Official Transcript Policy

Once you are admitted to a graduate program at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, you must submit a complete set of official credentials (transcripts) from all institutions previously attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Student Services in a sealed envelope by the deadline listed.

Complete, official credentials are defined as:

• Transcripts and/or individual semester marksheets for each semester or year completed in your prior degree programs.
• Degree certificate or diploma with a graduation date and the name of the degree, if it is not stated on the transcript.
• Transcripts from any other post-secondary institutions you have attended, whether or not a degree was earned
• Transcripts from exchange or study abroad programs, transnational programs, and programs in which credits were transferred from another institution

All submitted documents will be individually reviewed by our staff and are not considered to be complete until confirmed by the Office of Graduate Admissions & Student Services.

Failure to complete any of these steps will result in a hold being placed on your account, which will prevent you from registering for courses and graduating from your program.

Please note that all official credentials, such as transcripts, marksheets and degree certificates become the property of the George Washington University once they have been submitted and will not be returned to the student or the issuing institution.

Submitting Official Transcripts

Deadlines

For students  beginning their graduate studies in summer or fall semesters: All official documents must be submitted by October 1.

For students  beginning their graduate studies in spring semesters: All official documents must be submitted by March 1.

Requirements and method of submission by country

United States

Students who have attended institution(s) of higher education in the United States, whether or not a degree was awarded, must provide all official transcript(s). If a degree was awarded, the transcript must include the name of the degree and the date of degree conferral. The transcript(s) must be sent in a sealed envelope or submitted electronically via Parchment to [email protected] from the university directly. 

The transcript(s) should be sent electronically via Parchment or through the National Student Clearinghouse to [email protected]. Hard copy transcripts may also be sent from the university directly in a sealed envelope, if preferred.

Bologna Process Member Countries

Students who have attended any institution(s) of higher education in Bologna Process member countries must submit their official transcript(s) and their Diploma Supplement(s) in English. The European Higher Education Area maintains a list of current Bologna Process participants. All documents should be submitted in a secure electronic format or in sealed envelopes issued by the institution.

For institutions in the United Kingdom, please see the country-specific section below.

China

Students who have attended any institution(s) of higher education in China must submit verification documents in English from the China Credentials Verification (CSSD). CSSD reports should be submitted by email to [email protected].

We require three items from CSSD:

1. Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate
2. Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate
3. Verification Report of China Higher Education Student's Academic Transcript

For students who participated in a dual degree program, exchange program, transnational program, or have additional questions, please contact us at [email protected].

India

Students who have attended any institutions of higher education in India must submit either duplicate original copies OR official attested copies of individual semester marksheets and degree certificates in English. Attested copies should be verified by the issuing institution. Provisional degree certificates will only be accepted if submitted within one year from the date of degree completion. The complete set of official or attested credentials must be submitted to our office in a signed and sealed envelope.

Electronic credentials are typically not accepted from institutions in India unless the issuing institution uses a secure online portal or other credential delivery system. If submitting electronic documents, they must be sent by the issuing institution through a secure online portal to [email protected]. An email from a school representative is not secure, and will not be accepted as official. The Office of Graduate Admissions & Student Services reserves the right to reject any submitted electronic credentials and to require hard copy official credentials.

Iran

Students who have attended any institution of higher education in Iran must submit an official copy of their transcript in Farsi, as well as an official literal English translated copy, which must be completed by a translator registered with the Iranian Ministry of Justice. Upon arriving at GW, students may bring the original transcript(s) in Farsi and the official literal English translated copy for verification. After all transcripts have been verified by our office the student may keep their original transcripts. Please email [email protected] to schedule an appointment for document review and verification.

Nigeria

Students who have attended any institution(s) of higher education in Nigeria must submit their official transcript(s) and a certified copy of their Degree Certificate. All documents should be submitted in sealed envelopes issued by the institution.

United Kingdom

Students who have attended institutions that follow the Bologna process should refer to the Bologna process requirements above. Students who have attended other institutions must submit a Transcript of Academic Records/Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). This is an official document issued by the institution that awarded the degree that lists all subjects or modules taken and grades earned for each year of study. If the institution issues a Diploma Supplement instead of an academic transcript/HEAR, then a copy of your certificate may also be required. All documents should be submitted in a secure electronic format or in sealed envelopes issued by the institution.

Institutions in other countries

Students who have attended any institution(s) of higher education in countries not listed above must refer to the official policy requirements listed at the top of this page. This requires submitting an official literal English translated copy of their transcript(s), if not originally issued in English by the institution, along with an original transcript in the original language in a sealed envelope. If the date of degree conferral is not included on the transcript, students must submit an official degree certificate in English and the original language, if applicable.

Electronic Official Transcripts from non-US institutions

Official electronic credentials from institutions outside the United States may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Electronic documents must be sent by the issuing institution through a secure online portal to [email protected]. An email from a school representative is not secure, and will not be accepted as official. The Office of Graduate Admissions & Student Services reserves the right to reject any submitted electronic credentials and to require hard copy official credentials. Please be sure to review the country-specific sections above.

Contact

For any questions regarding this policy, please email [email protected].