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Washington and Lee Admission Requirements

Lexington, Virginia

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Your chances of getting into Washington and Lee University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

17%
Admission Difficulty for Washington and Lee University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Washington and Lee is 17%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Virginia and the 63rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Washington and Lee 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 1,225 out of the 7,224 who applied were admitted.

Washington and Lee University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.87. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 39% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Washington and Lee?

17% 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 and Lee University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.87 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1470 on the SAT
  • Score 33 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Washington and Lee GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.87*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Washington and Lee University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Washington and Lee are to have around a 3.87 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 Washington and Lee is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Washington and Lee is 3.87 on the 4.0 scale. 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 Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Washington and Lee 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.

*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. 3.87 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Washington and Lee SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Washington and Lee University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 28% of students submitted SAT scores and 26% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1410-1533

Applicants Submitting SAT 

28%
SAT Scores for Washington and Lee University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 700
Math 25th Percentile 710
Composite 25th Percentile 1410
SAT Scores for Washington and Lee University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 753
Math 75th Percentile 780
Composite 75th Percentile 1533
Average SAT Score 1470

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Washington and Lee University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Washington and Lee is 1470 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1410-1533. Students who get into Washington and Lee University score in the top 4 percent of all SAT test takers..  Washington and Lee ranks #1 in the state of Virginia and #46 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1470 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Washington and Lee regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1410 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1410, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1350, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Washington and Lee University 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 1470 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 1471, you have around a 17% chance of being admitted. A 1533 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 28% chance of getting in.

Washington and Lee University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1533 and Above Good >28%
1471 to 1533 Avg + 17%-28%
1410 to 1471 Avg - 10%-17%
1349 to 1410 Reach 5%-10%
Less than 1349 Low <5%
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Washington and Lee ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

32-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

26%
ACT Scores for Washington and Lee University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 34
Math 25th Percentile 30
Composite 25th Percentile 32
ACT Scores for Washington and Lee University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 33

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Washington and Lee?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Washington and Lee is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 34.  The school ranks #4 in Virginia and #55 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 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 32 and score in the score in the top 3 percent nationally.

26 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Washington and Lee University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Washington and Lee University 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 Washington and Lee for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 17% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 28% with a 34 ACT score.

Washington and Lee University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >28%
33 to 34 Avg + 17%-28%
32 to 33 Avg - 10%-17%
31 to 32 Reach 5%-10%
Less than 31 Low <5%
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High School Class Rank

78% of Washington and Lee University 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 and Lee University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 78%
Top 25% of class 97%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Washington and Lee University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,649 3,575 7,224
Accepted 680 545 1,225
Acceptance Rate 19% 15% 17%
Enrolled 248 228 476
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 36% 42% 39%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

7

Applicants have 7 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Washington and Lee University is $60.

Application Requirements

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

Washington and Lee University 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 Required to be considered for admission
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 and Lee University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Washington and Lee is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.87 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1470 on the SAT and optimally 1533 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 33 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Washington and Lee University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234207 IPEDS survey data for Washington and Lee University.

Last updated February 24, 2024