International Applicants

Students who matriculate into Georgetown University’s biomedical programs are exposed to a globally recognized education that integrates cutting-edge research and coursework with a commitment to global outreach and civic responsibility. A degree from Georgetown holds significant credibility around the world.

Georgetown University F-1 students who plan to work in the U.S. can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows international students who graduate from US colleges and universities to apply for practical work experience in the United States for a period of up to 12 months.

Georgetown University Biomedical Graduate Education students have the option of extending their OPT. Students who graduate from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs may be eligible for an additional 17 months, totaling 29 months of practical work experience for international students.

Georgetown University offers a variety of student life and extracurricular services for its International graduate students. Some of them are highlighted below:

Language Exchange Program
Students looking to improve their English or foreign language skills can apply to Georgetown’s Language Exchange Program (LEP). LEP is a free service provided by the Office of International Programs (OIP) to connect individuals who wish to practice and improve their foreign language speaking skills. Participants volunteer their services, and the Office of International Programs facilitates the introductions.

International Student Ambassador Program
Students can also apply to be international student ambassadors under Georgetown’s Student Ambassador Program. International ambassadors meet and guide international students from around the world to help them in their first days on the Hilltop, during the international orientation week of IGO and IPO (August 19 – August 23, 2013). Please visit their website for information on the program and how to apply.

Georgetown International Student Association
Finally, international students looking to meet their peers can do so by joining the Georgetown International Student Association (ISA)and attending one of their many on-campus events and information sessions. Additionally, ISA’s Facebook page is a great way for international students to reach out to one another for housing announcements.

Washington D.C. is an international city with a vibrant social and cultural scene. In addition to receiving a world-class education from Georgetown, students can find plenty of things to do outside of the lab or classroom. Whether sauntering through the art-filled halls of the Smithsonian, attending some of the finest theatrical and musical productions at the Kennedy Center, or dining at restaurants in the U Street Corridor, Washington offers students a seemingly endless roster of mind enriching attractions and activities.

TOEFL: Georgetown University Code is 5244. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 80 (Internet-based test) and 550 (paper test).

IELTS: Select “Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.” The minimum IELTS score for admission is 7.0.

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts and 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 a university where English is the primary 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 primary language of instruction at the institution is English).

Upon receipt of your confirmation of enrollment form, the Office of Global Services (OGS) will send you an invitation with a link to your immigration portal.  If you do not receive the link within 10 days of submitting the confirmation of enrollment form, please send an email to internationalservices@georgetown.edu for assistance.

New students who plan to study in F-1 or J-1 status must first log in to their Georgetown email inbox to access their International Student and Scholar Portal account creation link and request a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Portal invitations are not sent to personal email addresses (e.g., Hotmail, Outlook, etc).  

For further questions regarding immigration requirements or the document issuance process, please contact OGS.

If you are unable to obtain a student visa and arrive in time to begin your studies, please contact your program for information on enrollment options.

We can accept a provisional certificate of degree, however, all international admitted students must still submit their final official transcripts showing confirmation and date of degree conferral in order to register for next semester courses.

Admitted international students are highly encouraged to visit the Georgetown University Office of Global Services website for information on applying for a U.S. Visa, OPT, immigration documents, and orientation. Admitted students should also visit the BGE Current Student page to review onboarding guidelines and academic resources. 

View the current Biomedical Graduate Education’s tuition and fees.

There are financial aid and scholarship opportunities available for international students. Please visit our International Student & Scholar Services.

Georgetown University F-1 and J-1 students can work while attending school. However, restrictions apply depending on the visa status and employment type outline on the Office of Global Services Student Employment, Internships, and Training page.

Georgetown graduates typically live in the neighborhoods surrounding the main Georgetown campus or in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas. Georgetown University does not have on-campus housing options for graduate students.

Securing housing can be a daunting task, visit our Housing page for resources to begin your search and contact the Georgetown University Office of Neighborhood Life for assistance at neighborhoodlife@georgetown.edu.

Washington D.C. offers a modern, efficient, and inexpensive public transportation system that serves the centrally-located Georgetown community well. Parking on campus and in Georgetown is limited; therefore, students and visitors are generally discouraged from bringing automobiles with them to campus.

In addition, the university provides free shuttle bus services to students, faculty, and staff traveling between Rosslyn and Dupont Circle metro stations. Schedules and routes are available online.