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How to Write the Northwestern University Essays 2024-2025

Northwestern University is a private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, just a 30-minute train ride north of Chicago. It’s got a beautiful lakefront campus and glimmering views of the city.  Overall, Northwestern is a sought-after and highly competitive institution. It’s clear that aspiring Northwestern wildcats must stand out to be accepted, and one way to do that is through your supplemental essays. In this post, we’ll break down Northwestern’s supplemental prompts.

Read these Northwestern essay examples written by real students to inspire your writing!

Northwestern University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Required for all applicants.

Prompt 1: We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (300 words)

Recommended for All Applicants

Prompt 2: The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

• Option 1 : Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
• Option 2 : Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
• Option 3 : Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
• Option 4 : Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
• Option 5 : Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

Prompt 1 (Required)

We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: what aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise (300 words).

You’re probably familiar with this archetypal, “Why This College?” essay . This prompt is essentially asking you why you’re interested in Northwestern and how the school can support your goals and interests, both academic and extracurricular. We highly recommend checking out our general breakdown of the “Why This College?” essay above, as it goes into a lot more detail and will help you out with other schools as well!

As you’re brainstorming, you should consider both the tangible and intangible aspects of Northwestern and how they align with your goals, subjects, and values. You should be setting up a “Force Dyad” with yourself and Northwestern as attractive poles. Compile a list of the specific programs, classes, clubs, and other resources at Northwestern that interest you. How do they align with your own academic or professional interests? Is there a program that merges two interests of yours? Is there an extracurricular that you were really seeking in your college search?

It’s worth it, but not required, to plan your essay in a T-chart format: 

This exercise will give you a clearer, larger picture of your connection to the school, and allow you to talk about the connections fluidly and naturally. 

How should I research for this essay? 

• Always have the school website open, and always make a few more clicks than you initially think you’re going to need. School websites can be mazelike, so allow yourself a lot of time. Check out faculty profiles, lists of current undergraduate work, connected programs, and any volunteerism done through different departments. 
• Additionally, lots of departments, research centers, or undergraduate schools have e-newsletters you can subscribe to, or publications you can find online. This will present you with the most recent contributions and discoveries of Northwestern staff and research.
• This is also a great opportunity to politely email departments and professors, asking about their perspectives on Northwestern programs, or asking to be put in touch with current students. This will give you a better view than looking at the website, and will also demonstrate to admissions that you went the extra mile to assess Northwestern’s environment. 

Be highly specific and granular. This applies to both your interests and your future goals. It’s not enough to be interested in a general subject, like “journalism” or “politics.” You have to pinpoint exactly which facets of your areas you want to really delve into. Instead of “journalism and politics,” you could instead discuss how the Medill on the Hill program would allow you to get invaluable hands-on experience directly from Northwestern’s Washington newsroom, and how this will help your goal to one day work as a TV writer covering developments in LGBT politics on a national level.

This specificity paints a better picture of you as a student and aspiring professional. Remember: it’s easier for them to admit someone with a detailed plan than someone with a fuzzy outline. If you’ve already done the work visualizing and planning your time on campus, that’s less mental work for admissions, and a faster track to a “yes.”

Don’t skimp on the extracurriculars! While the classroom is important, Northwestern wants to know how you will engage with the community on campus. For example, the student with a passion for the environment might join In Our Nature , a “paperless magazine that aims to bring the environment to everyone.” While your academic interests should be the focus of your essay, you should also spend ideally about 1/3 of the essay discussing your extracurricular passions, to illuminate your character quirks and ability to think creatively, beyond your transcript.

Of course, you want to choose extracurricular activities that expand on your academic interests and goals. For example, when discussing In Our Nature, you could cite your love for integrating complex topics in marine biology with creative nonfiction techniques, and your desire to pursue scientific writing as a profession. 

Chisel out your goals with the attention of a sculptor . Since the prompt asks you you’ll “make use of specific resources and opportunities,” you need to have some kind of goal or interest in mind. And as previously stated, a concrete and specific goal looks better (and is easier to write for) than a generalized, nebulous goal. Needing to identify goals doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have a major or a career nailed down – you just need to find a specific attraction to learning, or a specific mode of analysis you want to apply.

You can achieve specificity in a number of ways: philosophy, how you want to engage others, a community you want to help, etc. For example, a student who’s still undecided between history and biology might find a specific commonality in her approach to research: “I believe in research that involves significant hands-on exploration, whether that’s recreating 17 th -century shipbuilding techniques or collecting samples from a forest, is the best way to understand one’s subjects in a grounded, equalized, and fully immersive way.” This applicant is undecided, but specific in her approach to learning and the kind of learning environment she wants. 

Please note: applying with a goal doesn’t mean you’re committed to it all four years. It just has to be your goal right now, and you should think about what steps you need to reach that goal. Those steps should align with some sort of unique resource at Northwestern, and you should be able to clearly define how those complement each other.  

Speaking of goals: GOALS! The content of this essay should always loop back to you and your goals. If you think any student could write what you’ve written, then you haven’t written something that’s engaging or compelling yet. The same goes for the Northwestern resources you choose to discuss. If those opportunities are available at many schools, you’ll want to do more research and pick more unique resources, to show that you’re truly invested in Northwestern.

Prompt 2 (Recommended)

The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. please respond in fewer than 200 words per question..

Let’s be honest: especially at a school as selective as Northwestern, an “optional” essay is really just a required essay without the label—especially for an essay that is supposed to show why you and Northwestern are a great fit. This is an opportunity you should take advantage of: more space to sell yourself and highlight your achievements.

Prompt 2, Option A

Painting “the rock” is a tradition at northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their wildcat spirit (what we call “purple pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. what would you paint on the rock, and why (200 words).

While brainstorming a hypothetical such as painting a rock may seem arbitrary and premature, this exercise cleverly disguises a far-more important question within its wording – What will you bring to Northwestern? While many people believe the admissions process is all about proving your academic prowess to an admissions counselor, the truth is that admissions is far more nuanced.

Colleges can and will choose to admit someone they find more complex and interesting than someone who may just look good on paper. While all supplemental essays offer you the chance to showcase this, this prompt in particular is a great opportunity to set yourself apart, that is, so long as you really do set yourself apart.

Brainstorming your topic:

The approach to this prompt is not about specifically brainstorming a specific message or work of art you hope to display on the Rock, but rather what kind of student and more importantly, person you will be at Northwestern. So, what kind of student are you hoping to be?

In order to answer this, it’s necessary to understand the values and culture of Northwestern. According to their website , Northwestern students lead with compassion, showcasing empathy and understanding, they model responsibility, are committed to social justice, embrace well-being, practicing open communication and helping others develop through candid feedback, among other qualities.

That’s a whole lot to choose from, but the throughlines are actually quite simple: In a nutshell, students at Northwestern do not value the individual over the community, they fight for each other and those overlooked, and they must uphold morality and ethical behavior in all endeavors, both academic, professional, and anywhere else.

Of course, the interpretation you have of Northwestern’s values is entirely up to you, but in general, reflect on the type of student you hope to be while in college. What excites you about learning in an environment like Northwestern? What goals do you have for yourself? What do you hope to engage in with others? What new horizons do you hope to explore? Let these questions guide your thinking and research, and ultimately, let them lead you to your answer.

Tips for writing your essay:

Once you have a clearer picture of what impact you hope to have at Northwestern, whether that be in extracurricular organizations, community service, or something else entirely, it’s time to translate that to what kind of message you would put on the rock. By now, it should become more apparent that the tradition of painting the rock is far less of an individual expression and more along the lines of a message or movement you hope to highlight to a wider community.

As such, you don’t need to begin your response with your answer. Instead, present your connection with whatever endeavor you wish to participate in. Perhaps you’ve chosen to write about your passion for community service, and your hopes to participate in one of Northwestern’s opportunities such as Jumpstart, which partners Northwestern students with preschool children in under-resourced communities to help improve the children’s language, literacy, and social skills to best prepare them for kindergarten. Rather than leading with “ If there was anything I could paint on the rock, I would bring awareness to Northwestern’s Jumpstart program ”, write first about the why . Consider this format:

“ I was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, a moment that shattered my educational experience before it even started. As I grew older, I learned I was fortunate enough to be at a school that understood the challenges I faced, giving me resources like extra time and faculty advisors to walk me through my early education. Now I feel a passion to help other children break through the barriers they may face in their education, whether that be through learning disabilities or financial or social inequity.

Northwestern’s Jumpstart program is an amazing opportunity that connects interested college students to these very communities, and I hope to channel my own experiences traversing educational challenges and insecurities to give back. Through engaging with the Jumpstart curriculum and supporting faculty in Chicago preschools, Jumpstart is an inspiring effort to connect college students to preschoolers, and is particularly inspiring to me, as I hope to be someone these students can rely on for patience and kindness. To me, this is a cause that can never have too much awareness, and as such, I’d team up with fellow Jumpstart members to showcase why the cause matters on the Rock. ”

No matter what prompt you respond to, the admissions staff is looking to learn more about you and what you care about, so regardless of which of your own experiences you’re drawing on, it is essential to explain your background and what made you into who you are today.

While this response may not immediately answer the question, it will paint a vivid picture of you that will eventually lead to a developed and well-thought-out answer. Before we know what you want to paint on the rock, we know you have a passion for community service, have a personal connection to that cause, and also value teamwork and collaboration when it comes to accomplishing your goals. No matter the specifics, showcasing a mature understanding of both the prompt and its impact will undoubtedly set you apart in the admissions process.

Mistakes to avoid:

On the flip side, it is vital to not opt to paint something that only serves to benefit you, or only expresses your distinct interests or motivations. A real-world example of this comes from a popular Northwestern story in which a student chose to paint the rock in honor of their mother’s birthday. While this is undoubtedly a nice gesture, think of the implications of writing this in a response to this prompt. Not only does it not show an interest in advancing or helping Northwestern’s community or other communities, it also reads as a narrow-minded choice of expression when provided with a platform for messages to be seen by a wider community.

Prompt 2, Option B

Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. we believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators (200 words).

This is a broad question that inspires you to think creatively, and really throw out an area of interest you’re hoping to explore or a far-off goal you’re hoping to achieve while at Northwestern. It’s a foray into independent study, and should hopefully get you thinking about what kind of undertakings you wish to encounter while in college and have resources at your disposal. It’s Northwestern asking you for your passion project, and as such, it should be treated with as much creativity and personality as possible.

This will most likely be the hardest stage of answering this prompt, so if you already have an idea of what you want to write about, a lot of your hard work is actually done. The reason this may prove challenging for you, however, is that there is a fine line between ambition and unrealistic thought.

While you may be able to come up with a variety of projects you would love to explore, your eventual response should feel grounded and rooted in research you’ve done into ongoing endeavors at Northwestern as well as recent or even past projects students and professors have completed. Writing that you wish to design a drug that can reverse the effects of human aging is certainly an impressive undertaking, but it means nothing unless you’ve rooted your response in truth.

That being said, don’t feel you need to restrict yourself quite yet at this stage. Really think about what you are genuinely passionate about, and take those ideas and begin researching how Northwestern can help you engage with them. If it remains in the field of science, look through a directory of professors, read and understand the research they’ve conducted, and browse through the courses that may already exist related to your field of interest. 

If it’s in the arts or humanities, the process is similar, but instead of corresponding your investigation to practical research, look into what students are actively creating at Northwestern. Are there design labs they collaborate in? How are students guided toward their art projects? What obstacles do students face in enacting their visions?

The second part of this response deals with who you hope to engage within your project or research. While this may seem like a convoluted hypothetical, it’s perhaps the most important part of this prompt. This is your chance to really get specific, and showcase your plan of action when you do hopefully attend Northwestern. 

Are there specific clubs or classes you can join to meet students with similar interests and questions? Are there any overarching research programs related to your interest, and if so, what professors are at the forefront? How do you hope to rally interest behind your chosen topic?

Remember that just because you’re interested in something, doesn’t mean everyone else will automatically be onboard. It’s important to write about why your chosen topic is not only exciting to you but can also enhance learning and the curriculum already in place at Northwestern.

Once you’ve chosen your ideal academic effort and have done the research, you’ll have a much easier time showcasing your ambition and creativity by using facts. As usual with many supplemental essays, the heart of your response lies in your personal connection to the prompt. Whatever you’ve chosen to write about hopefully already has a personal component to it, so lead with that. In doing so, you’ll hook the reader in before engaging them with specifics, which will serve you well when you prove that you can back up your proposal with research.

Using the example of aging research, consider this response:

“If I could design any new academic program at Northwestern, there would be no other choice for me than to design a new undergraduate curriculum for aging research. My hope would be to combine modern technology with past research in order to develop new solutions to life’s oldest questions and problems, and inspire other students to further dive into this relatively under researched field.”

Amongst many problems with this response, the one that will stick out the most is a lack of any human spirit or emotion. Anybody can sit down and type out a response about their hopes to expand awareness of a field of study to a larger student body, but not everyone thinks the way you will. Not everyone has even an acute interest in the subject, including the admissions reader. The admissions reader is not looking for a new idea to add to the existing curriculum, they’re looking for a new student with a fresh perspective. Let’s tweak that response, and make it much more personal:

“ My grandma passed away a few years before I was born from something inherently avoidable – old age. While this may sound juvenile, a stubborn personality combined with a quickly rotating assembly of doctors made it difficult for my grandma to receive proper care in her golden years. Learning about this has made me incredibly passionate about the study of aging, specifically how modern technology can be used to provide care like never before, not just in efficacy, but in convenience for the patient.

Northwestern is already a pioneer in aging research, being home to the renowned Potocsnak Longevity Institute and devoted research to “SuperAgers”, Nanoscience, and Translational Biology. To address the few opportunities for undergraduate students to engage with this research, my proposal is for there to be a broad program to encourage and teach students about this field and its importance, using research from current Northwestern faculty to guide them…”

While it’s always important to ensure your personal statement does not overstay its welcome, the personal statement is vital in planting the seeds for the rest of your response, as showcased here. Now that we understand this hypothetical student’s rationale for caring about the study of aging, we become open to hearing their proposal on the subject, and in doing so, the actual proposal matters less.

This student also cites Northwestern’s pre-existing work in this field, and will go on to add their own ideas on how undergraduates can get increasingly involved with Northwestern faculty working on the frontlines of this research. As a result, the student has showcased they have a genuine passion and understanding for the subject, as well as a genuine passion and understanding of the school at large.

Prompt 2, Option C

Community and belonging matter at northwestern. tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus. (200 words).

This prompt is a variation of a Why This College essay, asking you to specifically name and elaborate on various communities or groups you hope to be a part of when attending Northwestern. It’s your chance to demonstrate the impact you hope to have while at Northwestern, and finding specificity in your answer can really separate you from the pack. 

It is also a chance for you to highlight aspects of yourself that may not be readily apparent on other parts of your application, giving you the opportunity to showcase communities you’ve been a part of in the past as well as elaborate on some aspects of your identity.

The first step in choosing a topic comes with researching Northwestern’s various communities, networks, and student groups. Research can come in the form of visiting the various organizations’ websites, diving into school forums to hear what students are engaging with, to even talking with current and past Northwestern students about the communities they’ve been a part of while on campus. 

If you find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer number of communities found on campus (Northwestern has almost 500 student organizations), another approach you can take is first deciding what kind of community you hope most to be a part of if you become a Northwestern student. 

Reflect on communities that you’ve been a part of in the past, and decide whether your engagement with those communities has had a lasting effect on your interests and identity. Chances are there will be a number of communities you both already identify with and exist on Northwestern’s campus, and drawing a link between past and future will be a great way for you to develop your response.

Remember that this prompt isn’t just for the admissions reader to get a better sense of who you are, but to see how you may fit into Northwestern’s larger culture and the communities that exist there. As such, it’s important to research the core values and principles of Northwestern.

For example, one of Northwestern’s core values is a commitment to social justice, so if you were part of an activism group in your high school that gave you a sense of pride and purpose, it would be easy for you to draw a link between your past experiences and potential ones you may have as a continuing member of a community dedicated to social justice.

Once you’ve reflected on your past community involvement, it may become easier for you to source the communities at Northwestern you’re interested in connecting with. And while the prompt allows you to elaborate on multiple communities, you may find it easier to focus on just one community to highlight in your 200-word response.

Finally, remember that “community” can mean several different things, and does not necessarily need to be a student group or organization. Community can refer to an identity, interest, ethnicity, personality trait, or something else entirely. It’s defined by you, and as such, is defined by what you choose to write about.

Once you’ve chosen a community at Northwestern to write about, consider the impact said the community would have on your experience at the school, on your goals both academically and personally, and how being a part of that community would allow you to apply yourself to the campus community as a whole. 

Remember to be as specific as you possibly can and show a genuine interest and understanding of how said community operates at Northwestern. Following on the path of communities dedicated to the pursuit of social justice, consider this response:

“ I grew up in a rural town without access to clean water. I embarked on an initiative with fellow students to bring water to our community, and in doing so, learned much about the environment, our country’s infrastructure, and what my generation can do to help. As such, I can not foresee a world where I don’t invest as much time as I have into the Kellogg Energy and Sustainability Club at Northwestern.

My commitment to environmental justice is life-long, and the Energy and Sustainability Club’s efforts to bring students and faculty together to change the way businesses and organizations work in the environment is something I’m eager to be a part of. The club’s dedication to making an impact not just on the environment, but people in positions of power, is inspiring. I believe that the key to my team’s success in high school was not any single individual’s desire to make change, but how our collective desires continued to inspire each other, and the community that the Energy and Sustainability Club fosters is vital to that cause. ”

This hypothetical response draws a clear connection between the student’s existing membership in a community of environmental activists and their desire to attend Northwestern, thus painting a precise picture for admissions officers of how they’d contribute to the school’s campus life. 

Prompt 2, Option D

Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of lake michigan, steps from downtown evanston, just a few miles from chicago. what aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why (200 words).

This prompt asks you to highlight your interest in one of Northwestern’s crown jewels – its close proximity to the bustling city of Chicago. There are many different directions you can take this response, but the most important quality of your answer lies in demonstrating the personal impact and benefits the location will offer you.

Asking you to identify the parts of Chicago and its surrounding area you are most looking forward to living around is no small task – the region offers so many exciting opportunities, particularly for a college-aged student. 

You can choose to take a cultural route, writing about Chicago’s history, food, music, art, or anything in between, or you can take a practical route, writing about the various major businesses that call Chicago home and the connection Northwestern has with companies and other organizations in the greater Chicago area, or perhaps even an unconventional route entirely, something like writing about your obsession with sustainability and how the city of Chicago has always been a global leader in pioneering sustainability efforts. 

In all of these routes, the key throughline is to be incredibly specific. The more specific you are with your answer on why you think the location is special, the more specific you are really being about what makes you special.

Do research on the various elements of Chicago and its surrounding area that appeal to you, and see if you can elaborate on your personal connection with them.

Undoubtedly, one of the most difficult things about this essay will be choosing a topic to write about, and while there may be many things you hope to explore and engage with while attending Northwestern, it is important to narrow it down to not just the ones you’re most interested in, but the ones you believe showcase why going to Northwestern would be a special experience for you. 

Set up your response by sharing a personal anecdote or personal interest that you have, before diving into what Northwestern’s location offers for someone like you. Finally, wrap up your response by connecting the location back to Northwestern itself, and exactly how the school ties into the life you hope to live there. Here’s an example:

“I could not tell you the first thing about how to play an instrument, but perhaps that’s exactly why I’m so infatuated with Jazz. Maybe it’s the eclectic style of play, the chaotic structure of the music or rather lack thereof, or maybe it’s the bustling vibrant sounds themselves, whatever it is, Jazz has been a lifelong obsession with mine. The opportunity to go to a school with not just so many amazing music opportunities on campus, but one that is at the doorstep of one of the Jazz capitals of the world, is an absolute dream come true.

Home to the Chicago Jazz Festival, a music festival I’ve been following my whole life, Chicago’s rich Jazz scene that’s housed many of my personal heroes is alive and well. While my parents may fear my proximity to so much jazz may endanger my studies, I believe it to be the exact opposite. The idea of jazz is grounded in spontaneity, curiosity, and instinct, all three of which I aim to channel as a student at Northwestern…”

Avoiding generalizations will be important to any kind of response you write about to this prompt. Chicago has so much to offer, and especially for admissions readers, they don’t need to be told about what the city has to offer so much as what the city has to offer you. For example, just because you watch and love The Bear , doesn’t mean that the thing you’re most excited for in Chicago is an Italian Beef sandwich. Remember to get specific with your answers and paint a picture of why the school’s location is impactful for you specifically.

Prompt 2, Option E

Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. this range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. how might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus (200 words).

This is a relatively straightforward Diversity Essay , and tasks you with sharing a part of your background that you feel like you’d be bringing to campus. And diversity doesn’t necessarily have to mean things like ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, diversity can be whatever you define it to be, whether that has to do with your interests, experiences, family, languages, or something else entirely. However, it’s important to really reflect on what diversity means to you before just quantifying anything as a diverse perspective. 

In taking that step, think about the aspects of your identity that you feel make you most unique. Think about your upbringing, your personality traits, your mistakes, experiences, and then even things that you felt were out of your control – what challenges have you faced because of things that may not have been your fault? Have you faced any prejudices? Any hardships because of your identity? Even reflecting on how you learned about or accepted your identity can be a great way to elaborate on your diversity.

It’s important to ask yourself these specific questions because whatever you do choose to write about will need to be very specific. A great way to give an admissions reader insight into the individual background you’d be bringing to campus is to open with an anecdote. Real anecdotes will allow an admissions reader to put themselves in your shoes, and be able to further understand how your individual background has affected you. Your chosen anecdote doesn’t necessarily have to be a hardship or an instance of prejudice, a unique cultural tradition, value, or family experience can be equally as effective in showcasing your diversity.

The second part of this prompt asks you specifically how you hope your individual background will contribute to Northwestern’s campus and community as a whole. This part of the prompt can be a little trickier, especially without actually being a student on campus. As such, this aspect of your response doesn’t need to be nearly as long, especially considering you only have 200 words total to answer. However, it’s still important to do your research as to what organizations or resources are on campus that you hope to engage with as well as what you hope your individual background can contribute to others. 

Perhaps you can write about how you hope to get involved with events with Multicultural Student Affairs, or how you hope to take a class in the Asian American Studies program to learn more about your own identity, or how you plan to engage with various LGBTQ+ organizations on campus to continue to advocate for inclusion and acceptance. Whatever route you choose to go down, be specific. Talk about specific events, classes, or organizations. Discuss their impact on campus and the community. And most importantly, talk about the impact it would have on you.

Where to Get Your Northwestern Essays Edited For Free

Do you want feedback on your Northwestern 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!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• Application Materials

Required, Supplemental, and Optional Application Elements

Completing Your Northwestern Application

A quick checklist of application components can be found on our main  Apply page . Below, you can find help related to application components, such as your letters of recommendation or personal statements, and answers to common questions.

Standardized Test Scores

Northwestern will remain test-optional for the 2024–25 admissions cycle. We will not require ACT or SAT scores from first-year or transfer candidates applying for fall 2025 entry.

If students choose to take an SAT or ACT, there is no preference for either exam—and will review a “superscore” for both tests. For students who take the SAT or ACT more than once, this means that our system will combine the highest section scores across multiple test dates and calculate a “superscore” that will override the high score from a single sitting in our database. Applicants are not obligated to report scores from all test dates, though are welcome to do so.

• For students who take the ACT section tests, we will factor any individual section scores into your ACT superscore. You may utilize ACT’s new superscore reporting option to report an official superscore.
• Students may self-report all SAT and ACT scores, but   please do not calculate your own ACT superscore —report your highest ACT section scores and your highest composite score from a single test date, and our system will calculate the ACT superscore. Admitted students who choose to enroll will be required to submit official SAT or ACT test scores that confirm highest self-reported section/composite scores prior to matriculation.

Letters of Recommendation

TIP: Letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can best speak to the range of your strengths and abilities.

We require two letters of recommendation.

One letter should come from your high school counselor. This could be your college counselor, guidance counselor, academic advisor, career center specialist or whoever can to best speak to your overall high school curriculum and involvement within the context of your high school. The second letter should come from one of your teachers who can address your strengths as a student in the classroom; this recommender should most likely be a teacher from one of your core subject areas, in your junior or senior year.

If you have an additional reference who would like to submit a letter on your behalf, we will accept supplemental letters of recommendation. It is in your best interest that each letter provides new or different information about you.

Personal Statement and Supplemental Essay(s)

Northwestern 2024–25 first-year writing supplements.

We have designed these writing supplements to help us understand your experiences throughout high school and imagine what kind of Northwestern student you may become. The supplemental questions below touch on areas we see as important for building Northwestern’s Class of 2029, but you should feel free to repurpose essays you’ve written for other applications (including the Common/Coalition Application personal essay, which we no longer require) if they tell the story you’d most like to share.   

We also know there may be information or qualities not covered in our supplemental questions that  you  see as important to your application. To that end, we welcome—but by no means expect—your submission of a personal essay or additional information in the Common Application.

The following question is required for all Common Application and Coalition with Scoir applicants (optional for QuestBridge applicants). Please respond in 300 words or fewer:

• We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?

We encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two of the following questions. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

• Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
• Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
• Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
• Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
• Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

Northwestern 2024–25 Transfer Writing Supplements

We have designed our writing supplements to help us understand your experiences in school and imagine what kind of Northwestern student you may become. Our supplemental questions touch on areas we see as important for shaping our incoming transfer cohort, but you should feel free to repurpose essays you’ve written for other applications (including the personal essay, which we no longer require) if they tell the story you’d most like to share. 

We also know there may be information or qualities not covered in our supplemental questions that you see as important to your application. To that end, we welcome—but by no means expect—your submission of a personal essay or additional information, which you can upload via your Northwestern portal. 

The following questions are required for all applicants. Please respond in 300 words or fewer:

•  We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?
• Please share with us why you would like to transfer to Northwestern.

Activity Chart

TIP: The activity chart is your opportunity to be thorough about the depth and range of your involvement, whatever it may be.

The activity chart is your chance to explain any and all activities in which you’ve been involved outside of your high school classes. Provide as much detail as you can, explaining any abbreviations or acronyms that may be unique to your school. If you have held any leadership positions or received any awards, honors or distinctions, be sure to include that information on the activities chart as well. There’s no “right answer” to what kind of activities we like to see: Northwestern has over 500 different clubs and activities on campus, so we appreciate a very wide range of activities and value diversity of student interests.

As of the 2024–25 admissions cycle, Northwestern no longer offers alumni interviews as an optional part of the application process. Prospective students can still connect with our incredible alumni through new Alumni Conversations, an opportunity to learn about Northwestern via diverse alumni perspectives . In these settings, you’ll steer the discussion toward connections and topics that matter most to you: maybe you want to hear from someone who comes from the same part of the world as you do. Or you may be looking for perspectives on academic or career interests from a Northwestern graduate with expertise in those areas. Or perhaps you want to explore a shared identity or background. These one-on-one conversations are designed to enhance your college search as you seek authentic insights into a best-fit community. Head to the Alumni Conversations page to learn more.

Glimpse Video Submissions

While our application volume is such that we cannot offer interviews, students applying from US high schools are welcome to record a Glimpse video if you wish to add a more candid voice to your application. (Students applying from international high schools can skip ahead to learn about a similar opportunity through InitialView .)

Glimpse allows you to share a 60–90 second video helping us get to know you better: your values, your perspectives, your background or experiences—whatever you feel matters and may not otherwise come through fully in your other application materials. These videos are entirely optional, and students who choose not to submit a Glimpse video are at no disadvantage in the review process. For more information about Glimpse, including information about Glimpse fee waivers and collaborations with Community Based Organizations, please visit the Glimpse website here .

All Glimpse videos must be submitted by November 7  for Early Decision or January 17  for Regular Decision.

InitialView Interviews

For students applying from international high schools, Northwestern accepts interviews from InitialView . Similar to Glimpse videos, InitialView interviews are not required and applicants without one are at no disadvantage in our review process. InitialView does not review or rate the interviews. Evaluation is done only by members of the admissions committee and provides an additional source of information and perspective about your English language proficiency, personal qualities, academic interests, and potential fit for Northwestern.

All InitialView interviews for the 2024–25 cycle must be completed by November 7  for Early Decision or January 17  for Regular Decision.

Selecting Early or Regular Decision

TIP: If Northwestern is a school that, if admitted, you would attend without hesitation, applying Early Decision best positions you within a competitive applicant pool. If you’re applying for financial aid, we use the same need-based process for financial aid awards for early decision and regular decision; your aid package will be the same regardless of when you apply.

If Northwestern is a top choice, and you feel comfortable applying through the Early Decision process, you are strongly encouraged to consider applying Early Decision. We use the same review criteria for both early and regular decision. Applicants in both cycles are very competitive. Last year we enrolled approximately 50% of our incoming freshman class from early decision. To learn more about application options and deadlines , please visit our Application Dates and Deadlines page.

Northwestern allocates financial aid on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Should you receive an offer of admission, your financial aid (including scholarships) will not differ whether you apply under the early decision or regular decision time frame. Please use our  Net Price Calculator  to determine your expected family contribution. Northwestern guarantees to meet 100% of the demonstrated need between your expected family contribution and the total cost of attendance.

Applications That May Require Additional Materials

Some applications may require materials in addition to an application for undergraduate admission. Below, you will find a list of requirements for Bienen School of Music, Integrated Science Program (ISP), Mathematical Methods in Social Sciences (MMSS) and School of Communication's Musical Theater Program. For questions pertaining to the content of submission of supplemental application material, please contact the corresponding office directly. 

Bienen School of Music

In addition to an application for undergraduate admission,  all   undergraduate applicants to the Bienen School of Music must submit a   Bienen School Supplement.   Submitting the Supplement ensures that the Bienen School of Music is aware that you are applying for a music major, and provides a portal to submit music application materials. Bienen School applicants also register for auditions via the Supplement.

Supplement materials:

• Music   prescreening and/or portfolio materials
• Music teacher recommendation letter (required, submit via  Bienen School Supplement )

See instructions and deadlines for submitting the supplement.   Please note that many supplement deadlines fall prior to those of the general application for admission. 

Integrated Science Program (ISP)

Students who wish to apply to the Integrated Science Program must also complete an ISP application using the  online application .

The application processes to Northwestern and to ISP are separate. Admission to Northwestern is not a guarantee of admission to the ISP and the status of your ISP application will not affect your Northwestern general acceptance decision. 

• For an updated list of required materials, please see the   ISP website .

ISP application considerations:

• Your high school preparation should include four years of mathematics, including one year of calculus, and four years of science, including chemistry and physics. Taking AP Physics and Chemistry is highly recommended.
• You should complete the study of one-variable differential and integral calculus before enrolling in ISP. If you will not complete this study in high school, we will ask you to outline how you plan to fulfill this requirement. 

See instructions and deadlines for submitting the supplement. 

Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences (MMSS)

Students who wish to apply to the Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences program must also complete an MMSS application using the  online application . 

The application processes to Northwestern and to MMSS are separate. Admission to Northwestern is not a guarantee of admission to the MMSS and the status of your MMSS application will not affect your Northwestern general acceptance decision. 

MMSS application considerations:

• A strong high school curriculum, including a year of calculus, is required for admission. 

School of Communication Applicants to the Music Theatre Certificate Program

Students applying to the Northwestern University School of Communication Theatre Major who are interested in pursuing admittance to the Northwestern University Music Theatre Certificate Program are encouraged to submit an   optional   Music Theatre Supplemental Portfolio.

Students who are interested in Music Theatre and are applying to the Bienen School of Music   do   not   need to submit this Music Theatre Supplemental Portfolio.

Supplement materials include:

• Personal statement (video)
• Performance selection (video)
• Optional supporting materials

Visit the School of Communication for Music Theatre Supplemental Portfolio instructions and deadlines, including a complete list of requirements.

Special Circumstances

TIP: Use the “Additional Information” section of the Common Application to share any information that may have significantly impacted your academic performance or other involvement.

If you have experienced any special or outstanding circumstances that may have interrupted or significantly affected your academic performance in high school, you may write about those in the “additional information” section of the Common Application. If your high school counselor is aware of these circumstances, he or she may also use the Counselor Recommendation to explain this information. Should you have additional circumstances that need to be addressed, you can email a brief summary to  [email protected] .

Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting

While we treat the information in your application with utmost confidentiality, we feel it’s important to share with our applicants that all Northwestern employees, including our Undergraduate Admissions staff, are Mandated Reporters, which means we are responsible for reporting to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance all allegations of sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment), discrimination based on a protected category, and harassment based on a protected category of which we become aware in the scope of our work for the University. We are also responsible for reporting suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect . Should we come across any such allegations or evidence of child abuse and/or neglect in application materials, we are required to report that information to the appropriate office/entity.

Once You’ve Hit “Submit”

TIP: Once you’ve submitted your application, keep an eye on your email account associated with your Common Application or Coalition Application – that’s where we’ll send any important updates regarding your application status.

Congratulations! You’ve completed your application. Sit back and relax. Keep your eye on the email address associated with your Common Application or Coalition Application. If we are missing any of your application materials, you will receive an email from  [email protected] . Otherwise, you’ll hear from us with an admission decision by mid-December for Early Decision applicants, by the end of March for Regular Decision applicants, or by the end of June for transfer applicants.

Need to submit an update or want to check on the status of your application? Once your application has been submitted, we will email a personalized link with instructions on how to access the Applicant Status Portal, which can be used to monitor the progress of your application.

6 Northwestern Essay Examples & Why Northwestern (2024)

Writing your Northwestern supplemental essays can be tricky, but they're important because your responses can have a big effect on your application chances.

Along with your personal statement essays , Northwestern offers students the chance to respond to a "Why Northwestern" essay prompt as part of its writing supplement.

In this article, I've gathered 6 essays that worked that helped get students admitted into Northwestern recently.

What is Northwestern University's Acceptance Rate?

Getting into Northwestern is quite difficult. Last year, a record 51,554 students applied to Northwestern.

And Northwestern had an overall admit rate of only 7%. Or in other words, about 1 in 13 students get accepted.

Northwestern University Acceptance Scattergram

To get into Northwestern, you've got to stand out from the crowd, which you can do by writing a strong writing supplement section.

What are the Northwestern Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?

The Northwestern writing supplement for this year only asks one essay question of 300 words: Why Northwestern?

''Why Northwestern'' Statement :

While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

6 Northwestern University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 6 of the best Northwestern essays that worked, including example essays for the "Why Northwestern" statement prompt.

I've also included some great Common App essays from admitted Northwestern students.

Get inspired and start writing your "Why" statement with the help of these examples.

• Northwestern University Essay Example #1
• Northwestern University Essay Example #2
• Northwestern University Essay Example #3
• Northwestern University Essay Example #4
• Northwestern University Essay Example #5
• Northwestern University Essay Example #6

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #1

Prompt: "Why Northwestern" Statement:

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond. (300 words max)

I love Northwestern’s academic flexibility, including the freedom of the curriculum to explore a variety of fields and the emphasis on cross-department study. Also, the quarter system provides a faster pace of learning and the opportunity to take more classes than a semester school.

Specifically, I am excited by the Spanish and Portuguese department and the classes on Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature, and phonetics. For example, the accelerated Portuguese program is a perfect way to pick up the language at a faster pace using my prior knowledge of Spanish. I intend to supplement my language acquisition through the study abroad programs offered at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro or an affiliate program in Santiago, Chile. Additionally, the GESI program in Costa Rica is another intriguing opportunity through its intersectionality. It will allow me to combine a practical application of my language skills with studies in environmental conservation that I find a pressing and interesting issue. As an open-minded learner keen to forge links between academic fields of study, I believe I would be an excellent fit for the program.

I am also interested in Linguistics and pursuing undergraduate research or possibly undertaking the coterminal BA/MA program. The opportunity to link my research to a modern language of choice and investigate, for example, regional variation in Latin American Spanish or how Portuguese loanwords have infiltrated native Amazonian languages sounds fascinating and exciting.

Finally, the unique sense of community at Northwestern captivated me when I visited campus. The residential college system, the school spirit at Wildcat games, and the friendliness of the students I met, one of whom described the school as “the most welcoming place ever”, were all emblematic of this atmosphere for me. I think I will thrive in such a dynamic and inquisitive place.

• Improve your essays in minutes, instead of hours
• Based on lessons from hundreds of accepted applications & essays.
• Easy and actionable strategies

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #2

The only reason I fear going for lunch in a hotel is probably because I wouldn’t choose between fried chicken and roasted meat and so is my dilemma over my college major. The multifaceted whole brain approach at McCormick, however, grants me the perfect opportunity to pursue my interest in Computer Science whilst acquiring the appropriate skills in entrepreneurship to a one day startup as an innovator.

As a NU computer scientist, I particularly look forward to Software Development EECS 473 – NUvention: Web, through which I would not only learn intricacies of Software development, but have related studies in real time software development in relation to market requirements in CS+X that would form a base for a startup. That would also provide a bridge for me to join Prof Todd Warren at Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation where I would specifically join the NUvention; Web + Media. Through this unparalleled program I would have the intimacy of working in a team with fellow wild cats towards an innovative business project. The results of which will be an introduction to the Northwestern Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO) through which I look forward to gaining practical exposure in launching businesses to the general public.

Outside McCormick, I would be excited to pursue the Managerial analytics Certificate program at Kellogg to acquire intelligent business management skills, let off steam at SPARK exploring hacks while fostering entrepreneurial habits, and eventually joining preparations for the Benedictine Eagle Invite at the Henry Crown Sport’s Pavilion (SPAC) with the NU track club. I may not the best of singers, but I do have intense phases of music obsessions and where best to let it off than taking non major classes at Bienen and, joining one of the numerous Acapella groups as I await Armadillo day!

• Make a Strong Impression
• Capture Your Unique Strengths
• Write Outstanding Essays
• ...and Apply Confidently!

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #3

Why Northwestern? Because this introduction was so difficult to write; because I cannot possibly summarize these reasons in one introductory sentence. Simply put, my interests span across a wide range, and Northwestern has a place for them all.

As an enthusiastic programmer and advocate for positive minority representation in the media, I hope to combine both these interests and conduct research on the influence of media on society. To my delight as a prospective communications major, the School of Communication's research labs showcase project topics ranging from the depiction of STEM in media to improving digital communication. I look forward to taking advantage of the high-quality research, internship and even career opportunities offered to explore my ideas.

My multiple passions keep me creative and energetic, and I plan to continue pursuing them at Northwestern. With years of editing and writing experience for school publications under my belt, for instance, I hope to join the staff of Helicon and North by Northwestern . Last but not least is the constant school spirit and sense of inclusion present within campus. During my campus tour, each tour guide seemed genuinely excited to introduce prospective students to the school. As my particular tour guide described the quarter system and tradition of guarding and painting the rock with passion in her eyes, I knew that only at Northwestern could I find students as enthusiastic about the school itself as they are about their majors. I also spotted many students of color while visiting; as an Asian woman, Northwestern's focus on diversifying reassures me that not only will I not be judged for my background, but that I will get to meet students of all ethnicities and cultures.

College is a time of self-discovery, and I firmly believe I can see my dreams become reality at Northwestern.

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #4

I felt the cold sheets beneath me and the beeping sounds of a monitor next to my bed, my chest moving up and down and my body sinking into the mattress. I opened my eyes and was greeted with a plastic surgeon holding the cyst that was once in the corner of my eye. Medicine, I decided, was my destiny.

Flash forward to 8th grade, the year I decided to read 100 books. Emerson, John Green, Ernest Cline--you name the author, I read them. I became instantly inspired to learn to write like the wonderful authors I had read. So, writing, I decided (maybe), was my destiny.

Wait--or was it medicine? Well, perhaps it can be both.

The thing I find most striking about Northwestern is its emphasis on the word “AND.” Northwestern students can love computer science AND music theory, poetry AND Latin History, journalism AND business--I can love science AND English. At Northwestern, my interests would not be hindered by strict and unwavering guidelines. Rather, they could be effortlessly streamlined and integrated into one another. I could go from ​PSYCH 361--Brain Damage and the Mind to ENG 206 - Reading and Writing Poetry to Carol Clayberger’s Lab to continue my extensive research on T-lymphocytes, similar to that I conducted at UPMC. I would be learning each level of the human psyche, communicating my thoughts through writing, and putting them into action through my research.

At Northwestern, I plan to take advantage of the various resources that would enable me to pursue my passions, find new ones, and combine them into one, pulling from both sides of my brain. I know that I am right for Northwestern and Northwestern is right for me because we have a mutual understanding of what education should look like--emphasis on “AND,” not “OR.”

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #5

Think Purple: Aspiring journalist dreams of being a Wildcat F​iled under ​A​dmissions​, ​Top Stories

After brochure browsing, website wandering, and campus canvassing what felt like hundreds of different schools, it took Daisy Conant exactly 32 seconds on the Northwestern University campus to realize she had found the one.

“Northwestern is undefinable in the best way, an addicting hub of intellectuality, creativity, and school spirit - something especially appealing to a football lover,” laughed Conant. “But what excites me most about NU is the opportunity to study at the Medill School of Journalism.”

A writer with hopes of becoming a foreign correspondent, Conant has always been drawn to people and their stories, especially those completely unfamiliar to herself and her experiences. Once learning she could start on day one at Medill acquiring investigative journalism experience writing an enterprise story and end on day 600 with a journalism residency and international experience already under her belt, she was hooked.

“Conducting groundbreaking research on the socioeconomic disparities in the CPS system for the Medill Justice Project, spending a semester abroad reporting on cultural crisis in Greece, interning at the Post - at Medill, my options are boundless,” remarked Conant. “I could explore the world of print news writing in-focuses for the Daily Northwestern, dabble in magazine editing laying out spreads for North by Northwestern, even try my hand at broadcast reporting for WNUR.”

A journalist at heart, Conant is fascinated with the intersections of other disciplines. As an NU student she would be free to engage her passions for international studies and business through outside concentrations in addition to investigative journalism, uncovering the adventures (and discovering the tenacious Wildcats) that lie between Evanston and the shores of Lake Michigan. “My story is just beginning,” said Conant. “And Northwestern is the perfect lede.”

Northwestern Essay Example #6

Prompt: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (100-250 words)

I held my breath as my trembling fingers, made for the enter key, my eyes glued to the screen savoring every moment. In a split of a second, the results of my sleepless nights were imprinted on the screen.

>>>syntax error

I felt my eyes became watery but I quickly forged a smile convincing myself I wasn’t about to cry.

However disappointed I felt that moment, it wasn’t something new to me. I am not a natural programmer and I have failed more than a million times when running my codes. In fact, I have gotten used to failing, that anytime I get it right on the first attempt I assume I got lucky and I redo the code. Every time I get a syntax error I have eventually learned something new from the code. It’s at these moments that I have learnt more about my world.

Through coding, I have learnt to appreciate shortcomings in life as room for improvements. I have come to understand being raised in a camp in Chalbi dessert is a chance for me to have the first-hand experience of what needs to be done to make the world a better place. I stopped being disappointed I was born in a less tech-savvy country and seen it as an opportunity for me to create an impact with the much I have learnt. I understand with every syntax error, every life obstacle, I learn and take a step closer to a perfect code, achieving my dreams.

What Can You Learn From These Northwestern Essays?

These 6 Northwestern essays that worked show you exactly what it takes to write successful "Why Northwestern?" essays. Answering the "Why Northwestern" statement as best you can is the key to having a successful Northwestern application.

What did you think of these Northwestern essays?

Meet the Author

Ryan Chiang

I'm Ryan Chiang and I created EssaysThatWorked.com - a website dedicated to helping students and their families apply to college with confidence & ease. We publish the best college admissions essays from successful applicants every year to inspire and teach future students.

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What do outstanding essays have in common? Here are our 23 most effective strategies based on lessons from admitted students.

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Northwestern Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

July 19, 2024

With an acceptance rate of just over 7% for the Class of 2028, Northwestern University is very much an “Ivy-equivalent” school. This is true both in terms of quality academics and selectivity. Last fall, incoming Wildcats almost universally placed within the top 10% of their respective high school class. They also boasted average SAT scores in the 1470 range. In 2024-25, even high schoolers bringing superior credentials to the table need to realize that the majority of the other 50,000+ applicants can demonstrate comparable levels of achievement. Therefore, applicants need to look for other ways to separate themselves from the pack. And that brings us to the Northwestern supplemental essay prompts.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into Northwestern University? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Northwestern University: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In addition to one required essay prompt, Northwestern also gives applicants the opportunity to respond to at least one (and up to two) optional prompts. Essentially, every applicant has three opportunities to stand out in the eyes of admissions officers and showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below you will find Northwestern’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice on how to pen winning compositions.

2024-2025 Northwestern Supplemental Essays

Prompt #1 (required for all applicants).

We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (300 words)

Northwestern is inviting you to share more about your background/identity/community through the lens of how that will impact your experience at the university. Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience/challenge you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your religious background
• Your family background
• Your sexual orientation or gender identity

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement and activities list. What important aspect(s) of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew.

Northwestern Supplemental Essays (Continued)

You’ll then need to discuss how your background/identity/experiences have influenced your academic, social, or extracurricular college goals. As such, think about what you learned and how it relates to one of the previously mentioned areas. For example, perhaps growing up in Northern California has made you passionate about post-wildfire ecosystem restoration, which you hope to pursue further through Northwestern’s environmental science program. Or, perhaps your experience as a poll worker has made you interested in NU Votes , or the discrimination you watched your sibling face after revealing their gender identity has informed your desire to be part of organizations like the Rainbow Alliance .

To that end, be sure you address how you will take advantage of Northwestern’s immense resources both inside and/or outside of the classroom by citing specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , special opportunities , study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.

Prompt #2 (Optional but Recommended)

Most “optional” essays are not truly optional, and Northwestern’s new essay prompts are no different. Think of it this way: if you’re truly interested in attending Northwestern, you have two more incredibly valuable opportunities to further demonstrate that fit. Take advantage of them!

The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

• Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

Out of everything on this Earth, what makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? What issue could you talk about or debate for hours? If you could address one problem in the world, large or small, what would it be? What do you love to do? Do you have a treasured cultural tradition that you’d love to share with others? If you are answering at least one of these questions, you are on the right track with this essay.

• Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

Firstly, you’ll want to select a course centered around a topic about which you are an expert or hope to become an expert. The admissions reader is well aware that you are a teenager and not someone who has yet earned a Ph.D. Therefore, being a self-taught, informal expert is perfectly fine. You’ll then want to explain “why”—why will (or should) your passion be made relevant to a wider audience? And who would you want to work with along the way? These classmates and collaborators could be peers, mentors, or even guest speakers. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

• Given the prompt’s wording, quality answers should involve the intersection of two or more disciplines.
• Course creation essays can and should reveal your ability to connect and synthesize information.
• Make sure that the topic of your course is not overly broad or already offered. The topic should not be akin to a 101 college course like Intro to Psychology…be creative!
• Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

Keep in mind that Northwestern has already seen the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the impressive number of hours you volunteered at multiple nonprofit organizations. They know that you have been an active member of your high school/local community. The admissions committee now desires to understand precisely how you will contribute to  their  community of 8,000+ undergraduate students. Highlighting the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here. For example, if you dedicated many hours to increasing your high school’s mental health support services, it will be more impactful when you now express your commitment to joining Northwestern’s Active Minds organization.

The strongest Northwestern community essays will show evidence of meaningful school-specific research. This research process will actually give you a better idea of how you would sincerely like to become engaged at each prospective school on your list. Admissions officers will appreciate a Northwestern-centric answer far more than a generic (often recycled from app to app) response. Moreover, given the word count, you’ll be able to produce the strongest response if you focus on just one or two specific aspects of your identity and perspective.

• Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

If you choose to answer this question, know that you’ll need to think very deeply about your answer. Admissions officers are going to receive scores of responses about the number of opportunities available in Chicago, generalities about living in a suburb of a major city, and proximity to famous regional landmarks. As such, if Northwestern’s location feels particularly important to you, dig deep as to why . What location-specific experiences will you be able to have at Northwestern that you won’t be able to have anywhere else?

• Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

This prompt asks you to not only share a particular life experience but also describe why that experience will enable you to contribute to Northwestern in general. Essentially, it’s asking you to take your essay’s reflection one step further—you’ll need to share why the experience you’ve chosen has impacted you as well as why/how you believe it will allow you to positively impact the Northwestern community.

First, choose a key aspect of your experiences or background that reveals something deep and meaningful about you. (Although you could choose more than one, we’d advise against it, given that you only have 200 words in which to respond.) As you brainstorm, consider the following avenues:

• Your role in your family.
• Your role in your social group.
• A challenge you’ve faced.
• A formative experience or realization.
• Core values and beliefs.
• Important aspects of your upbringing.
• Cultural, religious, or community influence.

Second, you’ll need to describe both personal and future impact. Make sure that your answer reveals something about how you will live out Northwestern’s values or contribute to a specific academic/social community.

Finally, this prompt is quite similar to the required prompt about background and identity (see above), so if you choose this option, be sure you’re not repeating yourself in any way. If you’ve already said everything you need to say about your background in the required prompt, you’ll likely want to choose a different option.

How important are the Northwestern supplemental essays?

The essays (including the Common App essay) are viewed as “important” to the Northwestern applicant evaluation process. The other factors that are also considered “important” are: recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. The only four factors viewed as being more important than the essays are GPA, test scores, class rank, and the rigor of one’s curriculum.

Want personalized essay assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Northwestern supplemental essay, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

Need additional college essay-writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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