george washington university essay questions

The George Washington University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

You Have: 

The George Washington University 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500 words

Supplemental Essay Type: Diversity

(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 GWU that you’re game to learn, listen, share, and grow.

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How to Respond to the 2023-2024 George Washington University Supplemental Essay Prompts

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

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

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

Who they are

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

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

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

Check out: How to write a 500 word essay

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

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

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

Questions to consider

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: How to write a great college supplemental essay

Wrapping up

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

Additional resources

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

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

Other supplemental essay guides

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

Frequently asked questions about the George Washington University supplemental essay prompts 

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August 31, 2021

George Washington University 2021-2022 Essay Prompts

Thinking of applying to The George Washington University Class of 2026? GW has released its essay prompts for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. Applicants to the GW Class of 2026 are asked to write one essay. The essay is to be selected from two prompts.

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

The second prompt reads, “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?”

Applicants should respond to the essay prompt — whether they choose the first prompt or the second prompt — in 500 words. Have a questions about the GW 2021-2022 essay prompts? Let us know your question by posting it below. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Honors program interdisciplinality essay.

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

Honors Program Community Essay

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

Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Essay

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

Select-A-Prompt Essay

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

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

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

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

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

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

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

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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How to Write the George Washington University Essays 2016-2017

Check out the george washington university essays for 2017-2018.

Due to its location in the heart of the United States’ capital, it’s no surprise that George Washington University has provided the educational foundation for thousands of government employees. The school prides itself on its high internship placement record in D.C. and if you have any interest in government, international relations, or politics, GWU could be your future home.

By no means, though, should you discredit the university’s academic offerings in other areas, as their eight undergraduate schools are all highly ranked in their ability to prepare students for future careers. Their supplemental essays, in turn, offer you plenty of ways to express your interest in as well as your passion for the school.

Starting in the 2015 application cycle, GWU implemented a test-optional policy to demonstrate their dedication to the holistic admissions process (there are a few exceptions though, so be sure to reference the requirements on their website).

Median percentiles for accepted applicant test scores fall between 590 and 690 on the SAT Critical Reading and 27 to 31 on the ACT. If your personal scores fall near or above this range, there is no harm in submitting them, and we definitely recommend you take advantage of the opportunity to add one more credential to your application. If, however, you feel your scores are not reflective of your academic potential or thirst for learning, you will not be faulted for your decision to omit them.

As a result of their test-optional policy, anticipate a heavier emphasis on course load and respective grades in addition to your extracurricular accomplishments. “Holistic” does not mean that no weight is given to scores or GPA; it simply aims to form a more well-rounded version of the candidate for admissions officers to consider since everyone has different strengths, interests, and abilities.

George Washington University Application Essay Prompts

Please respond to one of the following essay questions in 250 words or fewer.

Question 1: Research shows that an ability to learn from experiences outside the classroom correlates with success in college. What was your greatest learning experience over the past 4 years that took place outside of the traditional classroom?

Despite the emphasis on standardized testing and GPAs in high school, admissions officers understand that students are more than just a number, and real-world problem solving and experiential learning are far better indicators of academic success outside the confined walls of your 12 th grade English class. As such, they want to give you an opportunity to hone in on those experiences that aren’t otherwise represented in your academic history or extracurricular list.

In terms of potential topics, travel will likely come to mind, so let’s discuss a few do’s and don’ts when writing about vacations or service trips:

• Don’t detail every hour of your family’s vacation to Costa Rica in an attempt to explain your appreciation of different cultures.
• On the same train of thought, don’t list every country, city, or state you’ve visited in your last four years of high school. Not only could this come off as bragging, but you’re only afforded 250 words, and there is definitely not enough room for deep introspection.
• Due to the holistic admissions process, many families (who have the means) are sending their children on lengthy overseas-service trips in an attempt to make their life experiences more ‘palatable’ for a college admissions office. Unfortunately, these do little more than show that you have the money to spend your summer traveling across southeast Asia, and we would advise against a service trip essay. Often dubbed “voluntourism,” we’re sure it is no doubt both eye-opening and inspiring, but because so many students try to impress their readers with service-related topics, it is hard to stand out with this theme. Spending your summer days scooping ice cream at a local café or working as a busboy at a popular restaurant can be equally as (if not more) powerful than lessons you learned while backpacking through South America. So simply keep this in mind if you’re contemplating writing about a service trip!

It is not the experience you choose to discuss that is important so much as how you describe what you learned from it. For example, waiting tables at a restaurant could lend itself well to an essay on the economics behind tipping or how it inspired you to learn more about capitalism through the lens of a small business. The open-endedness of the prompt affords you almost unlimited freedom.

Question 2: Historians write that Martha Washington was George Washington’s sounding board and closest confidant. Reflect on a significant challenge you have encountered during your high school career. Tell us about the person (mentor, family member, friend, coach, teacher, etc.) who provides support, advice, and wisdom to you in times of difficulty.

The hardest part of this supplement is first determining what a “significant challenge” is and then deciding whether or not you have persevered through one. Chances are, if an incident doesn’t immediately come to mind, you should question its true significance in your life and probably move on to another prompt.

This in no way means that you need to have overcome a mind-boggling struggle that has forever changed your outlook on life to choose this prompt, but writing about one bad test score or your difficulty while studying for AP World History probably isn’t noteworthy enough to devote an entire essay to.

With that being said, another common mistake when writing about mentor-based questions is that students tend to focus more time praising their role model and detailing his or her life than they do the impact that individual had on their own upbringing. Your Aunt Sue is not applying to GWU; you are! So spend the majority of your word limit on how those words of “support, advice, and wisdom” inspired in you the tenacity to keep going.

While a few sentences here or there about your mentor are obviously necessary for context, be weary of where the main focus of your essay lies.

Question 3: We imagine you have spent a great deal of time researching different colleges and universities. Describe how GWU offers a strong fit with your interest, talents, and goals.

As perhaps the simplest and most straightforward prompt, be aware of the fact that if you choose to write the typical “Why GWU?” essay, a creative approach or especially unique reasoning may be required to make your essay stand out. You may be tempted to pick Question 3 if you’re short on time and are hoping to recycle ideas from similar supplements at other schools, but we highly recommend against that.

If you can replace the name George Washington with another school and the majority of the paper still makes sense, suffice to say, an admissions officer will not be impressed. Disclaimer aside, if you do have a unique reason, specific program/class/professor/etc. that you feel accurately conveys your passion for the school, then by all means, write about it!

A fair warning though to those planning on writing about their affinity for politics and GWU’s obvious ability to cater to that interest — you will fall within the majority of applicant responses to this question.

Although this is by no means bad reasoning, the goal of supplemental essays is to differentiate yourself from the masses, and you could be, for lack of a better term, shooting yourself in the foot by starting off with a topic you know thousands of other students will employ. Be very, very cautious in using politics (and politics alone) as the deciding reason for attending George Washington University, unless you are confident that you can present your reasoning in a distinctly unique way.

A more memorable way to reference your interest in government would be to intertwine it with a unique personal story or experience that further demonstrates your connection with the university. Maybe you interned with a local Congress member over the summer and spent the majority of your time in the office pouring over a bill or certain state policy. Now, while you could spend this essay focusing on that position within state government, consider honing in on what that bill was about.

Were you impassioned by the subject material? Is there a way you could further your knowledge on that issue at GWU? Get specific! Sentences like, “I never discovered my passion for the political process until I was sitting in Senator ___’s office on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. My routine tasks involved ___, ___, and ___, but it was the love of government that kept me coming back,” are going to run rampant across application essays.

However, a more focused approach will be far less common: “Scouring through Amendment ___ for a routine task in Senator ___’s office might have afforded me a few additional proofreading skills, but I never expected to develop such a fervor for learning about the environmental impact of factory farms.”

Aside from political motivations for attending GWU, remember to only use school-specific reasons that show you have done adequate research. Specific grants, research opportunities, or even professors are great ways to show your passion for their programs.

Before embarking on the writing process, just a few quick reminders about college essays in general. The time you spend on each supplement is not only evident to admissions officers but (in their minds) a direct reflection of your interest in the school. So this is not an aspect of the application you can rush through! Give yourself adequate time in the college admissions process to research, write, and revise.

In your essays specifically, don’t just explain what you admire about George Washington University, but elaborate on how you can contribute to the campus community. Don’t simply mention its reputation for academic excellence when you could delve into classes you hope to take and the impact those could potentially have on your future.

Let these considerations guide your writing, because admissions officers want to see another side of your personality alongside a discussion of their school. And lastly, be deliberate with the ideas and life stories you choose to include. Ignore the tempting cliché topics and stand out!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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George Washington University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These George Washington University college application essays were written by students accepted at George Washington University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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• Undergraduate

College Application Essays accepted by George Washington University

Why george washington university anonymous, george washington university.

With my French books in hand and my camera slung across my shoulder, I stroll down the narrow street to photography class. Students relax in the alley next to the building, avoiding the scorching Parisian heat. I sit on the curb as we lunch on...

Personal Statement ABC's Kristian Jokisch

(A)mbition, balance and commitment are the three qualities that I refer to as my "ABC's" for achieving "D", my dream. (B)eing successful depends on continual awareness of your ABC's. (C)arefully following this philosophy has guided me through...

A Message to a Terrorist Vetan Kapoor

Confusion and panic were clearly visible. People were running around frantically, shouting and screaming. Everyone was in a hurry. Nobody knew what was going to happen. We were all scared. Fall Fiesta was almost upon us.

The thirty or so students...

Driven Vetan Kapoor

It was an exhilarating moment that set my heart aflutter. I had in my head an image of James Bond, speeding down a foreign highway in pursuit of justice, a dazzling femme-fatale steering the car ahead of him. As soon as the car stuttered to a...

Willow Tree Anonymous

June 4th 2006

The volunteers in the red shirts direct us to enter our corrals. It's race time. Twenty-three thousand of us cram into our assigned areas and stand shoulder-to-shoulder, no room to move. I know what lies in wait—fifty-four...

My life defining moment Anonymous

My mother was diagnosed with cancer. It all started in April of my sophomore year when she complained of exhaustion, nausea, a back ache, and bad breath. I remember the day perfectly. It was Easter morning and my mom was scheduled for a procedure...

The Impact of The West Wing On Me Anonymous

During a trip to the US, my father brought back a boxed set of The West Wing DVDs. While I planned to watch them during my school holiday as amusement, the show instead became an obsession and an education in itself.

My greatest passion has always...

The Power of Exposure Anonymous

It’s 107 degrees and the sun’s hot rays are beating down on a family trekking through the busy streets of Dhaka. People, rickshaws, and goats alike are all rushing off to reach their respective destinations. As the parents of the family encourage...

Political Advocacy as an Intern Anonymous

Shark Day 2011. 100 miles from the ocean, but the fate of the top predator of the oceans, key to the health of marine ecosystems, would be decided right here in Sacramento. The role I got to play on Shark Day was cutting off the tags that said “...

Becoming a Baha'i Anonymous

Despite the bleak November evening, the people around the kitchen table were filled with joy. We had just finished studying the first of the Ruhi books, a series designed to teach the basics of Baha’i, and the tutors, Mary Kay and Chet, were...

The Diversity of Thought Anonymous

To the outside world, my high school is the antithesis of diverse. When my peers considered me a legitimate minority for being a redhead, I assumed “diversity” to be a dirty word within the ivory-skinned social scene. However, I discovered that...

The Backyard Anonymous

I remember when the flowers stopped blooming.

All throughout my childhood there was always one thing that would instantly make me happy. I had a beautiful backyard in my childhood home. The smell of the ripe red mango trees and the chirping of the...

Eclectic Appetite Anonymous

A few Thanksgivings ago, my mom decided to buy a whole pig and roast it herself. Unfortunately, the pig had a ghastly aroma which filled the whole house, and everyone immediately scolded her for the acrid smell ruining their Thanksgiving meal....

Defending Ballet and Beyond Anonymous

I'm not usually one to disrupt a class.

It was a Monday morning in my first-period freshman health seminar. The lights were low, half the class was already asleep, and the 20-year-old television was slowly gearing up to play some low-budget video...

Germany Grace Redford

Studying abroad in Germany, my classmates and I dreaded waking up early and walking to our classroom in the notoriously rainy city of Tubingen. Mr. Schneberger spoke about the anatomy of a cathedral, and we made it clear how confused we all were....

Food & Family Anonymous

“Food is the way to a man's heart.” This surprisingly sexist saying has always been a coveted motto among the women in my large Latino family. The number of times my abuela disclosed what she believed to be the secret to love to me is...

Overcoming Adversity: Strength through Suffering Sarah Marosi

It was only a short bike ride, a temporary goodbye to a town I’d be leaving for a week or two, just there and back I told myself. Little did I know that on June 10, 2007, my life would completely change. The greatest obstacle I have had to...

My favorite place Noelle Simon

When I was seven years old, I used to think my floor was made of hot lava or occasionally under siege by a pack of angry anacondas. So, at night when it was time for me to go to bed, I would have to take one giant leap to make it to the massive...

Bittersweet Endings Anonymous

I have an affinity for magnificent endings. The final words of a novel, the last bite of a salted caramel chocolate bar, or the teetering crescendos of a timpani at the end of a grand symphony by Beethoven are just a few examples. When life...

Letting Go of My "Eggo" Elizabeth Tess Thompson

“ Test does not exist! We only think she exists!”

The pale pink room was filled with too-bright morning light. High up on the Himalayan mountainside, the monastery had a sweeping view of the fog-covered village below.

The portly monk continued, in...

Speechtime Revelations Anonymous

“The U.S. and China should work to unify the Koreas.”

Eight minutes left.

As I walk to the podium, I present myself as a confident junior. Yet in my mind, I am still a freshman, stammering through my first speech, unnerved by the seven pairs of...

'Ohana Anonymous

My grandma thought I was going to die. By studying abroad in France, away from her care, I learned that I must be the one to make the most out of an experience, even if it’s not what I expected it to be. Coming from Hawai’i from a single parent...

Internationally Welcome Lauren von Thaden

“Where from?”

“United States”

“WELL-COME,” joyously declared a little kid from a Bedouin tribe in Jordan. Surrounded by ancient tombs, a sandy landscape, and locals wrapped in head scarves selling items from their tents, I felt out of place. Yet,...

Jaggery Shyla Singh

The alarm heralding the dawn becomes redundant as a mix of dread and excitement has kept me up all night. It’s 5 am. Today I will compete in my third Junior National Equestrian Championship in Pune at the National Defence Academy.

I’ve determined...

Recent Questions about George Washington University

The Question and Answer section for George Washington University is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What happens to the baron for three days of every week?

Each week, he becomes a werewolf.

Whom does Perceval meet at the river?

I'm sorry Greta, I can't locate a copy of this text.

Write a critical analysis comparing three poems of writers named “I Knew a Woman” by Theodore Roethke , “Two Songs” by Adrienne Rich and “Recreation” by Audre Lorde .

I'm sorry, we don't "write" critical analysis for students. You might want to begin this assignment by googling an analysis for each of these poems separately.

• Secondary Essay Prompts

Secondary Essay Prompts – George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Secondary Essay Prompts for the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC.

• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2021. (750 characters)
• The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters)
• What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters)
• What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1000 characters)
• What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2000 characters)
• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2020. (750 characters)

$25 (instantly downloadable pdf file). 

In this comprehensive yet straight forward guide, you will find all the information you need to complete the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences secondary application in the most compelling way possible. Our easy to follow 20 page guide addresses the following:

• What is GW looking for?
• What are GW’s admissions stats?
• On what should you focus for your secondary essays?
• How to answer the “what makes you a unique individual?” question.
• What should you write about to show your true interest in GW?
• With links embedded in the pdf document, you will be able to answer all five GW secondary essay questions with ease.
• The guide also includes sample responses.
• Find out how to market yourself effectively to GW.
• Our guide will help you be as efficient and effective as possible when completing your secondary application.

2018 – 2019

• In narrative (sentence) form, talk professionally about what you do and plan to do during your application year. For those who are college seniors, explain your course choices and activities you plan to continue. For those who have just graduated, if you have a job lined up – fantastic – talk about it. If you do not, talk about any volunteering, clinical, research, or other activities that you plan to do. If you have space, you can mention any personal goals such as running a marathon, writing, etc. Be careful not to talk too much about traveling the world as you want to present yourself as productive during this period.
• A straight forward response is perfect here (and all there is room for!). In narrative form, state the experience, your role, and why this was so important for you.
• As with the above, be direct and concise. Give a context or backdrop for the experience (where was it? Clinic, hospital, etc) and why you sought this particular experience out, then say how you interacted with the patient(s) and what you most enjoyed.
•   Unique is really anything about you that you want to bring to their attention that has played a significant role in shaping you – an atypical family structure, sibling or parental influence, educational experience, job or resonsbility, personal illness or loved one’s illness, ethnic or cultural background. If you have dealt with an intensely difficult situation, you could write about this as both your challenge and uniqueness. If not, you may want to present them as different. In terms of how you will contribute diversity to the class, this should tie to your previous comments and should be presented as characteristics or personality traits that are your assets/strengths.
• Given the amount of space they have allotted, GW expects that you have some carved out reasons for wanting to be on their DC campus. First, within their walls – what is it about their curriculum or philosophy, teaching style, faculty and current student body that appeals to you? Next, think outside the walls more broadly to the DC area and what is going on that you could become involved with based on your career interests. Are you passionate about a cause or a population group? Interested in healthcare or health policy? Do you want to take an additional year during medical school to intern? Many umbrella organizations have a presence in DC and the NIH is just north in Bethesda.

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the George Washington  University School of Medicine

2017 – 2018.

• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) for the 2017-2018 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in 2018. (750 characters)
• What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters)
• The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. Please describe how your personal characteristics or life experiences will contribute to the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences community and bring educational benefits to our student body. (1000 characters)
• Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (1000 characters)
• Why have you chosen to apply to the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and how do you think your education at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)

2016 – 2017

• Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? If yes, please provide a description here: (limit to 500 characters)
• Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? If yes, please provide a description here: (limit to 500 characters)
• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) for the 2014-2015 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in 2015. (limit to 750 characters)
• What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (limit to 350 characters) What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (limit to 350 characters)
• What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (limit to 1000 characters)
• What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (limit to 2000 characters)

Secondary essay webcast with Dr. Jessica Freedman, founder and president of MedEdits Medical Admissions.   Read more about Dr. Freedman.

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Secondary Application

Topics covered in this presentation:

• When should I submit my secondary essays?
• Pay attention to the word/character limits.
• Can I recycle secondary essay prompts for multiple schools?
• Identify topics that you left out of your primary application.
• And, much more.

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Requirements

Learn more about this school:

Secondary Essay Prompts for Other Schools

Do you want to see secondary essay prompts for other medical schools?

Select a school below:

Secondary Essay Prompts By School

*Data collected from MSAR 2022-2023, 2022 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book, and institution website.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on each medical school’s website. MedEdits does not guarantee it’s accuracy or authenticity.

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Secondary Essay Prompts – Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN

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