How are people approaching the Colby College supplemental essay for the 2025 application cycle?

A lot of applicants find Colby’s supplemental essay tricky because the prompts seem broad, but standing out is possible if you focus on details and authentic connections. Colby's most common prompts ask why you want to attend, or how you'd contribute to their community. They’re really interested in students who will engage—academically, socially, or both.

Since you’re interested in environmental studies, you don’t need to avoid the topic just because it’s popular at Colby. The key is to make your essay specific and personal. Instead of a general statement like, “I love the environment and want to study it at Colby,” try highlighting a unique experience or project. For example, maybe your independent research revealed something surprising about your local ecosystem, or maybe you led an initiative at school that changed your outlook on conservation. Think about a moment that shifted how you view this work—like meeting a community member impacted by environmental changes, or the first time you saw the direct effects of pollution in a local river.

Colby is big on the connection between students and faculty, the outdoors, and an ethos of collaboration. You could connect your interests to specific opportunities unique to Colby, like the Buck Lab for Climate and Environment or their partnerships with local Maine organizations. Showing how you'll use these resources or add something new to the campus community makes your application less generic. For instance, maybe your research or past activism gave you an idea for a campus initiative or club partnership you’d want to launch at Colby.

Some students write about community aspects, like the collaborative academic vibe or campus traditions that excite them. Others focus on how they’d contribute through clubs, leadership, or service. One past successful example included a student whose essay tied their passion for sustainable agriculture to Colby’s food recovery and community gardening projects. They used a specific story—volunteering in their town’s garden after a drought—to show the roots of their passion and then outlined how they’d jump into related efforts on Colby’s campus.

No matter the angle, make sure your essay isn’t just a list of Colby’s features or your resume. Connect a personal story or moment of growth to specific things at Colby, and explain how you’ll be an active part of their community.

Brainstorm a few unique stories from your experience and try mapping them to opportunities at Colby. It might help break the prompt down into two parts: what unique perspective or experience will you bring, and how will you make Colby better as a result? Once you make those connections, your essay will feel more genuine and memorable. Good luck!