So you’ve finished your Common App essay, and you think the worst is over. Maybe so, but in most cases, you’re not done writing essays. You still have to contend with the supplemental essays that many schools require, usually one to three additional writing assignments. (Note that if you apply to ten schools that ask for an average of two supplemental essays, that means you have to write twenty essays plus your Common App essay. That’s a lot of work.)
At one to five hundred words and generally shorter than the Common App essay, these supplemental essays are school-specific, although they tend to fall into common categories (see examples in this chapter). The supplemental essays are not as “make or break” as the Common App essay—a good supplemental essay is unlikely to gain you admission to your school, but a bad one may move you from the college’s “Undecided” group to the “Rejected” group. That’s why you must take them seriously.
Before we delve into the specifics of supplemental essays, you should know the same writing principles apply to these essays as to the Common App essay: Answer the question, stick to the word count, and be sure your grammar and spelling are correct (in shorter essays, mistakes stand out more). But your most important goal in the supplemental essays is to tell the school more about yourself, things that may not be in your application or Common App essay. Many students view supplemental essays as a throwaway assignment; this is a mistake. Consider this a chance to give the reader a more complete profile of you.
Every school has its own supplemental essay questions, but many of the questions are variations on the same theme. In that respect, you can prepare essays for several schools, with the knowledge that you must tailor the details to the specific school. The most common supplemental essay question, and for some schools the only question, is a variant of why do you want to attend this school.
The question asks why you want to attend this particular school, but implicit in this question is what you will bring to the school if you are admitted. So in the allotted word count, you must try to address both areas—why this school is a good fit for you and what makes you ideal for the school.
In terms of why you want to attend the school, the admissions reader is gauging your level of interest. This is where you want to demonstrate your knowledge about the school. If you have already visited the school, especially if you have done a tour and attended an information session, be sure to mention that. (Take notes on your tour and information session. You may be able to put some little-known facts in your essay.) You should talk about what you saw on your tour, who you talked to, and what impressed you about the campus and the student body. Did you talk to a professor or a current student? Explain how those interactions went. If you plan on visiting the school, say so—but do not lie about that. More likely than not, the school will check whether you visit.
Actual campus visits may not be practical or even available. In 2020–2021, most college visits were put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s understood you may not have the time or be able to afford a visit, or you may live three thousand miles away. There are still ways you can and should show the reader that you are interested in the school. Many schools offer virtual tours and virtual information sessions; if a school you are thinking about offers a virtual tour, take it and describe it. Sign up for its virtual information session. In addition, you should follow the school on social media and visit its blog and website.
There are several things that may attract you to a school that you can include in your essay. The one that most students mention is academics—special courses or fields of study that the school features and that you may want to pursue.
Occasionally a school will offer research opportunities or study-abroad options that you think are particularly attractive. Sometimes a school features unique extracurricular activities that you want to become involved with. Again, these answers may involve some research on your part, but they can be helpful to your application because they demonstrate your interest.
One of the ways schools differentiate themselves is through campus life—traditions, social events, and campus activities. Some schools have a special sports pedigree. If you are a sports fan and follow that school, mention that. If you do, it’s good to include a sentence using the school’s nickname and colors (in that usage, if you refer to the school or team by its colors, capitalize the colors, for example, Maize and Blue for University of Michigan, Crimson Tide for the University of Alabama, Scarlet and Gray for The Ohio State University).
Remember, the purpose is to demonstrate your interest in the school. Many schools currently track levels of how much they are being followed digitally by prospective students, a trend that is likely to become more sophisticated in the future.
You can segue into talking about your personal pursuits, but do not repeat information that can be found in your application or Common App essay. For example, if you are interested in fashion design, and you have discussed that in your Common App essay or it is obvious from your activities list, talk about some other interest in this prompt. (You can mention fashion design if a prompt asks what you are considering majoring in.) Or you can talk about some other aspect of your life that is important to you. You do not want the school to get the impression you are a one-dimensional person. Is there something in your background or upbringing you haven’t mentioned? This is a natural lead-in to the second part of the “why do you want to attend” prompt: What you will bring to the school if you are admitted.
Sell yourself. Tailor your response to the specific school. Are you from a rural environment applying to an urban school? Your experience will be valuable to the student body. By the same token, if you are from an inner-city background applying to a rural school, the same principle applies. Perhaps you have a special interest—musical, artistic, entrepreneurial—that dovetails with something the school specializes in (robotics? software development? interior decoration?). In your application, was there an extracurricular activity you were involved in that you didn’t mention or mentioned only in passing? This prompt is where you can devote an entire paragraph to it. This is also where you can discuss some facet of your personality that separates you from other candidates and explain why you will be an asset to the school and its community.
Another common supplemental essay question regards community.
Again, this question is asking two things and you generally only have one to two hundred words to answer it. College is about more than just attending class, so it’s a question about your extracurricular activities, that is, activities you haven’t addressed elsewhere in your application. (Sometimes this prompt is alternatively worded in some form as “tell us about your extracurricular activities.”) If you have an extracurricular that involves a charitable activity, describe it. Even if your extracurricular activity doesn’t involve the larger community, schools understand that—everyone doesn’t do charity work. However, if your extracurricular is only a personal thing, explain how it will help you engage with other students. Perhaps it’s your religious affiliation. Are you a gamer? Explain how you will join that community at school.
This prompt is your chance for a little introspection—examine your interest and figure out how it will dovetail with the school you want to attend. This means learning about the culture of your school and perhaps a little about the student body. The reader will appreciate it if you show that, even in the limited format of two hundred words.
Sometimes this prompt is asked as “tell us about a community you belong to.” You have the latitude to answer this in many ways—your ethnicity, your neighborhood, a specific interest, a sport you play, or a hobby. Feel free to tell the reader what community you are proud of. Keep in mind the purpose of the prompt: to learn more about you as an applicant and how you will fit in at their school.
Many schools want to get a fuller picture of you by asking a series of short answer questions: What is your favorite book, movie, song, and so on? Often, they just want the answer to the question; sometimes they want a short essay (e.g., Who is your hero and why?). Some guides advise you that there can be a trap in these questions, that is, the school is looking for a “wrong” answer. That may be true, but we advise you not to overthink your answers or dwell on them too long. There may be a wrong answer, but, in most cases, it would be hard to tell; so don’t worry about it. Honesty is the best and most convenient approach. Your answers are unlikely to raise a flag in all but the most unusual situation. Use some common sense. Adolf Hitler would not be a good answer for your hero. It may not be advisable to give a hint to a religious school that you are an atheist, but, in general, be your authentic self. The reader is probably more interested in authenticity than in your actual answers. These are not the questions to spend a great deal of time on.
Here are some basic supplemental essay prompts and a couple of prompts from specific schools.
Supplemental Prompt: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (Limit to 250 words.)
My friends and I wanted to rollerblade, not swim! However, when we arrived to blow off steam on a sunny June day in 2017, the Sandy Litwin Memorial Park (SLMP) in Deerlove, IL was flooded with mosquito-ridden, stagnant water. After research, I learned that SLMP’s abundant supply of turfgrass caused the flooding. Unnatural to Illinois Plains, but inexpensive to plant, this shallow-rooted grass doesn’t absorb excess water during high-rain periods.
After my thwarted attempt to rollerblade through the SLMP, I contacted the local park district to create a 34,700 square foot rain garden, comprised of deep-rooted and native flowers, shrubs, and grasses designed to reduce flooding. Both low maintenance and beautiful, the rain garden appealed to officials, who agreed to support my proposal. Together, we removed large sections of the park’s turfgrass and bought 1,000 plants and 220 pounds of seeds, spending the $5,687 in funds raised.
I made posters and hosted seminars to recruit over thirty volunteers to plant my rain garden. Finally, on a wet Saturday morning in May 2018—nearly 11 months and over 200 hours of work later—a team of helpers joined me in building the garden.
When I returned to the SLMP this past summer to rollerblade, the rain garden was serving its purpose. The park was dry and fully functional. What’s more, the nearby Chicago River was exponentially cleaner without dirty stormwater flowing downstream. My hope is the rain garden will last for decades, permanently improving the local ecology.
Sometimes the essay writes itself; this is one of those times. There’s nothing magic here—just a description of what the writer accomplished. But it’s good in a subtle way. First of all, she explains in 250 words what was a fairly extensive project. That’s not easy to do. Second, go back and look at the first sentence. It’s a great lede. She used a couple of descriptive adjectives but didn’t overuse them. Finally, an appropriate amount of detail; any more would have been too much, any less not enough. Full use of 250 words.
Prompt (Activities Essay): If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why? (Required for all applicants.) Limit to 150 words.
High Five Choir is a musical group for students of all abilities to sing and raise disability awareness. For forty minutes every day for the past three years, I’ve sung meaningful songs and created the best friendships I’ve ever known. Too often, we judge others without knowing them, or neglect to acknowledge their presence and purpose in our lives. There’s something in the air of the choir room that puts these habits to rest. We’re all differently abled: some use vocal chords to sing, others use sign language, and some express themselves through dance, while others use a smile. But it’s through these differences that connections grow. What’s more, those who are the most challenged in their abilities typically smile the biggest. High Five has given me lasting friendships, a refreshed perspective on life, and proof that goodness exists. I wish I could continue it for years to come.
Answers the prompt right away. Simple and from the heart. Exactly the type of essay you want to write. When you read it, you get a good picture of the writer, and she presents herself well. Warm and humble. It’s so good, it would be great to see this essay expanded into her Common App essay. It’s hard to sustain this approach for 650 words, but somehow you get the idea the author could pull it off.
Prompt: Tell us how a book changed your life.
If I were to open a bookstore, the first book I would order would be “Seuss-isms: Wise and Witty Prescriptions for Living from the Good Doctor” by Dr. Seuss. As a child, I loved Seuss books for the colorful pages and crazy characters with names like Benjamin Bicklebaum and Fizza-ma-wizza-ma-dill. I appreciate Seuss books today as much as I did as a child, because I have found truths in them that have a great deal of significance. “Seuss-isms” is a compilation of life lessons, which embody a sense of how to live life positively, and with a sense of humor.
Some of my favorite book quotes include, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” and “Think and wonder, wonder and think.” These were especially true for me in my fifth year at Camp Clearlake for Girls. On my last day, I could hardly contain my tears because every year it became more difficult to say goodbye to the place I called my second home and to the girls I referred to as my sisters.
A sense of magic dwelled within Clearlake, like the magic that jumped off Dr. Seuss’s pages. It was that rare place, where others could get to know the true me and where I was defined by my character and kindness, not by my accomplishments or talents. I cannot completely describe my experiences at Clearlake: sailing with the sunlight dancing in the waves and wind whispering through my hair, and the feelings of sisterhood and compassion shared by every girl despite significant differences in age, upbringing, life experiences and personality. Over five blissful summers, these experiences combined to create a canvas of memories. Each year after returning home, I was a little more confident, kind, and adventurous.
My camp director encouraged me to live by Dr. Seuss’s words, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” I knew then that I would never forget the beauty of the Northwoods, the call of the loon, and the song of my footfalls on Clearlake’s graveled paths to self-discovery. I also realized this wasn’t the end. By transforming me and all its daughters into young women with self-esteem and compassion, Clearlake gave me a gift I could bring anywhere. It shaped my love of nature and sense of adventure. I often reflect on the compassion of Clearlake’s young women, and I work to replicate this spirit at home.
During the last night of camp, everyone gathered around a campfire and sang, “And although my journey has only begun, I can look back and see how far I’ve come.” This song defined Clearlake’s gift to me—allowing me to grow, strive, achieve, look back on my progress, and continue to seek adventure.
I was heartbroken when I had to leave, but I realize how lucky I was to experience this special place. All things must eventually come to an end but Dr. Seuss teaches us not to cry, but to smile and celebrate the glory of existence.
A nice, heartfelt, well-written essay. You learn about the author, and she comes off quite well. This is a good example of the author using the prompt to her best advantage.
Describe an academic or intellectual project, experience or pursuit of which you are particularly proud. (Limit to 75–150 words.)
Everyone at my school must write a Junior Theme Research Paper with two guidelines: it must be a topic about America, and a subject of profound interest to you. I wrote about economic inequality in America. It made me question my beliefs and developed my critical thinking and writing skills. My research showed America has less economic mobility than other industrialized nations, which led me to conclude the American dream of economic success through hard work and merit is dwindling. Advancing now depends primarily on your family’s affluence, education, and social connections. Globalization, a tilting of political life toward the interests of affluent individuals and corporations, and the failure of America’s K–12 schools to produce enough skilled laborers to meet new technological demands were three main drivers of increasing income inequality. After months of research and multiple drafts, I was proud of my concise, persuasive, and passionate paper.
You have to choose your topics for your essays carefully. This is a good topic, but it is probably not the right topic for a 150-word maximum. It’s a good essay, but it does not give the subject the attention it deserves in such a limited format. Ironically, this could have been the basis for a good Common App essay, and there is a “time when you challenged a belief” prompt. The topic would be better addressed in 650 words.
Explain your interest in the major you selected and describe how you have recently explored or developed this interest, inside and/or outside the classroom. You may also explain how this major relates to your future career goals. Limit your response to 300–400 words. (Business Unassigned)
I have grown up with the goal of one day leading a business. Even when I was young, I always wanted to be a leader of everything I did, whether that was on a sports team, in a class group, or in church. Business leadership has become more important to me as I’ve aged, and while I still do not know what kind of business I want to lead, I know that it is a general goal for my life. The business unassigned major at the University of Illinois is a perfect way for me to start my career as a learner in the field of business. I admire the great business leaders today, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who believed in their own ideas and persevered to create lasting businesses. My sister graduated from the College of Business at Illinois, and I look up to her because of her experiences she has gained since then. She has told me that Illinois fosters students’ knowledge about all things related to business their first two years, and then allows them to narrow into a passion for their major.
While my sister has been a role model for me, my interests in business have long been a part of my personality. During my sophomore year, I started converting my neighbor’s old VCR’s into DVD’s. I was paid to do the tedious work, but it made me appreciate how business works. A simple favor grew, and I then was paid to convert my own family’s VCR’s. My other family friends heard of the work that I did, and I turned it into a little business. The work involved placing the VCR’s into a machine that would automatically convert them to DVD’s. It was very easy for a technologically savvy teenager, but it was time-consuming. I realized then that the more unique a business is, the greater chance it has to thrive. I named my business Media Conversion, a very complex name for a simple operation. It worked, however, and through networking, I made the most of my small business. At the University of Illinois, I hope to find a passion in the College of Business that can help me fine-tune my business skills so I can one day lead a large corporation, charity, or technology start-up, making huge improvements from my teenage business.
Again, another essay with an emphasis on leadership, this time in the field of business. (We advise staying away from “more unique” as used in the second paragraph. The sentence would read better as “I realized that a unique business has a greater chance to thrive.”)
Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University.
When I visited Tulane as I was starting my junior year, I didn’t know what my dream school would look like. Moments after being on campus, I knew I had found it. Surrounded by a sea of greenery, I fell in love with Tulane as the tour unfolded. Walking past the mix of new and old architecture, I listened to my tour guide describe the great opportunities at the university. The school spirit was so evident that I immediately felt I belonged. This instant connection I made last year endures. I am confident that Tulane is the perfect choice for me. I haven’t decided on a major, so I appreciate that Tulane does not require you to declare until fourth semester. I have a wide range of interests and enjoy the fact that at Tulane I can take classes in any undergraduate program. I am interested in French, psychology, and film studies, so being able to do a major or minor in all three is appealing.
The required first-year TIDES course is quite attractive. Tulane offers many interesting ways to fulfill this requirement, including classes on New Orleans Performance Culture, Visual Arts, and Making New Orleans. This program is a great aspect of the school because students can become better acquainted with the New Orleans community.
Attending a mid-size university is important to me, because I come from a high school of over 4,000 students. I want to attend a school with people from different backgrounds and meet as many people as possible. I also want to maintain personal relationships with my professors. Being a school of about 8,000 with an 8:1 student to faculty ratio, Tulane will allow me to get to know my professors.
Another great quality of Tulane is the commitment to the community. I admire that public service is a prerequisite for graduation. In high school, I played an active role in helping my community. I have worked with children at Lurie Children’s Hospital, raised money for three different service groups, raised money to purchase Christmas gifts for a local family, and helped organize two blood drives. I have grown up giving back to the community and taking time to improve it. Tulane’s service requirement aligns well with my values.
I want to study abroad and the program in Rabat, Morocco, is appealing. I have been to France to practice the language, but I have never traveled to Africa, so French-African culture is foreign to me. It would be an incredible experience to delve into the region’s history and explore the nearby mountains and beaches. I appreciate that Tulane has a group of Peer Advisors who have studied abroad and will help prospective students prepare for their travels and assist with the application process.
Another attractive feature of Tulane is the French influence in New Orleans. I love the idea of being surrounded by French culture in the United States, which is something unique to New Orleans. I have always appreciated New Orleans’ French traditions from the food, to the bustling activity in the French Quarter, to Mardi Gras. French culture and language have played a big role in my life, so it is important for me to have this continue in college. New Orleans is the perfect place to learn in depth about French culture.
I am also interested in the cultural arts in New Orleans, the home to many artists and dance companies. I have been dancing since I was little, and seeing live performances has always been a big part of my life. I believe dancers should support other dancers. Even though I do not wish to major in dance, I am grateful that Tulane offers dance classes to all students, regardless of major.
Because of the many opportunities that Tulane provides its students, from academics to culture, I am confident that Tulane is the perfect school for me and where I can develop, thrive, and reach my full potential. I am applying Early Decision, because I know I will be an involved member of the Tulane community and would be honored to call it my home.
There is nothing special about this essay, but it covers all the bases for this prompt. When you are called on to answer this type of prompt, these are the things you want to mention. The tour is especially important. You should always mention it when you have taken a tour of your prospective school. Colleges want to see your level of interest, and a tour is good evidence of interest.
Have you visited the Wake Forest campus? If yes, tell us about your visit and with whom did you speak? (150 words or fewer)
After attending the Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive, I learned about Wake Forest University. I had one day between the end of the program and my flight home, so I decided to make the trip to the University. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday during the summer, so I was not able to attend any formal presentations. Luckily, I did meet a Wake Forest student who was showing the school to her summer internship friends. I got to spend an hour touring the campus with her and learning about the school. Her enthusiasm for the school was electrifying and made me even more excited about the prospect of becoming a Wake Forest student. After spending time with her I began to see Wake Forest as the place where I could best channel my passions, including my love for dance and foreign language.
How did you become interested in Wake Forest University and why are you applying? (150 words or fewer)
Last summer, I attended the Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive and learned about the Wake Forest Dance Program. At first, I didn’t consider the University because, in seeking a dance program, I only researched schools with a dance major. After hearing about Wake Forest’s Dance Program, I researched the school. The more I learned, the more I could imagine four years learning and living among the Wake Forest’s students and professors.
I believe the marriage between a superb liberal arts education and the strong dance program make Wake Forest an excellent fit for me. I am interested in the University’s Business and Enterprise Management Major. If accepted, I would apply to study abroad through the Wake Forest University Barcelona: Business and Global Studies Program, given my strong love of the Spanish language. Wake Forest University is where I can pursue a strong liberal arts education, and become a better dancer.
Another important thing to talk about in your school essay is your interest and any special program at the school that dovetails with that interest.
Boston College strives to provide an undergraduate learning experience emphasizing the liberal arts, quality teaching, personal formation, and engagement of critical issues. If you had the opportunity to create your own college course, what enduring question or contemporary problem would you address and why?
Economists claim it is one of the most sought-after traits in the 21st century workforce. Psychologists maintain it is mandatory for human connection. Neuroscientists assert it is hardwired into our brains. Sociologists warn that today’s college students have less of it compared to college students a generation ago. St. Ignatius understood it is embodied in our call to serve others. What is it?
Empathy.
The college course I would create is one on becoming more humane: Empathy 101. Like many, I grew up hearing, “put yourself in someone else’s shoes.” As I reflect on my peers, and myself, I believe we are often empathetic. For instance, if one of my teammates has two tests tomorrow and our tennis match takes longer than expected, we all understand and share her “I’m going to be up all night studying” stress. Chances are we are quieter on the bus ride home so she can start studying.
As a generation that volunteers regularly, we have practice seeing and feeling things from others’ perspectives. Yet sometimes millennials such as myself get caught up in our own issues. We are absorbed in how many Instagram “likes” we get and a bit too numb to pay attention to another news story of violence or a natural disaster. Unfortunately, sometimes the competition to succeed academically, in our extra-curricular and social activities, is so overwhelming that we get lost in an “every man for himself” mentality.
But my family values and Jesuit education taught me we should be there for each other, and that begins with empathy. Empathy is more than just a nicety. It is the cornerstone of human connection, and thus is crucial to the well-being of individuals and society. Studies indicate empathy can reduce depression, increase self-esteem, and boost the immune system. It increases employee productivity, decreases student drop-out rates, and reduces divorce. Empathy is touted as a way to confront social injustice and is the most valuable resource in conflict resolution.
Clearly empathy can be transformative, and I believe it can transform my generation from the “me” generation to the “us” generation where everyone in the human family sticks together. Fortunately, we can improve on our innate ability and learn to be more empathetic. Next year I hope to become part of the Boston College Community, a community of men and women for others, a community I’m confident would eagerly register for Empathy 101.
Whenever possible, a good school essay should reflect the values of the school. In this case, the author has done a fine job of reflecting the values of the school. In turn, that reflects well on the author. In the fourth paragraph “such as myself” should read “such as me.” Writers often resort to the reflexive “myself” when “me” is correct.