Excel at the '23-'24 WashU in St. Louis Supplemental Essays

Greetings, future WashU Bears! It's that time of the year when you’re confronted with the dreaded supplemental essays. Fear not, this blog post is here to guide you through each prompt and provide you with the advice you need to create compelling essays.

Prompt 1: "Tell us about something that really sparks your intellectual interest and curiosity and compels you to explore more. It could be an idea, book, project, cultural activity, work of art, start-up, music, movie, research, innovation, question, or other pursuit." (300 words)

This prompt gives you an opportunity to show what truly intrigues you. Here's a brilliant example:

"One thing that sparks my intellectual curiosity is the role of AI in healthcare. After reading 'Deep Medicine' by Eric Topol, I became fascinated with the idea of personalized medicine and how AI can improve disease diagnosis. The potential to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and tailor treatments to individuals is a compelling vision of the future. This curiosity led me to create a small project that used machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in medical data. I look forward to exploring this interest further at WashU, particularly through courses like 'Healthcare Analytics.'"

For this prompt, remember to:

1. Display genuine curiosity: Your passion should shine through your words.
2. Highlight your active interest: Show the steps you have taken to learn more about your interest. This could be a personal project, reading books, attending lectures, etc.
3. Link to WashU: Identify specific resources at WashU that can help you further explore your interest.

Prompt 2: "What are you looking to gain from your college experience?" (200 words)

This prompt aims to learn about your expectations and goals for college. Here's an example:

"My college experience is a launchpad for personal and professional growth. I aim to deepen my understanding of Computer Science, engage in research opportunities, and participate in tech-related clubs. Additionally, I hope to learn from diverse perspectives, cultivate lifelong friendships, and actively participate in community service. At WashU, I am particularly excited about the collaboration between the School of Engineering & Applied Science and the Medical School, which aligns with my interest in healthcare technology."

Remember to:

1. Be precise: Describe your goals, both academic and non-academic.
2. Connect to WashU: Show how specific aspects of WashU can help you fulfill your college expectations.

By understanding and answering these prompts sincerely and meticulously, you can create compelling narratives that reflect your fit for WashU. Good luck with your essays!