How should I approach the Franklin and Marshall College supplemental essays?

Feeling unsure about how to balance talking about yourself and the college is a very common concern when approaching supplemental essays, especially with a school like Franklin & Marshall, which is known for reading these carefully. The best approach is to use specific details about F&M to illustrate how your individual interests and experiences align with what F&M offers. You want to show that thoughtful match between you and the college—admissions looks for students who understand what makes F&M unique and can clearly envision themselves thriving there.

If you look at F&M's typical "Why Us" prompt, the strongest responses go beyond generic praise or listing well-known programs. Instead, they introduce something personal about you (a passion, an academic interest, an aspect of your identity), then tie it specifically to something at F&M. For example, maybe you discovered a love for interdisciplinary problem-solving through your high school debate club, and you connect this to F&M’s "Connections Curriculum," which allows you to design a multi-disciplinary course of study across different fields.

Specifics make the difference. Mention a class you want to take, a professor whose research excites you, a club or campus event you hope to join, or a value the campus community holds that resonates with you. For instance, if you’re passionate about sustainability and you see that F&M has a sustainability house or environmental initiatives, you can briefly share what you’ve done in this area in high school, then describe how you’d contribute to or benefit from that part of campus life.

Don’t spend too much of the word count just reciting facts about the college—always bring it back to you. Why does this aspect of F&M matter for your growth and goals? If you’re interested in research, don’t only say that F&M offers undergraduate research. Tie it to your curiosity, your past experiences, and perhaps a career path you’re excited about.

Here’s a quick formula: start with a quick story or detail about you, connect it to a specific facet of F&M, then explain why that combination excites you. Admissions readers want to see that you’ve done your research and honestly see yourself as part of their community.

One example: “When I led my school’s peer-tutoring initiative, I learned how much I value helping others understand challenging concepts. At F&M, I’m drawn to the strong academic mentorship culture, especially the Peer Tutoring Program and the Office of Student and Post-Graduate Development. I can picture myself both contributing as a tutor and benefitting from a campus community that values mutual support.”

The key is to keep the essay uniquely ‘you’, but make it clear that it had to be *F&M*—no other school would be an equally perfect fit. Good luck drafting! It sounds like you have a strong sense of why you’re interested, so just remember to keep those details front and center.