PhD Admissions FAQ

Strong research skills (at least one year, wet and dry lab experience preferred), excellent academic performance and research interests aligned with our faculty make strong candidates.

The Ph.D. program requires 33 course credits. Most students complete coursework by the end of their 2nd year.

Ph.D. students in core BIOE faculty labs are funded for the first 2 rotations by the department and thereafter by the student’s PI as a Research Assistant (RA), assuming satisfactory progress toward the degree.

PhD students in adjunct BIOE faculty labs are funded by the adjunct faculty member, including rotations. Continuing funding for students in good academic standing who choose adjunct faculty as the dissertation adviser is based on the current funding policy of the adjunct faculty member’s department.

Ph.D. students receive a monthly salary, tuition coverage, and insurance benefits (medical/dental/vision). All students are responsible for minimal quarterly fees.

To get a position in a lab, you must first first be admitted.

Although you are encouraged to learn more about our faculty and are welcome to contact them directly, please note that lab space will not be guaranteed unless you receive a formal offer from the Department’s Admissions Committee.

Visit UWHires or Handshake to learn about employment opportunities.

If you are an International student, please contact the International Student Services Office.

All candidates are encouraged to first visit the UW Graduate School to understand the overall application process.

International candidates, please visit the Graduate School’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Ph.D. applications are due December 1, 2020, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, USA for Autumn 2021 admission. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application fee waivers are handled through the Graduate School. You can read more about eligibility on their site here. To apply for the application fee waiver, please submit your application no less than 1 week prior to the deadline, as fee waivers take several days to process. Toward the end of the application, there is a drop down option (or a box you can select) where you can select an “apply for application fee waiver” option.

No. However, exposure to most of the following content is recommended:

• Algebra, linear algebra, trigonometry
• Ordinary differential equations
• Signal analysis
• Probability theory and statistics
• Programming
• Electrical engineering and physics
• Chemistry (inorganic, organic, biochemistry)
• Material science
• Rate processes and mathematics
• Cellular biology

No. We actively seek individuals with degrees in bioengineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, electrical engineering and related disciplines. We select the best applicants from a wide array of backgrounds.

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on the following criteria:

• Experience in science or engineering labs
• Exposure to math, science and engineering course content
• Strong personal statement
• Strong letters of recommendation

No. The minimum degree requirement for our Ph.D. program is a bachelor’s degree.

The GRE Exam is optional for Autumn 2021, and we do not have a minimum GPA requirement.. The averages for our 2020 Ph.D. cohort were: GPA: 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale); GRE (percentiles) Quantitative: 85; Verbal: 84; and Analytical: 73. 

No, the GRE exam is optional for the autumn 2021 admissions cycle.

Please refer the instructions on how to submit an application on our PhD admissions page. 

No, GRE scores & TOEFL scores can only be sent electronically, directly from ETS to University code: 4854.

To check the status of these documents, please log back into your application prior to contacting us.

No the GRE subject test is not required

You must upload unofficial transcripts directly into your application by the deadline. An unofficial transcript is any transcript that you have received or have uploaded from your former institution.

No, if the transferred courses AND  their GPAs and credit information are recorded on another institution’s unofficial transcript. However, if one or more of these criteria are missing the other transcript(s), then you will need to submit the community college transcript(s).

Official transcripts are only required after you receive an admission offer. After the offer is made, you will receive instructions for submitting your official transcripts.

Yes, letters of recommendation are required to be submitted by the deadline. No late or incomplete applications will be considered.

Please do not submit this request until you have received an offer and decided that you will be attending the University of Washington.

UW starts sending out notifications (via email and/or through the online application profile) to students as early as January and all the way through early March.

If you are waiting to hear about the status of your application, please check the email account you submitted with your online application and also log back into your application profile.

No. Students’ primary advisors must be core or adjunct faculty.

Once you secure a primary advisor, it is possible for you to be co-advised by an affiliate faculty member.

Any faculty are welcome to mentor our graduate students; however, only core or adjunct faculty may serve as a student’s advisor.