Admitted Graduate Students
Congratulations on your acceptance to GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences!
We are excited to be a part of your academic journey and look forward to helping you succeed in the classroom and beyond. Over the course of the next few weeks, this website will be a resource for you to learn more about the GW community. We invite you to join your other newly admitted peers on the student-run CCAS Graduate Admitted Students Facebook group. It will provide a great place to connect with your future classmates and learn more about GW and living in D.C. In addition to the resources available here, please visit our Graduate Ambassador page to contact current students eager to answer your questions about the GW experience.
Important note: Columbian College does not require a tuition deposit and advises you not to follow any instructions you may receive on how to pay a deposit.
Next Steps
- 1. Commit to GW
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The first step to enrolling is to confirm your attendance by responding to your Offer of Admission. Your admission letter is only sent to you electronically through your online application. Please print a copy for your records.
Your offer of admission will include any prerequisite coursework and/or any conditions placed on your admission. Please review these carefully. If you have any questions about these requirements, contact your Director of Graduate Study
When you View Your Decision letter, you can accept or deny the offer of admission through the Reply to Offer link. Please ensure you Reply to Offer before the deadline indicated in your admission letter. You are not required to submit an admission/enrollment deposit. If you received an award, you will also need to log in to the GWeb Information System and complete the online award acceptance form. To log into GWeb, enter your GWid (provided in your admission letter) and Personal Identification Number (PIN). By default, your PIN is your date of birth in this format: MMDDYY.
- 2. Join the GW community!
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To be able to access GW systems and register for classes you must set up your GWeb account and create your GWMail email account. GWeb is the gateway to your student records. Through GWeb, you can search and register for classes, view grades, print unofficial transcripts, update your personal information and check your student account. To log into GWeb, you will need to enter your GWID number provided in your admission letter (it starts with a G and is followed by 8 numbers) and your Personal Identification Number (PIN). By default, your PIN is your date of birth in this format: MMDDYY.
Next you must establish a GWMail email account. GWMail is the university's email system for students and alumni. All official communication will be sent to your GWMail email address, so set up your account as soon as possible. As of May 30, 2022, GW migrated to a new One Identity Management System. Instructions for claiming your GW Identity can be found on the GW IT website.
We also encourage you to join our community and other newly admitted students on our CCAS Graduate Admitted Students Facebook Group. Here, you can connect with our current graduate student ambassadors as well as your future classmates to ask questions, learn about housing options in and around the D.C. area, and even find potential roommates. You may also reach out directly to our graduate student ambassadors at [email protected] with any specific questions you might have about student life at GW.
- 3. Consider your housing options.
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On-campus housing for graduate students is limited. More information on available options can be found on the GW Housing website. The Foggy Bottom Campus is easily accessible via public transportation so there is a wide variety of convenient off-campus options. GW’s Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs has comprehensive information on living off-campus. They provide information on D.C. neighborhoods and local resources, tenant responsibilities, safety and how to get involved in the community. They also provide an off-campus housing website where you can search properties, listings and look for roommates. You can also download their Guide to Living Off-Campus so you are well prepared for your move to D.C.!
- 4. Review financial aid.
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Your admissions letter would have indicated if you are receiving a Columbian College award. If you did receive an award, please ensure you follow the steps in your award letter to accept the award, these steps are different to accepting your admission letter.
If you are applying for federal student loans you will need to complete the GW Graduate Loan Questionnaire in addition to the FAFSA. The Office of Student Financial Assistance can provide information on the loan process.
Also check out the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships website for information on applying to other GW and external fellowship competitions.
If you are interested in obtaining a part-time job on campus while you are studying, visit the Office of Career Services website for information on job opportunities and internships.
If you are a military veteran, active military or dependent, ensure you visit the Military and Veteran Services website to find information on using your military benefits while studying at GW.
- 5. Register for classes.
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You may register for classes through the GWeb Information System unless your program has provided you with other specific instructions for registration. As a reminder, to log into GWeb, you will need to enter your GWid (provided in your admission letter) and Personal Identification Number (PIN). By default, your PIN is your date of birth in this format: MMDDYY.
Consult the Schedule of Classes for details on which courses are available. You must register before the first day of the semester to avoid being charged a late registration fee. Please note: for courses that require department approval, you will need to complete a paper registration form (RTF), which may take longer to process.
If you have any questions about registration, call 202-994-4900 or email [email protected].
- 6. Reach out to your faculty advisor.
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Using the Graduate Program Directors directory, contact your program's Director of Graduate Study (faculty academic advisor) to discuss your course selection for the upcoming semester and develop a program of study. When it is time to register for classes, it will be helpful to have your course selection ready in advance.
If you are enrolling in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, you will receive a detailed letter with instructions on courses and do not need to contact an adviser unless you have questions that are not answered in the letter.
- 7. Register for student health insurance.
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GW offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. Health insurance guarantees that you can obtain necessary treatment if you develop a serious illness or injury. It also guarantees that you can obtain preventative medical services like immunizations and physical exams.
Current GW policy requires that all International Students are registered in the SHIP plan. You have the option to waive out of the plan if you have your own comprehensive health insurance policy.
GW also offers voluntary Dental and Vision policies. The deadline to register for these policies is prior to the start of the semester so please ensure you
More information on SHIP can be found on the Student Health Insurance website.
- 8. Complete immunization requirements, including COVID-19 vaccination.
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COVID-19 VACCINATION
- GW requires all members of our community who will be in GW buildings daily or intermittently to be fully vaccinated with a U.S. FDA or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine, including a booster shot. Students are required to upload a copy of their vaccination card to the medical portal for approval. More information on this requirement and how to apply for medical or religious exemptions can be found on the GW COVID-19 vaccine website.
WASHINGTON, D.C. IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
- The District of Columbia Immunization Law requires all students under the age of 26 to provide proof of certain immunizations prior to registration.
- All GW students who are younger than 26 years old must sign-in to the Colonial Health Center patient portal using your GW Email Address and password, and complete the Medical Clearances section. If you have any questions regarding the immunization requirement, please contact the Health Center office directly at [email protected].
- If your completed form is not received by the appropriate deadline, a hold will be placed on your account and you will not be able to register for classes.
Deadlines
- August 1 for Fall Admits
- January 1 for Spring Admits
- 9. Get to know the campus.
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Use our virtual tour to navigate GW and the surrounding D.C. area. For campus directions, parking and street maps visit the GW Graduate Study website.
- 10. Send in any outstanding documentation.
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Send all outstanding official transcripts and/or official test score reports to Columbian College of Arts and Sciences before the first day of the semester. Copies of transcripts that you uploaded to your application when you applied are not official. Check out our Official Transcript Requirements page for more detailed information.
- 11. Attend orientation
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Make sure you check out our New Graduate Student Orientation pageto view our orientation schedule.
- 12. Obtain your GWorld card.
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GWorld is the official ID card at GW. Your card serves as your university identification, holds your meal plan and cash accounts and allows you to access facilities on campus. You are eligible to receive your card once you a registered for at least one course. You can receive your GWorld card from the GWorld Card Office, located on the ground floor of the University Student Center. You must present a valid U.S. government issued photo ID to receive your card. No appointment is necessary to receive your card and it typically takes between 5 and 10 minutes.
- 13. Stay tuned!
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Continue to check your mail and email (the one you listed on your application) for updates, announcements and reminders!
Admitted Student Resources
Plan Your Visit and Find Your Way Around Campus
Parking & Transportation
GW is close to three airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI). GW-Foggy Bottom has a Metro stop right on campus as well as visitor parking garages.
Hotels Near GW
GW is in the center of the action in D.C. and is close to many hotels, both in the city and in surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia. Special rates are available at locations near campus through the GW Hotels program.
Campus Tours
Register for an in-person campus tour of Foggy Bottom today! Tours are available from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Can't make it in-person? Take our virtual tour.
Nearby Restaurants and Activities
While you are here, why not take advantage of what the national capital has to offer! GW's location in the heart of Foggy Bottom gives you great access to a variety of restaurants, activities, museums and so much more!
- Restaurants in Walking Distance
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Bindaas | $$ (sit-down service)
Beefsteak | $$ (counter service, mostly vegetarian)
Bertucci's Italian Restaurant | $$ (sit-down service)
Burger Tap & Shake | $$ (counter service)
Chipotle | $ (counter service)
Circa at Foggy Bottom | $$/$$$ (sit-down service)
District Commons | $$/$$$ (sit-down service)
District House Restaurants - Chick-fil-a, GRK Fresh Greek, Sol Mexican Grill, Wiseguy NY Pizza | $ (counter service)
Duke's Grocery | $$ (sit-down service)
Founding Farmers | $$/$$$ (sit-down service)
Roti Modern Mediterranean | $ (counter service)
Sweetgreen | $$ (counter service)
Tonic at Quigley's | $$ (sit-down service) - Activities and (Virtual) Sightseeing
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Staying home? You can still enjoy some of what our great city has to offer. Many of the DC area’s businesses and cultural institutions have virtual ways to stay connected (and fill your days). We’ve put together a list of things you can do to experience what Washington has to offer—online.
National Gallery of Art - Degas at the Opera | Virtual Tour
National Museum of Women in Arts - Delita Martin | Gallery Exhibit
National Museum of African American History and Culture | Digital Resource Guide