Washington and Lee University
A liberal arts university in rural Virginia with a distinctive honor system, strong business and journalism programs, and a tradition-heavy undergraduate culture.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 1Prompt
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 18%Selective
- Enrollment
- 1,865Small undergrad
Build your Washington and Lee University application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Why School300 words2026-2027
Why are you interested in Washington and Lee University?
How to approach Washington and Lee University's supplemental essays
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Use this as a blank structure for a Washington and Lee University why-school response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Washington and Lee University, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Washington and Lee University require?
Washington and Lee University has 1 supplemental essay listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Washington and Lee University accept the Common Application?
Yes — Washington and Lee University accepts the Common Application.
What is Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate?
Washington and Lee University's most recently reported acceptance rate is 18.0%.
When is Washington and Lee University's next application deadline?
Washington and Lee University's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.
What does Washington and Lee University's why-school essay prompt ask (300 words)?
Why are you interested in Washington and Lee University?
Sources and verification
We prioritize Washington and Lee University's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →