swarthmore supplemental essays 23 24

Swarthmore Supplemental Essays 2023-24

September 25, 2023

Getting accepted into Swarthmore College, one of the very best liberal arts schools in the country, is equivalent to gaining acceptance into an Ivy League school. With sub-7% acceptance rate for the Class of 2027, Swarthmore rejects the bulk of perfectly qualified candidates who apply each year. Therefore, those who want to maximize their chances at getting in need to shine in every single aspect of their application. The required Swarthmore supplemental essays provide one such opportunity.

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

Swarthmore Supplemental Essay – Prompt #1

In our experience, successful Swarthmore applicants have a few things in common. In addition to near-perfect grades and test scores, they also compose exceptional Common App and Swarthmore-specific essays. Let’s dive right in and begin examining the two required essay prompts that Swarthmore offers.

Swarthmore College maintains an ongoing commitment of building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive residential community dedicated to rigorous intellectual inquiry.

All who engage in our community are empowered through the open exchange of ideas guided by equity and social responsibility to thrive and contribute as bridge builders within global communities.

Our identities and perspectives are supported and developed by our immediate contexts and lived experiences – in our neighborhoods, families, classrooms, communities of faith, and more.

What aspects of your self-identity or personal background are most significant to you? Reflecting on the elements of your home, school, or other communities that have shaped your life, explain how you have grown in your ability to navigate differences when engaging with others, or demonstrated your ability to collaborate in communities other than your own. (250 words)

This essay has two parts: 1) a discussion of an aspect of your identity or background that is most significant to you and 2) a reflection of how said aspect has enabled you to collaborate and/or navigate differences with others outside of your immediate circle.

First, let’s tackle part one. Take note of its wide-open nature—you are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your family background

Swarthmore Supplemental Essays (Continued)

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement and activities list. What important aspects of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)?

Now for part two: after you select/discuss an element of your identity/background that is meaningful to you, you’ll need to share how it has also enabled you to better navigate differences with others. The U.S. presently finds itself in an extreme state of polarization, and within this divided world, it can be hard for individuals with competing viewpoints to engage in civil and productive dialogue. Here, Swat is giving you the chance to show that you are an open-minded and intellectually curious young person. Illustrate how you are willing to engage or collaborate with people who hold opposing positions on topics of great importance to you or are outside your immediate community. One key thing to remember when addressing this prompt is that you don’t have to be the hero of the anecdote. In fact, you may be one who learned to expand their thinking.

Most importantly, your story should be personal, sincere, and revealing of your core character and developing values system.

Swarthmore’s community of learners inspire one another through their collaborative and flexible approach to learning. Swarthmore students are comfortable with intellectual experimentation and connection of ideas across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies through a liberal arts education.

Tell us about a topic that has fascinated you recently – either inside or outside of the classroom. What made you curious about this? Has this topic connected across other areas of your interests? How has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring? (250 words)

This prompt is an opportunity to reveal more about the way you pursue knowledge and make connections across disciplines. Swarthmore is a school that places serious emphasis on one’s intellectual curiosity and drive for knowledge. Similar to Brown University or Wesleyan University , Swat genuinely wants to know that you are the type of student who will take intellectual risks and will continue those pursuits outside of the classroom.

In light of that…out of everything on this Earth, what makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? What subject makes you read books and online content until your eyes bleed? Immerse the reader in your intellectual journey of choice. Share what made you interested in the topic, how you’ve pursued it, and what types of cross-disciplinary connections you’ve made. Finally, be sure to address what you’ve learned about yourself and why the experience has encouraged you to continue boldly pursuing newfound knowledge and skills.

How important are the Swarthmore supplemental essays?

Overall, Swarthmore views six factors as being “very important” to the admissions process. Those factors are: the rigor of your high school classes, GPA, class rank, recommendations, character/personal qualities, and your application essays. In fact, the essays are of greater importance than test scores,  activities, or talent/ability.

Want Personalized Assistance?

In conclusion, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced essay coaches as you craft your Swarthmore supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Swarthmore Supplemental Essay Prompts

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Founded in 1864 by Quakers , Swarthmore College is found just outside of Philadelphia in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The beauty of Swarthmore’s campus is renowned; the Scott Arboretum showcases robust gardens and delicate landscaping. If you know that Swarthmore is the place for you, read our guide for how to best respond to the Swarthmore College supplemental essays!

Breaking down the Swarthmore College supplemental essay prompts

Swarthmore College is a small liberal arts college that contains just 1,643 undergraduate students . To become a part of this small community, you will need to make your answer to the Swarthmore supplemental essay questions stand out. 

Swarthmore asks applicants to respond to two Swarthmore supplemental essays. The maximum allowed word count is 250 words for each Swarthmore supplemental essay. 

Swarthmore College maintains an ongoing commitment of building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive residential community dedicated to rigorous intellectual inquiry.  All who engage in our community are empowered through the open exchange of ideas guided by equity and social responsibility to thrive and contribute as bridge builders within global communities.  Our identities and perspectives are supported and developed by our immediate contexts and lived experiences – in our neighborhoods, families, classrooms, communities of faith, and more.  What aspects of your self-identity or personal background are most significant to you? Reflecting on the elements of your home, school, or other communities that have shaped your life, explain how you have grown in your ability to navigate differences when engaging with others, or demonstrated your ability to collaborate in communities other than your own.

This is the time to showcase your unique background and culture and how it has shaped you into the person you are today. Therefore, think about all the aspects of your life that make “you” unique. Think about the communities you belong to and environments you grew up in. Some examples might include having five siblings or how group-project oriented your high school was. 

Once you select one aspect of your upbringing that has impacted your life, write about it! Briefly describe what exactly this aspect of your life is and how it has affected you. For example, having five siblings may have taught you to be more independent or constantly taking part in group projects in school taught you how to be a leader.

Showcase the “why” of a positive trait you possess. Meaning, you want to give context into why you are the way you are. Therefore, select something that has truly impacted you and made you into the person you are today. Remember, that’s what the admissions officers want to read. They want to get to know a potential student who is able to thrive in the particular environment or situation they were part of. 

Questions to consider

• What is an important piece of your background? 
• How have you contributed to your community? 
• What makes you unique? 

Swarthmore’s community of learners inspire one another through their collaborative and flexible approach to learning. Swarthmore students are comfortable with intellectual experimentation and connection of ideas across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies through a liberal arts education. Tell us about a topic that has fascinated you recently- either inside or outside the classroom. What made you curious about this? Has this topic connected across other areas of your interests? How has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring? 

There is a lot of freedom allowed in this response! Try to pick a topic that interests you, it can range from academic subject to an extracurricular topic. Just ensure that you are being extremely specific about your niche interest to demonstrate your passion. 

Brainstorm subjects you’ve been obsessed with lately! Try to think of the last rabbit hole you went down online and what you discovered.

Then, describe a story or anecdote that reveals how you became interested in this topic. Talk about what this topic means to you. How has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring? 

Lastly, create connections between other interests you may have including your intended major at Swarthmore! This will flawlessly tie back your passions with your career interest and demonstrate your interest in your intended major which can give you a leg up on the Swarthmore competition.

• What is a subject you are fascinated by? 
• How do you go about exploring a subject you are interested in? 
• Why are you passionate about this topic? 

Final thoughts on responding to the Swarthmore supplemental essays

Remember, this is Swarthmore you are applying to! You want to ensure that every piece of your essay responses are well-thought out and planned ahead. Just make sure you are not going over the 250 word limit. 

After reading this guide, you are ready to absolutely ace the Swarthmore supplemental essay questions. Good luck in your writing! 

Next steps after applying to Swarthmore 

Once you have completed your response to your choice of the Swarthmore supplemental essays, it is time to submit your application! 

Now that your application is submitted, keep checking the following: 

• Your Email 
• Swarthmore portal
• Any Swarthmore social media accounts

For any updates to your application status! Once again best of luck to you! 

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We know how stressful it can be navigating the college applications and admissions process. So, do not worry because we are here to help with our helpful guides. 

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Swarthmore Supplemental Essays 2024 | Strategies and Insights for Success

Securing admission to Swarthmore College, renowned as one of the premier liberal arts institutions in the nation, carries prestige akin to Ivy League acceptance. With a Class of 2027 acceptance rate of sub-7%, Swarthmore’s rigorous admissions process leaves the majority of well-qualified applicants in the rejection pool. Thus, for aspirants seeking to bolster their chances, excelling in every facet of the application is imperative. Among these crucial components, the required Swarthmore supplemental essays emerge as a pivotal opportunity for applicants to showcase their unique qualities and enhance their candidacy.

Also read Swarthmore College Acceptance Rate | Strategies and Insights for Admission Success 2024

Swarthmore Supplemental Essays 2024

Swarthmore supplemental essay – prompt #1: unveiling your identity and collaboration skills (250 words).

Swarthmore College beckons applicants to explore the depths of their identity and collaboration abilities through its thought-provoking essay prompt. Let’s dissect this multifaceted prompt and strategize how to craft a compelling response.

Understanding the Prompt

Swarthmore College champions diversity, equity, and inclusivity, nurturing a vibrant community driven by rigorous intellectual inquiry. Applicants are tasked with reflecting on the elements of their self-identity or personal background that hold the utmost significance. Furthermore, they must elucidate how these aspects have shaped their ability to navigate differences and collaborate effectively with individuals beyond their immediate circles.

Crafting Your Response – Part One

Embrace the openness of the prompt by delving into a perspective, experience, community, cultural or family background that resonates deeply with you. Consider what facets of yourself remain unexplored or underrepresented in your Common App personal statement and activities list. Choose a topic that allows you to unveil a layer of your identity that embodies your uniqueness and authenticity.

Crafting Your Response – Part Two

Following the exploration of your identity or background, pivot to illustrating how this aspect has facilitated your ability to navigate differences and collaborate across diverse communities. In an era marked by heightened polarization, emphasize your openness and intellectual curiosity in engaging with individuals holding opposing viewpoints. Share personal anecdotes that showcase your journey of growth and learning, demonstrating your willingness to expand your perspectives and engage in civil dialogue.

Key Takeaways

Ultimately, your response should be personal, sincere, and reflective of your core character and evolving values. Strive to convey authenticity and depth, offering insights into how your identity shapes your interactions with others and your commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding within global communities.

Swarthmore Supplemental Essay

Prompt #2: unveiling your intellectual curiosity (250 words).

Swarthmore College beckons applicants to delve into their intellectual pursuits and interdisciplinary connections through its captivating essay prompt. Let’s unravel the intricacies of this prompt and strategize how to craft a compelling response.

Swarthmore fosters a vibrant community of learners who thrive on collaborative and flexible approaches to learning. Applicants are invited to share a topic that has captivated their interest, whether inside or outside the classroom. They must articulate what sparked their curiosity, how this topic intersects with their other areas of interest, and the impact of this experience on their intellectual journey.

Crafting Your Response

Embrace the opportunity to showcase your intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary connections. Reflect on a topic that ignites your passion and drives you to explore beyond conventional boundaries. Whether it’s astrophysics, existential philosophy, or urban sociology, immerse the reader in your intellectual journey. Share what initially sparked your interest in the topic, how you’ve pursued it through research or exploration, and the insights gained from making connections across different disciplines.

Highlighting Cross-Disciplinary Connections

Demonstrate your ability to connect ideas across various fields of study, showcasing your versatility and breadth of knowledge. Whether your fascination with quantum mechanics intersects with philosophy or your interest in environmental sustainability spans economics and political science, illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of your pursuits.

Reflecting on Personal Growth

Conclude by reflecting on how this experience has shaped you as a learner and individual. What have you learned about yourself through this intellectual exploration? What motivates you to continue delving deeper into this topic and exploring new avenues of knowledge? Share your aspirations and commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity.

In crafting your response, aim for authenticity, depth, and clarity. Share your genuine passion for the topic, your ability to make interdisciplinary connections, and your commitment to intellectual growth. By immersing the reader in your intellectual journey and sharing insights into your evolving interests, you can craft a compelling narrative that resonates with the values of Swarthmore College.

Also see Best Computer Science Schools in the USA 2024

The Importance of Swarthmore Supplemental Essay

In Swarthmore College’s admissions process, six factors hold paramount importance, including the rigor of high school classes, GPA, class rank, recommendations, character/personal qualities, and application essays. Surpassing test scores, extracurricular activities, or talent/ability, the essays stand as a crucial component in assessing an applicant’s suitability for admission. Swarthmore values the insights provided by applicants through their essays, recognizing them as a key indicator of academic preparedness, personal qualities, and alignment with the college’s values and mission.

The Swarthmore supplemental essays play a pivotal role in the college’s admissions process, standing alongside other critical factors such as academic rigor, GPA, and personal recommendations. As Swarthmore seeks to cultivate a diverse and intellectually vibrant community, the essays offer applicants a valuable opportunity to convey their unique qualities, aspirations, and readiness to thrive within the college’s rigorous academic environment. By crafting thoughtful and compelling essays, applicants can effectively demonstrate their suitability for admission and their alignment with Swarthmore’s values of intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

Swarthmore Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Swarthmore supplemental essays .

Writing the Swarthmore supplemental essays is an important step for any applicant hoping to gain admission to this competitive school. Swarthmore College is one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania and one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Considering Swarthmore’s 7% acceptance rate, students applying to Swarthmore need to do everything they can to strengthen their application. That includes writing stellar Swarthmore supplemental essays.

While you have little control over past course grades or teacher recommendations, you do have full control over your Swarthmore supplemental essays. Even better, you’ll have the opportunity to wow admissions with not just one Swarthmore essay, but two! Indeed, knowing how to get into Swarthmore is synonymous with knowing how to write great Swarthmore supplemental essays.

In our guide to the Swarthmore College supplemental essays, we will: 

• Discuss both Swarthmore essay prompts
• Give you tips for writing your Swarthmore supplemental essays
• Review the Swarthmore requirements and more!

Later on, we’ll also provide additional information about Swarthmore College and why the admissions team cares about your Swarthmore supplemental essays. But before we jump into the Swarthmore essay prompts, let’s go over some essential information about the Swarthmore application process.

Swarthmore College: Quick Facts

Swarthmore college quick facts.

• Swarthmore College Acceptance Rate : 7% – U.S. News ranks Swarthmore College among the most selective schools in the country.
• 2 (~250 word) Swarthmore supplemental essays
• Swarthmore College Application: Students can apply to Swarthmore through the Common Application , the Coalition Application , or the QuestBridge Application . In addition to your Swarthmore supplemental essays, you’ll also need to complete all essays required by each respective application platform.
• Fall Early Decision: November 15th
• Winter Early Decision: January 4th
• Regular Decision: January 4 
• Swarthmore College Essay Tip: A fundamental tip for writing standout Swarthmore essays is showing how you embody the college’s values. Check out Swarthmore Admissions’ list of “ What We Look for in a Swattie ” for some key traits. See if you can frame your experiences in the context of these characteristics within your essays.

Does Swarthmore have supplemental essays?

Yes. There are two Swarthmore College supplemental essays. Both of the Swarthmore essay prompts are designed to help admissions learn more about who you are as a student and individual. The prompts for the Swarthmore supplemental essays are complex while only having a word limit of 250 words. Therefore, your main challenge in writing each Swarthmore essay will be answering the prompt completely and concisely. 

The first Swarthmore essay can be characterized as a cultural diversity essay. This is one of the most common essay topics , so it’s likely you’ve come across a cultural diversity essay in your other college applications. This Swarthmore essay focuses on your personal identity, asking you to reflect on how certain aspects of your life have shaped you. In addition, you’ll write about how your background influenced the way you interact with others who are different from you.

The second Swarthmore essay is about intellectual curiosity. More specifically, this Swarthmore essay prompt asks you to reflect on a topic you are passionate about. The topic can be anything you have learned either inside or outside of the classroom. As long as it has sparked a genuine and ongoing interest, it’s fair game.

Make sure you review the prompts for the Swarthmore supplemental essays to be sure you understand exactly what they’re asking. Obviously, that goes for any essay—but don’t underestimate the complexity and small word allowance of the Swarthmore supplemental essays. We’ll break down the Swarthmore essay prompts later when we discuss Swarthmore essay #1 and Swarthmore essay #2 in detail.

How many essays does Swarthmore require?

Swarthmore requires all applicants to complete two Swarthmore supplemental essays. However, the total number of essays Swarthmore applicants are required to complete will depend on their application platform. 

Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application require students to write a 650-word personal statement responding to one of their listed prompts. That means students applying via the Common App or Coalition App will submit three essays in total.

The QuestBridge application requires applicants to write both an 800-word personal essay and a 500-word topical essay. So, students applying via QuestBridge will submit four essays for their Swarthmore application. While you probably won’t forget to write your personal statement, it’s always good to check your workload when planning applications.

Regardless of which application you use to apply, all applicants will need to write two Swarthmore College supplemental essays. So, let’s look at the Swarthmore essay prompts in more detail. First, we’ll break down Swarthmore essay #1, which concerns diversity and community. Then, we’ll give you tips on what to focus on in your Swarthmore supplemental essays. After that, we’ll break down Swarthmore essay #2, the intellectual curiosity essay. Finally, we’ll give you tips on actually writing your Swarthmore supplemental essays.

Swarthmore Supplemental Essay #1

First, let’s start with the Swarthmore essay #1: the cultural diversity essay. 

Swarthmore College Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity

All who engage in our community are empowered through the open exchange of ideas guided by equity and social responsibility to thrive and contribute as bridge builders within global communities. our identities and perspectives are supported and developed by our immediate contexts and lived experiences – in our neighborhoods, families, classrooms, communities of faith, and more.  , what aspects of your self-identity or personal background are most significant to you reflecting on the elements of your home, school, or other communities that have shaped your life, explain how you have grown in your ability to navigate differences when engaging with others, or demonstrated your ability to collaborate in communities other than your own..

This essay requires both internal and external reflection. The first part of this prompt asks about significant aspects of your identity or background. These are very broad topics that could relate to a number of things, such as your faith, ethnicity, hobbies, where you grew up, your family situation—the list goes on. Though you likely have a community around this identity, you’ve certainly met people outside of it. This is where you have to think outwardly.

The second part of this prompt asks you to reflect on how you interact with those who are different from you. There are two specific avenues you can explore: navigating differences or collaborating across communities. Either way, you must highlight ways in which you recognized and interacted positively with difference.

“Navigating differences” is a broad statement, which leaves itself up to interpretation. Maybe you disagreed with someone with a different point of view from you but then learned to see their side. Maybe you’ve diverged from your parents’ beliefs about certain people or concepts. You might think of times of conflict with others: how did differences among people contribute to the conflict—or its resolution?

Or, maybe your mind goes straight to collaboration. When have you had to come together with those with different ideas to work towards a common goal? Regardless of which slant your story takes, remember to circle back to a personally meaningful aspect of your background. How did that part of your life prepare you to or influence the way you connect with others?

How to Answer Swarthmore Supplemental Essays

Although neither of the Swarthmore essay prompts are your typical “why school” essays, remember the overarching goal of your Swarthmore supplemental essays. You want to demonstrate to the admissions team why you are a good fit for Swarthmore College.

One way to do this in your Swarthmore supplemental essays is to demonstrate your connection to Swarthmore’s values. When writing your Swarthmore College supplemental essays, keep these values in mind as inspiration when choosing your essay topic:

• Intellectual curiosity and an enthusiasm for learning
• Creative and proactive problem-solving
• Generosity toward others
• Civic engagement
• Willingness to work hard and to seek help
• Potential contributions to campus life
• Sustained commitment
• Open-mindedness in general and to the liberal arts at large

For instance, your first Swarthmore essay might discuss how you’ve supported others or contributed to community service or activism. Tying in these values can be subtle, so don’t worry about obviously stating you hold any of these values. Instead, let your actions speak for themselves—show, don’t tell! You can read more detailed descriptions of what these values mean to Swarthmore on their admissions page .

Obviously, it isn’t necessary—or possible—to embody every single one of these traits in two short Swarthmore supplemental essays. However, it is necessary to answer all parts of the Swarthmore essay prompts. Remember, supplemental essay prompts are different for each school and seek answers that recognize the school’s offerings and culture. The prompts for the Swarthmore supplemental essays were crafted by the admissions team to ask about different facets of a student’s character and experiences. That means every word, and every question, in the prompt matters.

When writing your Swarthmore supplemental essays, you need to address both the what and the why . The exact history of your chosen topic is less important than your emotional connection to it. Only include details that illustrate the depth of your connection, what it means to you, and the impact it has on you.

Swarthmore Supplemental Essay #2

Now, let’s go over Swarthmore essay #2: the intellectual curiosity essay.

Swarthmore College Essay Prompt #2: Intellectual Curiosity

Swarthmore’s community of learners inspire one another through their collaborative and flexible approach to learning. swarthmore students are comfortable with intellectual experimentation and connection of ideas across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies through a liberal arts education., tell us about a topic that has fascinated you recently – either inside or outside of the classroom. what made you curious about this has this topic connected across other areas of your interests how has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring.

Of the two Swarthmore essay prompts, this one is perhaps the more fun one to write. For your second essay topic, feel free to dig deep, but try to focus on something you are interested in now. Avoid something you maybe liked when you were younger but are now no longer interested in. As stated above, this prompt asks you how your experience with this topic has shaped you and why you’re still interested in it. So of course, you’ll want this to be a current interest.

There are many different aspects to this prompt, which makes writing these Swarthmore supplemental essays challenging. Here are some extrapolated questions that you’ll likely want to address in your essay:

• What is the topic?
• When did you first become interested in this topic?
• Why did you become interested in this topic?
• Did exploring this topic introduce you to new interests?
• Did exploring this topic influence the way you engage with other topics?
• How has your interest in this topic shaped who you are?
• Why do you still engage in this topic?
• What do you hope to do with the knowledge you gain about this topic?

As you can see, this prompt can answer a lot of questions, but you only have to choose a few. Answering even a handful in just 250 words might seem impossible, but that’s why every word counts. Let’s say you’ve been passionate about animation ever since you saw Finding Nemo as a kid. You probably don’t have the space to write about your experience watching the movie for the first time. However, you can easily introduce the topic of animation and your first experience watching the movie in a single sentence. Then, you can quickly move into what drew you to it.

Feel free to play around with the order you present information. However, each detail should lead to the next—did you notice many essay prompts guide you along a timeline? This prompt is no exception: start briefly with why you got interested. Then, move to the effects it has had on you and your other interests. Lastly, explain why that interest continues to grow. If you’re not sure how to structure your essay, feel free to use this linear progression as a framework.

How to Write Swarthmore Supplemental Essays

At this point, we hope you have a better understanding of what to expect from the Swarthmore supplemental essays. Now you know what the prompts are asking of us—but how do you actually write a Swarthmore essay?

Regardless of how you feel about your writing abilities, writing college essays is a whole different ball game. Writing about yourself, within a limited word count, answering a multi-part prompt is no joke. Here are some tips to help you write your Swarthmore College supplemental essays, from finding a topic to getting them submission-ready. (Better yet, you can use these tips on all of your college application essays, not just your Swarthmore supplemental essays.)

1. Start with a brainstorming session

Before you jump into writing your Swarthmore supplemental essays, start with a brainstorming session. If you’re having trouble thinking of ideas, do a few timed free writes . Set five minutes on the clock and think of the prompts for the Swarthmore supplemental essays in general terms. Consider aspects of your personal identity and background and topics that fascinate you.

2. Freewrite and outline

Once you have some initial ideas, try to think of the ones you connect most with. Then write down everything that comes to mind when you think of that idea: experiences, feelings, people, places, anything that comes to mind. Then, outline how that idea connects to other aspects of the prompt. What details can you use to show that connection?

3. Write a first draft

Depending on the kind of writer you are, this can be the hardest part of writing your Swarthmore supplemental essays. Focus on just getting a draft down on paper without worrying about making it perfect, or even coherent. Don’t slow yourself down by trying to edit this as you’re writing. Anything is better than nothing, and more is better than less when it comes to a first draft.

4. Revise, revise, revise

Here’s where the magic happens. Editing your Swarthmore supplemental essays is how your essays go from okay to fantastic. Remember, every sentence and every word matters. Does every sentence somehow build your story, somehow connecting back to the prompt? Omit any unnecessary details, don’t be afraid to reorganize, and you’ll soon find the best flow of ideas for your story. 

5. Get a second opinion

When you finally get a draft you think is great, show it to someone. Get a second pair of eyes from a trusted mentor or friend who will be honest about your essay. Did they see a clear connection between you, your essay, and the prompt? Ask them what ideas or themes they were left with after reading. That way, you’ll know if you were successful in translating your thoughts into words.

6. Proofread and polish

There’s nothing more distracting from a compelling story than typos. Look for any spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes that will get in the way of your reader connecting with your words. Of course, polished Swarthmore supplemental essays also show admissions that you care about the work you share with others.

Follow these six steps, and you’ll have your Swarthmore supplemental essays written in no time! Now, let’s talk about why the Swarthmore supplemental essays matter.

Does Swarthmore care about essays?

Yes, Swarthmore definitely cares about how you respond to the Swarthmore essay prompts. The Swarthmore College supplemental essays are part of the Swarthmore requirements for a reason. Admissions want to learn more about your experiences and strengths because these are the things you’ll bring with you to campus.

There is no single formula for how to get into Swarthmore. Swarthmore Admissions evaluates applications with a holistic, contextual approach. That means every part of your application will be evaluated with equal weight, in the context of your background, identity, challenges, and opportunities. Everyone who gets into Swarthmore does so thanks to a unique blend of factors, including their Swarthmore supplemental essays.

The Swarthmore College supplemental essays are your chance to share your strengths within the specific context of your life experience. A well-written essay that clearly expresses your ideas in a coherent and engaging manner also showcases your strengths as a writer, thinker, and communicator. These are all skills that make for a well-prepared college student.

Additional information about Swarthmore College

Still have questions about Swarthmore ? Let’s take a look at the Swarthmore requirements.

Application requirements

Below is a list of the required Swarthmore application materials :

• A completed application (Common, Coalition, or Questbridge)
• 2 Swarthmore College supplemental essays
• Application fee (or waiver)
• School report
• High school transcript
• Mid-year grades (or progress report)
• 1 school counselor recommendation
• 2 academic-subject teacher recommendations

Optional admissions materials include test scores , interviews , a video response , and an art portfolio. If you have additional questions about the admissions process, you can contact Swarthmore Admissions by phone, email, or mail.

Financial aid

Have questions on financial aid? As a school dedicated to affordability and access (ranked #4 in Best Value Schools ), Swarthmore details three commitments to college access:

1. “Need-blind” admissions

Applicants are considered for acceptance independently of their financial status and ability to pay for college. (This applies only to U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens, and undocumented students attending/on track to graduate from a U.S. high school.)

2. Meeting full need

Swarthmore will meet 100% of determined need . This means admitted students will receive financial aid that covers the gap between their family’s financial resources and the cost of attendance.

3. Loan-free aid

Swarthmore does not offer loans, meaning your financial aid package will consist of only grants and work aid. Work aid is essentially an expectation of an on-campus job. This might look different from other school’s financial aid packages, so be sure to keep that in mind when comparing schools.

On Swarthmore’s Financial Aid page, you can read more on tuition and fees and how to apply for financial aid. In fact, you can even use their net price calculator to determine your estimated aid. There’s also a great video on Understanding Swarthmore’s Financial Aid Process alongside many other informative videos on Swarthmore’s Youtube page .

Campus life

Home to a vibrant community of just over 1,600 undergraduate students, Swarthmore is a small, close-knit college. Located about 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia, a suburban setting acts as the backdrop to this beautiful school. As home to the nationally recognized Scott Arboretum , Swarthmore also offers students an environment rich in natural beauty. Swarthmore is rich in tradition and existing events for its student body, from its First and Last Collections to the annual Crum Regatta.

Want to learn more about what it’s like to attend Swarthmore? Check out SwatStories to find first-hand accounts of life on campus written by those who know it best: Swarthmore students. Thinking about the future? You can also learn more about what Swarthmore students have gone on to do after graduation .

Swarthmore Supplemental Essays: Final Takeaways

We hope, after reading our guide to the Swarthmore College supplemental essays, that you feel more prepared to tackle your application. Remember, all students are required to complete two 250-word Swarthmore College supplemental essays as part of their application. Consequently, there are two unique Swarthmore essay prompts: the cultural diversity essay and the intellectual curiosity essay. Because of the word limit, your Swarthmore College essays must be focused and specific to comprehensively answer the prompt.

If you’re looking for more resources to help you with the application process, CollegeAdvisor has everything you need. For more Swarthmore-specific info, check out our How to Get Into Swarthmore guide .  For more tips on writing your Swarthmore supplemental essays, check out our article on How to Write Better Essays . And don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays and Supplemental Essays 201 webinars. For more personalized guidance, contact us today to speak to one of our admissions experts.

This essay guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Apply as a First-Year Student

First-year applicants may apply to Swarthmore via Common Application, Coalition on Scoir Application, or QuestBridge Application. Swarthmore does not have a preference among any of our application options. Please submit only one application in an application year.  International students ,  homeschooled students ,  undocumented students , and  transfer students  should review information specific to their situation. 

Applying via the Common Application

Swarthmore College is one of more than 700 members of the  Common Application . The Common Application allows you to submit one application to as many colleges as you want from their list of members. Each college may ask you to answer member-specific questions, or require you to submit a supplement to the Common Application. You can easily  add Swarthmore to your list of colleges in the Common Application .

In addition to the Common Application's personal statement (you can choose one of seven essay prompts), we ask you to submit no more than 250 words in response to each short answer question. For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, students will be asked to  answer both  of the following questions: 

• What aspects of your self-identity or personal background are most significant to you? Reflecting on the elements of your home, school, or other communities that have shaped your life, explain how you have grown in your ability to navigate differences when engaging with others, or demonstrated your ability to collaborate in communities other than your own.  
• Tell us about a topic that has fascinated you recently – either inside or outside of the classroom. What made you curious about this? Has this topic connected across other areas of your interests? How has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring?

Applying via the Coalition on Scoir Application

Swarthmore is one of more than 100 members who accept the Coalition Application . On the Scoir platform, students can search and discover colleges & universities, collaborate with the people who support them, and apply to Coalition schools. You can easily add Swarthmore to your list of schools in the Coalition App . 

In addition to the Coalition Application's personal statement (you can choose one of six essay prompts), we ask you to submit no more than 250 words in response to each short answer question. For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, students will be asked to answer both   of the following questions: 

Applying via the QuestBridge Application

Swarthmore is a proud partner of  QuestBridge , a program that links low-income students with educational and scholarship opportunities at some of the nation’s best colleges and universities. The QuestBridge  National College Match  helps high-achieving, low-income high school seniors gain admission to a variety of selective colleges with full four-year scholarships through an early application process. The  QuestBridge application  is completely free to students.

National College Match Program

QuestBridge’s National College Match program consists of two parts:

• Students submit the College Match application to QuestBridge and rank up to 15 of QuestBridge’s partner schools based on their preferences. QuestBridge evaluates these students and selects finalists. QuestBridge forwards the applications of finalists to partner schools that the students have identified as their top choices (up to 15).
• The partner schools evaluate the students’ applications and select students for admission; these students are “matched” with their choice schools. Students who are selected for admission to multiple colleges attend—and “match” with—the institution at the top of the ranking list that was submitted with their application. You can see how National College Match works on the QuestBridge website or watch this  helpful video .

Students who match with a partner college receive a full four-year scholarship. This scholarship covers the entire cost of college (tuition, room, board, and other expenses), is loan-free, and requires no parental contribution.

How to Apply

Students must follow the  application timeline  designated by QuestBridge. Students choosing to participate in the National College Match must also submit additional materials, such as financial aid documents, to Swarthmore by the stated deadlines on Swarthmore’s  QuestBridge requirements site . The Swarthmore-QuestBridge Intent to Apply form and Swarthmore Supplement Questions are not required for any National College Match applicants prior to Dec. 1

Non-finalists and those finalists who do not match to a partner college may convert their QuestBridge application to a Swarthmore application by completing the Swarthmore-QuestBridge Intent to Apply form and indicating an application plan (Fall Early Decision, Winter Early Decision, or Regular Decision). This eliminates the need to submit a separate application for admission to Swarthmore beyond the QuestBridge application. Swarthmore is committed to meeting full financial need with loan-free financial aid packages for all students admitted to the College

• You can search  Frequently Asked Questions  on the QuestBridge website.
• If you have specific questions about the QuestBridge partnership with Swarthmore, please email us .
• If you need to submit financial aid documents as part of your QuestBridge application to Swarthmore, please upload them via IDOC .
• Our current QuestBridge Scholars are here to talk with you! If you have questions for a current QB Swattie,  please email the Executive Board ; your email will be answered by a current Swarthmore student who participated in QuestBridge while in high school.

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How to Write the Swarthmore College Supplemental Essay 2018-2019

Swarthmore College is a small, private liberal arts school located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, about an hour away from Philadelphia. Having accepted only 9% of its applicants for the Class of 2022, Swarthmore is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country, often ranked as one of the top three liberal arts colleges in the nation. With 1,581 students enrolled (all undergraduates), Swarthmore boasts small class sizes, extensive course offerings, and an intimate, beautiful campus located on the edge of a forested area called Crum Woods.

Established in 1864 by Quakers, Swarthmore, or “Swat,” as the school is affectionately referred to by many of its students, became a non-religious institution in 1906. However, the college retained remnants of its roots in a multitude of traditions, which set it apart from many of its peer institutions. Examples of these customs include Swat’s singular dining hall (an effort to bring the community together under one roof), the arboretum throughout the campus, which places high value on the natural world, and the activist attitude that permeates throughout the culture of the school.

Even as a school on the smaller side (with 40 different courses of study ), Swat is notably one of the few liberal arts colleges with an engineering program. It also boasts a robust course catalog, from which students can select from over 600 courses.

If in spite of its breadth of curricula, students cannot find exactly what they were looking to study, there is no need to worry. Swarthmore has fantastic partnerships with other top colleges in the area, which allows students to cross-register and take classes at multiple schools. The college is a member of the Tri-College Consortium, along with Bryn Mawr and Haverford , and a member of the Quaker Consortium, which includes the University of Pennsylvania . This means that students have a plethora of drastically different academic opportunities readily available to them at more than one location.

Considering Swarthmore’s strong academic offerings, it comes as no surprise that many students choose to continue their education after graduation. In fact, approximately 90% of graduates eventually attend a graduate or professional school, giving further credit to the school’s reputation as a deeply intellectual institution. Swarthmore is one of the top four schools in the country when ranked by percentage of graduates who go on to obtain a PhD.

Though Swarthmore is mostly renowned for its academics, the campus culture is also extremely rich and vibrant. Students can choose from over one hundred extracurricular organizations, including the award-winning Mock Trial team and several a cappella groups. Greek life has a small but still notable presence on this campus, limited to one sorority and two fraternities.

Applying to Swarthmore

Does Swarthmore indeed sound like the sort of school you see yourself at? Does the low acceptance rate have you overwhelmed? Never fear, our essay specialist team here at CollegeVine has compiled some tips and tricks on how to tackle the Swarthmore application.

Swarthmore accepts the Common Application , the Coalition Application, and the QuestBridge Application. It does not favor any one of these platforms, and you will have an equal chance in the admissions office no matter which one you choose. Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application require applicants to choose one of five prompts (usually asking about applicants’ background, significant experiences, and personal stories) to write a personal statement.

The Common Application is accepted at 700 schools across the nation, while the Coalition Application is only usable at 120 of them. The Coalition platform is geared towards lower-income and underrepresented students, as it only hosts schools who have demonstrated their significant support for undergraduate financial aid.

The essay questions on both platforms are very similar, so you should not be at an advantage or disadvantage regardless of which one you choose. The QuestBridge Application is specifically for low-income students and contains appropriate features to connect these candidates with the most suitable scholarship opportunities. Students applying through QuestBridge will need to submit additional materials to demonstrate their financial need.

In addition to submitting one of the three aforementioned applications, Swarthmore also requires one supplemental essay, with the following prompt.

In 150 to 250 words, please write about why you are interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore.

To effectively respond, you’ll need to research Swarthmore College and provide details on specific areas of study or activities that Swarthmore offers exclusively. It is imperative that you dig deep — look through their course catalog online , browse their list of clubs and organizations , and if possible, visit the campus .

As you will be elaborating on how you plan to live the “Swarthmore experience,” it is beneficial to get in touch with as many Swatties as possible; chat them up about their most memorable exchange with a professor (he/she may well be the professor who will mentor you through your undergraduate career), and about the range of traditions from “First Collection” (a night ritual of candle-lighting, hand-shaking, and speech-making for first-year students at Orientation) to “Screw Your Roommate” (a PG-13 matchmaking event in which you find the date your friends set you up with by looking for identity clues that match your own).

As you sit down to write, consider this: Where do you and Swat overlap? List five to ten names of exact classes and student organizations you want to apply to. Then in a column besides the list, write down how your current life — high school course load, extracurriculars, entrepreneurial endeavors, personal projects — connects to each of the Swarthmore items.

Make sure to pick elements that set Swarthmore apart from other similar institutions in the Quaker Consortium. Refrain from clichés like “the sense of community” or “the location” or the “liberal arts course of study.”

Next, choose two or three items from a variety of categories to incorporate in your essay. For example, instead of discussing three professors whose work you admire, describe one of their works and your connection to it in depth, and spend the rest of the space hashing out your excitement to practice in the Aikido Club, and lighting a candle at “First Collection.” Presenting a range of interests in various aspects of student life shows your breadth of knowledge about Swarthmore, and thereby demonstrates intense interest on your part.

Doing so also indicates that you are a well-rounded individual involved in not just the academic aspect of learning. However, having a unifying theme to your essay can be powerful too. If music moves you, and it shows in your extracurriculars (jazz band, a cappella, chamber music, etc.) you could discuss the appeal of the Lang Concert Hall, studying composition under the distinguished Professor Gerald Levinson, and attending events such as “An Evening with Chris Thile.”

Bring in personal anecdotes or past experiences to elucidate why you are interested in Swarthmore specifically. Remember, you should not only show admissions officers that the college is a good fit for you, but also why you are a good fit for it. Once they are done reading your essay, admissions officers should be able to picture you on their campus.

Let’s say, for instance, that you are specifically looking for an extremely diverse institution of higher learning, but with small class sizes not usually found at large, public universities. Swarthmore uniquely fits this niche, so point it out. You may take this route in your essay: Describe how the communities you hail from have lacked diversity in beliefs, religion, political views or ethnicity, and then name the specifics of Swarthmore College that stand in contrast to your own background. Then, explain how such characteristics will contribute to your personal development using concrete things you may learn about other cultures and initiatives you may start as examples.

Continuing along this vein, you need to illustrate vividly with details so that the admissions officers can clearly see you at the college. For example, you might write about encountering different styles of worship at the Swarthmore Interfaith Center or depict yourself moderating a public debate forum between Swarthmore Students for Liberty and Democratic Socialists of Swarthmore.

Above all, it is vital to ensure that your essay is unique to Swarthmore College. Be extremely wary of including broad statements that could apply to any number of schools. For instance, saying that you want to attend the college because it has “spectacular academic offerings” is something a candidate who has no idea about the school can write. You want to customize this essay so that it applies to the school exclusively. Instead of statements like this, you can achieve the “show, not tell” effect by naming specific offerings, like the Oxbridge tutorial-inspired Honors Program.

With these tips in mind, you are well on your way to writing a memorable Swarthmore College essay. We at CollegeVine wish you the best of luck!

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Boston College (BC) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

You Have: 

Boston College 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 400 words Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball , Community, Why

The writing supplement topics for the 2023-24 application cycle (400 word limit):

*please select one topic, each year at university convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. what book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text .

Calling all bookworms! This prompt asks you to discuss a book by a living author that has made a big enough impression on you to warrant your recommendation to others. At CEA, we always recommend that you choose an unexpected work in order to stand out from the pack. So, you might want to steer clear of books that were assigned reading in school. What have you read that stuck with you because of who you are and what you care about? Which characters did you relate to? Maybe you recently read a memoir that changed the way you approach presence. Why would your peers benefit from a new perspective on living in the moment? Perhaps the thriller you read last summer explores nuanced ethical dilemmas, a conversation-starter you think everyone should engage with. Try to be as creative as possible with your selection here and think about which books have really struck you at your core and why.

At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.

Whether you cherish early-morning car rides to school with your dad, late-night conversations with your sister on the couch, or chatting with your extended family over Zoom, we’re willing to bet there’s at least one person in your life who has challenged your perspectives or vice versa. And Boston College wants to hear all about it.

To make sure your response stands out from the pack, be as specific and purposeful as possible. Boston College has even gone so far as to ask you to cite a specific conversation, so follow through with a detailed account. Maybe you’ve had your beliefs challenged by a cousin who leads a very different lifestyle from you over Thanksgiving dinner. Or, perhaps, you’ve asked probing questions about your dad’s beliefs in order to better understand his worldview during a game of golf. If you can’t recall where you were at the time, no problem; but details are your friend here to add credibility. Whatever conversation you decide to write about, remember that BC is looking to accept thoughtful students to campus who are open to new ideas and engaging with diverse viewpoints.

In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “ The Danger of a Single Story ,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background.  Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?

This prompt will likely stick out to students who know what it’s like to be reduced to one aspect of their background or identity, and odds are, you’d have a specific memory in mind. As you write your response, you’ll want to make sure you summarize your account as succinctly as possible; that way, you can dedicate most of your words to discussing how you felt, how you responded, and how you overcame these challenges. You only have 400 words to work with, so you won’t be able to write a thesis on the general public’s preconceived notions about people living with a disability or women who choose to wear hijabs, but you can reveal more information about your background and experiences living in a world where stories are often assigned to you before you have the chance to introduce yourself.

Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?

Admissions wants to know how you plan to use a BC education to address issues dear to your heart. What you focus on here can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or specific to your city or town. Maybe you have experienced environmental racism firsthand, having had your community’s air and water supply polluted by nearby factory farms for decades. Are you pursuing an Environmental Geoscience degree in hopes of eventually changing laws to improve the health of your community and others experiencing similar injustices? Perhaps you’ve been filming your family and friends since you could wrap your fingers around a camera, so you’re pursuing a degree in Film Studies in hopes of changing peoples’ hearts and minds about your community, however large or small that may be, through powerful documentary storytelling. Whatever path you’re on and issue you’re hoping to address in your career, be sure to use specific examples—both from your own past and from BC’s offerings—to distinguish yourself.

Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only : One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

This prompt, exclusively for Human-Centered Engineering Applicants, is incredibly similar to prompt #3, and our advice is the same: select at least one societal problem that weighs on your heart, explain its significance to you, and describe how you will take advantage of an HCE education to find a solution. You’d be wise to spend some time exploring the HCE program and BC’s offerings at large to show that you’ve done your research and dedicated time to thinking about your future goals and the steps you will take to achieve them.

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Wesleyan University

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Want to see your chances of admission at Wesleyan University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Wesleyan University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short response.

Will you receive, or have you received, your diploma from a high school located in a country other than the United States or Canada? If yes, is your first language a language other than English? If yes, please select one from the following questions and respond in 250 words or less.

Wesleyan President Michael Roth believes a liberal arts education is a pragmatic choice in these times. In what way do you see a liberal arts education having practical value?

What recent news story—local or global—has resonated with you personally? Share the story and tell us why it had that impact on you.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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