Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Supplemental College Essays
When you’re deep into the college application process, it’s easy to think that the Common App personal statement is the hardest part. However, many schools also require supplemental essays, which give you the chance to provide even more information about who you are, what you value, and why you’re a great fit for a specific college.
While every school has its own set of prompts, there are a few common themes you’re likely to encounter across different applications. In this guide, I’ll break down the five main types of supplemental essays, explain what admissions officers are looking for, and offer strategies for writing effective, authentic responses.
“Why This College?” Essay
Purpose: This prompt asks why you want to attend a specific school. Colleges use this to gauge how much you know about their programs and campus and whether you’ve thoughtfully considered how you fit into their community.
What They're Looking For:
Genuine Interest: Admissions officers can tell if you’re just recycling a generic answer across multiple schools. They want to see that you’ve done your research and have real reasons for wanting to attend.
Connection to Your Goals: They also want to understand how the college’s resources will help you achieve your academic, professional, or personal goals.
How to Write It:
Research Beyond the Basics: Go beyond the school’s homepage. Look into specific programs, faculty members, study abroad opportunities, research labs, clubs, or events that resonate with your interests. Use the college’s website, social media, and news articles to find this information.
Make It Personal: Instead of saying, “XYZ University has a great business program,” try explaining how a specific professor’s work or the school’s unique entrepreneurship center aligns with your goal of starting your own company.
Highlight Fit: Show how both you and the college will benefit from each other. Talk about what you will bring to the school’s community, not just what you’ll take from it.
Example (Expanded): Rather than writing, “I love the strong academic reputation at XYZ University,” you could expand it into:
“I’m particularly drawn to XYZ University’s Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, where I can work alongside faculty like Professor Johnson, whose research on sustainable business models aligns perfectly with my interest in eco-friendly startups. I’m eager to contribute to the student-run consulting firm, which would allow me to gain hands-on experience helping local businesses grow sustainably.”
“Tell Us About an Extracurricular Activity” Essay
Purpose: This essay allows you to showcase your passions outside of the classroom. It’s a chance to provide deeper insight into one or two extracurricular activities that mean the most to you.
What They're Looking For:
Commitment: Admissions officers are looking for students who show dedication, growth, and impact in their activities.
Leadership and Initiative: Even if you weren’t the president of a club, they want to see that you’ve taken responsibility, learned something valuable, or made a positive difference.
How to Write It:
Focus on Depth Over Breadth: Pick one activity and go deep. Share a story or a specific moment that highlights why this activity matters to you, how you’ve contributed, and what you’ve learned from it.
Highlight Personal Growth: Use this essay to reflect on how this activity has changed you. Did it spark a new passion? Challenge you to develop new skills? Shape your goals for the future?
Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of simply listing responsibilities, share a story that illustrates your involvement and growth.
Example (Expanded): Instead of simply stating, “I was the captain of the volleyball team,” you could write:
“As captain of my high school volleyball team, I led weekly skill-building sessions for new players, creating a more inclusive environment where everyone felt welcome. Seeing shy teammates gain confidence and push themselves inspired me to take on a mentorship role, and that experience taught me the power of leadership through encouragement and empathy.”
Diversity or Community Essay
Purpose: This prompt invites you to discuss how your unique experiences, background, or identity will contribute to the diversity of the college community. Colleges value diversity in all forms, whether that’s related to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, gender identity, personal challenges, or life experiences.
What They're Looking For:
Perspective: Colleges want to know how your experiences shape the way you see the world and how you’ll bring new viewpoints to their campus.
Contribution: They also want to understand how you’ll engage with and enrich the campus community through your background and values.
How to Write It:
Tell Your Story: Be honest about your experiences and how they’ve shaped you. Whether you’re writing about your cultural background, a significant personal challenge, or your role in your local community, make it authentic and specific.
Show Impact: Reflect on how your experiences have influenced your character, values, and future goals. How have these experiences prepared you to contribute to a diverse and inclusive community in college?
Connect the Dots: Highlight how these experiences align with the values of the school and how they will guide your contributions to the campus.
Example (Expanded): Rather than writing, “I come from a diverse background,” you could explain:
“As the child of immigrant parents, I’ve navigated two cultures my entire life. I’ve learned to balance traditional values at home with the independence I’ve gained in American society. This experience has given me a deep appreciation for different perspectives and a passion for fostering cross-cultural dialogue, which I look forward to continuing at XYZ University through the Cultural Awareness Club.”
“Creative” or Unconventional Prompts
Purpose: Some schools, such as the University of Chicago or Tufts University, include more unconventional or open-ended prompts. These are designed to give you space to show creativity and originality, allowing you to stand out.
What They're Looking For:
Creativity: Colleges want to see your ability to think outside the box, show humor, wit, or thoughtful introspection. This is your chance to showcase your personality in a way that more traditional essays might not allow.
Clear Thinking: Even though the prompt might be playful, admissions officers still want to see that you’ve thought deeply and clearly about your response.
How to Write It:
Have Fun: Don't be afraid to take a creative approach. Whether the prompt is quirky, hypothetical, or imaginative, let your true voice and personality shine through.
Make It Meaningful: Even in a fun essay, try to reveal something important about yourself. Whether it’s your sense of humor, a unique interest, or how you approach challenges, make sure the essay says something about who you are.
Stay Relevant: Keep in mind that, while creative, the essay should still answer the prompt in a meaningful way.
Example (Expanded): For a prompt like “You’ve invented a time machine. Where would you go and why?” Instead of saying “I’d go to the future,” you could write:
“I’d travel back to ancient Alexandria, where the Great Library stood as the center of knowledge. I’m fascinated by how the scholars of the time collected and preserved knowledge from across the ancient world. In an age before Google, their work was groundbreaking and aligns with my passion for historical preservation and curiosity about lost knowledge.”
Short Answer Questions
Purpose: These questions are designed to gather quick insights into your interests, values, or personality. They’re usually limited to 50-100 words, which means they require clarity and conciseness.
What They're Looking For:
Authenticity: Admissions officers want to see genuine, thoughtful responses that reflect who you are.
Concise and Clear Responses: You don’t have much space, so your answers need to be impactful and to the point.
How to Write It:
Be Clear and Concise: These answers should be short, so make sure you get straight to the point. Focus on the key message you want to convey in each response.
Let Your Personality Shine: Use this space to showcase your personality, whether through humor, passion, or a glimpse into what excites you.
Stay Focused: Avoid general statements or vague answers. With limited space, make each word count.
Example (Expanded): For a prompt like “What’s your favorite place in the world and why?” Instead of saying “My bedroom because it’s comfortable,” you might write:
“My grandmother’s garden is my favorite place because it’s where she taught me about patience, growth, and the importance of nurturing the things we love. It’s a reminder that the smallest seeds can become something beautiful with time and care.”
Final Tips for Writing Strong Supplemental Essays:
Start Early: Many students underestimate how long supplemental essays take to write. Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, revise, and get feedback.
Keep Track of Each School’s Requirements: Use a spreadsheet or calendar to keep track of essay prompts, word limits, and deadlines for each school.
Tailor Each Essay to the School: Even if two schools have similar prompts, make sure your responses are specific to each institution. Admissions officers can spot recycled essays easily!
Revise and Proofread: Have someone else read your essays to catch errors, awkward phrasing, or unclear ideas. Polish your work until every word counts.
Remember, supplemental essays are your opportunity to showcase what makes you unique and why you'll thrive in a particular college community. Approach each prompt thoughtfully and authentically, keeping in mind the values of the institution and how you can contribute to their campus. With careful attention to detail, you can craft essays that enhance your application and show admissions officers that you’re a great fit for their school.
Need more help crafting your college essays? My Complete College Application Course offers step-by-step guidance for writing standout essays, building your college list, and navigating the entire application process. Let’s work together to help you present your best self to admissions committees!
