Design Technology

The statement of purpose should clearly articulate the research you intend to develop at the University of Washington.

The MS in Architecture is a research-based program, and one criterion for admission is a well-defined research interest that can be supported by the program. Your statement will be reviewed by the admissions committee, which is composed of faculty, to evaluate whether there is a good fit between your research interests and faculty expertise.

Please address the following points in your statement:

1. Motivation for applying to the program: Describe your background and related experience appropriate to the program, as well as your preparation for research and advanced work in design technology. Approximately 500 words.
2. Research plan: Describe your intended area of research. Approximately 500 words.

The application requires you to identify one to two faculty members working in the area you intend to pursue.

To help identify potential faculty advisors, review the MS Design Technology faculty profiles.

It is not necessary to contact faculty prior to applying. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee and the faculty members identified in the application. During the admissions review process, prospective candidates will be paired with a faculty mentor.

Provide a portfolio of work electronically. The MS in Architecture — Design Technology portfolio should include evidence of your preparation for study in design technology.

The portfolio should not exceed 20 pages (sheets), including the cover and table of contents.

In addition to research papers in architecture or an allied discipline, the portfolio may include:

• information about software authored by the applicant,
• similar research or technical projects, and/or
• examples of design work.

Important: In the UW Graduate Application portal, upload your portfolio to the Writing Sample or Essay category.

Letters of recommendation are an important part of the application. Choose recommenders who can speak to your skills and abilities in different capacities and your ability to successfully complete this advanced research program.

• Professional recommendations may come from employers or professional supervisors.
• Academic recommendations may come from faculty at prior institutions or instructors of courses taken in preparation for graduate study.

Applicants designate three recommenders in the online application by providing their names and email addresses. When you designate a recommender, that person is immediately sent an email with instructions for submitting a recommendation.

Please do not designate a recommender until you are ready for that person to be contacted.

You may submit your application before all letters have been received. Applicants can track the status of recommendation letters by logging into their application.

• Minimum: 3 recommendations
• Maximum: 4 recommendations

Upload transcript(s) from each prior degree-awarding school attended. Please ensure that your name and the school name appear and are legible.

If scanning original transcripts, make sure the pages are oriented upright for screen viewing.

Applicants who are admitted and accept their offer will later receive instructions for submitting official transcripts as part of the degree verification process for enrollment.

See the UW Graduate School Official Transcript Requirements for more information.

Include information about full-time and part-time employment and/or volunteer activities, indicating the nature of the work and your responsibilities.

• Required file format: PDF

The GRE is not required. Test scores submitted to the University of Washington will not be considered in the admissions review.

English language proficiency is required for applicants whose native language is not English.

For information about English language proficiency requirements and ways to demonstrate proficiency, see:

• UW Graduate School — Understanding the Application Process
• UW Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you demonstrate proficiency through the TOEFL or IELTS, the following minimum scores are required for admission. Official scores must be received by the application deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the test by December 15.

• TOEFL iBT: 92. Report official scores using UW Institution Code 4854. A department code is not necessary.
• IELTS: 7.0. Follow the reporting instructions provided by the UW Graduate School. Request that the test center send scores electronically through the IELTS system (E-TRF) to University of Washington All Campuses, Organization ID 365.
• Duolingo: 120.