How to Write the Emory Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

How to Write the Emory Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

You might be applying to Emory University for a variety of reasons. Whether you have your eyes on this Atlanta college for the smaller class sizes or the state-of-the-art lab facilities, it’s time to show the admissions officers what makes you a must-have candidate by taking advantage of the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022.

As a leading research university in the country, Emory wants students who aren’t afraid to take initiative in their community and work hard to achieve their goals. By elaborating on different interests and experiences, you can convince the admissions officers of what makes you an exceptional and hardworking candidate. In this blog, I’ve gone over the prompts, as well as included some additional tips as you take on the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022.

Prompts for the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022.

Academic Interests: What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?

This question among the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022 is your chance to show your academic focus directly. So, emphasize areas of choice that make sense alongside other parts of your application. The majors you indicate should definitely be connected. Within your major, try to be as specific as possible. Don’t just automatically say “biology.” Look through options that match your aspirations and consider options such as “Anthropology and Human Biology” or “Biophysics.”

Don’t forget to explain why the areas appeal to you. Don’t talk in general terms such as “studying Environmental Engineering can help scientists understand the world’s issues better.” If you’ve picked a couple of academic areas that seem random at first, such as English and Economics, explain why the overlap is more than meets the eye and how they all connect in helping you get where you want. You could use a short anecdote to drive your point home. Focus on what an ideal undergraduate academic experience looks like for you, and how Emory’s programs are suited for you. 

Getting to Know You Prompt

In addition, answer one of the following questions.  Your response should be no more than 150 words.

  • Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
  • When was the last time you questioned something you had thought to be true?
  • If you could witness a historic event (past, present, or future) first-hand, what would it be, and why?
  • Share about a time when you were awestruck.
  • Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?

The trickiest questions among the shorter options in the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022 are the first two prompts. For the first one, think about what Emory is looking for If you look up what Emory looks for in its students, you will find the following definition of its holistic application review process: “We want to identify who each student is as a learner in academia and also who they are in their community.  Is the student fully engaged with their world—wherever that might be and whomever that might include? Is the student determined? Courageous? Intentional? Ethical?” Think first about ways in which you have demonstrated your curiosity for raising your cultural awareness in the past, and how you wish to do so going forward. Identify the incident, what sparked it, and what you taught you about a particular culture. How did this experience change your viewpoint? Make sure you tread this option with caution. You don't want to appear as a "savior" but rather as someone humble who might not have been knowledgeable on a particular topic and chose to change that.

“The last time you questioned something you had thought to be true” is another tricky question. In addition to looking for students who will make an impact, Emory is also looking for curious minds who question the way things are done and ultimately drive change. Admissions officers are also looking for open-minded students who work hard to understand different points of view and who are eager to evolve and grow. By asking this question, Emory is looking for an example of your own intellectual evolution. This means that there should be a “before” (your thought process or understanding before you began asking questions), a “realization” (what happened to make you question your existing understanding and what did you do about it), and an “after” (what did you learn and what do you think now?). Keep all of this in mind when answering this prompt. 150 words aren’t enough to detail every single second of what happened when your viewpoint was challenged. If you choose this second prompt among the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022 shorter questions, make sure you dedicate most of the space to explaining why this experience mattered so much, how it has changed the way you think, and what it means for you moving forward.

The last 3 prompts here might throw you off a little. After all, how can you figure out what the school is even looking for? Don’t panic. All the university wants is to know about you. You definitely don’t have to come up with a response that you believe is super deep and intellectual. The important part among the third and fifth options is the “why.” Why does a certain piece of writing or a particular event hold importance to you? Don’t say that The Great Gatsby seems made for you if you actually hated it in English class just because you think Emory is looking for a particular answer.  As cheesy as it sounds, just be yourself. Admissions officers want to get to know you. So no matter what historic event you or song you pick, make sure the personal connection is clear.

Further Tips for Writing the Emory Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

  • Choose your prompts strategically - For both categories you get to choose from multiple options. Choose prompts that will highlight your best qualities as an applicant. Pick a topic that you believe will bring the best out of you, and help paint an accurate picture of your personality and values. If you can’t think about a song that’s important to you, write about an important historic event. Choose the topic that brings forward the ways in which you have made a difference, or you plan to make a difference.
  • Don’t repeat your personal statement or your activities list - The goal of the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022 is to provide further information on who you are and what you’re all about. Before you start writing, map out potential essays for different prompts. Compare your outlines and make sure that when side-by-side, they bring out different strengths. Also make sure that they do not repeat what’s in the rest of your application. Use every opportunity to tell the admissions office something new about you. Don’t repeat yourself!

 

Writing the Emory supplemental essays 2021-2022 is a great opportunity to provide your reader with more context on who you are, your passions and aspirations, and how you could succeed thanks to an Emory education. Answer the prompts in a way that highlights what makes you unique and portrays you as a memorable candidate. Work hard on these responses, and convince the school why you are a student they must admit! 

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