George Washington University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Science & Engineering Hall, GWU
Hongyuan Zhang/Getty Images

George Washington University is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 41%. Considering applying to GW? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why George Washington University?

  • Location: Washington, D.C.
  • Campus Features: Located in Foggy Bottom, near the White House, GW's location supports its international emphasis. Graduation is held on the National Mall. In 2014, the university merged with the Corcoran College of Art and Design.
  • Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1
  • Athletics: The George Washington University Colonials compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference.
  • Highlights: GW students come from all 50 states and over 130 countries. They can choose from over 70 undergraduate majors and 300 study abroad programs. Popular majors include international relations, international business, and political science.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, George Washington University had an acceptance rate of 41%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 41 students were admitted, making GW's admissions process competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 27,070
Percent Admitted 41%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 27%

SAT Scores and Requirements

George Washington has a test-optional standardized testing policy (except for specified applicants). Students applying to GW may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 50% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 640 720
Math 640 740
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that most of GW's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to George Washington University scored between 640 and 720, while 25% scored below 640 and 25% scored above 720. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 640 and 740, while 25% scored below 640 and 25% scored above 740. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1460 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at GW.

Requirements

GWU is test-optional and does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that George Washington participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. The admissions office will not consider the optional essay portion of the SAT.

ACT Scores and Requirements

George Washington University has a test-optional standardized testing policy (except for specified applicants). Students applying to GW may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 34% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 30 35
Math 26 31
Composite 29 32

This admissions data tells us that most of George Washington University's admitted students fall within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to GW received a composite ACT score between 29 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 29.

Requirements

George Washington University is test-optional and does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that GW does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. GW University does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2017, the average high school GPA for incoming George Washington freshman was 3.74. These results suggest that most successful applicants to GW University have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

George Washington University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.
George Washington University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.  Data courtesy of Cappex.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to George Washington University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

George Washington University, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool with high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores. However, GW has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. Strong application essays and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule which includes challenging AP, IB, and Honors courses. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades are outside GW's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. Most admitted students had a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, an SAT score of 1200 or higher, and an ACT composite score of 26 or higher. Note that there are red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) hidden behind the green and blue of the graph. George Washington is highly selective, so some students with grades and test scores that were on target for admission were not accepted.

If You Like GW, You May Also Like These Schools

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and George Washington University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "George Washington University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/george-washington-university-admissions-787585. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 28). George Washington University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/george-washington-university-admissions-787585 Grove, Allen. "George Washington University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/george-washington-university-admissions-787585 (accessed March 28, 2024).