The document provides an overview of the online orientation for new graduate students in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at GW. It outlines 5 sections for students to review, including introduction and requirements, items to submit, GW advisors, policies and procedures, and important GW terms. It emphasizes that students must pass the orientation quiz in Blackboard or a hold will be placed on their record preventing course registration. It provides detailed information on various topics like required modules, submitting transcripts and forms, advising resources, grading policies, course loads, conduct policies, and important campus resources.

1. New Graduate Student
Online Orientation
School of Engineering and
Applied Science (SEAS)
2017-2018

2. In this presentation there are five sections for you to review:
1. Introduction & Requirements
2. Items You Must Submit
3. GW Advisors
4. GW Policies and Procedures
5. GW Terms
After viewing the presentation you will need to pass the quiz (Available on
Blackboard)
If you don’t successfully complete the quiz, a hold will be placed on your academic record. If
you have a hold on your record, then you won’t be able to register for classes in the next
semester.
In this presentation...

3. Section 1:
Introduction & Requirements

4. Your Module Requirements
If you graduated from a
regionally accredited
US university:
• New Graduate Student
Orientation Module
• Academic Expectations
PowerPoint
If you graduated from a
university outside the
US:
• New Graduate Student
Orientation Module
• International Module (J1 & F1)

5. Section 2:
Items That You Must Submit

6. Do I need to submit my official transcripts?
Check your admission letter. It will say if you are required to submit official
transcripts.
Where do I submit my official transcripts?
Please send your transcripts to the following address:
SEAS Office of Graduate Admissions
Suite 2885
800 22nd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
Deadlines to submit final, official transcripts:
For students beginning the program in Fall 2017, transcripts are due on
November 1st 2017.
Submitting Official Transcripts

7. What if I don’t submit my transcripts on time?
Failure to submit your transcripts will result in a hold being placed on your
record. Please email seasgrad@gwu.edu immediately if you anticipate difficulties
with shipping your transcripts.
Did you receive your Bachelor’s Degree in China, Iran, or India?
You will need to follow additional steps to submit your transcripts. Please click
the link to find out more information on submitting your transcripts.
Submitting Official Transcripts

8. Are you under 26 years old?
If you were under 26 years of age on the first day of your first semester,
you are required to submit your immunization record.
For your privacy, submit this form directly to Student Health Services by
fax or paper mail, at the following address:
Colonial Health Center
Marvin Center Ground Floor
800 21st St NW, Washington, DC, 20052
Tel: 202-994-6827
Fax: 202-994-1524
More information about the mandatory health immunization form
Submitting Immunization Forms

9. ●You must submit your Student Educational Plan in
DegreeMAP before the end of your first semester
(December 2017).
● Details about DegreeMAP, an online advising software,
will be sent to you within the first month of classes.
● Note: If you have missing or incomplete program
plans, a hold will be placed on your record that will
prevent you from registering for classes.
DegreeMAP Educational Plan

10. Section 3:
Your GW Advisors

11. • Higher Education Professionals (not Engineers)
• They can help you with problem-solving, and help you to follow
your degree requirements and abide by university policies
• Can be contacted by email at seasgrad@gwu.edu anytime
• Can be contacted in person during Drop-In Advising times, or
by making an appointment at least one day in advance using
the youcanbook.me website
Who are your Graduate Professional Advisors?

12. • Faculty member who is an Engineer and a scientific expert
• Can help you with choosing courses, advise you on research
and professional development opportunities, and may approve
course substitutions
• Can be contacted by email using the email on their faculty
webpage after you arrive in Washington DC at the beginning of
the semester
• Can be contacted in person during their office hours (which
may be listed on their faculty webpage)
Who are your Academic Advisors (also known as your
Faculty Advisors)?

13. Section 4:
GW Policies and
Procedures

14. Prerequisite Courses
● Prerequisite courses are included in your overall GPA.
● Prerequisite courses (including EAP) do not count towards
the degree requirements for your MS degree. They are
additions to the degree requirements for your MS degree.
● Check your admissions letter, which will specify if there are
any necessary prerequisite courses that you are required
to complete.

15. Grading System
The following grading system is used at GW.
These grades are acceptable:
•A = Excellent = 4.0
•A− = 3.7
•B+ = 3.3
•B = Good = 3.0
These grades are below the acceptable range:
•B- = 2.7
•C = 2.0
•F = Fail = 0.0

16. Grading System
Symbols included in the Grading System are:
•CR = Credit (Only for Dissertation Research for PhD
Students)
•NC = No Credit (Only for Dissertation Research for PhD
Students)
•I = Incomplete (Only used with Faculty approval under special
circumstances such as an illness or emergency)
•W = Authorized Withdrawal (Only available during times
specified by the GW Registrar)

17. 3.0=GPA Needed to
Graduate● The minimum cumulative GPA needed to receive a graduate
degree from GW is 3.0 (which is an overall “B” average).
● It is important to make sure that your cumulative GPA is above a
3.0, so you will need to make sure to use good study habits in
graduate school, including:
○ Going to every class
○ Studying every week (not waiting until the week before the
test to study the material)
○ Letting the Professor know if you need additional help with the
course material, or if you have a problem (such as an illness).

18. All SEAS Students: What will
you need to do if you receive
a grade of B- (2.7) or below?
● If you receive any grade below B−, you are required to
review your program of study with your graduate
professional advisor.
● You should also meet with your Faculty Advisor to inform
them of your grade.

19. MS Students: What happens
if you earn a grade of B- (2.7)
or below?
● If you receive 3 grades below B−: You will be barred from further
enrollment in graduate courses, and will not be readmitted as a degree
candidate.
● If you receive 2 grades of F you will be barred from further enrollment in
graduate courses, and will not be readmitted as a degree candidate.

20. PhD Students: What
happens if you earn a grade
of B- (2.7) or below?
● Courses that you earn grades below B− are not included in the total
credit-hour requirement for your degree at GW.
● If you receive 3 grades below B−, your graduate study will be
terminated and further enrollment prohibited.
● If you receive 2 grades of F, your graduate study will be terminated
and further enrollment prohibited. Courses that you earn grades below
B− are not included in the total credit-hour requirement for the degree.

21. ● You may not repeat for credit a course where you received a grade of C− or above, unless
you are required to repeat the course by your Department Chair.
● Please consult the Bulletin for more details and for requirements for certificate and
professional degrees
Can SEAS Students audit a course that they are interested in?
● No, GW does not permit current students to audit courses.
● GW alum may audit courses. Please see the following webpage for more information:
https://alumni.gwu.edu/
Can SEAS Students Repeat a Course they
have already taken?

22. ● If you withdraw from a course before the start of the semester you
will have 100% of the tuition charges refunded.
● After that, the full amount of tuition will not be refunded.
Please click here if you would like to learn more about the withdrawal
and refund policy.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
If you drop a course before
the end of the…
% Tuition Refunded
1st week of classes 90%
2nd week of classes 60%
3rd week of classes 40%
4th week of classes 25%
After the 4th week None

23. What is the Full-Time Graduate
Course Load?
9 credit hours is the normal full-time course load for
graduate students.

24. ● Once you begin your program, you must enroll as a student every
Fall and Spring semester until you graduate. Summer semester
enrollment is optional.
● Are you hoping to take a semester off?
○ You must request a formal Leave of Absence.
○ You may take a maximum of two Leaves of Absences during the duration
of your program.
○ International students MUST first make an appointment with their ISO
advisor to discuss their request.
● If you fail to follow the correct process to obtain a Leave of Absence (LOA),
you may be withdrawn from your program. Then, you may be required to
reapply if you want to continue in the program.
Leave of Absence

25. Applying for a Certificate

26. ● As a GW student, you must be
familiar with and abide by the
Code of Academic Integrity.
● Please click this link and read
the GW Code of Academic
Integrity.
● The Academic Expectations
workshop and PowerPoint will
go over this content in more
detail.
Academic Integrity

27. ● As a GW student, you must
be familiar with and abide by
the provisions of the Code
of Student Conduct.
● Please follow this link and
read the entire Code of
Student Conduct, which
governs your behavior at
GW:
● https://studentconduct.gwu.
edu/code-student-conduct
Student Conduct

28. ●You are responsible for your behavior on and off
campus.
●Students must follow all local laws.
●You will be held accountable for your behavior, and
your behavior may be reported to GW, the ISO, and
to DC law enforcement.
Student Conduct

29. The following behaviors are not allowed, and may be
reported to GW officials, the ISO, and the police:
• Violence of any kind
• Drug/Alcohol Abuse
• Property Damage
• Sexual Misconduct
• Illegal Internet Conduct
Conduct Off Campus

30. Section 5:
Important GW Terms

31. “GW Bulletin”
●The GW Bulletin is the document that outlines
the requirements for each MS and PhD program
at GW.
●Please click this link to read over the GW
Bulletin requirements for your program.
Important GW Terms

32. “GWID”=Your student ID number.
● Your GWID is the letter 'G' followed by an eight-digit
number. When emailing seasgrad, please include
your GWID in the body of the email. Example:
G12345678
“SEH”= Science and Engineering Hall
● The main engineering and
computer science building,
located at 800 22nd Street, N.W.
Important GW Terms

33. “Marvin Center” :Main student center
●The Bookstore is on the 1st basement level and sells
textbooks, notebooks, pencils, and GW apparel.
●The Student Health Services is on the Ground Level,
where you can visit a doctor, nurse, or therapist.
●The International Services Office (ISO) is on the 5th
Floor. All international students must check in at the
ISO upon arrival.
●The Colonial Central is on the Ground Level, where
you can pay your student account bill and speak with
the Registrar.
Important GW Terms

34. “Gelman”: Library
●The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library is
the main library located on the Foggy Bottom
Campus, diagonally across from the SEH, on
H & 22nd streets.
●You can borrow books, reserve study rooms,
and attend educational workshops at the
library.
● Click here for more information about our
library resources.
Important GW Terms

35. "Lerner”: Gym
●The Learner Health and Wellness Center is
located on the corner of 23rd and G.
●You can participate in basketball, volleyball, and
other sports here.
●You can take fitness classes and also exercise on
your own using the weight machines or the
treadmills.
●Click here for more information about the wellness
center.
Important GW Terms

36. “GW Email”: Your GW Email Account
● GW uses a Google-based email system.
● NetID: You are assigned a NetID, which is the first part of
your new email address
● Remember to check your GW email account at least
once per day, because this is where all GW
communication will be sent to you.
Important GW Terms

37. “GWorld Card”: Your Student ID Card
●After you register for classes, you can get your GWorld card.
●This is your student identification card (ID) and it gives you
access to various campus resources, such as the library, the
health and wellness center, and after-hours laboratories, etc.
●To get your GWorld Card, bring the following two items to
the Colonial Central in the basement of the Marvin Center:
○ Your photo ID
○ Your GWID number
Important GW Terms

38. “SEAS Computing Facilities”
● Located on the B2 floor of Science and Engineering Hall (SEH),
provides, coordinates, and manages a comprehensive integrated
set of computers, software, and network resources dedicated to
engineering and computer science programs.
To access SEAS Computing Facilities,
1. Get your GWorld Card from the Marvin Center
2.Fill out the SEAS Account Request Form online.
Important GW Terms

39. To receive credit for completing the online orientation,
please complete the quiz in Blackboard.
If you have any questions, please email
seasgrad@gwu.edu.
Congratulations! You have
reached the end of the online
orientation.