We’re proud to be your partner
Together, we can support students and celebrate all the ways they make our world a better place. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and for trusting WashU to be a place where you students will thrive as part of our community and excel in their academic endeavors.
Maybe you’re new to WashU or you could use a refresher. We’re a mid-sized, private research university, located in St. Louis, MO and founded in 1853. If you’d like to dig in and learn more, check out our university facts.
Our community is the heart of the university, and a place where everyone is valued and respected. By working collaboratively, we will prepare students for purposeful and engaged lives and meaningful careers. Learn more about our guiding principles.
About WashU
WashU is a community of passionate learners with a wide array of interests. With more than 1,900 undergraduate courses across more than 100 fields of study, students can find their perfect academic fit.
When applying to WashU, students will select one of our schools to serve as their academic home base. These schools are the College of Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, McKelvey School of Engineering, and Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts (College of Architecture and College of Art). All WashU students are welcome and encouraged to explore courses in any of these schools, regardless of which they selected at the time of application, and students can even declare majors or minors in multiple schools! 80% of undergraduate students pursue multiple majors and/or minors, so you’ll find that each WashU student has a unique academic path.
At WashU, we understand that each student is so much more than just their GPA. When considering applications, we use a holistic review process to learn about what makes each student unique. In learning each student’s story, we can make the most informed admissions decisions to continue building a compassionate and academically curious community.
A few other notes about our application process:
- We have a need-blind admission policy for all first-year applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- WashU is currently test-optional, meaning students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores.
- We offer application fee waivers for all students who are applying for need-based
financial aid.
We strive to ensure that finances are never a barrier to students who want to come to WashU. To maintain this commitment, we offer a number of financial aid opportunities.
- Our average need-based financial aid offer is more than $73,000
- We meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduate students without loans.
- The WashU Pledge covers the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and food for all four years for qualifying students from Missouri and southern Illinois.
We strive to ensure that finances are never a barrier to students who want to come to WashU. To maintain this commitment, we offer a number of financial aid opportunities.
- Students come from all 50 states and 31 countries, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
- 90% of undergraduate students are from out of state; 65% of undergraduates come from more than 500 miles away
- 13% first-generation students
- 23% Pell-eligible
- 40% private school; 60% public school
Class of 2029 Profile
Our selection process is guided by a committee of admissions professionals in an effort to ensure that, together, our five academic schools create a community that is welcoming, nurturing, and intellectually rigorous.