When applying to colleges, many students focus heavily on their main essay—like the Common Application essay—that gets sent to all their schools. While this main essay is crucial, supplemental essays are just as important. In fact, they can make a significant difference in whether or not you get accepted to your dream school. Let’s break down why supplemental essays matter and how they can help you show your genuine interest in a college.

What Are Supplemental Essays?

Supplemental essays are additional essays that some schools ask for as part of the application process. These essays are normally shorter than the main essay, but they are just as important. Colleges use supplemental essays to get a better sense of who you are, why you’re interested in their school, and whether you’d be a good fit for their community.

The most common supplemental essay is the “Why this college?” essay, where you need to explain why you want to attend that specific school. Other types of essays might ask about your experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, or how you will bring a unique perspective to the campus. Each of these essays is a chance to show more of your personality and make a strong case for why you belong at that school.

Demonstrating Genuine Interest

Colleges want to admit students who are excited about attending their school. One way they measure this is through “demonstrated interest.” When you write thoughtful, specific supplemental essays, you show the admissions team that you’ve done your research and have a real reason for wanting to attend their school. Schools are much more likely to offer admission to students who they believe will actually enroll.

This is especially important because many colleges are concerned about their “yield rate”. Yield is the percentage of accepted students who end up enrolling. Colleges care about yield because it affects their rankings and overall reputation. If they admit students who don’t plan to attend, it hurts their yield. This concern often causes schools to deny students who seem like good academic fits but haven’t shown enough interest.

How Can You Show Interest?

There are many ways to show a college that you’re genuinely interested, and supplemental essays are one of the best tools for this. Here are a few other ways you can show interest:

• Join the mailing list: Sign up for the school’s mailing list, open their emails, and click on the links.
• Contact admissions: Introduce yourself to your admissions rep, ask thoughtful questions, and make sure your name is on their radar.
• Attend virtual or in-person tours: Participate in campus tours, virtual events, or college fairs where the school is represented.
• Attend recruiting events: Colleges often host events for prospective students. Attending shows you’re serious about the school.

The more engaged you are with a college, the more your name will come up in their records, and the more seriously they’ll consider your application.

Supplemental Essay Tips

When writing supplemental essays, especially the “Why this college?” essay, it’s important to be specific. Avoid generic statements like “I like your campus” or “You have great programs.” Instead, focus on details that show you’ve done your homework. For example, mention a professor whose research aligns with your academic interests or a unique program the college offers that fits your goals.

Any of the common supplemental essay questions can (and should!) be answered in a way that tells the school why you’re interested in them, or why you’d be a good fit.

Taking the time to write thoughtful, detailed supplemental essays shows that you’re not just applying to a school because it has a good reputation. It shows that you’ve put in the effort to learn what makes that school special and why it’s the right fit for you.

Takeaways

While it’s easy to overlook supplemental essays, they are a key part of your college application. Not only do they allow you to show more of who you are, but they also give you a chance to demonstrate genuine interest in the school. In the competitive world of college admissions, a well-crafted supplemental essay can make all the difference. So, take the time to research each school, be specific in your answers, and show the admissions team why you’re excited to join their community!