Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) has added an Early Action round to its existing Early Decision and Regular Decision options for students entering in fall 2027. Early Action and Early Decision I both close November 2, 2026; Early Action decisions are released by December 23 and Early Decision I decisions by December 11. Early Action carries no enrollment commitment, which suits Irvine 12th graders who rank WashU high but still want to compare aid offers.
Who Is Affected by WashU Early Action
Twelfth graders who plan to apply by November 2. Key dates for the four rounds are as follows:
| Round | Application due | School materials due | Financial aid due | Decisions by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 2 | November 9 | November 17 | December 23 |
| Early Decision I | November 2 | November 9 | November 17 | December 11 |
| Early Decision II | January 4, 2027 | January 11 | January 11 | February 12 |
| Regular Decision | January 4, 2027 | January 11 | February 1 | April 1 |
Some Early Action applicants who are not admitted may be deferred and can then choose review in Early Decision II or Regular Decision. Testing is optional and scores may be self-reported; the October test is the latest accepted for Early Action and Early Decision I.
What to Do Now About WashU Early Action
Write the 250-word academic-interest response. WashU asks what the applicant wants to study in college and why, and each applicant selects one of five schools: Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business, or Engineering. Essay selection and revision are covered by the EDUBUS College Essay Boot Camp.
Decide whether to submit the 90-second video. The video is optional and skipping it carries no penalty; Early Action and Early Decision I applicants upload it by November 9. Students seeking the Signature Scholar Programs must apply by December 16 and then write a 250-word short answer for each program.
Compare the two early options. WashU calculates aid the same way in every round and meets 100% of demonstrated need. College-list and early-application strategy are covered by the University Admissions Planning service.
Sources
- WashU Admissions: First-Year U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Applicants (accessed October 13, 2026)
- WashU Admissions: Application Dates and Deadlines (accessed October 13, 2026)
- WashU Admissions: Optional Video Supplement (accessed October 13, 2026)
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