Admissions Information

Create an online application profile by following these steps:

1. Go to the “New Applicants” section of the UW Graduate School website and select “new application system.”
2. Click “First-time Users” to create an application profile.
3. In the application system:

• Under “Program Selection”, choose “Graduate”
• Search “By Campus”, then select “Seattle”
• For the Full-time program choose “Technology Innovation (MS) - Global Innovation Exchange”
• For the Hybrid program choose “Hybrid Technology Innovation (MS) – Global Innovation Exchange”

As part of the application for the Full-time program, select a preferred track: “Robotics” or “Connected Devices.” This choice is not binding, but we recommend selecting the one that best aligns with your goals. Learn more here.

You may save your information and return as often as you’d like until you submit your completed application. All aspects of your application, including the fulfillment of these requirements, are subject to verification.

Transcripts Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned credit or a degree. Ensure they are clear, show your GPA, credit hours per course, and confirm completion of prerequisite coursework. If admitted, you must provide an official transcript from your most recent or relevant degree.

GPA Requirement Minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded credits. International grades will be converted. Undergraduate Major All majors are accepted.

Letters of Recommendation Request 2–3 letters from academic or professional references who can speak to your qualifications for the MSTI program. Faculty, mentors, and supervisors are ideal. Enter each recommender’s email in the application —UW will email them a secure link to submit their letter of recommendation.

Full-time MSTI Dual Degree Applicants
Recommenders must submit letters to both UW and Tsinghua. The same letter can be used—ask them to address it to the “Dual Degree Review Committee” and recommend you for the “Dual Degree program (MSTI + MEDSIT).” Visit Tsinghua’s website for submission details.

Prepare a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) that outlines your academic and professional background, emphasizing experiences most relevant to this program. Include any volunteer work or personal interests that demonstrate your preparation for graduate study.

We recommend using a U.S.-style resume or CV format, and many examples are available online.

In this section of the application, respond to the following five separate prompts, each in 250 words or fewer. Your responses should clearly relate to the specific program you’re applying to—Full-time MSTI (Connected Devices or Robotics), Hybrid MSTI, or the Dual Degree (Connected Devices or Robotics). These statements will also demonstrate your written communication skills.

Personal Statement Prompts
Q1: Why are you interested in the MSTI program and how does it align with your goals? As specifically as you can, make the connections between your past experiences, the features of the MSTI program, and your short- and long-term professional ambitions.

Q2: Share a time when you identified a problem without an existing solution and took the initiative to solve or create something to address it. What inspired you about that problem and how did you go about solving it?

Q3: Tell us about a time when you worked on a team with people from different backgrounds or areas of expertise. How did you contribute to the team’s success, and how did you navigate any challenges or differences that arose? What did the experience teach you about collaboration?

Q4: Tell us about a problem you’ve worked on that you're especially proud of. What motivated you to take on this problem? What was the goal, what steps did you take to achieve it, and what role did you play on the team? How did you measure success, and what would you do differently next time?

Q5: Can you share a time when you received constructive criticism or experienced a failure? How did you respond, what did you do, and how did you grow from that experience?

Optional: Is there anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you or your candidacy for the MSTI program? Feel free to use this space in any way you wish.

You’re encouraged to submit materials that enhance your application, such as a digital portfolio, project explanation, app screenshots, or other examples of your academic or professional work. These help the admissions committee better understand your qualifications for the MS in Technology Innovation program.
• Format: PDF or Word document
• Limit: Max 15 pages

If your bachelor’s degree was not taught in English, you must provide proof of English proficiency. View the Graduate School’s full policy here.

Score Submission
TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the University of Washington by ETS using institution code 4854 (no department code needed). Only scores from the past two years are accepted.

Recommended Minimum Scores for MSTI
The MSTI program recommends higher minimum scores than the UW Graduate School:
• TOEFL iBT: Total score of 100, with a speaking score of 26
• IELTS: Overall score of 7.0, with a speaking band of 7.5
• Duolingo English Test: Total score of 130, with a conversation sub score of 125

While the MSTI program welcomes students from all backgrounds, intermediate object-oriented programming skills (preferably in Python) are required for admission.

You must submit evidence of competency through transcripts or completion certificates from dedicated programming courses (college-level or online).

Accepted courses should cover:
• Arithmetic and comparison operators
• Functions (definition, calls, return values)
• Basic use of modules and packages

This foundational knowledge is essential for success in MSTI coursework. Applicants without proof of meeting this prerequisite will not be considered.

Recommended Courses
We suggest courses from Educative.io, Coursera, or UW Continuum College, though other options exist. Contact msti@uw.edu with questions.

A non-refundable application fee of $90 must be paid by credit card through the online application system.

Interviews are by invitation only and are conducted virtually via Zoom. Selected applicants will receive an email invitation 3–5 weeks after the application deadline, with instructions on how to schedule the interview.

Interviews are conducted by MSTI Staff, Faculty, and Alumni. Participation is required to remain under consideration for admission.

Admission to the Hybrid MSTI program is competitive, and work experience is highly valued. While applicants without work experience are welcome to apply, the average student enters the program with a strong professional background.

In addition to the standard requirements, international students must hold or be eligible for a visa that permits academic study at the University of Washington. For details, visit the Citizenship and Visa Status section of the UW Graduate School application page. For questions, contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services at uwgrad@uw.edu or 206-685-2630.

Additional Resources:

International Applicant Information
Visa Information for F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors
SEVP Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System