Preparing Your Application

Essay Guidelines & Requirements

At the Mcdonnell Academy, one of our main goals is to build a global network of future leaders who are committed to tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. To do this, we are looking for individuals who are not only passionate about growing as leaders but also eager to expand their perspectives beyond the traditional boundaries of graduate or professional education.

To get a well-rounded sense of who you are, we would like to learn more about your background, experiences, and how you think about leadership and problem-solving. This is an opportunity to share the key moments and people that have influenced your journey, the leadership roles or initiatives you’ve taken on, and how you’ve handled challenges along the way.

Write an essay that focuses on your responses to the prompts below:

• We are interested in your vision: As a McDonnell Scholar, how would you use your skills, experiences, and education to make a meaningful impact on global issues?
• What does your approach to leadership look like in action? Share an example of a time you led a project, organization, or team—how did you motivate and guide others, and what does this experience reveal about the kind of leader you are?
• Describe a significant experience that had a profound impact on your understanding of different cultures and societies, whether through travel, interaction with diverse communities, or other means. How did this shape your global perspective?
• How have you played a role in building or nurturing a community in your past experiences? How did your contributions impact the community, and what were the outcomes of your efforts?

Essay Format

• Format: Essay format (an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion)
• Word Count: 750 words or less
• Title: Optional, centered at the top
• Font and Size: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri; 12-point font.
• Margins: One inch on all sides
• Line Spacing: Double-spaced
• Submission Format: PDF

Essay Tip

In addition to telling us why you want to be a McDonnell Scholar, highlight ways in which you have shown determination and followed through on your academic, professional, and personal goals. Tell us how you will use what you learn in the McDonnell Academy and in your studies to benefit your community and/or address the world’s most pressing issues.

Video Requirements

We are excited to learn more about you through the short video introduction component of your application. This 2-minute video is your opportunity to provide us with a more personal glimpse into who you are beyond your academic credentials and written essay. In your video, we ask that you take a moment to reflect and share about one of the following topics:

1. What is one personal strength you have worked hard to develop? How has it helped you in various aspects of your life? 
2. What core values guide your life and decision-making processes? Provide examples of how you live these values daily. 
3. Share a story about a time when you faced significant adversity. How has this experience the way you think or view the world?

Video Format & Guidelines

Please do not focus the production aspects of the video. However, kindly ensure the following guidelines are met:

• Length: Minimum of one minute in length, do not exceed 2 minutes.
• Production Quality: Keep it simple. Elaborate production is not necessary; however, please follow these essential guidelines:
  • Record in a well-lit environment.
  • Ensure your face is fully visible to the camera throughout the video.
  • Clearly state your name.
  • Make sure your response is clearly audible.
• Submission Format: Provide the URL for your video (we accept cannot video uploads, links or attachments via email). To obtain a shareable link to your video, we recommend that applicants upload their video to an online video or file-sharing service. There are several options available, including YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, etc.
• Privacy and Permissions: Adjust the video privacy settings to ensure it is viewable by the admissions team. Different platforms offer various privacy settings, so please make sure to select the appropriate option to allow access to your video.

Video Introduction Tip

Your video introduction provides an opportunity to showcase who you are beyond the written portions of your application. Videos allow for a more personal and engaging presentation, and we look forward to hearing you express yourself in your own voice.

Relax, be yourself, and let your personality shine through!

The McDonnell Academy application is available as an optional component within the WashU Graduate Application Portal. If you have applied to an eligible PhD or professional degree program, you will have the option to apply for the McDonnell Academy fellowship upon the submission of your program application.

The McDonnell Academy application is separate from, and in addition to, the degree program application. After submitting your degree program application, your Status Portal will display a link to begin the McDonnell Academy application and submit all required materials.

As part of the application to the School of Law’s Juris Doctor (JD) program, applicants will be asked to indicate their interest in applying to the McDonnell Academy graduate fellowship program. Applicants who opt-in and submit a completed degree program application will receive an email with additional information about the fellowship and credentials to apply through the WashU Graduate Application Portal. 

Please note: You must opt-in when prompted in your application to the program, and the application must be fully complete, submitted, and reviewed to receive an email to apply to the McDonnell Academy.

The MPH application through SOHPAS does not include a feature to indicate interest in or apply to the McDonnell Academy fellowship. Upon submitting your MPH application, you will automatically receive an email providing additional information about the fellowship and credentials to apply through the WashU Graduate Application Portal.

Please note: Your application to the program must be fully complete and submitted to receive an email to apply to the McDonnell Academy.

The WashU Doctor of Medicine (MD) program application does not include a feature to indicate interest in or apply to the McDonnell Academy fellowship. Applicants who have submitted an application to WashU School of Medicine MD program and wishes to apply to the McDonnell Academy must complete the MD Program Applicant opt-in form.

Please note: Your application to the MD program must be fully complete and submitted to be eligible to apply to the McDonnell Academy.