2023-24 Bulletin

Admission procedures.

On this page: First-Year Admission | Transfer Admission | Pre-Matriculation Units | Secondary School Course Work | Proficiency and Placement Examinations

First-Year Admission

The undergraduate admissions committee reviews each application in a holistic and individualized manner, with a goal of getting to know each student through the application process. Some of the things assessed during this process include the following:

  • Academic potential and preparation
  • Personal characteristics and qualities
  • Accomplishments and involvement

Admission to Washington University is both selective and competitive. The university receives applications from far more students than it is able to admit each year. Students who come to Washington University have challenged themselves academically and personally during their high school years and are required to have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, including home-schooled students and students holding a GED. Most applicants take advantage of honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, and/or Dual Enrollment courses, if offered by their high schools. The admissions review takes each applicant's individual context, circumstances, and opportunities into account.

Most candidates' transcripts include the following:

  • Four years of English
  • Four years of mathematics; calculus is strongly recommended for majors in Architecture, Business, and Engineering; science majors in Arts & Sciences; and those who intend to pursue a pre-medicine path
  • Three to four years of history or social science
  • At least two years of the same foreign language since ninth grade
  • Three to four years of laboratory science; chemistry and physics are strongly recommended for Engineering majors and for those who plan to do course work in the sciences and/or pre-medicine

Important components of a student's application also include the following:

  • The student's academic performance (transcript), including course selection, grades, and class rank, if provided by the secondary school
  • Counselor and teacher recommendations
  • Extracurricular and community involvement, including positive impacts on home and community (students who work for pay and/or have time-consuming family responsibilities should include this in their activity list)
  • Standardized testing, if provided (see below)

Standardized Testing

WashU has extended its test optional policy for applicants for admission through the fall semester in 2024. Applicants have the option of whether to submit standardized test scores. Students who are unable to or who elect not to submit their test scores will have the requirement automatically waived and will not be penalized. For those who do submit test scores, either SAT or ACT scores are acceptable, and neither the writing section nor SAT Subject Tests are required. Test results from any of the student's high school years are acceptable and we consider only the highest individual scores, whenever they occurred. Students may also submit additional testing (such as SAT Subject Tests, AP or IB exam scores, or other forms of testing) in addition to, or in lieu of, the SAT or ACT.

Applying for Admission

For a student's application file to be complete, we must receive the following materials by the deadline for the decision plan selected:

  • Common Application or Coalition Application
  • Nonrefundable $75 fee or a simple fee-waiver request
  • All required additional materials as outlined in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions guidelines, including a teacher recommendation, a school report, and official transcripts

Washington University also accepts applications through the QuestBridge Match process.

Decision Plans

Washington University offers two binding Early Decision options (Early Decision I, with a deadline of November 1 and notification by December 15, and Early Decision II, with a deadline of January 3 and notification by February 16) and Regular Decision, with a deadline of January 3 and notification by April 1 each year.

If Washington University is a student's first choice, we encourage the student to consider applying under an Early Decision plan. Applying Early Decision signifies a binding commitment that the student will attend Washington University if admitted. This option requires the applicant to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit within two weeks of receiving notification of admission. If admitted, the student must withdraw applications at other schools. A student may apply to only one school through a binding Early Decision plan.

Selecting a Division

We encourage students to think about where their interests may lie at the time they apply in terms of a major and a degree path to pursue. Applicants must select one of the academic divisions (Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business, or Engineering) or the Beyond Boundaries program as the primary point of interest. This allows us to assess proper preparation in the application review process and to provide effective academic advising from the start to help students realize their goals. Once admitted to a division, a student must spend at least one full semester in that division before requesting a change to another undergraduate division at Washington University. Students wishing to switch undergraduate divisions after the first semester do so by meeting with their dean's office. (Note: Olin Business School considers transfer requests after the first year.)

If English Is Not the Student's Primary Language

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to demonstrate evidence of English language proficiency by submitting results from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or Duolingo English Test . Applicants may also seek a waiver, based upon specific circumstances. Students should refer to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for additional guidance.

In addition to the application materials referenced above, applicants to the College of Art are required to submit a portfolio of their work and applicants to the College of Architecture are encouraged to do so. All College of Art students will be considered for the Conway or Proetz Scholarship in art; Architecture students who submit portfolios will be considered for the Fitzgibbon Scholarship.

Applicants should submit their portfolios through SlideRoom and should include 12 to 15 pieces of recent work, which may include drawings, two- and three-dimensional pieces, and photographs. (If an applicant is submitting an architecture portfolio, they should not include CAD drawings or examples of their drafting skills.) The applicant may include additional information about each piece, such as the title, medium, dimensions and date completed.

Deferred Enrollment

Admitted students who have submitted their enrollment materials but wish to begin their studies at a later date may request to defer enrollment at Washington University for a period of one year, with extension possible for an additional year depending on individual circumstances. Requests to defer enrollment (“take a gap year”) are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by May 15.

Deferred enrollment is designed for students who wish to engage in a substantive personal growth experience before enrolling or students completing compulsory national service and/or a religious commitment. Students who have deferred enrollment should not enroll as a full-time student at another institution. If a student pursues any course work during deferred enrollment, any courses taken during the deferred period are typically not accepted for credit. Final decisions about the transferability of any credit lies with the dean's office in each division.

Students interested in deferring enrollment should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for important deadlines and procedures. Note: students deferring enrollment must reapply for financial assistance during the application cycle immediately preceding the date of desired entry.

Please visit the Admissions website for more information.

Statement of Admissions Conduct

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct as an integral part of its mission, the promotion of learning. To achieve this goal, the university relies on each community member’s ethical behavior, honesty, integrity and good judgment. Each community member should demonstrate respect for the rights of others. Each community member is accountable for his/her actions. Therefore, an offer of admission and a student’s enrollment at the university are contingent upon the accurate and complete representation of information within the application for admission, as well as successful completion of their current studies. Applicants are obligated to notify the university of any changes in the information provided or responses submitted as part of their application. Washington University in St. Louis reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission or revoke a student’s enrollment at any time if we receive information that, in our sole judgment and discretion, indicates that the information provided in the application is inaccurate or misleading or if new information leads the university to determine that a student is no longer a positive presence for study or participation in our community.

Transfer Admission

Transfer admission to Washington University is selective; the university receives more applications each year than it has space to admit. Washington University only accepts applications for transfer admission for entry in the fall semester.

An applicant should apply as a transfer student if they meet all of the following requirements:

  • The applicant has finished secondary school and completed some college study.
  • The applicant would like to be considered for admission with advanced standing (as a second-year or third-year student) at Washington University.
  • The applicant is interested in enrolling full-time in an undergraduate degree program with a specific academic focus.
  • The applicant has never attended any of Washington University's full-time, degree-granting schools.

For information about transfer application deadlines , please visit the Admissions website.

Preparation for Transfer

Transfer applicants are reviewed for their preparation to successfully enroll in their division of interest. Available space in each division varies every year. Generally speaking, strong applicants will have achieved at least a B+ average from a two- or four-year college in courses across a broad academic curriculum.

Some academic divisions require specific academic achievement and the completion of specific course work. For example, students with interests in business must demonstrate strong performance in math course work, including calculus, and students interested in engineering or the physical or biological sciences must demonstrate strong performance in science and mathematics course work, including calculus. Applicants are advised to review the suggested guidelines and specific course work needed for their intended area of study or intended professional pathway (e.g., pre-med); this is available on the Admissions website .

Additionally, transfer applicants must have left their current institution and all previous institutions in good standing and be eligible to return. If an applicant has been away from a formal academic setting for more than two years, we require the applicant to complete at least one year (30 units) of work at another college or university before applying for transfer admission.

Due to the very limited number of transfer spaces available, transfer applicants are ineligible to request deferred enrollment from one year to the next.

For additional admissions information on how to apply as a transfer applicant, please visit the Admissions website .

To apply as a transfer applicant, applicants must submit their high school transcript(s), their application, official transcripts of all previous college work, a Transfer Academic Evaluation (letter of recommendation), a Transfer Registrar Report (College Report), and the nonrefundable $75 application fee (or fee waiver) to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Admissions has extended its test optional policy for transfer applicants enrolling through the fall of 2024; applicants have the option of whether to submit standardized testing, such as the SAT or ACT.

Detailed information about applying for financial aid is available on the Student Financial Services website and in this Bulletin .

Transfer admission information for individual schools is listed as follows.

Transferring into Arts & Sciences

Each year, a number of students from other colleges and universities transfer into the College of Arts & Sciences. Upon their admission, the transfer student advisor reviews and evaluates their previous academic work. Full credit is normally granted for courses taken at accredited institutions, provided that the university offers comparable courses and that the student has completed the courses with a grade of C or better. Please note: With the exception of course work taken during the 2020-21 academic year, online course work will not be considered for transfer credit. In addition, transfer credit may be counted where applicable and upon department approval toward major or minor requirements. Transfer students must be enrolled for at least four consecutive full-time semesters, excluding summer terms, to satisfy the residency requirement. They must complete a minimum number of units at Washington University and a minimum number of units in the College of Arts & Sciences in accordance with the table found under the heading "Transfer Students" on the Arts & Sciences Degree Requirements page of this Bulletin .

All transfer students are assigned an academic advisor. When they declare a major, they also meet with an advisor in the major department. The full range of curricular opportunities offered through the college is open to transfer students when prerequisites are satisfied. An applicant should direct specific questions about transfer credit and course sequences at Washington University to the College of Arts & Sciences.

Transferring into Architecture

Places for transfer students are extremely limited and require strong performance in an arts and sciences curriculum, preferably with preparation in the visual arts. Placement into the design studio sequence is determined by a portfolio review and an evaluation of prior course work. To assist with appropriate placement, an interview with the associate dean of students, while not required, is strongly recommended. The applicant should bring a transcript to the meeting. The applicant's previous work should parallel as closely as possible the course work outlined on the Architecture Degree Requirements page.

Transfer applicants to the College of Architecture are required to submit a portfolio consisting of 12 to 15 pieces of recent work for review by the faculty through SlideRoom on the Common Application. This should include examples of work that indicate the applicant’s technical and conceptual level of accomplishment. Some drawing should be from direct observation. If possible, applicants should submit examples of work in different media to demonstrate a range of art and design experiences.

Transferring into Art

The number of studio art credits that a transfer applicant has already earned, in combination with an evaluation of the applicant's portfolio, determines the level at which the student is admitted. As much as possible, the studio art courses taken at other institutions should correspond with the program at Washington University as outlined on the Art Degree Requirements page. To assist with appropriate placement, an interview with the associate dean of students, while not required, is strongly recommended. The applicant should bring a transcript to the meeting.

Transfer applicants to the College of Art are required to submit a portfolio through SlideRoom on the Common Application for faculty review. The portfolio should consist of 12 to 15 pieces of recent work and show a variety of art experiences, including drawings, work utilizing design principles, and some work in color. Applicants should include examples of work from basic drawing and design classes that indicate their technical and conceptual level of accomplishment, and some drawing should be from direct observation. If possible, applicants should submit examples of work in different media to demonstrate a range of art and design experiences. If applying to the second- or third-year level, some of the work should be in the area of the applicant's intended major.

Transferring into Business

The Olin Business School offers transfer enrollment during the fall semester. The strongest candidates for admission are able to demonstrate solid academic performance at a two- or four-year college that mirrors most of the academic requirements that our students complete during their first or second year of study. For a sophomore-level transfer candidate, this would include Calculus II at the college level. M icroeconomics is recommended.  For a junior-level transfer candidate, this would include financial accounting, microeconomics, and perhaps macroeconomics and managerial accounting. All transfers to the Olin Business School must have completed an equivalent to Calculus II at the college level. Students who are admitted to the Olin Business School should expect a written course evaluation from the transfer student advisor within two weeks of receiving their offer of admission; this letter will indicate the courses that will be accepted by the business school. A maximum of 60 credits will be accepted toward our undergraduate degree. Students must earn at least a C grade in the course for the units to transfer to Washington University. Typically, courses taken online are not accepted as transfer credit. However, online courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic (Spring 2020 through Summer 2022) will be transferable. Grades will not transfer to Washington University.

All transfer students are assigned an academic advisor. Transfer students must be enrolled for at least four consecutive full-time semesters to satisfy the residency requirement.

Please refer to the Degree Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

Transferring into Engineering

Applicants may apply for admission if they have completed a minimum of one year of college work elsewhere; however, the McKelvey School of Engineering does not accept transfer students who have already completed a bachelor's degree. The transfer applicant must demonstrate academic achievement (i.e., a grade average of B+ or better), with strength in mathematics (calculus) and science (chemistry/physics). Transfer applicants to the McKelvey School of Engineering should have completed one semester of an English composition course, two semesters of calculus-based physics, and sufficient calculus (typically three semesters) to be prepared for differential equations. Applicants interested in biomedical engineering should also have completed at least one semester of chemistry with lab and an introductory biology sequence that includes cellular, molecular and developmental biology as well as genetics.  Applicants interested in chemical or environmental engineering should have completed at least one biology course and sufficient chemistry to be ready to take organic chemistry. After completing the application process, an evaluation of the applicant's record will be made to determine the transfer of college credit. Grades earned do not transfer, but the applicant must earn a letter grade of C- or better for the course credit to transfer. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis do not transfer.

To be recommended for any bachelor's degree, a transfer applicant must satisfy applicable requirements of the McKelvey School of Engineering as shown in the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin. Please note that all students earning an undergraduate engineering degree are required to complete a minimum of 60 course units at Washington University.

Pre-Matriculation Credit Units

Pre-matriculation credit units are earned before an applicant's enrollment at Washington University as a first-year student and can be applied toward a Washington University degree. A maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit may be counted toward an undergraduate degree; these units of credit will count toward graduation but will not count toward the distribution requirements/meet general education requirements.* Sources for pre-matriculation credit units include Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, British Advanced (A) Levels, course credit earned by proficiency (e.g., Back Credit), and college credit earned after the student's sophomore year in high school. Credits earned via Arts & Sciences Pre-College Programs are considered to be pre-matriculation credit units and are subject to the same regulations. A transcript notation is made of all pre-matriculation credit units earned before enrollment in Washington University.

  • A student in the College of Arts & Sciences may apply a maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit toward any undergraduate degree; these units of credit will count toward graduation but will not count toward the distribution requirements. A transcript notation is made of all pre-matriculation credit units earned before enrollment in Washington University.
  • A student in the Olin Business School  may apply a maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration undergraduate degree; these units of credit will count toward graduation but will not count toward the distribution requirements. A transcript notation is made of all pre-matriculation credit units earned before enrollment in Washington University.
  • A student in the McKelvey School of Engineering may apply a maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit toward any undergraduate degree. A transcript notation is made of all pre-matriculation credit units earned before enrollment in Washington University.
  • A student in the College of Art may apply a maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit toward an undergraduate degree; these units of credit will count toward graduation but will not count toward the distribution requirements. A transcript notation is made of all pre-matriculation credit units earned before enrollment in Washington University.
  • A student in the College of Architecture may apply a maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit toward an undergraduate degree; these units of credit will count toward graduation but will not count toward the distribution requirements. A transcript notation is made of all pre-matriculation credit units earned before enrollment in Washington University.

Students who wish to receive pre-matriculation credit from their College Board AP examinations, International Baccalaureate courses, and British A-Level examinations should submit their official score reports to Washington University. All appropriate test scores will have course equivalents assigned to them and will be noted on the transcript. However, a maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit will be awarded, provided credit has not been already designated as the result of college course work having been transferred as well. If a student takes a course in residence for which they have already received AP/IB/A-Level credit, the AP/IB/A-Level credit will be removed automatically.

College Courses Prior to Washington University

A maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit may be awarded for college courses completed at another college or university prior to matriculation, provided no other pre-matriculation credits have been awarded. In the College of Arts & Sciences, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, Olin Business School, and McKelvey School of Engineering, college courses completed at another college or university prior to matriculation must meet the following standards:

  • Taken after the sophomore year in high school
  • Taken at a fully accredited college or university
  • Taught on a college or university campus
  • Taught by a college or university faculty member
  • Enrolled in primarily by matriculated college students (i.e., high school graduates)
  • Not listed on the high school transcript, did not count toward the high school diploma/graduation requirements, and was not part of a high school/college dual credit program

Students in the College of Arts & Sciences who would like to apply to receive pre-matriculation credit for college courses completed at another college or university prior to matriculation should visit the  College of Arts & Sciences website .

Students in the Olin Business School who would like to apply to receive pre-matriculation credit for college courses completed at another college or university prior to matriculation should contact the Olin Business School .

Students in the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts who would like to apply to receive pre-matriculation credit for college courses completed at another college or university prior to matriculation should visit the Sam Fox School website or contact the Sam Fox School registrar .

Students in the McKelvey School of Engineering who would like to apply to receive pre-matriculation credit for college courses completed at another college or university prior to matriculation should contact the McKelvey School of Engineering or email their questions about the transfer course equivalency review process to [email protected] .

Secondary School Course Work

Washington University does not recognize credit for courses taken in secondary schools (high schools) and taught by secondary (high school) instructors, even when offered under the aegis of a university. The university accepts credit for courses taken at a college or university and taught by faculty of a college or university, provided the course has not been credited toward the high school diploma.

Proficiency and Placement Examinations

Superior results on proficiency and placement examinations allow students to enter advanced courses at the beginning of their college career, to fulfill some requirements for a major or a minor by examination rather than by course work, and to earn credit toward their degree. Students will have all accepted pre-matriculation credit noted on their transcript so they may go directly into advanced courses.

Four types of examinations are recognized:

  • Washington University Placement Examinations .   Placement examinations  are administered by various departments and have different requirements for advanced course placement.
  • International Baccalaureate .  Students who have earned the International Baccalaureate diploma or who have successfully passed examinations in the program should consult a dean in their undergraduate division of the university about advanced course placement and credit. These scores may be used for placement or granting of degree credit, according to the recommendations of the various departments. Subsidiary-level scores are not recognized.
  • Advanced (A) Levels (A-Levels).  These grades may be used for placement or granting of degree credit, according to the recommendations of the various departments.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations .  These are used for placement, partial fulfillment of major or minor requirements, and the granting of degree credit, according to the recommendations of the various departments. Examinations are given by the College Board in May of each year for secondary school (high school) students who have been enrolled in college-level courses in the same subject or subjects of the exam. For the most current policy information, visit the College of Arts & Sciences  Advanced Placement webpage . Students who wish to receive pre-matriculation credit for their AP test scores must have their AP test scores sent to Washington University by contacting the College Board at  www.collegeboard.org  or 1-888-225-5427 (College Code 6929).

SAT Subject Tests :  These examinations in modern languages are administered by the College Board. They are required for study in certain languages.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): These scores are not accepted for credit or placement.

Back Credit Policy

East Asian Languages

Credit is typically awarded for completing the following courses with a grade of B- or better. Native speakers are not eligible for back credit, so evidence of secondary or post-secondary study of the language is required.

Chinese 211 = 3 units for Chinese 102D Chinese 360 = 3 units for Chinese 102D and 3 units for Chinese 212

Japan 213 = 3 units for Japan 104D Japan 412 = 3 units for Japan 104D and 3 units for Japan 214

Korean 217 = 3 units for Korean 118D Korean 417 = 3 units for Korean 118D and 3 units for Korean 218

French (L34)

Credit is awarded for the following courses with a grade of B or better. Native speakers are not eligible for back credit, so evidence of secondary or postsecondary study of the language is required. No back credit is awarded for 102 or 301.  

French 201D = 3 units for French 102D French 307D = 3 units for French 201D and 3 units for French 102D French 308D = 3 units for French 307D and 3 units for French 201D (credit awarded for placement, completion of the course is not required)

Germanic Languages and Literatures (L21)

Students receive the following back credit after successfully completing these courses with a grade of B- or better.

German 201D = 3 units for German 102D German 202D = 3 units for German 102D and 3 units for German 201D German 301D = 3 units for German 102D and 3 units for German 201D German 302D = 3 units for German 102D and 3 units for German 201D

For students who started German at WashU prior to fall 2021:

German 210D = 3 units for German 102D German 301D = 3 units for German 102D and 3 units for German 210D German 302D = 3 units for German 102D and 3 units for German 210D

Greek (L09)

Students may be awarded 3 units of credit for Greek 101D upon completion of Greek 210 . Students may be awarded 3 units of credit for Greek 101D and 3 units of credit for Greek 102D upon completion of Greek 317C or Greek 318C with a grade of B or better. Placement at the appropriate level is determined by departmental examination.

Italian (L36)

Credit is awarded for the following courses with a grade of B or better. Native speakers are not eligible for back credit, so evidence of secondary or postsecondary study of the language is required. No back credit is awarded for Ital 102 or Ital 301 .

Ital 201D = 3 units for Ital 102D Ital 307D = 3 units for Ital 201D and 3 units for Ital 102D Ital 308D = 3 units for Ital 307D and 3 units for Ital 201D (credit awarded for placement; completion of the course is not required)

Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Languages

Credit is typically awarded for completing the following courses with a grade of B- or better. Native speakers are not eligible for back credit, so evidence of secondary or postsecondary study of the language is required.

Arab 207D  or Arab 208D = 3 units for Arab 108D Arab 307D or Arab 308D = 3 units for Arab 207D and 3 units for Arab 208D Arab 3075 or Arab 3085 = 3 units for Arab 207D and 3 units for Arab 208D Arab 407 or Arab 408 = 3 units for Arab 3075 and 3 units for Arab 3085

HBRW 2011 or HBRW 2012 = 3 units for HBRW 1012 HBRW 320D or HBRW 322 = 3 units for HBRW 1012 and 3 units for HBRW 2012 HBRW 384 or HBRW 385 = 3 units for HBRW 1012 and 3 units for HBRW 2012 HBRW 4011 or HBRW 402 = 3 units for HBRW 2012 and 3 units for HBRW 322D

Hindi 201  or Hindi 202 = 3 units for Hindi 112D Hindi 301   or Hindi 302 = 3 units for Hindi 201 and 3 units for Hindi 202

Hindi 232 or Hindi 232A = 3 units for Hindi 151 Hindi 250 or Hindi 251 = 3 units for Hindi 151 Hindi 305 or Hindi 306 = 3 units for Hindi 250 and 3 units for Hindi 251

Latin (L10)

Students may be awarded 3 units of credit for Latin 101D and 3 units of credit for Latin 102D upon completion of Latin 301 , Latin 3161 , Latin 3171 or Latin 3181 with a grade of B or better. Placement in the appropriate course is determined by examination.

Mathematics (L24)

If students complete one of the following courses with a grade of C+ or better at Washington University, then they are eligible for back credit. Credit is not awarded twice for transfer or AP scores.

Math 132 = 3 units for Math 131 Math 203 or Math 204 = 3 units for Math 131 and 3 units for Math 132 Math 233 = 3 units for Math 131 and 3 units for Math 132 All other courses = no credit

Russian (L39)

Students can receive back credit for up to 6 credits contingent upon successful completion (B or better) of the next level. Native speakers are not eligible for back credit, so evidence of secondary or postsecondary study of the language is required.

Russ 322D or Russ 324D = 3 units for Russ 211D and 3 units for Russ 212D Russ 211D or Russ 212D = 3 units for Russ 102D

Spanish (L38)

All students seeking Back Credit or wishing to enroll in a Spanish class must take the Spanish placement exam first, regardless of previous experience in the language. Credit is awarded for the following courses with a grade B or better. Native speakers are not eligible for Back Credit. Heritage speakers of Spanish may receive Back Credit provided secondary or postsecondary study of the language and certification by the director of undergraduate study in Spanish. No back credit is awarded for Span 101 or Span 223 .  

Span 201E = 3 units for Span 102D Span 202 = 3 units for Span 201E and 3 units for Span 102D Span 302 * = 3 units for Span 202 and 3 units for Span 201E Span 308E = 3 units for Span 307D* and 3 units for Span 202 (credit awarded for placement; completion of the course is not required)

Back credit for Span 307D can only be used for elective credit; it cannot be used toward a Spanish major or minor.

International Baccalaureate Policy

Biology (L41)

Grade 7, 6: 6 units of credit for Biol 100A (elective credit). Students who plan to major in Biology or who are pre-med normally will enroll in Biol 2960 during the spring of their first year and Biol 2970 during the fall of sophomore year. 

Grade 5, 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given.

Business/Organization

No credit given.

Chemistry (L07)

Those students who receive a 6 or 7 on the IB test in Chemistry will receive 3 units each of Chem 103 and Chem 104. Receipt of these credits has no bearing on the fulfillment of chemistry requirements for pre-medicine or any science major and cannot be used to satisfy prerequisites for Organic Chemistry. All students who wish to pursue a major or a pre-professional preparatory curriculum requiring general chemistry must take Chem 111A and Chem 112A and the associated labs, Chem 151 and Chem 152 . Students who wish to exempt either the first or second semester of general chemistry, including the labs, must pass a placement exam administered by the Department of Chemistry during the first week of classes in the fall.

Grade 7, 6: 6 units of credit: 3 units each of Chem 103 and Chem 104. These units do not replace Chem 111A or Chem 112A . Chem 112A must be completed prior to registration in Chem 261 or Chem 401 or any advanced courses in Chemistry.

Grade 5, 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given. 

Classical Greek (L09)

No credit awarded. Students should take the departmental placement exam. Students who place into and complete higher level courses can earn up to 6 units of Back Credit for preceding courses; see the Back Credit policy for details.

Computer Science (E81)

No credit awarded, but a student can take the CSE 131 placement exam . Contact the CSE office at 314-935-6160 for more information.

Economics (L11)

Grade 7: 3 units of undergraduate general degree credit, contingent upon completion of Econ 4011 with a grade of B or better. The credit will not count toward the economics major/minor. Placement into any economics course is permitted (assuming other prerequisites are met); however, bypassing introductory courses may be disadvantageous, and students are strongly encouraged to consult with the department's academic coordinator. Bypassing Econ 1011 and/or Econ 1021 requires the completion of additional economics elective credit for the major/minors in Economics and for the major in Economics + Computer Science.

Grade 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given. Not recommended to bypass Econ 1011 or Econ 1021 .

English Literature (L14) and Writing (L13)

Grade 7: 3 units of elective credit (L13 0001) contingent upon completing L59 111-120, L59 100 or L13 103 with a grade of B or better. Please note that no credit is given for writing or literature courses.

Grade 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given.

No credit awarded.

German A1, German B (Modern Foreign Languages) (L21)

History (L22)

American History: No credit awarded.

European History: No credit awarded.

African History: No credit awarded.

Islamic World History: No credit awarded. 

South and Southeast Asia History: No credit awarded.

South Asia and Middle East History: No credit awarded.

Mathematics HL:

Grade 7, 6: 3 units of credit for Math 131 . 

Grade 5, 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit awarded.

Music (L27)

Grade 7, 6: 3 units of elective credit for students who do not major or minor in music.

No credit awarded.  

Philosophy (L30)

Grade 7, 6: 3 units of credit for Phil 125C .

Physics (L31)

Physics HL: Grade 7: 6 units of credit for Physics 113A and 114A.

Grade 6, 5: 3 units of credit for Physics 113A.

Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit awarded.

Physics EE: No credit awarded.

Psychological & Brain Sciences (L33)

Grade 7, 6: Waives the Psych 100B Introduction to Psychology requirement, but no college credit is awarded.

Social Anthropology (L48)

Credit is evaluated on an individual basis by the anthropology department.

Visual/Studio Arts (F20)

Grade 7: 3 units of elective credit.

A-Level Tests Policy

Accounting (B50)

Advanced Level grades of A, B, C & D to be awarded 3 units of accounting elective credit (B50 0001).

Grades of A or B to be awarded 3 units of credit equivalent to Biol 100A.

Business Studies (B53)

Advanced Level grades of A, B, C & D to be awarded 3 units of management elective credit (B53 0001).

A grade of A to be awarded 3 units each for the following courses: Chem 103 and Chem 104. A grade of B to be awarded 3 units for the following course: Chem 103.

No A-Level credit given but a student can take the CSE 131 placement exam . Contact the CSE office at 314-935-6160 for more information.

3 units of undergraduate general degree credit for students with a grade (on the A-level exam) of A, contingent upon completion of Econ 4011 with a grade of B or better. The credit will not count toward the economics major/minor. Placement into any economics course is permitted (assuming other prerequisites are met); however, bypassing introductory courses may be disadvantageous, and students are strongly encouraged to consult with the department's academic coordinator. Bypassing Econ 1011 and/or Econ 1021 requires the completion of additional economics elective credit for the major/minors in Economics and for the major in Economics + Computer Science.

English (L13)

No credit or placement given.

A grade of A to be awarded 3 units for French 102D and 3 units of French 201D , with 3 additional units to be awarded contingent upon successful completion of a 300-level course (other than conversation). A grade of B to be awarded 3 units upon successful completion of a 300-level course.

German (L21)

Grades of A or B to be awarded 3 units of elective credit.

Advanced Level grades of A and B will be awarded 3 units of credit for Math 131 automatically. An Advanced Level grade of C will only receive credit for Math 131 upon successful completion of Math 132 with a grade of C+ or better at Washington University.

Mathematics (Further) (L24)

Advanced Level grades of A and B will be awarded 6 units of credit for Math 131 and Math 132 automatically. An Advanced Level grade of C will only receive credit for Math 131–132 upon successful completion of Math 233 with a grade of C+ or better at Washington University (or credit for Math 131 will be given for completion of Math 132); this course essentially covers all of the material in Math 131–132 together with some extra physics and probability statistics.

A grade of A to be awarded 3 units each for the following courses: Music 121C and Music 122C .

A grade of A on the physics A-level exam will earn 3 units of credit for Physics 113A and 3 units of credit for Physics 114A. A grade of B on the physics A-level exam will earn 3 units of credit for Physics 113A.

A grade of A waives the Psych 100B Introduction to Psychology requirement, but no college credit is awarded.

Advanced Placement Policy

Art History (L01) — Test: AHS

Grade 5, 4: 3 units of elective credit for Art-Arch 113  contingent upon the completion of a 300- or 400-level Art History course with a grade of B or better. Students in the Sam Fox School must complete Art-Arch 113 .

Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.

Biology (L41) — Test: BIO

Grade 5, 4: 6 units of credit for Biol 100A (elective credit). Students who plan to major in Biology or who are pre-medicine normally will enroll in Biol 2960 in the spring of freshman year and Biol 2970 in the fall of sophomore year.

Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.

Chemistry (L07) — Test: CHE

Those students who receive a 5 on the AP test in Chemistry will receive 3 units each of Chem 103 and Chem 104. Those students who receive a 4 will receive 3 units of Chem 103. Receipt of these credits has no bearing on the fulfillment of chemistry requirements for pre-medicine or any science major and cannot be used to satisfy prerequisites for Organic Chemistry. All students who wish to pursue a Chemistry major must take Chem 111A and Chem 112A and the associated labs, Chem 151 and Chem 152 . Students who wish to pursue another major or a pre-professional preparatory curriculum requiring general chemistry must take either Chem 105 and Chem 106 or Chem 111A and 112A (specific requirements defined by the major program) and the associated labs, Chem 151 and Chem 152. Students who wish to exempt either the first or second semester of general chemistry, including the labs, must pass a placement exam administered by the Department of Chemistry during the first week of classes in the fall.

Grade 5: 6 units of credit: 3 units each of Chem 103 and Chem 104. These units do not replace Chem 105/106 or Chem 111A/112A. Chem 106 or Chem 112A must be completed prior to registration in Chem 261 or Chem 401 or any advanced courses in Chemistry.

Grade 4: 3 units of Chem 103. These units do not replace Chem 105/106 or Chem 111A/112A.

Computer Science (E81) — A Test

Grade 5, 4: 3 units of general elective credit for E81 CSE 131 . Students who want to confirm their skills can take the online placement exam .

Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given, but a student can take the online placement exam and receive "proficiency" credit if a passing score is achieved.

Computer Science (E81) — AP Computer Science Principles/Test CSP

Grade 5, 4: 3 units of general elective credit for E81 CSE 013. Students who want to confirm their skills can take the online placement exam .

Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given. Students who want to confirm their skills can take the online placement exam .

Economics–Micro (L11) — Test: EMI

Grade 5: 3 units of undergraduate general degree credit (L11 0001), contingent upon completion of Econ 4011 with a grade of B or better. The credit will not count toward the economics major/minor. Placement into any economics course having an Econ 1011 prerequisite is permitted; however, bypassing introductory courses may be disadvantageous, and students are encouraged to consult with the department's academic coordinator. Bypassing Econ 1011 requires the completion of additional economics elective credit for the major/minors in Economics and for the major in Economics + Computer Science.

Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given. Not recommended to bypass Econ 1011 .

Economics–Macro (L11) — Test: EMA

Grade 5: 3 units of undergraduate general degree credit (L11 0001), contingent upon completion of Econ 4021 with a grade of B or better. The credit will not count toward the economics major/minor. Placement into any economics course having an Econ 1021 prerequisite is permitted (assuming other prerequisites are met); however, bypassing introductory courses may be disadvantageous, and students are encouraged to consult with the department's academic coordinator. Bypassing Econ 1021 requires the completion of additional economics elective credit for the major/minors in Economics and for the major in Economics + Computer Science.

Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given. Not recommended to bypass Econ 1021 .

English: Language and Composition (L13) or Literature and Composition (L14) — Test: ENG

Grade 5: 3 credits of elective credit (L13 0001) contingent upon completing L59 111-120, L59 100 or L13 Writing 103 with a grade of B or better.

Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given.

Environmental Science (L81)

French Language (L34) — Test: LNF

To receive Advanced Placement credit in French for a score of 3 or 4, the student must complete a 300-level course with a grade of B or better.

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for  French 102D and 3 units of credit for  French 201D . Students may enroll in a 300-level course conducted in the language.

Grade 4: Automatically grants 3 credits for French 102D , and gives another 3 extra credits for French 201D contingent upon satisfactory completion of a 300-level course with a B or better — other than conversation — conducted in the language.

Grade 3: 3 units of credit for French 102D and 3 units of credit for  French 201D , contingent upon completion of a 300-level course with a grade of B or better — other than conversation — conducted in the language.

Grade 2, 1: No credit given.

French Literature (L34) — Test: LNF

To receive Advanced Placement credit in French for a score of 3 or 4, students must complete a 300-level course with a grade of B or better.

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for French 102D and 3 units of credit for  French 201D . Students may enroll in a 300-level course conducted in the language.

Grade 4: Automatically grants 3 credits for French 102D , and gives another 3 extra credits for French 201D contingent upon satisfactory completion of a 300-level course with a B or better  — other than conversation — conducted in the language.

Grade 3: 6 units of credit equivalent to French 102D and French 201D , contingent upon completion of a 300-level course with a grade of B or better — other than conversation — conducted in the language.

German (L21) — Test: LNG

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for German 102D and 3 units for German 201D ; students may enroll in German 202D .

Grade 4: 3 units of credit for German 102D ; an additional 3 units of credit for German 201D * awarded upon satisfactory completion of German 202D  (B- or better).

Grade 3: 3 units of credit for German 102D * and 3 units for German 201D , awarded upon satisfactory completion of German 202D  (B- or better).

Grade 2, 1: No credit given. Students should take the departmental placement exam.

Students may receive this credit only if they start their language study with German 202D.

American History — Test: HSA (A grade of 5 on the AP exam can fulfill Introductory course requirements for the history major and minor.)

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for History 163 .

Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for History 0001.

European History — Test: HSE (A grade of 5 on the AP exam can fulfill Introductory course requirements for the history major and minor.)

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for History 102.

World History: Modern — Test: HSW (A grade of 5 on the AP exam can fulfill Introductory course requirements for the history major and minor.)

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for History 164 .

Latin (L10) — Test: LNL

Grade 5, 4: 3 units of credit for Latin 101D and 3 units of credit for Latin 102D upon completion of Latin 301 , Latin 3161 , Latin 3171 , ​or Latin 3181  ​with a grade of B or better. Placement at the appropriate level is determined by departmental examination.

Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given. Placement at the appropriate level is determined by departmental examination.

Mathematics (L24) — Test: MAB

The mathematics and statistics department gives a placement exam, which is available online and also during the fall orientation period. We ask that all entering students planning to enroll in a calculus course (except those with an AP score of 4 or 5) take the placement exam available on Canvas. Only an AP score of 5 receives automatic credit.

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for Math 131 . The student will be placed into Math 132 .

Grade 4: The student will be placed into Math 132 . Students can still obtain credit for Math 131 by successfully completing Math 132 (see the Back Credit policy). Students should contact their major program about the program's specific requirements.

Grade 3: Students with scores of less than 4 should consult with their advisors about placement based on the Mathematics and Statistics Department Placement Test, their SAT scores, and their high school record. It will be helpful to the advisor if the student brings the title and the author's name of the calculus book used in high school and a photocopy of its table of contents, indicating which chapters were covered.

Grade 2, 1: Students will be placed into Math 131 .

Mathematics (L24) — Test: MBC

Grade 5: 3 units of credit for Math 131 and 3 units of credit for Math 132 . The student will be placed into Math 233 . Note: An AB Subscore of 5 will earn 3 units of credit for Math 131 .

Grade 4: The student will be placed into Math 233 . Students can still obtain credit for Math 132 by successfully completing Math 233 (see the Back Credit policy). Students should contact their major program about the program's specific requirements for math waivers.

Grade 3: Students with scores of less than 4 should consult with their advisors about placement based on the Mathematics and Statistics Department Placement Test, their SAT scores, and their high school record. It will be helpful to the advisor if the student brings the title and the author's name of the calculus book used in high school and a photocopy of its table of contents, indicating which chapters were covered.

Grade 2, 1: Students will be placed into Math 132 .

Note: Any student entering the Calculus 131–132–233 sequence can receive AP credit for earlier courses in this sequence by successful completion of the next course in the sequence with a grade of C+ or better at Washington University. In all cases, this assumes that the student does not already have credit for the preceding courses (e.g., by transfer from another college or university).

Music Literature/Listening (L27) — Test: MUL

Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for Music 0001.

Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for Music 0001.

Music Theory (L27) — Test: MUT

Physics 1 Test — Test: P1

Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for Physics 113A. This corresponds to the first semester in a two-semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in  Physics 191 and Physics 191L in the fall semester.

Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.

Physics 2 Test — Test: P2

Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for Physics 114A. This corresponds to the second semester in a two-semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in Physics 192 and Physics 192L in the spring semester. Students may not enroll in Physics 192 without first taking Physics 191 .

C Test (Mechanics) — Test: PCM

Grade 5: 4 total units of credit for  Physics 191  (3 credits) and Physics 191L  (1 credit). This corresponds to the first semester in a two-semester, calculus-based introductory physics sequence. Students may enroll in Physics 192 and Physics 192L , the second semester of this introductory calculus-based physics sequence, in the spring semester. Physics majors and students interested in an advanced treatment of introductory physics should enroll in Physics 193 and Physics 191L  in the fall semester, followed by Physics 194 and Physics 192L in the spring. 

Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for Physics 113A. This corresponds to the first semester in a two-semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in  Physics 191  and Physics 191L  in the fall semester.

C Test (Electricity and Magnetism) — Test: PCE

Grade 5: 4 total units of credit for Physics 192 (3 credits) and Physics 192L (1 credit). This corresponds to the second semester in a two-semester, calculus-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in Physics 193 and  Physics 191L  in the fall semester, followed by Physics 194 and Physics 192L in the spring.

Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for Physics 114A. This corresponds to the second semester in a two-semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in  Physics 191  and Physics 191L  in the fall semester.

Political Science (L32)

American Politics — Test: POA

Grade 5, 4: 3 units of undergraduate credit for Pol Sci 0001, contingent upon completion of an advanced (300-/400-level) course in American politics with a grade of C or better. The credit will not count toward the political science major/minor, but it waives the Pol Sci 101B requirement.

Comparative Politics — Test: POC

Grade 5, 4: 3 units of undergraduate credit for Pol Sci 0002, contingent upon completion of an advanced (300-/400-level) course in comparative politics with a grade of C or better. The credit will not count toward the political science major/minor, but it waives the Pol Sci 102B requirement.

Grade 5: Waives the Psych 100B Introduction to Psychology requirement, but no college credit is awarded.

Spanish Language (L38) — Test: LNS

No credit awarded. All students wishing to enroll in Spanish must take the online placement exam. Course placement is decided solely on the basis of this exam and not by AP scores. Students who place into and complete higher level courses can earn up to 6 units of back credit for preceding courses.

Spanish Literature (L38) — Test: LNS

Statistics (L24) — Test: STA

Grade 5: Students with a 5 on the AP Statistics Exam will receive 3 units of credit for Math 2200 .

2D Art and Design (F20) — Test: A2D

Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for Fine Arts 0001.

3D Art and Design (F20) — Test: A3D

Drawing (F20) — Test: DRW

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Washington University in St. Louis

Essay requirements.

Academic Requirements

Costs & Scholarships

All first-year applicants will respond to one Washington University supplemental short answer question. In addition, applicants can choose to submit one optional supplementary essay in response to any one of the three prompts provided.

essay

Short Answer Question

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why?

Optional Short Essay

Choose one.

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.

Helpful Resources

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How To Answer The “Why This College” Essay Prompt

We’ll go over the best ways to approach the 'Why This College" essay and provide helpful tips to help you write an effective essay that impresses admission officers.

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How To Format & Structure Your College Application Essay

Your essays are a chance for admissions officers to get to know you beyond your grades, test scores, and ECLs. But how do you craft essays that reflect who you are AND impress the admissions officers?

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Everything You Need To Know About The Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are required by many highly selective institutions in addition to the personal essay included in your Common Application. You can learn all about what they are and why they’re important here.

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Get Your Essay Reviewed

Feel confident when submitting your college application essay by getting it reviewed by a professional admissions expert..

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Washington University in St. Louis Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Washington University in St. Louis's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Washington University in St. Louis and build a strong application.

School location: St. Louis, MO

This school is also known as: Wash U, WUSTL

Admissions Rate: 11.3%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Washington University in St. Louis is 11.3% . For every 100 applicants, only 11 are admitted.

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This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress Washington University in St. Louis application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

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We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

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Washington University in St. Louis GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at Washington University in St. Louis is 4 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4, Washington University in St. Louis requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Washington University in St. Louis hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Washington University in St. Louis will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Washington University in St. Louis SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1527

The average SAT score composite at Washington University in St. Louis is a 1527 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Washington University in St. Louis Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores.

Washington University in St. Louis SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1500, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1570. In other words, a 1500 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1570 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Washington University in St. Louis has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Washington University in St. Louis will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Washington University in St. Louis forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1570, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

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Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Get eBook: 5 Tips for 160+ Points

Washington University in St. Louis ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Washington University in St. Louis likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 34

The average ACT score at Washington University in St. Louis is 34. This score makes Washington University in St. Louis Extremely Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35.

Even though Washington University in St. Louis likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 33 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 34 and above that a 33 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that Washington University in St. Louis does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

Consideration will only be given to the highest individual scores, whenever they occurred. Washington University considers your highest section scores across all SAT and/or ACT test dates that you submit. Final admissions decisions will be made using only your highest scores.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that Washington University in St. Louis receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, Washington University in St. Louis will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Washington University in St. Louis forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 35, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

image description

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Free eBook: 5 Tips to 4+ Points on the ACT

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Washington University in St. Louis considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1570 SAT or a 35 ACT . You should also have a 4 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as Washington University in St. Louis, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1570 SAT or a 35 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Washington University in St. Louis here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation 2
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $75
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes Portfolio for the College of Art and College of Architecture recommended for freshmen

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office January 3

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • Foreign Language
  • Social Studies

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Yes January 3 April 1
  • Yes November 1, January 4 December 15

Admissions Office Information

  • Address: One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
  • Phone: (314) 935-5000 x5000
  • Fax: (314) 935-4290
  • Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Washington University in St. Louis, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Washington University in St. Louis.

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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Washington University in St. Louis. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

image description

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Washington University in St. Louis, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

image description

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Washington University in St. Louis, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Washington University in St. Louis is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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  • Washington State University

First-Year Students

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Welcome to WSU

Whether you’re self-motivated or inspired by a thriving community, Coug spirit fills our first-year students with a thirst to innovate and explore. Immerse yourself in nationally ranked academic programs that prepare you for a successful and fulfilling career. Locate your admission counselor to get started right away on an experience you’ll never forget.

washington university essay requirements

Start Your Application

If you’re ready for the Coug life, start your application now. If you’re applying to WSU for the academic year immediately following graduation from high school and you haven’t taken any college courses since graduation, then you’re a first-year student.

How to Apply

Here’s where it all starts. Fill out the application for admission by May 1 if you’re a first-year student. And if you wish to be considered for Top Scholars designation, apply by January 31.

  • Apply for admission by the priority date* either through WSU or, as a first-year student, via Common App.
  • Upload your high school transcripts with your application.
  • Pay the $70 application fee or apply for a fee waiver. 
  • Complete the General Scholarship application by May 1.
  • Submit your FAFSA or WASFA application by May 1.

*The priority date for admission applications is May 1. Applications should be completed by May 1 to be eligible for automatic awarding of University waivers such as DUAA, UAA, and the WUE/Cougar Award. University waivers are awarded based on eligibility at the time of admittance to WSU. If you choose to attend a different semester than the one indicated on your application, you’ll need to re-apply.

washington university essay requirements

Explore degree offerings

With 11 academic colleges, WSU offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate fields of study. No matter what major you decide to pursue, we can help you build a successful future.

Important Dates

For students applying to start in Fall 2024.

  • Applications Open
  • Complete the FAFSA and WASFA
  • Top Scholars consideration priority date 
  • Admission application priority date
  • WSU General Scholarship Application deadline
  • FAFSA and WASFA priority date
  • Enrollment Confirmation priority date
  • FAFSA/WASFA verification document submission priority date

Application Requirements

WSU does not require students to submit SAT/ACT test scores as part of the application process and will not use them in our admission decisions.

CADR Requirements

The state of Washington maintains a set of academic core requirements called the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR) that all students have to meet to qualify for college admission. You can find more information on courses that meet admission requirements through the Washington Student Achievement Council .

First-Year Student Categories

  • High School Graduate: Whether you’re applying for the semester directly after your high school graduation or have been out of high school for a while, here’s what you need to do: Ask your high school for a copy of your transcripts that you can upload with your application. If you have earned a GED, have the testing agency send us your official GED transcript instead. If you have earned college credit, ask the college to send those official transcripts to WSU as well.
  • Additionally, make sure to complete the WSU General Scholarship Application by January 31 and file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 31.
  • If you choose to attend a different semester than the one indicated on your application, you’ll need to re-apply.
  • Have your high school send us an official transcript with graduation date. If you have a GED, order your official GED transcript instead.
  • If you have completed some college courses, also have the college (or colleges) you attended send us your official transcripts.
  • A resume covering the last five years.
  • A brief essay (no more than one page) addressing why you want to attend WSU.
  • Have your official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended sent to our office.
  • An  academic resume  (homeschooled transcript) that provides documentation of all subjects studied and textbooks used, including the signature of the parent or guardian; responsible for the student’s curriculum.
  • An official transcript from the GED exam, if taken.

Still in high school at the time of application? 

Please do the following in addition to filling out the admission application:

  • Send your high school transcript to WSU by uploading the transcript when filling out the admission application, by using the document uploader in your FutureCoug Portal , by using an accepted documentation service such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, or eScrip-Safe, or by mailing or faxing it to us. We do not accept transcripts via email.
  • If you earned college credit, ask the college(s) to send official transcripts to WSU.

Final official transcripts must be received prior to enrollment and must be sent directly from the school or testing agency to WSU via postal mail, fax, or an accepted documentation service such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, or eScrip-Safe. Please note, we do not accept official transcripts or test scores sent via email. 

Mailing address:

Washington State University Office of Admissions 370 Lighty Student Services Bldg. PO Box 641067 Pullman, WA 99164-1067

Fax: 509-335-4902

Note: This is a guide to the admission process, not a statement of policy. See the WSU General Catalog for official requirements and regulations.

washington university essay requirements

How to Get Into WashU: Admission Requirements + How to Apply

Picture of WashU's crest with latin writing

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 11/24/23

Wondering how to get into WashU? Read on to learn more about Washington University, the application requirements, dates, and even a step-by-step guide on how to get into WashU! 

St. Louis, MO

It’s almost summer. And if you’re preparing for college, that’s a crucial time for you to get as ready as you can for when applications open. If you’re looking for schools you wish to apply to, one recommended school is Washington University.

Despite what the name might suggest, Washington University is not located in Washington but in St. Louis, Missouri, not to be confused with the University of Washington, located in Washington, Seattle. 

St. Louis is a major city on the eastern edge of Missouri and right next to Illinois. This city is known for its steamboats, unique cuisine and music, the Gateway Arch, and hot, humid summers and cold winters. If this sounds like a place you want to be, Washington University is certainly a place you can complete your post-secondary studies!

Washington University Acceptance Rate 

The application round for the class of 2027 saw an acceptance rate of 11% , making Washington University quite a selective school. The acceptance rate for all early applicants was 26%, while the acceptance rate for all regular applicants was 9%. Getting into WashU isn’t easy. 

Washington University acceptance rate compared to how many students Quad get's into the same school!

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean applying early will necessarily make it easier to get admitted, as the review process is identical for all application rounds.

Here is a table demonstrating WashU’s acceptance rate trends for the last 3 years: 

Washington University Yield Rate 

WashU’s average yield rate for the past four years sits at around 42%, based on historical data. The yield rate is also known as the enrollment rate and evaluates the number of students who choose to enroll after being admitted. 

How Hard Is It to Get Into WashU?

With an average acceptance rate of 13% for the past four years, it is not easy to get into WashU. But it’s not impossible if your application is strong. 

Due to the competitiveness of this school, you need a lot of time and effort to create a solid application profile. Make sure you start early and use your time wisely. Furthermore, try to seek all the help you can get and establish connections, especially with your counselors and teachers.

In terms of academics, you should strive to do as well as you can in your courses at school, but don’t use a lot of easy courses to pad your GPA. Your senior-year transcript should show that you continue to take demanding courses that your school offers, such as honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, or others. 

As for your extracurricular activities, remember the rule of quality over quantity. It’s pointless to sign up for any activities that you won’t participate in much. Instead, select activities that will help you on your career path. Additionally, community services will also make your profile look good, provided that you make your fair share of contributions.

WashU Application Requirements

washington university essay requirements

Successful WashU applicants tend to have SAT scores around 1540 or ACT scores around 34. They also have impressive academic records, with GPAs around 3.8. To increase your chances of acceptance, ensure you write a strong “Why WashU?” essay that shows you’ve done your research!

Before we get into the procedure, we need to make sure the preparation is sufficient. Let’s take a look at WashU’s application requirements. 

First-Year Applicants

This is for students who either are about to finish secondary education or already have and intend to begin their college education in the next fall term. 

First-year applicants are required to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, such as home school programs and certain college preparation programs. Your transcript must include your grades for all courses you’ve taken. If your school ranks students, it’s also best to include your rankings.

You also need one recommendation letter from the counselor and one teacher evaluation. Specific instructions about these documents can be found during the application process.

Additionally, you need to write a 200-word essay that responds to the question: “What are you interested in studying at WashU and why?” 

To write a strong essay , explain your reasons for applying. What about Washington University appeals to you? How will studying at Wash help you achieve your goals?  A tricky part is that you must be concise; pick out the parts that you believe are the most significant.

You also need to describe your extracurricular and community activities: what you’ve done, how the activities impacted you, and how you impacted communities. It’s best if you can list some awards, achievements, or noteworthy experiences here. Similar to the 200-word essay, only pick out the most noteworthy and significant activities. 

Because the application must be completed through either the Common or Coalition Application, you must also complete either the common application essay or the coalition application essay. 

washington university essay requirements

GPA Requirements

It’s recommended, especially for transfer applicants, to achieve a minimum 3.5/3.6 GPA in order to get into WashU. However, for incoming students, there is no specified GPA requirement. 

SAT Requirements

Note that, as of now, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) are optional to submit due to the COVID-19 pandemic making testing difficult. This policy has been extended through to Fall 2024 . This article will be updated once relevant further notices come out, but you should also be on the lookout for any changes in the future.

However, if you still choose to take the SAT , you should aim for a score of around 1500-1540 to get into WashU. 

ACT Requirements

The ACT test requirements also fall under the COVID-19 test-optional policy. You may still choose to write the ACT and submit your scores to WashU, so if you do, aim for a score of 33-34. 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply

Now that we’ve gone through what is required to apply, let’s go through the entire application process!

Common Application or Coalition Application

Application to Washington University can be made through two routes: 

  • Common Application  
  • Coalition Application

Both options open on August 1st. 

Before you begin your application, make sure you have answers to the following questions:

  • What term do you intend to enroll in?
  • Which WashU school or interdisciplinary program are you applying to?
  • What are your motivations for studying at WashU, and why?
  • Are you applying for an early decision or a regular decision?
  • Are you applying for any financial aid or scholarships?

During your application, you will be asked questions related to these topics, so have some answers prepared.

Access Your WashU Pathway

After you complete and submit your application, regardless of which application option you choose, you will be asked to log in to WashU Pathway . You’ll also receive instructions on how to log in. 

You will need WashU Pathway to do the following:

  • Check the status of each of your applications
  • Access the checklist for everything you need to complete and/or submit for each of your applications
  • Access information about applying for financial aid
  • Check the status of each financial aid you applied for
  • Admission decisions
  • Your next steps if you get admitted 

Remember to consistently check your application checklist and your WashU Pathway. Any updates and information about your applications will be there, so make sure you stay up to date and do not miss out on anything.

Apply for Financial Aid

Washington University provides need-based financial aid for all students. Applying for financial aid will not affect your application or your chances of being accepted. If your financial situation makes it difficult or even impossible to study at Washington University, you should apply for financial aid while you apply for admission.

Be sure to indicate that you intend to apply for financial aid on your Common Application or Coalition Application. You must also submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) , which is normally open as soon as the application period begins. Additionally, you must submit your CSS profile to provide sufficient information that the university needs.

Regardless of whether you’re a first-year applicant or an international applicant , your FAFSA application and your CSS profile are both required and must be submitted before the corresponding deadline for financial aid application. This deadline also applies to transfer applicants .

You may track your financial aid application process on your WashU Pathway, which, as mentioned before, will be given access to you after you’ve submitted your Common Application or Coalition Application. You will find any additional required submissions on there, so keep your eyes peeled for any updates.

FAFSA Information

FAFSA is an application portal under the federal student aid office of the US Department of Education, which is a part of the United States government. To complete your FAFSA, you need the following:

  • Your Social Security Number 
  • Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
  • Your federal income tax returns (including schedules), W-2s, and other records of money earned 
  • You may be able to get this information by using the IRS Retrieval Tool ‍
  • Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
  • Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
  • A Federal Student Aid ID (if you wish to sign in electronically)
  • WashU’s FAFSA code: 002520

CSS Information

The CSS profile is an application portal owned by CollegeBoard. It is used by nearly 400 colleges and scholarship programs. To complete your CSS profile, you need the following:

  • Most recently completed tax returns
  • W-2 forms and other records of current-year income
  • Records of untaxed income and benefits for the current and previous years
  • Current bank statements (if applicable)
  • Records of savings, bonds, trusts, stocks, etc. (if applicable)
  • Family income information from two years prior to the expected date of you starting college
  • Your CollegeBoard account (to sign in)
  • WashU’s CSS Profile Code: 6929
  • Application fee of $16 (fee waiver available)

WashU Application Dates and Deadlines

Washington University has an Early Decision option and a Regular Decision option. 

Early Decision allows you to receive your admission and financial aid decisions earlier than regular decision candidates. However, it comes with a binding commitment that you will attend Washington University if you get the offer. Early applicants, their counselors, and a parent or guardian must sign the Early Decision commitment statement during the application process.

If you apply for Early Decision, you can still apply to other schools. However, if you get accepted to Washington University, you will be required to withdraw and forfeit all your other applications. Washington University strongly recommends applying early if this school is among your first choices.

The regular decision, as the name suggests, is for applicants who wish to apply during the regular admission period. There is no commitment needed for this option, so Washington University recommends applying for the regular decision option if this school is not one of your first choices.

Here is a table of the important dates and deadlines for all application options for the 2022-2023 admission cycle. Dates for the next admission cycle may vary slightly.

As you can see, the Early Decision option has two deadlines: one for Early Decision I, and another for Early Decision II. 

You may notice that the deadlines for Early Application II and Regular Application are similar, if not on the same date. But Early Application II still gives your decision much earlier than the regular application does. So do keep in mind the difference despite the proximity of the deadlines. 

About Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university founded in 1853. With 3,645 instructional faculty and over 300 academic programs, Washington University provides a fulfilling learning environment with abundant growing opportunities. 

The university’s mission is “to act in service of truth through the formation of leaders, the discovery of knowledge and the treatment of patients for the betterment of our region, our nation and our world..”

The Washington University campus prides itself on its strong sense of community, encouragement of leadership and collaboration, inclusivity and diversity, and supportive university staff. Washington University has a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio .

If these seem appealing and you’re interested in applying to Washington University, let’s go through the entire application process step by step!

International Applicants 

washington university essay requirements

For international applicants, the requirements are the same for the most part . You must complete a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary studies for application to any WashU program. You must also obtain a secondary school diploma or equivalent as of the completion of your studies. 

For required documents, in addition to your transcripts, school report, and recommendation letters, you also need scores of certified examinations, proof of English proficiency , proof of valid Visa, and certified English translations of all documents not in English. Specific requirements can be found during the application.

FAQ: How to Get Into WashU

Those are all the steps and requirements for applying to Washington University. But if you still have questions, perhaps you can find your answers here!

1. If I Apply Early, Will I be Deferred to the Regular Decision application?

Regardless of which Early Decision option you applied to, if you get deferred , you will drop straight into the pool of regular applicants, where you will be compared against them.

However, you also have a chance of being denied admission without getting a second chance at all, so take note of that. 

2. Is a 3.5 GPA enough to get into WashU?

Looking at how selective Washington University is, a 3.5 unweighted GPA is decent but still risky. It’s best to push yourself more and reach a 4.0 GPA . 

3. What is Washington University’s ranking?

According to US News and World Report, Washington University in St. Louis ranks 24th in best national universities , tied with Carnegie Mellon, Emory University, and the University of Virginia.

4. What Does the University of Washington Specialize In? 

The most popular majors at WashU include: 

  • Computer Science
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Biology/Biological Sciences

Final Thoughts

Washington University in St. Louis is certainly an excellent place to get your postsecondary education. Even though the application process seems complicated and lengthy, you have plenty of assistance to help you along the way, provided by both the school faculty and your own counselors. 

The instructions are clear, and you usually always have somewhere to go once you need help. And yes, this school is competitive, but just as they always say: it’s definitely going to be worth it in the end. Best wishes for your preparation and applications!

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washington university essay requirements

Campus at sunset in the wintertime. The sky, islands, and bay are pale yellow, peach, and lavender. Campus is tucked into the dark shadow of Sehome Hill. Campus is still active and many lights glow gold.

You Can Still Apply Fall 2024

The application deadline for first-year students has passed, but applications are still being accepted. Late applications will be reviewed after complete, on-time applications have been processed.

  • Essay and Activities List
  • First-Year and Running Start
  • How to Apply
  • Admission Requirements
  • College Credit
  • Fall Applicant Timeline

There's a lot going on. Let us help.

We're here for you, what we're looking for in our applicants.

We’re looking for applicants who are academically prepared and will actively contribute to our campus community. That’s why we use a holistic approach when we review your application. 

Grade trends and level and difficulty of courses are the most significant factors in our admission decisions. Still, we realize there are countless factors that show your true potential. Our review process considers school and community involvement, special talent, multicultural experiences, strength of character, and personal circumstances.

Strengthening Your Application

Use the essay and activities lists in your application to help the Admissions Committee learn what is important to you.

Writing Your Essay

Grades and test scores are important when applying for college admission, but it takes a lot more than "the numbers" to tell your story. The essay is a chance to give us a snapshot of who you are—your voice, your experiences, your goals. Remember that your essay is reviewed for both admission and scholarship purposes.

First-year Essay Prompts for 2024

Students are asked to respond to one of the prompts below as part of the application for admission. 

Prompt Option 1

Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?

Prompt Option 2

Share a meaningful experience and how this has helped shape you in your preparation for college. This could be related to your passions, commitments, leadership experience, family or cultural background.

Prompt Option 3

Topic of your choice. If you have written another essay that captures what you want the Admissions Committee to know about you, feel free to share it here.

Additional Optional Essay 

The “Tell us More” essay is an opportunity for you to describe any special circumstances that created challenges or opportunities for you while in high school, and what you learned from those experiences.

The content of your essay is important, but so is the quality. Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to read through your essay to catch errors and help you strengthen your message.

Most essay responses are about 500 words, but this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit. Feel free to write as much as you need to tell your story.

Be Yourself

This is a chance to share your story, so spend some time reflecting before you start writing. The best college essays make the reader feel like they know you, so write with authenticity. 

Share Your Achievements

Have you made a positive difference in the lives of others, whether in your family, community, or school? Tell us about it.

Show Your Dedication 

Demonstrating your dedication to activities and causes makes your application stand out. We want to see your commitment and passion. Tell us how those experiences affected you as a student or as a person.

Show You Care

Express your pride and appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusion of all identities . Enthusiasm for and experience within diverse environments will be key to your success here at Western and beyond.

Activities List

The activities list helps us understand how you spend your time. Provide a list of your most meaningful activities and achievements in high school, including: community involvement, volunteer experience, employment, athletics, extracurricular clubs, arts, family responsibilities, or special awards and recognition.

Please list your activities in order of importance to you and be sure to include:

  • The name of the organization and/or involvement
  • Your position or role
  • How long you have participated
  • A short description about the activities that are most significant to you. You do not need to describe all activities. For the most significant activities, please include a short description.

If you submit your application online, you can either upload your activities list to your application or type the list directly within the online form. If you apply using the paper application, please attach your activities list.  

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation aren't required, but if a teacher or counselor has written one for you, feel free to submit it with your application. Please ensure all letters of recommendation include your full name and date of birth. You or your teacher or counselor may submit a recommendation via mail or by emailing it to  [email protected] at any time, even after your application has been submitted. 

  • Faculty & Staff

Apply to the University of Washington

You’re undaunted by challenges. In fact, you seek them out. You believe that a world of good starts with one person. One step. We believe that too. So what are you waiting for? Start the journey to become a Husky today.

Undergraduate admissions

When you come to the UW’s Seattle campus, you’re part of more than the innovative city that’s brought us everything from legendary music to lifesaving cures. You’re part of something bigger, too. You’re part of a globally connected community that loves to innovate, to explore, to create. Here, you’re part of Seattle’s vibrant history — and the world’s promising future.

Our mission at UW Bothell is to make an exceptional college education accessible to more students — people just like you. No matter your background or future aspirations, if you are a strong, committed student, we want to help make your dream of a UW degree possible. We are a student-centered, right-sized campus with 6,000 students, more than 350 faculty, five schools, more than 50 undergraduate and master’s degree programs, and direct access to the big-school resources of the tri-campus University of Washington.

At UW Tacoma, students become engines of change for themselves, their families and their communities. Set in beautiful historic downtown Tacoma, the campus melds classic urban architecture with modern technology. Faculty and students work together in small classes striving for academic excellence, personal growth and professional expertise.

Graduate admissions

Graduate programs.

The University of Washington offers more than 370 graduate programs across all three UW campuses and online, from master’s to doctoral programs for people who are launching or continuing academic, research or professional careers. To explore or to apply to a graduate program, start with the Graduate School.

Professional programs

School of law.

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The UW School of Law is one of the nation’s top public law schools and one of the world’s most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal scholarship and study. Our innovative, student-focused learning environment prepares our students to succeed in the evolving legal profession and to go on to be leaders for the global common good.

School of Medicine

Med students and doctors

The UW School of Medicine, renowned for its pioneering research, is recognized as one of the nation’s top medical schools. Its unique community-based medical education program, WWAMI, serves a five-state region and emphasizes training clinicians to serve in rural areas.

School of Dentistry

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The School of Dentistry, a global leader in oral health research, prepares students to be true 21st-century dentists with evidence-based training grounded in the latest advances of biological and materials science.

School of Pharmacy

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Nationally and globally ranked, the School of Pharmacy educates the next generation of pharmacy and research leaders and trains students for a career that combines a love of science and patient-centered health care.

Certificates, degrees and courses for busy adults

Continuing education.

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Choose from more than 130 certificate programs, 70 degrees and hundreds of courses with part-time options in the evening, on weekends and online.

Finish your bachelor’s online

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Choose from 50 certificate programs, 20 degrees and hundreds of courses.

Online master’s degrees

Apply for the Master of Public Health Program

We’re glad you’re ready to take the next step towards joining the Brown School community!

The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis admits one class each year for the fall semester. The application opens annually on  September 1 . Applications are accepted on a modified rolling basis; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Deadlines for admission and scholarship consideration are  December 1  ( early review ) and  March 1  ( priority review ). After March 1 admission and scholarship decisions are made based on availability until the following deadlines:

  • International Applicant Final Deadline –  April 1 
  • Domestic Applicant Final Deadline –  July 1 

Read more about the  admissions timeline .

Application Requirements

Please review all instructions carefully prior to beginning your application. The application for the Brown School’s Master of Public Health program is available  here  through the Schools of Public Health Application Service  ( SOPHAS) portal – the centralized application service for public health . You must designate your chosen MPH program under  Washington University in St. Louis – Brown School Public Health Programs  within the SOPHAS portal.

It is very important to understand the SOPHAS application process before submitting your application. Please read the SOPHAS instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  and refer to them throughout the application process. It is your responsibility to monitor the status of your application in the SOPHAS portal.

Important Note : Once your application is in “Complete” status in SOPHAS , it can take up to two weeks for the SOPHAS verification process to be completed. Please submit all materials well in advance of deadlines to allow ample time for the SOPHAS verification process . Guidance on monitoring the status of your SOPHAS application can be found here .

Upon submitting your SOPHAS application, you will receive an email with instructions for creating an account in the Washington University Graduate Admissions portal to complete additional required components of your MPH application. Your application will be considered fully complete and placed under review once your SOPHAS application is in “Verified” status and all MPH application requirements are met.

Click on each application requirement to learn more.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to demonstrate successful completion of a bachelor’s degree (or degree in-progress*) from a regionally accredited college or university. Degrees earned outside the U.S. must be determined equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted directly to SOPHAS.   Carefully review the instructions for sending official transcripts to SOPHAS and allow ample time for processing and verification of your transcripts.

*In-Progress transcripts:  If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree at the time of application, please submit official transcripts showing the work you have completed to date to directly to SOPHAS. Any offer of admission is contingent upon successful completion of your degree. If admitted to the program, a final official transcript showing degree conferral must be sent to the Brown School directly by the issuing institution or its authorized agent.

Transcript Entry: SOPHAS requires that applicants report all courses taken in the Academic History: Transcript Entry section of the SOPHAS application. Applicants who do not wish to enter coursework manually may opt for Professional Transcript Entry Service (PTE) for an additional fee. Note that planned, in progress, or foreign coursework is not eligible for PTE and must be entered by the applicant.

Foreign Transcripts: SOPHAS does not accept transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. and Canada . Additional information about foreign transcripts and the foreign credential evaluation requirement can be found here .

Personal Statement

Provide a personal statement that describes your interest in public health and demonstrates your understanding of public health concepts. Your essay should be two ( 2 ) pages single-spaced and should include the following:

  • Significant factors influencing your decision to pursue a Master of Public Health degree.
  • Relevant leadership experiences that will contribute to your overall success as a graduate student and in the public health profession.
  • Career goals and commitment to public health.
  • Specific reasons the Brown School is a good fit for your educational and professional goals.

Upload to the Program Materials: Documents section of your SOPHAS application.

Resume or CV

In addition to completing the ‘Experience’ and ‘Achievements’ sections of the SOPHAS application, you must submit a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae highlighting your experiences, skills, awards, and accomplishments.

Upload to the Supporting Information: Documents section of your SOPHAS application.

Video Interview

The Brown School requires applicants to complete a brief video interview. You will access the interview through a personalized link to our video interview platform, Kira Talent. The link will be available in your Washington University Graduate Admissions portal once you submit your SOPHAS application. Learn more about the interview process  here .

Letters of Recommendation

Two ( 2 ) letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic colleagues are required by the Brown School. Please note that SOPHAS requires applicants to request a minimum of three (3) recommendations to submit the SOPHAS application .

Carefully review the instructions for requesting recommendations in SOPHAS and allow ample time for recommendations to be received.

SOPHAS Application Fee

The SOPHAS application fee is $145 for the first program you apply to and $55 for each additional program. The Brown School does not require an additional supplemental fee.

Applicants may wish to review the  SOPHAS Fee Assistance Program  to determine their eligibility for a financial- or service-based fee waiver. The Brown School does not provide SOPHAS application fee waivers .

Scholarship Consideration Form

The Brown School offers a range of partial-tuition scholarships to assist students with funding their degree.

Students wishing to be considered for scholarship must complete the Brown School Scholarship Consideration Form within the Application Materials section of the application.

Test Scores

The Brown School does not require a graduate entrance exam, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), for admission to the MPH program.

International students are required to provide proof of language proficiency through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS). See the  international application requirements  for additional information.

Though not an application requirement , students admitted to the Master of Public Health program must satisfy a  Human Biology course prerequisite . If your academic background includes a  college-level human biology course with a grade of “B” or better , you can report this information within your SOPHAS application.   Admitted students who have not met the prerequisite will receive options for completing the requirement prior to the end of the first academic year in the MPH program.

Please refer to the additional application instructions for the following groups:

  • International MPH applicants
  • Dual-degree seeking applicants
  • Transfer applicants
  • Washington University undergraduate students interested in the  3-2 MPH program
  • Faculty & Staff

Students admitted to the UW now have until June 1 to commit, a result of FAFSA delays. We anticipate that financial aid offers will be sent in late April or early May.

Transfer application

Follow this checklist to make sure you have everything you need to submit a complete application for transfer admission.

  • Review major requirements
  • Personal statement
  • Send transcripts
  • Application fee
  • Sending test scores

Are you interested in applying as a transfer applicant for spring quarter? Be sure to review these guidelines .

Make sure you also know what’s not considered .

1. Review major requirements

The process of applying to a major can be complex. Some UW programs require that you enroll at the UW before applying to the major, while others require a separate application in addition to the UW application. Use the MyMajor tool to determine what your major requires.

2. Personal statement

Your personal statement should be a comprehensive narrative essay outlining significant aspects of your academic and personal history, particularly those that provide context for your academic achievements and educational choices. Learn more about format, required and optional elements and tips for writing your personal statement .

3. Send transcripts

A high school transcript (if less than 40 quarter credits of transferable coursework) and official college transcripts are required components of your application file. Learn more about sending your transcripts , including what makes them official .

4. Application fee

U.s. transfer students.

The application fee is nonrefundable, and must be submitted each time you apply. It cannot be transferred to another quarter, to another campus of the UW or to another student.

  • Application fee: $80
  • Fee waivers are available for U.S. applicants (including undocumented students) with confirmed financial hardship. 

Learn more about the application fee and applying for a fee waiver .

International transfer students

  • Application fee: $90
  • Fee waivers are not granted to international applicants.

Learn more about the application fee .

5. Sending test scores

U.s. transfer students — sat/act.

The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores (read the  June 11, 2020 announcement for more information) for transfer applicants. Students who have taken the exams are welcome to send their scores, however, there is absolutely no advantage or disadvantage in doing so . Learn more about test scores and how to request them .

International transfer students — English proficiency

International students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the minimum requirement for admission to the Seattle campus of the UW. SAT and ACT exams are not required for international students. Learn more about English proficiency .

The online application is closed.

Things we do not consider

No interviews/demonstrated interest.

The UW does not conduct formal interviews or consider demonstrated interest in the admission decision.

No letters of recommendation

We ask that you not to send letters of recommendation or other supplemental materials such as drawings, CDs, DVDs, books or other portfolio type items. We will learn everything we need to know about you through your application and essay responses.

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University of Washington Essay Prompts 2022-2023

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University of Washington Essay Prompts Quick Facts :

  • University of Washington acceptance rate: 53%— U.S. News ranks the University of Washington as a more selective school.
  • 1 (~650 word) essay
  • 1 (~300 word) short response
  • 1 (~200 word) additional information essay (optional)
  • University of Washington application: The University of Washington accepts applications via the Common App or ApplyWeb . The University of Washington Common App essay is not considered in the admissions process. Make sure to check all of the University of Washington application requirements. 
  • University of Washington essay tip: Every UW application essay is important when it comes to impressing the UW admissions committee. Make sure to give each UW essay prompt your careful attention, no matter the word count. 

What are the University of Washington essay prompts?

You’ve completed the tedious work of finding your top colleges to apply to and now you’re working on your UW essay prompts. Before you start worrying about the college enrollment process, let’s break down each UW essay prompt so you can begin writing your UW application essays! 

There are three UW essay prompts .

Remember that UW admissions doesn’t consider the Common App essay in their writing section. Two of the UW essay prompts are required and one UW essay prompt is optional. While the University of Washington acceptance rate may not seem so intimidating compared to other colleges , your UW essay prompt responses can still make or break your application. 

We have provided all three UW essay prompts for the 2022-2023 University of Washington supplemental essays below. You’ll find a breakdown of how to approach each of the University of Washington essay prompts as well as tips for writing UW application essays that will stand out.

Importantly, the University of Washington does not review your Common App essay. Although the University of Washington Common App essay isn’t considered in the University of Washington admissions process (it won’t factor into your odds against the University of Washington acceptance rate), the Common App personal essay is still important in other universities’ application process. Check out all you need to know about writing a personal essay for the other schools that made your college list . 

University of Washington Essay Prompts #1 ( Required )

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it (650 words)..

Of all the University of Washington essay prompts, this one is the longest and the most open-ended. This UW application essay should focus on some part of your character: the qualities that determine how you move through the world. In this UW application essay, try to highlight who you are, what you value, and who you’d be on UW’s campus.

Identify your values

To begin your brainstorm for the first of the University of Washington essay prompts, write out your values. List any qualities you care about— honesty, compassion, curiosity, etc. For each characteristic, think of a moment that taught you something about this quality and a moment it was tested. For example, if your characteristic was honesty, you might think about a time when you lied and the consequences of your actions. Or, maybe you think of a moment where you had to choose between lying and being honest.

If you’re not sure which characteristic to highlight for this University of Washington essay, start by brainstorming potential stories. Try to think of a time when you were proud of yourself, when you were challenged, or when you learned a lesson.

You can also check out this list of personal achievements and characteristics from the University of Washington admissions page for ideas of what to discuss in this UW application essay.

Focus on action

Whatever story you tell in this UW application essay, make sure your experience involves you making a decision or taking action. A story with a conflict and resolution will make your essay more engaging . Once you have settled on your topic, without second-guessing yourself, write out what happened and, more importantly, what you got out of the situation. 

A great way to make sure you’ve answered this UW essay prompt is to have another person read your essay without reading the prompt. Then, ask what they learned about you from your essay. If they learned something about your character, then chances are you’ve successfully responded to the question. Then, you can move onto the other University of Washington essay prompts.

University of Washington Essay Prompts #2 ( Required )

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the uw (300 words)..

The second of the required University of Washington essay prompts revolves around community and how it creates unique perspectives. Because the UW essay prompts are quite general, brainstorm before you pick a topic. You’re likely part of many intersecting communities, so start by listing all the communities you belong to. Communities can be as big as a globally practiced religion or as small as a friendship group based on Dungeons and Dragons, so don’t leave anything out.

Focus on impact

Once you have your list for the second of the University of Washington essay prompts, think about how these communities impact your life. Remember, diversity is not just based on categories of identity; it also comes from differences in how we view and experience the world. For each community, do two free-writes : one detailing the important characteristics, beliefs, and events shared within that community and one detailing how that community impacts how you move through the world.

The UW essay prompt then asks you to imagine how you might add to the diversity of UW. Maybe you want to join a specific student group. Alternatively, you might even propose to start a new one. Maybe you want to bring your point of view into a field of study where it’s not typically included. For each community on your list, brainstorm how it would impact your time at UW.

Once you’ve done your brainstorm for this UW application essay, string your ideas together. If you’re having trouble organizing your thoughts, stick to the outline provided by the University of Washington essay prompts. Use the questions “what is your world,” “how are you a product of it,” and “how will you add to the diversity of UW” as guiding questions for the beginning, middle, and end of your University of Washington essay.

University of Washington Essay Prompts #3 ( Optional )

Additional information about yourself or your circumstances (200 words)..

This UW essay prompt is optional. The University of Washington application requirements don’t call for a response to this UW essay prompt. However, you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you and you’d like to share that information with the University of Washington admissions. 

Often, prompts listed as “optional” are still essentially required if you want to be a competitive applicant. This is not the case with the final UW essay prompt. If you don’t have any extenuating circumstances, feel free to disregard this University of Washington essay prompt. 

You may want to answer this optional UW application essay if:

  • You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education.
  • Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations.
  • You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended.

Of all the University of Washington essay prompts, this one lets you fill in potential gaps in your University of Washington application due to various circumstances. If you have had to overcome challenges to get where you are today, the University of Washington admissions committee wants to hear about it.

Although this is the shortest of the University of Washington essay prompts, it is important you still craft a story and directly connect your experiences to your University of Washington application. For example, if you had to start working at a young age to support your family, be sure to include why it is important for the UW admissions team to know. Maybe you didn’t have time for extracurriculars , or maybe you had to make extra efforts to stay on top of your homework. 

Mention how you’ve grown

You should also make sure you include what the experience means to you if responding to this UW application essay. For instance, maybe your hardships taught you to be more responsible, or maybe you learned how to ask for help when you need it. If you choose to respond to this last of the University of Washington essay prompts, make sure your reader knows why you chose to include it. As with your other two University of Washington supplemental essays, remember to be brief, specific, and honest.

How do I write my University of Washington essays?

university of washington essay prompts

To make your essays count, remember to consider your audience. Your responses to the University of Washington essay prompts should convey who you are, how you’d succeed at UW, and what you might bring to UW’s campus. Are you a first generation college student? Did you take a meaningful gap year ? This is your opportunity to show what makes you unique. Remember that your responses to each UW essay prompt shouldn’t read like your college resume . Give each UW essay prompt response some personality and passion . 

Take time with the University of Washington essay prompts, and give the same amount of consideration to each UW application essay. While one of the University of Washington essay prompts is shorter than the other, that doesn’t mean it will be easier to write. Each UW application essay should be clear, concise, and captivating. It should also completely answer the University of Washington essay prompts. 

Follow the checklist below to be sure that you answer the University of Washington prompts to the best of your ability. 

UW Essay Prompts Checklist:

✔️ brainstorm.

Before you begin writing, create a list of topics related to the University of Washington essay prompts. Use the breakdowns of the University of Washington essay prompts above to help you get started.

Once you’ve chosen a topic for each of the University of Washington essay prompts, it is time to get writing. Don’t worry about making your first draft perfect—it doesn’t need to be! Don’t think about things like the University of Washington acceptance rate; just focus on getting your story down on paper

Ask yourself: does my UW application essay specifically answer the UW essay prompt? Am I telling a story? Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end? Does my essay show who I am? Because each UW essay prompt has a specific word limit, it’s important to make every word count.

✔️ Proofread

Read through each essay for any spelling or grammatical errors. The University of Washington admissions team will review thousands of responses to the University of Washington essay prompts, and we want your University of Washington essays to stand out for the right reasons. Make sure your responses to the UW essay prompts are as clear and easy to read so your personality can shine.

✔️ Get a second opinion

Have someone else—a family member, mentor, even a peer—read your essay. A second pair of eyes will notice how your UW essays read, whether your story flows, and how well you’ve addressed the UW essay prompts.

✔️ Repeat steps 3-4 until you are satisfied with your UW essay prompts

Remember, the writing process is a process. Give yourself enough time ahead of the deadline to think about the UW essay prompts. Draft each UW application essay, take a step away, and come back to them with fresh eyes.

After working through the checklist above, evaluate your progress. Keep reworking your responses to the University of Washington essay prompts until you can confidently say that the following statements are true:

  • My UW essays tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Each of my essays answers the UW essay prompt.
  • All of my UW essays emphasize who I am and what is important to me.
  • My UW essays have no spelling or grammatical errors.

Does the University of Washington care about essays?

Yes! As the University of Washington acceptance rate tells us, not everyone gets into UW. Figuring out how to get into UW will be difficult without placing importance on the UW essay prompts. The University of Washington application essays are UW Admissions’ way of learning who you are as a person. 

The University of Washington admissions office uses a holistic review process. This means they consider your UW essays and extracurriculars alongside your academics. So, your responses to the University of Washington essay prompts are a vital part of your University of Washington application requirements. 

Specifically, UW breaks down their review into two categories: Preparation & Performance and Personal Achievements & Characteristics. While the first depends on your grades and courses, your University of Washington supplemental essays are the perfect place to emphasize the second. UW looks for students who will both succeed academically and contribute to campus life. Your UW application essays should capture who you are and how you will shine at UW. Each of the University of Washington essay prompts lets you share different aspects of what matters to you.

University of Washington Admissions Top Tips for Supplemental Essays

While Seattle may not be the stereotypical “college town,” the city certainly has a lot to offer. If you’re set on UW, which is a top ranking university globally, then we know you want to do everything you can to make your responses to the UW essay prompts stand out. 

To save you time as you begin working on your UW essays, we’ve provided the top ten tips from the University of Washington admissions for writing the UW essays below. We’ve also included tips on how to apply them to your University of Washington supplemental essays.

“Write to the prompt.”

Your University of Washington essays will only be successful if they completely answer the University of Washington essay prompts. Be sure to use our breakdowns of the University of Washington essay prompts, and keep each UW essay prompt in mind when editing your drafts.

“Avoid overused topics.”

Be thorough as you brainstorm topics for each of the UW essay prompts. If you read the UW essay prompts and choose to write about a common experience, use specific details in your UW application essays that show what makes your experience unique.

“Use language you can manage.”

When in doubt, always lean towards simple and straightforward language in your University of Washington essays. Your University of Washington application essays should be written in your voice. Don’t try to sound more intelligent as you respond to the UW essay prompts. Authenticity is key. 

“Keep it simple and real.”

Often, the little things in life have the biggest impact. As you brainstorm topics for your UW application essays, don’t feel pressured to construct the most complicated story. Remember, the University of Washington admissions office wants to be impressed by you! Just be yourself and show them exactly who you are when responding to the University of Washington essay prompts.

“Use humor, honesty, and humility.”

Respond to the UW essay prompts in your own voice. If you have a humorous voice, let that shine through, but only use humor if it feels natural. No matter your writing style, all of your University of Washington essays should be honest and authentic. If you choose to write about your accomplishments , try to do so without bragging or showing off.

“Make it memorable.”

Your University of Washington supplemental essays will be memorable if you are passionate about the story you are telling. Don’t worry about whether the UW admissions team will find your story interesting—if your UW application essays are honest, specific, and exciting to you, they’ll be exciting to read.

“Find the sweet spot.”

Each of the University of Washington essay prompts has a specific word count. While your UW application essays should not be over the word count, it isn’t a bad thing if they are under. For example, if you can tell your story in 400 words, don’t add fluff to reach the 650-word limit. Just be sure your responses to the University of Washington essay prompts are specific and detailed enough to paint a complete picture for your reader.

“Proofread.”

The last thing you want UW admissions thinking about as they finish reading your UW application essays is a typo. Make sure to double-check your responses to the University of Washington essay prompts for spelling and grammar. Try to complete your University of Washington essays ahead of the deadline so you can give yourself a few days away from each of your UW application essays before your final proofread. 

“Punctuate properly.”

Punctuation can change the entire meaning of a sentence, so it’s important you punctuate your University of Washington essays correctly. Try highlighting all your commas, periods, etc., and reading your responses to the University of Washington essay prompts out loud. If someone is helping you edit your UW essays, ask them to do a read-through specifically looking at punctuation.

“Write a punchy first line.”

While it is important your University of Washington essays have a strong opening, don’t let this tip trap you into trying to be overly funny or clever. Your UW application essays thrive on specificity, so write an opening line suited to your specific story and voice.

UW Essay Prompts: Final Thoughts

Remember, the University of Washington essay prompts are your chance to introduce yourself to UW admissions. While the University of Washington acceptance rate is not the highest, strong essays can make all the difference. 

Although your academic history is an important part of your University of Washington application requirements, your UW application essays let UW see who you are beyond numbers and statistics. If you feel your GPA or test scores don’t reflect the kind of student you are or hope to become, your University of Washington essays are the place to showcase your best self. And with so many universities deciding to go test-optiona l, your essays are of utmost importance when it comes to maximizing your odds against the University of Washington acceptance rate. 

Each essay is an opportunity

Think of each UW application essay as an opportunity to overcome the University of Washington acceptance rate and impress the University of Washington admissions. Write each UW application essay thoughtfully, passionately, and comprehensively. Each UW essay prompt response should be not only moving, but also mechanically impeccable. 

While the University of Washington essay prompts may seem like a challenge, remember you have complete control over your UW essays. The strength of your responses to each UW essay prompt relies entirely on how much time, effort, and care you put into them. Start thinking about the UW essay prompts early so you can make your essays the best they can be.

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How to Write the Washington and Lee University Essays 2023-2024

Washington and Lee University was established in 1749 in Lexington, Virginia. The institution is split into two undergraduate divisions: the College and the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics. Staying true to the fathers who founded the institution, Washington and Lee University has produced a myriad of prominent politicians including three Supreme Court justices, 27 Senators, 67 U.S. representatives, and 31 State Governors.  

Students applying to Washington and Lee must submit a personal essay through the Common App, along with an additional supplemental prompt. Responding to this prompt can only benefit you, as admissions officers will see your dedication to the school. Here, we will walk through the most effective ways to respond to the supplemental prompt.

Read this Washington and Lee essay example to inspire your own writing.

Washington and Lee Application Essay Prompt

Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with washington and lee university and what aspects of w&l’s community are most exciting to you. (250 words, optional).

This is a standard “ Why This College ” prompt, where you have the opportunity to expand on the reasons that you are applying to Washington and Lee. 

The key to this type of essay is to avoid generic statements like “the campus is beautiful,” or “the students have a tight-knit community,” that apply to hundreds of schools across the country. Your answer should not be able to be copied, pasted, and used for any other school. Here is an example of a generic response and a specific response that a student might write when emphasizing Washington and Lee’s commitment to history:

As someone with a strong interest in history, Washington and Lee’s commitment to studying the past stands out to me. Even with its name, which honors the patriots who came before us, Washington and Lee highlights the value of seeing history as an avenue for improvement.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve enjoyed history museums. Being surrounded by strangers who also see the immense value of studying the past—what could be better? When I get to Washington and Lee, I will be surrounded by like-minded strangers every day. But it doesn’t stop there. At Washington and Lee, I will take my interest in history to the next level by participating in the Internship in History program. Working at an institution will give me a new perspective on the past, as I curate others’ experiences instead of experiencing myself.

You may be wondering how you can build such a specific response:

Take a minute and think about why you are applying to Washington and Lee. What is appealing about the school? Will their programs help you achieve your goals? Do you think you will feel at home in the community? Do the school’s programs align with your interests? Just think!

It’s research time! Your reasons for attending Washington and Lee should be genuine, but you probably are not completely aware of all of the resources the school has to offer. That’s perfectly normal—just look on the school’s website to find programs, courses, professors, community events, traditions, campus organizations, and more that are appealing to you.

Get writing. The key is to connect the specific and unique features of Washington and Lee to your specific and unique interests, goals, and values. Here are some examples of how this could play out:

  • A student who grew up in poverty, but has worked hard to overcome the system writing about their interest in the Shepherd Program. Washington and Lee is clearly committed to helping others, which has always been this student’s top priority.
  • A student who was obsessed with insects as a child writing about the importance of passion when learning. They are interested in the Spring Term Immersion program because faculty are encouraged to teach their “dream class”—whatever they are obsessed with! Though it probably won’t be bugs, this student is ready to learn about their professor’s passion for rocks, primates, botany, or whatever else.
  • A student who will be studying Political Science writing about the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics. They have always been the friend who brings up the train dilemma at parties but have never found a place where these conversations are accepted. To further their career goals, they need an open space for casual theoretical conversation and the Mudd Center will be just that.

As you research, keep your goals, interests, and values in mind and ideas will start popping out at you. Then, write your essay in a clear and engaging way that focuses both on Washington and Lee as a university and you as an individual applicant.

Where to Get Your Washington and Lee Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Washington and Lee essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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University of Washington (UW) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: Nov 15

You Have: 

University of Washington 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One 500 word essay (required), one 300 word essay (required), one 200 word essay (optional). Supplemental Essay Type (s): Oddball ,  Community , Additional Info 

At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Please note that the uw essay questions must be answered within our application. for the common app, that means within our uw questions. we do not consider the common app essay., essay prompt, tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words max).

You can think of this prompt as the slightly more general cousin to the Common App’s first prompt, which is about your background. You can write about almost anything in your life experience that has shaped who you are today. But maybe you feel like you used your best story in your personal statement. What to do? Your goal is to reveal a different side of yourself, so try thinking in opposites! If your personal statement was about your family, maybe this essay could focus on school or work. If your personal statement was about your leadership skills, could this essay cover a time when you let someone else lead the way and learned something new? As you begin to zero in on the area of your life that you haven’t tapped into yet, think about how your past experiences still resonate in your life today. Maybe your summer job as a lifeguard taught a new sense of personal responsibility that has made you more attentive in your day-to-day life. Maybe an ill-fated childhood attempt to drink an entire carton of milk taught you how to balance enthusiasm and moderation in every major project you take on. The experience itself can be big or small, but its connection to who you are today must be clear. UW wants to know who you’ll be on campus, so show them!

Short Response

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the university of washington. (300 words).

Ah, the infamous “community” essay. Many schools ask students about their communities because they want to know how applicants relate to the people around them, forge connections, and commune with their peers. In this particular instance, the question calls attention to family as well, so consider how the people who you are related to (or those who you consider family even if they’re not bound to you by blood) have influenced your life and worldview. Maybe you’re very involved in your local synagogue, polka dancing club, or environmental organization. University of Washington wants to know about your life beyond the classroom and how you will continue those activities and interests on their campus. Why do you invest in the people you invest in?

Additional Information About Yourself or Your Circumstances (200 words)

You are not required to write anything in this section, but feel free to include additional information if something has particular significance to you. for example, you may use this space if:, -you have experienced personal hardships in obtaining your education, -your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations, -unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended.

This prompt is an opportunity for you to explain just about anything else that you haven’t covered elsewhere on the application. Usually, we recommend this type of optional essay only to students who have experienced a major academic strain or have had noticeable blemishes on their records. One example could be the explanation of a complication, like an illness that caused you to miss school and impacted your grades. Perhaps your family moved around a lot, which made it hard to transfer grades or connect with your peers. Maybe an undiagnosed learning disability caused you major challenges in school until you learned how to cope with it.  UW’s prompt covers these circumstances, and invites responses from applicants who feel that their unique circumstances are not represented elsewhere in their application. 

Additional Space (Optional) (200 words)

You may use this space if you need to further explain or clarify answers you have given elsewhere in this application, or if you wish to share information that may assist the office of admissions. if applicable, be sure to include the question number to which your comment(s) refer..

Admissions is giving you one more opportunity to address anything that needs to be addressed. If you feel inclined to answer, think about what else might admissions officers might want or need to know about you. You have an additional 200 words at your disposal to speak to them in your own voice, so use them as long as what you’re writing isn’t simply filler — if that’s the case, it’s better just to leave this blank. 

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The SAT is coming back at some colleges. It’s stressing everyone out.

A patchwork of admissions test policies is wreaking havoc on students, parents and college admissions consultants.

A California mother drove 80 miles this month to find an SAT testing center with an open seat where her high school junior could take the exam. During college tours this spring, a teen recalled hearing some would-be applicants groan when admissions staffers announced they could not guarantee test-optional policies would continue.

And across the country, college counselors are fielding questions from teenagers alarmed, encouraged or simply confused by what seems like the return of the standardized test in admissions — maybe? Sort of? In some places, but not in others?

“You could be expecting and preparing for a certain way to apply to a college and present yourself — but then they change it mid-application process,” said Kai Talbert, a 17-year-old high school junior in Pennsylvania. “That’s really confusing. It can set back a lot of people.”

Colleges nationwide have been updating their coronavirus-era policies on standardized testing, which many dropped when the pandemic shut down in-person testing centers. Some of the most selective schools are declaring they will require tests again — including, across the last two months, Dartmouth College and Yale and Brown universities. Others, such as the University of Chicago and Columbia University, won’t. And still others have not yet picked a permanent policy: Princeton, Stanford, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania have said they will remain test-optional for another year or two, and Harvard University plans to keep its test-optional policy at least through the 2025-26 application cycle.

Public universities have veered in different directions, too: The University of Tennessee system requires tests. The University of Michigan will be test-optional. The University of California system is test-blind, meaning schools refuse to consider SAT or ACT scores for admissions.

The patchwork of policies is wreaking havoc on applicants, parents and college admissions consultants nationwide, who are being forced to recalculate where and how they are willing to apply — or what to tell anxious teenagers about whether to test, retest or skip testing entirely — as decisions keep rolling out in real time.

Laurie Kopp Weingarten, founder of One-Stop College Counseling in New Jersey, said she has a new response whenever a student gives her a list of their school targets. She starts by going down the list, school by school, to review each institution’s testing rules and whether those seem likely to change.

Taking a breath, Weingarten rattled off a summary of the different testing requirements in place at every Ivy League school. It took her three minutes.

“Even just saying it, it sounds like insanity to me, and then we’re expecting kids to understand this?” Weingarten said. “Colleges should really analyze the data, come up with a decision and stop changing their mind.”

The shifting testing expectations are among many changes roiling college admissions this year. Colleges are still grappling with the fallout from the landmark Supreme Court ruling that ended the use of race-based affirmative action in admissions. Many are undertaking an array of experiments in response to the decision in a bid to maintain diverse admitted classes — ending legacy preferences in some cases, adding essay prompts on adversity or identity in others, or increasing outreach in low-income areas.

And the disastrous rollout of a federal financial aid form that was supposed to simplify the notoriously difficult process has left students, parents and schools scrambling .

This is the most hectic and distressing admissions cycle in recent memory, said Jennifer Nuechterlein, a college and career counselor at a New Jersey high school. She laid special blame on schools that reinstated testing mandates in the past two months, some of which affect the high school juniors who will begin applying in the fall. This class of teens will have to take the SAT or ACT, should they decide to do so, within the next six months.

“Students can’t just test overnight,” Nuechterlein said. “There are students who want to prep, there are students who are not math- or English-ready. ... Students are going to be unprepared.”

For the most ambitious, high-achieving students, the tests are another stressful hurdle to clear as they apply to the most selective colleges. And for many other students, the test scores — even if not required for admission — are mandatory if they want to qualify for some financial aid programs or, on some campuses, certain degree programs.

Critics of standardized tests have argued that they mirror, or exacerbate, societal inequities, in part because students from unstable homes or with limited resources cannot afford SAT or ACT tutors or testing preparation classes, or may not know of free resources such as Khan Academy . Even before the pandemic, some schools had moved to make the scores optional to avoid creating another barrier for students.

Then the pandemic hit, spurring a crisis response when students literally could not access spaces in which to take standardized tests, said Dominique J. Baker, a University of Delaware associate professor of education and public policy who studies admissions policies.

“There were a number of institutions that never would have chosen to have gone test-optional except the pandemic made them,” she said. “Those institutions, by and large, are going back to requiring test scores.”

MIT, Georgetown University and the University of Florida are among schools that quickly chose to reinstate the requirements, with MIT announcing the change in 2022. Many others have spent the years since the virus arrived studying what effect going test-optional had on their admitted classes.

At Brown, Yale and Dartmouth, officials said they had found something surprising: Considering test scores would help them identify more promising applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds, not fewer. After looking at their own data, leaders at the three Ivy League schools say they concluded that SAT and ACT scores are highly predictive of students’ academic performance in college, more so than high school grades. They also found that some less-advantaged students withheld their scores when sharing them would have boosted their chances.

Depriving admissions officers of SAT and ACT scores meant they were less able to evaluate an applicant’s chances of thriving at Brown, Provost Francis J. Doyle III said in an interview this month .

“Our analysis suggested our admissions could be more effective if we brought back testing as an instrument,” Doyle said.

The University of Texas at Austin is also choosing to require testing again, the school announced earlier this month. Jay Hartzell, the school’s president, said he and others worried the cost and preparation associated with the tests could keep students from applying. But about 90 percent of UT Austin applicants in the latest round took the SAT even though it was optional, Hartzell said. And the school found that students who declined to submit scores were less successful once enrolled.

John Friedman, a professor of economics and international and public affairs at Brown, said he wouldn’t be surprised if more of those highly selective schools reinstate a testing requirement. He was one of the authors of the study from Opportunity Insights, a nonprofit at Harvard University, on standardized test scores and student performance at a dozen “Ivy-plus” universities.

“It’s not just about the test scores being a good predictor,” he said. “We show in the paper that students who attend a school, having been admitted without a test score, perform at the bottom of the distribution.” He said schools should look at their own data to determine their policy.

Nonetheless, most schools nationwide will probably remain test-optional, predicted Angel Pérez, the chief executive of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. For many institutions, he said, the policy has been a huge success, bumping up the number of applicants and diversifying admitted classes.

He added that most American high-schoolers are applying to schools that admit nearly all applicants, to public schools or to colleges close to home, he said: “So the majority of students aren’t going to be impacted.”

Morehouse College is among those maintaining a test-optional policy, which the historically Black college adopted in 2020. Since going test-optional, Morehouse has seen an increased number of applicants and an increased acceptance rate from admitted students, said Michael Gumm, Morehouse’s director of admissions and recruitment.

The majority of Morehouse applicants choose not to submit scores, Gumm said, and more students are completing their applications than in the past. He said Morehouse is looking for leaders, so essays and letters of recommendation carry a lot of weight.

Gumm said he often preaches to students: “Your test scores do not make you who you are.”

But for some students, the tests remain a priority. Alina Bunch, a 16-year-old high school junior in Texas, said that even when she saw schools dropping test requirements, she never altered her plan to take the ACT. The exam, she says, is a way to demonstrate determination and academic rigor.

She thinks it’s generally a good thing that schools are bringing back testing requirements, because they can function as a mechanism of standardization in a sometimes subjective admissions process. She does fear the effects of reinstating test requirements for students who cannot afford tutoring.

But for herself — after taking a summer course to prepare for the ACT and scoring high on the exam — she has no real worries. “It was never a question for me, of whether I should do it or not,” Alina said.

Many students pursued similar strategies, continuing to take standardized tests throughout the test-optional trend. After a dramatic drop in 2020 spurred by the sudden closure of test sites, the number of students taking the SAT nationally has risen every year since, per the College Board, and reached 1.9 million for the class of 2023. That’s about 300,000 short of the last pre-pandemic total, when 2.2 million members of the class of 2019 sat for the exam — the largest-ever group to do so.

Joan Koven, who heads college consulting company Academic Access in Pennsylvania, said she never expected standardized testing to suffer a real drop in popularity.

“The ACTs and the SATs are Burger King and McDonald’s,” she said. “They’re not going away.”

But in some places, counselors wish they would. Priscilla Grijalva, a high school counselor in California’s San Jacinto Unified School District, said the elimination of test requirements in the UC system and California State University campuses was a godsend for the nearly 300 students she works with every year, a mix of White, Black and Latino teens, most of whom are socioeconomically disadvantaged.

In the past, many of her students applied only to community colleges. But now she has seen a sharp rise in those willing to aim for state universities.

“It has changed our students’ mindsets,” Grijalva said. “Now it’s like, ‘Hey, I can do this.’ They’re more confident in their leadership and their grades.”

But the flurry of recent announcements from schools altering their testing rules has proved alarming, she said. Her students “do feel the pressure coming back,” she said. “They’re starting to talk.”

Claire Elkin, 16, overheard some of this nervous chatter when she was touring colleges this spring with her family — making visits to places including the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At every school, recalled Claire, who took the ACT and intends to submit her scores, admissions tour leaders said something like: “Yeah, we’re test-optional now, but we can’t guarantee anything for you.”

Every time, the crowds of hopefuls around Claire broke into murmurs that ranged from anguished to angry, she said. She remembered one family whose daughters seemed especially upset, spurring the mother to jump into emergency action trying to calm the girls as the admissions presentation continued.

“A lot of kids my age can’t set a path right now for what they should be prioritizing when they’re applying for schools,” Claire said. “So there is definitely more panic.”

An earlier version of this article included incorrect information about the rise in the number of students who have taken the SAT since a drop sparked by the pandemic. The number of students taking the test reached 1.9 million for the class of 2023, about 300,000 fewer than for the class of 2019. The article has been corrected.

washington university essay requirements

The presidential race is set, but ‘uncommitted’ remains an option in Missouri.

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  • President Biden in Chandler, Ariz., on Wednesday. Tom Brenner for The New York Times
  • People vote in the Washington primary by dropping ballots in Seattle. Grant Hindsley for The New York Times
  • Former President Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump in Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday. Doug Mills/The New York Times

Neil Vigdor

Neil Vigdor

President Biden commemorated the 14th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act on Saturday by participating in an organizing call with former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and campaign volunteers from across the country. Biden, who is scheduled to campaign with Obama and former President Bill Clinton next week, warned that former President Donald Trump would not relent in trying to repeal the act.

A federal judge in California on Friday gave Representatives Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene the green light to proceed with their lawsuit against two cities there (Riverside and Anaheim) that the two far-right Trump allies accused of free speech violations when they blocked them from holding a joint political rally in 2021. But judge rejected their claims that the N.A.A.C.P., the League of Women Voters and several Democratic groups were also liable for the cancellation.

Nick Corasaniti

Nick Corasaniti

Voters head to the polls in Louisiana and Missouri.

President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump may have effectively clinched their parties’ nominations, but the primary process goes on. On Saturday, each major party will hold a primary in Louisiana, and Democrats will hold a primary in Missouri.

While Saturday’s results are all but a foregone conclusion — Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump should each win handily — Democratic voters in Missouri will have the opportunity to select “uncommitted” on their ballots, a choice that has become central to a growing movement among voters seeking to protest Mr. Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza.

An average of one in 10 voters has selected “uncommitted” in states where they have had the option to do so. Casting such a protest vote against an assured nominee is not unprecedented. But the share of the vote has typically been lower in previous uncompetitive presidential primaries, around 7 percent.

The strength of the “uncommitted” vote weakened in Washington State’s Democratic primary on March 12, and it is unclear how potent the movement will be in Missouri. “Uncommitted” is not an option on the ballot in Louisiana, but progressive groups have instructed voters there to take an “anybody but Biden” approach.

The Louisiana primary comes at a turbulent time for the state’s politics. While the deeply red state will surely stay that way in the presidential election, there could be shifts in its political makeup this year, after new congressional maps were drawn to include a second district with a majority of Black voters.

Though voters are casting ballots only for president on Saturday, political experts and operatives will nonetheless parse turnout for a glimpse into a potential Democratic flip in November of the state’s newly drawn Sixth Congressional District, a top Democratic target where 56 percent of the voting age population is Black.

The governor has already signed the new maps into law, but there remains a legal challenge to the newly drawn district, set to be decided by a special panel of three judges appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit next month.

For Missouri’s Democratic voters, this is the first cycle in which the state party has managed the primary process, after the State Legislature abolished the state-run primary in 2022. Republicans already gathered in caucuses earlier this month, when Mr. Trump won every county in the state .

An earlier version of this article misidentified the states voting on Saturday that offer an “uncommitted” option on their ballots. It is only Missouri, not Missouri and Louisiana.

How we handle corrections

A pivotal 2013 Supreme Court decision and young voter turnout.

Georgia, with its long history of the suppression of Black voters, has been ground zero for fights about voting rights laws for decades. The state has often seen stark differences in turnout between white and nonwhite communities, with the latter typically voting at a much lower rate.

But not always: In the 2012 election, when Barack Obama won a second term in the White House, the turnout rate for Black voters under 38 in Lowndes County — a Republican-leaning county in southern Georgia — was actually four percentage points higher than the rate for white voters of a similar age.

It proved to be temporary. According to new research by Michael Podhorzer , the former political director of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., by 2020, turnout for younger white voters in Lowndes was 14 percentage points higher than for Black voters of the same age.

What happened in between? It is impossible to tell for certain, with many variables, such as Obama no longer being on the ballot.

But a growing body of evidence points to a pivotal 2013 Supreme Court decision, Shelby County v. Holder , that knocked down a core section of the Voting Rights Act . The court effectively ended a provision requiring counties and states with a history of racial discrimination at the polls — including all of Georgia — to obtain permission from the Justice Department before changing voting laws or procedures.

The result has been a slew of laws that included restrictions to voting, like limiting voting by mail and adding voter ID requirements. (One new Georgia provision, which restricts most people from providing food and water to voters waiting in line within 150 feet of a polling place, was featured in a recent episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm .”)

Connecting the dots

For years, political scientists and civil rights leaders argued that the high court’s decision would lead to a resurgence in suppression of historically marginalized voters because local and state governments, many in the South, no longer needed federal permission to change voting laws and regulations. Two new studies bolster that theory.

This month, research from the Brennan Center found that the gap in turnout rates between white and nonwhite voters “grew almost twice as quickly in formerly covered jurisdictions as in other parts of the country with similar demographic and socioeconomic profiles.”

In other words, the turnout gap tended to grow most quickly in the areas that lost federal oversight after 2013.

The study by Podhorzer analyzed turnout at the county level. He found that the growing racial turnout gap since the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby had been felt most acutely by younger voters across the country.

These are trends that worry Democrats when it comes to areas like Lowndes, which is home to Valdosta State University, with more than 12,000 students.

Podhorzer found that older voters are more resilient to voting changes because they have established voting habits. But younger or first-time voters are far more likely to be dissuaded or prevented from voting.

It is “a sort of generational replacement, where older and established voters keep up their voting habits, while new restrictions stymie younger voters,” Podhorzer said in his report, which will be released this weekend.

In Bulloch County, Ga., Winston County, Miss., and Newberry County, S.C., the racial turnout gap among young voters grew by 20 percentage points or more between the 2012 and 2020 elections. In each of those counties, the gap for both Gen X and even older voters never grew by more than 11 percentage points.

Turnout in 2024

Turning out the youth vote in November will be critical, especially for President Biden. He won 60 percent of voters under 30 in 2020, according to exit polls , a key part of his coalition. But the 2022 midterms saw a downward trend in the youth vote, and young voters have expressed exasperation with the president heading into this year’s election.

A caveat: Using turnout to assess the impact of changes to voting laws is an imperfect appraisal at best, as it fails to consider other motivational factors, like close races or polarizing candidates. It also ignores aspects of the cost of voting, such as the time it takes.

Seeing a more substantial racial turnout gap among young voters cuts against some conventional wisdom about recent changes to voting laws. Political pundits have often argued that limiting access to voting by mail or reducing the number of polling locations is likely to affect older voters who are often less mobile.

But Bernard Fraga, a professor of political science at Emory University, in Atlanta, noted that seeing a larger racial turnout gap in young voters was “fairly consistent with the previous literature about who should be most impacted by these kinds of laws.”

“For populations that have historically been disenfranchised, or are just less likely to turn out to vote, small changes in the voting calculus can have a much bigger impact,” Fraga said, “because they’re less resilient to these kinds of suppression.”

Are you an undecided voter? We want to hear from you

By Jennifer Medina

By all estimates, a relatively small number of voters in just a few states are likely to decide this year’s presidential election: the undecided voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Do you live in one of those states? Are you unsure whether you’ll cast a ballot for President Biden, former President Donald Trump or someone else? If you’re leaning in one direction, could you be persuaded to change your mind? Are you thinking about not voting at all?

My colleagues covering the election for The New York Times and I want to hear your perspective on politics .

I’ve been covering national politics for The Times for the last five years, often focusing on how voters think about the political debates and divides in the country. I frequently hear from those who are most committed to one party or another, but I’m eager to hear from voters who are still sorting out their choice. What worries you? What inspires you? What will convince you one way or another?

We will read every submission and reach out to some respondents to learn more. We will not share your contact information outside the Times newsroom, and will not publish any part of your submission without following up and hearing back from you first.

Take the survey here .

Read past editions of the newsletter here .

If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here .

Have feedback? Ideas for coverage? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] .

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    3-4 years of history or social science. At least 2 years of the same foreign language since the ninth grade. The College of Arts & Sciences recommends both chemistry and physics for students who plan to do coursework in pre-medicine or the natural sciences. Other important parts of your application.

  2. Application Process

    If you're submitting via the Coalition Application, you may submit the optional Writing Supplement through the WashU Pathway after you've submitted both your profile and the Washington University-specific questions. Optional supplements are due January 10, 2024, for EDII and RD applicants. If you don't want to submit a supplement, that ...

  3. Writing section

    Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length. Please note that the UW essay questions must be answered within our application. For the Common App, that means within our UW questions. We do not consider the Common App essay.

  4. How to apply

    Washington University adopts 'no-loan' financial aid policy. September 8, 2023. As part of its sustained commitment to removing financial barriers for admitted undergraduate students, WashU will adopt a "no-loan" financial aid policy. WashU is #1 for financial aid. August 29, 2023

  5. How to Write the Washington University in St. Louis Essays 2023-2024

    Ervin Scholars Program, Prompt 1. Dr. John B. Ervin was a nationally renowned black educator and the first African American Dean at Washington University in St. Louis. The Ervin Scholars Program was founded on and continues to live out his legacy and the legacy that scholars have built over 35 years. Reflecting on his biography and the history ...

  6. How to apply

    Follow this checklist to make sure you have everything you need to submit a complete application for admission. The applications. Self-report your courses and complete CADRs. Choose your program. The writing section. Additional information about yourself or your circumstances. The application fee.

  7. Admission Procedures < Washington University in St.Louis

    Nonrefundable $75 fee or a simple fee-waiver request. All required additional materials as outlined in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions guidelines, including a teacher recommendation, a school report, and official transcripts. Washington University also accepts applications through the QuestBridge Match process.

  8. Freshman

    College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) All freshman applicants are required to meet minimum academic distribution requirements as set by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the faculty of the UW. Learn more about freshman CADRs. Transcripts. Do not send transcripts until you receive a request from the Office of ...

  9. WashU Supplemental Essays

    Understanding the Washington University Essay requirements: One 200-word essay; Washington University Application: You can apply to WashU using either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Make sure you have all of your required materials prepared before you submit your application.

  10. Washington University in St. Louis Essay Requirements

    Essay Requirements. All first-year applicants will respond to one Washington University supplemental short answer question. In addition, applicants can choose to submit one optional supplementary essay in response to any one of the three prompts provided.

  11. Washington University in St. Louis Admission Requirements

    The average SAT score composite at Washington University in St. Louis is a 1527 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes Washington University in St. Louis Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores. Washington University in St. Louis SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT) The 25th percentile SAT score is 1500, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1570.

  12. First Year Applicants

    You should apply to the George Washington University (GW) as a first-year applicant if you are currently in your senior year of high school or have earned a GED or completed high school but never enrolled in college courses. We are looking for students who have the academic preparation, personal qualities, and motivation to thrive in GW's ...

  13. First-Year Students

    Washington State University Office of Admissions 370 Lighty Student Services Bldg. PO Box 641067 Pullman, WA 99164-1067. Fax: 509-335-4902. Note: This is a guide to the admission process, not a statement of policy. See the WSU General Catalog for official requirements and regulations.

  14. How to Get Into WashU: Admission Requirements + How to Apply

    International Applicants. For international applicants, the requirements are the same for the most part. You must complete a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary studies for application to any WashU program. You must also obtain a secondary school diploma or equivalent as of the completion of your studies.

  15. Essay and Activities List

    Activities List. The activities list helps us understand how you spend your time. Provide a list of your most meaningful activities and achievements in high school, including: community involvement, volunteer experience, employment, athletics, extracurricular clubs, arts, family responsibilities, or special awards and recognition. Please list ...

  16. Admissions

    Graduate programs. The University of Washington offers more than 370 graduate programs across all three UW campuses and online, from master's to doctoral programs for people who are launching or continuing academic, research or professional careers. To explore or to apply to a graduate program, start with the Graduate School.

  17. Common Questions

    Does Washington University have an accelerated BS/MD program or a program for early admission to medical school? No, WashU does not currently offer an accelerated program for entry to medical school. Rather, WashU offers a comprehensive pre-health sciences curriculum that advises and educates all students interested in a career in the health ...

  18. How to Write the University of Washington Essays 2023-2024

    Prompt 1: Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words) Prompt 2: Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club ...

  19. MPH Application Information

    Apply for the Master of Public Health Program We're glad you're ready to take the next step towards joining the Brown School community! The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis admits one class each year for the fall semester. The application opens annually on September 1. Applications are accepted on a modified rolling basis;

  20. How to apply

    The process of applying to a major can be complex. Some UW programs require that you enroll at the UW before applying to the major, while others require a separate application in addition to the UW application. Use the MyMajor tool to determine what your major requires. 2. Personal statement.

  21. University of Washington Essay Prompts 2022-2023

    University of Washington Essay Prompts Quick Facts: University of Washington acceptance rate: 53%— U.S. News ranks the University of Washington as a more selective school. Requirements for the University of Washington supplemental essays: 1 (~650 word) essay. 1 (~300 word) short response. 1 (~200 word) additional information essay (optional)

  22. How to Write the Washington and Lee University Essays 2023-2024

    Step Three. Get writing. The key is to connect the specific and unique features of Washington and Lee to your specific and unique interests, goals, and values. Here are some examples of how this could play out: A student who grew up in poverty, but has worked hard to overcome the system writing about their interest in the Shepherd Program.

  23. Find your fit at WashU

    WashU is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need so you can be 100% focused on chasing your dreams and realizing your ambitions. We know college is a big investment, which is why we have created several initiatives to set our students up for success during their time at WashU and beyond. Affordability.

  24. iStartup Lab: How to find a co-founder for your student startup

    University of Washington. University of Washington Information School. Programs. ... Informatics Application Essay Review. Zoom / Online. Mar 28 . 7:00-9:00PM. Informatics Application Essay Review ... March 19, 2024. Even in tech-heavy Washington state, the numbers of students with access to computer science classes aren't higher than ...

  25. 2023-24 University of Washington Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

    University of Washington 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: One 500 word essay (required), one 300 word essay (required), one 200 word essay (optional). Supplemental Essay Type (s): Oddball, Community, Additional Info At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers.

  26. Return of some SAT requirements scramble college ...

    Susan Svrluga. March 18, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. EDT. A student takes a practice test for the digital SAT in March. (Butch Dill/AP) 11 min. A California mother drove 80 miles this month to find an SAT ...

  27. The presidential race is set, but 'uncommitted' remains an option in

    The strength of the "uncommitted" vote weakened in Washington State's Democratic primary on March 12, and it is unclear how potent the movement will be in Missouri. "Uncommitted" is not ...