how to write lafayette supplemental essays

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 Lafayette Essays

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lafayette College, located in Easton, Pennsylvania, is a private liberal arts college with a 34% acceptance rate and roughly 2,700 students. Responding to the Lafayette supplemental essay prompts in an authentic and meaningful way is an important part of your application. Keep on reading to learn a few tips for writing your Lafayette supplemental essay. 

The Lafayette College supplemental essay prompt

Lafayette offers all their applicants only one supplemental essay prompt. This  means it’s essential for your story to be unique. While it’s optional to submit a supplemental essay, doing so demonstrates just how determined you are to go there. After all, that’s exactly what the admissions office is looking for. So, let’s get started on writing your essay!

“ Optional: Students identify Lafayette as an excellent fit for countless reasons. In your response, be deliberate and specific about your motivation for applying to Lafayette. Why do you see yourself at Lafayette? (20-200 words).”

This prompt is a common question for college applications because schools want to know what draws you to their campus. However, the wording that Lafayette uses is unique, and signifies that your supplemental essay should tell them who you are. It also means that generalizations aren’t going to cut it and the more “specific” the better. 

While you’re jotting down the most important details of your story, remember to be concise. The word count has a wide range, and 200 words equates to around one page double-spaced. Your goal should be to make the biggest impact with the fewest possible words. 

You can achieve this by starting with a compelling hook or using an anecdote throughout your essay. Don’t just write what you think the admissions office wants to hear, instead focus on what you want to communicate. You could use your essay to discuss an interesting scientific discovery and reveal in the last paragraph that you hope to major in biology. 

There are a lot of different ways to approach this essay, but the most important thing is for the reader to walk away knowing who you are and why you’re an ideal fit for Lafayette. 

Questions to consider:

• What do you plan on getting involved in at Lafayette?
• How did you find out about Lafayette College?
• When did you decide you wanted to go to Lafayette?

These rather to the point questions will help you get started, but there is more to consider. Make sure that no matter what your answer is, you are showing why Lafayette is particularly suited for your goals and aspirations. Make sure you do your research on Lafayette  and mention specifics about the college in your response. 

Final thoughts for applicants

Now that you’ve started brainstorming for your Lafayette supplemental essay, here’s a few additional tips! First things first, get started on your first draft ASAP. The sooner you start, the longer you’ll have to figure out main ideas and workshop your essay before the application deadline. 

Starting early can also give you time to try new ideas. You could approach the essay in an unconventional way, or write two and have other people read them to decide which to submit–ask them which is more “you.” Either way, adding your unique touch is bound to make your essay stand out.

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Additional essay help

Odds are, this will not be the only essay you’ll write in your admissions process. Luckily, we have guides to help you through the others as well. Check out our guide to the Common App essay prompts , and our database of supplemental essay guides for a wide variety of colleges.

On top of that, we have guides to help you write an essay about yourself, a “Show, Don’t Tell” essay primer , and a guide to adapting your writing to 250 or 500 word limits. Good luck!

Also see: What looks good on a college application?

Additional resources

The transition to college can be very fast-paced, so stay on top of your academic journey with Scholarship360 resources. Find out college application deadlines and stay on top of that important information early in the application process. Our guide can help you fill out your FAFSA , and we also have informative guides on most college majors . 

More supplemental essay guides

• Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA)
• Amherst College (Amherst, MA)
• Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY)

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Mastering the Lafayette College Supplemental Essays for 2024

Lafayette College has officially released its new supplemental essay prompts for the 2024 admissions cycle. As part of the application process, students are required to answer the following prompt in 20-200 words: "Why Lafayette College?"

With such a concise word limit, you might be wondering how to effectively convey your passion and reasons for choosing Lafayette. We're here to help you navigate through this prompt with some focused advice. Remember, you can always visit Sups AI for comprehensive support, including brainstorming sessions and one-on-one chats with current students who have successfully been admitted to top-tier colleges.

Understanding the Prompt

The prompt, "Why Lafayette College?" calls for a personal and specific response. Admissions officers at Lafayette want to see that you've done your homework and have genuine reasons for wanting to join their community. Here are some tips to get you started:

Research Specific Programs and Opportunities: Lafayette College offers a plethora of unique academic and extracurricular opportunities. Highlight specific programs, clubs, or initiatives that align with your interests and goals. For comprehensive research tips, check out Sups AI .

Visit (Virtually or In-Person): If you've had the chance to visit the campus or attend virtual sessions, mention this experience and how it solidified your decision. Personal anecdotes can be powerful!

Community and Culture: Lafayette is known for its close-knit community and strong alumni network. Reflect on how this environment will foster your personal and academic growth.

Values and Mission: Discuss how Lafayette's values resonate with your own. Make sure to convey how you will contribute to and benefit from the college’s mission.

As you draft your response, keep in mind that every word counts. Given the 200-word limit, every sentence should serve a purpose. For personalized feedback to ensure your essay stands out, you can always rely on Sups AI . The platform has helped over 10,000 students get admitted to top colleges, and it can give expert insights on what Lafayette College looks for in strong responses.

Final Thoughts

Writing a compelling essay for Lafayette College's supplemental prompt requires clarity and purpose. Use specific details, be authentic, and make sure you align your answers with what Lafayette stands for. Remember, you're painting a picture of why you and Lafayette are a perfect match. For additional brainstorming sessions and invaluable advice, Sups AI is an excellent resource to help you refine your essays.

Good luck, and happy writing!

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Demystifying Lafayette Supplemental Essays: A Comprehensive Guide

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Introduction

Lafayette College is renowned for its rigorous academics, vibrant campus life, and commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As part of the application process, prospective students are required to submit Lafayette supplemental essays that provide insight into their experiences, goals, and values. These essays serve as an opportunity for applicants to showcase their unique qualities and demonstrate why they would be a valuable addition to the Lafayette community. In this comprehensive guide, we will demystify the Lafayette supplemental essays by providing you with essential tips and strategies to craft compelling essays that stand out from the competition. Whether you're a high school senior or a transfer student, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the supplemental essay portion of your application successfully. By understanding the purpose of these essays, learning key writing techniques, and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize your chances of impressing admissions officers at Lafayette College. So let's dive in and unlock the secrets to writing outstanding Lafayette supplemental essays!

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Understanding Lafayette Supplemental Essays

Lafayette supplemental essays serve a crucial purpose in the college application process. These essays provide an opportunity for prospective students to showcase their unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations that may not be fully captured in other parts of their application. While the main personal statement provides a broad overview of the applicant's background and interests, the supplemental essays allow applicants to delve deeper into specific aspects of their identity or experiences.

One key purpose of Lafayette supplemental essays is to gauge an applicant's fit with the college's values, mission, and community. Admissions officers are looking for students who align with Lafayette's core principles and can contribute meaningfully to campus life. By requiring these additional essays, Lafayette aims to understand how applicants' goals, passions, and experiences align with the college's academic offerings and campus culture.

Furthermore, Lafayette supplemental essays also give applicants an opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills and ability to think critically. Strong writing is highly valued at Lafayette as it reflects an applicant's ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Through these essays, admissions officers can assess an applicant's communication skills , intellectual curiosity , and potential for success in a rigorous academic environment.

In addition to evaluating fit with the college and writing skills, Lafayette supplemental essays also provide insight into an applicant's personal growth and self-reflection. These prompts often ask applicants to reflect on challenges they have faced or significant experiences that have shaped their character. By sharing personal anecdotes or reflections, applicants can illustrate their resilience , adaptability, and capacity for introspection.

Tips for Writing Compelling Lafayette Supplemental Essays

When it comes to writing compelling Lafayette supplemental essays, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. These essays provide an opportunity for you to showcase your unique qualities and experiences, so it's important to approach them with thoughtfulness and care.

First and foremost, take the time to thoroughly understand the essay prompt. Read it multiple times and make sure you fully grasp what the question is asking. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your response directly addresses the prompt.

Next, brainstorm ideas and create an outline before diving into the actual writing process. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a coherent flow in your essay. Consider what makes you stand out as an applicant and how your experiences align with Lafayette's values and mission.

As you begin writing, make sure to maintain a clear and concise writing style. Admissions officers read numerous essays, so it's important to grab their attention from the very beginning. Start with a strong introduction that hooks the reader and sets the tone for the rest of your essay.

In addition, be specific in your responses. Use concrete examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points. This will make your essay more engaging and memorable for the reader.

Furthermore, don't be afraid to show vulnerability or share personal stories. Admissions officers are looking for authenticity in your writing, so don't shy away from discussing challenges or setbacks you've faced. However, always remember to maintain a positive tone throughout your essay.

Lastly, revise and edit your essay multiple times before submitting it. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall clarity of your writing. It can also be helpful to have someone else read through your essay for feedback.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to crafting compelling Lafayette supplemental essays that highlight your strengths as an applicant. Good luck!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to writing Lafayette supplemental essays, there are several common mistakes that applicants should avoid. These mistakes can hinder the effectiveness of your essay and may even jeopardize your chances of being accepted into Lafayette College. By being aware of these pitfalls, you can ensure that your supplemental essays are strong and compelling.

One common mistake to avoid is failing to answer the prompt directly. It is important to carefully read and understand the prompt before you begin writing. Make sure that you address all aspects of the prompt in your essay and stay focused on the topic at hand. Straying off-topic or providing irrelevant information can weaken the overall impact of your essay.

Another mistake to avoid is using generic language or clichés. Admissions officers read numerous essays, so it is important to make yours stand out. Avoid using overly used phrases or clichés that do not provide any unique insights into who you are as a person or why you would be a good fit for Lafayette College. Instead, use specific examples and personal anecdotes to showcase your individuality and highlight your strengths.

Additionally, it is crucial to proofread and edit your essay thoroughly before submitting it. Grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and typos can create a negative impression on admissions officers and suggest a lack of attention to detail. Take the time to review your essay multiple times, ideally with the help of someone else who can provide feedback and catch any errors that you may have missed.

Lastly, one common mistake that many applicants make is rushing through their supplemental essays. It is essential to give yourself enough time to brainstorm ideas, outline your essay, write multiple drafts, and revise accordingly. Starting early will allow you to reflect on your experiences, gather relevant information, and craft a well-structured essay that effectively communicates who you are as an individual.

By avoiding these common mistakes in Lafayette supplemental essays, you can increase your chances of creating a compelling narrative that showcases your unique qualities and demonstrates your fit for Lafayette College. Remember to stay focused, be authentic, and take the time to polish your essay before submitting it. With careful attention to detail and a strong understanding of what admissions officers are looking for, you can create a standout supplemental essay that enhances your college application.

In conclusion, writing Lafayette supplemental essays can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and guidance, it is possible to create compelling and impactful essays. This comprehensive guide has provided insights into the purpose of these essays, along with valuable tips for crafting them effectively. By understanding the expectations of the admissions officers and showcasing your unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations, you can increase your chances of standing out among other applicants. Additionally, by avoiding common mistakes such as generic responses or neglecting to proofread your essays thoroughly, you can ensure that your application presents you in the best possible light. Remember that Lafayette College values authenticity and seeks students who will contribute positively to their campus community. Therefore, it is important to be genuine and let your true self shine through in your essays. With careful planning, thoughtful reflection, and attention to detail, you can create Lafayette supplemental essays that leave a lasting impression on admissions officers. Good luck with your college applications!

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

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Arts Supplemental Materials for Optional Submission

Lafayette faculty appreciate the opportunity to review arts submissions from applicants. Here are the steps to submit your arts materials:

• Submit your application to Lafayette College via Common App.
• Access the Supplemental Arts Portfolio Submission form within your Lafayette portal to submit links to your materials. After submitting your application, an email entitled “Next Steps” will be sent within 36 hours and provide your credentials to sign into your Lafayette portal.
• Check your permissions and be sure that anyone with the link can access your submissions. If we cannot access your materials because of limited sharing permissions, your materials may not be viewed.
• If you are providing arts materials for more than one discipline, please submit a separate form for each discipline.
• Submissions from Early Decision I applicants due  November 20
• Submissions from Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants extended to February 1
• Applications for the Creative and Performing Arts (CaPA) Scholars Program due February 1

Submission Guidelines

Students should only submit supplementary materials for art if they have expressed art to be one of their two academic interests on their application.

• Students interested in studio art should submit a collection of no more than 10 images to be considered.
• Students interested in art history should submit a writing sample related to an art history topic to be considered.

Creative Writing

Students who would like to submit creative writing samples may submit up to eight double-spaced pages to be considered. Multiple genres and samples may be included within the eight pages; however, the entire submissions should not exceed the eight-page limit. Writing samples should be submitted in English.

Film and Media Studies

Film and Media Studies (FAMS) encourages the integration of theory and praxis, critical study and creative production. We invite students interested in majoring in FAMS to submit for review:

• A statement of purpose in film and/or media describing the submitted work and the research and/or artistic interests guiding the sample. Statements should be written (1 to 2 pages, via attached file) or video (1 to 2 minutes, via working link).
• A sample of original work in film and/or media (video, media, or writing). Work samples must be limited to 2 pieces (media of 5 minutes or less each, writing of 5 pages or less each). Media should be supplied via working links, written work should be supplied via attached files. Longer works will be accepted, but not viewed or read in their entirety.

Students are encouraged to submit recordings that illustrate their proficiency on a band or orchestral instrument, piano (classical or jazz), classical or jazz guitar, drum set, or voice (classical or musical theater styles).

Applicants often draw recording from recitals, extended solos in an ensemble performance that were recorded on video, or other live performances. Some applicants will also make recordings specifically for the College Admissions process.

Remember that all Lafayette College Department of Music ensembles are open to anyone, regardless of major. You DO NOT have to major in music to participate. These submissions go to our ensemble directors who may contact you directly, or you may feel free to contact any of them: visit music.lafayette.edu/performance/ for more information about our ensembles and Music program.

• Recordings should isolate and highlight the applicant. Popular music or group performances that do not showcase an individual’s level of talent will not be evaluated.
• Please submit either audio or video files of not more than three contrasting selections or portions thereof (ones that show variety in style, character, etc) that best show your musicianship. Please use only recordings that have been made within the last year.
• Where possible and appropriate, perform with a live pianist or ensemble. We would prefer to hear you perform unaccompanied, rather than with tracks of any kind.
• Please make one file for each piece you wish to submit. YouTube or similar URL-based formats are required. Include your name, instrument, the composer, title, and movement for each file. These can be in the Title section in YouTube, printed on the video, or in the file name for an audio file. Fancy titles and other video editing are not encouraged. Keep the focus on your playing.
• Live video recordings where we can see you play are preferable. Avoid using too much post-processing in either audio or video files: imagine that we are in the room with you—try to give us the sound we would hear if we were there hearing you live.

Theater Department would be pleased to receive materials from students interested in pursuing theater studies at Lafayette. Please note that we do not have a dance program.

• Students interested in design and technical theater should submit a portfolio of work.
• Students interested in performance are asked to submit a brief audition video (no more than five minutes), highlighting their work in scenes and monologues.
• Performances should isolate and highlight the candidate. It you choose to submit a video from a play or musical you performed in, be sure to include information identifying yourself (i.e., where you enter, who you are playing, what your character is wearing), so we can find you. If the video quality of a performance is poor, we cannot always evaluate your work accurately. If you cannot provide video from a performance that clearly highlights you and is of good enough quality to evaluate, we strongly encourage submission of self-taped videos of you singing or performing a monologue or scene. If the work you are submitting is in a language other than English, please provide a synopsis of what is happening in the video.
• Students interested in directing should submit scenes illustrating their work.

Creative and Performing Arts (CaPA) scholars Program

Creative and passionate, just like you, CaPA scholars often don’t see themselves as artists. They may major in science, engineering or economics. The CaPA Scholar Program provides the physical, mental and monetary resources for students to explore a passion. Learn about the CaPA Scholars program.

Students who have applied or intend to apply to CaPA should submit supplementary material for their intended discipline as instructed above.

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Command Education

2023-2024 college application supplemental essay guides.

If your student is applying to one of these prestigious schools, they have to worry about more than the Common App Essay. Top schools ask students to submit one or more essays prompts that the schools provide. This is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate how they are uniquely qualified for admission to a particular school, why they want to attend, and what they will contribute to the campus community once they arrive.

Here’s how to answer every top school’s supplemental essay question(s), complete with examples!

Want to learn more about supplemental essay types and tips?

School-specific guides.

• All Schools

How to Write Boston University Essays

How to Write Northwestern University’s Essays

How to write the american university supplemental essay.

How to Write the Amherst College Essays

How to Write the Brown University Essays

How to Write the CalTech University Essays

How to Write the Carnegie Mellon Supplemental Essays

How to Write the Claremont McKenna College Essays

How to Write the Columbia University Essays

How to Write the Cornell University Essays

How to Write the Dartmouth College Essays

How to Write the Duke University Essays

More resources, colleges and universities.

Choosing which colleges to apply to is one of the most difficult parts of the college application process—and one of the most important.

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Undergraduate Admissions

Application Essays

Below are essay prompts for the 2024-2025 Common Application. First-time college students (future freshmen) will use the Common Application to  apply to Purdue .  

When applying to Purdue you should use the Common Application.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Purdue's own  Online Writing Lab  offers advice on  writing essays for college applications .

The Common Application Freshman Essay Prompts 

Required minimum-maximum word count: 250-650

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

Purdue Questions 

Respond in 250 words or fewer.

• How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?
• Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected.

How to Write the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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The University of Notre Dame , consistently ranked the #1 university in Indiana , is a private Catholic research institution open to applicants of all faiths. Their academics , commitment to service , and inclusive student community all attract nearly 30,000 applicants yearly, only 12% of whom are admitted. Notre Dame’s accomplished alumni include Condoleezza Rice, Nicholas Sparks, Regis Philbin, and Orson Scott Card, among others. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your Notre Dame supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

Notre Dame’s 2024-2025 Prompts

All applicants must write four supplemental essays as part of their Notre Dame application. The first prompt is required for all applicants. The other three essay prompts must be selected from a list of five prompts.

Required Essay Question

This essay question is required for all applicants to Notre Dame.

Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home. (150 words or fewer)

Choose three: short essay questions.

All applicants must choose three of the following prompts to respond to.

How does faith influence the decisions you make? (50-100 words)

• What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)?  Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community? (50-100 words)
• Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person.  How do you foster service to others in your community? (50-100 words)

What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you? (50-100 words)

What would you fight for (50-100 words).

General Tips

In different ways, each of the Notre Dame supplemental essays ask you to explore your values. As a result, you may find it beneficial to explore what your values are before you begin writing these essays. What is important to you, and why? How do your values differ from those of your family, community, or culture? And how have your values emerged from your family, community, or culture?

Answering these questions for yourself is not only a valuable philosophical exercise but may be helpful in getting you into the right mindset for answering these essay prompts. Notre Dame is evidently looking for thoughtful, introspective applicants who can compose considerate responses to complex questions. Cultivating self-awareness in yourself, as well as a personal set of values, will help you become the student the Notre Dame admissions team is seeking.

Of course, your personal set of values is likely evolving and will continue to evolve. Whatever values and personal philosophy you hold now won’t necessarily be the same after you graduate from Notre Dame. Thus, as you engage in this self-reflective activity and compose your Notre Dame supplemental essays, keep an open mind. Write about your own perspective, in this moment, versus about what values you believe everyone should hold or about the human experience in general.

This essay prompt is a roundabout way of confirming that Notre Dame is the right school for you. The admissions team will review your “non-negotiable” factor(s) and evaluate whether you could be satisfied at Notre Dame. Thus, it’s important that you research whether Notre Dame will fulfill your “non-negotiable” factor(s) before writing this essay.

The factor(s) you choose to write about can be academic, non-academic, or both. For instance, if you wish to study engineering, then whether or not the school you’re applying to has an engineering program would be a non-negotiable factor for you. Thankfully, Notre Dame does have engineering program! Alternatively, if your proximity to family is a non-negotiable factor for you, consider what the outer limits of your proximity to family are permissible to you, and whether Notre Dame would fit within those limits. If so, then it’s still a school worth applying to for you, and you should bring up that factor in your essay.

Remember to use specificity when writing about your non-negotiable factor(s), and elaborate upon why they are important to you. That way, the reader will understand exactly what is non-negotiable to you, and they will be able to empathize with your reasoning.

This prompt is appropriate for an applicant whose faith is a significant part of their life. If faith doesn’t serve a meaningful role in your life, then you may want to select a different prompt to answer. That way, you can ensure that all of your Notre Dame supplemental essays are imbued with meaning and show the reader who you really are.

Before embarking on writing your response to this question, your time would be well-spent researching faith at Notre Dame . Understanding Notre Dame’s history as a Catholic institution that welcomes all faiths will inform your response. After all, one of the decisions you’re making that could be discussed in this essay is your decision to apply to Notre Dame, even choosing to answer this prompt among the other Notre Dame supplemental essays.

What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)?  Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community? (50-100 words)

This is a multi-part question in which each part deserves a full and thoughtful response. Because you only have 50-100 words in which to compose your response, you may want to outline your essay before you begin to ensure that you respond to each part of the prompt. Let’s break down what you need to bring up in this essay:

• family support
• personal background
• The significance to you of those distinctive qualities of your personal experiences and development
• and to be specific, how they will lead you to serve or contribute to the Notre Dame community

Consider limiting the scope of your response to just one or two distinctive and specific qualities of your personal experiences and development. This prompt can truly be answered by any applicant; everyone has unique stories to tell. Your story doesn’t look exactly like anyone else’s. Identify one or two things that make you unique, and provide the requisite nuance and details about them in this essay. Then, share their significance to you and your development. Lastly, express how these factors that have transformed and influenced you as a person will impact or inspire your contributions to the Notre Dame community.

Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person.  How do you foster service to others in your community? (50-100 words)

Whether you have extensive community service experience or not, this essay is a great place for you to share the ways you have served others in your life. This could be through providing childcare in your own family, volunteering locally, mentoring younger students at your school, or any other activity you regularly engage in that involves serving others.

Remember, you can understand the word “community” expansively. Perhaps you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community and you have served other members of the community, even if they are not geographically near you. Or perhaps you are involved in a sport and have served others who play this sport, not just in your hometown or on your team. In other words, “community” is not bound by geography, but by one or more shared qualities.

What values drive you to serve others? How do you feel when you serve others? What have been the long-term or large-scale impacts of your service? Start by answering these questions for yourself and let your responses guide your essay.

There are a few explicit and implicit parts to this essay prompt. Let’s break it down:

• Who complimented you?
• What exactly was the compliment?
• When and where did you receive this compliment?
• Why was this person compelled to compliment you? Alternatively, what were the circumstances under which you received this compliment?
• How did receiving this compliment make you feel?
• Did your feelings around receiving this compliment change over time? If so, how and why?
• Why did this compliment make you feel proud?
• Why was this compliment especially important to you?
• Bonus question: How does this compliment continue to impact you to this day?

Before writing your essay, try answering each of the above questions. Then, do your best to frame your essay around those answers. Focus on providing the necessary contextual details. Be as specific as you can within the limited words you have, and emphasize the significance of the compliment without engaging in false modesty.

This prompt is broad and flexible: truly, you can write about anything that is important to you. You can go abstract with your response, writing about freedom or safety or love, for instance. Alternatively, you can write a more concrete response about how you’d fight for your family or something you’ve created, like an artwork or community.

The challenging part of this essay, for most applicants, will not be coming up with things you’d fight for, but rather narrowing your list down so that you can write a specific and nuanced response. Of course, you can also take the approach of writing as long a list of things you’d fight for as can fit in 50-100 words. If you write a diverse list without explaining any of the items, so as to create a multidimensional portrait of what is important to you, you’ll need to make sure each item is specific and doesn’t require a lot of context to understand. If you choose to focus on just one or two things you’d fight for, you’ll want to explain their significance to you, how you’d fight for them, and what fighting for them might look like

If you need help polishing up your Notre Dame supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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How to Write the Smith College Supplemental Essay 2024-2025

Smith College is a private liberal arts women’s college in Western Massachusetts. The school boasts small class sizes and close advising for over 50 areas of study. Smith is also part of both the Five College Consortium , which allows students to take courses and participate in extracurriculars at Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst.

Smith is pretty selective, so writing a strong essay can definitely help increase your chances of acceptance. Here’s how to respond to their supplemental essay prompt.

Smith College Supplemental Essay Prompt

What personal experiences, background or abilities would you bring to this residential environment to share with your neighbors and what would you hope your neighbors would share with you (250 words).

Smith wants to know about your individuality and worldview through your experiences, backgrounds, and abilities, and this aligns most with the Diversity archetype . Showcase how your unique perspective benefits the community and how you engage with others. As there is an emphasis on “neighbors,” make sure to prioritize community as a theme, whether that’s about embracing differences, serving the people around you, or any other variation of being a contributing member of your community. 

Essentially, you are being asked to reflect on the aspects of your identity, skills, and personality that will shape how you engage with Smith College’s residential campus community. Admissions officers want to know how you can enrich the experiences of your future neighbors, as well as what you hope to gain from living in a diverse and tight-knit environment. It’s an opportunity to highlight your ability to contribute to a communal space, while also demonstrating humility and openness to learning from others.

To brainstorm some ideas for what you’ll write about, think about the following questions:

• What personal experiences or aspects of your identity (culture, family background, hobbies, talents) would shape your role in a residential community?
• How have you contributed to your community in the past? How would that translate to a college campus or dorm environment?
• What specific values or qualities do you want your living space to reflect?
• What are you curious about learning from others who may have different backgrounds or interests than your own?
• How do you envision creating meaningful relationships with your neighbors?

Like any supplemental essay, a good response will be specific and personal. Make sure to share details about your life that impact how you interact with others; this could include any aspect of your identity, including ethnicity, race, culture, religion, socioeconomic class, gender and sexual orientation, hometown, illness or disability, and even interests and hobbies. 

How can your experiences or abilities related to one of these dimensions enrich the lives of the people around you? Think about how you contribute to your community or how you will. Then, dive into what you hope to gain from your peers to express your openness to learning from others—engagement is mutual, so don’t neglect this part of the prompt. 

Check out these examples below:

Good Example : “ I’ve always felt that food is a way to bring people together. Growing up in a Filipino household, Sunday afternoons were spent cooking lumpia and adobo with my cousins. I want to recreate this sense of warmth and familiarity in my life at Smith by hosting cooking nights where we can share our favorite family dishes. I can already imagine the smell of sizzling garlic and soy sauce filling the kitchen as we cook and talk about the comfort foods that remind us of home. But more than that, I hope my neighbors will share their own stories and traditions with me—whether it’s teaching me a new dance move, introducing me to their favorite songs, or showing me a special recipe that I can add to my collection .”

This example gives a vivid picture of how the student will contribute to the residential community by sharing memories and traditions related to their cultural background. It also balances their desire to learn from others, creating a sense of true exchange. The focus on food as a way to connect adds a personal and tangible element with elements of storytelling.

Bad Example: “ In the Smith dorms, I would bring a positive attitude and help others when needed. I’ve always been someone who people can count on, and I hope that my neighbors will see that I am trustworthy to talk to when they need help. I also hope that I will meet people from different backgrounds who can teach me about their experiences when they come to me to talk something out. It will be great to live with people who are different from me and learn from them. Creating authentic connections with my neighbors is an important way to create a community and make sure everyone feels supported. ”

This example is generic and doesn’t show any specific aspects of the student’s background or personality. While it mentions wanting to help others and learn from peers, it lacks detail on how the student plans to engage with the community. It could be written by anyone and doesn’t provide any personal reflection or depth to the writing.

Your response should be intentional and reflective when it demonstrates how your personal background and abilities will enrich your residential community at Smith. This will help show admissions officers that you’re ready to be an active, engaged, and open-minded member of the campus community who contributes to the culture of the college.

Where to Get Your Smith College Essays Edited for Free

Do you want feedback on your Smith College essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

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