REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Washington University in St. Louis
Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis educated the growing population of local immigrants in an evening program. Over time, the university grew to offer a full slate of academic offerings. Today, it is home to 16,552 undergraduate and graduate students taking courses across eight academic divisions. The school is known as one of the renowned research universities in the midwest, seeking to “discover and disseminate knowledge, and to protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching and learning.” If you’re considering applying to Washington University in St. Louis, read on to learn everything you need to know about the school!
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Washington University in St. Louis
Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis educated the growing population of local immigrants in an evening program. Over time, the university grew to offer a full slate of academic offerings. Today, it is home to 16,552 undergraduate and graduate students taking courses across eight academic divisions. The school is known as one of the renowned research universities in the midwest, seeking to “discover and disseminate knowledge, and to protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching and learning.” If you’re considering applying to Washington University in St. Louis, read on to learn everything you need to know about the school!
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Washington University in St. Louis
Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis educated the growing population of local immigrants in an evening program. Over time, the university grew to offer a full slate of academic offerings. Today, it is home to 16,552 undergraduate and graduate students taking courses across eight academic divisions. The school is known as one of the renowned research universities in the midwest, seeking to “discover and disseminate knowledge, and to protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching and learning.” If you’re considering applying to Washington University in St. Louis, read on to learn everything you need to know about the school!
School Location:
ST. LOUIS, MO
School Type:
PRIVATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Admissions Rates:
ADMITTED: 11.8%
GENERAL INFO
SAT/ACT Scores:
Test Optional for 2024-2025
Admission Cycle
Class of 2027 Test Scores
Middle 50% SAT:
1500-1570
Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
Dates/Deadlines:
Early Decision I (ED I):
November 1
Early Decision II (ED II):
January 2
Regular Decision:
January 3
School Information:
Undergraduate population:
8,132
Faculty Ratio:
8:1
Interviews considered:
Yes
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY TIPS & GUIDE
How difficult is it to get into Washington University in St. Louis?
U.S. News and World Report ranked Washington University in St. Louis, often simply called WashU, is the 24th best national university. As such, it is a WashU requirement to have an excellent application in order to gain admission to the school. Of the 32,240 applicants who applied to gain admission to the Class of 2027, 3,855 were admitted, yielding an 11.96% overall admissions rate. The school had a slightly higher Early Decision admission rate, at 12%, compared to a 9% regular decision admission rate. The middle 50% of test scores were 1500-1570 for the SAT and 33-35 for the ACT.
What is the campus like at Washington University in St. Louis?
WashU is located in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, on a sprawling campus of 2,300 acres, across which students spend their time engaging in a variety of pursuits. The school boasts more than 450 student organizations in a wide variety of interest areas. Including the arts, media and literary organizations, leadership development programs, and entrepreneurship. Nearly two-thirds of students join a performing arts or music related community, 60% of undergraduate students participate in community service, and about 1,000 students are members of one of 29 chapters of Greek life.
How do I apply to Washington University in St. Louis?
WashU accepts three different types of applications: the Common Application, Coalition Application, and Questbridge Application. Students have the option to apply either through Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision. ED I and ED II are both binding applications, meaning if you are accepted under either of these decision plans, it is a requirement to attend WashU.
WashU has a holistic admissions process, and considers applicants’ academic preparation and potential, personal characteristics and qualities, accomplishments, involvement, fit and engagement, as well as the potential contributions students could make. Their unofficial motto is that each student should be known by name and story. So regardless of what your application holds, make sure you share your story and what makes you unique.
In order to apply, students must submit the following application materials:
- School Report and Official Transcript
- Teacher Evaluation
- Counselor Recommendation
- Optional – Self-reported or official SAT or ACT scores.
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test for students whose first language is not English
- Note that students who are applying to the College of Art are required to submit a portfolio, while students for the College of Architecture are encouraged to do so.
- Students also have the option to submit a 90-second video addressing of the following three questions:
- Discuss a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project.
- Describe a community you are a part of and your place within it.
- Tell us how your life experiences have impacted the way you view or interact with your community.
What is Washington University in St. Louis known for?
Washington University in St. Louis is known as a premier research university that gives rise to award-winning professionals—since its founding, the school has been affiliated with 26 Nobel laureates. The school received an estimated $978 million dollars in sponsored research support in the fiscal year 2023, funding over 3,000 research projects annually in the following areas of research: medical, environmental and energy, innovation and entrepreneurial, and plant science. Undergraduate students have a plethora of opportunities to become involved in research through the Office of Undergraduate Research’s Summer Undergraduate Research Awards and Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Rellowsips.
How diverse is Washington University in St. Louis?
WashU is a particularly diverse school: students hail from over 110 countries, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Fifty-two percent of the Class of 2027 is female and 48% is male. Students are 27% Asian, 12% Black or African American, 13% Hispanic, 1% Native American/Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, 1% Race/Ethnicity unknown, 35% White, and 11% are International.
Does Washington University in St. Louis have a good athletic department?
The Washington University in St. Louis Bears play in the NCAA Division III. Of the 19 varsity sports, 9 are men’s and 10 are women’s. Outside of varsity sports, 75% of undergraduate students participate in intramural sports!
What are Washington University in St. Louis’s core curriculum and programs?
WashU has of 4 divisions for undergraduate students
- Arts and Sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences
- Design & Visual Arts at the Sam Fox School
- Business at the Olin Business School
- Engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering
Prospective students are asked to select an academic division on their application for admission. Based on the division you select, you then select a primary academic interest on your application, but you don’t need to formally declare your major until your second year on campus.
Across the divisions, there are 90+ fields of study and 1500+ courses which offer students a plethora of learning opportunities. WashU has an overall student to faculty ratio of 8:1, and 3 out of 4 students at Wash U pursue multiple majors and or degrees.
Each of the undergraduate schools at Washington University have a core curriculum that students must complete in order to graduate. You can find more information about the Arts & Sciences core here; the Fox core here; the Olin Business School’s core here; and the McKelvey core here.
Can I afford Washington University in St. Louis?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the estimated cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, food and fees is $87,644. You can use the school’s Net Price Calculator to determine an estimate of how much aid you may be eligible to receive, However, Washington University in St. Louis is determined to be a “no-loan” school for all students, and is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Their average financial aid award is $65,000.
