Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
George Washington admits about 1 in 2 applicants (47%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 85% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (46% and 48%).
$80 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
District of Columbia applicants were admitted at 32%, applicants from other states at 49%, and international applicants at 36%.
All applicants in the same class: 47%
Of those admitted, 38% from District of Columbia enrolled, against 19% from other states and 13% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
19% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 6,084 offered a place, 2,858 accepted, 616 admitted (22% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Offers early decision. The college doesn't publish how many apply or are admitted early.
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Jan 5; decisions by Feb 1
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How George Washington reads a record
and GPA are both very important; tests are considered. Scores are required for some applicants. 37% of first-years sent an SAT and 14% an ACT. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it. Recommends 4 years of math and science (2 of each required). See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Important | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
60% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 47% of first-year applicants
2,229 applied · 1,339 admitted · 582 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by April 1
- Spring entry: apply by October 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Recommended for some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 5 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- Housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 2 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 1 / –) | 2 | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 4 |
| Social studies | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 12* | 20* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
44% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 77% in the top quarter, of the 21% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:George Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1425 on the SAT, 255 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Required for some applicants
Some applicants must send scores. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
50% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
73% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
57% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
45% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
80% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
45% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 37% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 14% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
878 studentssubmitted ACT
334 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:George Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;George Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;George Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;George Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)