How to Write the Eastern Washington University Essays 2024-2025
Eastern Washington University has two essays for honors college applicants. They both ask about values and goals, and are both required for honors college applications.
Eastern Washington University Essay Prompts
Honors College Applicants
Prompt 1: The Honors mission states that “Honors students will develop competencies and attitudes for leadership in civic responsibility, community engagement, and social justice.” How does this mission relate to your personal goals? How have you worked toward those goals? (200 words)
Prompt 2: In relation to the Honors mission and core values, what two short-term or long-term goals are most important for you to achieve as an Honors student? How do you plan to achieve them? (200 words)
Prompt 1
The Honors mission states that “Honors students will develop competencies and attitudes for leadership in civic responsibility, community engagement, and social justice.” How does this mission relate to your personal goals? How have you worked toward those goals? (200 words)
Understanding the Prompt
Eastern Washington University’s Honors program emphasizes leadership, civic responsibility, community engagement, and social justice. The prompt asks how this mission aligns with your personal goals and what you’ve done to work toward those goals. You’ll need to reflect on your experiences related to leadership and community involvement and demonstrate a clear alignment between your values and the Honors program’s mission.
Brainstorming Questions
- What personal goals do you have related to leadership, civic responsibility, or social justice?
- Have you participated in any activities that involved community engagement, volunteering, or advocacy?
- How do you hope to continue contributing to these areas in college and beyond?
- How does the Honors program’s mission inspire or motivate you?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response should:
- Show alignment with the Honors program’s mission: Highlight how your personal goals align with leadership, community engagement, and social justice.
- Provide concrete examples: Share specific experiences where you’ve demonstrated leadership or civic engagement.
- Be forward-thinking: Explain how you plan to continue working toward these goals at EWU.
- Be concise and reflective: You only have 200 words, so make sure to focus on key points without being too broad.
Example Response
Eastern Washington University’s Honors mission directly aligns with my personal goals of promoting equity and creating positive change in my community. Throughout high school, I’ve been dedicated to civic engagement, leading my school’s environmental club and organizing community clean-up events. These experiences taught me the importance of collective action and the power of leadership in making tangible differences. Additionally, I’ve volunteered with local organizations that support underprivileged families, where I’ve seen firsthand the impact of social justice initiatives.
At EWU, I hope to continue advocating for environmental sustainability and work with fellow students to address issues such as income inequality and educational access. The Honors program’s focus on civic responsibility and leadership will provide the perfect platform to further develop my skills and make a lasting impact. I am eager to grow as a leader and contribute to the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. (158 words)
Why This Works
- Direct connection to the Honors mission: The student’s focus on equity, leadership, and civic engagement directly ties into the program’s goals.
- Specific examples: The response includes examples of leadership and community involvement, demonstrating how the student has already worked toward these goals.
- Forward-thinking: The student explains how they will continue these efforts at EWU, showing a proactive approach to personal and social development.
Prompt 2
In relation to the Honors mission and core values, what two short-term or long-term goals are most important for you to achieve as an Honors student? How do you plan to achieve them? (200 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This prompt asks you to identify two goals that align with Eastern Washington University’s Honors mission and core values, which include leadership, civic responsibility, community engagement, and social justice. The admissions team wants to see how your ambitions fit within the framework of the Honors program and whether you have a clear plan for your growth.
Brainstorming Questions
- What personal or academic goals do you have that connect to leadership, community involvement, or social justice?
- How will the resources and opportunities in the Honors program help you achieve these goals?
- What skills or experiences do you want to gain during your time at EWU?
- What actions will you take to pursue these goals, and how will you stay committed?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response should:
- Identify two clear goals: Make sure your goals are specific and related to the Honors mission and core values.
- Show a personal connection to the goals: Explain why these goals are important to you.
- Provide a realistic action plan: Outline concrete steps you’ll take to achieve your goals, such as joining certain clubs, pursuing internships, or engaging in community service.
- Be forward-looking: Demonstrate that you have a proactive and thoughtful plan for personal growth.
Example Response
One of my short-term goals as an Honors student is to develop my leadership skills by organizing community service projects focused on environmental sustainability. I plan to join and take on a leadership role in the EWU Sustainability Club, where I can work with others to organize clean-up initiatives, tree-planting events, and educational workshops. These experiences will help me build the organizational and communication skills needed to lead effectively.
A long-term goal is to advocate for social justice by promoting equitable access to education. I aim to partner with local schools through the Honors program’s civic engagement initiatives, creating mentorship programs for underprivileged students. By working directly with the community and developing these mentorship opportunities, I hope to make a lasting impact on educational equity. I believe that these goals align with the Honors program’s mission and will help me grow into a more effective leader and advocate for social justice. (160 words)
Why This Works
- Specific goals: The student clearly identifies a short-term goal (leadership in sustainability) and a long-term goal (advocacy for educational equity).
- Concrete action plan: The response outlines specific steps to achieve each goal, such as joining a club and developing a mentorship program.
- Connection to the Honors mission: Both goals tie directly into the program’s values of leadership, civic responsibility, and social justice.
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