Discover the big questions you’ll explore this year—and how innovation can supercharge your answers.
University of Rochester.
The upgraded way.
URochester Supplemental Essays
— The Class of 2026 Guide —
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Start your Supplemental Essay Success below by previewing this guide’s three sections:
Information ⋄ Inspiration ⋄ Innovation
Discover strategies designed by an Ivy Alum and over three hundred success stories!
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— Supplemental Essay Prompts —
Through Guide Section 1 of 3—Information—explore this college’s supplemental essay prompts for Class of 2026 applicants, along with this college’s Supplemental Styles to streamline your essay-building process!
Supplemental Length
20 Word Maximum
Supplemental Style
Major & Missions
Supplemental Essay Prompt 1
— University of Rochester —
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— University of Rochester Prompt 1 —
What field/area of study are you interested in researching? (20 word limit)
— 20 Word Maximum —
Supplemental Length
150 Word Maximum
Supplemental Style
College & Curriculum
Supplemental Essay Prompt 2
— University of Rochester —
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— University of Rochester Prompt 2 —
The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” In what ways do you envision using the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities at the University of Rochester to promote progress and change within the communities you inhabit? (250 word limit)
— 250 Word Maximum —
Supplemental Length
200 Word Maximum
Supplemental Style
Unique & Uncommon
Supplemental Essay Prompt 3
— University of Rochester —
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— University of Rochester Prompt 3 —
Please select one of the following prompts to respond to in 200 words or less:
— Supplemental Prompt Option 1 —
American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass said, “Some know the value of education by having it. I knew its value by not having it.” Explain ways in which education has directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. How will you use the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities of the University of Rochester experience to grow and to promote positive change for yourself, your community and the world? (200 words)
— Supplemental Prompt Option 2 —
Dr. Donna Strickland, University of Rochester alum and 2018 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said, “There’s no point in me being anything other than me.” The University of Rochester encourages each student to embrace who they are and create their own individual curricular path and experience. How will you use the opportunities here to fully be who you are? What unique perspectives will you bring to our community? (200 words)
— Supplemental Prompt Option 3 —
Susan B. Anthony, champion of abolition and women’s rights, once said “Organize, agitate, educate must be our war cry.” As you look to join our community of doers and disruptors, in what ways do you envision using both the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities to invoke change for marginalized groups? (200 words)
— Supplemental Prompt Option 4 —
The University of Rochester benefactor entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” Looking forward towards your college experience, what do you hope to do outside of the classroom at the University of Rochester that will enhance who you are as a person? How will specific academic and social opportunities here help you grow? (200 words)
— 200 Word Maximum —
Supplemental Length
250 Word Maximum
Supplemental Style
Major & Missions
Supplemental Essay Prompt 4
— University of Rochester —
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— University of Rochester Prompt 4 —
If you are interested in applying to one of the Combined Degree Program, please answer the following essay prompt and limit your response to no more than 250 words.
What relevant experiences or insight have led to your interest in this particular program? Describe how Rochester’s resources: facilities, faculty, peers and research will meet your academic and personal ambitions. Describe how you see yourself contributing to the challenging field you want to enter as a Rochester graduate. (250 words)
— 250 Word Maximum —
Supplemental Essay Information
— University of Rochester —
Supplemental Strategy
Class of 2026 Applicants
Supplemental Essay
Insider Information
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— Supplemental Essay Strategy —
Streamline your supplemental essay process with our Supplemental Strategy—and bring UR within your reach!
Throughout our Supplemental Essay Guides, we provide clarity through our Supplemental Essay Styles. The Styles streamline the entire supplemental essay-building process—and create more success stories.
Streamline your application process with the Supplemental Style Strategy—upgraded for Class of 2026 Students who dream of studying at the University of Rochester!
— Upgraded Class of 2026 Essentials —
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— Supplemental Essay Examples —
Through Guide Section 2 of 3—Inspiration—read Successful Supplemental Essays from our Accepted Alumni! Discover ideas that stand out to admissions at Rochester, and find inspiration for your own success story.
Accepted Alumni
Essay Example
Supplemental Style
Unique & Uncommon
Supplemental Essay Example
— University of Rochester —
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Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For University of Rochester Applicants:
The University of Rochester motto of Meliora — or “ever better” — deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better. 250 Word Maximum.
Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:
Through building friendships and self-confidence, grappling with international issues, guiding fundraising initiatives, and more, I’ve learned that leadership is based upon embracing diverse perspectives.
Embracing diverse perspectives—and even navigating conflict—has been both essential and enlightening in MUN. Last winter, as an EcoFin Chair at the [State] WAC MUN Conference, I noticed many delegations that were unwilling to cooperate. They reflected real-world isolationist policies, but allowed stubbornness to prolong stalemates. To promote compromise, I suggested the delegates engage in moderated caucuses, and my Co-Chair and I encouraged this strategy to the room. Through respectful discussion, the delegates were able to draft a resolution that accounted for various perspectives.
Even if to an exaggerated extent, the student delegates displayed nationalistic policies and real-world clashes that nations contend with every day.
At the University of Rochester, I will discover ways to help groups embrace viewpoints beyond their own. I look forward to dissecting global challenges and exploring solutions with UR Debate. By uniting ideas from Business & Politics with International Organization, I’d explore negotiation and compromise toward a sustainable global economy.
In MUN, we’ve also addressed issues that shape inequities across all communities—both abroad and in the US. Hoping to foster upward mobility for Rochester youth, I’d love to empower high school students with UR’s Hoekelman Center. With the Center for Community Engagement, I envision helping local youth explore entrepreneurship, international leadership, and more.
At UR, I can unite with others who embrace difference—and find ways to help all communities seek common ground.
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— Supplemental Essay Strategy —
Through Guide Section 3 of 3—Innovation—learn success-proven methods to streamline your entire supplemental essay process. Our methods are designed by an Ivy Alum and 300+ student success stories!
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— UR Application Upgrade —
From guiding hundreds of students, we know that your success story takes much more than one essay—especially in 2025.
We are passionate about helping students master the process from start to submission—and to have clarity and confidence at every step. That’s why our innovative guides are curated for Class of 2026 students with big dreams.
A successful University of Rochester Application requires the Supplemental Essays you see above, and much more. Below, learn what success looks like—from start to finish.
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— Start-To-Submission Success —
Embrace our success-proven methods to build your application essays—and find inspiration to help you at every step.
During the Upgraded Process, College Application Phase Five is the time to embark on some of the most challenging yet rewarding college application components—the specific Supplemental Essays essential for most colleges.
During this phase, learn to master the process of crafting successful College-Specific Supplemental Essays—and bring more colleges within your reach!
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— Upgraded Application Process —
Start your admissions success story with methods built by our Ivy League Founder and over 300 student success stories!
Our success-proven Five Phases Application Approach helps students streamline the entire college application process through success-shaping frameworks and more opportunities for aligned action.
We are passionate about guiding students through our start-to-submission application approach—because success stories require much more than one essay.
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— Supplemental Essay Strategy —
Streamline your supplemental essay process with our Supplemental Strategy—and bring UR within your reach!
Throughout our Supplemental Essay Guides, we provide clarity through our Supplemental Essay Styles. The Styles streamline the entire supplemental essay-building process—and create more success stories.
Streamline your application process with the Supplemental Style Strategy—upgraded for Class of 2026 Students who dream of studying at the University of Rochester!
