In commemoration of the first United States President, Washington University in St. Louis was founded in 1853 to answer the expanding need for educational institutions throughout the Midwest region. Nowadays, it is prominently known as one of America’s most esteemed private research universities.

Washington University in St. Louis is a tier-I research institution with an impressive legacy. The school boasts 25 Nobel laureates who either completed primary research or were affiliated with WashU during their careers. What’s more, only three other medical schools have received greater funding from the National Institutes of Health than this academic powerhouse!

WashU 2023-2024 Transfer Acceptance Rate

Out of 1,761 transfer applicants in the fall of 2023, Washington University in St. Louis accepted 215 individuals, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 12.2% for the 2023-2024 application year.

WashU 2022-2023 Transfer Acceptance Rate

For the 2022-2023 transfer cycle at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), there were 1,559 applicants, and the university admitted 272 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 17.5%.

WashU 2021-2022 Transfer Acceptance Rate

In 2021, WashU received 1,108 applications from students looking to transfer. Of those applicants, 292 students were accepted, meaning the transfer acceptance rate was 26.3%.

Elite universities often accept a considerably lower percentage of transfer students compared to regular admission students. This is due to several factors, such as the limited number of admissions slots and prejudice against those who study their prerequisites at another school. However, Washington University in St Louis has a higher transfer acceptance rate (26.3%) than its freshman acceptance (11%) for 2022.

WashU Supplement Overview

All applicants applying to WashU must respond to three prompts: a personal essay, a “why WashU” essay, and an essay addressing their academic interests.

Personal Statement

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words (3,250 characters), using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Please select a prompt below to help you write your personal statement:

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Why WashU Essay

In about 250 words, tell us why you would like to transfer to WashU.

Academic Interest Essay

In about 200 words, please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.

What GPA Do You Need For WashU?

Per the university website, “Successful applicants present at least a 3.5/3.6 GPA from a two-year or four-year college in courses across a broad academic curriculum. Some of our academic divisions require specific grades in specific courses. For example, students with interests in engineering, business, or the physical or biological sciences must present a strong background in science and mathematics, including calculus.” In our experience, successful students have a 3.8 or higher.

Standardized tests are not required for Fall 2023.

For domestic transfer students, WashU is need-aware. This means that the university does consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Consequently, the ability to pay may influence the admission decision for international applicants.

For international transfer students, WashU is need-aware. This means that the university does consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Consequently, the ability to pay may influence the admission decision for international applicants.

WashU Transfer Deadline and Decision Date

Like many top schools, WashU only accepts transfers for the fall semester. All applications for transfer students to Washington University in St. Louis must be received by March 1st. Applicants can expect an admission decision by May 1st.

WashU Transfer Application Overview

Although Washington University in St. Louis has a relatively high transfer acceptance rate, they certainly don’t accept all applications blindly.

When applying to WashU for transfer, you submit an application to a specific undergraduate division, and each undergraduate division and even major within the division has different requirements. For example, let’s take a look at the engineering school requirements.

Every applicant to McKelvey School of Engineering must have completed an English composition course, two semesters of calculus-based physics, and sufficient calculus to be prepared to take differential equations.
Applicants interested in chemical or environmental engineering should also have completed sufficient chemistry to be prepared to take organic chemistry.
Applicants interested in biomedical engineering should also have completed sufficient chemistry to be prepared to take organic chemistry and a biology course that includes cellular, molecular, and genetics work.
Applicants interested in computer science, instead of taking the required two semesters of calculus-based physics courses, may substitute 8 units of approved other natural science courses from the following departments: Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environmental Studies, or Physics.

Transferring to Washington University requires meticulous attention to detail in your application. Ensure that your essays are both captivating and well-crafted. Letters of recommendation should come from members who can attest to you as a student. Demonstrate why WashU is the ideal school for you.

If you’re interested in transferring to Washington University, take the time to research and put together the best application possible. With hard work and some luck, you may be among those selected for admission to WashU! Check us out here at Transfer Goat to see how we can help your application stand out amongst your peers.