How to Apply for the Master of Supply Chain Management Program in Seattle
Admissions Manager Hannah van Amen answers questions about the University of Washington Foster School of Business application process and how she prepares students for success
Written by: Julia Potapoff, contributing writer, Foster School of Business
Hannah van Amen works within the recruitment and admissions team to support the Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) program at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. She has inspired prospective and incoming students at UW Foster since early 2022. Hannah meets with students interested in Foster to help them determine whether the MSCM program is the best fit for them.
She shared her thoughts on crafting a competitive application, the makings of a successful graduate student, and the resources available to help determine whether the MSCM program is right for students.
Can you tell us a bit about your role within the recruitment and admissions team, specifically pertaining to your interactions with prospective students?
Hannah van Amen: I typically think of my role as a resource for anybody interested in the Master of Supply Chain Management program. I host Virtual Open Houses for students, where I go over the program and have a Q&A session afterward. If students cannot attend one of the virtual events, I meet with them in person or virtually to discuss what our program covers. My goal during these one-on-one meetings is to give prospective students a good look at what our program provides in terms of curriculum and career support. I’m here to inform students about the program so they can make the best-informed decision for themselves.
During the application season, I am available for specific admissions advising appointments for folks who have questions about creating a competitive application. Additionally, I host events that feature our student ambassadors in a panel. This is meant to help folks hear from our students about their experiences in the program. I also host an alumni event where prospective students can connect with alumni and hear about their post-graduate experience. All of this is meant to be an opportunity for prospective students to get as much information as possible and equip them with the resources they need to make their most informed decisions.
What can students expect from booking that one-on-one appointment with you? What kind of conversations are you having during that initial call?
Hannah van Amen: It can be a bit of everything. I have two different types of meetings available: the initial chat and an application advising session. The initial chat is meant for folks who have questions about the program and want an overview of what we offer at Foster. If a student feels good after the initial chat and wants to start talking about the application in a personalized environment, that’s when we’ll set up the application advising session.
Can you give us an example of some things you’ll review with students during the application advising session? What are applicants usually interested in getting help with?
Hannah van Amen: I want to preface this by saying I’m not here to direct anyone on what they should do. When meeting with a student, I aim to advise on areas where they can strengthen their application, but the student leads these sessions. If there are certain aspects of the application they don’t feel great about or want some clarity on, I can help with that! I typically talk about the different components of the applications and what our admissions committee wants to see, but it’s up to the student to have their questions ready. If you come with clarifying questions, I’ll be able to provide much better insight on creating a more competitive application.
How should students approach a meeting with a recruiting and admissions manager? Is there anything you want them to do to prepare for the meeting ahead of time?
Hannah van Amen: I appreciate it when prospective students can send me a resume and copy of their transcript before the meeting because that allows me to give them feedback through the lens of their own experience. Providing these documents ahead of time allows me to give a much more personalized response to their questions instead of just general answers.
I also tell students that the biggest way they can prepare is to review the application requirements and see if any questions arise before our meeting. Be prepared with questions you want to ask because I would hate for us to have a whole call and for the student to realize after the fact that they have all these questions they never got to ask. A prepared applicant can be a good indicator of a successful student.
What do you think are the biggest benefits to meeting with a recruitment and admissions manager before applying for the MSCM program?
Hannah van Amen: I think the biggest advantage is for folks who are unsure about certain aspects of their application or needing extra clarity on how to showcase their experience effectively. Not every applicant meets with me or needs to — plenty of applicants join the program without the application advising meeting. But I am here to provide access to resources and a little reassurance throughout this process.
Scheduling an appointment with me allows some applicants to interact with the program. It doesn’t just have to be an application advising appointment — you can join any of our events, virtual open houses, or the hour-long admissions advising workshop I host before each application deadline. The group advising workshop is sometimes even more helpful because someone might ask a question you didn’t even know you had.
Interacting with the program you’re applying for is a great way to humanize it and show your intentionality. When you take the time to meet with our team or attend our events, you demonstrate your commitment, curiosity, and interest — all these qualities that we see in a successful student.
What a great point about how successful applicants can become successful students! Are there any other qualities that you notice in the applicants you meet with that tell you they’ll be successful in the MSCM program?
Hannah van Amen: Absolutely! As I mentioned before, a successful applicant shows a lot of intentionality. Of course, I can provide many resources to students and help them navigate all the information on our website — I’m more than happy to do that. But what indicates a successful student to me is somebody who went out of their way to attempt to answer these questions for themselves. And maybe they’re looking for more clarification on the information they found and that’s where I come in. But they’ve taken those necessary steps to prepare and that shows great initiative. It tells me they’re able to do research and are willing to problem solve on their own but also, aren’t afraid to come and ask questions when they need more support. Those are the small habits that result in successful applicants, successful students, and, eventually, successful job candidates.
How about some general application advice for prospective students? Are there any consistent issues or struggles you’re seeing with applications that you want to address now?
Hannah van Amen: Make sure all application materials are submitted on time! Make sure your video interviews are submitted, that your test scores were received, and that your recommenders submit their letters on time.
I advise a lot of students on their letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can be key in assessing academic readiness and an applicant’s potential fit within the cohort and future leadership roles in supply chain management. They give an outside perspective on your skills, abilities, and experiences. Plus, they can offer insight into your character, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, and people skills — things that don’t always come across in a resume or test scores.
When finding someone to be your recommender, tell them why you’re applying to graduate school and what you want to accomplish there. Have that conversation so they better understand what to include in their letters. I know these letters are out of your control, but it makes a huge difference if you give your recommender a heads-up about why you want to get into this program and your goals. Give them that insight so they have that information ahead of time and can speak to it.
Getting a strong letter from a supervisor or colleague shows you’ve built solid professional relationships and can thrive in collaborative environments. In competitive programs, a good recommendation can help you stand out by highlighting your unique strengths and experiences.
Connect with the Foster School of Business Master of Supply Chain Management admissions team.
