Hey, I need some help with the WashU supplemental essay. I want to make my application stand out, but I'm not exactly sure what they're looking for. Can anyone who has been through this process give me some advice?
Absolutely, I'd be happy to help! Writing a strong supplemental essay for Washington University in St. Louis can be an important aspect of your application. The key is to make sure your essay is personal, focused, and answers the prompt directly.
1. Answer the prompt: Make sure to address the specific prompt that WashU provides. Admissions officer are asking this question because they think it's relevant to understanding who you'd be as a WashU student, so you don't want to sidetrack into something totally different.
2. Personalize your response: Share your personal experiences, such as your background, passions, or challenges you've overcome, that have influenced your growth. This will help make your essay more memorable and demonstrate your unique perspective.
3. Show your passion: Don't be afraid to express your excitement about your prospective major or how WashU's offerings align with your goals. This will showcase your genuine interest in the school and help admissions officers understand why you would be a good fit.
4. Connect your experiences: Whenever possible, show how your talents, achievements, or setbacks have helped shape your academic interests and overall goals for college. For example, if you're passionate about environmental science, you might discuss a service trip you took where you worked on sustainability projects and how this inspired you to study environmental policy at WashU.
5. Proofread: Don't forget to edit your essay for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A polished essay will demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to putting forth your best effort.
6. Take advantage of CollegeVine's resources: CollegeVine's blog contains a breakdown of all WashU supplemental essays, including those that are specific to particular programs: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-washu-essays. CollegeVine also offers both a free peer essay review tool and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors, if you want to hear a more objective perspective on how well your response is working.
Overall, the goal is to write a thoughtful, focused response that showcases your passion, your unique perspective, and your understanding of Washington University in St. Louis. Best of luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.