What should I write about for the College of the Holy Cross supplemental essays?

Feeling stuck is normal—Holy Cross's prompts are intentionally broad to let you show a side of yourself that's most genuine. The main part to keep in mind is that Holy Cross is a Jesuit, liberal arts college that values service, reflection, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to the community.

Rather than focusing on what you think the admissions officers ‘want’ to hear, try to pick a topic that reveals something specific and unique about you. For example, if you choose to address an extracurricular, don't just list what you did as president of a club or what you achieved through Model UN. Instead, zoom in on a distinctive moment or conflict that made you see yourself or your community in a new way. Maybe you had to mediate a heated debate in a club, and that experience changed how you listen to and lead others. Small, authentic moments almost always read stronger than general summaries.

If you're considering the prompt about a challenge, drill down to a *moment* within that challenge. Avoid broad "overcoming adversity" themes unless you can bring in a truly fresh angle. For instance, if you struggled with remote learning during the pandemic, narrow it to one particular evening or project that made you adapt in an unusual way, or led to surprising growth in empathy or initiative.

On highlighting Jesuit values: you don’t need to be Catholic, but you might consider tying your experiences to service, community, or reflection. For instance, maybe you grew from volunteering at a local food pantry, not just in terms of helping others, but in terms of gaining humility or understanding the importance of human dignity—key Jesuit principles. Even a reflection about how you question or seek meaning fits the Holy Cross ethos, as long as it's personal and honest.

A strong example: one applicant described teaching dance to kids who didn't speak her language. She shared a brief story of one breakthrough moment: when a student taught her some steps from their own culture, flipping the student-teacher dynamic. The essay wasn’t really about dance or teaching, but about learning from others and mutual respect—very much in line with Holy Cross’s values.

To sum up, focus on:
- A specific experience, not your whole résumé
- How you grew or what the moment taught you
- If possible, connect to broader ideas like service, curiosity, or inclusivity

Don’t force religion or faith if it’s not authentic to you, but do show that you share the college’s values of reflection, curiosity, service, and open-mindedness. If in doubt, let your genuine voice come through, even if the topic feels small at first.

You’re on the right track by being thoughtful. Pick a topic only you could write, and the authenticity will shine through.