The blog post addresses questions surrounding George Washington University Acceptance Rate and provides the current acceptance rate and other helpful information to guide prospective applicants.
George Washington University, often known as GW or GWU, is a popular choice for students interested in politics, government, or international affairs. However, it also excels in fields like business, engineering, and nursing.
Located in the vibrant city of Washington, D.C., it offers an attractive college setting for many students. While GW has become more selective in recent times, its acceptance rates are still higher than nearby Georgetown University, fluctuating between 40-50% over the years.
To pursue a degree at George Washington University, applicants must meet specific criteria for SAT, ACT, and GPA scores.
This article aims to provide information about the George Washington University acceptance rate and admission requirements, helping students prepare effectively for the application process and improving their chances of being selected.
Contents
George Washington University Admission Requirements
Before elaborating on the GWU acceptance rate and their scores criteria, let’s understand their basic requirements for admission.
- SAT/ACT Scores
- High School GPA Scores
- Academic Records
- Recommendation Letters from teachers
- College Prep Classes
- TOEFL (Test Of English As A Foreign Language) Examination Results
George Washington University places the highest emphasis on the rigor of secondary school records and GPA, considering them “extremely essential” in their admissions process. Alongside the application essay, recommendations, talent/ability, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, the university deems five additional variables as “essential” for evaluating a student’s application.
According to the admissions department, their ideal candidates are students with a strong academic background, notable character traits, and the determination to thrive in George Washington University’s dynamic environment.
They believe that a student’s performance in high school, including their grades and the difficulty of their coursework, is the most reliable predictor of their potential success at the university.
George Washington University Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate has fluctuated with every passing year. The following chart shows the acceptance rate fluctuation from 2016 to 2023.
| Year | George Washington’s Acceptance Rate |
| 2016-2017 | 40.2% |
| 2017-2018 | 41.0% |
| 2018-2019 | 41.9% |
| 2019-2020 | 40.8% |
| 2022-2023 | 38.2% |
George Washington University Acceptance Rate for the Class of 2025:
For the Class of 2025, which enrolled 2,705 first-year students after receiving 27,277 applications, GW accepted 50% of the total pool. This acceptance rate exceeded the Class of 2024’s 43% standard, which saw 11,366 of 26,405 candidates admitted.
George Washington University Acceptance rate for early decisions:
For the Class of 2025, GW has not yet disclosed its ED statistics, however for the Class of 2024, ED applicants were approved at a rate of 65% compared to 42% for the general pool. Of the 1,051 ED applicants in that cycle, 681 were accepted.
At GW, there are two Early Decision rounds. The deadlines for ED I and ED II are November 1 and January 5, respectively.
George Washington University GPA Score Requirements
To be considered for admission to George Washington University, having a GPA score is a requirement. The university sets a GPA criterion of 3.86 out of 4.00, equivalent to mostly ‘A’ grades in most subjects and ‘B’ grades in some subjects. Additionally, applicants are expected to be among the top achievers in their class and possess completion certificates in IB or AP courses.
If an applicant does not meet the GPA criteria, they can compensate by achieving high SAT or ACT scores. Depending on their interests and strengths, they can opt for either the SAT or ACT and aim for higher scores to balance out a lower GPA in their application for George Washington University admissions.
George Washington University SAT Score Requirements
SAT scores are not mandatory at George Washington University. But, you can send it to improve your chances of admission. Besides, you can send it if you fail to meet the GPA score criteria needed to fall under the GWU acceptance rate list. As per the 2017-2018 admission, many students submitted their GPA scores, and 50% got admitted..
| SAT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| Math | 640 | 740 |
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 640 | 720 |
According to the table provided, admitted students at George Washington University belong to the top 20% of all applicants. In the Math section, half of the admitted candidates scored between 640 to 740, while the remaining 25% scored above 740 and below 640.
Similarly, in the ERW section, 50% of admitted students achieved scores between 640 to 720, while the other 25% scored above 720 and below 640. Based on this information, applicants with a SAT score of 1460 or higher were considered for acceptance at GWU.
George Washington University does not have a mandatory SAT score check policy, meaning applicants are not required to take the SAT examination. However, if applicants wish to enhance their chances of admission, they can choose to take the SAT and aim for higher scores. GWU follows a score choice program, considering the highest SAT scores for each subject and shortlisting candidates accordingly. This means applicants have a genuine opportunity to improve their admission possibilities by retaking the SAT multiple times and submitting their highest scores.
George Washington University ACT Score Requirements
If you want to compensate for a low GPA score, you can sit for the ACT examination. The ACT exam is not required at GW, but the authorities will consider it if you want to improve your chances. Referring to the 2017-18 admission, 34% of the students got admitted based on their ACT scores. George Washington University’s ACT score requirement is 32 ACT..
| ACT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| Math | 26 | 31 |
| English | 30 | 35 |
| Composite | 29 | 32 |
According to the table above, candidates who got admission to GW were among the top 9% of students nationally. The middle 50% of students admitted to GW had ACT scores ranging from 29 to 32. The rest had ACT scores below 29 or above 32.
Unlike SAT, the authorities at George Washington University do not superscore ACT results. But, you can take the ACT as many times as you want and send the highest score yourself for consideration. It is optional, like the SAT examination..
How To Improve ACT and SAT Scores?
Improving ACT and SAT scores is not as difficult as it might seem. Neither will you need to enroll in coaching centers to improve your scores. If you know the right strategy to study, you can do it without any help. The following tips will help improve your ACT and SAT scores and place your name on the GW University acceptance rate list..
Take Practise Tests
Practice tests help determine how good or bad your preparation is for the examination. So, after completing each lesson, take practice tests. Understand your weak areas and questions that you cannot answer and practice them more. The more you practice, the better your concepts will be.
Make A Study Schedule
Here’s a success mantra for all candidates – make a study schedule. This will help sort your curriculum, and if you can follow it, you can cover the syllabus easily. So, before beginning the lesson, make a study schedule as per your convenience and follow it regularly.
Study The Difficult Topics First
If you like to study the easy topics first and keep the difficult ones for later, it is time to change this habit. Difficult topics need more study time, so begin with them first. Then, you can go through the easier topics after completing the difficult ones. This way, you will cover all the syllabus topics, answer all questions in the examination and get through the GW University acceptance rate.
George Washington University High School Class Rank Requirements
As per 2020 records, 84% of the students who got admission to George Washington University were amongst the top 25% of their senior class.
| High School Class Rank | First-Year Students Within Range |
| Top 10% | 50% |
| Top 25% | 84% |
| Top 50% | 98% |
| Bottom 50% | 2% |
| Bottom 25% | 0% |
Academic Records Needed For Post-Graduate Admission To George Washington University
To gain admission to George Washington University at the undergraduate level, you must demonstrate strong academic achievements, including good ACT/SAT and GPA scores. For post-graduation programs, additional documents are required, such as a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. International applicants need to ensure their degree aligns with national standards.
As part of the application process, you will need to submit various documents, including marks certificates, transcripts, and proof of degree completion. International students must also provide evidence of program completion. Initially, you can submit unofficial transcripts through the college’s website for review, and if selected, you will be asked to provide official copies. It’s essential to adhere to the university’s guidelines and avoid sending official copies without proper permission.
You should follow the guidelines mentioned below to submit the transcripts properly.
- Send a black and white scanned version of the transcript.
- Scan the transcript under 200 dpi resolution.
- Include one transcript while sending the application to every university.
- Avoid sending password-protected, certified, or encrypted files. Ensure that it is accessible to the authorities.
- Make sure that you can print the copy on letter size or A4 paper.
- View and check the document after uploading to send the transcript properly.
Summary of George Washington University Acceptance Rate
Now that you have all the necessary information about George Washington University’s acceptance rate and admission requirements, let’s recap!
To increase your chances of admission, it’s ideal to have a GPA of 3.86. However, if your GPA falls below this, you can enhance your application by achieving a high score of 1460 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT.
Keep in mind that George Washington University sets a deadline of Jan. 5 for applications, and there is an application fee of $80.
As the acceptance rate for George Washington University has decreased in 2022, it’s crucial to aim for above-average marks to stand out among other applicants. Striving for scores in the 90s category can improve your chances significantly.
Highlighting your strong performance in extracurricular activities and obtaining excellent recommendation letters can further bolster your application. Don’t forget to apply the tips mentioned above to maximize your admission prospects.
