hofstra university supplemental essay examples

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How to Write the Hofstra University Essay 2020-2021

Hofstra University is a private university in Hempstead, New York. At 6,700 undergraduates, it’s the largest private college on Long Island. Hofstra was founded as an extension of NYU in 1935, but became an independent university only four years later. Today, Hofstra’s academic offerings include over 100 dual degree programs, first-year seminars and clusters, and internship opportunities in metro New York City.

Outside of the classroom, Hofstra students can participate in Division I sports teams, or join one of the 220 student organizations. The Hofstra University Museum of Arts is also located on campus, and the school also owns Long Island’s oldest radio station. The college’s surrounding area contains activities such as an aquarium and a flying trapeze.

As of 2019, Hofstra’s acceptance rate is 63%, meaning it is slightly competitive. Admitted students had an average high school GPA of 3.6. The middle 50% of students had an SAT score of 1120-1320 and an ACT score of 25-32. If you’re hoping to snag a spot at this university in Long Island, writing a strong supplemental essay will certainly give you a boost. To learn how to respond to this year’s supplemental essay, read on! 

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How to Write the Hofstra University Supplemental Essay

Why are you applying to hofstra (500 words).

Hofstra’s supplemental essay exemplifies a classic question admissions officers use to better gauge your fit with their school. Many applicants share similar academic profiles, extracurricular activities, and backgrounds. Thus, a reasonable chunk of your candidacy relies on your ability to convince readers that you genuinely want to attend Hofstra. 

The key with a “ Why This College? ” prompt is specificity. In your response, you should include components that are specific to Hofstra, and then relate them to yourself. Prioritizing specificity when discussing both the school and yourself will go a long way in making your essay pleasurable to read, and distinguishable from thousands of other applicants. The more detail, the better: officers are more likely to offer admission to someone who seems as though they are realistically planning to attend their institution. Here is a rough guide to tackling this type of essay:

• Jot down a list of your current interests and hopes for college. Though these could essentially be anything, try to narrow it down to interests you have tangibly pursued. For example, if you were interested in cybersecurity, you might be in their high school’s coding club. Additionally, you could have taken free online courses in the subject or participated in a hackathon. 
• Scout Hofstra’s website for courses, research opportunities, and extracurriculars that match this interest. For instance, Hofstra has a Cybersecurity cluster, which is a unit of courses designed to give you the foundations needed to pursue this field. The college also offers Zarb Technology Club, which gives students the opportunity to work with the business school on cybersecurity-related projects. The school’s Cybersecurity Innovation and Research Center has an academic “war room” facility that allows students to simulate combatting a real cyberattack. 
• Next, you need to meld your current experience with your potential future by establishing a credible trajectory of how you could potentially pursue them at Hofstra. Use lots of specific, descriptive detail to keep the reader’s attention, and speak as if you are already attending the university. Building off of the previous information, here are two potential responses:

Bad: “I have always been extremely interested in cybersecurity as it is a fascinating and ever-changing field. I took AP Computer Science my junior year and fell in love with the mechanics and potential of coding. As an incoming freshman, I plan to take advantage of Hofstra’s established cybersecurity programs and join clubs that allow me to further hone my skills. I believe cybersecurity is a critical field in our evolving society because as technology continues to evolve, so will the ways in which hackers attempt to steal data. Protecting software is becoming increasingly important to ensure that we are safe whether we are doing remote schoolwork or voting in elections. At Hofstra, and utilize the small student-to-faculty ratio to get the individualized attention I need to succeed. With a degree from this highly ranked university in this country, I can’t wait to see where my passion for cybersecurity takes me, not only in college, but in my future career.”

Good: “I’ll never forget the burning curiosity I felt the first time I saw a spam message pop up on my computer screen. As a child, a lot of the gaming websites I frequented often sent warnings about stealing my data or infecting my computer. Though those threats may not have been imminent, they catalyzed gears in my brain, sparking a fascination with how computer viruses worked and how people could counteract these digital menaces. Friends and family came to me with their technical issues, and I happily obliged after taking the relevant Cybrary courses. In high school, I installed and helped maintain anti-malware software on the Tech Club’s devices. As I continue to pursue my passion for safety in technology, Hofstra’s Cybersecurity cluster will provide me the foundation I need to be successful. I cannot wait to engage with Circadence Project ARES software and immerse myself in realistic drills with my peers. With clubs like Zarb, I can work on real business-related projects and establish a career path where I can continue to help others in the digital sphere. ”

The first applicant severely lacks specificity and makes claims about the cybersecurity field without drawing personal connections to themselves or the school. They vaguely state their passion for cybersecurity but fail to follow up with specific measures they have taken or plan to take in pursuing it. They mention taking AP Computer Science, which is a relevant course, but this could also be improved. Taking initiative outside of coursework, such as a club or self-led project, makes a stronger argument for demonstrated interest in a field of study. 

Furthermore, though the name “Hofstra” is used, it could feasibly be switched out with any other school with a cybersecurity program and there would be no real changes necessary to the essay. The same goes for mentioning the student to faculty ratio, which is typical of many private schools and therefore is not a large asset to the essay’s purpose. This name-replacement check demonstrates that the applicant has gravely underspecified why they want to attend Hofstra. Furthermore, the applicant commends Hofstra’s ranking in their response. Making comments about a college’s prestige can come across as disingenuous and does not demonstrate that you have actually looked into the school’s offerings. 

On the other hand, the second prompt is rife with detail and paints a clearer picture of why the applicant specifically wants to attend Hofstra University. Mentioning their prior experience in non-mandated cybersecurity work illustrates that they have a genuine passion for the content. This serves to bolster their response with an extra layer of credibility and lay a foundation for their pursuit of cybersecurity at Hofstra. Furthermore, it is evident that the applicant has done research on Hofstra’s website and browsed through the different computer science offerings. The applicant mentions a course cluster and software that are unique to Hofstra, which demonstrates that the student has done ample research into the school’s relevant programs. Moreover, mentioning extracurriculars like Zarb serve to highlight an interest in Hofstra that transcends academics. Admissions officers are looking for future community members who are engaged and involved on campus beyond required coursework. 

Adding these relevant details can really make or break your response. It is important to take the time to conduct proper research for a “Why This College?” prompt to make sure your interest in the school is accurately conveyed and your application stands out.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what should i write for the hofstra supplemental essay.

I'm applying to Hofstra and there's a supplemental essay. Is there anyone who's gone through this process who could give me some advice or tips on what they're looking for? I want to make sure my application stands out!

In writing your Hofstra supplemental essay, you should aim to showcase your unique perspective and what you could bring to the university community. Since each applicant is different, there isn't a specific 'correct' topic or approach, but here are a few general guidelines to help your essay stand out:

1. Be authentic: Focus on your genuine interests and experiences related to the school or its programs. Share a relevant story or anecdote that highlights your personal growth or demonstrates your values.

2. Research the school: Familiarize yourself with Hofstra’s specific programs, resources, and campus culture. Mention these in your essay to demonstrate your sincere interest and understanding of the university. The more specific and unique you can get, the better. Really pick resources at the school that directly relate to your interests and goals and make sure you explain what you will get out of them.

3. Reflect on the impact: Discuss how you plan to use these resources to achieve your personal goals and contribute to the university community.

4. Be concise: The supplemental essay is typically shorter in length, so be sure to express your ideas clearly and concisely.

5. Proofread and edit: Lastly, don't forget to proofread your essay carefully to ensure it's free of spelling and grammar errors. This will show that you have put care and attention into your application.

Remember, being genuine and emphasizing why Hofstra is the right fit for you will ultimately help your application stand out. Good luck!

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Sample Supplemental Essay for College Admissions: Why This College?

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Most college applicants fail to put adequate time into a supplemental college essay. The Common Application's personal essay allows a student to write a single essay for multiple colleges. The supplemental college essay, however, needs to be different for every application. Thus, it's tempting to dash off a generic and vague piece that can be used at multiple schools, resulting in a  weak essay .

Don't make this mistake. Your "Why This College" essay must be specific, demonstrating a high level of interest in and commitment to this particular school. To better understand how to ace this supplemental essay prompt, let's analyze a sample essay written for Oberlin College .

The essay prompt reads:

"Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years."

Sample Supplemental Essay

I visited 18 colleges over the past year, yet Oberlin is the one place that most spoke to my interests. Early in my college search I learned that I prefer a liberal arts college to a larger university. The collaboration between the faculty and undergraduate students, the sense of community, and the flexible, interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum are all important to me. Also, my high school experience was greatly enriched by the diversity of the student body, and I am impressed by Oberlin’s rich history and its current efforts connected to inclusiveness and equality. To say the least, I’d be proud to say I attended the first coeducational college in the country.

I plan to major in Environmental Studies at Oberlin. After my campus tour , I took some extra time to visit the Adam Joseph Lewis Center. It’s an amazing space and the students I chatted with spoke highly of their professors. I became truly interested in issues of sustainability during my volunteer work in the Hudson River Valley, and everything I’ve learned about Oberlin makes it seem the ideal place for me to continue exploring and building upon those interests. I am also impressed by Oberlin’s Creativity and Leadership Project. I’ve been a bit of an entrepreneur ever since second grade when I made a dollar producing and performing The Runaway Bunny for my extended family. I’m drawn to a program that supports the move from classroom learning to creative hands-on, real-world applications.

Finally, as the rest of my application clearly demonstrates, music is an important part of my life. I’ve been playing the trumpet since fourth grade, and I hope to continue performing and developing my skills throughout college. What better place than Oberlin to do so? With more performances than days in the year and a large group of talented musicians in the Conservatory of Music, Oberlin is an ideal place for exploring my love of both music and the environment.

Understanding the Essay Prompt

To understand the strength of the essay, we must first look at the prompt: the admissions officers at Oberlin want you to "explain why Oberlin College will help you grow." This sounds straightforward, but be careful. You're not being asked to explain how college, in general, will help you grow, nor are you being asked how attending a small liberal arts school will help you grow. The admissions offers want to hear how  Oberlin , in particular, will help you grow, so the essay needs to include specific information about Oberlin College.

A strong "Why This College" essay will make a case for why the school in question is a good fit for the student. The case should be made by connecting facts about the school—unique opportunities, educational values, campus culture, et cetera—with the student's goals, values, and interests.

From the Admissions Desk

"We want to see [in the "Why This School" essay] that students understand the unique educational model at High Point University. We know that students have access to more information than ever before and that most colleges focus on the classroom experience. We want students who desire 25% of their time to be experiential ... who want to grow as people of character with strong values and to fully immerse themselves in our life skills education."

–Kerr Ramsay Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions, High Point University

A good way to see if you've responded to the prompt well is to swap out the name of the college you're applying to with the name of any other college. If the essay still makes sense once you do a global replace of the school name, you haven't written a good supplemental essay.

A Critique of the Supplemental Essay

The sample essay certainly succeeds on this front. If we were to substitute "Kenyon College" for "Oberlin College" in the essay, the essay would not make sense. The details in the essay are unique to Oberlin. Demonstrated interest can play a meaningful role in the admissions process, and this applicant has clearly demonstrated that she knows Oberlin well and her interest in the school is sincere.

Let's look at some of the essay's strengths:

• The first paragraph makes several important points. First of all, we learn that the applicant has visited Oberlin. This may not seem like a big deal, but you'd be surprised how many students apply to a large number of colleges based on nothing but the schools' reputations. Also, the student notes that she wants to go to a  liberal arts college , not a larger  university . This information isn't really specific to Oberlin, but it does show that she has thought about the options available to her. The final point in this first paragraph gets more specific—the applicant is familiar with Oberlin and knows the school's socially progressive history.
• The second paragraph is really the heart of this essay—the applicant wants to major in Environmental Studies, and she is clearly impressed with the program at Oberlin. She has visited the Environmental Studies building, and she knows of some of the unique opportunities offered at Oberlin. She has even talked with Oberlin students. This paragraph can't help but make a favorable impression on the admissions folks—the applicant is drawn to Oberlin, and she clearly knows exactly  why  she likes Oberlin.
• The final paragraph adds another important dimension to the application. Not only does the student find the Environmental Studies program attractive, but her love of music makes Oberlin an even better match. Oberlin has a top-rated music conservatory, so the applicant's dual love of music and Environmental Studies makes Oberlin a natural match for her.

Admissions officers can't help but feel that Oberlin is a great match for this applicant. She knows the school well, and her interests and goals line up perfectly with Oberlin's strengths. This short essay will certainly be a positive piece of her application.

A Final Word About Supplemental Essays

The content of your supplemental essay is extremely important, and poor decisions on this front can lead to a weak supplemental essay . But content isn't everything. You also need to focus on the presentation of your ideas. Make sure your essay is entirely free of any grammatical errors, and be sure to avoid common stylistic problems . The admissions officers need to conclude that you are sincerely interested in attending their school and that you are an excellent writer.

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Hofstra University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Hofstra University college application essays were written by students accepted at Hofstra University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Hofstra University

The loss edgard duche, hofstra university.

Sweat poured down my face as I struggled to breathe. I was dehydrated and exhausted, and I was trying as hard as I could not to give up. From the bleachers and the sidelines, the eyes of every member of the crowd were focused intently on me. One...

Autism Danielle Spano

"English, math, chemistry…" I was panicked over all the work I needed to finish, which had become increasingly difficult after doubling my hours at the barn. Overwhelmed, I just wanted to get home. Then, after I finally mastered my barrel pattern,...

Frames Benjamin Howard Ratner

NOTE: This essay utilized pictures and graphics which could not be included online.

“Quiet on the set. Camera ready? Sound ready? Roll camera… speed. Action!” This series of sentence fragments is used to get a film camera recording on a movie set....

A Bite of Experience Darina Michelle Laviene

After years of constant nagging, I finally gave in to my family's relentless pressure to try cooked pig intestines, or chitlins. Their smell, both sickening and overbearing, has made me steer clear from them every year. But, honoring a strong...

Words Speak Louder Than Actions Kathryn Gundersen

Just like many others, I've spent my life hearing the hackneyed phrase “actions speak louder than words.” Based on personal experience, however, I've decided that I disagree. I believe that words are magic. Not magic in the conventional sense; a...

Becoming a Baha'i Anonymous

Despite the bleak November evening, the people around the kitchen table were filled with joy. We had just finished studying the first of the Ruhi books, a series designed to teach the basics of Baha’i, and the tutors, Mary Kay and Chet, were...

A Journey Towards Feminism Anonymous

Picture the scene. I, a young high school girl, walk into a reputable college's biomathematics laboratory. I have high hopes of finding several successful women walking around the lab, women I would be able to call my mentors for the summer. After...

Proclamation of I Will Anonymous

When my mother was going into labor, she felt inclined to call my grandmother, who was long awaiting my birth. Frantic with excitement, my mother rapidly spoke into the phone, informing my grandmother of the news. My grandmother's shaky voice was...

One Duck At A Time Ciara Chaves

Salmon Point beach and campground in Bridgton, Maine on that early summer morning was idyllic, with maroon picnic tables staggered along the lake’s edge and sand bridging the distance. A simplistic playground with a swing set and some monkey bars...

The Lost and What Was Found Annie Chopra

The clear breeze that I could not feel but I could see, the smell of the gateways closing, the rush of checking in on time, and having to fit so much in little suitcases. As a young girl, that was my story every year, an adventurous trip from one...

Writing About Trauma Without Wallowing in Self-Pity Nolan Hawthorne

Sometimes, kids don’t want to go home.

“It’s okay,” I assure one of them. “This is a safe place for you; we’ll both be here tomorrow.”

I give them a hug and hand them their bag. It means everything to me to mean something to the kids at the...

Challenges, empowerment, feminism Marianna Poletti Reyes

Wake up, shots fired.

Go out, be kidnapped.

Buy food… there’s none.

A rich country that evolved into a third world country in the blink of an eye. Venezuela, that’s where I lost my childhood innocence. Forced to grow up, forced to take actions....

Personal Statement - Common App Essay Anonymous

As a 3-year old boy, I recall with clarity my fear of joining other children lined up at the edge of the pool. I remember looking down at a painted black line at the bottom of the pool as if it were challenging me to jump in. I stood alone arms...

My Indian-Americanness Amrutha Reddy

As I sit in psychology class and learn about Social Identity Theory, I reflect on my cultural identity. I moved from California to Karnataka when I was six. My Abba decided we had to go back to our home, hence my parents started filling suitcases...

Recent Questions about Hofstra University

The Question and Answer section for Hofstra University is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

If you are having any difficulty using this website, please contact the Help Desk at Help@ null Hofstra.edu or 516-463-7777 or Student Access Services at SAS@ null hofstra.edu or 516-463-7075 . Please identify the webpage address or URL and the specific problems you have encountered and we will address the issue .

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Writing Proficiency Exam

Hofstra's Writing Proficiency Exam is an essay exam intended to ensure that Hofstra students display competence as writers, regardless of their majors or the number of writing courses they have taken.  Passing this exam  (currently given at the end of WSC 2 or in the Fall and Spring semesters for transfer students) is a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students at Hofstra.  Students who do not pass the exam will be able to strengthen their writing through a 1-credit Writing Workshop class or through one-on-one tutoring at Hofstra's Writing Center.

Tips for Passing the Proficiency Exam

• An explanatory ppt (used in the video)
• A sample prompt for the PE
• A sample reading for the PE

Grading Criteria

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	4 (high pass)	3 (pass)	2 (fail)	1 (fail – 2A)
Thesis	The essay takes an insightful position that demonstrates critical engagement with the required reading and the Uploaded Essay.	The essay takes a supported position and consistently develops it with references to the required texts.	The essay tends to summarize or merely to assert that there are differences and/or similarities among the required texts.	The point of the essay may be difficult to determine.
Evidence	Claims and textual references are integrated into the paragraph in rhetorically compelling ways.	Claims in the paragraphs are tied to explicit textural references.	Claims in the paragraphs are often unclear or unsupported.	Claims in paragraphs are unfocused.
Citation	The essay demonstrates mastery of a citation system (MLA, APA, etc.). Work Cited not required in Response Essay.	Quotations are responsibly handled and effectively integrated into the essay.	Quotations are frequently mishandled (i.e., merely “dropped” into paragraph without adequate context or explanation).	The essay may rely entirely upon quotation, or it may exclude textual references altogether.
The essay displays global coherence, and the paragraphs are logically organized.	The essay displays global coherence and the relations among paragraphs are apparent.	The essay lacks coherence and/or the order of the paragraphs seems, at times, random.	The essay is difficult to read and may reveal substantial reading comprehension problems.
Grammar and Mechanics	The essay displays a command of grammatical and stylistic principles. The sentences are well structured and rhetorically effective.	The essay displays occasional grammatical errors, but the majority of the sentences are correct.	The essay displays a pattern of grammatical error in one or two critical areas (e.g., sentence boundaries, agreement, punctuation, word choice).	The essay displays a pattern of grammatical error in several critical areas (e.g., sentence boundaries, agreement, punctuation, word choice).

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July 3, 2022

Zucker SOM at Hofstra/Northwell Secondary Application Essay Tips [2022 – 2023]

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell is a nationally recognized leader in medical research, partnering with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, specializing in immunology, bioelectronic medicine, neuroscience, cancer biology, genetics and genomics. Their medical school is highly competitive. The average metrics for the 2021 M1 class of approximately 100 students are MCAT 519 and GPA 3.84.

To learn more about Zucker SOM, listen to our interview with Dr. Rona Woldenberg, Associate Dean for Admissions .

Zucker SOM at Hofstra/Northwell application essays

Zucker som secondary essay #1.

Please indicate what you have been doing since the time of graduation until now. ( 1500 characters )

All applicants, traditional and nontraditional, should explain continuity or advancement in research, community service, volunteer opportunities and/or clinical experience. Hopefully, these experiences demonstrate an immersion in hands-on work, paid work in research or clinical settings, volunteer work in hospitals and clinics, and community service work that correspond in some way with the specializations of the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Even applicants who have not yet graduated from their undergraduate education should have meaningful involvement in health and community activities and research, including some experience serving the underserved and some active engagement helping others during the pandemic, directly or indirectly related to vulnerable communities, vaccinations or hospital care. Consider Northwell Health’s hospitals in New York faced incredible challenges during the height of the pandemic. 

Zucker SOM secondary essay #2

Please use this space to describe any challenge or obstacle you have faced prior to your application to medical school and how you addressed that challenge. ( 1500 characters )

Everyone overcomes an obstacle; everyone faces challenges. Explore your past experiences and consider how those challenges changed you, what you learned from them . The key to telling this story is to frame it as a phoenix-rising story, rising from the ashes, or one that instills deeper confidence about achieving a goal against odds. Stories about obstacles can knock us down, but the narrative for this story, most importantly, is the manner in which you got up again and carried on. The tone of this story should be meditative and insightful, not boastful, not competitive, but human. Challenges humble us, and humility is a desirable characteristic in a physician.

Zucker SOM secondary essay #3 [Optional]

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that there may be certain challenges you have encountered during the application process. Please use this space to describe any of those challenges. ( 1500 characters )

It is fair to say that nearly all medical school applicants have had to make adjustments to some aspect of their academic studies, community involvement, service trips, research commitments, MCAT schedules, graduation plans, or gap year plans. This answer should be straight-forward, matter of fact, and in the end it should reveal your ability to adapt and adjust to these challenges. Watch your tone in this answer; you want to sound level-headed and thoughtful rather than convey a tone of self-pity, excuses or annoyance. Doctors, by definition, adapt. Hopefully you did too. In conclusion, close positively. Was there a silver-lining to this adjustment in your preparation to be a physician? Did you surprise yourself in uncovering a new understanding about community or global health and its impact on the future for physicians?

Watch: Dr. Rona Woldenberg, Associate Dean for Admissions shares tips for the Zucker SOM secondary application essays

Applying to Zucker SOM? Here are some stats:

Zucker SOM median MCAT score: 517

Zucker SOM median undergrad GPA: 3.82

Zucker SOM acceptance rate: 6.5%

Check out the Med School Selectivity Index for more stats.

For professional guidance with your Zucker SOM application materials,  check out Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services , which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for Zucker’s application materials.

Zucker SOM 2022-23 application timeline

AMCAS Application Deadline	November 1	August 1
Secondary Application Deadline	December 1*	August 31*

* All application materials, including the $125 secondary application fee, a Premedical Committee Letter or at least three letters of recommendation, a CASPer™ score, and an MCAT score are due by this date. ( Application Requirements .)

Source: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Related Resources:

• School-Specific Secondary Application Essay Tips
• How to Get Into Zucker SOM at Hofstra/Northwell , a podcast episode
• Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode

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'College as good as the student who attends it' - Supplementary essay for Hofstra - Why Hofstra?

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Why I Chose Hofstra University

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About this sample

Words: 712 |

Published: Aug 1, 2024

Words: 712 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The pursuit of academic excellence, a dynamic campus culture, community engagement, bibliography.

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How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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American University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

American University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited. (250 words)

Admissions wants to know about a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited. This is incredibly open-ended, which means you can take it in almost any direction you’d like. Think about something you could talk about, participate in, or research for hours. Maybe you’re incredibly passionate about clean energy and the potential for our planet to be entirely powered by solar energy (and a degree in Environmental Studies will help you in your quest to turn that vision into a reality). Or, perhaps, you dream of representing the voiceless on a national stage and advocating for animal rights. Will American’s Justice and Law degree propel you toward enacting more humane laws for animal agriculture? Admissions wants to invite students to campus who will thrive among other changemakers, so don’t hesitate to touch on the future, how you envision your topic of choice evolving, the role you will play in that evolution, and of course, how American University will factor into this plan.

About Amanda Amah

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