How to Write the Cornell Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The Cornell supplemental essays depend on the college or school you apply to. For fall 2027 entry, Cornell dropped its university-wide essay, so you answer only your college’s prompts. Limits range from Engineering’s two 200-word essays and four 100-word short answers to a single 650-word essay in several colleges. The prompts for the […]
How to Write the WashU in St. Louis Supplemental Essay

Quick answer: The WashU supplemental essays now come down to one required response: 250 words on “Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.” [1] The optional writing supplement has been discontinued. You also submit the Common App personal statement, and you may add an optional video supplement. WashU streamlined […]
How to Write the Best Supplemental Essays for Rice University Admissions

Quick answer: The Rice supplemental essays include two 150-word responses, one on your academic areas and one on Rice itself, plus one 500-word community essay chosen from two options. Architecture applicants add two 250-word essays. Every applicant also uploads The Box, a single two-dimensional image that Rice says it does not evaluate. [1] The Rice […]
How to Write the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay

Quick answer: The Vanderbilt supplemental essay is one short answer of approximately 250 words built on the motto Crescere aude, dare to grow. Choose one aspect of your identity, culture, or background, show how it shaped your growth, then connect that growth to specific ways you would contribute to the Vanderbilt campus community. [1] The […]
How to Write the Brown Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The Brown supplemental essays are four required prompts for every first-year and transfer applicant: two of 150 to 250 words and two of 100 to 150 words. [1] Early Decision closes November 1 and Regular Decision closes January 5. [2] PLME and Brown|RISD applicants write additional program essays, and Brown requires SAT or […]
How to Write the Dartmouth College Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The Dartmouth supplemental essays for the Class of 2031 include three required questions. [1] The first asks why Dartmouth in 100 words or fewer. For the second and third, you choose one option from each set and answer in 250 words or fewer. Apply by November 1 for Early Decision or January 1 […]
How to Write the Northwestern University Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The Northwestern supplemental essays include one required question, in 300 words or fewer, about how your background shapes the way you would engage in Northwestern’s community. You may also answer one or two of five optional prompts, in fewer than 200 words each, on The Rock, interdisciplinary work, community, location, and diversity of […]
How to Write the Duke Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The Duke supplemental essays include two required 250-word responses: one on why Duke is a good match for your goals, values, and interests, and one on a community that has shaped you. Duke also offers three optional questions, and you may answer one of them if it adds something new to your application. […]
How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The UPenn supplemental essays include two Penn-wide prompts of 50 to 200 words each, a thank-you note and a community essay, plus one 50 to 200 word prompt for the undergraduate school you select. [1] Coordinated dual-degree programs add their own prompts. Early Decision closes November 1, and Regular Decision closes January 5. […]
How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essays

Quick answer: The Stanford supplemental essays include eight required responses: five short questions of 3 to 50 words each and three short essays of 100 to 250 words each, all submitted through the Common Application. Restrictive Early Action applications are due November 1, and Regular Decision applications are due January 5. The Stanford supplemental essays […]