Application Materials

You will be required to submit certain academic and personal documents to apply and accept an offer from Gateway.

English language scores are required for any academic program. An applicant who does not submit language proficiency scores will be evaluated for admission to the Academic English program.

While the following requirements apply to most students, sponsored students may be subject to different criteria.

For All Programs

  • Copy of passport valid for 6 months beyond program start date (and for spouse/dependents, if applicable). 

  • Copy of bank statement and affidavit of support or letter of sponsorship. An affidavit of support is a document that confirms a family member, relative, or other sponsor will financially support the student throughout their program.

    • Bank statement must be dated within one year of program start date and signed or stamped by a banking official.

    • Name on affidavit of support must match bank statement. An affidavit of support is not required if a student submits their own bank statement.

    • Please note, an additional $7,500 is required in proof of funding in the bank statement for a spouse. An additional $5,000 is required in proof of funding in bank statement for each child.

For Academic English

  • Copy of high school or university diploma in English AND native language.

  • Copy of visa and I-20, if currently in the United States. The I-20 is an important document that proves a student's eligibility to study in the United States and will be required throughout the duration of the international student life cycle.

For Freshman International Year One, Freshman International Direct, Transfer International Direct, and Graduate International Direct

  • Copy of high school or university diploma in English AND your native language.

  • Copies of transcripts of all relevant qualifications in both English and your native language signed or stamped by former school. 

  • Copy of visa and I-20, if currently in the United States. We will provide a transfer form that must be completed by the student's current institution and returned. 

  • Official copies of English language test scores, if available. Test scores must be issued within 2 years of the start of a program.


Some programs require additional application materials and take additional time for evaluation and review of portfolios by academic departments. These include: 

  • Music

  • Computer Game Design

  • Graphic Design

  • Business Administration

Official Transcripts

You must provide copies of your official documents/transcripts directly from the prior institution to George Mason. Documents sent from the student or agent are not considered official. 

You can submit a digital copy when you apply. If you are submitting hard copy documents, we'll collect them during orientation week. Please make a copy, as we generally do not return these documents to students. However, if only one copy is issued, note this during the admissions process and we will make every effort to return them.

Official documents can also be mailed directly from another school/institution to:

Office of Admissions
ATTN: Gateway Transcript Evaluator
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 3A4
Fairfax, VA 22030

Translation Services

Certified English translations for documents not already in English must be prepared by the issuing university, an American Translator Association-certified translator, a verifiable government-certified translator, or as a separate translation included with a course-by-course NACES transcript evaluation.

Re-Enrolling in Gateway

If you've left the Gateway program and wish to return, contact Gateway Advising. 

We'll tell you which documents to submit. This might include:

  • New financial documents

  • An updated passport

  • Recent English language test scores