What are some tips for writing the Wellesley College supplemental essay?

The Wellesley supplemental essay, especially the one involving the Wellesley 100, is all about showing the admissions team why Wellesley is the place for you—and, just as importantly, why you’re a great match for them. Here are a few strategies that can help you brainstorm and craft a thoughtful, memorable essay:

1. Dive into the Wellesley 100 thoughtfully. Don’t just skim the list—pick a handful of items that truly spark your curiosity or excitement. Take notes on why they stand out. For example, maybe you’re fascinated by Wellesley’s Science Center because you’ve spent high school leading your school’s robotics team, or perhaps the Davis Museum appeals to you as an aspiring art historian.

2. Make it personal and specific. Once you settle on a few items from the 100, ask yourself how each intersects with your own experiences or values, rather than just your broader interests. Admissions officers want to see a real connection. For example, someone passionate about gender equity might choose to write about Wellesley’s emphasis on women’s leadership development, grounding their essay in a story of advocating for equal opportunities in their community.

3. Avoid clichés by digging deeper. Instead of generic phrases like “I want to be empowered as a woman leader,” get specific with anecdotes that show you already practice leadership or advocacy, and how Wellesley could help you elevate that work. For instance, if you’ve mentored middle school girls in coding, describe a memorable moment when you saw someone you mentored have a breakthrough, and connect this to Wellesley’s STEM programs focused on diversity.

4. Structure: A good format is (a) introduce what draws you to Wellesley, (b) share a specific item or two from the 100 and how it connects to your values/experiences, and (c) discuss how you’d engage with those opportunities at Wellesley. For example, start with a story of organizing a community event at home, then talk about Wellesley’s Albright Institute for Global Affairs and how you envision joining their problem-solving work.

5. Show, don’t just tell. Rather than stating that you love Wellesley’s collaborative culture, narrate a moment from your life where collaboration changed the outcome for a group you were involved in, and describe how you’d bring that same energy to a Wellesley seminar or club.

Finally, as you draft, read your essay aloud to check if it sounds like your authentic voice, not just what you think the college wants. Readers can always spot when someone is being genuine.

One example: A student who loved Wellesley’s edible campus (their student-run farm) wrote about leading a school sustainability initiative, tracing it back to her grandmother’s kitchen garden. She then explained how she looked forward to joining the student farm at Wellesley and launching a multicultural food series using campus-grown produce.

If you give yourself room to be honest and specific, you’ll stand out more than trying to impress with generic statements. Good luck—you’re already on the right path by caring this much about your draft!