Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students

School of Health requires that applicants submit their entire application, including all recommendations, via the online application system.

Checklists indicating the status of your admissions application can be found on the online application system. The checklists are posted the day after the application is submitted, and application materials received are logged daily. Online recommendations are automatically updated to a status of “received” when submitted by the recommenders.

Checking the receipt of your materials and application status

When you apply online , you have convenient access to an application status portal. You can verify your address, upload missing materials and review your application checklist to verify what application items have or have not been received. The status page is available after you submit your application and is updated as materials are received. Online recommendations are automatically updated to a status of “received” when submitted by the recommender.

Please note that your online checklist is a tool for you to see what has been received.  For more detailed application requirements, please consult your individual program requirements and website.

General Requirements

• Online application
• 4-year bachelor’s degree
• Grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Nonrefundable application fee
• Academic statement of purpose
• Transcripts (see details in FAQ’s)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• TOEFL/IELTS score (if applicable)
  TOEFL: Georgetown Univ. Code: 5244
  IELTS: Georgetown Univ. Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Yes. You will be required to self-report your grade point average(s) (GPA) for undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate coursework in the Self-Reported GPA section of the application. The GPA represents the combined GPA of all credits applied toward the primary degree. All applicants will provide the self-reported GPA for their primary undergraduate degree. Those who have attended a graduate program will need to calculate a second GPA for the graduate degree.

Instructions on how to calculate your GPA can be found in the online application system.

The Executive Master’s program follows the application fee set forth by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

If you get an error message when trying to submit your payment, the most common reason for this error is that the address an applicant enters does not exactly match the address of their credit card. Make sure that the address is correct and matches their address on file with your bank and/or credit card company. In addition, we recommend logging out and back in again and trying to use a different browser (suggested browsers). Additionally, sometimes when there is an error, a bank statement will show the charge as pending, but the charge does not go through. If you continue to have an issue with your application fee payment, please contact our office and we can assist you further.

Applicants are required to upload to the application copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended where more than 15 credits of coursework have been completed or where program prerequisites have been completed (any number of credits). We consider these uploaded transcripts to be “unofficial” as they are submitted by the applicant. Transcripts from both degree and non-degree coursework provide the admissions committee a more complete picture of academic preparation for graduate study. Only transcripts that have been uploaded to the application by the student are required for the application review. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official final transcripts (transcripts that have been submitted directly to Georgetown University by the institution) for verification prior to enrolling. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission.

• Step 1: Request a copy of your official transcript from your institution.
• Step 2: Upload the transcript to your application.

An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution. This includes:

• Scanned copies of paper transcripts issued by the institution
• Electronic transcripts issued by the institution (not a download from your institution’s web portal)

We do not accept screen shots or photos, and we do not accept downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website. 

If an offer of admission is granted and accepted, admitted students will be required to submit final official transcripts from all institutions where a degree has been earned and other institutions as designated in their admissions letter. Additional details for which can be reviewed on our admitted students page. Georgetown University reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown University also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript that is received.

Review our Transcript FAQs for additional details regarding required content, format, and submission.

International Transcripts: Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts in the form of World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluations or may utilize other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Applicants should upload this evaluation directly to the application. If the evaluation does not include a copy of the transcripts that were evaluated, applicants must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.

• For transcripts not in English: These documents must be accompanied by an English language version provided by the academic institution. If your institution does not provide English language copies, applicants are responsible for providing a certified or notarized translation along with a copy of the original transcripts. Applicants may upload an evaluation from a credential evaluation service. This must include course and grade information. If not included in the evaluation, the transcript from the institution must be included as well. Both the evaluation and original transcript should be submitted in the application as one document.
• In cases where a certified translation is needed, the translation should be provided by the institution or by a professional translator / translation company. Translations from friends or family members are not accepted. The translator will provide both the translated documents and a signed certification statement. The certification statement will affirm:
  • That the translator has reviewed and translated the document with name, signature, and date included
  • The completeness and accuracy of the document, and the origin country / language
  • The translator’s qualifications.
  • The translation and certification statement may be uploaded with the copy of the transcript in the original language.

• Study Abroad and/or Transfer Coursework: If your undergraduate transcripts contain study abroad courses and/or transfer credits showing grades earned, you do NOT need to list these institutions separately or upload transcripts.  If courses are not listed on your primary institution’s transcript or the transfer courses do not show course grades, please list the institution(s) separately and upload the transcript(s).
• If an offer of admission is granted and accepted, admitted students will be required to submit final official transcripts from all institutions where a degree has been earned and other institutions as designated in their admissions letter. Additional details for which can be reviewed on our admitted students page. Georgetown University reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown University also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript that is received.

Review our Transcript FAQs for additional details regarding required content, format, and submission.

Admitted students who plan to enroll are required to submit official transcripts from all institutions attended including final official transcripts from degree-granting institutions. Admitted students should review their decision letter and application status portal to confirm which conditions require fulfillment.

The final official transcript must include confirmation and date of degree conferral. A diploma or degree certificate showing degree conferral and degree date can be provided in addition to a transcript if that information is not present on the transcript.

All foreign official documents should include an English-language translation from the institution, notarized translator, or by a credential evaluation service when applicable.

To be official, documents must be submitted directly from the institution to Georgetown University through one of the following options:

• Submitted to Georgetown University in an envelope issued by the institution and sealed by the Registrar or an equivalent office
• Submitted to Georgetown University from the institution via a secure electronic delivery, such as Scrip-Safe

How and Where to Submit Official Documents:

Electronically: gradtranscripts@georgetown.edu

By Mail:

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Office of Graduate Admissions
Car Barn, Suite 140 – Box 571004
3520 Prospect Street N.W.,
Washington, DC 20057-1005

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction. (Please note that applicants receiving degrees at universities in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS unless the language of instruction at the institution is English).

If your transcript does not clearly state that the language of instruction is English, then please upload supporting documentation on institutional letterhead from your university’s registrar’s office or equivalent along with your transcript.

Applicants who are in progress and will confer a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction before the start date(s) of our graduate programs are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Please note: we do not offer TOEFL or IELTS waivers. We do not accept Duolingo. We do not accept TOEFL myBest Score.

TOEFL iBT test or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: You need to request that ETS (Educational Testing Services) send your TOEFL scores to Georgetown University. To request scores, use the code: 5244. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 80 (Internet-based test) and 550 (paper test). Official TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the exam date.

IELTS (academic test): Official score reports should be sent electronically by the testing center to Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The minimum IELTS score for admission is 7.0. Official IELTS scores are valid for two years from the exam date.

We are unable to accept copies of unofficial TOEFL or IELTS score reports sent by applicants via email attachments.

• Visa and Immigration Documents- International applicants should not submit supporting financial and sponsorship documentation during the initial application process, but should instead wait until after an official offer of admission has been made. Soon after you confirm your enrollment, you will receive instructions to request a Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 or J-1 status (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) from the Office of Global Services (OGS).
• Scholarships Financial Aid- International students are eligible for institutional funds (such as assistantships, fellowships and scholarships) and for support drawn from federal and other research grants; however international students are generally not eligible for federal loan money from the United States government. For further information and resources on available funding for international students, please visit the Financial Aid for International Students page.
• EducationUSA– EducationUSA is the U.S. State Department’s network of over 400 advising centers in 170 countries around the world. These centers are designed to assist international students as they prepare to apply to and attend colleges and universities in the United States.

Applicants are notified of their admissions decision via the online application system.

Financial aid award(s) will be available for viewing in GU Experience under the Financial Services tab.

Financial aid award(s) will be available for viewing in GU Experience under the Financial Services tab.

Occasionally, an applicant not meeting the above criteria may be admitted to the Graduate School as a Special Student. Applicants may not apply for Special Student Status, but may be admitted to this status at the discretion of the department or program and the Graduate School. Special Students are not admitted to a degree program and may be enrolled for no more than a single semester. They may take a maximum of six credits of graduate coursework during that semester. Consideration for admission to degree status includes meeting minimum requirements outlined in the Special Student admission letter. Special Students who desire degree status should submit an official, written request to the Graduate School before the end of the initial semester of admission. Please note that students admitted to Special Student status have limited access to resources such as financial aid and student health insurance. Please check with the appropriate offices for eligibility requirements.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to make certain that all admission materials are received by the designated application deadline. Neither the Graduate School nor the departments can assume the responsibility of informing the applicant about erroneous or missing materials.

All materials (original, copies, or electronic documents) submitted in support of an application become a part of Georgetown University application records and cannot be released to the student or a third party.

If application materials are forged, falsified or altered, the Graduate School will notify all relevant officials, including the individual or institution issuing the document(s) and, as appropriate, immigration officers. Submission of such materials will disqualify an applicant for admission.

Georgetown University admits qualified students of any age, sex, religion, race, sexual orientation, color, disability and/or national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

It does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, race, sexual orientation, color, disability and/or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.

The university’s Academic Resource Center is available to assist and guide students with disabilities who may need access to accommodations. Contact information:

Location: Leavey Center, Third Floor
Telephone: (202) 687-8354
E-mail: arc@georgetown.edu

Georgetown University’s Privacy Policy  describes the University’s general approach to protecting your personal information.  If you have any questions, please contact GUprivacy@georgetown.edu and reference “Graduate Admissions.”  Our processing of personal information provided by EU/EEA residents may also be subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”).  When EU/EEA residents submit information to Georgetown University or use Georgetown University’s websites and/or electronic services, they consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of that information as described in the Admissions Privacy Notice- EU.