Undergraduate Academic Advising
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I...
Apply to graduate?
Audit a class?
Change majors?
Find a tutor?
Declare my group concentration?
Declare a second major?
Declare a minor (secondary field of study)?
Declare a major in the Elliott School? (Non-Elliott School students)
Declare a minor (secondary field of study) in International Affairs? (Non-Elliott School students)
Register for continuous enrollment?
Register for a leave of absence?
Order an official transcript?
Petition?
Transfer into the Elliott School?
Take a class pass/no-pass?
Don't see your question here? Contact your academic advisor!
How do I apply to graduate?
- Obtain a graduation application from the Registrar's website during the semester you plan to graduate.
- Submit your completed application to Academic Advising before the deadline for that semester (Fall - October 1, Spring - February 1, Summer - July 1).
Visit the Registrar's website for more information on graduation. Click on "Graduation."
How do I audit a class?
Auditing a class does not award academic credit. Regular tuition rates apply. The University policy on auditing can be found in the Bulletin.
- Register for the class in GWeb.
- Obtain a Registration Transaction Form from Registrar's website.
- Indicate two actions on the form: (1) drop the class (for a letter grade); and (2) add the same class, checking the appropriate box to register for Audit status.
- Submit your RTF to Academic Advising before the end of the eighth week of the semester.
How do I change majors?
Within the Elliott School:
- Complete an Academic Plan for your new major.
- Obtain the program director's signature (for regional majors only) on the designated signature line on the form.
- Submit your academic plan and and a petition
form
(requesting
to change your major) to Academic Advising.
If you wish to change from an Elliott School major to a non-Elliott School major, you must submit an "Internal Transfer Request" to the Undergraduate Admissions Office before you can declare your new major in a different school.
Find a tutor?
Tutoring services are available in a variety of settings on campus. (Hourly fees may apply.)
- The Writing Center provides support and guidance in facilitating the overall improvement of your writing skills.
- Your professors may recommend specific tutors in their disciplines.
- Graduate students in some departments sometimes offer supplemental tutoring services. Consult the relevant department/s for more information.
- GW Housing Programs may provide information about tutoring services in the dorms.
- Your fraternity or sorority may sponsor in-house tutoring during the academic year.
- Your advisor can also help you connect with tutoring opportunities on campus.
Declare my group concentration?
Students majoring in international affairs must declare a group concentration by the first semester of their junior year. Submit a completed Group Concentration Form to Academic Advising to declare your concentration.
Declare a second major?
Elliott School students can declare second majors in disciplines in which a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is awarded. Major requirements are outlined in the Bulletin and on some department websites.
- To declare a second major within the Elliott School, complete the "Declaration of Second Major form" associated with your second major.
*If declaring a regional major (Asian Studies, Latin American & Hemispheric Studies, Middle Eastern Studies), you must obtain the program director's signature before submitting the form to Academic Advising. - To declare a second major in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), complete the "Declaration
of Second Major in CCAS" form in consultation with the designated advisor in that major, obtain the advisor's signature, and submit the form to Academic Advising.
- Students wishing to declare a second major in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) must choose a major with a B.A. track. The "Declaration
of Second Major in CCAS" form can be used. Follow the instructions above.
- Elliott School students may not double major in the School of Business (GWSB) or the School of Public Health (SPH).
Declare a minor (secondary field of study)?
Elliott School students can declare minors (or secondary fields of study) in any program in another school in which a minor is offered. Minor requirements are outlined in the Bulletin and on some department websites.
- To declare a minor in another school, complete the "Secondary
Field of Study" form in consultation with the designated advisor in
that minor, obtain the advisor's signature, and submit the form to Academic
Advising.
Declare a major in the Elliott School? (Non-Elliott School students)
- Non-Elliott School students wishing to declare a second major in International Affairs must complete the "Declaration of Second Major - International Affairs" form and obtain an Elliott School academic advisor's signature before submitting the form to their home schools for processing.
- Non-Elliott School students wishing to declare a second major in a regional major (Asian Studies, Latin American & Hemispheric Studies, Middle Eastern Studies) must complete the "Declaration of Second Major" form respective to the major, obtain the Program Director's signature and then obtain an Elliott School academic advisor's signature before submitting the form to their home schools for processing.
We recommend that students review the major requirements carefully and schedule an appointment with an Elliott School advisor prior to declaring a second major in the Elliott School.
Declare a minor (secondary field of study) in International Affairs? (Non-Elliott School students)
Complete the "Secondary
Field in IAFF" form and obtain an Elliott School academic advisor's signature
before submitting the form to your home school for processing.
We recommend you review the minor requirements carefully and schedule an appointment with an Elliott School advisor prior to declaring a minor in International Affairs.
Register for continuous enrollment?
The status of "continuous enrollment" is defined in the University Bulletin. If you wish to register for continuous enrollment or have questions about this status, contact your academic advisor.
Register for a leave of absence?
A "leave of absence" is defined in the University Bulletin. If you wish to register for a leave of absence or have questions about this status, contact your academic advisor.
Order an official transcript?
Official transcripts are produced by the Registrar's Office. Instructions for ordering transcripts are available on the Registrar's website.
Petition?
Students seeking an exception to GW or Elliott School policy should file a petition. (Examples of exception requests include, but are not limited to, course substitutions, using transfer or abroad credit in the Elliott School curriculum, and documented physical or mental health withdrawal requests.)
- Use a "Petition" form to
clearly state your request.
- Under "reasons," explain why you are making your request.
- Only list reasons that are relevant to your situation.
- Whenever possible, petition requests should be proactive and filed preemptively.
- It is in your best interest to have a "Plan B" should your petition be denied.
- Use complete sentences.
Submit your petition to Academic Advising. Petitions are reviewed weekly during the academic year.
Transfer into the Elliott School?
GW students wishing to transfer into the Elliott School should meet the following minimum requirements before submitting an "Internal Transfer Request" to the Undergraduate Admissions Office:
- Complete 24 semester hours in residence at GW with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Complete four of the following five courses: ECON 11, ECON 12, HIST 38, PSC 1, and PSC 3
- Complete or waive the first year of a modern foreign language.
Interested in transferring into the Elliott School? Attend an Internal Transfer Workshop. Workshops are offered weekly during the fall and spring semesters. Call (202) 994-3002 to RSVP today!
Take a class pass/no pass?
The Elliott School pass/no pass policy is listed in the Bulletin. Only electives may be taken under the pass/no pass grading option.
- Register for the class in GWeb.
- Obtain a Registration Transaction Form from Registrar's website.
- Indicate two actions on the form: (1) drop the class (for a letter grade); and (2) add the same class, checking the appropriate box to register for Pass/No Pass status.
- Submit your RTF to Academic Advising before the end of the eighth week of the semester.