Be sure to keep copies of everything you send. Please note that all changes to your application file must be sent to us in writing. If your address will change during the application cycle, please let us know as soon as possible.

Pre-Application Data Sheet/Common Application Supplement

We encourage you to submit the Pre-Application Data Sheet/Common Application Supplement as soon as possible. It can be submitted before, after, or with the Common Application or Universal College Application.

If you would like to receive updates via email and have access to the WUSTL Pathway on our website, you must provide a valid email address in item #1 and check “yes” in item #12.

Our website is the only source of accurate information regarding the status of your application to Washington University; you are strongly encouraged to check it regularly. Please add us to your address book so incoming email is not redirected to your “junk” or “bulk” folder.

The $55 nonrefundable fee or fee waiver request from your high school guidance counselor is required and should be submitted only once. If you are paying by personal check, please make your check payable to Washington University and note the applicant’s name on the check; do not send cash. If you prefer to pay the application fee using a credit card, you may do so when you submit the Pre-Application Data Sheet/Common Application Supplement online or when you login to the WUSTL Pathway.

Early Decision

If Washington University is clearly your first-choice school, you should consider applying as an Early Decision candidate. You may apply as an Early Decision candidate at only one college or university. You will learn of both admission and financial assistance decisions earlier than Regular Decision candidates. Academic scholarship decisions, however, are not made until well after the Early Decision candidate reply date. Applying Early Decision signifies a binding commitment that you will attend Washington University if admitted. Admission under the Early Decision Plan also requires that you submit a $200 enrollment deposit (and a $250 housing application fee if applicable) within two weeks of receiving your letter of admission and financial assistance notification.

You may apply to only one college or university under a binding Early Decision plan. If you are admitted Early Decision, you are required to withdraw all applications filed at other schools. Early Decision candidates and their counselors and a parent or guardian must sign the Early Decision commitment statement on the Common Application. If you are applying Early Decision, you must have your counselor send us your first marking period grades in order to complete the application.

Some applicants not admitted under Early Decision may be deferred to the Regular Decision application period for re-evaluation. However, some applicants may be denied admission. All Early Decision applications must be completed by November 15, 2011. Decision letters will be mailed on December 15, 2011. Regrettably, we cannot release admission decisions over the phone.

Regular Decision

If you are interested in Washington University, but are unsure whether it is your first choice, you should apply as a Regular Decision candidate. All Regular Decision applications must be completed by January 15, 2012. We will mail admission notification letters to all candidates on April 1, 2012. Regrettably, we cannot release admission decisions over the phone.

Home-Schooled Applicants

Washington University welcomes applications from home-schooled students. Please have your parent(s) complete the Secondary School Report in lieu of the Teacher Evaluation. A recommendation from an adult outside the home is also encouraged.

Common Application OR Universal College Application

We hope you’ll begin working on the Common Application or Universal College Application as soon as possible since the questions and personal essay require some thought and preparation. The Common Application is available online at www.commonapp.org. The Universal College Application is available online at www.universalcollegeapp.com. You should submit either the Universal College Application or the Common Application, but not both.

If mailing your application, be sure to affix the appropriate postage (please consult the post office for exact postage), include your return address, and check the appropriate boxes on the envelope.

Secondary School Report and Official Transcript

Complete the “To the Applicant” section on the Secondary School Report and give it to your high school guidance counselor as soon as possible. Remember that your counselor will have many forms to fill out for other students, so be sure to allow sufficient time to meet our deadline. Your counselor will attach an official transcript to the form and include it in the Completed Application Envelope or in an official school envelope.

Midyear Report

Complete the “To the Applicant” section of the Midyear Report and give it to your college counselor. Your counselor will mail us this form and an updated transcript as soon as possible after January 1. The Midyear Report is an important component of our evaluation process. If you are applying Early Decision, you must have your counselor submit your first marking period grades in order to complete your application.

Teacher Evaluation

Complete the “To the Applicant” section of the Teacher Evaluation. Give it to a teacher who has taught you in a class and knows you well. Your teacher may give his or her recommendation to your guidance counselor to include in the Completed Application Envelope or may mail it directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. (Please note: Only one Teacher Evaluation is required, but you are welcome to submit more than one if you wish.)

SAT/ACT Scores

Please have your Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or American College Test (ACT) scores sent directly to Washington University (SAT code number 6929, ACT code number 2386). We will accept scores that are reported on your official transcript, but we prefer that you have the scores sent directly from the testing service. The last test date accepted will be the December testing (October if applying Early Decision). Subject Tests (SAT IIs) are recommended, but not required.

TOEFL/IELTS (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents whose first language is not English)

If English is not your first language, it is strongly recommended, and to your advantage, that you submit results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in addition to the SAT or ACT. The test administered in December will be the last one accepted for fall admission (October if applying Early Decision).  Our TOEFL code number is 6929.

Portfolios

A portfolio is required for applicants to the College of Art. There are several ways to submit your portfolio. Our representatives attend many National Portfolio Days held in major cities throughout the country, and we welcome the opportunity to review your portfolio at these events. In addition, you may set up a personal visit to Washington University and have your work reviewed in the College of Art. Finally, you may submit your digital or slide portfolio along with your application. If you would like to be considered for the Conway Proetz Scholarship in Art, your portfolio must be submitted in either slide or digital format. If you choose to submit your portfolio with your application, follow these instructions: Submit a slide or digital portfolio, consisting of 12-15 pieces of recent work, which may include drawings, two- and three- dimensional pieces, or photographs.

• Digital Portfolio
  Submit images in a simple, non-timed PowerPoint presentation. Also include all of the work in the presentation, in a separate folder, as jpegs saved at 72 dpi resolution and at a size of 600 pixels in the longest direction. Write your full name and address on the CD/DVD–do not use a stick-on label. Remember to include an accompanying inventory/contact sheet showing thumbnails of all work on the CD/DVD. The inventory sheet must include your name and address number. If you prefer, you may include additional information such as title of work, medium, dimensions, and date completed.
• Slide Portfolio
  Submit good quality 35mm slides in a plastic slide sleeve. Each slide must be labeled with your full name and address. The slide portfolio will be returned by May 1 only if you provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Portfolios are strongly encouraged for the College of Architecture and should follow the guidelines for the College of Art. The portfolio may include drawings, paintings, design models, sculpture, ceramics, etc. Do not include CAD drawings or examples of drafting skills.

Final Report

Applicants who are admitted and who choose to enroll at Washington University will be required to submit the Common Application Final Report, which includes the official final transcript.

International Students

Washington University defines an international student as a student who is not a citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States. Please follow this link for additional information for international applicants.