International Graduate Applicants

Columbian College students and faculty are engaged in intellectual rigor that reaches beyond our classroom and labs to nations around the globe.

With international students comprising 28 percent of Columbian College’s total student enrollment, we take pride in the diversity of our campus and the degree to which our academic family participates in the worldwide circulation of ideas.

The application process for international applicants is the same as for domestic applicants, with the exception of a few additional requirements listed.

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International Applicant Requirements

In addition to general application requirements, international students may need to provide supporting documents and test scores to be considered for admission.

International Transcripts

If your transcript is not in English, a certified English language translation must be provided. The English translation alone is sufficient at time of application. Official transcripts are only required if you are offered admission. International students who enroll at GW may need to submit additional official documentation.

Detailed information regarding transcript requirements is provided under the Application Requirements section.

English Language Proficiency

Graduate applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a 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. Applicants applying to graduate programs may have their English Language Proficiency requirement waived if the applicant has 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.

The George Washington University reserves the right to request proof of English proficiency from any applicant.

TOEFL or IELTS Scores

Graduate applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a US institution are required to submit evidence of English language proficiency by submitting an acceptable TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score.

English language test scores may not be more than two years old from the time you apply. When sending your TOEFL scores to us, please use the Institutional code 5246.

An institutional code is not required to send us your IELTS score; instead, please have the testing center send the official scores to us via e-delivery, by providing them with the following account information:

Account Name: George Washington University

Address: 1922 F Street NW Fourth Floor

City: Washington

State: DC

Zip Code: 20052

Some IELTS test center systems list an alternative address of 2121 I Street NW for the GWU account. You can use the GWU account associated with either address, and the e-delivery will be successful

The university's minimum scores are:

TOEFL: 80 on the internet-based test (IBT), 550 on the paper-based test (PBT); or
IELTS: Overall band score no less than 6.0, no individual band score less than 5.0; or

PTE Academic: 53;

Please note that CCAS does not accept IELTS indicator.

Applicants with scores above the University minimums but below the higher scores required for most doctoral programs (below) will be asked to complete an English for Academic Purposes course, which may increase the length and cost of their studies.

Many of our programs have a higher minimum score. Please refer to the Graduate Program Finder page of the minimum scores for your program.

To be eligible for most doctoral and some master’s programs you must have certain minimum scores:

TOEFL: 100 on the internet-based test (IBT), 600 on the paper-based test (IBT); or
IELTS: Overall band score no less than 7.0, no individual band score less than 6.0; or
PTE Academic: 68.

If you have taken the TOEFL test more than once, GW will consider the highest overall score earned. Please note this is not the ETS MyBest or superscore. If you have further questions please contact our admissions office.

Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test

We are accepting Duolingo English Test (DET) scores for Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 applications.
A minimum score of 110 on the DET is required to be considered for admission for most programs; programs with a minimum TOEFL/IELTS requirement of 100/7.0 require 120 on Duolingo.
Applicants who score from 110-119 on the DET will be required to take an EAP (English for Academic Purposes) course during their first term.
Applicants who score 120 or higher on the DET are eligible for admission without additional English language coursework.
Regardless of your test score, the College retains the right to require an EAP (English for Academic Purposes) course during your first term of enrollment if it is deemed necessary by the admissions committee.

English Language Proficiency Waiver

Exceptions to the English language proficiency policy will be granted if you have:

A degree (or will complete one before starting at GW) in which English is the language of instruction AND the official language of the country in which the university is located; or
A degree (or will complete one before starting at GW) from an institution that is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency.

You do not have to apply for either waiver. Simply submit your application without the required scores. The CCAS Office of Graduate Studies will review your application and update the status of a waiver within 2 business days.

English Language Test Exemption

Test Exemption by Degree Country and Institution

Countries	Institution
If you hold (or will by the time you begin studies at GW) a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from one of the following countries listed below, you are not required to submit the Duolingo/IELTS/PTE/TOEFL exam.	If you hold (or will by the time you begin studies at GW) a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from one of the following institutions listed below, you are not required to submit the Duolingo/IELTS/PTE/TOEFL exam.
Anguilla	American University, Bulgaria
Antigua & Barbuda	Athabasca University, Canada
Australia	American University in Cairo, Egypt
Bahamas	American University of Paris, France
Barbados	American College of Thessaloniki, Greece
Belize	Deree College, The American College of Greece
Bermuda	Hellenic American University, Greece
Botswana	Central European University, Hungary
British Virgin Islands	John Cabot University, Italy
Cameroon*	American University of Rome, Italy
Canada*	American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
Cayman Islands	American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Dominica	Lebanese American University, Lebanon
Fiji	Franklin College, Switzerland
The Gambia	Gilon Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland
Ghana	Les Roches School of Hotel Management, Switzerland
Grenada	American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Guyana	American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ireland	Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Liberia
Micronesia
Montserrat
Namibia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
South Africa
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
Zimbabwe

*Applies to applicants whose post-secondary degree is from a university in which English is the language of instruction.

Documents Required for Form I-20

The application for admission provides you with the opportunity to upload supporting documents to apply for Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. These supporting documents are not required for your application for admission to GW; your application will still be reviewed without them.

However, your admission to GW may be slightly delayed if you have not uploaded the documents. If you are admitted and have not included adequate evidence of financial support then you will receive a letter notifying you that you have been accepted, but an official offer of admission will not be sent until you provide the necessary documentation.

The Form I-20 process takes two to three weeks from when you accept admission if we have your completed documents.

For additional insight into the visa process, you can review our Steps to Obtain your Visa guide (PDF).

All students requesting an I-20 or DS-2019

To apply for an I-20, all students must submit:

Visa Request and Financial Certificate Form

The form must be correctly completed. The table on page 2 must be completed for the duration of your program (not just the first year). It must also be signed by you and/or your sponsor (if applicable).

Evidence of financial support

Bank statements must be provided from you and/or your sponsor (as applicable). More information can be found on the Graduate Admissions site.

Copy of the biographical page of your current passport
Copy of the Dependent Information form (if you are bringing a dependent)

Students who are currently in F-1 or J-1 status, or who have studied in the U.S. in the last 12 months

Students who are currently in F-1 or J-1 status, or who have studied in the U.S. in the last 12 month, must also submit:

Copy of your I-94, front and back (if you are currently in the U.S.)
Copy of your previous I-20s and/or DS-2019s (pages 1 and 3)
Copy of your U.S. Visa
Copy of your employment card if you are on Optional Practical Training
Completed SEVIS transfer form (PDF) (if you are currently in the U.S.)
An OPT Forfeit Letter and a copy of your EAD card, if you are currently in OPT status

You do not have to provide these documents at the time of your application. If you send them to us after you apply, please email them to [email protected]. Please note your full name and date of birth in the email subject line.

Arranging delivery of your documents

Once your I-20 has been approved, the International Services Office will email you a scanned copy. You will need to print out and sign the I-20, and bring it with you to your visa interview.

Health Insurance

All international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to have adequate health insurance. As a result, all students will be automatically enrolled in the George Washington University plan. You may apply to opt-out of this plan providing you have your own insurance plan and it meets all the university's minimum requirements. More information can be found on the Colonial Health Center website.

Additional Resources for International Students

GW graduate student sitting on a bench on campus

To stimulate the benefits of global exchange, international students from qualifying countries may be eligible for a tuition award of up to $10,000 per academic year.

The EAP program helps international students who speak English as an additional language develop their academic and professional written communications skills.

ISO is the first stop for the GW international community and strives to eliminate administrative challenges for international students studying in the U.S.