
Washington University in St. Louis is a highly selective and competitive private research university. Founded in 1853, it now spans 355 acres across its Danforth and Medical campuses. With over 16,000 students enrolled, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. The undergraduate admissions committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications, seeking students who have challenged themselves academically and personally. While there is no explicit policy on SAT/ACT requirements, applicants with scores below 1570 SAT or 35 ACT will likely have a tiny chance of getting in. The university looks for well-rounded applicants with strong extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation.
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What You'll Learn

Selective and competitive admissions
Washington University in St. Louis is a highly selective and competitive university when it comes to admissions. The university receives far more applications each year than it can accommodate. The undergraduate admissions committee reviews each application holistically and individually, aiming to get to know each applicant throughout the process.
The university spans 355 acres across its Danforth and Medical campuses and comprises nine schools. It offers over 150 undergraduate programs and enrolled 16,399 students as of 2024, representing all 50 US states and more than 110 countries. With such a diverse and extensive student body, the admissions process is understandably rigorous.
To be a competitive applicant, you should have strong SAT or ACT scores. While the university hasn't explicitly stated a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, most applicants submit their scores, and a high score can certainly enhance your application. Additionally, you should showcase your extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Washington University in St. Louis seeks students who have challenged themselves academically and personally during their high school years. They require applicants to have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, including homeschooled students and those with a GED. The admissions process is need-blind, focusing on merit rather than an applicant's financial situation.
If you are a transfer student, you should be aware that certain programs, such as Architecture, Art, Business, and Engineering, only accept transfer applications for entry in the fall semester. The university reserves the right to rescind offers of admission or revoke enrollment if information provided in the application is found to be inaccurate or misleading.
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High academic achievement
Washington University in St. Louis is a highly selective and competitive private research university. The undergraduate admissions committee reviews each application holistically and individually, aiming to get to know each student through the application process.
The university receives far more applications than it can accommodate each year, so applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement to stand out. While there is no explicit minimum GPA or SAT/ACT score requirement, most applicants submit their scores, and a high SAT/ACT score is essential for a competitive application. For reference, the published average SAT score at Washington University is above 1570.
In addition to test scores, applicants should showcase academic excellence through their high school transcripts, demonstrating a rigorous course load and a strong GPA. Students who attend Washington University have challenged themselves academically and personally during their high school years. They have taken advantage of various academic opportunities, such as advanced placement courses, honour rolls, or independent research projects, to showcase their intellectual curiosity and ability to thrive in a rigorous university environment.
Furthermore, Washington University values well-rounded applicants who can contribute to the diverse campus community. Extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation are crucial components of the application process, allowing the admissions committee to assess applicants' leadership skills, community involvement, and unique talents or passions outside the classroom.
Overall, students seeking admission to Washington University in St. Louis should strive for exceptional academic achievement, as evidenced by their test scores, transcripts, and the breadth of their extracurricular pursuits.
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Ethical and professional standards
Washington University in St. Louis is a highly selective and competitive institution, receiving far more applications than it can accommodate each year. The undergraduate admissions committee reviews each application holistically and individually, aiming to understand each applicant.
The university is committed to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct. This commitment is integral to its mission of promoting learning. To uphold these standards, the university relies on the ethical behaviour, honesty, integrity, and good judgement of its community members. Each member is expected to demonstrate respect for the rights of others and accountability for their actions.
Prospective students should be aware that an offer of admission and enrolment is contingent on the accurate and complete representation of information within the application. The university reserves the right to rescind an offer or revoke enrolment if any misleading or inaccurate information is discovered. Therefore, applicants are obligated to notify the university of any changes to the information or responses submitted as part of their application.
To be a good fit for Washington University in St. Louis, students should demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to ethical standards. They should be prepared to challenge themselves academically and personally, as the university seeks students who continuously strive for growth and development.
Additionally, students should showcase their extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation as part of their application. While there is no explicit policy on SAT/ACT requirements, most applicants submit their scores, and a strong performance can enhance an application.
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Extracurricular activities
Washington University in St. Louis is a selective and competitive private research university that offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for its students. The university supports more than 400 undergraduate student organizations, including performing arts, music, leadership, government, and politics groups, as well as athletic teams.
When applying to Washington University, extracurricular activities are an important part of the admissions process. The university looks for students who have challenged themselves academically and personally during their high school years and have a well-rounded set of interests and passions.
For students with artistic talents, the College of Art offers scholarships and encourages applicants to submit portfolios showcasing their work. Architecture students can also submit portfolios for scholarship consideration, although CAD drawings and examples of drafting skills are not accepted.
In addition to extracurricular activities, Washington University in St. Louis also considers SAT or ACT scores when evaluating applications. While the university hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, most applicants submit their scores, and a high score can strengthen your application.
Overall, Washington University in St. Louis seeks students who are academically strong, well-rounded, and actively engaged in their communities. Extracurricular activities are a key component of the admissions process and can help demonstrate a student's passions, talents, and contributions outside of the classroom.
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SAT/ACT scores
Washington University in St. Louis is a highly selective private research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. The university spans a large campus of 355 acres and enrolled over 16,000 students as of 2024. With a low acceptance rate, Washington University in St. Louis receives far more applications than it can accommodate each year, making admission highly competitive.
While Washington University in St. Louis has not explicitly stated a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, it is likely that they are test-flexible. This means that submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional, and students can choose whether to include them in their application. However, it is important to note that most applicants to the university do submit their scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, you may be at a disadvantage compared to other applicants who have included their scores.
The university has published average SAT and ACT scores, which gives an indication of the academic calibre of the student body. The middle 50% of enrolled students achieved SAT scores between 1500 and 1570. Therefore, a score below 1570 or equivalent ACT scores starts with the odds against you. The university receives numerous applications with high SAT/ACT scores, so it is important to stand out in other areas of your application as well.
To increase your chances of admission, it is recommended to aim for a high SAT score, ideally above 1500. This competitive score will put you in a better position when applying to Washington University in St. Louis. However, it is important to remember that the admissions committee reviews applications holistically, considering various factors beyond just test scores.
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Frequently asked questions
Washington University in St. Louis is a selective and competitive institution. The undergraduate admissions committee reviews each application holistically and individually, aiming to get to know each student. They seek students who have challenged themselves academically and personally during high school and have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
While there is no explicit policy on SAT/ACT requirements, Washington University in St. Louis publishes average SAT and ACT scores, implying that it is test-flexible. Students with scores below 1570 SAT or 35 ACT will likely have a lower chance of admission. The university also considers extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation in the application process.
Washington University in St. Louis is a highly selective institution. For the Class of 2028, the university received over 32,750 applications and admitted 12%.
The tuition and fees for Washington University in St. Louis are $65,790.











































