George Washington University

Washington, DC · Private · 11,182 undergrads

Admit rate: 47.1% (27,094 applicants)
SAT middle 50%: 1350–1500 (ACT 31–34)
Undergraduates: 11,182 (7.2% international)
Average net price: $36,586 (per year after aid)
Graduation rate: 84% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

Early Decision: Nov. 1, 2026
Early Decision II: Jan. 5, 2027
Regular Decision: Jan. 5, 2027

Essays

University Honors Program applicants, essay 1 (500 words)

With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the University Honors Program (UHP) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. Within the UHP, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. Explain why, as a member of the UHP, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study.

University Honors Program applicants, essay 2 (500 words)

The UHP represents a community of scholars at GW. First-year UHP students live and take classes together on the Mount Vernon Campus. Upper-level UHP students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at GW through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional Foggy Bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. How do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the UHP?

B.A./B.S.-M.D. applicants

George Washington University's location in Washington, DC places students at the intersection of medicine, science, policy, innovation, and public service. Imagine yourself 10 years after graduating from the B.A./B.S.-M.D. program. What impact do you hope to have on your patients, your profession, or society? Describe how specific opportunities at GW and in the DC metropolitan area would help you develop the experiences, relationships, and perspectives needed to achieve that vision.

Editor's notes

Decide on testing before you hit submit. GW locks your test choice soon after you apply, and if you go test-optional it won't look at scores you already sent. If your SAT sits inside or above the 1310-1450 middle range of fall 2025 enrollees who sent scores, sending it makes sense. If it's below, keep it.
GW's waitlist is big and moves only a little. For fall 2025 it offered 6,084 spots, 2,858 accepted and 616 were admitted. If GW is your clear first choice, the binding ED rounds are the way to say so, and the Revolutionary Promise makes the cost easier to judge in advance.
Your essays and activities carry real weight here. GW's CDS rates essays, recommendations, activities, talent and volunteer work as important, with no interview to fall back on. The optional supplement is your one chance to talk about GW directly.
Medicine applicants, plan on Nov. 15. The B.A./B.S.-M.D. deadline comes before RD, bars Early Decision, requires scores and an extra essay, and enrolls about 10 students.