Plan Your Visit
Jump to a topic:
Hotels and Lodging
There are many options for lodging across the D.C. area, including some options that are close to the National Mall. Be sure to ask any hotel if they offer a discount for the weekend of GW’s Commencement.
Letters of Invitation for International Guests
Letters of Invitation can be used by current students to invite friends or family members to the United States. Students must have applied for graduation to request a letter of invitation for the graduation ceremony. The request must include the proper spelling of each visitor's name and his or her relationship to the student requesting the letter.
For more information, and to request a letter of invitation, visit the Office of the Registrar's website.
- Click on the “Request for Certification Services” link
- Under "Request Type", select "Letters We Can Write"
- Under "Letters We Can Write", select "Invitation Letter"
Parking
For information about ADA parking on campus and around the National Mall, visit our Accessibility page.
Information about parking on campus is available through Business Services.
Registration
Once registration opens in late March, graduates will register themselves and their guests for school celebrations and events. Information regarding guest ticket quantities are listed on the Commencement Week schedule.
Important Ticket Information:
Tickets are required for all guests aged 2 years and older as of Commencement Week. If you have any guests who will be younger than 2 years old, they do not need a ticket and may sit in the lap of a ticketed guest.
Tickets to school celebrations and the university-wide Commencement are free for all graduates and their guests. Tickets are not for sale or purchase.
Travel
The George Washington University is conveniently located in the heart of Washington, D.C., close to three major airports, including Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International, and Baltimore Washington International, as well as to Union Station.
Metro, taxi, rideshare, and Capital Bikeshare are available to help you navigate Foggy Bottom and the National Mall. Stay tuned for additional information in the spring.