How to Apply to Psychology at Washington and Lee University: Cognitive and Behavioral Science as a BA or BS, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Washington and Lee University (W&L) is in Virginia, and its undergraduate division is The College. Psychology there is the Cognitive and Behavioral Science (CBSC) major, offered as a BA or BS. Applicants are not admitted by major. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on W&L’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The CBSC major

• What it covers: the department studies the interacting cognitive, affective, behavioral, physiological, social and developmental functions behind human experience. The curriculum emphasizes research training and is closely linked to the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program; CBSC and neuroscience majors work side by side in department labs.
• Personalized study: join a faculty research team (some students become Summer Research Scholars and present at conferences or co-author papers), choose an advanced methods course and design your own study, and take Community-Based Learning courses with placements at local courts, schools, hospitals and other organisations.
• Course requirements: the BA and BS requirements are listed in the catalog (catalog.wlu.edu), which returned a challenge page when this guide was written, so course counts and prerequisites were not checked. W&L’s site also does not state clearly when the major must be declared; follow the catalog and the department.

2. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November 2026, supplemental materials by 15 November, notification 20 December.
• Early Decision II (binding): 5 January 2027, supplemental materials by 15 January, notification 1 February.
• Regular Decision: 5 January 2027, supplemental materials by 1 February, notification 1 April.
• From this cycle, ED II and RD move from 1 January to 5 January. Deadlines are 11:59 PM in your local time zone.
• Apply through the Common App, Coalition or QuestBridge. International applicants also send their internal transcript, completed external exam results and predicted scores for upcoming exams, all in English.

3. Testing and English

• Test optional for first-year and transfer applicants entering in fall 2027. W&L says students completing national curricula outside the U.S. should strongly consider submitting scores if testing is reasonably available. W&L superscores; self-reported scores must be confirmed with official reports after enrolling.
• English: every applicant must demonstrate proficiency through one or more of: all secondary schooling in English, IB English A at 6 or 7, Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL iBT or an InitialView interview. TOEFL Home Edition, ITP and Essentials and self-reported scores are not accepted.
  • Successful applicants typically report Duolingo 130, IELTS 7, or TOEFL 100 (before January 2026) or 5 (after).
• Chinese and Canadian curricula: no Gaokao policy and no Canada- or BC-specific grade requirements are published.

4. Costs, aid and scholarships

• 2026-27 costs (US$): tuition 73,575, plus activity, technology and health fees, room 10,580, board 9,995, books and personal costs; estimated cost of attendance about 99,880.
• International need-based aid:
  • W&L is need-blind and meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans for every admitted student, including international students;
  • submit the CSS Profile (a fee waiver can be requested) by your round’s aid deadline: ED I 1 December 2026, ED II 15 January 2027, RD 15 February 2027;
  • International Grants are set for four years from the first-year application and rise with tuition, but cannot be negotiated after you accept.
• Johnson Scholarship: all merit aid comes through this program, covering tuition, housing and meals for up to 10% of each class plus $10,000 for summer or study abroad. It is open to all students and requires an extra essay by 1 December 2026.

5. Transfer students

• How to apply: W&L’s own transfer application, not the Common App; fall entry only.
• Competition: highly competitive; successful applicants generally have a very strong high school record, college grades of B (3.0) or higher and an SAT or ACT, though those who did not test when applying to their current school may apply without.
• Deadlines: the transfer page still shows fall 2026 dates (priority 1 March, final 15 May); check W&L for 2027 dates. Decisions are rolling, historically late April to late May.
• Credit: up to 60 credits for work comparable in level, nature and field, with a C (2.0) or higher; there is no formal evaluation before you deposit. Transfers must complete at least six terms of full-time study at W&L.
• Aid: transfers are not eligible for merit aid but can apply for need-based aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 November 2026 (ED I) or 5 January 2027 (ED II or RD), with supplemental materials by each round’s date
• Official Duolingo 130, IELTS 7 or TOEFL 5 or so
• National-curriculum students: submit SAT or ACT if you can
• For aid, file the CSS Profile on time; for the Johnson Scholarship, send the essay by 1 December

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; all-English secondary schooling counts as English proof
• No Canada-specific requirements are published

Transfer students:

• Use W&L’s transfer application; fall entry only; college GPA usually 3.0 or higher
• Up to 60 credits transfer; at least six terms at W&L

Sources: Washington and Lee University, Application options and deadlines; International applicants; English proficiency policy; Test-optional policy; Transfer applicants; 2026-27 tuition and costs; International student aid; Cognitive and Behavioral Science; Cognitive and Behavioral Science major requirements. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check W&L for the latest details.