US Supplemental Essay

What types of questions do universities ask?

Learn about the different types of supplemental essays and how you should approach them.

‘Why Us Why You’

The ‘Why Us Why You’ prompt requires you to outline why you want to go to that university specifically

The Academic Interest Essay

These essays require you to talk about your chosen major - or if you are applying ‘undecided’ where your academic interests lie in general.

Describe An Extracurricular

These questions ask you to describe an extracurricular you are involved in and how it has shaped how to see the world.

The Meaning Of Community

Prompts around ‘community’ ask you to explain how you see the value of community, what communities you have been involved in and what you would bring to campus.

The One Longer Essay

These essays are like a second Common App personal statement often being 650 words long. The prompts are usually broad and provide plenty of choice in response.

Short Answer Questions

Many universities opt for short answer responses - some 50 words or less. In doing so they seek to find out who you are, what you like and what you will contribute to campus.

Write A Letter To Your Future Roommate

A Stanford favourite, this question enables you to share what you will contribute on a smaller scale - how you will bond, support and encourage those in the university community.

Miscellaneous Prompts

These questions are usually creative and unique! For example U Chicago favours some great miscellaneous questions like: “What’s so odd about odd numbers?”!

Hear from other successful Crimson students

Max didn’t start the US university application process until his final year in high school, but working with Crimson he gained admission to his dream school, the University of Chicago.

“My mentors were great, especially my essay mentor who made himself available 24/7. I didn’t think admission to UChicago was possible, but thanks to the tireless support of my Crimson team, I was accepted.”

Max S.