Considering applying to Washington University in St. Louis? If so, it would be wise to take heed of this elite private research university’s academic standards for admission. After all, with thousands of applicants vying for their chance at making it onto this highly coveted campus, a strong GPA is a surefire way to ensure you stand out amongst the rest. But just how important is GPA in this process, and what GPA should prospective applicants aim for in high school to meet WashU’s rigorous academic standards? Though the GPA data for WashU’s Classes of 2029 and 2030 are not yet available, we can look at the numbers for the Classes of 2026 through 2028 to get a good idea of what the Missouri institution’s GPA trends are. Let’s unpack, shall we?

What is a Good GPA To Get into WashU?

Before we get too into the weeds, let’s review the acceptance rate at WashU over three recent cycles. For the Class of 2029, this figure stood at 11.92%. The prior year, 12.06% was the magic number for the Class of 2028, and for the Class of 2027, a mere 11.96% earned admission.

GPA Percentage of Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2028

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of WashU’s Class of 2028:

GPA	Percentage of Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2028
4.0	65%
3.75-3.99	24%
3.5-3.74	7%
3.25-3.49	4%
3.0-3.24	0%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2027

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of WashU’s Class of 2027:

GPA	Percentage of Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2027
4.0	68%
3.75-3.99	24%
3.5-3.74	6%
3.25-3.49	1%
3.0-3.24	1%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2026

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of WashU’s Class of 2026:

GPA	Percentage of Washington University in St. Louis Class of 2026
4.0	67%
3.75-3.99	24%
3.5-3.74	6%
3.25-3.49	3%
3.0-3.24	0%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

Further Context on GPAs of WashU Students

While the GPA figures reported above may seem a bit daunting, our readers should note that these statistics reflect weighted GPA. In other words, there is a considerable upward skew in the data indicating that the proportion of students getting into WashU with 4.0s in high school is much lower in reality. Still, it’s a good rule of thumb that students who have their sights set on WashU should be graduating high school with a weighted GPA at or above 4.0 if they really want to stand out.

Can I Get into Washington University with a Low GPA?

GPA isn’t everything at WashU: plenty of other factors are weighed alongside academic performance, including the strength of the narrative presented, the expertise conveyed by the extracurricular activities list, and the initiative demonstrated by the letters of recommendation. 

Still, students with low GPAs (which in this context describes anything less than a 3.5) don’t stand a great chance of earning admission to WashU. Those who do manage to squeeze in likely possess special statuses that merit an admissions boost, such as those who are recruited athletes, the children of major donors, or legacies.

How Ivy Coach Can Help Your Child’s Chances at Washington University in St. Louis

An Ivy Coach Strategy Session is a great next move for any family with a child who has their heart set on attending WashU. Led by our very own Charis Ralko, a former Washington University in St. Louis admissions officer, this session is for planning a competitive strategy to optimize their odds of admission to WashU and any other elite school we deem is within reach. To learn more about Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services.