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WashU Supplemental Essays 2024-25 Prompts and Tips

July 26, 2024

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.

2024-2025 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 to 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.

Need additional writing guidance? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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How to Ace the 23/24 WashU Supplemental Essay

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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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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.

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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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WashU Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Are you thinking of applying to Washington University? If so, you’ll need to focus on creating the strongest WashU supplemental essays you can in order to impress Washington University admissions. The Washington University supplemental essays form a key part of any impressive application. 

Washington University is a mid-size research university in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s one of the best colleges in the Midwest , just behind renowned universities like UChicago and Northwestern. Founded in 1853, WashU prides itself on academic excellence. In addition to excellent undergraduate programs, WashU also offers exceptional graduate programs.

What we’ll cover

In this guide, we’ll go over some quick facts about the Washington University essay. Then, we’ll answer some common questions about the Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays and give you some tips on how to write Washington University essays that stand out. 

Applying to college can be a daunting process. However, don’t let the WashU supplemental essays scare you. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Washington University supplemental essays. 

First, let’s go over some quick facts about Washington University and the Washington University essay. 

Washington University Essay: Quick Facts

• Washington University Acceptance Rate: 13%, according to U.S. News . U.S. News ranks WashU a most selective school. The Washington University ranking is #15 , nationally. 
• One 200-word essay
• Washington University Application: You can apply to WashU using either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Make sure you have all of your required materials prepared before you submit your application. 
• Early Decision I: November 1
• Early Decision II: January 3
• Regular Decision: January 3
• Washington University Essay tip: Successful WashU supplemental essays will be authentic. The Washington University essay is a “Why Major” essay. Students should carefully consider their study interests and reasons behind them when crafting their WashU supplemental essays.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

Does Washington University require an essay?

First, let’s go over the basics: are there any required WashU supplemental essays?

The short answer is yes! There is one required Washington University essay. Keep in mind that the WashU supplemental essays might change slightly from year to year. Additionally, as a good practice when applying to any school, always check the admissions site for the latest information.  

When you hear people talking about WashU supplemental essays this year, they’re only talking about the “why major” essay. This means that all Washington University supplemental essays will focus on applicants’ future study interests. 

The WashU supplemental essays are an essential part of your application. To learn more about this year’s requirements for your Washington University supplemental essays, keep reading.

How many essays do you have to write for WashU?

If you’re working on your WashU supplemental essays this year, you’re in luck: there is only one required supplemental essay. However, this doesn’t mean that you should put less thought or effort into your Washington University supplemental essay. On the contrary, since you only have one chance to impress the Washington University admissions team, you need to make it count.

But how can students make their WashU supplemental essays stand out? Overall, there is no one set way of writing successful WashU supplemental essays. However, strong WashU supplemental essays will be honest, concise, and share something new about the applicant. 

Since there’s only one Washington University essay this year, you can put all of your focus into making this one essay the best it can be. This year’s WashU essay prompts are fairly straightforward: they ask you about your intended intellectual pursuits at WashU. 

After reading WashU supplemental essays, admissions officers will have a good idea of what applicants want to study and why. Additionally, they’ll know why students want to pursue their intended majors at WashU specifically. 

Washington University Supplemental Essay

As we’ve mentioned, your Washington University essay will discuss what you plan on studying at WashU and why. 

Here’s the prompt for the WashU supplemental essays:

WashU Supplemental Essay Prompt

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

Seems pretty straightforward, right? In fact, you may have seen similar prompts in other schools’ essay requirements. Why Major essays are a favorite among admissions teams. So, it’s likely not unique to your Washington University application. In fact, you might even be able to reuse some parts of your answer for other essays—or use writing for other schools for your Washington University supplemental essays.

Understanding the prompts

This year’s prompt for the WashU supplemental essays essentially asks: why do you plan on pursuing your intended major? We call this type of essay a Why Major essay. Many universities want to learn more about your academic interests—namely, what course of study you will pursue. After all, attending college is first and foremost about learning. So, your WashU supplemental essays should explain what you want to study—but most importantly, why you want to study it. Successful WashU supplemental essays will also highlight a student’s specific interest in WashU. 

However, just because this prompt is common doesn’t mean that it calls for a common answer. In fact, great WashU supplemental essays will dive much deeper than simply stating facts and answering the prompt on a surface level. 

Keep in mind that students only have 200 words for their Washington University supplemental essays. So, every sentence counts. This doesn’t mean that students should frantically cram as much information as possible about themselves into their WashU supplemental essays. However, they should strategically use every word to tell a compelling story about themselves and their passions. 

How can you craft a successful why major essay in so few words? While there’s no one rule for writing successful WashU supplemental essays, there are some key tips you can keep in mind throughout the writing process.

Tips for approaching this why major essay

As you write your WashU supplemental essays, you might wonder how you can write something that stands out, especially with WashU essay prompts as straightforward as this one. How can you write something unique?

5 tips to get you started with your WashU supplemental essays: 

1. tell a story.

One way to make an essay as seemingly simple as the why major essay stand out is through a solid structure. With only 200 words, you can still include structural components that take the reader on a journey. Start with a hook that lets your reader know this essay will be different from the hundreds of other WashU supplemental essays that they’ve read that day. 

This hook could be an anecdote: a brief story about a moment that inspired your academic passions. Maybe you are motivated to study medicine because a family member was in and out of the hospital when you were growing up. Or, maybe you plan on majoring in psychology because you joined a peer counseling club in high school and realized how many people are struggling with mental health concerns. You don’t have to use dialogue (though many do!), but your hook should place the reader right in the heart of the action. 

Your hook could also be a quote. Is there something a teacher said to you along the way that inspired you personally or academically? Did you watch a documentary about a prominent thinker in your field where they mentioned something that stuck with you? Is there a line from one of your favorite writers that informs how you approach the world? The quote could even be a line from a poem or a song. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative: that’s what will grab your reader’s attention and make your WashU supplemental essays stand out. 

2. Be unique or original

Many students get tripped up by advice like this when writing their WashU supplemental essays. However, being unique really just means being yourself. So, in your WashU supplemental essays, simply write something specific to you and your experience. No one is like you, and therefore your own life experiences are inherently unique! 

For this why major essay, the more specifically you can convey your passions, the more your essay will stand out. The WashU supplemental essays ask what you plan to study at WashU. However, remember that the operative word here isn’t actually study, but you. What do you want to study, and why? Everyone has different reasons for pursuing a field. So, dive into your reasons for pursuing this intellectual path.

Getting specific

Let’s look at a sample scenario so you can get a feel for how successful WashU supplemental essays work. Many students, for instance, want to study computer science. If you write your Washington University supplemental essays around this topic, you might find it hard to stand out. Instead of saying “I’m interested in computer science because I want to learn how to build an app,” think about how your interest in CS is unique. Maybe you grew up gaming, and from the first moment you played Mario Kart you were awed by the world created within the game. So, you decided you just had to learn how it was built. Or, maybe you want to create an app that will solve a real problem—what problem is it? Why do you care about this specific issue? Or maybe you’ve already dabbled in coding—what did you make, and why? 

No matter the area of study, the one thing that will make your story stand out is that it’s your story. Don’t be afraid to tell it! 

3. Do your research

Remember, regardless of the question, successful WashU supplemental essays will show why you want to go WashU—not just why you want to go to college or what you want to study in general. One way to demonstrate this point is to do your research on WashU. Then, incorporate your findings into your WashU supplemental essays. 

Since this year’s Washington University supplemental essays are why major essays, take some time to look into the WashU majors . Sure, many schools have similar majors: English, history, math, psychology , and even a pre-med track. However, your Washington University supplemental essays let you showcase your interest in the majors that WashU has to offer. Additionally, 80% of all undergraduates at WashU pursue multiple majors or minors, so don’t be afraid to dive into multiple interests. 

Let’s say you want to major in history. But, because of your many years playing the saxophone, you’re also interested in pursuing a minor or double major in Jazz Studies . You might explore the connection between the two areas. For example, you might write about your fascination with how the Great Migration affected jazz in the north and the south. 

Or perhaps you’re thinking of studying chemistry to prepare you for a career in medicine but are equally fascinated by the history of medicine. Well, you might write about your interest in a minor in Medical Humanities . You’d emerge a better candidate for medical school and a lucky recipient of a well-rounded education. And, by specifying this in your WashU supplemental essays, you’ll immediately stand out from other pre-med applicants. 

4. Focus on your passions

Even though these WashU essay prompts focus on majors specifically, not everyone knows what they want to major in. So, what do you do if you’re undecided?

Use your Washington University supplemental essays as a way to explore your interests. Yes, you should probably list a specific major, but the major itself doesn’t need to be the focus of the essay. If you are applying to a prestigious university like WashU, you are probably intellectually curious and care about academics. Let this passion shine through! What do you genuinely care about? During your college experience, what do you want to learn? What experiences have sparked these interests? 

Pursuing multiple fields

Many students get stumped because they have multiple areas of interest. That’s perfectly fine! In fact, it makes you a dynamic candidate. However, when you’re writing your Washington University supplemental essays, think about how you could draw a thread between your areas of interest. Maybe you’re a dancer who adored AP Physics. It’s okay if you don’t know which of these passions you’ll follow—you can talk about both! 

Moreover, to write even more thoughtful Washington University supplemental essays, think about how your passions could intersect. Is there anything about you that you think primes you to be passionate about both dance and physics? Or, is there something that they have in common? 

Or perhaps you’d simply like to minor in dance and major in physics. You might look up where those buildings are on the WashU campus. Tell Washington University admissions a story of what your typical day would look like as a student, walking back and forth between the two buildings with the calculations for the perfect arc of a grand jeté lingering in your mind. 

5. Use impeccable grammar and spelling

This tip for writing strong Washington University supplemental essays should go without saying, but we’re saying it: your WashU supplemental essays should have perfect spelling and grammar. 

If you know that you struggle with these areas, you can always use an online spelling or grammar checker. Most documents will tell you if you spell something wrong, and some even intervene when your sentences run on or you miss a punctuation mark. 

Another tip for writing a grammatically coherent essay is to read the essay out loud. You can read it to yourself, or to a parent or friend. Reading the essay out loud will help you catch run-on sentences or clunky language. It will also help you catch any typos: words that you’ve repeated or a rogue word leftover from a previous draft. 

The last thing you want is for admissions to be distracted from your wonderful narrative because of careless mistakes. So, your Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays need to be perfectly written. And, since you only have one Washington University essay of 200 words to write, there’s no excuse for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Double and triple check your essay, and enlist help when proofreading. 

Preparing to write WashU supplemental essays

Overall, this year’s WashU essay prompts ask you to write about what you plan to study at WashU and why. Now that you’ve read these tips on how to write your Washington University supplemental essays, we hope that you feel more confident about writing your why major essay. For more tips on how to write the best Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays, and how to write great college essays in general, check out this guide . 

Before we conclude our guide on how to write the strongest Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays, let’s explore why writing strong Washington University supplemental essays matters.

Does Washington University in St. Louis care about essays?

We’ve discussed how to write the best Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays. Next, let’s talk about how the admissions team will review your essays. 

The Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays are a significant part of the application. As such, they can make a key difference in the admissions committee’s decision. Washington University is a prestigious university with many applicants each year. The Washington University acceptance rate is 13% , and the Washington University ranking is #15 in National Universities. Additionally, it’s considered one of the best colleges in the midwest . All of these factors make WashU a most selective school. Therefore, every part of your application counts. 

Understanding the review process

WashU approaches applications holistically. This means that they look at every part of your application, not just your grades or class rank. WashU will, of course, still take your academic standing into consideration. But, the admissions officers will also look at your Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars. 

Similar to many other colleges, Washington University is currently test-optional . This means that you do not have to submit SAT or ACT scores as these metrics are not required . WashU will assess every application equally, regardless of whether or not you choose to submit test scores. If you are able to take the SAT or ACT and you score at or above the average for WashU, we recommend submitting your scores. If you do not take these tests, or if your scores would not help your application, you do not need to submit.

An important piece of the puzzle

Overall, the Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays are a significant part of the application. Though these essays are no more important than any other requirement, they are another piece of the puzzle that helps admissions officers get to know you. 

Your Washington University essay and the Common App essay are the only places in your application where you can express yourself in your own voice. With their Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays, students can speak directly to the admissions team. So, give them an idea of what kind of student you would be at WashU.

Looking for more advice on how to get into WashU? Check out our guide to give yourself the best odds of gaining admission. 

WashU Supplemental Essays – 5 Takeaways

We hope that after reading this guide on the Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays, you feel ready to tackle your Washington University essay. 

Here are five takeaways to remember when writing your Washington University essay:

• The Washington University acceptance rate is 13%, and the Washington University ranking is #15 in U.S. News’ Best National Universities list. This makes WashU a most selective school. So, you’ll need to write a strong essay in order to distinguish yourself from a competitive applicant pool. 
• There is one 200-word required Washington University essay. Make sure each word of your essay plays an important role in telling your story. 
• The WashU essay prompt for this year is a Why Major essay. So, carefully consider your academic interests. Research program offerings only available at WashU and, most importantly, expand on why they interest you.
• When writing your essay, remember these tips: tell a story, be original, do your research, focus on your passions, and always check your grammar. If you’ve done all these things, chances are you’ve written a solid WashU essay.
• Make sure that you prepare all of your materials before you apply and are mindful of the application deadlines: Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Early Decision II. Don’t wait until the last moment to get all of your application requirements together, especially the essay.

We believe that you can master the college process—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.  We’ll help you gain acceptance into WashU, just like one of our favorite students . 

Now, go forth and write your WashU essay!

This essay guide was written by advisor, Rachel Kahn . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Washington University in St. Louis | WashU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this major short response.

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.

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.

Beyond Boundaries Program Essay

The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges require diverse perspectives and skill sets.

What is the big societal issue you would like to tackle? Who would you need on your team? What would you contribute to the team?

Joint Program in Business and Computer Science Essay

Students in the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and perspectives of computer science and business and will have unique opportunities to converge these two disciplines. This is a distinctive degree program that captures the intersection of business and computer science and the growing demand for people with this special and sought-after skillset. Graduates of the program will able to pursue careers in technology, data analytics, finance, consulting and business development, to name a few. Tell us how you would use this combined degree to explore the intersection of these two disciplines?

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

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.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Washington University in St. Louis 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 3

Washington University in St. Louis 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: One 200-word essay; one 250-word essay

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community

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. .

This is WashU’s version of a classic “Why Essay.” Even if you’re not completely sure what you want to major in yet, admissions wants to both learn about your academic interests, and see how their offerings will suit your passions. If you can build a bridge between your own interests and the resources available at WashU, you’ll be well on your way to demonstrating your fit. So set aside an hour or two and commit to some serious research on the WashU website. (Sorry, there’s no way around this, folks!) Look up information about news and research coming out of your department of interest, the kinds of courses available, and the opportunities other undergrads have had studying in your area of choice. Even if you have a wide array of interests, consider explaining how two or three departments might complement each other or foster your interest in a larger theme or cross-pollinating kind of way. Your ultimate goal is to show that your interest in WashU (just like your intellectual curiosity) runs deep!

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), 1) discuss a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project., 2) describe a community you are a part of and your place within it., 3) tell us how your life experiences have impacted the way you view or interact with your community..

With each of these prompts, admissions is hoping to learn more about who you are in a group setting. So choose the prompt that sticks out to you, or work backward by thinking about the communities you are a part of (whether that be your student government, your temple, your club soccer team, etc.) and consider your place within it. Maybe you’ve been thinking about writing an essay about your volunteer work within your small city and the ways in which it has expanded your perspective and introduced you to people from all walks of life who you may never have gotten the chance to get to know otherwise. An essay like that could work for any of these three prompts depending on the way you tell it. Perhaps you want to write about your experience advocating for greener waste management solutions at your high school (1) or connecting with other trans and non-binary individuals at queer meet-ups (2) or the ways your years of being the only person in the room who looks like you has impacted the way you interact with others (3). Ultimately, your goal here is to offer admissions deeper insight into the human behind the application. 

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August 3, 2024

2024-2025 Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essay Prompts

Washington University in St. Louis has released its supplemental essay prompt for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle . Applicants to WashU’s Class of 2029 are presented with a required essay prompt, an optional essay prompt, and an optional video upload . So, let’s check out these prompts!

2024-2025 WashU Essay Topics & Video

Required essay prompt.

Below are WashU’s instructions for the required essay, which is hidden within the Academics section of the supplement. Applicants can respond to the prompt in up to 200 words.

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. 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.

This prompt is a straight-up-the-middle Why Major question. As such, it should include an origin story of a student’s interest — as a high schooler, not as a child — in their discipline of choice. Additionally, ideally, students have gotten involved in several activities that showcase their interest in this area. Here’s a chance for students to tell WashU’s admissions committee about their work in one such activity that directly correlates with their intended major. The answer does not need to include WashU specifics since it’s distinctly not a Why WashU question.

Optional Essay Prompts

Below are WashU’s instructions for the optional essay for all applicants, for which students can choose one of the two prompts and include a response of up to 250 words:

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?”:

Please choose one of the following:

1. WashU supports engagement in the St. Louis community by considering the university as “In St. Louis, For St. Louis.” What is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within in?

In the majority opinion outlawing the practice of Affirmative Action , Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts included a caveat that went as follows: 

“At the same time, as all parties agree, nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”

This essay prompt is an opportunity for a student to showcase how their community has shaped them and how they’ve been shaped by their community. And the word community can be defined loosely. It can be a physical community — where a student lives. It can be a community of mathematicians if their angle happens to be math. As long as an applicant’s response showcases a window into their world, they’re on the right track.

2. WashU strives to know every undergraduate student “By Name & Story.” How have your life experiences shaped your story?

Like the previous prompt, this essay question is a response to the SCOTUS ruling outlawing Affirmative Action. Here, applicants can write about their background, identity, race, religion, interests, or really anything they’d like since one’s “story” is open to interpretation.

Optional Video

WashU applicants, through the WashU Pathway, have the chance to upload an up to 90-second video introducing themselves — if they so wish. The instructions for the optional video are as follows:

All applicants have the option to upload a 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 telling us about something important to you.

Ideas to consider:

• Do you have a hobby? Show us how you spend your free time.
• How do you express your most authentic self? Through art, cooking, poetry, stand-up comedy?
• What do you most want to experience at WashU?

And if you don’t want to submit a video, that’s OK. Applicants will not be penalized for opting out of submitting a video. It is an optional video (and we mean  optional) .

When creating the video, it’s important that applicants know that submitting a highly stylized, edited video is unnecessary — and we at Ivy Coach strongly recommend against it since doing so risks presenting an applicant as less likable.

Instead, applicants shouldn’t try to impress admissions officers with fancy filmmaking skills. They should instead focus on sharing a story that isn’t included elsewhere in the application that shines a spotlight on a student’s hook.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with WashU Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission to WashU by submitting essays that inspire admissions officers to root for you, fill out Ivy Coach ’s complimentary consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to delineate our college counseling services for seniors.

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2024-2025 University of California Essay Prompts: Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD

August 5, 2024

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• How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

Published on October 11, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

A good scholarship essay demonstrates the scholarship organization’s values while directly addressing the prompt. If you plan ahead , you can save time by writing one essay for multiple prompts with similar questions.

Table of contents

Apply for a wide variety of scholarships, make a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, tailor your essay to the organization and the prompt, write a focused and relevant personal story, scholarship essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Scholarships are a type of student financial aid that don’t require repayment. They are awarded based on various factors, including academic merit, financial need, intended major, personal background, or activities and interests.

Like college applications, scholarship applications often require students to submit their grades, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and an essay.

A scholarship essay shares your values and qualities in the context of a specific question, such as “How does technology affect your daily life?” or “Who has had the greatest impact on your life?”

Be wary of scholarship scams

While some applications may not require an essay, be wary of scholarship scams that do the following:

• Guarantee you scholarship money for a fee
• Claim scholarship information is exclusive to their company
• Ask for your bank or credit card information to hold the scholarship

Some legitimate companies do charge for releasing comprehensive scholarship lists or creating a tailored list of scholarship opportunities based on your profile.

However, you can always discover scholarship opportunities for free through your school counselor, community network, or an online search.

Many students focus on well-known, large scholarship opportunities, which are usually very competitive. To maximize your chance of success, invest time in applying for a wide variety of scholarships: national and local, as well as big and small award amounts. There are also scholarships for international students .

In addition to charitable foundation and corporate scholarships, you should consider applying for institutional scholarships at your prospective universities, which can award money based on your application’s strength, your financial situation, and your demonstrated interest in the school.

Check with your guidance counselor, local organizations, community network, or prospective schools’ financial aid offices for scholarship opportunities. It’s a good idea to start applying as early as your junior year and continue throughout your senior year.

Choose the right scholarships for you

Choose scholarships with missions and essay topics that match your background, experiences, and interests. If the scholarship topic is meaningful to you, it will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay.

Don’t shy away from applying for local scholarships with small dollar amounts. Even a few hundred dollars can help you pay for books.

Local scholarships may be more tailored to your community, background, and activities, so they’re likely more relevant to you. Fewer students apply for these scholarships, so you have less competition and a higher chance of success.

Some places to look for local scholarships include

• Civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc.
• Your church, mosque, synagogue, or place of worship
• Community groups, such as the YMCA
• Ethnicity-based organizations
• Your local library or local small businesses
• Organizations related to your intended major
• Your city or town
• Your school district
• Unions, such as SEIU, the Teamsters, CWA, etc.
• Your employer or your parents’ employers
• Banks, credit unions, and local financial institutions

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

While researching scholarship opportunities, create a scholarship tracker spreadsheet to keep track of the following:

• Scholarship amounts
• Required application materials

You can use our free Google Sheets template to track your scholarship applications.

Scholarship application tracker template

You can also include scholarship essay prompts in your college essay tracker sheet . By grouping or color-code overlapping essay prompts, you can plan to write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can also reuse or adapt your main college essay .

Even if you’re adapting another essay, it’s important to make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, stays within the word count limit , and demonstrates the organization’s values. The scholarship committee will be able to tell if you reuse an essay that doesn’t quite respond to the prompt, so be sure to tailor it to the questions asked.

Research each organization

Before writing, research the scholarship organization’s mission and reason for awarding the scholarship. Learning more about the organization can help you select an appropriate topic and relevant story.

While you should tailor your essay to the organization’s values, maintain your authentic voice. Never use false or exaggerated stories. If the organization’s values don’t align with yours or you can’t brainstorm a relevant story for the scholarship, continue searching for other scholarship opportunities to find a more appropriate one for you.

After researching the organization, identify a specific personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies why you will be a successful student.

Choose a story with the following criteria:

• Responds to the prompt
• Demonstrates the organization’s values
• Includes an authentic story
• Focuses on you and your experience, not someone else’s

A good scholarship essay is not

• A resume of your achievements
• A lengthy opinion piece about the essay topic
• An essay featuring a negative tone that puts down others

If appropriate, you can briefly address how the scholarship money will help you achieve your educational goals. You should also end with a brief thank-you.

Take a look at the full essay example below. Hover over the underlined parts to read explanations of why they work.

Prompt: Describe how working for Chelsea’s Chicken restaurant has developed leadership skills that will help you succeed in college. Give specific examples of leadership characteristics that you have exhibited during your employment with us.

As a nervous 16-year-old, I walked into Chelsea’s Chicken for my first day of work determined to make enough money to put gas in my car and buy pizza on the weekends. My only previous job was mowing my neighbors’ lawns when they were on vacation, so I had no idea what to expect. I was a bit intimidated by my new responsibilities, especially handling money and helping disgruntled customers.

However, it didn’t take me long to learn my way around the cash register and successfully address customer complaints. One day, Roger, the store manager, asked me if I wanted to join Chelsea’s Chicken Leadership Training Initiative. He said he saw leadership potential in me because of my attitude with the customers and my enthusiasm for learning new job responsibilities. It surprised me because I had never thought of myself as a leader, but I quickly agreed, and Roger handed me a three-ring binder that was thicker than my math and science textbooks put together! He told me to take it home and read over it during the following week.

In that binder, I discovered that being a leader means taking the initiative, especially when the job is undesirable. One week later, I got to practice that idea when a little kid threw up in the bathroom and missed the toilet. It smelled terrible, but I stepped forward and told Roger that I would clean it up. My coworkers thought I was crazy, but I started to believe in my leadership potential.

That night as we closed the store, Roger pulled me aside in the parking lot and told me that he could tell that I had been studying the manual. He wanted to give me more responsibility, along with a dollar-per-hour pay raise. I was surprised because I had been working there for only a couple of months, but his encouragement helped me make a connection: good leadership helps other people, and it often is rewarded. I was determined to experience more of both.

Within a month, I was ready to take the Team Leader exam, which mattered because I would receive a promotion and a much bigger raise if I passed. But, when I got to work, two of the scheduled team members had called in sick. We were noticeably short-handed, and our customers weren’t happy about it.

I walked back to the lockers, put on my vest and hat, and took my place behind an open register. Customers immediately moved into my line to place their orders. Roger looked at me with surprise and asked, “Did you forget that you’re testing tonight?” I responded, “No, sir—but what’s the use of taking a leadership test if you aren’t going to lead in real life?” Roger smiled at me and nodded.

He stayed late that night after we closed so that I could leave early and still take the test. I noticed that Roger was always staying late, helping employees learn new skills. His example taught me that leaders take the initiative to develop other leaders. He gave me a clear picture of what shared leadership looks like, making room for others to grow and excel. When I asked him where he learned to do that, he said, “From the same leadership manual I gave you!”

Chelsea’s Chicken has offered me so much more than a paycheck. Because of Roger’s example, I have learned to take the initiative to care for my family and friends, such as being the first to do the dishes without my mom asking or volunteering to pick up my friend for our SAT prep course. Now, as I prepare to enter college, I have confidence in my leadership ability. I know I’m signing up for a challenging major—Biology, Pre-Med—yet I also know that Chelsea’s Chicken has helped me to develop the perseverance required to complete my studies successfully.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

Cite this Scribbr article

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Courault, K. (2023, May 31). How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example. Scribbr. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/scholarship-essay/

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Scholarships

First-year academic scholarships.

Washington University is committed to rewarding talented students with academic scholarships for their exceptional academic and extracurricular performance in high school.

The following programs offer financial assistance based primarily on academic achievement and an outstanding promise for excellence at WashU.

Academic Division Scholarships

Each undergraduate division at WashU provides a number of four-year scholarships that range up to the full cost of tuition.

• Signature Scholar Programs

Multiple full-tuition and half-tuition programs bring together exceptional students from each of the undergraduate divisions to create unique academic and cultural communities.

Additional scholarship opportunities

Army and Air Force Scholarships

Army and Air Force ROTC scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, lab fees, and possible monthly stipend.

Enterprise Holdings Scholars Programs

Awarded on the basis of high academic achievements, strong leadership skills, bold character, and commitment to community service. 

Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Scholarship

Up to two renewable half-tuition scholarships are offered to graduates of the Ensworth School every year. 

Kessler Scholars Program

WashU has launched a Kessler Scholars Program to enroll and support up to 20 first-generation college and limited-income students each year who want to improve society using their STEM degrees.

Neilsen Scholarship Program

This program assists students who have sustained a spinal cord injury pursue higher education and lead full lives in and out of the classroom.

Howard Nemerov Writing Scholars Program

Up to 10 $3,000 scholarships. Students must apply to the College of Arts & Sciences and submit a writing portfolio

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Tips and strategies for crafting an outstanding scholarship essay.

Scholarship essays are an essential part of many scholarship applications. They provide an opportunity for you to showcase your personality, goals, and achievements to scholarship committees. Crafting a winning scholarship essay requires time, effort, and attention to detail. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with tips and strategies to help you write a compelling and successful scholarship essay that sets you apart from the competition.

From understanding the prompt to drafting your essay and polishing the final draft, we will walk you through each step of the process. You will learn how to identify key themes, structure your essay effectively, and highlight your strengths and experiences in a way that resonates with the scholarship committee. Whether you are a high school student applying for a local scholarship or a college student seeking a national award, this guide will equip you with the tools you need to create a standout scholarship essay.

The Importance of Scholarships

Scholarships play a crucial role in helping students achieve their educational goals. They provide financial assistance to deserving individuals who may not have the means to fund their education on their own. This support can make a significant difference in a student’s ability to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

Furthermore, scholarships not only alleviate the financial burden on students and their families but also promote academic excellence. By incentivizing students to strive for academic success, scholarships encourage individuals to work hard, stay motivated, and excel in their studies. This can lead to a more educated and skilled workforce, benefiting society as a whole.

In addition, scholarships can open doors to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many students. They can provide access to top-tier universities, prestigious programs, and valuable experiences that can shape a student’s future and career prospects. Scholarships empower individuals to reach their full potential and pursue their passions without the constraints of financial limitations.

Overall, scholarships are not only important for individuals seeking to further their education but also for society as a whole. By investing in scholarships, we invest in the future of education, innovation, and progress. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and the world, thanks to the support and opportunities provided by scholarships.

Why You Should Apply

Applying for scholarships is a smart and strategic move for students looking to further their education. Here are a few reasons why you should take the time to apply:

• Financial Support: Scholarships offer a valuable source of funding that can help offset the cost of tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
• Merit Recognition: Winning a scholarship is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and academic achievements. It can boost your confidence and open up new opportunities.
• Reduced Debt: By securing scholarships, you can reduce the need for student loans and graduate with less debt, giving you a stronger financial foundation after graduation.
• Networking Opportunities: Many scholarship programs provide networking opportunities with other scholars, mentors, and industry professionals, helping you build valuable connections for the future.
• Personal Growth: The process of applying for scholarships forces you to reflect on your goals, achievements, and aspirations, fostering personal growth and self-improvement.

Overall, applying for scholarships is a worthwhile investment in your education and future success. Don’t miss out on the chance to secure the financial support and recognition you deserve!

Benefits of Winning

Winning a scholarship can offer numerous benefits to students, both academically and personally. Some of the key benefits include:

• Financial Assistance: Scholarships provide financial support for tuition, books, and other educational expenses, reducing the financial burden on students and their families.
• Recognition and Prestige: Winning a scholarship can enhance a student’s academic resume and demonstrate their merit to future employers and academic institutions.
• Opportunities for Growth: Scholarships often come with additional opportunities such as internships, networking events, and mentorship programs, which can help students develop their skills and build connections in their field.
• Increased Confidence: Achieving a scholarship can boost a student’s confidence and motivation, encouraging them to aim higher in their academic and personal goals.
• Debt Reduction: By receiving a scholarship, students can decrease their reliance on student loans and minimize the amount of debt they accumulate during their education.

Overall, winning a scholarship can have a transformative impact on a student’s educational journey, opening doors to new opportunities and providing valuable support along the way.

Key Elements in Scholarship Essays

Scholarship essays are crucial for securing financial aid for your education. To craft a winning scholarship essay, you must include key elements that showcase your unique qualities and experiences. These elements include:

1. Personal Story: Share a personal story that highlights your values, goals, and aspirations. This will help the scholarship committee get to know you better.

2. Relevance: Make sure your essay is relevant to the scholarship you are applying for. Tailor your essay to fit the requirements and objectives of the scholarship program.

3. Clear Structure: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Use transitions to connect your ideas smoothly.

4. Strong Thesis: Present a strong thesis statement that outlines the main point of your essay. This will guide your writing and keep your essay focused.

5. Unique Voice: Use your unique voice and perspective to stand out from other applicants. Avoid clichés and generic statements.

6. Proofreading: Proofread your essay carefully to eliminate errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A polished essay shows your professionalism and attention to detail.

By incorporating these key elements into your scholarship essay, you can increase your chances of winning financial aid for your education.

Understanding the Prompt

One of the most crucial aspects of writing a winning scholarship essay is understanding the prompt. Take your time to carefully read and analyze the prompt provided by the scholarship committee. Pay attention to the key points and requirements outlined in the prompt, such as the essay topic, word limit, formatting guidelines, and any specific questions that need to be addressed.

Create a table or list to break down the prompt into manageable sections. Highlight the main themes or keywords that you should focus on in your essay. By understanding the prompt thoroughly, you can ensure that your essay directly addresses the criteria set by the scholarship committee and increases your chances of success.

Highlighting Your Achievements

When crafting a scholarship essay, it is crucial to highlight your achievements in a way that showcases your skills, talents, and accomplishments. Be sure to emphasize your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service involvement, leadership roles, and any awards or recognition you have received. Use specific examples and anecdotes to demonstrate the impact of your achievements and how they have shaped you as a person. By highlighting your achievements, you can effectively communicate your potential to the scholarship committee and increase your chances of receiving the scholarship.

Tips for Writing a Standout Essay

When it comes to crafting a winning scholarship essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind to ensure your essay stands out from the crowd:

Showing Your Unique Voice

When crafting a scholarship essay, it’s important to remember that you are the only person who can truly tell your story. Don’t be afraid to let your personality and voice shine through in your writing. This is your chance to stand out from the crowd and show the scholarship committee why you deserve to win.

Whether it’s through a unique storytelling style, a powerful personal anecdote, or a quirky sense of humor, find a way to make your essay memorable and engaging. Your essay should reflect who you are as a person, not just your accomplishments and achievements.

Use your own words and express your ideas in a way that is authentic and genuine. Your unique voice is what will make your essay memorable and resonate with the scholarship committee. Be yourself, and let your personality shine through in every word you write.

Structuring Your Essay Effectively

When it comes to crafting a winning scholarship essay, the structure is just as important as the content. Here are some tips on how to structure your essay effectively:

1. Introduction: Start your essay with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself and provide some background information about your achievements and goals.

2. Body paragraphs: Divide your essay into several paragraphs that each focus on a specific point or idea. Make sure to provide clear examples and evidence to support your arguments.

3. Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate why you are the ideal candidate for the scholarship. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

4. Editing: Before submitting your essay, make sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as clarity and coherence in your writing.

By following these tips, you can structure your scholarship essay effectively and increase your chances of winning that coveted award!

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WashU scholarship essays

Feel kinda stupid for asking this, but WashU has its own “writing supplement” separate from their main application specifically for scholarship essays and commonapp doesn’t allow me to submit it because I’m not applying for their signature scholar programs and so I haven’t answered the question on the writing supplement. Even though the sole question there is optional and there’s already a tick mark next to that “writing supplement”, I’m just not allowed to submit it and so it’s still “in progress”. I’ve already submitted my main application otherwise, but commonapp is telling me that my application may not be complete. What do I do? Do I just not submit their writing supplement? Is this a commonapp bug or just standard WashU procedure and will they still consider my application?

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Workshop: Writing Scholarship Essays

Recurring dates.

• Oct. 18, 2024, 1pm to 2pm

Office/Remote Location

Description.

Learn the ins and outs on how to write a good scholarship essays tho help increase your chances of receiving the awards. 

Facilitated by: Alexandra Spradlin

Admission Information

This event is open to all participants of a Dr. William W. Sullivan Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO) college program. These programs include TRIO Student Support Services, AANAPISI, McNair Scholars Institute, and Rebel Rebound. 

RSVP to receive the link to the workshop.

Contact Information

• International Applicants

Writing Support Services

Writing Support Services offers a supportive atmosphere for confidential dialog about the writing process. Our consultants are engaged in students' writing, and offer a non-directive, responsive approach to providing students with the strategies needed to learn productive habits in all stages of writing. Services offered include:

• Free individual consulting sessions
• Writing workshops: download Fall 2024 flyer
• In collaboration with Warner’s Career Services , Writing Support Services is pleased to offer two workshops on how to write resumes and cover letters: download resume & cover letter flyer
• Writing resources

Scheduling Information

For the first two weeks of the fall and spring semesters, Writing Support Services offers limited individual consulting hours. Starting from the third week of each semester, the Writing Support Services will offer regular consulting hours. Visit our scheduling system for information. If all appointments are taken or if none of the available hours work for you, please email the WSS Coordinator .

How to Schedule and Prepare for an Appointment

• Go to our  scheduling system .
• Use your Active Directory ID and password.
• Once you are logged in to the scheduling system, the calendar will display available appointments.
• Select an open time to make an appointment.  After you make the appointment, you will receive a confirmation email, informing you of the place and time to meet your consultant. Each person is limited to one appointment per week.
• At least 24 hours before your appointment, email a draft of your paper as an attachment to  [email protected]  and/or your consultant's email address. In your email, list two or three aspects of your paper that you would like to focus on during your appointment.
• If an appointment is listed as a “Drop-in” appointment, you do not need to make an appointment.  But you must sign up to reserve the drop-in slot for that particular day. A physical sign-up sheet will be available 30 minutes in advance of the Drop-in Consultations outside of rooms LeChase 207 and 209.

Frequently Asked Questions

What support is offered.

Writing Support Services offers assistance to Warner students in many areas of writing. Students are expected to take responsibility for their choices about their own writing. We encourage students to take notes during consultation sessions. Among the services offered, we:

• Review your paper before a scheduled session and prepare questions that other readers may ask.
• Answer your questions and try to respond to your concerns about your paper.
• Direct your attention to resources that might prove useful.
• Suggest strategies, offer encouragement, and provide information to help you move forward with your work.
• Help you set priorities based on your needs, identifying points of revision that are possible within a particular timeframe.
• Help you clarify the point of a section or the whole paper by asking questions and listening to your answers.
• Indicate patterns in your writing that you may wish to modify: organization of points, sentence patterns, word choice, tone, grammar, etc.

What support is not provided?

Although we try to meet many needs of students, we cannot:

• Proofread or edit drafts of papers
• Address every strength and weakness in the draft, or point out every issue related to sentence structure, grammar, or mechanics.
• Promise that your paper will be finished when you leave the consultation; in all likelihood you will leave with work to do.
• Guarantee a one-to-one correlation between your consultation and better grades. Nor will we discuss grades during sessions.
• Guarantee that our interpretation of an instructor’s assignment will be accurate.

 Students who want proofreading assistance will find a list of independent proofreaders who offer their services for a fee. 

What takes place during a session and how long do they last?

A typical session will address one or more of the following concerns: focus, organization/structure, audience, transitions, paragraph unity, and grammar/syntax. Sessions will be 50 minutes long, with an additional 5 to 10 minutes for wrap-up and evaluation. For papers longer than 15 pages, you may want to make several appointments during your writing process. Because of high demand, each student may only schedule one consultation per week.

Can I get help on take-home or comprehensive exams?

If you have questions about whether it is appropriate to get feedback from the Writing Support Services on take-home exams or comprehensive exams, please ask your instructor or advisor before bringing in your paper. Teaching and Curriculum doctoral students may not use Writing Support Services for help with their comprehensive exams, unless they are users of English as an additional language. Support for comprehensive examinations will be limited to two appointments per examination. Students may also bring revised comprehensive examinations for writing support (for an additional two appointments).

When should I schedule an appointment?

The earlier in the writing process you use Writing Support Services, the more helpful the consultants can be. Keep in mind that scheduling an appointment for the day before a paper is due will most likely be more stressful than helpful. Please allow at least three to four days for revision between your appointment and the assignment due date.   When you schedule a session you will receive a confirmation email stating the location of your consultation—there is no longer an office available for WSS consultations.

However, if you cancel within three hours of your appointment time, you will be considered a “no show.” Students who are “no shows” for three appointments during one semester will be blocked from appointments for the rest of the semester.

How can I get the most out of a session?

No less than 24 hours before your appointment, please e-mail the following to: [email protected] :

• The writing prompt or assignment from the instructor.
• Your paper, double-spaced. If it is a long text, either send a section or note which section you want to receive support on. (If you have not started to write your paper, bring your notes and ideas about it.)
• A statement in your e-mail that identifies two or three areas that you would like to focus on during the session (e.g., your argument, organization, clarity, APA style, etc.).

If your text is not ready 24 hours in advance, you may still bring content and ideas for discussion; however, the consultant will not prepare in advance. Consultants are not available to go over the specifics of an assignment; please contact the instructor with these questions.

What should I do if I can't get a consulting session appointment right away?

Drop-in writing support sessions offer you an opportunity to discuss academic writing questions face-to-face with a writing consultant, without scheduling an appointment in advance. Drop-in sessions are available  only  when not all of the regularly scheduled appointments have been reserved.

• To find out if Drop-in appointments will be available on a particular day, visit our scheduling system on that same day and look for appointment hours labeled ‘Drop in’. These appointments are automatically made available on our webpage on a rolling basis, 24hours before an open appointment slot.
•  Drop-in sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A physical sign-up sheet will be available 30 minutes in advance of the Drop-in Consultations outside of LeChase room 370. You must go to the room at that time and sign up to reserve the drop-in slot for that particular day.
•  You may use as many drop-in appointments as are available, but you must sign up for each one separately.
•  Using a drop-in appointment will not prevent you from being allowed to sign up for a full writing consultation appointment during the same week.
•  Drop-in consulting sessions are an experiment of the Writing Support Services. This service may be discontinued if it is not used. We welcome your feedback on our experiment! To give feedback or for more information, please  email the WSS Coordinator .

Need Writing Assistance?

Fall 2024 writing workshops.

Attend workshops via Zoom, access workshop recordings, and request accommodations: here

• Welcome to Warner
• Academic Life
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9/14 - Critical Reading of Academic Texts

Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., LeChase 481

This workshop will focus on how to read academic journal articles and other texts efficiently and rhetorically. Participants will practice deconstructing academic texts by identifying arguments, pinpointing the author’s position, evaluating evidence, asking questions, and taking notes. 

NOTE: This is NOT a speed-reading course, but rather the first step to unpacking academic writing.

9/20 - Incorporating Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

Friday, Sept. 20, 4:15 p.m.-5:45 p.m., LeChase 481

This workshop will discuss common pitfalls that constitute plagiarism in academic writing. Participants will learn how to enter academic conversations efficiently by re-using ideas from and citing sources. We will practice approaches related to ‘textual borrowing,’ including paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing.

10/5 - Constructing an Argument in Academic Writing

Saturday, Oct. 5, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., LeChase 481

Making arguments is a core function of many types of academic writing, from reading responses to critical commentaries, proposals, and longer texts such as theses and dissertations. This workshop will discuss how to develop an argument drawing on your ideas and research and other evidence.

10/11 - APA Style and Format

Friday, Oct. 11, 4:15 p.m.-5:45 p.m., LeChase 481

This workshop will explore features of the APA Publication Manual style. Participants will gain hands-on experience with formatting citations, references, and other paper elements, creating headings for different sections of an academic text, and reducing bias in the academic language. To get the most out of this workshop, have available your APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) 

10/18 - Target Your Resume or CV to Get the Results You Want

Friday, Oct. 18, 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m., LeChase 481

Resumes and CVs are both marketing tools aimed at persuading decision-makers to offer you an interview for the positions you apply to, but their structure, composition, and use are distinctly different. Each document should tell your story in a way that differentiates you so that you rise to the top of the applicant pool. In this workshop, we will look at examples of both resumes and CVs and address questions about writing them. Time will be allocated to answering your requests for advice on works in progress.

10/25 - Cover Letters Are Not about You: A Guide to Writing a Persuasive Argument to Get an Interview

Friday, Oct. 25, 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m., LeChase 481

Many job seekers don’t know what to say in cover letters, so opt to repeat the information included on their resume or CV. Instead, the purpose of a cover letter is to make a persuasive argument for you to be selected for an interview for the position for which you’re applying. Thus, filling in the blanks of a generic cover letter template is not likely to be persuasive. 

A persuasive argument in a cover letter grows out of the research you’ve conducted about the organization and the requirements of the position. It focuses on the audience rather than you, the applicant, and includes vivid, specific examples of your competencies for the job. 

A good cover letter illustrates the aspects of your background, values, and knowledge that align with the position and appeal to the organization. It closes by asking explicitly for an interview.

Consultants

Onesmo Mushi

Onesmo is a PhD student in the Teaching and Curriculum program at the Warner School of Education. He has a master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Second Languages (TESOL) from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA, under the Fulbright scholarship and a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from the University of Dodoma, Tanzania. Before joining graduate school, he taught English to secondary school students for five years in Tanzania. He also spent a year learning the Chinese language at the Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics in China. His research interests include Academic and Professional Writing, Transnational Literacy, and Curriculum Reform.

Xiatinghan Xu

Xiatinghan is a PhD candidate in Teaching and Curriculum at the Warner School and coordinator of the Writing Support Services. She holds a BA in English from Sichuan University and a MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Southern California. Before coming to Rochester, she worked as an ESL teacher at LA Technology Center, where she finished her case study of immigrant adult English learning. She also has years of experience teaching TOEFL reading and writing. Her current research interests focus on multilingual writers’ research and publishing practices.

Sieun is a PhD candidate in Teaching and Curriculum at the Warner School. She holds a BA degree in elementary and music education and worked as a public school teacher in South Korea for 10 years. She has a master’s degree in Aesthetics, a branch of philosophy concerning human desires, emotions, and the arts. She has led an English academic writing peer review group for the past 5 years, with approximately 80 international students from various fields. Building on her expertise in Self-Determination Theory, her research interests focus on the psychology and philosophy of human flourishing, development, perception, processes of self-integration, emotion regulation, and valuing.

Xinyue Wang 

Xinyue is an EdD student in the Counseling and Counselor Education program at the Warner School of Education. She has a BA degree in Communication Studies and English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a MA degree in Education Psychology, with a focus on Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has been working with international students in higher education settings, providing them with academic and social-emotional support for the past seven years. She is interested in understanding international students' experiences and fostering optimal development, well-being, and a sense of belonging for the student population in higher education settings. 

ABIGAIL ZANG HOFFMAN

Abby is a PhD student in Human Development at the Warner School. She earned a BA from Cornell University, and she earned both a Master of Divinity and master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. For the past 18 years, she has been a Pastor serving in congregations in Upstate NY. Her research interests include well-being, social connection, and community-based efforts to address the epidemic of loneliness.

Dardan Shabani

Dardan is a PhD student in Teaching and Curriculum at the Warner Graduate School of Education. He has a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the same school. He has been working as an English teacher for 11 years in different educational institutions, such as English language centers, public schools, and higher education, and in various geolinguistic contexts, including Kosovo, United States, and France. He has taught courses such as English for Academic Purposes, Business English, and introductory course in linguistics at Université Lumière and Université Jean Moulin in Lyon, France. His research interests lie in the field of TESOL and English teacher identity.

Email non-appointment inquiries to:

[email protected] . 

Accommodations

For accommodations related to writing, contact Mary Judge at:

 (585) 273-1838 or  [email protected]

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Aging-related genomic culprit found in Alzheimer’s disease

With new technique, patient-derived neurons accurately model late-onset Alzheimer’s, point to potential treatments

by Julia Evangelou Strait • August 1, 2024

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a way to study aged neurons in the lab without a brain biopsy, allowing them to accurately model the effects of aging in the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Shown is a 3D reconstruction of amyloid beta plaque deposition (green) between neurons (red) grown in the lab. These neurons were transformed from human skin cells taken from patients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a way to capture the effects of aging in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. They have devised a method to study aged neurons in the lab without a brain biopsy, an advancement that could contribute to a better understanding of the disease and new treatment strategies.

The scientists transformed skin cells taken from patients with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease into brain cells called neurons. Late-onset Alzheimer’s develops gradually over many decades and only starts to show symptoms at age 65 or older. For the first time, these lab-derived neurons accurately reproduced the hallmarks of this type of dementia, including the amyloid beta buildup, tau protein deposits and neuronal cell death.

By studying these cells, the researchers identified aspects of cells’ genomes — called retrotransposable elements, which change their activity as we age — in the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The findings suggest new treatment strategies targeting these factors.

The study appears Aug. 2 in the journal Science.

“Sporadic, late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of Alzheimer’s disease, representing more than 95% of cases,” said senior author Andrew Yoo, PhD , a professor of developmental biology. “It has been very difficult to study in the lab due to the complexity of the disease stemming from various risk factors, including aging as an important contributor. Until now, we did not have a way to capture the effects of aging in the cells to study late-onset Alzheimer’s.”

To date, animal studies of Alzheimer’s disease have, by necessity, focused on mice with rare genetic mutations known to cause inherited, early-onset Alzheimer’s in younger people — a strategy that has shed light on the condition but differs from disease development for the vast majority of patients with the sporadic, late-onset form. To more faithfully recapitulate the disease in the lab, Yoo’s team turned to an approach called cellular reprogramming.

The method to transform easily obtained human skin cells from living patients directly into neurons makes it possible to study Alzheimer’s effects on the brain without the risk of a brain biopsy and in a way that retains the consequences of the patient’s age on the neurons. Past work by Yoo and his colleagues , who pioneered this transformation technique using small RNA molecules called microRNAs, has focused on understanding the development of Huntington’s disease — an inherited neurological condition that typically shows adult-onset symptoms.

After transforming skin cells into brain cells, the researchers found that the new neurons can grow in a thin gel layer or self-assemble into small clusters — called spheroids — mimicking the 3D environment of the brain. The researchers compared neuronal spheroids generated from patients with sporadic, late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, inherited Alzheimer’s disease and healthy individuals of similar ages.

The Alzheimer’s disease patients’ spheroids quickly developed amyloid beta deposits and tau tangles between neurons. Activation of genes associated with inflammation also emerged, and then the neurons began to die, mimicking what is seen in brain scans of patients. Spheroids from older, healthy donors in the study showed some amyloid deposition but much less than those from patients. The small amyloid deposits in older, healthy spheroids are evidence that the technique is capturing the effects of age and suggest that amyloid beta and tau accumulation correlated with aging. It further demonstrates that the Alzheimer’s disease process makes the buildup far worse.

The researchers, including first author Zhao Sun, PhD , a staff scientist in Yoo’s lab, found that treating spheroids from late-onset Alzheimer’s disease patients with drugs that interfere with the formation of amyloid beta plaques early in the disease process, before neurons start forming toxic amyloid beta buildup, significantly reduced the amyloid beta deposits. But treating at later time points, after some buildup was already present, had no effect or only modestly reduced subsequent amyloid beta deposits. Such data emphasize the importance of identifying and treating the disease early.

The study further found a role for retrotransposable elements — small pieces of DNA that jump to different locations in the genome — in the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Inhibition of such “jumping genes” with the drug lamivudine (also called 3TC) — an anti-retroviral drug that can dampen the activity of retrotransposable elements — had a positive effect: The spheroids from late-onset Alzheimer’s disease patients had reduced amyloid beta and tau tangles and showed less neuronal death compared with the same spheroids treated with a placebo. Lamivudine treatment had no beneficial effect on spheroids from patients with early-onset, inherited Alzheimer’s disease, providing evidence that sporadic late-onset Alzheimer’s development related to aging has distinct molecular features compared with inherited autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease.

“In these patients, our new model system has identified a role for retrotransposable elements associated with the disease process,” Yoo said. “We were pleased to see that we could reduce the damage with a drug treatment that suppresses these elements. We look forward to using this model system as we work toward new personalized therapeutic interventions for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.”

The researchers are planning future studies with spheroids that include multiple types of brain cells, including neurons and glia.

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How I Got Into WashU

…What a funny title, considering I thought I never would. When I first visited WashU and competed for my scholarship, I had to “excuse myself” from a conversation with a professor, head to the bathroom, and cry because I felt so utterly inadequate. 

I figured I’d start with that story, if only to encourage you: after all, if I can recover from those depths, there’s truly hope for everyone who feels daunted by WashU. I hope this article will help assuage your fears, bestow some information, and encourage you to apply to my alma mater. (If you’re looking for a broader perspective of WashU, you can consult what CollegeVine has compiled about admissions rates, diversity stats, etc.)

Application Context

You’re probably inundated with pressure to apply as early as possible, but my case is actually good proof that success is also possible if you apply Regular Decision. It’s embarrassing, but I applied to WashU in late December, cutting it pretty close to the Jan. 2 deadline. Applying during Winter Break was actually a great boon to my essays and materials; I was able to devote a few days straight to my application, which wouldn’t have been possible during school terms. 

Ergo, I’d highly recommend working on your application – if not that late – when you at least have a few days away from school with which to concentrate. This allowed me to revise and compare my essays so that they covered all my bases, weren’t redundant, and played off each other interestingly. 

When I applied, WashU still asked for a separate application to my scholarship program, the Arts & Sciences Honorary Scholarship. So I had to submit several long essays. However, this is no longer the case: candidates for this merit scholarship are now selected (instead of self-selected) out of the general pool of applicants. I.e., you’re automatically considered. As per WashU’s site : “ No separate application is required. Faculty members will screen your admission application and select a group of semi-finalists.” That said, I’ll still be covering, later on, how you can increase your chances of qualifying for a merit scholarship with your regular applications essays.

My demographics 

For your reference, I’m from the Chicago suburbs (which, if you’re familiar with WashU, describes an infamously large section of the student body. They like Chicagoland). I’m white, which ( as you can see ) makes me like the majority 56% of students. WashU has been making an effort, especially under its current Chancellor, to diversify this picture both racially and geographically, but it’s still pretty white and Midwestern.

I should also let you know that WashU, notoriously, is one of the only schools of its caliber that is not need-blind . While I applied for financial aid and got along fine, as did many of my friends, it still feels like WashU has a weird love-hate relationship with helping out its students with financial difficulties. Like other top universities, WashU offers significant resources for the less-advantaged, but leadership still maintains the policy of considering applicants’ finances during selection. 

Recently, WashU has tried to increase their numbers of Pell Grant students, but as you can see , they still tend to favor rich, donor-friendly families in admissions. This selection policy often results in an alienating environment for lower- or middle-class students who attend there, and anyone considering WashU should be aware of this. It should offer you a bit of reassurance as well: if you are not selected, it may not even have anything to do with your merits. As cringe as that is. 

My academic and testing profile

Primarily, I want to use this section to offer some reassurance to students who are currently feeling the vise of competitiveness. As my anecdote about crying in the bathroom indicates, it’s so frequent and so (sadly) normal to feel inadequate when comparing yourself to your peers. 

While I took a pretty ample course load during high school, I constantly felt guilty and inadequate for not pushing myself even further. (“Why didn’t I take 5 APs this semester like my friend? That weightlifting class I loved did harm to my GPA”, etc. etc.) I only had one leadership position in a club my senior year, while it felt like my peers had been presidents and VPs since forever ago. 

What the applications process revealed, however, was that credentials and numbers mattered a lot less than 1) my ability to show my intelligence in-person, and 2) the uniqueness that came through in my writing supplements. These qualities are much more compelling than any quantitative data.

So while I’m obligated to share my data here, I want to give the huge caveat that MOST OF THIS IS ARBITRARY. These numbers, scores, and classes have not surfaced in my brain for years, though (I know!) at the time they seem to bind the universe itself. Life does progress beyond this fanatical period of tests and rankings.

• GPA: My high school was on a weighted scale, so I was at about 4.2. While many of my peers had more impressive scores, at around 4.5, I think many of my lower-credit electives (art, film, my beloved weightlifting) showed admissions that I was a genuine person. I knew who I was, and pursued what I wanted instead of fastidiously crafting myself to be the perfect alpha student. 
• Class Rank: top 10%. I think I hovered around 25-30th or so, out of a few hundred. I felt self-conscious about not being higher for a long, long time (which was crazy, since my rank was pretty solid). It played much less of a role than people told me it would.
• AP Classes: my high school let us take AP World freshman year, so I did that. Sophomore year: APUSH. Junior year: Calc AB & BC (only one test! Yay!), Government, and Language. Senior year: Stats (didn’t take that test), Literature, Environmental Science, and European History. So I ended up having 2 or so AP classes per semester. Which, again, is sane. 
• ACT: This is the only category that I actually think made a difference, because my score ended up being pretty striking. I took the ACT twice, and got a 35 both times. My math score went up on the second attempt, so when it came to writing down my Superscore for WashU, I could write down 36. So that helped me stand out.

As I’ve been in your shoes before, I understand those numbers might cause trepidation and comparison. So I also want to explain how I got the brace of 35s. (Especially since I know for a fact that I could never pull off a 35 today. Not without studying again, at least.) 

I was able to thrift and borrow a few practice tests, and acquire some from my school. I practiced these at home, usually one section at a time. I also had the good fortune of taking Calc and AP Language at the time, which really helped for the Math and Reading Comprehension sections. 

• ACT Writing: I didn’t score well here at all – I got a 9. Which is funny enough, since I got scholarships for my essays, and now make a living as a writer. So try your best, as always, but rest easy that this number matters a lot less than the actual writing supplements your applications readers get to see. 
• SAT: didn’t take it. 
• SAT Subject Tests: None. Do I look like a masochist? 

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CollegeVine is telling me to “list my top 6 extracurriculars.” Which – oh lord, you poor kids; I forgot how little sleep I got in high school. Please know it gets better. For reference, I only cared about, like, two of these activities. 

• Theatre – 4 years. I didn’t win any awards or anything, but it showed a longstanding commitment. (Not featured on my application: total burnout and self-esteem issues!)
• Lit mag – 3 years. I ended up being editor my senior year. 
• Academic Team/Quiz Bowl – 4 years, off-and-on.
• NHS – junior and senior year. (Not pictured: sleeping through all our 6 AM meetings, because I was a normal human being)
• Writing: this is the important one, because it proves that you don’t have to have a certified job, internship, or club for your interests to count. I wrote novels in my spare time, and won several national awards, like the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Furthermore, this probably helped offset my mediocre ACT writing score. I also applied for, and participated in, the Cindy Bandle Young Critics program in Chicago. 

My Application

As previously stated, I applied Regular Decision, down to the wire, in a flickering haze of caffeine and holiday leftovers. 

I used the Common App, and responded to the prompt “What’s a place where you feel perfectly content?” I wrote about the Renaissance Faire, because 1) I wanted to study the Renaissance in college, and 2) I’m a weeb. I would find out, years later, that the literature prof who reviewed my application actually has a longstanding hatred of Renaissance Faires. Which proves that what matters most about your essay is that it provokes emotion – even if said emotion is blind rage. 

I also completed several essay supplements for the scholarship, which no longer exist. However, here’s some strategies I used. You can deploy these to increase your chances for scholarship consideration: 

• Cite academic books, not just textbooks or popular science books. For example, I wrote about David P. Jordan’s The Revolutionary Career of Maximilian Robespierre, from UChicago Press . That demonstrated my interest in serious academic inquiry and research, and proved that I was already a scholarly busybody.
• Go HAM on your research . For one of my essays, I put together a whole bibliography. Again, showcasing my capabilities as an academic writer.
• Show intellectual flexibility with a variety of tones and registers. So I wrote my Common App about the Renaissance Faire, right? Bright, merry, quaint, etc. Afterwards, I wrote my first supplemental essay about Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska.” Which, if you know anything about “Nebraska ,” is a bit like showing up to a job interview in a ski mask. Honestly, they could have given me the scholarship or had me committed. As it happens, they gave me the scholarship. The riskiness of my topic might have attracted them. 
• Address large topics and show complex thinking. For example, my essay about Robespierre centered around the question of “What do you do as a historian if your ‘evil’ subject is actually quite sane and principled?” And the essay about “Nebraska” was about “Where is the line between explaining the psychology of mass killers and romanticizing them as Byronic?” So I didn’t really beat around the bush with commonplace themes like “how family is important” or “research can challenge you sometimes.” Instead, I took hyper-specific lines of inquiry with some built-in controversy. 

For more tips on the essays, see CollegeVine’s WashU Essay Breakdown .

WashU rolls out the welcome wagon for prospective students and visiting interviewees. I had a great time over the weekend I was there. “Scholarship Weekend” is when they bring in all the candidates for scholarships and introduce them to the programs, as well as putting them through the final, determinant interviews. You can also visit on similar welcoming weekends, such as the weekend for cultural groups and for art applicants. 

If you’re visiting a college, it can be easy to get intimidated by the other prospective students; the worst “conversations” can easily devolve into proxy wars for bragging. There’s always going to be That Person who talks nonstop about their achievements – shut that person out and focus on the positives. (In my case, I actually found out that many of That Person’s claims – including speaking six languages – were calculated bluffs made to intimidate the rest of us as soon as possible.) 

I think my admissions chances, and sanity, were saved by the close bonds I made with my fellow contestants. Showing you can cleave to, and share information with, your peers instead of being on a constant guard will demonstrate that you belong in WashU’s collaborative and non-competitive setting.

What should you take from this? Mainly, that your personality matters a lot with WashU, as with any college. If I’d only had my ACT score, but no standout essays or unique perspectives, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into WashU, or would not have gotten the scholarship offer I did. 

I also want you to leave this article feeling less powerless. I don’t use the word trauma lightly, but I think that college applications season can be a highly traumatic time for students, full of comparison and guilt. Your brain will almost always find some shortcoming with which to torment you and plague you with doubt. That was where I was, when I was crying in the bathroom at my interview. 

Please know that you have so much on your application that is under your control. You have reason to feel powerful, even if your path is unconventional and everyone seems to have better cards than you. And in admissions, unlike poker, you don’t lose anything when you bet on yourself. I did – and got to cry in that bathroom for four more years.

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Application Advice: How to Approach the Booth Essay

Starting your application here are five questions to ask yourself before drafting your essay..

• By EW Admissions FT Admissions
• July 16, 2024
• Share This Page

Alumni and students routinely describe applying to Chicago Booth as a life-changing decision. This is why we encourage candidates to use our application not only as a means of gaining admission, but also as an opportunity for self-reflection and to prepare for this exciting next step. One of the best ways to communicate your MBA motivations and connection to Booth is through the essay portion of the application. The essay prompts for this cycle are as follows:

Part-Time MBA Program:

• Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth, and why is Chicago Booth's Evening MBA or Weekend MBA your program of choice? (maximum 400 words)
• Optional Essay: If there is any important information relevant to your candidacy you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here. (maximum 500 words)

Full-Time MBA Program:

• How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250-word minimum)
• An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of work. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. (250-word minimum)

Before starting your application and writing your essay, here are five questions we suggest you ask yourself:

• What inspired me to pursue an MBA? Take time to reflect on your personal and professional experiences, relationships, and goals. Did you know you wanted to pursue an MBA during your prior educational training? Is there a family member, friend, mentor, or professional colleague who influenced you to pursue an MBA? Are you looking to better understand your industry, develop leadership skills, or improve your career? There is no right or wrong answer, we just want to understand why an MBA is important to you at this stage in your life.
• What do I hope to accomplish professionally? There are innumerable ways our students and graduates use an MBA to transform their careers. Whether it's a job promotion or a career pivot, a Chicago Booth MBA will open doors that can change the trajectory of your career and influence your professional goals. Have a clear plan for what immediate and future success might look like for you. Take time to assess where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to be. Think deeply about how a Booth MBA can fill any gaps and help get you there.
• How will I apply what I learn in and out of the classroom to my current or future role? The Chicago Booth MBA experience will provide you with the space to learn frameworks you can directly apply to your current role (for Part-Time students) or future role (for Full-Time students). The skills you develop at Booth continue to be one of the biggest returns on investment Booth students rave about. With the instant impact a Booth MBA can have on your career, we encourage you to be clear about the MBA experiences, resources, and relationships that will help you meet your desired career goals.
• How will the collaborative culture at Booth be a part of my experience? Boothies are well-known to help one another. Whether it's through referrals for new opportunities, collaboration on group projects, or providing the confidence to embrace new challenges, support is at the heart of our culture. Consider how you can give back to the community by leveraging your unique strengths and skills to contribute and help others, ultimately creating a cycle of support that extends well beyond graduation. Let us know how these values resonate with the MBA experience you seek.
• How can I show my true self? Be honest. Share your experiences, thoughts, and emotions truthfully. Admissions directors appreciate authenticity and value your unique perspective. The optional essay provides a great platform to reflect on your personal experiences, challenges you've faced, and how they've influenced your growth.

Whenever you decide to apply, we wish you the best of luck! Looking for more application tips? Check out more application advice  from Boothies and Admissions. We’re also hosting events ( Full-Time ; Part-Time ) throughout the summer, where you can get your questions answered in real time. We wish you the best of luck with your application!

Start Your Application Journey Today

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How to write a thank you letter for scholarship | template.

• August 6, 2024
• by Opportunitiescircle 4

Are you worried about How to write a thank you Letter for Scholarship? Don’t worry, we are here to help you. This article will guide you on how to write a thank you letter for scholarship and thank you letter for the scholarship after graduation, master’s, or doctoral programs. It will also provide a thank you letter for a scholarship sample/template, which will give you an example as t how you can also write a thank you letter for winning a scholarship. Securing a scholarship is an outstanding achievement with much dedication, hard work, and support. One of the most significant steps is to express your gratitude by writing a thoughtful Thank you Letter to a scholarship provider for the scholarship . Keep on reading to know more about How to Write a Thank you Letter for Scholarship.

Why Write a Thank you Letter?

Thank you letter for scholarship after graduation is not a formality but should be considered an opportunity. This is a chance to convey your appreciation as a thank you letter for scholarship. Thank you letter for the scholarship after graduation shows that students are professional and how sincerely thankful they are for scholarship providers to give them a gateway to work on their academic excellence and quality education. 

Short Scholarship Thank You Letter

A thank you letter for a scholarship is not just to provide you with an opportunity for academic excellence but also to contribute to a more significant cause of cooperation and promotion of cultural exchange of knowledge. Thank you letter for a scholarship sponsor is a way to maintain a long-term relationship and showcase deep respect for the scholarship foundation or organization providing such an opportunity to promote cultural immersion and cooperation between countries. Here are some reasons why writing a thank-you letter for a scholarship application is crucial:

• Expressing Gratitude:  Demonstrating genuine appreciation for the scholarship shows that you recognize the impact it has on your academic journey.
• Build Networks: Connections:  A well-crafted thank-you letter helps build a positive connection with the scholarship donor, potentially opening doors for future opportunities.
• Professionalism:  A thank you letter for scholarship after graduation showcases how professional you are, and it reflects you are serious and abiding by the formal rules and norms in the academic sector. Thank you letter for scholarship sponsor showcases professionalism and attention to detail. The appreciation thank you letter for the scholarship reflects significant abilities and qualities that resonate well in professional and academic settings.

How to Write a Thank You Letter for Scholarship: Thank-You Letter Template

Thank you letter for the scholarship grant is a significant step for an applicant who wins the scholarship. Appreciation thank you letter for the scholarship must contain the following sections to make an impact on the scholarship committee and providers. Following is the thank you letter for scholarship sample.

[Your Full Name] [Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Date]

[Scholarship Donor’s Full Name] [Name of Scholarship] [Scholarship Provider’s Organization] [Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Scholarship Donor’s Full Name],

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for being awarded the [Name of Scholarship]. It is a great honor to accept this generous scholarship opportunity, and I sincerely appreciate the support and financial assistance you have provided for my educational pursuits.

Securing the [Name of Scholarship] has significantly lifted the financial burden that is associated with pursuing higher education, which allows me to focus more on my academic pursuits and studies. Your trust in seeing the potential in me has not only motivated me to strive for academic and personal excellence but has also inspired me to provide for the community in the future.

I am genuinely empowered and touched by your staunch commitment to fostering education and empowering students to achieve their academic goals. This scholarship is not only financial assistance but also a vote of confidence and belief that supports my determination and willpower to excel in my selected field of [Your Field of Study].

I am looking forward and excited to make the most of this opportunity and promise to work diligently to uphold the aspirations, values, and expectations associated with the [Name of Scholarship]. I am genuinely excited to share my progress with [Name of Scholarship] and how this scholarship has impacted my academic and career journey.

Once again, thank you from the depth of my heart for your belief in my potential and generosity. I am truly thankful for the [Name of Scholarship] and its positive impact on my educational odyssey.

[Your Full Name]

[Other details: Contact number]

Tips for Writing a Thank-You Letter for Scholarship:

A thank you letter for the scholarship after graduation is unique. Some tips and strategies to write a scholarship thank you letter are as follows.

• Handwritten:  To add a personal touch to the thank you letter for scholarships, you must write a handwritten scholarship thank you letter. This will show how genuine you are, and handwritten things are appreciated more because of the effort you put into them.
• Personalize Your Letter:  Customizing the thank you letter for scholarships for different scholarships and specific donors is significant. Mention any specific criteria, requirements, or qualities that the scholarship recognizes in the short thank you letter for the scholarship.
• Short thank you letter for the scholarship:  The scholarship thank you letter must be short and to the point, and short paragraphs must be made so scholarship providers can easily navigate through it.
• Be specific and genuine:  You should express sincere gratitude in your thank you letter for scholarship Reddit. And specify how the scholarship will benefit your education. Share personal anecdotes or goals related to your academic journey.
• Scholarship Thank You Letter Generator : You can ask an online platform to write your scholarship thank you letter like a thank you generator, but it will not add the uniqueness that you yourself can add to your thank you letter. For example, in a nursing scholarship thank you letter, you can use your experience and the depth of your discipline to care for patients.
• Highlighting Future Plans:  Mentioning briefly your academic and professional goals in the scholarship thank you letter will highlight how the scholarship will contribute to your future success and goals.
• Proofreading Carefully:  After you have gone through the scholarship thank you letter generator and crafted your thank you letter. Make sure your letter is free of grammatical mistakes and typos. A well-written and short thank you letter for scholarship reflects positively on your professionalism.
• Include Contact Information:  Before sending the thank you letter for scholarship to the scholarship provider, provide detailed contact information. Hence, if the donor wishes to connect with you in the future, they have the contact information.

Conclusion:

Crafting a short thank-you letter for a scholarship is a thoughtful gesture and an opportunity to express your sincere gratitude genuinely. By following the guidelines and thank you letter template and including personal touches, A candidate can establish a scholarship thank you letter that resonates with the generosity of the scholarship provider. Remember, your thank-you letter is a way to maintain a positive relationship with the scholarship organization that has invested in your educational journey. We hope that this article will help you in writing the best Thank you Letter for Scholarship.

Written  by: Adeena Tariq 

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2024 College & Career Fair Writing Contest

Assemblymember Lisa Calderon in partnership with Hacienda La Puente Unified School District and the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside invites you to participate in the 56 th Assembly District COLLEGE & CAREER FAIR WRITING CONTEST.

A panel of judges will select the scholarship recipients based on a scoring of the submitted personal insight questions.

Rules & Eligibility: High school seniors who live or attend a school within the 56 th District and are scheduled to graduate in Spring 2025 are eligible to compete. Winners will receive $1,000 scholarships and must be present during the College & Career Fair Closing Ceremony .

Deadline for submission is August 28, 2024 !

Please submit entries to below  or to [email protected] with submission form.

For more information or resource materials, please contact us by: Phone: (562) 692-5858 or E-mail:  [email protected]

The 56 th Assembly District College & Career Fair Writing Contest seeks to give 56 th District High School Seniors an opportunity to compete for a merit-based scholarship while also assisting students in refining their college application personal insight questions, a key part of the UC and CSU application processes. Students are asked to respond to both of the below prompts provided by the University of California application. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words (no one part less than 250 words). Please provide us your typed responses in a double spaced document(s), and include word counts .