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Hot Take: Why the Supplemental Essays of the College Process Have Got To Go

November 16, 2023 , by zara skolnik, opinion editor.

c/o Zara Skolnik

Since starting the Opinion column “Argus Apps,” which is a column that publishes Wesleyan students’ Common App essays and reflections as a way to humanize the college admission process, I’ve given a lot of thought to the factors and implications involved in the college admission process. One of the major aspects to this process is the use of supplemental essays that tend to have prompts like “Why do you want to go here?” “What parts of our curriculum intrigue you the most?” or “What makes you a good fit for our school?”  While I do see the inherent value in asking these questions, since they prompt critical introspection, overall, I think they hinder what should be the purpose of the college admission process: authenticity. 

First off, my primary issue with the supplemental essays is that they often are written in a way to please the admission officer on the other side, and they aren’t necessarily “from the heart.” For example, the question of “Why us?” is particularly subject to this notion of pleasing. With this type of question, applicants are most likely to answer in a way that flatters the school, and they less often direct the question toward themself or write a personal response. Furthermore, this question can be answered through a 10-minute perusal of the institution’s website by picking out its most salient features and writing about them. 

On the note of inauthenticity, I feel that this question, and questions similar, can be better answered in the form of an interview. In order to evaluate if someone is a good match for their institution, I firmly believe that how someone presents themself in writing may not be the best way to really understand who that person is. Through interviewing students about why they want to go to that school, emotion, personality, and values really shine through. Interviews also provide a different modality for applicants to excel in aside from their writing ability. It tests how well someone can articulate their thoughts while also providing insight into who they are as a person. Though interviews may not be for everyone, for some they are a vital way to demonstrate their fitness for a certain college or university.

Personally, I think the admissions process puts so much weight on one’s writing ability when there are other skills that need to be assessed in order to understand why the applicant wants to go to that particular school. We already have the Common App essay as part of the process, so I don’t necessarily see the need to have another writing task as part of the application. A singular essay, in addition to other mediums through which applicants can answer questions like interviews, artistic portfolios, or other creative ways of submitting work, may be better for us all.

All in all, I really admire the fact that Wesleyan doesn’t require any supplemental essays in its application. And no, this isn’t because it means less work; rather, it means putting a greater emphasis on the authentic personality and different modalities of expression of an applicant. High schoolers are complex and multifaceted. Therefore, the college admission process should reflect the three-dimensionality of these applicants, and the way to accomplish this is through providing other outlets of evaluation and expression. 

Zara Skolnik can be reached at [email protected] .

How to Get Into Wesleyan Guide

How to get into wesleyan university — general information.

Wesleyan University is a private university founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut, overlooking the Connecticut River. The total Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is approximately 3,000 . U.S. News ranks Wesleyan University as #17 of the 2022 National Liberal Arts Colleges.

In this How to Get into Wesleyan University guide, we’ll cover:

• The Wesleyan University average GPA
• Average Wesleyan SAT scores 
• Tips to meet the Wesleyan application deadline
• Information about Wesleyan University admissions 
• Advice for the Wesleyan interview
• Details about the Wesleyan acceptance rate
• How to interpret the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment figures, and much more!

When thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University, remember that it is a liberal arts college that values diversity, passion, and collaboration just as much as intellectual rigor. 

Therefore, ensure your grades match the estimated Wesleyan University average GPA, and your standardized tests match the average Wesleyan SAT scores. In addition, prepare well for your Wesleyan interview. This will help Wesleyan University admissions see how your interests help you to grow physically, intellectually, and socially.  

Do all of this well before the Wesleyan application deadline, and you have a high chance of acing the Wesleyan University admissions process and being admitted for Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment! 

Figuring out how to get into Wesleyan University takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from top schools across the country. Want to maximize your Wesleyan admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272 .

How do I get into Wesleyan?

If you’d like to know how to get into Wesleyan University, understand that Wesleyan University admissions reviews applications holistically. This means that they take each part of your application into account. 

WU does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, they will consider your Wesleyan SAT scores—as well as your Wesleyan interview—if you do submit them. They will also look at your college counselor recommendation, teacher evaluations, and personal essays submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application . 

So, when thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University, start planning early. The Wesleyan University admissions team wants to see that you’ve excelled in challenging courses and pursued extracurriculars that excite you. Make sure each element of your application is up to scratch well before the Wesleyan application deadline. 

How hard is it to get into Wesleyan University?

Thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University? First, know that the Wesleyan acceptance rate is relatively low, making it a very selective school.

Remember that the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is around 3,000, and the Fall 2021 Wesleyan acceptance rate was 19.3% . In addition, the Wesleyan SAT scores for admitted students are high. The middle 50% of the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment achieved an SAT score between 1460 and 1560 or an ACT score of between 33 and 35.

Wesleyan University admissions does not require Wesleyan SAT scores or ACT scores. However, the Wesleyan acceptance rate is low, so high Wesleyan SAT scores should be a key part of your “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy. Study hard for standardized tests and, if your results are strong, submit them.

While Wesleyan University is a hard school to get into, don’t let that discourage you from applying! Follow the advice in this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide and you’ll stand a good chance in the Wesleyan University admissions process.

What is the required GPA for Wesleyan University?

When considering how to get into Wesleyan University, you’ll no doubt wonder about the Wesleyan University average GPA, as well as any GPA requirements. 

Wesleyan does not publish a Wesleyan University average GPA for the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment. So, there is no specific Wesleyan University average GPA that you should strive to achieve.

However, if you are thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University, you should take your high school grades seriously. Although the Wesleyan University admissions team uses a holistic review process , they highly value academic strength. Your grades and standardized test results, therefore, make a huge difference.  

Although no official average GPA is published, we advise studying as though the Wesleyan University average GPA is 3.90. To achieve a GPA this high, strive to achieve As in challenging courses. This will help you stand out to the Wesleyan University admissions team. A strong GPA will help you overcome the competitive Wesleyan acceptance rate. 

Do your grades fall below the hypothetical Wesleyan University average GPA of 3.90? Not to worry—you can still create a solid “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy. You can strengthen your application with high Wesleyan SAT scores, glowing teacher recommendations, an engaging personal essay, and strong supplemental materials. 

What is the Wesleyan University standardized test policy?

Any good “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy will include strong SAT or ACT results. Like the Wesleyan University average GPA, there are no required Wesleyan SAT scores or ACT scores. But if you want to ace the Wesleyan University admissions process, you should take your Wesleyan SAT scores seriously. 

Remember that the middle 50% of the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment achieved an SAT score between 1460 and 1560 or an ACT score of between 33 and 35. Wesleyan is a test-optional school, so the Wesleyan University admissions team does not require Wesleyan SAT scores. However, we suggest that you submit a strong score (within the middle 50% of applicants). It will help you stand out from the crowd, which is key given the low Wesleyan acceptance rate.

Want to perfect your “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy and nail the Wesleyan University admissions process? Read our guide on improving your Wesleyan SAT scores before the Wesleyan application deadline. 

What does the Wesleyan University application require?

To really master how to get into Wesleyan University, first understand what Wesleyan University admissions requires in your application. You must also be cognizant of the Wesleyan application deadline. 

For both the Early Decision and Regular Decision policies, Wesleyan University admissions requires the following:

• An application and personal essay, submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application
• A secondary school report, transcript, and school profile  
• A recommendation from your college counselor 
• Your midyear school report form
• Two academic teacher evaluations
• Wesleyan SAT scores or ACT scores (optional)
• Supplemental materials (optional)
• Wesleyan interview (optional)

Note that the Wesleyan application deadline for Regular Decision is January 1 st . The Wesleyan application deadline for Early Decision 1 is November 15 th . For Early Decision 2, the deadline is January 1 st . 

You’ll find some great advice on how to ace the Common App here . 

The Wesleyan interview is optional , but it is also evaluative. This means Wesleyan University admissions will use it to assess your application. So, if you really want to know how to get into Wesleyan University, book a Wesleyan interview and prepare well for it.

You’ll find more advice about how to succeed in your college interview here . We’ll give more tips about the Wesleyan interview later in this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide. 

Finally, Wesleyan University admissions does not require supplemental materials—most successful applicants don’t submit any. So, only submit this material if you have a particularly strong artistic portfolio.

So, if you’d like to know how to get into Wesleyan University, try to improve your grades, Wesleyan SAT scores, Wesleyan interview technique, and personal essays before the Wesleyan application deadline.

What extracurriculars does Wesleyan University like?

When planning how to get into Wesleyan University, you should think about the extracurriculars Wesleyan University admissions will look for. This is especially important given the low Wesleyan acceptance rate.

There are over 250 student-run groups at WU. Given the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment of almost 3,000 students, this breadth of organizations shows the diverse interests of the student body.

The Wesleyan University admissions team looks for students with a variety of talents. They want to see how you have engaged with school activities, civic and religious organizations, politics, and the arts. We recommend that you pick up such pursuits long before the Wesleyan application deadline. Then, share them in your personal essays, optional supplemental materials, and Wesleyan interview. 

What is the acceptance rate at Wesleyan University?

Anyone thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University must consider the Wesleyan acceptance rate. This number gives you a sense of the Wesleyan University admissions process.

In the fall of 2020, the Wesleyan acceptance rate was 21%. According to U.S. News, the Wesleyan acceptance rate makes it a “most competitive” school. 

Want to give yourself the best chance of overcoming the low Wesleyan acceptance rate? Focus on matching those optimum Wesleyan SAT scores and surpassing the estimated Wesleyan University average GPA.

That said, don’t be put off by the Wesleyan acceptance rate. If you’re researching how to get into Wesleyan University, it’s likely that something in the school appeals to you. This means you’d make a valuable member of the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment. 

So, do your research on how to get into Wesleyan University. Then, strengthen each part of your application before the Wesleyan application deadline.

Does Wesleyan University require interviews?

There is no required Wesleyan interview. However, we suggest you make the Wesleyan interview a part of your “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy. The Wesleyan University admissions team will use your interview to supplement your other materials. So, a strong Wesleyan interview can add depth to your profile.

Your Wesleyan interview will be between September and February. Sign up for a Wesleyan interview here , or request a Wesleyan interview with an alum here .

In your Wesleyan interview, Wesleyan University admissions looks at your intellectual curiosity, academic and extracurricular commitment, and character. You can find some sample Wesleyan interview questions here . 

In your Wesleyan interview, be ready to discuss your key academic and extracurricular interests. Be clear on the passions and goals which drive these interests. Try to focus on the skills you have developed through them, and the achievements you have made. Finally, prepare well. That way, when your Wesleyan interview comes around, you’ll have no problem showing Wesleyan University admissions that you have what they are looking for!

How does Wesleyan University review applications?

Students who want to know how to get into Wesleyan University might wonder what happens after the Wesleyan application deadline of January 1 st . 

Wesleyan doesn’t publish a detailed outline of their review process. However, there are certain things you can be sure they will assess . Alongside your Wesleyan SAT scores, assumed Wesleyan University average GPA, and personal essays as discussed above, Wesleyan University admissions looks at the following:

Wesleyan University admissions prefers students to report their class rank. We suggest that you share this information, especially if you are high up in your class. 

Teacher recommendations

Wesleyan prefers one of these recommendations to come from a math or science teacher and another to come from an English or social sciences teacher. 

Wesleyan interviews are evaluative and therefore highly recommended. While optional, they can provide more depth to your application.

Also, note that Wesleyan University admissions does not look at demonstrated interest. So, your inability to visit campus will not impact you.

Not sure what demonstrated interest is? Check out our webinar to learn more.

Follow the advice in this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide. Then, craft your application paying close attention to detail . If you follow these tips, you can impress the Wesleyan University admissions team. 

Will Wesleyan University consider my social media accounts?

Considering how to get into Wesleyan University? Then, it’s wise to think about how your social media presence will factor into your “how to get into Wesleyan University” plan.  

Wesleyan University admissions does not mention social media in the Wesleyan University application requirements. Wesleyan University admissions receives a high volume of applications (over 12,700 last year). So, they don’t have time to review your social media accounts alongside your Wesleyan SAT scores, Wesleyan interview, and the rest of your application. 

However, you should still avoid posting any inappropriate content online. Other schools and future employers may look at your online presence to learn about your character. Check out these guidelines for sensible social media use.

Is Wesleyan a good school for me?

Students who want to learn how to get into Wesleyan University might get caught up in understanding the Wesleyan University average GPA, interpreting the Wesleyan acceptance rate, and meeting that Wesleyan application deadline. It’s easy to forget to ask whether Wesleyan is right for you !

When you look at the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment figures, you’ll see that Wesleyan is a diverse school . This is true in terms of gender, ethnicity, nationality, and background. 

Wesleyan University values intellectual curiosity and an open mind. Wesleyan puts a high emphasis on independent thought. This means they value students’ abilities to solve real-world problems. They have an open curriculum because they value student choice and creative control.  

Before you think about the Wesleyan University admissions requirements, make a list of what you want from your college experience. Then, thoroughly research Wesleyan’s academic offerings and student life . Make sure it’s a place where you can achieve your goals.

You’ll find more information about life at Wesleyan in these videos .

Additional tips to get into Wesleyan University:

Wesleyan University is a selective school, so your grades matter if you want to be among the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment. However, the answer to how to get into Wesleyan University is more than just achieving the estimated Wesleyan University average GPA or matching the Wesleyan SAT scores.

Think about the following tips to boost your chances of acceptance: 

Be authentic.

In your academics and extracurriculars, choose things that genuinely excite you. You’ll find it easier to stick to the subjects and excel, making you a stronger candidate.

Build relationships

Wesleyan takes your academic teacher evaluations seriously, so maintain good relationships with your teachers. There’s no need to be a straight-A student—if you show good character and passion in the classroom, your evaluation will shine.

The Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is small, and the Wesleyan acceptance rate is low. However, don’t feel discouraged. While academically rigorous, the Wesleyan University admissions process is a holistic one. Showcase your diverse interests and talents so that you build a compelling profile. 

If you follow this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide, you can feel confident applying to Wesleyan. Good luck!

This guide was written by Bethany Nelson. If you want to know how to get into Wesleyan University, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from top schools across the country. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Admission & Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Class profile.

Wesleyan enrolls a total of approximately 3,200 undergraduate students and we currently enroll around 800 first-year students and 30 transfer students each fall.

That number changes each year. We received over 14,500 first-year applications for the Class of 2026.

For Fall 2022, 2,020 first-year students were offered admission to Wesleyan.

Wesleyan does not calculate an average GPA for admitted students nor do we recalculate high school core GPA. Our application review process is a holistic one; we evaluate your entire high school transcript, including course selection and grades achieved.

At least 18% of students at Wesleyan have identified themselves as having a disability and have requested accommodations related to academics, housing or dining. Whether to disclose during the admission process is up to you. The Office of Admission does not discriminate on the basis of disability. As is with all students, students who are admitted must meet the standards and be qualified for admission. Some students choose to share this information with admission officers. Others choose to speak only with  Accessibility Services . Information disclosed to Accessibility Services staff is not shared with the Office of Admission unless the prospective student provides written permission. Students who wish to request accommodations should review the  Accommodations at Wesleyan  website for information about the process for requesting accommodations.

Application Process

Students may apply to Wesleyan through the Common Application or Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir .

• Will the print/paper version of the application still be available? No, students may only apply online. Students can still print-preview an application, but the print-preview version must not be mailed to any school to which you are applying. The print-preview shown to the student is identical to the document that colleges see.

Yes. The Wesleyan enrollment deposit is $250. Please note: The deposit is non-refundable. If a student withdraws from their place in the class, we will not refund their enrollment deposit. 

The Wesleyan admission committee wants to see   two teacher recommendations . These recommendations should come from teachers who know you well and who can speak to the quality of your work  in the classroom . We want to know about your academic engagement, your curiosity, and your willingness to go above and beyond minimum requirements. Wesleyan prefers that one teacher recommendation come from a math or science teacher, and the other come from an English or social studies teacher. While this is not required, we feel that this is the best representation of you as a student in different areas of the curriculum and shows your fit with the liberal arts education we offer. We also suggest that teacher recommendations be from 11th or 12th grade, if possible.

Music, art or other elective instructors may write a recommendation for you, but they do not count as one of the two academic subject teacher recommendations.

Wesleyan does not factor demonstrated interest into admission decisions; therefore, your inability to visit campus will not have an impact on your candidacy. That said, we encourage campus visits because they are useful avenues for students and families to learn more about our resources, climate, and community.

• Are AP scores used in the admission process? No, Wesleyan does not factor AP scores into the admission process.

Wesleyan awards up to two course credits for AP, IB or college courses taken prior to matriculation. While a maximum of two credits earned before matriculation may count toward the Wesleyan degree, all such credits that have been approved by Wesleyan departments will be listed on the student’s transcript. This applies to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Advance-Level exams, as well as any college-level courses taught by a college teacher in a college setting, provided that the course meets Wesleyan’s transfer credit criteria. We do not offer advanced standing. Visit the Office of the Registrar for more information .

Class rank helps us to put your classroom achievement into your school’s context. While we would prefer that class rank be reported, we understand that many schools' policies differ and we do not penalize students who are not ranked.

Students will need to contact the Wesleyan Admission Office directly, in writing, on or before the application deadline: November 15 for ED1; January 1 for ED2 and Regular Decision. Be sure to include your full name and Common Application or Scoir ID. Send your request to  [email protected] .

Wesleyan University is committed to an application process that treats everyone—including those who have a disciplinary record at their school or schools, as well as those who have a history in the judicial system—with the opportunity to be considered as individuals who have learned from their life experiences.

At Wesleyan, we believe in second chances. We are sensitive to the deep concerns many have about the fairness of our justice system and whether it equitably serves all members of our society. We know that higher education can be an important engine of social and economic mobility. Additionally, higher education can enable individuals to make positive contributions to society.

Wesleyan University uses the Common Application and the application for the Scoir, along with the   QuestBridge   application as a function of our long-standing partnership.

In our commitment to honoring each person’s potential, we will no longer take into account any answer to broad questions about past criminal or disciplinary offenses. Instead, in the absence of clear, objective studies about the predictive value of such questions, Wesleyan has substituted its own narrower questions about convictions or disciplinary actions in the Wesleyan-specific part of the application.

We believe these narrower questions strike a better balance between giving people a second chance through higher education and providing the University with information that may have an impact on our community. Answering “yes” to these questions is  not  an automatic bar to admission: Admission officers won’t see an applicant’s answers to these questions until the preliminary assessment of the application—based on academic merit—indicates that the applicant’s candidacy will receive further consideration.

We review all candidates for admission holistically. While academic qualifications are the primary consideration in this evaluation process, our individual assessments also include analysis of each applicant’s extracurricular accomplishments, work experience, letters of recommendation, essays, personal characteristics, talents, and life experiences.

Our Admission Process

In keeping with our commitment to treating those with a disciplinary or judicial-system history with dignity and respect, Wesleyan’s policy beginning with the 2018-19 admissions cycle (for admission in fall 2019) will be:

• To ignore the questions on the universal section of the Common App or other applications : Wesleyan will ignore any answers that applicants provide to the questions in the main section of the Common Application regarding criminal and disciplinary history because we believe them to be too broad. Instead, we ask two more sharply focused questions that we think are more relevant to the issues of living in a learning community on a residential campus.
• First reading without information about disciplinary history : All applications for traditional undergraduate admission are initially reviewed by admission officers without knowledge of whether students have “checked the box” in the section of the application indicating a criminal or disciplinary history.
• Second Review : Applications that receive a positive first review and are deemed competitive for admission will move forward in the evaluation process. At this time, the applications of those who indicated either disciplinary or criminal history—or both—will be studied to fairly assess whether a past offense does or does not indicate their readiness to join the Wesleyan community of learners. The admission officers will be particularly interested in the individual’s ability to frame the past incidents in context, as well as provide a perspective indicating emotional growth and willingness to engage in self-reflection.

Ours is a highly selective, competitive process and, in the spirit of holistic review, there is no formula or any single number, grade, test score, or experience that guarantees admission. All candidates are expected to help the admission committee learn their personal narratives, the context in which they have been living and learning, along with an understanding of what each might contribute to the Wesleyan community.

Standardized Tests

Research released in February 2014  and the upcoming revisions of the SAT and ACT prompted the change beginning for those who file applications for matriculation in 2015. We are unconvinced that standardized test scores accurately reflect college potential for all students, and believe that test scores unfairly advantage some applicants. Individualism and student choice are core values at the University; this policy extends that choice to applicants.

No and no. Wesleyan believes students should have the power to decide how best to present themselves to the admission committee and whether—or not—their standardized test results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential. If scores are present in the application, we will consider them, and if they are not included, then we will not factor them into our admission decision.

There is no cutoff or minimum score at Wesleyan. The admission committee uses a personal, reader-driven, holistic review process which has always considered every applicant’s complete application, regardless of test scores. Every complete application is read in its entirety by an admission officer.

R egardless of your answer to the question about the use of your standardized test scores, Wesleyan will suppress any scores you have entered from appearing on the PDF Common Application file. Please be assured that if you chose to have your standardized test scores included with your application, even though the PDF will read "No test scores to submit," we will receive this score data via the data file that is sent to Wesleyan from CommonApp and they will be added to your file.

If your scores fall below the 25 th  percentile of those Wesleyan typically admits ( see class profile ), your scores are unlikely to make you a more competitive applicant to Wesleyan.  If you have further questions about how your scores may be considered, we encourage you to reach out to our admission staff. 

There is no preference for ACT or SAT scores. Last year about 60% of all applicants submitted SATs, 20% submitted ACTs and 20% submitted both.

Yes, Wesleyan will use the best evidence-based reading, writing, and math scores across any testing dates, and will use the best of each section of the ACT to recalculate a new composite score.

The best predictor of any student’s success is their day-to-day work in a rigorous curriculum, which has always been at the heart of Wesleyan’s holistic review process.

Students need to answer the question on the Wesleyan University pages in the Common Application. There are seven options reflecting combinations of scores to be considered and the option to not have any standardized test scores considered as part of the application. The options are:

• SAT and SAT Subject Tests
• SAT Subject Tests only
• SAT and ACT
• ACT and SAT Subject Tests
• No scores to be submitted

Yes. Wesleyan will not require any matriculating student who did not take an ACT, SAT, or SAT Subject Tests to take exams prior to enrolling.

Additional Questions

Yes. Typically, 20 to 25 admitted students in each class are granted deferred enrollment. The $250 non-refundable enrollment deposit must first be paid to secure matriculation. Upon approval, the Wesleyan Office of Admission will allow students to postpone matriculation for one year. In order to obtain approval, applicants must fill out and submit a plan for their “gap year.” The required deferred enrollment request form must be received by February 1 for Early Decision I, May 1 for Early Decision II, and June 1 for Regular Decision. Requests will be reviewed upon receipt and students will be notified of their outcomes within a couple of days of the previously mentioned deadlines. It is important to note that students granted deferrals cannot submit any admission applications to other institutions or enroll full-time at any other institution of higher education. Once students’ requests for deferment are received and approved, formal letters acknowledging their deferred status will be sent. An essay, briefly describing deferral activities and reaffirming intention to enroll at Wesleyan, is required by January 15 of the deferral year.

Yes - All Wesleyan employees, including Admission Office representatives are considered Mandated Reporters (concerning abuse, neglect or injury to minors) pursuant to Connecticut law.

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Wesleyan supplemental essays

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Does wesleyan university have supplemental essays

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Wesleyan university supplemental essay

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Wesleyan supplemental essay

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Supplemental Essay Prompts: Breaking Down the Most Common Questions

Padya Paramita

September 24, 2020

College applicants often underestimate the importance of supplemental essays and mistakenly put them off until the last minute. However, you should know that they make up a crucial component of your application. Different colleges have various characteristics that they look for in incoming students and supplemental essays are often what they use to determine a good fit. So, don’t underestimate the supplemental essay prompts that await you.

There are certain common patterns in supplemental essay questions that you might recognize across different colleges. Many admissions officers want to know why you’re interested specifically in their university. Others might want to know about the impact you’ve made in your community. To help guide you through the different types of questions, I’ve outlined the categories of common supplemental essay prompts, examples of schools that use them, and tips for students in order to optimize their chance of  receiving an acceptance letter.

Why School Essays:

The most common type of supplemental essay prompts is the “why school” essay. Let’s take a look at how different colleges frame this question this year.

Barnard College : What factors influenced your decision to apply to Barnard College and why do you think the College would be a good match for you? [Max. 300 words]

Tufts University: Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, Why Tufts?’ [100-150 words]

Northwestern University : Other parts of your application give us a sense for how you might contribute to Northwestern. But we also want to consider how Northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. In 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you'll make use of specific resources and opportunities here.

For any of these prompts, make sure you’ve conducted your research! Explore the detailed requirements, courses, faculty, and resources available to undergraduates and see how they align with your profile and interests. Emphasize your “demonstrated interest” in the school — drive home that you’re the right fit for this college and vice versa. You might explain how well you understand the mission or educational philosophy of the school or program. You must focus on how one or two particular aspects of the college suit you. Be as specific as possible and make sure that you show your enthusiasm.

Schools can definitely tell if the examples you’ve provided in the “why school” essay are generic or taken from a different response. If it’s relevant to every single college, you’re approaching this essay incorrectly. If there’s information that’s easily found on the first page of the school’s website, you must try harder. The “why school” essay needs to include information that is unique to that particular school. So include names of classes, professors, programs, extracurricular activities, and other specific factors and resources that only exist in that school that you’d take advantage of and elaborate on why.

Why Major Essays:

Next, we have the “why major” essays. For prompts such as these, you must prioritize clarity and precision when explaining your interest and background that make you a strong candidate for your intended major, as well as detailed knowledge of the school and its programs. Some example essay questions are:

University of Illinois: Please provide an essay that explains why you chose your intended program of study. What interests you the most about this major? Please be specific - those evaluating these essays are highly interested in your response. If Undecided, what areas of study do you look forward to studying in college? [50-500 words]  

Bucknell University: Please explain your interest in your first-choice major/undecided status and your second-choice major, should you opt to list one [Max. 250 words]

Start with an idea or a problem that you find most compelling within your intended field to show your unique approach to the discipline. Use your response to explain your academic interest — not your major. Your major should be determined by your interest, instead of your interest by your major. Connect your past experiences and academic activities to your interest. How did your intellectual curiosity develop out of your activities? Identify which major or program would best help you explore your interest before sitting down to write the essay and then explain why.

Why School + Why Major

Sometimes, supplemental essay prompts may combine the “why school” and “why major” questions. Schools that do so are:

NYU: We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand

- Why NYU? [Max. 400 words]

University of Michigan: Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? [Required for all applicants; 550 word limit]

For prompts such as these, you must divide your essay into two parts. Admissions officers don’t just want to know why you’re applying to the university generally; they expect you to go into greater detail about the campus(es), school, and major you’ve picked. Think about what makes you excited to attend college in the campus you’re applying to. But, don’t  just fixate on the location, because your main focus should be explaining why the particular university is the best institution to pursue your interests and goals, rather than the campus setting. Then dive into the major. Think about specific resources that are available within your chosen department that you can’t find elsewhere.

Notice that this type of essay should mainly cover academics. A university’s clubs and student organizations may make it an alluring place for you, but the question explicitly asks about your choice of study. Look through the website and think about what you can write that won’t be common in other students’ essays. Is there a professor whose research resonates with you? Would a particular psychology or sociology class perfectly fit in with your 10-year plan? Remember that admissions officers are trying to figure out why you’d make the most of your experience on campus. So, talk elaborately about how you would take advantage of the facilities and give them a sense of the ways in which you’d make a valuable addition in the classroom.

Essays on Your Activities

Another really common set of supplemental essay prompts involve asking you to expand on one of your activities, or questions that ask which activity you would pursue for the rest of your life if you could only pick one. Some example prompts are:

Harvard University : Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. [Max. 150 words]

Vanderbilt University : Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. [200-400 words]

California Institute of Technology : Describe three experiences and/or activities that have helped develop your passion for a possible career in a STEM field. [10-120 words each]

The reason colleges ask these questions is because they want to know the kind of community impact you’ve made — have you affected the people around you? What kind of impact have you had on your community? And impact isn’t only about numbers of people you’ve reached. It’s about how much you’ve affected certain people and which kind of people you’ve connected with and why.

The bigger the scale of impact the more impressive it is. Not only should you write about an involvement that appears on your activities list, but you should choose one that appears high up since it needs to be an activity that looks really important to you. The best extracurriculars cannot be explained fully in the small amount of space they give you in your activities list description. 150 characters including spaces is hardly enough to explain the impact you have had in your most important extracurricular. Use your response to expand on what kind of leadership you demonstrated in the activity. If it’s something new you started, expound on why are you’re so motivated to spend time on it and what relationships you built along the way.

Identity Essays

Some supplemental essay prompts want to hear more about your background — who you are, where you come from, what unique perspectives you can bring to the college. The key to this essay is to capture a part of you that you haven’t necessarily talked about in your personal statement. Example prompts include:

University of Washington: Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. [Max. 300 words]

University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill: Expand on an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far? [Max. 250 words]

University of Pennsylvania : At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classroom, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. [150-200 words]

Colleges want to gauge how you would add to the diversity of their campus. Remember, the word “diversity” doesn’t only include factors that are out of your control such as race or ethnicity. If you want to talk about your cultural or religious community - since your familial background is one of the topics that many of these prompts have primarily encouraged - that’s great! But if you believe it wouldn’t make you stand out, think about a community that you’ve found thanks to an extracurricular activity or work experience. No matter what community you choose, you shouldn’t dedicate all of your words to your explanation of the premise. 

This essay should be about you — think about how your perspective has been shaped by the community, and vice versa. How would you be different had this community not existed? Make sure you haven’t elaborated on this part of your profile elsewhere in your application. This essay is a great way of providing more context on something meaningful, that admissions officers wouldn’t easily be able to guess.

Short Responses

Some colleges have a list of shorter questions that they expect you to answer in one line, or a couple of phrases. These can trip you as you might be used to seeing questions that ask for at least a couple paragraphs in answers. Schools that ask shorter questions among their supplemental essay prompts include:

Columbia University : For the four list questions that follow, we ask that you list each individual response using commas or semicolons; the items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. No explanatory text or formatting is needed. Please respond to each of the three short answer questions in 200 words or fewer.

• List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words)
• List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words)
• List the titles of the print or digital publications, websites, journals, podcasts or other content with which you regularly engage. (150 words)
• List the movies, albums, shows, museums, lectures, events at your school or other entertainments that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school (in person or online). (150)

Princeton University : A Few Details:

• Your favorite book and its author
• Your favorite website
• Your favorite recording
• Your favorite source of inspiration
• Your favorite line from a movie or book and its title
• Your favorite movie
• Two adjectives your friends would use to describe you
• Your favorite keepsake or memento
• Your favorite word

If you know that you’ll be applying to one or more of these schools, keep a running list of your brainstorming. Give yourself time to really think about your answers — you want to distinguish yourself from the competition. Discard your first 5-10 ideas — these are usually too obvious, too common, and too cliché. As you come up with new entries, scrutinize the implications of your answers. What does each answer contribute to your reader’s understanding of you and your interests? Avoid obscure answers as those might not convey much about your profile. Think about what is important for your reader to know about your answer in order to understand its relevance. Keep the goals of your overall application in mind — how does each answer contribute to your persona, interests, or activities?

All of your short answers could follow a particular theme — your answer to questions about your favorite movie or TV show could be a great way to show that you’ve pursued your academic interests through more than just schoolwork. Or, you could highlight a passion outside your intended major, such as sports or cooking, by mentioning relevant books or magazines. Don’t list big names such as The New York Times as your favorite website or publication just because you think it sounds impressive. It will probably be one of the more common answers anyway. Go through your browser history, DVD collections, music library — to determine answers that are true to you.

Supplemental essay prompts are designed to help colleges understand why you’re a perfect fit for their institution. Take advantage of the common question patterns to understand what schools look for from the different prompts, then convey how you would uniquely contribute to campus and make the most of the school’s resources. You got this!

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Cornell Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Search cornell admissions, cornell first-year writing supplement prompts.

In the online Common Application Writing Supplement, please respond to both the Cornell University essay question and the essay prompt that corresponds to the undergraduate college or school to which you are applying.  

Cornell University Essay Question

In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “... any person … any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. (350 word limit)

College- and School-Specific Essay Questions

College of agriculture and life sciences.

Required: Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. How will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University specifically serve to support your learning, growth, and the pursuit of your goals? (650-word limit)  

Instructions: The optional short-answer questions invite you to share additional information about your background, interests, and experiences as they relate to aspects of the Cornell CALS mission. The content of any responses submitted will be included in the holistic review of your application (which is also the case for any optional additional information submitted as part of your Common Application or uploaded through your Cornell Application Portal once you've applied).

Optional: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are not simply driven to master their discipline, but who are also passionate about doing so to serve the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you had a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (200-word limit)

Optional: Cornell CALS is dedicated to purpose-driven study of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. An "agricultural entity" for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.). 

Select all that apply:

• A primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity.
• My extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity.
• I have experience working in an agricultural entity.
• I have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity.                                           

Please feel free to share additional details (optional). (100-word limit)

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)

College of Arts & Sciences

At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 word limit)

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. (650 word limit)

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 word limit)

College of Engineering

Instructions: All applicants are required to write two supplemental essays. Each has a limit of 250 words. Essay 1 is required of all applicants. For Essay 2, you must choose between Question A and Question B.

Essay 1: Required response. (250-word limit)

How do your interests directly connect with Cornell Engineering? If you have an intended major, what draws you to that department at Cornell Engineering? If you are unsure what specific engineering field you would like to study, describe how your general interest in engineering most directly connects with Cornell Engineering. It may be helpful to concentrate on one or two things that you are most excited about.

Essay 2: Choose either Question A and Question B. (250-word limit)

Question A: Describe an engineering problem that impacts your local community. This could be your school, neighborhood, town, region, or a group you identify with. Describe one to three things you might do as an engineer to solve the problem.

Question B: Diversity in all forms is intrinsic to excellence in engineering. Engineering the best solutions to complex problems is often achieved by drawing from the diverse ingenuity of people from different backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity and/or the inclusion of the Cornell Engineering community? What is the unique voice you would bring to the Cornell Engineering community?

College of Human Ecology

How have your related experiences influenced your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE)? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should show us that your interests and aspirations align with CHE and your choice of major. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.) (650 word limit)

School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 word limit)

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Wellesley College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 8

You Have: 

Wellesley College 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 short essay of 250-400 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

When choosing a college, you are choosing an intellectual community and a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but it’s a good place to start. Visit the Wellesley 100 and select two items that attract, inspire, or celebrate what you would bring to our community. Have fun! Use this opportunity to reflect personally on what items appeal to you most and why.

Please limit your response to two thoughtful paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words)..

Wellesley’s hyper-specific take on the Why Essay instantly directs you to the key piece of advice we always offer: do your research! Admissions has literally included the URL to the specific page they want you to pore over, so your very first (and most obvious) step should be to actually read it. There’s no real trick to this one other than just doing the work and trusting your gut, since reading through these reasons to attend Wellesley with care will demonstrate beyond words your commitment to the school. (Think: Trials of Hercules .) If a reason is on the list, you can be sure it’s a good reason to be interested in the school, and all of the numbers are listed out of order, so you can throw any sense of ranking out the window. As you read through, jot down the reasons that resonate most with you and then edit your list down to the most powerful one or two. Perhaps using the Whitin Observatory (#60) will allow you to share your expansive trivia knowledge about the stars with your peers, or attending Lake Day (#53) will enable you to revel in your love of spontaneity and adventure! Of course, it isn’t enough to simply choose your reasons and regurgitate them; you need to make an argument for why they stick out to you and how they celebrate the unique qualities you would bring to Wellesley! So, be specific. If you need to do more research about the observatory and the astronomy program, dig through the department website. If your reason relates to a personal experience, share an anecdote to bring it to life. The point is to show who you are (and who you will become) through your relationship with Wellesley.

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Illinois Wesleyan University

• Cost & scholarships
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Want to see your chances of admission at Illinois Wesleyan University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Illinois Wesleyan University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college essay.

In at least one paragraph, please describe your specific interest in attending Illinois Wesleyan University.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?