The McDonnell Academy is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year (Fall 2025 enrollment) through January 31, 2025!
Please note: The McDonnell Academy application opening date aligns with the respective graduate program application opening date. If the program you plan to apply for has not opened applications yet, you cannot apply to the Academy until it does.
To learn more about the McDonnell Academy graduate fellowship program, its eligibility criteria, and the various benefits it offers, please visit our Admissions page. Our comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to determine if this esteemed program aligns with your academic and professional goals.
Please read this page in its entirety before starting an application.
Are You Eligible?
Determine your eligibility before proceeding.
How to Prepare
Preparing to apply for the McDonnell Academy fellowship is an exciting and pivotal step in your academic journey.
Thorough preparation involves understanding the fellowship’s requirements, gathering relevant documents, and articulating how your goals align with the program’s mission. Here are essential tips and insights to help you effectively prepare for the application process, ensuring you meet all eligibility criteria and submit a standout application.
Essay Guidelines & Requirements
One of the core goals of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy is to foster a global network of leaders dedicated to addressing pressing scientific and societal challenges. We seek individuals eager to cultivate leadership skills and a knowledge base that transcends what is required in traditional graduate and professional studies.
With this in mind, in 1,000 words or less, please explain:
- Why would you like to be selected as a McDonnell Scholar?
- How will becoming a McDonnell Scholar enhance your professional career and your home country?
- How do envision contributing to and advancing the goals of the McDonnell Academy?
Essays must be uploaded to your application in .pdf format.
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
The McDonnell Academy focuses on leadership, a global mindset, and community building. To help us understand you beyond your academic pursuits, please record a 2-minute video addressing one of the three of the provided prompts:
- Tell us about a talent you possess! Consider, how you have developed and demonstrated that talent over time.
- Describe a facet of your personality. Reflect on how that aspect of your personality has influenced your personal growth over time.
- Share an experience that is genuinely meaningful and unique to you. Consider, how that experience has changed the way you think.
Video Format & Guidelines
Please do not focus the production aspects of the video. However, kindly ensure the following guidelines are met:
- Your face should be in full view of the camera.
- Your response should be audible.
- Your video should not exceed two minutes.
Applicants are required to provide a URL for their video; video uploads are not accepted in the application or via email. It is recommended that applicants upload the video to an online video or file-sharing service of their choice to obtain a sharable link to the video. A few examples include YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, etc. Please adjust the video privacy settings accordingly to ensure your video is viewable.
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!
Letter of Recommendation Guidelines & Requirements
Applicants are required to select one individual to write a letter of recommendation focusing on their leadership skills, character, and potential, rather than your academic credentials.
This person can be a current or past instructor, academic advisor, employment manager, or professional mentor. We will also review your departmental recommendation letters included with your graduate program application in consultation with the academic department. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to choose someone who has not previously submitted a letter for your academic program application. If necessary, this individual can write another letter specifically addressing your leadership qualities for the McDonnell Academy.
The application will request the individual’s name, organization, and professional email address. Since your recommender will be contacted directly by the McDonnell Academy to request their letter, we strongly suggest you discuss the recommendation letter in advance with your recommender before submitting contact information in the online application.
Submission Process
- Recommenders will not be contacted until your application is submitted.
- Upon application submission, an automated email will be sent to your recommender. This email includes a link to upload the recommendation letter.
- The application deadline is January 31st. Recommender’s are given a 14-day grace period to upload their letter. Therefore, recommendations can be submitted until 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on February 14th and still be considered on time.
Letter of Recommendation Tip
The letter of recommendation should speak to your leadership skills, character, and potential, rather than your academic credentials. Choose a recommender who can speak about these qualities. For example, your recommender should be able to describe your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and/or interpersonal skills, as well as how you have achieved goals and/or exceeded expectations.
Please note: While the McDonnell Academy has access to and may review the materials submitted as part of the graduate degree program application, the admissions committee primarily focuses on the materials provided specifically for the McDonnell Academy application. If there is specific information or experiences that applicants would like to highlight, we encourage you to include this information in your McDonnell Academy essay and/or video.
How to Apply
The McDonnell Academy application is integrated into the WashU graduate application portal.
After you submit your application for an eligible WashU doctoral or master’s degree program, a link to apply for the McDonnell Academy fellowship will become available on your WashU Graduate Application Status Portal. For programs that fall outside the WashU graduate application portal, such as JD, MPH, MD, and others, you will be provided with specific instructions on how to apply for the McDonnell Academy fellowship following the submission of your application.
For more details and step-by-step guidance, please refer to the relevant sections below.
Please note: The McDonnell Academy application opening date aligns with the respective graduate program application opening date. If the program you plan to apply for has not opened applications yet, you cannot apply to the Academy until it does.
The McDonnell International Scholars Academy graduate fellowship 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 opt in form available at Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program Applicants Opt-In form to apply. Please note: Your application to the MD program must be fully complete and submitted to be eligible to apply to the McDonnell Academy.
Application Information Updates
Applicants can update their personal essay, video introduction, and recommender contact information at any time before submitting your application. However, once the application is submitted, no further changes can be made. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully review all aspects of your application to ensure accuracy before submission. If a technical error occurs, please contact McDonnell Academy admissions for assistance in making corrections.
Application Status
Applicants can track their application’s progress through their WashU Graduate Application Portal status page.
Evaluation & Decisions
Each year the McDonnell Academy receives numerous applications from highly competitive candidates. McDonnell Scholars are chosen through a rigorous selection process.
- The McDonnell Academy admissions committee reviews applications in mid to late February. Please note that only completed applications, including all required materials, will be reviewed. An application is NOT fully complete without the letter of recommendation, which must be uploaded to your application by the recommender within 14 days from receipt of request email and no later than February 14 by 11:59 PM EST.
- Applicants who have been accepted into their graduate degree program will be advanced to the review stage of the McDonnell Academy’s selection process.
- Reader teams will conduct evaluations to identify the most qualified individuals. A select group of candidates will be chosen to proceed to the interview round.
- In early March, selected candidates will be invited to participate in virtual interviews with the admissions committee panel.
- Each year, approximately 20-25 exceptional candidates are admitted to the prestigious McDonnell Academy, with final decisions communicated by the end of March, and usually no later than mid-April.
Questions or technical issues?
Contact us by completing an Admissions Inquiry Form