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How to Write the University of Miami Essay 2023-2024

The University of Miami has one required supplemental essay prompt for all applicants. The prompt asks about how your life experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, or skills you’ve acquired would contribute to the UMiami community.

Since UMiami receives thousands of applications from academically strong students, your essays are your chance to stand out. In this post, we’ll discuss how to craft an engaging response to this required prompt.

Read these UMiami essay examples to inspire your writing.

University of Miami Supplemental Essay Prompt

Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the university of miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. the university of miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute., please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive university community. (250 words).

This prompt is rather open-ended in that you can essentially discuss anything! Unique experiences, challenges overcome, and skills acquired are the three explicitly stated categories of things you might want to discuss. Given the introductory paragraph about diversity, you may want to consider writing about a unique life experience that highlights an aspect of your identity. That said, we will go over writing a diversity essay and an “overcoming challenges” essay so that you can write to your strengths.

Writing a “Diversity” Essay

Note that diversity encompasses several disparate aspects of identity, including ethnicity/race, country of origin, language, gender or sexual identity, geographical location, income class, disability or illness, personality trait, extracurricular interest, or something else entirely!

An aspect of diversity might also be something that taught you or inspired your passions, something that you were born into, or something you’re just now learning that you’re a part of. The life experience you write about simply needs to represent a part of yourself that is genuine.


A quick note if you intend to write about your racial background: In June 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling, however, still allows colleges to consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts. If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is the place to discuss that.

Once you’ve chosen the life experience or aspect of your identity you want to write about, reflect on the impact that it’s had on your life and begin weaving that into your response. Think about the lessons you’ve learned along the way, the people you’ve met, and the skills you’ve learned. Consider this example:

“Ever since I was a little kid, stories have run rampant in my mind. I would make up stories in the car, in the shower, when I would close my eyes to go to sleep. They’d play out like movies in my head, and I got overwhelmed by not knowing what to do with them, so I turned against myself and wished that I would stop. That’s when I found the Creative Writing Club at my school.

Finding other people who shared the same inherent reflex I did not only made me feel normal again but made me feel accepted. I found that my habits were not unhealthy, but inspired. I suddenly found an outlet for 16 years’ worth of pent-up ideas and creativity. I had people to share my stories with, but more importantly, I was a person with whom they could share theirs. Swapping stories became a way for us to learn about different perspectives, cultures, and identities, and in doing so, it has made us all more worldly and empathetic.

I wish to join the Written In My Soul club to share in the experience of using creative writing as an outlet for emotions and ideas. I am excited by the idea of joining a new vibrant community of writers that is so different from the ones I have been in before.”

Writing an “Overcoming Challenges” Essay

Besides life experiences, aspects of diversity, and interests, you can choose to write about a challenge you’ve overcome. This topic can reflect your ability to handle difficult situations and learn from them.

To write an effective response, you’ll want to construct an anecdote that goes through both the challenge and your thought process during and after it. Start with a brief description of the challenge. Next, describe the steps you took to approach the challenge.

Also make sure to discuss the outcome of the situation and show the admissions officer how you matured from this experience, specifically identifying what you have learned from it. The most common mistake students make is to focus too much on the challenge, rather than their thought process, emotions, and growth as a result of overcoming it.

As you brainstorm and begin drafting your response, here are some questions to direct your thinking:

• Why was this challenge so important to you? What is its significance?
• At that moment, what was your reaction to the situation? How did it affect you (thoughts, emotions)?
• Were the steps you took to manage the situation successful? Why or why not?
• How did this challenge allow you to grow and mature as an individual?

Try to avoid “challenges” that are too trivial; although you may be upset that you got a B on that one calculus test, this is not a significant enough challenge to analyze. For this prompt, it’s important to demonstrate personal growth and maturity, as these are traits that will help you contribute to the UMiami community.

You should also avoid challenges that are clichés , such as:

• A sports injury
• Working hard in a difficult class
• Adjusting to a new culture or school
• Facing tragedy (death, illness, abuse)
• Romantic relationships and breakups

To get you thinking, here’s an example of a hypothetical student’s experience:

A student who is passionate about robotics wanted to start a competitive robotics club at her school. She gathered a group of interested students and began the process of getting the club approved by the administration, but to your disappointment, the club was rejected. Instead of accepting defeat, she and her peers petitioned the school in hopes of having the board members reconsider their decision.

While she ultimately didn’t win over the school board, the student discovered her talent for persuasive speaking in the process, and decided to join the Debate Team. She has since won several awards and even got to give a local TED Talk. She wants to major in Communications at UMiami and hopes to share her knowledge and expertise with her future peers on the Debate Team.

A Final Note

Whether you decide to write about an aspect of your identity, a life experience, a challenge you overcame, a skill you acquired, or something else entirely, be sure to describe how your topic served as an opportunity for learning and personal growth. Also don’t forget to address the final part of the prompt by stating how you will contribute to the UMiami community. This contribution can take a variety of forms, but it’s best to find a specific resource or opportunity at UMiami that you can see yourself being a part of.

Where to Get Your University of Miami Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UMiami essays? After rereading your essay over and over again, it can be difficult to determine where your writing might be improved upon. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

University of Miami Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts and Advice

August 28, 2023

In the 1980s and ‘90s, the University of Miami was a football powerhouse; albeit one with its fair share of controversy. In the 2020s, the school has more to brag about on the academic front than on the gridiron. Now attracting close to 50,000 applications and sporting an acceptance rate of just 19%  (and dropping), U Miami has become a highly selective university that is no longer anything close to a sure thing, even for students with excellent grades and test scores. This means that, in 2023-24, the University of Miami supplemental essay is more important than ever before.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Miami? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Miami: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Although it only has one general essay prompt, the University of Miami’s supplemental section still affords applicants an opportunity to illustrate what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below is U Miami’s supplemental prompt for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. Additionally, we offer advice on how to pen a winning composition.

2023-2024 U Miami Supplemental Essays

Prompt 1 (250 Words): Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute. Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community.

Pro tip: the language used in any given prompt provides you with critical information about what your essay should address. As such, note the information that U Miami chooses to share about itself : a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity and strives to create a culture of belonging . Essentially, they want to know how you will contribute to that mission, and how your personal experiences will impact what kind of academic and social community member you might be.

University of Miami supplemental essays (Continued)

As such, you might consider discussing:

• Your role in your family.
• Your role in your social group.
• A challenge you’ve faced.
• A formative experience or realization.
• An opinion or perspective that has developed over time.
• Important aspects of your upbringing.
• Cultural, religious, community influence.
• A skill you have that you feel could impact others in a positive way.

Once you’ve chosen a particular direction, think about what you’ve learned from the experience. Also ponder what you think others could learn from you. Most importantly, how will your learnings positively contribute to U Miami’s mission? This is a chance to show that you are an open-minded, curious, and humble young person who is willing to learn and grow from their experiences.

How important is the UMiami supplemental essay?

The essays (both the Common App essay and the supplemental one) are “very important” to the evaluation process. Five other factors are also considered as “very important.” These factors are: rigor of coursework, class rank, GPA, recommendations, and extracurricular activities. Clearly, the University of Miami places enormous value on the quality of your supplemental essay.

Want personalized essay assistance with the University of Miami supplemental essays?

In conclusion, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your University of Miami supplement, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

• College Essay

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A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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University of Miami Supplemental Essays 2024 | Strategies and Insights for Success

The University of Miami, once renowned for its football prowess in the 1980s and ’90s, has evolved into a powerhouse on the academic front in the 2020s. With close to 50,000 applications flooding in and an acceptance rate dwindling to just 19%, U Miami has transformed into a highly selective institution, challenging even top-performing students to secure admission. In the competitive landscape of 2023-24, the University of Miami supplemental essay emerges as a critical component of the application process, offering applicants a platform to distinguish themselves in a sea of impressive credentials.

Despite featuring only one general essay prompt, the University of Miami’s supplemental section remains a vital opportunity for applicants to showcase their unique qualifications for admission. As applicants gear up for the 2023-24 admissions cycle, let’s delve into U Miami’s supplemental prompt and offer insights on crafting a winning composition.

Also read University of Miami Acceptance Rate | Strategies and Insights for Admission Success 2024

University of Miami Supplemental Essays

Prompt 1: Contributing to a Diverse Community (250 Words) Nestled within one of the world’s most vibrant cities, the University of Miami prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive community, where every individual is valued and empowered to contribute. In 250 words, share how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would enrich our distinctive university community. Consider aligning your response with U Miami’s mission of embracing diversity, inclusivity, and creating a culture of belonging. Reflect on your familial, social, or personal experiences, highlighting their impact on shaping your perspective and readiness to contribute positively to U Miami’s vibrant tapestry of cultures and backgrounds.

The language used in the prompt offers valuable insights into what your essay should address. Pay attention to U Miami’s emphasis on being a values-based, purpose-driven institution that prioritizes diversity and inclusivity. Craft your response to showcase how you align with these values and how your experiences will shape your role as a member of the U Miami community.

As you tackle the University of Miami supplemental essays, consider exploring various facets of your identity and experiences, such as:

• Your familial or social role.
• Challenges overcome and lessons learned.
• Formative experiences or realizations.
• Evolving perspectives or opinions.
• Cultural, religious, or community influences.
• Impactful skills you possess.

Once you’ve chosen a direction, delve into the lessons learned from your experiences and how they contribute to U Miami’s mission of diversity, inclusivity, and belonging. Showcasing humility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn and grow will resonate positively with the admissions committee, highlighting your potential as a valued member of the U Miami community.

Also see University of Miami Transfer Acceptance Rate 2024 | Strategies and Insights for Success

The Importance of the UMiami Supplemental Essay

The UMiami supplemental essay, alongside the Common App essay, holds significant weight in the evaluation process, rated as “very important” by the admissions committee. Alongside factors like coursework rigor, GPA, class rank, recommendations, and extracurricular activities, the quality of your supplemental essay plays a crucial role in shaping the admissions decision. Thus, aspiring UMiami applicants must recognize the immense value placed on crafting a compelling supplemental essay that aligns with the university’s mission and values.

The University of Miami supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle offer applicants a pivotal opportunity to showcase their unique experiences, perspectives, and readiness to contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. With the prompt emphasizing the university’s commitment to embracing diversity and creating a culture of belonging, applicants are encouraged to craft responses that resonate with these values. As the admissions committee places immense importance on the quality of the supplemental essays, aspiring UMiami applicants must approach this task with diligence, humility, and a genuine desire to share their stories and insights. By thoughtfully addressing the prompts and aligning their responses with UMiami’s mission, applicants can enhance their chances of standing out and securing a place in this dynamic and vibrant academic community.

University of Miami (UMiami) Supplemental Essay Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the University of Miami essay prompts? With tips from an Ivy League graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the University of Miami supplemental essays will show you how to write strong University of Miami supplemental essays and increase your chances in the University of Miami admissions process.  For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on the University of Miami and University of Miami supplemental essays, click here . Want help crafting your University of Miami supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a free consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

University of Miami Essay Guide Quick Facts

• The University of Miami acceptance rate is 33%— U.S. News ranks University of Miami as a highly competitive school. 
• We recommend answering all University of Miami supplemental essays with detail and care.

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Miami?

The UMiami acceptance rate is 33%, according to U.S. News . Compared to the UMiami acceptance rate, the national average for college acceptance rates is 68% . 

What does the UMiami acceptance rate mean? Well, a few things. First, when you build your college list, you should keep the UMiami acceptance rate in mind. It’s important to apply to a combination of “reach,” “target,” and “safety” schools. UMiami would likely fall in either the “target” or “reach” category, based on the UMiami acceptance rate. 

Want to learn more about how to use data like the UMiami acceptance rate to build a college list? Check out our blog articles on acceptance rates , college rankings , and building a college list .  

Demonstrated Interest

Another way to use the UMiami acceptance rate? Think of it as an incentive to write the best University of Miami supplemental essays possible. When schools have low acceptance rates (i.e. lower than the national average) then demonstrated interest (DI) becomes even more important. Colleges use DI to determine how much a student wants to attend their school. If an admissions officer is looking at two similar students (similar GPAs, test scores, extracurricular profile, etc.), often the decision comes down to which student shows greater DI. And, while there are many ways to show DI, one of the strongest is through your supplemental essays. This makes the UMiami supplemental essays even more important. To read more about DI and how it relates to the admissions process, check out this article in Forbes . 

Given the UMiami acceptance rate, you should pay attention to the University of Miami supplemental essays. The UMiami application process is competitive. While the UMiami acceptance rate is lower than the national average, it shouldn’t discourage you from applying. Strong University of Miami supplemental essays will set you apart from applicants with weaker answers to the University of Miami essay prompts.  

Does the University of Miami require a supplemental essay?

Yes. In addition to the Common App Personal Statement, there is an additional University of Miami essay. Some colleges have more than one essay prompt, but you will not find multiple UMiami supplemental essays. 

Given the UMiami acceptance rate, and since there are not multiple University of Miami supplemental essays, we recommend that you compose a thoughtful University of Miami application essay.  

Need tips on writing your Common App essay? Then, check out our blog article .  

How many essays are required for Miami?

There is only one short supplemental essay for the University of Miami. It may seem easy to tackle the University of Miami essay quickly. However, you should get an early start on the University of Miami application essay. Even though there are not multiple UMiami supplemental essays, you should not leave the University of Miami essay to the last second. This could decrease the quality of your University of Miami application essay and weaken your application. 

This also means that the Com m on App Personal Statement will play a large role in your admissions results. So, you should ensure you have a strong response to that prompt as well. UMiami will want to know that you are a strong writer, and they’ll also want to see how you have grown throughout high school. Both the Common App essay and the supplemental University of Miami essay let you show those things. Your University of Miami supplemental essay should highlight what makes you unique and how you would enrich the UMiami campus. No two University of Miami supplemental essays will be the same!

The essay matters

Since there are not multiple University of Miami essay prompts, you should approach the University of Miami application essay carefully—especially given the low UMiami acceptance rate. With just one University of Miami essay to write, you don’t have much space to impress your readers. A strong University of Miami application essay can boost your chances against the low UMiami acceptance rate. 

Last year, over 40,000 students applied to UMiami. That means that your readers are evaluating 40,000 University of Miami supplemental essays. With so many essays to wade through, the admissions team will be looking for strong writers who clearly and concisely answer the University of Miami essay prompt. The best University of Miami supplemental essays will draw the reader in with a strong opening anecdote and leave the reader wanting to know more about the student.

What are the University of Miami essay prompts?

In this guide, we will discuss how to respond to the University of Miami essay prompts. As noted, there is only one essay for UMiami, not multiple UMiami supplemental essays. This means that you should put extra effort into your one short UMiami essay. 

You can view the University of Miami application essay question here , on the UMiami website. You can also view it on the Common App website . 

Below, we will tell you the University of Miami essay question. We’ll also break down how to write the best University of Miami essay possible in order to boost your chances against the UMiami acceptance rate. You want your essay to stand out from other University of Miami supplemental essays by capturing your unique outlook and personality. Although there are not multiple University of Miami supplemental essays, you should spend a good amount of time writing your University of Miami application essay.  

For tips to make your University of Miami application essay stand out against other University of Miami supplemental essays, read on. Remember, admissions officers read thousands of University of Miami supplemental essays each year. This means you should try to set your essay apart from other applicants’ UMiami supplemental essays. 

University of Miami Supplemental Essays – Question 1

The University of Miami’s official mascot is the ibis. Folklore maintains that the native marsh bird is the last to take shelter before a hurricane hits and the first to emerge once the storm passes, making it an apt symbol of courage and resilience. Considering your ability to control your own motivation and behavior, how have past experiences helped build your courage and resilience to persist in the face of academic and life challenges so that, once these storms pass, you can emerge in continued pursuit of your goals? (Maximum 250 words).

How do I write the Miami supplemental essay? 

The University of Miami essay is a key part of your application. A strong response to the University of Miami essay prompt will boost your chances against the low UMiami acceptance rate. 

Basically, this University of Miami application essay asks you what challenges you have overcome. College can be a stressful place, so UMiami wants to see how you’ll handle the social, academic, and emotional pressures of university life. 

Focus on structure

Start your University of Miami application essay by thinking about structure. With only 250 words, you should structure your essay carefully. The best University of Miami supplemental essays will have three parts: what challenge you faced, how you dealt with it, and how the challenge helped you grow.

First, you must choose a challenge to discuss. Don’t choose something too common or too small, like getting a C on a test. However, you should also avoid choosing a problem too complex to fully address. You only have 250 words for this University of Miami essay question, so try to maximize the impact of each sentence. 

Narrow your focus

The prompt refers to your “past experiences,” so you could choose to discuss more than one experience in this University of Miami application essay. However, you want to make sure you have enough space to address the full prompt. Don’t spend the whole essay discussing many setbacks you have had in your life—instead, keep a narrow focus. 

This essay should discuss a time when you faced a setback but did not let that setback beat you. Admissions officers want to see your resourcefulness, creativity, and problem-solving skills in this University of Miami essay. The prompt wants to see that you “emerge in continued pursuit of your goals.” Make sure you focus on the how and not just the what . 

After you describe your chosen challenge, explain how you overcame it. Focus on your skills, ideas, and actions. Describe how—in specific terms—you beat the challenge and came out stronger on the other side. You’ll want to show how you learned and grew from your experience. Colleges love to see growth, and UMiami is no exception. 

The long-term effect

The best University of Miami supplemental essays will also reflect on how this challenge affected you long-term. How did this challenge change you? What did you gain from the experience? Think about any skills or traits that you developed from your challenge. Then, in your essay, discuss how you will carry those skills with you in the future. Try to gesture toward your goals; admissions officers want to see that you’re forward-thinking in your response to the University of Miami essay prompt. 

Admissions officers also want to see your creativity and problem-solving. As you start your University of Miami application essay, then, reflect on how you solve problems. How do you address a challenge? Why did this challenge matter to you? What was at stake? Most of all, this essay lets you show what has made you into the person you will be on the UMiami campus. Again, a solid University of Miami essay will boost your chances against the UMiami acceptance rate. 

University of Miami  Supplemental Essays—Final Thoughts

The University of Miami supplemental essay can seem daunting, especially given the UMiami acceptance rate. However, don’t let that discourage you from applying. The University of Miami supplemental essays are a great opportunity to show your readers who you are. 

Want to hear more from UMiami’s undergraduate admissions team on approaching the University of Miami supplemental essay? Check out this video from the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions below.

Given the low UMiami acceptance rate, strong responses to the University of Miami essay prompts can help you succeed if you have a lower than average GPA or SAT score . Use this guide as a step-by-step aid to the University of Miami supplemental essays, and start earlier than you think you should. Strong UMiami supplemental essays will help you stand out against other applicants’ responses to the University of Miami essay prompts. Don’t be afraid to ask for edits from someone; it is helpful to have another set of eyes checking your UMiami supplemental essays for grammar, tone, and clarity, especially given the UMiami acceptance rate. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on UMiami was written by Laura Frustaci , Harvard, ’21. This guide to the University of Miami supplemental essays shows you how to write engaging University of Miami essays and maximize your chances against the UMiami acceptance rate. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on writing strong UMiami supplemental essays, and on UMiami, click here .

Want help crafting your University of Miami supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Essay Writing Tips from Charles Cammack

By UM Admission 09-06-2023

Here are three quick things that we all should strive for to improve our writing; check them out below:

Effectiveness

If you had to choose between writing an essay or giving a speech, which would you choose? Or maybe you would rather play a musical piece, play a sport or even perform a dance? Whether you recognize it or not, you are communicating in some way, shape, or form through these activities.

Just because you have convinced yourself that you’re not a good writer or maybe you just don’t enjoy it, does not mean you have a lack of communication skills. The effectiveness of your essay writing might come more naturally if you first identify your best form of communication and then translate what you are communicating in that form to words on the page.

Remember when you needed to explain to the person at the store or at the random gas station that you needed directions to the bathroom? You were specific and straight to the point. The individual knew exactly what you were trying to communicate. Using more words does not always make your story stronger.

So now, imagine that the people who are reading your essay only have a limited amount of time to do so; how can you help them get to the “bathroom” sooner?

Your unique story and perspective are enough. You are enough. I know it is tempting to try to figure out what the college or university wants to hear, but the fit will come with the institution that identifies and appreciates who you are as much as you appreciate who they are. Write your essay as you and for you.

I could absolutely say more, but that wouldn’t be efficient , now would it? Feel free to write me anytime if you are looking for a little more guidance!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, advice on u miami supplemental essays.

Hey guys! I'm currently working on my application for the University of Miami, and I'm struggling with their supplemental essays. Anyone have any advice or tips on how to write a strong supplemental essay for this college? Thanks in advance!

Sure, I'd be happy to help! The University of Miami is known for its strong emphasis on research, community involvement, and experiential learning. To write strong supplemental essays for this college, you should focus on aligning your values and experiences with the university's mission and opportunities.

Here are a few tips to consider:

1. Research the school: Browse the University of Miami's website and learn about the specific programs, clubs, or resources that stand out to you. Mentioning these in your essays signals to the admissions committee that you've done your homework and have a genuine interest in attending the university.

2. Demonstrate your fit: Show how the University of Miami's offerings align with your interests, experiences, and future goals. Make connections between your past experiences and the opportunities available on campus. For example, if you've been involved in environmental initiatives, talk about how you could contribute to the university's sustainability efforts.

3. Share personal anecdotes: Use specific examples and personal experiences to illustrate your points. Doing so will enable you to create a more compelling and memorable essay. For instance, if you've worked on a community service project that impacted you, share that story and explain how it shaped your perspective on the importance of giving back to the community.

4. Stay focused and concise: Each supplemental essay has a word limit, so ensure you answer the prompt thoroughly while staying within that limit. Be concise and focused in your writing, and avoid adding unnecessary fluff or tangential information.

5. Revise and edit: Like any piece of writing, your supplemental essays should go through several revisions before submission. Be meticulous in editing your work for grammar, spelling, clarity, and flow. Ideally, ask someone you trust (such as a teacher or counselor) to review your essay and provide you with feedback.

6. Showcase your personality: Use your own voice and tone throughout your essays, allowing your personality to shine through. The admissions committee is looking to get to know you better through your writing, so be yourself.

Remember, the supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to show the University of Miami why you're a great fit for their community and what you can contribute to their campus. By following these tips and tailoring your essays to the school and your experiences, you should be able to write strong supplemental essays that stand out.

Best of luck with your application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Test Optional for Spring and Fall

This means that when applying via the Common Application, prospective students may choose whether or not to self-report their test scores. If they choose to self-report their test scores on the Common Application, they may designate whether or not they wish to have those test scores used in the selection process. Applicants will not be required to self-report test scores on the Common Application.

Spring and Fall 2024 Supplemental Essay Prompt

In addition, all Spring and Fall 2024 first-year applicants will be required to submit a 250 word supplemental essay that focuses on resilience with the Common Application.

Only those Spring and Fall 2024 transfer applicants with fewer than 30 postsecondary credits at the time of their application who do not submit ACT or SAT scores will be required to submit the supplemental essay.

Supplemental essay prompt: 

Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community.

Your questions, answered

Yes, y ou may update your decision to have your application reviewed with or without test scores even after you have submitted your application. Applicants will be given an extra 15 days past their selected  admission plan deadline  to update their file. Here are some examples of testing-specific updates applicants can make:

• Submit test scores for the Admission Committee’s consideration
• Update your test scores
• Update your choice to be test optional or not

To make these and other changes, applicants must complete the  Test Score Updates  form in the  Applicant Portal .

Submit your application by the stated deadline: November 1 for Early Decision I and Early Action or January 1 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. We hope that offering you the opportunity to make these updates up to 15 days past your selected admission plan deadline will provide you with any needed flexibility.

As of right now, the test-optional model will be available for the Spring and Fall 2025 admission cycle.  We will look at the data and assess the outcomes of the previous admission outcomes before making any decisions for future admission cycles.

All Fall 2024 prospective students – regardless of whether or not they apply under the test optional policy – will be considered for merit scholarships. To be considered for the Premier Scholarships, Fall 2024 prospective students must apply by the November 1 deadline.

No, these prospective students have previously been permitted to apply for admission without test scores.

Yes, all Spring and Fall 2024 applicants may choose whether or not to submit test scores as part of their admission application.

Frost School of Music applicants must still audition whether or not they apply under the test optional policy.

School of Architecture applicants must submit a portfolio for review if they apply under the test optional policy.

Home-schooled students may be required to submit  additional requirements, such as an admission interview.

As of right now, this policy change applies to transfer applicants through Spring and Fall 2025 transfer applicants, meaning, more specifically, that prospective students with fewer than 30 postsecondary credits at the time they are applying for admission will not be required to submit test scores.

Student athletes do not need to submit test scores to the University for admission purposes. However, the NCAA Eligibility Center continues to require test scores. Be sure to send them your SAT or ACT score results.

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Our Analysis of the 2023-2024 Supplemental Essay Prompts

This year's batch of supplemental essay prompts was released on august 1st. here's what those prompts reveal about the changing priorities at colleges and universities..

Thanks to the perceived essay loophole Chief Justice Roberts’ Supreme Court decision language created—establishing that students can write about racial identity when tied to other experiences and characteristics—there has been much speculation that colleges would scramble to add diversity-related questions to their applications. Now that the Common App has reset for 2023-24, we can see colleges’ new supplemental questions. Did this bear out? So far, we’d say: yes. Yes it did. Here are a few overall trends and changes we’re noticing in the 2023-2024 supplemental essay prompts.

An increase in DEIB-related essays

This comes as no surprise. It’s important to note that many colleges already had prompts that asked students to reflect on their identities, on their communities, or on how they would contribute to diverse campuses; schools like Duke, Michigan, and Syracuse have included questions like this on their supplements for years now. But other schools have made notable changes since June’s decision: University of Miami, for example, replaced their question about the ibis (which, admittedly, we are not terribly sad to see go); American University scrapped their “why AU?”; and UVA retooled the essay questions they had only just retooled last year (even though UVA’s Dean J admitted she really liked last year’s version).

Here are the new versions of those schools’ supplemental essay questions:

University of Miami

“Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute. Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community.” (max 250 words)

American University

“At American University, Inclusive Excellence is a cornerstone of the academic experience for our students, and we deeply value the learning that is inspired by the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that all our community members bring with them. Please share why you would like to join this community.” (max 150 words)

All Applicants (300 words or less):

“What about your background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA?”

(…and read more about UVA’s new legacy-based optional question here ).

More choice for students

Many colleges who have introduced new questions have included these questions as one of several choices. BU, for example, introduced a new question—“Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?”—but kept their classic “Why BU?” as an alternative option. Offering prompt choices—which schools like Tufts, Boston College, Villanova, Emory, and University of Richmond have done for quite some time—allows for students to write about their identities if they wish and on their own terms.

…Except at Harvard

As one of the defendants in the Supreme Court case, Harvard has lots of eyes on its post-SCOTUS decision making. Its response to the decision? Eliminating the previous optional (er, “optional”) essay and instituting five required essays. Very Harvard of them. And yes, one of them is directly about diversity:

“Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?”

Less emphasis on “why us?” essays

While this isn’t true everywhere, we saw a few surprising changes at some “why us?” stalwarts. Perhaps most notably, Tulane’s “why us?” essay—which, for many years, famously had an 800-word limit—is now a mere 250. And while last year Tulane had three different robust supplemental essay questions, now it’s just the one. Truly, our jaws are on the floor (yes, at this time of year, this counts as Very Exciting News. We essay editors don’t get out much in August). Equally shocking: no “why Indiana?” question for Indiana University in Bloomington. In fact, no supplement at all! That’s one way to lower the barrier to entry and boost application numbers (just ask Northeastern).

For tips on how to tackle these essay questions, check out our College Essay Hub . And if you’re looking for more in-depth, one-on-one support, reach out to our college admissions team!

Caroline Hertz