Apr 18 (edited) • 🎓 Strategy Posts
📝1️⃣ Supplemental Essays 101 – What They Are & How to Tackle Them
Applying to top U.S. colleges? Then you're likely writing more than just your personal statement. Let’s break down the supplemental essays—what they are, how many you'll write, and how to plan for them.
🔍 What Are Supplemental Essays?
They’re school-specific questions that help colleges learn more about:
✅ Your interests and values
✅ Your fit with their campus
✅ Your unique voice and goals
Even if labeled "optional," treat them as required if you're aiming high.
🧠 How Many Essays Will I Write?
🎯 Highly selective schools (Ivies, Stanford, etc): 4–6 essays
🎯 Liberal arts colleges: 2–3 essays
🎯 Public universities: 0–1 essays
📌 If you're applying to 10+ schools, expect ~20–30 essays total. (Yes—planning ahead is key!)
💡 Most Common Essay Types:
- Why This College? – Show how your goals align with the school’s offerings.
- Activity Essay – Highlight a meaningful extracurricular and your growth.
- Community Essay – Reflect on your place in a community and how you'll contribute.
- Creative/Quirky Prompt – Showcase your personality and originality.
✏️ Typical lengths range from 100 to 250 words, but some can be as short as one word or as long as 650. Always double-check each school’s exact requirements!
📅 Timeline & Strategy:
🗓 June–July – Look up last year’s prompts and start early brainstorming.
🗓 August – Confirm new prompts and begin drafting.
🗓 Sep–Oct – Finalize for Early Action/Decision schools.
🗓 Nov–Dec – Revise for Regular Decision.
🗂 Use a Supplement Tracker (spreadsheet or doc) to stay on top of deadlines and drafts.
✅ Final Takeaway
These essays aren't filler—they're where your personality and research shine through. Start early, group similar prompts, and reuse content where you can (smartly!).
📌 In the next post, we’ll walk through how to write standout answers for each essay type—complete with examples and strategy 💜
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📝1️⃣ Supplemental Essays 101 – What They Are & How to Tackle Them
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