One of the downsides of my career as a college admissions coach (at least for my teenage sons) is that when they express frustration over relatively minor inconveniences—like being unable to find the exact pair of shorts they want or discovering the pantry is out of their favorite snack—my typical response tends to be, “Well, at least you’ll have something to write about for your college essay.”
At approximately 57% of U.S. four-year colleges, writing is regarded as an important component in the admissions process. The "College Essay," more formally known as the personal statement in the Common Application, is widely regarded as one of the most stressful components for applicants. The challenge lies in its open-ended nature (you can write about anything), its brevity (650 words is not enough to cover everything), and the time students often spend agonizing over it (sometimes for months). It tends to dominate the application to-do list and loom large in students' minds.
However, what surprises most students is learning that many colleges place even greater importance on a second type of essay: the supplemental essay. Often overlooked, these shorter, more targeted prompts play a key role in shaping an applicant’s profile. Once students have completed their personal statement, they are frequently greeted with additional writing tasks specific to each college. Supplemental essays offer institutions the chance to gather information tailored to their community, and despite their brevity, they should not be underestimated.
Colleges use supplemental essays for several reasons, including:
Assessing Research and Genuine Interest: Many colleges ask a version of the “Why [insert college name]?” prompt to determine if applicants have seriously considered their reasons for applying. A generic or vague response suggests the applicant hasn’t invested much time in researching the institution.
Evaluating Creativity: Some colleges use oddball essays (looking at you University of Chicago to generate creative, and often playful responses from students. These quirky questions, such as “Can a toad hear? Prove it” (Bennington College), encourage applicants to showcase their intellectual curiosity and creativity while ensuring responses are unique and cannot be reused across multiple applications.
Measuring Interest: In recent years, more colleges have introduced optional supplemental essays. These give applicants the choice to provide additional information, but they also serve as a way for schools to gauge demonstrated interest. Students who choose to write optional essays are often more likely to enroll, as they have invested extra time in their applications. While not every college factors demonstrated interest into their decisions, many do.
Common Supplemental Essay Questions (and How Not to Answer Them)
1. Why do you want to attend [insert college]?
This is one of the most frequently asked supplemental essay prompts, and yet it’s also the one that students often answer poorly. Many responses are filled with generic praise about the college—statements like “I’ve always wanted to attend [insert college] because of the beautiful campus and stimulating academic environment.” These responses are not only uninspired, but also miss the point of the prompt.
This essay isn’t about the college—it’s about you. A good strategy is to spend roughly 70% of your response discussing what you are looking for in a college and then connect those personal needs and interests to specific aspects of that institution. When you do refer to the college, it’s crucial to be detailed and personal. If you have a unique connection to the school, such as a family member who attended, a memorable campus visit, or a teacher (who is also an alum of that school) who inspired your interest, this is the time to mention it.
The key to success is specificity. As a rule of thumb, if you could replace the name of the college in your essay with the name of another school and it still makes sense, then the response isn’t specific enough.
2. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first choice?
This prompt seeks to understand two things: (1) the background of your academic or career interest, and (2) how well you understand the field.
When I worked in admissions at Purdue University, I recall a presentation from the College of Veterinary Medicine. The representative emphasized that they were not looking for “puppy petters,” but rather for applicants with a serious interest in the scientific aspects of the field. This highlights an important point: passion alone is not enough; there needs to be intellectual depth.
To avoid clichés, refrain from oversimplified explanations such as: "I like to argue, so people have told me I should be a lawyer," or "I like video games, so I want to design them." Instead, explain the experiences that sparked your interest and demonstrate a solid understanding of the field. What specifically excites you about this career path? What personal traits or experiences make you well-suited for it?
3. Please select one of your activities and explain why it is meaningful to you.
Many students fall into the trap of writing this essay like a résumé. They describe the background of the activity, recount stories of their successes or challenges, or provide an exhaustive list of their responsibilities. While this information is relevant, it should be kept brief.
The real focus should be on the deeper meaning behind the activity. How has this experience shaped you? What have you learned from it? How has it influenced your personal growth or future goals? This essay is an opportunity to showcase introspection, not just achievement.
Final Thoughts on Supplemental Essays
While supplemental essays might seem secondary to the personal statement, they are a critical part of the college application. They allow you to highlight different aspects of your personality, interests, and goals that might not come through in other parts of your application. In many cases, they can even be the deciding factor in the admissions process.
So, approach these essays with the care and attention they deserve, and remember: always check the word count—every time.
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