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When completing the application, provide your full legal name, as listed in your passport. If your transcripts or other supporting documents were issued in another name, also include that name on your application and attach a letter of explanation and evidence of the name change.
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Take standardized tests early enough to ensure that scores reach the admissions office before the application deadline.
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The $80 non-refundable application fee must be paid in U.S. dollars, by credit card (online only), international money order or check. Your name must be written on the check or money order. Cash, international postal money orders or Eurochecks are not accepted.
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Include a photocopy of the biographic/identification page of your passport with your application.
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Submit your visa information with your application to expedite that portion of the process
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If you have any questions, please contact the admissions office for the program to which you are applying.
International Student Application Requirements
All applicants to the George Washington University must demonstrate English language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Graduate applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a regionally accredited US institution are required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) scores. Please check with your admissions office for minimum score requirements. Applicants applying to graduate programs may have their English language proficiency requirement waived if they have earned (or will earn before matriculation) a post-secondary degree from an institution located in a country where English is the sole language of instruction. Applicants who wish to be considered for an English Proficiency waiver may be asked to complete an English for Academic Purposes course, which may increase the length and cost of their studies.
English language test scores may not be more than two years old. To ensure TOEFL scores are sent to GW, use institutional code 5246. An institutional code is not required to send IELTS or PTE scores to GW.
A transcript, detailed marks certificate or comparable document showing all course work, grades and proof of earned degrees must be submitted for each institution you’ve attended. This is required for all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript.
Unofficial copies of your transcripts or academic records should be updated to your online application account. Carefully review the admission requirements for your program to determine which specific documents you should include in your upload.
If you are applying to a program in the College of Professional Studies, the School of Business, or the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, all international transcripts must be submitted to an approved, accredited independent evaluation agency prior to submission. A list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services is available through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Be sure to request a detailed evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grades, recommended U.S. degree equivalency, grade-point average and date of degree conferral.
To apply for a visa to study in the U.S., you need a visa-qualifying document, either an I-20 form (for an F-1 visa) or a DS-2019 form (for a J-1 visa). These documents must be generated through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and issued by a U.S. college or university or a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization.
These policies and processes apply to applicants to graduate programs in the:
- Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, including the School of Media and Public Affairs and the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration
- College of Professional Studies, including the Graduate School of Political Management
- Elliott School of International Affairs
- Graduate School of Education and Human Development
- School of Business
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
If you are applying to these schools, find more information through each of the schools on the requirements for international students to apply.
When requesting an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, applicants must submit certain materials:
- A completed Visa Request form (PDF), signed by both the applicant and any sponsor(s).
- Financial support documents showing proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational costs and living expenses for the full length of your academic program – at least two years for a master’s program and four to five years for a doctoral program.
- A legible copy of the biographical page of your passport, with the expiration date.
Applicants currently in the U.S. must also submit:
- A legible copy of the front and back page of your I-94.
- If you are on F-1 Optional Practical Training, your employment authorization card.
- If you are or were in F or J status within the past year, copies of your I-20 or DS-2019.
Applicants who will be accompanied by dependents (a spouse and/or children) must certify that you have sufficient funding to cover your dependents’ living expenses. The required amount of additional funding that you must show is detailed on the Visa Request form (PDF), and these amounts must be included for each year of study. Other required documents include:
- A completed Dependent Information form (PDF), stating each dependent’s full legal name (first, last and middle names as shown on passport), gender, relationship to you, date of birth, city and country of birth, country of citizenship, and country of legal permanent residence.
- A legible copy of the biographical page (with expiration date) of each dependent’s passport.
The amount of funding required will vary, depending on the source of your support. An estimate of the minimum amount of funding required per year is listed on the Visa Request form (PDF). As tuition and expenses can be expected to increase yearly, and actual costs may be higher for some GW schools and programs, you should check current tuition rates and estimated living expenses for updated information about the actual amount that must be certified.
When completing the form, you must indicate the required amount of funding for each year of your program. Funding may be from one or more specifically identified and reliable sources. If you are applying to a master’s program, you must indicate the amount of funds for two years (Year 1 and Year 2 on the form). If you are applying for a doctoral program, you must indicate the amount of funds for five years (Year 1 through Year 4 or 5 on the form). An I-20 or DS-2019 will not be approved if you indicate funding for less than the required number of years. Please review the sample Source of Funds charts (PDF).
You will still be considered for admission and any University funding (if available) even if you currently lack sufficient funding of your own. If you will be totally dependent on the University for funding, leave the Source of Funds section blank.
If you have a disability and will require attendant care, you must certify the availability of additional funds to pay for this service. For more information, contact Disability Support Services.
Students holding an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to carry health insurance. Students enrolled in F-1 or J-1 visa status will be automatically enrolled in the GW student health insurance plan and the cost of the plan will be added to the first semester's tuition bill. Students who already hold comparable health coverage may request to opt out of the plan.