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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

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Undergraduate Admissions

• WashU Pathway
• Request Information
• Application Process

All you have to do is start

We have all the components of the application process outlined below.

To apply, use either the Common Application or Coalition Application. Both applications open on August 1 and must be completed by the appropriate application deadline.

Common Application

Students who apply via the Common Application will complete both the basic application and the Washington University-specific questions while logged in to their Common Application account.

Coalition Application

Students who apply via the Coalition Application will complete their profile while logged in to their Scoir account. Upon submitting their profile, students will be taken into the WashU Pathway to complete the Washington University-specific questions.

What you need to know for the WashU-specific questions:

• What term do you intend to enroll?
• Which WashU school or interdisciplinary program are you applying to?
• What are you interested in studying in college and why?
• Are you applying Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision?
• Are you applying for need-based financial aid?

Within a few days of submitting your application for admission, you will receive login instructions for the WashU Pathway.

In the WashU Pathway, you will see: • A checklist showing the status of each piece of your application • A link to your financial assistance account • Instructions for submitting an optional 90-second video Admission decisions will be posted in the Pathway as soon as they are released.

WashU meets 100 percent of demonstrated need for admitted students.

When filling out your application for admission, indicate your intent to apply for need-based financial aid. Once you submit your application—we will create an account for you with Student Financial Services, and your application begins!

Your WashU Pathway will include a current checklist of your support materials:

• School Report and Official Transcript
• Teacher Evaluation
• Counselor Recommendation
• Optional – Self-reported or official SAT or ACT scores.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test for students whose first language is not English
• Portfolio (required for students applying to the College of Art, strongly encouraged for students applying to the College of Architecture.) The portfolio should be submitted using SlideRoom. 

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.

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?”:

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

If you’re submitting via the Coalition Application, you may submit the optional Writing Supplement through the WashU Pathway after you’ve submitted both your profile and the Washington University-specific questions.

If you don’t want to submit a supplement, that’s OK. Applicants will not be penalized for opting out of submitting a supplement. It is truly optional .

The optional Scholarship Writing Supplement serves as our application for our Signature Scholar Programs – the Danforth, Ervin, and Rodriguez Scholars Programs – as well as the Howard Nemerov Writing Scholars Program for applicants to the College of Arts & Sciences.

If you’re submitting via the Coalition Application, you will apply for our Signature Scholar Programs and/or Nemerov Writing Scholars Program through the WashU Pathway after you’ve submitted both your profile and the Washington University-specific questions.

Letters of Recommendation

The scholarship committee(s) will review the required Counselor and Teacher letters of recommendation submitted with your application. You may submit an optional third letter of recommendation to invite someone who can speak to your contributions and commitment to the community.

Transfer applicants should use the Common Application. The application must be completed by the application deadline.

Complete the general application questions and the section that is specific to WashU. Your support materials can be completed at a later date.

What you need to know for the WashU section of the Common Application:

• Which WashU school are you applying to?

Within a few days of submitting your Common Application, you will receive login instructions for the WashU Pathway.

In the Pathway, you will see: • A checklist showing the status of each piece of your application • A link to your financial assistance account

Admission decisions will be posted in the Pathway as soon as they are released.

When filling out your application for admission, indicate your intent to apply for need-based financial aid. Once you submit your application—we will automatically create an account for you with Student Financial Services, and your application begins!

International applicants for transfer admission are not eligible to apply for financial aid from Washington University.

Your Pathway will include a current checklist of your support materials:

• College Transcript
• High School Transcript
• College Instructor Evaluation
• College Report
• Mid-Term Report for Spring applicants who are in their first semester of college
• Optional – Self-reported or official SAT or ACT scores
• Portfolio (required for students applying to the College of Art or College of Architecture.) The portfolio should be submitted using SlideRoom. 

Visit WashU

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

• Building our community
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• English Testing Requirement
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Washington University in St. Louis 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

Washington University in St. Louis 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanation

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

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community

How to Write Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays

The admissions committee at WashU is looking for “evidence of academic potential, strong personal characteristics and qualities, developed accomplishments and involvement, and potential for fit and engagement in the WashU community.” All those buzzwords relate to the supplemental questions below, which ask about your academic interests and who you are as a person. With relatively short word limits, these prompts demand clarity and focus, so choose precise words that tell your story while bringing vivid details to life. Keep reading to learn how to write winning WashU essays! 

P.S. While the second essay is optional, we highly recommend submitting it to add depth to your application package. You may even be able to recycle an essay from another application!

WashU Essay Prompts Breakdown

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 plan to apply for one of the Signature Scholar Programs, we highly recommend you complete this supplement.

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”:, 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 it (250 words), 2) washu strives to know every undergraduate student “by name & story.” how have your life experiences shaped your story (250 words).

With each of these prompts, admissions is hoping to learn more about who you are, 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 how your experiences have shaped your story. Maybe you’ve been thinking about writing an essay about your volunteer work within your small city and the ways it has expanded your perspective and introduced you to people from all walks of life whom you may never have met otherwise. An essay like that could work for either of these prompts depending on the way you frame it. Perhaps you want to write about your experience advocating for greener waste management solutions at your high school or the ways your years of being the only person in the room who looks like you have impacted the way you interact with others. Ultimately, your goal here is to offer admissions deeper insight into the human behind the application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in WashU Essays

We have been reading WashU essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are repeating the prompt in your essay (don’t waste your words), trying to sound like an academic (admissions wants to hear your authentic voice!), and using cliches (they’re ineffective and—let’s face it—lazy).

Why Choose College Essay Advisors for WashU Essays

We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the WashU supplements for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to these essays, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful WashU supplemental essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances . 

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Our Common App Guide will help you choose a prompt!

Frequently Asked Questions

WashU requires one (1) 200-word essay and recommends that applicants submit one (1) additional optional 250-word essay.

WashU is looking for supplemental essays that “ add another dimension to your application – something that the admissions committee might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement.” Ultimately, like with all supplemental essays, admissions is hoping to get to know you better so they have a clearer understanding of who you are and what kind of community member you’ll be on campus.

Authenticity and reflection are key. You want to both ensure that you’re submitting essays that no one else could submit—meaning they contain specific details from your life or interests that aren’t easily replicable—and show that you’ve put thought and care into your response.

The WashU essays should be 200 words and 250 words, respectively.

"I got into WashU!! Thank you so so much for helping me with my essays. You helped me take them to the next level. My mom and I are over the moon."

– CEA Student, Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2028

"We're grateful for your active participation and support throughout this process. She received acceptances to all five schools on her list. Now we have to figure out which one to choose. A happy problem to have, indeed. Thanks again!"

– CEA Parent, Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2026

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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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August 3, 2024

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

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.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

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Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

If you’re aiming for admission to the prestigious Washington University in St. Louis for the 2023-2024 academic year, you’ve likely heard about the importance of supplemental essays. These essays are not your ordinary application components; they serve as your golden opportunity to showcase to WashU what numbers and transcripts cannot—your unique personality, thoughts, and the potential contributions you can make to their vibrant academic community.

Consider these essays as a friendly conversation with the admissions committee. They are genuinely interested in getting to know you, the individual behind the application. What drives you? How do you perceive the world? Most importantly, what distinctive qualities and perspectives do you bring to the diverse WashU community?

In this comprehensive guide, we will methodically explore the Washington University Supplemental Essay prompts one by one. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to tackle each question authentically and effectively. Whether you’re pondering which fresh perspective to share, reflecting on the community you hold dear, or recounting the life experiences that have shaped you, rest assured, we’ve got your back.

So, grab your favorite cup of brew, get comfortable, and let’s kickstart those creative juices. It’s time to craft essays that are as exceptional as you are—essays that will undoubtedly capture the attention of WashU’s admissions committee.

How Many Supplemental Essays Does Washington University in St. Louis Have?

Washington University in St. Louis has unveiled the supplemental essay questions for the upcoming 2023-2024 admissions season. Prosp ective students aiming to join WashU’s Class of 2028 will encounter one mandatory essay prompt , an additional optional prompt , and the choice to submit an optional video . It’s time to take a closer look at what these prompts entail and consider how to approach them!

What are the Supplemental Essays for Washington University in St. Louis?

The required essay (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.

The Optional Essay (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:

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

Describe a community you’re 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.

How to Write the Supplemental Essays for Washington University in St. Louis

Alright, friends, let’s talk strategy. You’ve got your prompts in front of you, and you’re ready to start writing. But before you do, let’s go over some tried-and-true tips to make sure your Washington University supplemental essays hit the mark and truly reflect who you are.

Question One:

This prompt is essentially asking students to reflect on their academic interests and passions. It’s designed to gauge their curiosity, intellectual engagement, and how they connect their interests to the university’s academic offerings. Here are four key points a student should consider when answering this prompt, along with detailed explanations for each:

1. Identify and Articulate Interests or Passion: Students should start by identifying specific subjects, fields, or academic areas that genuinely interest them. They don’t need to have a declared major, but should express what excites them academically. This could be anything from a love for languages to a fascination with environmental science. They should articulate why these areas interest them – perhaps through a personal anecdote, a particular book that captivated them, or a problem in the world they’re passionate about solving.

2. Connect Interests to Washington University’s Offerings: It’s crucial to link personal interests to what Washington University offers. Students should research the university’s majors, courses, professors, research opportunities, and extracurriculars. They should mention specific aspects of the university’s academic programs that align with their interests, such as unique courses, specific faculty members whose work they admire, or particular research facilities.

3. Demonstrate Intellectual Curiosity and Openness to Exploration: Since the prompt highlights the “undeclared” status of first-year students, students should convey a willingness to explore and discover new academic areas. This can be illustrated by discussing a broad range of interests or showing enthusiasm for interdisciplinary learning. They might mention how they look forward to taking advantage of the liberal arts education to explore various subjects before settling on a major.

4. Reflect on Personal Growth and Future Goals: Students should reflect on how their academic interests have shaped them and how they see these interests evolving in college. They should also discuss how studying these subjects at Washington University can help them achieve their future goals, whether these are career aspirations, personal development goals, or contributions they hope to make to society.

The response should be a blend of personal passion, a clear connection to what Washington University offers, an openness to academic exploration, and a thoughtful consideration of how this academic journey fits into their broader personal and professional aspirations.

Optional Question 1:

The prompt is essentially asking the applicant to showcase their ability to contribute unique ideas and viewpoints in a group setting. This question aims to gauge the applicant’s creativity, teamwork skills, and ability to positively influence a group dynamic. Here are four key points to consider when brainstorming a response:

1. Identify a Specific Collaborative Experience: The student should reflect on a particular instance where they worked in a team – this could be in an academic project, a sports team, a club, a volunteer group, or even an informal group project. It’s important to choose an experience where their input had a noticeable impact. For example, they could discuss a time when they were working on a group project in school and suggested an unconventional approach to solving a problem.

2. Explain the Fresh Perspective or Opinion: The student needs to clearly articulate what their unique idea or perspective was. This might involve describing how their idea differed from the norm, how it challenged the status quo, or introduced a novel approach to a common problem. For instance, if they suggested using a digital tool to streamline a process in a student club, they should explain why they thought of it and how it was different from usual methods.

3. Detail the Implementation and Challenges: Discussing how the idea was put into action is crucial. The student should describe how they communicated their idea to the group, how they convinced others to embrace it, and any challenges they faced in its implementation. This part of the response will demonstrate their communication skills, persuasiveness, and problem-solving abilities.

4. Reflect on the Outcome and Personal Growth: Finally, it’s important to reflect on what happened after implementing the idea. Did it lead to success? Were there unexpected outcomes or learning experiences? How did this experience contribute to their personal or academic growth? For example, they could talk about how their idea led to a more efficient project completion, or how overcoming skepticism from team members boosted their confidence in their innovative capabilities.

By thoroughly addressing these points, the student can effectively convey their ability to bring fresh perspectives to collaborative settings, a quality that is highly valued in academic and professional environments.

Optional Question 2:

The prompt asks applicants to reflect on their involvement in a specific group or community and to articulate their role or contribution within that community. Here are four key points for students to consider when brainstorming and elaborating their responses:

1. Defining the Community: The student should begin by clearly identifying the community they’re discussing. This could be any group where they feel a sense of belonging, such as a school club, sports team, religious group, volunteer organization, or even an online community. The description should provide context about what this community is, its purpose, and why it’s significant to the student.

2. Personal Involvement and Role: After defining the community, the student should focus on their specific role or involvement. This part should detail what they do or contribute to the community. It could include leadership positions held, initiatives started, or any active participation that adds value to the group. The aim is to show the student’s engagement level and the impact of their actions within the community.

3. Growth and Learning: The essay should also reflect on how being a part of this community has influenced the student’s personal growth or learning. This could involve developing new skills, gaining insights into a particular field, understanding diverse perspectives, or fostering personal qualities like empathy, teamwork, and leadership. The idea is to illustrate how the student’s involvement in the community has been a two-way street, benefiting both the community and their own development.

4. Connection to Future Goals: Lastly, it’s beneficial to connect this experience with the student’s future aspirations or how it aligns with their goals at Washington University in St. Louis . This could be in terms of continuing to engage in similar communities, applying learned skills in their chosen field of study, or how it shapes their long-term career or personal objectives. This connection shows the admissions committee the student’s forward-thinking mindset and how their past experiences are stepping stones to their future plans.

Optional Question 3:

The prompt is designed to understand a student’s perspective on community involvement and how their personal experiences have shaped their understanding and actions within a community. Here are four key points for brainstorming ideas and their detailed explanations:

1. Identifying Formative Experiences: Students should reflect on significant life events or experiences that have influenced their perception of community. This could include volunteering experiences, family traditions, cultural events, or personal challenges. For example, if a student grew up in a multicultural environment, they might discuss how this diversity has fostered a deep appreciation for different cultures and inspired them to engage in cultural exchange programs within their community.

2. Personal Growth and Insights: Focus on how these experiences contributed to personal growth or led to insights about the community. Students could explore themes like empathy, responsibility, or the importance of collaboration. For instance, overcoming a personal challenge, like dealing with a learning disability, might have taught them the value of accessibility and inclusivity, leading them to advocate for these in their community.

3. Active Community Engagement: Describe specific ways in which these life experiences have translated into active participation or initiatives within the community. This could be starting a community project, participating in local events, or even small acts like helping neighbors. If a student was impacted by an environmental issue, they might have been motivated to organize local clean-up drives or environmental awareness campaigns.

4. Future Goals and Aspirations: Students should connect these experiences and learnings to their future goals, particularly how they intend to apply these insights in the university setting and beyond. This could involve plans to join specific clubs, engage in community service, or pursue studies in fields that allow them to contribute positively to society. For example, a student inspired by community health initiatives might express a desire to study public health and implement health awareness programs in university communities.

In answering this prompt, students should strive for authenticity, showing how their unique experiences have genuinely shaped their understanding and interaction with their community. The aim is to provide a holistic view of their character, values, and aspirations, demonstrating their potential contribution to the university’s community.

Optional Video Submission

The Optional Video Submission prompt for Washington University in St. Louis offers an innovative and personal way for applicants to convey their individuality, interests, and fit for the university. This multimedia approach allows students to showcase aspects of themselves that might not be as evident in written essays. Here are four key points to consider when brainstorming and creating the video:

1. Showcasing Personality and Interests: Unlike written essays, a video submission allows students to demonstrate their personality, passion, and enthusiasm visually and audibly. Applicants should think about what makes them unique – it could be a particular hobby, talent, or a distinctive perspective on a subject they’re passionate about. The video can include demonstrations of their talents (like playing a musical instrument or showing off art pieces) or a narration of their experiences that highlight their interests.

2. Demonstrating Fit with the University’s Culture: Students should research and understand the values, mission, and culture of Washington University. The video can then be tailored to reflect how their own values and goals align with the university. For instance, if the university values community service, students might include clips or discussions of their volunteer work and how it shaped their perspectives and ambitions.

3. Highlighting Academic and Career Aspirations: This is a chance to articulate academic interests and career goals more dynamically. Students can talk about why they are drawn to their chosen field, how their past experiences have prepared them for this path, and how Washington University, in particular, will help them achieve their goals. Using visual aids like pictures or short clips from their academic projects or internships can be impactful.

4. Creativity and Authenticity: Encourage students to be creative but authentic. The video doesn’t have to be professionally made; its charm lies in its authenticity and personal touch. They could use a simple, well-lit setup with good audio quality. The focus should be on the content and how effectively they communicate their story. It’s about showing the admissions committee who they are beyond grades and test scores.

In each of these areas, students should aim to be concise yet detailed, focusing on showing their genuine selves and how they would be an excellent fit for Washington University. The key is to balance creativity with sincerity, ensuring that the video reflects their true character and aspirations.

How to Structure Your Supplemental Essays

The structure of supplemental essays is crucial in conveying a coherent, impactful message to the admissions committee. For the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024, a well-structured essay can make a significant difference in how an applicant’s narrative is received. Here are three key points on structuring these essays:

1. Introduction – Setting the Stage: The opening of the essay should immediately engage the reader. Applicants can start with an intriguing hook – a compelling question, a vivid description, or a brief anecdote that directly ties into the essay’s main theme. This section should introduce the central idea or experience the essay will explore, setting a clear tone for what follows. For example, if the essay is about a particular challenge or achievement, starting with a moment that epitomizes that experience can draw the reader in effectively.

2. Body – Developing the Story and Insights: The body of the essay is where the applicant delves into details. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or incident, ensuring a logical flow of ideas. In the case of Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 , this could mean detailing how a particular experience influenced the applicant’s decision to pursue a certain field of study, or how their personal values align with the university’s ethos. It’s important to balance storytelling with reflection, providing not just a narrative but also insights into how these experiences shaped their perspectives or aspirations.

3. Conclusion – Tying it All Together: The conclusion should not simply restate the introduction but instead bring a sense of closure and reflection to the essay. This is the chance to underscore the key takeaways from the story and to explicitly relate back to how these experiences or qualities make the applicant a great fit for Washington University in St. Louis. A strong conclusion might revisit the initial hook or anecdote from the introduction, providing a satisfying full-circle moment that reinforces the essay’s central theme.

Throughout the essay, clarity and coherence are paramount. Applicants should aim for a natural yet polished narrative flow, ensuring each part of the essay contributes to an overarching message. This structured approach not only makes the essay more readable and engaging but also allows applicants to effectively communicate their unique story and qualifications for Washington University in St. Louis.

Why Choose Washington University in St. Louis

At its heart, WashU is more than just a rigorous academic institution; it’s a caring community dedicated to the growth and success of each student. Here, your educational journey intertwines with personal development, supported by faculty and staff who are committed to your success.

WashU stands out for its academic excellence, offering a challenging and diverse range of programs, whether your interest lies in neuroscience, law, or art history. The university prides itself on its dynamic teaching and research opportunities, where you’re not just a passive learner but an active participant in groundbreaking research. This environment is not just about preparing you for your first job; it’s a launchpad for a meaningful and fulfilling career, supported by a strong network of alumni and industry connections.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just ideals at WashU; they’re a reality. The university’s community is a rich tapestry of different cultures and backgrounds, providing a broad spectrum of perspectives that enhance your educational experience. Beyond the classroom, WashU’s vibrant campus life, with over 300 student organizations, complements your academic pursuits. And let’s not forget the city of St. Louis itself, offering a plethora of cultural and recreational activities.

Your journey to becoming part of this exceptional community begins with the WashU supplemental essay. This is your opportunity to showcase not just your academic achievements but also your personal vision, values, and unique voice. With increasing competition for admission, exemplified by the Class of 2027’s acceptance rate of just 12%, standing out is crucial. High SAT scores and top-class rankings are the norms here, but to truly shine, you’ll need to bring something more to the table. The WashU supplemental essays are your chance to do just that, to show why you are a perfect fit for this remarkable institution.

How Important are Supplemental Essays in the College Admissions Process?

Supplemental essays, particularly for the 2023-2024 admission cycle at Washington University in St. Louis, play a pivotal role in the college admissions process. Here’s a detailed exploration of their significance:

1. Personalizing the Application: The Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 provide a platform for students to present a more holistic and personalized picture of themselves. While transcripts and test scores offer quantitative insights, these essays enable applicants to narrate their unique stories, experiences, and aspirations. For instance, an essay discussing a significant personal challenge or a unique family tradition can give the admissions committee a vivid understanding of the student’s background, character, and resilience.

2. Demonstrating Fit and Interest: Through these supplemental essays, students have the opportunity to show their specific interest in Washington University in St. Louis. This could be through discussing particular programs, faculty, research opportunities, or campus initiatives that align with their goals and values. By effectively communicating why they are drawn to Washington University and how they envision contributing to its community, applicants can strengthen their case as an ideal candidate for the institution.

3. Showcasing Writing Skills and Critical Thinking: The ability to communicate effectively and think critically is essential in college. The supplemental essays allow students to demonstrate these skills beyond what standardized test scores and GPAs might reflect. A well-constructed essay that presents a compelling narrative, showcases intellectual curiosity, and displays a command of language can significantly impact the admissions decision.

4. Differentiating from Other Applicants: In a pool of equally qualified candidates, the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 offer a chance for students to stand out. They can highlight unique aspects of their personality, experiences, or perspectives that may not be evident elsewhere in their application. For example, a student might write about a distinctive hobby, a volunteer experience that shaped their worldview, or how a particular event ignited their passion for a field of study.

In summary, the supplemental essays are not just an add-on to the application; they are a crucial component that can significantly sway the admissions decision. By effectively utilizing this space to convey their unique story, demonstrate their fit for the university, exhibit strong communication skills, and differentiate themselves from other applicants, students can significantly enhance their chances of admission to Washington University in St. Louis.

How Do Washington University’s Supplemental Essays Compare to Other Universities?

The Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle present a unique blend of opportunities for applicants to express themselves, distinguishable in several ways when compared to supplemental essays from other top universities.

Unlike some institutions like Harvard or Stanford , which often pose abstract or intellectually challenging prompts, Washington University tends to focus more on the personal and practical aspects of the applicant’s life and interests. For example, while Stanford might ask about an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development, Washington University’s prompts are more likely to explore the applicant’s specific interests in their chosen field of study or their understanding of the university’s community and culture.

Another distinct feature of Washington University’s supplemental essays is their emphasis on practical engagement and real-world experiences. Whereas a school like the University of Chicago is renowned for its creatively challenging and often unconventional essay prompts that encourage whimsical and theoretical responses, Washington University’s essays tend to ground the applicant in more concrete, personal narratives. This approach allows students to showcase not just their intellectual capabilities, but also their personal growth, community involvement, and practical skills relevant to their prospective field of study.

Furthermore, compared to schools like MIT or Caltech, where the supplemental essays often skew heavily towards technical and scientific interests, Washington University offers a broader spectrum, inviting narratives from a wide range of academic and personal backgrounds. This inclusivity makes their supplemental essays more accessible to students with diverse interests and experiences, unlike the more specialized focus of some tech-oriented institutions.

Overall, the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays for 2023-2024 offer a balanced mix of personal narrative, academic interest, and community engagement, differing from other top universities by leaning less towards the abstract, whimsical, or highly technical, and more towards holistic, practical, and personally meaningful expressions of the applicant’s experiences and aspirations. This approach not only provides a comprehensive platform for students to present themselves but also aligns well with the university’s emphasis on well-rounded, engaged, and practically-oriented individuals.

How to Effectively Revise and Proofread

Effectively revising and proofreading Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 is crucial for crafting a polished and impactful application. Here are four detailed strategies to guide applicants through this process:

1. Comprehensive Content Review: Begin by re-evaluating the essay’s content. Ask critical questions: Does the essay answer the prompt completely? Are there clear connections between the applicant’s experiences, interests, and aspirations, and what Washington University in St. Louis offers? This step is about ensuring that the content is not just grammatically correct but also meaningful and relevant. Applicants should check for any missing details that could add depth to their narrative or remove redundant parts that do not contribute to the overarching message.

2. Structure and Flow Analysis: Examine the essay’s structure for logical flow and coherence. Each paragraph should seamlessly lead to the next, with clear transitions and a well-organized progression of ideas. For the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024, it’s vital to maintain a balance between personal anecdotes, academic interests, and reflections on how they align with the university’s offerings. Reordering or refining paragraphs might be necessary to ensure the essay reads smoothly and logically.

3. Feedback from Trusted Sources: Obtaining feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers can provide invaluable insights. Sometimes, an external perspective can catch inconsistencies, unclear passages, or missed opportunities in the narrative that the writer might overlook. Encourage applicants to seek feedback from individuals who understand the nuances of college admissions and can provide constructive, honest critiques.

4. Final Proofreading for Precision and Polish: The last step involves meticulous proofreading to catch any grammatical errors, typos, or awkward phrasings. Reading the essay out loud can be particularly effective in identifying areas that might need fine-tuning. This stage is not just about correcting mistakes but also about refining the language to ensure it’s engaging, clear, and reflective of the applicant’s voice. Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can assist in this process, but they should complement, not replace, a thorough manual review.

Throughout these steps, applicants should remember that the goal is to create a compelling, clear, and authentic representation of themselves. The revision and proofreading process for the Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 is an opportunity to refine their stories, ensuring they are presented in the most effective and polished manner possible.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, folks! We’ve journeyed through the ins and outs of nailing those Washington University supplemental essays. Remember, these essays are your chance to let your personality shine through the black-and-white stats of your application. They’re your voice in a room full of paper.

Think of these prompts as a friendly chat with the admissions team. They’re genuinely interested in what makes you, well, you. So, when you’re sharing that fresh perspective you’re proud of, or the community that feels like home, or those life experiences that have shaped your world, just picture you telling your story to a new friend.

Don’t stress about using big, fancy words. Just be you. That’s who they want to meet, after all. And if you decide to go for that optional video, have fun with it! It’s like sending a hello through your screen. 

Once you hit that submit button, take a deep breath. You’ve done your part in sharing your story. Now, it’s time for the WashU team to read and appreciate the unique mix of qualities you bring to the table. WashU is just one of many amazing possibilities that await you. No matter where you end up, you’re on the path to great things.

So, go ahead and give those essays your best shot. And remember, whether it’s on paper or on screen, your story is worth telling. Good luck!

It is important to have all the necessary information before making any decision. AdmissionSight is always here to help you with any questions or concerns. We have over ten years of experience helping students successfully navigate the challenging admissions process.

Consult with AdmissionSight and find out how we can help you get into the school of your choice by ensuring that you are fully informed and prepared for the application process. We will work with you to develop a personalized plan that meets your specific needs and goals. We will also provide you with access to our team of experts who can help you with everything from choosing the right schools to writing your essays .

Don’t let the admissions process overwhelm you. Contact AdmissionSight today and let us help you achieve your dreams.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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How to Ace the 23/24 WashU Supplemental Essay

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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

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

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

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

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

What is WashU in St. Louis known for?

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

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

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

Does Washington University in St. Louis Have Supplemental Essays?

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

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

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

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

How Many Essays Are Required for WashU?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the prompt asking?

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

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

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

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

Choosing an area of interest

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

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

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

Explaining your interest

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

Managing word count

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

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

Telling a story

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

Let’s look at the following examples:

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

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

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

Answering “Why WashU?”

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

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

Let’s look at the following example:

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

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

Editing your WashU Essay response

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

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

WashU Supplemental Essay Draft Key Questions:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Washington University in St. Louis Supplemental Essay Tips

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

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

WashU Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

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

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

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The Ultimate Guide to Applying to Washington University in St. Louis

What’s covered:, average stats of accepted washington university in st. louis students, washington university in st. louis application process, washington university in st. louis financial aid, what are your chances of acceptance.

Washington University in St. Louis (also referred to as WashU or WUSTL) has built a reputation for its excellent academics and top students from across the globe. While numerous WashU alumni have gone on to have incredible achievements, some of its most notable alumni left before earning a degree—Tennesse Williams, after failing to win a playwriting contest at the university; Enterprise Rent-a-Car founder Jack C. Taylor to fight in World War II; and Marilyn vos Savant, the record holder for world’s highest IQ, to work in the family investment business. 

Whether you aim to do great things before or after earning a degree from WUSTL, the first step is to gain admission into this exceptional university. 

Like other top-ranked colleges, WashU attracts students who have succeeded at the highest academic level. Roughly nine out of ten (89%) of accepted applicants graduated in the top 10% of their high school class and their average GPA was 4.2. The middle 50% SAT/ACT score of those admitted to WashU is 1490-1570/33-35.

Applicants to WashU generally have great grades and stand-out test scores; consequently, excellent academics don’t guarantee admission. They do, however, ensure an applicant is given serious consideration for admission. Highly selective colleges like WUSTL use a tool known as the Academic Index to screen out under-qualified applicants—failing to meet the university’s benchmarks puts you at risk of having your application passed over. 

WashU is test-optional for applicants entering in fall 2023 and 2024, meaning that test scores are not a factor in admissions decisions. Students with strong test scores should still consider including them, though—it’s typically advised that students submit scores that fall in the middle 50% range of accepted applicants (this is particularly true for scores on the high end of the spectrum).

Application Overview

WUSTL accepts two applications: the Common Application and the Coalition Application. There is a $75 application fee, however, it’s waivable for students to whom it presents a financial hardship. 

There are three decision paths at WashU: Early Decision 1 (ED1), Early Decision 2 (ED2), and Regular Decision (RD). 

Both Early Decision pathways are binding and applicants who apply through them are committed to attending the university if accepted. Early Decision normally provides better odds of admission and this holds true at WashU— WashU’s Early Decision acceptance rate is a robust 27% compared to its slim 11% overall acceptance rate . More than half of WUSTL’s class is fielded from the Early Decision rounds.

Application Components

• Official transcript
• School report 
• Counselor recommendation 
• Supplemental essay 
• SAT/ACT scores (optional)
• Portfolio (required for students applying to the College of Art and strongly encouraged for students applying to the College of Architecture)
• Interview/Introduction video (optional)

Supplemental Essay: All WashU applicants are required to complete one supplemental essay with their application, and many of the other programs WashU offers also necessitate their own essays. 

All applicants must compose a response to the following prompt: 

• Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU 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. (200 words)

Applicants to the Beyond Boundaries Program must also respond to the following prompt:  

• Many of our students broadly explore the connections across WashU’s five undergraduate divisions and three graduate schools and engage with the community before declaring a major. The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges do not come pre-packaged as territory of a single discipline. 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. (200 words)

Those seeking admission into the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science must respond to the following prompt: 

• 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 skill set. Graduates of the program will be 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? (200 words)

Applicants to the Danforth Scholars Program are asked to compose responses to the two following prompts: 

• Consider the legacy of Chancellor Danforth and the four Program Pillars. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the ideals of the Program? Please provide 1-2 specific examples. (250 words)
• What matters to you? (200 words)

Ervin Scholars Program applicants are also required to compose essays in response to two prompts:

• Describe a high school or community activity in which you have taken initiative. What were the challenges and outcomes? What did you learn? (200 words)
• Dr. John B. Ervin was a nationally renowned black educator and the first African American Dean at Washington University. The Ervin Scholars Program was founded on and continues to live out his legacy through scholars’ dedication to the Program Pillars. Review the biography of Dr. John B. Ervin and the four Program Pillars. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the ideals of the Program? Please provide 1-2 specific examples. (250 words)

Lastly, applicants to the Rodriguez Scholars Program must also write essays in response to two prompts:

• Consider the biography of Annika Rodriguez and reflect upon your commitment to bringing diverse groups together and/or celebrating the cultures of diverse peoples. How do you demonstrate this commitment? How do your service activities demonstrate your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Rodriguez Scholars Program? (250 words)

Check out CollegeVine’s article How to Write the Washington University in St. Louis Essays 2022-2023 for more detailed information about WashU’s supplemental essays and advice on how to create essays that will grab the attention of admissions officers. Have you already started writing your essays? CollegeVine Essay Review allows you to get free feedback from other students or feedback from essay experts for a fee. 

Portfolio: Submitting a portfolio is required for students applying to the College of Art and although it’s optional for students applying to the College of Architecture, it’s wise to consider it a must-do for applicants with their hearts set on attending WUSTL. Applicants can have their portfolios reviewed in person and online during National Portfolio Review Days , or they can submit them with their applications using SlideRoom . 

Interview/Introduction Video: Applicants have the option of a short interview with a current WashU student or alumni or submitting a 90-second video. These allow applicants to highlight something important that might not come across in other aspects of the application and provide another chance to stand out in a competitive field of candidates. 

When Will You Hear Back?

The date applicants receive their admissions decision depends on the application path they took.   

Financial Aid Generosity

WashU is committed to keeping cost from being a barrier to education. The university practices need-blind admissions and meets 100% demonstrated need —more simply, an applicant’s ability to pay for college isn’t considered in admissions decisions and the school guarantees to meet the financial aid needs of all admitted students.

The sticker price of WashU for students living on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year is $79,823*. Below is a breakdown of expenses: 

*The University of Washington in St. Louis also estimates students will spend $1,180 on books and supplies, $880 on travel, and incur $2,356 of miscellaneous expenses, adding up to $4,416 and bringing the ultimate cost of attendance up to $84,239.

WUSTL’s six-year graduation rate is 95%—far above the 64% national average —which ensures students are getting into the labor force in a timely fashion rather than spending expensive extra years at the school. The average student loan debt of a 2018 WashU graduate was $22,500, which is also considerably less than the national average of $29,200 .  

WashU has generally proven a good investment for its students; the website Payscale ranks it 155 (out of 1,978 schools) on its list of best-value colleges . To learn more about the expense of WUSTL and what it actually costs to attend this excellent university, check out our article What Does It Cost to Attend Washington University in St. Louis?

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Washington University in St. Louis applicants applying for financial aid are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile. Below is the timeline for financial aid applications and when to expect a decision by. 

Admissions at prestigious schools like WashU are extremely competitive, however, admissions odds vary from applicant to applicant. CollegeVine can help add clarity to your chances at WUSTL with our free chancing engine , which uses factors like academics, extracurriculars, and demographics to provide applicants with their personal odds of acceptance not only at WashU, but hundreds of colleges across the country. 

Learn more about Washington University in St. Louis , including information about its diversity, the majors it offers, and how long your application should take.

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Strategizing the Wash U in St. Louis Supplemental Essay 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

October 20, 2021

Washington University in St. Louis is a perfect option if you’re looking for a school in the Midwest that has consistently been ranked among the Top 20. This university can provide you with a collaborative environment and the chance to explore your goals through one of their four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the McKelvey School of Engineering, the Olin Business School, and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Whether your choice of major is something standard or one of their unique choices like Bioinformatics, Fashion Design, or The Business of Sports, it’s time to elaborate on why you’ve chosen the school through your response to the Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 . 

Wash U offers only one supplemental prompt for its applicants—hoping to gauge why you’re interested in studying your area of interest at their particular institution. You need to show admissions officers the unique perspective you would bring to Wash U, and how you would contribute to the classroom. To help brainstorm your answer, I’ve outlined the prompt, the dos and don’ts of your response, and some additional tips that guide you through writing the Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 .

Prompt for the Wash U in St. Louis Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

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

The first and only prompt for the Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 helps their admissions officers exactly why you’ve decided to apply to this school. Since the essay specifies “what you are interested in studying” stick to academics in your answer—what is your prospective major and how does the program at Wash U suit your career plan more than any other top school? Remember when it comes to choosing your initial academic area that since Wash U has specialized colleges for different fields, your choice of major can get more specific than just “art” or “biology.” If you take a look at the majors and programs page, you might notice that within Biology, Wash U offers majors in “Microbiology,” “Neuroscience,” “Genomics/Computation,” and “Ecology/Evolution.” The more narrowed your choice, the better you can explain to the reader how the topic of your essay relates to your specific aspiration within a field and how the university can help you get there.

Since a 200-word limit is quite restricted, you don’t have a lot of space to go into the nitty-gritty details of your selection itself. The Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 wants you to focus on the why. How have your specific experiences prepared you for a Wash U education? Which courses can help you achieve your goals? Are there any research opportunities or study abroad programs that can enhance your ten-year plan? Anecdotes that vouch for your commitment to the discipline are important for your Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 . Follow the classic “show not tell” advice and discuss instances that demonstrate that you are not just dedicated to the field on paper.

Additional Tips for Writing the Wash U in St. Louis Supplemental Essay 2021-2022

• Do your research! - It’s a given that before you sit down to write any supplemental essay you conduct thorough research on the college. Even though there’s no explicit “Why Wash U” question, to successfully write the Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 , you need to know about the academic departments and courses in order to figure out how your topic relates to the major. For further reading, you can also check out this blog by Alyssa Reiman, a Graduate Coach at InGenius Prep discussing what she loved about the school, its community, and campus! Reading through student reflections is a helpful way to inspire your own writing and think deeper about what you’re looking for from your college and academic journey.
• Think About the Wash U College of Your Choice - Before you sit down to write your Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 , you should think carefully about the specialized college you’ll apply to and tailor your essay to highlight unique program offerings at that particular school. Even though you are allowed to take classes across the different schools, your essay needs to be as specific as possible to your primary field. If you’re applying to the School of Engineering, don’t rave about classes in the Design & Visual Arts college!

Wash U might be on your radar if you’re looking for specialized academic programs in your field of choice. Taking advantage of the Wash U in St. Louis supplemental essay 2021-2022 is certainly a good way to solidify how your interest in the discipline has developed, why Wash U specifically can help you reach your goals, and help make a strong and lasting impression on the admissions officers.

Tags : wash u , wash u in st.louis , Washington University , how to get into wash u in st. louis , wash u in st louis supplemental essay 2021-2022

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March 1, 2024

Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis) Secondary Application Essay Tips [2022 – 2023]

Ranked fifth for research by U.S. News & World Report , Washington University (WashU) School of Medicine provides exciting opportunities for medical students to participate in research at the basic science or clinical levels. The school looks for students who have strong ties to their communities – along with excellent communication skills, a dedication to service, and well-rounded interests. 

Ready to get to work on your WashU School of Medicine secondary essays? Read on. 

WashU School of Medicine secondary essay tips

• WashU School of Medicine application deadlines

WashU School of Medicine class profile

Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 characters)

The best responses to this question will demonstrate resilience . Select an event or commitment that you clearly did not perform well on – but did not give up. Choose something you had to repeat or improve on, and then demonstrate how, through hard work, you were ultimately able to succeed. For example, you might write about your first teaching experience. Most people’s first time teaching a class or group does not go very well, but such experiences are ones you learn from. Focus on how you then improved. Be mindful. End your essay on a high note. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (optional) This is both an open question and a diversity question . WashU wants to learn about your personal experiences, socioeconomic difficulties, ethnicity issues, sexual orientation challenges, and/or any other identity-related (yours or your family’s) matters. Also, if you or your family had an unusual life experience, this is the place to relate it. Some applicants use this essay to describe obstacles such as complicated access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity – and/or possibly challenges related to COVID or other issues in preparation for medical school. 

Note: Medical students, as rising physicians, must be able to embrace diversity as a core value. To demonstrate this, applicants might draw from their personal experiences or observed experiences, or could tell a story that was integral to their “character” education about the necessary and essential value for diversity, a lesson learned.

Are you still a full time student? If no, describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (Optional) (2000 characters)

Update your resume or CV, and be succinct but comprehensive in your response. Capture the diversity of your activities and interests, including all work experiences and volunteer commitments since you graduated. Because this is meant to be a chronological retelling, show how each successive role has helped you grow as a person and future physician.

Watch: Dr. Valerie Ratts, associate dean for admissions at Washington University School of Medicine, talks about how the WashU adcom selects students. 

WashU School of Medicine application deadlines [2023-24]

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with WashU directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Here is a look at the WashU School of Medicine class that entered in 2023 (data taken from the WashU School of Medicine website ):

Applications: 5,702

Students enrolled: 124

Women: 62 (50%)

Underrepresented in medicine: 31%

From socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds: 25%

Received merit and/or need-based scholarships: 85%

Mean MCAT: 519.5 (96th percentile)

Mean GPA: 3.88

Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your WashU School of Medicine secondary application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to their top-choice medical schools. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options. Click here to get started today !

Dr. Mary Mahoney, PhD, is the medical humanities director at Elmira College and has more than 20 years of experience as an advisor and essay reviewer for med school applicants. She is a tenured English professor with an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a PhD in literature and writing from the University of Houston. For the past 20 years, Mary has served as a grad school advisor and essay reviewer for med school applicants. Want Mary to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for Med School Applicants
• Medical School Selectivity Index , a free tool
• Five Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Med School & Secondary Essays

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2022-2023 University of Washington

• Thread starter wysdoc
• Start date Apr 22, 2022

Plain-spoken Texan

• Apr 22, 2022
• Entering medical students should understand the social forces that shape the health of the individuals and communities they will serve. This includes understanding how social contextual factors and policy operate at the community and national level to impact the health of individuals. Students should be familiar with disparities in health currently present in society and their underlying etiologies. Candidates seeking acceptance to UWSOM can establish competency in this area through course work in the social sciences, humanities or related interdisciplinary fields such as public health or ethnic and gender studies, clinical and/or population health research, service learning, lived experience or a combination thereof. Examples of social science/humanities coursework to consider: Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Religion, History, Philosophy, Literature.
• Describe your competency by explaining how you've explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities related to the "human condition".
• Tie(s) to one or more of the WWAMI states
• Service record with underserved communities
• From a disadvantaged background (including those inadequately represented in medicine)
• Member of a federally recognized tribe whose traditional and customary tribal boundaries include portions of the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and/or Idaho
• Born in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho
• Graduated from high school in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho
• Have a parent who currently lives in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and/or Idaho
• Currently live and/or have lived in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and/or Idaho FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR
• Active military member who is stationed in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho

Full Member

• Jun 16, 2022

If any neurotic premeds want an excellent job working very closely with docs, nurses, and pts in a high volume General Surgery clinic at UWMC, send me a dm. Some of the docs are well connected in the UW Med system....I was accepted at UWSoM into the 2022 entering class. My supervisor also wanted me to note that all of the pre-medical students and pre-dental students we've had have all been accepted to medical school.  

themagicmeatball

• Jun 21, 2022

PalaceLover

• Jun 22, 2022

themagicmeatball said: New Update for those not aware: Applicants whose AMCAS legal state of residence is not within WWAMI or whose residency is denied by one of the WWAMI residency certifying offices will be considered for the MD program if they meet the following specific components of our mission ( Mission & Values | UW Medicine ): Tie(s) to one or more of the WWAMI states AND at least one of the following: Service record with underserved communities From a disadvantaged background (including those inadequately represented in medicine) Out-of-region applicants must have one of the following WWAMI ties in order to be eligible for consideration: Member of a federally recognized tribe whose traditional and customary tribal boundaries include portions of the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and/or Idaho Born in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho Graduated from high school in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho Have a parent who currently lives in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and/or Idaho Currently live and/or have lived in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and/or Idaho FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR Active military member who is stationed in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, or Idaho Click to expand...

bluewolffe said: Will eligible out-of-region applicants receive a secondary, or are there still the mission fit essays that need to be reviewed first? Click to expand...

flyon_littlewing9587

• Jun 28, 2022

themagicmeatball said: if you meet required ties above. But my guess is everything else is still the same. If you are not sure just reach out: [email protected] Click to expand...

flyon_littlewing9587 said: Do you know if going to their undergrad counts for the “lived in WA for at least a year”? I was a student athlete so basically lived there for 4 years but I never established residency Click to expand...

Alwaysthesecondary

• Jul 5, 2022

Alwaysthesecondary said: Do you know if this applies to MD/PhD too or just MD? Click to expand...

Has anyone gotten secondaries yet?  

• Jul 6, 2022

Abbs1 said: Has anyone gotten secondaries yet? Click to expand...

• Jul 13, 2022

Well just got my first rejection. Was my number 1, but I am oos. Oh well I guess 😪  

flymflam314

flyon_littlewing9587 said: Well just got my first rejection. Was my number 1, but I am oos. Oh well I guess 😪 Click to expand...

flymflam314 said: Was it a rejection after primary? or did you fill out secondaries first? Sorry to hear that btw Click to expand...

flyon_littlewing9587 said: Pre-secondary Click to expand...

sosmedicine

• Jul 16, 2022

Have you guys seen this new secondary question on their website: "Describe your competency by explaining how you have explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities related to the "human condition." I keep reading it over and over and can't figure out what it's asking  

FloatingAbyss

sosmedicine said: Have you guys seen this new secondary question on their website: "Describe your competency by explaining how you have explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities related to the "human condition." I keep reading it over and over and can't figure out what it's asking Click to expand...

ilikenovembers

• Jul 19, 2022

jello45 said: Did anyone else get an email about a mission statement request (not a secondary)? Click to expand...

deleted1140526

Does anyone know how selective the secondary invite process is for MSTP? Based on previous year trends it seems like it is at least somewhat selective but idk how much.  

walnutfloor

Mission statement received. a little confused as to whether I should fill it out or not. It says: "Applicants whose AMCAS legal state of residence is not within WWAMI and/or whose residency is denied by one of the WWAMI residency certifying offices will only be considered for the MD program if they meet the following specific components of our mission ( Mission & Values | UW Medicine ): ⦁ Ties to one or more of the WWAMI states AND at least one of the following: ⦁ Service record with underserved communities ⦁ From a disadvantaged background (including those inadequately represented in medicine)" I have no ties to WWAMI states, but still believe that I'm a mission fit. Is it worth it to fill out the mission statement since it sounds like I won't even be considered?  

Like someone mentioned, the ties thing is brand new to this cycle. I actually reached out to UW about it because I'm also OOR (without any significant ties) and last year I received an II but was rejected at the end. Unfortunately they told me that I wouldn't be considered this cycle without ties to WWAMI even though I met the requirements last year and interviewed. Really sucks bc I love UW  

• We recognize that the world has changed significantly due to the global pandemic. Please share how COVID-19 has impacted you, your family, your community, and/or the patients that you would like to serve.
• How have societal inequities in the U.S. affected you or patients you’ve worked with?
• What perspectives or experiences do you bring that would enrich the class?
• What obstacles have you experienced and how have you overcome them?
• Entering medical students should understand the social forces that shape the health of the individuals and communities they will serve. This includes understanding how social contextual factors and policy operate at the community and national level to impact the health of individuals. Students should be familiar with disparities in health currently present in society and their underlying etiologies. Candidates seeking acceptance to UWSOM can establish competency in this area through course work in the social sciences, humanities or related interdisciplinary fields such as public health or ethnic and gender studies, clinical and/or population health research, service learning, lived experience or a combination of thereof. Examples of social science/humanities coursework to consider: Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Religion, History, Philosophy, Literature.

tovarishch said: @wysdoc , here are the secondary questions. We recognize that the world has changed significantly due to the global pandemic. Please share how COVID-19 has impacted you, your family, your community, and/or the patients that you would like to serve. How have societal inequities in the U.S. affected you or patients you’ve worked with? What perspectives or experiences do you bring that would enrich the class? What obstacles have you experienced and how have you overcome them? Demonstrated competency - Social sciences, Humanities or "Human Condition" Entering medical students should understand the social forces that shape the health of the individuals and communities they will serve. This includes understanding how social contextual factors and policy operate at the community and national level to impact the health of individuals. Students should be familiar with disparities in health currently present in society and their underlying etiologies. Candidates seeking acceptance to UWSOM can establish competency in this area through course work in the social sciences, humanities or related interdisciplinary fields such as public health or ethnic and gender studies, clinical and/or population health research, service learning, lived experience or a combination of thereof. Examples of social science/humanities coursework to consider: Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Religion, History, Philosophy, Literature. Describe your competency by explaining how you've explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities related to the "human condition". Click to expand...

sosmedicine said: Did you get these from the website or have you received the secondary already? Click to expand...

• Jul 20, 2022

tovarishch said: I received my secondary today. Click to expand...

sosmedicine said: Sorry for all the questions, are you out of region? Click to expand...

walnutfloor said: Mission statement received. a little confused as to whether I should fill it out or not. It says: "Applicants whose AMCAS legal state of residence is not within WWAMI and/or whose residency is denied by one of the WWAMI residency certifying offices will only be considered for the MD program if they meet the following specific components of our mission ( Mission & Values | UW Medicine ): ⦁ Ties to one or more of the WWAMI states AND at least one of the following: ⦁ Service record with underserved communities ⦁ From a disadvantaged background (including those inadequately represented in medicine)" I have no ties to WWAMI states, but still believe that I'm a mission fit. Is it worth it to fill out the mission statement since it sounds like I won't even be considered? Click to expand...

Received my secondary  

sdoh_junkie

Lm: 68 wars: 76.

• Jul 23, 2022

walnutfloor said: for those who are like me and had something pre-written and didn't see the harm in submitting since it's free... you will automatically get rejected with no ties! Kind of sad because I loved both WA and the school. Oh well. Click to expand...

sdoh_junkie said: I just received the mission statement request. Was there a prompt after the 100 word explanation for ties? Or is that the only prompt? I also don’t have ties but have a really strong mission fit. So bummed that they changed the requirements this year. Click to expand...

Needstogetlifetogether

• Jul 25, 2022

So my dumb butt forgot to send over my casper exam to this school. I just received an email that my application will not be considered any more. Do you think if I add in UWSOM to my distribution list now, it would be considered again? I hate to be disqualified for this error.  

Needstogetlifetogether said: So my dumb butt forgot to send over my casper exam to this school. I just received an email that my application will not be considered any more. Do you think if I add in UWSOM to my distribution list now, it would be considered again? I hate to be disqualified for this error. Click to expand...

I added their rules about WA state residency determination and WWAMI ties to the top post of this thread, since I saw there were so many questions about it and people wondering why they had been screened out already.  

sosmedicine said: I feel like you wouldn't be disqualified for not sending your casper score, because that can be sent at any time. Your application would just not be considered complete. Are you OOS/meet the criteria to apply? Click to expand...

ProteinShakeshack

For those of you IS who had to fill out the affidavit, did you get a confirmation after submitting it? Im pretty sure I submitted last week but didnt get a confirmation so kinda worried.  

• Jul 26, 2022

burrito4301 said: Does anyone know how selective the secondary invite process is for MSTP? Based on previous year trends it seems like it is at least somewhat selective but idk how much. Click to expand...

atsoba said: Did you ever get an answer to this? Just graduated last spring and spent 4 years there as well, hoping it counts Edit: Just scrolled up and saw they missed out on you, sorry to hear that Click to expand...

anonpicklejuice

I am OOS but have very strong ties to the region and significant volunteering experience (2000+ hours). I received a secondary and based on last years stats it looks like I’m in good shape. Does anyone have any idea how good an OOS secondary is?  

anonpicklejuice said: I am OOS but have very strong ties to the region and significant volunteering experience (2000+ hours). I received a secondary and based on last years stats it looks like I’m in good shape. Does anyone have any idea how good an OOS secondary is? Click to expand...

flyon_littlewing9587 said: 96/5000 OOS applicants got one last year I think. Click to expand...

TopPotDonut

• Jul 29, 2022

Got an II but ended up being rejected last year. I'm trying again! Good luck to everyone!  

I am very confused about the residency process. So I submitted my secondary but the portal still indicates that my residency information is processing. I sent in my documents and got a confirmation e-mail saying the documents have been received and in cue for processing with the residency office. I also reached out to the veteran's office because I am active duty military in Washington State and they have their own form to determine residency, however, it is a digital form that does not allow me to input a start date of Fall 2023. Does anyone know whether I am supposed to go through the veteran's office or the normal residency classification office? Also, are other people's IS applications still not "fully complete" because of the residency data and if so, does that affect the timeline under which the application gets considered? I have called the admissions office numerous times and they don't pick up. The veteran's office is only open for 3 hours, 2 days a week and they also don't pick up/have only responded to 1 email.  

Jw1995 said: I am very confused about the residency process. So I submitted my secondary but the portal still indicates that my residency information is processing. I sent in my documents and got a confirmation e-mail saying the documents have been received and in cue for processing with the residency office. I also reached out to the veteran's office because I am active duty military in Washington State and they have their own form to determine residency, however, it is a digital form that does not allow me to input a start date of Fall 2023. Does anyone know whether I am supposed to go through the veteran's office or the normal residency classification office? Also, are other people's IS applications still not "fully complete" because of the residency data and if so, does that affect the timeline under which the application gets considered? I have called the admissions office numerous times and they don't pick up. The veteran's office is only open for 3 hours, 2 days a week and they also don't pick up/have only responded to 1 email. Click to expand...

• Jul 30, 2022

TopPotDonut said: Got an II but ended up being rejected last year. I'm trying again! Good luck to everyone! Click to expand...

tinypecans said: Same here. Hope this cycle ends up working out for both of us!! Click to expand...

sosmedicine said: +1 GL future classmates Click to expand...

dopaminedeficient

• Aug 1, 2022

OOS MSTP secondary received, prompts are the same as previous years for MSTP (optional autobiographical statement and optional gap year prompt)  

dopaminedeficient said: OOS MSTP secondary received, prompts are the same as previous years for MSTP (optional autobiographical statement and optional gap year prompt) Click to expand...

gregmandel said: Is there a big filtering prior to receiving secondary? Click to expand...

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Leila Sadat

James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law; Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the ICC Prosecutor

Leila Nadya Sadat has served as Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor from 2012-2023 and was recently appointed as a U.S. expert to the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. She is currently a Fellow at the Schell Center for Human Rights at Yale Law School A renowned scholar, she is one of the world’s foremost authorities in the fields of public international law, international criminal, human rights, and foreign affairs. She has more than 170 publications to her name and regularly lectures and teaches abroad. She received Washington University’s Arthur Holly Compton Distinguished Faculty Award in recognition of her leadership of the Crimes Against Initiative, a ground-breaking project she launched that wrote the world’s first treaty on crimes against humanity and continues to work for its adoption by the United Nations. She is the current Chair of the International Law Association (American Branch), and a member of the American Law Institute and the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.

www.leilasadat.com

• University of Paris I – Sorbonne Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (“D.E.A.”), Droit International Privé et Droit du Commerce International, July 1988
• Columbia University School of LawMaster of Laws, May 1987 Jervey Fellow in Foreign Law
• Tulane University School of Law Juris Doctor, May 1985, summa cum laude
• Douglass College Bachelor of Arts, January 1980
• International law
• International human rights
• International criminal law
• Seminars in international criminal law
• International business transactions
• Criminal law
• Public International Law
• International Criminal Law
• Human Rights Law
• The International Criminal Court
• U.S. Foreign Affairs Law
• Transnational Crime

SSRN Author’s Page

• The International Criminal Court in a Nutshell (with Patrick Keenan & Milena Sterio)(West Academic, 2024)
• INTERNATIONAL LAW: CASES AND COMMENTARY (6 th ed., West Academic, 2020) (with Mark Weston Janis and John E. Noyes)
• SEEKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE UNLAWFUL USE OF FORCE (Leila Nadya Sadat, ed., Cambridge, 2018)
• THE FOUNDERS (David M. Crane, Leila Nadya Sadat and Michael P. Scharf, eds, Cambridge, 2018)
• FORGING A CONVENTION FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY (2d ed. Leila Nadya Sadat, ed., Cambridge 2013)
• INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW: CASES AND MATERIALS (4th ed., Carolina, 2013) (with Bassiouni, Paust, et al.)
• THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW: ESSAYS IN HONOR OF M. CHERIF BASSIOUNI (Leila N. Sadat, Michael P. Scharf, eds., Martinus Nihof 2008)
• THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: JUSTICE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM (Transnational, 2002)
• MODEL DRAFT STATUTE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT BASED ON THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE’S TEXT TO THE DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE, ROME, JUNE 15-JULY 17, 1998, 13TER NOUVELLES ÉTUDES PÉNALES (Leila Sadat Wexler, special ed. 1998)

Selected Articles and Essays

• The Conferred Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court , 99 Notre Dame L. Rev. —- (2023)
• The International Criminal Court of the Future, in  The International Criminal Court at 20: Reflections on the Past, Present and the Future (Carsten Stahn, ed., 2023)( forthcoming )
• Crimes Against Humanity, Elgar Encyclopedia of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice (2023)
• Torture in our Schools? , 135 Harv. L. Rev. 512 (2022)
• Little Progress in the Sixth Committee on Crimes Against Humanity , 54 Case Wes. Res. J. Int’l. L. 89 (2022)(symposium, The Academy and International Law ) SSRN
• Pandemic Nationalism, COVID-19, and International Law ,   20 Wash. U.  Glob. Stud.  L. Rev.  561 (2021)
• Justice without Fear or Favour? The Uncertain Future of the International Criminal Court, in The Past, Present and Future of the International Criminal Court  (Alexander Heinze & Viviane E. Dittrich, eds., forthcoming 2021)
• The International Criminal Law of the Future, in Evolution or Revolution? Change in the International Legal Order (David L. Sloss, ed., forthcoming 2021)
• The Important Contributions of the Special Court for Sierra Leone on Amnesties and Immunities: Reinforcing Foundational Principles of International Criminal Law, 15 Florida Int’l L. Rev.73 (2021)(Symposium on Charles Jalloh, The Special Court for Sierra Leone and its Legacy )
• Heads of State and Other Government Officials Before the International Criminal Court: The Uneasy Revolution Continues , in The Elgar Companion to the International Criminal Court (Margaret DeGuzman and Valerie Oosterveld, eds.) (2021)
• An Analysis of State Reactions to the ILC’s Work on Crimes Against Humanity: A Pattern of Growing Support , 6 African J. Int’l Crim. J. 189 (2020) (with Madaline George)
• Reforming the International Criminal Court: “Lean in” or “Leave,” 62 Wash. U. J. L.& Pol’y. 51 (2020)
• Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, 113 Am. J. Int’l. L. 353 (2019)
• Collective Criminality and Sexual Violence: Fixing a Failed Approach, 40 Leiden J. Int’l Law 207 (2019)(with Susana SáCouto & Patricia Viseur Sellers)
• Gun Violence and Human Rights , 60 Wash. U. J. L. & Pol’y 1 (2019) (with Madaline George)
• International Criminal Courts and Tribunals, Max Planck Encyclopedia of International Procedural Law (2019)
• The Urgent Imperative of Peace, in Seeking Accountability for the Unlawful Use of Force ( Leila Nadya Sadat, ed., Cambridge 2018)
• A Contextual & Historical Analysis of the International Law Commission’s 2017 Draft Articles for a New Global Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity , 16 J. Int’l Crim. Justice 683 (2018)
• Whither Human Rights in the Era of Trump , 35 NETHERLANDS QUARTERLY OF HUMAN RIGHTS 2 (2017)
• Washington University School of Law’s Global Trajectory, 53 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF LAW AND POLICY 35 (2017) (150th Anniversary Essay)
• Putting Peacetime First: Crimes Against Humanity and the Civilian Population Requirement , 31 EMORY INTERNATIONAL LAW REVIEW 197 (2017)
• The Nuremberg Trial, Seventy Years Later , 15 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GLOBAL STUDIES LAW REVIEW 575 (2016)
• The Proposed Restatement Fourth of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States: Treaties – Some Serious Procedural and Substantive Concerns , 2015 B.Y.U. LAW REVIEW 1673 (2016)
• Genocide in Syria: International Legal Options, International Legal Limits, and the Serious Problem of Political Will , 5 IMPUNITY WATCH LAW JOURNAL 1 (2015)
• Can the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Šainović and Perišić Cases Be Reconciled? 108 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 475 (2014)
• Seven Canons of ICC Treaty Interpretation: Making Sense of Article 25’s Rorschach Blot , 27 LEIDEN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 755 (2014)
• Crimes Against Humanity in the Modern Age , 107 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 334 (2013)
• Drone Wars, 45 CASE WESTERN RESERVE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 215 (2013)
• Avoiding the Creation of a Gender Ghetto in International Criminal Law , 11 INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW REVIEW 655 (2011) (symposium in honor of Judge Patricia Wald)
• On Legal Subterfuge and the So-Called “Lawfare” Debate , 43 CASE WESTERN RESERVE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 153 (2011)
• Beyond Kampala: Complementarity and the International Criminal Court: The Next Steps for U.S. Engagement, ASIL DISCUSSION PAPER SERIES (November 2010)
• A Rawlsian Approach to International Criminal Justice and the International Criminal Court , 19 TULANE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL & COMPARATIVE LAW 261 (2010), Eberhard P. Deutsch Distinguished Lecture on International Law
• On the Shores of Lake Victoria: Africa and the Review Conference for the International Criminal Court , AFRICA LEGAL AID QUARTERLY 10 (March 2010)
• The Nuremberg Paradox , 58 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE LAW 151 (2010)
• Selected for the Princeton/Illinois Workshop in Comparative Law (2009)
• Transjudicial Dialogue and the Rwandan Genocide: Aspects of Antagonism and Complementarity , 22 LEIDEN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 543 (2009), reprinted in PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW DIALOGS 123 (ASIL 2009)
• A Presumption of Guilt: The Unlawful Enemy Combatant and the U.S. War on Terror , 37 DENVER J. INT’L L. 539 (2009) The 2008 Henry & Mary Bryan Lecture
• Shattering the Nuremburg Consensus: U.S. Rendition Policy and International Criminal Law , 3 YALE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 65 (2008)
• Reprinted in part in JANIS & NOYES, INTERNATIONAL LAW CASES & COMMENTARY (4th ed. 2011)
• Extraordinary Rendition, Torture and Other Nightmares from the War on Terror , 75 GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW 1200 (2007), distributed as part of the “basic materials” to every team (~ 600 worldwide) in the 2007 Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition)
• Ghost Prisoners and Black Sites: Extraordinary Rendition under International Law , 37 CASE WESTERN RESERVE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 309 (2006), reprinted in part in 15 ILSA LAW QUARTERLY 9 (2007)
• Exile, Amnesty and International Law , 81 NOTRE DAME LAW REVIEW 955 (2006)
• reprinted in part in LOUIS HENKIN, LAURENCE HELFER, ET AL, HUMAN RIGHTS (2d ed. 2008)
• An American Vision for Global Justice: Taking the Rule of (International) Law Seriously , 4 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GLOBAL STUDIES LAW REVIEW 1 (2005)
• Summer in Rome, Spring in The Hague, Winter in Washington? U.S. Policy Towards the International Criminal Court , 21 WISCONSIN INTERNATIONAL LAW JOURNAL 557 (2004)
• Do All Arabs Really Look Alike?, 50 WAYNE STATE LAW REVIEW 69 (2004) (symposium honoring Edward M. Wise)
• Terrorism and the Rule of Law , 3 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GLOBAL STUDIES LAW REVIEW 135 (2004)
• reprinted with updates in THE INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW DIALOGS, August 29, 2007: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Hague Rules of 1907 (American Society of International Law 2008)
• The Least Dangerous Branch: Six Letters from Publius to Cato in Support of the International Criminal Court, 35 CASE WESTERN RESERVE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 339 (2003)
• International Criminal Law and Alternative Modes of Redress, PROCEEDINGS, KIEL SYMPOSIUM ON INTERNATIONAL LAW (Summer 2002)
• Redefining Universal Jurisdiction , 35 NEW ENGLAND LAW REVIEW 241 (2001) (lead symposium article)
• reprinted in Paul Schiff Berman, The Globalization of International Law 241 (2006)
• The New International Criminal Court: An Uneasy Revolution , 88 GEORGETOWN LAW JOURNAL 381 (2000) (with S. Richard Carden)
• reprinted in part in MARK JANIS & JOHN NOYES, INTERNATIONAL LAW, CASES AND COMMENTARY 418 (3rd ed. 2006)
• Custom, Codification and Some Thoughts About the Relationship Between the Two: Article 10 of the ICC Statute , 35 DEPAUL LAW REVIEW 909 (2000) (festschrift for M. Cherif Bassiouni).
• Observations on the Consolidated ICC Text Before the Final Session of the Preparatory Committee, 13bis NOUVELLES ÉTUDES PÉNALES (Leila Sadat Wexler, special ed. 1998)
• Prosecutions for Crimes Against Humanity in French Municipal Law: International Implications, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, PROCEEDINGS OF THE 91ST ANNUAL MEETING 270 (1997)
• International Law Association (American Branch) First Committee Report on Jurisdiction, Definition of Crimes and Complementarity, 13 NOUVELLES ÉTUDES PÉNALES 159 (Spring 1997) (also published in 25 DENVER JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW & POLITICS 211)
• The Proposed Permanent International Criminal Court: An Appraisal , 29 CORNELL INTERNATIONAL LAW JOURNAL 665 (1996)
• Official English, Nationalism and Linguistic Terror: A French Lesson, 71 WASHINGTON LAW REVIEW 285 (1996)
• Reflections on the Trial of Vichy Collaborator Paul Touvier for Crimes against Humanity in France , 20 JOURNAL OF LAW & SOCIAL INQUIRY 191 (1995)
• The Interpretation of the Nuremberg Principles by the French Court of Cassation: From Touvier to Barbie and Back Again , 32 COLUMBIA JOURNAL OF TRANSNATIONAL LAW 289 (1994)
• reprinted in BASSIOUNI, PAUST, ET. AL., INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd editions
• Selected Book Reviews, Symposia Contributions and Contributions to Collected Works
• MAX PLANCK ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INTERNATIONAL PROCEDURAL LAW, Editor and Contributor (ongoing)
• Accountability for the Unlawful Use of Force: Putting Peacetime First , 58 HARV. INT’L. L. REV. 74 (2017) (Essay in honor of Benjamin B. Ferencz)
• Elements and Innovations of a New Global Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity, in THE GREY ZONE: CIVILIAN PROTECTION BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE LAWS OF WAR (Mark Lattimer & Philippe Sands, eds., 2017) (forthcoming)
• Impunity Through Immunity: The Kenya Situation and the International Criminal Court, in THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND AFRICA: ONE DECADE ON (with Benjamin Cohen) (Evelyn A. Ankumah, ed, 2016)
• Global Perspectives on Colorism: From Ferguson to Geneva and Back Again , 14 WASH U. GLOBAL STUD. L. REV. 549 (2015) (introduction to the symposium)
• The Legal Challenges of Globalization: A View from the Heartland , 13 WASH. U. GLOBAL STUD. L. REV. 415 (2014)(introduction to the symposium)
• Towards a New Global Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity , in FOR THE SAKE OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS: ESSAYS IN HONOUR OF ROGER CLARK (Suzannah Linton, ed., 2015)
• The Legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, in ESSAYS IN HONOUR OF HASSAN JALLOW (Charles Jalloh & Alhagi Mahrong, eds., 2015)
• Codifying the Laws of Humanity and the “Dictates of the Public Conscience” Towards a New Global Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity, in ON THE PROPOSED CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CONVENTION 17 (Bergmo & Song, eds., 2014)
• Crimes Against Humanity: Limits, Leverage and Future Concerns, in THE FIRST GLOBAL PROSECUTOR (Martha Minow & Alex Whiting, eds.) (Univ. of Michigan Press, 2014)
• The International Criminal Court, in THE CAMBRIDGE COMPENDIUM OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW (William Schabas, ed., 2016)
• The United States and Human Rights: Paradoxes and Challenges, in CODIFICATION IN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE – SELECTED PAPERS FROM THE SECOND IACL THEMATIC CONFERENCE (Wen-Yeu Wang, ed. 2013)
• The Lomé Amnesty Decision of the Special Court of Sierra Leone, THE SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT AND ITS LEGACY (Charles Chernor Jalloh, ed. 2013)
• The Legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, in RULE OF LAW THROUGH HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Charles Riziki Majinge, ed., 2013) (festschrift for Adema Dieng)
• Unpacking the Complexities of International Criminal Tribunal Jurisdiction in ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW (William A. Schabas, ed., 2011)
• Individual Progress in International Law: Considering Amnesty, in PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW (Russell Miller & Rebecca Bratspies, eds. 2008)
• Cross-Fire Discussion of Lessons Learned from the Trials of Slobodan Milosevic, Charles Taylor, and Saddam Hussein PROCEEDINGS, HAGUE JOINT CONFERENCE ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (The Hague, 2007)
• Breaking Developments in International Law: A Conversation on the ICJ’s Opinion in Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro, in 2007 ASIL PROCEEDINGS
• The French Experience, in III INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW (3d ed. 2007) (M. Cherif Bassiouni ed.)
• Competing and Overlapping Jurisdictions, in I INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW (3d ed. 2006) (M. Cherif Bassiouni, ed.)
• Selected Essays, in SADDAM ON TRIAL (Scharf & McNeal, eds., 2006)
• The Effect of Amnesties Before Domestic and International Tribunals: Morality, Law, and Politics, in ATROCITIES AND INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY (Edel Hughes, William A. Schabas & Ramesh Thakur, eds. 2007)
• The International Criminal Court and Universal Jurisdiction: A Return to First Principles, in INTERNATIONAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: BRIDGING THEORY AND PRACTICE (Chandra Srikam, ed. 2006) (an SSRC project)
• Universal Jurisdiction, National Amnesties, and Truth Commissions: Reconciling the Irreconcilable, in UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION: NATIONAL COURTS AND THE PROSECUTION OF SERIOUS CRIMES UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW (Stephen Macedo, ed., Univ. Penn. Press, 2004)
• International Criminal Law, The Use of Force and September 11th, 2001: Making the Rule of Law Count, PROCEEDINGS, HAGUE JOINT CONFERENCE ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (T.M. Asser Institute, 2003)
• The Legal Legacy of Maurice Papon, in THE PAPON AFFAIR: MEMORY AND JUSTICE ON TRIAL (Richard J. Golsan, ed., Rutledge, 2000)
• The Euro: A New Single Currency for Europe? 4 COLUMBIA JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN LAW 219 (1998)
• Expert, OSCE Moscow Mechanism
• Fellow, Schell Center for Human Rights, Yale Law School, Yale Law School
• Former Director, Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute (2007–2020)
• Chair, Washington University Faculty Senate Council (2019-2020)
• International Criminal Court, Special Advisor on Crimes Against Humanity to the Chief Prosecutor (2012-2023)
• International Law Association (American Branch), President (2018-2022), Chair (2022-present)
• U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Commissioner (2001-2003)
• Council on Foreign Relations (2012-present)
• American Law Institute (2003-present)
• American Society of International Law, Counselor
• International Law Students Association (Chairwoman, 2008-2010)
• Outstanding Article of the Year Award (2034), The Conferred Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (2023), International Association of Penal Law (American Branch)
• Cox Center International Law Center Humanitarian Award for Advancing Global Justice, Case Western Reserve University School of Law (October 25, 2023)
• Festschrift in Honor of Professor Leila Nadya Sadat: Bringing the World to WashULaw and WashULaw to the World, 21 Wash. Univ. Global Stud. L. Rev. 1-153 (2022)YWCA Women’s Leadership Academy Award (December 15, 2017)
• Arthur Holly Compton Distinguished Faculty Award, Washington University (November 3, 2017)
• Honorary Doctor of Laws, Northwestern University (June 2017)
• International Women’s Day Award, Washington University School of Law, Women’s Law Caucus, March 6, 2017
• Alexis de Tocqueville Distinguished Fulbright Chair, Paris France (Spring 2011)
• Israel Treiman Faculty Fellow, Spring 1999; 2003-2004; 2014-2015
• Outstanding Article of the Year Award (2014), Crimes Against Humanity in the Modern Age (2014), International Association of Penal Law (American Branch)
• Outstanding Book of the Year Award (2011), FORGING A CONVENTION FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, International Association of Penal Law (American Branch)
• Outstanding Article of the Year Award (2010), The Nuremberg Paradox, International Association of Penal Law (American Branch)
• Outstanding Article of the Year Award (2006), Exile, Amnesty and International Law, International Association of Penal Law (American Branch)
• Outstanding Book of the Year (2003), THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, International Association of Penal Law (American)
• Curriculum Vitae