How to Write the Admissions Essay for Washington University

 by Sarah ONeill Coatesville Supreme Editing

Wash U Excerpt
“We want to know each student by name and story and help them to direct their talents, drive, and energy toward becoming successful, contributing global citizens who work to improve their communities and the world.”
According to the Wash U admissions (via their website):
“At WashU, we take our mission seriously to discover and disseminate knowledge; protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching, and learning; and to create an environment to encourage and support wide-ranging exploration.We also know the importance of our impact and how we can, and must, enhance the lives and livelihoods of each other, the people of the greater St. Louis community, the country, and the world.”
“While there is no one type of WashU student, our students have many things in common. They are collaborative, intellectually curious, creative, and demonstrate leadership in a variety of ways. They share concern for others, seek solutions, and support one another. We also know that our classrooms, residence halls, and common spaces are enriched by being a community of people with a broad array of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. What will you contribute to the WashU community? How have you demonstrated your character? What is important to you and what sort of person do you hope to become?”
Common APP Essay + Optional Supplement
Beyond academics, your essays should highlight how you are collaborative, intellectually curious, and creative. Choose a story and add details that show how you have demonstrated leadership in a variety of ways. You can also focus on how you have concern for others, seek solutions, and support those in your community. Explain to the admissions committee how your experiences, background, perspective, and interests will contribute to the WashU community. Through your writing, be sure you demonstrate your character: Identify what is important to you and show what type of person you hope to become.
In history, the types of students admitted consisted of: Applicants who detail a specific event that shows persistence, overcoming adversity, and showing leadership in the community. Admitted essays present a point of view on a situation and convey information about the event in detail. The samples provided showed a change in perspective or mindset after volunteering and contributing to the community. Students revealed how becoming a leader helped them academically and personally. Applicants not only describe the experience in detail to engage the reader, but they also elaborate on a profound realization about their service to others. Finally, they explain how they might extend what they have learned to others around them… which would extend to the Wash U community. The personal statements start with a strong opening scene that is descriptive. The essays flow with clear transitions to account for the events in the story and hint at learning as they go. Many essays come full circle at the end.
Supplemental Essay Example:
At WashU, studying Applied Mathematics and Data Science intrigues me, along with exploring the university’s interdisciplinary programs. From a young age, I was interested in math due to its clear order in logic and performance, fascinated by its standard and formal way to express and solve real-world problems. Accordingly, I have done a project using R to analyze obesity and its causes. I used data from the CDC to determine the intrinsic relationship between obesity and habits like diet and sedentary lifestyle, concluding that smoking and alcohol tend to be the most influential factors. I am excited for WashU’s Linear Statistical Models core class and the Practicum, offering students the opportunity to do research either on-campus or at a company.
As I imagine my life outside that classroom at WashU, I look forward to participating in Ability WashU. Aiming to help people with disabilities and raise awareness, Ability WashU coincides with my personal experience caring for my grandmother. In public, I have noticed the lack of wheelchairs and ramps, and the need for greater advocacy for people like her. I am also eager to join other communities at WashU, applying my college studies to improve society.
by Sarah ONeill Coatesville Supreme Editing


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