Fall brings apple picking, flu shots, and pumpkin spice in places you least expect. For high school seniors, add the angst of Supplemental Essays. We’re not talking about the Personal Essay posted on the Common App for all to see. This is about those hidden but critical Supplemental Essays found within college websites that are sometimes considered optional, but are only optional if you do not want to get into that particular college.
As I coach a high school senior with the process of filling out her Early Decision application, the mom side of me kicks into gear because I know these important shorter essays are about the applicants as much as they are about the schools! Oh, and because she is my daughter. These essays are focused on why the college should fit you like your favorite pair of jeans and show that school why they should pick YOU.
Many schools will ask the typical “Why Us?” question for their Supplemental Essays. If you select this prompt, be sure to answer with all the enthusiasm and interest you would use when meeting a new friend. These 250-300 word essays should convey a potential student’s value to that college and demonstrate why said student is an ideal match for that particular Higher Ed institution.
Following are my favorite five writing tips to nail your Supplementals:
Beyond browsing the college website, use your mad Google skills to do a deep dive about the school, from sports teams to their arts programs, to newly announced school wide initiatives. Once you’ve done an in-depth assessment, it will be easier to reveal what intrigues you about their courses, professors, clubs, cultural events, and activities.
Next, avoid merely stating a list of academic interests. Here is where you reveal how you might explore their campus initiatives, forums, clubs and activities. Using specifics shows that university or college that you are not just a scholar. Tell them exactly how you are a well rounded student to seal the deal.
For my daughter, showing an interest in Tulane University began with demonstrating her knowledge about what makes those schools special to her and, in turn, what makes her special. It’s all good to show a real curiosity about majors and programs offered by the colleges. Show that you’ve done the research, but don’t exaggerate. Saying that going to any one particular school is your only dream in life is a bit much. Admissions officers want details about your multiple interests and extracurriculars. Take your after-school job or your most recent summer activity, add descriptive phrases and explore how they relate to that particular campus. Now is the time to show your personality and enthusiasm.
Supplemental essays may help reveal how you could better their campus community or help make positive changes around injustice and inequality. Sometimes these Supplementals will attempt to gauge how creative a student is by delving into your problem solving and innovative thinking skills. They may flat out ask, “What song, poem or novel inspires you?” The most common essay topic is designed to showcase your skills with—the big campus BUZZWORD—Leadership! Brag away, kiddos! Don’t be afraid to say you matter.
The goal is to stand out. Be sure to use real anecdotes when sharing goals, fields of interest, and accomplishments. Every school wants to see the possibilities and inspirations of each college-bound student. As I told my daughter, “Let’s see if we can trick them into hearing how awesome you are without them knowing what hit them!”
The Timeline for getting these Supplemental Essays done? Jump right into this schedule—and as Nike says—Just do it!
Phase 1: Research the school! You cannot get away without doing this. Think about what you’re looking for in a college experience and what major you MIGHT PURSUE. What classes interest you most? What social life do you want—clubs, activities, Greek? Where can you pursue community involvement? What is their focus on Sports or the Arts? Breathe. Take a break.
Phase 2: Create an outline! The opening to any essay is KEY (even if and especially when it’s only 250 words.) Now, take a look at the tips above (in bold type) and make sure you have done a good job with these. Your essay is bound to stand out if you have done this. Breathe. Call it a day.
Phase 3: Write the Essay! Stay on point and finish as strong as you started. The number one thing to do here is make a great first impression. How? A strong opening sentence. The only other thing to do is leave them with a lasting impression. Yup, you got this- with a strong closing sentence. No quitting on mile 26. Breathe. Give yourself a high five!
Phase 4: Proof and proof again! Have your parents, friend, aunt, English teacher—or WRITE COACH—help with proofreading. There’s nothing like a typo to take you to the bottom of the pile. Breathe. Click send.
Many of your senior friends have completed the other HUGE PIECE of the application process: The Personal Essay (a.k.a. the fun one.) If you haven’t even started a rough draft, sign up for my college essay package here. The coach is in!
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