All talented students should have access to higher education.
WashU believes financial background should never be a barrier to reaching your full potential—which is why we’ve partnered with QuestBridge, a leading nonprofit that connects high-achieving, low-income students to the nation’s best colleges.
About QuestBridge
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to apply to the National College Match in the fall of 2025, applicants must graduate from high school during or before the summer of 2026 and plan to enroll as a first-year student in college in the fall of 2026.
The QuestBridge National College Match is open to:
- Any high school senior currently attending high school in the U.S. and planning to attend college in the fall after their senior year
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents living abroad (International students living outside the U.S. are not eligible.)
Selection criteria
QuestBridge does not have absolute criteria or cutoffs for GPA, standardized test scores, or income. They look at academic achievement and financial qualifications, but they also take into account any personal circumstances.
Typically, National College Match finalists:
- Demonstrate resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed
- Make meaningful contributions to activities at home, school, or in
the community - Are among the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college
- Display intellectual curiosity and strong writing ability
Application requirements
- A free, online National College Match application, including information on your academics, activities, household, and financial background*
- Writing section
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers in core academic subjects
- A school report from your current high school counselor
- A school profile (optional, but recommended)
- Current high school transcript and additional transcripts (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
- WashU offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores
*Access to previous year tax returns and other financial documents is highly recommended to complete the application accurately.
QuestBridge Scholars Network
The QuestBridge Scholars Network (QSN) actively builds a community for first-generation students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds on WashU’s campus.
Taylor Scholars
Incoming QuestBridge Scholars are invited to participate in the Taylor Scholars community. The Taylor Scholars program (within the Taylor Family Center for Student Success) provides students who are the first in their family to attend college or who are from under-resourced socioeconomic backgrounds with resources and community before, during, and beyond their time at WashU.
Apply
Complete your QuestBridge application by the deadline and forward it to WashU. You will soon receive instructions via email on activating your WashU Pathway account.
Dates and deadlines for the National College Match
The National College Match application will open in late summer, and applications are due in September.
Application materials
In the Pathway, you will be asked to submit the College Match required application materials by November 1, 2025. These include:
WashU QuestBridge Supplement
You will be asked to indicate your preferred academic school and up to two potential majors. In addition, you will submit the required portfolio if applying for the College of Art in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.
Note: A portfolio for the College of Architecture is encouraged but not required.
Official Transcripts
WashU accepts transcripts submitted as part of the Secondary School Report in the QuestBridge application.
Test Scores
WashU’s Test Score Codes:
ACT: 2386
SAT: 6929
WashU offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Students who rank WashU can indicate which, if any, scores they would like considered in the review of their application.
For students who would like to submit test scores, WashU accepts self-reported test scores, scores reported on official transcripts, or scores verified through counselors. Test results from any of your high school years are acceptable, though senior-year testing is encouraged.
WashU utilizes the highest subscores of each individual test taken and does superscore for the highest possible composite test score.
The last test date accepted for QuestBridge will be the September testing for ACT and the October testing for SAT. Official scores will be required for students who enroll at WashU and request that their scores be considered for admission.
CSS Profile
WashU’s CSS Profile Code: 6929
Please select “Early Decision” as your admission application type on the CSS Profile.
If your parents are divorced or separated, you are not required to submit the Noncustodial Profile.
FAFSA
WashU’s FAFSA school code: 002520
U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens
You will need to submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA to WashU by February 28 to confirm eligibility for federal aid.
Results
Review the following information based on your QuestBridge results.
The following information is for finalists who ranked WashU and submitted all materials, but did not match.
You will automatically have your application moved into the Regular Decision process. If you no longer wish to be considered, you must request that your application be withdrawn by emailing admissions@wustl.edu.
Please submit the following by February 1, 2026:
- QuestBridge Midyear Report
- Official test scores
Only if you have new scores to report since you submitted your National College Match application
Our College Codes
ACT: 2386
SAT: 6929
TOEFL: 6929
CSS Profile: 6929
FAFSA: 002520
The following information is for finalists who did not rank WashU.
Please submit the following by February 1, 2026:
- QuestBridge Midyear Report
- Official transcripts
- Official test scores
- CSS Profile
- FAFSA
Our College Codes
ACT: 2386
SAT: 6929
TOEFL: 6929
CSS Profile: 6929
FAFSA: 002520
You can still apply Early Decision II by emailing admissions@wustl.edu no later than January 2, 2026. Please use the subject line: QuestBridge Applicant Applying EDII. You will need to submit the Early Decision Agreement and provide signatures for your parent/guardian, counselor, and yourself.
If you are not selected as a finalist, this is not an indication of your chances of admission to WashU. We encourage you to still apply!
Here’s what we need from you:
- Common Application or Coalition Application
with WashU Writing Supplement and all supporting documents - Application Fee
Request a fee waiver when you submit either the Common Application or Coalition Application - Midyear report
- Official transcripts
- Test scores
Will accept self-reported test scores - CSS Profile and Noncustodial Parent Profile (if applicable)
- FAFSA
Our College Codes
ACT: 2386
SAT: 6929
TOEFL: 6929
CSS Profile: 6929
FAFSA: 002520