Transferring to WashU: your chances, deadlines and credits

The report counts degree-seeking transfer students who applied, were admitted and enrolled for Fall 2025.

Source: WashU Common Data Set, 2025-2026

WashU says that in any given year, any academic school may have from zero to a small handful of transfer slots. The single number does not show how many seats your school had.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

WashU asks for the Common Application, a college transcript, a high school transcript, a College Instructor Evaluation and a College Report. The fee is $75, and all applicants for financial aid receive a fee waiver.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

Tests are optional. If you send scores, WashU considers only your highest individual scores. The ACT science section is optional and not used in the ACT superscore. Self-reported scores on the Common App are accepted.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

Olin Business School wants Calculus I and II at the college level, and Calculus II cannot be taken the summer before enrolling. Sophomore-level candidates are recommended to have college microeconomics. Junior-level candidates should have financial accounting, microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

Sam Fox requires a portfolio of 12 to 15 pieces through SlideRoom on the Common App for the College of Art and the College of Architecture. It should show drawings, design principles and some color work.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

The report lists a high school transcript as required of some applicants, and says additional requirements vary by academic interest.

Source: WashU Common Data Set, 2025-2026

The spring transfer deadline is October 15, and spring is open only to the College of Arts & Sciences. International applicants must already be studying at a U.S. university.

Source: WashU application dates and deadlines, 2026-2027; WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

The financial aid application is due the same day as the application, March 1 for fall and October 15 for spring. The FAFSA and CSS Profile open October 1.

Source: WashU application dates and deadlines, 2026-2027; WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

WashU calls transfer admission both selective and competitive. It says successful applicants present at least a 3.5 GPA from a two-year or four-year college across a broad curriculum, and have completed a first-year composition course.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

McKelvey Engineering wants an English composition course, two semesters of calculus-based physics, and Calculus I, II and III, and expects you to be ready for differential equations. It says ideally you have calculus grades of at least a B+ and a general GPA of at least a B+. Computer science applicants may substitute 8 units of approved natural science for physics.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

If you are in your first year of college, you must present at least one completed semester of full-time college work, or a Mid-Term Report. You must also have left every previous school in good standing and be eligible to return.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

If you have been away from formal academics for more than two years, WashU generally recommends at least one year, 30 hours, at another college first.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

Your application includes a College Instructor Evaluation and a College Report, not a general recommendation letter. The transfer page lists no interview.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

WashU says the school you apply to matters. Changing to another undergraduate school later is possible but comes with no promise, and you must wait one full semester before asking.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027; WashU common questions, undated page

The Common Data Set marks an essay or personal statement as required of all transfer applicants. The transfer application page lists no WashU essay prompt and says to use the Common Application.

Source: WashU Common Data Set, 2025-2026; WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

WashU says it wants to hear from you in the essays. It calls using AI to brainstorm essay topics or draft or write essays unethical, and says relying on ChatGPT or Claude to compose for you results in more generic writing. It says grammar review of a finished essay is sometimes acceptable.

Source: WashU common questions, undated page

A video supplement is optional.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

WashU gives credit for courses that resemble a comparable WashU course by official description. A grade of C or better is needed. Academic deans make the final decision, and WashU may ask you for catalog descriptions.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027; WashU Common Data Set, 2025-2026

No credit is given for CLEP, standard-level IB, correspondence or online courses, or departmental placement exams. AP scores of 4 or 5 and IB scores of 5 or better may earn credit.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

At most 60 semester hours transfer into Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences and Business. Engineering has no maximum, but Engineering B.S. students need at least 60 credit hours, including 30 junior or senior level. Students in the first four schools must finish their last 60 hours and at least four consecutive full-time semesters at WashU.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

Only WashU grades appear on your WashU transcript and GPA.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

WashU says it meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Need-based aid is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who file the FAFSA and CSS Profile. International transfer applicants are not eligible for WashU financial aid.

Source: WashU transfer applicants, 2026-2027

The Elizabeth Gray Danforth Scholarship gives a small number of two-year, full-tuition awards to St. Louis Community College students completing 60 transferable hours who apply for fall 2027 as full-time students by March 1, 2027. Scholars may also get the Ida H. Early Startup Grant of up to $2,000.

Source: WashU transfer student scholarships, 2027 entry