George Washington Admission Requirements

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Washington, DC
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George Washington Admission Overview

George Washington admission requirements are competitive. Last year George Washington admitted 47.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1350-1500 / ACT 31-34. George Washington is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

George Washington is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/test-optional

George Washington Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

47.1%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The George Washington acceptance rate is 47.1%. Last year, 12,723 of 27,016 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in District Of Columbia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into George Washington and can you get accepted?

George Washington is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

George Washington GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.81*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.81*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

George Washington has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.81 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. George Washington is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.81 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

George Washington Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

George Washington University is test-optional for most first-year applicants. You may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and omitting them is not viewed negatively. Applicants to the B.A./B.S.-M.D. program, homeschooled students, and students from schools that issue only narrative evaluations must still send scores. If you submit scores, they must come from the testing agency; GW superscores the SAT and the ACT. Scores are not required for merit scholarships or for special programs other than B.A./B.S.-M.D.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/test-optional

George Washington SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1350-1500

Freshmen who sent SAT

26%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 670
Composite 1350

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 750
Composite 1500

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at George Washington typically score around a 1430 SAT (middle 50% 1350–1500) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 97th percentile nationally. George Washington ranks #2 in District Of Columbia and #81 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1350 to 1500

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

George Washington is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1430 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at George Washington University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1500+	Above 75th	>63%
1430 to 1500	Avg +	48%-63%
1350 to 1430	Avg -	32%-48%
Below 1350	Below mid-50	<32%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

George Washington ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

31-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

English 32
Math 27
Composite 31

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 32
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at George Washington typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. George Washington places #2 among colleges in District Of Columbia and #65 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to George Washington without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at George Washington University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>68%
32 to 34	Avg +	47%-68%
31 to 32	Avg -	37%-47%
Below 31	Below mid-50	<37%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

79% of George Washington University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 45% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted George Washington University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	45%
Top 25% of class	79%
Top 50% of class	97%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the George Washington chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

George Washington University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	17,272	9,735	27,016
Accepted	8,286	4,432	12,723
Acceptance Rate	48%	46%	47%
Enrolled	1,616	843	2,459
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	19%	19%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to George Washington University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

George Washington University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2027

Days left to Apply

127

Applicants have 127 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to George Washington University is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at George Washington University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

George Washington is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 47.1% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1350-1500); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025