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#20 Best Colleges in America

WUSTL Admission Requirements

Saint Louis, Missouri

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Your chances of getting into Washington University in St Louis

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

11.8%
Admission Difficulty for Washington University in St Louis
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at WUSTL is 11.8%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in Missouri and the 42nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

WUSTL is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 3,764 out of the 32,014 who applied were admitted.

Washington University in St Louis typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.92. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 48% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into WUSTL ?

12% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Washington University in St Louis you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.92 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1540 on the SAT
  • Score 34 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

WUSTL GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.92*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Washington University in St Louis?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into WUSTL are to have around a 3.92 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as WUSTL is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at WUSTL is 3.92 on the 4.0 scale. 64% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #2 in Missouri for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since WUSTL is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Washington University in St Louis students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 64.0% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 24.0% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 8.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 3.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.0% Low
2.50 to 2.99 0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.92 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

WUSTL SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Washington University in St Louis. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 33% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1500-1570

Applicants Submitting SAT 

27%
SAT Scores for Washington University in St Louis
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 730
Math 25th Percentile 770
Composite 25th Percentile 1500
SAT Scores for Washington University in St Louis
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 770
Math 75th Percentile 800
Composite 75th Percentile 1570
Average SAT Score 1540

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Washington University in St Louis?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at WUSTL is 1540 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1500-1570. Students who get into Washington University in St Louis score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers..  WUSTL ranks #1 in the state of Missouri and #9 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1540 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. WUSTL regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1500 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1500, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1460, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Washington University in St Louis is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1535, you have around a 12% chance of being admitted. A 1570 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 21% chance of getting in.

Washington University in St Louis admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1570 and Above Good >21%
1535 to 1570 Avg + 12%-21%
1500 to 1535 Avg - 7%-12%
1465 to 1500 Reach 4%-7%
Less than 1465 Low <4%
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WUSTL ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

33-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

33%
ACT Scores for Washington University in St Louis
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 34
Math 25th Percentile 31
Composite 25th Percentile 33
ACT Scores for Washington University in St Louis
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 35
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 34

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into WUSTL ?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to WUSTL is 34, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 33 and 35.  The school ranks #1 in Missouri and #20 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 34. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 33 and score in the score in the top 2 percent nationally.

33 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Washington University in St Louis.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Washington University in St Louis is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into WUSTL for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 34 score has around 12% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 21% with a 35 ACT score.

Washington University in St Louis admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >21%
34 to 35 Avg + 12%-21%
33 to 34 Avg - 7%-12%
32 to 33 Reach 4%-7%
Less than 32 Low <4%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

89% of Washington University in St Louis freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Washington University in St Louis students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 89%
Top 25% of class 98%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Washington University in St Louis admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 17,260 14,754 32,014
Accepted 1,969 1,795 3,764
Acceptance Rate 11% 12% 12%
Enrolled 986 827 1,813
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 50% 46% 48%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 4, 2025

Days left to Apply

10

Applicants have 10 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 4, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Washington University in St Louis is $75.

Application Requirements

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

Washington University in St Louis Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Washington University in St Louis
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because WUSTL is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.92 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1540 on the SAT and optimally 1570 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 34 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Washington University in St Louis often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=179867 IPEDS survey data for Washington University in St Louis.

Last updated February 24, 2024