Washington and Lee University 2025-26 Supplemental Essay Guide

Washington and Lee University 2025-26 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Diversity, Activity, Oddball

OPTIONAL Supplemental Writing/Video

We encourage you to show us another side of yourself by answering ONE of the below optional short-answer prompts. Your chosen prompt may be answered in your Applicant Portal, which you will gain access to after submitting your application.

For each of these prompts, Washington and Lee offers you the opportunity to pen a written response or film a 2-minute (max) video. Our advice is the same whether you’re delivering your response in writing or via video: reveal new information about yourself that will give admissions deeper insight into who you are and who you will be on campus. Keep reading for prompt-specific advice! 

Short-Answer Prompts

Option 1

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: Please describe an aspect of your life outside of school that is important to you, such as an extracurricular activity, a job, or a family responsibility. How has your involvement shaped your personal qualities and growth, and how has it impacted those around you?

Activity essays like this one are more common than M.C. Escher posters in college dorm rooms and they offer you a chance to tell admissions something they couldn’t glean from anywhere else in your application. This is a great option for students who have a major job, activity, or responsibility that takes up a lot of their time or defines their identity. If you wrote your Common App essay about scooping ice cream at your local creamery, focus on a different activity or work experience that reveals a new aspect of your personality. This can be a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and any accolades you may have received. Were you nominated as captain of your ultimate frisbee team? Were you tapped to lead your cousins’ annual Mother’s Day celebration for your grandmother? No matter what you choose, it should probably be something you’ve been involved in for a while, so you can demonstrate your growth and the impact you’ve had on others.

Option 2

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: W&L’s mission statement focuses on preparing graduates for lifelong learning in a global and diverse society. Engaging with faculty, staff, and classmates with diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives is an essential component of our education. Recognizing that diversity takes many forms, what diverse aspect would you bring to W&L?

Washington and Lee wants to accept students from a range of backgrounds who will contribute to inclusivity and diversity on campus. This essay is perfect for students who have a unique background, identity, or interest that has impacted how they interact with the world. Think about times when people have been intrigued by or curious about your identity, upbringing, or background. Maybe you had leukemia as a young child and your treatment experience has shaped the way you view the world. Perhaps you’ve lived on many continents because your parent was in the Foreign Service and you bring a fresh perspective on American imperialism. You could also write about your race, nationality, or any other aspect of your background, personality, or experiences. Make sure to focus on not only what makes you unique, but also how that will guide and enrich your interactions with a diverse range of people next year at W&L.

Option 3

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: Reveal to us how your curious mind works by sharing something you spend considerable time thinking or learning about.

W&L wants to accept intellectually curious applicants, so this is the perfect opportunity to rant and rave about your current obsession. Maybe you find marine life to be absolutely fascinating, and you’ve been reading up on the most dangerous creatures in the deep dark sea (and their preferred prey, of course). Or maybe you are super interested in Greek mythology and have been voraciously reading every book you can find on Zeus and the stories that have been told about him for generations. When was the last time you went down an internet rabbit hole trying to research something? When were you extremely motivated to solve a problem or create something new? What was the last fact or skill you learned outside of school that truly captured your imagination? The bottom line here is to discuss examples of what truly fascinates you, while also reflecting on what these examples say about your personality traits, interests, or learning style.

Option 4

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: On a residential college campus with a Speaking Tradition that encourages connections between individuals, using each other’s names matters. Please share the story of any name you go by and what significance it holds for you.

This option leaves a lot of room for interpretation. A name could be a birth name, a chosen name, a nickname, a position (“Team Captain”), or any other moniker that you respond to. Get creative and choose a name and story that’s not only unique, but also means a lot to you. Perhaps you came out as nonbinary and chose a new name in honor of your role model, Zuni lhamana We’wha. Maybe you were named after your Sri Lankan grandmother and have delved deeply into the etymology of the name, which symbolizes your connection to both your family and your culture. Maybe one of your younger half-siblings couldn’t say “Thomas,” so now they all call you “TaTa,” a special name that emphasizes your bond with them. Perhaps you were voted captain of the cheerleading team and you love supporting and caring for your team members. Make sure you discuss the name, what it means to you, and how you will connect with other individuals on campus through the Speaking Tradition.