How to write a supplemental essay response
The Common App system
Generally referred to as the Common App, the Common Application is the method by which prospective students apply to their preferred U.S. colleges. As of 2024, the Common App is the platform favoured by the majority of institutions in the U.S. To apply, candidates must complete a 650 word essay based on one of seven prompts. Unlike other university application essays, like the Personal Statement favoured by UCAS, the Common App essay is a way for U.S. college admissions officers to get to know the candidate on a more personal level. Typically, this is not the only essay a U.S. college applicant will need to complete, however. Most, if not all U.S. colleges also require candidates to submit a number of supplemental essays, the focus of which can be drastically different to the Common App.
What is a supplemental essay?
Supplemental essays are additional essays that U.S. college candidates are required to submit so as to complete the application process for their preferred institution. As previously stated, the vast majority of U.S. colleges require supplemental essays. In some cases, students are required to complete only one supplemental essay; in other cases, there may be multiple to compose. It all depends on the college. Moreover, the word count for supplemental essays can differ drastically. It can be the case that a supplemental essay exceeds the required length of a student’s Common App. Alternatively, candidates may be required to write a number of short pieces, with some word counts dropping to as low as 50 words.
The supplemental essays are a chance for U.S. college admissions officers to understand why a candidate is choosing their institution over all others. The prompts for supplementals are generally more focused on the colleges themselves. Consequently, applicants should familiarise themselves with the college and course they are interested in and attempt to incorporate some of this information into their writing.
Example supplemental essay
Supplemental essays can focus on any topic, though are usually more directly related to the U.S. college in questions. Moreover, the word count can vary from anywhere between 800 words and 50 words. Below is an anonymised response to the following supplemental prompt: ‘We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.’
As a high achieving student in my school, I feel my experiences would benefit the college’s diverse community. For a time, I struggled with my academics and found it difficult to reach the higher end of the mark band in most of my classes. This placed me on the outside among my peers who were commonly scoring higher than myself. I felt outcast from the group and struggled to fit in. However, I decided to turn this around after I began the IB because I knew that to make the most of the opportunity I had to work harder. As a result, I would often stay up late studying, completing additional homework questions and even designing my own assignments. Although it was challenging, I eventually pulled my grades up, one point at a time. I think that my presence will help to grow the college community because this experience has taught me that hardships are possible to overcome and with a little bit of extra work, great things can be achieved.
Issues with this essay
Having read the above supplemental essay, a number of issues should flag for the reader. The first is the word count. Although the prompt requests a response in 250 words or less, this example reaches only to about 170. While brevity is important, students should try to take greater advantage of the word count limit so as to paint a fuller picture of their experiences.
Another issue with this piece is the focus on only one experience, this being difficulties in academics. The prompt is looking for students to describe their experiences. Moreover, an admissions officer would likely desire more information about how a student’s experiences would benefit the community, with a focus on diversity.
While this piece is somewhat passable, it would not wow a U.S. college admissions officer and would need some redrafting before submission.
BartyED and U.S. admissions
Each year, BartyED’s team of expert U.S. admissions tutors guide applicants through the Common App system. We assist students with college and course selections, which Common App prompt best suits them, and proofreading and editing of all application essays, including supplementals. Put simply, the BartyED admissions tutors make the daunting task of U.S. college admissions far more approachable. Our work has proven successful, too, with students going on to find places at prestigious institutions like Yale, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, and NYU.
If you are your child could benefit from the expert guidance of our admissions team, please get in touch by at +852 2882 1017 or email at enquiries@bartyed.com.