UW Foster MBA: 2026-2027 deadlines and requirements
Key facts
| Program | Full-Time MBA (two years) |
|---|---|
| City | Seattle, Washington |
| Rank | #20 in U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools |
| Class size | 77 students in the Class of 2028 (177 full-time MBA students in both years) |
| GMAT score | Median 655 for the Class of 2028. The page does not name the GMAT edition. |
| GRE | Median Quant 163 and Verbal 160 for the Class of 2028 |
| Tests it takes | Takes the GMAT (both the 10th Edition and the Focus Edition) and the GRE, with no preference between them. You can also apply test optional, with no score, by answering a short question of up to 150 words about your math and analysis skills. Foster does not mix your best section scores from different GMAT test days in the 2027 cycle. It uses your highest single total score. |
| Application fee | $90, not refundable, paid by credit card. Foster cannot give application fee waivers. The UW Graduate School has a limited number based on financial need. |
| Tuition | For the 2026-2027 year the page gives the total cost of the two-year program as $87,414 for Washington residents and $122,778 for non-residents (tuition and fees). Living costs are extra. |
| English test | Required if English is not your native language, unless your whole bachelor’s degree or higher was taught in English. The school lists TOEFL with a minimum of 5 on the 1 to 6 scale TOEFL uses since January 2026 (100 on the old scale for tests taken before January 21, 2026), IELTS 7.0 or higher, and Duolingo 130 or higher. The school gives no waivers. |
Application rounds
| Round | Apply by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific | By December 18, 2026. Enroll by February 4, 2027. |
| Round 2 (last round for international applicants) | January 5, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific | By March 26, 2027. Enroll by April 29, 2027. |
| Round 3 | March 23, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific | By May 14, 2027. Enroll by June 2, 2027. |
Essays
- 550 to 750 words recommended. Post-MBA Plans: Tell us your ideas about what lies ahead in your career. What are the gaps or deficiencies currently preventing you from pursuing these potential career paths? How do you plan to use your time in the Foster MBA program to fill these gaps and advance your career?
- 350 to 550 words recommended. Foster Mission Statement: TOGETHER – WE FOSTER LEADERS, WE FOSTER INSIGHTS, WE FOSTER PROGRESS – TO BETTER HUMANITY. This is the Foster School’s mission statement, and it serves as the north star for how we do business here. Please select one part of our mission statement and describe how it resonates with you in your personal or professional life. Please describe a specific experience in which you put this into practice.
- Optional, 500 words maximum. Optional Essay: Include this essay if you have additional information you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee in considering your application.
- Optional, 350 to 550 words recommended. Optional Nurturing Our Community Essay: We welcome you to share some of the ways you have practiced inclusion and promoted belonging.
Recommendations
2 letters are required and you may send up to 3. Each has short answer questions and a written part. Foster prefers professional recommenders over academic or personal ones. Letters are due by the round deadline.
Interview
Two parts. Every applicant records a video interview, with instructions emailed 1 to 3 business days after the round deadline and about one week to finish. A live interview on Zoom is by invitation only, and invitations go out 3 to 5 weeks after the deadline.
Other parts of the application
Resume of up to 3 pages. Scanned transcripts from every school you attended, with official ones needed only after you accept an offer. A U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. Foster says a GPA of 3.0 or better is generally what it looks for, but it has no minimum. Consortium applicants apply through The Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management.
Links
Sources
- Foster: Full-time MBA Admissions, read November 1, 2026
- Foster: Full-time MBA Class Profile, read November 1, 2026
- Foster: Tuition and Financing, read November 1, 2026
- Foster: Class of 2027 Enrollment Highlights (PDF), read November 1, 2026
- UW Graduate School: Apply Now, read November 1, 2026
- Campus photo: Sonic3KMaster, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
