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Washington University in St. Louis | WashU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts
Why This Major Short Response
Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.
Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website.
Beyond Boundaries Program Essay
The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges require diverse perspectives and skill sets.
What is the big societal issue you would like to tackle? Who would you need on your team? What would you contribute to the team?
Joint Program in Business and Computer Science Essay
Students in the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and perspectives of computer science and business and will have unique opportunities to converge these two disciplines.
This is a distinctive degree program that captures the intersection of business and computer science and the growing demand for people with this special and sought-after skillset. Graduates of the program will able to pursue careers in technology, data analytics, finance, consulting and business development, to name a few.
Tell us how you would use this combined degree to explore the intersection of these two disciplines?
Select-A-Prompt Short Response
WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?”
Option 1
Discuss a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project.
Option 2
Describe a community you are a part of and your place within it.
Option 3
Tell us how your life experiences have impacted the way you view or interact with your community.
Select-A-Prompt Short Response
WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?”
Option 1
Discuss a fresh perspective or opinion you brought to a collaborative setting or project.
Option 2
Describe a community you are a part of and your place within it.
Option 3
Tell us how your life experiences have impacted the way you view or interact with your community.
Common App Personal Essay
The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.
Option 1
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Option 2
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Option 3
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Option 4
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Option 5
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Option 6
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Option 7
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
