How do I approach the UMD College Park supplemental essays?
I'm working on my UMD College Park application, and I'm a bit stuck on how to tackle the supplemental essays. I know they have a few prompts, and I want my responses to stand out, but I’m not sure what kind of topics or stories they’re looking for.
If anyone has advice on what UMD values in their essays, or tips for the best way to brainstorm ideas, that would be really helpful. I’m especially worried about making my answers unique and not repeating things from my Common App essay.
I’m interested in business but I also want to show my other interests. Do you think it’s better to focus on one theme, or should I balance different parts of my personality? Any tips would be appreciated!
If anyone has advice on what UMD values in their essays, or tips for the best way to brainstorm ideas, that would be really helpful. I’m especially worried about making my answers unique and not repeating things from my Common App essay.
I’m interested in business but I also want to show my other interests. Do you think it’s better to focus on one theme, or should I balance different parts of my personality? Any tips would be appreciated!
2 weeks ago
•
11 views
Roger Lopez
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
UMD College Park is really looking for authenticity and evidence that you’ve thought about your fit for their school, not just impressive accomplishments. For their main required prompt—typically a question about how your unique background or experiences will contribute to their campus—think about a story or situation that shaped your perspective, especially one you haven't already covered in your Common App essay.
Since you’re interested in business, you can mention that, but think about complementing it with an unrelated interest to present a multidimensional view of yourself. For example, you could talk about how your passion for business intersects with a hobby like photography, community organizing, or environmental advocacy, showing you’re not one-dimensional.
With brainstorming, start by jotting down memorable moments where you faced a challenge or collaborated with others in a unique context—a great essay often focuses on a small, vivid experience rather than a broad life summary. For example, instead of simply mentioning how you like investing in stocks, you might discuss the time you organized a mini-investment club at your school, but then pivot into how your interest in creative writing helped you explain complex ideas to your peers, bridging two passions.
Balance is key: you don’t need to shoehorn all your interests into one essay, but mentioning more than one aspect of your identity can make the story richer, as long as the connection feels natural. Avoid just repeating your Common App story—look for a new angle or insight. For instance, if your main essay was about launching a business, your UMD essay could highlight a moment where you learned from failing at something unrelated (like music or volunteering), and explain how it affected your worldview and approach to business.
UMD wants to see growth, curiosity, and openness to community. Try to put yourself in their shoes and think: does this essay tell them something fresh about me? Have I used specific, engaging details rather than generic statements?
Finally, let your voice shine through—add humor, a surprising twist, or a candid admission (e.g., how struggling with group projects made you more adaptable), as long as it’s genuine. Don’t be afraid to step away from the purely academic or professional if it helps round out the picture of who you are as a future Terp.
Since you’re interested in business, you can mention that, but think about complementing it with an unrelated interest to present a multidimensional view of yourself. For example, you could talk about how your passion for business intersects with a hobby like photography, community organizing, or environmental advocacy, showing you’re not one-dimensional.
With brainstorming, start by jotting down memorable moments where you faced a challenge or collaborated with others in a unique context—a great essay often focuses on a small, vivid experience rather than a broad life summary. For example, instead of simply mentioning how you like investing in stocks, you might discuss the time you organized a mini-investment club at your school, but then pivot into how your interest in creative writing helped you explain complex ideas to your peers, bridging two passions.
Balance is key: you don’t need to shoehorn all your interests into one essay, but mentioning more than one aspect of your identity can make the story richer, as long as the connection feels natural. Avoid just repeating your Common App story—look for a new angle or insight. For instance, if your main essay was about launching a business, your UMD essay could highlight a moment where you learned from failing at something unrelated (like music or volunteering), and explain how it affected your worldview and approach to business.
UMD wants to see growth, curiosity, and openness to community. Try to put yourself in their shoes and think: does this essay tell them something fresh about me? Have I used specific, engaging details rather than generic statements?
Finally, let your voice shine through—add humor, a surprising twist, or a candid admission (e.g., how struggling with group projects made you more adaptable), as long as it’s genuine. Don’t be afraid to step away from the purely academic or professional if it helps round out the picture of who you are as a future Terp.
Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years