For Transfer Applicants

Transfer Applicants

Students previously enrolled full-time at another college or university may apply to Washington and Lee as transfer students. Students who have not yet graduated from secondary school, but are dual-enrolled in high school and college courses, should apply as first-year students.

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, if you did not take the ACT or SAT when you applied to the program you currently attend, you may choose to submit your application without these exams.

Transfer Curious?

Before you apply, you deserve a chance to learn more about W&L. Complete a simple form to join our mailing list and we'll ensure you have an opportunity to talk with our transfer application coordinator and stay atop deadlines for admission and financial aid.

Deadline for Fall 2025 Enrollment (September)

Priority deadline: March 1, 2025
Final deadline: May 15, 2025

  • Spring sport athletes interested in transferring from NCAA DI institutions may not gain access to the NCAA Transfer Portal until after the W&L transfer application deadline. These students should begin a transfer application at W&L prior to the application deadline. Starting an application is independent of athletic recruiting. It simply allows us to guide you through the process and extend your application deadline as necessary.

Deadline for 2025-2026 Financial Aid

Priority deadline: March 15, 2025
Final deadline: April 15, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Since transfer decisions are released on a rolling basis, this allows us to process and evaluate your application in a timely manner. There is no benefit or preference given to priority deadline applicants.

In this situation, have both school officials complete the form individually. This means that you can send one form directly via your portal. A PDF of the college report form is also available in your application checklist to be downloaded.

No. Transfer students are not eligible for merit-based aid. However, transfer students are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid by submitting all required documents indicated on the financial aid checklist visible in their applicant portals.

Transfer decisions are released on a rolling basis after the undergraduate class has been finalized. Therefore, there is no set release date. Historically, decisions are delivered from late April through late May, usually by June 1st.

A student admitted as a transfer may receive no more than 60 credits for work transferred. Such credits are assigned by the appropriate department head and the University Registrar at the discretion of the appropriate dean. Only work comparable to that at Washington and Lee in level, nature, and field may be accepted for degree credit.

There will be no formal evaluation of prospective transfer students' transferrable course credit prior to paying your tuition deposit. If admitted, prospective transfer students may then receive an informal evaluation. Credits for courses completed at another college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies of the United States, with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, may be considered for transfer to W&L to be used as degree credit. Grades for these courses, however, will not be transferred; a student's cumulative grade-point average will include only work attempted at Washington and Lee.

Transfer students must complete at least six terms of full-time study at W&L prior to receiving a degree.

For further information regarding transfer credit, please visit the University Registrar website.

W&L's Transfer admission process is rolling after March 1 through approximately late May. Notify W&L Admissions of the anticipated date you will submit your required documentation. Please follow any and all required NCAA regulations. If required, contact your current institution's athletic eligibility officer with questions pertaining to the timeline of release from your current sport.

Yes, on-campus housing is available for all students. W&L students are required to live on campus through their third year of college. As an incoming transfer student, you would eligible.

No. Since transfer admission is on a rolling basis, decisions historically will be delivered between late April and late May, usually before June 1st.

No. We require a complete application with all documents submitted before reviewing your application. All transcripts must be official and be sent directly to us via an electronic delivery system or mail. Recommendations must come from college instructors.

No. Applying for financial aid is not required. The Financial Aid checklist displays for all students and will guide you in terms of the required documents needed to be reviewed for need-based financial aid. If you have special circumstances or specific questions about applying for need-based aid, please reach out directly to Financial Aid by phone, email, or by scheduling a virtual appointment.

No. All new students begin in the Fall Term, beginning in September each year.

Yes. After you have been admitted and have reserved your place in the incoming class with the required reservation deposit, you will be contacted by Student Affairs to begin the matriculation process.