Graduate Program Application Information
Admission as a graduate student in Atmospheric Sciences is competitive. A minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 (B averages) is required. The Department requires that all applicants take the Aptitude Test portion of the Graduate Record Examination. Information concerning the GRE may be obtained by going to: http://www.gre.org. To submit GRE scores, use institutional code 4854 - there is no independent department code.
DEADLINE: The Atmospheric Sciences deadline for Autumn Quarter is January 15. Autumn Quarter is the only quarter for which we accept applications.
REVIEW:Review of applications will begin after the January 15 deadline. Applicants will be notified as decisions are made. Questions about application status should be directed here.
Application for Admission - US Citizens
Application for Admission - International Applicants
Research Assistantships & Teaching Assistantships
Contact Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Application for Admission - US citizens
For US citizens, submit the following by January 15 in order to receive full consideration:
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UW Application for Graduate Admission (AGA) (includes $75 application fee)
Online application includes Statement of Interests, current resume, and designation of three (3) letters of recommendation. Please do not send paper copies of your Statement of Interests and current resume unless specifically requested. If you experience difficulty in submitting these documents in the online application, contact the Student Services Coordinator for assistance. -
GRE scores - Official test scores must be sent by ETS and received by the University of Washington within 5 years of the test date; use institutional code 4854. We require only the General Exam (analytical, verbal, and quantitative exam scores). In August 2011, ETS began offering a revised version of the GRE with a new scoring scale. We will accept officially reported scores from either version of the GRE, taken up to five years prior to the application deadline.
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As of November 2012 the Department of Atmospheric Sciences no longer requires that official transcripts be mailed to the department at the time of application. Instead, we will use the unofficial transcripts that you upload during the online applications process. If you have any questions about this change of policy please contact the Student Services Coordinator.
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If you have already submitted official transcripts the department will keep them on file for one year. Transcripts that have already been submitted can not be returned and are considered the property of the University of Washington.
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The Department of Atmospheric Sciences reserves the right to request an official transcript at any time.
- Applicants admitted to the program who accept our offer will be required to submit official transcripts. If you have already submitted official transcripts we will use those.
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NOTE: Applications are not considered complete until all materials specified above have been received. Status of application materials are updated online - to check on receipt of materials, go to your application status page on the AGA website.
We request that you do not send any materials not specified in the online application unless specifically requested. Any additional materials received may be discarded at the department's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Application for Admission - International Applicants
While the deadline for applications is January 15, we strongly recommend that international applicants submit applications by December 15 to allow for additional processing time.
For international applicants, submit the following by January 15 in order to receive full consideration:
-
UW Application for Graduate Admission (AGA) (includes $75 application fee)
Online application includes Statement of Interests, current resume, and designation of three (3) letters of recommendation. Please do not send paper copies of your Statement of Interests and current resume unless specifically requested. If you experience difficulty in submitting these documents in the online application, contact the Student Services Coordinator for assistance. - GRE scores - Official test scores must be sent by ETS and received by the University of Washington within 5 years of the test date; use institutional code 4854. We require only the General Exam (analytical, verbal, and quantitative exam scores). In August 2011, ETS began offering a revised version of the GRE with a new scoring scale. We will accept officially reported scores from either version of the GRE, taken up to five years prior to the application deadline.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Official test scores must be sent by ETS and received by the University of Washington within 2 years of the test date.
A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to the University of Washington Graduate School. Applicants, including 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, must meet this requirement. No waivers of this English proficiency requirement may be given. See Graduate School Memo #8 and English proficiency tests comparison tables for the University's policy. -
As of November 2012 the Department of Atmospheric Sciences no longer requires that official transcripts be mailed to the department at the time of application. Instead, we will use the unofficial transcripts that you upload during the online applications process. If you have any questions about this change of policy please contact the Student Services Coordinator.
-
If you have already submitted official transcripts the department will keep them on file for one year. Transcripts that have already been submitted can not be returned and are considered the property of the University of Washington.
-
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences reserves the right to request an official transcript at any time.
- Applicants admitted to the program who accept our offer will be required to submit official transcripts. If you have already submitted official transcripts we will use those.
-
Applications are not considered complete until all materials specified above have been received. Status of application materials are updated online - to check on receipt of materials, go to your application status page on the AGA website.
We request that you do not send any materials not specified in the online application unless specifically requested. Any additional materials received may be discarded at the department's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These materials are required as part of the graduate application and should be submitted via the online application (except where noted) - instructions on submitting materials may be found on the application website.
Statement of Interests - This 1-2 page, typed essay must address the reasons why you wish to pursue a graduate program in Atmospheric Sciences. It should also describe any exceptional experiences and achievements that might help to support and strengthen your application.
Current Resume - Your resume should address the following: education; professional experience (fellowships, readerships, assistantships, etc.); honors awarded for scholarship; publications; special skills; any other relevant experience or recognition.
Letters of Recommendation - Recommendations are designated online as part of the online application. Electronic submission is preferred and highly encouraged, however we understand that some referrees prefer to submit letters on paper. Printable recommendation forms can still be downloaded by clicking here. If you choose to print the forms, please have them mailed directly to the Department by your evaluators by the application deadline (click here for address). Please note: status of recommendations can be checked online.
Research Assistantships & Teaching Assistantships
Stipends for beginning Research Assistants for the 2011-12 year are approximately $1,799 per month during the academic year, and approximately twice that amount per month for 2.5 summer months, for an annual total of $25,186. Out-of-state tuition is waived and in-state tuition is paid for Research Assistants, as is medical, visual and dental insurance. Students are expected to work half-time, 20 hours per week, on research during the academic year, and fulltime during the summer.
Graduate students are required to serve as Teaching Assistants for one or two quarters. The first quarter in which a student serves as a TA usually occurs during their second graduate year. The TA stipend will be at the same rate as the student's research assistantship.
Inquiries
Questions about application procedures or inquiries about application status should be directed to the Student Services Coordinator:
email: advise(at)atmos.washington.edu
telephone: 206.543.4576
fax: 206.543.0308
Send materials for UW Graduate School to:
Information on where to send materials to the UW Graduate School may be found on their website.