The George Washington University

GW is selective but more accessible than many similarly prominent private universities, admitting about 47.1% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 12,741 offers out of more than 27,000 applications. The class is academically strong: among the ~21% of enrolled first-years who reported a class rank, about 44% were in the top tenth of their graduating class and 77% in the top quarter.

GW does not publish an average admitted GPA in its Common Data Set, but the admitted class is academically strong — among the roughly 21% of enrolled first-years who reported class rank, about 44% ranked in the top tenth and 77% in the top quarter of their graduating class. The rigor of your high school course load and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors in GW's holistic review.

No. GW is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting scores — and most applicants don't, with only about 37% of enrolled first-years submitting the SAT and 14% the ACT. Among those who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1310–1450 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT.

Yes — a 1450 sits at the top of GW's middle-50% range and is very competitive. Among enrolled first-years who submitted the SAT, the middle 50% scored 1310–1450, and nearly 50% scored 1400 or above. Because GW is test-optional and weighs standardized test scores only as 'considered,' a 1450 is worth submitting but won't make or break an application.

Yes. GW offers two binding Early Decision rounds — Early Decision I and Early Decision II — for applicants certain that GW is their first choice; it does not offer non-binding Early Action. Because ED is binding, you commit to enrolling if admitted, so it's best used only when GW is your clear top choice.

Tuition and required fees run about $72,420 per year, with on-campus food and housing adding roughly $18,160 before books and personal expenses. About 50% of full-time first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average need-based package near $64,025, and GW meets about 91% of demonstrated need on average.

The social sciences — including political science and international affairs — are by far the most popular field at about 33% of bachelor's degrees, reflecting GW's location steps from the White House and State Department. Business (16%) and the health professions (11%) follow, with psychology, the biological sciences, and communication rounding out the most-conferred fields.

Yes. GW rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review — above standardized test scores, which are only 'considered' — alongside recommendations, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated talent. Since GW is test-optional and many applicants skip scores entirely, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out.

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