Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Transcripts

Do I really need to submit transcripts from every university I've attended?

Yes. Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, regardless of how long ago you attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Official transcripts are required only after acceptance.

Do I need to submit transcripts for transfer credits that are already on my transcript?

Yes; however, you do not need to submit transcripts for study-abroad credits that were part of your Bachelor's program or dual-enrollment credits earned in high school.

Do I have to submit transcripts for non-degree credits?

Yes. Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, degree or nondegree.

Can I submit official transcripts already issued to me?

An official transcript issued to a student may be considered official if it is forwarded to the CPS Admissions Office with an unbroken seal.

I have attended foreign Higher Education institutions. Do I need to submit those transcripts?

Yes, you need to submit an official course-by-course evaluation showing all coursework and the U.S. equivalent credit hours, grades, cumulative grade point average, degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral from a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). If your transcripts or academic credentials are in a language other than English, you must request a certified English language translation.

It is faster and easier to have your evaluation sent electronically to applycps@gwu.edu; however, hard copies can be sent to:

College of Professional Studies Office of Admissions
The George Washington University
Alexandria Education Center
413 John Carlyle Street, Suite 250
Alexandria, VA 22314

If you attended the foreign institution as part of a study-abroad program from the U.S., you do not need to submit an evaluation.

Should I still apply if my undergraduate GPA is below the program requirement?

The review committee considers all applications holistically. Strong letters of recommendation, a good fit with the program, professional experience, exposure to the field of interest, and--for graduate applicants--a strong performance in the GRE are taken into consideration.

Applicants to the GSPM master’s degree programs with an overall undergraduate GPA, including transfer credits, of less than 3.0 must do AT LEAST one of the following:

1. Take the GRE and request ETS to have official scores be sent to GW (school code: 5246).
2. Submit a petition based on three or more years of relevant professional experience, consisting of a descriptive essay and a corresponding portfolio of work.
3. Submit a transcript showing conferral of a prior, earned terminal degree from a regionally-accredited institution (i.e., J.D., M.D., Ph.D or foreign equivalents).

If required, how should I submit my GRE scores?

Please use the institutional code 5246. GRE scores expire five years after the test date.

International Applicants

Who is required to submit English Language test (ELT) scores?

English Language test scores, such as the TOEFL, Academic IELTS, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test (DET) scores are required for applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language (PDF).

Waivers may be granted to applicants who hold an associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution:

• in which English is the language of instruction and the official language of the country in which the university is located; or
• that is regionally accredited in the U.S. (PDF).

What are the minimum English Language test (ELT) scores required to be considered for admission?

For applicants applying to hybrid programs and online education programs, the minimum scores for admission consideration are:

• TOEFL: 600 on Paper-based or 100 on the Internet-based test
• Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0
• PTE Academic: 68
• DET: 120

For applicants applying for programs that are considered face-to-face (neither online nor hybrid), the minimum scores for admission consideration are:

• TOEFL: 550 on Paper-based or 80 on Internet-based test.
• Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual band below 5.0
• PTE Academic: 53
• DET: 110

Please note that English Language test scores may not be more than two years old.

In their first semester at GW, international students are required to register for an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course. The EAP course that is required will be indicated in the student’s letter of admission. Students who are assigned EAP courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as a possible extended period of time required to complete their degree programs.

Students with the following English-language scores are exempt from taking EAP courses:

• TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based
• Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.0
• PTE Academic: 68
• DET: 120

How should I submit my TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores?

To have your TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores be reported to us, please provide ETS the institutional code of 5246 for TOEFL. An institutional code is not required to send other scores. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and DET scores expire two years after test date.

International Student Admissions

Application Process

My recommender needs to complete my letter of recommendation online but has lost the email containing the link to the online recommendation. How can I send the recommender another link?

If your application has already been submitted, you can send a reminder notification to your recommender. Log into your online application, then click on the “Send Reminder” link in your application checklist. You can also change your recommender by clicking the "Change Recommender" link.

I’ve already submitted my application but forgot to upload my statement of purpose. How can I add a document to my application once it has been submitted?

You will not be able to make changes to your application after you have submitted it. Although you can submit your application only after it is fully complete and accurate, we can help you to upload additional documents as needed. Please contact applycps@gwu.edu to make changes to your application.

After You've Applied

How do I check the status of my application?

You can check the status of your application at any time using your Username and Password to log into the online application system at https://gw.force.com.

How will I receive notification of my decision?

Once a decision has been made on your application you will receive an email from CPS. The email will ask you to log back in to your application account online to view your decision.

My application has been denied. Can I reapply?

The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically, with a student’s work experience and academic background considered with the potential for academic success a the higher education level.

Students who are denied admission may reapply one year after their initial decision date. For example, a student denied for the current Fall semester may reapply for the following Fall semester once a year has passed from the decision date. Unless there is a significant change from the original application, it is highly unlikely that the original decision of the Admissions Committee will be reversed. We encourage students who are denied to build up their work or academic experiences before reapplying.

May I defer my admission to the College of Professional Studies?

Admitted students can defer their admission up to one year from their original admission term. For example, a student admitted for the current fall semester can defer up to the following fall semester. After one year from the original start term and year, students must submit a new application, including a new statement of purpose and updated resume. The new application will be examined by the Admissions Office for completion, then submitted to the admissions committee to review and render a decision.

Please note that an applicant’s current decision may be different from previously-rendered decisions for the same program. There is no guarantee that a previous offer of admission will be maintained. We advise applicants to consider carefully all possible options before requesting a deferral.

Can I review my application materials after I have submitted them?

Application materials can be reviewed only after you have been admitted and enrolled as a student at GW ("matriculated"). You can view your recommendation letters only if you have not waived your right to view them.

Can I get copies of my application materials after I have submitted them?

No. While you can view your application materials after you have matriculated, we are prohibited from releasing copies of your application materials. Similarly, we cannot return any application materials to you. All applications and supporting documents become the property of The George Washington University and cannot be returned.

Financial Aid

How do I apply for financial aid?

Please check “yes” to the question, "Do you plan to apply for US federal financial aid?" on the application. This will prompt the GW Office of Student Financial Assistance office to send you the financial aid forms. You can contact the GW Office of Student Financial Assistance for information about loan options and other available forms of financial aid:

• on the web: https://financialaid.gwu.edu,
• by phone: (202) 994-6620, or
• by Email: finaid@gwu.edu.

You must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or refugee to apply for need-based financial aid. The priority deadlines for completing your application for Federal Stafford, Graduate PLUS, and alternative loan funding are listed below.

You must complete your application and all other disbursement requirements by these dates to ensure that your loan funds will arrive at the beginning of the requested semester.

Graduate Student Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • February 15 – FAFSA
  • May 15 – Federal Direct Graduate PLUS and private alternative loan applications
• Spring: August 1 – All Loan Documents
• Summer: December 1 – All Loan Documents

Undergraduate (CPS) Student Application Deadlines

• Fall: March 1
• Spring: October 1
• Summer: April 1

I qualify for Veterans benefits. How do I start this process?

Please contact the GW Veterans Benefit Office:

• on the web: https://services.military.gwu.edu,
• by Email: vetserve@gwu.edu, or
• by Phone: (202) 994-9570.

Financial Aid

Miscellaneous

Am I able to apply to more than one program?

Yes, you may apply to more than one program but you need to submit a separate application and fee for each program to which you apply. However, if you are admitted to both programs, you cannot accept admission to both programs unless they are part of an approved dual-degree track.

I am a current CPS student or alumnus, but I want to apply to another program. Can I re-use any of my official documents from my earlier application?

Applicants may re-use any previously-submitted transcripts. Applicants may re-use any previously-submitted letters of recommendation within two years of the original application. Other materials may need to be updated, so please check with the Admissions Office at applycps@gwu.edu.

What is the tuition for my program?

You can find the current tuition and fees for College of Professional Studies programs on the Tuition Rates page.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions/concerns?

Your Program Recruiter is available to help you throughout the application process. If you have any admissions-specific questions, please contact applycps@gwu.edu.