In addition to the 250-650 word Common Application essay (aka the Personal Statement) that is required by most colleges, many colleges also require one or more additional essays and/or short-answer questions specific to their institution. Supplemental essays are typically—though not always—shorter, and they ask students to answer a more specific prompt. A student’s main Personal Statement should help…
Colleges and universities that have supplemental college admission essays release their prompts each summer, usually on or before August 1, which is when the Common Application opens for each new application cycle. And every year, International College Counselors compiles a list of these essay prompts as they become available. Sometimes the prompts are the same as…
In addition to the main Common Application essay, many colleges will ask students to answer one or more school-specific questions referred to as supplements. One of the most common supplemental essay prompts is usually along the lines of “Why do you want to attend this college?” This essay is designed to gauge several things: first,…
One of the most common supplemental essay prompts asks some version of “Why do you want to attend this university?” Your essays help colleges evaluate your interest in their school, what they offer that matches what you want from your college education, whether you’re a good fit for their community, and whether you’ll be able…
NEW COVID-19 ESSAY Students using the 2020-2021 Common Application and/or Coalition Application to apply to college will find a new dedicated space which they can use to elaborate, if they wish, on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them personally and/or academically. The question is optional, and there is no need to answer the question…