In the application of American colleges, essays are an opportunity for students to express their personality and ideas to the university. When reviewing essays, admissions officers will examine students' language skills as well as their critical thinking ability.

In addition to the main essays in the application system, many universities have their own supplementary essays.

What are supplementary essays?

When applying to American universities, in addition to submitting a personal statement (PS for short), which is the main essay in the Common Application system, many schools will also issue some unique essays, which we collectively refer to as supplementary essays.

Through supplementary essays, admissions officers hope to see a more comprehensive and three-dimensional image of applicants, including your personality traits, interests, passions, goals, etc. This is an opportunity for the school to really understand you and judge whether you are suitable for them.

These essay topics are designed to gain a deeper understanding of the applicant's personality, experience and ambitions. For applicants, it is crucial to prepare in advance and think carefully about the answers.

At present, all eight Ivy League schools have announced the topics of supplemental essays for 2024-25. Different topics of essays more or less reflect the admission preferences and styles of these schools.

Harvard University Supplemental Essays

Harvard's supplemental essays this year are 5 required articles of 100-150 words.

1. Harvard has long recognized the importance of recruiting diverse students. How will the life experiences that shape you today make you

2. Have you contributed to Harvard? (150 words or less)

3. Describe a time when you had a strong disagreement with someone on a point of view or issue. How did you communicate or contact this person? What did you learn from this experience? (150 words or less)

5. Briefly describe the impact of your extracurricular activities, work experience, travel or family responsibilities on you. (150 words or less)

6. How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? (150 words or less)

7. Three things your roommate might want to know about you. (150 words or less)

Yale University Supplemental Essay

All freshman applicants will be required to complete Yale University's supplemental essay requirement. These required questions vary slightly depending on the platform the applicant chooses to apply to. The 2024-2025 Yale University supplemental essay questions for the Coalition Application, Common Application, and Quest Bridge Application are as follows:

Short Answer Questions

1. Yale students have time to explore their academic interests before choosing one or more majors. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds completely. Which academic fields best match your interests or goals at this time? Please select up to three from the list provided.

2. Please tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more of the academic fields you selected above. Why are you attracted to it? (200 words or less)

3. What aspects of Yale University prompted you to apply? (125 words or less)

Applicants who submit the Coalition Application or Common Application will also answer the following short-answer questions, which should be no more than 200 characters (about 35 words):

(1) What inspires you?

(2) If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create any type of original art, what would you choose?

(3) Besides your family, who has had a significant influence on you? What was their influence?

(4) What aspects of you are not included in the application?

Essay (choose one of three)

Applicants who submit the Coalition Application or Common Application will answer one of the following questions in 400 words or less:

1. Thinking back, have you discussed an issue that is important to you with someone who holds opposing views? Why did you find this experience meaningful?

2. Reflect on membership in a community that you feel connected to. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.

3. Reflect on a factor in your personal experience that you think will enrich your college experience. How did it shape you?

Princeton University Supplemental Essay

Princeton University continues to use the same application process as last year. Applicants must first determine their degree intentions - A.B. degree, undecided degree, or B.S.E. degree, and then answer the corresponding supplemental essay questions based on the degree they choose:

For A.B. degree applicants or undecided applicants

As a research-oriented institution that prides itself on liberal arts education, Princeton University allows students to explore areas such as humanities and arts, natural sciences, and social sciences. Which academic fields most pique your curiosity, and how do Princeton's courses meet your specific interests? (250 words or less)

For B.S.E. degree applicants

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton University. Include any experience or exposure you have in engineering and how you think the university's courses can fit your specific interests. (250 words or less)

In addition, Princeton has also introduced a short essay and short answer question requirement for all first-year applicants to get a more comprehensive understanding of each applicant.

Short Essay Questions

1. Princeton University values ​​community and encourages students, faculty, staff, and leadership to engage in respectful dialogue that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a potential member of this community, reflect on how your life experiences will influence the conversations you have in the classroom, dining hall, or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life so far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how have your life experiences influenced you? (500 words or less)

2. Princeton University has long been committed to understanding responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (250 words or less)

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a new skill you are eager to master in college?

2. What brings you pure joy in life?

3. Which song best represents your mood and pace of life at this moment? (50 words or less for each question)

University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essay

Penn requires submission of three supplemental essays, each between 150 and 200 words in length. The first two questions are the same, while the third one is specific to the applicant's chosen school or major.

Required Questions (All First-Year Applicants)

1. Write a short thank-you note to someone you haven't thanked yet but would like to thank. (If possible, we encourage you to share this note with that person and reflect on the experience! (150-200 words)

2. How will you explore the Penn community? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspectives, and how your experiences and perspectives will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

Required Questions (Based on the School/Major you are applying for)

1. School of Nursing

The Penn School of Nursing aims to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare, and how will Penn contribute to your future nursing goals? (150-200 words)

2. College of Arts and Sciences

The flexible structure of the College of Arts and Sciences curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster practice, and help Help you create a learning path through general education courses and majors. What are you curious about and how will you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)

3. Wharton School

Wharton prepares students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theories to solve real-world problems, including economic, political and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue that is important to you and share how you hope a Wharton education will help you explore it? (150-200 words)

4. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Penn Engineering prepares students to become technology leaders by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with in-depth study in a focused discipline major. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn? (150-200 words)

Brown University Supplemental Essay

Includes three 200-250-word essays and four short-answer questions:

Essay topic

1. Brown's open curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also delving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you and how you pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

2. Students attending Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally leads to reflection on where they come from. Share how an aspect of your upbringing inspired or challenged you and how this might allow you to make a unique contribution to the Brown community. (200-250 words)

3. Brown Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find fulfillment and meaning in everyday interactions and momentous discoveries. Big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

Short Answer Questions

1. What three words best describe you? (3 words)

2. What are your most meaningful extracurricular activities that you would like us to know about? (100 words)

3. If you could give a class on anything (academic or otherwise), what would you teach? (100 words)

4. In one sentence, summarize why you chose Brown? (50 words)

Columbia University Supplemental Essay

Columbia University's supplemental essays are still 5.

Required Questions

1. List selected texts, resources, and channels outside of academic courses that have helped you develop intellectually, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, speeches, videos, museums, and other content you enjoy. (100 words or less)

2. A hallmark of the Columbia University experience is the ability to learn and develop in an equitable, inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Please talk about an aspect of your own perspective, opinion, or life experience that is important to you and describe how it has influenced you to learn from and contribute to the diverse and collaborative community of Columbia University. (150 words or less)

3. In college life, students often encounter challenges that they cannot predict or anticipate. Therefore, it is important for us to understand the applicant's ability to overcome difficulties. Please describe an obstacle or obstacle you have encountered and talk about the personal qualities, skills, or insights you have developed as a result. (150 words or less)

4. Why are you interested in Columbia University? Please explain what you think is unique about Columbia University. (150 words or less)

5. What attracted you to choose a major at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? (150 words or less)

Cornell University Supplemental Essay

Cornell University has introduced a new essay topic, which you must submit regardless of which school you are applying to.

General Essay

The topic is to share the experience of how the community has shaped you.

We all contribute to and are influenced by communities that are meaningful to us. Please share how you have been shaped by the community you belong to. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you, whether it is family, school, shared interests, virtual, local, global, or cultural. (No more than 350 words)

Cornell’s different colleges have different questions. In addition to the required essays above, applicants must also answer the essay questions corresponding to the college they are applying to.

1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Required Question: Why are you attracted to your chosen major? Specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals have influenced your choice. (No more than 500 words)

Optional Question 1: At Cornell CALS, our goal is to make the world a better place, so we look for people who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on experiences in which you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, communities, and/or the environment that is important to you. (No more than 100 words)

Optional Question 2: Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agricultural workers, please share whether you have an agricultural background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your planned major. For the purposes of this question, "agricultural entities" are defined as those that cultivate soil, grow crops, and raise livestock (e.g., farms, ranches, greenhouses, vineyards, etc.). (100 words or less)

2. College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)

How do your interests and hobbies directly relate to your intended major in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why did you choose Architecture (B.Arch), Fine Arts (BFA), or Urban and Regional Studies (URS)? Bachelor of Architecture applicants, please give an example of how a creative project or passion inspired you to pursue a five-year professional degree program. Bachelor of Fine Arts applicants may want to consider how to integrate a range of interests and Cornell's available resources into a coherent artistic practice. Students in the Urban and Regional Studies program (URS) can emphasize their passion and deep interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 words or less)

3. College of Science

In the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning has shaped your academic journey, what areas of study or majors excite you, and why? Your response should convey how your interests align with the College and how you will take advantage of opportunities and courses in the arts and sciences. (650 words)

4. Business School

What type of business school are you a student of? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experience, describe topics or issues that you care about and their importance to you.

Your response should show how your interests align with the college you are applying to at Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 words or less)

Dartmouth College Supplemental Essay

Required Question 1 (100 words or less)

1. What academic programs, community, and/or campus environment of the College attracted you to Dartmouth's Class of 2029? Why is Dartmouth a good fit for you?

Required Question 2 (250 words or less, choose one of the following two)

1. There is a saying: "Let your life speak for itself." Describe youThe environment you grew up in, and how it has influenced you today.

2. Oscar Wilde once advised: "Be yourself, because everyone else has been taken." Please introduce yourself.

Required Question 3 (250 words or less, choose one of the following seven)

1. What excites you?

2. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta advocated for "a life with purpose." She said: "We must use our lives to make the world a better place, not just to acquire things. This is our purpose on earth." In what ways do you hope to make an impact - or already make an impact? Why? How do you do it?

3. In the book "Oh, the Places You'll Go", Dr. Seuss invites us to "think and wonder, wonder and think." Imagine your intended academic major: How does this course fit in with Dr. Seuss's advice to you?

4. For decades, the social and family interactions of chimpanzees have been the focus of Jane Goodall's research. Her understanding of animal behavior led the British primatologist to see lessons for human communities as well: "Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with people who are doing something you think is wrong." Tell a time when you were involved in a difficult conversation or encountered someone with a different opinion or perspective than you. How did you find common ground?

5. Celebrate your "nerdy" side.

6. "It's not easy to be green..." is a phrase often repeated by Kermit the Frog. How is difference a part of your life, and how do you make it part of your identity, perspective, or sense of purpose?

7. Buddy Teevens (Class of '79) was a legendary and beloved coach at Dartmouth. He often told parents: "Your son will be an excellent football player during football time, an excellent student during study time, and always an excellent person." If Coach Teevens said that to you, what does being "an excellent person" mean to you?

In addition to the above Ivy League schools, the application season supplementary essay topics for the University of Texas at Austin, Purdue University, University of Richmond, Wake Forest University, and Villanova University have all been updated. Students who need it can log in to the university's official website to check it out.

When writing application essays, in addition to showing excellent written expression, participating in some subject-related background improvement activities (learn about youth customized scientific research-Embark Exploration Program) can also enhance your application competitiveness. Participating in some high-quality competitions such as: the Conrad Challenge, The Global Youth Research and Innovation Conference, Regeneron STS, can not only enrich your essay content, but also make your resume stand out.

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