Page 1 of 5
CPS Admissions FAQs
Before You Apply
Transcripts
Do I really need to submit transcripts from every university I've attended?
Yes. Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the
program was completed or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Official transcripts are
needed only upon acceptance.
Do I need to submit transcripts for transfer credits already appearing on my transcript?
Yes. Exceptions to this policy may be made for study abroad transcripts that were part of your bachelor's degree
program.
Do I have to submit transcripts for non-degree credits?
Yes. Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, degree
or non-degree.
Do I have to submit transcripts for credits that were taken for more than 10 years?
Yes. Transcripts need to be submitted for all colleges and universities attended.
Can I submit official transcripts already issued to me?
The official transcript issued to the student may be considered official if it is provided to admissions with unbroken
seal.
I have attended foreign Higher Education institutions; do I need to submit those transcripts?
If you have completed a degree at a foreign Higher Education institution, you would need to submit an official
detailed, course-by-course evaluation showing all coursework and the U.S. equivalent credit hours, grades,
cumulative grade point average, degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral from a National Association of
Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization. If your transcripts or academic credentials are in a
language other than English, a certified English language translation must be provided.
If attending the foreign institution was part of study abroad within your bachelor's degree program, then transcripts
are not needed.
To what address do I mail hard copies of application documents like transcripts, recommendations, etc.?
These documents should be mailed directly to:
The George Washington University
College of Professional Studies
Office of Admissions
44983 Knoll Square, Suite B56
Ashburn, VA 20147
Page 2 of 5
GPA
Should I still apply if my undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 (applicable to applicants to graduate programs and
undergraduate Cybersecurity program) or if the GPA of my associate’s degree/60 transferrable credit hours is
below 2.7 (applicable to applicants to undergraduate programs)?
If your overall GPA is below the required minimum for admissions, there may be other considerations that may work
in your favor. A strong performance in the GRE (only for applicable Graduate applicants), strong letters of
recommendation, and proper fit with the program, professional experience, and exposure to the field of interest are
taken into consideration.
Applicants to the GSPM master’s degree programs with an overall undergraduate GPA, including transfer credits, of
less than 3.0 (no rounding of GPA) must do AT LEAST one of the following:
1. Take the GRE and request ETS to have official scores be sent to GW (school code: 5246).
2. Submit a petition based on three or more years of relevant professional experience, consisting of a
descriptive essay and a corresponding portfolio of work.
Can the GRE requirement, if applicable, be waived? (Only for applicable Graduate applicants)
The GRE will be automatically waived with a prior, earned terminal degree from regionally accredited institution of
higher learning such as a J.D., M.D. or Ph.D.
How should I submit my GRE scores?
To have your GRE scores be reported to us, please provide ETS the institutional code of 5246. GRE scores expire
five years after test date.
International Applicants
Who is required to submit English Language test (ELT) scores?
English Language test scores, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores are required for applicants who are not
citizens of countries where English is the official language (PDF)
.
Exceptions to this policy may be granted to applicants who hold an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral
degree:
• From an institution in which English is the language of instruction and the official language of the country in
which the university is located; or
• From an institution that is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency (PDF
).
What are the minimum English Language test (ELT) scores required to be considered for admission?
For applicants applying to hybrid programs and online education programs, the minimum English
Language test (ELT) scores for admission consideration are:
o TOEFL: 600 on Paper-based or 100 on the Internet-based test
o Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0
o Academic PTE: 68
For applicants applying for programs that are considered face-to-face (neither online nor hybrid), the
minimum TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores for admission consideration are:
o TOEFL: 550 on Paper-based or 80 on Internet-based test.
o Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual band below 5.0
o Academic PTE: 53
Students with scores below the minimum required may be eligible to apply to the program with an additional
requirement to take Applied English Studies courses
.
Please note that English Language test scores may not be more than two years old. To ensure TOEFL scores are
sent to GW, use institutional code 5246. An institutional code is not required to send IELTS or PTE scores to GW.
Page 3 of 5
In their first semester at GW, international students are required to register for an English for Academic Purposes
(EAP) course. The EAP course that is required will be indicated in the student’s letter of admission. Students who are
assigned EAP courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as a possible extended period of time
required to complete their degree programs.
Students with the following English-language scores are exempt from taking EAP courses:
TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based.
Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.0.
PTE Academic: 68.
How should I submit my TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores?
To have your TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores be reported to us, please provide ETS the institutional code of 5246 for
TOEFL. An institutional code is not required for IELTS or PTE. TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE scores expire two years after
test date.
What is an international transcript evaluation, and do I need one?
All students that attended an institution outside of the United States must provide a detailed, course-by-course
transcript evaluation. This evaluation is not just an English translation, but a document provided by a National
Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization that shows all course titles and U.S.
equivalent grades, credit hours, cumulative grade point average, degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral.
Application Process
My recommender needs to complete my letter of recommendation online but has lost the email containing
the link to the online recommendation. How can I send the recommender another email with instructions on
how to submit the recommendation online?
If your application has already been submitted, you can send a reminder notification to your recommender by
logging into your online application, then click on the “Send Reminder” link in your application checklist. You can
also change your recommender by clicking the "Change Recommender" link.
I’ve already submitted my application but forgot to upload my statement of purpose. How can I add a
document to my application once it has been submitted?
You will not be able to make changes to your application after you’ve submitted. Although we request that you
submit your application only after it is fully complete and accurate, we will assist you to upload additional
documents as needed. Please contact applycps@gwu.edu
to make changes to your application.
After you’ve applied
How do I check the status of my application?
You can check the status of your application at any time using your Username and Password, by logging back into
the online application system at https://gw.force.com
.
How will I receive notification of my decision?
Once a decision has been made on your application you will receive an email from CPS. The email will ask you to
log back in to your application account online where you will be able to view your decision.
My application has been denied. Can I reapply?
The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically, with a student’s work experience and academic
background considered with the potential for academic success in the higher education level as evidenced on the
student’s application package – GPA, transcripts, standardized test scores, resume, statement of purpose, and
recommendations. Students who are denied admission may reapply one year after their initial decision date. For
example, a student denied for the current Fall semester may reapply for the following Fall semester once a year has
passed from the decision date. Unless there is a significant change from the original application, it is highly unlikely
that the original decision of the Admissions Committee will be reversed.
Page 4 of 5
May I defer my admission to the College of Professional Studies?
Deferral to admitted students may be granted a deferral of their enrollment to a subsequent semester for up to one
calendar year. For example, a student admitted for the current fall semester can defer up to the following fall
semester. After one year, students must reapply and go through a renewed admission process; that means
submitting a new application along with any updated supporting documentation necessary in addition to paying a
new application fee. As with any new application, the newly submitted application will be examined by the
Admissions Office for completion, then submitted to the admissions committee to review and render a decision.
Please note that an applicant’s current decision may be different from previously rendered decisions for the same
program. There is no guarantee that a previous offer of admission will be maintained. Therefore, applicants are
advised to carefully consider all possible options before requesting a deferral.
Can I review my application materials after I have submitted them?
Application materials can only be reviewed after you have been admitted and enrolled as a student at GW. The
recommendation letters can be viewed only if you have not waived your right to view them.
Can I get copies of my application materials after I have submitted them?
No. While you can view your application materials per policy indicated above, we are prohibited from releasing
copies of your application materials. Similarly, your application materials cannot be returned to you. All applications
and supporting documents become the property of The George Washington University and cannot be returned.
Financial Aid
How do I apply for financial aid?
Please check “yes” to question, "Do you plan to apply for US federal financial aid?" on the application. This will
prompt the GW Office of Student Financial Assistance office to send you the financial aid forms. You can contact the
GW Office of Student Financial Assistance for information about loan options and other available forms of financial
aid:
On the web: https://financialaid.gwu.edu/
By phone: (202) 994-6620
By Email: finaid@gwu.edu
You must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or refugee to apply for need-based financial aid. The priority
deadlines for completing your application for Federal Stafford, Graduate PLUS, and/or alternative loan funding are
listed below. Completing your application by these dates will ensure that your loan funds will arrive at the beginning
of the requested semester(s).
Completing your application by these dates will ensure that your loan funds will arrive at the beginning of the
requested semester(s) if all other disbursement requirements are met.
• Graduate Student Application Deadlines
o Fall:
February 15 – FAFSA
May 15 – Federal Direct Graduate PLUS and private alternative loan applications
o Spring: August 1 – All Loan Documents
o Summer: December 1 – All Loan Documents
• Undergraduate (CPS) Student Application Deadlines
o Fall: March 1
o Spring: October 1
o Summer: April 1
Page 5 of 5
I qualify for Veterans benefits. How do I start this process?
Please contact the GW Veterans Benefit Office:
On the web: https://services.military.gwu.edu/
By Email: [email protected]
By Phone: (202) 994-9570
Miscellaneous
May I view my recommendations?
Yes, you may view your recommendations only if you have not waived your right to view them. Please note that this
only applies to GW admitted and enrolled students, not applicants.
Can I get copies of my application materials after they have been submitted?
No. Although you may view your application materials, only after you have been admitted and have enrolled as a
student at GW, we are prohibited from releasing copies of your application materials. As mentioned above,
recommendations may be viewed if you have not waived your right to view them and you are a GW enrolled
student. All applications and supporting documents become the property of The George Washington University
and cannot be returned.
Am I able to apply to more than one program?
Yes, you may apply to more than one program but you need to submit a separate application and fee for each
program that you apply. However, if admitted to both programs, you should accept offer of admission from and
register to only one program unless an approved dual-degree program is in effect.
I am a current CPS student or alumnus, but I want to apply to another program. Can I re-use any of my official
documents from my earlier application?
Applicants may re-use some of their documents from a previous application within one calendar year from the entry
term of the previous application. Other materials may need to be updated, so please check with the Admissions
Office at applycps@gwu.edu
.
What is the tuition for my program?
You can find the current tuition and fees for College of Professional Studies programs at Tuition page.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions/concerns?
Contact our Admissions office via email at [email protected]. Please include the name of the program you are
interested in in the subject line. You may also refer to the CPS Admissions FAQs.
