Washington University in St. Louis Secondary Essay Prompts
(If you have updated prompts, please submit them at updatesecondaries.com)
Prompts have been updated June 2023. (Older essays, if available are below)
Prompts:
Required
- Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed.
Only required for students who have graduated or who have had gaps in their education.
- Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If yes, Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student.
Optional
Primary Deadline: Usually around Nov 30th
Secondary Deadline: Usually around Dec 7th
Secondary Fee: $100
FAP Waiver: Full Fee Waived
CASPer Required: Yes
VITA Required: No
Screens Applications: No
Accepts Application Updates: Yes/Email
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Mission:
Washington University School of Medicine will lead in advancing human health through the best clinical care, innovative research and the education of tomorrow’s leaders in biomedicine in a culture that supports diversity, inclusion, critical thinking and creativity.
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Vision:
In leading the advancement of human health, Washington University School of Medicine will:
- Cultivate excellence and collegiality within an inclusive community
- Attract and develop a diverse, talented, academic workforce
- Lead the revolution in biomedicine
- Enhance our intellectual and technological environment to foster exceptionally creative research and education
- Develop and maintain excellent clinical programs to provide outstanding care
- Observe the highest standards of ethics, integrity and compassionate care
- Apply advances in research and medicine to the betterment of the human condition locally and globally
Former Prompts (before 23-24 cycle)
These prompts are from the 2021 Application Cycle and are unchanged from the previous cycle.
- Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If you select “yes,” this question appears: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 char limit) | How to Discuss Breaks in Your Education in Secondary Essays | How to Write About Your Gap Years in Secondary Essays
Optional
- Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 char limit) | How to Write About Your Obstacles, Challenges, and Problems in your Secondary Essays
- Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit) | How to Write About Diversity in Your Secondary Essays
MSTP
- Briefly describe the area of research you would like to explore in graduate school. (1800 chars)
