17 Tips for Writing Supplemental Essays for the Common Application

Many colleges and universities have EXTRA essays that you'll have to write when applying to college (These are sometimes called supplemental essays). Here are a few of my favorite essay tips for students applying to college and writing those supplemental essays.
Which of the 17 tips helped you the most?
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Get a link to the essay tracker in my How to Combine Your College Essay Prompts post:
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Пікірлер: 83

  • @Collegeessayguy
    @Collegeessayguy4 жыл бұрын

    Which supplemental essay are you working on? Let me know below!

  • @user-fj1gr3iu9o

    @user-fj1gr3iu9o

    4 жыл бұрын

    Santa Clara University, UC essays, and University of Washington

  • @michelletran2031

    @michelletran2031

    4 жыл бұрын

    Rice University and UT Austin. The 500 word question about what personal perspectives i bring to the campus is stumping me..

  • @luckyabolorunke4481

    @luckyabolorunke4481

    4 жыл бұрын

    University of Wisconsin and University of Tuft

  • @isabellaluo2712

    @isabellaluo2712

    4 жыл бұрын

    nyu, ut, smu, lmu, umich

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Focus on the core values you have, and how those have manifested in your life! You can find out your values here: www.collegeessayguy.com/cwiab-student-15-values-exercise

  • @ss-kw1kk
    @ss-kw1kk2 жыл бұрын

    I hope you know that you relieve so much stress and anxiety for so many people. You’re doing a great thing!

  • @isabellaluo2712
    @isabellaluo27124 жыл бұрын

    im so glad i saw this before submitting to new EA's because i wrote about location for several schools

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad to hear! Check out my full guide here: www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/why-this-college-essay

  • @briankang2507
    @briankang25074 жыл бұрын

    Great advice! Love how you give all the credit to your students for the types of essays they write. Looking forward to more content

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Brian! I feel lucky to be able to read so many beautiful essays each year from so many brilliant students.

  • @sisiqiu8216
    @sisiqiu82164 жыл бұрын

    Really feel enlightened. Thank you!

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    So glad!

  • @crispywhiskers9365
    @crispywhiskers93653 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely love your videos and tips! I found my dream college through your videos! You genuinely seem like a fun dude to hang out with haha. Thanks Ethan! Hope you're doing well :)

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @leslieburns9196
    @leslieburns91964 жыл бұрын

    This is really good. I am hoping all my seniors applying to privates and UCs take time to watch this. Thanks College Essay Guy!!

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Leslie!

  • @brubruluan
    @brubruluan4 жыл бұрын

    Your content is so so GREAT! Thank you very muchhhhh for helping us!

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Bruna!

  • @ikramisa3070
    @ikramisa30703 жыл бұрын

    This is awesome! Thanks.

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome!

  • @cyanshark1
    @cyanshark12 жыл бұрын

    Working on my supplementals now. Can’t recommend this video enough; Still great ‼️‼️

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Thanks for watching!

  • @mariamorande5919
    @mariamorande59194 жыл бұрын

    Hi! I appreciate you so much!! Thank you!

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Aw shucks! Thank you. Glad you're enjoying my videos!

  • @cristofersilva4010
    @cristofersilva4010 Жыл бұрын

    Oh MY GOD! Your content is AMAZING!!! I'm brazilian, I'm applying to US universities, and you're saving my life.

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @ma.lu.amorim

    @ma.lu.amorim

    Жыл бұрын

    força!

  • @tonymcmoakor9410
    @tonymcmoakor94104 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much.

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @taran7649
    @taran76493 жыл бұрын

    love ur videos

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @soonstarryskies
    @soonstarryskies4 жыл бұрын

    Man... I wasn’t allowed to go to school growing up because my parents ran a cult. I got my GED soon after I got out. I feel like I don’t know how to fill out some these very basic questions appropriately and without being too repetitive about the cult. :/

  • @juliali7913

    @juliali7913

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's a really interesting story --at least when it comes to essays, you are far from screwed. It makes sense to emphasize your experience in the cult because it consumed a lot of your life. If you are worried, you could brainstorm what meaningful experiences that you had when you left the cult. I bet there were some that would seem ordinary to most people but have special meaning to you.

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's OK to be authentic and talk about your life experience. Just make sure you also talk about what you did about it and/or what you learned from it!

  • @gloriatenenbown4410
    @gloriatenenbown44104 жыл бұрын

    I learn something new and essential every time I watch a video by Ethan. Thank you.

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    So glad to hear, Gloria.

  • @taran7649
    @taran76493 жыл бұрын

    love u bro

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

  • @arielhan9462
    @arielhan94623 жыл бұрын

    So glad I check it out before writing my essay, almost hit all the don’t🤣

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lol! Glad you watched. :)

  • @haha100themaster
    @haha100themaster2 жыл бұрын

    just finished my last essay wish I found you sooner

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    2 жыл бұрын

    You got this!

  • @noelvicente6505
    @noelvicente6505 Жыл бұрын

    5:28 - extracurriculars

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @marianaleal7060
    @marianaleal70603 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much! Do you have any recommendations for a question asking to describe any jobs you’ve had if you have never worked before?

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Leave it blank! Not everyone has worked a job, so no need to fill that space.

  • @salonichandra413
    @salonichandra413 Жыл бұрын

    This is a great channel THank you . Have a question , do supplemental essays need a hook and do they need to be narrative , or something that tells a story

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    Жыл бұрын

    Not necessarily. It's OK to be more direct in your supplemental essays (depending on the specifc school/prompt). We have guides for 70+ schools' supplemental essays here: www.collegeessayguy.com/supplemental-essays

  • @meow_5241
    @meow_52413 жыл бұрын

    I'm considering to major in finance specially in financial technology and hedge funds I think this is an advantage cause I know exactly what I want to do and major, so is it better to make it all about it?

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi! I wouldn't recommend making all of your essays about the same topics or aspects of yourself. It's important to give the admissions officers a clear picture of your skills, qualities, values, and interests that make you a perfect candidate for their school. You're right-- it's great that you know your major (and this could come in handy for those "Why Major" prompts that may show up), but not every single essay has to relate back to finance. Hope this helps!

  • @alexmakoid9217
    @alexmakoid92174 жыл бұрын

    Can I write the “why us” essay and mention the location when I talk about if it’s situated on the water? I grew up on the water and all my summer activities and life has been affected by the water. Or is that still too much “location”

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's a little vague and can apply to a bunch of other schools, so it's not necessarily something you want to emphasize in your essay.

  • @nazarospanov5942
    @nazarospanov59423 жыл бұрын

    Hey! I wonder: where can I find the information for why us essays? I've searched everywhere for my Cornell's writing supplement, but never found the detailed information such as which researches professors hold etc.

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey! If you're looking for tips on the Cornell supplementals, go here: www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/cornell-supplemental-essay Additionally, I have a Why Us Essay Guide here: www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/why-this-college-essay

  • @nazarospanov5942

    @nazarospanov5942

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Collegeessayguy Thank you! You are the Best!

  • @habibah8267
    @habibah82674 жыл бұрын

    is community service as an extracurricular enough besides high GPA and good SAT Scores? or should I have more than just one extracurricular?

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi Habiba: It depends on many factors, including the schools you are targeting, the activities you're involved in, etc. I might reach out to your college counselor at school to get specific advice.

  • @indyat.8450
    @indyat.84504 жыл бұрын

    What about essays asking about a time you were intellectually challenged? I have no idea what to write

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    Try one of my brainstorming exercises!

  • @swezork
    @swezork6 ай бұрын

    do you think it is okay to use one essay for all universities with the same question about "my experience that has shaped me"?

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 ай бұрын

    For your personal statement, sure. For supplemental essays it can be a bit different. I provide tips/steps on creating a "Super essay" at this blog post: www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/college-essay-prompts

  • @arthurbarbosa5825
    @arthurbarbosa58253 жыл бұрын

    Any tips for the identity/community essay?

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've got lots of ideas! www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/community-essay

  • @arthurbarbosa5825

    @arthurbarbosa5825

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Collegeessayguy thank you!!

  • @sarvasvarora
    @sarvasvarora4 жыл бұрын

    Can't figure out what to write in Dartmouth second supplemental essay😬.... Any suggestions???

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    If you mean the essay where you can choose from many topics, go with your gut! What sounds interesting to you? What essay topic will offer you the best chance to share something that you feel is important to who you are (and that reveals something that the main Common App essay or first supplemental essay do not)?

  • @victoriareynoso9651
    @victoriareynoso96514 жыл бұрын

    Where can i get the essay tracker spread sheet?

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    You can find it linked on my post on How to Combine Your College Essay Prompts: www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/college-essay-prompts

  • @fafantibrey1352
    @fafantibrey13524 жыл бұрын

    College guy i want to know if u necessarily need to be a leader in a club before u can be admitted in ur dream school

  • @thehdgamer1358

    @thehdgamer1358

    4 жыл бұрын

    nah, when you get to a dream school, every student cant be a leader. Just make your situation work for you

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    You absolutely do NOT have to be a leader in a club in order to get into your dream school. There are tons of ways to display quality characteristics in your college essays that can prove how great of a fit you are for your dream school. I encourage you to connect to your values and create parallels between yourself and your dream school in your essay. Hope this helps!

  • @mimidonohue2337
    @mimidonohue23374 жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure if I'm missing something but I don't see the link to the essay tracker spreadsheet

  • @Collegeessayguy

    @Collegeessayguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi Mimi! Click "show more" on the video description above and you'll see it there. :)