Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · private nonprofit

Official site ↗

Admissions

Admit rate12.1%
Applicants32,754
Middle-50% SAT1500–1570
Middle-50% ACT33–35
Avg GPA
Test policy
Avg net price / yr$22,117
Grad rate94%
Median earnings (10 yr)$86,182
Sourcecds · 2024

Application requirements

Early Decision2025-11-03
Early Decision II2026-01-02
Regular / Rolling2026-01-02
Application fee$75 (US) · $75 (intl)
Personal essayRequired
Writing supplementYes
PortfolioVia SlideRoom
Test policynever required
Teacher recommendations1
Counselor recommendationRequired
Mid-year reportRequired

Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.

Supplemental essays

  1. Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. (200 words) Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website.· ~200 words
  2. 1) WashU supports engagement in the St. Louis community by considering the university as “in St. Louis, For St. Louis.” What is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it? (250 words)
  3. 2) WashU strives to know every undergraduate student “by Name & Story.” How have your life experiences shaped your story? (250 words)

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).