john b ervin scholarship essay examples

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John B. Ervin Scholars Program

The John B. Ervin Scholars Program was founded on four pillars—academic excellence, leadership, community service, and diversity. All our scholars are expected to exemplify these ideals to be competitive for this program.

Ervin Scholars may receive full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the degree program, provided you progress academically and uphold the high standards of character required of scholars.

If selected as an Ervin Scholar, students will participate in variety of opportunities as part of the program, including a special orientation to WashU, meetings with university and community leaders, academic support and advising, and events with other Ervin Scholars and the program’s administrators. Ervin Scholars are also expected to engage in organizations and activities on campus, and in service projects in the community.

For more information, visit the John B Ervin Scholars Program website .

Eligibility

The Ervin Scholars Program is open to students applying to any undergraduate division. Only U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or DACA students living in the U.S.⁠ for the Ervin Scholars Program.

Interviews for Finalists

Finalists will be notified by the end of February and invited to a virtual interview. Finalists must attend the interview to remain eligible.

• Submit an application for admission to the Class of 2029.
• If you’re submitting the Common Application, you can find the required short answer question in the Writing Supplement section.
• If you’re submitting the Coalition Application, you will complete the short answer question in the WashU Pathway, after you’ve submitted your profile and the Washington University-specific questions.
• In addition to the required short-answer question, we highly recommend you complete our optional  Writing Supplement .
• The scholarship committees will review the required counselor and teacher letters of recommendation submitted with your Common or Coalition Application. You may submit an optional third letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your contributions and commitment to community.

All applications must be submitted by January 2, 2025.

John B. Ervin

The story of Dr. John B. Ervin is one of achievement and determination in the face of discrimination. Dr. Ervin was a nationally renowned black educator, scholar, and author who committed his life to the education of all people. In 1968, he became the first African-American dean of the School of Continuing Education at Washington University. He was also very involved with the St. Louis community, holding leadership positions on boards of numerous organizations and foundations. As a beloved member of the WashU community, Dr. Ervin is best remembered for his commitment to excellence, his engagement with the community, and his efforts to bring diverse people together to heal divisions among them.

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Office of Scholar Programs

Ervin Scholars

• John B. Ervin

John B. Ervin Scholars are students who embody the spirit of Dr. John B. Ervin. Dr. Ervin was a nationally renowned Black educator and community leader who believed in giving students a first-rate education.

Ervin Scholars are known for their excellence in:

• Academic achievement

Community service

• Diversity 

The Ervin Scholars Program offers annually renewable:

• Full-tuition scholarship with $2,500 stipend
• Half-tuition scholarship

Dr. John B. Ervin

The Ervin Scholars Program is named for renowned Black educator, scholar and author, Dr. John B. Ervin (1916-1992), who committed his life to the education of all people.

Dean James E. McLeod

In 1987, Dean James E. McLeod was named the founding director of the John B. Ervin Scholars Program, a position he held until his death in September 2011.

The Four Ervin Pillars

Academic excellence

Ervin Scholars are expected to set high standards for their academic work and maintain steady progress toward completing their degrees. Scholars meet regularly with the director of the program to discuss academic work and strategies for success.

Ervin Scholars routinely receive prestigious internship positions. Students have been selected to participate in the St. Louis Fellows Program, the Morgan Stanley Company’s Richard B. Fisher Scholars Program and the INROADS program for minority students, among others. In partnership with faculty members, Ervin Scholars have conducted research through the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Fellowships and the Mellon Mays Fellowship Program. Ervin Scholars are often named to the Dean’s List and also go on to receive additional academic honors, such as Phi Beta Kappa. Five Ervin graduates have been named Rhodes Scholars.

Leadership is a hallmark of the Ervin Scholars Program, and prospective Ervin Scholars demonstrate leadership or substantive commitments in at least one extra-curricular activity during their high school careers.

At WashU, Ervin Scholars demonstrate a continued commitment to leadership. They take prominent roles in such organizations as the WashU Board of Trustees, Student Union, various cultural and civic groups, honoraries and entrepreneurial ventures. They are active in fraternities, sororities and career related associations. Many Ervin Scholars have been involved in varsity, club and intramural athletics, music and dance groupsband campus publications. Ervin Scholars actively participate in nearly every student group on campus and regularly create their own groups.

Dr. John B. Ervin believed that service to others in need promotes the health and growth of a community. Each Ervin Scholar should be able to demonstrate a meaningful service commitment to his or her local community during high school. That service will continue at WashU where Ervin Scholars volunteer their time in areas that serve many sectors of the community.

Through “sERVIN”, Ervin’s flagship community service program, students volunteer their time throughout the St. Louis community. Recent programs include volunteering with Black Power Blueprint and St. Patrick’s Center. They also participate in programs across campus, utilizing their leadership skills to give back in all the communities they’re part of. Whether they are serving in St. Louis, their hometowns, or post-graduation, Ervin Scholars are committed to making a difference in their community and around the world.

A tenet at the core of the Ervin Scholars Program is diversity and a commitment to bringing diverse groups together. The Ervin Program, for many, is a second family throughout and beyond their time at WashU. It is a family of diverse individuals who create a safe, encouraging and supportive community for one another.

In addition to embodying diversity through various backgrounds and interests, Ervin Scholars also embrace a commitment to diversity. This commitment to diversity is not defined by a singular aspect of tolerance, acceptance, or respect; rather, it is inclusive of all of these and more. Ervin Scholars are aware that diversity is a multifaceted concept and that a commitment to diversity, in part, consists of showing an understanding for the differences of others.

Ervin Scholars are instrumental in establishing organizations and activities in collaboration with fellow students, as well as on a local and national level. 

Scholarship eligibility

The Ervin Scholars Program is highly competitive. Awards are based on academic achievement, leadership, service and diversity. The Ervin Scholars Program is open to U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and DACA students living in the U.S.⁠ 

Applicants should apply to WashU Admissions, and then complete the essay requirements for the Scholars Program(s) for which they would like to be considered. Each Scholars Program has its own additional essays. Our program selection committee evaluates all applications and invites finalists to participate in a finalist experience in the spring of their senior year of high school.

Scholars will be selected based on:

Students chosen are expected to exemplify the spirit of Dr. John B. Ervin and honor and continue his legacy in the WashU community.To be considered for the scholarship, finalists must make themselves available for an interview in March.

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How to Write the WashU Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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Washington University in St. Louis , colloquially known as WashU, is a selective private research institution with an acceptance rate below 12%. WashU’s vibrant student life ; extensive research, study abroad, and interdisciplinary programs ; and supportive Taylor Family Center all serve to attract thousands of applicants every year. WashU’s accomplished alumni include Peter Sarsgaard, Pooja Kumar, Andrew McCabe, and Rochelle P. Walensky. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your WashU supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

WashU’s 2024-2025 Prompts

Required washu essay questions, please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. undecided about your academic interest(s) don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. you can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (200 words or fewer), optional washu essay questions, 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 (250 words or fewer), washu strives to know every undergraduate student “by name & story.” how have your life experiences shaped your story (250 words or fewer), washu scholarship essay questions, danforth scholars program: chancellor danforth and mrs. danforth deeply cared about building trust within the community and being of service to others. they embodied a spirit of servant leadership, enhancing the experiences of students, staff, and faculty. reflecting on the lives and legacies of the danforths , share a specific example of how you have demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership and improving your community. (100 words or fewer), ervin scholars program: the ervin scholars program is open to only u.s. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or daca students living in the u.s. dr. john b. ervin was a nationally renowned black educator and the first african american dean at washington university in st. louis. reflecting on his biography and the history and legacy of the ervin scholars program , share a specific example of how you have taken action to champion diversity in your own life or community. (100 words or fewer), rodriguez scholars program: annika lynn rodriguez championed awareness for students of all backgrounds, including starting washu’s first latin american awareness week. reflecting on annika rodriguez’s history and legacy , share a specific example of how you have made a commitment to fostering cultural awareness and understanding. (100 words or fewer), we’ll review your essay.

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General Tips

Your WashU supplemental essays need to be concise and snappy in order to effectively get your points across in the limited words you have available. So, let’s dive into two general tips for cutting down your word count without cutting out meaning.

Go easy on the adjectives and adverbs.

Adjectives and adverbs are a powerful tool for the writer. However, when overused or employed redundantly, they can prevent your essay from reaching its full potential.

Common overuses of adjectives and adverbs include the following:

• Without further clarification, the adjectives “thoughtful and considerate” are redundant.
• Unless there is prior implication of falsely happy occasions, there’s no need to use “truly” here.
• With the “like” in this sentence, the comparison is clear, and “basically” only detracts from the strength of the comparison.
• The usage of the word “long” and the redundant phrase “each and every” (only one of these words is necessary) adds some consonance/assonance to the sentence but does not impact the meaning.

Although none of these usages are grammatically or syntactically incorrect, they add extra words to your sentences when you have limited words available.

Watch out for prepositional phrases.

Prepositional phrases are often necessary, but many students trying to cut down on their essays’ words overlook the ways prepositional phrases bulk up their sentences. Here are some examples:

• The phrase “of all” adds emphasis in this sentence, but it does not change its fundamental meaning.
• A rewrite of this sentence using fewer words could look like, “This sentence’s components aren’t my favorite syntactical elements.” That’s eight words instead of thirteen!
• This sentence could be more concisely reworded to, “My brother completed the assignment unaided.” That’s six words instead of ten. Note the removal of the passive voice as well.

This prompt is a fairly standard college essay prompt, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. WashU seeks self-motivated students who are excited to learn. So, in this essay, you should explain what gets you excited to learn. Maybe your interest in mathematics originated from a life-changing event. Or perhaps you just enjoy reading, and that’s why you’ve decided to pursue a degree in English literature. Alternatively, maybe your interest in international affairs is driven by a desire to pursue a future career in international law. Whatever subjects intrigue you, and for whatever reasons, it’s important that your essay is authentic and precise.

If you’re having trouble coming up with your “why,” consider coming up with answers to the following questions:

• What makes this subject or these subjects more interesting than other subjects?
• What is the most interesting fact you have learned in this academic area? Do you seek to learn more facts like this one?
• What questions do you have about the world? How will further study help you answer these questions?
• What are your career goals? How do they relate to your intended area(s) of study?
• What current social issues keep you up at night? How does your intended course of study relate to these issues?
• In what ways does this subject or these subjects bring you joy?

After answering these questions, you should hopefully have identified some concrete reasons for selecting your intended academic area(s). If not, consider whether these are truly the area(s) of study that interest you. Are there any areas that interest you more?

Once you’ve identified your reasons, focus on explaining, in your essay, why these reasons are important to you. Be specific and detailed, and you’ll have a compelling essay.

This prompt analogizes your experiences in a community to your future experiences in the St. Louis community. This is because the WashU admissions team is seeking students who will see St. Louis as a community, not just a place to live while working toward a degree.

Thus, bear in mind how the reader may compare the story you tell in this essay to the person they envision you becoming at WashU. In other words, the story you tell may indicate to the admissions team whether you’re a good fit. They may also use your essay to decide whether you’d be an additive member of the community.

Also, remember to pick just one community to focus on in this essay. Moreover, be sure to pick a community that you personally belong to, as opposed to a community you have served or interacted with. Feel free to interpret the word “community” broadly. Furthermore, you can write about your school, your family, your culture, your religion, your sports team, etc.

If you hold a certain identity and have found community with other members of that identity, then you can write about that community. This community could be online or in-person, based in your neighborhood or ranging internationally. As long as it’s important to you, it’s a solid choice of topic.

If the prompt above about community doesn’t speak to you, or you’d just prefer to provide more or different insights regarding your background, then this is a great prompt for you to answer. This prompt provides you with the space to discuss your life experiences. You can write about life-changing conversations, experiences with identity, moving to a different place, or whatever feels most important to you.

If you’re having trouble deciding on a topic, consider what topics you’ve written about already. If your Common App essay already discussed your religious background, then perhaps you should focus on a different topic in this essay. Alternatively, if you feel that the WashU admissions team won’t have a complete picture as to who you are unless you take the time to write about your LGBTQ+ identity, then perhaps you should do so here. Moreover, if your application is very STEM-focused, you may want the reader to know that you have other interests. In that case, this essay could be a great place to elaborate on the other hobbies or activities that have shaped who you are today.

Answering this essay prompt gives you the opportunity to score a significant scholarship package. Recipients enjoy “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or half-tuition scholarships. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the degree program, provided you progress academically and uphold the high standards of character required of scholars.” Thus, it’s in your best interest to write a strong response to this essay question.

The term “ servant leadership ” refers to “a leadership style in which leaders put the needs, aspirations, and interests of their followers above their own,” according to the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. In other words, you should use your 100 words for this essay to share your experience leading others in a way that put those whom you led above yourself.

Per the prompt’s wording, focus on one specific example , instead of a series of examples or trend in your community service actions. In addition, use precise language and explain why you pursued this service and what it meant to you. If you have space, describe a lesson or two that this experience taught you.

If you’re curious, read more about the Danforth Scholars Program here .

This prompt is for students interested in receiving “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships.” Note that applicants to this program must also maintain high academic standards, like the students in the Danforth Scholars Program. However, this program is limited to applicants who are “U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or DACA students living in the U.S.” If you’re included in the relevant demographic for this prompt, it’s likely worthwhile to make an attempt at this essay question.

In this short essay, you must focus on one specific example of an action you’ve taken, initiative you’ve spearheaded, conversation you’ve held, or the like for the purpose of demonstrating your commitment to the cause of diversity. If diversity is important to you and you have sought to promote diversity, then you should probably apply for this scholarship. If not, then you may want to look at other prompts.

Remember to be specific and precise in your response. Quantify your impact and share how the experience impacted you. For instance, state the exact or approximate number of hours you worked or people you helped. Additionally, describe a lesson you learned or a way your perspective shifted. Don’t worry about discussing ways you continue to champion diversity or plan to in the future. Instead, focus on the most meaningful experience you have had that involved action you took to promote diversity. Make sure you share who you impacted and why this was meaningful to you!

If you’re curious, read more about the Ervin Scholars Program here .

If you’re hoping to be among the lucky WashU students who receive “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships,” this essay prompt gives you that chance. If you are able to compose a stellar essay about your authentic experience fostering cultural awareness and understanding, then you’ll have a shot at joining the Rodriguez Scholars Program. Note that like the other scholarships described above, participation in this program is contingent on maintaining certain academic standards throughout your undergraduate career.

This essay should highlight one specific example of community service you have pursued. Specifically, you should focus on a time when you pursued community service that positively impacted others through “cultural awareness and understanding.” Unsure whether your community service work fits under that umbrella? Consider whether cultural difference was integral to your work. Did your work serve to raise awareness, provide education or training, promote connections across cultures, or something similar? If so, this is the prompt for you. If not, perhaps review the other two scholarship options listed above.

You may be wondering why community service is integral to this prompt, given that the prompt uses neither of those two words. Check out WashU’s resources on the Rodriguez Scholars Program and its application process. Conducting thorough research on this program will help you identify the implicit expectations for applicants. Through this process, you’ll better understand what you should aim to highlight in your essay response.

If you need help polishing up your WashU supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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Washington University in St. Louis 2021-2022 Essay Prompt

Washington University in St. Louis has released its essay prompt for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. Applicants to the Wash U Class of 2026 will be asked to answer one optional essay prompt, though applicants to any of the signature scholarship programs will be asked to write a second essay prompt. Wash U, historically known to be a school with a short supplement (there was a time when Wash U didn’t ask any supplemental essay prompt), asks applicants one short question of 150 words: “Describe a high school or community activity in which you have taken initiative. What were the challenges and outcomes? What did you learn?” And that’s it! But while answering the prompt might be “optional,” loyal readers of our college admissions blog know that which is optional in elite college admissions should not be considered optional.

For applicants to the Danforth Scholars Program, the Ervin Scholars Program, or the Rodriguez Scholars Program, applicants are asked an additional prompt. For Danforth, applicants are asked to answer the following 150-word prompt: “The Danforth Scholars Program is looking for students with a strong commitment to community and demonstrated initiative in leadership and service. Please share an example of your personal experience as a leader that would clarify why you would be a good fit for this community of scholars.” For Rodriguez, applicants are asked to answer a 250-word prompt: “Consider the biography of Annika Rodriguez and reflect upon your commitment to bringing diverse groups together and/or celebrating the cultures of diverse peoples. How do you demonstrate this commitment? How do your service activities demonstrate your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Rodriguez Scholars Program.” And for Ervin, applicants are asked to answer a 250-word prompt: “Review the biography of Dr. John B. Ervin and the four Program Pillars. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the ideals of the Program? Please provide 1-2 specific examples.”

Have a question about the Wash U supplement? Let us know your question by posting it below. We look forward to hearing from you!

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The Ultimate Guide to Applying to Washington University in St. Louis

What’s covered:, average stats of accepted washington university in st. louis students, washington university in st. louis application process, washington university in st. louis financial aid, what are your chances of acceptance.

Washington University in St. Louis (also referred to as WashU or WUSTL) has built a reputation for its excellent academics and top students from across the globe. While numerous WashU alumni have gone on to have incredible achievements, some of its most notable alumni left before earning a degree—Tennesse Williams, after failing to win a playwriting contest at the university; Enterprise Rent-a-Car founder Jack C. Taylor to fight in World War II; and Marilyn vos Savant, the record holder for world’s highest IQ, to work in the family investment business. 

Whether you aim to do great things before or after earning a degree from WUSTL, the first step is to gain admission into this exceptional university. 

Like other top-ranked colleges, WashU attracts students who have succeeded at the highest academic level. Roughly nine out of ten (89%) of accepted applicants graduated in the top 10% of their high school class and their average GPA was 4.2. The middle 50% SAT/ACT score of those admitted to WashU is 1490-1570/33-35.

Applicants to WashU generally have great grades and stand-out test scores; consequently, excellent academics don’t guarantee admission. They do, however, ensure an applicant is given serious consideration for admission. Highly selective colleges like WUSTL use a tool known as the Academic Index to screen out under-qualified applicants—failing to meet the university’s benchmarks puts you at risk of having your application passed over. 

WashU is test-optional for applicants entering in fall 2023 and 2024, meaning that test scores are not a factor in admissions decisions. Students with strong test scores should still consider including them, though—it’s typically advised that students submit scores that fall in the middle 50% range of accepted applicants (this is particularly true for scores on the high end of the spectrum).

Application Overview

WUSTL accepts two applications: the Common Application and the Coalition Application. There is a $75 application fee, however, it’s waivable for students to whom it presents a financial hardship. 

There are three decision paths at WashU: Early Decision 1 (ED1), Early Decision 2 (ED2), and Regular Decision (RD). 

Both Early Decision pathways are binding and applicants who apply through them are committed to attending the university if accepted. Early Decision normally provides better odds of admission and this holds true at WashU— WashU’s Early Decision acceptance rate is a robust 27% compared to its slim 11% overall acceptance rate . More than half of WUSTL’s class is fielded from the Early Decision rounds.

Application Components

• Official transcript
• School report 
• Counselor recommendation 
• Supplemental essay 
• SAT/ACT scores (optional)
• Portfolio (required for students applying to the College of Art and strongly encouraged for students applying to the College of Architecture)
• Interview/Introduction video (optional)

Supplemental Essay: All WashU applicants are required to complete one supplemental essay with their application, and many of the other programs WashU offers also necessitate their own essays. 

All applicants must compose a response to the following prompt: 

• Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why. Undecided about your academic interest(s)? Don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (200 words)

Applicants to the Beyond Boundaries Program must also respond to the following prompt:  

• Many of our students broadly explore the connections across WashU’s five undergraduate divisions and three graduate schools and engage with the community before declaring a major. The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges do not come pre-packaged as territory of a single discipline. Tell us what great challenge you might want to understand and tackle leveraging two or more of WashU’s schools and how you would pursue an interdisciplinary path of study that explores that challenge or an aspect of that challenge in a unique and innovative way. (200 words)

Those seeking admission into the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science must respond to the following prompt: 

• Students in the Joint Program in Business and Computer Science will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and perspectives of computer science and business and will have unique opportunities to converge these two disciplines.

This is a distinctive degree program that captures the intersection of business and computer science and the growing demand for people with this special and sought-after skill set. Graduates of the program will be able to pursue careers in technology, data analytics, finance, consulting and business development, to name a few. Tell us how you would use this combined degree to explore the intersection of these two disciplines? (200 words)

Applicants to the Danforth Scholars Program are asked to compose responses to the two following prompts: 

• Consider the legacy of Chancellor Danforth and the four Program Pillars. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the ideals of the Program? Please provide 1-2 specific examples. (250 words)
• What matters to you? (200 words)

Ervin Scholars Program applicants are also required to compose essays in response to two prompts:

• Describe a high school or community activity in which you have taken initiative. What were the challenges and outcomes? What did you learn? (200 words)
• Dr. John B. Ervin was a nationally renowned black educator and the first African American Dean at Washington University. The Ervin Scholars Program was founded on and continues to live out his legacy through scholars’ dedication to the Program Pillars. Review the biography of Dr. John B. Ervin and the four Program Pillars. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the ideals of the Program? Please provide 1-2 specific examples. (250 words)

Lastly, applicants to the Rodriguez Scholars Program must also write essays in response to two prompts:

• Consider the biography of Annika Rodriguez and reflect upon your commitment to bringing diverse groups together and/or celebrating the cultures of diverse peoples. How do you demonstrate this commitment? How do your service activities demonstrate your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Rodriguez Scholars Program? (250 words)

Check out CollegeVine’s article How to Write the Washington University in St. Louis Essays 2022-2023 for more detailed information about WashU’s supplemental essays and advice on how to create essays that will grab the attention of admissions officers. Have you already started writing your essays? CollegeVine Essay Review allows you to get free feedback from other students or feedback from essay experts for a fee. 

Portfolio: Submitting a portfolio is required for students applying to the College of Art and although it’s optional for students applying to the College of Architecture, it’s wise to consider it a must-do for applicants with their hearts set on attending WUSTL. Applicants can have their portfolios reviewed in person and online during National Portfolio Review Days , or they can submit them with their applications using SlideRoom . 

Interview/Introduction Video: Applicants have the option of a short interview with a current WashU student or alumni or submitting a 90-second video. These allow applicants to highlight something important that might not come across in other aspects of the application and provide another chance to stand out in a competitive field of candidates. 

When Will You Hear Back?

The date applicants receive their admissions decision depends on the application path they took.   

Financial Aid Generosity

WashU is committed to keeping cost from being a barrier to education. The university practices need-blind admissions and meets 100% demonstrated need —more simply, an applicant’s ability to pay for college isn’t considered in admissions decisions and the school guarantees to meet the financial aid needs of all admitted students.

The sticker price of WashU for students living on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year is $79,823*. Below is a breakdown of expenses: 

*The University of Washington in St. Louis also estimates students will spend $1,180 on books and supplies, $880 on travel, and incur $2,356 of miscellaneous expenses, adding up to $4,416 and bringing the ultimate cost of attendance up to $84,239.

WUSTL’s six-year graduation rate is 95%—far above the 64% national average —which ensures students are getting into the labor force in a timely fashion rather than spending expensive extra years at the school. The average student loan debt of a 2018 WashU graduate was $22,500, which is also considerably less than the national average of $29,200 .  

WashU has generally proven a good investment for its students; the website Payscale ranks it 155 (out of 1,978 schools) on its list of best-value colleges . To learn more about the expense of WUSTL and what it actually costs to attend this excellent university, check out our article What Does It Cost to Attend Washington University in St. Louis?

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Washington University in St. Louis applicants applying for financial aid are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile. Below is the timeline for financial aid applications and when to expect a decision by. 

Admissions at prestigious schools like WashU are extremely competitive, however, admissions odds vary from applicant to applicant. CollegeVine can help add clarity to your chances at WUSTL with our free chancing engine , which uses factors like academics, extracurriculars, and demographics to provide applicants with their personal odds of acceptance not only at WashU, but hundreds of colleges across the country. 

Learn more about Washington University in St. Louis , including information about its diversity, the majors it offers, and how long your application should take.

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