2️⃣ ✍️ Supplemental Essays 102: How to Actually Write Them

So you’ve researched your colleges and collected your prompts… but how do you actually write strong supplemental essays?

Let’s look at the 4 most common types—what they really ask, what colleges want to see, and what strong answers actually look like 👇

📌 1. “Why This College?” Essays

What they ask:"Why do you want to attend [College Name]?"

What colleges want to learn: Have you done your research? Do your goals align with their programs? Will you add something to campus?

Example (paraphrased):“I want to study Environmental Engineering at Columbia because of its NYC-based Urban Design Lab, where I can research sustainable architecture in underserved communities. The First-Gen Network also reflects the kind of peer support I care deeply about.”

✅ Be specific: programs, professors, centers

✅ Show alignment: your goals + their resources

✅ Show contribution: what will you bring?

📌 2. Activity-Based Essays

What they ask: “Tell us about an extracurricular you care about and why.”

What colleges want to learn: What drives you outside class? What role do you take? What have you learned?

Example (paraphrased):“Leading my school’s girls in STEM club showed me how mentorship can transform confidence. Organizing monthly workshops pushed me to build public speaking skills and helped 3 younger students start their own robotics projects.”

✅ Show depth & long-term involvement

✅ Reflect on leadership & growth

✅ Connect to your values or goals

📌 3. Community Essays

What they ask: “What communities do you belong to, and how have they shaped you?”

What colleges want to learn: How do you navigate relationships, identity, and collaboration?

Example (paraphrased):“Growing up in a multilingual home, I often switched between Hindi and English depending on the situation. It taught me to listen carefully—and at school, it helped me mediate conflicts and bring together people from different friend groups.”

✅ Define your community clearly

✅ Share a story or insight

✅ Show what you’ll bring to college

📌 4. Creative/Quirky Essays

What they ask: “What’s a snack that describes you?” “If you could create a new holiday, what would it be?”

What colleges want to learn: Your creativity, humor, originality—beyond the résumé.

Example (paraphrased):“I’d create ‘Analog Day,’ a 24-hour break from screens. Everyone would write letters, play board games, and talk face-to-face. It’s the day I crave when tech overwhelms me.”

✅ Have fun, but stay grounded in your voice

✅ Use the prompt to say something meaningful

✅ Avoid clichés or trying too hard

📝 A quick note:

These examples are paraphrased summaries—your actual essay should go deeper, using vivid detail and personal reflection. Don’t try to cram your whole point into one sentence. Take the space to show who you are.

📏 Typical length?

Most essays are 150–250 words, but prompts range from 1-word answers to 650-word essays—so always check the word limit for each school!

💡 Want help with a prompt?

Drop one in the comments and I’ll help you brainstorm!

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