WashU Supplemental Essays 2025-26

WashU Supplemental Essays

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

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

What we’ll cover

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

Applying to college can feel like climbing an endless mountain. However, don’t let the WashU supplemental essays scare you. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Washington University supplemental essays. 

First, let’s go over some quick facts about Washington University in St. Louis and the WashU supplemental essays. 

WashU Admissions: Quick Facts

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

Does Washington University require an essay?

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

The short answer is yes! There is a required WashU essay. However, it’s not the only Washington University essay. There are additional WashU supplemental essays that are either optional or only required for certain applicants. The additional WashU supplemental essays include prompts for specific programs and scholarships, as well as two optional prompts that are available to all students.

Keep in mind that the WashU supplemental essays change from year to year. Regardless of the prompt, your WashU essays remain an essential part of your application. To learn more about this year’s requirements for your Washington University supplemental essays, keep reading.

How many essays do you have to write for WashU?

If you’re working on your WashU supplemental essays this year, you’re in luck: there is only one required supplemental essay. However, this doesn’t mean that you should put less thought or effort into it. After reading your essay, admissions officers need to have a good idea of what you want to study and why you want to pursue your intended major at WashU. 

Since there’s only one required Washington University essay this year, you could limit your focus to your Why Major essay. But, if you want to strengthen your application, you should plan on writing at least two WashU supplemental essays.

Optional WashU essay prompts

There are two optional Washington University essay prompts centered around the question of “Who are you?”. Each prompt asks you to reflect on something that has shaped your perspective, whether that be a community you’re part of or an impactful life experience. Like the required Washington University supplemental essay, the optional essay has a 250-word limit.

Additional WashU supplemental essays

On the Common App under “Academics,” WashU will ask if you’re interested in applying to one of two special programs. All students, regardless of major, have the option to apply to WashU’s Beyond Boundaries program. Students interested in business or computer science can select the aptly named Joint Degree Program in Business and Computer Science. Both of these programs require applicants to write an additional 250-word essay.

Within the “Writing Supplement” on the Common App, you also have the option to apply to three different merit scholarships. Each scholarship has it’s own unique 250-word application prompt. You are free to apply to one, two, or all three of these scholarship programs.

Now that we’ve had a brief introduction to the prompts, let’s discuss the WashU supplemental essays in more detail.

WashU Supplemental Essays: Why Major Prompt

As we’ve mentioned, your main Washington University essay will discuss what you plan on studying at WashU and why. Here’s the prompt:

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

Understanding the prompt

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

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

Keep in mind that students only have 250 words for their Washington University supplemental essays. So, every sentence counts. This doesn’t mean that students should frantically cram as much information as possible about themselves into their WashU supplemental essays. However, they should strategically use every word to tell a compelling story about themselves and their passions. 

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

Tips for approaching this Why Major essay

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

1. Tell a story

One way to make an essay as seemingly simple as the Why Major essay stand out is through a solid structure. With only 250 words, you can still include structural components that take the reader on a journey. Start with a hook that lets your reader know this essay will be different from the hundreds of other WashU supplemental essays that they’ve read that day. 

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

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

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

2. Be unique or original

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

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

Getting specific

Let’s look at a sample scenario so you can get a feel for how successful WashU supplemental essays work. Many students, for instance, want to study computer science. If you write your Washington University supplemental essays around this topic, you might find it hard to stand out.

Instead of saying “I’m interested in computer science because I want to learn how to build an app,” think about how your interest in CS is unique. Maybe you grew up gaming, and from the first moment you played Mario Kart you were awed by the world created within the game. So, you decided you just had to learn how it was built. Or, maybe you want to create an app that will solve a real problem — what problem is it? Why do you care about this specific issue? Or maybe you’ve already dabbled in coding — what did you make, and why? 

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

3. Do your research

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

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

An example

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

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

4. Focus on your passions

This WashU essay prompt focuses on your intended major, but not everyone knows what they want to major in. So, what do you do if you’re undecided?

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

Pursuing multiple fields

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

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

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

5. Use impeccable grammar and spelling

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

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

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

The last thing you want is for admissions to be distracted from your wonderful narrative because of careless mistakes. So, your Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays need to be perfectly written. There’s no excuse for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Double and triple check your essay, and enlist help when proofreading. For more tips on how to write the best Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays, and how to write great college essays in general, check out this guide. 

Now that we’ve spent some time on the main prompt, let’s briefly turn to the optional WashU supplemental essays (the tips we just covered work for these, too!).

WashU Supplemental Essays: Optional Essay Prompts

Here we have the optional WashU essay prompts, which can both be categorized as Cultural Diversity essays.

This Washington University essay is all about showcasing your perspective, so make sure your voice and personality come through in every part of your response. If you choose the first prompt, don’t feel pressured to pick the “deepest” or most impressive topic. For many students, communities tied to culture or beliefs are meaningful, but communities connected to your hobbies, interests, or day-to-day life can be just as powerful.

The second prompt is even more open-ended, giving you room to choose almost any topic. The key is choosing something meaningful. One way to spot that significance is by thinking about how a moment, experience, or aspect of your life taught you something bigger — how it shaped your worldview, influenced what you care about, or clarified what you believe in.

How you choose to structure your essay is entirely up to you. However, a brief nod to the future at the end can tie everything together. You don’t need to explicitly connect your essay to WashU (unless it fits), but you can reflect on how the experiences you’ve shared shape the way you think about what’s ahead.

WashU Supplemental Essays: Cross-Disciplinary Program Prompts

Next, we have two program-specific WashU essay prompts. Most students will only have the option to apply to the Beyond Boundaries program. If you’re planning to major in business or computer science, you’ll have to decide which program you want to apply to.

The Beyond Boundaries prompt focuses on a societal issue that is important to you, while the Joint Program prompt is essentially asking you to write a double Why Major essay. However, both of these prompts take it a step further and, similarly to a “Why School” essay, ask you to specifically explain how becoming a part of your chosen program will help you reach your goals.

Before tackling either of these WashU supplemental essays, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the program you’re applying to. Spend some time on the program’s website and do some exploring: what is the program’s mission and core features; how much additional work are students expected to complete; what benefits or additional resources do students receive?

As with any supplemental essay, don’t simply state facts about the program without context. Your passion should take center stage, and your essay should balance details about yourself with specifics about the program.

WashU Supplemental Essays: Scholarship Prompts

Finally, we’ve reached the last set of Washington University essay prompts. Each year, multiple students are selected for WashU’s three Signature Scholars Programs, which offer full- and partial-tuition awards. The Danforth, Ervin, and Rodriguez Scholars Programs are open to applicants from any undergraduate major or school.

The prompts for these WashU supplemental essays all focus on community and impact. A successful essay shows how you’ve turned your values into action, using specific examples of past involvement to demonstrate your commitment to service.

Just like with the special program essays, we recommend researching each individual scholarship program before you start writing. This will help you align your response with the mission of each scholarship. For more help tackling these WashU supplemental essays, read these scholarship essay examples and check out our guide to winning scholarships and grants.

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

Does Washington University in St. Louis care about essays?

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

The Washington University in St Louis supplemental essays are a significant part of the application. As such, they can make a key difference in the admissions committee’s decision. Washington University is a prestigious university with many applicants each year. The Washington University acceptance rate is 12%, and the Washington University ranking is #20 in National Universities. Additionally, it’s considered one of the best colleges in the midwest. All of these factors make WashU a highly selective school. Therefore, every part of your application counts. 

Understanding the review process

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

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

An important piece of the puzzle

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

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

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

WashU Supplemental Essays – 5 Takeaways

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

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

Now, go forth and write your WashU essays!

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