Transferring To George Washington University: What You Need To Know

George Washington University (GWU) is a private research university in Washington, D.C. The university accepts transfer students, with a transfer acceptance rate of around 40% to 50%. To be considered for transfer, applicants must have graduated from high school and completed at least one college course since then, with a minimum college GPA of 3.3. Additionally, they must have completed at least one full year of college-level courses or equivalent credits, including English Composition (ENGL1010) and college-level math. The application process requires official transcripts, a college report, a professor recommendation, essays, and a non-refundable application fee of $80.

Transfer application requirements

The George Washington University (GW) welcomes transfer students from a wide variety of colleges and universities. The university defines a transfer student as anyone who has graduated from high school and completed at least one college course since graduation. The transfer acceptance rate at GW has varied over the years but is typically around 40-50%, making it competitive to get into.

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for transfer students are August 15 to October 1 for the spring semester and January 15 to April 1 for the fall semester. The application requires a non-refundable fee of $80.

Application Portal

Prospective transfer students can create an account and submit their applications through the GW application portal. The application allows students to include their personal information, academic history, and essay. Students can also request their college report and faculty recommendation through the portal.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation, including a resume, college report, and letters of recommendation, can be submitted via the application portal, by email to , or by mail to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for each college or university previously attended and should be sent directly from the registrar's office to GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For applicants with less than 30 college credits, high school transcripts are also required and should be sent directly from the school. International applicants whose original transcripts are not in English must submit certified English translations along with the original documents.

Faculty Recommendation

GW strongly encourages submitting one academic recommendation from a faculty member. The recommendation can be requested through the Recommendations section of the application.

College Report

A College Report is required from the applicant's current or most recent college where they were enrolled full-time. This form should be completed by the registrar or appropriate dean or college official who can verify the applicant's enrollment and academic/disciplinary standing.

Portfolio

A portfolio review is required for applicants to the BFA programs within the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, except for the BFA in Interior Architecture. The portfolio should include 12-20 completed works of art that represent the applicant's best and most recent work.

Standardized Test Scores

GW is test-optional for most applicants, who can choose whether to submit their scores when applying. However, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to submit English language test scores unless they have spent the last four years in a school setting where English is the sole language of instruction.

High School Transcript

If the applicant has earned under 30 college credits, a final high school transcript with the graduation date is required. This requirement is waived for students with an associate's degree awarded after high school graduation.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

International applicants must provide a permanent, physical mailing address (not a PO box). If the applicant's original transcripts are not in English, they must submit both the original documents and certified English translations.

Acceptance rates

George Washington University (GWU) is a private research university in Washington, D.C. that accepts transfer students. The transfer acceptance rate has varied over the years but has usually been around 40% to 50%, making it more competitive than some other universities. In 2019, GWU received 3070 transfer applicants and accepted 1242, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 40.46%.

GWU defines a transfer student as anyone who has graduated from high school and completed at least one college course since then. The university considers applicants' academic backgrounds, including high school records and standardised test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and interest in the university. While there is no standard credit or GPA requirement for transfer admission, GWU generally looks for applicants to have a minimum GPA of around 3.3, and to have completed at least one full year of college-level courses or equivalent credits.

Transfer applicants are required to submit official transcripts from each college or university attended, as well as a high school transcript if they have completed less than 30 college credits. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a college report, a professor recommendation, and essays.

Minimum GPA requirements

George Washington University (GW) does accept transfer students. The acceptance rate for transfer students is around 40% to 50%, making it more competitive to get in as a transfer student than at some other universities.

GW does not have a minimum GPA requirement for transfer students. However, the higher your GPA, the better your chances of admission. The university generally looks for applicants to have a minimum GPA of around 3.3, and admitted students are typically strong academic students.

GW will evaluate your academic background at each institution of higher education previously attended and will consider your high school record and standardised test scores (if applicable), essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and interest in the university.

Transfer Credit Requirements

In addition to the above, GW requires a minimum number of credits completed to apply as a transfer student. The university requires a minimum of 60 credits.

GW accepts transfer credit from various colleges and universities. Domestic transfer credit must be from a regionally-accredited institution, while international transfer credit must be from an institution recognised by the country's Ministry of Education.

GW does not award transfer credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, physical education activities, or the Joint Services Transcript (JST) for undergraduate students admitted to certain schools. The university also does not initially award transfer credit for internship, externship, or certain mathematics courses.

Application Process

To apply as a transfer student, you must submit an application, including supporting documentation such as a resume, college report, and letters of recommendation. There is a non-refundable application fee of $80.

Official transcripts are required for each college or university previously attended, and high school transcripts are required if you have completed less than 30 college credits.

GW strongly encourages submitting one academic recommendation and requires a College Report from your current or most recent college.

Deadlines

The application deadline for the Fall term is usually in early April, while for the Spring term, it typically falls in late October.

Transfer credits

The George Washington University (GW) accepts transfer credits from various colleges and universities. All domestic transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited institution, while international transfer credits must be from an institution recognised by the country's Ministry of Education.

GW does not award transfer credits for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or institutional exams or waivers for credit, physical education activities, or the Joint Services Transcript (JST) to undergraduate students admitted to the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Elliott School of International Affairs, or the Milken Institute School of Public Health.

GW also does not award transfer credit upon initial evaluation for internship, externship, co-op, shadowing, practicum, or other external work experiences, courses that are non-academic in nature (college transition, study skills, etc.), and mathematics courses below the calculus level.

A course that is approved for transfer will be awarded credit using one of the following three criteria:

• A direct equivalency to a GW course
• No direct course equivalency, but awarded credit in a relevant subject area
• No direct course equivalency, but awarded general elective GW credit

There is no limit to the number of credits a student may be awarded transfer credit for prior to attending GW. However, students must complete 60 credits to meet the residency requirement at GW.

GW accepts many domestic and international exams for credit, and students may apply up to 24 credits earned through exams. For information regarding AP, IB, and A-Level exams for credit, refer to the University Bulletin.

The following policies apply to all current students:

• Prior department approval is required for a course to transfer back to GW.
• Students are only allowed to transfer nine credits or three courses (up to a maximum of 12 credits) from institutions outside of GW once they have started their studies at GW. This rule applies to both foreign and domestic institutions.
• Post-matriculation transfer credit will not apply toward general education requirements.
• Undergraduate students wishing to take courses outside of GW must use a Transfer Credit Approval form and receive prior approval for the transfer of credits.
• The appropriate GW academic department must specify a GW equivalent course, and the student's Advising Office and/or Dean's Office must approve the taking of the course for the transfer of academic credit.
• The Transfer Credit Approval form must be submitted to the student's academic advising office, which has final approval of the form.
• To gain approval for courses taken elsewhere, students must satisfy the residency requirements of the University and their home school as outlined in the University Bulletin.
• Courses must be taken for a letter grade. Transfer credit is awarded for final grades of C- or better (or international equivalent). The grade earned does not appear on the student's transcript and is not included in the GPA calculation. Only the credits transfer to the GW academic record.
• Students may not be awarded transfer credit for a GW course previously completed with a passing grade (except for designated courses with specific departmental approval).
• It is the student's responsibility to ensure that an official transcript is sent from the outside institution to the Office of the Registrar following the successful completion of the course.

Deadlines

The George Washington University (GW) has two transfer application deadlines per year. The deadlines for transfer applications are August 15 to October 1 for the fall semester and January 15 to April 1 for the spring semester.

It is important to note that the application is only open for submissions for the upcoming semester based on the deadline chart. The application requires a non-refundable application fee of $80.

To ensure a smooth application process, it is recommended that you submit your application at least one week before the deadline. Taking a break from your application for a couple of days before the final submission can also help you identify any errors or missing information.

GW's transfer application process includes submitting supporting documentation, such as a resume, college report, and letters of recommendation. These documents can be submitted via the application, email, or mail. Electronic submissions are preferred to ensure a timely application process.

Additionally, international transfer applicants may have additional requirements and should refer to the international application process for specific details.

Frequently asked questions