Washington University Acceptance Rate 2024, Admission, ACT/SAT, Tuition, Rankings

Washington University in St. Louis remains one of the most selective private universities in North America with an acceptance rate almost in the single digits.

Washington University’s establishment dates back to the mid-19th century, and today, WashU has emerged as a top research institution.

Of course, most private universities in the United States are highly selective during admission and Wash U falls in that category. Despite the selectivity at Washington University in St Loius, many students are admitted into the university each year.

So, what does it take to get a fair shot at admission at Washington University in St. Loius? What are the academic qualifications every applicant is expected to present during admission?

We will get to all that in a moment but first, let’s discuss more about Washington University St. Loius.

More about Washington University

Washington University in St Louis is a private research institution founded in 1853. WashU was founded by Wayman Crow and William Greenleaf Eliot on the foundation of establishing a higher learning institution in the developing Midwest of the United States.

In honour of the first president of the United States, the university was named after George Washington and has since then built a reputation for offering top-quality education and research.

WashU’s main campus is located in St Louis and Clayton, Missouri. The university functions on a semester-based academic calendar, and its total undergraduate and graduate enrollment are over 16,000.

WashU Danforth campus spans 169 acres, and it is home to most undergraduate, graduate, and professional students currently enrolled at the university. The university’s medical campus holds the School of Medicine, and it occupies 164 acres in the Central West End district of St Louis.

Washington University is also involved in intensive research. Its research is mainly focused on biotechnology, plant science, and business.

List of Schools and Colleges at Washington University

College of Arts and Sciences
Brown School
McKelvey School of Engineering
Olin Business School
Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
School of Law
School of Medicine
University College

Washington University in St Louis Rankings

According to U.S News & World Report, Washington University in St. Louis is ranked #15 in National Universities and #17 in Best Value Schools.

Wahington University in St. Louis is also ranked #154 on QS World University Rankings. And #57 on Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Also Read: University of Washington Acceptance Rate, Admission, Tuition, SAT/ACT, Rankings

Campus Life at Washington University in St Louis

Washington University offers the best college-life experience for college beginners.

WashU Department of Campus Life is designed to support new and existing students in establishing communities that will contribute to their academic success on campus.

There are fraternities and sororities on campus as well as events and activities to give the perfect college life experience.

Washington University has over 400 student groups, and they create a robust and fun-loving atmosphere on campus.

What Is the Acceptance Rate at Washington University?

Washington University is arguably one of the best private research institutions in the entire Midwest.

In the last few years, the acceptance rate at Washington University has shown to be very selective, and surprisingly, it is expected to be more selective in the coming admission cycles.

Out of 33,643 applications received at Wash a year before the last admission, the university only accepted 4,373 of those applications. The applications were submitted by applicants who hail from 50 states of the U.S. and over 100 countries.

During the last admission, WashU received 32,240 applications and only accepted 3,854 students. By admitting 3,854 students out of 32,240 applications received, the acceptance rate at Washington University in St. Louis is 12%.

The overall acceptance rate at Washington University St. Louis is 12%, which is extremely selective.

Washington University Early Decision Acceptance Rate

One of the easy ways to gain admission to a selective college and university is to apply in Early Decision. Washington University offers an Early Decision plan, and the acceptance rate is more flexible.

During the last admission cycle, Washington University admitted 26% of applicants who applied in the two Early Decision plans.

GPA Requirement

The required high school GPA at Washington University is 4.15 on average. To meet this standard, you will need to be in the top 10% of your graduating class.

SAT and ACT Requirements

The latest freshman at Washington University had a middle 50% SAT score of 1490-1570.

The required average for SAT score is 1520 on the 1600 SAT scale.

Here are stats for SAT scores by section.

SAT	Score Range
Math	760-800
Critical Reading	720-760
Composite	1480-1560

The middle 50% ACT score of the latest freshman at Washington University is 33-35.

ACT	Score Range
Math	30-35
English	34-35
Composite	33-35

First-Year Application Requirements.

Students who are considered first-year applicants are those that have already graduated from high school with a diploma or GED. Those who have taken college-level coursework while still in high school are also eligible for freshman admission and must provide essential materials for academic evaluation.

Applicant Transcript

Here are the high school coursework and the required duration of taking each course.

Courses	Number of Years
English	4
Mathematics (Calculus is strongly recommended for architecture, business and engineering)	4
Laboratory Science (Chemistry and physics are recommended for engineering)	3-4
History or Social Studies	3-4
Foreign Language (since 9^th grade)	3-4

More Requirement

If you intend to take coursework in Pre-medicine or natural science, the College of Arts and Sciences recommends the inclusion of chemistry and physics in your high school courses.
Your high school grades and class rank (if available)
Washington University requires a counsellor recommendation and one teacher evaluation.
If you cannot provide an SAT or ACT score, you can present a teacher evaluation directly from a teacher that specialises in your area of academic interest.
Respond to the question “Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why” with a 200-word response.
Provide evidence of extracurricular and community activities.
Respond to the Common Application or Coalition Application essay.
Standardized test scores are optional at WashU.
Washington University accepts test results from any of your high school academic year.

WashU College Code

ACT: 2386
SAT: 6929
TOEFL: 6929

Also Read: University of Washington Scholarships for International Students

How Can I Apply To Washington University as a First-Year Applicant?

For a successful application to Washington University, kindly follow the steps sequentially.

Step 1. Start the Application.

Washington University accepts the Common Application and Coalition Application. The application fee is $75

During your application, complete the general application questions and the section that is specific to Washington University.

Step 2. Access Your WashU Pathway

A few days after submitting your Common Application or the Coalition Application, you will receive login instructions for the WashU Pathway which will include;

Checklist showing your application status.
Instructions for submitting a 90 seconds video and a link to your financial aid account.

Step 3. Apply For Financial Aid

When applying to Washington University, kindly indicate if you want to apply for need-based financial aid. Upon submitting your application, an account will be created for you with Student Financial Services.

Step 4. Review Your Application Checklist

Checklist your support materials which include your;

Official transcripts and secondary/ high school report
Teacher evaluation obtained from a teacher who specializes in your area of study
Counsellor recommendation officially obtained from your school
Self-reported ACT or SAT scores (optional)
English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) for international applicants from countries where English is not an official language.

Step 5. Complete the Optional Writing Supplement

The optional Writing Supplement is designed for an application to the Signature Scholar Program offered at Washington University. Applicants who intend to apply to the Danforth, Rodriguez, Ervin, and Howard Nemerov Writing Scholars Programs must complete the Writing Supplement.

Application Requirements for International Students

International applicants who have completed a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary school education are eligible for admission to Washington University.

All international applicants to Washington University must have a;

Secondary/high school diploma or an equivalent certificate
Official transcripts or certified copies of the transcript
Description of academic grading system
Secondary school leaving certificate
IGCSE/HKCEE/ National examination results
English translated version of the above-mentioned academic records (for students who are from countries where English is not an official language)
Provide transcripts for all coursework completed in secondary/high school
Provide transcripts of coursework taken at the college level
Subjects covered during each academic year while still in secondary school, including the specific month of taking them
Secondary school course duration
Lecture periods or number of laboratory experiments in each secondary school course
Grades and marks received in secondary school

Also Read: Best Schools for Biomedical Engineering

English Proficiency

Intending applicants from countries where English is not an official language are required to submit English proficiency test scores.

The required English proficiency test are as follows.

TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 120
TOEFL CBT: minimum score of 300
IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 or above
Duolingo

Standardized Testing for International Students

As an international applicant, you can submit a standardized test score if you chose to and think it will enhance your admission chances.

What Is the Acceptance Rate for International Students at Washington University?

Washington University accepts quite a large number of international students during its annual admission cycle. International students who are currently in the next graduating at Washington University St. Louis hail from over 20 countries.

The acceptance rate at Washington University for international students is approximately 16%.

Application Requirements for Transfer Students

Below are the academic requirements for transfer admission.

Transfer applicants to Washington University must have;

Completed a secondary/high school education or completed college-level coursework
Show interest to enrol full-time in any undergraduate degree program
Never attended a Washington University degree-granting school on a full-time basis

Admission Guideline for Transfer Students

Washington University’s admission process is very selective even for transfer admission. The slots available at WashU colleges for transfer admission are but a few. Only applicants with impressive academic records have a better chance to gain admission.

If you want to stand a chance of getting into Washington University on transfer admission, you should prepare your application materials on time before applying to WashU.

Present your high school diploma or equivalent and proof of college-level coursework. A minimum GPA of 3.6 or above obtained from two-year or four-year college coursework will enhance your admission chances.

Transfer admission into engineering, business or biological sciences will require an impressive academic record in science and mathematics (calculus).

Colleges at Washington University have their specific requirements for transfer admission and you can get more information by clicking here.

Also Read: Washington State University, WSU Student Portal Login: my.wsu.edu

What Is the Acceptance Rate for Transfer Students at Washington University?

It’s challenging to get into Washington University irrespective of your mode of application. On the aspect of academic requirements for admission, the average GPA for undergraduate admission is 4.15, while that of transfer is 3.6.

Despite not having many slots available for transfer admission, the acceptance rate at Washington University for transfer students is approximately 20%.

Washington University Tuition and Fee

Here is the estimated cost of attendance at Washington University.

Tuition: $59,420
Student activity fee: $594
Student health and wellness fee: $576
Average room and board: $18,470
Total university charges: $79,060

Contact Address of Washington University

School Address: 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
Phone: +1 314-935-5000

Visit the official website of Washington University St. Louis for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the acceptance rate at Washington University.

What GPA do you need for admission into Washington University?

To stand a chance of getting into Washington University, you will need a high school GPA of 4.15 on average. Additionally, you should also aim for the best test scores.

Is Washington University in the top 20 schools?

According to U.Snews & World Report, Washington University is currently ranked 14th among National Universities.

How hard is it to get into Washington University?

Washington University is one of the most selective private institutions in the Midwest, with an acceptance rate of 12%. You can apply to Washington University during Early Decision to increase your chances of getting to WashU.

Conclusion

The admission process at Washington University is on a selective standard and only applicants who possess strong academic records stand a better chance in the application pool.

We believe the information provided in this article has been helpful in the aspect of admission and application requirements. If you intend to apply to Washington University, now you know what to include in your application.

Recommendations:

References

Admission.WUSTL.edu: UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
U.S. News & World Report: Washington University in St. Louis
Top Universities: Washington University in St. Louis
Times Higher Education: Washington University in St. Louis