Applying/Fees
Yes! Applicants who apply to multiple programs will need to resubmit supporting documents, including requesting letters of recommendation, and pay an application fee for each application submitted. Please note, you only need to report your official test scores via ETS to our WashU school code 6929 once, unless you would like to report new updated scores for your application(s).
General application requirements can be found under the application checklist. Check the program website for additional requirements.
The application fee for graduate programs in Arts & Sciences is $45.
- Fees are payable by credit card or electronic-check issued from a United States banking institution.
Submit an online application. Find general requirements on the application checklist.
We encourage and give full consideration to all applicants for admission. Applicants to graduate programs must earn the equivalent of a bachelor's degree prior to the application semester.
Applicants may apply to a PhD program so long as the equivalent of a bachelor's degree is earned prior to the application semester.
Deadlines vary by program and department. Please visit the program page for more information.
Please contact [email protected].
Transcripts
Unofficial copies of transcripts must be uploaded at the time of application for each institution you have attended. Transcripts should include the applicant name, the institution name, and all grades received.
Official transcripts are required by some of our programs for application review. Please check the transcript requirements for your program of interest.
Transcripts from foreign institutions should be translated by the issuing institution and uploaded with the original transcript. Translations must bear an original ink signature and seal. If your institution does not provide an English translation, we also accept translations of transcripts by services such as WES and ECE.
After accepting an offer of admission, official transcripts must be submitted from your degree granting institution(s) for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. Transcripts must be in English and list the applicant name, the institution name, and all grades received. Official transcripts should be sent to Washington University in St. Louis – School Code 6929, or mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Studies from the issuing institution, or delivered by hand in a stamped, sealed, institutional envelope by the first day of classes. If your official transcript does not show receipt of the degree earned you must also send a certificate of graduation (with translation if needed). Transcripts may be mailed to:
Washington University in St. Louis
Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences
MSC 1187-0112-02
One Brookings Drive,
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
If your institution issues electronic transcripts through a secure credentialing service (e.g. CertiFile, Parchment, Safe-Script), the electronic notification should be sent to: [email protected]
Unofficial transcripts are uploaded to the application or mailed in by the applicant.
Official transcripts must be sent to Washington University in St. Louis - School code 6929
They can be mailed directly from the degree-granting institution or be delivered in a stamped, sealed, institutional envelope.
For students who plan on beginning their graduate studies in the fall semester: All official documents must be submitted by the first day of classes. For students who plan on beginning their graduate studies in the spring semester: All official documents must be submitted by the first day of classes. (if applicable)
Yes, we do accept credential evaluations.
You may directly submit updated unofficial transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Transcripts must be translated to English. An evaluation service may be used if your institution does not provide this service.
Transcripts must be provided for your full academic history.
Test Scores and GPA
Admission is based on the strength of the entire application and not a single element such as test scores or GPA. Obtaining a specific test score or GPA neither occludes nor guarantees admission. Therefore, we do not have published minimum GPA or GRE score requirements.
- University Minimum Requirements for Standardized Testing Options for Degree-Seeking Applicants
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT - 90 minimum composite score
o For programs whose students will need to serve as assistants in instruction, do extensive reading and writing, or otherwise meet a particularly high standard of English communication skills, programs may find that a more appropriate minimum composite score is 100.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic - 7.0 composite minimum score
o For programs whose students will need to serve as assistants in instruction, do extensive reading and writing, or otherwise meet a particularly high standard of English communication skills, programs may find that a more appropriate minimum score is 7 on the IELTS Academic.
• GATEWAY English Test - 495 minimum score
• Duolingo English Test - 125
For Graduate Programs, we do not accept super-scored results (a Combination of the highest scored sections) such as TOEFL MyBest
Exemptions from the English language proficiency test requirements as set forth in this Policy are generally permitted for international student applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Are a citizen of a country listed in Appendix B, or have completed two or more years of study (before the applicant’s matriculation term) within the last five years at an English-medium institution in a country listed in Appendix B;
2. Earned a bachelor’s degree* or equivalent within the past five years from a non-United States institution in a country where the official language is English based on the CIA World Factbook (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/);
3. Possesses two years or more of continuous full-time work experience in the United States within the last four years. A current resume and an employment letter on company letterhead is required stating the dates of employment for verification;
*For joint (dual, 2+2, etc.) programs between English-medium institutions and non-English-medium institutions, exemptions will be made for applicants whose studies were in English for a minimum of two years (within the past five years) regardless of physical location.
Appendix A: Accepted Tests and Scores
University Minimum Requirements for Standardized Testing Options for Degree-Seeking Applicants
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT - 90 minimum composite score o For programs whose students will need to serve as assistants in instruction, do extensive reading and writing, or otherwise meet a particularly high standard of English communication skills, programs may find that a more appropriate minimum composite score is 100.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic - 7.0 composite minimum score o For programs whose students will need to serve as assistants in instruction, do extensive reading and writing, or otherwise meet a particularly high standard of English communication skills, programs may find that a more appropriate minimum score is 7 on the IELTS Academic.
- GATEWAY English Test - 495 minimum score
- Duolingo English Test - 125
Appendix B: List of Countries
• Australia • Cameroon • Canada • Commonwealth Caribbean nations • Ghana • Hong Kong • India • Ireland • Kenya • Liberia • New Zealand • Nigeria • Sierra Leone • Singapore • South Africa • Uganda • United Kingdom • United States • Zambia • Zimbabwe
If official scores are required for your program application, please have official scores sent:
GRE & TOEFL - Washington University in St. Louis – School Code 6929
IETLS - We currently accept official copies of the IETLS mailed from the testing center to:
Washington University in St. Louis
Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences
MSC 1187-0112-02
One Brookings Drive,
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
*Please note that not all programs will accept IETLS. If available, the option will appear on your graduate application.
Check with your program.
Self-reported scores are submitted by the applicant and official test scores must be received from the testing facility/organization.
Official scores should be sent at the time of application.
Check with your individual program.
Letters of Recommendation
If you need to resend a recommendation request, please log back into your application. Go to the recommendation section, check the box by the recommender's name and resend. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all letters of recommendation are received by the deadline.
You may submit your application before your recommendations are received. Please encourage your recommenders to submit prior to the deadline so that your application is considered.
Our system only accepts up to three letters of recommendation.
No, our system does not interface with Interfolio or any other letter service.
Application Status
After submitting your application, you may return to your application account to check the status of the supporting documents the University has received to-date. Please note that a review of the materials may be needed before the status is updated to reflect completion.
Once we receive all the necessary supporting documents, your application status will show "Your application materials have been submitted. Your checklist is now complete".
Each department manages the application review process differently. As soon as an admission decision is made, an email will be sent directing you to log into your application to view the decision. We appreciate your patience during the review process.
Most decisions are available by April 1.
Each program has an admission committee that reviews applications and makes decisions.
Yes. Admitted applicants may provide an enrollment response through the application portal.
Applicants must respond to their offer of admission by the deadline provided in the admission letter. We are a member of the Council of Graduate Schools and do follow the guideliines set forth in the April 15 Resolution.
Financial Support and Fellowships
PhD students at Washington University receive full tuition remission and a monthly stipend for living expenses for the duration of their program length.
Funding of Masters students varies by program. Please check with your program to see if institutional funding is available.
Competitive fellowship that students may apply for:
- Olin-Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship
- McDonnell International Scholarship Academy Fellowship
- The McNair Fellowship
- The Dean’s Distinguished Graduate Fellowship
General
Contact the program/department directly.
Information on housing may be found on the Accepted Applicants page.
We are a member of the Council of Graduate Schools and do follow the guidelines set forth in the April 15 resolution.
Please contact [email protected]
Once Admitted
Applicants who accept their offer of admission may request to have their admission deferred to a term later than the one originally specified on their application. Whether this request is granted depends upon the nature of the program. Deferral of admission is usually denied in programs where the class size is fixed. In some cases, an applicant may be asked to reapply with the new pool of applicants for a subsequent term and will be reevaluated for admission. Decisions to defer admission for one year or less are usually the prerogative of the department, as is the decision of whether the applicant must re-compete with the next group of applicants.
Student accounts are created between April and July. Once a student record is created, the University Registrar will email you with information on creating your WUSTL Key login.
Please contact the program/department you are interested in applying.
An Admissions Specialist will contact you regarding what is needed for immigration. This process begins after an admission offer is accepted.
New student orientation is typically held in August before the start of the fall semester. Students will be notified via email in late spring and early summer about orientation events. Please note that there may be multiple orientations including departmental orientations, teaching orientation and international student orientation.