International students are an integral part of the Biomedical Graduate Education community. We welcome scholars from around the world to learn from one another, make discoveries, and gain the skills and knowledge to advance their careers.
The university’s Office of Global Services (OGS) seeks to support international students. Visit the OGS website for U.S. Immigration Policy & Regulatory Updates, including information and guidance for students and applicants.
Supporting Your Success
Georgetown faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting students in their academic and professional journeys – including in the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being an international student. From the university’s Office of Global Services (OGS) to BGE’s career office, we work with international students to help them make the most of their time in the United States.
16%of BGE Students Are International(2024‑25)
25Countries of BGE Students(2024‑25)
Gaining knowledge like academic knowledge is very important, but knowing how to use the knowledge and apply it to my community – it’s way more important.”
— Katherine Chavez Carpio (Special Master’s Program in Physiology ’24)
Georgetown is highly diverse and with a wonderful campus culture, it is very resourceful and it [will] shape you to be a better person with both academic and interpersonal skills.
— Ranju Ravindranath (M.S. in Biotechnology ’24)
I want to make an impact on my own country’s story. Rwanda has a vision as a country and a nation, we have ambitions, and I would be happy to play any role that might bring a light to our country.
— Jean-Baptiste Mazarati (Ph.D. in Tumor Biology ’12)
Jean-Baptiste Mazarati (’12) spoke with BGE about his experiences as a leader in Rwanda’s evolving health systems, his motivations as a scientist, and the trends and innovations he sees shaping the future of biomedicine.
Newly admitted international students must attend the International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Session in order to activate your Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) record. More information is on the OGS Orientation and SEVIS Registration webpage and BGE Orientation instructions.
Find answers to your questions about applying to Biomedical Graduate Education, funding your studies, and living and learning at Georgetown University.
You can find your potential program’s contact information on the program’s Contact Us page. Your program might also list online information sessions on its Admissions page. You can go to these pages via the list of BGE programs.
Some programs require a credential evaluation for international credentials. Please check your program to see if this is a requirement, and follow the transcript instructions for international or non-English transcripts on our admissions FAQ page.
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).
Yes. ETS has announced that the GRE and TOEFL exams can now be completed online for those impacted by the closure of testing centers. For more information and registration details, visit the following ETS pages: TOEFL and GRE.
Upon receipt of your confirmation of enrollment form and deposit, OGS (I-20/DS-2019 page) 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 newinternational@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 Students page to review onboarding guidelines and academic resources.
Georgetown University as a whole has a broad international presence through academic and service initiatives. Learn more at Georgetown Global Engagement.
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 12 months, totaling 24 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:
Students can apply to be international student ambassadors under Georgetown’s International 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. Please visit their website for information on the program and how to apply.
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.
Visit the International Student & Scholar Services’ Get Involved page for more opportunities!
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.
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.
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.
