Supplemental Essays: You Need to "Nail" This!

By Quetzal Mama • October 30, 2014

Supplemental Essays

You Need to “Nail” This!

Oooh, it’s that time! It’s 48 hours before the Early Action deadline. I don’t have to look at my calendar – I can gage what day it is based on the number of students emailing me! Every day for the past two weeks I’ve received emails from students asking whether their supplemental essay is “good enough.” They don’t ask if it’s “stellar” or “outstanding,” but just good enough. Why? Because most students are unaware of the significance of these essays. Instead, they only focus on the big one, the 650 word Personal Statement.

But, the Supplemental Essay(s) tell the admission reader far more than the main essay. How so? For the precise reason in which the prompts are strategically designed – to find out why the student is applying to their university. They realize the main essay is going to multiple universities, so they came up with a clever way to determine the sincerity of the students desire to attend their campus. So, they’ll ask questions like this:

What in particular about Yale has influenced your decision to apply?

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

Please tell us about specific academic, service, and/or research opportunities at the University of Pennsylvania that resonate with your background, interests, and goals.”

You can see that although these questions vary (broad to narrow), they aim at the same outcome: to learn what it is about their particular campus that compelled you to apply. So, let’s break it down – what they are and are not looking for in your supplement.

No! Please, No!

Don’t refer to the name and prestige of the campus, recite the college mission statement, or discuss the beauty of the architecture: I’m applying to Yale because it is always in the top three rankings of the U.S. News & World Report. I also enjoy the gothic architecture and the beautifully landscaped grounds. No! An admissions officer will not view these as compelling reasons for your admission. In addition, don’t focus 100% of your essay on clubs or other on-campus organizations. These organizations should not be the main reason you are applying to a particular campus.

Yes, Oh, Yes!

Focus on specific details that convinced you to apply. For example, the research facilities or internship opportunities relevant to your major, renowned faculty, on-campus support groups, or rigor of curriculum within your chosen major. Each response should be carefully crafted to sound convincing for the greatest impact.

For the “Why us?” supplemental question, the first portion of your essay should reflect the academic factors that shaped your decision. This means you should focus at least 50 percent of this supplemental essay on factors that relate to the major you have chosen. The remaining 50 percent may include other factors such as social, cultural, sports, or on-campus organizations.

In addition to the “why us” question, many selective universities want to know about your “intellectual curiosity.” These essay questions are critical! This is your opportunity to demonstrate you have the intellectual depth, predisposition, and passion for the discipline in which you are applying. To learn specific strategies about how to “nail” the intellectual curiosity essay, as well as viewing actual student supplemental essays, see Chapter 13 of my new book (link below).

Recap

Do your “homework.”

Provide compelling reasons why you wish to attend the college.

Provide specific details, not broad generalities.

Focus on academic factors first, followed by non-academic.

Academic factors should comprise at least 50 percent of your essay.

For excellent tips to write your Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays, purchase your copy of "Nailed It! Quetzal Mama's Toolkit for Extraordinary College Essays"