Transfer Applicant FAQ

Eligibility

Who is considered a transfer student?

Any student who has completed or is currently enrolled in at least one college course after graduating from high school or earning their GED is considered a transfer applicant. Applicants who are veterans or currently serving in the military are also considered transfer students if they’ve earned any credit post-high school graduation.

Dual-enrollment high school students and/or students who gained college credit during summer programs are not considered transfer students.

Are there prerequisites for transferring?

There are no prerequisites for transferring to GW with the exception of students applying to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, who should have completed college level calculus.

What classes should I take to prepare to transfer?

If you plan on applying to transfer to GW and would like help deciding what courses will best prepare you to transfer, please refer to our Transfer Course Selection Guide.

How many credits and what GPA do I need to be admitted?

There is no standard credit or GPA requirement for transfer admission into GW. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each applicant based on academic background and the rigor of coursework taken. In addition, the committee takes into consideration essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.

Application Requirements

Do I need to submit standardized test scores?

GW only requires standardized test scores for transfer applicants who have completed less than 30 college credits and for applicants have been homeschooled or earned their GED. In all other cases, GW does not review standardized test scores as part of a transfer application.

Do I need my high school transcript as part of my application?

If a student has completed under 30 college credits from a higher education institution at the time of application (not including credits from AP/IB classes or from dual enrollment courses taken in high school) they are required to have any high school attended submit an official transcript.

All admitted students who enroll and are eligible for federal aid at GW will need to provide proof of their highest level of education completed, meaning either their final high school transcript or community college transcript indicating a completed associate’s degree.

Do I have to send you all my transcripts, even if there are some that I do not care to get credit for?

Please request official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended even if there are some that you are not seeking credit for. Transcripts must be sent by the school to be considered official.

How do I submit my transcript and other supporting documents?

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the sender's school in order to be considered official. They can be sent to gwadmgwu [dot] edu (gwadm[at]gwu[dot]edu) or the following address:

The George Washington University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
800 21st St NW Suite 214
Washington, D.C. 20052

Some schools send transcripts via a secure online platform such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse. Please note that electronic submission is preferred and will allow us to complete your application in a timely manner.

Other supporting documentation (including a resume, college report, and letters of recommendation) can be submitted through your application (preferred) or via email to gwadmgwu [dot] edu (gwadm[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Transfer Credit & Academic Planning

Do you accept credits from my college?

GW accepts transfer credit from various colleges and universities. All domestic transfer credit must have been taken at a regionally-accredited institution. International transfer credits must have been taken at an institution recognized by the country’s Ministry of Education.

How many credits can I transfer?

GW can accept as many college credits as the Registrar deems transferable. However, at least 60 credits of a GW degree must be earned through GW coursework. GW students typically take 15 credits per academic semester. Credits earned through GW study abroad, GW satellite campuses, GW distance education courses, and Consortium courses are treated as “in residence” and will count toward the 60 hour requirement.

When will I receive my credit evaluation to see which credits will transfer?

A full evaluation of your courses taken at other institutions is completed after you have been admitted to GW. With your letter of admission, you will receive a full transfer credit evaluation that outlines which credits will transfer to GW; however, final determination of how credit will be applied toward your degree will be determined in conjunction with your academic advisor. We suggest you meet with your advisor following your acceptance to determine which courses will fulfill degree requirements.

Before you apply, use our transfer equivalency tool to see what credit has transferred into GW previously and what graduation requirements it may fulfill..

Cost & Financial Aid

Can transfer students apply for financial aid?

Transfer students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or asylees are eligible for consideration for need-based financial aid. Review financial aid eligibility criteria.

If you are applying for financial aid, it is highly recommended that you submit your financial aid application and supporting documents to GW by your application deadline. This ensures timely processing of financial aid packages.

Are transfer students eligible for merit scholarships?

Transfer students who apply for a fall semester and meet the specific requirements of GW’s transfer scholarships are eligible for consideration for merit aid. Eligible applicants will automatically be considered for most scholarships.

We offer a number of scholarships specifically for transfer students.

Admission Decisions

How soon will I be notified of my admissions decision?

Your application will be reviewed only after your file is complete and we have received all required application documents. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Fall applicants will be notified of their admission decision by June, and spring applicants will be notified of their admission decision by early December.

Students who are eligible for financial aid and have submitted a FAFSA, CSS Profile, and any other required documents by the application deadline will be notified of their financial aid package at the time of admission.

Can transfer students be waitlisted or defer their acceptance?

Transfer students are either admitted or denied, never waitlisted. They may defer their admission for one or two semesters, but they are not allowed to take courses at another institution during their deferral. Students must deposit for enrollment before deferring and must complete their deferral form prior to the first day of classes. See more information about deferral.

Enrollment & Student Experience

Do transfer students live on campus?

New transfer students are required to live in GW University housing through the spring semester of their first academic year at GW. Learn about this requirement and view exemptions.

Please refer to GW's Campus Living & Residential Education website for more information regarding the transfer student housing registration process.

Is there an orientation program for transfer students?

All transfer students are required to attend New Student Orientation, held just prior to the start of each semester. Orientation at GW is a great opportunity to get connected with fellow transfer students, learn about the campus resources and ease your transition to a new environment. Find more information on GW's Transfer Orientation.