Washington and Lee University

It is extremely difficult to get into Washington and Lee University. In 2022, Washington and Lee University accepted just 17% of all applicants. In 2023, just 1,225 out of the 7,224 students who applied were accepted.

If you want to apply to Washington and Lee University, the regular decision application deadline is January 1 and the fee for the application costs $60.

Students who submit their applications to Washington and Lee University for the fall semester should receive an admissions decision no later than April 1.

Washington and Lee University Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here is an overiew of some of Washington and Lee University's admissions stats.

Washington and Lee University 2023	Admissions Statistics
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	81%
Mean SAT Score	1469
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	28%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	26%
Waitlist	Yes

Washington and Lee University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for Washington and Lee University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Yes	November 1	December 31
Early Decision II	Yes	January 1	January 31
Early Action	No	–	–
Regular Decision	Yes	1 1	April 1

---

Considering Applying Early to Washington and Lee University?

---

Washington and Lee University offers early decision but not early action. Early decision is binding, meaning you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

🗓️ Early Decision I applications are due by November 1 EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 31.

🗓️ Early Decision II applications are due January 1. ED II Applicants will recieve their decision before January 31.

The early decision acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University is 42%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 17%. Last year, Washington and Lee University admitted 275 of the 660 students who applied early decision.

Some students apply to college early because they believe it will help their chances of getting in. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of admission, since it is a way to show your interest in a school.

➡️ Explore a list of some selective colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

---

More on Washington and Lee University Admissions

---

Transferring to Washington and Lee University

It is extremely difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.

For Students Waitlisted to Washington and Lee University

In 2022, Washington and Lee University waitlisted 1,816 students and 1,029 accepted a place on the waitlist. Of those, 11 eventually got in.

What's Most Important for Getting Into Washington and Lee University?

Colleges consider a range of factors when deciding who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are are most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When assembling your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that prioritize the admissions factors where you shine.

Admissions Factors at Washington and Lee University

What does Washington and Lee University consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Character/Personal Qualities	Very Important
Class Rank	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Recommendation(s)	Important
Academic GPA	Important
Alumni/ae Relations	Considered
Application Essay	Considered
Geographical Residence	Considered
Interview	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Talent/Ability	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Level of Applicant's Interest	Considered
First Generation	Considered

Make sure to check with Washington and Lee University for more information on admission factors.

Washington and Lee University Application Requirements

To apply to Washington and Lee University, all applicants must submit the following items. Check with Washington and Lee University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Written Essay or Personal Statement	–	√	–	–
Interview	–	√	–	–
Letter(s) of Recommendation	3	–	–	–
Transcript of High School Record	√	–	–	–

---

GPA and Testing

---

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Washington and Lee University?

Washington and Lee University has not provided an information about GPAs of accepted students. Any questions regarding applicant expectations should be addressed directly with the school.

Out of all students that were admitted, 34% submitted a class rank. At Washington and Lee University 81% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 98% were in the top 25% and 100% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At Washington and Lee University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	–
3.75 and 3.99	–
3.50 and 3.74	–
3.25 and 3.49	–
3.00 and 3.24	–
2.50 and 2.9	–
2.00 and 2.49	–

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Washington and Lee University directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

Washington and Lee University is test optional. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 28% of Washington and Lee University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 26% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for Washington and Lee University?

To be competitive with other Washington and Lee University applicants, you should strive to score between 1410 and 1535 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Washington and Lee University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1535 and 25% of scored lower than 1410, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a Washington and Lee University student is 1469.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Washington and Lee University students scored 780 or higher and 75% of students scored 700 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Washington and Lee University students scored 755 or higher, and 75% scored a 700 or higher.

To be most competitive at Washington and Lee University, you should strive to earn between 32 and 34 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 34 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Washington and Lee University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 34, and three out of four students scored lower than 34 on the ACT.

A 32 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Washington and Lee University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 32.

More Information on Transferring to Washington and Lee University

For transfer students, it is extremely difficult to get admitted to Washington and Lee University.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is January 1. Applicants should hear back by April 1.

Transfer students can enroll in Washington and Lee University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Winter Term

• Summer Term

---

Washington and Lee University Admissions FAQs

---

Can I defer my acceptance to Washington and Lee University?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Washington and Lee University.

Does Washington and Lee University accept transfer credits?

✅ Washington and Lee University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does Washington and Lee University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ Washington and Lee University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Washington and Lee University?

❌ No, Washington and Lee University is test optional, so you can decide whether to send your ACT or SAT scores. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate?

✅ Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate is 17%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Washington and Lee University?

✅ Washington and Lee University's early decision acceptance rate was 42% in 2021.

Want To Learn More About Washington and Lee University?

Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Washington and Lee University:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Washington and Lee University

Explore other colleges in Virginia or use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.