Submitting a thesis/dissertation this quarter? Some reminders and tips:

Departments may wish to post this printable flyer listing the current quarter's Graduate School deadlines (PDF format).

The Graduate School has only one full-time thesis/dissertation adviser, so take advantage of the chance to drop off your document for a Preliminary Review between the first day of the quarter and the Thursday before Finals Week. It will save you a great deal of time and anxiety at final submission if you take advantage of this service.

What is a Preliminary Review?

A thesis adviser will assess the formatting of your document according to the Policy and Style Manual. The Graduate School provides this service to help reduce the stress which can accompany the graduation process.

During Academic Quarters, completed reviews are generally available within 1-3 working days, however, depending upon the quarter or time of the quarter the review could take 5-6 working days.  Preliminary checks are offered from the first day of the quarter through the last Thursday of instruction. During Finals Week, you may not leave your document to be checked; you will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis and the wait times can be lengthy!

When and how do I Submit?

A safe and secure thesis/dissertation drop box is available in G-1 Communications Bldg., Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Please prepare an unbound, clean copy (free of other notes or revisions) printed in the same format you intend the final version to be in. (Do not try to save paper by printing double-sided unless your document is formatted for the double-sided option!)

We will send a message to your UW e-mail account when your document is ready to be picked up. The blue Preliminary Check Receipt will accompany your returned document, listing any necessary changes.  You will pick up your document from the cubbyholes next to the drop box where you left your document. Reviewed documents are in alphabetical order by students' last names.

You may not make an appointment for Final Submission until you have completed a Preliminary Check.

We realize your committee may require content changes after your defense and/or after your document has been through the Preliminary Check process. We have no problem with this…feel free to make those changes!

What do I Submit?

Once you’ve got your entire document ready, i.e. all components at least started, we would like to see it. We want to see:

*Please get your signature page checked BEFORE you collect committee signatures! Feel free to e-mail your signature pages as an attachment to gsstusrv@u.washington.edu, drop by our office, or FAX (206-685-3234) this single sheet to us for a formatting check at any time.

A thesis adviser may be available during quarter breaks, but do not count on having your document checked during those times. We are always very busy during the breaks between quarters processing the previous quarter graduations.

Further Questions? Contact gsstusrv@u.washington.edu or phone 206.685-2630

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