What Is A Supplemental Essay For College?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Supplemental are

a chance for applicants to give more information to an admissions committee to further show why they are a good fit for a school

, Davis says. So prospective students should make sure they aren't repeating something that's already been covered in their main .

How do I know if a college requires a supplemental essay?


Go to a college's specific page within the “My Colleges” tab

. If the college lists a “Writing Supplement” section, there is additional writing. That said, some colleges embed their supplemental essay questions within the data entry of their supplements.

Do colleges care about supplemental essays?

Final Thoughts. Applying to college is a little bit like dating. A potential partner is more likely to be interested in you if you show that you're genuinely interested in them. That's why these supplemental essays are

so important to the admissions process

.

Do all colleges have supplemental essays?

Today,

most colleges have two to four supplemental questions

(long essays, short responses, lists) in addition to what's being asked on the Common Application. … We are almost back to where we were before the Common Application – different essays for different schools. But…… MOST but not ALL.

How long should you spend on college supplemental essays?

Most schools require

1-3 supplemental essays

, though some may require more or none at all (see our list of top colleges without supplements). These supplemental essays tend to be around 250 words, though some may be just as long as your main essay.

How important are supplemental essays?

While the Common Application and the Universal Application each have a required essay, many colleges include their own school-specific essays, known as writing supplements. Supplemental essays

give admissions officers the chance to get to know students

, and they're also great gauges for demonstrated interest.

What is the point of supplemental essays?

Supplemental essays are

a chance for applicants to give more information to an admissions committee to further show why they are a good fit for a school

, Davis says. So prospective students should make sure they aren't repeating something that's already been covered in their main essay.

Do supplemental essays change every year?


Any of those colleges can change prompts yearly

. Or you can look at each college's individual application to see what their supplemental prompts are. …

What colleges have released supplemental essays?

  • AMHERST COLLEGE.
  • BABSON COLLEGE.
  • BARNARD COLLEGE.
  • BOSTON COLLEGE.
  • BROWN UNIVERSITY.
  • CALTECH.
  • COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.
  • CORNELL UNIVERSITY.

Which college has the most supplemental essays?

When it comes to asking creative and wacky essay prompts,

the University of Chicago

is the leader. To come up with the best and most creative prompts, the college takes suggestions and inspiration from their own students, who are allowed to email their ideas annually.

Which college does not require supplemental essays?

University Location Acceptance Rate
Clemson University

Clemson, SC 47%
DePaul University Chicago, IL 68% Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 77% Fordham University Bronx, NY 46%

Does Harvard require supplemental essays?

In addition to academic transcripts, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation,

Harvard requires one essays

, and two optional essays. With such daunting numbers, it's no wonder that students are often intimidated by Harvard's extremely open-ended supplemental essays.

What top colleges don't require supplemental essays?

  • Case Western Reserve University (Pre-Professional Scholars program requires additional writing questions)
  • Clemson University.
  • DePaul University.
  • Drexel University (essay for Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and custom-designed majors)

Can my college essay be more than 650 words?


Your essay must not be longer than 650 words

, but it can be shorter. Anything over 500 words is fine, as long as your essay is thoughtful and complete. If your essay is running short, add relevant details and descriptions that help the reader get a better glimpse of the situation and your personality.

How long should a supplemental essay take?

Once you've done all the preliminary steps for filling out the application, actually filling out each school-specific application and writing their supplemental essays should only take

5-10 hours

.

How long should a college essay be 2020?

Your essay needs to be

between 250 and 650 words long

. You can't go over the limit—the online form will cut you off at 650 words. The length includes the title, notes, and any other text you include in the online form. Use your 650 words to tell a focused story and help the admissions folks get to know you.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.