princeton extracurricular essay example

5 Princeton Supplemental Essays That Worked

Are you applying to Princeton University in 2024? Or perhaps you're a parent curious about what it takes.

If so, writing great application essays is the most effective way you can stand out.

In this article, I've gathered 5 of the best Princeton essays that worked so that you can get inspired and improve your own essays.

What is Princeton University's Acceptance Rate?

As a world-renowned college, Princeton has highly competitive admissions. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, the Ivy League school received 37,601 applications this past year and only 1,647 of those students were accepted.

That gives Princeton an overall admit rate of 4.4%, or in other words only 1 in every 18 students get accepted.

Princeton University Acceptance Scattergram

While admissions into Princeton is difficult, this only means that your application essays have more of an impact.

To have your best shot of getting admitted, it's important you write stand-out essays in response to Princeton's writing supplement.

What are the Princeton Supplemental Prompts for 2024?

This year, Princeton requires applicants to write three short essays and answer three short answer questions. Princeton also requires that you submit a graded academic paper as a part of your application.

The questions on this page are being asked by Princeton University:

Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

• Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words) (1-200 words)

Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words.

At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future? (50-350 words)

• Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals. (50-350 words)

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (1-50 words)

What brings you joy? (1-50 words)

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (1-50 words)

Princeton requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application. You may submit this material now or any time before the application deadline. If you choose not to upload the required paper at this time, you may mail, e-mail, or upload your paper through the applicant portal. Detailed instructions for our graded paper requirement can be found here.

Do you wish to submit a graded written paper at this time?

Upload the graded written paper here. (0-2000 words)

Additional Information (Optional)

Please attach a document if you wish to provide details of circumstances or qualifications not reflected in the application. (0-2000 words)

5 Princeton University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 5 of the best Princeton essays that worked, inclunding responses to Princeton's writing supplement.

I've also included some Common App essays written by admitted Princeton students.

Princeton University Essay Example #1

Princeton university essay example #2, princeton university essay example #3, princeton university essay example #4, princeton university essay example #5.

Prompt: Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words) (200 words max)

Why This Essay Works:

This essay provides good specifics that elaborate on their extracurricular activity. It is specific where possible, which helps provide context and make more compelling.

What They Might Improve:

This essay touches on the impact of this activity (connection to their religion and friendship), but it could go deeper. The takeaways in this supplement are somewhat surface-level, which is fine to start, but ideally would be expanded upon and more in-depth.

Prompt: Please tell us how you have spent the last two summers (or vacations between school years), including any jobs you have held. (200 words max)

By admitting when things are difficult, you aren't making yourself seem less capable. Instead, showing what is challenging is what admissions wants to see. Challenges are what cause growth and development, so they are important to address.

In several areas of this essay, the author could be more specific to be more engaging. Rather than saying "the research happening in the labs" they could specify what types of research they witnessed. Rather than saying "these experiences were pivotal to my passion for the sciences," they could specify how these experiences gave them a new appreciation and for what areas of science in particular.

Prompt: Tell us about a person who has influenced you in a significant way. (250-650 words)

Last summer I participated in molecular biology research at Boston University. Surrounded by 39 other high school seniors, I perceived with new clarity how an inquisitive, curious mind must interact in an unapologetic manner. Entering lectures about the basics of molecular biology, most of us initially thought we knew a great deal about biology. I quickly realized my naivete, and once I accepted my own ignorance, I settled into a passive absorption mode. The looks on all our faces told the same story. Well, all of ours except Kelsey’s.

Brilliant and inquisitive, Kelsey exhibited no fear raising her hand and boldly asking questions. Even during the portions of the lectures when we were simply reviewing concepts of biology, she never ceased to question the current topic. The first few times she asked questions, I thought she had little background knowledge so she just needed clarification. Yet as the first week progressed, I realized that not only did she have the background information required for this course but also the grit and determination needed for success in research. The levels of her questions stumped our lecturer at times and he responded, “I’ll have to get back to you on that one.”

Often I just wanted to yell, “PUT YOUR HAND DOWN!!!”, as my tolerance for her constant inquiry began to erode while sitting through her questions and their subsequent answers. Due to her deep and thought-provoking questions, she became the class pariah; not necessarily because she was annoying but because of her resolute and indefatigable inquisitiveness. She was insatiable in her pursuit of knowledge, like a ribosome clinging to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Yet as the course progressed, I finally began to notice the value of Kelsey’s questions. She asked questions of importance, questions researchers must ask themselves every day. Her inquiries were thoughts no one else my age seemed to have. The depth and breadth of her ideas fascinated me, especially given that she was only sixteen.

Kelsey’s questions made me realize the importance of questioning preconceived notions.

Subsequently, I became aware of my own willingness to challenge concepts that were accepted and taught as seemingly concrete, and I recognized the danger of blindly absorbing information without disputing it. Seeing the scholarly nature of Kelsey’s intellectual curiosity, I began to emulate her queries during the final few weeks of the program. Not only did I get more out of the lectures, but I also gained the experience necessary to question ideas and facts and search for answers, a vital skill in every academic realm.

As a student with an interest in the sciences, I ask questions that may not have an obvious answer. As someone who strives for knowledge, I am willing to do research if what I am asking has no answer, but I do not simply possess an affinity toward knowledge. I wish to create it. Most young people cite coaches, teachers, or other adults as influential; however, for me, a peer-modeled approach to learning also has merit.

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Common App Prompt #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. (250-650 words)

It's important to create a "voice" in your personal statement, so that admissions officers can imagine your character and personality. Try to write as you would speak, but refined and polished. In this essay, natural-sounding phrases like "...let me admit, I was awful..." humanizes the author and makes the reader feel like they're being spoken to.

This essay is a perfect example of how effective essays don't need to have a super unusual story to be compelling. What makes this essay's story compelling is not necessarily the topic itself (meeting distant relatives), but instead how the student reflects and makes interesting connections to broader ideas. Even seemingly mundane experiences can make for meaningful personal statements topics.

This conclusion works well by connecting to the main story of the essay. However, certain phrases like "As a global citizen" and "I am hoping to forge relationships" are potentially too generic. Instead, try taking your main idea (in this case forming connections with others) and broaden it or connect to more universal ideas.

Common App Prompt #1: 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. (250-650 words)

Having a unifying idea is key to successful personal statements. Find your deepest idea or realization and focus your essay around that.

Find a way to showcase your achievements while connecting to broader, more universal ideas.

Connecting your ending to your beginning is a powerful way to bring your essay full circle. A great conclusion expands on your ideas introduced earlier, while leaving some room for more to be said.

These 5 Princeton essays that worked showcase great examples of responses to the Princeton writing supplement.

What did you think of these Princeton essays?

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Princeton Admitted Essay

People love to ask why. Why do you wear a turban? Why do you have long hair? Why are you playing a guitar with only 3 strings and watching TV at 3 A.M.—where did you get that cat? Why won’t you go back to your country, you terrorist? My answer is... uncomfortable. Many truths of the world are uncomfortable...

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Her baking is not confined to an amalgamation of sugar, butter, and flour. It's an outstretched hand, an open invitation, a makeshift bridge thrown across the divides of age and culture. Thanks to Buni, the reason I bake has evolved. What started as stress relief is now a lifeline to my heritage, a language that allows me to communicate with my family in ways my tongue cannot. By rolling dough for saratele and crushing walnuts for cornulete, my baking speaks more fluently to my Romanian heritage than my broken Romanian ever could....

UPenn Admitted Essay

A cow gave birth and I watched. Staring from the window of our stopped car, I experienced two beginnings that day: the small bovine life and my future. Both emerged when I was only 10 years old and cruising along the twisting roads of rural Maryland...

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How to write the ‘Extracurricular Activity’ essay

How to write the “extracurricular activity” college essay.

Bonus Material: Examples of real supplemental essays that worked for schools like Princeton and Yale

If you’re in the process of applying to colleges, you likely already know that many universities (especially top-tier schools like Ivies) ask you to write essays in response to supplemental prompts. 

When it comes to selective schools, these supplemental essays make a huge difference! Some schools even prioritize your supplemental essays over your Common App personal statement. 

One of the most common supplemental essay prompts asks you to expand on an extracurricular activity you’ve been involved with. This is what we call, for obvious reasons, the Extracurricular Activity essay . 

While it might seem simple, many students misunderstand what colleges want when they ask this question. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what you need to do to write this supplemental essay in a way that gets you to stand out to elite universities. 

As universities get more and more selective, you’ll want to make sure you do everything possible to ensure your admissions application is perfect. At PrepMaven, that’s exactly what we do: for years, our expert tutors have guided students through the college application process, helping them land acceptances at schools like Princeton, Harvard, and MIT. 

Read on for our guide–backed up by years of experience–on how to approach the Extracurricular Activity essay prompt. 

Download 50+ Real Supplemental Essays for Ivy+ Schools

Jump to section: What is the “Extracurricular Activity” essay? Examples of “Extracurricular Activity” prompts What are colleges looking for in this supplemental essay? How to write the “Extracurricular Activity” essay Example of a successful extracurricular essay Analysis of a real extracurricular essay How to choose the topic for the extracurricular essay Next steps

What is the “Extracurricular” essay?

This is pretty much what it sounds like: many universities will, as one of their supplemental writing prompts, ask you to expand upon an extracurricular activity you’ve been involved with. 

But while the directions are pretty clear, what top colleges actually want from you here can be harder to figure out. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about the Extracurricular essay prompt: what the prompts look like, what admission officers want, and how to structure your essay. 

In addition, we’ll break down a real sample essay and analyze how it effectively checks all the boxes for an incredibly strong Extracurricular supplemental. 

After the “Why us?” prompts (on which we have a detailed guide here ), this is one of the most common supplemental essay prompts you’ll encounter, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re ready for this one well ahead of the application deadlines. 

Below, we’ll walk you through what these prompts look like, and what you need to do to answer them effectively. 

Examples of “Extracurricular Activity” prompts

Lots of schools ask a version of this question, but each university has their own spin on it. Take a look below for some examples from the 2023-2024 application cycle: 

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (Harvard) Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 words, Carnegie Mellon) What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college? (200 words, Emory University)

As you can see, each of these looks a bit different, but really they all want to know the same thing: what interests you, and how have you gotten involved with it?

What are colleges looking for when they ask about extracurriculars?

Simply put, they want to see whether you’re really passionate about something. Almost nothing is as impressive to college admissions officers as real, demonstrated passion for some particular interest. 

In our broader guide on the college application process , we talk about the importance of highlighting your extracurricular profile for elite colleges’ admissions committees. While that happens in your Activities List, of course, the Extracurricular essay is your biggest opportunity to show them how you’ve engaged deeply with a particular activity. 

But admissions officers don’t just want to see you’ve been involved with something .

What they want to see in your extracurricular profile are: 

• Initiative 

These may feel like buzzwords (they are), but they really are how admissions committees evaluate your extracurricular profile. 

Did you just compete in a robotics activity, or did you win a state championship? The former is nice; the latter is excellence . 

Did you start volunteering at a local homeless shelter this year, for an hour a week? That’s good, and colleges will appreciate it. But compare that to someone who’s been volunteering for years, dedicating multiple hours a week to the same task: that’s dedication . 

Leadership is more or less self-explanatory: did you participate, or did you hold specific positions, with demonstrated (positive) effects on the club/team/organization you were a part of?

Initiative can be murkier, but it basically has to do with how much effort you had to put in to pursuing your extracurricular in the first place (this often intersects with the other three categories). For example: did you join an existing club, or found your own because of your intense desire to pursue what interests you?

In a nutshell, then, the extracurricular essay prompt gives you the rare and valuable opportunity to show admissions committees one or more of these traits. As you write your essay, think about it in those terms: how can you show your excellence, dedication, leadership, and/or initiative in whatever activity you choose to write on. 

Below, we’ll run down what one of these essays needs to have to wow admissions officers. Although this guide should give you the information you need, there’s never a substitute for a real college essay expert who can help you with your essay live–we always recommend reaching out to one of our essay coaches if you want to maximize your chances of admission.

How to structure an Extracurricular supplemental essay. 

Although every essay is different, there are certain things that the Extracurricular should always do, and there’s a straightforward structure to help you do it. Below, we’ll break down each step of the structure and analyze a real example. 

Generally, though, these Extracurricular essays follow a similar structure: 

• Start with a story
• Give an overview
• Show your passion
• Reflect on how the activity has shaped you

Below, we’ll get into each of these in detail, so that you can have a more precise understanding of what’s expected of you when it comes to this supplemental essay. 

This is often the advice with all college essays, and it’s no less true here: you want to start with something that grabs the reader’s attention. The best way to do that is, more often than not, by throwing the reader right into the middle of a scene or moment. 

As you most likely did in your Common App essay, try to begin with a short paragraph recounting a moment that showcases you in action. Perhaps it’s you in the lab, working on a hypothesis about plant nutrition. Or maybe you’re an artist, and have just dragged your easel and canvas into the forest to paint a landscape. Whatever you do, don’t just tell us–show us you in action. 

The story exists to hook us in, but it won’t tell us everything we need to know. Set aside a small part of the essay to give a broader background for the activity you’re describing so that admissions committees can understand more about the activity itself. 

This part of the essay won’t be the most exciting or flashy, but it will let you convey a lot of information very quickly–making it an excellent place to highlight things like your dedication or initiative when it comes to this extracurricular. 

What does the “overview” part of an extracurricular supplemental look like? We’ll actually take a look at a real sample essay later in the post, but we can describe it briefly here. 

Say you’re writing an essay about performing in musicals. 

The first section (the story ) of your essay might describe you on stage, about to belt out some showtunes. 

The second section (the overview ) might begin something like, “Since the age of 7, I’ve leaped at every chance to perform in musicals: at schools, in local productions, and even with a touring theater troupe.” In just one sentence, you can show us how long you’ve been engaged with the activity and what some of the highlights were. Then, you can continue on by describing more about what your involvement in this extracurricular entails: your role, how your involvement has changed, that kind of thing. 

A word of caution: don’t turn this into a list of your accomplishments and awards. That should already be reflected in the Activities Section of your Common App. But also, it won’t make for a very good essay, and it’ll sound like you’re bragging. Only include accomplishments if they naturally integrate with the story you’re telling. 

Not sure how to balance an overview so that it conveys the right information without becoming bloated or braggy? The best way to be sure is to work with someone who has experience wowing admissions committees themselves. That’s why we always recommend getting a bit of professional help from one of our many Ivy League essay tutors and checking out or collection of real supplemental essays from successful applicants below 

We say it in almost all of our essay guides, but it’s true: nothing makes an essay stand out to admissions committees like a believable, personal description of the passion you feel for what you do. It’s human: we love people who really love what they do.

Whatever you choose to write about, the next section of your Extracurricular essay should focus on conveying the passion you feel for this activity or the satisfaction you gain from it. As always, specific details are key!  

Don’t just say “I love to ride dirt bikes.” It’s not specific, it’s not detailed, it’s not convincing: do you really believe that the person who has nothing more to say than that really loves what they do?

Connect the passion to specific details or moments that you’ve experienced while pursuing this extracurricular. Maybe it’s the specific sensation of dirt showering on you as you land the bike from a jump; maybe it’s the moment a student you tutor turns to you and says how much you’ve helped their confidence. 

Convey your passion by integrating it with the unique details that only you can recount. That’s what makes the difference between a generic, ChatGPT-style extracurricular essay and a compelling, personal one that can wow college admissions committees. 

As always, the extracurricular activity essay isn’t just about the extracurricular activity: it’s about showing how something you’re deeply involved with has affected who you are on the cusp of college. 

What does that look like? It could be a lot of things! Maybe your extracurricular activity actually shaped what you want to study, or how you live your life–if so, great. But it’s also no less important if your extracurricular activity is simply a source of peace or joy, something that takes you away from the stresses of school or other obligations. 

In any case, it’s important to show that you’re the kind of person who thinks about how the things in your life shape you. This section doesn’t have to be long–a sentence or two will do–but it should show the admissions officers what it is you’ve gained from the pursuit of this hobby, passion, or job. 

Example of a successful Extracurricular Essay

Below is an example of a really excellent response to an Extracurricular essay prompt. This sample actually comes from our guide on how to respond to the University of California’s supplemental prompts, but it’s the kind of essay that could easily be used to respond to any college’s Extracurricular supplemental essay prompt. 

The stall horn blares, and the plane sways under the control of my feet. Shoulders tense, I look outside to maintain balance: even a small tap of a foot or shift of the stick could throw the plane into a downwards roll. The plane begins to shake- my cue to recover. I pitch the nose down and push the throttle full forwards. Despite high-stress situations, piloting is my dream career. Whether airliners or navy jets, I know I will be happiest in the air. I started out building model airplanes out of paper and pencils at Civil Air Patrol meetings, which first introduced me to basic aviation principles: pitch, roll, and yaw. From there, a presentation in my computer science class taught me about Joby Aviation, a local startup working on electric gyrocopters for everyday travel. Already knowing I wanted to fly, I felt inspired to work with aircraft as an engineer as well. I decided to enroll in flight lessons and subsequently took a job as a receptionist at my flight school. When flying, time passes by as fast as the air around me. As warnings blare, pilots chatter over the radio and the plane’s glass bubble gets swelteringly hot. There’s a lot to be aware of, but I’ve learned to multitask and focus amidst distractions. Similarly, being at the airport quickly thrust me into the world of aviation. I found myself fascinated not only by aerodynamics but also by fuel chemistry, avionics, and materials. Sumping fuel from the fuel tanks, I wondered, how do different fuel textures affect planes’ engines? Running my hand along the propeller, I pondered: how would the aircraft fly if this were wood? Plastic? I became fascinated by the specificity and variability of aerospace materials and eager to learn more about them. My love for aerospace is part of why I am eager to study engineering. I imagine myself designing new aircraft and optimizing the ones I fly. Whether I become a pilot or an engineer, the lessons I learn flying will be beneficial in any future paths I take.

Analysis of a real Extracurricular supplemental essay

Take another look at the above essay, and notice how it actually neatly follows the structure we’ve been talking about. 

The essay starts suddenly, and with a ton of detail: a stall horn (what’s that?), a plane swaying, a lot of tension. 

It’s important that the story is, itself, hooking and attention-grabbing. But that’s not the sole purpose of the story: the real key here is that it shows the writer in action. They’re not a passive observer or someone along for the ride. They’re making decisions and taking control of a situation, displaying both confidence and competence. 

Those elements together are the key to a successful opening for the extracurricular essay: get our attention, and show us you in action. 

Notice how the second paragraph feels totally different. It’s no longer a pulse-raising story: it’s a quick but detailed overview of how the writer got involved with and pursued this extracurricular activity over a long period of time. 

What do we learn from this overview? The writer started simple, with models at Civic Air Patrol meetings; they continued pursuing this passion through a compsci course and a local internship; they took flight lessons and got practical work experience at a flight school. 

It’s all super quick, and super efficient. There’s some nice details in there (the models, the gyroscope), but the primary function of this section of the essay is just to put the story in context. Think about it as the background that explains how we got to the story in the first place. 

The next paragraph immediately begins by conveying why this activity is so meaningful to the author. We learn that time (literally) flies, that the author learns how to multitask and stay focused under pressure, and that all this leads to a fascination with the science and engineering behind flight. 

Remember when we talked about specifics being the key to conveying passion? Here’s what we meant. The author doesn’t stop at saying what fascinated them. They go way further, posing multiple hyper-specific questions that convey the author’s real, sustained engagement with this activity. 

• Reflection/change

As you can see, this section can be super short! It really just needs to wrap up the essay by showing us how this extracurricular affects the writer. In this case, it has helped shape what the student wants to pursue, even if the student isn’t yet 100% certain about what that path will look like. 

But this essay could have worked just as well if this student wanted to be an English major. The essay would simply have ended with a different kind of reflection, one about the value or lessons that they’re able to take away from the experience of flying. 

At heart, these essays aren’t complicated. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy. Writing the perfect Extracurricular supplemental essay can be incredibly challenging: how do you balance the story, the overview, the passion, the lesson? And all within a very short word count! 

Taking the right approach can mean the difference between boring an admissions committee and stunning them, so it’s not the place to take risks. It’s why we recommend working with a one-on-one PrepMaven essay coach. Not only have our tutors been accepted to the most prestigious schools in the country, but they’ve helped countless students get their own acceptance letters. 

How to choose the topic for an Extracurricular essay

This is a crucial decision, and you don’t want to take it lightly. 

Many students simply pick the activity that they’ve excelled most in, or the one they spend the most time doing. 

That’s often the wrong choice. Not always, of course, but often!

The key consideration is what activity will add the most to your application when described in essay form, as opposed to merely being summarized in 150 characters on your Activities List. 

Sometimes, that really is the same thing as the one you’re most active in; sometimes it’s not. 

For example, let’s say you’re an absolutely amazing athlete who has won titles and awards and all sorts of stuff. Your activities list can, if you’re careful with word count, convey all of those titles, awards, etc. If you were to write a whole essay about your sport, would you really be able to add much that the admissions committee won’t already see?

On the other hand, let’s say that in addition to being an all-star athlete, you’re also a tutor or mentor for a younger student. On the activities list, that won’t look impressive: so many students do peer tutoring that an admission officer’s eyes will glaze right over. But what if you actually developed a strong relationship with a student you mentored? There’s no way to convey that in 150 characters, but it might make for a nice story in 150 words. 

Wherever you can tell the best story, that’s your topic for the extracurricular supplemental. 

Before writing, you should always spend time reading through sample essays. We’ve collected over 50 supplemental essays from our tutors in response to prompts from Ivies and other elite schools. They’re totally free, and you can download them below to see what worked for past applicants. 

Though the steps here might seem simple, they can be astoundingly hard to pull off in just 250 words or less, which is usually the word count for this kind of supplemental essay. But if you can thread the needle and do everything listed above on this kind of essay, it can make a huge difference for your application. 

Most people don’t treat the supplemental essays as if they were particularly important, but they absolutely are: each college has put time and resources into coming up with these supplemental essay prompts because they want to see what you have to say. 

If you’ve read this guide carefully, then it’s time to start drafting! If you want to ensure that you’re writing the kind of essay that can get you into a top tier school, however, it often pays to get a second opinion. Our college essay experts have helped thousands of students get admitted into their dream schools, and are ready to help you do the same as soon as you’re ready. 

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How To Write The Princeton Supplemental Essays (2021-2022)

Adrianne is a Master Admissions Counselor and TV/film director, producer, writer, and actress currently based in LA. She uses her experience in multiple disciplines to help students achieve their personal and academic goals.

Welcome to the Princeton supplemental essays for the 2021-2022 application cycle!

The Princeton writing supplement divides its essays into the following sections: “Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience,” “Your Voice,” and “More About You.” For Princeton supplemental essay questions — which you can find here on the Princeton website — you have more power to shape your responses as you write your application. It’s worth putting significant effort into these since Princeton’s extremely low acceptance rate means you need to stand out in a very competitive pool.

Here’s how to write the best Princeton supplemental essays possible.

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who are Undecided:

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in about 250 words.)

If you’re already familiar with many of the common questions on college applications, this question is essentially the “Why Major” prompt , which usually asks you about the specific programs, majors, and concentrations you’d like to pursue at the given school. The key to writing this essay is extensive research into Princeton’s offerings in the classroom.

Dive into class descriptions, syllabi, faculty research, and anything you can find to help you craft your essay with as much specific detail as possible . Without repeating your resume or getting too repetitive in the context of the rest of your application, tie in your experience to these specific offerings to show how you will take advantage of the resources you’d have access to at Princeton. Show them what makes you excited to learn and fuels your curiosity about the subjects you love the most.

Obviously, Princeton is world-renowned for its academics, but avoid mentioning this prestige as a reason you want to attend. With 32,835 applicants for the class of 2024 , it’s safe to assume most applicants are interested in Princeton’s prestige — instead, focus on what makes Princeton a great academic fit for you and you a great fit for them.

For B.S.E Degree Applicants:

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in about 250 words.)

The same “Why Major” insight mentioned above applies here as well. Since the prompt specifically asks for you to describe any previous experience, make sure that is a significant part of your essay — balance that the same specific, in-depth research you should do on the engineering program. Focus less on the aspect of academic curiosity since that is not a part of this prompt.

Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words.)

This is a very common prompt at top-tier and mid-tier schools alike, where they’re giving you the opportunity to elaborate on activities that you otherwise have to summarize in less than 150 characters earlier in your application. Some people have very impressive accomplishments that will naturally fall into this prompt: winning an international award in an academic competition, being an exceptionally talented musician, etc. For the rest of us, and for those people too, you should focus intensely on why the activity was meaningful to you beyond the awards and recognition. How did it shape you as a person?

Participating in a high school club and doing well at the state level is certainly an accomplishment, but that on its own isn’t enough to convince Princeton admissions officers that you qualify for admission to their school. To make a description of an otherwise-fairly-common activity into a standout essay, you need to analyze it in a compelling manner. What did you take away from this activity that nobody else did? Maybe you did martial arts, but instead of focusing on how you learned to work hard (which way too many extracurricular essays do), you discuss your reflections on the obedience culture and conflict of traditional practice and modern knowledge. A unique take with thoughtful discussion is necessary to present yourself as someone able to make the most of opportunities, and thus deserving of those Princeton provides.

Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words.

1. At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

This is frankly an exceptionally hard prompt to respond to in a mature and positive manner. First, it forces you to consider what difficult conversations you have had about sensitive topics — you may not have many conversations to reflect on. Second, it asks you to communicate the nuance of your conversation on an important and controversial topic, what you learned from the encounter, and how it will be important in your future endeavors… all in 250 words.

Many people will default to conversations on politics and race here, and while these can be strong options if you have had meaningful experiences, I’d encourage you to brainstorm a little longer, especially if you’re talking about hearing someone else’s story and empathizing with them. Unique topics can make your essay memorable. What is a conversation that made you view others or yourself differently?

Whatever you write about, make sure your opinion is well-informed and succinct. Read up on the topic to discuss it appropriately before writing your essay. Reinforce a feeling of compassion and understanding instead of claiming victory or insisting you were right (so maybe don’t talk about a debate competition). Show yourself able to engage in the gray answers to some of our biggest modern questions, and you’ll make progress in convincing the reader you would fit as a Princeton student.

2. Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

This is a variation on a classic prompt about community and/or the meaning of community to you. Colleges understandably want students who are going to leave lasting impacts on their campuses, especially at a well-known school like Princeton. Consider how you can best convince the Princeton admissions committee that you are going to be a force for good on their campus. This will likely involve discussing a time you took initiative to change something upon noticing a problem.

Alongside being intelligent, Princeton students are also very passionate about making a difference. How have you done that in your school, town, or state already? If you haven’t done something yet, then write an essay looking towards the future (the “or will intersect” part) that convinces them you will. Come up with a viable and impactful plan to improve the world with your abilities and make them want to give you the education that will support that improvement. Avoid speaking in generalities and vague statements, as your essay will be forgettable without specific details.

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

First of all, there are definitely wrong answers — don’t be fooled. These questions help Princeton admissions officers get a better feel for how your personality fits their college and could also be called “personality questions.” Princeton is known as upscale, sometimes artsy, cerebral, and very put together, although there is a lot of diversity in these features among the undergraduate population. But since you don’t have much room, you need to convey all of this as efficiently as possible.

Would you get along well with the people at Princeton? This is where they look to find that out.

1. What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

Think back to Princeton’s desired traits. Don’t just say you want to learn guitar or karate without a good reason to back it up. There are thousands of “skills” you could learn, so pick one and describe its unique appeal among this vast array of potential abilities. And make sure that it fits with the overall narrative you’ve been crafting throughout your Princeton application.

2. What brings you joy?

Well, ask yourself: what brings you joy? The best advice here is to be honest and be yourself, as they mention above. An admissions officer can smell a disingenuous answer to this question like “math problems” or “studying for history tests” from a mile away. Paint yourself as an honest and balanced human more than just an intense student in your answer to this. Obviously, stay away from inappropriate or completely irrelevant topics, but there is no need to convince Princeton that you’re someone you’re not.

3. What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

It would be smart here to pick something the admissions officers are likely to have heard — obscure music, even if it is a genuine interest of yours, may not play well. They probably won’t look up many of peoples’ responses here given their time constraints, so pick a song that strikes that balance between recognizable and unique. Stay away from overly explicit and inappropriate music. Consider the kind of music that tells a story similar to the situation you’re in currently.

Princeton requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application.

This is a pretty unique request on a college application, but it speaks to Princeton’s emphasis on their students’ academic prowess. Of course, pick a paper where you got great feedback and a high grade. The more complex and polished the argument you make in the paper, the better, especially if it’s about an interesting and/or unexpected topic. If you have no idea what to submit, ask your teacher in your best subject what they might recommend submitting.

If you’re looking for help on your Princeton supplemental essays, set up a free consultation with one of our expert college admissions consultants . We offer hands-on essay ideation, drafting, and editing assistance.

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Princeton Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

Unlike the broader prompts of the Coalition Application, Common Application, or the QuestBridge Application, Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 are meticulously designed to uncover the multifaceted nature of each applicant. These essays are an opportunity to converse with the admissions committee to share your story, perspectives, and the diverse experiences that have shaped you.

As you prepare to articulate your thoughts, remember that these essays are a platform to demonstrate your academic interests and your potential to contribute to the vibrant Princeton community. We’ll delve into the nuances of Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024, offering insights and strategies to help you craft responses.

How Many Supplemental Essays Does Princeton Have?

The structure of Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 is tailored to elicit a broad spectrum of responses, ensuring that each applicant can showcase their unique background and interests. All applicants must answer two essay prompts .

Applicants for the A.B. degree, as well as those who are still undecided, are required to respond to a distinct application prompt. Similarly, students applying for the B.S.E. degree also have their specific prompt to address.

Additionally, all applicants must respond to short-answer questions to uncover more personal and creative aspects of their character. These questions are brief yet profound, allowing a glimpse into what drives you, what you cherish, and how you perceive the world.

What are the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2023-2024?

Princeton University seeks to gain a more comprehensive understanding of prospective students by requiring them to submit a series of supplemental essays. These essays are intended to provide insight into students’ unique perspectives and experiences in addition to their academic achievements.

Essay Questions

• Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?  (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.)
• Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Essay Question- A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

• As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Essay Question- B.S.E Degree Applicants

• Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Short Answer Questions (50 words or fewer)

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
• What brings you joy?
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2023-2024?

Writing Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 is an exercise in introspection and articulation. It’s about delving deep into your experiences and emerging with insights that resonate with authenticity.

Remember that these essays are your opportunity to speak directly to the admissions committee, to make them see the world through your eyes, and to convince them of your potential to thrive and contribute at Princeton.

Princeton Essay Question 1

Question 1 of Princeton’s Supplemental Essay 2023-2024 focuses on community and personal growth. It asks you to reflect on how your lived experiences will influence the conversations you will have within the Princeton community.

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?  

This question is not just about what you have experienced but, more importantly, how these experiences have shaped your perspectives, values, and interactions with others. It’s an opportunity to showcase your ability to engage in meaningful dialogue, your willingness to learn from others, and your capacity to contribute to a diverse and dynamic community.

Understanding Princeton Essay Question 1

To effectively address Princeton Essay Question 1, it’s crucial to grasp its underlying intent. This prompt gauges your self-awareness, empathy, and ability to contribute to a diverse community.

It’s about understanding the value of different perspectives and how your unique experiences can enrich the collective conversation at Princeton. Reflect on moments in your life that have shaped your worldview. Consider how these experiences have prepared you to engage with and learn from people with different backgrounds and beliefs.

Brainstorming Your Response: Princeton Essay Question 1

Crafting a response to Princeton Essay Question 1 requires deep introspection and a clear understanding of how your experiences have shaped you. This question is an opportunity to reflect on your journey and how it has prepared you to contribute to Princeton’s diverse and intellectually stimulating environment. Here’s a guide to help you brainstorm effectively:

• Identify Pivotal Moments : Begin by recalling significant events or experiences in your life that have had a profound impact on your perspective or values. These could be challenges you’ve overcome, achievements you’re proud of, or moments of revelation. The key is to focus on experiences that have been transformative in shaping your worldview. Reflect on why these moments were pivotal and how they redefined your understanding of yourself and the world around you.
• Reflect on Lessons Learned : Every significant experience teaches us something. Delve into what these pivotal moments taught you about yourself, others, and the broader world. This is not just about the events but the insights you gained from them. Did they make you more empathetic, resilient, or open-minded? Understanding these lessons is crucial in demonstrating your capacity for growth and reflection.
• Connect to Community Engagement : Consider how your lessons have influenced your approach to interacting with diverse groups and engaging in community discussions. Princeton values students who can contribute positively to its community. Highlight how your experiences have equipped you to engage with people from different backgrounds, contribute to meaningful discussions, and foster an inclusive environment.
• Personal Growth Insights : Reflect on how these experiences have contributed to your personal growth and understanding of different viewpoints. This is about showcasing your journey towards becoming a more well-rounded individual. Discuss how your experiences have expanded your perspectives, challenged your preconceptions, and enhanced your ability to understand and appreciate diverse viewpoints.
• Future Contributions : Finally, think about how you can apply these lessons and insights to enrich conversations at Princeton. This is where you connect your past experiences and growth to your future potential. Illustrate how your unique perspectives and insights will contribute to the Princeton community, both in and out of the classroom. Show how your journey has shaped you and prepared you to make meaningful contributions to the conversations and experiences at Princeton.

Structuring Your Answer for Princeton Essay Question 1

When structuring your response to Princeton Essay Question 1, start with a compelling narrative that draws the reader into your world.

Begin with a specific personal story or experience that serves as a foundation for your essay. This anecdote should vividly illustrate the critical knowledge you’re discussing and set the stage for the insights you’ve gained. In the body of your essay, delve into the lessons learned from this experience. Be reflective and analytical, showing how these lessons have shaped your perspective and approach to community engagement.

Finally, conclude by connecting these insights to your potential contributions to the Princeton community. Highlight how your experiences and the lessons you’ve learned will enable you to engage in meaningful conversations and bring a unique perspective to campus discussions. Remember, the goal is to create a cohesive narrative that answers the prompt and showcases your ability to reflect, learn, and contribute in a community setting.

Princeton Essay Question 2

Question 2 of the Princeton Supplemental Essay 2023-2024 application cycle delves into social responsibility and civic engagement, core tenets of the university’s ethos. This prompt asks you to reflect on and articulate how your journey aligns with these ideals.

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? 

In 250 words, you are invited to explore and share instances from your life that demonstrate your commitment to service and engagement in societal issues. This question is an opportunity to showcase your understanding of and participation in activities that contribute to the greater good.

Understanding Princeton Essay Question 2

To effectively address Princeton Essay Question 2, it’s essential to understand what the university is seeking. This prompt is not merely a query about your community service experiences; it’s an invitation to demonstrate your comprehension of and commitment to societal responsibility.

Princeton is looking for students who recognize the importance of civic engagement and actively incorporate these values into their lives. This question seeks to uncover how you have applied the concept of service in your actions and how these experiences have shaped your perspective on societal responsibilities.

It’s an opportunity to show how your personal story intersects with the broader narrative of community service and civic engagement, highlighting your potential to contribute to Princeton’s culture of social responsibility.

Brainstorming Your Response: Princeton Essay Question 2

When approaching Princeton’s second essay question, which focuses on your commitment to service and civic engagement, it’s essential to delve into your personal experiences and reflect on how they align with Princeton’s values. This essay will showcase your dedication to societal contributions and how these experiences have shaped your perspective and aspirations. Here’s a guide to help you brainstorm effectively:

• Reflect on Meaningful Experiences : Start by identifying moments or activities in your life where you actively engaged in community service or civic engagement. These experiences range from volunteering at local organizations to participating in community projects or advocacy work. The key is to focus on experiences that were meaningful to you and had a significant impact on your understanding of service and community. Describe these moments in detail, emphasizing why they were important and how they resonated with your values.
• Personal Motivations : Reflect on what drives your commitment to service. This could stem from personal values, a desire to make a difference or experiences that have inspired you to help others. Understanding and articulating your motivations is crucial as it gives depth to your actions and shows a genuine commitment to civic responsibility. Explain how these motivations align with your broader life values and how they have guided your choices and actions in community service.
• Impact and Learning : Consider your service activities’ impact on the community and yourself. Discuss how your involvement has benefited others and what you have learned from these experiences. This could include gaining new perspectives, developing empathy, or understanding community needs better. Highlighting the mutual impact underscores the significance of your engagement and shows your ability to reflect on and learn from your experiences.
• Challenges Overcome : Reflecting on challenges you faced during your service activities and how you addressed them can provide insights into your problem-solving skills and resilience. Discuss any obstacles you encountered, whether logistical, interpersonal, or emotional, and how you overcame them. This demonstrates your commitment to service despite difficulties and your ability to adapt and persevere in challenging situations.
• Future Aspirations : Finally, contemplate how these experiences have influenced your future goals regarding civic responsibility. Discuss how your engagement in service and civic activities has shaped your aspirations, whether it’s continuing community service, advocating for change, or incorporating these values into your future career. This shows a forward-looking perspective and a continued commitment to contributing positively to society.

Structuring Your Answer for Princeton Essay Question 2

When structuring your response to Princeton Essay Question 2, begin with a compelling introduction that sets the stage for your narrative.

Start with a specific instance or story that epitomizes your commitment to service and civic engagement. This anecdote should be engaging and reflective of your more profound understanding of societal responsibilities.

In the body of your essay, expand on this experience, detailing your motivations, challenges, and the impact of your actions. Be reflective and honest, showcasing how these experiences have shaped your perspective and commitment to societal issues.

Conclude by tying your personal story to your future aspirations, illustrating how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to and benefit from Princeton’s culture of service and civic engagement. Remember, this essay is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of and commitment to societal responsibility, aligning your narrative with Princeton’s values.

Essay Question for A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

The Princeton essay question for A.B. degree applicants or those who are undecided is a thought-provoking prompt that invites you to introspect and articulate your academic curiosities and aspirations.

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests?

This question is not merely about listing your interests; it’s an opportunity to demonstrate how your intellectual pursuits align with the unique educational offerings at Princeton. As a renowned research institution with a solid liberal arts curriculum, Princeton offers diverse academic disciplines.

Understanding Princeton Essay Question for A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

To effectively respond to this essay question, it’s crucial to understand what Princeton seeks. This prompt gauges your passion for learning and how well you have explored and understood your academic interests. It’s an opportunity to showcase your intellectual curiosity and how it drives your pursuit of knowledge.

Princeton is looking for students with apparent academic interests and an understanding of how these interests fit into a broader educational context. This essay should reflect your ability to connect your interests and the specific academic programs and resources offered at Princeton.

Expressing Academic Curiosities

Concerning Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024, expressing your academic curiosities is not just about listing your interests; it’s about weaving a narrative that demonstrates your passion for learning and how it has evolved .

This is your opportunity to delve deep into the subjects that ignite your intellectual fire and explain why they captivate you. Perhaps the intricate puzzles of mathematics, the rich tapestries of history, or the cutting-edge advancements in biotechnology draw you in.

Whatever your interests, the key is to convey them in a way that reflects a genuine enthusiasm for knowledge and discovery. It’s also important to reflect on how these interests have shaped your academic journey. Have they influenced your choice of courses, extracurricular activities, or personal projects?

This introspection shows Princeton’s admissions committee what you are passionate about and how these passions have driven your educational choices and experiences, painting a picture of a dedicated and curious learner.

Brainstorming Your Response: Princeton Essay Question for A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

When tackling the Princeton essay question for A.B. degree applicants or those who are undecided, it’s crucial to convey a clear and passionate understanding of your academic interests and how they align with what Princeton University offers. This essay is your chance to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and how Princeton’s unique educational environment can nurture and develop your academic pursuits. Here’s a structured approach to brainstorming your response:

• Identify Your Academic Interests : List the subjects or fields most captivating your intellectual curiosity. These could range from broad disciplines like biology or history to more specific areas of interest like renewable energy or medieval literature. The key here is to delve into why these subjects intrigue you. Is it the complexity, the potential for innovation, or the historical significance that draws you in? This step is about laying the foundation of your essay by clearly defining what drives your academic passions.
• Research Princeton’s Programs : Once you’ve identified your interests, the next step is to research how they align with Princeton’s offerings. This involves looking into specific courses, departments, professors, and research opportunities related to your interests at Princeton. For instance, if you’re interested in environmental science, explore Princeton’s environmental studies program, notable faculty members in that department, and any unique research initiatives or projects. This research will inform your essay and demonstrate to the admissions committee that your choice of Princeton is well-considered.
• Personal Experiences : Reflect on personal or academic experiences significantly shaping your interests. This could include specific classes that piqued your interest, projects you’ve undertaken, extracurricular activities, or real-world experiences that have influenced your academic direction. Discussing these experiences provides context to your interests and shows how they have evolved. It also offers insight into your learning journey and how you have pursued your passions.
• Future Goals : Consider how studying your areas of interest at Princeton will help you achieve your long-term academic and career objectives. This is where you connect your current interests with your future aspirations. Explain how Princeton’s educational environment and resources will support your goals. Whether preparing for a specific career path or furthering your understanding in a particular field, this section bridges your present interests with your future ambitions.
• Unique Offerings : Finally, consider what unique aspects of Princeton’s curriculum, culture, and resources particularly appeal to your interests. This could be anything from Princeton’s interdisciplinary approach, specific courses that are unique to the university, opportunities for undergraduate research, or the overall academic environment. Highlighting these aspects shows that you deeply understand what Princeton offers and how it stands out from other institutions in nurturing your academic interests.

Structuring Your Answer: Princeton Essay Question for A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

When structuring your response to this essay question, start with a clear and engaging introduction that outlines your primary academic interests. This introduction should list these interests and hint at why they fascinate you.

In the body of your essay, delve into how these interests have developed over time. Discuss any relevant experiences, such as projects, readings, or encounters, that have shaped your academic journey. Then, transition into how Princeton’s specific programs, courses, and resources align with and can further these interests. Be specific in your references to Princeton’s offerings, showing that you have researched and understand how the university can uniquely support your academic pursuits.

Conclude by tying together your interests and Princeton’s offerings, illustrating a clear and thoughtful connection between the two. This conclusion should leave no doubt that Princeton is the ideal place for you to grow intellectually and achieve your academic goals. Remember, this essay is an opportunity to showcase your interests and ability to make informed and meaningful connections between your educational journey and what Princeton offers.

Essay Question for B.S.E Degree Applicants

The Princeton essay question for B.S.E. degree applicants is a focused prompt that seeks to understand your interest in engineering and how it aligns with the opportunities at Princeton University.

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. 

This question is not just an inquiry about your interest in engineering as a field; it’s a request for a narrative that combines your past experiences, current passions, and future aspirations in engineering. In a concise 250-word response, you are encouraged to weave together your journey in engineering – be it through academic pursuits, personal projects, or extracurricular activities – and articulate how Princeton’s engineering program aligns with your goals.

Understanding Princeton Essay Question for B.S.E Degree Applicants

To effectively respond to the B.S.E. degree essay question, it’s essential to understand what Princeton seeks to learn about you. This prompt aims to gauge your genuine interest in engineering and your knowledge of what makes Princeton’s engineering program distinct and suited to your aspirations.

It’s an opportunity to showcase your understanding of engineering and how your experiences have shaped your decision to pursue this path. The admissions committee is looking for candidates who can demonstrate a clear connection between their past experiences in engineering, their current academic and career goals, and the specific aspects of Princeton’s engineering program that appeal to them.

Demonstrating Passion for Engineering

When responding to Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024, particularly for those aspiring to join the B.S.E. program, demonstrating a genuine passion for engineering is crucial. This passion goes beyond a mere interest in the subject; it’s about showing a deep, intrinsic motivation and enthusiasm for engineering.

Your essay should reflect a clear understanding of what engineering means to you and how it resonates with your personal and professional aspirations. It’s about conveying your excitement for the field and your commitment to pursuing it as a career.

To effectively demonstrate this passion, focus on specific aspects of engineering that fascinate you. Whether it’s the potential for innovation, the challenge of problem-solving, or the opportunity to contribute to societal advancement, your essay should clearly articulate why engineering is not just a choice but a calling for you.

Brainstorming Your Response: Princeton Essay Question for B.S.E Degree Applicants

When preparing your response to the Princeton essay question for B.S.E. degree applicants, it’s essential to articulate your passion for engineering and how Princeton’s program aligns with your aspirations. This essay is an opportunity to showcase your experiences, interests, and goals in engineering and how they connect with the unique educational opportunities at Princeton. Here’s how you can structure your brainstorming process:

• Personal Engineering Experiences : Begin by reflecting on any significant experiences you’ve had in engineering. This could include hands-on projects, internships, participation in competitions, or research endeavors. Describe these experiences in detail, focusing on what you learned and how they fueled your passion for engineering. Whether it was building a robot, interning at a tech company, or conducting a research project, these experiences demonstrate your practical engagement with engineering and provide a solid foundation for your essay.
• Specific Interests in Engineering : Identify the areas within engineering that particularly excite you and explain why. Are you fascinated by renewable energy robotics or passionate about biomedical engineering? Delve into the reasons behind your interests – the potential impact on society, the intellectual challenges they present, or personal experiences that have drawn you to these fields. This step defines your engineering passions and how they have shaped your academic and career aspirations.
• Princeton’s Engineering Program : Research and highlight specific aspects of Princeton’s engineering program that align with your interests. Look into courses, professors whose work you admire, labs conducting groundbreaking research, or unique resources and facilities available at Princeton. This is your chance to demonstrate that you understand what Princeton offers and how it supports your engineering ambitions.
• Connection to Future Goals : Think about how studying engineering at Princeton will help you achieve your long-term career aspirations. Whether you aim to innovate in sustainable energy solutions, contribute to cutting-edge technological advancements, or lead in engineering, discuss how Princeton’s program is a stepping stone towards these goals. This section should bridge your interests and experiences with your future career plans, showing a clear trajectory that Princeton can help facilitate.
• Personal Growth and Development : Finally, consider how your experiences have prepared you for the rigors and challenges of an engineering program at an Ivy League university like Princeton. Reflect on the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from your experiences and how they have equipped you to succeed in a demanding academic environment. This could include problem-solving skills, teamwork, resilience, or a strong work ethic. Highlighting these aspects shows that you are passionate about engineering and ready to thrive in Princeton’s challenging yet rewarding program.

Structuring Your Answer: Princeton Essay Question for B.S.E Degree Applicants

When structuring your response to the B.S.E. degree essay question, begin with a compelling introduction highlighting your passion for engineering. This could be a brief anecdote or a statement that captures your interest in the field.

In the body of your essay, elaborate on your experiences in engineering, focusing on those most influential in shaping your decision to pursue this path. Be specific in detailing these experiences and how they have prepared you for further study in engineering. Next, connect these experiences to the aspects of Princeton’s engineering program that appeal to you. Show that you have researched and understand how Princeton’s resources, faculty, and opportunities align with your interests and goals.

Conclude by summarizing how Princeton’s program is the ideal fit for your engineering aspirations, tying together your past experiences, current interests, and plans. This conclusion should reinforce your enthusiasm for engineering and your conviction that Princeton is the best place for you to grow and succeed in this field. Remember, this essay is an opportunity to showcase your passion for engineering and your thoughtful consideration of how Princeton will help you achieve your academic and professional objectives.

Short Answer Questions

The short answer questions for the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 application cycle present a unique challenge and opportunity within college admissions. Unlike the longer essay prompts, these questions require succinct yet impactful responses, each limited to 50 words or fewer.

These questions are designed to glean insights into your personality, interests, and perspectives in a concise format. They ask about a new skill you wish to learn in college, what brings you joy, and a song that represents your life’s current soundtrack.

Understanding Princeton Short Answer Questions

Understanding the intent behind Princeton’s short answer questions is critical to crafting effective responses. These questions are not just about brevity but depth and authenticity compacted into a small package. Each question aims to reveal different facets of your personality and preferences.

The question about a new skill you wish to learn in college probes your aspirations and openness to growth. The inquiry about what brings you joy seeks to uncover what you value and find meaningful. The question about a song representing your life’s soundtrack is an invitation to express your current state of mind or life phase creatively. These questions collectively offer a snapshot of who you are beyond academic achievements and extracurricular involvements.

Personal Insights

Personal insights are pivotal when crafting responses for Princeton’s 2023-2024 supplemental essays. These essays are not just a test of your writing skills or academic prowess; they are a window into your personality, values, and the unique perspectives you bring to the table.

This is your chance to let the admissions committee see the person behind the grades and test scores. It’s about sharing your story, passions, and the experiences that have shaped you. Whether it’s reflecting on a significant challenge you’ve overcome, a moment of epiphany, or a personal achievement, these insights should give a clear picture of who you are and what you stand for.

They should reveal your character, your motivations, and how your experiences have prepared you for the academic and social environment at Princeton. Remember, the goal is to connect with the reader on a human level, showing them a glimpse of your world and inviting them to see things from your perspective.

Brainstorming Your Response: Princeton Short Answer Questions

When addressing the Princeton short answer questions, it’s crucial to provide concise yet meaningful responses that glimpse your personality, interests, and aspirations. These questions are designed to understand you better as an individual beyond your academic achievements and extracurricular involvements. Here’s how you can effectively brainstorm your responses:

• New Skill : Reflect on a new skill or area of knowledge you’re eager to explore in college. This could be something that complements your major, a hobby you’ve always wanted to pursue, or a skill that aligns with your career aspirations. Think about why this particular skill fascinates you. Is it the challenge it presents, its relevance to your future goals, or simply the joy of learning something new? Your choice of skill and the reason behind it can reveal a lot about your interests, your approach to learning, and your openness to new experiences. This response should give a sense of your curiosity and how you wish to grow during college.
• Joy : Consider moments, activities, or experiences that bring genuine happiness or contentment. This could range from a cherished hobby, time spent with loved ones, to a particular accomplishment. Reflect on why these experiences are meaningful to you. Is it the sense of peace they bring, the fulfillment of personal passions, or the connections they foster with others? Your response should illuminate what you value most and what keeps you motivated and inspired. It’s an opportunity to show Princeton what lies at the core of your happiness and how these joyful experiences have shaped you.
• Soundtrack of Life : Choose a song that resonates with your current life phase, emotions, or aspirations. This isn’t just about picking a favorite tune; it’s about finding a piece of music that holds significant meaning for you at this point in your life. Consider why this song stands out – does it encapsulate your feelings, reflect your experiences, or represent your hopes for the future? Be prepared to explain its significance, as this can offer a unique insight into your personality, life journey, and perspective on the world. This response allows you to connect with the admissions committee more personally, using music as a universal language to express aspects of your identity.

Structuring Your Answer: Princeton Short Answer Questions

Structuring your answers to Princeton’s short answer questions requires a balance of clarity, conciseness, and creativity.

Start each response with a direct answer and a brief explanation or example that adds depth. For the new skill question, identify the skill and briefly explain why it interests you or how it aligns with your plans. When discussing what brings you joy, be specific and personal; this is an opportunity to share a glimpse of your life and values. Choose a track with personal significance for the song question and briefly describe why it represents your current life phase.

Remember, each response should stand alone as a clear and thoughtful reflection of your personality and experiences. The goal is to give the admissions committee a richer, more rounded understanding of who you are in just a few words.

In conclusion, the journey of crafting Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 is both a reflective and strategic process. These essays are a unique opportunity for you to showcase your individuality, intellectual curiosity, and the value you can bring to the Princeton community.

They are about impressing the admissions committee with your achievements and aspirations and presenting a genuine, multi-dimensional portrait of who you are. As you reflect on your experiences, interests, and goals, remember that each essay is a piece of a giant puzzle that collectively illustrates your story.

The key is approaching these essays with thoughtfulness, creativity, and sincerity, ensuring each response stands out and complements the others to present a cohesive and compelling narrative of your journey.

Summarizing the Key Takeaways for Writing Princeton’s Supplemental Essays

The key takeaways for writing Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 revolve around authenticity, depth, and clarity. First and foremost, be authentic in your storytelling. Let your unique voice and perspective shine through in every essay.

Secondly, delve deep into your experiences and thoughts. It’s not just about what happened but how these experiences have shaped you and your worldview. Be introspective and reflective, offering insights that go beyond the surface.

Lastly, clarity is crucial. With the word limits imposed, it’s essential to be concise yet powerful in your expression. Every word should serve a purpose: to evoke emotion, illustrate a point, or reveal something new about you. Remember, these essays are a chance to add color and context to the numbers and lists on your application, providing a fuller picture of who you are.

Final Tips on Authenticity, Coherence, and Ensuring the Essays Collectively Present a Well-Rounded Picture of the Applicant

As a final piece of advice, focus on authenticity, coherence, and presenting a well-rounded picture of yourself through Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024. Authenticity is about being true to yourself and your experiences. Don’t try to mold your essays to what you think the admissions officers want to hear. Instead, share your true self, genuine interests, and real aspirations.

Coherence is about ensuring that your essays, while they cover diverse topics, still weave together a consistent and clear narrative about you. They should complement each other, adding a new layer to your profile.

Lastly, aim to present a well-rounded picture of yourself. Cover different facets of your personality and life – your intellectual side, personal growth, passions, and aspirations. This holistic approach will help the admissions committee see you as a student and a valuable future member of the Princeton community.

Call to Action

Consider this a call to action as you begin crafting Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024. This is not just an application requirement; it’s an opportunity to make your voice heard and your story known. Approach these essays with the seriousness and creativity they deserve.

Remember, these essays are more than just words on a page; they are a mosaic of your experiences, beliefs, and aspirations. They are your chance to stand out in a pool of highly talented individuals and to show Princeton why you are a perfect fit for their community.

So, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and dive into this process enthusiastically and confidently. Your journey to Princeton starts with these essays, and how you craft them could shape the next few years of your academic and professional life.

Encouraging Students to Start Early and Seek Feedback on Their Essays

One of the most crucial pieces of advice for tackling Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 is to start early. Give yourself ample time to brainstorm, write, and revise. This is not a task to be rushed. The more time you have, the more you can refine your thoughts and articulate them in a way that genuinely reflects who you are.

Additionally, don’t hesitate to seek feedback. Share your essays with teachers, mentors, or anyone whose opinion you value. Fresh eyes can provide new perspectives and valuable insights you might have missed. Feedback is a critical part of the writing process, and it can transform good essays into great ones. Remember, these essays reflect you, so take the time to ensure they are as strong as possible.

Reminding of the Importance of Proofreading and Refining Essays Before Submission

Lastly, proofreading and refining your essays before submission cannot be overstated. Princeton’s supplemental essays for 2023-2024 are your ticket to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and they need to be flawless.

Proofreading goes beyond correcting grammatical errors or typos; it’s about fine-tuning your language, ensuring clarity of thought, and maintaining a consistent tone. Read your essays multiple times, refining them a little more each time.

Look for ways to make your language more vivid, your arguments more compelling, and your insights more profound. This meticulous attention to detail can significantly affect how your application is perceived. Remember, these essays are a testament to your dedication and ability, so give them the care and attention they deserve.

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Unpacking the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Padya Paramita

September 12, 2022

Having held that coveted number one spot in the US News Ranking of Best National Universities for the last few years, it should come as no surprise that you need to bring your A-game to get into Princeton University. Obviously, your grades, scores, and extracurricular activities matter a great deal, but don’t underestimate the power of well-written answers to the prompts offered by the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 . 

Take the time to perfect your answers to the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 so that admissions officers are not only impressed by the quality of your writing but also believe that you’re a strong fit for an institution as selective as Princeton. To help guide you through the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 , I have outlined each of the prompts, ways to strategize your answers to them, and additional tips for your responses. 

Prompts for the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

While none of the questions explicitly ask why you want to attend Princeton (because let’s face it, almost everybody wants to attend Princeton), they do help the school gauge your areas of interest, your academic and extracurricular strengths, and the ways through which you’d contribute to the campus community. Let’s take a closer look at each of the Princeton prompts and some strategies to approach them.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences that was particularly meaningful to you. (Response required in about 150 words.)

It might be difficult to pick only one of your activities for the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 , or the right extracurricular might jump out to you immediately. In either case, it’s okay if this activity is not the one that looks most impressive to others. When analyzing your supplemental essays, Princeton wants to know “ what you care about, what commitments you have made and what you’ve done to act on those commitments. ” What’s key here is that you choose the activity which has had the most influence on you, and allowed you to have an impact on others in return. Choose an activity that has helped your growth, developed your career interest, or is the one activity you look forward to the most every week. 

The keywords in this prompt are “particularly meaningful.” Remember to address what makes this activity more meaningful to you than the others. Has it helped you hone your leadership skills? Has it catalyzed your motivation to work with others? Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life? 150 words is extremely short, so don’t spend all of your words summarizing the activity. Throw in a short anecdote, or focus on describing ways that this activity stands out over the rest and why it holds that special spot in your life.

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who are Undecided:

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in about 250 words.)

This is the closest the university gets to a “why Princeton” essay. Admissions officers don’t just want to know why you’re applying to Princeton generally; they expect you to go into specific detail about Princeton’s academic offerings. You can talk about multiple interests across the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Notice that this type of essay should mainly cover academics. Princeton’s clubs and student organizations may make it an alluring place for you, but the question explicitly asks about your choice of study. Look through the college website and think about what you can write that won’t be common in other students’ essays. Is there an English professor whose writing resonates with you? Would a particular psychology or sociology class perfectly fit in with your 10-year plan? Remember that admissions officers are trying to figure out how you’d make the most of your experience on the Princeton campus. So, write elaborately about how you would take advantage of the curriculum and give them a sense of the ways in which you’d make a valuable addition to the classroom.

For B.S.E Degree Applicants:

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in about 250 words.)

This essay is required if you’ve indicated Bachelor of Science in Engineering as a possible degree on your application, and with good reason. Princeton wants to know whether you are genuinely interested in the field of engineering, and specifically in the Princeton School of Engineering’s offerings. This is a much more standard supplemental essay prompt than the one before. Most engineering programs will require a similar essay, so don’t write a response that could be substituted for an application to any other school. Your answer must be as specific as possible to Princeton’s engineering offerings. 

Don’t go overboard with all the reasons you’re interested in studying engineering. Focus on one or two of your most impactful activities and experiences, such as working in an engineering lab over the summer or building a robot at school. Again, you must be specific! Shallow motivations won’t win over Princeton’s admissions officers. If you want to excel with this question, you need to research concrete examples of what appeals to you. For example, you could talk about how working with the Princeton Engineering Education for Kids student organization combines your love for engineering and working with children. 

Admissions officers are looking for students who are passionate about their major, involved community leaders, and truly interested in Princeton. This essay is a great chance to show that you check all of the boxes.

Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words.

At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

Princeton wants to know how students will engage in classroom discussions and conversations during meals and or in hallways. The difficult topic you address isn’t limited to academics—it could be about sports, books, music, movies, television, or politics (although I would tread the latter department carefully). You could have been on the more generally agreed-upon side of a common debate, or you may have held a controversial view. The important part isn’t what happened, so focus instead on the latter parts of the question. Dedicate most of your essay to discussing what insight you gained from the conversation, how you’ve acted since, and how you would bring this knowledge to Princeton.

Be careful while answering this prompt, especially if your viewpoint on the topic can be seen as controversial. With a topic like this, it’s easy to get carried away with your writing, especially if you have a lot of feelings on the matter. You only have 250 words at hand, so remember that your goal here is to talk about why this anecdote stands out to you and how it has shaped you. Allow admissions officers to learn more about you, and make sure you haven’t written anything that can offend or harm any individual or group of people. 

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

This prompt is geared towards understanding students' involvement in community engagement and service. If you're passionate about community work and have dedicated yourself to improving your community, this is the place to expand on it. Write about any initiatives or work you have done to positively impact your community, or if you have demonstrated your passion for service and have been recognized for it. For example, if you received a Girl Scout Gold Award, this is the place to include it.

Remember that Princeton is one of the most selective universities in the world. Simply writing about a service trip abroad, or single community service participation won't do. When you write about this topic, think about what you're genuinely passionate about when it comes to community involvement, and how you have conveyed sustained commitment towards it.

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
• What brings you joy? 
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

These questions might throw you off a little. After all, how can you figure out what Princeton is even looking for? Don’t panic. You definitely don’t have to come up with responses that you believe are super deep and intellectual. Don’t mention that your favorite song is a jazz or classical piece if you think these sound impressive even though you don't actually like them. As cheesy as it sounds, the question states that you should be yourself. Admissions officers want to get to know you. 

You don’t have to force yourself to be extra witty, but if you can come up with fun or clever answers to questions that allow for it, such as, “what brings you joy,” that’s great! But let it come to you naturally. Admissions officers have had years of experience reading answers to questions like these. They know if you’re trying to guess what you think they want to hear. At the same time, think about what other applicants would say. Avoid super common answers so that you can stand out as memorable. Your answers should be unique to you and your tastes.

Additional Tips for Writing the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

• Be authentic . Every step in your application should be genuine, including in your answers to the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023. Don’t write about topics or issues that you believe a Princeton admissions officer might want to see. In fact, those answers might just end up being too cliché and not work against you instead. Admissions officers will appreciate it much more if they can feel organic passion and commitment for the things that you’ve described.
• Don’t repeat your personal statement or your activities list. The goal of the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 is to provide further information on who you are and what you’re all about. There’s no point in repeating what you’ve said on the rest of your application because admissions officers want each component to add something new. Princeton has even specified on the longer essay prompt that you must not repeat your personal statement. If you can’t follow these instructions, your application is basically on its way to the reject pile. You don’t want to lose before your essays have even been read!

The Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 might throw you off because unless you’re applying to the School of Engineering, you don’t get a chance to elaborate on why you believe Princeton is the right school for you. However, there are ways you can convey to admissions officers that you’re a great fit for the school by bringing out characteristics that the school values and highlighting them in your essays. Don’t underestimate the difference powerful supplements can make. Good luck! 

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October 12, 2022

Tips for Answering the Princeton University Supplemental Essay Prompts [2022 – 2023]

It will come as no surprise that Princeton University is among the top schools in the nation and is recognized globally for academic excellence. This Ivy League school is renowned as a major research university as well as an outstanding liberal arts college. In addition to the Common Application, Universal College Application or Coalition Application essay, Princeton also requires supplemental writing responses. These additional essays help the admissions committee to understand your particular strengths and potential contributions to the Princeton community comprehensively. Princeton prides itself on the diversity of talents, achievements, perspectives, and interests of its student body. At the same time, it is looking for a freshman class that shares the following qualities: “integrity, a deep interest in learning and a devotion to both academic and non-academic pursuits.” Think about how you can contribute to Princeton as well as how Princeton can support your aspirations.

The best way to begin is by doing your research. Spend time looking over the Princeton website, get to know what current undergraduates are saying about the school, familiarize yourself with the various majors, and imagine yourself there. If possible, visit the campus (virtually), allow yourself to get excited about this opportunity, and make every effort to gain a sense of why Princeton is the ideal academic environment for you!

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Located in a suburban setting, Princeton is primarily a residential campus with a strong liberal arts focus. Its residential college structure, freshman seminars, and preceptorial system support the tight-knit student community. These are hallmarks of an education at Princeton and demonstrate the university’s commitment to student-centered learning within the context of a diverse student body, faculty, and staff.

Remember to allow your writing to express your voice as you address the following Princeton supplemental questions; consider how your responses reveal your intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, and engagement with the world.

Princeton University supplemental application prompts

Princeton university short essay questions.

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words)

It’s very common for students to talk about their experiences in general terms, but you will stand out by telling real stories that will reveal (at least very briefly) not only what you did but what you learned as a result. For example, while earning leadership badges with the Girl Scouts, you could write about how you took on a leadership role by organizing a community tree-planting initiative or mental health awareness program. Explain why that role was meaningful to you. Or you may have needed to take on additional responsibility at a job that required a lot of creativity. If you have played guitar or have been writing poetry for several years, how have these hobbies shaped you? What do these experiences reveal about your character and values?

Please respond to each question in an essay of 250 words or fewer.

1. At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

Here, you might want to emphasize two things: how this conversation influenced your thinking (e.g., your long-held beliefs were challenged and opened your eyes to a new perspective); and secondly, how the conversation remained respectful (e.g., you were tempted to raise your voice or walk out but did not). What will you do to ensure that you can continue having hard but respectful exchanges in the future? Finally, be sure to say something about why these hard conversations are nonetheless important– Princeton clearly wants its students to be having them! Read:  7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

2. Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

Think about your involvement thus far in service and civic engagement. What have you done to help others; to serve your country; to volunteer your time? Then , research what Princeton students do to stay civically engaged. Given your background, how would you contribute to those things already in place at Princeton? How might you add to or improve what already exists?

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

Note: In this section, make sure to include both the “what” and the “why”– for example, “What brings me joy is X because of Y.” Your task is both to describe and to explain, to show logical and articulate thinking.

– What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? – What brings you joy? – What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Final thoughts on applying to Princeton

Each of these essay prompts ask you to share something personal about yourself, discuss how an experience impacted you, and explain how you make sense of your world . They ask you to articulate your values and provide insight into your thinking process. They want you to reveal how you evaluate information and make decisions. Select the themed essay topic that strikes a cord with you. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for that subject and for Princeton.

Princeton has a highly competitive and impressive applicant pool. It received tens of thousands of undergraduate applications for the class of 2026. Only 1,500 were offered admission. Add to that average SAT scores above 1500, and average ACT scores around 33, and you get a better sense of the level of competition. However, keep in mind that Princeton is committed to a holistic approach to the admissions process. This means they use your essay responses to round out the picture of you as a prospective student. The supplemental essays are your chance to share valuable information about yourself and differentiate yourself from your peers. In your essays, you can demonstrate that you belong at Princeton!

If you’re applying to Princeton University, you already know you’re up against tight competition. Don’t be overwhelmed. Get the guidance of an experienced admissions specialist who will help you stand out from the highly competitive applicant pool so you can apply with confidence, and get accepted! Click here to get started!

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your College Application Essays , a free guide
• How to Project Professionalism, Positivity, and Confidence in Your Statement of Purpose
• Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode

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How to Approach Princeton's Essays (with Real Princeton Essay Examples from 2023)

Kate Sliunkova

AdmitYogi, Stanford MBA & MA in Education

20 min read

Introduction:

When it comes to college applications, writing the perfect essay can make all the difference. And for those applying to Princeton University, crafting standout essays is a must. But what sets a Princeton essay apart from the rest? In this article, we'll explore tips and tricks for nailing each of Princeton's essay prompts, along with examples from successful applicants. Whether you're just starting to brainstorm or putting the final touches on your essays, read on for expert advice on how to impress the admissions committee at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Princeton's Essay Prompts

250 word essays (princeton's "your voice" essays):.

• At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future? (250 words)
• Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals. (250 words)

Princeton's Extracurricular Essay:

• Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (150 words)

50 Word Essays (Princeton's "More About You" Essays):

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words)
• What brings you joy? (50 words)
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)

Princeton's Degree-Specific Essays:

For ba / undecided applicants:.

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (250 words)

For BSE Applicants:

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (250 words)

How to Write Princeton's Essays:

Princeton's "your voice" essays:, princeton's difficult conversation essay:.

"At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?" (250 words).

When approaching this prompt, it's important to reflect on a time when you engaged in a conversation about a challenging topic. Choose a topic that you are passionate about or have experience with, and be sure to highlight your ability to listen actively to others' perspectives.

Start your essay by setting the scene, describing the context of the conversation and the people involved. Then, explain the issue being discussed and any differing opinions that arose. Show how you demonstrated respect for diverse perspectives and how you contributed to the discussion.

Next, describe the insights you gained from the conversation. Did you learn something new about yourself or others? Did the conversation change your thinking or perspective on the topic? Be specific about what you learned and how it impacted you.

Finally, discuss how you would incorporate this knowledge into your thinking in the future. What changes would you make to your approach to difficult conversations? How would you ensure that you continue to be open-minded and respectful of differing perspectives?

Remember to keep your essay concise and focused, while still showing depth and insight. By highlighting your ability to engage in respectful dialogue about difficult topics, you'll demonstrate that you embody the values that Princeton University holds dear. Here's a great example from Ryder, a current Princeton student. You can read all of his essays here.

Most people wouldn’t consider flutes and peas controversial, but at my family dinner table, they are. Years ago, my dad proclaimed flutes an inferior instrument stating, “Nobody likes the flute” (my mom does), and asking, “What great band features a flute?” (Dave Matthews Band), adding to the conversation some incendiary comments about peas culminating in the claim that “Peas are the least liked vegetable.” At the time, I couldn’t put my finger on why, but his assertions irked me. Irritated, I went to bat for flutes and peas with an inexplicable passion for all they had to offer, though neither are my favorite instrument or vegetable.

Since then, many dinnertime conversations and debates have taken place, the most volatile invariably circling back to touch on the value of flutes and peas, and I have come to understand why I have repeatedly championed their worth. When it comes to flutes and peas, my dad treats his opinions as fact—defending his views as “right” with googled information and naming as evidence a mysterious, undocumented majority of flute and pea haters. To this day, he remains convinced his opinion is irrefutably correct; those who think otherwise are brainwashed, don’t know better, or are lying.

Go ahead, call me a “flute and pea fanatic”; all I was ever fighting for was to stay open-minded. Thanks to my dad and his steadfast condemnation of flutes and peas, I watch out for opinion masquerading as fact and choose my own words carefully, believing that conflict often springs not from differing opinions, but from the way those opinions are asserted.

Princeton's Civic Engagement Essay:

"Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals." (250 words)

To approach this prompt, first reflect on your experiences with service and civic engagement. Consider instances where you've made a positive impact on your community or participated in activities that align with Princeton's commitment to service. Begin your essay by briefly sharing your personal background or story that led you to engage in service and civic activities. This could include your upbringing, family values, or any transformative experiences that have shaped your commitment to service.

Next, provide specific examples of your involvement in service or civic-related activities. These could be volunteer work, community projects, leadership roles, or advocacy for social issues. Highlight the impact of your efforts, the skills you've gained, and any challenges you've faced along the way.

After discussing your past experiences, connect your story to Princeton's ideals by explaining how your commitment to service will continue during your time at the university. Research Princeton's service and civic engagement initiatives, such as the Pace Center for Civic Engagement or Community House, and identify programs or opportunities that resonate with your interests and goals. It also helps to briefly discuss your long-term aspirations and how your dedication to service will play a role in your future career or personal life.

Here's a great example of Princeton's civic engagement and service essay from Aileen, who got into incredible schools like Princeton, Harvard, UPenn, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Brown. You can read all of the essays that got her into those amazing schools here.

What makes a neighborhood feel like home? For me, it is cohesion, mutual dependency, and trust, but not necessarily residence: I don’t live in [Place Redacted]’s Chinatown, but it has nonetheless made an impact on me.

I became involved with Chinatown community organizations volunteering at one housing nonprofit’s annual summer film festival and neighborhood gathering. Witnessing the mutual obligation between neighbors and residents’ love for their community, I felt a connection to the neighborhood that ultimately motivated me to explore my cultural roots as an Asian-American and continue working with Chinatown organizations.

As part of a research project on economic inequality, I learned about the challenges Chinatown faces, from redlining and gentrification to language capability and racial discrimination. I became a tour guide with an organization to give college students and nearby young professionals a view of the neighborhood through an urban planning lens. I’ve continued this commitment to educating communities about the consequences of urban development and lack of awareness by holding similar conversations and workshops through school clubs.

I am so thankful to have engaged with the intricacies of a deeply connected neighborhood like Chinatown, but I am even more grateful for the skills its community has taught me. I have learned to advocate for community empowerment and reflection and combat economic inequality in a neighborhood by understanding its nuanced causes. Chinatown fostered in me the spirit of community organizing, which I will take with me for the rest of my life.

"Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you." (150 words).

When approaching this prompt, focus on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has had a significant impact on your personal growth, interests, or values. Choose an experience that showcases your dedication, passion, and ability to make a meaningful contribution.

Begin by briefly describing the chosen activity or experience, providing context about your involvement. Be specific about your role and responsibilities, and explain why this experience is particularly meaningful to you. Be sure to also discuss the impact of this experience on your life. Consider the skills you've gained, the lessons you've learned, or the personal growth you've experienced as a result of your involvement. If possible, highlight any challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

Although the word limit for this prompt is short, it's crucial to convey a strong sense of purpose and passion in your response. By focusing on one meaningful experience and articulating its significance, you'll provide the admissions committee with a glimpse into your values and interests, making your application more memorable and compelling.

The incredible Princeton essay example below comes from Ryan, who got into Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, and Brown. You can read his entire college application here.

Since the cards were first dealt four years ago, I have not only become infatuated with the game of poker, but I've finally felt the warmth of genuine, requited best-friendship.

For its own sake, poker is an amazing game. A game of statistics, psychology, and luck, poker keeps objectivity enjoyable; whether through a sneaky play or just bad luck, the mathematically "correct" play is often wrong—you can't master the game.

But as much as I'm attached to poker, it'd be nothing without the "regulars": "Silverman"—the stone-cold bluffer. Jack—the sly psychologist. "Kato"—the careful calculator, and Jaden—the poker guru. Poker introduced us, but our friendships grew beyond the game: We get along like family.

I've made other friends along the way. I've grown as a student, as a friend, and even as a son over the same period. But nothing has made my life enjoyable like these four friends—through a game most see only in casinos, my dreams of authentic friendship have finally been realized.

Princeton's 50-Word Essays:

Princeton's new skill essay:.

"What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?" (50 words).

When approaching the "What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?" prompt, start by selecting a specific skill that genuinely interests you and aligns with your academic or personal goals. In one or two sentences, explain why this skill is important to you or how it might enhance your college experience. Then, briefly discuss how learning this skill at Princeton could contribute to your long-term aspirations. Throughout your response, convey enthusiasm and curiosity, showcasing your eagerness to grow and learn during your time at the university. Remember to keep your response concise yet impactful within the limited word count.

Here is a great example of Princeton's new skill essay from Gabi, who got into incredible schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. You can read all of her college applications here.

From hip-hop to choreopoem, I want to learn how to critically analyze, histioculturally deconstruct, and stylistically perform dance. Studying or daydreaming, a rhythm constantly flows through my head, and I hope to channel it through Lewis Center’s co-curricular and academic offerings.

Princeton's Joy Essay:

"What brings you joy?" (50 words).

To approach the "What brings you joy?" prompt, reflect on a specific activity, hobby, or aspect of your life that genuinely sparks happiness and fulfillment. Describe it briefly and vividly, capturing the essence of why it brings you joy. Within the limited word count, aim to convey your passion and enthusiasm, allowing the admissions committee to gain insight into your personality and values.

Below is an excellent example from Adem, who got into Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown. You can read all of his amazing essays here!

I pedal up the steep, 4-mile long Kancamagus Highway climb. Despite being 67 miles into my ride, I still maintain my power and efficient turnover. Cycling is my secret escape, and nothing brings me more joy than spending hours on the saddle exploring backroads on a perfect fall day.

Princeton's Soundtrack Essay:

"What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?" (50 words).

For the "What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?" prompt, choose a song that resonates with your current emotions, experiences, or aspirations. Briefly describe the song and artist, then explain why it's significant to you at this stage in your life. Within the limited word count, aim to convey a personal connection to the song, offering a glimpse into your thoughts and feelings as you navigate this moment in time.

Below is a stellar Princeton essay example from Ryan S, who got into Princeton, UPenn, Cornell, and CMU. You can read all of his college applications here.

“Une Belle Histoire” by Michel Fugain. The guitars, trumpets, and chorus of the “Big Bazaar” mirrors my desire to explore all the unknowns. As I sing along, not understanding a lyric, I’m reminded that I may not understand everything in the present, but that’s okay.

Writing Princeton's Essay for BA / Undecided Applicants:

"As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests?" (250 words).

To approach this prompt, start by identifying the academic areas that genuinely pique your curiosity. Reflect on your passions, experiences, and future goals to determine which disciplines align with your interests. Be selective and focus on a few specific areas to provide depth in your response. Next, research Princeton's programs and offerings related to your chosen academic areas. This could include courses, majors, minors, research opportunities, or extracurricular activities. Familiarize yourself with the unique aspects of Princeton's liberal arts curriculum and how it encourages interdisciplinary exploration.

In your essay, briefly discuss your chosen academic areas and explain why they interest you. Share any relevant experiences, achievements, or personal connections that showcase your passion for these subjects. Then, demonstrate your knowledge of Princeton's programs by explaining how they suit your particular interests. Discuss specific courses, research opportunities, or resources that you are excited about and how they would enhance your academic journey. Additionally, consider mentioning any professors or ongoing projects at the university that align with your interests.

Finally, connect your exploration of these academic areas at Princeton to your long-term goals, whether they be professional or personal. Show how the university's approach to learning will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve success in your chosen fields. By showcasing your genuine curiosity and demonstrating a deep understanding of Princeton's academic offerings, you'll convey your enthusiasm for learning at the university and illustrate how you would thrive in its intellectual environment.

The amazing Princeton essay example below comes from Kaya, who got into Princeton, Columbia, and JHU. You can read all of her essays here.

My life experiences and classwork have shaped my passion for neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. Princeton's environment will deepen my understanding of my interests and allow me to develop new ones.

My concussions and visits with my neurologist and psychologist interested me in their fields, as I want to understand how the brain changes after trauma and how that affects behavior. Then, in junior year English, we read works by Emerson and Thoreau, and my previous tolerance of the humanities transformed into a love of philosophy. Philosophy allows for dissent and multiple interpretations, creating an ambiguity that balances the rigidity and clarity of science. The cognitive science certificate program combines neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy into one concentration, so I can explore the interconnectedness of all my interests.

Majoring in psychology gives me an opportunity to get an additional certificate in neuroscience. Instead of double majoring and taking all of the required neuroscience courses, I can just take neuropsychological classes that interest me, such as "Depression: From Neuron to Clinic" and "The Brain: A User's Guide." The psychology major also offers courses such as "The Psychology and Philosophy of Rationality" and "The Psychology of Moral Behavior," which combine my interests in psychology and philosophy.

Additionally, the "Princeternship" will allow me to apply classroom learning of psychology and neuroscience in my shadowing experiences with alumni in the field. It also gives me an undergraduate opportunity to create personal relationships with potential employers to begin my career path as a clinical psychiatrist.

Writing Princeton's Essay for BSE Applicants:

"Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests." (250 words).

To approach this prompt, begin by reflecting on your interest in engineering and any experiences or exposure you've had in the field. Consider personal projects, internships, competitions, or coursework that have shaped your passion for engineering.

Start your essay by discussing why you're interested in studying engineering, highlighting any specific areas or fields within engineering that particularly excite you. Share relevant experiences or achievements that showcase your dedication to the subject. Next, research Princeton's engineering programs and resources, including majors, courses, research opportunities, faculty, and facilities. Familiarize yourself with the unique aspects of Princeton's engineering education and its interdisciplinary approach.

In your response, demonstrate your knowledge of Princeton's engineering offerings by explaining how they align with your interests and goals. Discuss specific courses, research projects, or resources that you're excited about and explain how they would contribute to your academic and professional development. Additionally, consider mentioning any professors or ongoing research at the university that resonates with your interests, showing your eagerness to engage with the academic community at Princeton.

Lastly, connect your pursuit of engineering at Princeton to your long-term aspirations. Explain how the university's approach to engineering education will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary to succeed in your chosen career path. By showcasing your genuine passion for engineering and demonstrating a deep understanding of Princeton's engineering programs, you'll convey your enthusiasm for learning at the university and illustrate how you would thrive in its intellectually stimulating environment.

The incredible essay example below comes from Princeton student Lily. She also got into MIT and UPenn, and you can read all of her essays and activities here.

My parents’ focus on maintaining our Chinese restaurant meant I grew up entertaining myself with origami formed from menus and indestructible towers of cardboard boxes between a broken sink and a dusty cash register. However, Computer Science brought me to a community that supports and fuels my desire for innovation.

In eighth grade, after learning about Scratch (a platform where beginners can create and share coding projects) my classmates started gathering around each others’ desktops to test our projects. Scratch taught me block coding, but also the endless lessons contained in others’ creations. The communities it created through its website and in my computer classes reminded me I didn’t have to work alone. Unlike my origami folds, my creations were no longer limited to my little designated corner; my programs could touch the lives of people beyond our restaurant.

At Princeton, I want to learn from Assistant Professor Andres Monroy-Hernandez, a developer of Scratch. His interest in systems that emphasize consumers’ benefits resonates with my aspiration to create community-driven programs that give people who feel isolated a place to thrive with other like-minded individuals. I strive to give others the same drive that comes from participating in college engineering summer camps and HTML classes with passionate professors and students, sharing the satisfaction of explaining doppler equations to a classmate that helped me debug a Python program.

Wincing at the amounts of abandoned crab rangoons every time I cleared a table at the restaurant also sparked an innate desire to reduce waste and increase sustainability in everyday life. With the ENV certification program, I would customize the sustainability courses I take to complement my Computer Science major. Electives like Economics of Food and Agriculture will give me a deeper understanding of the economics and source of the bulk boxes of broccoli we ordered every Friday. Joining clubs like Green Dining, I would directly impact my local environment by creating programs that will analyze the amount of produced food waste.

Princeton Engineering’s focus on learning to help humanity will nurture my desire of developing programs that’ll create thriving communities and increase sustainability.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, crafting standout essays for Princeton University requires a deep understanding of the prompts, genuine self-reflection, and a clear demonstration of your passions and goals. One of the most effective ways to master this process is by learning from real-world examples of successful essays that have helped students gain admission to prestigious institutions like Princeton.

By examining these examples, you can glean insights into what makes an essay stand out, identify patterns and strategies used by successful applicants, and ultimately apply those lessons to your own writing. Fortunately, we've built out a platform that lets high school students and parents access thousands of real-world examples of successful essays and extracurriculars that have landed students at incredible schools.

You can explore this vast repository of winning essays, learn from their successes, and refine your approach to tackling essay prompts from great schools like Princeton. Ultimately, by leveraging the power of real-life examples and the expert guidance provided in this article, you'll be well on your way to crafting compelling essays that capture the attention of Princeton University's admissions committee and pave the way for your future academic success.

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Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples

Extracurricular activities essay examples – introduction .

As you work through your college applications, you may come across a version of the extracurricular activities essay. Many college application requirements include an extracurricular supplemental essay. So, don’t be surprised if you need to write an extracurricular supplemental essay for schools on your list. As you brainstorm and draft, it can be helpful to read some extracurricular activities essay examples. 

In this guide, we’ve included several extracurricular activities essay examples to show you the ropes. By the end, you’ll see how to successfully complete the extracurricular activities essay. Take a look at these examples before you start your college applications. 

The extracurricular activities essay is exactly what it sounds like. You will use the extracurricular supplemental essay to write about the importance of one of your extracurricular activities. Later, we’ll look at several elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

In our extracurricular activities essay examples, we’ll look at prompts from the following schools: 

• Stanford University  
• Rice University  
• Bryn Mawr College  
• Northwestern University  
• Vanderbilt University  

University of Florida

• Princeton University  

We’ll talk about what you can learn from each of our extracurricular activities essay examples. We will also explain how they contribute to each student’s application narrative. Before we jump into our extracurricular activities essay examples, let’s explore what counts as an extracurricular activity. 

What is an extracurricular activity? 

An extracurricular activity, or after-school activity , is something that you participate in outside of your regular classes. Extracurricular activities are important because they give you a chance to explore your interests outside the classroom. In fact, recent research suggests that being involved in extracurricular activities can even help a student’s engagement in school. 

When you submit college applications, you’ll include a list of the extracurricular activities you have participated in during high school. Being involved in multiple extracurricular activities can bolster your candidate profile and make you stand out in the admissions process. 

Extracurricular activities matter

If you plan to send college applications to top-tier schools, you’ll want to boost your participation in extracurricular activities early in your high school career. Colleges want to see that you have passions in and out of the classroom.

In other words, extracurricular activities can show admissions officers what you care about. Extracurricular activities can also help you learn more about what you enjoy, which can translate into potential extracurricular activities for college.

What are some examples of extracurricular activities? 

Extracurricular activities can be clubs, organizations, sports, jobs, or anything in between. As you’ll see in our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples, extracurriculars will vary from student to student. There are four main categories of extracurricular activities: 

School-sponsored activities

• Community activities 

Independent activities

Work experiences.

Each category has its own strengths and benefits you’ll want to show in your essay. Our extracurricular activities essay examples highlight activities from each category. As such, you’ll be able to see an activity similar to yours represented. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories before we dig into our extracurricular activity essay examples.

Extracurricular Activity Categories 

School-sponsored extracurricular activities include clubs, organizations or programs that are hosted by your school. These might be sports teams, special interest clubs like technical theatre, or arts programs like band and orchestra. 

Community activities

Another popular type of extracurricular activity is community activities. Community activities include volunteer work and community service. 

Getting involved in your local community is a great way to show the admissions committee how you give back. 

These kinds of activities can also be a great topic for your extracurricular activities essay. They can include hobbies, learning new skills, or taking online courses in your favorite subject. 

Independent activities help showcase your passions and interests. These types of extracurricular activities would be perfect to explore in an extracurricular supplemental essay, especially since they fit less neatly into the activities list on the Common App. 

Many high school students have work experiences they can highlight in their college applications. Work experiences could include part-time jobs, internships, or shadowing opportunities. 

Talking about your work experiences in your extracurricular supplemental essay can be a great way to show off your time management and professional skills to admissions officers.

Depth over breadth

However, you don’t have to participate in dozens of extracurricular activities to stand out in the college application process. It’s more important to develop depth than breadth in your extracurriculars to showcase your commitment and dedication.

In other words, it’s much more impressive for you to have a handful of extracurricular activities on your resume that you are deeply committed to than a long list of clubs and organizations that you don’t care about. 

The best extracurricular activities for you will be the ones that match your interests and goals. Don’t just join every club at your school to fill out your resume. Instead, seek out extracurricular activities where you can explore your interests, learn new things, and grow over time. 

Writing about Extracurricular Activities for College

Now that we’ve explored some extracurricular activity options that will be perfect for your extracurricular activities essay, let’s discuss how to write about your extracurricular activities on your college applications. 

Most schools use a holistic process to review college applications. This means that they will evaluate you based on your entire candidate profile . This includes test scores , GPA , essays , and extracurricular activities.

Because more students are applying to colleges than ever before, you’ll want to do everything you can to stand out in your college applications. Writing about your extracurricular activities for college can help show the admissions committee who you are, what’s important to you, and what makes you a unique applicant. 

Focus on the narrative

Use the extracurricular activities essay to tell a story about your experience. You can describe what it felt like, what it looked like, or how it helped you learn more about your own interests and goals.

When you are writing about your extracurricular activities for college, you’ll want to provide specific details about the type, length, and responsibilities of your involvements. If you’re unsure where to start, try making a list of all the extracurricular activities you have participated in since freshman year. Write down the role you had in this activity, how much time you spent doing it, and what you learned because of this involvement. 

For more tips on how to write about extracurricular activities for college, check out this article . In it, you’ll find 39 essay tips from admissions experts on how to write a great college essay, including how to write about extracurricular activities for college. 

What are some examples of extracurricular activities essay prompts? 

Before we review our extracurricular activities essay examples (along with the reasons why these are college essays that worked), let’s look at the extracurricular activities essay prompts from Stanford, Rice, Bryn Mawr, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, UF, and Princeton. 

Although the general idea is the same, each college will have a slightly different version of the extracurricular activities essay prompt. You’ll see the differences in our extracurricular activities essay examples below. 

Stanford University

If you plan to apply to Stanford University, you should know that one of the Stanford supplemental essay prompts is as follows: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. 

This extracurricular activities essay prompt is intentionally broad. You’ll need to select just one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences to describe in this Stanford supplemental essay. 

This Stanford supplemental essay prompt is your opportunity to showcase one of your many involvements. It also gives you a chance to elaborate on why it is important to you. If possible, select an extracurricular activity or work experience that you have not already discussed at length anywhere else in your Stanford application.

Rice University

This essay prompt on extracurriculars from Rice University is fairly straight forward. You can see the exact wording below: 

The extracurricular activities essay prompt or Rice is the same as the one for the Stanford application. Like we mentioned above, you’ll want to highlight an activity that is not mentioned elsewhere in your application. 

There are three Bryn Mawr supplemental essays that are required for admission. The first of the Bryn Mawr supplemental essays is about your extracurricular activities: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below.

This prompt is the same as the ones for the Stanford application and Rice application. Our suggestions for those essays also apply for the first prompt of the Bryn Mawr supplemental essays. 

Northwestern

Here is the Northwestern essay prompt: 

Vanderbilt  

If you are applying to Vanderbilt, you should know that the Vanderbilt application requires that you answer this extracurricular activities essay prompt: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

Both the Northwestern essay prompt and the Vanderbilt application prompt are the same as the ones for Stanford, Rice, and Bryn Mawr.

The UF application includes the following extracurricular activities essay prompt as part of the required University of Florida essays: 

During high school, what is the most enriching long-term or ongoing activity in which you have participated outside of the classroom? Tell us about it – Why is it enriching to you? What have you gained or learned by participating in it? How do you plan to continue this type of activity in the future?

Unlike the prompts for the Stanford, Rice, Bryn Mawr, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern applications, this extracurricular activities essay prompt asks you to answer direct questions about your experience. 

You’ll want to choose an activity that is the most significant, long-term activity that you have participated in during high school. Then, you’ll want to explain why it was enriching, what you learned in this activity, and how you plan to continue with this type of activity in college and beyond. 

You’ll see how to answer these questions in our extracurricular activities essay examples. 

The Princeton extracurricular activities essay prompt is as follows: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences that was particularly meaningful to you.

This prompt is similar to the ones above, but it does make an important distinction. You’ll want to choose an activity that was meaningful to you, which means you will need to spend part of your essay describing why you found this experience particularly impactful. We’ll take a look at how to do this in our extracurricular activities essay examples. 

Which schools require an extracurricular activities essay? 

In addition to the extracurricular activities essay prompts we highlighted above, many colleges include an extracurricular activities essay as part of their college application requirements. 

Each of these schools’ college applications require you to write an extracurricular activities essay: 

• Georgetown University
• University of California schools
• Howard University 
• Amherst College
• Purdue University

Even though we won’t look at extracurricular activities essay examples for these colleges, the extracurricular activities essay examples we do highlight can help give you inspiration as you work on your college applications. 

Now, it’s time to examine some extracurricular activities essay examples. Our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples include Stanford essays examples, Rice supplemental essays examples, Bryn Mawr supplemental essays, Northwestern essay examples, Vanderbilt essay examples, UF supplemental essay examples, and Princeton essay examples. 

Following each of the extracurricular activities essay examples, we’ll provide an analysis on why these are college essays that worked. 

First, let’s kick off our extracurricular activities essay examples with the Stanford essays examples. 

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Stanford University

Here’s the first of our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples: 

Stanford Essay Examples

In February of 2016 my neighbor texted me and asked me to tutor her third grader in math. My first thought was “Third grade math?! This will be easy.” I was wrong. The girl I tutored is dyslexic and had ADHD, so working with her challenged me in a new way. I had to devise ways of teaching where she could understand it but also remain focused for long enough to accomplish it. I had to practice my patience in a way I never have before, and I have become a better person because of it. By the end of our work together, she was excited to play the math games I made up and she was so proud every time she understood a question or a concept. I am so thankful for that opportunity.

Why this essay worked

This sample of the Stanford essays examples works for several reasons. First, the author describes how the activity challenged them to come up with new ideas as a math tutor. This shows the admissions officer how thoughtful and creative this person can be in different situations. 

In this essay (one of our Stanford essays examples), the author shows how they developed key skills, like patience, through this extracurricular activity. Highlighting new skills that you have learned through your extracurricular activities is a way to stand out from the crowd.

Showcasing personal growth, like the author did above, also shows the admissions team you are willing to change and better yourself when faced with challenges. 

How To Write The Rice Supplemental Essays

Now, let’s turn to Rice supplemental essays examples. Below, you’ll see another version of the elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

Rice Supplemental Essay Examples

With an interest in business, it is hard to pass up the chance to become a part of the business club at my school. This competition-based club allows members to learn detailed ways to start and manage a business. Although my curiosity urged me to participate, the thought of writing 30 pages with a fast-approaching deadline seemed daunting. Prior to this program, I had very little knowledge on the basic principles of business management, however, through research and a bit of persistence, I learned countless fundamentals of business. Although I was awarded a medal and recognized as a State Finalist in the International Business Plan category, the most valuable thing I earned was the drive of an entrepreneur which taught me that even the most difficult of tasks can be accomplished if they are done with continued determination. 

Getting straight to the point

This is one of our Rice supplemental essays examples. In it, the author mentions their academic interest right away. This helps the reader understand the forthcoming connection between the extracurricular activity and this person’s interests. 

If you’re working with a tight word limit, like the one in the Rice supplemental essays examples, you’ll want to be concise with your details. The Rice supplemental essays examples only give you so many words to work with, so you have to make the most of them. In this essay, the author summarizes the purpose of their extracurricular activity quickly. This provides the reader with more context about their involvement without taking up too much space. 

This is an example of college essays that worked because the author shows what they learned as a result of their involvement in this activity. This highlights the author’s potential success in a college setting. 

How To Write The Bryn Mawr Supplemental Essays 

Like the two extracurricular activities essay examples above, the Bryn Mawr supplemental essay is another version of the elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

Bryn Mawr Essay Example

After watching my grandfather suffer from heart ailments, it was particularly meaningful to have the opportunity to conduct echocardiography research with a pediatric cardiologist. During my summer internship at a Health and Science University, I designed and built heart models to mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) disease and investigate strain comparisons in a 2D and 3D model. 

Continuously designing and analyzing my own experiments has not only taught me the value of diligence, patience and replication in the laboratory setting, but it has also instilled in me the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that will enable me to tackle difficult, and sometimes unknown, problems with sound reasoning and confidence as I serve the underrepresented to eliminate health disparities. 

This response is one of the college essays that worked for several reasons. The author of this essay explains the personal significance of this extracurricular activity. This gives the reader more information about who this person is and why this activity is meaningful to them. 

Additionally, the author uses their response to explain what they did during their internship as well as the values and skills they learned from this activity. They even go the extra mile to describe how they will use these values and skills to reach their goals in the future. 

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Northwestern University

The following essay is another of our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

Northwestern Essay Example

After having been a Girl Scout for over 10 years, I can confirm that the most common questions I get asked are, “When are you selling the cookies,” or “Can I get [insert favorite cookie here]”. However, Girl Scouts means so much more to me than simply selling cookies for a few months.

Being a part of Girl Scouts has entailed, as the Girl Scout Law indicates, “being a sister to every Girl Scout”. When I first joined the organization as a Brownie, I didn’t think I would interact with the older girls at all. However, I soon began to admire my older Girl Scout sisters and looked up to them the more time I spent with them. As an Ambassador now, I try to show the same level of leadership by mentoring and working with younger girls, building a strong relationship with them and helping them on their journey to the higher ranks (as well as through life).

As a Girl Scout, I have also learned to enthusiastically help my community. Whether it be through providing assistance at food pantries, cleaning up litter, donating to the homeless, or singing carols in retirement homes, Girls Scouts has taught me the importance of helping others in need around me and improving the state of the world.

So, yes, being a Girl Scout does mean selling cookies. But, more importantly, Girl Scouts has meant growing into a confident young woman, being a mentor, and providing service to better the world.

Focus on depth of involvement

This sample comes from one of our Northwestern essay examples. In it, the author mentions the length of their involvement in the Girl Scouts and their progression from a junior member to a senior member. 

Like we mentioned earlier, it’s important to have extracurricular activities on your list that show depth, especially in your Northwestern application. In other words, the longer you participate in an activity, the more significant it is to your college applications. 

This is another example of college essays that worked because the author can describe how they eventually moved into a leadership role and what that new role entails. If you are a leader in your organization, be sure to mention it on your Northwestern application and in your essay. 

Finally, the author concludes with a description of who they are and what this activity has taught them. We saw similar versions of this conclusion in the extracurricular activities essay examples above, which goes to show that these are college essays that worked.  

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Vanderbilt University

Next, let’s look at Vanderbilt essay examples. This essay is one of the longer samples of our extracurricular activities essay examples. Please note that the name of the program described has been removed for anonymity.

Vanderbilt Essay Examples

I silently sat in the passenger seat of my mother’s car with a churning feeling in my stomach. My legs bounced wildly, and my body was tense. My anxiety came from the fact I would be starting my first day at a pre-college program to which I was recently accepted.

When my mother dropped me off at the building where my first class would be held, I nervously walked in, surprised to be greeted by the smiling faces of my peers. Looking around, I saw faces of all shades. This amazed me, having been surrounded by people who looked like me for most of my life. As I engaged in conversation with students already present, I increasingly became more comfortable.

Though class began with typical icebreakers, we quickly transitioned into math topics, beginning with algebra and progressing into trigonometry and summations. When the professor concluded the lecture, I was shocked to find that the class had passed by so quickly. Similar sentiments arose after completing my critical thinking class in the afternoon. When my mother picked me up after that class, I enthusiastically spilled my experiences from the day.

The following six weeks of that summer (and ensuing summers) comprised of me being introduced to new perspectives. Being surrounded by peers that were different in lifestyle and socioeconomic status made me more open-minded to unfamiliar concepts and interpretations.

The brother and sisterhood I formed with my peers made me way less dependent on my twin sister and increased my confidence in my beliefs and individuality.

Additionally, being taught by university professors in rigorous subject matter instilled in me a newfound passion in exploring challenging topics. This program has assisted in developing me into a more well-rounded, cultured individual not only through exposure to a research program at the university hospital, but through enrichment activities during the school year (watching plays, attending politic and STEM-based talks, and experiencing cultural shows). Though I was initially apprehensive in applying to this program, I now look back at the program as life-altering and am thankful for the experience. Three years ago, I was just a “twin” who did well in school, however today I am an individual with my own unique views, eager to learn the endless knowledge the world has to offer me.

Unlike the extracurricular activities essay examples above, this essay puts you right in the middle of the story. This can be an effective way to grab your reader’s attention as they review your Vanderbilt application. 

Additionally, this is a great example of college essays that worked because the author describes self-growth because of their involvement. In this sample from our Vanderbilt essay examples, the writer explains the new skills they learned and details the type of experiences they had while in this extracurricular activity. 

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: University of Florida

Now, let’s look at UF supplemental essay examples. This essay is a little different from our previous extracurricular activities essay examples. 

This is a slightly elevated take on the elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples prompt. It asks you to do more than just explain your involvement in an extracurricular activity.

UF Supplemental Essay Examples

“Thaka-dhimi thaka- janu! Strike your foot higher! Sit more! Discipline yourself!”

To most, these phrases and commands would have sounded like gibberish. But to me, it meant beauty and grace. It meant dedication and determination. It invoked a sense of community and contentment. It meant Bharatantyam.

From the ripe age of 5 years old, I’ve had the opportunity to learn an Indian Classical Dance form, Bharatanatyam, from my mother. I took this opportunity seriously in tenth grade. Once I chose to commit fully to Bharatantyam, it was life changing. 

Bharatantyam has transformed me for the good as a person. Countless hours spent in practice disciplined me. Preparing mentally for a more sophisticated piece or dance item allowed me to expand my brain’s depth. From a physical standpoint, one can see that Bharatantyam is a beautiful dance that harmonizes your brain and body. 

Viewing Bharatanatyam from a scientific standpoint is what made it so much more enriching. Watching a video from my mother’s guru, I began to understand the neurological benefits of both dancing and watching Bharatantyam. Viewing that clip gave me a revolutionary idea: treating neurological diseases for senior citizens through Bharatanatyam.

I began to perform at senior assisted living facilities around my city. Many of the seniors I performed for weren’t able to even stay awake for it. While at times discouraging, small moments of joy kept me going. Every smile I received from my audience and every conversation I had with the seniors were the reasons why I kept dancing.

Now, I plan to expand this activity more at UF. Creating a non-profit in which dancers have paid performances and donate that money to neurological research institutes is how I believe I should start. With UF’s resources, I easily see this idea becoming reality.

Extracurricular activities essay prompt

With this extracurricular activities essay examples prompt, you must answer all three parts of the University of Florida essays question to complete your UF application. 

Like the extracurricular activities essay examples for Vanderbilt, this sample from our UF supplemental essay examples puts you right in the middle of the story. It starts off with a quote, grabbing the reader’s attention. This sample of the University of Florida essays also shows you the length of involvement this author had in the activity while highlighting aspects of their unique culture. 

This is one of our college essays that worked because this response details the author’s experience, growth, and future goals. On top of that, this sample from our UF supplemental essay examples further strengthens the writer’s UF application by connecting their experience to how they hope to continue this activity at UF.

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Princeton University

This sample from the Princeton essay examples is the last of our college essays that worked.

Princeton Essay Examples

Serving as a Student Government leader at my college has taught me the power of student voice and collaborative leadership. During my Junior year, I began attending Senate Meetings and was elected as a Senator a few months later. I began proposing solutions to problems my college faces, from lack of STEM programming to low voter turnout rates to poor multicultural outreach programs. I created student committees to tackle these problems, the most recent being a committee working to bring a series of local STEM professionals for our artist-in-residence series. I was appointed as a student voice to faculty committees, such as the Diversity and Equity Committee. I use this position to bring student concerns I hear from SG directly to the college board to catalyze changes in our college, such as the introduction of STEM cohort groups or providing resources for students of color.

The last of our extracurricular activities essay examples mentions the activity right away. It also mentions what the activity taught the author. Like the extracurricular activities essay examples above, this response adds specific details. Moreover, the author describes the impact of their leadership role.

In addition to describing the experience itself, this essay highlights how the author implemented solutions to the problems they recognized within their community, another key skill that will be important in college. 

How To Write A Great Extracurricular Activities Essay

In our extracurricular activities essay examples, you saw different ways to write a great extracurricular activities essay. Now let’s talk about how you can use these extracurricular activities essay examples to help you write your own.

When you write your own extracurricular activities essay, be sure to refer to the extracurricular activities essay examples above. Each of the extracurricular activities essay examples highlights a different aspect of each applicant’s candidate profile—from backgrounds to passions to academic interests and goals.

Read every prompt carefully

Remember, some colleges might have different ways of approaching the extracurricular activities essay, which will be evident in the essay prompt. Like some of the extracurricular activities essay examples above, you might be working with a shorter or longer word limit. You also may have specific questions you need to address when elaborating on your extracurriculars.

There’s no specific formula on how to write a great extracurricular activities essay. However, here are a few tips to help you write a strong response that will stand out from the crowd. 

Additional Tips for Writing Extracurricular Activities Essays

Choosing which activities to write about and how to present them is key to writing a successful extracurricular activities essay. Reading some elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples can help you learn how to structure your own essays. You’ll likely need to write about your extracurriculars to complete your college application requirements. So, use this as a chance to show the admissions committee what matters to you. 

In this guide, we’ve reviewed extracurricular activities essay examples from some of the top colleges in the nation. We hope this helps you as you write your own extracurricular activities essay. 

Three tips to help you write your extracurricular activities essays: 

1. demonstrate your passion . .

Like we saw in the extracurricular activities essay examples, this is your opportunity to show what’s important to you. Use your essays to demonstrate your passion. 

2. Show your dedication. 

Many of our extracurricular activities essay examples discussed how long the author was involved in the activity. Show your dedication to your hobby, club, or organization through your essay responses. 

3. Match your extracurricular activities essay examples to a school’s mission or values. 

There are plenty of applicants who can fill out all the college application requirements. However, to truly stand out, you’ll want to show the admissions office why you are a great fit for their university. Match your extracurricular activities essay examples to a college’s mission or values to prove that you are committed to attending that university.

Other CollegeAdvisor Resources on Extracurricular Activities 

If you need help figuring out how to get involved, watch our webinar for tips on how to join new extracurricular activities in high school. For more ideas on which extracurricular activities might be right for you, check out our article on 38 high school extracurricular ideas for college applicants. 

38 High School Extracurricular Ideas for College Applicants

Wondering how to showcase your extracurricular activities in your college applications? Check out our guide for more information on how to approach extracurricular activities in the college admissions process. 

How to Showcase Extracurricular Activities In Your College Applications

Finally, check out our panel for additional tips on how to craft your activity and extracurriculars list for college. 

Crafting Your Activity and Extracurriculars List

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples – Final Thoughts 

We hope that our guide on extracurricular activities essay examples (and college essays that worked) help you prepare your own extracurricular activities essay. If an extracurricular activities essay is part of your college application requirements, be sure to refer back to our extracurricular activities essay examples for guidance.

As you likely noticed from our extracurricular activities essay examples, college essays that worked tend to highlight students’ passion. This is even more true when it comes to extracurriculars. Don’t feel daunted by the extracurricular supplemental essay requirement. Instead, use it as a chance to highlight how you engage deeply with the world around you. 

Not all prompts are the same

Remember, the prompt to your extracurricular activities essay might look different than the ones we highlighted in our extracurricular activities essay examples above. Even if your prompt is different from our ‘elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples’, you can still use them to brainstorm ideas for your own extracurricular activities essay. 

Do you need help with other college application requirements? CollegeAdvisor.com can help. Register today to get one-on-one support as you begin your college application process.

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How to Write the Princeton Transfer Essays

Writing the Princeton transfer essays is not going to be as easy as it is for other schools. After all, they only started accepting transfer students around the Fall of 2017. This opened an entire population of aspiring Princeton students looking to be part of the 1% who get accepted. Well, more accurately, the 1.18% of admitted students.

“The 16 admitted transfer students primarily come from community colleges across the country… The University received 1,349 applications for the transfer program this year — close to a 50% increase from last year.” Princeton University Official Website 2021

Before you start tackling how to write the Princeton transfer essays, we’re going to cover an important element of the application: Mindset. Yeah, okay; we know. We can hear the groans from here. But, listen closely. Having the right mindset is going to be crucial to writing a strong Princeton transfer essay that gets you accepted.

Most of the people we get asking for help on their Princeton application essays almost always ask what the university wants to see. “What does Princeton want to see in the application essays?” “What should I put in the Princeton application essays to get accepted?”

Don’t think like this. You need to accept your unique qualities and be open to writing about them if you want to write a set of strong Princeton transfer essays.

You cannot string your words into any magical manner that would “trick” the admissions officers into accepting you. You also cannot write anything that they are looking for in particular. Of course, they have a mental checklist of character traits like hard work, determination, ethics, etc. But, when the admissions officers are reading your application essays, this is an opportunity for them to learn about YOU .

Once you stop trying to find the formula to a good essay and start simply opening up your character in the essays, you’ll find that your essays will look much better. Now, there’s a balance to everything. Be open, but don’t ignore strategy completely.

Let’s cover some of the said strategies below. And, don’t forget: remember to open up about what makes you uniquely you!

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Table of Contents

• For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who are Undecided

For B.S.E Degree Applicants:

• Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals., what is a new skill you would like to learn in college.

• What brings you joy?

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Have you had any interruptions or gaps in your education since high school or college, or have you left any school voluntarily for a significant timeframe if so, please explain the timeline of your post-secondary career. (please respond in about 150 words.), what are your plans during and after your higher education experience (please respond in about 150 words.).

• The Princeton Graded Written Paper

1. Princeton Transfer Essay Prompts

For a.b. degree applicants or those who are undecided:.

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in about 250 words.) Princeton Official Website

For 250 words, there is not a lot you can say. So, you’ll have to answer the Princeton transfer essay from a Nietzschean front. That is, writing with a hammer and condensing meaning as closely as possible.

We recommend having these three elements covered in your essay: Why is that particular academic area a curious thing to study, what will you do in the future with it, and how is Princeton instrumental to this pursuit?

Princeton University seldom accepts transfers. So, there should be a very good reason why they should accept you. If you want to explore a new field because it’s something you’re interested in, it’s going to be difficult to beat out someone else’s essay talking about how they plan to create a big project off of their interest. There’s a major reason selective schools only choose the students who provide the highest value to the institution.

Therefore, when answering the “… how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests?” part, remember to emphasize what exactly those particular interests are. Perhaps you have an idea you want to start at Princeton. Maybe you want to create a business in your particular field. Don’t be afraid to think big. After all, the students you’ll be competing against certainly will. The same principle goes for the BSE degree, which we’ll cover below.

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in about 250 words.) Princeton Official Website

Unlike the AB degree Princeton essay question, the BSE one has a notable difference. They want to know any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering you had. This requires you to dig back into the past and use those experiences to describe how you developed an interest in studying engineering at Princeton.

For this question, we recommend finding the moment you knew your particular field in engineering was right for you. That means you knew from that moment that this was something you could imagine yourself doing for a long time later in life.

Let’s say for instance you are interested in computer science.

We’ve often come across people who say that their interest in computer science stemmed from a tragic backstory or monumental fairy tale moment. Their grandma died. They met the CEO of Twitter. You know how it goes.

If, however, your interest was born of humble beginnings, say it. Don’t lie. There is no right or wrong way to go about this, and just lying in your application about what catalyzed your interest will not help you. We’ve read many university application essays before, and we can tell when topics don’t come from the heart.

Next, you’ll need to be very specific about the programs at Princeton that would help build on your interests in engineering. Typically, this involves your future aspirations with engineering and how Princeton’s resources could help benefit it.

Let’s use the computer science example again.

If you’re in computer science and wanted to develop a startup that would use the power of artificial intelligence to generate passive income, you may be interested in Princeton’s Entrepreneurial Hub Incubator. Be hyper-specific about how the resources at Princeton would help you achieve your particular dreams and aspirations. Keeping all of this below 250 words could be quite challenging. So, we would recommend having an admissions advisor and editor collaborate with you on how to achieve the maximum impact for the smallest word count.

2. Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words.) Princeton Official Website

Your topic in the Princeton extracurricular essay actually does not matter too much. The main focus of this essay should be why the extracurricular activity was meaningful to you. Was the organization that you interned for a gateway into what in-house work would look like in a tech startup? Was the hobby an opportunity for you to connect to the spiritual side that you never discovered, even as someone who prided themselves in rationality and practicality? Did your activities unleash a part of your personality that helped you grow as a person and therefore make you fit better into the Princeton community?

There are many topics you can cover. However, it’s up to you to describe the meaningfulness behind it. The admissions officers will be reading and analyzing this to understand how what you’ve written will make you a great addition to the school.

Here’s another very, very important detail to consider when answering the Princeton extracurricular question. We see this in essays all the time, so don’t do this.

Do not copy what you’ve put in your extracurricular section into the Princeton extracurricular essay. You can have the same topic. However, you need to share information that is not already apparent anywhere else in the application. Remember: this essay shows more about you, not the achievement itself.”

Okay, let’s take a look at an example.

If you’re interested in Chess, you don’t want to just repeat all the accomplishments you’ve made in chess. Those are already going to be in your application and awards section. Saying that this hobby is meaningful because you’re won “x” awards would only highlight your competitiveness —which, let’s be real, a school like Princeton will already know about. Instead, you could talk about how chess was an outlet for you to make intelligent problem-solving fun. For instance, take grandmaster Hikari in the video we’ve put below.

Historically, chess has had quite the air of arrogant intellect surrounding it. It’s even made the game quite inaccessible to some who find that pomposity unattractive. In this video, grandmaster Hikari turns the tables on Chess’s seriousness and plays a ridiculous move he titled the “bong cloud” opening. It is a move that is purposefully terrible for the sake of comedic effect. If you’re someone who likes to enjoy and have fun with the mental problem-solving process, you would be an interesting person compared to the rest of the application pool.

In fact, think about what writing about this would insinuate. By writing about Chess and how using moves like the bong cloud opening helped make a meaningful impact on your perspective on problem-solving, admissions officers can infer that you’re someone who is capable of having a healthy relationship with challenges and obstacles. You have a good attitude with work, and not an unhealthy one rife with doubt, anxiety, and toxic hustle culture. Thus, you’d be a great addition to the Princeton community and perhaps even a force to depathologize the work culture there.

3. Your Voice

Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words. Princeton Official Website

There are two different questions here. We’ve pasted them below and deconstructed how to tackle each one. There is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing either question. Simply answer the one you believe you’d have the strongest answer for.

So, there are a few important details to consider when answering this question. We recommend keeping these major points in mind.

• Were you having respectful dialogue?
• Why was the topic you discussed difficult?
• What did you gain? Was it really a gain?
• If you translate what you gained to the future, does it benefit Princeton in any way?

These are major ideas in the prompt that the admissions officers will keep in mind when Princeton reads your essays. You should have a sufficient answer covering all of these without any holes. Let’s explore each point.

Respectful dialogue means one where you are listening. This is actually something a lot of people don’t know how to do, and many are surprised just how rare true listening really is. It’s a skill, like any other manifestation of emotional intelligence. Demonstrate to the admissions officers that you truly are listening. Show that you’re trying to understand their perspective even if it’s difficult. Show that you’re wrestling with difficult concepts and abstractions WITH your partner instead of arguing. This demonstrates the kind of emotional maturity that is necessary for productive communication to flourish at Princeton.

Next, consider why the topic you discussed was difficult. For some, difficult concepts mean treading waters that can risk being offensive to others yet need to be discussed. For others, this can mean exploring ideas that truly push one to the limits of their intellectual capabilities. Here are some examples. Explaining the idea of modern Economics to traditional, conservative thinking family members can be quite difficult because one risks denigrating the sanctity of parental authority. Telling family members that “there is no labor shortage, just a shortage of good employers” risks offending a demographic of older people who hold opposing opinions. Writing about your discussion with strictly religious family members about the connections between Judaism and Christianity could be difficult because it demands theological, psychological, and learned knowledge that pushes your limits of articulation and perception. Writing about this could be advantageous because it shows Princeton that you are not afraid of being wrong when pushing your intellectual capabilities for the pursuit of truth.

In terms of gain, this can be quite difficult. More often than not, most people only gain the moral superiority and domination of being “right” in a discussion. You don’t want to write this in your essay. Princeton doesn’t need conquerors; they need explorers. Thus, write about what you’ve gained metaphysically. Talk about the emotional bonding you’ve developed as a result of this difficult conversation or the new perspective you’ve gained as a result of listening to another side. You can write about any kind of gain so long as it demonstrates a part of your that is positive for the school.

The last element is rather obvious; yet, it’s critical. Make sure to tie the essay together by talking about how what you’ve gained from this discussion would benefit your future at Princeton. Maybe your new perspective has made you more open to differing opinions, and therefore you can conduct more sophisticated dialogue with intelligent people. Perhaps you developed the humility needed to accept that, at times, being wrong about something is not as bad as you thought; therefore, you can accept being wrong at Princeton with a positive outlook and learn from what the community has to offer.

One word: cliche.

Okay, well, not just one word. It should be three words: don’t be cliche. You get the point.

The reason we start with this advice for this particular question is that many applicants to Princeton will have similar volunteer experiences. We’ve looked at many different Ivy League essays, and many of them have very similar volunteer experiences. For the most part, this is inescapable. After all, not everyone can have a unique volunteer experience that just so happens to stray from the norm unless they’re very, very fortunate.

So, what do we do?

The key here is to write about the unique parts of your experience. Everyone’s volunteer experience is unique and meaningful in their own way; so, write how that was the case for you. How does your unique perspective on your experience parallel Princeton’s values and principles on service?

4. More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself! Princeton Official Website

We’ve listed all the short answer questions you need to answer below. Each one will be 50 words; so, you’ll need to be precise in your language. Here’s a tip, write each one without thinking about the word count. Just go about it being as honest as you can. Then, take the most important parts of what you’ve written and condense them to their most critical points.

If you are still stuck with a high word count, try making copies of your existing essay and reducing parts you can remove. Then, read them side by side. You’d be surprised with how much you can reduce! There’s more dead wood laying around than you think!

The word “skills” in this question can mean everything from sports techniques to more abstract skills like critical thinking. The prompt is purposely vague because it allows applicants to open up about the things they truly want to learn, but it is also an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate humility in the wake of the admissions process.

This is the chance to show you are open to learning, and that you’re open to learning in the Princeton community.

Whichever choice you make, you should choose an answer that would make you into a greater person. Your answer should be something that the admissions officers can analyze and see parts of your personality that may not originally be obvious.

Here’s an example. It is becoming more normalized for Dungeon Masters to make their DM skills an actual career. There is a high demand for skilled Dungeon Masters, and this can be quite difficult for people because it requires people to have strong communication skills. Thus, one way you can answer this question is to say that you want the kind of strong communication skills that would make you a master of dialogue between many groups of diverse people.

What brings you joy? 

You don’t have to get philosophical or anything unless you want to.

This question can be answered quite easily, but you should consider what the topic you’re writing about shows about you. Let’s say you want to write about how video games bring you joy. It would be critical to consider why video games actually bring you joy and what kind of character traits the admissions officers can infer from your writing.

If you derive joy from playing with others in competitive E-Sports environments, it is clear that you have a collaborative and competitive temperament. If you enjoy playing casual games with friends and cracking jokes during games to unwind after a long day, one may assume you enjoy light-hearted company with others and the humor that comes with it. It also shows you can get along well with people even if they don’t enjoy intense, competitive environments.

Consider how these character traits would look in relation to the rest of your application. Someone who enjoys the collaborative, competitive E-Sports environment of gaming would be a great fit for a fast-paced startup environment that requires creative thinking and quick-witted innovation. What are your dreams and aspirations? Do they correlate with the kinds of things that bring you joy? If so, make that connection!

Don’t overthink this one.

The nature of this question is deceiving because people think there is a right or wrong answer to this one. There really isn’t. The nature of music is that it can fit with practically anyone. Though, you may want to have a song that actually aligns with the content of your essays. So, if your essays cover themes of overcoming obstacles and difficulties, any song that inspires grit and determination is fine.

Meanwhile, having a party song clash with the main focus of your other essays may make things confusing.

However, there are unique ways of approaching this. After all, some songs fit perfectly with certain activities.

To answer the Princeton song essay question creatively, you can think about the precise life events that took place in the past few months. What were the most significant events of the past months? Did you write about it in your application? Is there a song that fits with exactly what happened at that moment? If so, you can reference it and its themes and connect it with the song or soundtrack you want.

Let’s say you wrote the extracurricular activity essay on your experience volunteering as a soccer coach for your local middle school. You talked about how the kids in the middle school would try their best to win and push their bodies to the limit. There’s one student in particular who you’ve been pushing to get to break from his comfort zone. When defeat seems to be near, you yell for him to take a shot and he does. He lands a miraculous shot and turns the game from a loss to a tie.

What song goes well with training someone to transcend obstacles and adversities? Well, a good example would be this one.

Okay, fine. The meme associated behind it may be too informal for students to be comfortable with putting it in a Princeton application.

Though, you get the gist of it:

• Find what the most significant experience was in the past few months.
• Locate a theme from that event.
• Find a song that best summarizes that theme just from listening to it.

Let’s look at one more example.

You spent the last 2 months working to get a fitter body. You’ve worked to get more muscle mass and, after having already done so, you’re looking to shred the fat. So, your extracurricular activity involved running like a racehorse and eating like a rabbit.

If you wrote about this in your extracurricular activity essay, think of what theme this has. There are a lot of themes to pull from this. Vegetarianism. Running. Grinding. Hard Work. Patience. Etc. So, here’s a good song to go along with that.

One of the things we’ve been asked a lot is whether rap, rock, and hip hop are allowed.

You should remember that your admissions officers are human. If you had songs from anime, tv shows, rap music, Korean dramas, etc, you’re okay. Typically your admissions officers will understand that you’re a normal person, and normal people don’ criticize music tastes too much. Though, do you know what would make them criticize?

If you seem fake.

This is perhaps the last bit of advice we would give on this essay question. Do not be fake with this question. The point of the Princeton transfer essay is to open up about yourself so the admissions officers know you’re a genuine person. Don’t let your greed for an acceptance letter blind you to the point of the essay as a whole. Tell the truth. Be honest. Use a song that speaks to your heart.

5. Higher Education Experience

This question always seems to give people headaches.

The admissions officers ask this question because they want to know whether you’ve been doing things productively with your time off. They also want to screen you for any inconsistencies or insufficiencies in your history. Don’t fret, though. Remember to be truthful and keep the way you appear to the admissions officers in mind.

Whatsoever your reasons for having interruptions in the gap of your education, the topic is usually less important than the explanation behind it. If you’ve had a medical issue that prevented you from continuing on with your educational career, you can write about that and how the physical handicap hindered your progress. If you spent the time traveling abroad, you can mention that as well.

Be honest, but remember what your experience can say about you.

If your health was in danger, you may be unable to clarify as much. Though, it may also show that you have the emotional patience and maturity to understand that pursuing an education whilst you’re sick is not the most responsible thing to do.

If you write about traveling, consider writing about why you’ve needed to do so and why it was so important that it was worth taking a gap year for. Maybe you spent so long in school that you needed the time to take a spiritual journey and “find yourself” before you were truly ready for the challenges to come during college. Or, perhaps you needed the time to take a break and truly recover from the workload before you can be fully energized for the next big project you’ll undertake at Princeton. Both are entirely valid reasons and show that you have a rational plan.

Have we mentioned the importance of honesty in these essays already? We have? Well, we’re going to say it again for this essay question too.

The admissions officers know that practically every student is going to have at least an uncertain path ahead of them after their academic years. Even the people who know they’ll be starting a nonprofit or tech startup realize further into their career that they have no idea what they’re doing and what direction their projects will take.

Take Elon Musk. The man had a plan, especially when he worked to develop Paypal. Yet, even after having created so complex software and cashing out of it at the end, could he have guessed he’d be making flamethrowers or sending rockets to space? Well, probably not.

If you answer this question from a position of humility, you’d be answering this question wisely. It will show both the emotional maturity to admit that anyone in their early 20s can’t possibly know everything about the future. However, if you admit that you’ve thought immensely and have a sophisticated idea of what you’ll at least be striving for, then you’ll have an even greater answer.

Thus, the best way to answer this question is both from a position of humility and a position of informed hope. You admit that you don’t know as much as you think you do about the future; yet, you demonstrate that you have an actionable plan to execute that will bring you closer to what you want to do.

Here’s an example.

You are interested in the world of Science and Technology, particularly in what the world of AI and Robotics has to offer. Yet, your interests are wide and far because you’re still young. You need to hone your experience to truly narrow it down into one field. So, you plan to create a startup in robotics and in artificial intelligence that would also serve to explore the manifestations of your labour in these passions. You give yourself actionable steps such as a monthly to-do list for your online marketing campaign for the startup as well as a set of requirements to fulfill in recruiting other people for your team.

This would answer the Princeton future plans question perfectly since it shows a sense of humble wisdom and reasonable action all in one package. These personality traits would help admissions officers realize you have the right mindset and temperament to succeed in the future, especially at Princeton.

6. The Princeton Graded Written Paper

Princeton also requires you to submit a graded written paper you’ve done in school. This is preferably from an English class. There is a lot to unpack with the graded written paper, so we’re going to paste our guide on how to write it here.

However, to make it short, this is generally what you want to do with the Princeton graded written paper.

• Ask your teacher if they could grade your paper first.
• Find a meaningful topic to write about.
• Show Princeton that you can articulate your ideas properly.
• Get your essay edited or revised before submitting it to your teacher.
• Send your results once you’re satisfied.

It’s important to note that Princeton is measuring both your ability to formulate complex ideas as well as your ability to articulate said ideas in words. So, the key to writing a good Princeton graded written paper is to ask your teacher if you could write an essay for them to grade on a topic of your choosing. That way, you’re playing a home game. You’ll be writing a topic you’re knowledgeable about.

If you are still struggling to write your Princeton transfer essays, don’t be afraid to ask us for help. You can schedule a free consultation with us, and we will get back to you with a free phone consultation. This consultation includes brainstorming, planning, and advising on your Princeton transfer essays.

2 thoughts on “How to Write the Princeton Transfer Essays”

All seems solid to me. If I get in, I’ll leave another comment.

Hi Seth! Thank you, and great! Good luck on the application and fingers crossed you get accepted!

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Sarah o'neill blog pennsylvania, writing the princeton supplemental essays.

  Princeton Excerpt

For each class, Princeton brings together a varied mix of high-achieving, intellectually gifted students from diverse backgrounds to create an exceptional learning community.

According to Princeton admissions ( via their website ):

“We look for students with intellectual curiosity who have pursued and achieved academic excellence.  We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments.” 

“This is your opportunity to display your best writing as well as your ability to convey ideas in your own voice.”

Instead of worrying about meeting a specific set of criteria, try to create an application that will help us see your achievements — inside the classroom and out — in their true context, so we can understand your potential to take advantage of the resources at Princeton and the kind of contribution you would make to the Princeton community . Show us what kind of student you are. Show us that you have taken advantage of what your high school has to offer and how you have achieved and contributed in your own particular context.

We look for students who make a difference in their schools and communities, so tell us about your leadership activities, interests, special skills and other extracurricular involvements. Tell us if you’ve had a job or a responsibility in your home. Most Princeton students were academic standouts in high school . Most of them also invested their energy and talents in significant ways outside the classroom. We want to know what you care about, what commitments you have made and what you’ve done to act on those commitments .

T he types of students admitted consisted of applicants who share their personal passions and unique talents that set them apart intellectually and culturally from others. Students tell of how they persevered through adversity, tackled a problem, endeavored to solve it, and grew through a specific journey. Students engage the reader with a specific image and description and show how they persist throughout their journey (and throughout the essay) by connecting every detail to their growth and learning . Perseverance is a type of self-discipline towards a goal that admission officers admire in candidates. These essays show perseverance and use a wrap-around ending to bring the organization and learning full circle. 

Supplemental Essay Example:  

Prompt: Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Since childhood, I have been a voice for the just treatment of animals. From my puppy brother Zack, I felt firsthand how humans and animals can have incredible connections. For instance, when my mother was bedridden during chemotherapy, I felt powerless. By looking into Zack’s eyes, sensing his empathy, I got through a time that I could not have alone.

The summer my mother entered remission amid the pandemic, a virtual job on VolunteerMatch caught my attention. “Be flexible to complete tasks for the advocacy director within 48 hours.” After interviewing and sending mock emails to legislators and non-profits asking for their endorsements of the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act, I officially represented AWA—Animal Wellness Action (AWA). Gradually, the job requirement of “be flexible” grew apparent. Owing to my experience as editor-in-chief of my school’s newspaper, I wrote opinion articles for local Connecticut papers on behalf of AWA; to publicize AWA’s Youth Steering Committee, I invited Dr. Bonsteel, founder of Humane Action Pittsburgh, to speak at an all-school assembly on how to effectively communicate with legislators. The end of his talk remains deep in my memory: “Helping animals helps us all.”

Indeed, my passion for animal advocacy began upon recognizing Zack’s humanity. Through Princeton’s High Meadows Fellowship Program (bridging human and animal interests via environmental protection) and TigerTAILS (helping animal shelters attract local adoption families to improve all of our lives), I will continue fighting for acts of humanity toward the beings who understand and feel more than we imagined. 

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., how extracurriculars help your college application.

We know you want to impress colleges with your accomplishments in the classroom, but your academics aren’t the full picture to who you really are. Yes, colleges want bright students. But even more, they want bright, well–rounded students. That's where your extracurricular activities come in.

Grades and test scores are very important, but so are the extra activities you choose to do on your own time. Admissions officers are looking to create a class made up of students with diverse interests and backgrounds. They'll look closely at your extracurriculars to get a sense of the person you are and what you care about.

How much you do isn't as important as being committed to what you do

A college application with scattered interest and involvement over four years looks flakey. A student that runs track and sings in the choir throughout four years of high school shows passion and commitment. Find out early on what sparks your interest and stick with it.

Demonstrate leadership

If you have the opportunity and drive to be the captain the tennis team, president of the French club, or editor of the school lit mag, seize the opportunity. Colleges like responsible leaders who earn the respect of their peers.

Read More: 6 Ways Hobbies Can Get You Into College

An after–school job shows maturity

Don't worry if an after-school job prevents you from participating in extracurriculars. If you have to work so that your family can make ends meet, be sure the colleges you apply to understand that. Helping to support a family is a serious responsibility that demonstrates character. And just as with extracurriculars, it's impressive if you retain a job for an extended period and rise to a position of responsibility.

Extracurriculars can be valuable experience

If you have a career goal or study interest that you can pursue outside the classroom, take advantage. Think you might be interested in medicine? Try volunteering at a local hospital. Are you destined to be a writer? Join your school's newspaper or yearbook. These activities can help give you a strong foundation should you decide to pursue them further, academically or professionally.

Some colleges and scholarship committees may ask you to include a high school resume with your application materials. Get our tips for crafting your college admissions resume .

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Extracurriculars.

3 Successful Extracurricular Activity Essay Examples

The purpose of the extracurricular activities essay is for admissions officers to better understand how your extracurricular activities have shaped and motivated you. This essay shouldn’t restate the activities you’ve already shared in your resume, but should elaborate on their impact and significance to you as a person.

In this post, we will share three extracurricular essays, written by real students, that are strong responses. Read them to be inspired in your own essay writing!

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Essay Example #1

My fingers raced across the keys, rapidly striking one after another. My body swayed with the music as my hands raced across the piano. Crashing onto the final chord, it was over as quickly as it had begun. My shoulders relaxed and I couldn’t help but break into a satisfied grin. I had just played the Moonlight Sonata’s third movement, a longtime dream of mine.

Four short months ago, though, I had considered it impossible. The piece’s tempo was impossibly fast, its notes stretching between each end of the piano, forcing me to reach farther than I had ever dared. It was 17 pages of the most fragile and intricate melodies I had ever encountered.

But that summer, I found myself ready to take on the challenge. With the end of the school year, I was released from my commitment to practicing for band and solo performances. I was now free to determine my own musical path: either succeed in learning the piece, or let it defeat me for the third summer in a row.

Over those few months, I spent countless hours practicing the same notes until they burned a permanent place in my memory, creating a soundtrack for even my dreams. Some would say I’ve mastered the piece, but as a musician I know better. Now that I can play it, I am eager to take the next step and add in layers of musicality and expression to make the once-impossible piece even more beautiful.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay has a descriptive and engaging hook that immediately places the reader in the middle of the action and captivates us for the rest of the essay. The way the student describes playing piano as a full-body experience, from their splayed out fingers to their tensed shoulders, allows the reader to envision the student in front of them, passionately losing themselves in the music. Seeing the way they write about the piano is a sign that this student is dedicated to this extracurricular. 

Another strength of this essay is how it shows this student’s character, particularly their determination. By describing the challenge of playing this piece, we can fully appreciate all that they had to overcome to be successful. Rather than simply saying it was a hard song, they show us how it was physically and mentally daunting: “ The piece’s tempo was impossibly fast, its notes stretching between each end of the piano, forcing me to reach farther than I had ever dared. It was 17 pages of the most fragile and intricate melodies I had ever encountered.”

This student knows how to make music in their writing, as well as on the piano. The use of elevated and creative language throughout the essay makes it flow smoothly for the reader. They take a rather simple story, but through their deft writing the student makes it both enjoyable and reveals details about themself.

What Could Be Improved

This essay could have been made even stronger if this student included details about them actually practicing. They go from telling us about how daunting this piece was to suddenly being able to play it months later, but admissions officers are curious about how you overcome challenges, not just the fact that you did.

Two or three sentences that describe the tedious process of practicing a particular scale or how they continuously messed up a certain bar of music would be sufficient to express what this student actually accomplished. Although space is tight in this essay, this would have been a better use of the third paragraph than what the student currently has. 

Essay Example #2

My school’s newspaper and I have a typical love-hate relationship; some days I want nothing more than to pass two hours writing and formatting articles, while on others the mere thought of student journalism makes me shiver. Still, as we’re entering our fourth year together, you could consider us relatively stable. We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences; at this point I’ve become comfortable spending an entire Friday night preparing for an upcoming issue, and I hardly even notice the snail-like speed of our computers. I’ve even benefitted from the polygamous nature of our relationship—with twelve other editors, there’s a lot of cooperation involved. Perverse as it may be, from that teamwork I’ve both gained some of my closest friends and improved my organizational and time-management skills. And though leaving it in the hands of new editors next year will be difficult, I know our time together has only better prepared me for future relationships.

This response is great. It’s cute and endearing and, importantly, tells readers a lot about the student who wrote it. Framing this essay in the context of a “love-hate relationship,” then supplementing with comments like “We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences” allows this student to advertise their maturity in a unique and engaging way. 

Personifying the newspaper is a creative way to demonstrate the role it plays in this student’s life. Because it is an unexpected tactic, it lets the reader appreciate the humor and wit of the author, while also being a lighthearted and fun response to read. 

While Extracurricular Essays can be a place to show how you’ve grown within an activity, they can also be a place to show how you’ve grown through an activity. At the end of this essay, readers think that this student is mature and enjoyable, and we think that their experience with the school newspaper helped make them that way.

One strike against this essay is that in the first sentence it claims the student has a love-hate relationship with the newspaper, but the rest of the essay really only addresses their experience from a positive perspective. They say the “ mere thought of student journalism makes me shiver ” but there is little-to-no elaboration about the negatives. Since they poised their essay as a love-hate relationship, it feels like it is missing something without any discussion about the hate aspect of the relationship. 

Essay Example #3

The cool, white halls of the Rayburn House office building contrasted with the bustling energy of interns entertaining tourists, staffers rushing to cover committee meetings, and my fellow conference attendees separating to meet with our respective congresspeople. Through civics and US history classes, I had learned about our government, but simply hearing the legislative process outlined didn’t prepare me to navigate it. It was my first political conference, and, after learning about congressional mechanics during breakout sessions, I was lobbying my representative about an upcoming vote crucial to the US-Middle East relationship. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents.

As I sat down with my congresswoman’s chief of staff, I truly felt like a participant in democracy; I was exercising my right to be heard as a young American. Through this educational conference, I developed a plan of action to raise my voice. When I returned home, I signed up to volunteer with the state chapter of the Democratic Party. I sponsored letter-writing campaigns, canvassed for local elections, and even pursued an internship with a state senate campaign. I know that I don’t need to be old enough to vote to effect change. Most importantly, I also know that I want to study government—I want to make a difference for my communities in the United States and the Middle East throughout my career.

The strength of this essay comes from its connections. It connects the student’s extracurricular activity to their studies and connects theirs studies to their personal history.

While this prompt is about extracurricular activities, it specifically references the idea that the extracurricular should support the curricular. It is focused on experiential learning for future career success. This student wants to study government, so they chose to describe an experience of hands-on learning within their field—an apt choice!

As this student discusses their extracurricular experience, they also clue readers into their future goals—they want to help Middle Eastern communities. Admissions officers love when students mention concrete plans with a solid foundation. Here, the foundation comes from this student’s ethnicity. With lines like “my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents,” the student assures admissions officers of their emotional connection to their future field.

Something that is missing from this essay is the emotional reflection this student has from their experiences in politics. They tell us they felt like a participant in democracy and they know they want to study government and make a difference, but for a really strong essay you need to dig deeper and tell the reader more about how this extracurricular makes you feel.

What does it feel like to be a participant in democracy? Liberating? Empowering? How did volunteering impact them personally? Did they develop a new appreciation for what it means to be an American? What feeling is this student trying to elicit by studying government? While all of these questions don’t have to be addressed, the idea is to inject more of the student’s feelings and emotion into the essay to help us better understand exactly what this extracurricular meant to them. 

More Supplemental Essay Tips

4 Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay

How to Write the “Why This College” Essay

Where to Get Your Extracurricular Activity Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Extracurricular Activity essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. 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!

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