Gain Insights into Admissions for Specialty Master’s Programs at the Foster School of Business
Get answers to questions about the admissions process for UW’s Master of Science in Business Analytics and Master of Supply Chain Management programs
Written by: Julia Potapoff, contributing writer, Foster School of Business
Meet Natalie Meyer, who oversees the recruitment and admissions process for the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) and Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) programs at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. Meyer has worked in higher education institutions across the U.S. for over a decade, supporting students at Miami University and New York University before joining the MSBA and MSCM Recruitment and Marketing team in 2022. A Seattle transplant, Meyer is committed to aiding prospective and incoming students as they transition into graduate school and — potentially — living in a new city.
Continue reading for Meyer’s breakdown of available resources for applicants, what makes the MSBA and MSCM programs stand out, and Seattle’s role in the Foster School of Business.
What resources can students reference to determine whether UW Foster is a good fit for them?
Natalie Meyer: The UW Foster website is an excellent repository. But I know there’s a lot of information there, so a couple of other quick options: check out the MSBA and MSCM articles that we link on some of those pages. A lot of them are student spotlights that showcase the real-life experiences of current students. Our students are all from different backgrounds and have different interests so you can find someone that speaks to you and what you’re looking for.
We also have an MSBA and MSCM video library with on-demand, short videos featuring alumni, faculty, career services, and current students. Reading the articles and watching our videos gives you a sense of what it’s like to be a student here and what Foster has to offer. These resources highlight the co-curricular experiences, company treks, organizations we visit, etc.
Also, check out our social media, like LinkedIn (MSBA and MSCM) and Instagram (MSBA and MSCM), where we post a lot of “day in the life” posts, spotlights, event highlights, and program offerings. Finally, connect directly with our recruiting and admissions managers, student advocates and coaches who can help you through Foster’s nuances. You can also connect one-on-one with an MSBA or MSCM student ambassador, where you can ask all your questions to a current student. As important as it is for the admissions committee to determine whether an applicant is the right fit for our program, it’s just as important for applicants to do their research to figure out if Foster is the right fit for them and their goals.
What are some aspects of the MSBA and MSCM programs at Foster that make them unique? How do they stand out from similar programs at other universities?
Natalie Meyer: You can’t talk about Foster’s uniqueness without mentioning the Seattle area. The city is a tech hub with massive companies, so we have senior leaders coming into our classrooms, and our students are going into these companies and getting great insights into how they operate. 100% of the jobs reported by our 2023 graduates were U.S.-based. Many students come here for these meaningful interactions and end up staying because of the connections they’ve made. Plus, it’s gorgeous here! I mean, I can see Mount Rainer from my office! It’s also worth mentioning that Seattle is a safe and inclusive city. There is a lot of diversity here and many international students note that they’ve been able to find a community here. That’s really not the case in every city where there’s a university.
Another unique thing about our Foster program is the network and community. The strength of the cohort, but also the support of the faculty, other Specialty Masters graduate students, the alumni, program staff, Career Services team, the industry connections; there are a lot of people supporting our current students. It’s something that’s particularly noted by our alumni: the close-knit network and supportive nature of that network.
Something else we do differently is that we have a pre-determined MSBA and MSCM curriculum that each cohort follows. This means you’re part of a team of 4+ students, and you progress through the curriculum together. The classes are at a pre-determined time and follow a set schedule, which means a bit less flexibility. However, the classes are all in the evenings, so if you’re a full-time professional, you can work during the day and attend classes at night. We like to say that the things you learn in class at night, you can bring into your professional work the next day. A great benefit of the cohort and curriculum models is building that strong network I mentioned.
What do you think about applicants mentioning that their interest in attending Foster is connected to their desire to live in Seattle?
Natalie Meyer: I totally get it! After all, our connection to Seattle is something that makes our program special. 60% of our 2023 graduates landed roles located in the Seattle metro area so if you have an interest in the city, tell us what interests you. Is it the companies, the culture, the outdoor activities? You can demonstrate an interest in Seattle if it’s in addition to your specific interest in Foster.
What advice do you have for career changers who are interested in joining Foster? How can they show their commitment to business analytics or supply chain if they haven’t worked in these industries before?
Natalie Meyer: Every applicant’s motivation to obtain a master’s degree differs. Some want to expand their skill set within their field while others recognize the opportunity of the growing fields of supply chain or analytics and want to transition. A lot of our applicants fall into the “career changer” group but it doesn’t really change how you complete your application. Whichever group you fall into, you should be able to demonstrate transferable skills and the ability to succeed in the graduate classroom.
And the essays and video interviews offer an excellent opportunity to share what’s causing you to transition from one field to another. If you’re pivoting careers, explain why you want to switch and what areas of the field interest you. Tell us what led you to want to change careers and if you plan to blend your previous professional career with your intended one. All this information gives the admissions committee insights into your professional goals, which is a significant factor when creating a cohort of motivated and engaged students.
Within the application, there are also “short answer” questions. The questions, essays, and video interviews are an opportunity to tell a story of commitment, show that you’ll be successful in a graduate classroom, and that you’re dedicated to learning, improving, and approaching everything with a growth mindset. If you don’t have specific work or education experience related to our programs, take a couple of classes on LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy, etc., to show that you’re invested in this transition. Add it to your resume and reference it in your essay to show that you went out of your way to start preparing for this program.
Click to learn more about the MSBA and MSCM application deadlines and requirements.
Watch Natalie Meyer’s Application Workshop HERE.
