How to strengthen your GWU application

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Best application round for you

ED rate (69.0%) is materially higher than RD (48.0%). If GWU is your top choice and you can commit financially, this is the highest-leverage round.

What GWU weights most

GWU prioritizes applicants who demonstrate sustained engagement with politics, public policy, international affairs, or DC-centered experiential learning, not just one-off activities. They value concrete internship or civic experience, evidence of initiative in policy-related projects or research, and clear fit for majors tied to government and global affairs; admissions is somewhat stricter about demonstrated interest and relevance to DC resources than about quirky extracurriculars or undeclared breadth.

Supplemental essay strategy

Use the why-GWU essay to name specific DC programs, centers, or faculty and map a 1-2 semester plan for using them, for example the Elliott School internships, the GW Trachtenberg School research centers, or partnership opportunities on K Street; cite a recent GW initiative or course and explain how a past activity prepares you to contribute to that exact program, avoiding vague praise of "being in DC."

Recommended competitions

Where to focus next

If you only have time for one thing this month, do this:

1. Read 2 admitted-student essays from GWU (search official admissions site or Reddit r/gwu). Notice the level of specificity — that's the bar.
2. Write the ‘why this school’ supplement first, before anything else. If you can't fill 250 words with school-specific reasons, pick a different school.
3. Find one current student to ask about their experience — admissions offices often connect prospective applicants with current students. The follow-up email becomes specific essay material.