WashU Olin Business School Acceptance Rate

I'm planning on applying to WashU's Olin Business School, but I'm not sure how competitive it is. Can anyone provide the acceptance rate for this school, and if possible, an insight into the application process?

WashU doesn’t officially release admissions statistics for particular schools or majors. However, the university as a whole is highly competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of around 12%, and the Olin Business School is a highly competitive, well-regarded program. So, it’s fair to assume that the rate is slightly lower than that of WashU in general—likely in the high single digits or potentially even a little lower.

As for the application process, when you apply to WashU you’ll want to click Olin Business School as your intended academic division. The application typically consists of the following components:

1. Personal and academic information

2. Your extracurricular activities and work experience

3. Essays: One is your personal statement, and the other is a supplemental essay, specific to WashU, that asks you to elaborate on your academic interests. You can read more about how to tackle this essay, as well as other essays that are specific to particular scholarships at WashU, on CollegeVine’s blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-washu-essays.

4. Letters of recommendation: Usually, two letters are required, one from a counselor and another from a teacher.

5. Test scores (optional): WashU is currently test-optional, so you can decide whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores. However, at a school as competitive as WashU, it will likely be worth your while to invest time and energy into aiming for a high standardized test score. You can read more about how to navigate test-optional policies on CollegeVine’s blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional.

6. Transcript: Submit your high school transcript, which should reflect a challenging course load and strong performance in those courses.

Keep in mind that along with strong academic performance, WashU Olin values demonstrated interest and experience in the world of business, which ideally will include extracurricular involvement and leadership roles in those extracurriculars. A well-rounded application featuring these attributes will certainly help in the competitive admissions process.

Lastly, I recommend visiting the Olin Business School's official website for the most up-to-date information on the application process and requirements. You can also reach out to the admissions office with specific questions or concerns. Good luck!