gwu supplemental essay 2023

How to Write the George Washington Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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The George Washington University (GW), located in Washington, D.C., has provided unparalleled educational opportunities to students for over 200 years . From poet Elizabeth Acevedo , astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor , CNN anchor Dana Bash , to Senator Elizabeth Warren , George Washington’s accomplished alumni span countless career fields. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your George Washington supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

George Washington 2024-2025 Prompts

Below are the prompts for the George Washington supplemental essays. Note that there are also required essays for certain programs, including the Cisneros Leadership Institute and the School of Media & Public Affairs . That said, this article will focus on the optional essay prompts for all applicants, as well as the required essay prompts for applicants to the University Honors Program.

Optional for All Applicants

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit, but writing an essay is optional. That said, we encourage all serious applicants to write one of the George Washington supplemental essays. If nothing else, the essay is an exercise in knowing yourself better. Ideally, the essay provides the admissions team with more favorable data points about who you are as an applicant.

At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? (500 words or fewer)

The george washington university encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships (500 words or fewer), university honors program applicants.

Applicants to the University Honors Program at GW must write these essays in order to receive admissions consideration.

With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the University Honors Program (UHP) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. Within the UHP, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. Explain why, as a member of the UHP, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study. (500 words or fewer)

The uhp represents a community of scholars at gw. first-year uhp students live and take classes together on the mount vernon campus. upper-level uhp students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at gw through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional foggy bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. how do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the uhp (500 words or fewer).

General Tips

Each of these essays permit more words than the average college essay. Apart from the Common App personal essay, which has the same word count maximum of 650 words, most college essays tend to be less than 500 words, with most required to be less than 300. Therefore, these essays don’t have to be especially long, but they might be on the higher end.

With longer supplemental essays, students tend to either have trouble writing too much, or not writing enough. To tackle the first problem, it can be helpful to restrict yourself to a smaller word count for the first draft. Then, if you later realize anything essential is missing, you have the space to add it in. In order to keep the word count down, focus on avoiding passive voice, cutting down on your conjunctions (use punctuation marks instead), and using more concise verbs. For instance, “I thought” is more concise than “I was thinking.” Little changes like this one can help your whole essay shrink to fit the space it’s allotted.

To tackle the second issue of not writing enough, look for areas where the reader might have questions. If you have a description in your essay, make that description more vivid. If you jumped through a narrative, consider providing more of the interim steps. Remember, though, as long as you comprehensively answer the question asked by the prompt, you’ll be okay.

Optional George Washington Short Essay Questions

This is a big question for a college applicant to answer in a short essay, but it gives you the opportunity to show who you are as a person and what your vision is for the future. Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to think about how a George Washington education will shape your future.

While working on this essay, consider focusing one just one change (or maybe a few related/interconnected changes) you’d like to see in the world. Once you begin thinking about this topic, it can be tempting to list out everything in the world that you wish would change. However, you only have 500 words to make this essay happen. Thus, it can be helpful to focus on one change, even if that change has a global reach.

The change you decide to discuss can be “in your community or the world,” according to the prompt. Thus, if you see yourself returning to your hometown and making a difference after college, that’s just as valid an essay topic as describing your vision for world peace.

Regardless of what topic you choose to focus on in this essay, it’s important to keep your ideas grounded in specificity. For instance, if you decide to write about solving world hunger, you should probably dive into what particular policies, actions, or movements you hope to see come to fruition in the future.

This essay can also be an opportunity for you to share your academic interests with the reader. For instance, you might hope that your future career has a positive impact on society. If so, discuss how you hope to achieve that goal in this essay. You can even mention how a George Washington education will bring you closer to that goal.

Ideally, you choose to focus this essay on an exchange that did create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships with those whom you engaged in meaningful dialogue. If you’re having trouble thinking of topics to focus on, consider the times when you have disagreed with others. How has that changed your perspective(s)?

If you’re still brainstorming, consider times when you have changed your point of view on a topic, issue, or person. If civil discourse brought about one of these changes, then you have a potential essay topic. Alternatively, consider the issues that are important to you. When have others civilly challenged these issues, beliefs, or values? Consider writing about one of those occasions in your life.

Remember, this essay should focus on one time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue. Focusing on just one occasion will keep your essay cohesive and direct. Writing an organized essay will also help; consider whether you want to begin by recounting the event or by describing your opinion(s) on a specific issue. Regardless of what structure you choose, be sure to include some reflection, ideally at the end of the essay (though it can be worked in throughout).

George Washington University Honors Program Applicants Short Essay Questions

This prompt asks you to briefly explore your interdisciplinary interests, as well as your belief in the value of a liberal arts education. The liberal arts educational model is defined by its breadth and depth. While you’re expected to dive deeply into the topic(s) within your major(s) , you will also need to take classes across a wide range of disciplines. Consider what you’d miss out on if you could only take classes in your major(s).

Perhaps you have multiple academic interests that one or two majors can’t possibly cover. Alternatively, you might be wholly STEM-focused but still hoping to improve your writing skills. Or, perhaps, as a future policymaker, you’d like to take language courses outside of your Political Science major. Whatever your rationale, write about it in this essay with clarity and specificity.

If you still need inspiration for this essay, consider looking up GW course lists. Understanding the opportunities available to you as a liberal arts student at George Washington will help you explain why this educational model is right for you. You can make specific reference to courses, professors, and/or other opportunities you’d like to maximize while studying at George Washington.

Lastly, consider how these unique learning opportunities provided by a liberal arts education will help you in your future career. Clearly stating how a diverse course-load will help you reach your goals will provide a strong argument to the admissions team for why they should accept you into this prestigious program.

Many colleges ask you to write about who you will be once you enter their academic community. This essay, more than any of the other George Washington supplemental essays, will benefit from some background research before you begin to write.

In this essay, you will need to specifically explain what programs, values, extracurriculars, social dynamics, or other opportunities in George Washington’s UHP speak to you. Name-dropping these opportunities and explaining how they interest you in particular will show the admissions team how serious you are about your future at GW.

The prompt also mentions some types of opportunities George Washington UHP students can enjoy. These include “courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional Foggy Bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities.” Thus, you may want to focus on expressing how you will personally benefit from these opportunities, while also getting more specific than the prompt. Name a few faculty members you hope to receive mentoring from or a few co-curricular activities you hope to participate in, for instance. Doing so will demonstrate your interest in attending GW.

Lastly, don’t forget to discuss how you hope to contribute to the scholarly UHP community. Consider any clubs or initiatives you’d like to start, cultural knowledge you hope to share with your peers, or events you hope to help organize. Do you aspire to reinvigorate a certain organization or spearhead an environmental initiative on campus? If so, mention those aspirations here, and provide details.

If you need help polishing up your George Washington supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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August 6, 2024

2024-2025 George Washington University Supplement Essay Prompts

The George Washington University has published its supplemental essay prompts for the 2024-2025 college admissions cycles. Applicants to GWU’s Class of 2029 are offered the chance to respond to one of two essays. And while their response is optional , longtime readers of Ivy Coach ’s college admissions blog know all too well that which is  optional  in elite college admissions should never be considered  optional . So what are this year’s essay prompts? Spoiler Alert: they’re the same as last year’s. Let’s dive in!

2024-2025 GWU Essay Topics and Questions

Applicants to GWU’s Class of 2029 have the choice of responding to one of the following two optional essays:

Optional Essay Prompt 1

At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? 

It’s all about choosing a specific topic to answer this question well. Broad topics like climate change or racism will not suffice. We encourage applicants to lean into sharing a story about their community rather than the world at large since admissions officers always prefer students acting locally while thinking globally. This essay prompt offers applicants a chance for students to teach admissions officers something about their own community and how they would hope to effectuate change.

Optional Essay Prompt 2

The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships?

This essay prompt is a chance for students to showcase the diverse intellectual thinking they will bring to GWU’s community. Admissions officers seek to admit students who will argue their opinions with zeal. Still, they also want these same students to be open to changing their views when presented with the different viewpoints of their peers and professors. So, when addressing this prompt, applicants should pick an engaging topic that showcases their passion and highlights how they’re malleable to change.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with GWU Essays

If you’re a rising senior seeking assistance submitting essays that will wow GWU admissions officers, fill out Ivy Coach ’s consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to outline our college counseling services.

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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How to Ace the 2024-2025 George Washington University Essays

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

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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.

The George Washington University supplemental essay prompts are in, and we’ve got all the tips you need to nail them on the head! Applying to a school located in our nation’s capital might seem a bit daunting, but don’t let that discourage you from giving it your all. Let’s jump in!

Who they are

According to their website, George Washington University is dedicated to helping their students become the best they can be in whatever field they choose. They offer degrees in liberal arts, business, engineering, international affairs and more. GWU’s mission is for students to cultivate a passion for the things they are learning and apply that knowledge to better the world around them. 

Education means more than just learning in classrooms at George Washington University. Students also have the chance to participate in over 12,000 internships around the D.C. area, including internships with the White House, National Institutes of Health, and World Bank. Take a look at GWU’s notable alumni to see how their students are making a difference!

Now, let’s jump into the supplemental essay prompts. George Washington University gives you two options to choose from. You only have to respond to one, so let’s read through both and see which one works best for you!

Check out: How to write a 500 word essay

At The George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? (500 words)

Okay, George Washington University comes out swinging with their first supplemental essay prompt! They want to see you use critical thinking, while also applying your values, to come up with ideas for how you would change things about our world. That may seem like a lot, but we can break it down into three parts!

Part one is defining a personal experience you can use for this question. This prompt is to help George Washington University get to know you better, so the more personal your answer, the better! So, let’s answer some questions about you first. 

Questions to consider

• Have you had any interactions with policy makers, government officials or world leaders of any kind?
• What would you like to change about society, globally or locally? 
• Are there any historical topics you especially enjoy or have spent time studying? 

The questions above may not have highlighted a specific experience for you, but hopefully, they got you thinking. Building off a personal experience first and then tying that to a historical or social idea will help you shine through on your application.

Part two of this question is about “bigger picture” ideas. This is where you’ll come up with a historical event, person, or social tie that you can link back to a personal experience. 

• What choices, laws, policies, or leaders have impacted your life, locally or globally?
• Have you, or those close to you, ever faced issues not because of laws, but because of stigmas in society or outdated views from history that still remain in society?  
• Is there anything in your life that you recognize has happened, or been a result of, historical events? 

For the final section of this prompt, think about values. If you haven’t spent any time on the George Washington University website, take some time now to read about their mission and values. 

• How do we make choices differently knowing they will have an impact on more than just the current times?
• What values do you think are important for a healthy society?
• How do you uphold those values?

It’s not just about seeing history and thinking about how you would change it now that you have a birds eye view. This prompt is highlighting that you are part of a generation that is also going to make long lasting decisions, policies, and laws, just like those who came before you. 

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The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships? (500 words)

Prompt two isn’t all that different from the first in that you are asked to talk about similar themes, such as community, critical thinking and how your values apply. The great thing about this prompt is that you are asked to talk about personal experiences specifically. Let’s break this prompt into three parts as well!

Once again, personal experience will be our starting point. Below are some questions that ask about where and when you may have had meaningful interaction with someone about important issues. 

• Were you a part of any organizations or clubs in high school that dealt with social or school related issues?
• Have there ever been times where you have challenged the status quo? 
• What situations do you find yourself applying critical thinking to? 

Instead of part two of this prompt asking for historical context, you get to provide context about your experience. Based on the personal experience you want to share, answer the questions below to give the reader of your essay some more context about the situation and who you are.

• What social issue or status quo did your experience highlight?
• What is your goal during your experience? Were you seeking to educate someone, learn more, build relationships? 
• What brought about this experience? Was it planned, did it just come about? 

Finally, for the last portion of this prompt, talk about the outcome and the impact. Note, that there doesn’t have to be a profound, positive impact for an experience to be meaningful. You may have had a really difficult conversation about race or gender with someone that left you feeling like nothing had changed, but that’s okay. Let’s take a look at our last set of questions for this article. 

• What was the outcome of the experience you shared? 
• How did it make you feel to discuss meaningful, impactful issues with someone?
• How did your values push or influence you in your personal experience?

Related: How to write a great college supplemental essay

Wrapping up

Regardless of which essay prompt you chose, you should have shared a personal experience of yours with George Washington University and how it tied to something bigger. There is no right or wrong answer to the questions asked. So, take a deep breath and know that you did your best!

Additional resources

Congratulations, you’ve finished responding to the George Washington University supplemental essay prompts! However, the work does not end here. The college application process involves a lot of different decisions, and we are here to help you through them.

Whether you are deciding on how many colleges to apply to or whether to send your test scores to test-optional schools , we’ve got you covered. We can also help you decide what looks good on a college application , and offer some behind-the-scenes perspective on how decisions are made in the admissions office . Finally, check out our guide to reach, match, and safety schools , and our guide to the Common App essay prompts . Good luck!

Other supplemental essay guides

• Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
• Boston University (Boston, MA)
• New York University (New York, NY)
• Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

Frequently asked questions about the George Washington University supplemental essay prompts 

Will submitting an optional supplemental essay help my george washington university application, how many words should the gwu supplemental essay be, scholarships360 recommended.

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GW has a long history of welcoming international students to our university–we value diversity and inclusiveness and do our best so that every student feels welcome on our campus. We consider an international student to be any applicant of foreign nationality who will be entering, or has already entered, the United States with a valid visa. If you are currently a U.S. citizen or dual citizen, a U.S. Permanent Resident, or in the U.S. as a refugee or an asylum seeker, you will apply as a domestic  first-year or transfer applicant. Additional information is available for  undocumented students .

First-Year vs. Transfer Applicant

While you have additional application requirements to complete as an international student, you are still required to apply as either a first-year or transfer student. 

First year applicants are high school seniors or have never attended college since leaving high school or earning a GED, regardless of age.

• First Year Deadlines

Transfer applicants have graduated from high school and completed at least one college course since high school graduation.

• Transfer Deadlines

International Student Application Steps

Both first-year and transfer international applicants will follow these application steps. We are familiar with the educational systems across the globe and will consider your application within the context of your educational environment.

Complete and submit an application. First-year applicants will submit the  Common Application ; transfer applicants will submit GW's application (available in mid-August). The application requires a nonrefundable application fee of $80 for students. 

First-year applicants may apply Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision. Early Decision plans utilize a binding agreement, meaning that you are required to attend should you be admitted to the university. The Early Decision agreement form can be found on the Common App website. Be sure to pay attention to application deadlines.

The essay portion of the application provides an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their English language writing skills. Applicants will choose one of two specific prompts that best allows them to share their story with the Admissions Committee. Detailed instructions can be found within the application.

In addition to the essay, first-year applicants can complete the optional Writing Supplement. The GW supplemental essay question is a chance to show your personality and make connections between your experiences and GW’s institutional values.

Please note:  The application is not complete and we cannot begin the application review until we receive all required information. Be sure to complete all sections of your application and review all required materials.

Supporting documentation, including School Report, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, can be submitted (or requested) electronically via the application, via email to  [email protected] , or via mail to our office:

     The George Washington University      Office of Undergraduate Admissions      800 21st St NW Suite 214      Washington, D.C. 20052 Please note that electronic submission is preferred and will allow us to complete your application in a timely manner.

Please allow us several weeks from the time the application is submitted to process all documents and post them in the GW Admissions Portal. During the busy application period, the portal is the best resource, as we are continually updating students' applications and documents. You will receive a link to the portal with instructions on how to log in after your application is submitted.

Please ensure that the applicant's legal name is included on all corresponding documentation. For applicants who use a name that differs from their legal name, please use the Chosen Name field to include that information. All international applicants must provide a permanent, physical mailing address (that is not a post office box).

If you are applying to any of these academic programs, you must submit the required supplemental essay(s) or portfolio and/or schedule an audition. Further information about these programs can be found on our undergraduate admissions website.

• School of Media and Public Affairs
• BFA Programs in the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design  

All first-year applicants have the option to submit the GW Supplement as a part of their Common Application.

First-Year Special Programs

If you are applying to any of the special programs listed below, you must submit the required supplemental essay(s) under the GW Supplement. Further information about these programs can be found on our undergraduate admissions website.

• Seven-Year B.A./M.D. Program
• University Honors Program

Official transcripts are required for each school, college, or university that an applicant previously attended. These credentials are required (whether or not credit was earned or is desired) and should be sent directly from the school/college/university to GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

For First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants must have transcripts for their entire secondary school career (four years of academic study including the current year in progress). Transcripts are required from each secondary school attended as well as marks from any national examinations. Also, applicants are expected to submit a mid-year report from their senior year which includes grades for all classes. For Early Decision I students, first quarter or first trimester grades will fulfill this requirement.

Your School Counselor or other School Official may upload your transcript along with your School Report via the  Common Application . They may also email your transcript along with your School Report to  [email protected] . The transcript must be sent directly from the sender's school email address in order to be considered official.

For Transfer Applicants

Official transcripts are required for each college or university that a transfer applicant previously attended. These credentials are required (whether or not credit was earned or is desired) and should be sent directly from the registrar's office to GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Email transcripts must be sent directly from the sender's school email address in order to be considered official.

For applicants with less than 30 college credits, transcripts are also required from any high schools attended and should be sent directly from the school to GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

For All International Applicants

If your original transcripts are not in English, please submit both the original documents as well as certified English translations.

GW is test optional , meaning students applying for first-year or transfer admission are not required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT). GW requires SAT/ACT scores from these groups:

• Applicants applying to the accelerated Seven-Year B.A./M.D. Program
• Applicants who are homeschooled
• Applicants who attend secondary schools that provide only narrative evaluations rather than some form of grading scale

Because we take a holistic approach to the application review process, we have no minimum GPA or SAT/ACT requirements for admission. However, admission to GW is competitive; admitted students are typically strong academic students in their high school graduating class.

Applicants indicate their test option as part of their application (for first-year applicants, the question is on GW's member screen; for transfer applicants, it is under the Application Information section). Once an application has been submitted, that selection cannot be changed .  If an applicant has previously submitted test scores to our office but indicates on the application that they would not like their scores considered, test scores will not be viewed during application review. Please note that following the release of our admissions decisions, we may ask all admitted students to submit test scores for research purposes.

Should you submit SAT or ACT scores, please be mindful of GW’s test score codes:

     SAT Code: 5246      ACT Code: 0664

Note, GW considers only the critical reading and math sections of the SAT for admission.

If English is not your first language, you are required to submit official scores from an English proficiency examination, regardless of citizenship. We recommend that you take the  TOEFL ,  IELTS ,  PTE Academic , or  Duolingo English Test  prior to submitting your application and make sure that official test scores are sent directly to us. Institutional test scores are not accepted for admissions purposes. To meet the English Language Proficiency requirements for admission, GW applicants should earn:

• A minimum score of 90 on the TOEFL; OR
• A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS; OR 
• A minimum score of 61 on the PTE Academic; OR
• A minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test

GW's school code for the TOEFL is 5246.

English For Academic Purposes (EAP)

Based on the results of your English Proficiency exam results and your application, you may be required to take  English for Academic Purposes (EAP)  during your first year of study at GW. EAP may be waived if you meet the criteria for an English Language Proficiency waiver listed below or if you submit a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL exam, a minimum score of 7.5 on the IELTS exam, or a minimum score of 125 on the Duolingo English Test. Please note that GW evaluates each application holistically so applicants may still be recommended for EAP even if they meet the requirements for a waiver.

English Language Proficiency Waiver

The English Language Proficiency requirement may be waived if you meet one of these criteria:

• Submit a score of 650 or higher on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or Critical Reasoning exam
• Submit a score of 29 or higher on the ACT English exam
• As a first-year applicant, you will have completed your most recent 4 years of secondary education at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction by the time you enroll at GW
• As a transfer applicant, you have completed two consecutive English Language Composition courses at the college level at the time of application

If you believe you qualify for a waiver, please  complete the English Proficiency Waiver Request Form . Your request will be reviewed on a rolling basis once your application and transcripts/test scores have been submitted. All international applicants are required to submit either an English proficiency exam score or submit a waiver request by the application deadline. Waiver requests will be evaluated for approval within one week of submission.

Optional Unscripted Video Interviews

In addition to submitting English language proficiency test scores, GW welcomes unscripted video interviews submitted through  InitialView . This opportunity allows you to showcase your English skills through conversation. The submission of an InitialView interview is optional and does not replace our English language proficiency requirement.

The School Report should be completed by the applicant’s high school counselor and can be found on the  Common Application  website. It is typically submitted along with the applicant's high school transcript and a school profile.

GW requires a College Report from your current or most recent college where you were enrolled full time. This form should be completed by the registrar or appropriate dean or college official who can verify your enrollment and academic/disciplinary standing.

To request a College Report from your school official, navigate to the Academic History section of the application. The College Report section is at the bottom of that page.

GW requires a letter of recommendation from both your high school counselor and from at least one academic teacher. Both letters can be submitted directly by the recommender online through the Common Application's Teacher Evaluation form, emailed to  [email protected] , or mailed to our office.

GW strongly encourages submitting one academic recommendation for transfer applicants. A recommendation can be requested via the Recommendations section of the application. Your recommender will then get an email with instructions on how to submit their letter of recommendation for you to GW.

The Financial Certificate is required for all international applicants to demonstrate financial ability to pay for their tuition and living expenses at GW. The form should be completely filled out by the applicant and signed by their sponsor. Download the GW Financial Certificate (PDF)  and upload a completed version in your admissions portal.

Use these references for examples of a completed Financial Certificate:

• Sample Financial Certificate with Government Sponsorship (PDF)
• Sample Financial Certificate with Parent Sponsorship (PDF)
• Sample Financial Certificate with Scholarship (PDF)
• Sample Financial Certificate with Self Support (PDF)

Portfolio reviews are required for our BFA programs, with the exception of the BFA in Interior Architecture. Your portfolio should tell your story in a way that makes sense to you. We have no restrictions or requirements on what should be in your portfolio other than what you believe to be your strongest work. It is important to make sure that this is the best representation of you as an artist, and of your work up to the point of your application. Here are a few portfolio guidelines:

• All students are required to submit 12-20 completed works of art.
• The included work should be your best and most recent work.
• If possible, the work should be related to your area of interest.

IMPORTANT NOTE WHEN SELECTING YOUR INTENDED MAJOR IN THE APPLICATION

It is very important that the majors match on both the application and  SlideRoom . Please take care when selecting the program (e.g., BA in Fine Arts vs. BFA in Fine Arts), and make sure you've selected the same major in both locations.

While we encourage you to submit these documents with your application, they will only be required if you are admitted to GW.

Bank Statement

Upon admission to GW, international students will be required to provide a bank statement before an I-20 Form can be issued. The bank statement should be an original letter from the sponsor’s bank on official bank letterhead, verifying their ability to provide the funds stated on the Financial Certificate.

The bank statement must be in English and include the sponsor’s name, the currency, and also indicate that the funds are in liquid form (in a checking, savings, or deposit account and/or available for withdrawal without restriction). Bank statements older than 1 year or missing any of the above requirements will not be accepted.

If you are receiving a scholarship or sponsorship from your home government, an international organization, a company, or employer you must provide a signed letter on official letterhead addressed to GWU specifying the start and end dates of the sponsorship, the amount, the currency type, what the funds will cover, and terms of the sponsorship.

Please refer to these examples of acceptable bank statements:

• Sample Certificate of Deposit (PDF)
• Sample Bank Letter (PDF)
• Sample Bank Statement (PDF)
• Sample Scholarship Letter (PDF)

In addition, applicants will be required to provide a clear copy of your passport information page upon admission to GW.

Current F-1 Visa Holders

Upon admission to GW, students who are currently studying in the United States on an F-1 visa will be required to submit these additional documents:

• All 3 pages of your most recent I-20
• Copy of your visa
• Copy of your most recent I-94
• Completed Transfer Verification Form

After submitting your application, you will receive information on how to access your admissions portal. First-year applicants should allow 7-10 business days for GW to receive their application. In your portal, you will be able to track application materials, upload or request some documents, and, eventually, view your admission decision. Please allow several weeks from the date you submit your application and supplemental material to process your documents and post them in your GW Portal. During the busy application period, your GW Portal is your best resource, as we are continually updating students' applications and documents. If you have any questions about the application process,  visit our contact us page .  

Have Questions? 

GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions is committed to supporting our international applicants. Our international admissions team is here to help you navigate the application process and to answer any questions you may have. Find your counselor under the International tab or send our office a message .

George Washington University (GW) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the George Washington essays? CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the George Washington University supplemental essays will show you exactly how to write engaging George Washington essays and maximize your chances of admission. If you need help crafting your George Washington University supplemental essays create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

GW Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• With an acceptance rate of 43%, U.S. News ranks George Washington University as a more selective school. 
• The George Washington University ranking is #63 in National Universities.
• We recommend answering the George Washington University supplemental essays thoughtfully.

Does George Washington University have any supplemental essays? 

Yes. All applicants can choose one of two George Washington University supplemental essays to submit alongside the Common Application essay. The GW supplemental essays assess an applicant’s critical thinking, personal values, and motivation to thrive at GW. 

For a list of application requirements aside from the George Washington essays, visit GW’s website.  

How many essays does George Washington require?

In addition to the main essay prompt on the 2021-2022 Common App , there are two GW supplemental essays. We have provided the prompts for the George Washington University supplemental essays below. We’ve also included tips on approaching each of the George Washington University essay prompts.

All applicants must complete one of the George Washington supplemental essays. However, you can choose which George Washington University supplemental essay prompt to complete. 

Need help choosing a Common App essay prompt? Get some helpful advice from our essay guide.

What are the essays for George Washington University? 

The George Washington University essay prompts are listed on the Common App website . We will also list each of the George Washington University essay prompts in this guide.

The GW supplemental essay lets you show your reader how your values connect to GW. The George Washington University supplemental essays also let you show your commitment to fostering change by engaging in civil discourse.

A strong George Washington University supplemental essay will increase your admissions odds. So, don’t overlook your GW essay! 

How do I write the essays for George Washington University? 

First, read the two George Washington University essay prompts. Then, think about what you hope to convey in your George Washington University supplemental essay. We will list each of the George Washington University essay prompts in the next section of this guide. Be sure to remain deliberate as you pick a prompt for your George Washington University supplemental essay. 

Let’s discuss some things to consider when choosing a prompt for your GW essay.

Be a change-maker

GW prides itself on admitting students who will to become agents of change for our world. They look for students who will turn knowledge in t o action by taking advantage of all that GW offers.

Think about how to show your intellect and values in the George Washington University supplemental essays. Use the George Washington essays as your chance to show your interest in GW. Also, try to include specific details in your George Washington University supplemental essays that show how you would enrich campus life at GW. 

As you review the George Washington University essay prompts, which stands out to you? Remember, your George Washington University supplemental essay lets you showcase who you are beyond your grades and scores.

Also, be sure to remain thoughtful when choosing a topic for your George Washington University supplemental essay. Consider each of the GW essay prompts. Your reader will be able to tell if your topic doesn’t matter to you!

Trust your intuition

Finally, if you feel a connection to one of the George Washington University essay prompts, choose that one. Having a personal attachment to the prompt will help you craft strong George Washington essays. 

Not sure how to choose between the George Washington supplemental essays? Start with a writing exercise. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Then, brainstorm talking points for each of the George Washington University essays. As you review your list, what issues stand out to you? Can you link any of those topics to your identity or values? 

For example, are you passionate about a specific social, political, or historical topic? Can you highlight it in the George Washington essays? Or, do you have a personal experience that you can connect to one of the GW supplemental essays? How might this topic showcase your identity and values? Bonus points if you can connect this topic to your future major(s) at GW. 

We have outlined each of the George Washington University supplemental essays below. We’ve also included a breakdown of how to approach the George Washington essays. 

George Washington University Supplemental Essay – Question 1:

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit. 

Option 1: At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? (500 words.)

The first of the George Washington University supplemental essays asks you to choose a historical issue or event. Then, it asks you to show how you would change the outcome of this event. Finally, it asks you to describe how your choice would impact your community or the world. 

You could interpret this George Washington University supplemental essay prompt in one of two ways: 

• If you could travel back in time and change the outcome of one event, what would you change? How would you create this change? Why would you choose this event and create this specific change? 
• Identity a current problem within your local community or our greater society. How would you solve this problem? Why did you choose this problem, and how would solving it change the course of our future?

No matter how you frame this George Washington University supplemental essay, be sure to identify a critical problem. Then, propose a solution to the problem. Don’t limit yourself! The issue you discuss in this George Washington University supplemental essay could be local, national, or global in scale.

Begin your George Washington University supplemental essay by describing the context of your chosen issue. Remember, you only have 500 words in each of the George Washington University supplemental essays. This means, then, that you should pay attention to your essay’s structure. First, you should briefly describe the problem; then, spend most of your essay detailing your solution and how it will change the future.  

Make a list

Not sure what issue to choose for this George Washington University supplemental essay? Start by listing 3-5 potential topics that interest you. Then, narrow your focus down to a specific sub-topic within a larger issue. You don’t want to pick a topic that is too broad, as you only have 500 words for the George Washington University supplemental essays. Instead, choose an issue to which you have a personal connection. 

For example, instead of trying to end world hunger, consider a proposal to start a community garden in your area. Then, connect it to your experience of growing up in an urban food desert with limited access to healthy, affordable food. How might this garden help support your neighborhood?

Focus on a change

Or, instead of declaring that you would eliminate slavery in the United States, consider a bill to renegotiate the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Examine how you would structure your argument to prohibit slavery in this new territory. Finally, describe how this change would shift the notion of slavery in other states. 

As you approach this George Washington University supplemental essay, spend some time describing why you chose this event. This George Washington University supplemental essay prompt lets you showcase your values. It also lets you think critically about important issues within our society. Ultimately, GW looks for applicants who can recognize critical problems and propose convincing and realistic solutions. 

George Washington University Essay Draft Tips: 

• Do you identify an issue that matters to you and relate it to your identity and values?
• Does your essay avoid topics that are too general or too broad?
• Do you use specific examples of how you would implement your solution and how it would change the course of history?

George Washington University Supplemental Essay – Question 2:

Option 2: The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships? (500 words.)

For the second of the George Washington University supplemental essays, you will need to describe a time when you disagreed with others. This George Washington University supplemental essay prompt assesses how you engage with those who disagree with you on serious issues. It also asks what you gained from this discourse. 

With a diverse student body with students from 135 countries, GW looks for applicants who will enrich their global campus. The second of the George Washington University supplemental essays, therefore, evaluates your ability to succeed in a diverse academic setting. In other words, the admissions team looks for confident, dynamic listeners who can engage with others. 

Be authentic

You don’t need to invent a perfect story in which you magically made someone see things your way. Instead, think about some moments when you engaged with others. Then, choose one of those examples for this George Washington University supplemental essay. Additionally, make sure to show what you learned from this experience. 

For example, you could write about how you disagreed with a classmate about a group research project. Discuss how you voiced your concerns and how you came to an agreement. Then, describe what you gained from this interaction. 

Strong examples

Or perhaps, you noticed the lack of healthy snacks in your high school’s café. Explain how you worked with the school principal to include healthier options. Then, describe what you learned from this. How did it help you become more confident in approaching authority figures with your ideas? 

You could also discuss how you persuaded a conservative family member to attend your city’s LGBTQ pride parade with you. Talk about how you convinced them to step outside of their comfort zone after hearing their concerns. Then, describe what it meant to engage with someone who sees the world differently than you. 

Whatever story you share in this George Washington supplemental essay, make sure you include details. Describe how you and the other person learned something from the interaction. Finally, highlight your ability to engage with someone who has a different belief system than you. 

George Washington University Essay Draft Key Questions: 

• Did you choose an example where you successfully and productively expressed your point of view?
• Do you share what lesson you learned or what impact the exchange had on you?
• Does your essay connect this moment to what you hope to accomplish in college? 

Additional tips for George Washington essays

Before choosing a prompt for the George Washington University supplemental essay, reflect on your identity and values. Then, connect your reflections to one of the George Washington University essay prompts. Is there an aspect of your identity that the George Washington University supplemental essays can highlight? Do you have an experience that you can link to one of the GW supplemental essays? Finally, how might this example reveal a key aspect of your identity or interests? 

Consider the fit

Also, think about how the George Washington University essay prompts fit into your application narrative . Your application narrative plays a crucial role in the college application process. It is a direct reflection of who you were , who you are now , and who you will be in college.

Look for themes across your application as you brainstorm for the George Washington supplemental essays. These themes will make up your candidate profile. A strong candidate profile will help you stand out to AOs, so don’t discount it.  

Still unsure of how to write the George Washington University supplemental essays? Read our article for more tips on how to write a great essay. 

George Washington University Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

The George Washington University supplemental essays can seem daunting. However, don’t let the GW supplemental essays stop you from applying! Instead, use the George Washington supplemental essays to highlight what matters to you. Keep this guide to the George Washington University supplemental essays handy as you tackle the GW application. Good luck! 

This 2021-2022 essay guide on GWU was written by Claire Babbs , UT Austin ‘12. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on George Washington University click here. Want help crafting your George Washington University supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Thank you for your interest in applying for graduate study at George Washington University School of Business. We understand this is a major step in achieving your academic and professional goals. This resource is designed to help guide you through the application process.

1. Prepare your application for submission using the application requirements checklist .

2. Review the additional admissions requirements specific to your graduate program of interest. This is an important step because your program of interest will have specific requirements.

3. Familiarize yourself with the international student requirements , if applicable.

4. Prepare to take required examinations at least one month prior to your program's application deadline. Request that test results be sent to George Washington University.

5. Obtain copies of transcripts from all schools attended. You will need to upload these to your application.

6. Begin your application on our admissions portal.

• Application Form Our application process for designated degree and certificate programs is through a secure, electronic submission process. The application and uploaded electronic documents will be submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions via a secure, online process. Submission of the electronic application form will activate your application. Please do not mail hard copies of documents during the application process. Documents not uploaded can be emailed to [email protected] . Begin Your Application  
• Current Resume Please list your entire work history including start and stop dates. You can upload the resume in the Employment History section of the online application form.  
• Statement of Purpose/Essay A Statement of Purpose is required for your application. Be sure to check your academic program of interest for any specific requirements regarding the statement. If there are no specific program requirements, your statement of approximately 500 words should address your interests, academic and professional objectives, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study. Please review the academic program pages for any additional guidelines for the statement of purpose.  

Applicants are required to upload and submit copies of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, whether or not the program was completed or the credit appears as a transfer credit on another transcript. We consider these uploaded transcripts to be “unofficial” as they are submitted by the applicant. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time of enrollment to submit official final transcripts. Step 1: Request a copy of your transcript from your institution. Step 2: Upload the transcript to your application. An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution. We do not accept screenshots or photos, and we do not accept downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website. For Study Abroad and/or Transfer Coursework: For the 2022 application cycle, if your undergraduate transcripts contain study abroad courses and/or transfer credits showing an Indigenous Grade Letter (excluding “P” Pass or “T” Transfer grades) earned and does not exceed 12 credits, you do NOT need to list these institutions separately or upload transcripts. If courses are not listed on your primary institution’s transcript or the transfer courses do not show course grades, please list the institution(s) separately and upload the transcript(s). Coursework exceeding 12 credits from an institution outside of the United States will require a credential evaluation. Please reference the International Student Requirements section on this page, under Submitting Foreign transcripts for requirements information. If submitting in foreign transcripts, please reference the International Student Requirements section of this page for detailed information on requirements.

• Letters of Recommendation One official letter of recommendation is required by the GW School of Business unless your specific program mandates two or more. The recommendation(s) must be from an individual in a position to appraise the applicant’s potential for graduate study (i.e. Manager, Professor, Mentor or etc.). Some programs have specific requirements for recommendation providers. The School of Business requires the use of the online recommendation system, which utilizes a secure online recommendation system that will: -Email your recommendation providers with instructions for online submission of the recommendation. -Allow applicants to track recommendations received or not received and follow up with recommenders who still need to submit their appraisals. -Expedite the processing of the recommendations, which will be included in the online application once submitted.  
• Official Test Results The GRE or GMAT test is not required for Specialized Master’s, MBA, or graduate certificate programs — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. GRE or GMAT scores are a requirement for the doctoral program at GWSB. Please refer to your academic program for examination requirements and waiver information. Submitting Test Scores -GMAT code: QK4-4F-40 -GRE code: 5246  
• English Proficiency All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the School of Business. Please reference our International Student Requirements for more details.  
• Supplemental Application Data Some departments and programs require the completion of supplemental data or submission of materials such as certificates or writing samples. Review the application requirements of your program of interest to determine if supplemental questions and/or materials are required.  
• Application Fee and Submission The $80 application must be submitted with a non-refundable application fee. You can pay this fee online (credit cards are accepted). Cash is not acceptable. Graduate Admissions will waive the application fee for students who are alumni or current members of the following programs: -GW alumni (those holding a GW degree or graduate certificate) -Current degree or graduate certificate candidates at GW -U.S. military personnel -Current McNair Program Scholars -AmeriCorps -Kaplan Test Prep -City Year -Education Pioneers -Forte and Forte MBA Launch -Teach for America -Peace Corps -Posse Foundation  
• Check Receipt of Your Materials and Application Status When you apply online, you have convenient access to an application status portal. The status page is available after you submit your application and is updated as materials are received. Please note that your online checklist is a tool for you to see what has been received. Please wait two business days after application submission for an updated status. Our admissions team will review all documents for readability and completeness. Your checklist items will be updated to reflect any items missing, along with a personalized note from our admissions team. Online recommendations are automatically updated to a status of “received” when submitted by the recommender. Our admissions team may send you an email to follow-up on any missing documents.
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Applicants who require a visa to study in the United States must also fulfill additional requirements in order to be considered for admission to a graduate program at the School of Business.

Admission Deadlines

International students must follow the same graduate admissions process as all other applicants but must also submit additional materials.

International students must submit their complete visa request and financial certification paperwork by the following deadlines to allow the university sufficient time to process I-20 or DS-2019 requests. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at [email protected] .

Fall Admission Deadlines

• May 1 (Initial - Outside US)
• July 1 (Transfer - Inside US)

Spring Admission Deadlines

• October 15 (Initial - Outside US)
• November 1 (Transfer - Inside US)

English Language Exam Requirements

Applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test scores to be considered for admission. Scores may not be more than two years old. To ensure TOEFL scores are sent to GW, use institutional code 5246. An institutional code is not required to send IELTS or PTE scores to GW. 

Minimum Score Requirements

• IELTS: Score of 6.0 overall with no individual score below 5.0.
• TOEFL: Score of 80 on the Internet exam (iBT) or 550 on the paper exam
• Duolingo English Test: Score of 110 or higher on the Duolingo English Test. Scores should be sent to GW School of Business. (Please note: the Duolingo English Test is not accepted by doctoral programs.)
• PTE Academic: Score of 53 or higher on the PTE Academic Test. (Please note: the PTE Academic Test is not accepted by Doctoral programs.)

Please note: If you achieve the following scores, you are also exempt from taking EAP courses:

• An official TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet-based test) or 600 (paper-based test)
• An official IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.0
• A PTE Academic Score of at least 68. The test date must be within the past two years.
• An official Duolingo score of 125 with no individual band score below 110

Exceptions are granted to applicants who:

• Hold the United States Permanent Resident/Green Card or a citizen of one of the following countries .
• Hold (or will earn before matriculation) a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution where English is the official language of the country in which the university is located AND is the language of instruction for the entire degree.
• Hold (or will earn before matriculation) a combined bachelor’s degree where a minimum of 2 years (60 Consecutive credits) was completed at an institution in which English is the language of instruction AND the official language of the country in which the university is located.
• Hold (or will earn before matriculation) a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution where English is the official primary language of the country in which the university is located OR the institution is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency.
• Have lived and worked in an English-speaking country for the past two or more years.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for an exception, please contact us at [email protected] .

Sending Test Scores to GW 

For IELTS: GW now accepts electronic test score submissions. Please follow the instructions on the IELTS website to send score reports to us. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] with a PDF of your unofficial test taker score report.

For TOEFL: Please follow the instructions outlined by ETS . Use institution code 5246 when sending scores to GW. 

For PTE Academic: Please follow the instructions outlined by Pearson to send scores reports to GW. No institution code is required.

For Duolingo English Test: Please follow the instructions outlined by Duolingo . Select "The George Washington University School of Business" when sending scores to GW.

Submitting Foreign Transcripts

A course-by-course credential evaluation is required for applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States to consider your application complete. Evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) will be accepted. Many students submit evaluations from the following evaluation agencies based upon their individualized needs: ( ECE , IEE , JS&A , Spantran , and WES ). If the evaluation does not include a copy of the transcripts that were evaluated, applicants must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.

For transcripts from institutions in India: please scan individual mark sheets demonstrating the grade received in each course for each semester.

For transcripts not in English: Applicants who attended and/or received a degree from a foreign institution must submit transcripts in English as well as the original language. Documents should also be accompanied by a credential evaluation.

Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States should combine and save their English translated transcripts and course-by-course credential evaluation into a single PDF document before uploading to the online application form . If you are unable to provide these documents at the time of application submission, you will need to email it to [email protected] at your earliest convenience. Your application will not be reviewed for decision until this document is received and approved. Please do not mail hard copies of transcripts during the application process.

Visa Request Documents 

It is not mandatory to submit the visa request form or other visa-related documents as part of the application package.

Although there is a section on the application where you can upload these documents, it is not necessary to do so. You will only be required to provide these documents once you have received admission to the School of Business and accepted your admissions offer. Providing or not providing these documents does not penalize or delay your application's review in any way.

What standardized tests do the MBA or Specialized Master’s degree programs accept?

We accept both the GMAT and GRE standardized tests. GWSB's test-optional admissions policy provides candidates the option to apply without a standardized test score.

Does GWSB have a test preference?

We do not have a preference between the GMAT or GRE. In our review process, we consider a number of factors to determine your ability to handle the academic rigors of the program, achieve success in the career development process, and contribute actively and positively to our community. Test scores are just one piece of information considered in the review process.

If I have already reported a test score to GWU, will you use it in the admissions process?

Yes, we will review and consider any test scores that have been sent to George Washington University.

Can you use an expired score in the evaluation of my application?

GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years, and will not be considered past the expiration date.

Are there any circumstances in which it might be helpful to submit test scores?

Yes, there are several reasons to submit a test score. If you had a weaker performance as an undergrad, a strong test score may help demonstrate quantitative aptitude. A strong standardized test score can strengthen your qualification for fellowships.

GMBA candidates: If you are a Global MBA applicant, we strongly recommend submitting a test score to strengthen your competitiveness for admission and funding awards.

Who should consider applying without a test score? What factors make a candidate well-suited to submit an application without a test score?

Candidates who meet several of the criteria below could consider applying without a test score:

• Demonstration of success and strong record in undergraduate coursework and degree
• Three or more years of professional work experience
• Quantitative or analytical educational and/or professional experience
• Professional certifications (CPA, CFA, PE)
• Advanced degree (Graduate, master's, or professional degrees)
• GWU undergrad with a strong academic record

These criteria will be considered along with other factors (transcripts, resume, interview) when assessing a candidate for admission.

How do I apply without a test score?

Utilize your Statement of Purpose, highlight evidence supporting your academic preparedness without a test score. Also, include any quantitative experience in your professional and academic history that you believe has equipped you to succeed academically in the program. No additional steps are required.

Are there any implications if I don’t submit a GMAT or GRE score?

There are potential implications should you choose not to provide a GMAT or GRE score as part of your admissions portfolio.

In the application review process, our admissions committee seeks confirmation that you can be successful in a rigorous program. Often, a strong GMAT or GRE score can instill confidence in our committee when extending admission invitations.

Additionally, a test score can strongly influence committee decisions on merit-based funding via fellowships and graduate assistantship awards.

When will I hear about my application moving forward without a test score?

If you submit your application without a test score, an admissions officer will contact you if we require more information from you to evaluate your application.

Application Deadlines

Candidates seeking financial assistance and international students requiring visas are encouraged to apply early. Only completed applications, with all required materials, will be considered for admission.

• Spring 2024 - Closed
• Summer 2024 - Closed

Please note that admission to the following programs is only offered for the Fall semester: Global MBA, Accelerated MBA, MBA in Security Technology Transition, Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics, M.S. in Business Analytics, Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics, and M.S. in International Business. Summer admissions deadlines apply only to the Online MBA and Healthcare MBA programs; admission to all other programs is only offered for the Fall and Spring semesters. The MS in Finance and MS in Applied Finance programs, as well as our doctoral and executive education programs, each have different admissions deadlines.

Mailing Address

Hardcopy official transcripts or supporting documents that cannot be submitted online can be mailed to: 

The George Washington University School of Business, Graduate Admissions Office 2025 F St NW L-101 Washington, D.C. 20052

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Prospective GW Students

Prospective students apply to the University Honors Program at the same time they apply for admission to the George Washington University (GW). You will indicate your interest by applying via the GW Supplement to the Common Application under Special Programs. Your Honors Program application will be considered after the university has made a decision on your general application. The Honors Program decision will not affect the university's decision.

The Honors Program application requires a set of specific essay questions in addition to the essays required for the general application to GW. You will find these essays in the GW Supplement. 

There are no specific minimums or expectations with regard to standardized test scores or high school GPAs.

For more information about the GW application process, visit the Undergraduate Admissions website .

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We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

George Washington University | GW’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Honors program interdisciplinality essay.

With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the University Honors Program (UHP) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. Within the UHP, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. Explain why, as a member of the UHP, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study.

Honors Program Community Essay

The UHP represents a community of scholars at GW. First-year UHP students live and take classes together on the Mount Vernon Campus. Upper-level UHP students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at GW through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional Foggy Bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. How do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the UHP?

Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Essay

At the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, community is central to our approach to leadership. Therefore, Cisneros Scholars are selected as a cohort that navigate their four years at GW together. How would you contribute to a sense of comunidad in your cohort if you were selected as a Cisneros Scholar?

Select-A-Prompt Essay

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit.

At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why?

The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships?

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.

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.

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?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

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?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

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?

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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2023-2024 George Washington

• Thread starter chilly_md
• Start date Mar 17, 2023

Full Member

• Mar 17, 2023

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Interview Feedback

LaFlameCactus

• Jul 10, 2023

Have they sent out secondaries yet?  

bluedoodle123

• Jul 11, 2023

OOS secondary received  

bluedoodle123 said: OOS secondary received Click to expand...

garnmonster

• If Yes, please enter the name and institution
• Select the campus you prefer (main campus preferred, regional medical campus preferred, main campus only, regional medical campus only)
• If you selected regional medical campus preferred or regional medical campus only, please explain in detail your interest in regional medical campus and how it will be a good fit for your clinical education? (1750 characters)
• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2024. (750 characters)
• The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters)
• What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from your experiences? (750 characters)
• What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (1750 characters)
• If Yes, please explain (250 chars)

+1 OOS secondary received, verified 6/29  

demetriusclair

Select the campus you prefer (main campus preferred, regional medical campus preferred, main campus only, regional medical campus only) Click to expand...

Rolltidings123

demetriusclair said: Does anyone have stats for the competition between the two campuses (main vs regional)? My preference is just to get into the school personally. Click to expand...

AnonymousAnt said: Lol. #6 is 3 questions people could write individual dissertations on all combined into one 750 character prompt. Really dislike when they do that Click to expand...

ayoooooosauce

Does anyone have more info about the regional campus?  

Rolltidings123 said: This is the first year they’ve had the regional campus, so there’s not much previous precedent to go off of. Click to expand...

OOS Secondary received.  

ayoooooosauce said: Does anyone have more info about the regional campus? Click to expand...

Regional Medical Campus at LifeBridge Health

this is reaching an extra level of neurosis, but if anyone cares to know, it appears the character limit does not include spaces.  

Anyone else receive a secondary without verification? My amcas app says it's still in the queue  

Twodogs said: Anyone else receive a secondary without verification? My amcas app says it's still in the queue Click to expand...

uhhh i just submitted my application and even though i'm certain i selected main campus preferred, the proof they show after submission says regional campus preferred...  

123medapp2024

garnmonster said: uhhh i just submitted my application and even though i'm certain i selected main campus preferred, the proof they show after submission says regional campus preferred... Click to expand...

NutriBullet

123medapp2024 said: Ran into the same problem. I thought I had accidentally hit regional but glad to know I actually didn’t lol . I already sent a message to them in the portal to let them know that I preferred main campus Click to expand...

NutriBullet said: same here Click to expand...

garnmonster said: @chilly_md OOS secondary received (i didn't include some of the standard questions about felonies, institutional action, etc.) Click to expand...

plantmompremed

tcc926818 said: +1, OOS Click to expand...

i just got a response from their admissions office saying the campus choice error was a bug. according to them they see the correct choice on their end  

YodaPineapple

garnmonster said: NYU had a similar question and i agree. is the entirety of my primary (and now my secondary) not enough to give you an answer to these questions? Click to expand...

deleted1167714

OOS secondary received this morning  

harry_potter138

Dr_Pediatrics said: OOS secondary received this morning Click to expand...

• Jul 12, 2023

SultanateIV

Did you guys get an email after submission of the secondary?  

deleted1071450

$140 - ouch.  

MajesticOtter

OOS secondary received 7/11. Primary submitted 6/18 but isn't verified yet. Secondary submitted 7/12.  

SultanateIV said: Did you guys get an email after submission of the secondary? Click to expand...

Bellabijou10 said: $140 - ouch. Click to expand...

OOS secondary received 7/11  

• Jul 13, 2023

Could anyone give insight on what GW is looking for in applicants/what its mission focus is? I.e. is it community service, global health, etc.?  

Also, can anyone confirm if the character count for the secondaries includes spaces? Thank you!  

Dr_Pediatrics said: Also, can anyone confirm if the character count for the secondaries includes spaces? Thank you! Click to expand...

Does George Washington School of Medicine have an abbreviation that works? Trying to save as many characters I can with the 350 limit. I'm currently writing GWSOM  

Plain-spoken Texan

demetriusclair said: Does George Washington School of Medicine have an abbreviation that works? Trying to save as many characters I can with the 350 limit. I'm currently writing GWSOM Click to expand...

wysdoc said: Within the questions themselves they use GW Click to expand...

Dr_Pediatrics said: Could anyone give insight on what GW is looking for in applicants/what its mission focus is? I.e. is it community service, global health, etc.? Click to expand...

• Jul 16, 2023

matterbound

• Jul 18, 2023

Hey everyone, Can someone please help me clarify this question in the secondaries? Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2024. (750 characters) Does it mean to only discuss specific activities that you work 30-40h a week for that particular activity or is it asking about the multiple activities you do every week you spend 30-40h total and to discuss them?  

matterbound said: Hey everyone, Can someone please help me clarify this question in the secondaries? Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2024. (750 characters) Does it mean to only discuss specific activities that you work 30-40h a week for that particular activity or is it asking about the multiple activities you do every week you spend 30-40h total and to discuss them? Click to expand...

reptilian said: It is asking how you will be spending your time from now until matriculation, basically what you will be doing over the next year. The question wants you to account for 30-40 hrs per week until then (like if you're working full time, a full time student, or whatever else you are doing to fill 40 hrs of the week) Click to expand...

outcastdoodle

logged in to check status on the portal. says that my app is complete and has been reviewed by AdCom but no final decision has been made and it is on hold for re-review at a later date. just wondering if this is what everyone’s says until receiving either R or II. anyone else in the same boat?  

outcastdoodle said: logged in to check status on the portal. says that my app is complete and has been reviewed by AdCom but no final decision has been made and it is on hold for re-review at a later date. just wondering if this is what everyone’s says until receiving either R or II. anyone else in the same boat? Click to expand...

• Jul 19, 2023

wysdoc said: This is typical, they are going to read more apps as they come in and decide whom to interview Click to expand...

outcastdoodle said: great! thank you so much Click to expand...

demetriusclair said: Do you mind sharing when you submitted? Still not under review at GW and I received the secondary on 7/11 and submitted 7/13 but still no update on my application portal. Click to expand...

outcastdoodle said: submitted 7/11 Click to expand...

Similar threads

• Mar 21, 2023

• Oct 18, 2023
• Oct 11, 2023

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The Long-Term Program (LTP) enables you to partner with a single consultant for up to a full semester so that you can have dedicated, sustained attention to a major writing project or writing goal. Writers may sign up for the Long Term Program to focus on such things as a multimodal capstone project, a chapter of a novel, multiple medical school applications, or a series of course assignments that culminate in a final essay.  

What to Expect

Within your sessions, you will be the content expert; the consultant will serve as a fresh set of eyes and as an "outside" reader who can help you think through your structure, point out areas that need development or clarification, and -- once you have your ideas down -- help you polish your prose. The consultant will also serve as an accountability partner, asking you at the end of each appointment to set a writing goal to meet before your next appointment.

LTP Appointment Length and Frequency

You can meet as infrequently as once every other week, or as frequently as twice a week, depending on the needs of your project; we recommend 50-minute appointments each time. You and your LTP partner will decide on the right schedule at the beginning of the partnership.

Getting Started

Enrollment for Summer 2024 semester  is open until July 8th .

After this date, we recommend you make appointments using our regular schedule to work on your project. You can schedule your own appointments up to two weeks in advance.

First, confirm that your project is appropriate for our Long-Term Project Program:

• Are you working toward a single goal – whether one long writing task (like a dissertation or capstone project) or a series of related tasks, such as multiple applications for similar positions, or a set of scaffolded assignments that build to a final writing project?   
• Will you be working on this writing project for more than four weeks, total?  
• Will you be able to set aside time to read-write-revise between your visits to the Center?

If you answered “yes” to all three questions, your project would be a good fit for the LTP Program! Book another appointment with your chosen consultant, where you will work with the consultant to:

• Review the LTP policies.  (need to update these documents to change name to Long Term Program;)] 
• “Develop a Writing Plan” together. This process will help you set a regular schedule, plan for how you’d like to use your regular meetings, and ensure that you know the right steps to take if your schedule changes.
• Complete the Long Term Project contract, which includes committing to the LTP policies and finalizing your schedule.
• Discuss schedule Changes or Questions  

All of our consultants are trained to work with writers at all stages of the writing process, and they all have different approaches and styles. Past LTP clients have told us that finding a consultant whose particular approach or disciplinary background were good matches was more important than whether the consultant was an undergraduate or graduate student. 

There are two ways to find a consultant:

• Consultant Directory - Find a  consultant based on their disciplinary expertise -or- teaching philosophy! Take a look at our Consultant Directory located under the People Tab.
• Availability - Find a consultant whose schedule aligns with yours! The GWWC has one schedule that allows you to choose an in-person or virtual appointment.  Look at who is available at the times you are free (Note consultant schedules repeat weekly.

*Check the Consultants Unavailable for LTP list to confirm your choices are available for an LTP partnership

Book interview appointments

• Identify 3-4 consultants to interview. 
• Book appointments with those 3-4 people to identify who you want to partner with on your Long Term Project. (You can book up to three appointments in a week)

What should I do at my interview appointments with potential LTP consultant partners?

GWWC consultants know that many writers will be looking for LTP partners, so they will be expecting your questions.  As the appointment begins,

Remind them that you’re meeting with several consultants to find someone to work with on a long-term project this semester. (Note: If the consultant doesn’t have room to take more LTP clients, you may continue the session as a regular appointment to work on your writing) 

• Describe the project and your writing goals.
• Bring in a piece of writing related to your proposed project. Follow the consultant’s lead on that document to continue the session.

After the appointment, reflect on how it went. We recommend meeting with at least three consultants so that you can choose someone whose approach works best for you.

Book another appointment with your chosen consultant, where you will work with the consultant to:

• Review the LTP policies .
• “ Develop a Writing Plan ” together. This process will help you set a regular schedule, plan for how you’d like to use your regular meetings, and ensure that you know the right steps to take if your schedule changes.
• Schedule Changes or Questions?

If at any point during your Long Term Project partnership your availability changes (including vacations and sick days), please email the Coordinator at [email protected] for assistance in updating your repeating weekly appointments.

NOTE: Your LTP Consultant partner will NOT be able to make changes to your schedule.

Questions about the LTP Program? Please contact the GW Writing Center Director at [email protected]

The GW Writing Center offers writing support for members of the GW community interested in applying to law school -or- actively working on law school applications.

Law school applications contain multiple written components, including the personal statement and optional statements. The Writing Center can support you as you brainstorm, draft, and finalize your submission. You may work with any of our Pre-Law Consultants , who are uniquely trained to help you throughout this process and ensure that your statements ultimately answer the question: Why law school?  

What to Expect  Personal and optional statements are your opportunity to tell your story. Using an outsider’s perspective, our consultants are here to partner with you as you choose your topic, express your narrative elements, and organize your statement. Pre-Law Consultants can guide you in considering the audience and purpose of your story, and articulating the personal strengths and values that make you a competitive candidate. To get the most out of the Writing Center’s pre-law resources, we recommend booking 50-minute appointments early in your application process. 

Invite a GW Writing Center Pre-Law Consultant to conduct a workshop on one of the following steps of the personal statement writing process:

• Intro to the goal of a personal/optional statement and initial steps of the writing process.
• Identifying and achieving goals for your draft and elevating your draft.
• Polishing your final draft for submission.

Workshops average 1.5 hours in length.

To request a workshop, submit a  GWWC Pre-Law Workshop Request Form .  Please allow at least one week from the time of response for us to recruit a consultant for the workshop request. Any follow up to a request should be emailed to [email protected] .

The GW Writing Center offers writing support for members of the GW community interested in applying (or actively working on applications) to medical school or health professions graduate schools.

A medical professions graduate school personal/optional statement is a crucial component of a student’s application. You have gotten the grades, completed the service hours, and now are ready to showcase your unique contributions to the field of medicine through a personal statement. The Writing Center’s Pre-Med Consultants are ready to guide you through every step of the writing process and ensure that you are confident in answering the question: Why medicine?

The Writing Center Pre-Med Consultants work with you during every step of your personal statement journey, as well as during your process of completing research papers, secondary essays, and or medical/health related assignments. Whether that be an open conversation brainstorming session or a final read-through, our consultants analyze the use of narration, tone, and structure in your written pieces, making this process a truly collaborative experience.

You may work with any of our  Pre-Med/Public Health Consultants , who are uniquely trained to help you throughout this process and ensure that your statements ultimately answer the question: Why medical school?"

Our Writing Center Pre-Med Professions Consultant Group conducts interactive workshops to develop writing techniques that will aid you during the personal statement drafting process. Topics will include:

• The importance of guiding questions
• Creating an outline
• Defining essay flow

Sign up for a pre-med workshop by clicking the link here . 

Online Writing Resources

• The Purdue OWL (all citation styles)
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• Himmelfarb Library's AMA Manual of Style

Writing Center Consultants do NOT advise on AMA. Any questions about AMA can be directed to  [email protected] .  

• APA Style Guide (Official Website)
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• APA Sample Paper Format
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• MLA Works Cited: A Quick Guide
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• The Layered Approach to MLA: The Rainbow  ( While these are 8th edition tips they are still current for new 9th edition)

Turabian Style

• Turabian Manual of Style  
• Duke University’s Writing Studio : Duke’s online resources include printable guides that go deep into the details of topics like comma usage (PDF) and passive and active voice (PDF) .
• The Purdue OWL : Use this comprehensive guide for guidance on specific grammar rules like parallel structure , verb tense consistency and much more.
• HyperGrammar : Browse grammar rules by topic area in this University of Ottawa Writing Centre resource.
• Grammar Girl : Get “quick and dirty” explanations for common grammar rules. 
• GW Campus Resources for International Students
• GW Language Center’s Everyday English Program
• GW English for Academic Purposes Program’s Speak with Confidence Workshop Series (events posted on the University Calendar when scheduled)
• GW Faculty WID Handbooks
• 100 Mistakes Academic Writers Make...and How to Fix Them (podcast)
• About Education's English as a Second Language for Teachers and Students
• Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
• University of Manchester Academic Phrasebank
• WordReference
• Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students : This website from Penn State shares tutorials on scientific writing, including a format guide for writing engineering or science reports.
• Collin Purrington's Tips on Designing Conference Posters : Get ideas for poster design and presentation, as well as templates for starting your next poster.
• LabWrite : North Carolina State University's site includes a checklist tool to help you proof your lab reports and graphing resources to help you decide how to display your data.
• NASA Handbook for Technical Writers and Editors : A more detailed resource for technical writing, the handbook offers guidance on specific topics like how to punctuate a sentence that includes equations.

If you need help with research or source collecting, GW Libraries may be a better fit. Their staff can help you brainstorm research questions, create a research management plan, find sources, find or manage data (including in statistics or GIS) and much more. Contact the Library with questions or schedule a research consultation with a librarian.

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gwu supplemental essay

i finalized my GWU supplemental essay, but it's 529 words long. on Common App, it says under the box that there is a word limit of 500. what happens if I submit with this limit exceeded? will common app even let me submit?

UPDATE: got it down to 498 words

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How to Write the Stanford University Essays 2024-2025

Stanford University was founded in 1885 by California Senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their son Leland Jr. It’s a private institution located in the gorgeous heart of the California Bay Area. The exciting buzz of start-up opportunities and entrepreneurial spirit permeates student life on campus, with an impressive offering of excellent STEM and humanities majors.

Stanford has become one of America’s most selective universities, with an admissions rate of 4.4% for the class of 2023. However, starting with the class of 2023, they have decided to stop releasing their admissions statistics . They have publicized that this move is “intended as a small step in reducing the outsized emphasis placed on the admission rates at U.S. colleges and universities.”

Other defining aspects include its status as the second largest campus in the world with over 8,000 acres , its undergraduate enrollment of 7,000 students , and ranking as one of the best colleges in the nation and world.

Stanford’s freshman application asks students to respond to 4 different short questions and 3 relatively longer essay questions as part of their admissions process. CollegeVine is here to provide detailed tips and examples to help you approach Stanford’s supplemental essays.

Read these Stanford essay examples to inspire your own writing.

How to Write the Stanford University Supplemental Essays

Short Response Questions (50 words)

• What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
• How did you spend your last two summers? 
• What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
• Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.
• List five things that are important to you.  

Essay Questions (100-250 words)

Prompt 1: The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.

Prompt 2: Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — know you better.

Prompt 3:  Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.

Before we dive into the specifics of how to answer each of these short prompts, remember that limiting your responses to only 50 words requires writing answers that are straightforward and direct . Be honest with what you write, but also think critically about the different aspects of your personality you are highlighting with each answer. Try to vary the responses so that they don’t all cluster around only one or two activities or themes.

While these answers won’t make your application, they could break it if you use any inappropriate content; be mindful of your audience by choosing tasteful responses. However, overanalyzing what you think the admissions officers want you to write misses the point of showcasing your individuality.

Let’s discuss each question individually.

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Short Answer 1

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today (50 words).

For this significant challenge question, you might decide to go with a traditional answer but still put a creative spin on it. Avoid picking an obscure or arbitrary topic that is not actually a significant challenge, and also watch out for writing about an issue in overly vague terms. You could write about topics like gender parity, aging populations, skills development, or climate change, but be careful since those topics have the potential to become trite depending on how you address them.

Writing simply about the fact that the challenge exists is also less interesting than if you wrote something referencing momentum in terms of future change, or possibly even past decline. For example, in addressing a topic like pollution, you could talk about how your view is that you believe the greatest challenge will be spreading actionable awareness of the issue to overcome our current apathy, maybe with a brief suggestion on how that could be attained. Doing so would make your answer stand out more than just speaking too generally.

To give another example, if you talked about gender inequality, and suggested focusing on addressing the gender gap within STEM fields more specifically, you would be showing that you think proactively about trying to solve the issue without oversimplifying it. 

Short Answer 2

How did you spend your last two summers (50 words).

Writing about how you spent your last two summers should be pretty direct­­­ — anything you have been involved in is fair game, and showing a variety of interests is again advisable. For example, you could write out a list of the disparate activities like:

“I prepared for and competed in SkillsUSA’s National Skills and Leadership Conference, vacationed in California to visit my family, volunteered at my local food bank, started working at TJ Maxx, hiked with friends, went on family camping trips, tried new cupcake recipes, and helped run a STEM camp for girls.”

This mix of activities allows them to see that you participated in some resume boosters, but also had fun and didn’t just completely restate your activities list section. You could also choose to hone in on just a couple of activities and give them each a bit more explanation instead of solely listing activities. For example:

“Family vacations always feel too long and too short. I melt in the SoCal summer heat, but returning home to cool breezy Washington brings 30-hour retail work weeks, with interspersed respite at the local library. After just finishing SkillsUSA nationals, the challenge to engineer a new invention returns, energizing me.”

This conveys some of the same ideas with a slightly more narrative structure.

Try not to waste space with a lead-in sentence like, “For the last two summers, I have mainly spent my time doing…” because that already uses up 12 of your precious 50 allotted words.

Short Answer 3

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed (50 words).

If no historical events come to mind after thinking about this prompt for a few minutes, and you’re starting to question whether you learned anything at all in your high school history classes, doing a quick google search of top 100 historical moments is not a terrible idea. However, since many of your peers will likely employ the same strategy to identify their historical event, you should strive to select one that makes sense considering your unique profile and current interests.

For example, if you want to indicate your interest in the techy Silicon Valley, you could write about witnessing the process Hewlett and Packard went through starting their business from their garage because you loved tinkering through your own projects throughout high school. Or if you are interested in history or politics, this is a good place to easily select one of the thousands of moments to tie into your interest. For instance, you could write about the time when Washington rallied his troops and convinced them not to abandon the Continental Army late in 1776, even when things looked just about as bleak as they could get.

The specific moment you choose isn’t extremely relevant, but again remember that if you pick something obscure, it might not qualify as a “historical moment” and may need more than 50 words to describe and add a brief explanation. Here’s an example of incorporating a potential major interest in engineering while going for something out of the box :

“I have always been fascinated by the pyramids and Egyptian culture, although my perception of them has been greatly romanticized by my childhood obsession with The Mummy. I wish that I could have witnessed the pyramids’ amazing and mysterious construction to know the secret of their advanced ancient engineering.”

“When I was a little kid, I was obsessed with NASA. I always had glow-in-the-dark stars above my bed and rocketship sheets. I would love to see the moon landing (especially from the capsule) to experience the awe of seeing a new world.”

You don’t need to directly connect it to a personal reason or specific explanation like these examples did, but noting why you picked this moment allows your response to ultimately feel more memorable .

Short Answer 4

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. (50 words).

This prompt gives you a little more space to discuss one of your most meaningful extracurriculars from your activities list.

To pick an activity, think about the one that taught you the most, changed your perspective, or is most unique. If there’s something you haven’t been able to express in other parts of your application, this is your space.

Keep in mind that trying to write about multiple aspects of the activity will be difficult with only 50 words, and it can result in simply reiterating what will already be on your activities list. Pick just one aspect that was most important to you, and highlight that. Feel free to be straightforward rather than artsy, as you have limited space. Also, don’t forget to briefly address what you gleaned from the activity as opposed to simply describing what it was.

For example:

I developed a marketing and sustainability initiative for my family’s grocery store. We gave free monthly workshops on topics like composting and zero waste cooking on a budget, which grew our client base 120%, and spread important ideas. People are interested in living more sustainably; they just need accessible education .

Short Answer 5

List five things that are important to you. (50 words).

This short response question is asking for you to reflect on things that are most important in your life. Keep in mind that these things can be a physical object (like your phone) or a concept or idea (like family or friendship). It’s also important that the items you list relate to ideas that have been represented in the rest of your application to provide a cohesive message across all your application elements. If you were applying for an arts major at Stanford, perhaps you wouldn’t say an important item to you is your model rocketship in your room unless you have previously suggested that your artwork is inspired by space travel and celestial bodies. 

Some questions to help you brainstorm for this prompt include asking yourself: What things from my childhood or daily life bring me joy or purpose? If this thing was missing from my life, would I notice? Why is this thing important to me? What purpose does this thing bring to my life?

You should list out the things that are important to you from 1 to 5. When listing these items that are important to you, you can use any additional word space to briefly describe why the thing is important to you. For example, if you gave your faith as an important thing in your life, you could write “1. My faith: It gives me hope and strength in the face of adversity.”

Here are some additional tips for writing this essay:

• Be specific. Don’t just say that faith is important to you. Explain what makes your faith so special and why it is so important to you.
• Be genuine. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. The admissions committee will be able to tell if you’re being fake.
• Be concise. This is a short essay, so you need to get your point across quickly and effectively.

Essay Prompt 1

The stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (100 to 250 words).

As you approach this first longer prompt, think back on all the hours you spent during class, after school during activities, or at home studying. Try to select an experience where you seriously felt that love of learning . Just writing about this idea or realization should make you feel like an extremely happy nerd (you are applying to Nerd Nation after all!). Whether you are someone who approaches standardized testing like it is a thrilling game, or someone who feels so excited after getting through a test that you poured countless hours into studying for, you can really highlight your own drive and intellect through this prompt.

For example, you could write some sort of introduction about deciding to self-study for the AP Physics C tests, then add some analysis like:

…I began to honestly enjoy learning all the new applications for the calculus concepts I had been learning alongside physics, previously unaware of just how intertwined they were. The relationship between position, velocity, and acceleration through derivatives and integrals tied everything together in a way that made so much sense it gave me chills.

After a few study sessions, I began to devour YouTube videos to prepare for the test, and each time I understood a new concept by learning it on my own, I felt more accomplished and intellectually independent. As I worked through practice problems and self-corrected my way across old exams, I felt driven to stop excusing or dismissing my mistakes, and to instead pull them apart by analyzing exactly why I had made them to target and avoid them in the future. This experience improved the way I study and showed me the value of truly mastering knowledge on my own.

This response shows an authentic passion for learning without overloading on narrative. Another solid example that takes a more creative response could look something like this:

“How do you make pianos?

In 4th grade, I entered and won PBS’s Curiosity Quest question contest, resulting in my co-hosting a Curiosity Quest episode at New York’s Steinway and Sons Piano Factory. There I realized for the first time what can be found beyond textbook teachings. I saw the palpable pride the factory had in the heritage that they displayed, and the stunning beauty of a legacy and its centuries of refined knowledge. After that day, it was as if my consciousness had awoken. I resolved to begin creating my own legacy. I spent early morning hours in front of my piano daily, determined to make it my art — all because my curiosity rewarded me with knowledge that expanded the depth and range of just how far I can strive in this world.

Theory of Knowledge teaches of knowledge’s paradox: The more we know, the more we don’t. In retrospect, TOK put into words what I’ve since sensed — this inexplicable duality of filling a void that is ever-expanding. What began as a simple question of how something was made laid the very foundation upon which I’ve grown to ask questions that dig deeper: Why is there more inequality today than a century ago? What, if any, measures can be taken to end the conflicts in the Middle East? How can I further my legacy through striving to address these issues?

And as always, my quest for curiosity will serve to dually nourish and enlighten me, expanding my world once more.

This response from a Stanford 2020 student majoring in International Relations shows the admissions office a thirst for learning without ever just overtly stating it, especially with tying in the childhood anecdote as an excellent hook.

As you approach your own essay, avoid using basic statements like “This made me excited because…” or “An idea that made me genuinely excited about learning was…” since your writing style is extremely important throughout this essay. Compare the two examples above syntactically to see why the essay becomes more engaging with the style of “show not tell” displayed in the latter.

As with all college essays, do not forget that the emphasis is on teaching the admissions officers something about you and why the idea or experience made you so excited; avoid spending too much time explaining the logistics or trying to use excessively flowery language.

Essay Prompt 2

Virtually all of stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — know you better. (100 to 250 words).

The point of this essay is to invoke the casual nature of roommate relationships and invite students to take a more relaxed approach to writing about themselves. It brings the application to life by asking you to write only about your own personality, which feels more open than other essays that ask you to answer a specific question like “Describe your community” or “Talk about a mentor who got you through a difficult time.” While answering both of those prompts still offers insight into who the author is, they are fundamentally centralized around another person or topic, which is why Stanford cuts straight to the chase with this prompt to actually get to know you better.

Stanford is looking for an extremely authentic 250-word portrayal of your character that could distinctly identify you from a crowd of essays. If you got to meet your admissions officer in person, and only had 60 seconds to pitch yourself without using anything from your activities or awards, what would you say first? If you were legitimately writing a letter to your roommate at Stanford, what would you want them to know about the prospect of living with you? If you imagine how your Stanford alumni interview might play out, what topics do you hope to steer towards?

Think deeply about these questions and first see if there is something meaningful that you want to convey, and look through Prompt 3 to see if it would best serve answering the question, “What matters to you, and why?” instead of this roommate prompt. If you do have a more serious answer, you can style the essay like a very formal letter or like a traditional 1-2 paragraph short essay without any of the letter gimmicks at all to stand out syntactically.

If you don’t think you have any important topics on the serious side that you want to specifically cover in the space for this prompt (an extreme medical condition, a family hardship etc.), you could also go for another popular tactic by creating a fun, miscellaneous essay.

This prompt can arguably be one of the most entertaining to write and read of all college supplemental essays because of the opportunity to present the admissions office with an amalgamation of weird topics. A previous CollegeVine guide encouraged students to explore their quirky side with this prompt by writing about unique hobbies or interesting personality oddities. It also advises staying away from things like politics (i.e., don’t indicate which party or ideology you tend to support, even through jokes or minor references, since you don’t want to step on any toes).

Don’t sweat too much over the exact way to put the essay in letter format. Starting with something like “Hi! I am ridiculously stoked to meet you!” or any other straightforward greeting that doesn’t sound too cheesy is totally fine. If you decide to, you can essentially make a bullet list of “fun me facts” if you want to include the maximum amount of content. Remember that this essay should be fun!

Since it is usually hard to come up with good material about your own diverse personality while staring at a blank computer screen, try keeping a note on your phone and adding to it gradually as you think of things throughout the day. Think about what you enjoy and jot down notes like:

I love Sandra Bullock movies. I wish I could stop biting my nails, and sometimes I do, but only until I take a test or watch a freaky movie. I hate doing my laundry and the song ‘Drops of Jupiter.’ I planned myself a Cutthroat Kitchen -themed birthday party last year because I love cooking contest shows. My favorite store is the Dollar Tree, and when I’m there I always feel like I’m getting too much stuff, but when I leave I regret putting stuff back. Before I go to bed, I like to watch clips from Ellen or Jimmy Fallon because I think it gives me funny dreams. I’m attracted to buying gift wrap even if I have no reason for it, a trait I inherited from my mom. I love chicken. I sleep like a rock and unfortunately, that means I need an incredibly loud alarm clock, but I also will never be bothered by late night noise, etc.

You can see by how long this section got just how easy it can be to talk about yourself once you get started…

Try to intersperse some facts that relate to activities you could do together or things that would be important for an actual roommate to know to stay true to the prompt. Juxtaposing random facts might not be the way to go if you feel they are redundant with your short answers or too all over the place for you. Putting together just a few key aspects of your personality and typical habits with more coherent elaboration on each and topping it off with a “Love, your future roomie” holds the potential to become an engaging essay as well.

Here is another example that shows a ton of personality and utilizes a list format:

Ahem…May I make a toast?

First off, I am so pumped to live with you. I don’t have a sibling, so this is as close as it gets! Also, I just wanted you to know…

• I’m an ENFJ. I’m not nearly as brilliant as Obama or Oprah, but I do fancy the idea of sharing traits with them! ENFJs are “focused on values and vision, passionate about the possibilities for people, tuned into the needs of others, and tend to be optimistic and forward-thinking” — sums up my personality I’d say!
• I free my mind by exercising and writing. Our campus’s fresh forestry is perfect for morning/night runs/picnics. It would be so fun if you joined!
• I’m one to stay up all night to chat over coffee and pastries. I’m also one to venture out and walk/bike ten miles for Polaroid pics and yummy eats. Yelp4lyfe.
• I have a passion for fashion. I love it because style is universal and uniquely personal (read Worn Stories). I have a blog dedicated to learning about global cultures/styles — can’t wait to study abroad!
• I’m so deeply humbled to be surrounded by exceptional, passionate people like you who are going to rock this world. I had visited Stanford three times before applying, and I had written on my secret blog during my 2nd visit that my heart felt so moved to call this place home one day.

Well, I couldn’t be happier to be home with you.

Name (or nickname)

While this is just one essay (and remember that there are many, many directions you can choose to take your own essay), you can see from this example that showcasing a variety of passions can highlight how multifaceted and genuinely interesting you are. A year from now, you might find yourself cracking up over how weird you sound while exchanging what you wrote with your actual roomie to procrastinate working on your p-sets or essays. We know we did!

Essay Prompt 3

Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to stanford university. (100 to 250 words).

This is a classic example of the Diversity Essay . Your response should focus on your personal background and how your life experiences or cultural traditions provide you with a unique perspective that has influenced your interests and character. Stanford is looking for what makes you unique and how you will share that uniqueness with their community.

Your response should directly answer the question at hand; however, remember to “show, not tell.” A personal narrative is one way to successfully highlight your potential individual contributions to Stanford’s community.

For example, instead of simply saying that you are hardworking and persist despite obstacles, describe a time where you displayed this skill. Perhaps you grew up in the central US where there are seasonal tornadoes and damage to property. You could share a story about how you help rebuild neighbors homes every year after the storms and how you have learned about the value in lending a helping hand to strangers. Or, if you want to discuss your deep connection and commitment to your culture, describe a particular event or custom that has meaning to you that most other applicants would not be aware of. Or maybe you have a strong commitment to sustainability—you could discuss a time you created an initiative to reduce food and plastic waste in your school cafeteria.

Beware that this question is similar to some Common Application prompts. Since the Stanford application is on the Common App, you should use this supplement as a means to communicate something new about yourself to the admissions committee, so avoid discussing topics that you’ve already covered. For example, if your Common Application focused on your analytical mind, consider using this prompt to discuss your compassion for others.

In the remaining space you have in the essay, tie your unique identity back to how you will contribute to Stanford’s campus. If you have a deep connection to your Native American culture, mention how you are excited to be involved with the American Indian Organization at Stanford. 

All in all make sure that the life experience, interest and/or character trait you are sharing in this essay is unique to you and provide evidence to support the unique self that you will bring to campus.

Is Your Stanford Essay Strong Enough?

Do you want feedback on your Stanford essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

If you create incentives for yourself to work on your Stanford University essays early and choose topics that you genuinely care about, then you will end up devoting much more time to them, resulting in more polished essays . Since Stanford admissions are so extremely selective, it places a good deal of pressure on both the content and execution of all 11 essays.

While Stanford has a reputation of being pretty relaxed and laid back, you shouldn’t try to exude that attitude throughout all your essays. Remember that it is the admissions office’s job to read through over 40,000 of these essays each year and discern whether you would be a good fit, so avoid topics that are even vaguely cliché and be brutally honest with yourself about whether you would enjoy the essay you’ve written from an outsider’s perspective.

Overall, do your best to put in the effort on ideas that you feel are unique, personal, and truly meaningful. Good luck!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Memorandum of conversation between Mikhail Gorbachev and James Baker in Moscow.

College of William & Mary 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

College of William & Mary 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: Two essays of 300 words or fewer

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Topic of your choice

William & Mary is a community that fosters deep human connection. We reflect on the lessons of history to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We engage diverse perspectives and seek wisdom in bridging differences. Together, we are unceasing in our efforts to make a meaningful difference in our communities, the state, the nation, and the world.

To help us learn more about you, we invite you to share additional information by answering up to two of these optional short-answer prompts. think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy. (300 words each), are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community.

This is a classic Community Essay, through and through. Tell admissions about a community you are a part of and what significance it holds in your life. Then think about how your involvement in that community will impact the way you show up at W&M. What you address can be a larger cultural community—think race, sexuality, religion—or as specific as your after-school knitting club. Address the role that your community plays in your life, then consider why your particular background or experience within this community will enrich W&M’s campus once you step onto the scene. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? What is important to you and how will your experiences in communities bring something of value to William & Mary?

Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.

This prompt will likely jump out to applicants who have a specific major or future career path in mind. To prevent your essay from reading as generic, try to tell a story about the origin of your interest in your chosen area of study or career and be as specific as possible when exploring your interest and motivation. Look ahead five or ten years and imagine what you’d like your professional life to look like. Maybe you’ve been interested in the human brain ever since you were an inquisitive little kid. Will William & Mary’s Neuroscience major aid you on your quest to understand humankind? Perhaps you come from a family of entrepreneurs and you dream of running your own business one day. How will a W&M education help you to achieve your goal? Build a bridge between your past and your future for admissions so they can see your commitment and demonstrated interest in this field. 

How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience?

Admissions wants to know what has made you who you are. What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What you write about can really run the gamut because admissions is giving you a lot of leeway here. Maybe you’ve lived on multiple continents, which has shaped your worldview and made you feel like a citizen of the world. Perhaps you’ve spent every summer at your grandparents’ farm since you were little, where you learned the value of hard work and developed relationships with the animals that you cherish to this day. Whatever story you want to tell admissions here, be sure to infuse your essay with as many details as possible in order to set yourself apart from other applicants.

What led to your interest in William & Mary?

This prompt will likely speak to those of you who feel very confident that William & Mary is the school for you. If that’s the case, lean in. To ace your response, you will want to: (1) demonstrate a solid knowledge of what the school has to offer, (2) leverage that knowledge to clearly show your interest in the school, and (3) connect your past experiences to the ones you hope to have in the future at William & Mary. Start by researching William & Mary (if you haven’t already), directing your attention to the departments, majors, and other opportunities that interest you. What do you want to learn? Read about professors and notable alumni in your field—is there any research going on or awards that interest you? Pick out classes to take and clubs to join, visualizing yourself there. Then connect your interests to experiences you’ve already had to demonstrate fit. For example, if you’re excited about a certain major, have you already taken classes or joined clubs related to that academic area? Stellar answers will also demonstrate a mutually beneficial relationship—their community would gain as much from having you there as you would from attending.

Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual.

William & Mary wants to accept students who possess qualities such as resilience, determination, and humility, so tell admissions about a time when you faced a challenge or adversity and how that experience has shaped the person you are today. Once you have a topic in mind, be sure to summarize your challenge in as few words as possible; that way, you’ll have plenty of room to discuss the impact it had on you, what you took away from the experience, and (if you have any extra words at your disposal) how you will apply that insight to your time at William & Mary. Admissions wants to accept thoughtful, reflective individuals to campus, so show them that you fit the bill!

If we visited your town, what would you want to show us?

Admissions is giving you the opportunity to think fast, not hard, and roll with the punches—so, take advantage! Maybe you want to encourage admissions to stop by the old diner in your town; you know, the one with photos of Frank Sinatra on the walls, where you have dinner with your grandparents every Sunday. Perhaps a visit to your town is never complete without a visit to the quirky downtown district to check out the latest street art, where you may or may not have left your own mark. Whatever it is about your hometown that you think is worth noting, make sure to connect your answer back to you. After all, like every prompt, this is an opportunity for admissions to get to know you better, wherever you come from.

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