What are your tips for writing the Smith College supplemental essay for 2024-2025?
I'm working on my Smith College application and just realized I'm a little stuck on the supplemental essay. I know the 2024-2025 prompt is kind of open-ended this year, and I'm having trouble figuring out what kind of topics will really stand out.
For anyone who's applying this year or who has applied in the past, do you have advice on how personal or creative you can get with the essay? I'm debating between writing about a really meaningful project I did with a local women's nonprofit or focusing on a time I challenged myself academically. Are there certain themes Smith is known to like, or things to steer clear of?
I'm hoping to get a sense of how specific or broad your responses were, and what seemed to connect with admissions. Any help or insight would be great!
For anyone who's applying this year or who has applied in the past, do you have advice on how personal or creative you can get with the essay? I'm debating between writing about a really meaningful project I did with a local women's nonprofit or focusing on a time I challenged myself academically. Are there certain themes Smith is known to like, or things to steer clear of?
I'm hoping to get a sense of how specific or broad your responses were, and what seemed to connect with admissions. Any help or insight would be great!
3 weeks ago
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9 views
Anonymous
3 weeks ago
The Smith College supplemental essay is famous for its open-ended prompt, which gives you the flexibility to showcase who you truly are. Smith values authenticity, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to personal growth—so leaning into those elements can definitely help your application stand out.
If you’re debating between writing about your involvement with a women’s nonprofit or a time you challenged yourself academically, consider which story best illustrates a facet of your identity that isn’t already clear from your application. For Smith, admissions officers like to see applicants who are eager to make a difference, think deeply, and have a strong sense of self. That said, both your ideas can work, but they need to be more than just a summary; shine a light on your personal journey or a moment of transformation within the experience.
For example, your nonprofit project could stand out if you focus on a particularly challenging or surprising moment—maybe a time you struggled to be taken seriously by adult partners, or when you realized you had the power to influence a larger group. Instead of just describing the organization or your tasks, explore the internal changes you went through. How did this experience alter how you see women's leadership or your role in your community? Maybe it gave you a new definition of empowerment. This creates a nuanced and personal narrative.
On the other hand, if you choose an academic challenge, avoid generic ‘I worked hard and got a good grade’ stories. Instead, examine a situation where confronting failure or discomfort led to a broader discovery—for instance, maybe you found joy in the subject after initially hating it, or this academic turning point sparked an interest that now shapes your goals.
Smith does appreciate creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with structure or style if you feel it suits your voice. Some students have written their essays as letters, journal entries, or direct reflections. However, clarity and authenticity are always more important than gimmicks.
Themes Smith is known to like include social justice, intellectual engagement, feminism, curiosity, and leadership—especially when explored in a way that reveals your character and values. Try to steer clear of cliché essays that could apply to anyone (such as broad statements about "empowering women" without personal anecdotes), and focus on a specific experience with reflective insight. Your goal: make the reader feel like they’ve learned something genuine about you that only you could write!
A quick example: One applicant once wrote about working to include quieter students in a lively debate club. She shared a detailed story of a particular meeting when her efforts changed the group dynamic—and subtly tied it back to Smith's commitment to inclusive leadership. That essay felt both personal and relevant to Smith’s core values.
Be yourself, dig deeply into one specific moment or realization, and show how it’s shaped your perspective. That’s what will make your essay memorable!
If you’re debating between writing about your involvement with a women’s nonprofit or a time you challenged yourself academically, consider which story best illustrates a facet of your identity that isn’t already clear from your application. For Smith, admissions officers like to see applicants who are eager to make a difference, think deeply, and have a strong sense of self. That said, both your ideas can work, but they need to be more than just a summary; shine a light on your personal journey or a moment of transformation within the experience.
For example, your nonprofit project could stand out if you focus on a particularly challenging or surprising moment—maybe a time you struggled to be taken seriously by adult partners, or when you realized you had the power to influence a larger group. Instead of just describing the organization or your tasks, explore the internal changes you went through. How did this experience alter how you see women's leadership or your role in your community? Maybe it gave you a new definition of empowerment. This creates a nuanced and personal narrative.
On the other hand, if you choose an academic challenge, avoid generic ‘I worked hard and got a good grade’ stories. Instead, examine a situation where confronting failure or discomfort led to a broader discovery—for instance, maybe you found joy in the subject after initially hating it, or this academic turning point sparked an interest that now shapes your goals.
Smith does appreciate creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with structure or style if you feel it suits your voice. Some students have written their essays as letters, journal entries, or direct reflections. However, clarity and authenticity are always more important than gimmicks.
Themes Smith is known to like include social justice, intellectual engagement, feminism, curiosity, and leadership—especially when explored in a way that reveals your character and values. Try to steer clear of cliché essays that could apply to anyone (such as broad statements about "empowering women" without personal anecdotes), and focus on a specific experience with reflective insight. Your goal: make the reader feel like they’ve learned something genuine about you that only you could write!
A quick example: One applicant once wrote about working to include quieter students in a lively debate club. She shared a detailed story of a particular meeting when her efforts changed the group dynamic—and subtly tied it back to Smith's commitment to inclusive leadership. That essay felt both personal and relevant to Smith’s core values.
Be yourself, dig deeply into one specific moment or realization, and show how it’s shaped your perspective. That’s what will make your essay memorable!
Your story matters — let’s make it shine
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