santa clara supplemental essays 2023

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 Santa Clara Supplemental Essays

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

This year’s Santa Clara University supplemental essay prompts are available and they’re waiting for you to give them an answer! If Santa Clara is on your list of schools, we’re here to help you prepare the best possible answers for your SCU supplemental essays. So, let’s jump in!

Introducing Santa Clara University 

Santa Clara University has had a long and rich history steeped in tradition and their Jesuit roots. This university welcomes people of all religious backgrounds to their school in order to promote a dialogue between faith and culture. 

In addition to religion, Sant Clara is committed to providing a community of rigorous academic quality through the courses they offer and the faculty they employ. At Santa Clara, you can find degrees that range from bioengineering to theater and dance. 

Supplemental essay prompt #1

At Santa Clara University, we value our diverse and inclusive community. Our campus learning environment is enriched by the lived experiences of people from different backgrounds. What people, places, events, or circumstances have shaped the individual you are today and how you could contribute to our community? (150- 300 words)

The first prompt on the Santa Clara application is a fairly common essay prompt. They want to know about you and how who you are will add to their campus. So, let’s break this question down into two parts.

Let’s start with thinking about the people, places, events and circumstances that have shaped you. It’s probably not difficult for you to think of at least one thing that is significant in your life, but the key here is thinking of something significant that will also be related to how you add to campus. So, take some time to think about what things are significant to you. You may come up with more than one! 

Part two of this question is where more of the heavy lifting will come in because you will need to translate the things that have been significant in your life into things that you will bring to campus. You may do this in a lot of ways. Perhaps you will start a club, become involved in an on campus volunteer organization, work on campus as an RA, or a number of other things. There’s no right or wrong way to add to campus; the admissions team wants to know that you will bring something to the table that will enrich your own life and others. 

Don’t miss: How to write an essay about yourself

Supplemental essay prompt #2

At SCU, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge? (150-300 words)

This question is set up in a very similar fashion to the first one. So, let’s also break this question into two parts. 

The first part of this question asks you to think about an ethical dilemma you care about. It’s important to note that they specifically ask for a dilemma that our society is currently facing. So, think of the big picture issues in your county, on major news networks, or statewide! Maybe there’s an issue that people in your community will be voting on soon, or that the Supreme Court will be ruling on, or perhaps another dilemma has something to do with the choices our military is making. 

Take some time to think about ethical dilemmas that you particularly care about! This might take some time, but it’s important to do your research and find an issue that you care about! Some ethical dilemmas that are happening on a large scale may even be occurring around you locally.

Part two of this question is a bit more in depth because it requires you to understand the values that are taught at Santa Clara and how those values will help educate you so that you are prepared to address these ethical dilemmas. 

So, start by looking at the values that Santa Clara holds to. These can usually be found on their website fairly easily. Santa Clara wants to learn how attending their school is going to help you become someone who can have an impact on the issues at hand. 

Questions to consider

• What about SCU’s values and yours align?
• Are there any areas at SCU that you would like to see a change in and be an active part of that change?
• What issues do you know of that SCU has attempted to address?

Further reading: 10 tips for successful college applications

Wrapping up with the SCU supplemental essays

Before we finish up with your SCU supplemental essays, let’s address a few quick tips for these prompts. Both of these essays ask about similar themes. They want to hear about your values and why their school is the right choice for you. Be careful when answering that you don’t give them two answers that are the same. Take advantage of the space offered by showing off the various sides of yourself. 

Make sure your values are yours. When researching schools and writing applications, it is easy to simply agree with their values. Remember, your values should come from you! Take time to write out a short list of what you find important and from there, find schools that align with your list. 

Related : Jesuit colleges and universities: Are you a fit? 

Check out our other articles! Our website has plenty more articles just like this one that can help you write a top notch essay. Check out our guides on how to write a great supplemental essay , how to respond to the Common App prompts , how to write an essay about yourself , and how to write 250 or 500 word essays. And once you’re all done writing, we’ve still got you covered! Don’t miss our guides on 5 things to do after you submit your college application and how to choose a college . Good luck!

See also : Top 10 Catholic colleges

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How to Write the Santa Clara University 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

Santa Clara University, known for its academic excellence and commitment to social justice, has released its 2024-2025 supplemental essay prompts . These essays are an opportunity for you to showcase your unique experiences, values, and aspirations. Let's break down the prompts and how to approach them effectively.

Overview of the Santa Clara University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Required: Why are you interested in pursuing the [Division or Major] selected above? (50 words)

Required: At Santa Clara University, we value our diverse and inclusive community. Our campus learning environment is enriched by the lived experiences of people from different backgrounds. What people, places, events, or circumstances have shaped the individual you are today, and how could you contribute to our community? (300 words)

Required: At Santa Clara University, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge? (300 words)

How to Approach Each Prompt

Prompt 1: why are you interested in pursuing the [division or major] selected above (50 words).

This prompt requires a concise yet impactful response. Here are some strategies:

Be Specific: Mention specific courses, professors, or resources at Santa Clara University that draw you to the program.

Show Passion: Use vivid language to describe your interest and enthusiasm for the field.

Connect to Your Goals: Briefly highlight how this major or division aligns with your long-term career aspirations.

Prompt 2: Diverse and Inclusive Community (300 words)

This is your chance to share your story and how it has prepared you to contribute to Santa Clara’s inclusive community. Here’s how to approach it:

Reflect Deeply: Think about the diverse experiences that have shaped you and how they give you a unique perspective.

Be Authentic: Share personal anecdotes and specific examples that highlight your background and experiences.

Envision Your Contribution: Discuss how you plan to engage with and enhance the SCU community. Tie in specific organizations, events, or initiatives you are excited to join.

Get Feedback: Consider using a platform like Sups AI to brainstorm and refine your essay. Sups AI offers one-on-one chats with current students who can provide valuable insights.

Prompt 3: Addressing an Ethical Dilemma (300 words)

This prompt requires you to think critically and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Follow these tips:

Choose a Relevant Issue: Select an ethical dilemma that resonates personally or that you are genuinely passionate about.

Explain the Problem: Provide context for the issue and why it matters to you.

Propose a Solution: Discuss how a Santa Clara education will equip you with the skills and knowledge to tackle this problem. Mention relevant courses, clubs, or programs.

Seek Feedback: Use Sups AI to get constructive feedback from experts and refine your essay.

Remember, Santa Clara University’s supplemental essays are a chance to highlight your individuality and your potential contribution to the SCU community. Take your time to reflect, write authentically, and leverage resources like Sups AI for the best results. Good luck!

Santa Clara University Supplemental Essays 2022-23

Santa Clara University is a research university located in California. If you want to stand out in the SCU admissions process, the Santa Clara University supplemental essays can make a huge difference. In this guide, we’ll break down each of the Santa Clara supplemental essays in detail.

But before we dive into the Santa Clara essay prompts, let’s learn a bit more about the school. 

Santa Clara Supplemental Essays: Quick Facts

• Santa Clara University Acceptance Rate: 54%– According to U.S. News , the Santa Clara University Rankings is categorized as a more selective school. 
• 200 word essay (a “why Santa Clara” essay)
• 150 – 300 word essay (an additional essay about how you would address an ethical dilemma)
• Santa Clara University Application: Students must submit their Santa Clara University application through the Common Application . Make sure to have all of your Santa Clara supplemental essays and other required application materials prepared by the deadline 
• Early Decision: November 1st
• Early Action: November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 7th 
• Santa Clara University Supplemental Essays Tip: The Santa Clara University supplemental essays are your chance to stand out—so make the most of them. Think carefully about each of the Santa Clara supplemental essays, as they are a key component of your application. 

Does Santa Clara University have supplemental essays?

Yes. There are two Santa Clara University supplemental essays that students must complete. We’ll share the full prompts for the Santa Clara University supplemental essays later in this guide. 

The first of the two Santa Clara University supplemental essays is the “Why Santa Clara University” essay. It has a 200-word limit. This is a classic why this college essay. You might have encountered similar prompts for other colleges—and, if you have, you’re already one step ahead. 

The second of the Santa Clara University supplemental essays asks about how your education at SCU would prepare you to solve an ethical dilemma. This essay has a 150-300 word limit. 

Preparing for the Santa Clara supplemental essays

Given that there are two Santa Clara essay prompts, you should be prepared to spend ample time brainstorming. You should also plan to complete several drafts before you submit your Santa Clara supplemental essays. In this guide, we’ll help you approach this brainstorming process so that your responses to the Santa Clara essay prompts stand out in the admissions process. 

With each of the Santa Clara University supplemental essays, you should demonstrate your understanding of the university’s values and mission. Your Santa Clara essays should also highlight your own commitment to moral and ethical decision-making. 

As you approach the Santa Clara supplemental essays, try to reflect on your personal experiences and perspectives. Additionally, use your Santa Clara essays to think creatively about how you can contribute to a diverse and inclusive community at SCU. 

These Santa Clara University Supplemental essays are an important part of the application process and allow the admissions committee to get to know each applicant beyond their academic achievements and test scores.

What are the Santa Clara University essay prompts?

As mentioned, there are two Santa Clara supplemental essays. Here are the Santa Clara University essay prompts:

“Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. Based on what you know about SCU and our Jesuit mission to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion, how do you envision your life at SCU and beyond?” (200 words)”

“at scu, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. this can be something happening in your local community or more globally. how can an scu education help you prepare for and address this challenge” (150-300 words).

The Santa Clara University supplemental essays might look similar to those you’ve seen for other colleges. For instance, you’ve likely encountered a why this college essay at other schools. However, you’ll notice that SCU’s mission and philosophy are at the core of both Santa Clara University essay prompts. 

Next, let’s take a look at each of the Santa Clara University supplemental essays in more detail to help you craft good college essays. 

Santa Clara Supplemental Essays #1: Why This College?

Let’s look at the first of the Santa Clara University supplemental essays. The first of the Santa Clara essay prompts essentially asks “Why Santa Clara?”. 

“Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. Based on what you know about SCU and our Jesuit mission to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion, how do you envision your life at SCU and beyond?” (200 words)

Before you start writing the Santa Clara essays, you should do some research about the university. So, let’s learn a bit more about Santa Clara University.

Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university located in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 1851, it is the oldest operating institution of higher education in California. The university offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, and is known for its strong commitment to social justice and community engagement.

What does SCU value?

As you approach the Santa Clara essay prompts, you should understand that one of the defining characteristics of Santa Clara University is its Jesuit heritage. Jesuit education is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. It emphasizes the development of the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. 

At SCU, this means a commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and service to others. The university’s mission is to educate “men and women for others”—that is, to produce graduates who are not only well-educated but also committed to using their talents and skills to make a positive difference in the world. If these ideas resonate with you, you should use the Santa Clara University supplemental essays to show them. 

Highlighting academic “fit”

When answering the Santa Clara University essay prompts, you should also think about how your academic interests align with SCU’s offerings. This starts by understanding the Santa Clara University majors. 

There are more than 50 undergraduate Santa Clara University majors, as well as a range of graduate and professional degree programs. SCU is also home to several research centers and institutes, including the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, and the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

These centers provide students with opportunities to engage in research and scholarship that addresses real-world problems and contributes to the common good. If any of these programs pique your interest, you might mention it in your Santa Clara University supplemental essays. 

Location and opportunities

Lastly, the university’s location in the heart of Silicon Valley provides unique opportunities to engage with local organizations and address pressing issues. While location shouldn’t be the sole focus of your Santa Clara University supplemental essays, you can highlight how the school provides opportunities to get involved in the local community. 

SCU students are encouraged to get involved in service and social justice work through programs like the Thriving Neighbors Initiative, which seeks to promote economic and social equity in the surrounding community. The university also has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. In fact, SCU has implemented a range of programs and initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. 

Choose unique connections

Overall, your Santa Clara University supplemental essays should highlight what makes you the perfect fit for SCU—and how you would make SCU’s campus a better place. So, while you should highlight your interest in SCU, you should also ensure that you are at the center of each of your Santa Clara essays. This will help you make the most of the Santa Clara University essay prompts.

Stay away from rankings and statistics; instead, make sure each of your Santa Clara University supplemental essays is personal and specific. 

Santa Clara Essay Prompt #2: Ethical Dilemma

Next, let’s look at the second of the Santa Clara University essay prompts. 

Your Santa Clara essays provide the admissions team with additional information about you beyond your academic achievements and test scores. The second of the Santa Clara University supplemental essays asks you to choose an ethical dilemma and describe how your education would prepare you to make real-world change.

Highlight your unique perspective

As you approach the second of the Santa Clara supplemental essays, think about an ethical dilemma that matters to you. Pay attention to the prompt’s wording—what is a dilemma that would ask you to “be creative, be challenged, and be the solution”? 

Ideally, this should be a dilemma with which you have some amount of real-world experience or at least a unique perspective. Remember, your Santa Clara essays are a chance to show the admissions team who you are. So, choose something that highlights a key aspect of your identity. 

Center yourself, not your dilemma

Once you’ve chosen a dilemma, it’s time to start writing. As you write, don’t spend the bulk of your words explaining your chosen dilemma. Instead, try to limit your explanation to just a sentence or two. Then, use the rest of your essay to show your plan for approaching the dilemma you’ve chosen. 

How to write the Santa Clara University Supplemental Essays: More Advice

Looking for more targeted guidance on the Santa Clara essay prompts? Check out our tips below to approach each of the Santa Clara University supplemental essays with confidence. 

“Why Santa Clara University” Essay: Tips & Guidelines

1. research the university.

To answer the Santa Clara supplemental essays effectively, you’ll need a solid understanding of Santa Clara University and its Jesuit mission. Take some time to research the university’s history, programs, and values. Then, think about how they align with your own interests and goals. 

2. Be specific

When describing what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara, be as specific as possible. Explain what aspects of the university, such as its academic programs, location, or culture, appeal to you and why. Knowing which of the Santa Clara University majors you want to pursue before you apply can also help strengthen your application narrative. 

3. Connect your goals with SCU’s mission

To answer the second part of the question, think about how your personal and professional goals align with Santa Clara University’s Jesuit mission. SCU aims to educate citizens and leaders on competence, conscience, and compassion. So, explain how you see yourself contributing to this mission and how an SCU education can help you achieve your goals.

4. Show enthusiasm and commitment

Throughout your response, demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to Santa Clara University and its mission. Explain why you believe SCU is the right place for you to pursue your academic and personal goals, and show how you are excited about the opportunities that an SCU education can provide.

5. Be concise

With limited space in the Santa Clara supplemental essays, every word counts. Remember to stay within the word limit of 200 words. Use clear and direct language to make your points, and proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling errors.

Do your research

Overall, to write strong Santa Clara supplemental essays, you should research the university, be specific about what appeals to you about SCU, connect your goals with the university’s mission, show enthusiasm and commitment, and be concise in your writing. 

By following these tips, you can demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are a strong fit for Santa Clara University and its values. The best college essays will highlight what makes you a great fit for SCU, both academically and personally. 

Ethical Dilemma Essay: Tips & Guidelines

1. choose a relevant ethical dilemma.

To write an effective response to this prompt, it’s important to choose an ethical dilemma that is both meaningful to you and relevant to the SCU community. Consider issues that are currently facing society, such as social justice, environmental sustainability, or healthcare access. 

2. Clearly articulate the dilemma

Once you’ve chosen an ethical dilemma to write about, clearly articulate what it is and why it matters to you. Use concrete examples and statistics to help illustrate the issue and explain why it is a challenge that needs to be addressed. Make sure your reader understands why your issue matters—while keeping it concise, of course. 

3. Explain how SCU can help

Next, explain how an SCU education can help you address the challenge. Consider the specific courses, programs, or opportunities that are available at SCU that would be relevant to the issue you’ve chosen. For example, you might discuss how SCU’s focus on social justice or sustainability could help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to address your chosen challenge

4. Demonstrate your passion and commitment

Finally, demonstrate your passion and commitment to the ethical dilemma you’ve chosen. Explain why it matters to you personally and what steps you’ve taken or plan to take to address the issue. This will help highlight your knowledge, passion, and commitment.

Choose a strong topic

Overall, to write a strong response to this prompt, it’s important to choose a relevant ethical dilemma, clearly articulate the issue and why it matters, explain how an SCU education can help you address the challenge, and demonstrate your passion and commitment to making a difference. Remember to also stay within the word limit of 150-300 words and to proofread your response carefully before submitting.

Does Santa Clara University care about essays?

Yes—scu cares about the santa clara university supplemental essays..

As we’ve discussed, in addition to the Common Application personal statement , there are two Santa Clara supplemental essays. When taken as a whole, your application should show SCU who you are, what matters to you, and why you’d succeed on their campus. So, think carefully about what to include in each of your Santa Clara essays. 

The Santa Clara supplemental essays are designed to let you show your “fit” with the SCU community and mission, as well as your writing skills and personal qualities. The admissions committee at Santa Clara University reviews each application holistically, considering academic achievements, test scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation , community service, personal qualities, and fit with the SCU community and mission. 

How your Santa Clara essays fit into the holistic review process

Good college essays provide valuable insights into a student’s character, interests, and goals. This helps SCU understand how each applicant can enrich the campus community. While the Santa Clara University acceptance rate may seem low, strong Santa Clara essays can increase your admissions odds. 

Of course, the Santa Clara essays are just one part of the application process. However, the best college essays can help you stand out and show how you “fit” with the school’s values. In the Santa Clara supplemental essays, think about how you can become a “citizen and leader of competence, conscience, and compassion”—that is, how you fit with SCU’s mission. By crafting the best college essays, applicants can increase their chances of acceptance.

Santa Clara University Admissions

Within the Santa Clara University application process, the Santa Clara University supplemental essays play an important role. The admissions process at Santa Clara University is competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of spots each year. Given the high Santa Clara University ranking, you can expect the SCU admissions team to be discerning. 

For the class of 2025, there were nearly 28,000 applicants, making the Santa Clara University acceptance rate around 50%. So, if you want to increase your admissions odds, you should do all you can to craft a strong application. In your essays and extracurriculars, make sure to highlight your academic achievements, personal qualities, and commitment to Santa Clara University’s Jesuit mission.

You might also wonder how your academics compare to the average admitted student at SCU. For the class of 2025, the average GPA of admitted students fell in the range of 3.6-4.0. Like many schools , Santa Clara University currently has a test-optional policy . This means you can choose whether to submit SAT/ACT scores. Even with this policy, however, high scores can still help you impress the Santa Clara University admissions committee.

Beyond academics

Of course, your grades and scores matter. However, SCU looks at more than just academics when they review your Santa Clara University application. 

The Santa Clara University admissions committee takes a holistic approach to application review. They consider a range of factors including extracurricular activities, community service, personal qualities, and fit with the SCU community and mission. The Santa Clara University supplemental essays are a critical part of the application process. They provide applicants with an opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills, personal qualities, and fit with the university’s Jesuit values. 

Building a narrative

With so many qualified applicants, you’ll want to make sure that you craft an impressive Santa Clara University application narrative. The Santa Clara University supplemental essays play an important role in that narrative. Additionally, the Santa Clara essays matter even more if you have lower grades and scores. So, view each Santa Clara University essay as your opportunity to show what makes you stand out. Each of your Santa Clara University supplemental essays should teach the admissions team something new about you. 

Overall, while high grades and test scores are important factors in the Santa Clara University admissions process, a strong application takes a lot more. With strong Santa Clara University supplemental essays, you can highlight your unique strengths and experiences. That way, you can increase your chances of being accepted to Santa Clara University. 

Santa Clara Supplemental Essays — Key Takeaways

Santa Clara University is a dynamic and vibrant institution that is committed to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and service to others. Its Jesuit heritage and strong commitment to social justice and community engagement make it a unique and rewarding place to learn and grow. Try to take these concepts into account when answering the Santa Clara University essay prompts.

The Santa Clara University supplemental essays are a critical component of the application process. The university’s holistic approach to admissions means that high grades and test scores alone are not enough to guarantee acceptance. Through their Santa Clara essays, applicants must showcase their personal qualities, achievements, and fit with the university’s Jesuit mission. The two Santa Clara supplemental essays offer applicants an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the university’s values, mission, and culture, as well as their own commitment to ethical decision-making and community engagement. 

Remember, strong essays take time

To write strong responses to the Santa Clara supplemental essays, applicants should take the time to research the university, be specific about what appeals to them about SCU, connect their goals with the university’s mission, show enthusiasm and commitment, and be concise in their writing. This takes time and effort—so don’t leave your Santa Clara essays to the last minute. Learning more about how to write a why this college Essay can also help you write good college essays for Santa Clara University. 

It is worth noting that the admissions process at Santa Clara University is competitive. However, with the right approach to the application process, including crafting strong responses to the Santa Clara University essay prompts, you can increase your odds. In your essays, highlight your personal achievements, unique experiences, and commitment to the university’s values and mission. 

CollegeAdvisor can help!

In summary, the Santa Clara University supplemental essays matter, and you should take them seriously. Remember, the supplemental essays and personal statement questions are the best ways for you to make a lasting impression on the admissions team. So, make sure that each of your Santa Clara University supplemental essays counts. 

We hope this guide prepared you to write strong Santa Clara essays that highlight your strengths. Good luck!

This guide was written by Deepak Kejariwal . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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We'll be honest: admission to Santa Clara is competitive. So we look carefully at all applications to determine if you're the right fit for SCU (and vice versa).

Santa Clara University is a selective admission university that admits new students based on past performance, potential for future academic success, and contribution to the campus community consistent with the mission and Jesuit tradition of the University. Applicants are admitted as full-time, degree-seeking students. Santa Clara does not have a part-time undergraduate program option and does not enroll non-degree students except international non-degree students participating in an approved international partnership. When we review your application we will consider several elements, from your academic performance and grades, recommendations, activities outside the classroom, life experiences, and if reported, test scores. Our goal is to gain a sense of who you are as a person and as a scholar.

Before Applying

You should meet our minimum high school course requirements:

• History and Social Science: 3 years
• English: 4 years
• Mathematics: 3 years required; 4 years recommended
• Laboratory Science: 2 years required; 3 years recommended
• Language Other Than English: 2 years required; 3 years recommended; 4 years preferred
• Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year recommended

Selecting a School

When applying, start by selecting one of our academic schools/colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences , the Leavey School of Business , or the School of Engineering . Once you've chosen a school, you can declare a major or remain undeclared. 

While the selectivity between our schools and programs does not vary greatly, academic readiness for the program of interest will be gauged based on your expressed interest. For natural science, business, and engineering applicants, readiness at the level of calculus is expected.

Early Decision I or II, Early Action, or Regular Decision?

Next, you'll choose an application track: Early Decision I or II (binding), Early Action (non-binding), or Regular Decision . Please review our  key deadlines and submit everything on time.

The Application

SCU uses the Common Application®  for all first-year applicants. In addition to the Application itself, we require the following materials:

• Official high school transcript (Grade nine through the most recently completed term)
• College transcripts (if applicable)
• One Academic Teacher Evaluation
• Secondary School Report
• Mid-Year Report due by the end of January (Only Regular Decision applicants or candidates deferred from Early Action)
• $70 non-refundable application fee or the following valid fee waivers: Common App fee waiver, NACAC fee waiver, or College Board fee waiver.

Santa Clara University has adopted a “test optional” policy for first-year applicants. Scores on the SAT or ACT are not required for students applying to Santa Clara University nor will they be disadvantaged for doing so in the admission process. For those who wish to submit scores for consideration, self-reported test scores can be submitted through the student's SCU application status portal. Click here to see more information regarding the policy.

We prefer that all documentation be sent online via the Common Application®  portal. If for some reason you must mail supplemental information, see our contact page for the mailing address.

We will confirm receipt of your application by sending a notification to the email address in your application. All applicants will also be provided a unique ID and password to check their application status on our application status portal. Please check your email spam filters and settings to ensure your email box will allow email from  [email protected] .

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Santa Clara University Admission Essay Writing Guide

Application Guide

Essay examples, santa clara university essays.

Santa Clara University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is one of the most selective universities in California and enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduates each year. Santa Clara students come from all over the world and represent a diverse range of faiths and backgrounds. The university offers more than 65 majors and 90 minors and provides a rigorous academic experience that prepares students for success in their chosen careers.

The Santa Clara University essay prompts are designed to help you reflect on your unique experiences, values, and perspectives. To write an effective piece, you will need to thoughtfully consider your life experiences and how they have shaped who you are today.

Application and Admission Process For Bachelor Students

For Students, the application process for Santa Clara University is competitive. You will need to submit an application, transcripts, test scores, and a personal essay to be considered for bachelor's admission. Not everyone will find writing as enjoyable as our team of experts do, so you may allow us to work on your essay if you want the best. Our site has several samples for inspiration, and our team of writers is always up to the task. Check our site and let us help you if you are stuck or too busy.

What the Committee Looks for in Santa Clara University Essays

The committee is looking for intellectually curious students and passionate about learning for university admissions. They also want students who are active citizens and responsible leaders in their communities. You should explain why you would be a good fit for Santa Clara University. It would be best if you also shared your academic and professional goals.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing your Santa Clara University essays is to be yourself. The admissions committee wants to get to know you, not just as a student. You also want to be open and honest.

When it comes to the admissions process, Santa Clara University looks for students who will contribute to and thrive in its unique community. The university places a strong emphasis on personal essays, which allow admission officers to get to know you as an individual.

How to Write the Essay For University Students

Now that you know what the committee is looking for, it's time to start writing. The first step is to brainstorm ideas. Think about your life experiences and how they have shaped who you are today. What are your passions and interests? What makes you unique?

Once you have a list of potential topics, it's time to start writing. Start by drafting a rough outline of your essay. Then, begin filling in the details. Be sure to edit and proofread your work before submitting it.

The Introduction of Your Essay

The introduction is the first impression you make on the admissions committee, so it's essential to make a solid first impression. It should be exciting and engaging, and it should introduce your topic. Don't forget to include your thesis statement. In the introduction, you will also set the tone for your essay.

The Body of Your Essay

The body should be where you flesh out your ideas and support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should have a main idea, and each principal idea should be supported by evidence. Be sure to include transitions between paragraphs to ensure that your essay flows smoothly. Also, the paragraphs of your essay should be well-organized and support your thesis statement.

The Conclusion of Your Essay

The conclusion is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee. It should restate your main points and leave the reader with something to think about. Don't forget to thank the committee for their time. You may also include a call to action, asking the reader to consider your application.

For master's degree essay writing, follow the same basic principles, but provide more in-depth analysis and evidence to support your ideas.

Formatting Your Essay For College Admission

When formatting your essay, be sure to adhere to any general guidelines such as:

• Use 12-point Times New Roman font
• Double-space your essay
• Include a one-inch margin on all sides
• Indent each paragraph by 0.5 inches
• Use headings and subheadings to organize your essay
• Number your pages
• Title your essay

Tips for Writing the Best Santa Clara University Essay

Santa Clara essays are not easy to write because the expectations are high. The admissions committee will be looking for a well-written, well-researched essay free of errors. Here are some tips to help you write the best Santa Clara University essay possible:

• Start early: Don't wait until the last minute to start writing your essay. The earlier you start, the more time you'll have to revise and polish your work. You'll also be less likely to feel rushed and stressed if you start early.
• Do your research: Santa Clara University is looking for students who are a good fit for its community. Be sure to do your research and learn about the university before you start writing your essay. Creativity is of the essence.
• Be yourself: The admissions committee wants to get to know you as a person, so it's essential to be honest, and open in your essay.
• Edit and proofread: Be sure to edit and proofread your work before submitting it. You can have someone read your essay for you and make corrections.
• Follow the guidelines: Follow the essay guidelines closely. Formatting and grammar errors will reflect poorly on your application.

The best way to improve your writing is to practice. Please write a few essays and have someone else critique them for you. You'll be surprised at how much you can improve with just a little practice.

Personal Statement Essay

The best way to learn about a person is to ask them about themselves. So, please introduce yourself, e.g., I am an artist, a musician, and an athlete. I love to learn new things and try new experiences. I am also a bit of a nerd – I love reading and learning about new subjects. I am interested in many things, and I am passionate about the few things that I choose to focus on. Such is the perfect opening for a personal statement essay.

In this type of essay, you will be asked to write about yourself. It can be difficult because you will need to strike the right balance between providing enough information about yourself and maintaining some mystery. You will also need to be exciting and engaging so that the admissions committee wants to read your essay.

For Professor tips, the best way to approach this type of essay is to start with a brief introduction about yourself, followed by a few paragraphs in which you discuss your interests and passions. Be sure to provide examples and evidence to support your points. Finally, end with a brief conclusion in which you summarize your main points.

You can read several Santa Clara University essay examples online to get some ideas about what to write. Just remember to be original and honest in your essay, and you'll be sure to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Continue reading to get additional essay advice.

Santa Clara University Supplemental Essays

Santa Clara supplement essay allows you to include what you left in the application essay. It also gives you a chance to brag a bit. You can talk about your accomplishments, what you learned from your experiences, and how they have shaped you.

Be sure to focus on the positive aspects of your experiences and avoid talking about any negative experiences. Also, stay within the word limit – supplemental essays are shorter than the main essay, so you'll need to be concise. Santa Clara supplemental essays also allow you to discuss your academic interests and goals. You can talk about why you are interested in the particular major you are applying to and what you hope to achieve by studying at Santa Clara University.

Motivational Essay For Graduate School

A motivational essay is a personal statement that describes your goals and aspirations. It should be concise and to the point. You will need to discuss your motivation for applying to Santa Clara University and what you hope to achieve by studying there. Be sure to focus on your positive qualities and what makes you unique.

The best way to write a motivational essay for graduate school is to start with a brief introduction about yourself. Next, discuss your goals and aspirations. Be sure to provide examples and evidence to support your points. Finally, end with a brief conclusion in which you summarize your main points.

For Scholarships

If you are applying for scholarships, you will need to submit a separate essay. This essay should describe your academic interests and goals and why you are deserving of the scholarship. Be sure to focus on your positive qualities and what makes you unique. The same applies to internships.

There is no one formula that you can use for a college application essay. However, there are some key elements that all successful essays share. First and foremost, your essay must be personal. It should be about you and your experiences, not about someone else.

Your Santa Clara University essay should be a well-written, personal statement that gives the admissions committee a glimpse into your life and who you are as a person. Be sure to focus on your positive qualities and what makes you unique. With a bit of practice, you can write an essay that will make you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Additionally, you can seek the services of an admissions consultant to help you with your essay.

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How to Get Into Santa Clara University: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

July 16, 2024

Santa Clara University is a mid-sized, private Jesuit institution in California that caters to around 5,900 undergraduate students. Unsurprisingly, given its location, SCU is known for having one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Fortunately, the academic strength of the school is also quite strong. In particular, the Leavey School of Business is highly respected, and the university has solid computer science and engineering offerings as well. While the acceptance rate at Santa Clara University isn’t as intimidating as some comparable institutions, the admissions standards are still quite stringent.

With the aim of providing future SCU applicants with a deep knowledge of relevant admissions data and strategies, we will touch on the following topics:

• Santa Clara University’s Class of 2028 acceptance rate
• Santa Clara University’s ED acceptance rate
• SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted Santa Clara University students
• Admissions trends at Santa Clara for the Class of 2028
• The demographics of current Santa Clara University undergraduates
• Santa Clara University’s yield rate
• How Santa Clara University’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to Santa Clara University
• How to assess whether applying to Santa Clara University is even worth the $70 application fee (for you)

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

Santa Clara University Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2028

Santa Clara received 18,964 applications for a place in the Class of 2028 and accepted close to 9,000. This means that the most recent Santa Clara University acceptance rate is 47%, slightly higher than the previous year.

Recent SCU acceptance rates are as follows:

Santa Clara University Early Decision Acceptance Rate

There are two rounds of Early Decision at Santa Clara as well as an Early Action round. The ED I deadline is November 1 and the ED II deadline is in early January. According to the university, 10,841 students applied via ED I or Early Action to join the Class of 2028, and 52% were admitted.

The previous year, across both Early Decision rounds only, 662 students applied and 472 were admitted. This means that the Santa Clara early decision acceptance rate is 71%.

What GPA do you need to get into Santa Clara?

Among enrolled 2023-2024 first-year students, the average GPA was 3.73. Additionally, 60% of students had a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

What class rank do you need to get accepted to Santa Clara?

An impressive 74% of the Class of 2027 hailed from the top quarter of their high school class, while 92% earned a place in the top 20%.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for Santa Clara?

Santa Clara is test-optional, but nearly 40% of enrolled Class of 2027 students submitted test scores alongside their applications. For these students, the mid-50% SAT range was 1350-1480, while the mid-50% ACT range was 30-33.

Admissions Trends & Notes Class of 2028

• The average unweighted GPA was 3.85 for admitted Class of 2028 students.
• 12% of students are first-generation.
• 8.4% are international students.
• 9.5% are Pell-eligible students.
• 39% of engineering students are female.
• 50% of students are from California.
• Students are from all 50 states and 60 countries.

Who Gets Into Santa Clara University?

Let’s look at the demographics of current Santa Clara University undergraduates. Geographically, the Class of 2026 is from:

• California: 51%
• Out-of-state: 39%
• International: 10%

As at any selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you hail from a less populated state like Idaho, Wyoming, or Alaska, your location is more likely to  provide a boost  to your admissions chances.

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2027 was as follows:

• Asian American: 22%
• Hispanic: 20%
• Black or African American: 5%
• Two or more races: 8%

The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates is notably split in favor of women:

• Female: 52%

Members of the Class of 2027 attended the following types of high schools:

• Public: 48%
• Independent: 19%
• Catholic: 14%

Class of 2027 students enrolled in the following schools:

• College of Arts & Sciences: 48%
• Leavey School of Business: 28%
• School of Engineering: 24%

The most popular majors for entering first-year students in fall 2023 were:

• Computer science and engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Computer science (mathematics)

SCU’s Yield Rate

Santa Clara University’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted—was 19% last year, slightly higher than the previous year. For comparison, other CA-based institutions like UCSD, UCSB, and UC Irvine have very similar yield rates.

How Santa Clara University Rates Applicants

Santa Clara University rates three factors as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, and the application essays. Eight additional factors are viewed by SCU as “important” in their evaluation of candidates: class rank, recommendations, talent/ability, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, racial/ethnic status, volunteer work, and first-generation status.

Straight from the Santa Clara University admissions staff:

• “When we review your application we will consider several elements, from your academic performance and grades, recommendations, activities outside the classroom, life experiences, and if reported, test scores. Our goal is to gain a sense of who you are as a person and as a scholar.”
• “While the selectivity between our schools and programs does not vary greatly, academic readiness for the program of interest will be gauged based on your expressed interest. For natural science, business, and engineering applicants, readiness at the level of calculus is expected.”
• “Without test scores, your GPA and course rigor are increasingly important components of the academic side of your application. Not only do we want to see that you have excelled in your classes, but we also want to see that you’ve challenged yourself academically by taking advanced courses like honors, IB, AP, or dual-enrollment courses your school offers.”

Additional Tips for Applying

Should you end up as one of the 18,000+ Santa Clara applicants in the next admissions cycle, you will benefit from being aware of the following:

• Santa Clara has extended its test-optional policy through Fall 2025.
• If you are serious about attending SCU, applying ED can yield an enormous admission advantage at this school.
• Santa Clara does not conduct evaluative interviews, but does offer chances to connect with admissions officers to learn more about the school.
• Santa Clara University considers “ demonstrated interest ” as being important in the admissions process. Therefore, you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit (in non-pandemic times), contact an admissions officer, follow them on social media, etc.
• SCU requires one teacher recommendation. For tips on requesting a letter of recommendation, check out this blog .
• Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Santa Clara. In the 2023-24 cycle, they were as follows:

At SCU, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge? (150-300 words)

At Santa Clara University, we value our diverse and inclusive community. Our campus learning environment is enriched by the lived experiences of people from different backgrounds. What people, places, events, or circumstances have shaped the individual you are today and how you could contribute to our community? (150- 300 words)

Why are you interested in pursuing the [Division or Major] selected above? (50 words)

Should I apply to Santa Clara?

If you have received mostly A’s in a rigorous curriculum and fall within the top quarter of your graduating class, applying to Santa Clara would absolutely make sense. Furthermore, if this institution is at the top of your list, make sure to demonstrate your interest in attending and consider applying early decision. Borderline applicant? Early decision would be a smart decision for you as well.

Santa Clara University Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts

Unless you have stats that will blow away the admissions committee, you’ll need to have a rock-solid backup plan if applying to Santa Clara. All applicants need to work with their guidance counselor to formulate a balanced college list , containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools.

Ready to start crafting your applications? Check out the following:

• Should You Start College Applications in the Summer?
• What is Demonstrated Interest?
• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• College Fair Advice for High School Students
• How to Complete the Common App Activities List
• Common App Essay Prompts
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• Application Strategies

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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How to Write the Santa Clara University Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Read the  2021-2022 Santa Clara essay guide .

Located on a beautiful 106-acre campus in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University combines Jesuit values with the pursuit of technological innovation. Founded in 1851, Santa Clara is comprised of three undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the Leavey School of Business. In total, more than 50 majors and minors are offered across the three schools. Santa Clara encourages students to seek academic excellence while searching for truth, goodness, and beauty through the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. 

With an 11:1 faculty ratio, Santa Clara’s approximately 5,500 undergraduate students are able to experience small class sizes and receive individualized assistance from professors . Additionally, undergraduate students are given the opportunity to gain first-hand research experience. These opportunities prepare students for future internships and careers. In fact, because of their close proximity to campus, companies such as Google, Apple, NVIDIA, and Cisco often recruit students from Santa Clara.

Santa Clara also has 20 Division I sports teams as well as 17 club teams. These teams offer Santa Clara’s students the opportunity to pursue both their academic interests and athletic aspirations.

In addition to its undergraduate schools, Santa Clara has several graduate schools ranging from the School of Law to the Jesuit School of Theology. These schools provide Santa Clara students with opportunities to potentially extend their education beyond their undergraduate experience.

Santa Clara University is ranked #54 by U.S. News and World Report and had an acceptance rate of 50% for the Class of 2024. As with many other schools, your supplemental essays are an excellent way to demonstrate your interest in Santa Clara and make your application stand out to admissions officers. 

In this post, we’ll discuss how to write strong supplemental essays to improve your chances of acceptance. Want to know your chances at Santa Clara? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Santa Clara University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. If you have had the opportunity to visit campus or experienced Santa Clara virtually, please share your impression of SCU. (100-200 words)

Prompt 2: Driven by the Jesuit values outlined in our mission statement, Santa Clara University promises to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. We strive to cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. How do you plan to live out and implement these values in your own life to create a more equitable society? (150-300 words)

Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. If you have had the opportunity to visit campus or experienced Santa Clara virtually, please share your impression of SCU. (100-200 words)

Santa Clara’s first prompt falls under the common “ Why This College? ” category. In order to fully answer this prompt, you need to describe not only the reasons for your application, but also your impression of Santa Clara. Since you have a limit of only 200 words, it is important that you focus your essay on the aspects of Santa Clara that appeal most to you. 

The first step in answering this prompt is to do your research; the school’s website is a great starting point. What clubs, activities, classes, organizations, or programs really pique your interest?

Refrain from mentioning general aspects of the school that could apply to many other colleges. Dive deeper! For instance, rather than saying you like SCU for their business program, say you want to engage in the Initiative for Women’s Economic Empowerment (IWEE), whose goal is to “ accelerate economic empowerment of women leaders in Silicon Valley, STEM disciplines, and in the developing world as social entrepreneurs.”  

Be sure to also connect the resource you mention to your personal goals. Anyone can name unique SCU resources, but you want to underline who these opportunities support your ambitions. For the above example, a student who has campaigned to address women’s unpaid labor would be a natural fit with that resource. 

Next, take some time to reflect on Santa Clara’s values and why they appeal to you. Take time to read Santa Clara’s mission, vision, and values on their website and ask yourself these questions:

• Which of these values speak most to me?
• Why am I a good fit for Santa Clara’s community?
• How will these values contribute to my education and college experience?

While you don’t need to deliberately answer each of these questions in your essay, it is important to consider them when crafting your response to this prompt. Maybe you were very involved in the Jesuit church in your hometown and want to continue exploring your Catholic identity in college. Or, perhaps Santa Clara’s commitment to students and engaged learning will allow you to thrive off having close connections with specific professors whose research you’re interested in. Or, maybe you’re passionate about technology and Santa Clara’s devotion to innovation will enable you to continue pursuing your passion for a particular technological niche. Remember to use the values you pick, whatever they may be, as opportunities to connect yourself with Santa Clara’s community. 

Lastly, you need to share your impression of Santa Clara based on the experiences you’ve had with the campus. Whether they were virtual or in person, this is the place to include any notable experiences you’ve had with Santa Clara students or faculty. While avoiding the general discussion of information sessions or campus tours, you should certainly discuss a memorable conversation, class, meeting, or experience you had either virtually or in person. 

Not only should you discuss the memorable event or experience, but also how it shaped your view of Santa Clara. For instance, your discussion with a tour guide about her positive experience with small classes in the philosophy department left you with the impression that Santa Clara prioritizes effective learning environments for their students. Whatever your experiences have been, be sure to connect them to an aspect of Santa Clara that appeals to you!

Driven by the Jesuit values outlined in our mission statement, Santa Clara University promises to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. We strive to cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. How do you plan to live out and implement these values in your own life to create a more equitable society? (150-300 words)

In this prompt, you are being asked to connect your own values with those of Santa Clara. By creating this connection, you are demonstrating to the admissions officers that you belong on Santa Clara’s campus and that you would be a great fit for their community. 

Before you even start writing, revisit Santa Clara’s mission, vision, and values as well as their Jesuit Catholic Tradition . Then, make a list of two to three of the values that you feel apply most to your life. Maybe Santa Clara’s belief that “everyone is welcome” resonates with you. Or, perhaps you are drawn to Santa Clara’s combination of morals and ethics with academics. Or, maybe you are community-driven and relate to Santa Clara’s commitment to serving others. It does not matter which values you choose to focus on; just keep in mind that you will need to connect them to your own life.

The next step in answering this prompt is to discuss how you have already implemented Santa Clara’s values in your own life. For instance, maybe you’ve implemented the values of fairness and inclusivity through your volunteer work for the National Organization for Women. While it is important to describe the way you implement Santa Clara’s values, it is equally important to explain how you have used them to create a more equitable society. Continuing with the example above, volunteering for the National Organization for Women allows you to advocate for feminism and eliminate gender-based discrimination in order to promote equality for women. 

You may feel you don’t have an elaborate example of how you have exemplified Santa Clara’s values in the past; however, even the most simple examples will work. No one is expecting you to have initiated national or even state-wide change — you just need to demonstrate how you have made an effort to promote these values in your local environment. For example, you can certainly explain how you embrace Santa Clara’s value of sustainability by the educational campaign you created on composting for your school.

Lastly, you need to discuss how you plan to continue implementing Santa Clara’s values in your own life. In this portion of your essay, it is important to not only address your bigger-picture goals, but also how you’ll work to create a more equitable society at Santa Clara. Research the social justice movements, clubs, community service opportunities, and organizations that exist on Santa Clara’s campus or in the surrounding area. For instance, a student focused on compassion and serving others might join Santa Clara’s Camp Kesem, which provides children who have parents diagnosed with cancer a “supportive, lifelong camp community that recognizes and understands their unique needs.”

Conclude your response with a future-facing sentiment that explains how you plan to use these values after graduating from SCU. Perhaps you plan to implement the value in your future career, or the way you parent. This final detail should be integrated with your previous statements about how you live out this value, and provide the closure necessary to round out your essay.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

Acceptance Rate

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• Liberal Arts (59)

* Tuition filtering is based on out-of-state fees

How to Approach Supplemental Essays

When our students dig into the college application process, they are often surprised to encounter not only the main Common Application’s personal statement , but also a host of supplemental essay questions. These assignments are often school-specific writing prompts for which a student must also craft thoughtful, well-written replies.

Supplemental essays are often more focused than the Common App assignment, though they vary in length and scope. Their prompts tackle subjects that range from deeper explorations of a student’s background to their collegiate and academic interests.

We often encourage our students to nail down their personal statement topic first, then ask them to approach their supplemental essays in priority order, according to submission deadlines. Many schools will offer prompts that are similar in theme and content to one another (for example, many institutions now ask about a student’s most important activity ), so it is helpful for students to gather and review all supplemental questions before beginning the brainstorm process to see where they might naturally overlap.

Elite institutions often have extensive supplemental sections, as do some honors programs, so students should keep this in mind as they hunt for their essay questions and map out their plan of attack.

All supplemental essays should be given the same time and care as the main Common Application essay. These supplements not only are an excellent opportunity to show a school both your competence and level of devotion to their institution, but also offer opportunities to paint some personality into your application. So embrace supplements, use your unique voice, and show these schools what you’re made of!

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2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, new york university (nyu) 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, frequently asked questions.

It really depends. Typically, the more competitive the university, the more arduous the supplemental essay requirements. Most top universities ask for at least three supplemental essays, but some only require one short essay.

The most common supplemental essay topics are:

• The Why Essay , which asks applicants to discuss their interest in their intended major and/or the school in question.
• The Activity Essay , which asks applicants to describe their involvement in an activity that is meaningful to them.
• The Community Essay , which asks about a community the applicant belongs to and the role that community plays in their life (and vice versa!).
• The Diversity Essay , which often asks applicants to explore how they champion diversity and inclusion in their communities and/or how they engage with people from different backgrounds or who hold opposing views. 
• The Short Answer , which asks applicants to answer prompts in very few words (or characters) to add context to their application and a splash of personality.
• The Oddball Essay , which asks applicants to tap into their creativity to connect curveball questions to their lives and interests.

Just like with the Common App personal statement, you’re going to want to write authentically about yourself while addressing all parts of each supplemental essay prompt. Many schools want to better understand how you see yourself contributing to their campus community and/or diversity and inclusion efforts along with how you hope to use your education to achieve your goals. So, be honest and forward-thinking, and don’t forget to customize each supplemental essay so it’s specific to each school you’re submitting to. That means doing research and weaving information into your essays that demonstrates the amount of time and thought you’ve put into your application. 

We have a few successful supplemental essay examples in our Free Resources section.

Each admissions department has their own process for reviewing applications, and some admissions committees put more weight on supplemental essays than others, but all admissions departments that offer applicants the opportunity to pen additional essays are doing so for a reason: to better understand the applicant and compare similarly qualified candidates. It’s in the applicant’s best interest to not only provide admissions with as much information regarding their candidacy as possible, but also go the extra mile. At highly competitive institutions, admissions officers are looking for reasons to remove students from the applicant pool—don’t let poorly written or (*gulp*) incomplete supplemental essays work against you!

Absolutely not. Please do not reuse content from your Common App essay in your supplements. Although it’s possible for you to expand upon an idea, activity, or community that you mention in your Common App essay in your supplements, you should never recycle content or any phrasing word for word.

Start by reading through all the prompts. Next, jot down ideas that come to your mind (no matter how silly they may seem!). Everyone has a story to tell, and we’re willing to bet you’re more interesting than you think. Give yourself plenty of time to consider different topics and revise, revise, revise! Also, our handy dandy Supplemental Essay Guides are sure to help you on your writing journey.

North Carolina State 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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Essay Guides 2023-24

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