GRE Scores

Your GRE scores are a very important part of your application.  It is one of the only quantitative measures of your file.  With that in mind, it is very important to know a few details about the test scores.

1) We require your test scores be submitted by the deadline: January 15^th for fellowship consideration and February 1^st for admission only.  You cannot take the GRE on January 14^th and expect us to consider your application for fellowships.  It can take up to 3 weeks for ETS and GW to process your GRE scores.  We advise applicants to take the GRE no later than mid-December to allow plenty of time for processing.

2) If you have taken more than one GRE on the same scoring scale, we will only consider the highest score in each section.  Consider the example below:

Jean took the GRE twice.  On the first exam she scored a 156 on the verbal section, 164 on the quantitative section and 5.0 on the analytical writing section.  On her second exam her quantitative score stayed the same while her verbal score rose to a 158 and her analytical writing score dropped to a 4.5.  The admissions committee will see Jean’s scores as a 158 on the verbal section, 164 on the quantitative section and 5.0 on the analytical writing section.

3) The Elliott School does not have any minimum GRE scores.  Our average GRE scores are 160 on the verbal section, 154 on the quantitative section and 4.5 on the analytical writing.  As these are our averages, we have admitted students with GRE scores higher and lower than these numbers.  We will consider every piece of your application.

4) GRE scores remain valid for 5 years.  If you took the GRE in 2008, you can use those scores as part of your application.

5) Very few applicants receive an exemption from taking the GRE.  If you are applying to the M.I.P.P., M.I.S., or any of our graduate certificate programs you do not need to submit GRE scores.  Also, if you already have an advanced degree, you also do not need to submit GRE scores.  We do strongly recommend these applicants submit scores if available, but your application may be completed without them.

6) Scores must come to GW directly from ETS.  We cannot accept self-reported scores.  Please send an official score report to school code 5246 and the scores will be matched with your application.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question about GRE scores or any other part of the application process!  You can email us at esiagrad@gwu.edu or call us at 202-994-7050.  We are more than happy to help!

International Applicant Requirements

At the Elliott School, we have a significant number of international applicants.  We thought this would be a great opportunity to address some of the additional application requirements for those applicants.

First, most international students are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.  We posted a complete list of exempted applicants as well as other details last month and suggest you refer to that post for more information.

Second, we require international applicants to submit GW’s Visa Request and Financial Certificate form.  This information will not be used when reviewing your application, but is a required document for international applicants.  If we have this information on file at the time of application, should you be admitted and chose to enroll, the visa request process will be much faster and smoother.  If you are applying for fellowships or loans, and the funding is not secured when submitting your application, please still include the form with as much information as possible.

Third, to supplement your Visa Request and Financial Certificate form, we request proof of funding.  Proof of funding is usually a bank statement/letter showing that you (or your sponsor) have the funds to pay for your Elliott School education.  It could also be a scholarship letter, employment/salary verification, or investment summaries.  Please note that funding for the first year of study must be in liquid assets.  This means you must show cash in the bank for at least the first year cost.  The second year may be covered by investments, salary, or other types of funding.  Again, if you are planning on applying for loans or fellowships, please submit a letter explaining how you plan on paying your tuition and we will request more details if you chose to enroll.

Finally, please submit a copy of your passport and any previous immigration documents such as I-20’s, visa stamps, etc.

If you have any questions about the visa request form or process, please do not hesitate to contact us at esiagrad@gwu.edu or 202-994-7050.  You can also find more information on the Graduate Student Enrollment Management website.

Academic Prerequisites-Foreign Language, Regional Programs

Last week we posted information about the economics and foreign language requirements for non-regional programs.  This week, we will explore the prerequisites for regional programs.  The language requirement for these programs is similar to the four semester requirement for non-regional programs, but the language must be applicable to the area of study.  For all programs, the language requirement must be met at the time of application.  Again, four semesters is the minimum requirement, our strongest applicants will have more than four semesters of language background.

Below I have highlighted the application requirements for each of our regional programs.

Asian Studies

Applicants to the M.A. in Asian Studies must have four semesters (or the equivalent) of an approved Asian language.  The Elliott School has approved Chinese, Japanese, and Korean to fulfill this requirement.

European and Eurasian Studies

To apply for the M.A. in European and Eurasian Studies, applicants must have four semesters (or the equivalent) of a modern European language besides English.  These languages include, but are not limited to, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Russian.  If you have a question about the full list of languages, please contact us at esiagrad@gwu.edu.  The European and Eurasian Studies program also requires applicants to complete two semesters of economics (one micro- and one macro- course) by the time of enrollment.

Latin American and Hemispheric Studies

Applicants to the M.A. in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies must have four semesters (or the equivalent) of Spanish language background.  If an applicant speaks another language spoken in Latin America, the experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Middle East Studies

Finally, applicants to the M.A. in Middle East Studies must have four semesters (or the equivalent) of an approved regional language.  The approved languages include Modern Standard Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Kurdish, and Turkish.

If you have any questions regarding the language requirements for any of our programs, please do not hesitate to contact us via email (esiagrad@gwu.edu) or phone (202-994-7050).  We look forward to hearing from you!

Academic Prerequisites-Foreign Language, Non-Regional Programs

In addition to an economics background, we require that applicants to the MA in International Affairs, Global Communication, International Development Studies, International Trade and Investment Policy, and Security Policy Studies programs have significant language background at the time of application.  (The MA in Security Policy Studies requirement may be replaced with a statistics course.)

All of these programs require applicants to have at least four semesters (or the equivalent) of a modern, spoken, foreign language to be eligible for admission.  This is traditionally fulfilled by taking four language courses during your undergraduate career.  We require that all four classes be in the same language and of increasing difficulty.   Please note that four semesters is the minimum requirement.  Our strongest applicants will have more than four semesters of language experience.

Now you may be asking, “What does ‘or the equivalent’ mean?”  Below are a few situations where applicants meet the language requirements in non-traditional ways.

• Billy tested out of French 1 and French 2 during his undergraduate studies and completed French 3 and French 4.
• Sarah has lived abroad in China for six years working for a technology company.  She has learned Mandarin Chinese and uses it daily while interacting with her co-workers, neighbors, and friends.  Sarah recently took a proficiency exam and tested at the advanced level.
• Frank is an international student from Germany.  His first language is German, but he completed his BA in the United States.
• Sonia has lived in the United States all her life, but her parents grew up in Colombia.  She primarily speaks and reads Spanish in her home and she considers both Spanish and English her first languages.  She can speak, read, and write Spanish at a minimum of the advanced level.

Here are some situations where applicants do not meet the minimum requirement.

• Hank took four semesters of Latin during his undergraduate career.  (Since Latin is not a modern foreign language, it does not meet the requirement.)
• Kathy took Italian 1 and Italian 2, but switched languages and took Arabic 1 and Arabic 2.  (We require that the language courses be in the same language.  It is great to know two languages, but you must have taken four courses in at least one of them.)
• Tom has taught himself Portuguese with the help of a technology-based language program (not through a university/college).  (Since this language study is not through an accredited institution, it does not meet the requirement.)

Many applicants have very unique situations.  Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your language experience and determine if it fulfills the requirement.  You can always email us at esiagrad@gwu.edu or call us at 202-994-7050.

Our next post will cover language requirements for our regional programs.  Stay tuned!

Academic Prerequisites-Economics

Our office receives many questions about the economics requirement for our programs.  The MA’s in Security Policy Studies, International Affairs, International Development Studies, European and Eurasian Studies, Global Communication and International Trade and Investment Policy all require previous coursework in economics.

Applicants to these programs should have completed at least one microeconomics and one macroeconomics course. The strongest applicants will have intermediate economics completed as well.

We understand that some institutions offer joint economics courses, such as Principles of Economics I/II.  In this situation we will accept one joint course.  However, the strongest candidates will have completed more than the minimum requirement.

In some cases, a student may be admitted who has not taken one or both of the economics courses. In this situation, the student can meet the requirement by either taking these classes (micro and macro) at a college/university prior to enrollment at the Elliott School, or by taking a three-week overview to micro- and macroeconomics that the Elliott School offers prior to the start of the fall semester. Please note that students admitted to the Security Policy Studies program cannot fulfill the economics requirement with the three-week review course.   Because the program focuses heavily on economics, they must have taken two separate courses in micro and macroeconomics prior to enrollment.

For your economics classes to meet the requirement, they must be taken at an accredited institution, which you can ensure by calling the school.  Many of our students based in the D.C. area enroll in classes at The Graduate School, Northern Virginia Community College, or in online courses.

If you have not completed the economics requirement at the time of your application submission, please add an addendum to your Statement of Purpose, indicating when and where you intend on enrolling in economics courses, should you choose to enroll at the Elliott School.

We understand that many people have unique situations, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions!

Admissions Application Checklist

As you finalize your application, here is the checklist of items that are necessary to complete your application to GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs. All requirements, including the required standardized tests, are listed on the admissions website.

Remember the deadlines for submission of a complete application for admission and fellowship consideration is January 15th and for admission (but no fellowship) is February 1.

Admissions Application Checklist

1. Submit a complete and accurate application online.
2. $75 application fee.  The easiest way is to pay via a credit card at the time of submission. 
3. Statement of purpose. Upload the final version into the online application.
4. Resume. Upload a final version into the online application.
5. Recommendations.  All master’s degrees require three letters, graduate certificates require two.
6. Transcripts.  Transcripts are required from all college and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript.  A copy of each transcript should be uploaded to your online application.  Official transcripts will be required only if you are admitted.
7. Official standardized test score reports. 

For MIPP program applicants only:

1. Submit a MIPP essay.

For international applicants only:

1. Submit the completed Visa Request Form and supporting documents.
2. Submit a photocopy of the biographic page of passport and US visa page.

On the twelfth day of Elliott School

12 Masters Degrees

At the Elliott School we offer twelve master’s degree programs including 10 Master of Arts, a mid-career program called the Master of International Policy and Practice, and a dual degree for students at our partner institutions abroad—Master of International Studies.

Each program’s page has links in the left column to information such as curriculum, foreign language requirements, faculty, internships/employment opportunities, study abroad options, and special events.

• Asian Studies
• European and Eurasian Studies
• Global Communication
• International Affairs
• Latin American and Hemispheric Studies
• International Development Studies
• International Trade and Investment Policy
• International Science and Technology Policy
• Middle East Studies
• Security Policy Studies
• Master of International Policy and Practice
• Master of International Studies

Prerequisite Classes

Information Regarding the Application Process

Part 6 Prerequisite Classes

Most MA programs at the Elliott School have prerequisite courses.  Please read carefully the necessary background preparation for information regarding each individual program.

Economics-enrolling students in most programs need to have two semesters of economics—one semester of microeconomics and one semester of macroeconomics (or two semesters of integrated economics) prior to beginning the Elliott School graduate program.  If you do not have these courses, please plan to take them at an accredited college or university before enrolling. It is recommended you include a note in your file alerting the admissions committee of your plans to take these courses.

Foreign language-students in almost all MA programs at the Elliott School must have a proficiency level in a second language. At the time of admission, applicants should have a minimum of four semesters (or the equivalent) of a foreign language. For global issue programs it can be any modern foreign language, for regional studies programs it must be a language from that region.  If you are an applicant whose native tongue is not English, English is considered your second language.

Test Scores

Information Regarding the Application Process

Part 5 Test Scores

For information regarding mean and median GRE scores, please see the Elliott School MA Candidate Profile.  These are mean and median scores; there is no minimum score.

With the new revised GRE we will be using the concordance tables ETS provided this month to assess revised GRE test scores vs. original test scores.

GW adheres to a best combined GRE score policy—taking your best verbal, quantitative and analytical writing score from any test administration—however, scores must be on the same scale. We will not be able to do a combination of an 800 point score and a 170 point score.

The TOEFL minimum is 100 (internet-based test), 250 (computer-based test), and 600 (paper-based test).  If you took the IELTS exam, the minimum overall score is 7, with no individual band score below 6.5. Your application will not be accepted if you do not meet these minimum requirements.  Please see the frequently asked questions for more information on English language requirements.

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Statement of Purpose, MIPP Essay, Writing Samples

Information Regarding the Application Process

Part 4 Statement of Purpose, MIPP Essay, Writing Samples

1)      Q. Does the admissions committee count the words on the statement of purpose?  A.  While we do not count the words, we do eyeball the length.  A 500 word statement of purpose will fit on one page (single spaced). Thus, you need to be respectfully close to the 500 word limit.

2)     Q. What is the topic?  A.  State your purpose in undertaking graduate study at the Elliott School.  Describe your academic and research interests, career objectives, and how a degree from the Elliott School will enable you to achieve your goals.  Please be specific.

3)      Q. What should I focus on with the statement of purpose? A. Yourself! We want to get to know you, your goals and ambitions, and why you are interested in the Elliott School.  Don’t spend too much time/space regurgitating information we know about you from your transcripts and resume, but rather tell us about your future plans.  This is a great exercise for you to really sit down and think about what you want to do in the future and express it clearly and concisely.  You want to be specific about the Elliott School’s programs, professors, and opportunities so that we know it wasn’t a generic essay with the University’s name changed.  Each year, graduate programs receive statements of purpose where the applicant left the name of another school in the essay. If you are still a bit undecided about career goals, it’s okay to tell us that.

4)      MIPP applicants must submit a second essay.  It too should be roughly 500 words.  Choose one of these two topics:  What is your country’s greatest foreign policy challenge and how should it respond? -or- Assess the impact of globalization on your organization, indicating both the challenges and opportunities that globalization produces.

5)      Q. Should I submit a writing sample? A. No. Additional essays or writing samples will NOT be evaluated and are strongly discouraged.

Transcripts

Information Regarding the Application Process

Part 3 Transcripts

1)      Q. How do I submit my transcripts? A. It is highly recommended you scan and upload your transcripts into the online application. The best practice is to get an official transcript from your school and scan it.  Web-based grade reports often do not have all the important information the admissions committee is seeking; however, you may use these if they have your name and the name of the institution.  Do not send encrypted files. Please follow these tips/directions for scanning and uploading.

2)      Q. What transcripts must I submit?  A. You must submit transcripts from each college/university you attended and earned credit.

3)      Q. What about transcripts from study abroad? A. The preferred method is to have a transcript from the university you attended; however, this is not always available.  Check your home school’s transcript; does it list where you studied abroad, what classes you took, grades, and number of credits you received? If so, then we don’t require a transcript from the institution abroad.

4)      Q. What about credits transferred to another college? A. Again, the preferred method is to have a transcript from each college/university you attended.  Check your transcript, if the courses and grades are listed we will accept it; however, often transfer credits are simply listed as general credits and the course name is not available.

Letters of Recommendation

Information Regarding the Application Process

Part 2 Letters of Recommendation

1)      Q. Who should I ask to write recommendation letters?  A. People who know you best and can speak of your academic, professional, and personal qualities.

2)      Q. What type of recommendations and how many? A. We require three letters for MA, MIPP, and MIS applicants and two letters for graduate certificate applications. The admissions committee prefers to see a variety so a letter from a professor/instructor who can address your analytical, writing, and quantitative abilities is important.  A boss/supervisor who can address your professionalism and work ethic is also important.  For MA/MIPP/MIS applicants we require three letters so the third should be of your choice, usually based on how long you have been out of college.

3)      Q. Can I submit more than three?  A. The system will allow you to submit more than three letters, but this is discouraged.

4)      Q. Do I have to get a professor?  A. It is highly recommended that you ask someone who has taught you in an academic setting.  If it’s been awhile since you were an undergrad, perhaps you’ve taken a course since then. MIPP applicants should try to request an academic reference, but we will take three professional recommendations for you.

5)      Q. How do I get letters to the Graduate Admissions office? A. The preferred means is for recommenders to submit their form and letter online.  You simply complete the recommender section of the online application and alert the recommenders they will be receiving an email from GW about accessing the online system.  Hard copies of letters are accepted, but should come from the recommender in a signed and sealed envelope.

Applicant Information

Information Regarding the Application Process

Part 1 Applicant Information

1)      Please be consistent with your name every time you do something for your graduate school application.  This includes your initial profile, application, GRE scores, transcripts, etc. If you fill things out differently it is difficult to match things up. It also important to put first and last name in the appropriate places, and it helps if you use proper capitalization.  Your name on your decision letter is based on how you complete your name on the application.

2)      Please list each GRE test date you have taken a test or plan to take a test.

3)      When listing the schools you attended, please list only those schools from which transcripts will be received (see upcoming post). If you studied abroad but won’t be submitting a separate transcript, list the study abroad institution on your resume, but not the application.  This will expedite the completion of your application because if you list a school we will assume a transcript is forthcoming.

Be honest regarding questions of academic integrity and legal matters.  Saying yes does NOT automatically disqualify you, but lying can get an offer of admission revoked.

EducationUSA

Hello to all our friends abroad! If you are anxious about applying to a graduate program in the U.S., you’re reading the right blog. Have no fear! Just one of our recommended resources to ease you into the application process is EducationUSA. This is a global network of advising centers targeted to students outside the United States and designed to promote U.S. higher education around the world. They have specific and helpful information about student visas, the admissions process, standardized tests, and everything you could possibly want to know about the U.S. System of Higher Education.  Find a center near you and get advising help today!

Things I wish I knew when I was applying

Hi, I’m Danielle. I like running in the rain, cooking and eating everything coconut, and making to-do lists. Did I mention I’m a current Elliott School student? Yep, I’m in my second year of the International Development Studies M.A. program. When I’m not daydreaming about all the far-away places I want to visit, I manage to get some time in for learning about interesting things like how to monitor and evaluate international assistance programs and how to write a brief for the state department. Short and concise- that’s how they like it.

Today the rain is coming down cats and dogs. Last September was hot and sweltering. This brings me to my next point, what it felt like to begin school here last fall. Everything was shiny and new- as it tends to be when you start graduate school. However, I was also just out of the admissions process and reflecting on the things I wish I knew when I applied. I’ve compiled a list for your viewing pleasure.

• Admissions decisions are based on the whole package- think of it as speed dating. The admissions staff has a variety of tools to get a glimpse into who you are, what you’ve done, and how you’re a good fit for the school. That one B- in your medieval literature class won’t break you nor will the one raving review from Senator You-name-it get you into the university.
• Classes are almost always at night- freeing up plenty of time to get that famed “work experience” during the day. Students should begin thinking about this early and applying to internships in the summer before they arrive in DC.
• The language requirement isn’t as big and scary as it sounds. In fact, with just a little review the exam can be passed quite easily. You can even take a diagnostic test upon matriculation to assess your level and move forward with test prep.
• The economics requirement can be satisfied at any accredited institution. This includes universities, community colleges, and continuing education schools. Just make sure you pass with a B or higher!
• Financial aid is my sole responsibility- while the Elliott School does award some merit-based fellowships, students should also look beyond GWU for funding.
• The application process is stressful- but it can also be fun! Take some time to sit down and really reflect on your personal statement. The more you think about your personal goals and career path, the easier it will be to work on the rest of the application. Enjoy!