How to Write the University of Washington Essays 2024-2025
The University of Washington has 2 essay prompts, plus an optional one and an additional one for Honors College applicants. The first one is a personal statement-style prompt, as UW does not require you to submit the main Common App essay, and the second is about how your communities have shaped you. The Honors College question asks you to discuss your excitement about learning.
While we normally encourage you to write optional essays, this one is asking about exceptional circumstances, so you should only respond unless you actually have something relevant to share.
Read these University of Washington essay examples written by real students to inspire your writing!
University of Washington Essay Prompts
All Applicants
Prompt 1: Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words)
Prompt 2: Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington. (300 words)
Prompt 3 (optional): You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:
- You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
- Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
- You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended. (200 words)
UW Interdisciplinary Honors Program Applicants
We want to understand your enthusiasm for learning unfamiliar things and exploring different ways of thinking. Tell us why you are excited to push your education outside the areas of learning you are most comfortable with. (450 words)
All Applicants, Prompt 1
Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This essay is similar to the personal statement you may have already written for other colleges, but UW actually does not require the submission of the Common App essay, and instead has their own prompt. If you are planning on also submitting the Common App essay, take care that the information you share here is not redundant with what you wrote about there.
In terms of topic, you can write about nearly anything. The admissions committee wants to learn about your inner qualities through a specific experience or story. That could be a moment of growth, a decision that reflects your values, or an instance where you demonstrated important traits like resilience, empathy, leadership, or adaptability.
At 650 words, you have enough space to share a rich, detailed narrative. However, avoid trying to cram in two unrelated stories, or cover too many themes. Instead, focus on one clear, cohesive experience, and dive deeply into it. Your goal is to show, through storytelling, how this experience either revealed or shaped a key part of who you are.
Brainstorming Questions
To find the right story, ask yourself:
- What is a moment in my life where I was challenged, and how did I respond?
- Is there an experience that shaped how I see the world or approach problems?
- When have I had to make a difficult decision that required me to reflect on my values?
- What’s a moment where I helped someone, stood up for something, or took a risk?
- When have I learned something important about myself or the world around me?
Try to come up with a list of 10-15 possibilities. Even if you’re drawn to one story right away, having options allows you to choose the one that’s truly the best fit for this prompt. Plus, thinking through different experiences can help you start to identify common themes throughout your growth, which you could highlight in this essay.
What Makes a Good Response
A strong response will:
- Focus on one specific experience that highlights an important aspect of your character. The whole essay doesn’t have to revolve around a single moment, but if you include different anecdotes, the connections between them should be obvious.
- Show growth or insight, to illustrate how the experience helped shape your broader worldview or approach to life.
- Engage the reader with vivid storytelling, by using descriptive language to make your narrative come alive.
- Reveal self-awareness, through thoughtful reflections on what you learned or how you changed.
- Connect the story to your present and future, so that UW admissions officers can see how the experience continues to influence who you are and what you hope to achieve at UW.
Hypothetical Student Examples
Here are three examples of hypothetical students and how they could approach this essay:
- Kaitlyn, an aspiring journalist: Kaitlyn could write about an experience where she reported on a sensitive local issue in her high school newspaper, and ended up facing backlash from some students and faculty. She could then reflect on her commitment to truth, the ethical dilemmas she faced, and how this experience shaped her passion for investigative journalism.
- Daniel, a first-generation student interested in medicine: Daniel could share a story about helping his mother navigate a complex healthcare system when she fell ill. He could discuss the frustrations and obstacles they encountered and how this experience inspired his desire to become a doctor focused on patient advocacy.
- Aaliyah, a dancer and choreographer: Aaliyah could recount an experience where her team was preparing for a major competition, but a key dancer was injured just days before. She stepped up to re-choreograph the routine, which taught her leadership, adaptability, creativity, and resilience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too general: Don’t try to cover multiple experiences or traits in one essay. Admissions officers aren’t expecting you to tell your whole life story in 650 words, and trying will likely cause your essay to feel scattered. Instead, focus on one story in depth, to immerse your readers in one cohesive narrative.
- Overloading on achievements: The point of this essay is to demonstrate your character, not to list accomplishments. Be sure the essay focuses on the story’s emotional impact and your personal growth, not your more objective achievements that admissions officers can already see in other parts of your application, like your transcript.
- Cliché topics without a unique angle: Avoid overdone topics like a sports victory or a volunteer trip unless you can provide a truly fresh perspective that is highly personal and not predictable.
- Lack of reflection: Don’t just tell the story—explain why it matters for understanding what kind of UW student you’d be. Reflect on how it shaped you, what it taught you, and how it will continue to guide you moving forward.
Excerpts of Good and Bad Examples
Good Example (shows vivid storytelling, clear character development, and insightful reflection):
“The clatter of pans echoed through our small kitchen, but the dinner we were about to serve didn’t match the chaos. I carefully plated the tamales, as my mom directed me in Spanish, her words cutting through the steam from the stove. This wasn’t just any dinner—it was a meal for the Lopez family, who had recently lost everything in a house fire.
My mom had volunteered our family to help, and for the first time, I realized how much work goes into preparing a meal for someone in crisis. After I worked side by side with my mom, it was worth it when I saw the relief in Mrs. Lopez’s eyes as we handed her the trays of food.
That night, my mom explained why she always helped others, even when we didn’t have much to spare. ‘When you give,’ she said, ‘you make the world feel a little lighter for someone.’ Her words stuck with me, and over the next few years, I started to see small ways I could make others’ lives easier—whether that was tutoring classmates, organizing a school drive for a local shelter, or just listening to a friend in need.
Preparing tamales that night shaped my commitment to service. It wasn’t about grand gestures; it was about consistency and kindness. Now, as I apply to college, I want to pursue a career in social work, to make sure others feel the same kind of support that my mom showed the Lopez family that night.”
Why this works: This essay uses vivid imagery to tell a specific, personal story. The writer clearly connects the experience to their overall character, through a thoughtful reflection on how it shaped their values and future goals. The story is engaging, meaningful, and authentic.
Bad Example (feels generic and lacks depth):
“Throughout my life, I’ve always been a hard worker. I’ve faced many challenges, but I always push through because I’m determined to succeed. One example of this was when I had to juggle school and work last year. It was really difficult to manage my time, but I learned that I’m good at prioritizing and staying organized. These traits will help me succeed in college because I know how to manage my responsibilities effectively. I’m proud of my ability to work hard and stay committed, no matter what comes my way.”
Why this doesn’t work: This essay is vague and tells instead of shows. It doesn’t include a specific story or example, and the reflection is shallow. There’s no emotional depth or insight into the writer’s character beyond a basic statement about being hardworking, which doesn’t do anything to set them apart from the thousands of other applicants to UW.
In Conclusion
By choosing a personal, meaningful story and reflecting on how it shaped you, you will create an essay that gives UW’s admissions committee a strong sense of who you are, what you value, and how you’d contribute to their campus community in a way nobody else can.
All Applicants, Prompt 2
Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington. (300 words)
This question serves two purposes: it gives UW an opportunity to learn more about how you developed your values, and it allows them to consider how you might interact with others on campus. It is easy to get mired in focusing on describing your community, but remember, UW wants to learn about you through seeing how your community impacted you.
Use a description of your community to frame your essay, but always remind yourself to connect the story back to how it changed you. Once you have framed the essay with a description of who you have become as a result of your community’s impact, be sure to extend this thread to your potential future influence on UW.
There are several ways to interpret community. You could interpret it in the literal sense by explaining how your hometown and family have guided your ambitions. For example, maybe growing up on your family’s farm inspired your appreciation for agriculture and working with your hands. You hope to share this appreciation with other students by working on the UW farm and organizing workshops where students can learn how to plant their own flowers or herbs.
Or, perhaps the community you want to highlight is less conventional, such as the coffeeshop you work at. You could discuss how your coworkers are from all walks of life, and how you’ve befriended a retired older couple that picks up weekend shifts. They offer you advice based on their many life experiences, showing you the importance of having an older mentor. This makes you want to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter at UW.
Regardless of what your community is, be sure to highlight how you’ll contribute to UW’s diversity, whether that’s through your perspective, actions, ideas, cultural traditions, etc.
All Applicants, Prompt 3 (optional)
You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:
-
You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
-
Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
-
You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended. (200 words)
This portion of the application is optional, and while we recommend that you fill out most “optional” essays, this space is truly optional. If you don’t have any unusual circumstances, you can leave it blank without penalty. If feel that the parameters apply to you, you should fill this section out.
This is your chance to explain anything that hasn’t been addressed in other parts of your application. Since the maximum is 200 words and the prompt is straightforward, you can (and should) also be totally straightforward in your response, rather than painting a picture with vivid imagery.
For the first prompt, an example of a response could be:
“In my sophomore year of high school, my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and it profoundly affected multiple areas of my life, including my academic performance. For that reason, there is a significant dip in my grades in the spring semester of that year.”
For the second:
“Because my parents own a small restaurant, it is often my responsibility to watch my younger siblings while they are working, and even help out by doing the dishes or bussing tables in my free time. For that reason, I was unable to join as many extracurriculars as my after school time went towards helping ensure the family restaurant was running smoothly.”
For the last prompt, you can briefly state school-related limitations or opportunities, like if your school did not have an AP or IB program, or if it did have a special internship program that you participated in but haven’t had room to mention elsewhere.
UW Interdisciplinary Honors Program Applicants
We want to understand your enthusiasm for learning unfamiliar things and exploring different ways of thinking. Tell us why you are excited to push your education outside the areas of learning you are most comfortable with. (450 words)
This prompt asks you to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and willingness to challenge yourself academically. The admissions committee is looking for students who are excited to engage with diverse subjects and new ways of thinking—students who thrive when stepping outside their academic comfort zones, and thus will take full advantage of the unique opportunities at UW’s Honors College.
Understanding the Prompt
This essay is almost the opposite of the traditional “Why Major?” question, in that you’re being asked not what you’re currently most passionate about, but why you’re eager to engage with topics that are unfamiliar or outside your main areas of expertise. This prompt aims to uncover:
- Your desire to be intellectually challenged.
- Your openness to interdisciplinary learning and diverse perspectives.
- Your motivation to pursue a holistic, well-rounded education in the Honors Program.
Brainstorming Questions
To get started, consider the following:
- What subjects or areas of knowledge have you encountered that initially felt unfamiliar or difficult, but eventually sparked your curiosity?
- Have you ever taken a class, participated in an extracurricular activity, or read about a topic that was outside your usual interests, but that you felt a connection to anyways and ultimately changed the way you think?
- What excites you about learning in general? Why do you believe in the importance of exploring topics beyond your comfort zone?
- How do you handle the challenge of learning something new? What strategies or mindsets do you adopt?
- Why do you want to be in the Honors Program, specifically? How will it help you push the boundaries of your education?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response to this prompt will:
- Highlight your intellectual curiosity: Show genuine excitement for learning and discovery, especially when stepping into unknown or challenging territory.
- Show openness to new perspectives: Describe how going outside your comfort zone can broaden your thinking and understanding of the world.
- Be specific: Provide examples of past experiences where you encountered new topics, ideas, or ways of thinking that challenged or excited you.
- Reflect on personal growth: Explain how exploring unfamiliar areas has helped you grow as a learner, thinker, and overall person.
- Connect to the Honors Program: Mention specific aspects of the UW Honors Program (such as interdisciplinary learning or Honors Study Abroad Programs) that will support your desire to push your educational boundaries.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Samantha, an aspiring computer scientist with a passion for ethics: Samantha could write about how she first learned about ethics in a biology class when talking about testing on animals. At first, the abstract discussions felt unrelated to her coding skills, but soon she realized the ethical questions were directly relevant to issues like AI development. This experience sparked her interest in exploring how technology intersects with moral and philosophical dilemmas, and she’s eager to take advantage of the Honors Experiential Learning opportunities at one of Seattle’s many tech startups to see how these ideas play out in the real world.
- Jacob, a biology student also interested in public policy: Jacob could describe a time when he joined a student group focused on climate change advocacy. He was used to thinking about environmental issues through a scientific lens, but this group introduced him to the legal and political challenges of addressing climate change. He could reflect on how stepping outside the lab and into the world of public policy made him realize the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in solving global problems, and how he will take advantage of the Honors Program’s Partners in the Parks initiative, where students spend a week at a National Park learning about research and management issues, to learn even more about how to develop comprehensive, data-driven solutions to climate change.
- Alex, a visual artist curious about data science: Alex could talk about how, during a museum internship, they encountered data visualization for the first time, in an exhibition quantifying lives lost during various wars. They had always viewed art and numbers as opposites, but seeing data used to tell stories and convey beauty opened Alex’s mind to the potential of merging creativity with analytics. They’re excited about the Honors Program’s study abroad opportunities, like the program “Art and Activism in the Nordic Region,” because they want to learn more about how art can be used to drive concrete change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing too much on your current comfort zone: This essay is about stepping outside of what you know well, so avoid spending too much time discussing your established academic strengths and interests.
- Writing generically about curiosity: Avoid vague statements about loving to learn or enjoying challenges without backing them up with specific examples. Be as detailed as possible about a time when you actually encountered something new and unfamiliar.
- Neglecting the Honors Program: Be sure to tie your essay to specific opportunities in the UW Honors Program that will help you explore new ideas and disciplines. Note that the examples above go beyond just the Honors Program being interdisciplinary, and instead build a concrete bridge to specific opportunities that will allow them to explore their particular interests.
- Overloading on achievements: Don’t turn this essay into a résumé. Instead, focus on your intellectual growth and what excites you about venturing into new academic territories. Your response should complement, not repeat, the information found in your transcript.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example (highlights the student’s intellectual curiosity and includes a specific experience that shows how stepping outside their comfort zone led to growth):
“As someone who has spent most of my high school years immersed in STEM, enrolling in a creative writing class last year felt like diving into the deep end of unfamiliar waters. I signed up on a whim, hoping to add some variety to my schedule, but I soon realized just how uncomfortable I was when I couldn’t rely on formulas or equations to find a ‘correct’ answer. Instead, I had to navigate the ambiguity of fiction, where the strength of an idea came not from its accuracy, but from its emotional resonance.
I struggled at first, feeling out of place among students who seemed more naturally inclined toward literary expression. However, as we studied authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Virginia Woolf, I began to appreciate how stories could explore human experience in ways that science alone couldn’t.
One assignment required us to write a short story based on an emotion we’d never personally experienced, and I chose grief—a daunting task. I spent hours researching the psychology of loss, reading memoirs, and watching interviews with survivors of tragedies. Immersing myself in the grief of others showed me the power of emotion alone to communicate lessons that empirical data alone cannot.
In the Honors Program, I’m eager to push my boundaries even further by enrolling in classes that challenge me to think outside of the scientific framework I’m most comfortable with. ‘HONORS 210 D: Aristotle’s Concept of The Tragic in Theory and Practice’ would be a fantastic opportunity for me to continue my exploration of grief through philosophy, a field I’ve never explored, and ‘HONORS 220 A: Storytelling in the Sciences’ would give me guidance on how to bring some of the lessons I’ve learned from the humanities back to my STEM work.
My experience in my creative writing class taught me that knowledge from one discipline alone is incomplete. In college, I look forward to continue opening doors that I previously would have never even knocked on, as there’s no telling how what lies behind them could shape my understanding of the world.”
Why this works: The essay tells a specific story about an academic challenge, and the student clearly explains how the experience pushed them out of their comfort zone. The reflection is thoughtful, and the connection to the Honors Program is clear.
Bad Example (lacks depth and concrete examples, and feels generic as a result):
“I have always loved learning new things and exploring unfamiliar areas of knowledge. Ever since I was young, I’ve been curious about the world and excited by the prospect of discovering new information. Whether it’s science, history, or literature, I enjoy learning different perspectives and pushing myself to think in new ways.
I believe that true intellectual growth comes from stepping outside of what you know and being open to ideas that challenge you. That’s why I’m excited about the University of Washington Honors Program—it will allow me to learn across disciplines and push my education to new heights.”
Why this doesn’t work: This essay is too vague and doesn’t provide specific examples of the student stepping outside their comfort zone. The language is generic, the reflection lacks depth or personal insight, and the motivation for pursuing the Honors Program is impersonal. Essentially, the student simply states they like learning–which will be true of anyone applying to this program–without showing how they’ve engaged with unfamiliar subjects in the past, or what specifically they’re hoping to get out of this program at UW.
In Conclusion
By selecting a specific example of when you’ve explored unfamiliar areas and reflecting on what you learned from the experience, you can craft a strong, engaging essay that demonstrates your intellectual curiosity and readiness for the challenges of the University of Washington Honors Program.
Where to Get Your University of Washington Essays Edited For Free
Do you want feedback on your UW 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.
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