Notification and Reply Date

Prospective students may apply to the college through the Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision processes and deadlines. For more details on each deadline, please see the “Special Admissions Programs” section.

Early Decision candidates must apply by November 15 and will be notified by December 15. Early Decision is a binding admissions agreement.

Early Action candidates must apply by December 1 and will be notified by January 15. Regular Decision candidates must apply February 15 and will be notified by April 1. Transfer admissions applications can be submitted and are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

Since Washington College subscribes to the Candidate’s Reply Date Agreement, the required $350 enrollment deposit must be received no later than May 1 for all Early Action and Regular Decision applicants. The deposit is non-refundable and will be applied toward first-semester bills.

School Records

An official secondary school transcript is required of all candidates for admission to Washington College. The following college preparatory units are recommended: four years of English; four years of social studies; four years of mathematics, including Algebra II; three years of a lab science; and two years of a modern foreign language or Latin. Considerable emphasis is placed upon the rigor of the candidate’s course load in any given year (especially the senior year), and on participation in accelerated, honors, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses.

Recommendations

A written statement from the secondary school college advisor or guidance counselor (or college faculty advisor if a transfer applicant) should be submitted on the applicant’s behalf. An optional teacher evaluation by a teacher of a major academic subject taken within the last two years may also be submitted on the applicant’s behalf. Additional teacher references may be submitted if so desired.

Standardized Testing

Results of either the SAT I or ACT should be sent directly to Washington College (institution code #5888) by the testing agency. Unless requested, transfer candidates who have completed more than two semesters of college-level coursework are not required to submit results of standardized testing.

Although SAT and/or ACT scores can, in some cases, help to inform the review process, we believe that students with a strong record of academic performance should not be penalized by test results that are inconsistent with their grades. With this point in mind, we have instituted a ‘Test Optional’ policy for most applicants. International and homeschool applicants will be asked to report test scores.

If English is not the applicant’s first language, results of a language proficiency assessment (TOEFL, IELTS or their equivalent) must be submitted to the Admissions Office. Students who have been educated in an English-speaking curriculum may submit SAT or ACT scores in lieu of TOEFL/IELTS scores.

Special Admission Programs

Early Decision: Binding

The Early Decision option requires applicants to certify that

• Washington College is their first choice and that
• an offer of admission, if extended, will be accepted.

The application deadline for early decision candidates is November 15. A signed Early Decision Agreement is required for Early Decision consideration. Early Decision notifications are issued on a rolling basis through December 15. Enrollment commitments are required by January 15. In addition to committing to enroll, Early Decision students also agree to withdraw all other college applications.

Early Action: Non-Binding

Washington College offers an early action plan for students who wish to be notified of their admission status early in their senior year. Early action candidates who submit an application and all required credentials on or before December 1 will be informed of their status (admitted, denied, deferred) no later than January 15. Admitted Early Action applicants are not required to make an enrollment commitment until May 1.

Early Admission

The College will consider applications from prospective students who have completed all requirements for their secondary school diploma in three years rather than four. High school students who have not received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent are not eligible for admission to the College as matriculated, degree-seeking students.

Under special circumstances, secondary school seniors will be permitted to enroll for undergraduate classes at the College as non-degree, non-matriculated students. This policy applies to all participants in the College’s “More Able” program as well as the occasional local student who has attained a cumulative grade point average of “B” or better and who demonstrates strong motivation, maturity, and suitability for college-level coursework. Permission to enroll on a non-degree, non-matriculated basis is granted by the Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Non-degree students are not eligible to receive any Federal Title IV financial aid funds until they have attained either a secondary school or GED diploma. Non-degree students will not be permitted to continue their studies at the College beyond the first year without either a secondary school diploma or GED diploma.

Freshman Entrance with Advanced Standing

A student may enter as a freshman with advanced standing toward a Washington College degree. This standing is usually achieved through the Advanced Placement Examinations given each May by the College Board. A score of four or five on an A.P. exam may, with the approval of the appropriate academic department, earn course credit toward graduation and make the student eligible to take upper-level courses in the department.

Incoming freshmen who have successfully completed college credit while enrolled in high school may also enter with advanced standing.  Students must submit their college transcripts in order to have their credit evaluated.

Washington College recognizes the International Baccalaureate curriculum, Higher Level courses, and diploma for the assigning of advanced standing credit and the fulfillment of requirements for distribution, prerequisite courses, and graduation. No special use is made of Standard Level course credits. Students who receive grades of 5, 6, or 7 in the Higher Level examinations may receive a maximum of one full year of credit. Advanced standing for high academic achievement in other international education systems is considered on a case-by-case basis.