2025-26 prompts · 2026–27 not yet confirmed · Washington, DC
George Washington University supplemental essays
2 prompts, 2 required, about 1000 words in total. Below: each prompt, what it is really asking, where drafts go wrong, and the shape of an answer that works.
Free, no card. Paste a draft and Admitify reads it line by line against the prompt. It never writes for you.
These are George Washington University's 2025-26 prompts. The 2026–27 wording was not yet published when this page was verified. Most schools keep prompts the same or change them lightly; confirm on gwu.edu before you submit.
The prompts, one by one
- Change the course of historyup to 500 words · Community
“At The George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why?”
What it's really askingTwo things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to George Washington University because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.
Where drafts go wrongDescribing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.
The shape of a strong answerPick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at George Washington University: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective."
- Meaningful dialogue and civil discourseup to 500 words · Disagreement
“The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships?”
What it's really askingWhether you can hold a disagreement without flattening the other person. George Washington University is checking for intellectual humility and the ability to keep talking, not for who won.
Where drafts go wrongChoosing a disagreement where you were obviously right and the other person obviously wrong. Or ending with "we agreed to disagree," which says nothing happened.
The shape of a strong answerA real disagreement with a real person, stated fairly from their side. What you did in the conversation (not what you felt). What shifted afterwards, in you, even if your view held. Specific lines of dialogue help.
Every US applicant also writes the Common App personal statement: 650 words, seven prompts. Don't repeat it here; the supplements are for what the statement didn't show.
A self-check before you submit
Cover the school name and read the essay. Then cover your name and read it again. It should fail the first test (it only makes sense for George Washington University) and pass the second (only you could have written it). If it passes the first test, it's a brochure. If it fails the second, it's a template.
Run your draft through Admitify, free →Prompts verified September 2026 against George Washington University's published application. Admission facts and requirements for George Washington University are on its university page. Spotted a change? Tell us.