<p>I know that you are supposed to be creative in your college essay, show how a certain experience affected you, SHOW the reader through a vignette instead of TELLING them your attributes, etc. but what about supplemental essays? Do the same rules still apply for the specific supplementals?</p>
<p>Supplemental essays ive seen where it is hard to tell stories / show your attributes:
-talk about how you will become involved on campus (organizations, etc)
-explain why think this college is a good fit for you
-talk about your goals / what you want to study and why</p>
<p>Respond to straightforward questions with straightforward answers. As far as the “why this college” essay, imagine yourself there in detail and explain what you see. It should only fit the college about which you are writing. Do not tell them how great they are; they are well aware.</p>
<p>djz has is exactly right. Heed that advice.</p>
<p>I hate to say this, but the reason why answering the question “why this college” is so hard is that in many cases, there <em>is</em> no good answer. Are you choosing a place because of reputation, writing about how great the school is? Wrong reason and wrong essay. Are you going there because it’s the only place you can afford? Great reason, but a hard essay to write. Are you going because your friends are going there? Bad reason and a non-existent essay. This is a hard one to fake because so many of these essays are going to sound alike.</p>
<p>But, if you really do know why you want to go (and have a valid reason), then it will be a little easier. Did you visit the place? That makes it easier. Describe the feeling you had when you got there? Did it just “fit?” Did you feel at home? Were you excited in a way that you did not feel at other colleges? Let them know. </p>
<p>If you did not actually visit, you may have “toured” via the website. What triggered your decision to apply there (and remember that “reputation” will not generate the best essay)? You can use the website and do exactly what djz said: imagine yourself there in detail and write about that (virtual) “experience.”</p>
<p>A difficult adjunct supplemental prompt is “What qualities will you bring to this campus?” Don’t be tempted to brag on yourself here. It would be much better and much more honest to say that you will bring an open mind and a readiness to grow - both intellectually and emotionally.</p>
<p>—Robert Cronk, author of Concise Advice: Jump-Starting Your College Admissions Essays</p>