-General Examination), and include a tuition waiver and health insurance benefits. Students are responsible for paying approximately $225 each quarter in student fees. TAs and RAs with eligible appointments are covered by the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP) and currently do not pay a monthly premium. The UW pays 60% of the monthly premium for dependents. TAs and RAs at the UW are represented by UAW Local 4121, which negotiates salary and benefits, see UW/UAW Contract. Q: What are the average GRE test scores of admitted applicants? A: For applicants who were admitted for Autumn Quarter 2007, the average scores were 585 (V), 739 (Q), 4.9 (AW) and the median scores were 570 (V), 750 (Q), 5.0 (AW). The Admissions Committee gives comparable weight to each item submitted as part of the application so an applicant will not be denied admission based solely on his or her GRE test scores. Q: What is the average GPA of admitted applicants? A: For applicants who were admitted for Autumn Quarter 2007, the average GPA was 3.68 and the median GPA was 3.81. The Admissions Committee gives comparable weight to each item submitted as part of the application so an applicant will not be denied admission based solely on his or her GPA. Note that the UW Graduate School does require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of study. Q: Why must I select and prioritize areas of interest on my application? A: After the Admissions Committee has determined that an applicant is admissible (likely to succeed in our graduate program), then his or her application is forwarded to faculty doing research of interest to the applicant. Applicants will be admitted if they can be matched to a faculty member looking for new graduate students to join his or her research group and if there is funding available. While we make every effort to match applicants with faculty advisers at the time of admission, students are free to change advisers or research groups at any time, subject to identifying a faculty member willing to be adviser, and subject to availability of funding. Q: How do I make arrangements to visit the Department of Earth and Space Sciences? A: The Department of Earth and Space Sciences hosts an invitation-only Open House for Prospective Graduate Students in late February each year. Applicants admitted to the graduate program in January and February are invited to attend this Open House, so be sure to get your application completed on time. Applicants who visit at other times should contact faculty with whom they are interested in doing research before they arrive in Seattle to schedule individual meetings. Applicants may also contact the ESS Graduate Program Assistant at advising@ess.washington.edu or at 206-616-8511 to schedule a meeting to discuss general admissions questions.
The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.
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Earth and Space Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Geological Sciences) University of Washington Johnson Hall 070 • Box 351310 4000 15th Avenue NE • Seattle, WA 98195-1310 Phone 206-543-1190 • Fax 206-543-0489 • Site Info: webmaster@ess.washington.edu • ESS Advising: advising@ess.washington.edu |
