— Three Prompt and Essay Examples —

Below, explore the College & Curriculum Supplemental Essay Style with real past Supplemental Essay Prompts from three selective colleges—Dartmouth College, Purdue University, and Boston University!

Example Prompt 1: Dartmouth College

Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For Dartmouth College Applicants:

Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth's Class of 2027, what aspects of the College's academic program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? In short, Why Dartmouth?

Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:

Click To See The Successful Response

From bleary-eyed robotics work sessions, to collective team efforts on urgent EMT calls, I’ve realized that problem-solving is rarely an independent pursuit—true solutions require community. That sense of community undeniably draws me to Dartmouth.

At Dartmouth, I can collaboratively explore neuroscientific and pre-medical insights—while also addressing pressing concerns: systemic inequities, community-specific needs, and more. With LISTEN Community Services and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, I’d work to promote community health, nutrition access, and mental health support. With Health Disparities, I’d unite with peers—grappling with injustice, seeking solutions. From Cognitive Neuroscience to Senior Design, I’d grow through the action-oriented community that uniquely defines Dartmouth.

Example Prompt 2: Purdue University

Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For Purdue University Applicants:

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?

Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:

Click To See The Successful Response

While volunteering with nursing home patients, I saw that their health and memory difficulties interfered with daily tasks—and their emotional well-being. During my research internship, I began investigating medical data visualization—important tech-based tools for awareness.

With the mission-driven Purdue community, I hope to work toward equity, access, and quality of life for all. Remembering nursing home friends’ diverse needs, I’d address ethics and equity across disciplines, from Biomedical Ethics to IDEAS. Hoping to help patients regain independence, I look forward to team-based innovation with EPICS. With Purdue Health Equity initiatives and local outreach, I’d promote healthcare access, food justice—and empowerment.

Example Prompt 3: Boston University

Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For Boston University Applicants:

What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?

Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:

Click To See The Successful Response

As we walked past the George Sherman Student Union and heard insider tips about Mugar, I felt more than just an amazement with my dream campus—it was the passion that ran through the pulse of the community that made me even more amazed with BU.

As faculty and students shared their experiences and I saw more friendly faces, I knew that BU could be my home. With my interest in pursuing a major in Health Sciences, my own personal background, and my passion for helping others, I am inspired by the opportunity to join the Boston University learning community.

At BU, I especially would love to pursue undergraduate research opportunities and to work with underserved communities in the wider Boston area. BU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities would be an unmatchable experience. I have been inspired by my experiences working with a drug-prevention community outreach program throughtout my high school years. Seeing data take shape into community initiatives that I have led with peers has been incredibly rewarding.

At BU, I would love to conduct research with faculty to investigate how we can help injury rehabilitation in underserved areas and promote preventative health measures. BU’s UROP and community service opportunities would allow me to connect with the diverse local community, and Service Learning opportunities like Urban Design and Global Health would be transformative. I would love to see learning take shape into initiatives that can change lives.

Not only would I love to help the wider Boston community, but I would also love to find a new home among diverse classmates and faculty. Growing up with a father from Colombia and a mother from Puerto Rico has been endlessly enlightening. My parents’ stories have been inspiring, and my experiences growing up as a Latina in today’s society have been eye-opening.

The way BU embraces diversity, both on and off campus, makes me know that BU will be a place where I can learn, inspire, and thrive.

— The Supplemental Style —

Notice the themes that appear across all of the supplemental prompt examples above—and how each student successfully shared their ideas with inspiring essay responses. In the section below, learn how to strategically build successful supplemental essays like the ones you see above!

— College & Curriculum —