Smarter Admissions

The beginning of August marks the opening of college application season for high school seniors. Hopefully you have used your summer wisely and are prepared to complete your applications efficiently (and effectively!).

Most colleges (with the notable exception of the California State University system) require a student-written component of the application. Students are likely familiar with the Common Application’s personal statement (often called “the Common App essay”) and the University of California application’s Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). 

In addition to these standard essays, many private college and university applications require writing supplements. With the opening of the Common Application on August 1st, most schools have confirmed their writing tasks for this application cycle.

Common supplemental writing themes

The most common supplemental essay type is what is known as the “why us” essay. In this short piece (usually 250-400 words), a student writes why they are applying to a particular school. This is the student’s opportunity to demonstrate that they have done their research about the school and how they will both contribute to and benefit from the community.

A second common theme is the “why this major” essay. This is an essay in which the student can demonstrate how their elective courses, extracurricular activities, and hobbies have led them to indicate an intended major. For students who are undecided, an explanation of their academic interests or potential careers is sufficient. 

Some schools may want a better understanding of a student’s leadership experience, community service activities, or even a focused response about personal identity. In each of these essays, admissions officers are hoping to gain insight into who the applicant is beyond what is reported on their transcript. Consider this your chance to show the application committee what makes you stand out from other applicants.

Some well-known application supplements aren’t essays at all! A school might ask for a Top Ten List (the content category is the student’s choice) or a word cluster of adjectives family or friends would use to describe the applicant. Rice University is well-known for their “Rice Box” supplement, where a student is given a box in which they create or supply an image. Sometimes these seemingly simple formats are harder for students to respond to than an essay prompt.

Get organized

For students applying to 10 or more colleges, it’s time to get organized. Confirm the current-year writing supplement topics as soon as possible. They should be listed on the webpage with application requirements for first-year students. Pay attention to the word count for each school. Although many schools have similar prompts, word counts vary.

Start early

Once you know what supplemental writings are required, start brainstorming your responses. Students are often surprised by how much time it takes to write all of the different essays. Remember to plan for brainstorming, drafting, editing, and a final draft when you are making a timeline for working on your applications. 

If you need support at any point in the supplemental writing process, whether it’s  for organization, content, or mechanics, Study Smarter essay coaches can help. Contact our office today!