Dear Colleague –
With the arrival of the Class of 2025 to campus, the fall semester is officially in full swing with predominantly in-person instruction and learning. Our newest incoming class is the largest and most diverse class in WashU history with 17% Pell-eligible, 49% identifying as students of color, 12% first-generation college, and 4% part of the WashU Pledge Program.
I have also transitioned back to campus and will continue to lead our admissions and aid team alongside Cyrus Nichols, Deputy Director of Admissions. As some of you know, Emily Almas, who served as Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Admissions, left this summer to become Director of Admissions at Bowdoin College in Maine. You’ll also be hearing from your Admissions Officer throughout the year — feel free to reach out to them with any questions.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We appreciate the effort you and your colleagues extend every day to make sure your students have what they need throughout their high school years and beyond.
Sincerely,
Ronné P. Turner
Vice Provost of Admissions & Financial Aid
Application updates for the Class of 2026
We remain test-optional for this year’s application cycle. Please know that when we say test-optional, we mean it. Students who do not submit standardized test scores will be wholly considered for admission, as well as financial assistance and merit scholarships, just like those who do submit test scores.
We no longer consider demonstrated interest as part of our selection process. In doing so, we are working to implement more policies to create a truly equitable admissions process and support our goal to build a community of talented and diverse young people. More information can be found online.
We have implemented Committee-based Evaluation (CBE). Transitioning to this team-based reading model will help improve efficiency in the reading process, eliminate individual biases, and continue to ensure each application receives a full review.
Our essays have also changed this year — we require the Common or Coalition Application Personal Essay (250-650 words of the prompt of their choice) and an Academic Prompt (up to 200 words answering “Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why”). The Writing Supplement is now optional and is only required if your student wants to apply to one of our Signature Scholar Programs. If they do, they’ll be asked to respond to a short answer question (150 words max) and an essay question (250 words max) for each program they apply to.
Ampersand Scholarships have replaced the Compton, Mylonas, Moog, and Lein scholarships in the College of Arts & Sciences. These scholarships are still for students who applied to the College of Arts & Sciences, and the scholarship committee will pay particular attention to the academic short essay in their application, looking for evidence of interest in academic areas that cross the traditional categories of inquiry in Arts & Sciences (Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences).
As a reminder, we are 100% committed to meeting all demonstrated need for all admitted students, regardless of application round. Additionally, please encourage your students to create a RaiseMe profile. As a RaiseMe partner, we grant students micro-scholarships for their achievements throughout the last four years of high school. Our earning deadline is Nov. 15.
Visit information
Our expanded visit experience, including student-led tours, begins October 4. Please visit our website for more information.
We continue to offer virtual programming for students and families throughout the fall to help them learn more about WashU, the student experience, and the application process.
You can find a full listing of application dates and deadlines on our website—the first being Early Decision I on Nov. 1, 2021. We hope you’ll continue to encourage your students to apply in one of our Early Decision rounds if WashU is their top choice.
We are excited to announce the return of WashU Walk-Through, a time-limited, outdoor experience on campus. We offered this experience for admitted students in April, and now are able to offer it throughout the summer to fall 2022 applicants. Click here for a calendar of available dates and times. Space is limited and registration is required.