Application Instructions

Essay Guidelines & Requirements

One of the goals of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy is to create a global network of leaders who have a desire to address scientific and societal issues. Therefore, we wish to recruit individuals who would like to develop leadership skills and a knowledge base that extends beyond 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 being a McDonnell Scholar benefit your professional career and your country?
• How will you contribute to 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 Guidelines and Requirements

We would like to get to know you better by receiving a 2-minute video addressing the following question:

Tell us about a talent, facet of your personality, OR experience that is genuinely meaningful and unique to you.  Consider, 

• how you have developed and demonstrated that talent over time; OR

• how that facet of your personality has influenced your personal growth over time; OR

• how that experience has changed the way you think.

Please do not worry about the production aspects of the video, however, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Your face should be in full view of the camera.
• Your response should be audible.
• Your video should not exceed two minutes.

Video Format

Applicants are required to provide a URL for their video; video uploads are not accepted in the application.  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, WeTransfer, etc. Please adjust the video privacy settings accordingly to ensure your video is viewable.

Video Introduction Tip

Your video introduction is a way to convey who you are beyond the written portions of the application. We find videos are more personal and engaging, and we enjoy hearing from you in your own voice. 

Letter of Recommendation Guidelines & Requirements

You are required to select one individual to write a letter of recommendation that speaks to your leadership skills, character, and potential, rather than your academic credentials. This individual should be a current or past instructor, academic advisor, employment manager, or professional mentor. We will also review your departmental recommendation letters included in your graduate program application (in consultation with the academic department). For this reason, we strongly encourage you to select an individual who has NOT previously submitted a letter of recommendation for your academic program application. If necessary, you may provide information for an individual who has already written a letter of recommendation for your graduate school application. However, the individual must write a separate letter to the McDonnell Academy addressing your leadership qualities rather than academic credentials.

The application will request the individual’s name, organization, and professional email address.  Because 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, which means recommendations can be submitted until February 14^th and still be considered on time. This 14-day grace period allows us to accept recommendation letters until 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on February 14^th.

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. Your recommender should be able to describe how you have achieved goals and/or exceeded expectations.

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy graduate fellowship application is included as a component of the WashU PhD, Brown School MSW and MPH, School of Law JSD program, and Sam Fox School March, MLA, and MFA application. Applicants must indicate their interest in applying in their graduate degree program application via the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal. Applicants who have opted in can complete the separate McDonnell Academy application and submit the required materials via their Status Page in the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal. Only completed applications will be reviewed. Please ensure that you have completed and submitted all required materials for your degree program and McDonnell Academy application to be considered for admission to the McDonnell Academy. 

As part of the application to a master’s or professional degree program (MBA, JD), 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 SOHPAS application does not include a feature to indicate interest in or apply to the McDonnell Academy fellowship. If the program to which you are applying is a McDonnell Academy eligible program, upon submitting your SOPHAS 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 MD program application does not include a feature to indicate interest in or apply to the McDonnell Academy fellowship. A separate opt-in form will be available to applicants who have submitted an application to Washington University School of Medicine MD program in September 2024. Please note: Your application to the MD program must be fully complete and submitted to be eligible to apply to the McDonnell Academy.