Washington and Lee University states on its admission pages that Early Decision I for fall 2027 entry is due November 1 and that the Johnson Scholarship essay is due December 1, both at 11:59 PM in the applicant’s local time zone. Irvine 12th graders have 10 days until the Early Decision deadline and 40 days until the scholarship essay deadline.
Who Is Affected by the Washington and Lee Johnson Scholarship Deadline
The Johnson Scholarship is the university’s premier merit scholarship, covering at least tuition, room, and board, and recipients receive up to $10,000 in additional funding for summer experiences such as internships or research. All first-year applicants may apply, and applying under binding Early Decision is not required; the scholarship deadline is December 1 in every round:
| Round | Application deadline | Supplemental materials deadline | Decision | Aid application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | November 15 | December 20 | December 1 |
| Early Decision II | January 5 | January 15 | February 1 | January 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | February 1 | April 1 | February 15 |
Admission is test-optional; applicants who want to submit scores for the scholarship should use the November 7 SAT date at the latest. Finalists are notified in early February and invited to campus in early March for interviews.
What to Do About the Washington and Lee Scholarship Essay Now
Choose one of five prompts and write 800 words or fewer. The topics are a work of art that has influenced the applicant; a time when the applicant’s path was less direct than expected; which representation of the applicant is most authentic (answered in words only, without photographs); a four-week Spring Term course the applicant would design; and norms of home or community the applicant became conscious of in high school and how the applicant would like to improve them. The scholarship essay is submitted in the university’s section of the Common Application.
Decide on the optional short answers. The university also offers an optional “Why W&L?” statement of 250 words or fewer and a choice of one of four short-answer prompts (250 words or fewer, or a video of up to 2 minutes), uploaded to the Applicant Portal after the application is submitted.
Revise within the university’s AI policy. Washington and Lee University allows applicants to use AI for ideas and feedback, much as they would work with a teacher or friend, but not to write the essay itself; once AI chooses the words, builds the argument, or changes the message, the work is no longer the applicant’s own.
For scholarship essay topic selection and revision, see the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp; for Early Decision and scholarship timelines, see University Admissions Planning.
Sources
- Washington and Lee University: Apply (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Washington and Lee University: Johnson Scholarship Essay Prompts (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Washington and Lee University: Johnson Scholarship Application Instructions (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Washington and Lee University: Supplemental Application Prompts (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Washington and Lee University: Using AI in Your W&L Application (accessed October 22, 2026)
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