GW: Something Happens Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take any SAT Subject Exams?

GW does not require SAT Subject Exams for general=20 admission; however, students applying to the = Seven-Year=20 B.A./M.D. and the Six-Year B.A./J.D. Programs are = required to=20 submit Subject Exam scores. Students applying to the = B.A./M.D.=20 Program must take two exams (one in math and one in = science)=20 while students applying to the B.A./J.D. Program must = take two=20 exams of their choice.

What if I want to change any information on my = application=20 during the application process?

Before your online GW Application is submitted you = can=20 change any information through the GW Application = Center. Once=20 your application has been submitted, you should email = the=20 Office of Admissions at gwapply@gwu.edu as = soon as=20 possible to make any necessary changes.

Does GW prefer the GW online application or the = Common=20 Application?

GW considers both applications equally. Applicants = should=20 keep in mind that if they submit the Common = Application they=20 are also required to submit the GW Supplement to the = Common=20 Application which is available at http://www.commonapp.org/.

How do I apply to an Honors, Accelerated, or = Special=20 program?

To apply to any of these programs students should = submit=20 the Honors, Accelerated, and Special Programs = Application=20 which is available through the GW=20 Admissions Activity Center. These programs are = available=20 only to freshman applicants who meet the specified = application=20 deadlines. For further application requirements, click=20 here.

If I=E2=80=99m not admitted to an Honors, = Accelerated, or Special=20 program, will I still be considered for regular=20 admission?

Yes. Applicants to an Honors, Accelerated, or = Special=20 program are first considered for general admission = before=20 being considered for one of these programs.

How important are interviews in the admissions=20 process?

While interviews are not required for admission, = they are=20 evaluative and will be considered in the application = review=20 process. Freshman applicants may request interviews = through=20 the Admissions Office; however, availability is = limited. The=20 interview allows us to learn more about the applicant = and=20 gives applicants the opportunity to add a personal = voice to=20 their application file.

Are there minimum GPA or SAT requirements for = admission to=20 GW?

GW takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to = the=20 application review process. Therefore, we have no = minimum GPA=20 or SAT requirements for admission.

If I take the required standardized tests more = than once,=20 which results will GW consider?

Students are encouraged to limit the number of = times they=20 take the ACT or SAT. If standardized test scores are = taken=20 more than once, we will use the highest composite ACT = or the=20 highest combined SAT score.

How do I know if I should apply as a transfer=20 student?

Any student who has graduated high school and = earned=20 college credit should apply as a transfer student. =

How do I check my application status?

Your application status can be checked through the = GW=20 Admissions Activity Center. In order to access the = Activity Center, you will need your GWID, a unique=20 identification number, provided to you via email by = the Office=20 of Admissions once your application is submitted.

Which teachers should write recommendations?

We recommend that when submitting a recommendation = that you=20 choose a teacher who can best describe your = involvement in the=20 classroom and can speak of your intellectual = abilities,=20 character, and academic engagement. Freshman = applicants should=20 choose a teacher who has taught you in an academic = subject in=20 your junior or senior year. Transfer applicants should = select=20 a college professor who has taught you in an academic = subject,=20 and those not currently enrolled in college, may = choose an=20 employer to write the recommendation.

Should applicants send in supplementary=20 recommendations?

If you believe that a supplemental recommendation = would=20 provide new information about you, an additional=20 recommendation is appropriate. It is not necessary or=20 encouraged, however, to add unnecessary = recommendations to=20 your file.

Can I send in portfolios, slides, or other = supplementary=20 materials?

Due to our large number of applications GW is = unable to=20 consider any portfolios, slides, or other = supplementary=20 materials in the application review process.

If I am an international student, do I have to = take the=20 SAT?

All applicants to GW, including international = students, are=20 required to take either the SAT or ACT exams. Results = of=20 national examinations, such as the A Level exams, = cannot be=20 used as substitutes for these examinations. The SAT or = ACT=20 requirement is waived only if a student=E2=80=99s = country of residence=20 does not offer SAT or ACT testing anywhere in the = country=20 (such as mainland China).

Is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign = Language)=20 required, and what is the minimum required score? =

If English is not your first language you must = submit=20 results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language = (TOEFL),=20 regardless of citizenship, country of residence, or = language=20 of instruction in school. The minimum required score = is 80 on=20 the internet-based TOEFL, 213 on the computer-based = TOEFL, or=20 550 on the paper-based TOEFL. Strong applicants to GW = score=20 much higher than the minimum required score on the=20 TOEFL.

In lieu of the TOEFL, applicants may = submit=20 results from the International English Language = Testing System=20 (IELTS). A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS is = required.=20 (www.ielts.org)

The TOEFL requirement is waived = only=20 for applicants who score 550 or higher on the Critical = Reading=20 section of the SAT.

Are international students eligible for financial=20 assistance and scholarships?

International students are not eligible for = need-based=20 financial assistance. In order to receive the required = paperwork from GW to apply for a student visa, = applicants must=20 submit a bank statement and the Financial Certificate = Form as=20 part of the application process. International = students pay=20 the same tuition as U.S. citizens.

GW awards a = limited=20 number of partial merit scholarships to international = students=20 with outstanding academic achievements. Automatic=20 consideration for these merit scholarships is given to = eligible candidates upon receipt of the application = and all=20 supporting credentials.