Georgetown: Essay Requirement
Compose two brief essays (approximately one page each) on the topics given below.
Essay Two: APPLICANTS BY COLLEGE OR SCHOOL
APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE: Please relate your interest in studying at Georgetown University to your goals. How do these thoughts relate to your chosen course of study? (If you are applying to major in the FLL or in a Science, please specifically address those interests.)
APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING & HEALTH STUDIES: Describe how your experiences or ideas shaped your decision to pursue a health profession and how these experiences or ideas may aid your future contribution to the field.
APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE: Briefly discuss a current global issue, indicating why you consider it important and what you suggest should be done to deal with it.
APPLICANTS TO THE MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying business.
WashU Scholarship Essay: Honorary Scholars Program in Arts & Sciences
On your application for admission, rank the College of Arts & Sciences as your first choice.
Submit an Application for Academic Scholarships and Fellowships, checking the box for the particular scholarship you seek: Compton, Mylonas, Moog, or Lien. You can choose only ONE scholarship.
Submit an official high school transcript. If you have submitted the transcript required to apply for undergraduate admission, you will not need to submit an additional transcript.
Compton and Moog only: Complete an additional short answer: In 150 words or less, report any scores, test results, or competition results of interest. For example, tell us your scores on the AHSME and AIME exams, the results of competitions such as the physics or chemistry Olympiad, your national chess or bridge ratings, etc.
Complete one original essay:
Write an original essay of approximately 750 words on the topic for the scholarship program to which you are applying.
Compton (Mathematics, Physics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environmental Earth Sciences) Within one of the disciplines listed above, describe a scientific reading or research project in which you have recently been engaged or that you would like to undertake. (If you choose to discuss a large research project in which you participated, do so in a manner that will permit the Compton Committee to assess your own contributions.) If applying for the Fossett Pathfinder Fellowship, you should focus your essay on environmental sustainability.
Mylonas (Humanities) Describe and critically evaluate a historical event; or philosophical issue of particular interest; or a literary text, musical composition, film, or work of art that has captured your attention.
Moog (Biology, Chemistry) Describe a biology or chemistry reading or research project in which you have recently been engaged or that you would like to undertake. (If you choose to discuss a large research project in which you participated, do so in a manner that will permit the Moog Committee to assess your own contributions.) For the Fossett Pathfinder Fellowship, you should focus your essay on environmental sustainability.
Lien (Social and Behavioral Sciences) Describe and evaluate critically an issue or problem that falls within one or more of the social or behavioral sciences (African and African-American studies; American culture studies; anthropology; archaeology; economics; education; environmental policy; international and area studies; philosophy-neuroscience-psychology; political economy; political science; psychology; urban studies; or women, gender, and sexuality studies).
Submit two teacher recommendations, including a letter and the teacher recommendation form. If they are the same letters as for your undergraduate admission application, you must send separate copies with each scholarship application. Indicate the program you are applying for on the outside of the sealed envelope.
In addition, if you have research experience at a university or other recognized research program, you are strongly encouraged to ask a professor or other research mentor to write a recommendation based on your research experience.
For More Information
For specific questions, please contact the Director of the Honorary Scholars Program, College of Arts & Sciences, (800) 638-0700 or (314) 935-8700.
WashU Scholarship Essay: Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program, All Undergraduate Schools
Submit an application for admission.
Submit an Application for Academic Scholarships and Fellowships, checking the box for the Rodriguez Scholars Program.
Write a short essay on the following topic:
Consider the biography of Annika Rodriguez and the eligibility requirements, and reflect upon your commitment to bringing diverse groups together and/or celebrating the cultures of diverse peoples. How do your community service activities demonstrate your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Rodriguez Scholars Program?
No additional letter of recommendation is required because the Rodriguez Scholars Program Committee relies on the recommendations submitted with your admission application. An additional letter of recommendation with your scholarship application is optional.
For More Information
Please call (800) 638-0700 or (314) 935-6000.
WashU Scholarship Essay: John B. Ervin Scholars Program, All Undergraduate Schools
Submit an application for admission.
Submit an Application for Academic Scholarships and Fellowships, checking the box for the Ervin Scholars Program.
Write an essay of approximately 500 words on the following topic:
Review the biography of John B. Ervin and the eligibility requirements, and reflect upon your academic and community experiences. Please describe your experience with diversity and your commitment to bringing diverse groups together. Then describe your commitment to leadership in your school and how you would continue that commitment at Washington University if you are selected as an Ervin Scholar. Include specific examples of your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Ervin Scholars Program.
Submit an official high school transcript. If you have submitted the transcript required to apply for undergraduate admission, you will not need to submit an additional transcript.
Submit one letter of recommendation from a leader in your community, church, or school who has known you outside the classroom.
For More Information
Please call (800) 638-0700 or (314) 935-6000.
Washington & Lee: "I have in mind a Washington and Lee graduate entering the arena of public debate. Off to one side is a cacophony of voices, loud and harsh. On the other side are the silent ones, wracked by self-doubt, who avoid the great issues of our time. It would be easy to gravitate to one or the other. I wish for you a more difficult life, somewhere in the complicated center, where the courage of your convictions blends with humility and respect for others." (Kenneth Ruscio `76, current President of Washington and Lee University) Discuss your engagement in an issue that faces your school, community or another group of which you are a part.
578-word version
Even though I knew I was not going to get shot, I became quite nervous when I listened to the broadcast warnings of North Korean soldiers that we were within shooting range in the demilitarized zone. I have lived my entire life here, in South Korea, but never have I felt threatened or experienced the serious urgency of the situation first-hand...
Common Application: Personal Statement
Please write an essay (250 words minimum 500 words maximum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. This personal essay helps us to become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
6. Topic of your choice.
George Washington: ESSAYS
Listed below are the essay questions you must complete. The Committee on Admissions will use your essays to determine your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself clearly. We recommend that you compose your essay responses in a word processing document and paste a copy in the space provided.
2. Freshman Essay #2 As you strive to further your education, we are interested in knowing what matters most to you. How has an experience you have had, an interest you have pursued, or a person you have known shaped your thinking? Compose an essay of no more than 500 words.
469-word version
Even though I knew I was not going to get shot, I became quite nervous when I listened to the broadcast warnings of North Korean soldiers that we were within shooting range in the demilitarized zone. I have lived my entire life here, in South Korea, but never have I felt threatened or experienced the serious urgency of the situation first-hand...