Supplement question!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>Hey girls!</p>

<p>How long is your supplement essay regarding this topic?</p>

<p>"When choosing a college, you are not only choosing an intellectual community but also a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. To this end, the Board of Admission is interested in knowing your reasons for applying to Wellesley College and how you feel Wellesley will help you to realize your personal and academic goals.”</p>

<p>I know the instructions say, "two, well-developed paragraphs," but that's sort of vague. It could be one full page, two pages, or even four pages.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input!</p>

2

<p>Mine was pretty long...it was 742 words.</p>

3

<p>Given that members of the admissions board read thousands of applications over the course of the year, I would recommend concision. Have a strong, clear voice, but don't wax overly eloquent. </p>

<p>I believe the recommendation, when I applied five years ago, was around 250 words. (My memory is, however, a little fuzzy on that point, and they clearly thought it was more helpful to place limits on paragraphs.)</p>

4

<p>Mine is two paragraphs of what I would say is about average length. 210 words, overall. I took them pretty literally, although I guess you probably don't have to? Not sure.</p>

5

<p>I would guess that they are looking for around 500 words, as that seems to be a fairly standard size for most college essays.</p>

6

<p>500 is too long. I used normal paragraphs which took up 3/4 pg-including spacing between the two paragraphs. Mine was 237 words.</p>

7

<p>Ah..I feel stupid asking this..but the codes are the ZBIO and ZCHN and etc in the parentheses next to the majors right?</p>

<hr>

<p>btw, did any of you put anything in the additional information part of the supplement? would you recommend putting anything there?</p>

8

<p>Those are the codes.</p>

<p>I didn't put anything. I don't see any reason to unless you have somethng else that needs to be said.</p>

9

<p>Regarding the question, do they expect to read about the academic aspects we like about Wellesley, the professors, and etc? Or our motivation for applying to Wellesley?</p>

10

<p>H20, wouldn't Wellesley academics constitute part of your reasons for applying? I would definitely include some information about that. </p>

<p>On another note...I have spent so much time writing this essay...it's A LOT of words. I kind of went overboard...but I just had so many reasons why I wanted to apply to Wellesley. Perhaps I will shorten it for the Common App supplement and send them a longer paper copy. After all, it's nice for them to read compliments about their school. Is that a good plan? or no? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

11

<p>My main reason for applying to Wellesley do not rely on the stellar academics. I didn't include how much I adore the professors and etc because I thought the idea to be a little cliche. They know their applicants think their academics are excellent. But, hmm...perhaps that's what they're looking for. I don't know. I'm just gonna stick to my idea. </p>

<p>coquettish, I advise not sending a longer paper coppy of that supplementary essay. They want it concise, I believe. Receiving more materials than necessary will frustrate them. Of course, I am not an admin officer so I can't say that for sure, but that's what happens in most cases. I have no doubt they'll love your essay. You seem to be very passionate about Wellesley. Go overboard if you want. </p>

<p>Agh, I feel like I have to do my common app essay again. I read it over again and it seems so bland and overused. I'm losing my sanity over these essays.</p>

12

<p>Complimenting the school is a good thing, but sending an additional paper copy wouldn't exactly be the best thing to do. I think it'd be better if you could cut it down to atleast about 400-500. Cutting isn't that hard if you keep reading it over again.</p>

13

<p>the question asks about you not the school. so spend more time talking why you are a fit for wellesley instead of "wellesley is a good school" which is vey generic.</p>

14

<p>310, two paragraphs.... submitted yesterday. i felt like it was kind of short, but i could have used the space better i suppose</p>

15

<p>mine was around 345 words, but i guess the length really matters on your content. it could be really long but really vague in content, or it could be really short but very nicely written. i think it'd be best if you limit it to two short paragraphs, not too long but just around 150-180 words.</p>

16

<p>chaitea...really? but i go into specifics of what i like about wellesley instead of just "me like wellesley. wellesley smart girls." is that okay? i think through saying what i like about wellesley, i tell about my own preferences and the like.</p>

17

<p>Can we send the whole application on sunday? meaning on 11:59 pm jan 1st? I certainly wouldn't send it on that particular time but I really need more time to edit my common app essay. :(</p>

18

<p>toffee: that's exactly what you should do! going into specifics lets them know that you know what actually goes on with them, but of course it's best if you connect that with why you're fit for wellesley (and not, say, BU) instead of just "i like these programs (and you talk about them..)"</p>

19

<p>If you're going to follow the directions, I'd say that certainly don't let a paragraph run on for more than a page (whether or not you single, double, or whatever space).</p>