University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center
Application Information
Domestic Applications:All MCB Program application
materials must be submitted online by December 1. If you choose to wait until the deadline date to submit your application, there is not enough time to follow up on missing application materials. This could result in an incomplete file. An incomplete file includes missing Letters of Recommendation, GRE Scores, and transcript information. Incomplete files will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.
International Applications: All required application materials
must be received in Graduate Admissions Office by November 1. The MCB Program application
must be complete and submitted online by November 1. If you choose to wait until the deadline date to submit your application, there is not enough time to follow up on missing application materials. This could result in an incomplete file. An incomplete file includes missing Letters of Recommendation, transcript information, TOEFL and GRE Scores. Incomplete files will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.
Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate or advanced degree by the time of matriculation; degrees emphasizing
biology, physical or natural sciences, and mathematics are preferred. It is advisable to take the GRE test early so
that the scores can be recorded before the application deadline. The UW code is 4854, the report code is 0206. New
students enter the graduate program in the autumn quarter.
To assist you in your application we would like to summarize the criteria we use before extending offers of admission. We are interested in recruiting students who are decided that they wish to pursue a long-term career in biological research and education, either in academia or in biotechnology companies. We consider any and all indicators of future success, including (in random order) past research experience, the level of enthusiasm and detail in letters of recommendation, undergraduate records, performance on standardized tests, an ability to discuss research and future goals during an interview, and the written statement of purpose from the applicant. By considering all of these variables without a preset formula, we feel that we can attract students who will indeed succeed in our challenging and interdisciplinary program.
Please follow these steps to ensure that your file is complete. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application file is complete. All application materials must be received in the MCB Office by the application deadline, December 1, in order for the applicant to be considered.
(Note: International applicants must submit the Graduate School application by November 1. If selected by MCB for a recruitment visit, you must be available to travel to Seattle in February or March and you are responsible for your airfare to the U.S.) Further information for international applicants can be found athttp://www.grad.washington.edu/admissions/Application/f_a_q_international.htm)
Apply on line for admission to the Graduate School and the MCB Program. There you will find a seamless application process that will meet the requirements for both the Graduate School and the MCB Program: https://www.grad.washington.edu/applForAdmiss/
Graduate Record Examination Scores: The MCB Program requires scores in the General Test. We strongly suggest
that you take the GRE test before October in order for the score reports to arrive by the application deadline.
Applications are not evaluated unless we have results from the GRE General test. Our Institution Code is 4854; our
Department Code is 0206.
All applicants must upload unofficial transcripts from each college and/or university attended to your online application. International applicants must upload transcripts online and also mail one set of official transcripts to the Graduate Admissions.
Postal Mailing address: Office of Graduate Admissions
University of Washington
PO Box 84808
Seattle, WA USA 98124-6108
Express Mail address:
University of Washington
Office of Graduate Admissions
Room #301 Loew Hall
Campus Box 352191
Seattle WA USA 98195-2191
Note: If your last name is different from the name listed on your transcript, please email this information to the MCB Program (mcb@u.washington.edu).
Letters of Recommendation:
MCB applicants are able to designate recommenders as part of the online application process (See Item #1). The Graduate School will contact the recommender by email and ask him/her to fill out an attached recommendation form and submit electronically to the U.W. Applicants will be notified if recommender declines. MCB requires three letters of recommendation; however, the on-line application process will accept up to five. MCB applicants are urged to submit only three unless special considerations are involved. The MCB Program only accepts online recommendations.
Statement of Purpose:
The statement of purpose is submitted online as part of the (Item 1) application process, and can be one to two pages long. The statement should cover topics such as which areas of molecular and cellular biology research interest you, which UW and FHCRC faculty members' work particularly interest you, previous research experience or publications you may have, and your long-range goals. For further information on how to write a statement of purpose, please read the following article.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application file is complete.
*Software capable of displaying a PDF is required for viewing or printing this document. Adobe Reader is available free of charge from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
