How to Get Into WashU: Acceptance Rate and Strategies
August 4, 2025
Washington University in St. Louis (often referred to as WashU) is a mouthful to say, but the name of this private research university founded in 1853 comes out of the mouths of more top students every year when naming their top-choice institution. Yet, this wasn鈥檛 always the case. Back in the 1970s, the school, then called Washington University, voted to stick 鈥淪t. Louis鈥� at the end of their name, simply because they were tired of explaining that they were not located in either Seattle or the nation鈥檚 capital. While the number of applications has risen in recent years (particularly those applying ED), acceptance rates have been low for a very long time. A decade ago, 22% of applicants were accepted; last year, WashU’s acceptance rate was half that figure.
Given the highly selective nature of WUSTL, applicants need to be well-informed and understand the true level of competition at this university. Toward that aim, this article will give you:
- WashU acceptance rate (plus how to predict your chances with our free admissions calculator)
- WashU ED acceptance rate
- GPA, SAT, ACT, and class rank of accepted WashU applicants
- Admissions trends from the Class of 2028
- The demographics of current WashU undergraduates
- WashU鈥檚 yield rate
- How WashU鈥檚 admissions officers evaluate candidates
- Tips for applying to WashU
- Essay Prompts and Advice
- How to assess whether applying to WashU is even worth the $75 application fee (for you)
Let鈥檚 begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.
WashU Admissions Calculator
Want to calculate your chance of getting into Washington University in St. Louis?
国产第一福利影院草草 is pleased to offer the most accurate admissions calculator you’ll find anywhere online — the only such tool that is informed by decades of combined experience personally guiding thousands of students through the college admissions process. Please click below to enjoy all the benefits.
WashU Acceptance Rate
Out of the 32,754 applicants for a place in the Class of 2028, 3,951 were accepted. This means that the overall WashU acceptance rate is 12%. This is about the same as the previous year.
However, it’s important to break this number down by cycle: regular decision vs. early decision. Given the number of ED admissions, the regular decision admit rate for WashU was 8% for the Class of 2028.
Historical overall Washington University in St. Louis acceptance rates are as follows:
| Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | |
| Class of 2027 | 32,240 | 3,855 | 12% |
| Class of 2026 | 33,214 | 3,764 | 11% |
| Class of 2025 | 33,634 | 4,373 | 13% |
| Class of 2024 | 27,949 | 4,477 | 16% |
WashU ED Acceptance Rate
WashU’s ED acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 (ED 1 and ED 2 combined) was 25%. 4,817 students applied and 1,217 were admitted. WashU offers an Early Decision deadline of November 1 and an Early Decision 2 deadline in early January.
What GPA do you need to get into WashU?
Enrolled Class of 2028 freshmen had an average high school GPA of 4.19. Furthermore, a whopping 89% had a GPA of 3.75+.
What class rank do you need to get accepted to WashU?
Among enrolled 2024-25 first-year students (Class of 2028), 86% hailed from the top 10% of their graduating class, while 98% earned a place in the top quarter. Bear in mind that only 28% of incoming first-year students submitted their high school class rank.
What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for WashU?
Those enrolled in the Class of 2028 sported middle-50% standardized test scores of 1500-1570 on the SAT and 33-35 on the ACT.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- WashU will remain test-optional for those applying to enter in fall 2026.
- 25% of those entering the Class of 2028 are Pell Grant Eligible.
- 18% of the entering Class of 2028 are first-generation students.
- 44% of the Class of 2028 applied as test-optional applicants.
- WashU fills about 55-60% of its class through both Early Decision rounds.
- In 2024, 46 transfer students joined WashU from 36 universities.
Who Actually Gets Into WashU?
Let鈥檚 now look at the demographics of the WashU Class of 2028.
The regions producing the greatest number of 2024-25 freshmen were the:
- Midwest: 32%
- Middle States: 16%
- West: 16%
- South: 10%
- Southwest: 9%
- New England: 5%
- International: 13%
As at any highly selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Midwest and both coasts). If you hail from a less populated state like Alaska, North Dakota, or Montana, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances. Unusual for any college, WashU does not have a substantial percentage of students from its host state of Missouri (typically around 10%).
Overall, incoming students came from 49 states and 32 countries. 63% came from more than 500 miles away.
Historically, the countries from which the highest percentage of international students typically hail from are:
- China
- South Korea
- India
- Canada
- United Kingdom
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of members of the Class of 2027 was as follows:
- Asian American: 26%
- Hispanic: 12%
- Black or African American: 8%
- White: 37%
- Total Underrepresented Students of Color: 21%
The breakdown by gender of the Class of 2027 slightly favors women:
- Male: 47%
- Female: 53%
WashU’s most recent crop of enrolled students came from the following types of high schools:
- Public: 60%
- Private: 40%
The percentage of current freshmen in each school during the 2023-24 school year was as follows:
- College of Arts & Sciences: 63%
- McKelvey School of Engineering: 17%
- Olin Business School: 9%
- College of Architecture: 4%
- College of Art: 4%
- Beyond Boundaries: 2%
Yield Rate
Washington University in St. Louis鈥� yield rate鈥攖he percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted鈥攚as 47% for the Class of 2028. Keep in mind that this number is likely boosted by the high percentage of the class admitted during the early decision rounds. This is something to consider given WashU’s acceptance rate.
How WashU Rates Applicants
There are 8 factors that WashU ranks as being 鈥渧ery important鈥� to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, class rank, standardized test scores (even being test-optional), the essays, recommendations, talent/ability, and character/personal characteristics.
In the words of the admissions office: 鈥淲ashington University is looking for students with a high school diploma or equivalent who took a challenging college-preparatory curriculum in high school complemented by extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience. Your senior-year transcript should show that you continue to take demanding courses. Most applicants take advantage of honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, if offered by their high schools.鈥�
Applicants to the various undergraduate schools will need to bring unique, discipline-specific attributes with them. 鈥淪tudents applying to Olin Business School should have completed coursework in math at least through the pre-calculus level, with calculus highly recommended. Students applying to McKelvey School of Engineering and/or students who are interested in pre-med should have completed coursework in physics and chemistry, as well as coursework in math at least through the pre-calculus level with calculus highly recommended…(those) interested in studying architecture or art should demonstrate interest, skill, or background in art and design by highlighting relevant course work or extracurricular activity. A portfolio is required for applicants to the College of Art and encouraged for applicants to the College of Architecture.鈥�
Tips for Applying to WashU
If you plan on joining the roughly 32,000 WUSTL hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- Firstly, WashU expects to see evidence of advanced coursework in high school. Taking multiple advanced classes, particularly within your area of academic interest, is a must. A minimum of 7-8 AP courses is a good target to aim for.
- WashU has extended its test-optional policy through fall of 2026.
- You must list your 鈥溾�� on the Common App as well as a 鈥淧rimary Academic Interest.鈥� You have the option of also listing a 鈥淪econdary Academic Interest鈥� or a 鈥淧re-Professional Interest.鈥�
- Rather than an interview, WashU allows students to upload a 90-second video (optional). However, we highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity to add more dimension to your application.
- WUSTL does “consider” demonstrated interest in the admissions process. Thus, it will be noted whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc. The school especially likes those who demonstrate interest in the most devoted way鈥攖hrough submitting a binding ED application. This is something to consider given WashU’s acceptance rate.
- Lastly, make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essay required by WUSTL. For the ’25-’26 application cycle, the questions are below.
Supplementary Essays
搁别辩耻颈谤别诲听
Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.
Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don鈥檛 worry鈥攖ell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially 鈥渦ndeclared鈥� and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our on our website.聽(250 words)
Recommended
This optional question allows you to add another dimension to your application 鈥� something that the admissions committee might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement. If you plan to apply for one of the Signature Scholar Programs, we highly recommend you complete this supplement.
WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand 鈥淲ho are you?鈥�:
Option 1: WashU supports engagement in the St. Louis community by considering the university as 鈥淚n St. Louis, For St. Louis.鈥� What is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it?
Option 2: WashU strives to know every undergraduate student 鈥淏y Name & Story.鈥� How have your life experiences shaped your story?
There are also additional essays for special programs and scholarships. For detailed advice on the “Why WashU?” essay, visit our blog: WashU Essay Prompt and Tips.
Should I apply to WashU?
With an acceptance rate of 12% last year, Washington University in St. Louis is a school that is looking for students who sit among the very top of their high school class and have posted SAT/ACT scores in at least the 95th percentile. Moreover, the school heavily favors students who commit via ED, so if WashU is your first choice, it will be in your best interest to submit an application during one of the early rounds.
WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts
With such a competitive admissions process, all students need to make sure that they, in conjunction with a counselor, formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of 鈥渢arget鈥� and 鈥渟afety鈥� schools. Hopefully, your dream of attending WUSTL becomes a reality, but, in the event that things don鈥檛 unfold as hoped, you鈥檒l still end up at an institution with comparable attributes and opportunities.
Ready to start your college applications? You might consider reviewing the following:
