The Supplementary Essay

The Supplementary Essay

 The supplementary Essay aspect of the Common Appication is one of the most feared  parts of the application and chances are  it is the part you have been putting off until the last minute possible.  Many schools have a "Why us"  essay requirement   But now it is the last week and you need to get that essay  done. 

 Here are my tips

 First    be specific. Dont copy and paste things. Even if you are applying to  10  universities.  

Talk about  your interests and  how they complement/ fit the  university. Mention names, if  you have visited the campus - talk about it, it need not be flattering- you can say that " even though the dorms look like dull concrete blocks-  I could sense a real feel of community and belonging"Mention people by name  if thry have  any connection tio the university.

   Make sure the  reader gets a good idea of who you are and how you can fit in.     Accepting a class of students is much like  creating a team.  The admissions department  wants people from different majors, clubsm hobbies  and  passions,   They want someone who will be a  computer geek, a  sports jock, an easy going artist, a political activist, even a class clown.

 By portraying yourself as realistically  as possible  - they can see if you  fit the university team.

 Read this  post on The Optional Statement  from the  Tulane University  to get a feel of an admission officers perspective.