Official Transcript Requirements

We require official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of whether you completed your degree program or credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. This requirement is stated in your admission letter, if we do not already have an acceptable official transcript on file. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions section and (if applicable) the Official Documentation Requirements by Country for further information. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a transcript "official"?

Electronic transcripts are official if:

• They are sent to CCAS ([email protected]) or GWU ([email protected]) directly by the issuing institution or by an approved, secure third-party provider such as e-Scrip, Parchment, or Student ClearingHouse.

Paper transcripts are official if:

• They are mailed to CCAS directly by the issuing institution. 
• They are received at CCAS (whether mailed by or hand-delivered by the student) in a closed, sealed envelope into which they were placed by the issuing institution; and
• The envelope has not been opened since the issuing institution closed and sealed it.

What makes a transcript "unofficial"?

Electronic transcripts are unofficial if:

• The student uploaded the transcript to the application.
• The student emailed the transcript to CCAS.
• A non-approved individual or third-party provider emailed the transcript to CCAS. An email from a school representative is not secure, and is generally not acceptable as official.

Paper transcripts are unofficial if:

• They are not in envelopes from the issuing institution.
• They are received by CCAS in envelopes that have been opened.

What happens if I cannot provide my official transcript by the start of the semester?

Your admission letter asks for all official documents by the start of your first semester. Sometimes this is not possible due to the timeline of your institution, or because you completed degree coursework very close to the start of the semester. 

• In addition to the information in your admission letter, we send regular reminders about missing documents.
• If required official documents have not been received one month after the start of the semester, we place a registration hold on your account. This does not generally create a problem for your first semester registration.
• If the registration hold is still in place when pre-registration opens for the next semester, you will not be able to pre-register. This may result in your missing out on the more popular courses or section times. 
• Pre-registration for Spring semester opens in November. Pre-registration for Fall semester opens in April. 
• If the registration hold is still in place when the next semester starts, you will be withdrawn for failure to register.
• We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible at [email protected] if you are having difficulties obtaining your official documents.

I'm sure I already provided my official transcript. Why are you still asking me for it? 

If you are receiving reminders and requests for your official transcripts, and you believe you have already provided what is required, please reach out to us at [email protected] for clarification. See the following possible reasons for receiving reminders:

• You uploaded to your application what was (to you) an official transcript  -- but that is not official to us. (See "What makes a transcript unofficial?").
• You requested an official transcript from your institution, but it was not sent to CCAS. (Transcripts that are sent to other offices at GWU may not make it to CCAS in a timely manner. Check your records for the recipient of the official transcript.)
• You requested an official transcript from your institution yesterday, and we sent the reminder yesterday or today. (The reminder was scheduled to go out before we received the document and/or updated your file.)
• We received an official transcript, but it was not final -- it did not include information about your awarded degree and conferral date. Bachelor degree transcripts must be both official and final. Please do not request to have your official transcript sent until you confirm that your institution's registrar has posted the degree and awarded date on the document; otherwise, you will have to re-send your transcript. 
• We received everything required, but may not have fully updated your record so it still shows as missing something (this is rare, but it happens!)

My checklist shows that all transcripts have been received. Why are you still asking for documents?

The checklist in your application portal is for application requirements, not admission requirements. It does not track the receipt of official versus non-official documents. If you are uncertain which of your official documents are missing, please email [email protected] to inquire. Our reminder emails generally specify the institution(s) or document(s) that are missing.

I am a GWU alum. Do I need to request an official GWU transcript?

In most cases, we have access to your official GWU transcript, so you do not need to request an official version. However, we do not always have access to transcripts -- for example, if you studied at GWU before the current student information system was in place, or if you studied in certain programs.

My official transcripts are irreplaceable. Can you return them to me after verifying them?

All official credentials such as transcripts, marksheets, and degree certificates become the property of the George Washington University once they have been submitted and will not be returned to the student or the issuing institution. (This is why in some cases we accept attested copies -- see India.)

Sending in Your Transcripts

All official transcripts should arrive no later than the start of the semester. 

International Transcript Requirements

If you studied internationally, you may need to provide supplemental documentation with your transcript.

You must submit all official documents listed for the country where you earned your undergraduate degree. You may mail the documents to the Columbian College Office of Graduate Studies or deliver them in person in an unopened envelope (closed and sealed by the issuing institution) after you arrive in the U.S.

Unless otherwise specified, all of the documents you submit must be:

• Official (printed and issued by your undergraduate institution);
• Original (no photocopies or scans);
• Translated into English, if applicable. Please submit both the original document and the official translation.

Official Documentation Requirements by Country

Transcripts from some countries must be submitted with additional documentation. If you have questions about document requirements for a country that is not listed, please contact us at [email protected].

Bologna Process Member Countries

The European Higher Education Area maintains a list of current Bologna Process participants.

• Official transcript and
• Diploma Supplement (in English)

For institutions in the UK, please see that entry, below.

Brazil

• Official transcript (Historico Escolar) and
• Certified copy of Diploma or Certificate of Conclusion
• Official English translations of the above two documents

Canada

• Official Transcript (must indicate that the degree was conferred/awarded)
• Note: Transcripts from institutions in French provinces such as Québec must be supplied in both French and English.

China

• Verified transcript and graduation report in English from CHSI (maintained by the Center for Student Services and Development of the Ministry of Education). 
• Alternatively, we will accept a WES or other NACES member organization's official evaluation of your transcript(s) and degree(s).

NOTE: It is not necessary to provide hard copy official documents directly from the university/ies.

India

• Official attested copy of Diploma or Provisional Certificate and
• Official attested copy of Transcript.

NOTE: We ask for official attested copies (which should be issued and attested by the institution). We do not ask for your original official transcript or diploma.

Iran

• Official (university-issued) copy of Final Transcript and
• Official (university-issued) copy of Diploma and
• Official English translations of Final Transcript and Diploma authorized by the Ministry of Justice

Mexico

• Official (university-issued) copy of Final Transcript and
• Official (university-issued) copy of Diploma and
• Official English translations of Final Transcript and Diploma

Nigeria

• Official Transcript and
• Certified copy of Degree Certificate

Russia

• Official, certified, or attested copy of Diploma and
• Official, certified, or attested copy of Addendum to Diploma
• Official English translations of the above two documents

Saudi Arabia

• Official Transcript in Arabic and English (must indicate that the final degree was conferred/awarded)

 South Korea

• Official Transcript in Korean and English (must indicate that the final degree was conferred/awarded)

United Kingdom

• For institutions that follow the Bologna process, see Bologna process requirements, above.
• For other institutions, a Transcript of Academic Records/Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) is required. This is an official document issued by the institution that awarded your degree that lists all subjects or modules taken and grades earned for each year of study. If your institution sends a diploma supplement instead of an academic transcript/HEAR, then a copy of your certificate will also be required.