george washington university essay prompts examples

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5 George Washington University Essay Examples by Accepted Students

What’s Covered

Essay example #1 – journalism, essay example #2 – letter to the author, essay example #3 – honors at gw, essay example #4 – changing the world, essay example #5 – civil discourse.

• Where to Get Your Essays Edited

George Washington University is a private research university best known for its programs in international affairs, government, public policy, and journalism. Situated in the heart of Washington D.C., GW students have an incredible opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the nation’s capital.

Because of it’s great location and academics, GW has become increasingly competitive so you’ll need a strong essays  to stand out. In this post, we will share five essays real students have submitted to GW, as well as explain what each essay did well and were they could be improved. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Read our George Washington University essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Prompt: Journalism and Mass Communication major: Write a profile of yourself in news or news feature style, as if you had interviewed yourself (500 words).

Mira Patel sat at her desk, her finger tapping on the side of a water glass as she welcomed me into the Zoom meeting. “It’s been a busy few months, but I’m excited to talk about it,” she said, heaving a nervous but excited breath.

Patel, age 17, has been serving as the Co-Editor-In-Chief of [name removed] High School’s student-run newspaper, the View, for the past year. She, along with her two fellow Co-Editor-In-Chiefs, have re-evaluated the newspaper to fit a socially-distant setting. Despite the stress of finding a way to amplify the voices of [high school]’s  student body in 2020, Patel’s tone sparks as she discusses the team’s progress thus far.

“There’ve been a lot of bumps in the road. [High School] initially cut our Journalism class this year due to budget concerns so we had to find a way to connect those that were interested in forming a club,” she added, her intonation highlighting her enthusiasm.

“But we did it, and our first issue will be out in time for the Holidays!”

Patel detailed the intricate planning that went behind the issue, as she helped garner interest and developed a platform for the student body to share their voices digitally. 2020, in her words, has been a year “paramount for developing young voices” in the wake of the pandemic, monumental social justice movements, and the direct impact of wildfires exacerbated by climate change in her home state Oregon. 

When asked how she initially developed a passion for communication and media, Patel pondered and continued to recount the experience that sparked her “infatuation” with forms of media.

“In the summer before my sophomore year, I was selected for an internship at AASPIRE, the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education,” she said.

Her experience consisted not only of technical strides in data analysis and visualization but also in developing creative solutions to communicate with her diverse team at the Regional Research Institute for Human Services at Portland State University. She described how many in her department, including her mentor, had disabilities like autism and ADHD. As she realized that these differences were not a hindrance but rather an opportunity to empathize and expand her viewpoint, she recognized how crucial communication was in developing perspectives. 

“It took off after AASPIRE,” Patel stated regarding her interest in media. As a young Indian-American activist, she actively sought opportunities in media, finding a “home for [her] voice” at [name removed] community radio, a grassroots radio initiative in Portland. 

“[Community radio] gives leverage to the voices of the marginalized—we focus on building communal mobilization around social issues through communication.”

Patel specializes in social media strategy and outreach at [community radio], an experience which she states strengthened her leadership and interest in media and policy by providing opportunities to network with “skilled communicators and changemakers”.

As a driven young communicator and changemaker, Patel uses her platform at The View and [community radio] to leverage the stories that often go unheard.

“That’s what motivates me for the future,” Patel states. 

What the Essay Did Well

For a journalism prompt, the key to this essay is the structure and writing style, and this essay did a fantastic job mimicking the style of a journalistic expose. Phrases like “ Patel, age 17, ” “ she added, her intonation highlighting her enthusiasm, ” and “ in her words ” make the essay feel like an authentic interview. Writing in third-person might feel unnatural, but in this case it works perfectly in creating the desired feel.

This student also took advantage of the open-ended prompt to truly showcase multiple aspects of her personality. We learn about her work at the newspaper her research internship at AASPRIE , and the community radio she was a part of. Although focusing on multiple extracurriculars in one essay can sometimes become too general and overcrowded, this one is successful because of the common theme of media and communication the student incorporated in each paragraph.

The transitions in this essay are particularly strong because they focus on her interest in media. For example, “ When asked how she initially developed a passion for communication and media, Patel pondered and continued to recount the experience that sparked her “infatuation” with forms of media ” bridges the gap between the paper and her experiences at AASPRIE. Similarly, the transition between AASPIRE and the radio is communicated nicely with these sentences: “ ‘It took off after AASPIRE,’ Patel stated regarding her interest in media. As a young Indian-American activist, she actively sought opportunities in media. “

What Could Be Improved 

This essay is already fairly strong, however one way to make it even better would be to include more descriptions of the student as she’s being interviewed. The essay starts off with imagery like “ her finger tapping on the side of a water glass ” to communicate possible anxiety before the interview and it describes her intonation and expressive voice to help place the reader in the moment. As the essay goes on though, these descriptions get lost.

It would be nice to see this student continue describing her physical and vocal features throughout the essay so the reader can feel like they are there witnessing the interview. Details like “ her eyes lit up at the memory ” or “ her face broke out into a toothy grin when asked about her experience ” would have made the essay even more engaging if they were weaved through the piece.

Prompt: Write a letter to the author of a book you loved (300 words).

Dear Ms. Picoult,

I placed a hold on Small Great Things two months before I received it— it was 2016, the book had just come out, and I was in eighth-grade, enveloped in my adamant reading phase. This was my time of self-discovery, when I took heed to expand my knowledge through books. Your book was prime in my development. 

Small Great Things was the first book that I read of yours; the storytelling structure thus caught me by surprise, pulling me through the internal dialogue and context of each character. An empathetic tribute to race in present-day America, you tackled complex multiple racial perspectives of primary characters through an overarching storyline. Small Great Things is groundbreaking in this regard— you wrote on a foundation of empathy, putting each reader through the story of each character. 

I glimpsed the agony Ruth felt as she navigated a racism-based lawsuit; I witnessed Turk’s frustration as a childhood experience metamorphosed into white supremacist belief; I saw transitions Kennedy underwent as she recognized the width of structural racism. As you put me in the shoes of each character, I understood how these experiences manifested their perspective in the overriding plot. Your intelligent story structure let me notice how each character, no matter how they present, has haphazard ideological wavelengths that curate their viewpoint.

Small Great Things is a piece of art—as an eighth-grader, it stimulated my mind intellectually and beckoned me to apply this empathetic mindset to my daily endeavors. I began to delve into stories of all forms, curating my passion for media and drawing me to participate in research and communication internships, ranging from. Thank you for developing my soul multidimensionally and for helping me understand that every person has a story worth telling.

Sincerely, 

This is a beautifully written essay that is quite successful for multiple reasons. First, the student didn’t pick a mainstream author like Shakespeare or Colleen Hoover. They chose someone the reader might not necessarily know, but that author has a deep significance to them. Because this student picked their author intentionally, half the work was done for them: the essay comes across as genuine and their enthusiasm for the book jumps off the page. 

Another positive aspect is how this student explains the general gist of the book they found so influential. Yes, it doesn’t totally make sense to tell an author the plot of their story, but if you are picking a less well-known book, the admissions officers need to get a feel for what the novel is about. The line, “ An empathetic tribute to race in present-day America, you tackled complex multiple racial perspectives of primary characters through an overarching storyline ,” is a succinct summary that helps the reader of the essay immediately gain an appreciation for the book.

However, the student doesn’t just stop at the one-liner summary. They give tangible examples from the book to exemplify the topics this book exposed them to and the impact that has had on them. This is both a great way to demonstrate how the author moved you (if you actually wrote a letter to the author) and your intellectual maturity to grasp the significance of smaller details.

The conclusion is also well done because it expands beyond the book to the student. Including details about their passion for media and their internships in the communication field once again demonstrates this student’s connection to the book, but goes further to show how they have internalized story telling and it has become a part of their personality. 

On the whole, this essay does a great job covering both the author and the student. That being said, there’s one small error that takes away from the essay. In the last paragraph, there is an incomplete sentence: “ drawing me to participate in research and communication internships, ranging from.”  For such a well-written and well-communicated essay, this mistake is hard to ignore and looks a little sloppy.

This could have easily been avoided if the student had other people read over their essay before submitting. Whether that’s a friend, parent, teacher, or college advisor , getting an extra pair of eyes to catch little slip ups like this one is super important. Alternatively, this student could have just cut out “ ranging from ” as it wasn’t really necessary to tell us the exact internships after already mentioning the communication field. Either way, proofreading can never hurt!

Prompt: As you think about your four-year experience at The George Washington University, how do you see the University Honors Program shaping your time with us and what most excites you about joining the UHP? (300 words).

The George Washington University Honors Program is a community filled with talented individuals, each working to succeed individually and collectively. With a smaller crop of diverse students, the camaraderie embodied in the UHP excites me; I value peers who are driven and empathetic.

The UHP seeks to attract “intellectual omnivores”, a label I strongly identify with. I find myself fascinated by nuances in nearly every subject I have explored—the UHP’s strong liberal foundation will satiate my multidisciplinary interests. I am intrigued by the social structures that govern belief systems, the policy that allows society to function, and the environmental processes that let life thrive. Thus, I have developed a primary passion for media studies and environmental policy; I hope to grow and narrow my foundational interests into a comprehensive educational experience. UHP’s emphasis on intellectual and academic stimulation suits my interest in discussion-based, tactical, and experiential learning.

The top-tier faculty and research opportunities at the UHP will help me grow my practical knowledge. With research grants such as SURE open to honors students, I will hone my interdisciplinary skills into a tangible, impactful experience. I plan on taking advantage of the myriad of opportunities the UHP offers. The research skills I have cultivated through my internships, alongside my skills in leadership, teamwork, and strategic communication will help make the best of my UHP experience.

The UHP will satisfy my curiosity by helping me explore the multiple fields in which I am interested. It will develop my primary interest in media and policy while growing my networks socially and academically. These cultivated skills and global perspectives will let me leverage professional opportunities in media positions in change-making environments, from digital-media companies to NGOs. The UHP will challenge me personally and academically, helping me grow as a learner, innovator, and changemaker.

This is a nicely written essay with a good structure. Every paragraph is focused and it is easy to follow along and pick up key ideas. The student also has a good grasp of their diction, making the essay sound professional, but not out of place in a high schooler’s vocabulary.

We are given a nice background to why the student has chosen their area of study: “ I am intrigued by the social structures that govern belief systems, the policy that allows society to function, and the environmental processes that let life thrive. ” The student also clearly demonstrates what they will get out of this program: “ These cultivated skills and global perspectives will let me leverage professional opportunities in media positions in change-making environments, from digital-media companies to NGOs. “

The biggest problem with this essay is the lack of specificity. Although the student nicely explains their interests and how they want to grow, you could pretty much replace UHP with any other  honors program and the essay would still work. 

In order for this essay to demonstrate to admissions officers that this student actually wants to attend GW, they need to include specific details like classes, clubs, or professors and research opportunities that are unique to the UHP. Rather than telling us “ UHP’s emphasis on intellectual and academic stimulation suits my interest in discussion-based, tactical, and experiential learning,”  they should describe their excitement at taking a class that takes students to Capitol Hill to get hands-on experience with environmental policy.

Applying this strategy to every sentence—replacing broad generalized statements with specific UHP offerings—would make this essay much stronger.

Prompt: 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? (250 words).

As I stood in a crowd of echoing voices at the Oregon Youth Climate strike, I observed. Our collective grounded me; our young perspectives were crucial as those affected generationally by the impending climate crisis. 

In my community, I would change the course of history in the realm of intersectional environmentalism—I would integrate my experience in sustainability and communication to help inform diverse subsets of individuals. Surpassing communication across boundaries would build a coalition of informed and empathetic environmental communicators. 

I have been fortunate to integrate climate-consciousness in my lifestyle from a young age. When purchasing food and clothing, documentaries I was raised on such as “Food Inc.” and “The True Cost” informed my choices; when the 2020 west-coast wildfires left the atmosphere smoky outside my home, I acknowledged the expansive history behind these increasingly frequent ecological crises. As I grew to see that resources needed to implement sustainable lifestyles and make environmental connections are inaccessible to many, I placed importance on intersectional environmentalism. 

With a communication movement in this field, we would inform those with a lack of accessibility of equitable ways to integrate sustainability into their routines, while advocating for their rights as those disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. We would learn from those with novel cultural experiences, such as indigenous techniques of prescribed burns for wildfire mitigation. 

With this movement, sustainability would be both an individual and communal effort, informing representative policy while pervading implementable sustainable lifestyle changes, together leading to an equitable climate justice initiative.

This essay has a unique take on this version of the common “global issues” prompt , which works quite well because of how well it relates to this student and their interests. Rather than focusing on a historical moment, they chose to take a future-looking approach and explain how they plan to change the course of history moving forward. Demonstrating your ability to look to the future is an important skill in college essays, as it shows you are thinking about making positive change.

The student also does a good job of connecting the topic to them with concrete examples. Sharing the specific documentaries that influenced them when “ purchasing food and clothing ” and the “smokey atmosphere outside [their] home” as a personal connection to the wildfires are great ways to demonstrate how environmentalism is at the forefront of this student’s mind. By including these small details the student humanizes themself and legitimizes their interest.

In general, this essay is very focused and cohesive. It serves as a good example of how you should dive deeply into one specific topic you are passionate about—environmental inter sectionalism in this case—and fully expand on that interest, rather than trying to tackle too much at once. Anyone walking away from this essay can say with confidence what this student’s niche is, a goal you should always try to hit for each essay.

One thing this essay struggles with is the tone and diction. The use of overly-formal words makes the essay feel rigid and pedantic rather than natural and casual. Take the first paragraph for example:

“ As I stood in a crowd of echoing voices at the Oregon Youth Climate strike, I observed. Our collective grounded me; our young perspectives were crucial as those affected generationally by the impending climate crisis. “

With the convoluted sentences structure and phrases like “O ur collective grounded me “, the simple message of the paragraph gets lost in a web of words. This could instead be far more straightforward, demonstrate the student’s authentic voice, and include more active imagery in an introduction like this:

“ The echo of thousands of voices demanding climate justice rippled through the air. ‘No more fossil fuels!’ ‘We deserve a future!’ ‘Climate justice for all!’ The cacophony of chants blended into a beautiful chorus of young voices fighting for our future. I watched on in awe, amazed at the possibilities collective action could bring. “

Prompt: 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)

This past summer, I engaged in contentious yet civil discussions in Brown Pre-College’s “Contemporary Moral Issues” course, where I learned about five salient topics and exchanged insight with peers. 

We discussed vegetarianism on the first day, specifically the ethics of killing animals for food. While I had not previously held a strong standpoint on whether this practice is morally permissible, our lecture and small group discussion centered on Tyler Doggett’s argument outlined in “Moral Vegetarianism” elicited a further understanding of the topic, and encouraged me to more deeply introspect. I quickly gained an eager curiosity; as someone who consumes meat, am I truly equipped to share from experience? I felt like animal slaughter for food is unethical, but does my position, as an omnivore, enable me to justifiably contribute in conversations?

During a conversation with a peer, my beliefs were challenged, yet strengthened. This student believed that killing pigs for food is morally permissible, and they contested one of Doggett’s claims, that “humans are smarter than pigs,” to support their argument. I struggled to resonate with their rationale, as my perspective on such ethics, and the context of my understanding, differed greatly from the experiences that informed my peer’s belief. This specific notion of permissibility felt too disparate from my general ethical comprehension, and with a more explicit understanding of the opposing argument, I discerned that my perspective on this issue would not waver. 

Although I did not agree with this student’s argument, I listened actively and expressed how I appreciated their perspective; the student demonstrated what “the other side” of this argument looks like, and helped inform my comprehensive understanding of vegetarian ethics. I acknowledged, nonverbally, that this student and I did not share backgrounds, and their perspective was shaped from unique lived experiences just as mine had been. We continued with healthy conversation, exchanging our viewpoints with an eagerness to learn, and concluded on a symbiotic footing.

Some prompts are open-ended, while others ask you to be more specific. This prompt falls into the latter category, by asking students to write on the specific topic of civic discourse — defined as meaningful dialogue around an issue that creates change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships. 

This student does a great job of staying on topic and discussing only civic discourse. They do not get distracted by community service, leadership experience, or anything that falls outside of the prompt. They are focused.

Additionally, they answer the question. While you should fill up your word count with personal details, insights into your mind, and a description of your values, when a prompt is highly specific like this, it’s important that the reader can easily identify your answer. For this kind of prompt, we recommend students use the “one-sentence test.” After reading your essay, could an admissions officer summarize your answer to one of their colleagues in just one sentence?

Let’s try it out.

Prompt: What were the effects of the student’s experience with civic discourse?

One sentence: Civic discourse did not change their perspective, but helped reinforce the strength of their beliefs.

This student passed the one-sentence test!

The goal of your college essays is to humanize yourself to admissions officers. While this student does a good job of describing their experience discussing a contentious topic with a peer, that description stays relatively surface-level, and as a result they miss an opportunity to tell readers about their background, personality, values, and the way they see the world. 

Yes, the prompt asks what experiences you have with civic discourse, but if you read between the lines, what admissions officers really want to know is why you value civic discourse . Instead of leading with a factual sentence — “I engaged in contentious yet civil discussions in Brown Pre-College’s ‘Contemporary Moral Issues’ course, where I learned about five salient topics and exchanged insight with peers” — this student should have started with a story about why they were drawn to taking this course on moral issues in the first place.

Similarly, the student writes “our lecture and small group discussion centered on Tyler Doggett’s argument outlined in ‘Moral Vegetarianism’ elicited a further understanding of the topic, and encouraged me to more deeply introspect” — which is a ‘what’ sentence. In other words, the student is just telling us what happened, and while that is important, what matters even more is answering why reading arguments, having conversations, and practicing introspection are important to them.

The student does try to give us a window into their mind when they list questions this experience prompted them to wonder — “am I truly equipped to share from experience? I felt like animal slaughter for food is unethical, but does my position, as an omnivore, enable me to justifiably contribute in conversations?” — but ultimately fall short of their goal as they fail to actually reflect on these questions, and that reflection is what would give us true insight into their psychology. Simply put, these are obvious questions that anyone would wonder about — what will set you apart is your answers to them. 

So, to summarize, we need to learn more about the student. As an added bonus, if the student were to incorporate deeper personal reflections, that would not only teach us more about them, but also take better advantage of the space given to them. 500 words is on the long side for a supplement, but this student is only using 319 of them — almost 40% of the words are going unused! 

Remember, while you don’t have to hit the word limit on the dot (your exact word count depends more on particular phrasings than actual content), you should be within 20ish words of it at most. College essays are already restrictive by their nature, so you don’t want to voluntarily restrict yourself even further by not using as much of the space given to you as you can.

Also on a structural level, the writing is a bit wordy and repetitive at times, particularly in the last paragraph. Last paragraphs are dangerous because students tend to summarize. In a longer academic essay, that’s a reasonable strategy, but in a college essay with limited space, you want to keep your readers engaged with new details through the very end; ideally, they’ll even be left wanting more.

Some fluffy sentences/lines elsewhere in this essay include:

• “While I had not previously held a strong standpoint on whether this practice is morally permissible”
• “I struggled to resonate with their rationale, as my perspective on such ethics, and the context of my understanding, differed greatly from the experiences that informed my peer’s belief.”
• “Although I did not agree with this student’s argument, I listened actively and expressed how I appreciated their perspective; the student demonstrated what “the other side” of this argument looks like, and helped inform my comprehensive understanding of vegetarian ethics.”

Make sure each sentence adds something unique to your essay. These lines aren’t exactly bad, but they aren’t giving us any new insight into who this student is, as all three of them are basically saying the same thing: this student encountered a peer who held different beliefs from them. That event is even less exciting since, given the prompt, it goes without saying that this student didn’t agree with their peer.

If you notice that two or more of your sentences say the same thing, pick the one that makes the point most effectively, and use the words you’ve saved to sprinkle in more details about your personality at other points in your essay.

Where to Get Your George Washington University Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your George Washington University 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!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

George Washington University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

You Have: 

The George Washington University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500 words

Supplemental Essay Type: Diversity

How to Write Compelling George Washington University Supplemental Essays

Unlike many other schools, GW’s supplemental essay is entirely optional! Before you close out this page, though, remember that they are seeking “students who have the academic preparation, personal qualities, and motivation to thrive in GW’s dynamic environment.” And what’s the best way to show you meet their standards? By writing the optional essay, of course! Both options center on world issues that are important to you but approach them from different angles. Read on to learn how to write a winning GW supplemental essay! 

GW Essay Prompts Breakdown

(optional) every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit., 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 (500 words).

Admissions wants to accept ambitious students who seek to leave the world a better place than they found it. If you had the power to change the course of history, what would you do? Take some time to brainstorm and write down anything that comes to mind. Maybe if you had the power, you would make higher education more affordable and accessible to first-generation children of immigrants like yourself. Perhaps you would decriminalize drug possession and allocate more funds to rehabilitation programs across the country to help fight the opioid crisis. Let your imagination run wild and show the George Washington University admissions committee that you aren’t afraid to dream big and imagine a better world. 

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? (500 words)

Engaging others in meaningful conversations about important issues can be incredibly intimidating and challenging, and the George Washington University admissions committee knows this. Nevertheless, we have all experienced standing up for what we believe in some capacity, so scroll through your memory to identify a time when you had an uncomfortable conversation with friends, family, or even mere acquaintances. Maybe you engaged your grandparents in a conversation regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. Were you able to clearly communicate your perspective? Did they have a different understanding of the movement after speaking with you? Perhaps you learned that one of your friends was a passive supporter of an organization that you vehemently disagree with. How did you broach the subject and what was the outcome of your conversation? You don’t need to have changed someone’s mind to impress admissions here. You just need to show that you’re not afraid to speak up about important issues and engage with those who may have different opinions than you. College will present you with a plethora of opportunities to meet and interact with people who are very different from you, so show GW that you’re game to learn, listen, share, and grow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in GW Essays

We have been reading George Washington University essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are repeating the prompt in your essay (don’t waste your words), trying to sound like an academic (admissions wants to hear your authentic voice!), and using cliches (they’re ineffective and—let’s face it—lazy).

Why Choose College Essay Advisors for GW Essays

We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the GW supplements for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to these essays, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful GW supplemental essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances .

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Frequently Asked Questions

GWU requires one (1) essay of 500 words or fewer.

The admissions department at George Washington invites applicants to showcase their personality and make connections between their experiences and GW’s values. So, in short, admissions is looking for you to be authentic while demonstrating fit. That means spending a little time on the GW site to better understand their values and how they intersect with your own.

In order to make your GW essays stand out, we recommend giving yourself plenty of time to brainstorm , reflect on your stories, and piece together cohesive narratives that reveal new information about who you are and how you seek to make an impact on the world around you.

"I wanted to let you know that my GW essay turned out great -- so great that I got in!! I'm so grateful to you and [my Advisor] for your help and excellent advice!"

– CEA Student, George Washington University, Class of 2027

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George Washington University Supplement Essay Prompts: 2024-2025

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.

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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), we’ll review your essay.

Receive edits in as little as 24 hours

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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When it comes to your application to George Washington University (GWU), the supplemental essays provide a valuable opportunity to showcase your unique perspective and authenticity. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, GWU offers applicants two optional essay prompts, each with a word limit of 500 words. Below, we'll break down each of these prompts and give you detailed advice on how to approach and craft standout responses.

The Prompts

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?"

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?"

Approaching GWU's Supplemental Essays

Understanding the prompts.

Both of these prompts ask you to consider your role in shaping the world around you. Whether through hypothetical historical change or real-world conversations, GWU is looking for students who think beyond themselves and engage deeply with global and community issues. Sups AI is an excellent resource for brainstorming potential topics and getting constructive feedback on your drafts from their advanced AI platform and dedicated admissions counselors.

For Essay Prompt 1

This prompt invites you to think critically about the impact you want to have on the world. It's crucial to choose an issue that resonates deeply with you to effectively convey your passion and commitment. Here are some steps to guide you:

Identify a Cause: Reflect on global or community issues that matter most to you. Whether it's climate change, social justice, or healthcare, ensure that your choice is genuine.

Define Your Impact: Clearly state how you would change the course of history. Be specific about the actions you would take and the outcomes you envision.

Be Realistic yet Aspirational: Balance your ideas with practicality. How feasible is your action plan? Why do you believe this change is necessary and what experiences or skills make you suited to this challenge?

Show Your Passion: Narrate personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your dedication to this cause. Authenticity will make your essay memorable.

Using the services of Sups AI can streamline these steps. Their AI tool can help generate and refine essay ideas, while their network of current GWU students can provide insights into what the university values.

For Essay Prompt 2

This prompt focuses on your ability to engage in civil discourse around significant issues. This is an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking, empathy, and leadership skills. Here’s how you can approach it:

Select a Relevant Issue: Choose a topic that is meaningful to you and relevant. This could be anything from political discussions to social issues within your community.

Detail the Engagement: Describe the context of your discussion. Who was involved? How did you initiate or participate in the dialogue? What were the key points of contention or agreement?

Analyze the Impact: Reflect on the outcomes of this dialogue. Did it lead to new perspectives, policy changes, or stronger relationships? How did this experience shape your views?

Show Growth: Emphasize how this experience has impacted you personally and academically. How has it prepared you for the kind of civil discourse practiced at GWU?

Collaborating with Sups AI can be particularly useful here. Their platform allows you to practice and analyze meaningful dialogues, with feedback from students who have excelled in similar discussions at GWU and other top-tier universities.

The GWU supplemental essays are a chance to bring your application to life by showcasing your critical thinking, passion for global or community issues, and your ability to engage in meaningful, transformative conversations. Remember, utilizing tools like Sups AI can significantly enhance your essays, providing both AI-driven feedback and insights from current students. Good luck with your application, and make sure to let your unique voice shine through!

How to Write the George Washington University 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

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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How to write the george washington university supplemental essays 2020-2021 (with examples).

The George Washington University, located in the United States’ capital, is a private university well known for its political science, international affairs, and journalism programs.

• The highly politically minded students of GWU make up the 40% of applicants who were accepted to this prestigious university.  

To be one of the few accepted, you need a great application.

On top of transcripts, teacher recommendations, and the like, you need to craft an essay that can show George Washington University exactly what you have to offer.

• George Washington University expects applicants to submit their application through the Common App.
• On top of the Common App essay, you are expected to write a 250-word essay supplement.

If you intend to major at the School of Media and Public Affairs, you will need to submit an additional writing supplement (also covered in this post). 

For the GW supplement, we will guide you through the essay prompts and offer some ideas on how to approach each one.

Click above to watch a video on George Washington Supplemental Essays.

General Guidelines for the GWU Essay

Since 2015, GWU has made standardized test scores optional to submit for many students.

In that way, they have deemphasized the importance of test scores and instead focused their admission policy on academic rigor in the classroom and your essay.

• Keep in mind that your essay is now a more significant part of your application process.  

You only have one essay prompt to choose, so you need to know how you want to write your response.

It also means that a lot of students are probably going to write very similar essays.

Try to find something creative and unique in your life experiences, or approach something mundane from an unexpected angle.

• Remember that you don’t have to be particularly extraordinary to be considered for admission – just show that you are passionate about learning and taking your skills to the George Washington University.
• To be clear, you don’t need to plan on being president or serving as a diplomat to create a great essay. 

You also have 250 words, so you need to choose your words wisely and write detailed, specific, and concise content.

This prompt is best suited for anecdotal prose.

• So, rather than just telling the admissions officers what you’ve done or learned, turn it into a story, like you’re retelling an experience to a friend.
• Make sure to focus on the impact of whatever you write about, and bring it back to GWU.

The essay prompt that GWU offers is an opportunity to show the university how you learn without the guidance of an official classroom.

Use that to show GWU your initiative in taking learning into your own hands.

Most of all, be authentic. Write in your own voice and demonstrate to them why you’d like to extend your academic career another four years.

GWU 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?

As a college with prestigious programs for future politicians, journalists, and lawyers, GWU wants to cultivate an environment in which students learn in the real world and apply it to the issues that they are trying to solve.

After all, almost half of their students study abroad during their time at the university, so many of their students don’t always learn in a traditional setting.

• So, in order to write a great essay, you need to prove to GWU that you’re an independent learner and thinker.
• Remember that they want to know how their hands-on learning will help you transform your community or the world.

Focus especially on actionable change; action through nontraditional tasks outside the classroom and based in practicality are your best bets, whether that is experienced through advocacy or more in-depth pursuit of the topic.

You have a few options when creating your narrative for this essay, but we recommend the following approach. 

• Overall, tell a story about the problem you want to solve.
• Don’t get caught up in describing the history of the problem. GW doesn’t care too much about whether you’re knowledgeable or well-read since there are plenty of students like that out there.
• Instead, think about a specific historical moment and what problem or situation it created.
• Briefly explain why it’s so important to you.

Important:  Now, spend the rest of the essay discussing the actions you’d take to change the course of history.

This essay, as is the case with most of your college essays, should be action-oriented. Show the actions you’d take to change history. 

• You should spend over 60% of the essay relating the problem back to you – why are you so passionate about it, and what would you do to change the course of history. Do not spend too much time discussing history.

Here are some examples:

• Perhaps you volunteered on a Native American reservation and later read about the history of early American settlement.

What would you do to change the way settlers treated Native Americans?

• Did your community elect a corrupt official who did nothing to solve a problem?

How would you make sure this person learned about the disastrous results of their decisions?

• Did a relative of yours flee an overseas conflict to which the international community turned a blind eye?

What would you do to ensure the United Nations took action?

• Note: You don’t need to worry about choosing between writing about the history of the world or your community.
• It’s the execution that’s important.

You don’t get extra points for writing about a massive or complex issue.

What counts is the degree to which this essay speaks to your character and goals.

Get personalized advice!

Gwu essay prompt 1 example.

Remember to create your own work. Never plagiarize. We provide example essays so that you can create a great outline.

I was in my third-grade classroom when Ms. Taylor announced there was an earthquake in Haiti. As a nine-year-old, I was astonished at how a natural disaster could impair a small landmass. After reading about health issues like infectious disease and HIV, I wanted to get involved in public health. I admire that public health has a direct impact on developing countries, where populations are denied access to vital resources. Health is a fundamental pillar in life, and spreading its benefits captivates me. Moving forward, I want to improve the public health systems of developing countries. Rural communities lack the financial and human resources needed to support themselves and their families. I want to establish mobile clinics by bringing in trained professionals and setting up clinical rotational stations in remote areas. Additionally, I would go beyond treating infectious disease by tackling chronic illnesses, which follows patients throughout their lifetimes. In developing countries, the focus remains on treating immediate medical issues with temporary solutions; thus, by disseminating health information and disease awareness, we could increase community participation in clinical solutions. My goal is to take part in disaster relief projects focused on providing healthcare and join Doctors Without Borders to respond to the most pressing health needs around the world. The well-being of entire communities draws me into this field. By addressing the needs of a larger population, I can create sustainable health solutions for generations whose communities need improvement in health infrastructure.

GWU 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?

Before beginning this prompt, please make sure the “meaningful dialogue” in which you engaged others shows you in a positive, respectful light.

The last thing you want GW to think is that you’re overly aggressive and immature when talking about sensitive subjects.

This essay presents fewer options, but that can be a good thing. Here’s how we recommend you structure this essay.

You don’t need to follow these guidelines, but consider including these elements:

• Briefly describe the situation and your role in it. (25 words)
• Why was the issue important to you? (50 words)
• Explain how the exchange created, altered, or deepened your relationships. How did you change and grow from this encounter? How did you use these lessons to transform yourself into a better citizen? (175 words)
• Feel free to include moments of realization. You’re a growing student, so demonstrate how you’re constantly improving yourself.

GWU Essay 2 Example

Thinking about the “why” when it comes to business always keeps me going. For me, the “why” is not about the money. Thus, after months of researching how to alleviate poverty in India, my friends and I founded Sunflower Rise, a nonprofit that connects underprivileged artisans and their products to American consumers; the artisans then keep the profits. As communications director, I facilitated our partnership with the charity One Future, who linked us to families in Jharkhand that were interested in creating products for us to sell. Once the products were manufactured and shipped, I combined supply-chain strategies to my co-founders’ distribution services and negotiated product pricing with American consumers to generate sales. Afterward, we focused our marketing on connecting directly to buyers and donors. I collaborated with my co-founders to present our idea at local events and tell the true stories of the Indian families we were trying to help. We sold 300 products and raised another $1,000 for our mission on our first day. My experience in building our message through Sunflower Rise has helped me discover my passion for solving problems through social entrepreneurship. I want to use principles of business management to defeat financial instability. Although this issue is complex, I will do my part to reduce poverty through innovation and learn the nuances of creating social ventures. Ultimately, I want to start a business similar to my nonprofit and fight for those facing financial instability.

SMPA Political Communication Essay

Political Communication major: If you could be any one person who has been active in politics, who would you choose to be and why?

You don’t need to pick a contemporary or world-famous political figure for this essay.

Be sure this person was active in politics or a related tangent and  wasn’t a malicious entity (you should only choose a controversial person if you want to go back and change their actions).

You can include someone who falls into or outside one of the following categories:

• Local or national politician
• Community organizer
• Public speaker
• Revolutionary
• Intellectual

Now, here’s an  important note:  You shouldn’t write an essay on the person and his or her accomplishments.

This figure’s accomplishments and character are important, but you also need to explain either why this person is important to you or what decisions this person made you would change.

In sum, what would you have done in this person’s shoes?

• Why is this person important to your worldview?
• What actions would you take?

You can write this essay using the following strategies:

Tell a story of how you’re connected to this person in history.

• Perhaps you’re of Indian descent and would want to influence Gandhi or become the man himself.
• Are you involved in mentoring minority youth? Would you want to go back to April 1968 to warn Martin Luther King Jr. of the assassination attempt?
• Did your family flee Europe in the first half of the 20th century?
• Do you want to become Archduke Franz Ferdinand and take additional protections to stop the chain events that sparked World War I and World War II?

If you’re interested in the actions someone took, explain how you’d affirm or change them.

• Would you become Vice President Dick Cheney and dissuade President Bush from going to war in Iraq?
• Do you want to become Henry Paulson and warn the world of the impending economic crisis?

Regardless of the person you choose, make sure to detail the choices you’d make. Don’t make this a passive essay. Show active voice.

SMPA Journalism & Mass Communication Essay

Journalism and Mass Communication major: Write a profile of yourself in news or news feature style, as if you had interviewed yourself.

Before writing this essay, research how a good journalist writes in news feature style. This piece on Elon Musk is a good example.

When writing this piece, we recommend discussing a specific topic in your life.

If someone had interviewed you on one of the following topics, what would you say?

• High school
• Community accomplishment
• Long-time friendship with someone
• An arduous ordeal you went through
• Volunteer experience
• Time when you had to be a leader
• Moment you had to confront your fears

You can write about anything.

• We recommend writing about your experience with one topic because a central premise will keep the reader interested.
• You don’t want to write an essay on many things, which would create a messy narrative and confuse the reader.

Below are some brainstorming themes that will help you pick pertinent topics.

Remember, always think about what the topic says in relation to your character and goals. 

Think about your volunteer service or your participation in groups like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts of America.

What have you learned, and how can you apply that to GWU?

• For instance, maybe you volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and you learned how to build houses. You could take that essay into two different directions.

One, you could focus on the physical aspect of learning how to build a house, and how that may have influenced you.

• Maybe in the future, you’d like to design the tools to make house building even easier in GWU’s engineering program.
• Or, maybe you caught a glimpse of how low-income families in poor living conditions experience life, and you have begun advocating for more affordable housing and working with state and federal government to develop safe housing for poor families.
• Perhaps you tutor elementary kids during after-school services.

If so, you could talk about learning how to break down concepts and educate another person based on their personality and learning strengths.

• Maybe you want to do that in a classroom yourself, or even pursue journalism to break down legalese to the common American so that they can understand the bills, executive orders, and court rulings that affect them.

You may have also worked as an editor for your school’s newspaper, or even wrote a little for a community paper or website.

If that sparked some passion for journalism, you could write how about your experience researching and investigating the story, either to write or fact check it, inspired your decision to pursue journalism.

Remember that service doesn’t necessarily have to be as a member of an organization or as part of a club.

• Maybe you volunteer for your library.
• You could then write about the different books and resources you noticed the patrons checking out and using, and what that tells you about the community around you.
• Just make sure to write about something you learned, whether through practice or observation, and apply it to what GWU expects in its students.

While you may think that research is confined to the sciences, remember that it is a method of discovery that can be applied to just about any field of study, from history to literature to political science.

• If you participated in summer research programs that your local colleges may have offered, that can be a great topic to write about.

If you didn’t join any formal research programs and instead reached out to professionals whose research interests run in line with yours, that can show your initiative in taking your education into your own hands.

You can also focus on any kind of independent research or study.

• For instance, you might be learning a language not offered in your high school through online resources.
• You could then write about finding a pen pal who speaks that language and learning about a different culture through them.

It would be best to write about a research opportunity that fits your interests and vocational aspirations. If you were a part of a research program that you didn’t find interesting enough to pursue in college, find a transferable skill you learned.

So, maybe you shouldn’t write about learning how to use a centrifuge to collect bacteria if you have no interest in biology or medicine.

• However, you may be able to write about your experience in the lab, following the scientific method to test out or confirm various theories.

Being able to follow a tried and true method for collecting and analyzing information can be a useful skill in many different professions.

If you’ve done a summer internship or interned at a company or organization as part of a high school class, this could be a great topic to write about.

• If you were a part of a software company and learned how to code basic software, you could write how you want to usethat skill to create new software and better everyone’s lives.
• It can be the same kind of essay if you write about interning for a hospital or under a specific doctor, or at a local newspaper, or at your government representative’s office.

You can also take it a different way, especially if you didn’t intern in the field you are applying for at George Washington University.

• With the software company example, maybe you don’t want to write software for a living.
• However, you can write about the analytical and critical thinking skills you developed while learning how to code.

Being able to take a process and break it down into small, actionable instructions to get the results that you want can be applied to a large swath of fields.

Learning how to troubleshoot broken or buggy code can also be a great way to develop methodical thinking.

Just focus on a skill that you can take to the particular major you want to pursue in college.

Studying Abroad

If you had the opportunity to study abroad, this can be a great chance to explore that in your application.

Try not to just talk about your trip abroad.

Remember that you need to focus your essay on a learnable opportunity that you took.

• For instance, maybe you went to Italy and you were able to visit famous places and speak to the locals there.
• The local residents may be able to tell you a different or more in-depth history of famous places like the Coliseum that your traditional tourist guides could not.
• You could focus on learning about a different culture from the people who are a part of that very culture.

Or, maybe you could write about learning a different language, and your struggles and triumphs in communication.

This might be a great topic for those who want to pursue international affairs or do journalism abroad, as you need to be able to work past possible language barriers and communicate with others.

However you approach the essay, try to choose a particular aspect of your study abroad that you couldn’t experience in your own hometown.

Other Learning Opportunities

Sometimes you learn outside of boxed categories.

• Maybe you took music lessons, or you created your own small business.
• Perhaps you have created an online community or blog for your hobby, and you regularly share tips and advice as well as organize events for that hobby.

Whatever the case, reflect on what that experience has taught you.

• Maybe you learned how to improvise while playing jazz music and now you can keep on your toes in other situations.
• Perhaps you’ve learned how to market yourself and create physical products.
• Or, maybe you’ve learned how to plan events and educate others.

Take these learning lessons and apply it to your future at GWU.

Conclusion: Writing the GWU Essay

George Washington University’s lack of options forces you to write on a topic that all other applicants are writing.

You need to try for a unique spin on your experiences and show what you have learned from outside of the classroom.  

• Remember the prompt: how did it change your worldview, and how can your new perspective prepare you for GWU?

You also only have 250 words to express these thoughts.

Try to keep to the point in your essay, and avoid cliche phrases and generalities.

These only take up valuable space you could have used to show your personality, accomplishments, and ambitions to GWU.

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