Many families are surprised by how many supplemental essays colleges require and how thoughtful and personal the questions can be. Without early planning, this part of the application process often becomes rushed and stressful.
As an independent college counselor, I help students prepare for these essays well in advance, typically beginning at the end of sophomore year or the start of junior year. While individual prompts may change from year to year, the underlying themes remain consistent. Colleges repeatedly ask students to reflect on their academic interests, leadership, values, and communities.
By introducing these prompts early, students gain time to develop meaningful experiences and reflect on what truly sets them apart. When application season arrives, they are able to write essays that are authentic, confident, and compelling, without the last-minute pressure that so many families face.
To make this process more transparent, I have curated a database of over 100 supplemental essay prompts from selective institutions across the country, based on the most recent admissions cycle.
To support thoughtful, holistic preparation, I have curated a database of over 100 supplemental essay prompts from selective colleges and universities across the United States, drawn from the most recent admissions cycle. These prompts offer families insight into the questions colleges consistently ask as they seek to understand students beyond grades and test scores.
Families can use this resource to better understand what colleges value over time and to support intentional academic and extracurricular choices, rather than to write essays prematurely.
Note: This database was created on Notion. If you’re having issues viewing the database, check it out directly on my Notion page here.
