How should I approach the Fordham supplemental essay if the exact prompt changes from year to year?

Fordham’s supplemental essay tends to stay in the same general lane even when the wording shifts.

So instead of drafting to a hypothetical exact prompt, prepare a flexible core essay built around three pieces: what matters to you intellectually or personally, what at Fordham connects to that, and why that connection makes sense now. That structure is reusable even if the prompt changes.

For Fordham, the strongest material is usually concrete and school-specific. Research particular academic programs, Jesuit values like cura personalis or service, campus culture, New York City opportunities, research centers, clubs, internships, or the distinct feel of Rose Hill versus Lincoln Center if relevant to you.

Then connect those details to your own priorities. Do not just say you want a school in NYC or that you value community. Explain something more precise, like wanting to study political science while taking advantage of internships in the city, or being drawn to Fordham’s combination of rigorous academics and service-oriented education.

A good early draft might be 70 percent stable and 30 percent adaptable. Keep your core story and your reasons for liking Fordham, but leave room to adjust the opening, emphasis, and conclusion once the official prompt is released.