George Washington University Application Process

Hey, I'm applying to colleges soon and I was just wondering if anyone could walk me through George Washington University's application process? I want to make sure I don't miss anything important. Thanks!

Sure! Applying to George Washington University (GWU) is a relatively straightforward process. GWU uses the Common Application, so you'll need to create an account on the Common App website if you haven't already. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the application process for GWU:

1. Complete the Common App: Fill out the general information required in the Common App, such as your personal details, education history, and extracurricular activities. The Common App also requires you to write a personal statement essay - CollegeVine's blog contains detailed guidance on how to write a strong personal statement: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/

2. Choose GWU: Select George Washington University from the list of colleges in the Common App and add it to your My Colleges list.

3. GWU Supplemental Essay: After adding GWU to your list, you'll notice that there is an optional supplemental essay specific to GWU. The essay prompt varies from year to year, but make sure to write a well-thought-out and specific response that showcases your enthusiasm for the university. For guidance on how to tackle the current prompts, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-george-washington-university-essays/

4. Standardized Test Scores: As of the 2024-2025 application cycle, GWU is test-optional, which means that you can choose whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores with your application. If you feel your scores might be beneficial to your application, note that you'll need to send official score reports directly from the testing agency. If you're unsure whether or not to submit your test scores and want advice on how to navigate test-optional policies, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/

5. Letters of Recommendation: GWU requires two letters of recommendation, from academic/professional references. Examples of people you could choose would be teachers, counselors, supervisors, or bosses. Make sure to choose recommenders who will both add something new to your application - you don't want their letters to be communicating the same information. You can invite them to submit their recommendations through the Common App.

6. Application Fee or Fee Waiver: There is an application fee to apply to GWU, but you can also request a fee waiver if you're eligible for financial assistance. To learn more about fee waivers, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/the-complete-guide-to-fee-waivers-in-the-college-application-process

7. Review and Submit: Before submitting, double-check all sections of your application to ensure there are no errors and everything is properly filled out. Once you're confident with your application, go ahead and submit it.

Lastly, pay attention to the application deadlines. GWU offers Early Decision (ED) I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision application options. The deadlines for these options are usually as follows (although there can be variation from year to year, so make sure you confirm on their website):

- ED I: November 1

- ED II: January 5

- Regular Decision: January 5

Best of luck with your application to George Washington University!