Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Graduate Admissions
1. Select your program of interest.
The most important step in the admissions process is selecting the program that is right for you. If you have not yet selected a graduate field of study, please use our Graduate Program Finder to learn about all the programs available at The George Washington University. You can review an alphabetical list of all our graduate programs or search by academic area, school, degree or location.
2. Review admissions criteria, requirements, timelines, and deadlines.
Read the sections on admissions criteria and decisions and timelines and deadlines, and then carefully review the admissions requirements for your specific program(s) of interest. Program admission requirements are linked at the bottom of most program descriptions and can also be easily accessed through the Admission Requirements by Program page.
Please note that if a deadline falls on a weekend ( Saturday or Sunday) or a GW holiday, applications will be accepted the next business day.
3. Assemble your supporting documents.
The specific documents you are required to submit will depend upon the program to which you are applying. For instance, the number and type of recommendations, standardized test scores, guidelines for statements of purpose and supplemental materials will vary by program. It is important to carefully read both the section on Required Materials AND the Admission Requirements by Program page for the specific academic program to which you are applying.
All programs require that you upload unofficial copies of your transcripts or academic records to your online application account. Please note that you must upload your transcripts prior to submitting your application online. Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to upload documents to your application account.
For tips on scanning and uploading your transcripts, please click here.
U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents ONLY: If you answered "yes" to the question "Do you plan to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, or work-study position from this University?" within the application, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and have the results sent to GW. GW's code is 001444. To be considered for Federal loans, you must also provide your Social Security number on the application for admission.
4. Submit the application and supporting documents.
Use the online Graduate Application Center to complete the application for admission, request recommendations electronically and upload your statement of purpose and transcripts. After you have completed the online application, you should submit the online application electronically.
International applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 visa forms from GW should also upload the visa request form and supporting financial certification. Details are provided under Graduate Admissions for International Applicants.
The non-refundable application fee of $75 may be paid online or submitted by either check or money order (made payable to The George Washington University). Cash will be not accepted, and credit card payment is accepted only from applicants submitting an online application. Please write your name on the check or money order, if that is your preferred method of payment.
The application fee is waived only for the following applicants:
- GW alumni (those holding a GW degree or graduate certificate)
- Current degree or graduate certificate candidates at GW
- U.S. military personnel who have been on active duty within three years of submitting their application for admission
- Current McNair Program Scholars (a completed Certification of McNair Program Participation and Application Fee Waiver form must be scanned and attached to your online application or submitted directly to the school to which you are applying.)
International applicants must pay the fee in U.S. dollars by credit card (online only), international money order or check. Cash, international postal money orders or Eurochecks are not accepted.
5. Review your admission status.
To check the status of your application, simply log into the online Graduate Application Center, using the username and password created when you initiated the application process.
Most programs use a rolling admission process and evaluate applications as soon as they are complete. Applications to the Elliott School of International Affairs and some programs in other schools review applications collectively after the admission deadline. Processing applications usually takes four to six weeks.
Offers of admission are valid for the semester stated in the admission letter. Anyone wishing to postpone enrolling in graduate school must notify the appropriate admissions office, in writing, of this intent. The policies regarding deferment of attendance vary by school.
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