washu supplemental essay prompts

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WashU Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts and Tips

September 12, 2023

For the Class of 2027, the WashU acceptance rate remained low at just 12%. As Washington University in St. Louis appears to be marching toward the single-digit admit rate club, it’s critical that prospective applicants realize the need to make a uniquely compelling case for admission, even if they already possess elite academic credentials. After all, the average SAT for an incoming freshman is well above a 1500 and 88% placed in the top 10% of their high school class–incredibly, such credentials are necessary but not sufficient in this hypercompetitive environment. This brings us to the topic of the moment – the WashU supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into WashU? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Washington University in St. Louis: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Given this high level of competition, WashU’s supplemental section offers applicants a critical opportunity to showcase their writing ability by generating detail-rich essays that will stand out to an admissions officer.

2023-2024 WashU Supplemental Essays

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. (200 words)

Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website.

Washington University in St. Louis wants to know about the academic discipline(s) in which you are most interested (or current leanings, if you’re undecided). They also want to know why you desire to pursue your studies at their institution. Answering both components of this question in less than 200 words is no easy task. This one is going to require a fair amount of school-specific research and a good deal of editing in order to tighten up your essay enough to stay under the word count.

For a deeper dive, let’s examine a list of characteristics of a winning WashU “Why Us?” essay:

• How did your interest in your major of choice begin and how has it matured over the years?
• While pursuing your majors(s)/interest(s) of choice, how will you take advantage of the university’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom? Be sure to cite specific  academic programs ,  professors ,  research opportunities ,  centers & institutes , and  study abroad programs . Discuss why they pique your interest.
• Feel free to touch on  student-run organizations  related to your field of study that you would like to join.

WashU Supplemental Essays (Continued)

As you enter the prewriting stage, you’ll want to avoid some common pitfalls that we observe applicants fall into when attacking the WashU “Why Us?” essay. We don’t want to label these as “mistakes” (there is nothing inherently wrong with them); they just don’t add any needle-moving value, which is the only goal here!

Common components of a generic “Why WashU?” essay .

• According to  US News , Washington University in St. Louis is a top-15 school.
• Too much attention to the prestige/reputation of the Olin School of Business or McKelvey School of Engineering.
• Recycled statements from your other “Why Us?” essays that come across as stale, impersonal, or worst of all–irrelevant/inaccurate.
• An itinerary of all the things you plan to do in St. Louis.
• Statements about how WUSTL feels like home, you know it’s the right place for you, or you’ve wanted to attend since kindergarten;  show  this through specifics instead.

Big-picture thoughts on the “Why Us” essay

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school, but you don’t want it read like a rote list of items that you Googled an hour prior to writing the essay (even if the timing of the Google search is roughly accurate).

In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar WashU essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

This optional question allows you to add another dimension to your application – something that the admissions committee might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement.

If you prefer, you may focus your optional 90-second video submitted through the WashU Pathway on addressing one of these three questions. (Students who choose to submit a written response to one of these questions may still opt in to sharing an optional video).

WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?” (250 words)

Discuss a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project.

Describe a community you are a part of and your place within it., tell us how your identity has impacted the way you view or interact with your community..

While this essay is technically “optional,” we advise every single applicant to WashU to opt in. Remember, WashU is one of those rare schools that rejects students with near-perfect (or even perfect) academic credentials. It is essential that you showcase the characteristics and skills that make you one-of-a-kind.

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of each prompt:

The U.S. presently finds itself in an extreme state of polarization. There seems to be little agreement even as to what constitutes “truth” or “facts.” Within this divided world, it can be hard for individuals with competing viewpoints to engage in civil and productive dialogue. Here, WashU is giving you the chance to show that you are an open-minded, intellectually curious, and collaborative young person. Illustrate how you are willing to engage in conversations and voice opinions to others, whether it was your lab partner or a ten-person team at your summer internship.

Furthermore, note the wording here: fresh perspective. This means that your perspective or opinion was different from that of the others in your group. As such, how did you present your opinion? How did others react? How did you handle their reaction? What was the ultimate outcome? What did you learn from the entire experience? One key thing to remember when addressing this prompt is that you don’t have to be the hero of the anecdote. In fact, you may be one who learned to expand their thinking.

“Community” can be defined in myriad ways: it could be large-scale, like an ethnic, religious, or neighborhood community, or small-scale, like a group of individuals who gather for a club, sport, or service project.

Most applicants to WashU are involved in at least one “community.” You may be the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, a member of your town’s trail clean-up team… but don’t just rest on those laurels—instead, bring your involvement to life. Use your writing ability to  show  what type of community member you are rather than merely  telling . What is your role within your chosen community? Within that role, how do you lead, guide, or interact with others? What have you learned and how have you grown? Strive for personal detail here rather than re-hashing your resume.

Finally, draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in your community and speculate how that is likely to manifest on WashU’s campus. It’s a great idea to research and cite WashU student-run organizations and/or local nonprofit groups.

Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your family background

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement, activities list, and “Why Us?” WashU essay. What important aspects of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how it has impacted the ways in which you communicate or interact with others. No matter what type of story you tell, the goal is to have the reader come away saying, “I can definitely see this applicant as a contributing member of our talented and engaged student community.”

How important are the WashU supplemental essays?

WashU designated 8 factors as “very important” to their applicant evaluation process. These are: essays, recommendations, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, GPA, test scores, class rank, and the rigor of one’s curriculum. Clearly, the essays are among the most important factors in this holistic process.

Want personalized assistance with your WashU supplemental essays?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your WashU supplemental essay, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

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We take your application for admission to Washington University very seriously.

Our admissions committee reviews your application in a holistic and individualized manner, where our goal is to get to know you—and your story—through the application process.

Admission to WashU, whether as a first-year or transfer student, is both selective and competitive.

Since WashU uses a holistic application review process , we do not require specific courses for admission.

We are looking for students with a high school diploma or equivalent, including home schooled students and students holding a GED, who took a challenging college-preparatory curriculum in high school complemented by extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience. Your senior-year transcript should show that you continue to take demanding courses. Most applicants take advantage of honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, if offered by their high schools.

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of mathematics (architecture, business, and engineering strongly recommend calculus)
• 3-4 years of laboratory science (engineering recommends chemistry and physics)
• 3-4 years of history or social science
• At least 2 years of the same foreign language since the ninth grade
• The College of Arts & Sciences recommends both chemistry and physics for students who plan to do coursework in pre-medicine or the natural sciences.
• Grades and class rank (if your school ranks students)
• Students who elect or are unable to provide SAT or ACT scores are encouraged to provide a teacher evaluation from a teacher in their area of academic interest who can address academic readiness in the area.
• A 200-word response to the question “Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.”
• Extracurricular and community activities
• The Common Application or Coalition Application essay
• A portfolio is  required  for applicants to the College of Art. Portfolios are strongly encouraged for the College of Architecture.

The following items are not required as part of the application process. They are simply ways for you to add another dimension to your application – something that we might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement. And if you don’t want to submit any supplemental materials, that’s OK. Applicants will not be penalized for opting out. They are truly optional.

Writing Supplement

This optional question allows you to add another dimension to your application – something that the admissions committee might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement.

If you prefer, you may focus your optional 90-second video submitted through the WashU Pathway on addressing one of these three questions. (Students who choose to submit a written response to one of these questions may still opt in to sharing an optional video).

WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?”:

• Discuss a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project.
• Describe a community you are a part of and your place within it.
• Tell us how your life experiences have impacted the way you view or interact with your community.

If you’re submitting the Common Application, you can find this question in the optional Writing Supplement section. If you’re submitting the Coalition Application, you will have the opportunity to respond to this question in the WashU Pathway after you’ve submitted both your profile and the Washington University-specific questions.

The optional Writing Supplement is due January 10, 2024, for EDII and RD applicants.

90 second video

All applicants have the option to upload a 90-second video to help the Admissions Office get to know you better. This video is not intended to be a professional-quality production or rehearsed audition. Simply capture a quick video of yourself (cell phone is fine) telling us about something important to you.

The optional 90 second video is due January 10, 2024, for EDII and RD applicants.

• Schoolhouse.world

Applicants to WashU are welcome to submit  Schoolhouse.world  certifications as an optional supplement to their application.

Standardized Test Scores

• Either SAT or ACT, writing is not required.
• Test results from any of your high school years are acceptable.
• We consider only the highest individual scores, whenever they occurred.
• The last test date accepted will be the December testing (October if applying Early Decision I).

WashU accepts self-reported scores on the Common App and Coalition App. We hope this policy will make the application more accessible for you, since you will no longer have to formally request scores and pay for them to be sent to WashU. If you enroll at WashU and submitted unofficial scores, we will then ask you to send official score reports from testing agencies. 

our College Codes

ACT: 2386 SAT: 6929 TOEFL: 6929

The successful completion of a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary studies is required for admission to any program of study leading to a bachelor’s degree at WashU.

A secondary school diploma or equivalent is required.

If you apply for admission, you will need to submit detailed information about your previous education, including:

• Original academic transcripts or certified copies
• A description of the grading system
• Examination results (IGCSE, HKCEE, predicted A-Levels, national exams, etc.)
• School-leaving certificates
• Certified English translations of all of the above

Academic records must include:

• Transcripts of all work completed at the secondary school level
• Transcripts of formal studies completed beyond secondary school (when appropriate)
• Subjects covered during each year of study (the specific month and year)
• Duration of time of each course
• Number of lectures or laboratory periods included within each course
• Grades (marks) received

All prospective Washington University international students whose first language is not English are required to take either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.

Washington University is a global institution and welcomes applications from students studying in other countries. As a result, our standardized testing requirements are designed to be flexible and recognize the different educational systems around the world.

For both non-US Citizens and U.S. citizens applying from a high school outside of the U.S., you may choose to submit the following:

• Predicted or actual results from national examinations, such as the Baccalauréat, Abitur, Maturita, etc.; or
• Predicted or actual results for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; or
• Predicted or actual A-Levels; or
• STEM Majors in the College of Arts & Science

McKelvey School of Engineering

Olin business school.

International students whose first language is not English will still be required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official results from the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or TOEFL exams.

Credits can be accepted by Washington University for studies completed at another college or university, or for scores achieved on AP, IB, or British A Level examinations.

However, an official statement of advanced standing cannot be given until a student has been admitted to WashU, has arrived on campus, and has consulted with an academic advisor regarding the evaluation of previous academic achievement.

The academic programs at Washington University require students to have well-developed skills in written and oral communication. During the academic year, international students seeking to improve their language skills in English may enroll in courses designed especially for advanced learners. These courses will help in refining and perfecting areas such as reading and writing, speaking and pronunciation, presentation, debating skills, and knowledge of American idiomatic expressions. For further information, please visit the  English Language Program website .

Washington University has authorization to issue eligibility documents needed to obtain either an “F-1” or “J-1” student visa.

Although both visas allow for full-time study, the J-1 is used for reciprocal exchange programs and government scholarship programs; the F-1 is the usual student visa.

Documents for visa eligibility may be issued by WashU only after applicants have been officially admitted into a program of study and have given proof of sufficient funds to finance expenses for the duration of their proposed program of study.

International students are not allowed to enter the United States on a tourist (B-2) visa when arriving to begin university studies. It is not legal to study in a degree program on a tourist visa.

Students who are currently in the United States on an F-2 visa will be required to change to an F-1 visa.

In compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, Washington University requires all admitted international students to submit detailed financial information statements before a Form I-20 can be processed, including:

• Statements of amounts and sources of funds available for their educational expenses in the United States.
• Affidavit of Financial Support (AOFS)
• Certified bank statements in English verifying that they have sufficient funds available to finance their first year’s tuition and living expenses and that a comparable amount of money will be available for every subsequent year of study.
• Some embassy officials verify students’ financial certification. Students should obtain two original copies (with original signatures) of both the sponsor’s letter and the bank letter. Retain a copy for obtaining a visa.

Financial assistance offers may be deducted from the amount to be certified.

All students who have decided to enroll at Washington University must:

• Submit a completed health history form through  Student Health Services . WashU requires all incoming students living in campus residential areas to have received the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4), including a booster if the initial dose was given before age 16, along with two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) after age one year or proof of immunity.
• Submit proof of freedom from tuberculosis by either a negative skin test or negative chest X-ray within six months of completing the health history form.

To protect the health of our entire community, we require all full-time degree-seeking students to have health insurance. You either must purchase the Washington University Student Health Insurance Plan or prove that you have adequate coverage through another plan. If you do not demonstrate that you have adequate coverage through another plan, you will be automatically enrolled in our plan and billed accordingly. The cost of the WashU Student Health Insurance Plan, as well as instructions for obtaining a waiver through proof of adequate coverage, will be provided to enrolling students.

You should apply as a transfer student if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You have finished secondary school and completed some college study.
• You would like to be considered for admission with advanced standing at Washington University.
• You are interested in enrolling full-time in an undergraduate degree program with a specific academic focus.
• You have never attended any of Washington University’s full-time, degree-granting schools.

Transfer admission to Washington University is both selective and competitive. In any given year, any academic division may have from zero to a small handful of slots available. With this small number of transfer spots open, we recommend the strongest candidates for admission present proof of a high school diploma or equivalent and proof of a high level of academic success at their current institution. Successful applicants present  at least  a 3.5/3.6 GPA from a two-year or four-year college in courses across a broad academic curriculum and have completed a freshman composition course. Some of our academic divisions require specific grades in specific courses. For example, students with interests in engineering, business, or the physical or biological sciences must present a strong background in science and mathematics, including calculus. In addition, you must have left your current institution and all previous institutions in good standing and be eligible to return.

If you have been away from a formal academic setting for more than two years, we generally recommend you complete at least one year (30 hours) of work at another college or university before submitting your application for transfer admission.

If you are in your first year of college, you must present at least one completed semester of full-time college work with your application for transfer admission or submit a completed Mid-Term Report.

You must select one of our five undergraduate divisions (Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering) when you apply. You should select the division which offers the major program that most interests you. Because slots for transfer students are very limited, when you are admitted to a division you will be expected to remain in that division after you enroll at Washington University. Should you decide to pursue a major in a different division, you will be required to apply for transfer into that division after one full semester at Washington University. Transferring between divisions is  not guaranteed.

Pre-Medicine

Transferring as a pre-medicine student is challenging. We recommend that students interested in pre-medicine apply as junior-level transfers having completed the following coursework:

• Two semesters of general chemistry (with lab)
• Two semesters of organic chemistry (with lab)
• Calculus I & II at the college level
• At least one writing course
• We also encourage the completion of some biology coursework at the college level
• Physics is a plus if taken, but not a “deal breaker” (*Calculus-based physics in particular is recommended.)

College Preparation/Pre-Medicine Course Requirements for U.S. Medical Schools:

Students will need TWO semesters each of:

• General chemistry (with lab)
• Organic chemistry (with lab)
• Biology (with lab)
• Physics (with lab)
• Mathematics (including calculus)
• English (at least one in composition)

Additional coursework in biology and chemistry is advised. Some medical schools will not accept Advanced Placement credit in lieu of these requirements.

Please contact Demetrius Coleman at 314-935-4641 for questions about transferring to Washington University as a pre-medicine student.

College of Arts & Sciences

Please contact Demetrius Coleman at 314-935-4641 for questions about transfer admission to the College of Arts & Sciences.

Transfer applicants to the Olin Business School:

• Must have completed calculus I & II at the college level. (Please note that calculus II can’t be taken the summer before enrolling.)
• It’s recommended that sophomore level transfer candidates have completed microeconomics at the college level.
• Junior level transfer candidates should also have completed financial accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and perhaps managerial accounting.

Please contact Assistant Dean Lanna Skadden at 314-935-4758 with any questions.

• Every applicant to McKelvey School of Engineering must have completed an English composition course, two semesters of calculus-based physics, Calculus I, II, and III, and be prepared to take differential equations.
• Applicants interested in chemical or environmental engineering should also have completed sufficient chemistry to be prepared to take organic chemistry.
• Applicants interested in biomedical engineering should also have completed sufficient chemistry to be prepared to take organic chemistry and a biology course that includes cellular, molecular, and genetics work.
• Applicants interested in computer science, instead of taking the required two semesters of calculus-based physics courses, may substitute 8 units of approved other natural science courses from the following departments: Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environmental Studies, or Physics.
• Ideally, applicants will have calculus grades of at least a B+ as well as a general GPA of at least a B+.

Please contact Assistant Dean James McDonald at 314-935-6100 with any questions.

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts – College of Art & College of Architecture

• Transfer applicants to the College of Art and College of Architecture are  required  to submit a portfolio for review by the faculty using the SlideRoom function on the Common Application. The digital portfolio should include 12-15 pieces showing a variety of art experiences, including drawings, work utilizing design principles, and some work in color.
• Art History
• General liberal arts courses
• At least one semester of drawing
• One semester of drawing
• One semester of digital art
• Several other studio art classes

If you have questions about applying to the College of Architecture or the College of Art, please contact Joseph Fitzpatrick, Associate Dean of Students for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, at 314-935-6532.

Washington University awards academic credit for course work that resembles, by official description, a comparable course offering from one of its five undergraduate schools. No credit is given for CLEP exams, standard-level IB exams, correspondence/online courses, or departmental placement exams given by another institution. To assure proper transfer credit, please submit a copy of the catalog description for any course whose nature is not immediately clear by title or course number. Credit is awarded if grades of C or better appear on your transcript. Final decisions concerning transferring course credits are made by your academic dean at Washington University. The Washington University transcript will only include grades earned at Washington University. Grades earned at your previous institution will not be recorded or included in the grade point average.

Students admitted to Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, or Business may transfer a maximum of 60 semester hours of credit toward the degree at Washington University. Engineering has no maximum limit.

If you plan to enroll in Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, or Business you must complete the final 60 hours and a minimum of four consecutive full-time semesters in residence in order to earn a degree. If you plan to enroll in Engineering in order to complete a Bachelor of Science degree, you will need to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours, including 30 credit hours of junior- or senior-level course work.

Advanced Placement

Many departments at Washington University will accept for credit and placement a score of 4 or 5 on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) tests or a score of 5 or better on the higher-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. Official score reports should be sent to the appropriate dean’s office after admission has been granted.

International students whose first language is not English are required to submit results from either the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo.

AI Tools and ChatGPT

WashU expects your application materials to be an honest representation of your own work. It is fine to use outside resources to check your work for spelling or clarity. You might share your essays with a teacher or counselor, or use editing or AI tools, for this purpose. However, your application essays and other written materials should accurately represent your writing skills. We discourage you from using AI tools like ChatGPT as the main source of your essay’s content. Whether you’re sharing your achievements, activities, or skills, AI tools should not be the primary author.

Visit WashU

In an effort to share the WashU experience first-hand, we send our admissions officers all over the country to meet students at schools and in other settings. We also love to welcome students to our beautiful campus and introduce them to our diverse and supportive community. We hope you’ll make the choice to visit us in person.

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 3 top tips for writing your washu supplement essay.

College Essays

All applicants to Washington University in St. Louis have to submit a supplemental essay as part of their application packet. That means that in addition to the essays you write as part of your Common Application or the Coalition Application (WashU accepts either one), you'll have to submit a third essay that you write specifically for Washington University in St. Louis.

Because WashU's acceptance rate is highly competitive —only 13% of students are accepted every year!— you'll need to write a stellar WashU supplement to give yourself the best shot at getting in. But what does a good WashU supplemental essay look like?

This article is going to explain everything you need to know about the Washington University supplemental essay, including:

• Explaining what the WashU supplemental essay is and how to choose the correct essay prompt
• Separate walkthroughs of both the general supplemental essay prompt and the Beyond Boundaries supplemental essay prompt
• Tips and tricks for writing an excellent Washington University supplemental essay

So without further ado, let's dive in!

What Are the Washington University Supplemental Essays?

You only have to submit one 200-word essay as part of your WashU supplement. The exception is if you're applying to WashU's Beyond Boundaries program, which is a special two-year interdisciplinary program. Beyond Boundaries has an additional WashU supplemental essay prompt all program applicants must complete.

The WashU general supplemental essay is what most students will write and submit as part of their application packet.

Washington University General Supplemental Essay

Here's the general WashU supplemental essay prompt that every applicant must answer:

Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website.

You're limited to 200 words in your response, which isn't very long! That's why it's important for you to really understand the prompt before you start working on your essay.

What's This Prompt Asking, Exactly?

This is a classic "Why Us" essay prompt. Many schools ask some variation of it, and what they're all trying to learn is, why are you applying to this school specifically? What about it makes you think it'll be a good fit for you?

"Why Us?" essays may look as if they're asking a simple question—why do you want to attend this school—but there's more to it than that. These essays are also often asking one of two questions: "why us?" or "why you?"

In essence, these essays want you to describe why they're the right school for you . Paying attention to how the question is framed will give you a better sense of what kind of answer they're looking for, which will help you shape your essay.

How Should You Answer This Prompt?

To craft a good response to this essay, you need to understand the prompt. It's not about listing a school's qualifications or discussing how beautiful the campus is—a good essay will explain not just why the school is good, but why the school is good for you .

This essay is a common one at many schools. Colleges want to know what brings you to them specifically, including what interests you and how you'll contribute to the student body. Though the question of "why" may feel simple, it's a lot more complex than it appears at first glance .

First of all, the college admissions office wants to know what sets their school apart from others. In WashU's case, that could be their balance between research and teaching, a particular major they offer, a positive experience you had while touring the campus ...

Use the question of "why" as a starting point . Don't stop at, "because I like that I can study engineering and English." Develop that idea further—What does that mean to you? Why does it matter?

The "Why This College?" essay also invites students to think about how they'll fit into the academic environment. Schools want to know that you're a good fit—it's to their benefit to recruit students who are passionate and committed to getting the most out of their college education.

But it's not just about whether you'll fit in—it's also important that WashU is a good fit for you. That doesn't mean having your major or whatever clubs you might want to join, but also that your goals align with theirs. Having a clear idea about your goals as well as theirs will help you excel, and WashU will appreciate the clarity .

As you're thinking about your WashU essay, you might learn things about the school that may not be a good fit, and it's better to learn that now than six months after you've moved onto campus. Though one or two missed checkboxes in your dream school criteria isn't necessarily a reason to pull your application, having realistic expectations for your college experience will set you up for a more positive time at the school of your choice.

What Topics Might Work Well for This Essay?

There are a lot of directions you can choose for this prompt. Here are some potential ideas you could write about:

• Majors, minors, certificates, and/or classes WashU offers that you're especially interested in. 
• WashU professors whose work you admire and with whom you'd like to study or conduct research.
• Clubs or sports teams that you'd be interesting in joining.
• Research opportunities you'd like to have (the more specific you can be, the better).
• Internship opportunities WashU offers.
• WashU students or alumni you've met who you admire.
• Financial aid opportunities WashU offers that make it possible for you to attend.

In your response, you should choose about one or two reasons why you think WashU is the best school for you. For each reason, you should describe what WashU offers and connect it back to your interest and skills to show how you're a good match for the school.

What Should You Avoid Talking About?

We've talked about how to write a killer Washington University supplemental essay, but there are some things you should definitely avoid doing.

First, avoid anything superficial, like how pretty WashU's campus is, or that you really like their sports teams. These aren't particularly meaningful reasons to attend a school, and since they don't relate to academics, it may cause Washington University admissions counselors to wonder how committed to your classes you'll be.

Additionally, avoid very general topics that could apply to any school. For example, saying you like WashU's majors, research programs, or internship opportunities isn't enough. All schools have those. What is it  specifically about WashU's that make them stand out and make you feel confident they're the right school for you.

If you're applying to the Beyond Boundaries program, you'll write and submit a different supplemental essay. But don't worry: we have your "passport" to essay success! (We love a dad joke.)

Washington University Beyond Boundaries Supplemental Essay

The Beyond Boundaries essay prompt is only for students who are applying to the two-year Beyond Boundaries program. 

Here's the Beyond Boundaries prompt:

Tell us what great challenge you might want to understand and tackle leveraging two or more of WashU's schools and how you would pursue an interdisciplinary path of study that explores that challenge or an aspect of that challenge in a unique and innovative way.

Just like the general Washington University supplemental essay, the Beyond Boundaries essay is limited to 200 words. Let's take a look at how you can go about answering this prompt.

This one is definitely a different prompt from the general supplemental essay. Unlike the general essay, which is asking you to talk about your own passions, in this essay WashU admissions wants you to discuss a big, real-world challenge that you want to solve as part of your academic study at WashU.

More importantly, you'll need to explain how to combine two approaches from two different schools in order to solve that challenge. Put another way, this prompt is asking you to demonstrate your ability to come up with innovative solutions for tough problems.

Once you do that, you'll have to explain how "you would pursue a path of study in an interdisciplinary way." In other words, you'll need to explain what classes you would take (and why!) in order to gain the knowledge and skills you'd need to tackle the problem you've chosen.

Because Beyond Boundaries is an interdisciplinary program , admissions counselors want to make sure that students admitted to this program are prepared to embrace different perspectives. Interdisciplinary programs like Beyond Boundaries one value innovative approaches to problem-solving , and admissions counselors want to see that you're outside-the-box thinker that can draw from multiple disciplines in order to come up with new solutions.

Writing a good answer to this prompt, one that will impress Washington University admissions, is going to take some research. First, you need to figure out a big problem that a diverse team of thinkers can solve. Then you need to learn more about Washington University's five undergraduate divisions so that you can talk about them specifically in your essay.

This might seem like a daunting task, and it kind of is: Beyond Boundaries is very selective, so admissions counselors want to make sure that admitted students are a good fit for the interdisciplinary nature of the program. But the good news is that the admissions committee isn't expecting you to come up with the perfect solution to a gnarly problem. Instead, they want to see that you're capable of bringing together people from different fields to tackle problems that are facing both your community and the world.

There are three things a great Beyond Boundaries supplemental essay will have to address. First, you'll have to pick a problem that you're passionate about solving as part of your academic studies or future career. Next, you'll need to talk about which schools/disciplines you think can work together to solve this problem. Finally, you'll need to talk about what classes you would take in order to prepare yourself to solve this problem in the future.

The trickiest part of this essay will be choosing a topic that lets you create a compelling course of study.

First, think about your future career goals. What do you want to do when you get out of college? That provides a good jumping off point for picking a problem to discuss in your essay. Then you'll have to make sure that you can bring together at least two of Washington University's four academic divisions in your response.

Let's take a look at how an applicant might go about choosing a topic for the Beyond Boundaries supplemental essay. For instance, Lola wants to go to medical school in order to become an orthopedic surgeon. She's applying to the Beyond Boundaries program, so she starts researching some of the challenges current orthopedic surgeons are facing. She learns that one of the issues facing her field is that they are seeing more and more catastrophic sports-related injuries in kids and young adults , and she decides to write about that in her WashU supplemental essay.

This is a great challenge to focus on in a Beyond Boundaries essay because it a) is impacting Lola's future field, and b) will allow her to talk about specific schools and classes in her response. For example, Lola can write about how her interdisciplinary course of study will include plenty of biology classes from the College of Arts & Sciences t o teach her about medicine.

But to really solve this problem, she'll need to learn about the business side of sports to understand the economic system that's pushing people to enroll their children in pro-style training academies at younger and younger ages. That means taking classes in the Business of Sports program in the Olin School of Business , too!

Remember: the goal here is to demonstrate your creative, interdisciplinary problem-solving abilities by suggesting a course of study that can help you solve a big problem . Spending some time picking a topic and brainstorming your response will be an important factor in writing a great Beyond Boundaries supplemental essay.

So what are the pitfalls with the Beyond Boundaries essay?

The biggest issue to avoid is not fully answering the prompt. Like we mentioned earlier, this essay prompt is complex: you need to identify a problem, figure out how to bring different WashU academic areas together to solve it, then propose a course of study that can prepare you to solve the problem in the future. It's easy to miss one of these response areas, so you'll need to spend lots of time researching and planning your response before you actually begin writing it.

Additionally, you want to make sure you're being both thoughtful and specific as you put together your course of study. Take a look at Lola's example again. Not only does she come up with an innovative way to figure out how to address a pretty big problem in her field, she has enough information that she can call out specific schools and programs by name in her response.

Remember: WashU admissions counselors want to see that you've done your research into the university and its offerings!

Expert Analysis of a Real-Life WashU Supplemental Essay

Now, let's look at a real-life example WashU supplemental essay and break down how it works. This essay was written in response to an older prompt ("Tell us about something that really sparks your intellectual interest and curiosity and compels you to explore more in the program/area of study that you indicated"), but the lessons apply equally to the current prompts.

Here's the sample essay:

I unlock the door and turn the knob. The fifty-year-old door opens with a groan. A narrow, dark hallway leads me to a stairway, and after climbing the stairs to a small landing above the hayloft, I find myself in a shaft of sunlight where dust motes dance in the darkness. I feel the sun on my face and feel that I have entered a space that is sacred.

This is my earliest memory of feeling connected to architecture. From that one in the loft of my grandfather's barn when I was six years old until the present day, I've tried to find an explanation for how my interaction with a physical space was able to create such a feeling of transcendence.

In his essay, "Building Dwelling Being," Martin Heidegger discusses the idea of dwelling , of "staying in a place." In English we use the word dwelling not only to signify a building or a structure in which one lives, but also to "dwell upon," meaning to pay close attention to. In this moment I was both dwelling upon and dwelling in my grandfather's hayloft. Although perhaps I couldn't express it so eloquently at the time, the notion came to me then that a space can be both physical and philosophical. I believe that Sam Fox School's College of Architecture will give me the training to achieve my greatest goal: to someday create physical spaces that allow the same potential for reverie.

We think this is a pretty good example of an essay response to the WashU general supplemental essay prompt. But it's not perfect!

Let's talk a little more about what this essay does well, and where it can improve.

What This Essay Does Well

This essay really embraces the idea that the best way to showcase your personality is with a story. The writer helps bring the reader into her essay by painting a picture in her first paragraph. The description of walking through a staircase and seeing dust in the air hooks the audience—you want to keep reading to see where the author goes next!

Additionally, this writer shows that she's been passionate about her field of study (architecture) from a young age . The things she notices in her memory have to do with the building and its space...which are definitely things architects have to pay attention to!

Finally, the student's reference to "Building, Dwelling, Being" shows that she's so enthusiastic about studying architecture that she's already begun digging into the field on her own. More importantly, she has connected the lessons she's learned with her own experience. The writer's knowledge and passion will help her essay stand out to Washington University in St. Louis admissions counselors!

Where There's Room for Improvement

While this essay is extremely well-written, it takes a while for the author to get to her point, which is that she's inspired to study architecture at WashU. In fact, she doesn't mention the Sam Fox School's College of Architecture until the last line! To make this essay better, the author should start referencing the school and program of study in the second paragraph. That way, the writer focuses her essay specifically on WashU's architecture program rather than architecture in general.

Additionally, the writer forgets to discuss specific professors, classes, and programs that she's interested in taking advantage of as a WashU student. Admissions counselors want to see that you've done your homework into what their university has to offer. This essay could be even better if the writer mentioned specific electives like Architectural History & Theory or Environmental Studies that would allow her to explore her fascination with how architecture brings together philosophy and physical space. The goal is to be as specific as possible to show that you've thought a lot about how Washington University can help you pursue your passions, interests, and career goals.

3 Tips for Writing Great WashU Essays

Now that we've looked at an example essay and have examined how the author approached writing it, let's apply these lessons in three tips that will make your Washington University supplemental essay shine!

Tip 1: Set the Scene

Good writing is about bringing moments to life for your reader. Instead of being vague and abstract, use your five senses to place your reader within a scene. Pay attention to how authors of prose fiction create a sense of placing the reader inside someone else's perspective. This will make your essay vivid and memorable, and that the very best supplemental essays will give their readers a sense of a narrative moment. This is also your chance to show that you are willing and able to foster the discipline to put in the hard work of creating a well-written supplement.

Tip 2: Look at the Bigger Picture

Next, show your readers why this beautiful piece of prose you've created matters . Try to connect your own experiences to larger concerns and contemporary issues. Show that you aren't just interested in your own benefit, but also how your dedication can benefit society. Keep in mind that there are two parties involved in any application or admissions process, and show that your admission to WashU could as much benefit WashU as it could benefit you!

Tip 3: Make Them Feel Wanted

One of the worst things you could do would be to write an essay so vague that you could use it for almost any school's admissions essay. You want your essay to speak to how WashU is specifically the best fit for you. Reference specific classes, professors, and experiences that only WashU can provide. You want admissions counselors to realize that WashU is the only school for you!

What's Next?

If you're worried about how to write a great application essay, that's okay. It can be pretty intimidating! We have tons of expert writing sources that can help you out. First, check out this step-by-step guide to writing college admissions essays. Once you're done there, you can read through more real-world examples of college essays and get expert analysis on what they do well and how they can improve. Finally, let us help you overcome your fear of the dreaded first sentence !

If you've done your research into Washington University in St. Louis, then you've probably realized that tuition isn't cheap . Don't worry: we have a guide that can help you figure out how to afford to go to WashU.

Most college applications ask you to pick a potential major. Learn more about how to pick the right college major for your application here.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essay Prompt

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Be sure to pack your snowsuit because Washington University is located in St. Louis, Missouri! The acceptance rate at this private research university is about 13% , which means that it’s imperative to make your application stand out.  One of the ways applicants can do that is by writing WashU supplemental essays. Continue reading below to get tips on how to start!

The Washington University supplemental essay prompts 

The WashU supplemental essays are an optional component of your application but they can be very beneficial. Supplemental essays are the first opportunity for the admission committee to learn about you and your personality to evaluate if you’re a good fit for their university. 

It’s also important to leave a lasting impression early on, so that you can stand out from other applicants. The WashU admissions office wants to know who you are, so be sure to let loose!

“Describe a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project.” (250 words max.)

WashU values diverse perspectives amongst their student body, which means you can really open up with this prompt! Everyone has opinions, so there’s no shortage of individuality that can come from this prompt. 

Try to stay away from general opinions since they might not really give an accurate reflection of who you are. Instead, think about opinions that you stand behind strongly that align with WashU’s mission or opinion-led debates that you might be on the opposing side of. 

Questions to consider: 

• How is this perspective unique?
• Who or what caused you to have this opinion? 
• How might you relate this to WashU?

“Describe a community you’re a part of and your place in it.” (250 words max.)

While you might not realize it, the communities we’re a part of contribute a lot to our values and ideas. Hence why WashU wants to know about one in your life, so don’t be afraid to tell what it’s taught you!

Applicants should also explain how they would be a positive addition to the community as a WashU undergraduate. You’ll be joining a freshmen class if you’re accepted, so maybe take a portion of your essay to highlight what that means to you. 

Questions to consider:

• Can others relate to the community you’re a part of?
• Do you get a feeling of belonging in this community? Why or why not?
• What part will you play in the WashU community?

“Tell us how your life experiences have impacted the way you view or interact with your community.” (250 words max.)

As humans, our lives are formed by large and small life experiences. Think of the core memories that you have, and try to choose one that set you on your course toward college. 

Did a treasured mentor give you a book? Has your family overcome obstacles and came out on top? 

All of these could be a topic for your essay, but be sure to explain how it relates to WashU. Highlight ways you might use that experience on their campus or how it might lead to you forming new ones. 

• What have been some formative experiences in your life?
• What makes this experience special to you? 
• How can this experience relate to your future?

Optional video submission

Students may also submit an optional 90-second video submitted through the WashU Pathway website addressing one of the three questions above. Also, students are allowed to submit a written response to one of these questions and still submit an optional video as well. Check out our tips on how to create a college video response before you set started!

Next steps for applicants

Congratulations, you’ve got your WashU supplemental essays out of the way! You’re probably wondering what the next steps are on your educational journey.

Well, one of the first things to get started on is the optional WashU virtual interview or 90-second video. Taking the time to do this activity will further demonstrate your interest in attending WashU and improve your application.

Be sure to stay on top of your financial aid packages as well. The scholarships and aid that colleges offer is dependent on the information on your FAFSA and CSS Profile , so fill them out as soon as possible. 

Writing tips

Writing supplemental essays is a craft in itself. So, be sure to catch the reader’s attention early on and mention the most important key details first. Building an outline before you start writing can help you organize your thoughts and discuss all the main points of your supplemental essay. 

That’s why we have guides to help you through the process. Make sure to check out our guides to 250 and 500 word essays, writing about yourself , and answering the Common App essay prompts . Be sure also to check out our “Show, Don’t Tell” college essay primer as well as our tips on how to create a college video response . 

Additional resources

College can be a new beginning, and it’s important to have as many tips and tricks under your belt as possible. Here’s a few Scholarships360 resources that can help make your transition to college easier. 

• Learn how extracurriculars impact your application
• Figure out how to pick a major
• Read more about supplemental essays  

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How to Write the Washington University in St. Louis Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Read the  2021-2022 WashU essay guide .

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU or WUSTL) is a private research university with around 7,600 undergraduate students. In the US News 2020 National University Rankings, WashU ranked #19. The university is especially known for its strong pre-medical programs. 

Admission into WashU is very competitive, and for their class of 2024, only 13% of applicants were accepted. After stepping foot onto WashU’s beautiful, gothic campus, students can choose from over 90 different fields of study, 350 campus organizations, 11 fraternities, 9 sororities. Notable alumni include actor Peter Sarsgaard, playwright Tennessee Williams, and astronaut Bob Behnken.

In this guide, we’ll help you think through the WashU supplemental essays, which are a crucial part of your college application. Want to know your chances at WashU? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what WashU will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering WashU needs to know.

WashU Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants, in about 250 words, tell us about something that really sparks your intellectual interest and curiosity, and compels you to explore more in the program/area of study that you indicated. it could be an idea, book, project, cultural activity, work of art, start-up, music, movie, research, innovation, question, or other pursuit. , beyond boundaries program, many of our students broadly explore the connections across washu’s five undergraduate divisions and three graduate schools and engage with the community before declaring a major. the beyond boundaries program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges do not come pre-packaged as territory of a single discipline., in about 250 words, tell us what great challenge you might want to understand and tackle by leveraging two or more of washu’s schools and how you would pursue an interdisciplinary path of study that explores that challenge or an aspect of that challenge in a unique and innovative way., danforth scholars program.

Prompt 1: The Danforth Scholars program is looking for students with a strong commitment to community, and demonstrated initiative in leadership and service. Please share an example of your personal experience as a leader that would clarify why you would be a good fit for this community of scholars. (250 words)

Prompt 2: What matters to you? (250-500 words)

Entrepreneurial Scholars Program

Submit a detailed description of one project completed during high school that reflects creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit. (no word count given) .

This prompt does a great job of suggesting possible avenues for you to explore, but the real key is to tie it into your intended field of study. The “something” that sparks your interest should dovetail into a larger passion for a particular academic field, preferably with some related experiences to back up your passions.

Towards the end, but only briefly, you can bring in how you envision your course of study at WashU to be. Research your intended field on WashU’s department websites, point out any particular courses or resources that support your interest. Looking up WashU’s course catalog also only takes a few clicks, and you can search courses by department. 

Because WashU only requires one supplemental essay, you want to make sure that you’re portraying the best aspects of yourself to the admissions committee. As a result, you want to make sure that thing that sparks your intellectual interest is something you’ve already spent time pursuing, demonstrating commitment and passion, in addition to abstract interest. 

Here’s a few examples which take an area of study, and then narrow it down to a particular aspect of interest:

• Computer Science: the most natural suggestion to take would be the “start-up” option, but there’s so many other avenues you could take. Maybe you’re interested in the financial side of technology, how online payment has both connected the world, but also caused problems. If so, you could take the “innovation” or “idea” route. Maybe you’re interested in political biases on social media, and have worked on developing algorithms that prevent political polarization. 
• Pre-med: the easiest transition here would be to talk about research you yourself have done, maybe in a lab or for a science fair, and then transition it to how you want to continue this line of study in college, but perhaps there are more unconventional links you can brainstorm. Maybe you can pick a book on medical anthropology, and how it opened your eyes to sociocultural factors that impact health outcomes in communities, and how it influenced the research you have done, and the research you’d like to continue to do. Maybe it’s a question that you’re interested in, such as the role of doctors in the age of artificial intelligence. 
• Humanities: given the options the prompt presents you with, there are plenty of ways in which you can transition a book, cultural activity, work of art, or film into a desire to study the medium as a whole. The key here is to be as focused and as specific as possible. If you want to study history, maybe it’s a particular country’s history you’re interested in. Maybe you have ties to that country, but want to get to know it better, or you’ve already worked to study that country’s language and culture, and want to take it to the next level during college. If you want to study art, maybe you could begin with one work of art that has always struck you. You could use that one piece to segue into your own practice, and how you’ve embraced the artists you admire, or have carved out your own path. 

Beyond Boundaries Program Applicants

The Beyond Boundaries program is primarily looking for students who are malleable in their interests, students who are looking to tackle big, complex questions after graduation. It’s important to look into the research and program offerings of the Beyond Boundaries program before you begin writing this essay: are you interested in two or more disparate disciplines, and want to collaborate with other like minded students? 

There are two parts to answering this essay. First, you want to write about a major societal issue that you could see yourself devoting your career to. Then, you want to chart out a possible college roadmap that allows you to build the tools to begin to answer this question. Bringing in related Beyond Boundaries seminars, like The Business of Elections or The Earth’s Future , could also help in this endeavor. Here are a few other examples to think about:

• Maybe your interests lie in visual art and computer science. The big challenge you’d want to tackle could be something like the role of artificial intelligence in creating art. Maybe you’re interested in how new forms of technology can be used in art, and can help traditional artists evolve and develop their craft. Accordingly, you would take programming classes in the School of Arts and Sciences, and arts classes in the Sam Fox School, specifically focusing on visualization technologies. 
• Maybe you want to pursue, but are also highly curious about the intersection between law and religious free speech. The big challenge you could address could be something related to how much of a role religious institutions should play in America’s future. You could mention a Beyond Boundaries specific course, Religious Freedom in America , and could look up different classes on the history of American Evangelicalism in the School of Arts and Sciences, and first amendment classes offered by the law school. 

Danforth Scholars Program—Prompt 1

The danforth scholars program is looking for students with a strong commitment to community, and demonstrated initiative in leadership and service. please share an example of your personal experience as a leader that would clarify why you would be a good fit for this community of scholars. (250 words).

This prompt is pretty straightforward, and gets at the heart of what the Danforth Scholarship is looking for: community engagement combined with individual leadership. Preferably, you’d want to pick a leadership experience that has been one of your major commitments throughout high school, which would demonstrate your long term commitment to bettering the world around you. 

If you don’t have an activity that fits explicitly as both a community service and a leadership role, you could even try to think more abstractly, and think about how a past experience has demonstrated leadership-like qualities, like role modeling, going the extra mile, or taking charge when necessary. You could also think about community service-like qualities, such as altruism, humility, and partnering with the people around you. This essay is pretty short, so make sure to stick to one example, with a couple anecdotes buoying it. 

Because the last part of this prompt is “clarify why you would be a good fit for this community of scholars,” you could even bring in some specific aspects of the Danforth program, like the weekly seminars, the service trip, and more. You should be wary of falling into cliches, such as portraying yourself as a savior of sorts, or expounding on a weeklong trip to a developing country, or attending a few community service activities in your town. Here’s a few different examples that can you help you think through this prompt: 

• If you were a leader of a community service organization at your school, maybe you had a particularly hard time rousing interest from students, and had to overcome that. Or maybe the problem you tackled was with your local community, finding ways to alleviate different social and economic problems through the limited means you had as a high school student. 
• Maybe you were the debate captain of your team, and you not only spent countless hours helping the younger members of the team with their particular competitions, but you also started a club at the neighboring middle school, because you want to expand access to other students.
• Maybe your main activity in high school was lab research. You could talk about how although you weren’t directly involved with your community, you nevertheless pursued research because you wanted to play a role in creating a better drug, or making a cheaper satellite, or saving an endangered species. You took charge as the youngest student in your lab, and demonstrated leadership qualities even when no one expected you to do so. 

Danforth Scholars Program—Prompt 2

What matters to you (250-500 words).

In this prompt, you’d preferably want to dive into something important to you that is also relevant to the scholarship’s core values: leadership and commitment to community. However, you also want to make sure that you tackle a different topic than the first prompt. Possible answers to this topic could range from academic to extracurricular to sociocultural interests, as long as you can weave in service and leadership values into it throughout. 

If what matters to you is family, talk about your parents’ own story, and how they instilled within you specific values that are continuing to push you forward. If what matters to you is your ethnic or cultural identity, you could talk about how you’d want to give back to your community through political or economic means. If what matters to you is an abstract concept, like poverty or wealth inequality, it’d be great if you could bring in some firsthand or secondhand experience dealing with said issues, and how it has impacted the way you want to live out your life. 

The key here, with any example, is a compelling anecdote and personal growth that can fuel the narrative journey you are taking the reader on! 

Entrepreneurial Scholars Program Applicants

If you are applying for the Entrepreneurial Scholars Program, you want to preferably convey a project related to entrepreneurship in some way, whether that’s a nonprofit you helped create, an item you’ve sold on the market, or a school project which you believed to have some kind of entrepreneurial potential. You want to be straightforward, and simply detail the project in this essay, which ideally would include some kind of anecdote and narrative journey. 

If you don’t have an explicitly “entrepreneurial” project, don’t worry! Maybe you could think more abstractly, and write about a project that exuded creativity and passion. Examples could range from a robotics competition, in which you showcased a complex machine you designed, a Science Olympiad event, in which you had to create a trebuchet in a set amount of time, or a coding project. If you’re not particularly STEM inclined, you could even go into research papers you’ve done in fields like economics or government, which tend toward a business oriented solution for problems. There are plenty of ways to go about this essay!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the WashU supplemental essay?  CollegeAdvisor.com’s  guide will show you exactly how to write an engaging WashU supplemental essay to stand out in the admissions process.

Need help crafting your WashU supplemental essay? Create your free  account  or  schedule a free consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

Washington University in St. Louis  (WashU) Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• Washington University in St. Louis has an acceptance rate of 16% —  U.S. News  ranks WashU as a  most selective  school.
• We recommend answering the WashU supplemental essay comprehensively and thoughtfully to maximize your chances of admission.

What is WashU in St. Louis known for?

Washington University in St. Louis is a community-driven institution boasting 77 diversity-related student  groups  on campus. With a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio, its motto Per Veritatem Vis (Strength through Truth) has produced 4 Pulitzer Prize winners, 10 National Medal of Science honorees, and is associated with 25 Nobel laureates.

Additionally, WashU’s location makes it particularly attractive to applicants. After all, who wouldn’t want to attend an elite school in bustling St. Louis?

Interested in attending WashU? This guide to the WashU supplemental essay will give you the tools you need to write a strong WashU essay that will stand out among the WashU supplemental essays submitted by other applicants. Keep reading to learn more about this year’s WashU supplemental essay and WashU scholarship essays.

Does Washington University in St. Louis Have Supplemental Essays?

Yes. Instead of completing multiple WashU essays, all applicants will complete one WashU supplemental essay.  All students interested in applying will submit WashU supplemental essays in addition to the  Common App  and  Coalition App  essays.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get some great tips from our Common app essay  guide .

Additionally, students interested in a scholarship at WashU should review the  Signature Scholarships  page, as well as the general  scholarships  section of the website. With general WashU scholarships, there is no need to complete additional WashU scholarship essays — your Common App personal statement is also your application for the scholarship. However, if you are applying for one or more of the Signature Scholarships, then you’ll need to complete additional WashU scholarship essays in addition to the main WashU supplemental essay.

Don’t worry about missing out on applying for the Signature Scholarships. While completing the Common App and uploading your WashU supplemental essay, you’ll be prompted to select any additional scholarships you’ll be applying for. Once you’ve selected a particular scholarship, the additional WashU scholarship essays will appear on the page. Though we won’t be covering these WashU essay prompts in this WashU supplemental essay guide, you can use our WashU supplemental essay tips to help you write your additional WashU essay prompts.

How Many Essays Are Required for WashU?

As stated above, there is only one WashU supplemental essay. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t take the WashU essay seriously. In fact, with applications like WashU where there is a single supplemental essay, you’ll want to make sure that your answer is as strong as possible to give the best impression to admissions officers. Unlike other applications where there may be room for a weak prompt response, your WashU supplemental essay should be well-edited and fit within your application’s personal narrative.

Unsure of how to craft a personal narrative in your applications? Our expert’s  deep dive  into the personal narrative will help you create a compelling story to leave a lasting impression in the admissions process.

Also, remember that in addition to the required WashU supplemental essay prompt, if you are applying for the WashU Signature Scholar Programs, you will be prompted to complete additional WashU scholarship essays for the program. Again, the prompts for the additional WashU scholarship essays are on the WashU website, but those WashU essay prompts will not be covered in this guide.

How to write the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essay (Required):

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why. (200 word max.)

Outside of the WashU essay prompts required for the WashU Signature Scholarships, there is only one WashU supplemental essay. In the absence of multiple WashU essays, you want to answer the WashU essay prompt clearly and concisely. Why? For example, if there were multiple WashU essays, you may be able to bolster a weaker prompt response with other stronger answers. However, since there aren’t multiple WashU essays, your single WashU supplemental essay response stands front and center for admissions officers.

Another reason to give this WashU supplemental essay the focus it deserves: demonstrated interest. Demonstrated interest is how you show a school that you are knowledgeable about what they offer potential students, that you are interested in attending, and that the school figures prominently in your goals. In other words, this WashU supplemental essay is asking “Why WashU?”

What is the prompt asking?

Let’s review exactly what this WashU essay is asking. Successful WashU supplemental essays will include the following:

• What a student is interested in studying.
• Why the student wants to study this particular topic.
• Why the student wants to study this topic at WashU.

In other words, it’s not enough to write an essay explaining that a service trip to Ecuador in 2019 led to a burning desire to pursue  environmental studies . You also need to explain that your desire to work with students at Tyson Research Center’s summer program is a part of your larger goal to eventually bring environmental studies to the next generation. In this brief WashU essay topic example, you can see that the student clearly identifies what they want to study (environmental studies) and they also have a clear “why” for pursuing the program (service trip to Ecuador). Finally, we touch on the “Why WashU?” question by mentioning an aspect of the environmental studies program that is unique to WashU (the Tyson Research Center).

Let’s break this WashU supplemental essay down further to help you start your draft.

Choosing an area of interest

First, you need to identify an area of study at WashU that interests you. At this point, you may not be sure of your major in college, and that’s okay! This WashU supplemental essay gives you a great opportunity to explore your interests and consider what you’re interested in studying. Picking a major can feel like a daunting task, but it can also be a lot of fun and a great way to begin thinking about what you hope to experience at WashU. Also, it’s helpful to remember, the major or interest you discuss in your WashU supplemental essay is not necessarily what you have to study once you’ve been admitted.

Need help choosing a college major? Check out CollegeAdvisor’s articles on  choosing a college major  and the most popular majors for  Gen Z students .

Before you begin drafting the response for this WashU essay, you should explore their  offerings . As you are exploring, make note of the programs that pique your interest. This WashU essay asks you to elaborate on your interest, so make sure that there is a significant reason for your wanting to pursue a certain major or course of study.

Explaining your interest

As explained previously, successful WashU supplemental essays will answer the following: a) why you are interested in studying the major that you’ve named, and b) why you want to study this major/topic at WashU. The first portion of your WashU essay response is an opportunity for your personality to shine. Can you demonstrate intellectual curiosity here? Can you make a personal connection to your interest in your program of study? Does your interest in this area of study connect to your career plans? Dig deep and avoid superficial responses when crafting your WashU supplemental essay.

Managing word count

With a 200-word limit on this WashU supplemental essay, every word counts. Avoid overly descriptive text, filler words, and tangents. Save your words for writing about what interested you in WashU — instead of cramming SAT vocabulary words into your response.

When you’re writing your WashU supplemental essay draft, however, do not concern yourself with the word count. While this feels counterintuitive, an essay prompt’s word limit may cause anxiety and prevent a natural flow of ideas.  To avoid this, allow your ideas to spill out onto the page before you begin shaping your response. Approaching your WashU supplemental essay in this manner may be helpful if you struggle with writer’s block. Also, you may find that your draft takes an interesting turn and your topic/interests may shift if you give yourself the space to create a messy first draft.

Telling a story

As opposed to starting with “I am interested…” consider telling a story that leads to your connection for that area of interest. Is there a brief anecdote you can share that will show interest to your reader?

Let’s look at the following examples:

Ex 1. I am very interested in the law program in order to change immigration law in the US.

Ex2. It was a sweltering 118 degrees in Tucson that day.  I wondered if the plastic gallon bottles that I placed on the desert floor would even survive the heat. Could plastic sweat? Would these help the coyotes lead migrants to safety? I did what I could, and I knew that the Border Action Network’s activism was saving lives. Immigration laws need to change in the US. So, it became clear — my activist journey could not end with water bottles. Instead, I want to study immigration law with the WashU Department of Political Science.

Now you can continue your story of legal interest and how WashU provides the education that you are looking for regarding your personal passion.

Answering “Why WashU?”

Finally, the WashU supplemental essay is asking you to explain why you want to study at Washington University in St. Louis.

Consider the  values  that Washington University in St. Louis expresses — do they resonate with you? What about the surrounding area does the setting of the school and its location in St. Louis have any bearing on why you want to attend? Part of your reasoning may be practical — perhaps Washington University in St. Louis is your nearest in-state university. However, you don’t want proximity to home to be the focal point of your WashU supplemental essay. Instead, try to answer the following question: how will WashU set me up for success, both academically and in my future career? The answer to that question can help you craft your response for the WashU supplemental essay.

Let’s look at the following example:

Ex. My experience last year volunteering for a local alderman awakened a desire to learn more about the political ideas, ideologies, and perspectives that shape this nation. Washington University in St. Louis’s 77 diverse student groups and strong emphasis on community values make this institution the perfect place to study political science.  What better place to learn more about multiple experiences and viewpoints than an environment that celebrates so many different identities?

In this example, there is a clear connection between the student’s volunteering experience to their choice to study political science. The final piece is the connection between the major and the school. Successful WashU supplemental essays will be specific like the example above.

Editing your WashU Essay response

Once you’ve finished your draft, you’ll want to edit your WashU essay carefully. Successful WashU essay prompts will not only answer the question, but also use dynamic language that is concise and grammatically correct. Check your word count. Make sure you haven’t exceeded the 200-word limit for your WashU essay. While it’s okay to be few words under your limit, be wary of a shorter-than-average essay. If your essay is only 125 words, you’re leaving 75 words on the table. These can be used to add more description to your WashU essay.

Next, evaluate your sentences.  This WashU essay is a short response, however, you have an opportunity to demonstrate both your style and voice.  Are you varying sentence structure? Do your sentences sound repetitive? Often, it can be helpful to read your essay aloud. Hearing your words can help you find weaker points in your WashU essay response that your eyes have ignored.

WashU Supplemental Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does your response identify a specific Washington University in St. Louis area of study or program?
• Does your response explain your interest in this program?
• Does your response explain your interest in studying that program specifically at Washington University in St. Louis?

How Important is the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essay?

The WashU essay is extremely important. Since this is the only opportunity that you have to demonstrate your specific interest in WashU, you must make it count—in 200 words or less. While your academics may meet the requirements for admissions, high grades alone will not guarantee admission into WashU.

In an effort to create equity in their admissions process, WashU is not allowing campus visits, connections with alumni, connections with faculty, or other similar factors as considerations in admissions. A brief, yet powerful response to the WashU essay is the best way to show admissions officers that WashU is the right place for you.

Remember, WashU is a competitive school — with an average of 30,000 annual applicants and only 1,800 students enrolling in the fall — opportunities to introduce yourself to (and impress) admissions officers should not be wasted.

Finally, if you applying to the Signature Scholarship program, extend that same level of focus to the additional WashU essays that you’ll complete. The WashU supplemental essays required for the scholarship applications are your chance to help remove a portion of the financial burden that families juggle when they send their children to college. Do your research on the donating bodies behind each of the scholarships and use the WashU essay prompts to demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for what you plan to study.

Additional Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essay Tips

The WashU essay should be well-edited. Consider the fact that thousands of WashU supplemental essays will cross the desks of admission officers. Poorly thought out and executed WashU essays communicate to your reader that you couldn’t be bothered to edit your piece or didn’t have the writing skills to do so. To maximize the impact of your WashU essays, you’ll want to ask someone else to help you edit. This is also true for the WashU scholarship essays.  After all, once you’ve written the drafts for your WashU essays, you may be unable to see where edits are needed. If you want additional help editing your WashU scholarship essays, CollegeAdvisor.com can help!

Another tip: write your WashU essays in short sittings. Draft your initial ideas for each WashU essay in one sitting. This may be a bulleted list or a free-write. Let your WashU supplemental essays sit for a day or two. Then, evaluate the ideas you’ve generated for your Washu essay prompts.  Be honest — does your initial idea suit whichever WashU supplemental essay you’re writing about? If not, back to the freewriting/idea generation stage. However, once your ideas align with your passion and what each of the WashU essay prompts is asking, then you should move on to producing your drafts.

WashU Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

The WashU essay prompts—including the WashU scholarship essay prompts—may seem overwhelming. However, don’t let that discourage you! The WashU supplemental essay and the optional WashU scholarship essays are an opportunity for you to both introduce yourself to the admission team at WashU, and a chance to win a scholarship that will lessen your family’s financial burden when you attend school. With these tips, you can write engaging WashU essays sure to stand out in admissions.

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Washington University in St. Louis was written by Sasha Litzenberger. If you need help crafting your WashU supplemental essays or WashU scholarship essays, visit app.collegeadvisor.com to create your free  account  or  schedule a no-cost advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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WashU Supplemental Essays 2024 | Strategies and Insights for Success

With the WashU acceptance rate hovering at just 12% for the Class of 2027, Washington University in St. Louis stands among the ranks of highly selective institutions. As WashU continues its trajectory towards a single-digit admit rate, prospective applicants must recognize the imperative of crafting a uniquely compelling case for admission, even with elite academic credentials in tow. Despite the average SAT score for incoming freshmen exceeding 1500 and 88% ranking in the top 10% of their high school class, such accolades alone are no longer sufficient in this hypercompetitive landscape. This underscores the significance of WashU’s supplemental essays, which provide applicants with a critical opportunity to showcase their writing prowess and distinguish themselves amidst fierce competition.

In this blog, we delve into the importance of WashU’s supplemental essays and offer guidance on how applicants can leverage this platform to make a lasting impression on admissions officers.

Also read WashU Acceptance Rate | Strategies and Insights for Admission Success 2024

WashU Supplemental Essays

Prompt #1: exploring your academic interests (200 words).

Washington University in St. Louis invites applicants to delve into their academic aspirations and reasons for choosing the institution. Whether you have a clear academic path in mind or are still exploring your options, this prompt offers an opportunity to articulate your interests and motivations concisely. Here’s how to approach crafting a compelling response:

Understanding the Prompt

Begin by identifying your academic interests or current leanings, even if you are undecided. Reflect on what excites you about the academic division you have selected or wish to explore further. Remember, all first-year students enter WashU as officially “undeclared” and have the opportunity to work closely with academic advisors to discover their passions.

Crafting Your Response

In under 200 words, succinctly convey how your interest in your chosen major(s) began and how it has evolved over time. Demonstrate your knowledge of WashU’s academic offerings by highlighting specific resources both inside and outside the classroom that align with your academic goals. Discuss relevant academic programs, esteemed professors, research opportunities, centers & institutes, and study abroad programs that pique your interest.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Steer clear of generic statements or recycled content from other “Why Us?” essays. Instead, focus on showcasing your genuine connection to WashU and its unique offerings. Avoid clichés and vague statements about prestige or personal feelings. Instead, provide specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate your deep understanding of WashU’s academic environment and your potential contributions to the community.

Key Takeaways

Crafting a standout “Why Us?” essay for WashU requires thorough research and thoughtful reflection. Showcasing your genuine interest in the institution and its academic programs while avoiding common pitfalls will help you craft a compelling and impactful essay that resonates with admissions officers.

Prompt #2: Unveiling Your Unique Identity (250 Words)

Washington University in St. Louis offers applicants the opportunity to share a deeper dimension of their identity through an optional essay or 90-second video submission. This prompt encourages applicants to explore their individuality and provide insights that may not be apparent from their transcript or personal statement. Here’s how to approach crafting a compelling response:

This optional question invites applicants to share personal experiences and perspectives that contribute to their unique identity. Whether discussing a fresh perspective brought to a collaborative setting, describing their place within a community, or reflecting on how their identity shapes their interactions, applicants are encouraged to offer authentic insights into “Who are you?”

Select one of the three prompts and delve into a meaningful experience or aspect of your identity. Share a specific example that showcases your ability to bring a fresh perspective to a collaborative project, your involvement in a community and the role you play within it, or how your identity influences your worldview and interactions within your community.

Highlighting Your Individuality

Emphasize what sets you apart and makes your perspective valuable. Avoid generic responses and instead provide personal anecdotes, reflections, and insights that offer unique glimpses into your character, values, and experiences.

While this essay is technically optional, we strongly advise every applicant to WashU to opt in. Given WashU’s emphasis on holistic admissions and the value placed on diversity of perspectives, this essay provides a valuable opportunity to showcase the characteristics and skills that make you stand out as a unique and valuable addition to the WashU community.

Crafting a standout response to Prompt #2 requires authenticity, introspection, and a willingness to share personal experiences and perspectives. By selecting a prompt that resonates with you and offering genuine insights into your identity, you can create a compelling narrative that helps admissions officers understand “Who are you?” beyond your academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

Also see 20 Most Expensive Colleges in 2024

The Importance of  WashU Supplemental Essays

In Washington University in St. Louis’s comprehensive evaluation process, eight factors hold utmost significance, including essays, recommendations, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, GPA, test scores, class rank, and curriculum rigor. As WashU prioritizes a holistic approach to admissions, the essays emerge as pivotal components in shaping an applicant’s profile. With the essays designated as one of the most critical factors, applicants are afforded a prime opportunity to showcase their unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations, making a compelling case for admission to WashU’s esteemed academic community.

The WashU supplemental essays play a crucial role in the admissions process, serving as a platform for applicants to express their individuality, values, and aspirations beyond their academic achievements. With WashU’s emphasis on holistic evaluation, the essays provide applicants with an invaluable opportunity to stand out and demonstrate their potential contributions to the university community. By crafting thoughtful and compelling essays, applicants can effectively showcase their unique qualities and enhance their chances of securing admission to Washington University in St. Louis.

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August 15, 2021

Washington University in St. Louis 2021-2022 Essay Prompt

Washington University in St. Louis has released its essay prompt for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. Applicants to the Wash U Class of 2026 will be asked to answer one optional essay prompt, though applicants to any of the signature scholarship programs will be asked to write a second essay prompt. Wash U, historically known to be a school with a short supplement (there was a time when Wash U didn’t ask any supplemental essay prompt), asks applicants one short question of 150 words: “Describe a high school or community activity in which you have taken initiative. What were the challenges and outcomes? What did you learn?” And that’s it! But while answering the prompt might be “optional,” loyal readers of our college admissions blog know that which is optional in elite college admissions should not be considered optional.

For applicants to the Danforth Scholars Program, the Ervin Scholars Program, or the Rodriguez Scholars Program, applicants are asked an additional prompt. For Danforth, applicants are asked to answer the following 150-word prompt: “The Danforth Scholars Program is looking for students with a strong commitment to community and demonstrated initiative in leadership and service. Please share an example of your personal experience as a leader that would clarify why you would be a good fit for this community of scholars.” For Rodriguez, applicants are asked to answer a 250-word prompt: “Consider the biography of Annika Rodriguez and reflect upon your commitment to bringing diverse groups together and/or celebrating the cultures of diverse peoples. How do you demonstrate this commitment? How do your service activities demonstrate your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Rodriguez Scholars Program.” And for Ervin, applicants are asked to answer a 250-word prompt: “Review the biography of Dr. John B. Ervin and the four Program Pillars. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the ideals of the Program? Please provide 1-2 specific examples.”

Have a question about the Wash U supplement? Let us know your question by posting it below. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, washu supplemental essays.

Hey everyone! I'm applying to WashU and have started working on my supplemental essays. For those of you who have already applied or are currently working on it, could you share some advice on how to approach these essays? I'm a little nervous. Thanks!

Hey there! I can understand why the supplemental essays might be making you nervous, but don't worry! Here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Be genuine: Write about topics that genuinely interest you or experiences that have shaped who you are. This will make your essays more engaging and easier to write.

2. Be specific: Focus on a particular aspect of WashU that appeals to you, such as a program, major, or a club. This will help demonstrate your interest in the school and how it aligns with your goals.

3. Show your personality: Let your authentic voice come through in your essays. Don't be afraid to be a little quirky or show your sense of humor.

4. Proofread and revise: Give yourself enough time to refine your essays and ask for feedback from teachers or peers.

Remember that the goal is to provide a more complete picture of who you are beyond your test scores and transcripts. Just relax, be yourself, and share your story. Good luck with your application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

• Faculty & Staff

Students admitted to the UW now have until June 1 to commit, a result of FAFSA delays. We anticipate that financial aid offers will be sent in late April or early May.

Freshman writing section

At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Please note that the UW essay questions must be answered within our application. For the Common App, that means within our UW questions. We do not consider the Common App essay.

Essay prompt [required]

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

Maximum length : 650 words

Short response [required]

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW.

Maximum length : 300 words

Tip :  Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.

Additional information about yourself or your circumstances [optional]

You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:

• You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
• Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
• You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended

Maximum length : 200 words

Format for the essays

• Content is important, but spelling, grammar and punctuation are also considered.
• We recommend composing in advance, then copying and pasting into the application. Double-spacing, italics and other formatting will be lost, but this will not affect the evaluation of your application.
• We’ve observed most students write a polished formal essay, yet submit a more casual short response. Give every part of the writing responses your best effort, presenting yourself in standard, formal English.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Tip :  Write like it matters, not like you’re texting. This is an application for college, not a message to your friend. Get some hints in the video:

All writing in the application, including your essay/personal statement and short responses, must be your own work.  Do not use another writer’s work and do not use artificial intelligence software (ChatGPT, Bard, etc.) to assist or write your statement.

Per Washington state law and University of Washington policy , all admissions staff are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Any statements in written materials that give admissions staff reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of someone under the age of 18 may have occurred must be reported to Child Protective Services or the police. Learn more about University reporting requirements . 

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault or other sexual misconduct, RAINN is a national hotline that provides support and referrals. Call 800.656.4673 or visit the website for a chat option. For individuals who have experienced domestic violence or intimate partner violence, the National DV Hotline offers phone, chat, and text options for support.

University of Washington (UW) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: Nov 15

You Have: 

University of Washington 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One 500 word essay (required), one 300 word essay (required), one 200 word essay (optional). Supplemental Essay Type (s): Oddball ,  Community , Additional Info 

At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Please note that the uw essay questions must be answered within our application. for the common app, that means within our uw questions. we do not consider the common app essay., essay prompt, tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words max).

You can think of this prompt as the slightly more general cousin to the Common App’s first prompt, which is about your background. You can write about almost anything in your life experience that has shaped who you are today. But maybe you feel like you used your best story in your personal statement. What to do? Your goal is to reveal a different side of yourself, so try thinking in opposites! If your personal statement was about your family, maybe this essay could focus on school or work. If your personal statement was about your leadership skills, could this essay cover a time when you let someone else lead the way and learned something new? As you begin to zero in on the area of your life that you haven’t tapped into yet, think about how your past experiences still resonate in your life today. Maybe your summer job as a lifeguard taught a new sense of personal responsibility that has made you more attentive in your day-to-day life. Maybe an ill-fated childhood attempt to drink an entire carton of milk taught you how to balance enthusiasm and moderation in every major project you take on. The experience itself can be big or small, but its connection to who you are today must be clear. UW wants to know who you’ll be on campus, so show them!

Short Response

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the university of washington. (300 words).

Ah, the infamous “community” essay. Many schools ask students about their communities because they want to know how applicants relate to the people around them, forge connections, and commune with their peers. In this particular instance, the question calls attention to family as well, so consider how the people who you are related to (or those who you consider family even if they’re not bound to you by blood) have influenced your life and worldview. Maybe you’re very involved in your local synagogue, polka dancing club, or environmental organization. University of Washington wants to know about your life beyond the classroom and how you will continue those activities and interests on their campus. Why do you invest in the people you invest in?

Additional Information About Yourself or Your Circumstances (200 words)

You are not required to write anything in this section, but feel free to include additional information if something has particular significance to you. for example, you may use this space if:, -you have experienced personal hardships in obtaining your education, -your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations, -unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended.

This prompt is an opportunity for you to explain just about anything else that you haven’t covered elsewhere on the application. Usually, we recommend this type of optional essay only to students who have experienced a major academic strain or have had noticeable blemishes on their records. One example could be the explanation of a complication, like an illness that caused you to miss school and impacted your grades. Perhaps your family moved around a lot, which made it hard to transfer grades or connect with your peers. Maybe an undiagnosed learning disability caused you major challenges in school until you learned how to cope with it.  UW’s prompt covers these circumstances, and invites responses from applicants who feel that their unique circumstances are not represented elsewhere in their application. 

Additional Space (Optional) (200 words)

You may use this space if you need to further explain or clarify answers you have given elsewhere in this application, or if you wish to share information that may assist the office of admissions. if applicable, be sure to include the question number to which your comment(s) refer..

Admissions is giving you one more opportunity to address anything that needs to be addressed. If you feel inclined to answer, think about what else might admissions officers might want or need to know about you. You have an additional 200 words at your disposal to speak to them in your own voice, so use them as long as what you’re writing isn’t simply filler — if that’s the case, it’s better just to leave this blank. 

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