Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical). Subject tests are not required. Foreign students whose native language is not English must also schedule the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The results of these examinations, the undergraduate transcript, three letters of recommendation, and the applicant's statement of objectives and interests are the basis for the evaluation of each candidate.

Admission to the School can be accommodated at the beginning of any academic quarter except Winter, although summer or autumn entry is most common. The due date for applications is January 15th for Spring, Summer, or Autumn Quarters.

Application Procedures

Financial Assistance

Most graduate students are supported by assistantships or scholarships awarded by the School or the University. Applicants are considered for these forms of funding when being reviewed for admission; no separate application form is required. Research assistantships match students with projects that frequently become their thesis research. Assignments are made with the understanding that they may be changed whenever it is clearly in the best interests of the student.

Teaching assistantships are assigned by the School and offer the student an opportunity to gain teaching experience at the university level. Such assistantships sharpen understanding of fundamental concepts in oceanography and allow the development of expertise in presenting technical material to a group. TA's are not utilized to fund incoming students or as on-going support, but all students are required to serve as teaching assistants for one quarter as part of their graduate education.

Research and teaching assistantships currently provide a stipend of $1334 a month, plus tuition and health insurance. Students having completed a Master's program receive $1387; those admitted to Ph.D. candidacy receive $1437. Research assistants are often paid up to double these rates during the summer months when they are working full time on research.

Graduate students in Oceanography consistently compete well for University fellowships and scholarships. These include Egtvedt scholarships, tuition scholarships, research assistantships for entering women and minorities, supplemental fellowships for minorities, and achievement fellowships.

Students who have qualified in the past, or may qualify next year, for need-based financial aid are encouraged to submit their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by 15 February. A work-study award can form the basis of a research assistantship. Forms are available from your university's financial aid office or:

University of Washington
Office of Student Financial Aid
Box 355880
Seattle, WA 98195-5880
osfa@u.washington.edu

Fellowships

Oceanography applicants who are U.S. citizens or nationals are urged to compete for appropriate national scholarships. Last year eight National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships were awarded to students planning to pursue graduate studies in Oceanography. This prestigious three-year award includes living expenses of $23,000 a year plus tuition and fees. The application deadline is mid-January. For more information and applications contact:

NDSEG Fellowship Program
200 Park Drive, Suite 211
P.O. Box 13444
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3444
919-549-8505, ndseg@aro-emh1.army.mil

Applicants in oceanography are also eligible for the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships. These three-year fellowships provide $20,500 for living expenses in addition to tuition and fees. Similar Minority Graduate Fellowships are also available. The application deadline is early November. More information and application forms can be obtained at your undergraduate institution or from:

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships-GRFP
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
P.O. Box 3010
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-3010
423-241-4300, nsfgrfp@orau.gov

Oceanography applicants are also encouraged to explore the NASA Graduate Fellowships in Earth System Science. Applications are due mid-March. For more information and applications:

Earth System Science Fellowship Program
NASA Headquarters, Code YSP-44
Washington, D.C. 20546
202-358-3552, gasrar@mtpe.hq.nasa.gov

Additionally, the American Meteorological Society awards one-year fellowships to students planning careers in oceanography. For additional information:

AMS Fellowship/Scholarship Program
45 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-3693
617-227-2426, Ext. 235, armstrong@ametsoc.org

If you have questions about admission or financial assistance, please feel free to contact Michelle Townsend in our Graduate Student Services Office collect at (206) 543-5039, or by e-mail at mtown@ocean.washington.edu.

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. This policy applies to all programs and facilities including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, employment, and patient and hospital services. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. Discrimination is prohibited by Presidential Executive Order 11246 as amended, Washington State Gubernatorial Executive Orders 89-01 and 93-07, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington State Law Against Discrimination RCW 49.60, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, State of Washington Gender Equity in Higher Education Act of 1989, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 as amended, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 as amended, other federal and state statutes, regulations, and University policy. Coordination of the compliance efforts of the University of Washington is under the direction of the Assistant Provost for Equal Opportunity, Dr. Helen Remick, University of Washington, Equal Employment Office, Box 354560, 4045 Brooklyn Avenue N.E., Seattle, Washington 98195-4560, telephone (206) 685-3263/V or 543-6452/TDD.