Washington University in St. Louis, colloquially known as WashU, is a selective private research institution with an acceptance rate below 12%. WashU’s vibrant student life; extensive research, study abroad, and interdisciplinary programs; and supportive Taylor Family Center all serve to attract thousands of applicants every year. WashU’s accomplished alumni include Peter Sarsgaard, Pooja Kumar, Andrew McCabe, and Rochelle P. Walensky. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your WashU supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.
WashU’s 2026-2027 Prompts
Required Essay Questions
- Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry, tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (250 words or fewer)
Program-Specific Essay Questions
If you indicate an interest in one of the following programs on your application, you must also answer its short-answer question. Each of the following questions has a limit of 250 words.
- Beyond Boundaries Program: The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges require varied perspectives and skill sets. What is the big societal issue you would like to tackle? Who would you need on your team? How would the Beyond Boundaries Program support you to work with collaborative teams to address this issue?
- Joint Program in Business and Computer Science: Students in the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and perspectives of computer science and business and will have unique opportunities to converge these two disciplines. This is a distinctive degree program that captures the intersection of business and computer science and the growing demand for people with this special and sought-after skill set. Graduates of the program will be able to pursue careers in technology, data analytics, finance, consulting, and business development, to name a few. Tell us how you would use this combined degree to explore the intersection of these two disciplines.
Scholarship Essay Questions
Each of the following questions has a limit of 250 words.
- Danforth Scholars Program: Chancellor Danforth and Mrs. Danforth deeply cared about building trust within the community and being of service to others. They embodied a spirit of servant leadership. Like the Danforths, Danforth Scholars are leaders seeking to build community through fostering growth and empowerment rather than focusing on personal authority. Reflecting on the leadership tenure of the Danforths and the pillars of the Danforth Scholars Program, how have you utilized your leadership skills to foster growth and empowerment within your community? Please provide 1-2 examples in detail.
- Ervin Scholars Program: Dr. John B. Ervin was a nationally renowned Black educator and the first African American Dean at Washington University in St. Louis. In the spirit of Dr. Ervin, Ervin Scholars are champions for positive change in their communities. Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Ervin, how have you demonstrated your dedication to social justice and positive community impact in marginalized communities? Provide 1-2 examples in detail.
- Rodriguez Scholars Program: Annika Lynn Rodriguez led a life committed in service to others. She demonstrated her commitment through her work as a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a National Service Fraternity during her time as a WashU student and later in the Peace Corps as an alum until her untimely death. In remembering Annika’s legacy, a friend said, “Annika gave herself wholeheartedly to every person who entered her life.” Share a story that exemplifies what motivates you to engage in service to community and provide two examples that demonstrate your ongoing commitment to service.
WashU Required Essay Questions
Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry, tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (250 words or fewer)
This prompt is a fairly standard college essay prompt, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. WashU seeks self-motivated students who are excited to learn. So, in this essay, you should explain what gets you excited to learn. Maybe your interest in mathematics originated from a life-changing event. Or perhaps you just enjoy reading, and that’s why you’ve decided to pursue a degree in English literature. Alternatively, maybe your interest in international affairs is driven by a desire to pursue a future career in international law. Whatever subjects intrigue you, and for whatever reasons, it’s important that your essay is authentic and precise.
If you’re having trouble coming up with your “why,” consider coming up with answers to the following questions:
- What makes this subject or these subjects more interesting than other subjects?
- What is the most interesting fact you have learned in this academic area? Do you seek to learn more facts like this one?
- What questions do you have about the world? How will further study help you answer these questions?
- What are your career goals? How do they relate to your intended area(s) of study?
- What current social issues keep you up at night? How does your intended course of study relate to these issues?
- In what ways does this subject or these subjects bring you joy?
After answering these questions, you should hopefully have identified some concrete reasons for selecting your intended academic area(s). If not, consider whether these are truly the area(s) of study that interest you. Are there any areas that interest you more?
Once you’ve identified your reasons, focus on explaining, in your essay, why these reasons are important to you. Be specific and detailed, and you’ll have a compelling essay.
WashU Program-Specific Essay Questions
You only need to answer the questions below if you apply to the corresponding program. If neither program is right for you, skip ahead to the scholarship essay questions.
The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges require varied perspectives and skill sets. What is the big societal issue you would like to tackle? Who would you need on your team? How would the Beyond Boundaries Program support you to work with collaborative teams to address this issue? (250 words or fewer)
The Beyond Boundaries Program admits a small cohort of students each year who want to tackle big societal problems from more than one angle. First-year students in the program take a seminar on collaborative decision-making alongside courses taught by interdisciplinary teaching teams, and after the first year they pursue self-directed interdisciplinary study with the program’s advisors. In other words, this prompt is asking whether you think like an interdisciplinary problem-solver, and whether you understand what the program actually offers.
The prompt has three parts, so make sure you answer all three. First, name your big societal issue and be specific about it. “Climate change” is too broad for 250 words, but “keeping older adults in rural areas connected to medical care” is something you can say real things about. Second, describe who you would need on your team. This is where you show interdisciplinary thinking: which fields, skills, and perspectives would the problem require, and why can’t one discipline solve it alone? Third, explain how Beyond Boundaries would support you, referencing the cohort structure, the seminar, or the flexibility to design your own course of study. Tie your answer to a problem you have already encountered, whether through a class, a job, a family situation, or your community, so the reader can see that your interest is genuine rather than hypothetical.
Students in the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and perspectives of computer science and business and will have unique opportunities to converge these two disciplines. This is a distinctive degree program that captures the intersection of business and computer science and the growing demand for people with this special and sought-after skill set. Graduates of the program will be able to pursue careers in technology, data analytics, finance, consulting, and business development, to name a few. Tell us how you would use this combined degree to explore the intersection of these two disciplines. (250 words or fewer)
The Joint Program in Business and Computer Science is a single Bachelor of Science degree offered through WashU’s Olin Business School and McKelvey School of Engineering. Unlike a double major, it has defined requirements in both fields and its own programming and resources. The question, then, is not “Why business?” or “Why computer science?” but rather “Why both, together?” If you can’t explain what the intersection means to you, you may be better served by applying to one of the two schools directly.
To brainstorm, think about a moment when you saw business and technology depend on one another. Maybe you built an app for a family business and realized that the pricing model mattered as much as the code, or maybe you noticed how a company’s data practices shaped its customers’ trust. Use that moment to explain what you want to explore, then connect it to how you would use the degree: the kinds of courses you would combine, the projects you would pursue, and the career you have in mind (the prompt itself lists technology, data analytics, finance, consulting, and business development as examples). Be concrete about the intersection, and keep your ambitions specific enough that the admissions officers can picture you in the program.
WashU Scholarship Essay Questions
Chancellor Danforth and Mrs. Danforth deeply cared about building trust within the community and being of service to others. They embodied a spirit of servant leadership. Like the Danforths, Danforth Scholars are leaders seeking to build community through fostering growth and empowerment rather than focusing on personal authority. Reflecting on the leadership tenure of the Danforths and the pillars of the Danforth Scholars Program, how have you utilized your leadership skills to foster growth and empowerment within your community? Please provide 1-2 examples in detail. (250 words or fewer)
Answering this essay prompt gives you the opportunity to score a significant scholarship package. Recipients enjoy “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or half-tuition scholarships. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the degree program, provided you progress academically and uphold the high standards of character required of scholars.” Thus, it’s in your best interest to write a strong response to this essay question.
The term “servant leadership” refers to “a leadership style in which leaders put the needs, aspirations, and interests of their followers above their own,” according to the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. In other words, you should use your 250 words for this essay to share your experience leading others in a way that put those whom you led above yourself.
Per the prompt’s wording, focus on one to two specific examples, instead of a series of examples or trend in your community service actions. In addition, use precise language and explain why you pursued this service and what it meant to you. If you have space, describe a lesson or two that this experience taught you.
If you’re curious, read more about the Danforth Scholars Program here.
Dr. John B. Ervin was a nationally renowned Black educator and the first African American Dean at Washington University in St. Louis. In the spirit of Dr. Ervin, Ervin Scholars are champions for positive change in their communities. Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Ervin, how have you demonstrated your dedication to social justice and positive community impact in marginalized communities? Provide 1-2 examples in detail. (250 words or fewer)
This prompt is for students interested in receiving “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships.” Note that applicants to this program must also maintain high academic standards, like the students in the Danforth Scholars Program. However, this program is limited to applicants who are “U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or DACA students living in the U.S.” If you’re included in the relevant demographic for this prompt, it’s likely worthwhile to make an attempt at this essay question.
In this short essay, you must focus on 1-2 specific examples of actions you’ve taken to champion social justice and create positive impact in marginalized communities. The prompt specifically asks you to reflect on Dr. John B. Ervin’s legacy as a pioneering Black educator and advocate for change. If social justice work is important to you and you have actively worked to support marginalized communities, then you should probably apply for this scholarship. If not, then you may want to look at other prompts.
Remember to be specific and precise in your response. Quantify your impact and share how the experience impacted you. For instance, state the exact or approximate number of hours you worked or people you helped. Additionally, describe a lesson you learned or a way your perspective shifted. Focus on experiences where you took concrete action to address inequity, advocate for underrepresented groups, or create meaningful change in marginalized communities. Make sure you share who you impacted, what specific social justice issues you addressed, and why this work was meaningful to you in the context of Dr. Ervin’s legacy of championing positive change.
If you’re curious, read more about the Ervin Scholars Program here.
Annika Lynn Rodriguez led a life committed in service to others. She demonstrated her commitment through her work as a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a National Service Fraternity during her time as a WashU student and later in the Peace Corps as an alum until her untimely death. In remembering Annika’s legacy, a friend said, “Annika gave herself wholeheartedly to every person who entered her life.” Share a story that exemplifies what motivates you to engage in service to community and provide two examples that demonstrate your ongoing commitment to service. (250 words or fewer)
If you’re hoping to be among the lucky WashU students who receive “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships,” this essay prompt gives you that chance. If you are able to compose a stellar essay about your authentic experience fostering cultural awareness and understanding, then you’ll have a shot at joining the Rodriguez Scholars Program. Note that like the other scholarships described above, participation in this program is contingent on maintaining certain academic standards throughout your undergraduate career.
This essay has two distinct components that you must address. First, you should share a story that exemplifies what motivates you to engage in service to community—this is about your internal drive and passion for service work. Think about a meaningful moment, experience, or realization that sparked or deepened your commitment to serving others. Second, you must provide two examples that demonstrate your ongoing commitment to service—these should be concrete instances where you’ve actively served your community.
The prompt honors Annika Lynn Rodriguez, who was known for giving herself “wholeheartedly to every person who entered her life” through her service work in Alpha Phi Omega and the Peace Corps. Your response should reflect this spirit of wholehearted dedication to others. Focus on authentic experiences where you’ve made meaningful connections with people through service, showing how you’ve invested yourself in helping others and building community!
You may be wondering about the specific type of service expected, given the program’s focus. Check out WashU’s resources on the Rodriguez Scholars Program and its application process. Conducting thorough research on this program will help you identify what kinds of service experiences align with Annika’s legacy and the program’s values.
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