How should I approach the Davidson College supplemental essay?

Davidson’s supplemental prompts are definitely open-ended, which can feel a little intimidating at first. The key is to use the freedom they give you to showcase something about yourself that the rest of your application doesn’t capture, connecting your individuality to what excites you about Davidson.

If your unique hobby genuinely reflects your identity or growth, don’t dismiss it because it doesn’t seem "relevant." Admissions officers value essays that reveal your authentic self, especially if you can find a way to link your passion to Davidson’s values, community, or offerings. For example, if your hobby involves designing board games, you might write about how that taught you creative problem solving and collaboration, then connect it with Davidson’s collaborative small classes and strong sense of community.

One effective approach is to start with a specific personal anecdote—a moment of challenge, discovery, or even failure—related to your hobby or an important experience. Then, reflect on what that moment reveals about you. Afterward, show why Davidson is the place you see yourself bringing this aspect of yourself. Mention specific programs, courses, clubs, or campus traditions that resonate with you. This blend of personal story and demonstrated interest in the school typically stands out.

It’s less effective to write generic essays just listing Davidson’s strengths or focusing only on academic goals without a personal angle. For example, instead of saying, “I want to study political science at Davidson because of its great professors,” discuss how your experiences running student council debates led you to value small discussion-driven classes—like those Davidson offers—and how you would contribute your leadership style to the classroom.

A lot of students worry about being "relevant," but originality and sincerity are what really matter. A former applicant wrote her Davidson essay about archiving rare cassette tapes, connecting her love of finding lost stories to Davidson’s encouragement of self-designed research projects. She got in! The uniqueness wasn't about the hobby itself, but rather what it said about her mindset and her fit for Davidson.

So, pick a topic that feels truly “you,” tell a story, and bridge it to Davidson in a way no one else could. If you do that, you’re on the right track.