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How should one approach the college supplemental essays compared to the personal statement?

Applying to college with common app

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Tammy’s Answer

Tamara’s answer is spot on! I will just add a few things. In my department, I read all of the incoming applications for our graduate admissions. In our supplemental questions, we are looking for more detailed and specific information that is not already found in your personal essay statement (or elsewhere on your application). The supplemental questions help us evaluate specific things and assess if you will be a good fit. For example we have one supplemental question that asks about the applicant’s experiences working with diverse populations. Here I am not looking for the applicant to relist everything that I can read in their resume or to tell things I can see in their transcript/application. I’m also not looking for a repeat of a example or story that was already in the personal statement but rather this space is a chance for the applicant to show me through a specific example or story how this applies to them and to explain their experience. Use the supplemental areas to add to or to “supplement” your application. This information should give the reader a deeper look into your personality and your experiences.
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Tamara’s Answer

Hey Akshobya,

If you're talking about essays for undergraduate colleges/universities (where you go right after high school/secondary school) you won't have to worry about APA or MLA format too much. Not much citations or references needed for these prompts. The point of these prompts are to get you, as the applicant, to speak from the heart as much as possible. That being said, here are how you approach each type of writing sample for college applications:

Personal statement:
- the point of this app requirement is to understand who you are as a person outside of your academic performance. This is where you show admissions officers who you are, in a way they can't get from the other documents in your application. What qualities about you do you think are important for them to know? Are you brave? Determined? Resilient? Funny? Empathetic/Caring? Insightful? Admissions officers are looking for the qualities of who you are outside of what you did at school. Focus on telling a story that shows (not tells) how you exemplify the qualities you are proud of.

Supplemental essays:
- these are all about the individual school you're applying to and how you may fit on their campus within their communities. This may require a little research, as you want to make sure you're referencing actual things the college has, (I see myself working with X department to develop my idea on Y - stuff like that) but no need to cite. The admissions officers know what's going on at the school they represent.

If you have want some free resources to help with the college admissions process check out www.clarifyed.co, sign up for the mailing list, and email us if you have any other questions.

Hope this helps!

Dr. Minott
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Marcus’s Answer

Be sure to use APA and MLA formats and do not forget the audience. They may need citations, so that your research can be found by your audience as well.
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