Undergraduate Admissions

If you're interested in applying to one of our undergraduate degrees, you must follow the process administered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This applies to all first year, transfer and international applicants to our Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.
 

Deadlines

First Year Applicants

Fall Admission:

• Early Decision 1 - November 1
• Early Decision 2 - January 5
• Regular Decision - January 5

Spring Admission:

• October 1

You should apply to the George Washington University as a first-year applicant if you are currently in your senior year of high school or have earned a GED or completed high school but have never enrolled in college courses.

Transfer Applicants

Fall Admission:

• April 1

Spring Admission:

• October 1

The George Washington University considers anyone who has graduated from high school and completed at least one college course since high school graduation to be a transfer student.

Internal Transfers

Deadlines:

• Most CCAS students declare their major in their third full-time semester (or after completing 45 credits, whichever comes first), and no later than the registration period before the fifth full-time semester.
• See information below about Portfolio submission deadlines for Spring and Fall.
• Students may not submit an Internal Transfer request prior to their second semester at GW.

 

 

 

 

 

"You are immediately connected to talented artists of all ages and genders, and everyone is welcoming and helpful. In my case, my peers helped me decide which art pieces I should include in shows, and gave me helpful critiques that have improved my art significantly."

Lindsey Siff
Fine Arts

Visit Us & Virtual Info Sessions

Throughout the fall, we have a variety of virtual events and on-campus experiences, including opportunities to speak with Corcoran students, faculty members and our admissions team. These events will allow you to engage with the Corcoran community and learn more about our programs, the GW campus, and what it's like to be a student here.

This fall, Discover the Arts Tours are offered every Friday at noon through early December. Sign up. Student ambassadors lead the tour of the Foggy Bottom campus presenting highlights of our studios, galleries, theater space, and music rooms. Come explore our home in the city!

You can also attend virtual information sessions and portfolio days throughout the fall to learn more about our curriculum, faculty and application requirements.

Last but not least, our university’s Undergraduate Office of Admissions offers a variety of virtual and in-person options for exploring our campus and our programs.

Audition Requirements

Applicants to our performing arts programs must complete the GW Common Application. There is no audition required as part of the application process for our BAs in Dance, Music, and Theatre, however, an audition is required to be considered for Corcoran Scholars.

Portfolio Requirements

In addition to the GW Common Application, portfolio reviews are required for our BFAs in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Interaction Design, and Photojournalism. By submitting a portfolio, applicants are automatically considered for Corcoran Scholars.

For our BA in Fine Arts, BA in Interaction Design, and BFA in Interior Architecture, a portfolio is not required for admissions consideration, however, it is required to be considered for Corcoran Scholars.

Your portfolio should tell your story in a way that makes sense to you. We have no restrictions or requirements on what should be in your portfolio other than what you believe to be your strongest work. It is important to make sure that this is the best representation of you as an artist, and of your work up to the point of your application. Here are a few portfolio guidelines:

• All students are required to submit 12-20 completed works of art
  (Varies by program. See SlideRoom application for specifics.)
• The included work should be your best and most recent work.
• If possible, the work should be related to your area of interest.

Important Note When Selecting Your Intended Major in the Application

It is very important that the intended majors match in both the CommonApp and SlideRoom. Please take care when selecting the program (ex. BA in Fine Arts vs BFA in Fine Arts), and make sure you've selected the same major in both locations.

Arts + Design Living Learning Community

The Arts + Design Living Learning Community (LLC) gives first-year students the option to participate in a creative, intellectual living environment that raises awareness of the power of the arts and design in our daily lives, the impact it has on our community, and inspires students to action.

The LLC is composed of first-year students from across Corcoran programs, so we strongly encourage majors and minors to apply through the Housing Application. Priority placement will be given to first-year Corcoran Scholars students.

Funding Opportunities

There are various opportunities available through the Corcoran School and GW that can help you fund your education. From potential assistantships to federal loans and scholarships, dedicated offices and people can help you find options. The Office of Student Financial Assistance provides information and resources.

Current GW Students (Internal Transfers)

Are you a current GW student who is interested in changing your major to a Corcoran program?  Great!  The process depends on your home school and your intended Corcoran major. Please follow the steps below, based on your home school and intended major.

Change of Major Process for Corcoran Programs Without a Portfolio Requirement 

• BA in Art History
• BA in Art History & Fine Arts
• BA in Dance
• BA in Fine Arts
• BA in Interaction Design
• BA in Music
• BA in Theatre
• BFA in Interior Architecture

If you are a Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) student and you are interested in transferring to the programs listed above, please follow the CCAS Declaration of Major process, which includes a Declaration of Major form and a meeting with a faculty advisor in the program.

If you are a GW student in another school outside of Columbian College, you must complete the Internal Transfer Process. For additional information, please visit the Registrar's Internal Transfer website.

Deadlines

• Most CCAS students declare their major in their third full-time semester (or after completing 45 credits, whichever comes first), and no later than the registration period before the fifth full-time semester. 
• Students may not submit an Internal Transfer request prior to their second semester at GW.

Change of Major Process for Corcoran Programs With a Portfolio Requirement  

• BFA in Fine Art
• BFA in Graphic Design
• BFA in Interaction Design
• BFA in Photojournalism

If you are a Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) student and you are interested in transferring to the programs listed above, this is a two-step process.

1. You must successfully complete a Portfolio Review by submitting a portfolio via SlideRoom. Your portfolio will be reviewed by faculty in the program of your intended major, and the program will notify you of your portfolio status.
2. Upon successful completion of your portfolio review, please follow the CCAS Declaration of Major process, which includes a Declaration of Major form and a meeting with a faculty advisor in the program.

If you are a GW student in another school outside of Columbian College, interested in transferring to the BFA programs above, this is a two-process.

1. You must successfully complete a Portfolio Review by submitting a portfolio via SlideRoom. Your portfolio will be reviewed by faculty in the program of your intended major, and the program will notify you of your portfolio status.
2. Upon successful completion of your portfolio review, you must complete the Internal Transfer Process. 

For additional information about internally transferring, please visit the Registrar's Internal Transfer website.

Deadlines

• For spring semester, you must submit your Portfolio via SlideRoom by October 1 and any internal transfer paperwork must be submitted by October 15.
• For fall semester, for students who have completed transfer prerequisites, you must submit your portfolio via SlideRoom by February 1 and any internal transfer paperwork must be submitted by February 15.
• For fall semester, for students enrolled in transfer prerequisite courses in the current semester, you must submit your portfolio via SlideRoom by April 1 and any internal transfer paperwork must be submitted by May 31.

International Applicants

We have a long history of welcoming international students to our university. We value diversity and inclusiveness and do our best so that every student feels welcome on our campus. We consider an international student to be any applicant of foreign nationality who will be entering, or has already entered, the United States with a valid visa.