Optional Writing Supplement and Video

This optional question allows you to add another dimension to your application – something that the admissions committee might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement.

WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?”:

• WashU supports engagement in the St. Louis community by considering the university as “In St. Louis, For St. Louis.” What is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it?
• WashU strives to know every undergraduate student “By Name & Story.” How have your life experiences shaped your story?

How to submit your writing supplement

If you’re submitting the Common Application, you can find this question in the Writing Supplement section. If you’re submitting the Coalition Application, you will have the opportunity to respond to this question in the WashU Pathway after you’ve submitted both your profile and the Washington University-specific questions.

All applicants have the option to upload a video to help the Admissions Office get to know you better. This video is not intended to be a professional-quality production or rehearsed audition. Simply capture a quick video of yourself telling us about something important to you.

Need a little help? Here are a few questions to get you thinking. Be creative, be yourself, and have fun with it!

• Do you have a hobby? Show us how you spend your free time.
• How do you express your most authentic self? Through art, cooking, poetry, stand-up comedy?
• What do you most want to experience at WashU?

We offer two options for submitting your video. Please do not submit more than one video!

1. Create your own 90-second video
   This option is free and allows you to use your phone or a small video camera. Feel free to edit, but please make sure you limit the duration to 90 seconds and use on the following formats: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, or .wmv. (Please note the Apple ProRes is not currently supported. If uploading a .mov, please use an alternate codec.) You will find a link to upload the video below the Application Checklist in the WashU Pathway. Uploading times will vary based on the size of the file and the speed of your connection.
   
2. Use Glimpse (by InitialView)
   While Glimpse requires a one-time fee (visit the Glimpse website to learn about a possible fee waiver), you can send your video to as many schools as you choose. If you have an account and have recorded a video to share with other schools, simply select WashU to receive your video, and Glimpse will take care of the rest. Glimpse does not allow editing or use of any “postproduction” tools.

And if you don’t want to submit a video, that’s OK. Applicants will not be penalized for opting out of submitting a video. It is an optional video (and we mean optional).

Please note that the video does not replace the SlideRoom portfolio requirement for applicants to the College of Art.