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Copyof Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are crucial for highly-selective universities as they provide deeper insights into applicants beyond their personal statements. They often feature specific prompts that allow candidates to showcase their individuality and connection to the institution. To craft a strong supplemental essay, applicants should focus on authenticity, personal experiences, and specific details about the university that resonate with them.

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13 views19 pages

Copyof Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are crucial for highly-selective universities as they provide deeper insights into applicants beyond their personal statements. They often feature specific prompts that allow candidates to showcase their individuality and connection to the institution. To craft a strong supplemental essay, applicants should focus on authenticity, personal experiences, and specific details about the university that resonate with them.

Uploaded by

Eli Bright Semaha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Supplemental Essays:

Why they are important and what you can do


to have a strong one
Supplemental Essays:
What Are They Anyway?

Supplemental essays are additional pieces of writing


often required by many highly-selective universities.
Essays can be just as revealing and important as your
personal statement.
Why Are They Important?

• Feature a variety of prompts to help colleges select

candidates from a large applicant pool


• Dig deeper into who you are
• Help colleges understand what matters to you
• Describe what you can bring to the campus community

Credits:collegeessayguy.com
Application Essay vs. Supplemental Essay
Application Essay Supplemental Essay
• Question generated for a specific
college/university
● Essay prompt often generated by
Common Application/Coalition • Often relates directly to the school
etc.
• Allows the student to provide a
● General topics that may be more personal perspective
duplicated or tweaked to use for
multiple schools • Unlikely used for multiple schools
• “I’ve seen top students not be admitted
because their “why us” answer was not
done with much interest or effort”
What do • “The student’s supplemental essay was
admission generic and I didn’t learn anything
officers say? meaningful about them.”

• “The student didn’t address the prompt”


Check What do you know about yourself?
• Personal Story
yourself, • Academic Reference
before you • Community
• Activities
wreck • Passions
yourself
How would Tell me a little about yourself.
You
Respond? Why our university?
Consider using an Essay Tracker
School Essays Required LimitWord

Common App Main Statement 650

Common App Activities List 150

USC students are known to be involved. Briefly


describe a non-academic pursuit (such as service to
community or family, a club or sport, or work, etc.,) that
USC (Sample, best illustrates who you are, and why it is important to
2016) you. 250

Tip: Organize required essays the same way you organize college lists

Credits:collegeessayguy.com
Research: Supplemental Essay Guide

Credits:collegeessayguy.com
Supplemental Essay Prompts-Examples

University of Michigan Wake Forest University of Chicago


Everyone belongs to many different Respond to the required essay and
communities and/or groups defined choose one of the six extended

by (among other things) shared essay options and upload a one- or


Give us your top ten list! two-page response.
geography, religion, ethnicity,
income, cuisine, interest, race,
Theme: Cats have nine lives, Pac-Man
ideology, or intellectual heritage. (List 10 things) has 3 lives, and radioactive
isotopes have half-lives. How
Choose one of the communities to many lives does something
which you belong, and describe that else—conceptual or
community and your place within it.
actual—have, and why?
Interest and Outcomes
University of Michigan Wake Forest University of Chicago

Something
Community Specific Meaningful
The “Why Us” Supplement Prompt
New York University (NYU) Response

Why NYU? Do your research


We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to Chose very specific
apply to NYU? responses
Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, Refrain from: location
college, program, and or area of study?
first, reciting school
If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested statistics
in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand – Why
Tie it back to YOU
NYU? (400 word maximum)
Let’s Pretend
“Why Sidwell?”

If Sidwell was a university and you had to answer the


“Why Sidwell?” prompt, how would you respond?
What are some possible answers?
Raise your hand to respond or use the chat box
What about • Should you complete one?
Optional • Does it add to your application?
• Information NOT previously
Supplements? covered
Prep Phase:
Outthink the question and response
Mistakes and Overthink the question and response
Misconceptions
Response Phase:
Respond with what you THINK the
university wants to hear
Not entirely clear about the question
being asked, yet go for it anyway
• Answer the question!!
• Other than the college interview, the
What You Can essay/supplement is the only piece of
Do to Have a the application specific to you
• Choose 2-3 unique things about the
Strong Essay school, that ties directly back to you
Supplement?
• No matter the question, let the
response be about you
• Take this opportunity to demonstrate
your uniqueness
• COVID has changed the landscape
Supplemental
• Colleges are turning to other sections of the
Essays in the
time of application to provide insight to the applicant

COVID-19 • Use this as your opportunity to stand out


Takeaways
Start Early
The essay supplement and interview are the two
primary ways to stand out and personalize your
application

Allow YOUR voice to come through your writing

Take your time and don’t rush through the essay

Be authentic and genuine. Be creative.


Show your personality!
Resources

Collegeessayguy.com

Collegeessayadvisors.com

Ask your college counselor for advice-We’re


here to help!

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