jmu honors college supplemental essays

The Honors College requires a separate application for admission into the college. The Honors College offers an Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minor (students are identified as Honors Scholars).

The minor requires students to complete 25 credits. These credits are taken in the honors core and include the completion of an Honors Capstone Project. The project may be completed as a thesis and/or portfolio project in Honors or the student’s major or minor.

Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor Requirements

All students must complete a total of 25 credit hours.

Honors Scholar minors need to show progression in honors coursework and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in honors courses in order to remain in good standing in the college. Exceptions may be granted based on faculty and student petitions and must receive Honors College approval.

Honors Core: 19 Credit Hours *

Introduction to honors: 1 credit hour.

Choose one:

• HON 100. Honors First Year Seminar Credits: 1.00
• HON 101. Honors Orientation Seminar Credits: 1.00

Combination of the following Honors courses: 12 Credit Hours

• General Education Honors sections  6.00 Credit Hours
• HON 200 / HON 300 courses
• Approved Honors section courses
• Honors Options -  no more than 4.00 Credit Hours***

Diversity or Global Engagement Course: 3 Credit Hours ***

See the list of Honors diversity courses and Global Engagement courses below.

Research or Experiential Learning Course: 3 Credit Hours ***

See the list of Honors research or experiential learning courses below.

Honors Capstone Project: 6 Credit Hours****

Students will complete one of the options below:

Thesis Pathway:

• Any combination of departmental or HON 499 or other approved credits with completion of project  6.00 Credit Hours
• Graduation designation as an  “Honors Scholar with Distinction in Major or Minor”

Portfolio Pathway:

• HON 401. Introduction to Honors ePortfolio Credits: 1.00-2.00 and
• HON 402. Honors ePortfolio Credits: 1.00-2.00

( HON 401     and  HON 402    must be taken for a total of at least three credit hours)  

Students completing the Honors Scholars program must complete an additional 3.00 credits of Honors coursework Credits / Units: 3.00

Graduation designation as an “Honors Scholar”

*Minimum 13 credit hours of Honors-designated courses

**Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minors may choose to fulfill seminar requirements by selecting and completing a series of courses associated with an area of emphasis, followed by a practicum experience.  Completion of the area of emphasis will appear as a special designation on the transcript. The primary goal of these courses is to introduce students to key skills associated with the area each serves while establishing a cohort of students with similar interests. Areas of emphasis may include the following areas: creativity, research, service, leadership, and global studies.

***From approved list of honors and non-honors courses. Students may appeal for course substitutions.

****The Honors Capstone Project (Honors thesis/ portfolio­)  presents an opportunity to conduct research or engage in a creative endeavor in which you work independently, with faculty guidance, to synthesize and share a final product or handiwork related to a topic and skill sets of your own choosing. These are completed during the final two to three semesters at JMU. Most often, project topics are related to the major or minor discipline. With permission from the Honors College, current JMU students may use their major or minor capstone for completion of part of their Honors minor requirements.

List of Honors Diversity Courses

• AAAD 200. Introduction to African, African American and Diaspora Studies [C4GE] Credits: 3.00
• ANTH 265. Peoples and Cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean Credits: 3.00
• ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology Credits: 3.00 (Andean Archaeology)
• ARTH 424. Arts of Ancient Egypt Credits: 3.00
• ARTH 428. Advanced Topics in Modern and Contemporary Art Credits: 3.00
• ARTH 484. Art of the Americas Credits: 3.00
• EDUC 310. Teaching in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
• ELED 310. Diversity in Elementary Education with Service Learning Credits: 3.00
• ENG 221. Literature/Culture/Ideas [C2L] Credits: 3.00 Latinx Storytelling
• ENG 239. Studies in World Literature [C2L] Credits: 3.00 “Literatures of Global English” or ”African Oral Literature” topics only 
• ENG 260. Survey of African-American Literature [C2L] Credits: 3.00
• ENG 332. Studies in Popular Genres Credits: 3.00 African American Women in/and the Media
• ENG 335. Studies in Children’s Literature Credits: 3.00
• ENG 374. Contemporary Global Anglophone Literature Credits: 3.00 Alternative Modernities
• ENG 408. Advanced Studies in African-American Literature Credits: 3.00
• ENG 423. Advanced Studies in Gender and Sexuality in Literature Credits: 3.00 Gender, Sexuality and Ubuntu in African Literature
• ENG 433. Advanced Studies in Arabic Literature Credits: 3.00
• ENG 496. Advanced Topics in Creative Writing Credits: 3.00 Trauma, Healing and Resilience: A Multi-Genre Workshop Section
• HIST 263. Africa Credits: 3.00
• HIST 302. Plazas, Protests and Processions: An Urban History of the Americas Credits: 3.00
• HIST 307. The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Credits: 3.00
• HIST 322. Jim Crow South Credits: 3.00
• HIST 489. Selected Topics in World History Credits: 3.00
• HRD 123. Developing Multicultural Competency for Effective Facilitation Credits: 3.00
• HUM 252. Global Cultures [C2HQC] Credits: 3.00 Latin American Cultures
• IDLS 395. Topics in IDLS Credits: 1.00 - 6.00 The Unfinished Journey of People of Color in the U. S
• JUST 301. Advanced Level Special Topics in Justice Studies Credits: 3.00 “Refugees and Humanitarian Response” or “Policing of Protest” topics only
• POSC 350. Latin American Politics Credits: 3.00
• POSC 353. African Politics Credits: 3.00
• SCOM 313. Topics in Communication Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• SOCI 318. Sociology of Immigration Credits: 3.00
• SOCI 336. Race and Ethnicity Credits: 3.00
• SOCI 354. Social Inequality Credits: 3.00
• SOCI 480. Senior Seminar in Sociology Credits: 3.00
• SPAN 308. Latin American Cultures Credits: 3.00
• SPAN 385. Latin American Short Story Credits: 3.00
• SPAN 395. Latin American Poetry Credits: 3.00
• SPAN 375. Spanish for Medical Professionals II Credits: 3.00
• SPAN 476. Culture and Medicine in Latin America Credits: 3.00
• SPAN 492. Latinx Community Practicum Credits: 3.00
• STAD 322. Equity, Inclusion and Access in Education and Performance Credits: 3.00
• WGSS 300. Special Topics in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Credits: 3.00 African American Women in/and the Media

List of Honors Research and Experiential Learning Courses

• AAAD 401. Internship in African, African American and Diaspora Studies Credits: 1.00-6.00
• AAAD 489. African, African American and Diaspora Studies Senior Research Experience Credits: 1.00
• ANTH 391. Study Abroad Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• ANTH 485. Anthropology Course Assistantship Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ANTH 490. Special Studies in Anthropology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ANTH 494A. Field Tech in Archeology Credits: 4.00 - 8.00
• ARCD 300. Architect Design Studio III Credits: 6.00
• ARCD 302. Architect Design Studio IV Credits: 6.00
• ARCD 390. Independent Studies in Architectural Design Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ARCD 490. Independent Studies in Architectural Design Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ARCD 392. Topics in Architectural Design Credits: 3.00
• ARCD 400. Architect Design Studio V Credits: 6.00
• ARCD 402. Architect Design Studio VI Credits: 6.00
• ARCD 491. Studio Assistant Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ARED 480. Student Teaching Credits: 8.00
• ARED 490. Field Experiences in Art Education Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 320. Intermediate Ceramics: Molds & Casting (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 322. Intermediate Ceramics: Surface Development (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 330. Intermediate Fiber Processes (0, 9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 340. Intermediate Metal and Jewelry (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 350. Figure Drawing (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 352. Intermediate Painting Credits: 3.00
• ART 354. Watercolor (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 360. Intermediate Photography: Digital (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 362. Intermediate Photography: Experimental Black & White (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 364. Intermediate Photography: Large Format (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 376. Intermediate Book Arts: Concept, Content, Form Credits: 3.00
• ART 380. Sculpture: Conceptual Practice (0,9) Credits: 3.00
• ART 392. Topics in Art Credits: 3.00
• ART 420. Advanced Ceramics: Portfolio Development (0,9) Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ART 440. Advanced Metal and Jewelry (0,9) Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ART 450. Advanced Figure Drawing Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 452. Advanced Painting (0,9) Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 464. Advanced Photography: The Photograph as Document Credits: 3.00
• ART 468. Advanced Photography: Screen-Based Photo/Video Credits: 3.00
• ART 469. Photography: Portfolio Development (0,9) Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 470. Advanced Printmaking (0,9) Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 480. Sculpture: Expanded Field Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 490. Independent Study in Art Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ART 491. Studio Assistant Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ART 492. Topics in Art Credits: 3.00
• ART 495. Capstone Seminar: Three-Dimensional Art Credits: 3.00
• ART 496. Internship in Art Credits: 1.00 - 8.00
• ARTH 495. Internship in Art History Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• BIO 370. Animal Physiology Credits: 4.00
• BIO 427. Topics in Biology with Laboratory Credits: 1.00 - 4.00
• BIO 430. Ornithology: Research and Current Advances Credits: 4.00
• BIO 448. Developmental Neurobiology Credits: 3.00
• BIO 448L. Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory Credits: 1.00
• BIO 455. Plant Physiology Credits: 4.00
• BIO 484. Aquatic Microbiology Credits: 3.00
• BIO 493. Pre-Veterinary Student Internship Credits: 2.00
• BIO 494. Internship in Biology Credits: 1.00 - 2.00
• CHEM 351. Analytical Chemistry Credits: 4.00
• CHEM 352. Instrumental Analysis Credits: 3.00
• CHEM 354. Environmental Chemistry Field Camp Credits: 3.00
• CHEM 485. Science of the Small Credits: 4.00
• ELED 321. Practicum with a Focus on Learners and Learning Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ELED 322. Practicum with a Focus on Curriculum Integration and Guiding Behavior Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ELED 490. Special Studies in Elementary Education Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• ENG 359. Studies in African American Literature Credits: 3.00
• ENG 360. Introduction to Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3.00
• ENG 371. Literature and the Environment Credits: 3.00
• ENG 385. Special Topics in Film Study Credits: 3.00
• ENG 390. The Environmental Imagination Credits: 3.00
• ENG 415. Advanced Studies in Textuality and the History of the Book Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 440. Mechatronics Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 460. Solid Mechanics Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 471. Water in Africa Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 472. Biological Treatment Processes and Reactor Design Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 476. Principles of Process Engineering Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 478. Water Resources Engineering Credits: 3.00
• ENGR 480. Advanced Projects in Engineering Credits: 1.00 - 4.00
• ENGR 498. Advanced Topics in Engineering Credits: 1.00-3.00
• ENVT 301. Internship in Environmental Humanities Credits: 3.00
• EXED 376. Initial Practicum for Special Education Pre­Professional Preparation Credits: 1.00
• EXED 476. Practicum in Literacy and Assessment Credits: 2.00-3.00
• EXED 478. Supervised Practice in Special Education Methods Credits: 1.00-3.00
• EXED 480. Student Teaching In Special Education Credits: 4.00
• EXED 486. Supervised Clinical Practice with Planning and Methods in Special Education Credits: 2.00-3.00
• GEOG 490. Senior Research or Field Practicum Credits: 3.00
• GEOG 491. International Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• GEOG 497. Independent Study Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 300. Illustration (0, 9) Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 306. Typography II (0, 9) Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 312. Web Design Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 313. Interactive Media Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 376. Intermediate Book Arts: Concept, Content, Form Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 390. Independent Study in Graphic Design Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• GRPH 392. Topics in Graphic Design Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 406. Advanced Typography (0, 9) Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 408. Brand Identity Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 410. Graphic Design Portfolio Credits: 3.00
• GRPH 496. Internship in Graphic Design Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• HIST 340. Internship in History Credits: 3.00
• HIST 360. Research Apprenticeship in History Credits: 3.00
• HIST 391. Travel Studies Seminar Credits: 3.00
• HIST 399. Special Studies in History Credits: 3.00
• HM 252. Culinary Arts and Menu Management Credits: 3.00
• HM 444. Supervisory Hospitality Internship Credits: 3.00
• HM 419. Napa & Sonoma Wine and Culture Credits: 3.00
• HM 490. Special Studies in Hospitality and Tourism Management Credits: 3.00
• HON 496. Internship Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• HRD 380. Performance and Task Analysis in Human Resource Development Credits: 3.00
• HRD 400. Human Resource Development Internship Credits: 3.00
• HRD 485. Development of Materials and Programs Credits: 3.00
• HTH 408. Health Research Methods Credits: 3.00
• IB 494. International Business Internship Credits: 3.00
• IDLS 395. Topics in IDLS Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• IDLS 486. Internship & Field Experience Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• IDLS 490. Independent Study in Liberal Studies Credits: 3.00
• IECE 301. Initial Field Experience in Inclusive Early Childhood Education Credits: 1.00
• IECE 321. Initial Field Experience in IECE Credits: 1.00-2.00
• IECE 423. Intermediate Practicum II Credits: 2.00
• IECE 461. Advanced Field Experience in IECE Credits: 2.00-3.00
• INDU 300. Product Design Credits: 6.00
• INDU 302. Transportation Studio Credits: 6.00
• INDU 380. Materials and Processes Credits: 3.00
• INDU 390. Independent Studies in Industrial Design Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• INDU 404. Industrial Design Advanced Special Topics Studio Credits: 6.00
• INDU 490. Independent Studies in Industrial Design Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• INDU 491. Studio Assistant Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• INDU 492. Topics in Industrial Design Credits: 3.00 - 6.00
• IS 300. Sponsored Learning Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• IS 498. Individualized Study Project Credits: 3.00 - 6.00
• ISAT 320. Fundamentals of Environmental Science and Technology I Credits: 4.00
• ISAT 330. Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Credits: 3.00
• ISAT 423. Environmental Remediation Credits: 3.00
• ISAT 491. Senior Capstone Project I Credits: 1.00
• ISAT 492. Senior Capstone Project II Credits: 2.00
• ISAT 493. Senior Capstone Project III Credits: 2.00
• JUST 350. Justice and Globalization Credits: 3.00
• JUST 399. Justice Research Methods Credits: 4.00
• JUST 401. Internship in Justice Studies Credits: 3.00
• JUST 404. Practicum in Community-Based Research Credits: 3.00
• JUST 405. Research Assistantship in Justice Studies Credits: 1.00-3.00
• MKTG 494. Marketing Internship Credits: 3.00 - 6.00
• MIED 211. Field Experience in Middle Education Credits: 1.00
• MSCI 300. Advanced Leadership Laboratory Credits: 3.00
• MSCI 400. Advanced Leadership Laboratory II Credits: 3.00
• MSCI 480. Internship in Advanced Military Leadership Credits: 6.00
• MSCI 490. Special Studies in Military Science Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• NPS 400. Internship/Practicum in Nonprofit Studies Credits: 4.00 - 6.00
• NSG 351. Health Assessment Credits: 3.00
• NSG 352. Clinical Applications & Reasoning in Nursing Care I Credits: 4.00
• NSG 356. Clinical Applications & Reasoning in Nursing Care II Credits: 4.00
• NSG 360. HHS in Costa Rica: Interprofessional Perspective Credits: 2.00-4.00
• NSG 452. Clinical Applications and Reasoning in Nursing Care III Credits: 4.00
• NSG 456. Capstone Credits: 4.00
• NUTR 340. Science of Food Preparation Credits: 3.00
• NUTR 363. Quantity Food Production Credits: 4.00
• NUTR 446. Experimental Foods Credits: 3.00
• NUTR 490. Field Experience in Dietetics Credits: 3.00
• PHIL 495. Philosophy Course Assistantship Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• POSC 493. Political Communication Internship Credits: 4.00
• POSC 493W. Political Communication Internship in Washington Credits: 6.00
• POSC 495. Internship in Political Science Credits: 4.00
• POSC 495W. Washington Semester Internship in Political Science Credits: 6.00
• POSC 498. Research in Political Science Credits: 1.00
• PPA 496. Internship in Public Management Credits: 4.00
• PPA 496W. Public Management Internship in Washington Credits: 6.00
• PSYC 495. Field Placement in Psychology Credits: 4.00
• REL 493. Religion Course Assistantship Credits: 3.00
• REL 495. Religion Internship Credits: 3.00
• SCOM 301. Feminist Blogging: Writing for Shout Out! JMU Credits: 3.00
• SCOM 318. Practicum in Communication Studies Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• SCOM 490. Special Studies in Communication Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• SMAD 390. Directed Projects Credits: 2.00
• SMAD 403. Documentary Production Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 404. Advanced Interactive Design Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 405. Producing and Directing Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 408. Converged Media Lab Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 421. Feature Magazine Production Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 409. Electronic News Producing and Editing Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 422. Multimedia Journalism Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 443. Creative Advertising Campaigns Credits: 3.00
• SMAD 495. Internship in Media Arts and Design Credits: 1.00 - 2.00
• SMAD 497. Advanced Projects in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00
• SOCI 391. Study Abroad Credits: 1.00 - 6.00
• SOCI 485. Sociology Course Assistantship Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• SOCI 490. Independent Study in Sociology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• SOCI 492. Internship in Sociology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• SOWK 481. Social Work Field Practicum I Credits: 6.00
• SOWK 482. Social Work Field Practicum II Credits: 6.00
• SPAN 490. Special Studies in Spanish Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
• SRM 482. Internship in Sport and Recreation Management Credits: 6.00
• SRM 490. Special Studies in Sport and Recreation Management Credits: 3.00
• TESL 381. Practicum in TESOL Instructional Strategies Credits: 3.00
• TESL 385. Practicum in TESOL Credits: 1.00-3.00
• TESL 480. Student Teaching/Internship Credits: 5.00
• WGSS 301. Feminist Blogging: Writing for Shout Out! JMU Credits: 3.00
• WGSS 492. Internship in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00

Honors Project for Non-minor Students

Current JMU students who are not in the Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minor may pursue independent scholarship leading to the completion of an Honors Capstone Project in their chosen major or minor. These students will declare their interest in completing a thesis or portfolio in their respective major or minor and must obtain Honors College permission and submit the final project to the Honors College.

Upon approval of the major or minor academic unit and the Honors College a graduation designation with distinction in the major or minor is awarded to students completing this project with a grade of “B” or better.  

• Any combination of departmental or approved credits within a student’s major of minor and completion of project and presentation requirements-  With Distinction   in the Major or Minor- Thesis ​
• HON 401. Introduction to Honors ePortfolio Credits: 1.00-2.00
• HON 402. Honors ePortfolio Credits: 1.00-2.00 and/or Honors college approved credits
• Submission of a portfolio- With Distinction   in the Major or Minor- Portfolio

Home > Honors College

Honors College

We are an academic community engaging highly motivated and intellectually gifted students in exceptional experiences that develop excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service.

Through small classes and independent study, Honors students cultivate the habits of critical thinking, independent analysis, and creative expression under the guidance of outstanding professors. The program offers unique opportunities such as study abroad, priority registration, an Honors residence hall, financial support, and special programming. Through the Honors College, students receive preparation for graduate or professional schools, enhance their opportunities for rewarding careers, and expand their knowledge of themselves, others, and the world.

Submit your Senior Honors Capstone.

Browse the Honors College Collections:

Senior Honors Projects, 2000-2009

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, jmu supplemental essays.

Hey there! I'm starting my application for JMU and was curious if they have any supplemental essays or if it's just the Common App essay? Thanks for your help!

Hello! Over the past few admissions cycles, JMU has not required any additional essays for the general application process, so it's safe to assume that this policy will continue for future applicants.

However, it's essential to double-check their website or contact their admissions office for the most up-to-date information, as requirements often change from year to year. Additionally, if you're applying for a specific program or scholarship within JMU, there might be separate essays required for those applications. So, make sure to explore all the opportunities you're interested in and check for any associated essay requirements.

Best of luck with your application to JMU, and I hope this information helps you prepare!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Supplemental College Essay Prompt Examples

What is a supplemental essay?

While most students know that all colleges expect them to write a Common App essay, also known as a Personal Statement, parents and students are not as familiar with the supplemental college essays they need to write. Besides the central personal statement, every student needs to respond to supplemental college essay prompts. In this post, we are sharing everything you need to know about supplemental college essay prompts as well as supplemental college essay prompt examples and ways to think about the prompts. These essays or questions are called supplemental essays.

How many supplemental essays do I need to complete?

Depends on the schools you are applying to. Some schools require no supplemental essays while others require many. Schools like Stanford, Yale, Johns Hopkins and Tufts have many supplemental essays. Other schools like Arizona State University, Drexel, Northeastern have no supplemental essays at all. Schools like Harvard and Princeton will require additional essays that look much like the Personal Statement and some students may have to write two, three or even up to four 650+ word additional essays. This is especially true for students applying to Honors Colleges at universities.

Are supplemental essays as important as the personal statement in college admissions?

Supplemental essays are very important to the application. Supplementals offer students the opportunity to highlight fit factors for a university and show off the interesting person that they are. Supplementals offer students the chance to speak to research-based work (always a plus!), service projects, community work, and passion areas.

What are common supplemental essay topics?

Supplemental essays for each school often repeat. The most common supplement questions are: 1) Explain why you chose your major? It is good to have a major to talk about here. For students who are undecided, it is better not to center the essay around being undecided. Picking a major and highlighting an interest in it can actually serve a student well. Other questions schools commonly ask are : 2) Tell us about an extracurricular you do just for the fun of it. It is important to actually create a strong outline for these essays and do serious research and thinking before writing. Investing time in planning these responses, sharing novel experiences and showing very specific knowledge will help students stand out from peers with generic responses. 3) Why us? This requires school-specific research and work figuring out where the student connects to the school. 3Students often want to lean into university, student and campus life. The campus is an immediate go-to for students on these prompts-the mountains or the city, the lakes and trees on campus, playing on a team, etc.

What schools want in response to this essay prompt is to know that students are going to use the most resource-rich time of their lives thoughtfully over four years. Students can start this essay by making a list of areas they will look forward to academically –professors and research opportunities with them, classwork, special academic programs offered uniquely on the campus they plan to attend, and more. Students can connect the school to their own meaningful experiences during high school. For example, students applying for engineering should mention high school engineering projects they have worked on over summers or during the school year. Many students have gone through Boeing’s program or Project Lead the Way in school. They might have completed an engineering camp like UPENN Summer Engineering or Cooper Union Summer STEM. It is important to highlight that work in the “Why Us?” essay to connect to ways one might contribute to specific university programs.

What makes a good supplemental essay?

A strong supplemental essay will be more technical than narrative. There are a few golden rules for the supplemental essays: 1) First, each essay should be about a different topic. Students should not repeat or talk about the same things. This is a chance to really show the admissions committee who you are and repeating answers about the same topic is a missed opportunity. 2) Present your adult self-committees are less interested in hearing about things like reading Harry Potter or watching TV as a favorite extracurricular in student essays. They want to hear about research, playing music, reading physics books voraciously, engaging in math for fun. They want to understand what makes you tick academically more than personally and casually. This doesn’t mean the essay responses cannot be quirky or fun. But, they should be packed with information showing off your areas of academic strength, too.

What are the supplemental essay questions from the top 10 schools in the country for this year?

-Princeton University Supplemental Essays

Princeton has many supplemental essays. Responses range from 50 to 250 words.

1) Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (150 words)

2) At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future? (250 words)

3) Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.(250 words)

4) What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words)

5) What brings you joy? (50 words)

6) What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)

7) Princeton also requires students to submit a graded written paper as part of your application.  Learn more .

-Harvard University Supplemental Essays

Harvard offers a brief space for students to highlight one area of particular importance extracurricularly alongside a lengthier essay that resembles the Common App in nature. Harvard allows students to write on a topic of their choice allowing them to choose from one of the following topics:

• Unusual circumstances in your life
• Travel, living, or working experiences in your own or other communities
• What you would want your future college roommate to know about you
• An intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper, poetry, or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science or other modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you
• How you hope to use your college education
• A list of books you have read during the past twelve months
• The Harvard College Honor code declares that we “hold honesty as the foundation of our community.” As you consider entering this community that is committed to honesty, please reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty. 
• The mission of Harvard College is to educate our students to be citizens and citizen-leaders for society. What would you do to contribute to the lives of your classmates in advancing this mission? 
• Each year a substantial number of students admitted to Harvard defer their admission for one year or take time off during college. If you decided in the future to choose either option, what would you like to do? 
• Harvard has long recognized the importance of student body diversity of all kinds. We welcome you to write about distinctive aspects of your background, personal development or the intellectual interests you might bring to your Harvard classmates. 

– Columbia University Supplemental Essays

Columbia has many supplement questions that ask students about their interests in reading, academic and cultural interests. Because Columbia has a lengthy series of requirements in the Common Core, their admissions committee evaluates whether students will be interested enough in the core curriculum through some of their questions.

List Questions:

• List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)
• List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)
• We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (125 words or fewer)

Short Answer Questions:

• A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities?  (200 words or fewer)
• Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)
• Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

– Massachusetts Institute of Technology Supplemental Essays

MIT has a series of short answer essay questions:

• Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (250 words or fewer)
• Pick what field of study at MIT appeals to you the most right now, and tell us more about why this field of study appeals to you. (100 words or fewer)
• We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. (200–250 words)
• At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (200–250 words)
• Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (200-250 words)

-Yale University Supplemental Essays

• Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the  list  provided.
• Why do these areas appeal to you? (125 words or fewer)
• What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)
• What inspires you? (35 words)
• Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What would you ask them to discuss? (35 words)
• You are teaching a new Yale course. What is it called? (35 words)
• Yale students embrace the concept of “and” rather than “or,” pursuing arts and sciences, tradition and innovation, defined goals and surprising detours. What is an example of an “and” that you embrace? (35 words)
• Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it? (250 words)
• Respond to one of the following
• 2A. Reflect on a community to which you feel connected. Why is it meaningful to you?  You may define community however you like.
• 2B. Reflect on something that has given you great satisfaction. Why has it been important to you?

Additional supplemental essays can be found on university websites by clicking on the links below:

Stanford University Supplemental Essays

University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essays

California Institute of Technology Supplemental Essays

Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essays

Northwestern University Supplemental Essays

Duke University Supplemental Essays

Dartmouth College Supplemental Essays

Brown University Supplemental Essays

Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essays

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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.

• Sample Weak Supplemental Essay for Duke University
• Common Supplemental Essay Mistakes
• Short Answer Response on Working at Burger King
• Sample Short Answer Essay on Running
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• Reach School in College Admissions
• Addressing Diversity in a College Application Essay
• Sample College Transfer Essay
• "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• How to Demonstrate Interest in a College
• What Is "Yield" in the College Admissions Process?
• Sample College Admission Essay—The Allegany County Youth Board
• Sample Responses to a College Deferral Letter
• Oberlin College: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
• UC Essay Examples for the Personal Insight Questions
• Bad Essay Topics for College Admissions

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List of Supplemental Essays Required By Top Colleges

By Michaela • October 31, 2021 • College Application Early Admission

Looking for a quick reference to the essays required by the colleges on your list? Check out our list of supplemental essays required by many of the top colleges students apply to each year. If you need help with these essays schedule a meeting with one of our essay coaches today!

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2023-24

What do the 2023-24 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

Acceptance Rate

Undergrad population.

• Liberal Arts (51)

* Tuition filtering is based on out-of-state fees

Agnes Scott College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Alvernia University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

American university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, amherst college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, babson college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, bard college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , barnard college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, baylor university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , bennington college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, bentley university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, berry college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, bethany college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, bishop’s university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, boston college (bc) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, boston university (bu) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, bowdoin college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, brandeis university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , brown university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, bryn mawr college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, bucknell university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, butler university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, california institute of technology (caltech) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, california lutheran university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, capitol technology university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, carleton college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, carnegie mellon university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , catawba college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, centre college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, chapman university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, claremont mckenna college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide  , clark university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, college of mount saint vincent 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, college of william & mary 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, college of wooster 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, colorado college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, colorado school of mines 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, columbia university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, cornell university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, culver-stockton college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, d’youville university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, dartmouth college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, davidson college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, drexel university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, duke university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, earlham college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, elon university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, emerson college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, emory university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, flagler college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, fordham university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, george mason university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, georgetown university 2023-24 essay prompt guide, georgia state university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , georgia tech 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, gonzaga university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, harvard university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, harvey mudd college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, haverford college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, hillsdale college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , hofstra university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, illinois institute of technology 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, illinois wesleyan university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, indiana university bloomington 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, ithaca college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, johns hopkins university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, kalamazoo college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, lafayette college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, lehigh university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, lewis and clark college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, linfield university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, loyola marymount university (lmu) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , lynn university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, macalester college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, malone university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, manchester university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, marist college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, mary baldwin university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 2023-24 essay prompt guide, meredith college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, monmouth college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, moravian university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, morehouse college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, mount holyoke college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, new york university (nyu) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, north park university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, northwestern university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, occidental college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, oklahoma city university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, olin college of engineering 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, pepperdine university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, pitzer college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, pomona college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, princeton university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, providence college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, purdue university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, rensselaer polytechnic institute 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, rice university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, saint elizabeth university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, santa clara university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, sarah lawrence college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, scripps college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, seattle pacific university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, smith college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, soka university of america 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, southern methodist university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, st. john’s college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, stanford university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, stonehill college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , swarthmore college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, syracuse university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, texas a&m university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, texas christian university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, the college of idaho 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , the george washington university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, the new school 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, trinity college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, tufts university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, tulane university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of california 2023-24 essay prompt guide, university of central florida 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of chicago 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of cincinnati 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of colorado boulder 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of florida 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of georgia 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of illinois urbana-champaign 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, university of maryland 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of massachusetts amherst 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of miami 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide  , university of michigan 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of minnesota twin cities 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , university of north carolina (unc) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of north carolina at charlotte 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of north carolina at greensboro 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of notre dame 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of oklahoma 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , university of oregon 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of pennsylvania (upenn) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of pittsburgh 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , university of richmond 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, university of san diego 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , university of san francisco 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of southern california (usc) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of texas at austin 2023-24 essay prompt guide, university of tulsa 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of vermont 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of virginia (uva) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of washington (uw) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, university of wisconsin-madison 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, vanderbilt university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, vassar college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, villanova university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, virginia tech 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, wake forest university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, washington and lee university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, washington university in st. louis 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, wellesley college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, worcester polytechnic institute (wpi) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, yale university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide.

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Clemson University Supplemental Essays 2022-23

Clemson Essay Prompts 2022-23

Most of the top colleges and universities in the country require applicants to complete additional essays beyond the regular Common Application or Coalition Application essay. Clemson University , located in the Northwest corner of South Carolina, is no exception. The Clemson essay prompts help the admissions committee get to know applicants better. And, of course, they can see their writing ability firsthand. Furthermore, the admissions committee uses the Clemson essays to determine placement for their honors college. This makes those Clemson supplemental essays even more important!

In this guide, we will examine the Clemson supplemental essays, including the Clemson optional essay and the Clemson honors essays. Both essays are required for admission to the Clemson honors college. We’ll go over each of the Clemson essay prompts in detail. And, we’ll show you how to craft the best possible response to each one! In addition, we’ll provide some general tips for writing college essays that will help strengthen any application you submit, not just your Clemson application.

Clemson Essays: Quick Facts

• Clemson Acceptance Rate: 49%— U.S. News rates Clemson as a “more selective” school according to its 2022-2023 rankings.
• Common or Coalition Application Essay (Optional)
• Honors College Supplemental Essays (2 Required, 1 Optional) 
• Clemson University Application: Students can apply to Clemson via the Common Application , Coalition Application , or the Clemson Application . Students should have all materials ready before the application deadline. This includes Clemson supplemental essays and optional SAT/ACT scores.
• Early Action Deadline: October 15th
• Regular Decision Deadline: January 2nd
• Clemson University Essay Tip: The Clemson essay prompts require sustained time and attention. So, it’s important to start working on your Clemson supplemental essays early! Also, starting early will give you time to have your Clemson essays reviewed by your counselors, advisors, or other trusted editors.

Does Clemson require the Coalition essay?

No, it’s not technically required. One of the ways students can apply to Clemson is through the Coalition Application. However, there are no required Clemson supplemental essays when applying through the Coalition Application. 

Students can find the Clemson optional essay prompts on the Coalition Application website. In order to access the essay prompts, students must first create an account, then add Clemson to their college list . Even though the Clemson application does not require any Clemson essays, we recommend that students complete the Clemson optional essay anyway. A Clemson application that includes a well-written essay can stand out from the rest of the pool. In addition, students can use their Coalition essay prompt on their Clemson honors college application as one of their Clemson honors essays.

Does Clemson have supplemental essays?

Yes, Clemson does have supplemental essays. However, they are not required. In fact, the Clemson application does not require any Clemson supplemental essays. That being said, Clemson is a more selective school. Students should take advantage of the Clemson optional essays as part of either their Coalition or Common Application. Although not required, students can gain an advantage over other applicants by completing this Clemson optional essay.

The Clemson honors college application, however, does require students to complete two Clemson supplemental essays. Plus, students have the choice to share any additional details with the admissions committee in a Clemson optional essay. These Clemson supplemental essays help distinguish candidates for the Clemson honors college from other applicants. Even if you are not intending to apply for the Clemson honors college, it still helps to answer the Clemson essay prompts in order to help your application stand out . 

Clemson Honors College Essay Prompts

This next section will cover the specific Clemson essay prompts for the Clemson honors college. The first prompt is unique to Clemson. The second prompt asks students to complete one of the Common Application essay prompts. These questions are designed to help the admissions committee evaluate applicants for the Clemson honors college. So, it’s important to put your best foot forward when writing these Clemson supplemental essays. Let’s take a deeper look at each of the Clemson essay prompts and talk about how to write each one

Clemson Honors College Essay #1

Tell us about your academic interests and professional goals (to the extent that you have identified them at this point). what inspired these interests and goals what experiences, talents, accomplishments, identities, and/or personal qualities can you see influencing your college career and beyond.

The first of the Clemson honors college essays asks students to reflect on their academic interests and personal goals. In addition, the prompt asks students what inspired those goals and how those goals might influence their college experience and future career. Although these Clemson supplemental essays have lengthy prompts, the question often boils down to a very simple premise: What do you want to achieve with your education and why do you think this school is the place to achieve those goals?

In other words, this first prompt wants students to identify their goals and connect those goals to both their past experiences and their desires for their college education. For example, an aspiring engineer might talk about their time in their high school robotics club . Or, an aspiring journalist might describe writing a powerful story in their high school newspaper. 

No matter what your future goals are, articulate them clearly and show how you have already taken steps toward achieving them. Your Clemson honors college application is your opportunity to show the admissions committee what you have achieved and how those achievements will affect your future.

The second part of this Clemson honors college application essay gives students the opportunity to explain how being a part of the Clemson community will help them achieve the dreams they mentioned earlier in the essay. Strong Clemson supplemental essays will show evidence of research into the college. Naming specific majors, programs, study abroad trips, or internships in your Clemson honors essays shows the admissions committee that you have researched the school. This, in turn, illustrates why you would be a good fit for Clemson and why Clemson would be a good fit for you!

Clemson Honors College Essay #2

The second essay is based on your response to one of the common application essay prompts . if you have already written a response to one of these prompts in your common application, that response is considered your second honors application essay. if one is not on file, you are required to submit a response to one of the seven prompts..

The second of the Clemson essay prompts is not unique to the Clemson honors college application. Students have the choice to submit a response to any of the seven essay prompts from the Common Application. Although these are not specific Clemson essay prompts, they do help the admissions committee get to know you better. That means that your response should be well thought out, carefully edited, and full of reasons why you would be a good fit for Clemson. 

If you have used the Common Application to apply to other schools, you may already have an essay written that would fulfill the Clemson honors college requirements. However, it is important that you choose a prompt for the Clemson honors college essay that highlights your best qualities and achievements. You may even need to edit your existing essay to make sure it showcases your qualifications for the Clemson honors college.

Choosing a topic

When selecting a topic for your Clemson supplemental essays, there are many options. Each of the Clemson essay prompts asks about different aspects of a student’s academic or personal life. And, none of the prompts are given any more weight than the others. Therefore, you should choose the topic that you resonate with the most. Before sitting down to actually write this essay, narrow down the list of topics. Do this by identifying the ones that you can tie to your interests and experiences. Then, once you have narrowed down your list, create outlines of a few different Clemson essay prompts. Finally, decide which one you feel best about.

The most important aspect of your Clemson essays, and your overall Clemson application, is that they showcase you as an individual. Your Clemson essays should include specific details about your life and experiences. Avoid vague statements, like “I always strive to do my best in class” or “My work in the community means a lot to me.”  Instead, use more specific sentences that could only have been written by you. There is no single formula for writing perfect Clemson supplemental essays. The best thing that you can do is showcase your individual strengths.

This section of the Clemson essays is so closely related to the Common Application personal essay. Therefore, you may benefit from additional resources related to the Common Application personal statement. Our blog has several example personal statements that can give you inspiration for writing your own. In addition, you can check out our essay guides for more tips on writing any college essay, including the Clemson supplemental essays.

Optional Clemson Essay Prompt

Please use this space to share any special circumstances affecting your application that warrant consideration by the selection committee..

The Clemson honors college application also includes a Clemson optional essay. The prompt for this Clemson optional essay is vaguer than the other two required prompts. It asks students to share any special circumstances or life experiences that have affected you or your Clemson application. There are many possibilities for what to write about relating to this topic. But, it should be used to talk about something new rather than something you have already discussed. 

Not every student will need to complete this Clemson optional essay. But, if you have any extenuating circumstances that might benefit from some context or explanation, this may be the place to give it. For example, you may not have many extracurricular activities because you spend your time after school caring for younger siblings. This would be the place to explain how that responsibility has impacted your life and your application. Or maybe you moved schools in the middle of your junior year and that transition affected your grades in a negative way. This Clemson optional essay can be used to explain that dip in grades. Whatever your circumstances, use this essay to show why you still make a strong applicant.

How hard is it to get into Clemson Honors College?

The Clemson honors college, otherwise known as the Calhoun Honors College, only accepts a select group of applicants each year. A total of 4,588 students enrolled in the first-year class at Clemson this past year. However, Clemson honors college only accepts around 400 students each year. This means that while the regular Clemson acceptance rate is around 49% , the Clemson acceptance rate for the honors college is less than 10% . 

U.S. News does not assign a specific Calhoun Honors College ranking. However, Clemson overall received a top-20 ranking for its co-op and internship opportunities, many of which are exclusive to honors college students. In addition, among public universities with honors colleges , the Calhoun Honors College ranking was third highest. It only ranked behind Purdue’s (#53) and the University of Maryland’s (#58) honors colleges.

Priority admissions deadline

Applications to the Clemson honors college must be submitted by November 1st in order to be considered for priority admission. Additionally, students must submit their regular Clemson application by the Early Action date of October 15th. That’s more than two months ahead of the Regular Decision Clemson application deadline. Along with the two required Clemson supplemental essays and the Clemson optional essay, students must also include two letters of recommendation with their Clemson honors college application.

Although admission to the Clemson honors college is extremely competitive, the benefits are great. Students in the Clemson honors college have access to special courses that other students don’t. In addition, honors students have access to special facilities and research opportunities both inside and outside their major. Students interested in applying to the honors college should start their applications early to complete all required materials by the deadline. See our resources on application deadlines for assistance on how to manage these tight timelines!

5 Tips on How to Write the Clemson Essays

Tops tips on writing the clemson essays, 1. start early and make a plan.

Students who begin their Clemson supplemental essays early have a much easier time completing them than those who start later on in the process. The Common Application opens on August 1st. So, students can get started with the Clemson essay prompts as early as then. Once the application opens, create a calendar so you can set aside time to work on your Clemson supplemental essays. Writing the essay gradually over several weeks helps prevent burnout and gives you a chance to refine your ideas.  Make sure you leave enough time to revise your Clemson essays after you draft them.

2. Brainstorm ideas before you start writing

It’s tempting to start writing the essay as soon as you see the Clemson essay prompts. But, brainstorming can really help improve your Clemson essays in the long run. A good place to start with any of the Clemson essay prompts is to write down a short list of adjectives that you want the Clemson admissions committee to associate with you! After that, you can write down events or accomplishments in your life where you have demonstrated these qualities and look for common themes that align with one or more of the potential essay topics. Then, when you’re ready to sit down and write your Clemson essays, you already have a bank of ideas ready to incorporate into your writing.

3. Make it about you

Many students find it uncomfortable to brag about or even write about their own accomplishments. However, the purpose of the Clemson essay prompts is for the admissions committee to get to know you. They can’t do that if you spend your essay talking about what other people have done. This doesn’t mean you can’t mention others’ names in your Clemson essays or that you should inflate your own accomplishments. Just try to use as many “I” statements as possible and focus the narrative on what you have done or experienced.

4. Use specific examples wherever possible

Good answers to the Clemson essay prompts will be full of specific details that can transport the reader into the writer’s life and mindset. You want your essay to contain information that allows the reader to get to know you personally. Instead of simply describing the events of an important game you played for your basketball team, let the reader know how it felt to score that game-winning basket and receive the MVP award. Instead of just describing yourself as a lover of community service, show the reader your devotion by sharing moments when you volunteered at your local homeless shelter. Your essay should not read like it could have been written by anybody. It should celebrate your unique experiences and passions.

5. Get help from trusted sources

Even though the primary voice of your essay should be your own, you can, and should, still get help with your Clemson application and Clemson essays from others. Trusted family members, teachers, counselors, and friends can help you develop your essay’s central ideas and make sure you are staying on topic. Try to find two or three editors that you trust and share your Clemson supplemental essays with them early on in the writing process to allow for multiple drafts and rewrites. Plus, if you sign up for CollegeAdvisor.com, you’ll get personalized essay suggestions from your advisor and our Essay Editing team to make sure you write as strong of a response to the Clemson essay prompts as you can.

Clemson supplemental essays and the admissions process

Writing the Clemson supplemental essays is just one part of the larger Clemson application process. Clemson reviews applications using a holistic process. This means there are a wide variety of factors the admissions committee looks for when reviewing each application. 

While your academic record, test scores, and grades are important data points in your application, the Clemson admissions committee knows that each applicant is more than just numbers on a page. In fact, the Clemson admissions website states , “We want to hear your story.” The Clemson essay prompts, therefore, give students the chance to provide context for the other parts of their application. Any additional information you provide gives the admissions committee more insight into who you are as a person.

Colleges like Clemson use essays to get to know candidates for admission beyond what they see in other parts of the application. For this reason, you should not use the Clemson essay prompts or the Clemson honors essays to restate your academic accomplishments or extracurricular involvement. Those already have a place in other parts of your Clemson application. 

Tell your story

Instead, use the Clemson essay prompts to tell a story about yourself that the rest of your application can’t tell! This is particularly important if you have potential red flags on your application, like a semester of poor grades in an otherwise good transcript. The Clemson essays give you a chance to tell the story behind the numbers and explain why you should be admitted to the school.

Because these essays are such an important part of any college application, it is important to take the time to do them well. Even with optional essays, like the Clemson supplemental essays, you should plan to work on and revise your essays over the space of several weeks or even months. You also want to tailor your essays to suit each college’s prompts. This will require taking the time to research each school to see what they are looking for in their applicants. 

Clemson Essay Prompts – Final Thoughts

As we have seen, the answer to the question, “Does Clemson have supplemental essays?” is “Yes!” However, unless you’re applying to the Clemson honors college, you do have the option to avoid the Clemson essay prompts. But, if you’re looking to make your application stand out amid the competitive Clemson acceptance rate, you’ll want to write those essays! Thoughtful responses to the Clemson essay prompts make a difference. Well-written essays improve your admissions chances, which is important given the competitive Clemson acceptance rate. Additionally, impressive Clemson essays could open the door to scholarship opportunities.

Therefore, regardless of whether you intend to apply to the Clemson honors college, we recommend that you include the optional Common Application personal statement along with your Clemson application. And if your GPA is high enough and you have a strong slate of extracurricular activities, make sure you complete the Clemson honors college application as well!

Writing top-notch college essays can be intimidating. We get it! If you need a little extra support with writing your Clemson essays, we’re here to help. Sign up for a CollegeAdvisor.com account to access personalized one-on-one advising with our experts. They can help you with your Clemson supplemental essays every step of the way. Plus, gain access to our vast library of webinars, essay guides, and additional resources whenever you want! Register here to get started!

Senior advisor, Alex Baggott-Rowe wrote this article . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Write the George Washington University Essays 2023-2024

The George Washington University has one optional supplemental essay prompt for all applicants, with two options to choose from. While not technically required, submitting a supplemental essay is your chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants, so we highly recommend completing it.

If you’re interested in applying for the Honors Program, you must complete two supplemental essays that showcase how the program would aid your studies at the University. Also, if you’re interested in applying to the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, you’ll need to write an essay about how you can contribute to a sense of comunidad within the Institute.

Read these GW essay examples by accepted students to inspire your writing.

George Washington University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Optional for all applicants  .

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit.

Option 1: At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? (500 words)

Option 2: The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships? (500 words)

Honors Program Applicants

Prompt 1 : With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the University Honors Program (UHP) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. Within the UHP, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. Explain why, as a member of the UHP, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study. (300 words)

Prompt 2 : The UHP represents a community of scholars at GW. First-year UHP students live and take classes together on the Mount Vernon Campus. Upper-level UHP students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at GW through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional Foggy Bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. How do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the UHP? (300 words)

School of Media and Public Affairs

Journalism and Mass Communication Major Applicants: Write a profile of yourself in news or news feature style, as if you had interviewed yourself. (500 words)

Political Communication Major Applicants: If you could be any one person who has been active in politics, who would you choose to be and why? (500 words)

Special Programs

Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Applicants: At the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, community is central to our approach to leadership. Therefore, Cisneros Scholars are selected as a cohort that navigate their four years at GW together. How would you contribute to a sense of comunidad in your cohort if you were selected as a Cisneros Scholar? (500 words)

All Applicants, Option 1

At the george washington university, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. these experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. if you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why (500 words).

At first glance, this prompt appears to be eliciting your perspective on and critical analysis of historical events or current affairs. However, the goal of this essay is deeper than that. Remember, admissions essays are pieces of the puzzle that when pieced together, ideally show the admissions committee a comprehensive picture of you. Thus, this question is also seeking to understand what sociopolitical, economic, or environmental issues are important to you , and why .

Given the phrasing of the question, this prompt would be essential for applicants planning to major in international affairs or the social sciences. 

Here are two interpretations of the prompt: 

• If you could go back in time , what critical local, national, or global historical event would you change? How would you inflict such a change? Why? 
• Currently , what is a problem plaguing our society that you would work to resolve if you had all the power necessary to do so? What actions would you take, why, and how would those actions alter our future ?

Given the deliberate ambiguity of the question, you can choose either interpretation as your springboard. Just be sure to formulate your opening paragraph in a way that makes it clear how you chose to interpret the question.

Regardless of which route you decide on, the objective of your response is to suggest a solution to the problem you deem most critical . You are limited to a mere 250 words, so make sure to establish the context of your chosen issue with brevity and precision in a manner that will frame your solution. Then, get straight to the point: identify the problem or past event that affected the course of human history and suggest a more promising course of action.

A few tips and words of caution: 

Don’t pick a topic or problem that is too broad. If you are considering present-day issues in your response, don’t discuss something vague like “global poverty” or “illiteracy in developing nations.” No one individual is able to provide a concrete and feasible plan of action to such major problems of international significance, let alone a high school student with 250 words at their disposal. The strategy is to pick a sub-issue of a larger problem that affects a specific population.

For example, instead of addressing illiteracy in the developing world, you can delineate a proposal to increase literacy in rural schools with understaffed faculty, and connect it to your own background of growing up in a community where access to higher education and associated economic opportunities was inadequate. 

Or, you can suggest a measure to combat food insecurity for low-income students in Native-American reservations and relate that to your experience of witnessing hunger in your school cafeteria. Make your choice of issue specific, and your response to it personal.

Don’t bring up a historical cliché. If you are taking the historical route, avoid silly or overused instances. For example, don’t write about going back to the 1930s and killing Hitler in order to prevent WWII. Such responses would show the admissions committee that you are not serious, or worse yet, that your critical analysis is insufficient to provide a more nuanced reflection.

Try to think of historical events that were impactful to your personal or family background and are under-reported in the media. If you grew up in a community of interracial children raised by single parents, you may want to draw attention to the unique experiences and challenges this demographic faces in trying to grapple with their whole identity while heavily influenced only by one particular side.

Be specific. Give clear examples of actions you would take or policies you would implement in order to affect meaningful change. Don’t write broadly about educating more girls; instead, outline steps the government could take to narrow the gender literacy gap by allocating more funds to local schools or dedicating a certain portion of research grants to underrepresented women.

Instead of declaring that you would go back to 18th century United States and eliminate slavery, discuss the logical arguments and personal leverage you would use in lobbying influential generals and statesmen of the time to back a more egalitarian Constitution.

Ultimately, the prompt aims to gauge your personal values and determine your ability to think critically, to focus on worthwhile problems, and to propose realistic solutions. The admissions committee is looking to admit students who are passionate about examining pressing issues, quick to identify key stakeholders, and able to imagine plausible alternatives. 

All Applicants, Option 2

The george washington university encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships (500 words).

At its core, this prompt determines your ability to thrive in an intellectual environment punctuated by a diversity of opinions, as well as your capability to enact meaningful change in your community. At a time of increasing politicization, the admissions committee wants to attract students who are able to listen to each other and who can use their powers of persuasion to promote their point of view.

You don’t need a dramatic example to highlight your abilities to listen and persuade others. Here are some ideas of the kinds of moments in your life that will highlight the qualities necessary for the completion of this prompt. 

If you are an active member or leader of a club, you can invoke a situation in which you and other fellow members disagreed on the action the club should take. 

For example, you can write about the time you convinced your classmates to donate a significant sum to a local soup kitchen, instead of retaining it as part of the club budget, by appealing to their emotional side with photos of the people the kitchen is helping, and the statistics of the demographic it would reach.

You can also share a story in which you convinced another student of the validity of your point in a classroom debate, formal or informal. 

For example, write about the time when you used a compelling example that involved someone your debate opponent related to as you advocated for legalizing gay marriage in your U.S. history class, thus convincing her of LGBTQ individuals’ right to marriage.

Alternatively, discuss the challenges of convincing the Board of Education to support your initiative to start a new club. 

For example, if you tried to start a Girls in STEM club and were rebuffed by the administration on the grounds that the school already sponsored a Science Club, you could outline the arguments you used and the awareness campaign you launched in order to ultimately secure the necessary funding.

No matter what kind of example you choose, don’t forget that the prompt wants you to demonstrate that both you and the other party gained something from the experience . It is not enough to tell the admissions committee about a fight you had with a classmate who didn’t believe in abortion on religious grounds. You need to demonstrate your ability to persuade others, even those with radically different opinions, so dig deep and pick a success story as the example. 

Anyone can argue, but not everyone can express their ideas and exchange perspectives in a respectful and productive way. Perhaps you engaged a fellow classmate in a class debate that led you to form a life-long friendship, despite your political differences. Or, maybe you were able to develop a project that others initially opposed and convinced them of its value. Make sure that your response highlights a lesson learned or an impact made. 

Honors Program Applicants, Prompt 1

With small classes and a dedicated faculty, the university honors program (uhp) embraces the ideals of a liberal arts education. within the uhp, students take classes in many different academic fields (philosophy, science, history, art, social science, etc.) and hone their critical thinking skills. explain why, as a member of the uhp, you would value the opportunity to engage with topics outside your major field(s) of study. (300 words).

This prompt is rather similar to the common “ Why This College ?” essay, but it’s specifically tailored to the GW’s Honors Program. The Honors Program is a rigorous addition to your GW education. It was created to provide an interdisciplinary education to students so they can address real-world problems in well-rounded ways. If you love to learn for its own sake and you enjoy dabbling in several subjects, this program might be perfect for you! 

Before beginning your response, think about your prospective major(s) and career goals and how courses in other fields can support those goals. This prompt is essentially two parts: one, explaining why you value an interdisciplinary education, and two, how UHP specifically can support your goals/education.

For the first part, here’s an example. Say you want to be a doctor. While a STEM degree will give you the scientific foundation and knowledge to go to med school, medicine is an inherently interdisciplinary field; it’s not only scientific but also social, political, and economic. You want to be able to effectively treat patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds and advocate for better healthcare policy, especially as a low-income immigrant child who has experienced barriers to getting healthcare.

As you explain the reasons you value an interdisciplinary education, make sure to also explain your why. Anyone who wants to be a doctor could explain how you need to be well-rounded, but that hypothetical student has a life story that backs up their motivation.

For the next part of your essay, you’ll want to cite specific Honors Program resources that will support your interdisciplinary education. Explore the course offerings to find classes that pique your curiosity. The above student might mention the course Well-Being , which approaches wellness from a wide variety of cultures and philosophies. 

They could also mention wanting to pursue an Honors Contract course. This unique opportunity allows you to receive academic credit for academic-focused projects outside of class. You can pursue an internship, undergraduate research project, or research assistantships in a field that catches your eye while getting college credit! This particular student might want to do a contract course focused on public health.

Keep in mind you only have 300 words to work with, and although that may sound like a lot, you’ll quickly find it may be difficult to write about all the various interests within the program you may have. Try to focus on just a couple, but don’t be afraid to mention there are countless others you hope to have time for. 

No matter what you decide to write about, be sure to center your response around your passions and goals, this personal aspect is what will ultimately make your essay unique and authentic.

Honors Program Applicants, Prompt 2

The uhp represents a community of scholars at gw. first-year uhp students live and take classes together on the mount vernon campus. upper-level uhp students remain connected to our community for the remainder of their time at gw through courses, faculty mentoring, advising, research, an optional foggy bottom housing opportunity, and our many co-curricular/social activities. how do you see yourself contributing to and/or benefiting from this community as a member of the uhp (300 words).

At first glance, this prompt certainly seems to have some overlap with the previous question. Both prompts are variations on the “ Why This College? ” essay, but separates your reasoning into two distinct categories. While you should dive into the course offerings and academics that led you to applying to the Honors Program in the previous prompt, this prompt asks you to explain why this specific community is not only a good fit for you, but why you’ll be a good fit for the community and what you’ll add to it as a whole.

First, make sure you outline what you’re looking for in a college experience outside of the classroom, and how that can support your academic and personal goals. For example, the student who wants to be a doctor may want a mentor (which is especially helpful for pre-professional paths), is interested in hosting study groups (great for STEM classes), and ways to have fun with classmates outside of academics (necessary for a work-life balance). 

Next, do some research on exactly what the Honors Program offers students as far as community. The prompt itself gives you a good head start on what your experience will look like as you move through your studies, but a great answer to this prompt will dig deeper.

Starting with the Mount Vernon campus experience, not only will Honors students live in the same residence hall, but they will live on the same two floors, meaning the Honors Program offers a built-in community both in and out of the classroom. Showcasing how this built-in community would enhance your college experience is imperative when answering this prompt. For the pre-med student, they may mention how this dorm experience will make it easy to organize study groups and meetings with peer advisors.

Be sure to also take a look at the co-curricular and social activities that the Honors Programs offers exclusively to their students. The event calendar from previous terms is a great starting place to get a look at some of the past events hosted by the program. From the 2022-23 school year, the Program hosted events such as a Fire Pits on the Quad, Soul Food events, and hikes.

As you discuss the different community resources that interest you, make sure to explain your why and how they’ll support your professional and life goals. 

And, make sure to outline how you’ll contribute to the community, not just what it will do for you. If you don’t see any specific events that you’d love to participate in, you can even say that you’d like to organize it yourself.

Journalism and Mass Communication Major Applicants

Write a profile of yourself in news or news feature style, as if you had interviewed yourself. (500 words).

To prepare for this prompt, it is a good idea to spend some time reading newspaper articles. Look for feature articles that provide in-depth interviews with individuals—movie stars, politicians, or entrepreneurs—on reputable news sites such as the New York Times , Time Magazine , or The Washington Post . Get to know the style used by professional journalists when profiling subjects.

It is important to focus your “interview” on a particular event or achievement in your life. Although the prompt is quite vague in regards to the content of the profile, you don’t want to waste this space by rambling on about a list of your achievements.

Instead, think of one particular interest that really defines and shapes you, then come up with “interview questions” that would allow you to speak to that aspect of your personality. 

This prompt also gives you an opportunity to highlight an aspect of your profile that the rest of your more conventional application does not showcase. Here are some suggestions for potential topics:

If you have a unique skill that you have cultivated outside of your academic and extracurricular life, this prompt is a perfect opportunity to mention it. 

For example, if you are an expert juggler who practices new tricks every weekend and can captivate an audience of middle-school children, your profile is a chance to sell the admissions committee on this particular quirk, and your innate passion for the activity that nurtured your skill.

If you have an intense interest or passion, however unconventional, you can also use this prompt to demonstrate how it contributes to your skills and personality. 

For instance, if you have collected every film produced by your favorite movie director, are capable of reciting obscure trivia about his cinematic achievements, and never miss a chance to learn more about the genre of cinema in which he specializes, talk about it in your profile. This way, you can show that you are intellectually curious and motivated to learn new things about the subjects that inspire you.

If you have had a particular experience that served as a defining moment in your life , the newspaper profile is a great place to reflect on it. 

For example, if you had spent many months preparing for a half-marathon, working hard to build the stamina and discipline necessary to keep running, you can use this response as a place to reflect on the challenges you faced and what you learned about yourself along the way.

One way to help you develop a strong response to the prompt is to ask a friend or family member to interview you . They may be able to come up with interesting questions that you would not otherwise have thought of, the responses to which you can incorporate in your profile.

Below are some practical tips for crafting a response in the style of a news piece:

• Refer to yourself in third person. It may feel strange at first, but it is important to remember that the prompt wants you to write a feature as though you interviewed yourself. Pretend you are a reporter who is writing a story about a famous individual and refer to yourself the way you would to your subject.
• Stylistically, journalistic writing differs from academic papers you would typically write in high school. Try to keep both your sentences and paragraphs short and to the point. Each sentence and paragraph should communicate one main idea and include only the information necessary to convey it. Don’t include complicated clauses or overly long, flowery sentences. The purpose of a news article is to convey information effectively and concisely. This prompt seeks to determine whether you are capable of adopting the kind of style necessary to succeed at the School of Media and Public Affairs.

When responding to any of the above prompts, it is crucial to reflect on what the question is asking you before launching into writing. In addition, it is always a good idea to have another person look over your responses when you’re done in order to avoid any careless errors and make sure that you are getting your main points across in a clear and engaging manner.

Political Communication Major Applicants

If you could be any one person who has been active in politics, who would you choose to be and why (500 words).

This prompt is meant to separate applicants who have a genuine interest in the world of political communications from those who only have surface-level interest. In order to answer this prompt effectively, you need to be able to pinpoint issues you are passionate about, identify a person active in politics who inspires you, and explain WHY you chose that particular person. 

Don’t pick a person whose policies you do not know well. While names like “AOC,” “Bernie Sanders,” “Donald Trump,” “Angela Merkel,” “Modi” and more are in mainstream media, many people only know the SparkNotes version of their policies. The admissions committee wants to see that your specific interest—that could have been shown in your extracurriculars or class choices—is also valued by the person you chose. 

For instance, if you have worked at a food bank through your high school career, you could choose to be Congressman Dwight Evans (PA) who spearheaded the “Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act.” 

Or, if you want to choose a person who is in mainstream media, try to pick a policy-agenda of theirs that is less-known and connect it back to some of your interests. 

For example, if you participated in clubs for mental health awareness in young adults, you could choose to become Elizabeth Warren who co-sponsored a bill to address mental health issues for youth, specifically youth of color. 

This major has an additional prompt because the admissions committee wants to choose people who are determined to pursue this educational track. Take time to carefully assess how you can tie your interests from outside of school or extracurriculars to the person you choose to become. 

The WHY portion of this prompt is the most important part. Anyone could choose President Obama as the person they wish to become and state a simple reason like: “because he was the first African-American President of the United States and that was an inspiration to me.” However, a more effective answer would elaborate on what impact President Obama had on you beyond serving as an inspiration. 

For instance, did Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act inspire you as a female applicant to fight against the wage gap?  Or, did Obama lifting a 22-year old ban that restricted people with HIV/AIDS from entering the US impact your decision to write a blog about public health in America? 

Making specific connections between the actions or accomplishments of the person you choose and your own accomplishments and goals will make your essay response unique and memorable. 

Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Applicants

At the cisneros hispanic leadership institute, community is central to our approach to leadership. therefore, cisneros scholars are selected as a cohort that navigate their four years at gw together. how would you contribute to a sense of comunidad in your cohort if you were selected as a cisneros scholar (500 words).

The Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute is dedicated to research that will benefit the Hispanic community. Applicants to this Institute are expected to be dedicated to “community” conceptually, to the Hispanic community, and to the cohort community they will be a part of throughout their college careers.

Read more about the Institute’s mission , academic programs , and research before you begin writing. After doing this research on the program, consider your specific reasons for applying to the Cisneros Institute. Think about how you have tangible and intangible connections to the program.

A tangible connection involves resources like the academic programs, specific faculty members, and research opportunities. An intangible connection involves things that aren’t physical, such as the program’s culture and its values. Once you’ve figured these things out, you can create a specific plan for how you’ll engage with the program.

For example, perhaps you’re drawn to the Cisneros Undergraduate Research Fellowship because you have a research idea that involves studying how Hispanic people are treated based on the intensity of their Spanish accent. You might find ways in which this idea appeals to the members of your cohort, who may know people with strong accents. Conducting a full-length research project with your cohort can contribute greatly to a sense of community within it.

You can also think of this prompt as a future-tense version of the community service essay . A typical community service prompt asks how you have contributed to a community in the past. This prompt is asking how you will create a sense of comunidad in the future. One way to start thinking about your response is to look to the past.

To do this, ask yourself a few questions: in what ways have you created a sense of community before? What actions did you take? What values did these actions instill in others within that community?

Once you have a good idea of how you have contributed to a community in the past, you can apply some of these ideas to your future cohort. Perhaps you will work to help others in your cohort if they start to struggle academically, since you created a helpful study group for your AP Calculus class in high school. Maybe you’re a home cook and know how soothing a familiar recipe is, so you want to organize weekly group dinners at the Casa Cisneros (the living-learning community), where you cook recipes passed down from the families of people in the cohort. 

One important program that Cisneros scholar cohorts participate in is Caminos al Futuro , a pre-college residential summer program in which “Caminos scholars examine the social, economic and political transformations affecting the Hispanic/Latino community in a college-like environment.” According to GW, cohorts often serve as counselors and mentors for this program, so you may want to mention how you will serve as a role model for your cohort as well as the program participants in your capacity as counselor.

Where to Get Your George Washington Essays Edited

Want feedback on your GW essays to improve your chances at admission? After reading your own essay repeatedly, it can be hard to even spot where you can improve. That’s why we’ve created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays!

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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