Applying to W&L

Welcome. We're glad you're here, at step one of the admissions process. Below, you'll find the deadlines and requirements for reaching the end — applying to and enrolling at Washington and Lee University.

Application Options

Current high school seniors or students who have never taken college classes after graduating from high school should apply as first-year applicants via one of the following applications:

Students previously enrolled full-time at another college or university may apply as transfer applicants. W&L does not accept the Common Application for transfers.

Application Deadlines

Application Plan Application Deadline Notification Date
Early Decision I NOV 1, 2023 DEC 15, 2023
Early Decision II JAN 1, 2024 FEB 1, 2024
Regular Decision JAN 1, 2024 APR 1, 2024
Transfer MAY 15, 2024 JUN 1, 2024
  • All application deadlines are at 11:59 PM in your local time zone on the day listed above.
  • Early Decision is an application program designed for students who believe Washington and Lee is their top choice for college. EDI and EDII are both "binding" options; if admitted, students are required to enroll at W&L and withdraw applications from other schools.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Deadlines

The Johnson Scholarship is W&L's premier merit-based scholarship, providing full tuition, housing, and meals to up to 10% of each incoming class. Scholarship winners also receive an additional $10,000 to support summer experiences or study abroad. Application for the Johnson Scholarship is open to all students and does require a supplemental application.

Application Plan Scholarship Deadline Aid Application Deadline
Early Decision I DEC 1, 2023 DEC 1, 2023
Early Decision II DEC 1, 2023 JAN 15, 2023
Regular Decision DEC 1, 2023 FEB 15, 2023
Transfer N/A MAR 15, 2023
  • A complete need-based aid application consists of a submitted FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and The College Board's CSS Profile form.
  • Finalists for the Johnson Scholarship will be notified in early February and invited to attend the selection event, an all-expenses-paid visit to campus, March 3 - 6, 2024, to meet other scholarship finalists, experience campus life, and interview with the scholarship committee.
  • A financial aid award notification is a letter detailing any scholarships or grants awarded by W&L and available federal aid for which you are eligible to accept.
  • If applicable, your financial aid award notification letter will be included with your admission decision.

Standardized Testing Deadlines

Application Plan ACT - Last Testing Date SAT - Last Testing Date
Early Decision I OCT 28, 2023 OCT 7, 2023
Early Decision II NOV 3, 2023 DEC 2, 2023
Regular Decision NOV 3, 2023 DEC 2, 2023
Transfer N/A N/A
  • Application to W&L is test optional. For students wishing to submit test scores, the following table highlights the last testing date for each test that will allow you to receive scores in time to submit for proper consideration with the rest of your application.

Application Requirements

  • A completed Common, Coalition, or QuestBridge Application
  • A signed Early Decision Agreement (if applying EDI or EDII)
  • An official copy of your high school transcript
  • Two teacher recommendations
  • One letter of recommendation from your guidance or college counselor
  • A secondary school report form completed by your guidance or college counselor
  • OPTIONAL: Self-reported or official scores from the ACT or SAT

Some applicants may qualify to have their Common Application or Coalition Application fee waived. To determine eligibility, request a fee waiver.

International applications must submit all items listed above as part of the standard first-year application, plus the following. Please note that all school documents, including recommendation letters, must be submitted in English.

REQUIRED ITEMS
  • Final or predicted school leaving exam results, if applicable
  • Official scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exam (see the full policy for applicability)
Additional OPTIONAL ITEMS

Home-schooled applications must submit all items listed above as part of the standard first-year application, plus the following:

  • A detailed description of your curriculum, including a list of texts utilized
  • If applicable, a listing of all high schools or colleges attended and official transcripts showing all courses completed and grades earned

Transfer admission to Washington and Lee is highly competitive. Successful applicants generally have a very strong high school record, have earned college grades at the B (3.0) level or higher, and submit an SAT or ACT exam. However, during the on-going worldwide pandemic if you did not take the ACT or SAT when you applied to the program you currently attend, or if sitting for these exams would be a hardship, you may choose to submit your application without these exams.

  • A completed W&L Transfer Application
    • W&L does not accept the Common Application for Transfer Admission.
  • An official copy of your high school transcript
    • International students should include their school leaving certificate or exam results.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges from which you have received credit
  • Self-reported or official score reports from the SAT or ACT
    • Optional, but recommended, for those applying for entry in fall 2024.
  • Two letters of recommendation letters from professors at the college level
  • A completed college report form (see W&L Transfer Application), affirming that you are in good standing at the college from which you intend to transfer
  • If currently enrolled at a college: A completed mid-term report form (see W&L Transfer Application) if you are currently enrolled at a college.
  • If not currently enrolled at the time of application submission: Please contact the Admissions Office to waive this requirement.
  • Application fee of $60

After Applying

After submitting your application, you will receive an email from W&L with information about the online applicant portal and how to check the status of your application. To log in for the first time, you will need the email address associated with your application and the temporary password supplied in the confirmation email. 

In the portal, applicants may:

  • Confirm all required application materials have been submitted and received
  • Answer additional short essay prompts or reply to the prompts in a 2-minute video
  • Create a portfolio of images, video, or audio to supplement an application 
  • Connect with your assigned admissions counselor
  • Add updates to a submitted application, including awards, a resume, additional writing samples, or other relevant information 
  • Receive an admission decision and, if applicable, your merit and need-based aid award letter
  • Lastly, if admitted, confirm your place in the class of 2028

Office of Admissions

Gilliam House
19 Letcher Avenue
Lexington, Virginia 24450

The Johnson Scholarship

Leadership and Integrity
Johnson Scholarships cover tuition and fees, housing and food, and $10,000 in funding for a summer experience — a grand total of more than $80,000 per year, for up to 10% of the incoming class.

Who gets in to W&L?

Class Profile
Short answer — an impressive array of students enroll each year. We're continuously amazed at their talent, potential, and intellectual curiosity, as well as their diversity of interests, experiences, and backgrounds.

Build an app that moves us.

Our Advice
Think of the component pieces of your application as distinct notes in a song about you. Don't be monotonous; use your essay, for example, to tell us what we cannot learn from your transcript or recs. Let each note stand out.