Admission Requirements
How to Apply
Application Fee Waivers
International Applicants
Info Sessions
Admissions FAQ
The CFRM MS degree program is ideally suited for:
- Individuals who have completed an undergraduate or Master’s degree, with a strong academic record, in a science or engineering field. This includes (but is not limited to) applied mathematics, economics, mathematics, physics, statistics, computer science or electrical engineering.
- MBA graduates with exceptionally strong quantitative and computational skills and an exceptionally strong academic record
- Finance professionals with several years of experience
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The admissions process is highly competitive. Meeting the requirements of admission does not guarantee a place in the program. In addition to all applicable UW Graduate School requirements, CFRM applicants must demonstrate exceptional command of:
- Calculus through partial differentiation, matrix algebra, and one-dimensional optimization
- Probability and statistics at the level of an upper level undergraduate course or entry level graduate course
- A programming language such as Java, C++, Python, or in a math or a statistics programming language such as MATLAB, R/S-PLUS
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE/GMAT scores are optional for those applying to the Computational Finance & Risk Management MS campus and online programs. Scores may be submitted with your application for consideration, but are not required.
For those opting to submit GRE or GMAT scores, it is recommended that you take the exam at least 30 days prior to the application deadline to ensure your score is reported on a timely basis. For reporting GRE scores, use 4854 (University of Washington) under Score Report Recipients. The Department code is not necessary. For reporting GMAT scores, use GMAT code 459-75-53.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the MS-CFRM must be submitted through the University of Washington Graduate School. You will need a number of items to complete this application, including:
- Application form
- Academic transcripts from undergraduate or previous graduate education
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume
- Digital Portfolio (a 90 second video)
- Recommendation letters (two for online applicants; three for campus applicants).
- Payment of $90 non-refundable application fee
- Other items as identified by your application (e.g. proof of English Language Proficiency)
More information about each item will be provided in the application itself. Follow the steps to submit your application here.
APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS
The CFRM program does not offer a departmental fee waiver or pre-paid application fee.
The University of Washington Graduate School offers an application fee waiver to certain eligible applicants. For more information and to request a Graduate School application fee waiver, please follow the instructions outlined here. Fee waiver requests should be submitted at least seven (7) days before the posted application deadline.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
International Students may be required to provide additional application materials to the Graduate School for final admission. This may include official transcripts, degree statements, proof of English proficiency, and a Statement of Financial Ability. After you submit your application and are approved by the department, please log back into your application and click on the “status” button. This will tell you what specific documents you need to submit to the Graduate School AND provide you access to the Financial Statement of Ability form. Please read the graduate school website regarding financial ability.
The Department of International Student Services (ISS) is a useful resource for international applicants once accepted to the MS-CFRM program.
After all requested materials are filed with the Graduate School, international students will be formally accepted and issued an I-20 and subsequent visa application at the U.S. consulate in your home country from the Graduate School. Further details about obtaining an I-20 and F-1 visa will be provided on your application webpage.
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the ways listed in Graduate School Policy 3.2. We cannot waive the ELP requirement.
Online Degree Students
Non-US citizens are not required to have an F-1 visa to enroll in the online degree if they reside outside of the United States. F-1 visas are not granted to non-U.S. citizens enrolled in online educational programs. Although a visa is neither required nor possible, there is certain documentation that may be required of all UW degree students (e.g. immunization records), even those who will never attend classes on the UW campus.
INFO SESSIONS
Virtual informational sessions about the CFRM-MS program are held monthly while applications are open (September – January). You can view upcoming information sessions on our event calendar. Please RSVP for a session to receive the meeting link.
ADMISSIONS FAQ
Applications
We only offer Autumn Quarter admission.
Your application will still be reviewed and there is no need to contact us to ask us if there are problems with your application. If test scores are required (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS for your English Language Proficiency requirement) you will need to submit those official scores in order to attend the program. Test scores can only be matched to submitted applications, so please allow a few business days after submitting your application for test scores to be matched. More information on receiving test scores and who to contact with questions here.
If the application deadline has already passed, we will not be able to make any changes to your application. If the application deadline for which you have applied has not yet passed, you can send us an email with the document(s) you want to update. Please note that there are some updates that you can make yourself on your application status page at the UW Graduate School. Our review process begins immediately after the deadline using the materials on file at the time of the deadline.
Yes, although we do not recommend it. A strong business background cannot substitute for the necessary quantitative knowledge. All competitive applicants will have earned strong grades in calculus, probability/statistics, and programming coursework. To meet our prerequisites, consider taking undergraduate-level courses in these areas (either at UW or at a regionally accredited university or community college).
No. We do not accept application materials sent by postal mail to the Applied Mathematics Department. Utilize self-reporting of scores and submit unofficial transcripts in the application. Materials sent to the department are not opened.
No. In the interest of keeping applications consistent and fair for all applicants, we cannot accept additional materials for review. Doing so will not improve your chances of success.
We ask that candidates NOT contact us about their application status. You can check on the status of your application by logging back in to your online application. Decisions will be made after each admissions deadline.
No. In the interest of keeping the admissions process fair for applicants who were able to complete the application on time, we do not accept applications after the admissions deadline. You are encouraged to apply to the program for the next round.
As a matter of policy, we do not comment on hypothetical applications. Each year, we receive more qualified applications than we can accommodate in our degree program. If you believe you meet our entrance requirements and want to know if you will be accepted, please apply.
Competitive applicants will have strong grades in relevant prerequisite coursework, well written personal statements, and letters of recommendation that speak to their mathematical abilities.
Every year, we are forced to reject a number of qualified applicants. If we did not extend an offer of admission to you, it is because there were other, stronger candidates competing for a very limited number of openings. Please do not submit additional materials or ask for reconsideration. If you complete additional preparatory coursework or gain professional experience, your chances may improve for a future application. However, it is extremely unlikely that you will be admitted after more than two unsuccessful applications.
Minimum Requirements
GRE/GMAT scores are optional for those applying to the Computational Finance & Risk Management MS campus and online programs. These scores may be submitted with your application for consideration, but are not required.
We do not have a specified cutoff. Typical students achieve scores at or above 159(V) and 167(Q).
For non-native speakers of English, please refer to UW Graduate School Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements.
We do not have a specified cutoff. The UW Graduate School requires a 3.0 on a 4-point scale for the past 90 graded quarter units (60 semester units). The average incoming campus MS student GPA is around 3.7.
If you fall within the Graduate School’s guidelines to meet the English proficiency requirements, no. Leave the English proficiency section of your application blank. We will see your US degree and confirm that it meets UW Graduate School requirements.
Your exam(s) must be completed prior to the application deadline. Leave enough time to be able to self-report scores and submit your application in time. We will not accept late applications due to pending exam score results.
ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS
In order to plan for the number of students who will actually participate in the program, UW asks new degree students to confirm their acceptance by pre-paying a portion of their tuition. 100% of this money is applied to your balance due for the first quarter of enrollment. The deposit is nonrefundable, regardless of whether you ultimately begin CFRM coursework.
We understand that plans change between application and the start of classes. However, all ECD payments are nonrefundable.
Deferment is approved on a case-by-case basis; please contact us if you have an offer and may need to defer. If you begin the program and later need to reduce your course schedule or go on leave, the UW Graduate School does have procedures for doing so. If your anticipated conflicting obligation lies further in the future than your first Autumn quarter, please talk to us about options.
Yes. CFRM is fully qualified for whatever the current US federal standard allows.
The academic year usually begins the last week of September. We generally hold new student orientation the day before classes start. We recommend arriving on campus the week before classes start to acclimate yourself to campus and Seattle. International students may need to arrive earlier to attend International Student Orientation. Details are provided the summer before the program begins.