Does anyone have tips from College Essay Guy for the WashU supplemental essay?

The WashU supplemental essay is usually the "Why WashU?" prompt, which asks students to articulate why they've chosen the university and how it fits with their goals or interests. From what students have shared about College Essay Guy’s frameworks, one of the strongest approaches is the "BEABIES" outline for this kind of essay: Background, Experience, Activities, Beliefs, Interests, Essence, Skills. This structure can help you organize your thoughts and ensures you're not just listing your achievements or interests, but making clear, specific connections to what WashU offers.

As a STEM applicant with multiple interests, consider starting with a central theme. Maybe it’s curiosity, the drive to solve real-world problems, or the ability to connect disciplines. From there, pick specific aspects of WashU—such as a cross-disciplinary program, lab, course, or professor—that support not just your STEM interests, but your broader passions. For example, if you love physics and art, you might point to WashU's unique opportunities for collaboration between the arts and sciences, like a maker space or a design innovation program.

A concrete tip from College Essay Guy is to avoid generic statements like "WashU is a top-tier school with great research opportunities." Instead, mention something you’ve discovered in your research or campus visit that excites you personally. One student wrote about the way WashU encourages undergraduate research and how a specific professor’s lab aligns with their curiosity about gene editing. Another student mentioned the quirky tradition of Bauhaus parties, showing knowledge of both the academic and social environment at WashU.

If you’re worried about sounding scattered, focus on a common thread that runs through your interests. For example, "At first glance, my passion for computer science and love for ceramics seem unrelated, but WashU is a place where blending disciplines isn’t just possible—it’s encouraged. Through the Beyond Boundaries program, I can deepen my CS knowledge while taking advanced ceramics courses, and even create tech-driven art installations as part of the Burning Kumquat student garden." This kind of detail helps your application stand out and demonstrates genuine interest.

As for booking a session, some students have found it valuable, especially for brainstorming and organizing ideas, but a lot of College Essay Guy’s best frameworks are free online. The real key is specificity and tying your individuality to what WashU offers. Good luck with your writing!