Apply Online for the PhD Program

We strongly encourage you to complete the University of Washington Graduate School Application online using the Internet.  If that is not feasible, please contact the Admissions Coordinator for further assistance. 

The online application opens annually on September 1. The fee is $50 USD, payable online by electronic personal check, debit or credit card, or by requesting a fee waiver. After submitting the application online and paying your fee, you will be able to check online the receipt status—at the Information School—of your other application materials. 

1. Begin the Online Graduate School Application

For confidentiality, the online application process begins by asking you to specify a login ID and password. Note: Please retain your login ID and password for future use. You will need them in order to:

  • Save a partially completed application.
  • Continue or edit your application later. You may continue editing your application until you pay the application fee.
  • Once you have submitted your application by paying the fee, you will be able to check online the receipt status of your other application materials.

2. Complete the Online Graduate School Application

For Graduate Program, select Information School - PhD in Information Science.  You may edit your application until you pay the required application fee. Once you have paid the fee, you will be unable to make further changes to your application.

Follow our guidelines for information requested on the application. We strongly suggest that you prepare your responses offline, as a separate document, prior to beginning the online application. If you try to compose your answers online, the session may time out.

Be prepared to enter the names and email addresses for three persons from whom you have requested recommendations.  Your recommenders will be sent an e-mail prompt with instructions for submitting their letter of recommendation online once you activate their names as ready for the e-mail instructions.

3. Check Receipt Status of Other Application Materials Online

When the Information School starts to receive your application materials they will be assembled into a file under your name.  You will be able to check the receipt status of your application materials online immediately after submission of your online application, but it will take iSchool staff two to five days to enter any materials received prior to your submission of the online application; we thank you for you patience during this delay.  Materials received after submission of the online application should appear on the checklist within 2 days of receipt.

See Other Application Materials to be sent to the Information School.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact the iSchool’s Office of Student and Academic Services by iphd@washington.edu or by calling 206-543-1794. Thank you.