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  3. First Year Students

Meet Requirements and Deadlines for First Year Admissions

Washington College is Maryland's premier small college and one  of the top liberal arts institutions in the nation. Located in historic  Chestertown, Maryland, the College features a 112-acre main campus, as well as our Waterfront Campus and 5,000-acre River and Field  Campus, providing students, faculty, and staff with unique opportunities for research and recreation.

 

 

Application Requirements

The following items are required* for application review

 

The following items are not a requirement but strongly recommended to include with your application. 

  • Teacher Recommendation 
  • Activities Sheet
  • Resume

Application Deadlines

Application Type Deadline
 Fall Early Decision November 15
Fall Early Action  December 1
Fall Regular Decision February 15
Spring Decision November 15

 

 

Statistics about Washington College

 

FAQs

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?

Students who apply Early Decision make a commitment to attend if they're accepted. At Washington College, we recommend Early Decision for students who have done their research, thought it over, and know for sure that WC is their first choice. If this describes you, we encourage you to apply Early Decision by November 15.

You can apply online using the Washington College Application or the Common Application. Please include a signed Early Decision Agreement Form.

Admission notification by December 15

The Early Action deadline at Washington College is December 1. Unlike Early Decision, Early Action application is not binding. There's no commitment, and no downside to applying early. In fact, you will have early consideration for our top scholarships. If you know Washington College is the right fit for you, why wait?

Admission notification by January 15

Note: Senior high school students who apply by December 1, 2026, make an official visit with the Admissions Office before March 1, 2027, and are admitted, will receive a one-time $2,000 Visit Grant.

What are merit scholarship opportunities and how do I apply for them?

Initial merit scholarships are automatically awarded; no separate application is needed. The amount of the merit scholarship is determined based on your application (i.e. GPA, the rigor of your classes, extracurricular activities, etc.) and ranges from $33,000 to $38,000 per year. Top merit recipients will also be automatically considered for an additional $3,000-$5,000 award. Select students will be invited to apply for our full-tuition George Washington Signature Scholarship.

Senior high school students who apply by December 1, 2026, make an official visit with the Admissions Office before March 1, 2027, and are admitted, will receive a one-time $2,000 Visit Grant.

We also offer Honors Fellowship scholarships based on student's interests. These scholarships can range from $1,000 to $5,000 per semester. Students must apply to these separately, and they must first be admitted to Washington College before they apply for Honors Fellowships.

To maintain all the aid earned, students need to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.

For more information about need-based scholarships please visit Financial Aid.

Is there an advantage to submitting my test scores vs. being test-optional for my application?
At Washington College, we look at your application with a holistic approach. We will look at all students the same way regardless of submitting test scores or applying as test-optional.
What are the GPA requirements for Washington College?
We do not have a minimum GPA requirement. Last year's first-year class had an average GPA of 3.75,  To be competitive for admission, students typically have a 3.0 GPA or higher, are actively involved in extracurricular activities, and take a rigorous course load with a mix of regular, honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes.
What are the top most popular majors at WC?
Top 5 majors at WC

  1. Business Management

  2. Biology

  3. Psychology

  4. Education

  5. Environmental Science & Studies

Do I have to declare a major on my application?
No! If you're undecided about a major, it's totally okay! It's what a modern liberal arts education at Washington College is all about. You will take classes across different subjects in your first two years, from math, history, business, music, science, and so on. You're not required to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year.
Can first-year students have their cars on campus?
Yes, first-year students can have a car on campus with a valid parking permit. The cost of a permit is $82 per semester.

For more information please visit Campus Parking.
Do first-year students have to live on campus?

Yes, students are required to live on campus and will have on-campus housing available all four years. Freshmen and sophomore dorms are a standard double room with a common area and bathroom. As you approach your junior and senior years, you have the option for a single room. 

For more information about housing please visit Residential Life.

What is the average class size?
The average class size is around 10–12 students and 87% of your classes will have less than 20. Washington College students have the opportunity to create close, tight-knit relationships with their professors.
How do I submit official test scores?

Official test scores can be submitted in any of the following ways:

Sent directly from the testing agency (SAT and/or ACT). The Washington College school code is 5888. 

Sent by the student's high school counselor via email to wc_inquiriesFREEwashcoll or fax (410) 778-7287.

Sent by the student's high school counselor via official transcript.