Organizer Information
Washington and Lee University (W&L) is a private liberal arts university in Lexington, Virginia, comprising The College, the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, and the School of Law. For arts-related study, The College includes the Art and Art History Department and the Theater, Dance and Film Studies Department, offering undergraduate majors and minors across visual and performing arts, film, and related disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Washington and Lee University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: BA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Photography, Theater, Film and Visual Culture, Journalism and Mass Communications, Strategic Communication, Arts Management
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art BA; Art History BA; Theater BA; Film and Visual Culture minor; Dance minor; Arts Management minor; Journalism BA; Strategic Communication BA
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: 2026–2027 undergraduate admission cycle
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026 / 5 January 2027, depending on application plan
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $60 for first-year applications; fee waivers are available to eligible applicants.
- Tuition: $73,575 for 2026–27
- Funding: Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are available, including aid for international first-year applicants.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Washington and Lee's arts-related offerings are primarily undergraduate liberal arts programs. Studio Art encompasses drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and design, while Art History focuses on the study of art across cultures and historical periods.
- The Theater, Dance and Film Studies Department offers a Theater BA, Dance minor, and Film and Visual Culture minor. The university also offers an interdisciplinary Arts Management minor with pathways involving theater, dance, art, art history, music, and film.
- The Studio Art major does not require a prior degree or professional art background because it is an undergraduate program. Its curriculum includes 12 courses and a senior thesis exhibition.
General Eligibility
- First-year applicants are students currently completing secondary school or students who have not taken college classes after graduating from high school. Transfer applicants may apply after previous full-time college enrollment.
- International applicants are eligible and are reviewed within the context of their educational background. International school records and recommendation letters must be submitted in English.
- Educational Background: First-year applicants must submit an official secondary-school transcript. International applicants must also provide applicable completed or predicted external examination results. Transfer applicants must provide secondary-school and college transcripts.
Language Requirements
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted method. W&L accepts secondary education conducted in English, an IBDP English A score of 6 or 7, Duolingo English Test, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or an InitialView interview. Successful applicants typically report DET 130, IELTS 7, or TOEFL 100 under the former scale / 5 under the post-January 2026 scale.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $60 |
| Transfer applicants | $60 |
Eligible applicants may request an application fee waiver.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All students | $73,575 | Annual, 2026–27 | Activity Fee $715; Technology Fee $320; Health Service Fee $250 |
W&L also lists room at $10,580 and board at $9,995 for 2026–27. Estimated books and supplies are $1,900 and miscellaneous personal expenses are $2,545; these are not tuition charges.
Funding & Financial Support
- W&L provides need-based financial aid to first-year domestic, international, and undocumented applicants and states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants and student employment without loans.
- The Johnson Scholarship Program provides full tuition, room, and board to up to 44 incoming students, with additional support for summer opportunities. International students are eligible to apply for both merit-based and need-based assistance.
University Services & Academic Support
- Arts students have access to specialized studios and facilities, including painting and drawing studios, a design computer lab with Adobe Photoshop and Wacom tablets, and traditional and digital photography facilities.
- Students can also participate in visiting-artist activities, gallery internships, exhibitions, study-abroad opportunities, summer internships, student funding, undergraduate research, and faculty-supported academic work. Studio Art seniors present thesis projects in Staniar Gallery.
Application Requirements
- Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
- Official high-school transcript
- Two high-school teacher recommendations
- One recommendation from a school counselor or appropriate school official
- Secondary School Report
- Early Decision Agreement, if applicable
International first-year applicants must additionally submit applicable school-leaving examination results and proof of English proficiency.
Optional: SAT/ACT scores, InitialView interview, and art/music portfolio submissions. A portfolio is therefore not a universal mandatory admission requirement for the arts-related programs identified above.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision I Supplemental Materials Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I Notification: 20 December 2026
- Johnson Scholarship Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Early Decision II Supplemental Materials Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II Notification: 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Regular Decision Supplemental Materials Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: 1 April 2027
- Johnson Scholarship Supplemental Materials Deadline: 15 December 2026
- Regular Decision Financial Aid Application Deadline: 15 February 2027
Location
Washington and Lee University — Lexington, Virginia, United States
Additional Details
Washington and Lee's arts-related programs are undergraduate offerings; the university's graduate division is the School of Law. Film study is available through the Film and Visual Culture minor, rather than a standalone film bachelor's degree.
The university operates a test-optional undergraduate admission policy. International applicants must still satisfy the separate English-proficiency requirement.