University of Washington

ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT

An international student is anyone who IS NOT a US citizen and DOES NOT hold a US Permanent Resident Visa (i.e., "Green Card" or "Immigrant" status). This definition of an international student, includes those who hold U.S. visas, such as F-1 students, J-1 Exchange Visitors, H1-B dependent visas or any other non-immigrant classifications. If this applies to you, please read the following carefully.

Every applicant to Astronomy's Graduate Program is formally applying to the Graduate School of the University of Washington. Although all acceptance decisions are made within the Astronomy Department, the Graduate School determines the admissions procedures. They also impose certain minimum admissions requirements.

1. Verify that you meet all of the requirements outlined in the Preliminary Evaluation Process for International Applicants (PEP). You should also read about the University of Washington's additional required materials for international applicants.
   
   
2. Take the Physics subject and General GRE. * Note: For admission in Autumn 2008, you must take the Physics and General GRE no later than December 2007. Scores from tests taken after this date will not arrive in time to be considered in your application.
   
   
3. Take the TOEFL. Official TOEFL scores are required of international applicants, permanent residents, immigrants and transfer students, who are not citizens of the United States on the date of admission, and whose native language is other than English. For details and exceptions, please read Graduate School Memo #8.
   
   
4. Apply online and pay the application fee through the graduate school by the Astronomy Department deadline.
   
   
5. Submit documents online:
   • Online application.
   • Resume/C.V.: include your GPA from all non-astronomy related, Physics courses.
   • Statement of purpose: this one-page essay must address the reasons why you wish to pursue a graduate program in Astronomy at the University of Washington. It should also describe any exceptional experiences and achievements that might help to support and strengthen your application
   • Three letters of recommendation: You must designate three people to write letters and submit online.
   
   
6. Mail documents to the Department:
   • Signed copy of graduate school application
   • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended for more than one semester/quarter.
   • Official GRE scores (General and Physics subject tests) sent electronically from ETS (school code: 4854; Department code: 0801)
   • Official TOEFL scores sent electronically from EST (school code: 4854; Department code: 61)
   
   Department mailing address (via USPS):

   Graduate Program Assistant
   Department of Astronomy
   University of Washington
   Box 351580
   Seattle, WA 98195

   * For overnight services such as FedEx or UPS, replace Box 351580 with Phys/Astr Bldg Rm. C-319, 3910 15th AVE NE.
   
   
7. Mail documents to the Graduate School:
   • Signed copy of the online application
   • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities ever attended.
   • Additional required international documents are listed here: https://www.grad.washington.edu/admissions/intl_adminfo.html
   
   Graduate School mailing address (via USPS):

   Graduate Admissions
   University of Washington
   Box 352191
   Seattle, WA 98195

   * For overnight services such as FedEx or UPS, replace Box 352191 with 301 Loew Hall.
   * All documents must be received by the Astronomy Department deadline. For identification, please use your application ID number on documents.
   
   
8. Check your application status online by logging back into your online application. You will see which recommenders still need to submit letters and which documents the Department has received.

Our graduate program assistant (grad@astro.washington.edu, 206-543-2888, 8am - 5pm pacific time) can explain the application procedures and check on the status of the materials that are on file with us. You can also check your application status online.

UW Equal Opportunity Statement
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.