W&J’s campus is nestled within the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania in the city of Washington, a community of more than 15,000 people. Campus is within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and other resources, while also being a short drive away from big box stores like Wal-Mart, Target, and Sam’s Club; popular chain restaurants like Panera, Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, and TGI Fridays; and Tanger Outlets and Washington Crown Center shopping malls.

Washington is situated just 50 kilometers/30 miles southwest of the city of Pittsburgh. Few cities of any size match Pittsburgh’s offerings in the performing and visual arts, world-class museums, sports, and a variety of restaurants. W&J students are offered a multitude of opportunities, through student activities or their academic programs, to enjoy what Pittsburgh offers. For more information, check out VisitWashingtonCountyPA.com and VisitPittsburgh.com.

We recommend flights into Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Pittsburgh is within a 90-minute flight of 70 percent of the United States’ population. From there, Washington & Jefferson College is about a 30-minute drive south. Information on transportation to W&J’s campus, lodging, and more is available on the Directions and Transportation page.

Samuel Stanton, Senior Assistant Director of Admission for International & Transfer Students. Samuel, a 2018 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, is happy to discuss how you see your future at W&J.

Although an interview is not required, W&J encourages all students to have a conversation with an admission counselor. W&J is able to offer virtual meetings to international students. These meetings give you the opportunity to tell us about yourself, your interests, accomplishments, and your interest in W&J. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know W&J on a more personal level. A meeting with an admission counselor is not required to apply to W&J and you will not be at a disadvantage if you choose not to schedule this meeting. Contact Samuel Stanton, Senior Assistant Director of Admission for International & Transfer Students, via email.

We often receive the questions: “Do you offer athletic scholarships? Need-based aid? Merit aid?”

While international students are not eligible for merit, all admitted international students will receive an international grant valued at $17,000. Respectfully, W&J does not offer need-based aid to non-US citizens/permanent residents. As an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division III institution, neither does W&J award athletic scholarships. Please note that non-US citizens applying for admission must provide proof of funds available for their education – this documentation is necessary to acquire a U.S. visa and therefore is a part of the admissions process.

Please complete this Certification of Financial Support (PDF) or submit other supporting documents. Students relying on a loan to cover any portion of their expenses must provide documentation of a loan pre-approval before an I-20 can be issued. It is recommended that the loan process be completed by July 1st. Supporting documents may include (but are not limited to):

• A bank statement signed by a bank official showing available funds
• A letter from an employer verifying income
• Letter of financial support from sponsor program or loan agency

If you are certain that W&J is the school you will attend if you are admitted, you should consider applying Early Decision. You will receive notification shortly after the deadline, provided that you have submitted a complete application and all supporting credentials. Early Decision is a binding agreement. So if you are accepted to W&J, you must withdraw all of your other applications and enroll at W&J. We recognize every student has unique circumstances that play a factor in their final college decision and desire to go about their college search journey at their own pace. We believe you will thrive at W&J, but please choose what’s best for you.

The deadlines and notification dates are:

Early Decision (binding) Application Deadline: December 15th 
Regular Decision (non-binding) Application Deadline: April 1st

You do not have to send all your documents together. Please note, however, that we will not process an application until it is complete.

Students whose first language is not English must submit some form of testing to provide evidence of their English proficiency. TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests, though you may contact us about submitting another form of testing such as ELPT. These tests may be waived if you submit SAT scores with a critical reading score above 600. W&J does not have a minimum TOEFL score, but we typically look for a score of 580 or higher on the paper-based test, 233 or higher on the computer-based exam, or 85 on the iBT. For the IELTS we generally look for scores of 6.5 or higher out of 9. The ETS code for W&J is 2967.

You may apply using the W&J Application or the Common App. Please note that all official documents/credentials must be translated, preferably by an official agency, if the originals are not in English.

At W&J, we understand that there are some cultures where it is common for someone to prepare all your application materials. However, that is not necessary. We just want to know about you and the best way for us to get to know you is through an application you have prepared yourself. You know yourself best!

Depending on the educational system and norms in your country you might choose to submit a recommendation from a head teacher, a tutor, headmaster, or another teacher.

We would prefer to receive original documents, but we understand that this is not always possible. If you cannot send originals, please have your school counselor or headmaster verify their authenticity with their signature and school stamp/seal (if applicable). You may also take them to a Fulbright or EducationUSA office for verification. Find an EducationUSA advising center near you.

Washington & Jefferson College no longer requires applicants to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as a part of the admission process. Testing is only one of many measures of potential academic success and often not the strongest. View our full Score-Optional Policy. Students who choose to apply Score-Optional will be given full consideration, with no disadvantage for admission.

While we strive to create an active community of learners and doers, we understand that not all schools are able to offer extra-curricular activities. If you have been active in a club, played a sport, held a job, served in the community, or wish to tell us more about your accomplishments, you may submit a CV detailing your involvement. However, it is not a requirement. We do not encourage you to submit certificates of extracurricular achievements, i.e. certificates of participation in Model UN, Math Olympiads, etc.

Yes, W&J welcomes applications from international transfer students. If you have completed at least a semester of courses at university level, you should apply as a transfer student. The Registrar will decide which courses will receive credit for transfer. Please note that if you have already completed a university degree, you cannot apply for admission to W&J.

Students who successfully complete an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with 5, 6, or 7 on the higher level exams may receive consideration for credit. Read more about our IB Policy. Advanced (A-Level) courses of C or higher will receive consideration for credit on an individual evaluation. A minimum score of a four on an advance-placement (AP) exam is necessary for any consideration of credit or placement to be given.

W&J does not have a core curriculum, but does have certain General Education Requirements. For more information view the W&J College Catalog.

Yes, campus housing is guaranteed and required all four years. On-average, around 90-percent of students live on-campus. Curious? Take a look at some our housing options!

The best way to get in touch with W&J students is through our Discord Server. You may also email Michaela Wetcholowsky, Director of Global Education, for names and email addresses of international students attending W&J who would be happy to answer your questions.

We will do our best to notify you within 2 weeks of receiving your completed application, regardless of which application plan you choose.

All international students are required to be enrolled in our insurance plan, currently offered through CISI. Students will typically be billed at during the fall semester for the entire year. The plan costs approximately $115 per month. Insurance provider, plan, and costs are subject to change. Please feel free to email studyabroad@washjeff.edu with questions or for a copy of the current brochure.