northwestern essay tips

6 Northwestern Essay Examples & Why Northwestern (2024)

Writing your Northwestern supplemental essays can be tricky, but they're important because your responses can have a big effect on your application chances.

Along with your personal statement essays , Northwestern offers students the chance to respond to a "Why Northwestern" essay prompt as part of its writing supplement.

In this article, I've gathered 6 essays that worked that helped get students admitted into Northwestern recently.

What is Northwestern University's Acceptance Rate?

Getting into Northwestern is quite difficult. Last year, a record 51,554 students applied to Northwestern.

And Northwestern had an overall admit rate of only 7%. Or in other words, about 1 in 13 students get accepted.

Northwestern University Acceptance Scattergram

To get into Northwestern, you've got to stand out from the crowd, which you can do by writing a strong writing supplement section.

What are the Northwestern Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?

The Northwestern writing supplement for this year only asks one essay question of 300 words: Why Northwestern?

''Why Northwestern'' Statement :

While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

6 Northwestern University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 6 of the best Northwestern essays that worked, including example essays for the "Why Northwestern" statement prompt.

I've also included some great Common App essays from admitted Northwestern students.

Get inspired and start writing your "Why" statement with the help of these examples.

• Northwestern University Essay Example #1
• Northwestern University Essay Example #2
• Northwestern University Essay Example #3
• Northwestern University Essay Example #4
• Northwestern University Essay Example #5
• Northwestern University Essay Example #6

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #1

Prompt: "Why Northwestern" Statement:

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond. (300 words max)

I love Northwestern’s academic flexibility, including the freedom of the curriculum to explore a variety of fields and the emphasis on cross-department study. Also, the quarter system provides a faster pace of learning and the opportunity to take more classes than a semester school.

Specifically, I am excited by the Spanish and Portuguese department and the classes on Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature, and phonetics. For example, the accelerated Portuguese program is a perfect way to pick up the language at a faster pace using my prior knowledge of Spanish. I intend to supplement my language acquisition through the study abroad programs offered at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro or an affiliate program in Santiago, Chile. Additionally, the GESI program in Costa Rica is another intriguing opportunity through its intersectionality. It will allow me to combine a practical application of my language skills with studies in environmental conservation that I find a pressing and interesting issue. As an open-minded learner keen to forge links between academic fields of study, I believe I would be an excellent fit for the program.

I am also interested in Linguistics and pursuing undergraduate research or possibly undertaking the coterminal BA/MA program. The opportunity to link my research to a modern language of choice and investigate, for example, regional variation in Latin American Spanish or how Portuguese loanwords have infiltrated native Amazonian languages sounds fascinating and exciting.

Finally, the unique sense of community at Northwestern captivated me when I visited campus. The residential college system, the school spirit at Wildcat games, and the friendliness of the students I met, one of whom described the school as “the most welcoming place ever”, were all emblematic of this atmosphere for me. I think I will thrive in such a dynamic and inquisitive place.

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #2

The only reason I fear going for lunch in a hotel is probably because I wouldn’t choose between fried chicken and roasted meat and so is my dilemma over my college major. The multifaceted whole brain approach at McCormick, however, grants me the perfect opportunity to pursue my interest in Computer Science whilst acquiring the appropriate skills in entrepreneurship to a one day startup as an innovator.

As a NU computer scientist, I particularly look forward to Software Development EECS 473 – NUvention: Web, through which I would not only learn intricacies of Software development, but have related studies in real time software development in relation to market requirements in CS+X that would form a base for a startup. That would also provide a bridge for me to join Prof Todd Warren at Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation where I would specifically join the NUvention; Web + Media. Through this unparalleled program I would have the intimacy of working in a team with fellow wild cats towards an innovative business project. The results of which will be an introduction to the Northwestern Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO) through which I look forward to gaining practical exposure in launching businesses to the general public.

Outside McCormick, I would be excited to pursue the Managerial analytics Certificate program at Kellogg to acquire intelligent business management skills, let off steam at SPARK exploring hacks while fostering entrepreneurial habits, and eventually joining preparations for the Benedictine Eagle Invite at the Henry Crown Sport’s Pavilion (SPAC) with the NU track club. I may not the best of singers, but I do have intense phases of music obsessions and where best to let it off than taking non major classes at Bienen and, joining one of the numerous Acapella groups as I await Armadillo day!

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #3

Why Northwestern? Because this introduction was so difficult to write; because I cannot possibly summarize these reasons in one introductory sentence. Simply put, my interests span across a wide range, and Northwestern has a place for them all.

As an enthusiastic programmer and advocate for positive minority representation in the media, I hope to combine both these interests and conduct research on the influence of media on society. To my delight as a prospective communications major, the School of Communication's research labs showcase project topics ranging from the depiction of STEM in media to improving digital communication. I look forward to taking advantage of the high-quality research, internship and even career opportunities offered to explore my ideas.

My multiple passions keep me creative and energetic, and I plan to continue pursuing them at Northwestern. With years of editing and writing experience for school publications under my belt, for instance, I hope to join the staff of Helicon and North by Northwestern . Last but not least is the constant school spirit and sense of inclusion present within campus. During my campus tour, each tour guide seemed genuinely excited to introduce prospective students to the school. As my particular tour guide described the quarter system and tradition of guarding and painting the rock with passion in her eyes, I knew that only at Northwestern could I find students as enthusiastic about the school itself as they are about their majors. I also spotted many students of color while visiting; as an Asian woman, Northwestern's focus on diversifying reassures me that not only will I not be judged for my background, but that I will get to meet students of all ethnicities and cultures.

College is a time of self-discovery, and I firmly believe I can see my dreams become reality at Northwestern.

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"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #4

I felt the cold sheets beneath me and the beeping sounds of a monitor next to my bed, my chest moving up and down and my body sinking into the mattress. I opened my eyes and was greeted with a plastic surgeon holding the cyst that was once in the corner of my eye. Medicine, I decided, was my destiny.

Flash forward to 8th grade, the year I decided to read 100 books. Emerson, John Green, Ernest Cline--you name the author, I read them. I became instantly inspired to learn to write like the wonderful authors I had read. So, writing, I decided (maybe), was my destiny.

Wait--or was it medicine? Well, perhaps it can be both.

The thing I find most striking about Northwestern is its emphasis on the word “AND.” Northwestern students can love computer science AND music theory, poetry AND Latin History, journalism AND business--I can love science AND English. At Northwestern, my interests would not be hindered by strict and unwavering guidelines. Rather, they could be effortlessly streamlined and integrated into one another. I could go from ​PSYCH 361--Brain Damage and the Mind to ENG 206 - Reading and Writing Poetry to Carol Clayberger’s Lab to continue my extensive research on T-lymphocytes, similar to that I conducted at UPMC. I would be learning each level of the human psyche, communicating my thoughts through writing, and putting them into action through my research.

At Northwestern, I plan to take advantage of the various resources that would enable me to pursue my passions, find new ones, and combine them into one, pulling from both sides of my brain. I know that I am right for Northwestern and Northwestern is right for me because we have a mutual understanding of what education should look like--emphasis on “AND,” not “OR.”

"Why Northwestern?" Essay Example #5

Think Purple: Aspiring journalist dreams of being a Wildcat F​iled under ​A​dmissions​, ​Top Stories

After brochure browsing, website wandering, and campus canvassing what felt like hundreds of different schools, it took Daisy Conant exactly 32 seconds on the Northwestern University campus to realize she had found the one.

“Northwestern is undefinable in the best way, an addicting hub of intellectuality, creativity, and school spirit - something especially appealing to a football lover,” laughed Conant. “But what excites me most about NU is the opportunity to study at the Medill School of Journalism.”

A writer with hopes of becoming a foreign correspondent, Conant has always been drawn to people and their stories, especially those completely unfamiliar to herself and her experiences. Once learning she could start on day one at Medill acquiring investigative journalism experience writing an enterprise story and end on day 600 with a journalism residency and international experience already under her belt, she was hooked.

“Conducting groundbreaking research on the socioeconomic disparities in the CPS system for the Medill Justice Project, spending a semester abroad reporting on cultural crisis in Greece, interning at the Post - at Medill, my options are boundless,” remarked Conant. “I could explore the world of print news writing in-focuses for the Daily Northwestern, dabble in magazine editing laying out spreads for North by Northwestern, even try my hand at broadcast reporting for WNUR.”

A journalist at heart, Conant is fascinated with the intersections of other disciplines. As an NU student she would be free to engage her passions for international studies and business through outside concentrations in addition to investigative journalism, uncovering the adventures (and discovering the tenacious Wildcats) that lie between Evanston and the shores of Lake Michigan. “My story is just beginning,” said Conant. “And Northwestern is the perfect lede.”

Northwestern Essay Example #6

Prompt: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (100-250 words)

I held my breath as my trembling fingers, made for the enter key, my eyes glued to the screen savoring every moment. In a split of a second, the results of my sleepless nights were imprinted on the screen.

>>>syntax error

I felt my eyes became watery but I quickly forged a smile convincing myself I wasn’t about to cry.

However disappointed I felt that moment, it wasn’t something new to me. I am not a natural programmer and I have failed more than a million times when running my codes. In fact, I have gotten used to failing, that anytime I get it right on the first attempt I assume I got lucky and I redo the code. Every time I get a syntax error I have eventually learned something new from the code. It’s at these moments that I have learnt more about my world.

Through coding, I have learnt to appreciate shortcomings in life as room for improvements. I have come to understand being raised in a camp in Chalbi dessert is a chance for me to have the first-hand experience of what needs to be done to make the world a better place. I stopped being disappointed I was born in a less tech-savvy country and seen it as an opportunity for me to create an impact with the much I have learnt. I understand with every syntax error, every life obstacle, I learn and take a step closer to a perfect code, achieving my dreams.

What Can You Learn From These Northwestern Essays?

These 6 Northwestern essays that worked show you exactly what it takes to write successful "Why Northwestern?" essays. Answering the "Why Northwestern" statement as best you can is the key to having a successful Northwestern application.

What did you think of these Northwestern essays?

Ryan Chiang , Founder of EssaysThatWorked.com

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I'm Ryan Chiang and I created EssaysThatWorked.com - a website dedicated to helping students and their families apply to college with confident. We publish the best college admissions essays from successful applicants every year to inspire and teach future students.

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Writing Supplements

What is new this year about northwestern’s essay requirements, why did you make these changes to your essay requirements.

The changes we’ve made to our essays are designed to help students focus their responses on areas we consider most important to our holistic review: how their personal experiences have shaped various ways they see themselves engaging at Northwestern, and how their vision for college aligns with the resources and community they’ll find here. You may notice we no longer ask our “Why Northwestern” question. This question has always helped us learn these things, but not effectively in every case given how broadly we’ve framed it in the past. So this year we shifted away from the rather generic, “Why our college?” to a set of more specific (and we think more dynamic!) questions—ones we hope can help applicants learn more about Northwestern in the process of helping us better understand who they are, where they come from, and what matters to them. We also made the personal essay optional so students can focus their time on our writing supplements and, where it makes sense to do so, repurpose writing they’ve done for other colleges—including copy/pasting sections of their personal essay—to answer our required questions.

What are the new writing supplement prompts?

You can see our new writing supplements here .

Can I copy/paste sections of my personal essay to answer Northwestern’s new short answer questions?

Yes! We know you are busy—please feel free to repurpose writing you’ve done for other colleges—including copy/pasting sections of your personal essay—to answer our required questions. (We will also understand if there is repeated language between an optional personal essay and your required writing supplements.)

How many of the optional questions should I answer?

You may answer 0–2 optional questions. We do encourage students to answer at least one—again, we designed these questions to help you put your best foot forward in this application in helping us imagine how you see yourself engaging, learning, and/or growing at Northwestern.

Will answering more optional questions give my application an advantage?

No, responding to more optional questions will not carry any extra “weight” in the process. We’ll give equal consideration to students who answer 0, 1, or two optional questions.

Why are your short answers optional for students applying through QuestBridge?

The QuestBridge application contains more required writing samples than the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir application, offering candidates many opportunities to reflect on personal context, experiences, perspectives, background, identity, and their vision for college.

If I choose to submit my personal essay, will you still see it?

Yes! While we no longer require the personal essay with your Common Application or Coalition Application with Scoir, should you choose to submit one we will still be able to review it, just as we can any optional or supplemental application materials. 

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3 Tips to Write a Perfect "Why Northwestern" Essay

College Info , College Essays

Northwestern University is an excellent choice for college, but can you easily explain just why you want to go there? If you're planning to apply to Northwestern, you'll need to submit the Northwestern supplemental essays —supplemental statements that describe why you've chosen to apply to this school and what you think Northwestern can offer you in terms of your future goals.

In this article, we'll go over what these supplemental essays entail as well as why you're required or encouraged to submit them. We'll also cover various topics and tips you can use to craft a compelling Northwestern supplement essay.

Feature Image: Herb Nestler /Flickr

No More Northwestern "Why This College" Essay

In the past, Northwestern asked students to write an optional "why this college" essay , which asked students to explain why Northwestern was a perfect fit for them. As of 2023, Northwestern no longer requires a "why this college" essay as part of the application process. 

Instead, the Northwestern application now has new essay prompts  that students have the option to answer. 

While Northwestern no longer has a "why this college" essay , many other schools require it.  Other schools that require or offer this type of essay include NYU , Tulane , and Brown .

If you're considering applying to a school with a "why this essay" prompt, reviewing 

Do You Need to Submit the "Why Northwestern" Essay?

According to the Northwestern application, although you are not required to submit the "Why Northwestern" essay, Northwestern strongly recommends that you do so anyway.

On both the Common Application and Coalition Application (depending on which system you use), you'll be shown this message on the Northwestern application:

Do you plan to complete the ''Why Northwestern'' Statement? (We strongly encourage a response, as your answer will help us connect the dots across your application to imagine what kind of college student you might become.)

You'll then select either "Yes" or "No" from a drop-down menu. If you select "Yes," you'll get a blank space in which to type/paste your essay. While you technically have a choice about whether to submit the "Why Northwestern" essay, we strongly recommend that you complete it.

Here's what the Northwestern application requirements page says in regard to the essays that applicants must submit with their applications:

"Applicants to Northwestern complete two sets of essays: essays appearing on the Common Application or Coalition Application, and the Northwestern Writing Supplement essay [i.e., the 'Why Northwestern' essay]."*

*Bold emphasis mine

Interestingly, there's no mention here of the "Why Northwestern" essay being optional at all—you're simply expected to write it. It's safe to say, then, that this "extra" essay actually plays a hugely important role in the application process, and that the majority of Northwestern applicants write two essays for their applications: the Common App/Coalition App essay and the (supposedly optional) "Why Northwestern" essay.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Northwestern highly values the concept of "fit" within their community . In this sense, it's not much of a surprise that Northwestern wants applicants to spend some time thinking about what kind of relationship they want to develop with the school.

Overall, you should treat the Northwestern supplement essay as a required part of your application.

The Northwestern Essay Prompt Analyzed

You should definitely submit the Northwestern supplement essay—but what is the prompt asking you to do, specifically? Also, how should you answer it so that you can give yourself a solid chance of getting accepted to the school?

In order to answer these two questions, let's take a look at the Northwestern essay prompt:

While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

Your "Why Northwestern" essay can be a max of 300 words, making it rather short. (Most college essays are around 500-550 words.) This means that you'll need to be clear and concise in order to get your point across and ultimately be able to craft an effective response.

This Northwestern essay prompt isn't that different from other "why this college" essay prompts in that it really just wants you to answer one big question: how will Northwestern help you further your interests and achieve your goals?

Northwestern already has a general idea of how you can contribute to the school; now, it wants to know how it can help you .

The "Why Northwestern" essay is more of a "why us" essay than it is a "why you" essay because it's asking you to elaborate on why you're applying to Northwestern specifically, and how an education there will help you fulfill your academic, professional, and/or personal aspirations.

Here are some topics you could write about in your Northwestern supplement essay:

• Your experience visiting the campus and talking to current students or professors and why this experience helped you envision yourself feeling at home at Northwestern
• Specific professors you want to work with or classes you want to take and how they'll help you achieve your goals
• Specific activities, clubs, or events Northwestern offers that you wish to participate in and why these are important to you and your aspirations
• Any other specific resources the school offers, such as internship opportunities, career fairs or connections, lectures and talks, study abroad programs, etc., that you believe will benefit your intellectual and professional growth

If you're not sure what to write about for your Northwestern supplement essay, spend some time doing research. Start by perusing the official Northwestern website , paying particular attention to pages about any programs, courses, and/or majors you're interested in.

You can also browse other student-geared websites to see what people have to say about Northwestern, including what makes it unique.

Real Northwestern Essay Examples + Analysis

Below are two real Northwestern essay examples for you to use as references when writing the "Why Northwestern" essay. The essays were both written by admitted applicants and should give you a good idea of what kinds of topics and styles you can use in your own essay.

Before we look at the two essays, though, be aware that both are answering an older, slightly different version of the "Why Northwestern" prompt, which was as follows:

What are the unique qualities of Northwestern—and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying—that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?

Northwestern Essay Example 1

As noted above, this first essay responds to an older version of the "Why Northwestern" essay prompt: it asked applicants to focus on the specific qualities that made the school unique and explain why these were ultimately appealing to them.

Since this student wanted to study in the Medill School of Journalism, he mainly writes about this facet of Northwestern.

At about 350 words, this essay is a little longer than what the current word limit allows (300 words), so just know that you'll have to write more concisely for your own essay.

Here's the sample:

One unquestioned pillar of journalism is the importance of accuracy in a journalist's work. So when my counselor at the National High School Institute, a current Northwestern journalism student, proclaimed, "Medill kicks your ass," I knew she had given my fellow cherubs and I the straight-up truth. Many exchanged nervous looks, and several immediately dismissed any chance of attending the Medill School of Journalism.

I surveyed the room, surprised at the fear hanging over the group. After all, we were 83 student journalists giving up a substantial portion of our summer to learn about and participate in the art.

Northwestern's reputation as a top-rated academic institution immediately drew me to the school. Specifically, the close connection with high-caliber professors was one quality that I originally found appealing even before my summer stay. I was also intrigued by the abundance of resources and facilities within the university and the city of Chicago. The journalism school has unmatched amenities and a rigorous curriculum designed to produce top-of-the-line journalists. But above all, Medill has a reputation as the best journalism school in the country.

Outside of the classroom, I would be the first to get involved with resources such as the Northwestern News Network, The Daily Northwestern , Northwestern Radio WNUR, and other student periodicals.

Northwestern's outstanding academics combined with an athletic program in the Big Ten Conference makes the university unique. It is certainly fun for everyone (except maybe for the Northwestern football team) to see the Buckeyes and Wolverines roll into Ryan Field every couple years.

I would be able to use my experience writing about the Detroit Lions to report on Northwestern teams. And by covering the lowly Lions, I would be prepared for any sort of losing season thrown at me.

But I am sure of one thing: I am attending college in order to learn, contribute, and to become the best journalist I can be. So while my friends may be having an easy, fun time at some school not named Medill, I'll be getting my ass kicked. And to tell the truth, I won't mind at all.

Here's what makes this "Why Northwestern" essay work:

• It's super specific. There's no doubt this essay was written for, and only for, Northwestern. The applicant goes into detail about the School of Journalism specifically and also mentions many unique opportunities he's interested in, such as working with The Daily Northwestern and the Northwestern News Network.
• It's got a lot of personality and humor. The applicant injects bits of humor with references to Medill "kicking his ass" and the Detroit Lions' losing streak. These quirky areas add tons of color to the essay and give balance to the student's more practical and academic reasons for applying to Northwestern.

Northwestern Essay Example 2

This second "Why Northwestern" essay example was written by an admitted student who chose to focus on extracurriculars at Northwestern and how the School of Engineering and Applied Science would benefit their desire to learn several skills at once. Once again, like the first essay, this essay is responding to the older version of the "Why Northwestern" prompt (given above).

Note that this essay is exactly 300 words long —the max length you are allowed to do for your own "Why Northwestern" essay.

Sweat drips onto my violin as we are filing into the auditorium.

I just arrived from a basketball game, I'm not nervous. However, that changes when I realize that I still have my basketball shoes on. And that I still have a plethora of edits to make in the newspaper room. And that I have three tests the next day.

Although it was stressful, I enjoyed every minute of juggling such diverse extracurriculars. I appreciated the many opportunities that my high school gave me, and took advantage of as many as I could handle. Thanks to these opportunities, I've fallen in love with various topics in different disciplines; all of which can be nurtured at Northwestern.

I'd be thrilled to pursue membership in the University Singers and the Philharmonia. It would be a great opportunity to learn from nationally recognized Emily Ellsworth with the Singers. I would also love to continue working with orchestral music in the Philharmonia.

The excellent humanities classes at the Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences also interest me. I'd love to pursue further education in subjects I was introduced to in high school, such as physics, psychology, and economics.

Finally, I believe that I am a perfect fit for the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science due to its unique philosophy. The idea of "Whole-Brain Engineering" meshes perfectly with my interest in a wide array of subjects and disciplines. I have always believed in equal emphasis on logic and creativity in problem-solving situations, and an education at McCormick (and Northwestern in general) will bolster my well-roundedness.

My Northwestern experience isn't only about reaching an engineering career, but growing as a person. Such balanced growth will allow me to succeed through analyzation and innovation, preparing me to have an impact on the world.

• It's got a creative, attention-grabbing opening. There's not a lot of space to write for this essay, yet this applicant manages to come up with a memorable hook that grabs you almost immediately and thrusts you into the story. Within just the first few lines, we learn—through showing, not telling—that the applicant plays basketball in addition to helping out with the school newspaper. While these activities have contributed to increased stress, they've also (and more importantly) led to a stronger sense of intellectual satisfaction.
• It's highly specific. Like the first sample essay, this essay uses clear examples and details to discuss what attracted the applicant to Northwestern in particular . These include things such as the University Singers and the McCormick School's philosophy concerning the importance of a well-rounded education.

How to Write a Great "Why Northwestern" Essay: 3 Tips

Once you have an idea about how you want to approach the Northwestern essay prompt and what you plan to write about, use the following three tips to help you produce a great essay.

#1: Focus On What Makes Northwestern Unique

One of the most important tips to remember when writing the Northwestern supplement essay is to concentrate on what makes Northwestern different from other colleges. Think about it: If Northwestern didn't offer anything unique, why would students want to apply there specifically?

Don't just say you want to go to Northwestern because it's super prestigious or because your mom went there and loved it. Think deeply about why you've chosen to apply to Northwestern over the thousands of other colleges in the country.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Does Northwestern offer the major(s) you're interested in pursuing? Is it well known for a specific program or field of study you want to enter?
• Are you interested in specific clubs, sports, or other extracurricular activities offered at Northwestern?
• Are there certain professors you wish to work with?
• What unique features of Northwestern do you like or think will be useful to you? For example, perhaps you're a fan of the school's close proximity to Chicago, where you'll have convenient access to research positions, internships, and other professional opportunities. Or maybe you love Northwestern's emphasis on small class sizes, or its impressive array of 100+ study abroad programs.
• Have current or former Northwestern students said anything about the school that made you want to apply there?

Although the Northwestern essay prompt is pretty open ended, take care to avoid writing about how prestigious, popular, and selective it is (after all, lots of schools are like this!) .

#2: Be Specific and Use Concrete Examples

You don't have a lot of space (just 300 words!) for the Northwestern essay, so try to write as clearly and specifically as possible. Use concrete examples to ground your story in reality and to make it clear to the admissions committee why applying to this school is so important to you.

For example, if you visited Northwestern, don't just say you went there and liked the campus—talk about something specific that happened to you and why this experience had such an impact on your decision to apply there.

Perhaps a professor said something encouraging to a student that made you realize how much you appreciated the supportive nature and sense of camaraderie there. Or maybe you noticed how earnestly students studied and could readily envision yourself doing homework alongside them.

In addition, if you plan to mention a specific professor you want to work with or a class you want to take, try to go beyond simple name-dropping. Instead, discuss why working with that professor or taking that class will help you attain your future goals, and why Northwestern is the only place you can actually do this.

#3: Polish It Up

As with any college essay, you need to spend some time editing and proofreading your "Why Northwestern" essay. Doing this will ensure that you're submitting a clean, polished, and overall well-written statement.

Here's what to do: once you finish writing a rough draft of your essay, put it away for at least a few days. Don't look at it during this time; you want to have a fresh perspective when you take it out again.

After some time has passed, take out your essay and begin to look for any glaring typos and grammar errors, as well as any areas you can expand, add, or delete. Pay attention to the organization and structure of your essay, too. Ask yourself: is the focus clear here? Am I being specific enough? Does the general flow make sense?

Once you've done this entire process a few times, give your essay to someone you trust, such as a mentor, teacher, parent, or older sibling. Have them look over your essay and offer comments on its topic, style, and structure. They should also check for technical errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Finally, make sure they read the Northwestern essay prompt so they can confirm that you're actually answering what's being asked of you.

What's Next?

Applying to Northwestern means you'll also have to submit an essay for either the Common App or Coalition App. Check out our guide to the current Common App essay prompts for tips on how to compose an unforgettable personal statement.

Freaking out about how to write a killer college essay? First, take a deep breath. Second, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a college essay and take a look at our analysis of 100+ real college essays to get a feel for what colleges want—and don't want—to read in an application.

Learn more about Northwestern, including its average test scores and average GPA, by reading its admissions requirements page .

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Northwestern Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

July 19, 2024

With an acceptance rate of just over 7% for the Class of 2028, Northwestern University is very much an “Ivy-equivalent” school. This is true both in terms of quality academics and selectivity. Last fall, incoming Wildcats almost universally placed within the top 10% of their respective high school class. They also boasted average SAT scores in the 1470 range. In 2024-25, even high schoolers bringing superior credentials to the table need to realize that the majority of the other 50,000+ applicants can demonstrate comparable levels of achievement. Therefore, applicants need to look for other ways to separate themselves from the pack. And that brings us to the Northwestern supplemental essay prompts.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into Northwestern University? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Northwestern University: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In addition to one required essay prompt, Northwestern also gives applicants the opportunity to respond to at least one (and up to two) optional prompts. Essentially, every applicant has three opportunities to stand out in the eyes of admissions officers and showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below you will find Northwestern’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice on how to pen winning compositions.

2024-2025 Northwestern Supplemental Essays

Prompt #1 (required for all applicants).

We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (300 words)

Northwestern is inviting you to share more about your background/identity/community through the lens of how that will impact your experience at the university. Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience/challenge you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your religious background
• Your family background
• Your sexual orientation or gender identity

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement and activities list. What important aspect(s) of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew.

Northwestern Supplemental Essays (Continued)

You’ll then need to discuss how your background/identity/experiences have influenced your academic, social, or extracurricular college goals. As such, think about what you learned and how it relates to one of the previously mentioned areas. For example, perhaps growing up in Northern California has made you passionate about post-wildfire ecosystem restoration, which you hope to pursue further through Northwestern’s environmental science program. Or, perhaps your experience as a poll worker has made you interested in NU Votes , or the discrimination you watched your sibling face after revealing their gender identity has informed your desire to be part of organizations like the Rainbow Alliance .

To that end, be sure you address how you will take advantage of Northwestern’s immense resources both inside and/or outside of the classroom by citing specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , special opportunities , study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.

Prompt #2 (Optional but Recommended)

Most “optional” essays are not truly optional, and Northwestern’s new essay prompts are no different. Think of it this way: if you’re truly interested in attending Northwestern, you have two more incredibly valuable opportunities to further demonstrate that fit. Take advantage of them!

The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

• Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

Out of everything on this Earth, what makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? What issue could you talk about or debate for hours? If you could address one problem in the world, large or small, what would it be? What do you love to do? Do you have a treasured cultural tradition that you’d love to share with others? If you are answering at least one of these questions, you are on the right track with this essay.

• Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

Firstly, you’ll want to select a course centered around a topic about which you are an expert or hope to become an expert. The admissions reader is well aware that you are a teenager and not someone who has yet earned a Ph.D. Therefore, being a self-taught, informal expert is perfectly fine. You’ll then want to explain “why”—why will (or should) your passion be made relevant to a wider audience? And who would you want to work with along the way? These classmates and collaborators could be peers, mentors, or even guest speakers. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

• Given the prompt’s wording, quality answers should involve the intersection of two or more disciplines.
• Course creation essays can and should reveal your ability to connect and synthesize information.
• Make sure that the topic of your course is not overly broad or already offered. The topic should not be akin to a 101 college course like Intro to Psychology…be creative!
• Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

Keep in mind that Northwestern has already seen the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the impressive number of hours you volunteered at multiple nonprofit organizations. They know that you have been an active member of your high school/local community. The admissions committee now desires to understand precisely how you will contribute to  their  community of 8,000+ undergraduate students. Highlighting the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here. For example, if you dedicated many hours to increasing your high school’s mental health support services, it will be more impactful when you now express your commitment to joining Northwestern’s Active Minds organization.

The strongest Northwestern community essays will show evidence of meaningful school-specific research. This research process will actually give you a better idea of how you would sincerely like to become engaged at each prospective school on your list. Admissions officers will appreciate a Northwestern-centric answer far more than a generic (often recycled from app to app) response. Moreover, given the word count, you’ll be able to produce the strongest response if you focus on just one or two specific aspects of your identity and perspective.

• Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

If you choose to answer this question, know that you’ll need to think very deeply about your answer. Admissions officers are going to receive scores of responses about the number of opportunities available in Chicago, generalities about living in a suburb of a major city, and proximity to famous regional landmarks. As such, if Northwestern’s location feels particularly important to you, dig deep as to why . What location-specific experiences will you be able to have at Northwestern that you won’t be able to have anywhere else?

• Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

This prompt asks you to not only share a particular life experience but also describe why that experience will enable you to contribute to Northwestern in general. Essentially, it’s asking you to take your essay’s reflection one step further—you’ll need to share why the experience you’ve chosen has impacted you as well as why/how you believe it will allow you to positively impact the Northwestern community.

First, choose a key aspect of your experiences or background that reveals something deep and meaningful about you. (Although you could choose more than one, we’d advise against it, given that you only have 200 words in which to respond.) As you brainstorm, consider the following avenues:

• Your role in your family.
• Your role in your social group.
• A challenge you’ve faced.
• A formative experience or realization.
• Core values and beliefs.
• Important aspects of your upbringing.
• Cultural, religious, or community influence.

Second, you’ll need to describe both personal and future impact. Make sure that your answer reveals something about how you will live out Northwestern’s values or contribute to a specific academic/social community.

Finally, this prompt is quite similar to the required prompt about background and identity (see above), so if you choose this option, be sure you’re not repeating yourself in any way. If you’ve already said everything you need to say about your background in the required prompt, you’ll likely want to choose a different option.

How important are the Northwestern supplemental essays?

The essays (including the Common App essay) are viewed as “important” to the Northwestern applicant evaluation process. The other factors that are also considered “important” are: recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. The only four factors viewed as being more important than the essays are GPA, test scores, class rank, and the rigor of one’s curriculum.

Want personalized essay assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Northwestern supplemental essay, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

Need additional college essay-writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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How to Write the Northwestern Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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Northwestern University , known for their stunning lakeside campus and strong programs in medicine and journalism , attracts many talented applicants every year. Their accomplished alumni include George R. R. Martin, Seth Myers, Gillian Flynn, and Adlai Stevenson II. Hoping to become a Wildcat? You’ll need to nail your Northwestern supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

Northwestern’s 2024-2025 Prompts

Required short essay question.

• We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (fewer than 300 words)

Optional Short Essay Questions

We encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two of the following questions. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

• Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
• Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
• Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
• Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
• Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

General Tips

Although Northwestern does not require the Common App personal essay , they do require you to write at least one supplemental essay in order to apply. Furthermore, you can add on one or two more essays to share more about yourself and who you’ll be at Northwestern.

Although taking the time to write these optional essays isn’t required, doing so could boost your chances of acceptance to Northwestern. There are four reasons for this:

• Writing the optional essays shows your dedication and eagerness to attend Northwestern.
• Submitting more essays causes the admissions team to spend more time thinking about you and envisioning who you’ll be at Northwestern.
• Writing more essays about who you will be at Northwestern, and thinking about Northwestern more generally, will help you better understand who you are as a college applicant and what opportunities are available to you.
• Giving Northwestern more materials about yourself allows you the space to give the admissions team more reasons to be interested in you as an applicant.

For these reasons, it’s not only advisable to write one or two of the optional Northwestern supplemental essays, but also to submit both the Common App personal essay and the required Northwestern supplemental essay. This is as opposed to repurposing the Common app personal essay to write the required essay.

That said, there are also a few reasons not to write the optional essays:

• Writing is truly not your strong suit, and you’d rather the admissions team focus on your other application elements.
• Northwestern is not a top choice for you, and you’re just throwing on the extra application without much concern for your chances.
• You don’t have the time to write good essays that you are proud of.

If any of the above reasons are true for you, you should feel justified in skipping the optional essays. After all, they are optional. But, if you change your mind, refer to this article and/or send in your essays to our College Essay Review service.

Northwestern Required Short Essay Question

We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: what aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise (300 words or fewer).

This essay response is your chance to provide the admissions team at Northwestern with additional information about your background and life experiences that is not otherwise communicated in your application. In addition, you should frame those aspects of your background and life experiences that you wish to discuss in the context of how they will impact the way you navigate Northwestern.

What does this look like in practice? For instance, you could begin your essay by discussing your experience as a homeschooled student, before explaining how that aspect of your background will influence your experience at Northwestern as a self-motivated, self-guided learner. Alternatively, you could write about how the culture you grew up in has impacted your personal values, daily habits, and life goals. Because of this background, you are approaching your Northwestern experience with an open mind to learn about others’ cultures, values, lifestyles, and goals.

However you choose to respond to this essay prompt, think of it as just another Common App personal statement, just a bit shorter. On their admissions website, Northwestern writes, “Because we have a required writing component to our supplement, we made the personal essay optional—we want applicants to feel free to repurpose essays (or parts of essays) they’ve written for other applications, including the personal essay.” In other words, whether you choose to send in your Common App essay or not, approach this essay prompt similarly. Still, if you send in both essays, make sure that they are not redundant.

Northwestern Optional Short Essay Questions

These essay prompts are optional, but we recommend answering at least one of them; you can answer up to two . Every essay opportunity is another opportunity to demonstrate to Northwestern how excited you are to attend and how well you’ll fit in as a student.

Each essay response is limited to 200 words.

1. Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

This prompt gives you the opportunity to share your creative side with the Northwestern admissions team. In your response to this prompt, you can reveal your identity, cultural background, political opinions, and/or artistic vision, whether directly or indirectly. Consider the parts of yourself that you haven’t yet discussed elsewhere in your college application. Or, write about the parts of yourself that would benefit from further details.

For example, if activism is important to you, discuss how you would use the opportunity to paint The Rock to provoke civil discourse. Specify the message(s) you would write or the content of the art you intend to create. If you have a background in art and/or activism, you could also write about your past experiences with communicating messages through art and/or activism. Remember to look into the history of The Rock to better understand how others have used it for activist causes in the past.

Alternatively, if there is a particular art form that speaks to you, or a cultural expression you hope to see at Northwestern, start by explaining to the reader why your intended painting on the rock is important to you. Then, dive into the details of how you would implement your vision.

2. Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

This is a multi-part question, so it might be helpful to break it down:

• Why is this your vision?
• What motivates this vision?
• Is this through a class, a musical, a new club, or some other vehicle.?
• Are they current faculty or staff members at Northwestern?
• What types of members of the Northwestern community do you hope to meet during your undergraduate experience whom you envision as ideal collaborators?
• What are the characteristics of the people you wish to work with?
• Why do you want to work with this person or these people?
• Are these resources you have already researched and which are available at Northwestern?

While brainstorming your response to this question, try to answer all of the questions listed above. Some of those questions are explicit in the prompt, while others are implicit. Regardless, once you have answered all or most of those questions, you should have all the material ready to answer this prompt. If you’re lucky, you might just be able to add some transition words and be good to go!

3. Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

This question requires a bit of research before you get going on your response. Look up clubs, groups, alliances, and other student organizations Northwestern. Check out the directory ; it’s quite extensive, so you’re likely going to find numerous groups that pique your interest. Note that there are still other affinity groups, sports teams, etc. that are not listed in the link provided above.

In your essay, it’s important to not only name the group(s) that interest you, but also explain why. Tell the reader how joining this group will make you feel at home, challenge you to become a better version of yourself, push you outside your comfort zone, and so on. Describe what you hope to learn and who you hope to meet.

In addition, be sure to mention at least briefly your intended contributions to the groups you’d like to join. This can look like pursuing an administrative role in the group. Or, for instance, you might bring some related work experience to the table. Alternatively, maybe you have a unique perspective on the social issue a certain a group focuses on, or a lived experience related to a certain cultural group. Whatever ways you hope to contribute, be specific and humble in your explanation of them.

4. Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

If you come from a place that is very different to Northwestern, then you should dive right into your reasons for seeking a new experience. If your hometown is similar to Evanston, then perhaps you could discuss how you’ll feel at home at Northwestern even while being in a new place. You can also bring up some of the subtle differences! And, lastly, if you are from the area around Northwestern, you should explain why staying close to home is important to you.

Before answering this question, it’s advisable to undertake some research. Look up the local demographics, resources, history, and politics. Understanding the community in Evanston and in the surrounding area will be integral when you embark upon your essay. If you skip out on the thorough research, you risk making untrue assumptions or generalizing the experience of people who live at or near Northwestern. If possible, speak to a local or a current/recent graduate of Northwestern. You can also read about real people’s experiences as students at Northwestern and/or living in the area.

5. Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

Think about who you’ll be in the patchwork of Northwestern students. How do you envision yourself fitting in? What about your life experiences and cultural background are unique? What identities do you hold that are less common or commonly misunderstood?

Before you begin writing, make a short list of all the aspects of yourself you wish to write about. Although there’s no strict limit on how many identities or elements of your background you can write about in this essay, you may want to keep your list short simply so that each item can be given its due nuance and detail.

Lastly, while drafting this essay, bear in mind that you need to contextualize with Northwestern’s particular community. In other words, don’t just describe your identities broadly. Rather, note how you will uniquely fit in and stand out at Northwestern. You can even branch out to discussing the different people you hope to meet and learn from, as well as describing how you will contribute to the community.

If you need help polishing up your Northwestern supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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Blog > Essay Advice , Private University , Supplementals > How to Write the Northwestern Supplemental Essays (With Examples)

How to Write the Northwestern Supplemental Essays (With Examples)

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

How to write the northwestern supplemental essays.

With an acceptance rate hovering around 7%, getting into Northwestern isn’t easy. For 93% of students, it just doesn’t happen.

In the admissions process, so much seems out of your control. So what steps can you take to help you beat the odds?

One word: essays.

Like all highly-selective schools, Northwestern requires students to exceed expectations when it comes to factors like GPA, course rigor, extracurricular achievement, and letters of recommendation. You’ve worked diligently over the past three and a half years to cultivate each of these areas of your life. But at this point in the admissions process, there isn’t much left for you to control.

What you can control, however, are your essays. From your personal statement to the Northwestern supplemental essay, you have the chance to make your case for admission.

In this post, we’ll cover how to approach your Northwestern supplemental essay so you can increase your chance of getting in.

''Why Northwestern'' Statement

Let’s start by taking a look at the prompt itself. As far as supplemental prompts go, it’s pretty straightforward:

*While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.*

Now we’ll break the prompt down, piece by piece.

Northwestern Supplemental Prompt Breakdown

As you already know if you’ve read our supplemental essay guide , the first step in writing any supplemental essay is breaking down what the prompt is asking you to do. The Northwestern supplemental essay is a classic “Why Us” supplemental prompt. While it may be straightforward, it does have a lot of parts. We’ll take a look at each.

While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.

In this short preface to the prompt, Northwestern tells us specifically that this supplemental essay should tell them “about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.” That means that your supplemental essay should focus specifically on engagement and community.

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here.

This part tells us a few things that you’ll need to do.

#1: Your essay should be 300 or fewer words.

#2: The goal of your essay should be to help your admissions officers understand how you would engage with specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities at Northwestern.

#3: All of this means that you’ll need to do some research. Specifically, you’ll need to find particular resources, opportunities, and communities that you can see yourself being involved with if you were to attend Northwestern.

The “and/or” part of the prompt also tells you that you can choose to focus on only one of these areas, or you can write about two to three of them.

We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

The last sentence of the prompt gives us a couple more vital details.

#1: We learn that you need to explicitly state the specific parts of campus life you want to engage with. Sentences like, “I’m looking forward to participating in the academic community at Northwestern” just won’t cut it. They want specifics.

#2: We also learn that your focus should be on enrichment, during your time as a student as well as your life after you graduate.

In short, all of this combined tells us that our Northwestern supplemental essay should…

a) be 300 words or fewer.

b) reference specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities that you can engage with.

c) discuss how these specific parts of campus would enrich your life as a student and after you graduate.

Now that we’ve broken down the prompt and know what’s expected of us, it’s time to discuss how to do effective research that will help you write the best supplemental essay possible.

How to Do Northwestern School Research

We always recommend that you start by researching the school’s values. You can do this by googling the school’s motto and mission statement.

A simple google search of “Northwestern” + “Motto” (or “Mission Statement”) will tell you everything you need to know.

From this search, we learn that Northwestern’s motto is, "Whatsoever things are true.” And the mission statement is, “Northwestern is committed to excellent teaching, innovative research and the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a diverse academic community.”

Now we can incorporate ideas like truth, teaching, innovation, research, personal and academic growth, diversity, and academic community into our essay.

Once you’ve gotten ahold of the values, you’ll need to find the specific details the prompt asks of you.

To begin, it’s a good idea to start with your academic area of interest. Poke around on the website and look for faculty members, syllabi, course offerings, research labs, past research projects, internships, and academic groups or clubs. All of these areas are rich with details and connections that you can draw from in your essays.

Once you have a couple of those pinned down, take a look at any relevant extracurricular offerings you can find. Focus specifically on activities you’ve been involved with in high school and are looking forward to continuing in college. Alternatively, you can look for activities that interest you that you haven’t yet had access to as a high school student.

After gathering your details, feel free to start writing.

3 Tips for Writing the Northwestern Supplemental Essay

Writing supplemental essays is hard. Here are three tips that can help as you navigate your response to the Northwestern prompt.

Find specific details that connect with your own background and goals.

Recall from our supplemental guide that the goal of supplemental essays is to convey school fit. That means showing admissions officers that you belong on campus and in the classroom of the school you’re applying to.

The easiest way to do this is to connect things you’ve already done—classes, accomplishments, particular academic goals—with what is offered at a school.

If you’re accomplished in robotics and have an interest in disabilities studies, then maybe you reference the Assistive and Rehabilitation Robotics Lab . If you love volunteering at your local historical society, then bringing up the Leopold Fellowship might be a good idea.

Whatever you bring to the table, try to select specific academic and community resources that allow you to seamlessly connect your background with what your life would look like at Northwestern. Doing this will show admissions officers that you’re a natural fit.

Remember that you and your story should still be at the heart of your essay.

Although supplemental essays aren’t typically as personal or vulnerable as your personal statement , that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be front and center. The point of a supplemental is, after all, to show admissions officers why you are a good fit for the school.

So as you’re writing about school resources or values, remember to describe how they relate to your own story and values.

Don’t neglect the very last part of the prompt: “enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.”

One of the easiest mistakes to make when writing any supplemental essay is to accidentally ignore part of the prompt. In Northwestern’s case, this last bit at the end can slip through the cracks.

Even though this detail is at the end, it’s actually one of the most important parts of the prompts. Admissions officers at Northwestern aren’t just interested in knowing which resources and opportunities are relevant to you. They want to know how they’ll make you a better student and person, and they’re curious how you think access to these resources will shape your future.

This is a time to focus on your academic and career goals and plans. Make a case that Northwestern’s resources are the best way to get you where you want and need to go.

Northwestern Supplemental Essay Example + Annotations

Before my seventh birthday, the only people who could understand what I said were immediate family members((Attention-grabbing hook.) . Because of complex factors like gender and socioeconomic status, I didn’t get the speech therapy I needed until second grade. This delay impacted my academic and social development, and it’s one of the main reasons I want to take my secondary education in a Northwestern Direction((Clever connection to a NW-based slogan. Shows research.)) .

It wasn’t until I happened upon the Human Development in Context((Specific connection to a Northwestern academic offering.)) major that I realized how interconnected my speech delays were with other intersections of my identity. My teachers and parents thought that I was just shy, and my school didn’t have adequate speech resources to help me regardless. I’ve already learned so much from Northwestern’s offerings, and I am eager to connect with faculty and students to learn even more.

As a Human Development in Context major, I would be able to think multi-dimensionally about how human development intersects with social systems. Participating in Dr. Haase’s Lifespan Development Lab would help me develop my research skills to prepare me for graduate school, and working in the Pediatric Development Center for my practicum internship would set me off on my career helping kids who are just like me.((Explicit connection to the prompt -- very important!))

Courses like Language Development and Usage and Culture, Language, & Identity will advance my interdisciplinary interests. And outside the classroom, participating in clubs like Project Sunshine and the Undergraduate Psychology Association or living in the GREEN house will help me connect with like-minded friends.

Out of everything, what excites me most about the classroom experience at Northwestern is the “ rigorous but empathetic((Another values-based connection.)) ” approach to education. Because of my speech background, I haven’t always felt at home in the classroom. But with empathy and rigor, I know that whatsoever things are true, I’ll be there learning alongside my classmates and professors.

(Looking for more supplemental examples? Check out our college essay examples post.)

Key Takeaways

No matter how stellar a student and person you are, applying to Northwestern is always a gamble. It’s the reality of the numbers.

But writing your essays, especially the supplemental, strategically can set you apart from the 93% of applicants who end up in the “deny” pile.

Focus on answering the prompt, doing thorough and values-based school research, and weaving in your own story.

You’ve got this! If you want more Vanderbilt application strategy, hop on over to our Northwestern Common Data Set post and How to Get into Northwestern guide.

And if you're looking for even more essay help, consider joining the Essay Academy for exclusive access to a comprehensive college essay writing video course.

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July 29, 2024

Northwestern University Supplemental Essay Prompts: 2024-2025

Northwestern University has released its supplemental essay prompts for the 2024-2025 college admissions cycle. And, unlike over the last several years, Northwestern is asking multiple essay questions of applicants — in addition to The Common Application ’s Personal Statement. So what are this year’s Northwestern essay prompts ? Hint, hint: they’re the same as last year’s essays. Let’s dive in!

2024-2025 Northwestern Essay Topics and Questions

Required essay prompt.

The first essay prompt, which is required of all applicants to Northwestern’s Class of 2029, reads as follows and should be answered in 300 words or fewer:

We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? 

As, for years, Northwestern asked a “Why College” essay question as its only supplemental essay prompt, it can only be inferred that this year’s required prompt is a direct response to the Supreme Court’s outlawing of Affirmative Action — because the ruling left an opening for colleges to consider a student’s race and background in college admissions essays.

As Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion , “At the same time, as all parties agree, nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”

Herein lies that opportunity for Northwestern applicants. And remember, students do not need to be an underrepresented minority to answer this question powerfully. Students, for instance, can focus on something interesting about their family or community in their response.

Optional Essay Prompts

In addition to the required essay prompt, Northwestern has posed five optional essay prompts to applicants this year. Applicants are encouraged to answer at least one of the essays and up to two in 200 words or fewer.

Translation: applicants should write two 200-word essays in addition to the aforementioned required essay on the Northwestern supplement because (1) that which is optional in elite college admissions should never be considered optional and (2) it gives applicants more real estate to make their case for admission.

1)  Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

This prompt offers students a chance to pepper in some genuine Northwestern specifics into their application that do not apply to any other university — particularly since Northwestern is no longer asking the typically required “Why Northwestern?” essay prompt. Students should demonstrate, through their singular hook that they hope to contribute to Northwestern (rather than well-roundedness) how they hope to get involved in activities and causes on Northwestern’s campus. So if a student is an environmental activist, how they paint The Rock should reflect that passion.

2)  Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

This prompt offers students the chance to create a pithy course name or research project and explain why it would be meaningful to them. It should, of course, be a course or project that’s consistent with the hook the student has demonstrated through their activities and other essays. While students should never tell the same story twice, they should highlight different angles of their interest to showcase how they’re abounding in ideas related to their singular pursuit.

3) Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

This prompt is a Why College essay focusing on extracurricular activities and/or communities. As such, applicants should cite specific activities or communities (no more than two) and then include examples of how they hope to be engaged on Northwestern’s campus through the activity or community. Simply writing that an applicant wants to get involved in an activity without highlighting what Northwestern students have been doing through this activity would fail to showcase that a student has done their homework on Northwestern. It’s all about the small specifics. In their response, applicants should aim to teach Northwestern admissions officers stuff they don’t know about their own school.

4)  Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

This prompt is also a Why College essay prompt , but this particular prompt focuses on location. As such, students need to cite specifics about how the site of Northwestern — and, no, writing vague sentences about Evanston’s beauty or deep dish Chicago pizza will not suffice — will allow them to pursue their ideally singular interest (rather than well-roundedness). In short, students should showcase, by citing specific examples, how they hope to leave their mark through their hook on Northwestern’s surrounding community.

5)  Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

As this essay prompt is essentially a different way of saying the same question posed in Northwestern’s required supplemental essay, we would advise students to choose one of the previous four prompts unless they have another story to tell related to their background or community that they didn’t share previously.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Northwestern 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

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How to Write Northwestern University Supplemental Essays

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/26/24

Northwestern University is a popular addition to any college list. If you're ready to enjoy the vistas Lake Michigan offers, get ready to write the Northwestern supplemental essay. 

Northwestern University is a popular school for many applicants due to its location near Chicago and its focus on interdisciplinary studies. Writing a compelling essay is a pivotal step for showing your fit with the school's values. 

With a rigorous Core Curriculum , the Northwestern essays demonstrate to the admissions committees why you're an excellent fit for their school. It shows that you've done the research necessary to understand how its course offerings mesh with your educational goals. 

This article provides tips for tackling Northwestern's supplemental essays, along with examples of essays that were successful. Crafting the perfect essay for Northwestern doesn't have to be difficult - read on to learn how to write a masterful essay and get into Northwestern ! 

Northwestern Supplemental Essay Prompts 2024-2025

You'll need to write a personal statement as part of the Common Application or Coalition Application which should be a direct response to this prompt below. Your response should be no more than 300 words. 

Northwestern Personal Statement Prompt

“We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?”

Additionally, you have the option of responding to one or two of these optional Northwestern essay prompts. While it is not required, you’re highly encouraged to write at least one .

“Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?”

“Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?”

“Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.”

“Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?”

“Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?”

How to Write Each Essay Prompt For Northwestern

Writing each essay can be difficult, so we’ve created an outline on how to tackle each one. Below, you’ll find an analysis of each prompt and tips on how to best write your essay.

How to Write Northwestern Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

"Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?"

Analysis of Prompt #1: This creative prompt allows applicants to demonstrate their interests, values, background, and how they would engage with campus life at Northwestern. It reveals what matters most to applicants.

Tip #1 : Choose a design that ties to your background, interests, or values not already showcased elsewhere in your application. Explain the deeper meaning and importance behind what you would paint.

Tip #2 : Use vivid imagery and details to help the admissions officers visualize and understand your rock design and its significance to you.

Tip #3 : Explicitly connect your idea for the rock to how you envision contributing to campus life at Northwestern as a student. Show your enthusiasm for engaging with the community.

Tip #4 : If applicable, relate your rock design to your intended major, academic interests, or future goals to showcase fit with Northwestern's offerings.

Tip #5 : Brainstorm creative ways to get your message across visually that would grab attention and interest from the Northwestern community.

How to Write Northwestern Supplemental Essay #2 + Analysis and Tips

"Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?"

Analysis of Prompt #2: This prompt allows applicants to demonstrate creativity, passion, and knowledge of Northwestern's interdisciplinary focus. It's a chance to show original thinking and innovative ideas.

Tip #1 : Choose a unique yet feasible topic at the intersection of multiple disciplines. Avoid overly broad or already offered topics. Explain what would be explored.

Tip #2 : Show in-depth knowledge of the topic and Northwestern's ability to support the idea through collaborations across schools and disciplines. Name specific programs or professors.

Tip #3 : Describe what students and collaborators could gain from this experience and why it would be impactful. Use vivid language that gets the reader excited about the idea.

Tip #4 : Emphasize how the class or project aligns with and furthers your academic interests and future aspirations. Relate it to your major or career goals.

Tip #5 : Explain why you are the ideal student to make this idea a reality by citing your background knowledge, skills, or relevant experience with the topic or project type.

How to Write Northwestern Supplemental Essay #3 + Analysis and Tips

"Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus."

Analysis of Prompt #3: This essay reveals applicants' interests and goals not shown elsewhere. It demonstrates the desire to be actively engaged in campus life.

Tip #1 : Choose a student organization, club, or campus community tied to background, values, or goals not already discussed in other essays.

Tip #2 : Convey why involvement with this group deeply matters to you and how it would lead to personal growth.

Tip #3 : Describe specific leadership roles, events, or initiatives you want to participate in and your potential contributions.

Tip #4 : Explain how belonging to this community would allow you to make an impact on campus aligned with your aspirations.

Tip #5 : If relevant, relate the group back to your intended major, academic discipline, or future career goals.

How to Write Northwestern Supplemental Essay #4 + Analysis and Tips

"Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?"

Analysis of Prompt #4: This essay reveals applicants' academic and professional goals and how Northwestern's location supports those interests. It demonstrates knowledge of the resources available nearby.

Tip #1 : Research opportunities in Chicago related to your academic discipline or career aspirations. Explain which specific options excite you.

Tip #2 : Provide examples of how you would take advantage of the location based on your goals and enrichment opportunities that inspire you.

Tip #3 : Describe any previous experiences that spark your interest in engaging with Chicago resources or motivate you to explore the location.

Tip #4 : Relate location details back to specific Northwestern offerings such as courses, faculty, or programs that would complement or further these goals.

Tip #5 : Convey genuine enthusiasm and personal reasons why proximity to Chicago appeals rather than just facts about the city itself.

How to Write Northwestern Supplemental Essay #5 + Analysis and Tips

"Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?”

Analysis of Prompt #5: This essay reveals applicants' academic and professional goals and how Northwestern's location supports those interests. It demonstrates knowledge of the resources available nearby.

Tip #1 : Consider all aspects of your identity or background that aren't highlighted elsewhere, including cultural, ethnic, religious, geographic, socioeconomic, or personal experiences.

Tip #2 : Explain specific viewpoints, values, or insights your life experiences have instilled in you that shape your perspectives and provide examples.

Tip #3 : Emphasize what you can positively contribute to classroom discussions and campus life by sharing these diverse perspectives with others.

Tip #4 : Describe how your background has made you more understanding and equipped to connect across differences.

Tip #5 : Conclude by reiterating why your diversity of perspectives would enrich learning and dialogue at Northwestern.

Examples of Northwestern Supplemental Essays That Worked

The following essays were written by successful applicants who were admitted to Northwestern University. We provide feedback explaining why each essay effectively demonstrated the applicant's fit with Northwestern.

Sample Essay #1

“I would paint a butterfly on “The Rock”. This choice is deeply rooted in my identity as an Indigenous person, where the butterfly holds profound symbolism of transformation and metamorphosis.

In Indigenous cultures, the butterfly represents not only physical transformation but also spiritual growth and renewal. It embodies the idea that change is a natural part of life and that through struggle and perseverance, one can emerge stronger and more beautiful. This symbolism resonates with my own journey and the experiences of many Indigenous individuals who have faced adversity, colonization, and the challenges of preserving their cultural heritage.

Painting a butterfly on "The Rock" would not only celebrate my culture but also serve as a reminder to the Northwestern community of the importance of embracing change and transformation. It would symbolize the resilience of indigenous peoples and the beauty that can emerge from the process of personal and collective growth.

Moreover, the butterfly's presence on "The Rock" would promote awareness and appreciation of Indigenous cultures, fostering a sense of unity and understanding within the Northwestern community. It would encourage conversations about the significance of Indigenous symbolism and the importance of recognizing the contributions of Indigenous peoples to our shared society.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

This essay uses the symbolism of the butterfly in Indigenous cultures to convey the writer's personal growth and tie it to promoting cross-cultural understanding at Northwestern. The vivid explanation allows the admissions officers to visualize the rock design and shows the applicant's passion for celebrating their heritage.

Sample Essay #2

“My dream project would be groundbreaking undergraduate research aimed at exploring the potential of homeopathic remedies in breast cancer treatment. Having tragically lost three family members to cancer, I am fervently driven to investigate alternative, less invasive approaches to combat this devastating disease. Witnessing their suffering and the toll that harsh medicines took on their health has underscored the urgency of exploring gentler alternatives.

My ideal research project would assemble a diverse team of students from various academic backgrounds, including biology, chemistry, complementary medicine, and patient care.  

We would analyze the impact of homeopathic remedies on cancer cells, patient well-being, and quality of life. Additionally, we would collaborate with oncologists, herbalists, and holistic healthcare practitioners to bridge the gap between conventional medicine and alternative therapies. Together, we could unlock the untapped potential of nature's medicine cabinet.

This research project not only aligns with my personal passion but also exemplifies Northwestern's interdisciplinary ethos by bringing together students and experts from diverse fields to tackle a critical issue. We would strive to provide hope and more compassionate, effective treatment options for those battling breast cancer while minimizing the harm that traditional treatments can inflict on their bodies.”

Why Essay #2 Worked

This essay outlines an ambitious yet feasible interdisciplinary research project aligning with Northwestern's values. It demonstrates the writer's interest in collaborating across fields to make an impact. The deeply personal motivation for studying cancer treatments also allows the essay to stand out.

Sample Essay #3

“I eagerly anticipate joining the pre-med community at Northwestern, a vibrant and supportive network where my passion for medicine will find a nurturing home. This community embodies my aspirations and values, as it fosters collaboration, learning, and a shared commitment to healthcare.

Within the pre-med community, I envision forging meaningful connections with fellow aspiring healthcare professionals who, like me, are driven by a deep desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. Together, we will navigate the challenging path toward medical school, sharing experiences, supporting one another through rigorous coursework, and collectively striving for excellence.

Furthermore, I am excited about the potential to engage in healthcare-related volunteer opportunities and research projects that Northwestern offers. These experiences will not only enrich my academic journey but also deepen my connection to the broader healthcare community on campus.

In the pre-med community, I see myself not only as a student but as an active participant in a collective mission to contribute to the well-being of others. Northwestern's commitment to community and belonging aligns perfectly with my vision for my pre-medical journey, and I eagerly anticipate becoming a part of this inspiring network.”

Why Essay #3 Worked

This essay conveys the applicant's alignment with Northwestern's tight-knit campus community. It spotlights their passion for medicine and desire to support fellow pre-med students. The emphasis on participating in healthcare-related activities shows their commitment to active engagement.

Sample Essay #4

“Growing up in Chicago, Lake Michigan was a place of cherished memories. My father and I would spend countless hours fishing on its shores, forging a bond that would shape my values and dreams.

As I embark on my own academic journey at Northwestern, I find myself drawn to this beautiful shoreline, which symbolizes both my roots and my aspirations.

My father, a dedicated Northwestern alumnus, left a lasting impact on my life. In his final moments, he expressed a profound sense of incompleteness. His legacy has become my driving force. Coming to Northwestern and being near Lake Michigan is, for me, a way to complete his mission. I aim to study political science and eventually law, follow in his advocacy footsteps, and work towards helping others in a way that he felt he couldn't.

This location is not just where I come from; it's where I am actively choosing to build my future and honor my father's memory. Northwestern's setting connects me to my biggest inspiration and reminds me of the potential for positive change in the world, making it the perfect place for my academic and personal growth.”

Why Essay #4 Worked

This essay uses vivid imagery and personal connections to showcase the significance of Northwestern's location. Linking their goals to continue a family legacy gives deeper meaning to studying there. It aligns location with values.

Sample Essay #5

“Growing up in foster care, I always had a suitcase packed by the door. This constant state of preparedness, always getting ready to move to a new place, made it challenging to ever feel truly at home. Yet, Northwestern represents the kind of community I've longed for—a place where individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the world come together to learn and connect.

Throughout my life, adaptability and resilience have been my constant companions. I've learned to embrace change, connect with people from various walks of life, and navigate through different environments.

This background has taught me the value of empathy, understanding, and the significance of creating a sense of belonging for others, as it's something I often yearned for during my journey through foster care. My experiences have honed my ability to bridge gaps, mediate conflicts, and foster connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds.

My story serves as a reminder that diversity goes beyond cultural or ethnic differences, encompassing a wide range of life experiences that can enrich our collective learning and strengthen our sense of community.”

Why Essay #5 Worked

This essay offers a compelling background story and emphasizes the applicant's ability to connect across differences. It underscores their unique perspectives that would enrich campus diversity. The focus on empathy and community is well-aligned.

Get More Sample Essays Here!

The prep doesn’t stop there. View our database of over 190 essay examples from some of the top schools. 

Still have questions about Northwestern essays? We’ve got you covered! Check out the section below for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you’re looking for a complete Northwestern application guide, check out our college guides directory .

1. How Many Supplemental Essays Does Northwestern Require?

Northwestern requires one 300-word supplemental essay and also provides four additional 100-word essay prompts that are optional but highly encouraged. At least one of the optional essays is recommended.

2. When Are Northwestern Supplemental Essays Due?

The Northwestern supplemental essays are due at the same time as the rest of the Northwestern application. Typical deadlines are January 1 for early decision and January 5 for regular decision.

3. How important are the supplemental essays for Northwestern?

The Northwestern supplemental essays are very important for the admissions decision. Along with your Common App essay, they allow you to explain why Northwestern is the right school for you and how you will positively contribute to campus life. Put time into crafting a thoughtful, well-written response.

4. Will Northwestern Always Have the Same Supplemental Essay Prompt? 

No supplemental essay at any college is set in stone. Schools can change their supplemental essay prompts each cycle, but they usually revolve around the same themes. 

5. Is Northwestern’s Activity Chart Another Supplemental Essay? 

No, but it is another mandatory piece of your application. The activity chart is your opportunity to describe your extracurricular activities in detail and include their depth and scope. 

Final Thoughts

Northwestern's supplemental essay gives you a chance to showcase your fit beyond test scores and grades. Research the school to find specific connections between your goals and Northwestern's offerings. Use vivid examples and anecdotes to illustrate what makes you a great match for the Northwestern community. With thoughtful responses, you can boost your chances of admission.

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Northwestern University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 3

Northwestern University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: 1 required essay of 300 words or fewer; 2 optional essays of 200 words or fewer

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community , Diversity , Oddball

We have designed these writing supplements to help us understand your experiences throughout high school and imagine what kind of Northwestern student you may become. The supplemental questions below touch on areas we see as important for building Northwestern’s Class of 2029, but you should feel free to repurpose essays you’ve written for other applications (including the Common/Coalition Application personal essay, which we no longer require) if they tell the story you’d most like to share.

We also know there may be information or qualities not covered in our supplemental questions that you see as important to your application. to that end, we welcome—but by no means expect—your submission of a personal essay or additional information in the common application., the following question is required for all common application and coalition with scoir applicants (optional for questbridge applicants). please respond in 300 words or fewer:, northwestern essay prompts breakdown, we want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: what aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise.

This is a kind of Why-Community Essay hybrid because admissions wants to (A) know what has shaped you, (B) learn about how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, and C) hear about the specific ways in which you will get involved (which requires demonstrating fit). This is a lot to accomplish in 300 words, but fear not, you got this! Start by isolating a specific story or anecdote that will offer admissions insight into how you have become the person you are today (remember, you don’t have to cover every aspect of your intricate, complicated, interesting self). Then connect that experience, community, or identity to the vision you have for yourself at Northwestern. If your experience is academic, maybe you want to write about the classes you would take or the research you would like to do. If your community is cultural, perhaps you want to write about the clubs you would join. In the end, you need to describe how you plan to engage in the Northwestern community in a way that draws on your past, so show admissions that you have done your research and you’re ready to dive headfirst into the Northwestern community!

The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

Painting “the rock” is a tradition at northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their wildcat spirit (what we call “purple pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. what would you paint on the rock, and why.

This prompt choice is glorious in its infinite potential. You can choose to elaborate on any of your passions here. Do you want to send a message to your fellow students about the environment? Maybe you want to rally students to join you at a demonstration of some kind. What is important to you? Essays responding to this prompt tend to lean in the direction of activism and community engagement, but don’t feel limited to these angles—anything you want to share with other Northwestern students (and, in this case, admissions) is fair game, as long as you feel strongly about it. And don’t forget to include the recognizable and effective acronym or short phrase you’d paint on The Rock !

Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

This prompt will likely stand out to you innovators, since it’s asking about something you would make from scratch. Use this opportunity to share your imagination with admissions.  Maybe you’ve been making TikToks reviewing your favorite YA novels for some time now. Would you teach a class on the politics of the modern heroine in YA fiction? Perhaps you have an idea for a new healthtech business. Would you create a start-up? And don’t forget to address the second part of the question: who would you want to collaborate with? The person you choose could be your best friend, a community, or an industry leader you admire. There is no right or wrong answer here, so write about something you daydream about and show them that you know how to think big.

Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

If your answer to Northwestern’s required essay focused on specific organizations, clubs, and student groups you hope to get involved with on campus, it may be best to skip this prompt so as to avoid repeating yourself. If not, this is the perfect place to provide Northwestern with more examples of how you will get involved in their community. Maybe you focused your required essay on the academic community you hope to join as you take your research to the next level and you’d like to write about your vision for finding belonging in queer spaces on campus or making connections with other members of the AAPI community. Just keep in mind that your response should focus on the future while drawing on your past experiences.

Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

This prompt is for all you applicants who are chomping at the bit to study in Evanston, Illinois. The nice thing about being able to focus on geography with this prompt is that you don’t have to have a fully fleshed out plan for your major; instead, you can focus on the experiential and cultural elements that will feed into your education. Why is living in Evanston appealing to you? Your answer should be personal to you and, if possible, unique. Explain what your desire to move from your hometown to Northwestern’s campus says about you. Whether you’re hoping to stay close to your family in Chicago or you’re eager to venture out beyond your one-stoplight town, this is the place to share your excitement.

Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

Admissions wants to know how you will contribute to the diversity of perspectives at Northwestern. What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What lessons have you learned and applied? Is there anything you can teach your classmates or peers about your hometown, culture, religion, identity, race, or ethnicity that they might not already know? Northwestern wants to know how your personal perspectives, beliefs, and/or lived experiences will affect the conversations you have and the ways in which you engage with the Wildcat community, so tell them a story that helps them to imagine the kind of student you’ll be on campus next fall.

Why Choose College Essay Advisors for Northwestern Essays

College Essay Advisors has years of experience guiding students one-on-one through the Northwestern supplemental essay writing process. We take a holistic approach to these essays, considering each student’s application package as a whole. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful Northwestern supplements that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Northwestern requires one (1) supplemental essay, but applicants are also encouraged to submit 1-2 optional essays, as well. 

The limit for Northwestern’s “Why Essay” is 200 words or fewer.

Applicants will want to avoid silly grammar mistakes , repeating the prompt in their response, and telling rather than showing (e.g., saying you are determined without giving an example of a time you displayed determination).

The Northwestern supplemental essays are very important in the admissions process. The supplements help admissions to better “ understand your experiences throughout high school and imagine what kind of Northwestern student you may become.” 

Authenticity and reflection are key. You want to both ensure that you’re submitting essays that no one else could submit—meaning they contain specific details from your life or background that aren’t easily replicable—and show that you’ve put thought and care into your response.

You can definitely mention specific professors or research opportunities in your Northwestern essays. You could mention a research opportunity in one of your essays while discussing how you see yourself engaging with the academic community, for example, or a professor you’d like to collaborate with. However, make sure you are not just name dropping; their inclusion should be relevant and thoughtful.

Build a bridge between your extracurricular activities and Northwestern’s offerings to show that not only have you already demonstrated relevant interests, but that you will also take advantage of Northwestern’s offerings to expand your horizons and explore additional interests. The required prompt and optional prompts #2, #3, and #4 all present opportunities for you to demonstrate your fit.

Northwestern is one of the few competitive schools that no longer requires the Common App personal statement, so you can reuse content from your Common App essay in your Northwestern supplements, provided you are not submitting one. If you do submit a Common App personal statement, however, admissions will read it, so you should only reuse content from your Common App essay if you do not intend to submit it.

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How To Answer Northwestern Supplemental Essays in 2024-2025

Essay Requirements

Essay Prompts

How to Write Your Essay

Mistakes to Avoid

How to Stand Out

I get a lot of students asking me about Northwestern’s supplemental essays. How do we go about writing them? How do we make our application stand out?

As a former Northwestern admissions officer, I’ve seen a lot of applications — some of them stand out, some of them get so close to being excellent, but ultimately miss the mark.

Let’s take a look at the university’s supplemental essays; what are Northwestern’s essay prompts, how to answer them, and what mistakes to avoid.

With an acceptance rate of 7.5% , Northwestern is a very competitive university to get into, and your application absolutely has to stand out.

While your grades , test scores , and extracurricular activities paint a picture of your academic and personal achievements, the supplemental essays allow the admissions committee to hear your voice directly.

This is your chance to explain why Northwestern is the right fit for you and how you’ll contribute to the university’s community.

Northwestern’s Supplemental Essay Requirements

Northwestern has its own supplemental essay requirements, separate from the Common App/Coalition App personal statements: 

• 300-word essay required for all Common app/Coalition App applicants (optional for QuestBridge applicants)
• One or two separate 200-word essays of your choice responding to Northwestern’s prompts

While technically, only the first 300-word essay is required, I strongly recommend you answer the second prompt as well. It’s “optional” on paper, but you should treat it as a requirement.    

Northwestern no longer requires the Common App / Coalition App personal statement. In fact, repurposing your common app, coalition app, or other essays for Northwestern’s supplemental essays might be a good idea if the prompts are similar. 

Northwestern’s Supplemental Essays Prompts for 2024-2025

The first 300-word essay is required for all applicants (optional for Questbridge), and it should be an answer to this question:

• We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?

The other 1-2 essays should be answers to one of these prompts below set by Northwestern for 2024-2025:

• Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
• Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
• Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
• Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
• Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

The Essay That Got Me Into Northwestern

How To Answer Northwestern’s Supplemental Essays

Every essay is different and there’s no magic formula that would make your essay the absolute best.

With that said, there are certain things admissions officers at Northwestern look for in your supplemental essay, and you can write it in a way that stands out.

1. Use Your Own Voice

The supplemental essay is one of the few opportunities you have to use your voice and let your personality shine.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so you have to make sure that yours is authentic and reflects who you are. It’s important to write something that aligns with your personal goals and aspirations.

Think of your essay as a conversation. How would you explain your passion for Northwestern if you were speaking directly to an admissions officer? Write in a way that feels natural to you — this authenticity makes your essay more engaging.

2. Do Your Research

What can Northwestern do for you, given your goals and aspirations? How can you contribute to its campus? Knowing the ins and outs of the university allows you to write your essay at a deeper level.

Visit the campus, and bring a notebook. Jot down your observations, the conversations you have with current students, and any unique aspects of the university that stand out to you.

For example, if you’re interested in entrepreneurship , you might discover that Northwestern offers access to industry leaders and successful alumni who have launched their own companies.

Mentioning these specifics in your essay shows that you’re more than just familiar with Northwestern, you’re enthusiastic about becoming an active member of its community.

When you engage with the campus, you’ll find high-value anecdotes that allow you to write richer content in your essay.

3. Get Personal, and Be Specific

Northwestern’s supplemental essay prompts often revolve around the classic “Why Northwestern?” question, though they may focus on different aspects of the university or your potential contributions to it.

When answering any of these prompts, go deep and personal.  Start by reflecting on your academic and career aspirations. How does Northwestern specifically help you achieve these goals?

For example, if you’re passionate about environmental science, you might be drawn to Northwestern’s robust research opportunities in sustainability or its partnerships with organizations working on climate change solutions.

Be as specific as possible — mentioning courses, professors, research projects , or student organizations that align with your interests can make your essay stand out. Your essay should be something that only you could write. It has to be something only you can say, something that couldn’t be said by just any other student about any university.

It needs to be deeply personal and reflect your unique connection to Northwestern. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any school.

Focus on what makes Northwestern the perfect place for you and how you plan to contribute to its community. This level of specificity shows that you’ve put considerable thought into how you’ll make the most of your time there.

Think about how you’ll impact the Northwestern community and how it will shape your journey. Are there unique perspectives or experiences you bring that will enrich the campus environment? How will Northwestern’s resources help you grow, both academically and personally?

4. Polish Your Writing

Northwestern admissions officers evaluate your overall writing proficiency, and your essay needs the same level of attention in terms of editing and revisions as it does in content. Your supplemental essays should be at college-level writing just like your Coalition App or Common App Personal statement .

Give your writing the attention it deserves. Start by drafting your essay with a focus on content — get all your ideas down on paper.

Once you’re satisfied with the substance of your essay, shift your attention to refining the structure, flow, and clarity: Is your essay well-organized? Does it have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Are your ideas presented logically and cohesively?

Pay close attention to your word choice and tone. Your writing should be thoughtful, mature, and reflective of your voice. Avoid overly casual language or slang, but don’t force a tone that doesn’t feel natural to you. Aim for a balance — write in a way that’s both professional and authentic.

When you’re done — revise! The revision process is where your essay can go from good to great. After completing your initial draft, step away from it for a day or two.

This break allows you to return with fresh eyes, making it easier to spot areas that need improvement. Look for awkward phrasing, repetitive language, or sentences that could be clearer and more concise.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Northwestern Supplemental Essay

Now, based on these tips I provided earlier, there’s also common mistakes I’ve seen many students struggle with. Here’s what they are and how to avoid them:

1. Not Talking About Yourself Enough

When I was at Northwestern, we’d get a type of essay we called “The Viewbook Essay” — it’s when an applicant would just regurgitate facts found on Northwestern’s promotional material.

Avoid stating facts without immediately relating it to yourself or your goals. Instead of just saying “I like Northwestern’s proximity to Chicago,” specify why being close to Chicago is relevant to you and your personal, professional, and academic goals.

Remember, Northwestern doesn’t need you to tell them who they are, they already know! They want to know who you are, and why you’re a good fit there.

2. Providing General or Surface-level Info

Another common pitfall is offering general or surface-level information that doesn’t convey your personal connection to Northwestern.

For example, just saying, “I want to attend Northwestern because it has a strong engineering program,” is too vague. What about Northwestern’s engineering program excites you? Is it the co-op opportunities, the specific research being conducted by a faculty member, or the facilities?

Dive deep into why these aspects are important to you and how they align with your career goals. Remember to ask yourself, “Is this something only I could say, and only about Northwestern?” The more personal and specific your essay is, the more it will resonate with admissions officers.

3. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time

Finally, many students underestimate the time and effort required to craft a compelling Northwestern essay. I get it — the essays have a relatively small word count and are technically “optional” (they’re not!), so some applicants mistakenly assume it requires less effort.

But, keep in mind that this essay is just as important as the rest of your application and deserves the same level of care and attention. Rushed essays are often generic, lack depth, and fail to capture your authentic voice.

Thoughtful research is also crucial, and takes time! Don’t rely solely on what you already know about Northwestern. Explore the university’s website, watch virtual tours, and speak with current students or alumni. This will help you gather specific details that can make your essay more compelling and authentic.

How Your Essay Can Stand Out

The best way to perfect your essay is to work with an expert .

Crimson has some of the world's best experts in the field, including other former admissions officers who can guide you through the admissions process from A to Z, tailoring your application to maximize your chances of admission.

Students working with Crimson are 7 times more likely to gain admission to their dream university.

What Makes Crimson Different

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Acing your College Application Essay: 5 Expert Tips to Make it Stand Out from the Rest
• MIT Supplemental Essay
• Harvard Supplemental Essay
• Columbia Supplemental Essay
• Princeton Supplemental Essay
• Cornell Supplemental Essay
• Brown Supplemental Essay
• Upenn Supplemental Essay
• Dartmouth Supplemental Essay
• Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay
• University of Chicago Supplemental Essay
• NYU Supplemental Essay
• How to Tackle Every Type of Supplemental Essay
• What are the Most Unusual US College Supplemental Essay Prompts?

About the Author

Skyler Adams

Skyler Adams, a former Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Northwestern and Associate Director at Chicago Booth, has over a decade of experience in admissions. He has helped students gain acceptance to top institutions including Yale and Princeton. An advocate for educational equity, Skyler also serves on the board of Green Halo Scholars and directs Camp Sunshine for individuals with disabilities.

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Ace Your NYU Supplemental Essay: Expert Advice From a Former Admissions Officer

How To Answer the 2024-25 Coalition App Essay Prompts

Why Northwestern Essay Examples

Why northwestern essay examples – introduction .

As one of the top research universities in the country, Northwestern places a lot of emphasis on applicants’ essays. So, if you’re wondering how to get into Northwestern, start by reviewing our Why Northwestern essay examples. That way, you’ll have the tools you need to craft strong Northwestern essays.

In this guide, we will look at several Why Northwestern essay examples. We will examine two Why Northwestern essay examples and discuss what made them effective. We’ll also look at the current Northwestern essay prompts and Northwestern supplemental essay requirements.

Why Northwestern Essay Examples: The Prompt

Beyond the Common App essay, there’s only one additional Northwestern essay prompt—the Why Northwestern essay:

While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond. 

Later in this article, we’ll look at various Why Northwestern essay examples. You’ll notice that there aren’t multiple Northwestern essay prompts. This makes your Why Northwestern essay all the more important. Use our Why Northwestern essay examples as a blueprint for your own writing. However, always make sure your essay is your own work. 

In this guide, we’ll look at two successful Why Northwestern essay examples . Then, we’ll discuss what made these Why Northwestern essay examples so impactful. That way, you can approach the Northwestern essay prompt with confidence.

Beyond supplemental essays

Of course, your Northwestern essays aren’t the only aspect of the admissions process. Beyond our Why Northwestern essay examples, we’ll also discuss other elements of the application process. We will review the Northwestern admissions requirements, the Northwestern application, and the Northwestern acceptance rate. 

Now, let’s take a look at some Why Northwestern essay examples. In addition to the Why Northwestern essay examples themselves, we will also provide a breakdown of why they worked and how they successfully addressed the Northwestern essay prompt. Finally, we’ll discuss how important the Why Northwestern essay is to the overall Northwestern admissions process. 

Why Northwestern essay examples 

The following Why Northwestern essay examples were written by students who were accepted to Northwestern University. These Why Northwestern essay examples are intended to provide you with an example of successful Northwestern supplemental essays. All names and personal details in these Northwestern supplemental essays examples have been redacted and/or changed for anonymity. 

After each of these Northwestern supplemental essays examples, we will discuss why these are good responses to Northwestern essay prompts. 

Here’s the first of our Why Northwestern essay examples: 

Why Northwestern Essay Example #1

No matter the research made by scientists on climate change, if politicians don’t accept scientific evidence and pass environmental legislation, the world will suffer greater consequences from climate change. As a political science major at Northwestern, I’ll acquire the skills necessary to pass future legislation that puts the environment and people above the interests of corporations.

I believe that being able to incorporate multiple areas of study can greatly deepen my ability to understand environmental advocacy. With Northwestern’s interdisciplinary curriculum, I’d explore how policy, law, and political philosophy intersect with the process of passing environmental legislation. By taking the “U.S. Environmental Politics” course, for example, I’ll learn how to implement effective environmental policies, both on the international and domestic scale, while also considering the economic, legal, and ethical issues involved.

Regardless of how many hours I spend in the classroom, however, I believe that my knowledge is less meaningful if I can’t apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to lead initiatives that can advocate for the environment. Through the Chicago Field Studies program, I’d be thrilled to take on civic engagement internships and explore how climate change is intertwined with poverty. I’ll also jump at the opportunity to utilize the Ginsberg Research Grant and initiate my own research with professors like Chloe Thurston, who specializes in policy research. It would be an honor to work with faculty members and conduct research on how interest groups affect environmental management compromises.

Outside of the classroom, I’m excited to join the Associated Student Government organization, where I’d work with administrators to promote Northwestern’s environmental sustainability and strive to make the Northwestern experience even better for students.

With the knowledge and experiences I gain at Northwestern, I’ll work to pass the future environmental policies that our world needs.

Why This Essay Worked

This sample of our Northwestern supplemental essays examples successfully addresses the Why School essay prompt for several reasons.

First, the opening of this Why Northwestern essay example is a bold statement. The author sees themselves fixing an issue because of what they will major in and learn at Northwestern. 

They mention their academic interests and future major at Northwestern in the introductory paragraph. This allows the Northwestern admissions officer to quickly understand what is important to the writer. It’s clear that this author has specific career goals. Instead of just mentioning those goals, they explain how attending Northwestern will help them reach these goals. 

Getting specific

The first of our Why Northwestern essay examples specifically mentions Northwestern’s interdisciplinary curriculum. This shows that the writer has done their research on Northwestern. More importantly, it shows how they will use their time on campus to reach their goals. 

Additionally, this author mentions a specific course at Northwestern by name: U.S. Environmental Politics. This successfully addresses the prompt’s question about “how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here.” 

The first of our Why Northwestern essay examples discusses how the author would interact with U.S. Environmental Politics. They also describe what they would learn in this course, which ties back to their academic interests. 

Then, the author references resources outside of the classroom. In particular, the Chicago Field Studies program and conducting research with a Northwestern professor. Again, this shows that the writer of the first of our Why Northwestern essay examples has done their research. They know specific aspects of Northwestern that they are excited to explore. 

Finding your place

This writer also describes a specific community at Northwestern that they are excited to join: the Associated Student Government organization. This shows how the applicant will engage with the larger Northwestern community. 

This whole essay ties back to the writer’s interests in political science, enacting change, and revolutionizing environmental policies. They mention specific Northwestern resources, communities, and opportunities throughout their response. They also connect these opportunities to their own goals. That way, they answer the prompt’s question: “ how they may enrich their time at Northwestern and beyond.” 

You can learn a lot from our Why Northwestern essay examples as you write your own Northwestern essay. This sample shows you how to incorporate specific features that are unique to Northwestern in your essay. 

Applying this Why Northwestern essay example to your writing

Take your cues from this example essay as you start drafting. While you should do your research, you don’t want to just copy/paste information from the Northwestern website. The admissions team knows what Northwestern has to offer—as they read your essay, they want to see how you’d enrich Northwestern’s campus.

So, refer to the first of our Why Northwestern essay examples. Think about how this writer paints a picture of how they’d engage with Northwestern’s community. How can you explain how you plan to engage with whatever resource/opportunity/community you referenced?

Effective Northwestern essay examples also bring the focus back to your own interests and goals. Northwestern admissions wants to know more about you . Don’t just tell them about Northwestern—instead, bring the focus back to you. The first of our Why Northwestern essay examples does just that.

Keeping it concrete

Finally, strong Northwestern essay examples are intentional. Are you intentional about the resources you highlight in your own Northwestern essay? The author of the first of our Why Northwestern essay examples was interested in political science at Northwestern. In doing so, they will “acquire the skills necessary to pass future legislation that puts the environment and people above the interests of corporations.”  

In the first Northwestern essay example, the writer clearly shows how Northwestern would help them reach their goal. They mention Northwestern’s interdisciplinary curriculum and the U.S. Environmental Politics course. They also mention the Chicago Field Studies Program, the Ginsburg Research grant, and Professor Chloe Thurston. Finally, they include extracurricular engagements by highlighting the Associated Student Government organization.

All of these resources connect back to the author’s interests and goals. This makes it easy for Northwestern admissions officers to see what interests the author and how Northwestern will benefit them. It also shows the reader how the applicant will be a great fit in the larger Northwestern community. Ultimately, that is the entire purpose of the Why School essay. 

Now that we have examined one of the Why Northwestern essays examples and why it worked, let’s dive into the second of our Northwestern supplemental essays examples. 

Below is the second of our Why Northwestern essay examples: 

Why Northwestern Essay Example #2

“What is the function of hydrophilic heads?” my AP Biology teacher asked the class.

All that could be heard was the sound of multiple classmates snoring in unison and the tapping of several students on their cell phones.

I had already answered the past 5 questions… Should I answer this one?

School is not a source of enjoyment for most of my classmates. Though the goal was to graduate, the pathway was often marred with cheating, plagiarism, and a lack of motivation to pursue something greater than the average.

At Northwestern however, no such situation would ever take place. The community of students, though from diverse backgrounds, all share the same goal to learn to their greatest potential and will do anything to share it.

In addition to the support such classmates would provide is the faculty of distinguished professors Northwestern has at its disposal. With the quarter system that allows students to take multiple classes outside their major, having such an array of top professors to choose from will guarantee that whichever path I may take will ensure a quality education. Though I plan to major in a Neuroscience-related program as a pre-medical student, I have many interests that have accumulated for years but remained untouched due to circumstances. With my professors as mentors, I would be able to conduct research in these areas, setting an invincible foundation that will increase my vitality in the medical field.  

Coming from a background such as mine to such a collaborative community would be a huge adjustment, but it is one I am excited to make. Having the opportunity to interact/work with people who are genuinely passionate about their fields is an invaluable asset that will motivate me to push harder in spite of any challenges I may face in the future.

The second of our Why Northwestern essay examples is different from the first one. Still, it is just as successful at addressing the prompt. Remember, not all Why Northwestern essays examples are the same.

Strong introduction

The second of our Northwestern supplemental essays examples starts with a quote, which immediately places the reader into the story. This can be a very effective and creative way of beginning your own Northwestern essay. 

This quote then opens into a broader narrative. The beginning of this Northwestern essay explains the academic environment in the author’s high school. In doing so, it highlights how this student operates in a classroom and why they’d succeed at Northwestern.

Then, they connect the opening story to what they want to experience at Northwestern. This instantly shows how they value the community of Northwestern and how they can see themselves joining it. 

Highlighting academic interests

Next, the author uses Northwestern faculty and the quarter system to highlight their own academic interests and future major. Eye-catching Northwestern supplemental essays examples mention specific attributes of Northwestern University—like this essay does. 

Like the first of our Why Northwestern essay examples, this author also explains how they’ll engage with these resources. Additionally, the author connects these resources back to their own interests and goals. 

Finally, good Northwestern supplemental essays examples show excitement about joining the larger Northwestern community. They express genuine interest in becoming a part of the Northwestern community, showing the reader they’re committed to Northwestern. 

Essay examples are a guide, not a blueprint

All successful essays will have their own distinct voice and character. As you likely noticed, this essay is different from the first of our Why Northwestern essay examples. Still, you can learn a lot from this and other strong Northwestern supplemental essays examples. Keep these points in mind as you begin writing your own Northwestern essay. 

Some Why Northwestern essay examples also use humor to get the reader’s attention. If used well, humor can be an effective tool to get the reader on your side. Obviously, don’t feel pressured to include humor if it’s not natural for you. We can’t all be the next Terry Pratchett! At the same time, Northwestern admissions officers read thousands of essays each application cycle. If you can incorporate some humor into your own Northwestern essay, it’s likely to stand out from the crowd. 

Finally, all impactful Northwestern supplemental essays examples show how the author genuinely wants to join the Northwestern community.  The Northwestern essay prompt assesses how committed you are to Northwestern. So, discuss specific communities at Northwestern that interest you. This will help the reader understand how well you’ll fit into Northwestern. 

Curious about other Northwestern supplemental essays examples? Check out our guide here . In it, you’ll find two additional Northwestern supplemental essays examples. We also explain why these Northwestern supplemental essays examples worked. 

Northwestern Supplemental Essay Requirements

You’ve seen some Northwestern essay examples and gotten some useful tips to craft your own. Now, let’s look at the Northwestern supplemental essay requirements. But before we do, let’s take a closer look at the school itself. Remember, the more you know about Northwestern, the stronger your Northwestern essays will be.

Northwestern University

In reading our Why Northwestern essay examples, you probably noticed that the authors have done their research. So, before you complete the Northwestern supplemental essay requirements, let’s take a closer look at the school.

Northwestern University is a private university founded in 1851. Located in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,494 students. The overall student population at Northwestern is 25,870. 

According to U.S. News and World Report , Northwestern University is ranked #10 in National Universities (tied with Duke University). Forbes ranks Northwestern as #11 in their list of Top Colleges of 2022 and #9 in their list of Top Private Colleges. 

Because Northwestern is an elite private university, Northwestern admissions is considered most selective. The Northwestern acceptance rate is 7% . Admitted students have a 1460–1560 SAT score or a 33–35 ACT score. 

Since the Northwestern acceptance rate is so competitive, it’s important that your Northwestern supplemental essays stand out to the Northwestern admissions officers. By writing strong essays, you can boost your chances of admission. Use our Why Northwestern essay examples to guide you as you begin writing your own Northwestern essay. 

Be sure to refer to this guide often as you write your own Northwestern essay. Reviewing the Northwestern supplemental essays examples can help you brainstorm ideas for your own Northwestern supplemental essays. 

Northwestern requires applicants to complete two essays (including the personal statement). The first Northwestern supplemental essay can be found on the Common Application or Coalition Application. The second Northwestern essay is the Northwestern writing supplement. 

Why Northwestern Essay

We’ve looked at some Why Northwestern essays examples. Now, let’s spend a bit more time with the Northwestern essay prompt: 

Essentially, the Northwestern supplemental essay prompt asks students to explain why they would like to attend Northwestern. You’ve seen this prompt in our Northwestern essay examples. This is a classic Why School essay—you’ll find similar prompts on many applications. The Why Northwestern essays are open-ended, which gives applicants plenty of flexibility as they craft their response to this Why School essay. 

When you write your own Why Northwestern essays, you can choose to include one or several aspects of the university in your response. As you saw in our Why Northwestern essay examples, strong essays don’t all look the same. However, you should try to highlight specific resources only available at Northwestern.  

However, Why Northwestern essays should not just reiterate information that can be found on the university website. Instead, you will want to relate the content of your Northwestern essay to your own interests, background, or experiences. Think about our Why Northwestern essay examples. While they highlight Northwestern’s resources, these Northwestern essays still give the reader a clear sense of the writer’s background, interests, and goals.

Northwestern Admissions Requirements

In addition to your Why Northwestern essays, Northwestern admissions also requires two letters of recommendation along with your Northwestern application:

• One from your high school counselor
• One from a high school teacher (ideally from junior or senior year)

It’s important to ask for letters of recommendation from people that know you well. Your teacher should be able to speak to your achievements both inside and outside of the classroom. 

College Recommendation Letter Sample & FAQs

For the 2022-2023 Northwestern admissions cycle, test scores are optional. If you choose to submit your test scores, Northwestern will review them and assign a “superscore” to your Northwestern application. In other words, if you took the SAT or ACT multiple times, Northwestern admissions only considers your highest scores.

Students will also submit an activity chart with their Northwestern application. This activity chart is your chance to provide additional details about your extracurricular activities and involvements outside of your high school courses. 

Finally, alumni interviews are an optional component of the Northwestern application process. These interviews are available online or in person on a limited basis. Your chance of admission will not be negatively impacted if you are unable to complete an alumni interview. 

For more about how to get into Northwestern, completing your Northwestern application, and the Why Northwestern essay, visit Northwestern’s website . 

Do you have more questions about how to write supplemental essays? Check out our CollegeAdvisor Masterclass on supplemental essays. In it you’ll get the inside scoop on how to approach, write, and edit your supplemental essays for college. 

How do you answer the why Northwestern essay? 

This Northwestern essay prompt is a classic take on the Why School essay. Essentially, the Northwestern essay prompt asks you to do two things. First, explain how you see yourself engaging with the community at Northwestern. Second, describe how you plan to utilize specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities at Northwestern. 

In other words, the purpose of the Northwestern essay prompt is to understand how you will enrich a specific community at Northwestern and how you will engage with the aspects of Northwestern that interest you the most. 

Both parts of the Northwestern essay prompt are intentionally broad and open-ended. This means that you have free rein to mention how you will enrich any community—academic, cultural, or social—at Northwestern. Additionally, it’s important to include as many specific details as you can in your Northwestern essay. You can reference specific student organizations, courses, traditions, or school-specific programs in your response to this Northwestern essay prompt. 

Your Northwestern essay should be well-written and filled with resources and examples that are unique to Northwestern. You should avoid recycling your response to the Northwestern essay prompt to another Why School essay prompt.  

Now that we have examined this Why School essay prompt, let’s jump into strategies for strong Why Northwestern essays. 

Approaching your Why Northwestern Essay

First, you’ll want to start brainstorming ideas for your Why Northwestern essays. Think about why you added Northwestern to your college list . Are you interested in a particular major at Northwestern? Were you attracted to a specific program that Northwestern offers? 

If you can’t pinpoint why you want to attend Northwestern, don’t worry. You can do a deep dive on the Northwestern University website to find facets of Northwestern that interest you the most. 

Remember, you want to be able to write a well-crafted Northwestern essay, so focus on the aspects of Northwestern that are interesting to you . The strongest Why Northwestern essays are honest and authentic.

 Do some research

Make a list to keep track of things you find appealing about Northwestern. It’s okay not to include everything on your list in your Why Northwestern essays. However, having something to refer to will keep you organized as you begin the writing process. 

Because this Why School essay asks you to explain “how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community,” you will want to explicitly define which community you are referring to in your Northwestern supplemental essays. You’ll see a sample of this in the Why Northwestern essay examples below. 

Think about the communities you are involved in. Which communities at Northwestern can you see yourself engaging in? Are there any specific communities that stand out at you because of your own background, passions, and interests? 

Now that you have a list of specific resources, opportunities, and communities that interest you (and that are unique to Northwestern), you can begin writing. 

Make every word count

At 300 words or fewer, every word in Why Northwestern essays has to count. As you read and edit your essay, refer back to the Northwestern essay prompt.

Make sure your Northwestern supplemental essays:

• Answer all parts of the prompt
• Mention specific resources or opportunities that you plan to pursue at Northwestern
• Emphasize how you are a great fit for the Northwestern community

Don’t just copy and paste information from the Northwestern admissions website into your Northwestern supplemental essay. Instead, show the admissions committee that you have done your research. Effective Why Northwestern essays authentically show interest. Your essay should highlight how you’ll make an impact on campus. 

If you are still unsure of what all of this looks like in written form, don’t worry. The Why Northwestern essay examples in this guide are both successful at addressing the prompt. Each of the Why Northwestern essay examples will provide you with a good idea of how to structure strong Why Northwestern essays. 

For more tips on writing Why Northwestern essays, check out our Northwestern supplemental essays guide from 2021. Also, take a look at our 2020 Northwestern University essay guide. Lastly, for the Northwestern application as a whole, check out our guide on how to get into Northwestern.

Are there other Northwestern essay prompts? 

There is only one Northwestern supplemental essay prompt—the Why Northwestern essay. However, note that Northwestern will also evaluate your Common App essay. 

It is possible that the Northwestern essay prompts may change from year to year. So, it’s important to verify the essay prompts for Northwestern (and other colleges) before you begin crafting your own college essays. 

If you are a junior or underclassman, you can still benefit from the Why Northwestern essay examples in this guide. Certainly, the Northwestern essay prompts might change before you write your Why Northwestern essays. However, it’s still beneficial to read successful Why Northwestern essay examples. 

Want to learn more about how to write about yourself? Check out our webinar on how to write the Common App personal statement. Or watch this webinar to hear from an admissions officer on how to make your essays shine. 

How important is the Why Northwestern essay? 

The Why Northwestern essay is an incredibly important part of your “how to get into Northwestern” strategy. Strong Why Northwestern essays are the backbone of a good Northwestern application. 

Northwestern receives thousands of applications each admissions cycle from qualified applicants. With more students applying to college than ever before, it’s safe to assume that the Northwestern acceptance rate will continue to fall. 

Because the Northwestern acceptance rate is so competitive, it is important to do what you can to make your application stand out . To stand a chance against the low Northwestern acceptance rate, your Northwestern application has to sparkle.

Northwestern University wants applicants who want to be a part of the Northwestern community. Why Northwestern essays are the best way for you to demonstrate exactly that. 

Northwestern essay reflection questions

• How committed are you to Northwestern? 
• Why are you a great fit for the Northwestern community? 
• How will attending Northwestern help you reach your goals? 

Why Northwestern essays can answer these questions (and more) for the admissions team. Remember how the authors in our Northwestern supplemental essays examples answered these questions in their own responses? They were successful in addressing the prompt and provided specific, concrete examples throughout their essays. Additionally, both Northwestern supplemental essays examples were written in a way that made them memorable.  You’ll want to do the same in your own Northwestern essays. 

Use the Why Northwestern essays to show how well you will fit into the larger Northwestern community. Each of the Northwestern supplemental essays examples show you how to do this successfully. Obviously, be sure to do your research before writing your Why Northwestern essays. The Northwestern essay prompt asks for specifics . So, make sure you clearly state why Northwestern is the perfect school for you. 

Your Northwestern essay can showcase other parts of you that are not otherwise included in your Northwestern application. This will help the admissions team understand what makes you a unique applicant, which will help you stand out from the crowd. 

Above all, be authentic in your responses to the Why Northwestern essays. You want to express a genuine interest in your Why Northwestern essays, like in the Northwestern supplemental essays examples.

How to Get Into Northwestern Guide

Why Northwestern essay examples – Final thoughts

It’s easy to leave your Why Northwestern essay to the last minute. However, your supplemental essays are a key part of your applications. Think of your college essays as an opportunity for your admissions officer to learn more about who you are, what matters to you, and how you will enrich the community at your chosen college. 

The best college essays will highlight your background, identity, and interests. A strong essay will also showcase what makes you a unique applicant and how you will be a great addition to your future college community. 

Do your research

The Northwestern supplemental essays are your opportunity to stand out from other applicants. As you strategize about how to get into Northwestern, be sure to do your research. First, spend time on the Northwestern University website to find specific resources, opportunities, or communities at Northwestern that appeal to you.

Then, make a list of these unique offerings as you research Northwestern. Review your list to determine what excites you the most about attending Northwestern. Use that specific example(s) and incorporate them into your Northwestern supplemental essays. 

Try to align your background, passions, and interests with how you will make an impact on the Northwestern community. You want the Northwestern admissions reader to understand your and why you’ll be a great fit for the Northwestern community. 

Refer to several successful Northwestern supplemental essays examples. Remember, a well-crafted and engaging Northwestern essay will boost your chances of admission. 

Remember to revise

Finally, be sure to revise and edit your Northwestern supplemental essays before you submit your Northwestern application. Strong Northwestern essays don’t happen overnight, so you should give yourself plenty of time to draft, edit, and proofread. You can always ask a friend, counselor, or CollegeAdvisor.com advisor to help you proofread your Why Northwestern essays.

Need more guidance with your Northwestern supplemental essays? Register with CollegeAdvisor.com today to get one-on-one support as you write your Northwestern supplemental essays. Happy writing!

This article was written by Claire Babbs . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Write the Northwestern University Supplemental Essay 2017-2018

Northwestern, a beacon of strong academics located in Evanston, Illinois, currently occupies the 12th spot in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities rankings .

With an acceptance rate of 10.6%, Northwestern offers competitive programs in almost every academic field. In particular, the Medill School of Journalism is consistently ranked as the best journalism school in the world, and the School of Communication is renowned for its stellar theater program.

The average SAT score of accepted applicants is 1510, with an average weighted GPA of 4.13 — meaning that most accepted applicants were close to the top of their class.

With this in mind, it is easy to see why Northwestern University is a selective school. This can be intimidating, especially when penning their essays for the first time. But we here at CollegeVine are here to help. Read on for helpful tips and tricks on tackling the Northwestern supplement.

Want to learn what Northwestern University will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take?  Here’s what every student considering Northwestern University needs to know.

Northwestern University Application Essay Prompt

‘why northwestern’ statement (completion strongly recommended), other parts of your application give us a sense for how you might contribute to northwestern. but we also want to consider how northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. in 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of northwestern appeal most to you, and how you’ll make use of specific resources and opportunities here..

Since Northwestern only has one 300-word supplemental essay, candidates with lots of information to convey may feel restricted by the lack of space. Thus, it is helpful to approach the prompt in two directions. First, discuss your interests and goals; second, explain how Northwestern will help you further these intellectual and personal endeavors.

A common trap many applicants fall into when writing is trying to cram their entire resume into this short essay. But listing off every single high school extracurricular is counterproductive and unnecessary; there is already a section for that in the Common Application. Instead, this essay is your time to piece together a cohesive picture of your character, drawing from the essence of your Common Application — the extracurriculars, the awards, the advanced classes, etc. — and explain why these ventures will best be realized at no other institution but Northwestern University.

If you are applying to the School of Journalism, you would be ill-advised to dedicate one paragraph to your love for speech and debate, one paragraph to your leadership of the school magazine, and one paragraph to your internship at the local newspaper over the summer, though you may love these three activities equally. Instead, choose a single interest to discuss.

An example:

You could write about your ability to influence with storytelling, and then explain how Northwestern’s unique journalism residency program for undergraduates’ junior and senior years will help you expand your audience. By focusing on one or two skills, your essay as a whole will present more depth, as opposed to the breadth evidenced by your Common Application.

Moreover, adding “flavor” to the essays by elaborating on your personal connection with your chosen interests, and the unique contributions you have made to them are also critical to your candidacy. Remember that you do not have to win a Nobel Prize or cure cancer to engage your readers and make them feel that you will add to the excellence of the institution. Uniqueness is conveyed through personal anecdotes, narrated with a detailed voice.

If you are passionate about biomedical engineering, do not write, “I love the intersection between biology and engineering.” Everyone majoring in biomedical engineering also finds such overlap appealing. Instead, start the essay with an anecdote about how when you missed school because of a stomach flu, you spent the long hours in bed sketching designs of ingestible micro-machines that could disseminate antibiotics more efficiently than regular medicine, thinking of the pain it would spare you and millions of other people.

Not only is this specific anecdote a more appropriate way of conveying to the reader that biomedical engineering already permeates your life, it also implies that you are inventive and industrious with your time. This supplement is only 300 words, so using specific anecdotes like this with multiple layers of meaning is essential to saturating the space with as much content as possible.

Do not, however, treat this as a shorter Common Application essay . Ultimately, the emphasis is on your fit for Northwestern’s specific resources. You could begin by illustrating how you would bury your head in literature written by the likes of Kafka and Camus all weekend, then show up Monday morning before everyone else arrives at school for an advanced lab that aims to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, then transition to discussing how Northwestern’s Science in Human Culture Program is a perfect fit for you and your interdisciplinary mind.

Remember to talk about what you will actually do in the program; envision yourself there, already at Northwestern. What will your day look like? Which professors would you like to work with within the Science in Human Culture Program? What kind of scholarship or internship opportunities within the program will you take advantage of for your research proposal?

Again, specificity is key. Avoid making general statements such as: “Northwestern’s state-of-the-art theater program makes it the perfect school for me.” That answer is one that could be given by virtually anyone, even those who haven’t the slightest idea of what theater is. Generality connotes lack of interest, lack of research, and worst of all, lack of effort. So when writing this essay, ask yourself: What are the specific aspects of Northwestern University that sets it apart from all the other top 20 schools? What could I do at Northwestern that would be hard for me to do at other colleges?

Therefore, a strong essay by a prospective theater student could begin with discussion of how her passion for theater was ignited by an afternoon of people-watching in a small Parisian cafe, after which she developed a fascination with understanding humans that could only be satisfied by the versatility of the school’s theater program and the flexibility to double major across different schools. She can thus explain her intention to double major in theater and sociology. This essay works because the student demonstrates her personal interest in theater (Parisian cafe anecdote), elaborates on how she has contributed to the field (developed a fascination), and ties it to Northwestern’s specific resources ( versatility of theater program and double major), and then connects it all together with a concrete example of how Northwestern University would aide in her growth.

Be cautious of sounding overly presumptuous. Do not use phrases that imply that you have already been accepted. Instead, phrase things in terms of hypotheticals. For example, do not say: “When at Northwestern, I will be sure to use their biology labs to continue conducting research on stem cells in mice.” Instead, write: “As a Northwestern student, I would use the biology labs to continue conducting research on stem cells in mice, which I started during my junior year in high school…”

General Reminders

The Northwestern supplement may not allow a lot of words, but with a strategy in place, you can be sure that the essay you submit will make a substantial impact.

• Open with a personal, detailed anecdote about your intended major/interest (approximately 25% of the essay).
• Discuss your in-depth accomplishments in this field, without repeating what you have written in your Common Application (approximately 25% of the essay).
• Explain how Northwestern’s resources will aid in your development in this particular field. Do not forget to sketch out what you hope to accomplish at the school (approximately 50% of the essay).

With these three things in mind, writing Northwestern University’s supplement will be a lot easier.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, why northwestern essay tips.

I'm applying to Northwestern and I need to write the 'Why Northwestern' essay. Can anyone provide some advice on how to tackle this prompt effectively? What specific aspects of the school should I focus on? I want my essay to show that I have a genuine interest in the university and that I'm a good fit for their programs.

Certainly! The "Why Northwestern" essay is an opportunity to show your passion for the university and demonstrate how you would be a great fit. Fortunately, CollegeVine has an article with in-depth advice on tackling this prompt (as well as the rest of Northwestern's prompts), which you can find here: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-northwestern-university-essays

To write an effective essay, also consider these tips:

1. Research: Dive deep into Northwestern's website, social media, and other resources to learn about the specific programs, courses, extracurricular activities, and research opportunities that interest you. The more specific examples you can provide, the better.

2. Focus on your academic interests: Make connections between the particular majors or programs you're interested in and the resources available at Northwestern. Are there any renowned professors whose research aligns with your interests? Are there any unique academic opportunities, such as the Honors Program in Medical Education or the Integrated Science Program, that stand out to you? Explain why you think these opportunities are a great fit for your goals.

3. Extracurricular activities: Northwestern has a strong campus community with a variety of clubs, organizations, and sports teams. Highlight the ones that resonate with your interests and explain how you intend to contribute to or benefit from the experiences they offer. For example, if you're passionate about journalism, you could mention your interest in joining The Daily Northwestern or participating in Medill on the Hill.

4. Campus culture: Reflect on any personal experiences or interactions you've had with Northwestern students, faculty, or alumni that have shaped your interest in the university. If you've visited campus, discuss the aspects you found appealing or unique—perhaps the collaboration between disciplines or the strong sense of community.

5. Tailor your response: Rather than providing a laundry list of reasons why you love Northwestern, select a few key aspects of the university that genuinely excite you and that align with your goals and interests. Explain how your background, experiences, and interests will allow you to contribute to and benefit from these aspects of Northwestern, as well as how they align with your academic and personal aspirations.

6. Be genuine and specific: Avoid generic statements like "Northwestern has a beautiful campus" or "I want to attend a prestigious university." Instead, showcase your genuine interest in the school by providing concrete examples of what sets Northwestern apart for you and how you believe it can help you achieve your goals.

By following these tips and ensuring your essay demonstrates a strong connection between your interests and the resources Northwestern offers, you'll present a compelling case for why you'd be a great fit at the University. Good luck with your application!

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Northwestern University Law Review

Home > Northwestern University Law Review > NULR > Vol. 119 > Iss. 1 (2024)

Access to Justice as Access to Data Tanina Rostain

Foreword David L. Schwartz and Kat M. Albrecht

The SCALES Project: Making Federal Court Records Free David L. Schwartz, Kat M. Albrecht, Adam R. Pah, Christopher A. Cotropia, Amy Kristin Sanders, Sarath Sanga, Charlotte S. Alexander, Luís A.N. Amaral, Zachary D. Clopton, Anne M. Tucker, Thomas W. Gaylord, Scott G. Daniel, and Nathan Dahlberg

Settlement as Construct: Defining and Counting Party Resolution in Federal District Court Charlotte S. Alexander, Nathan Dahlberg, and Anne M. Tucker

Lawyerless Litigants, Filing Fees, Transaction Costs, and the Federal Courts: Learning from SCALES Judith Resnik, Henry Wu, Jenn Dikler, David T. Wong, Romina Lilollari, Claire Stobb, Elizabeth Beling, Avital Fried, Anna Selbrede, Jack Sollows, Mikael Tessema, and Julia Udell

Prosecutorial Data Transparency and Data Justice Caitlin Glass, Kat M. Albrecht, and Perry Moriearty

Felony Disenfranchisement and Voter Turnout: Randomized Trials in Iowa and Washington Alexander Billy, J.J. Naddeo, and Neel U. Sukhatme

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Tackling the Personal Essay: Tips from a Notre Dame Admissions Counselor

Published: August 30, 2024

Author: Zach Klonsinski

If you ask almost any admissions professional which part of reading applications is their favorite, it’s likely their answer will be a resounding, “The essays!” Essays are where we get to engage with students’ hopes, fears, dreams, life experiences (and more) in their authentic voice. We are humbled every year getting to “meet” all the incredible young people who are applying to Notre Dame through their essays!

Yet, writing an essay introducing yourself can be really hard. Maybe you’ve never done so before, or you haven’t for a really long time, and often it will seem really awkward. That’s OK!

It feels hard because it is–or at least it can be.

Don’t worry, though! I love sharing tips with applicants about the personal essay that will hopefully help you see it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and then share that discernment with the colleges who will be fortunate enough to receive your application!

Getting started

The easiest way to get started is by simply brainstorming! I love using pen and paper (I’m anti-pencil, though I realize that may be a divisive opinion). The physical materials help me feel less constrained by technology, though you may find the technology comforting.

Use bulleted lists or short phrases to capture ideas, life experiences, values, and more. Every day, set aside five minutes to write about yourself or your college discernment process without stopping to think. Where does your mind lead you when you get out of your own way?

Ask your friends and family to help you identify values that are important to you or things that make you.. well… you! Often it’s easier to highlight and say nice things about someone else than it is ourselves, so lean on those who know you well!

Group these collective nuggets to see if any patterns or stories emerge. Do you see any prompts on your application that align with your brainstorming? The Common Application, for example, has seven to choose from, including a make your own prompt! Start writing on one that makes you pause, as that means you might have something to say! Don’t be afraid to go longer than your word count or to use an atypical form of writing.

While that specific level of chaos may not work for you, I always recommend staying away from sentences and avoiding constraining yourself while writing because…

Editing is more than spelling and grammar!

When we want to “edit” something, it can be tempting to start–and just as quickly end–with spell check. (Yes, your essay should have proper spelling and grammar, but please know we are not reading your essay with a red pen “grading” every single comma.)

What is far more important–though also far more intimidating–is your essay’s content.

What really improved my writing actually had nothing to do with me–rather, it was finding trusted editors to give me honest and constructive feedback. While it’s tempting to have your best friend or family member read your essay, I’ve found my best editors possess a strong rhetorical mind, ask thoughtful questions, and are not afraid to tell me when something isn’t working the way I think it is.

This may describe someone close to you, but maybe not. Maybe there’s a classmate or teacher who you have always admired, even if you don’t know them that well. Editing is an incredibly vulnerable process; don’t be afraid to lean into that vulnerability! I promise that a strong editor who works with your voice and style–rather than rewriting your essay how they would have–will help bring forth an authentic essay you didn’t even realize you could write!

Speaking of, authenticity will lead to your best essay

The best application essay is the one that helps us get to know you. Period. Full stop. Any topic can be a good topic, any topic can be a bad topic. At the end of the day, the topic you choose to write about is only a gateway to help us get to know you!

Let’s think of it another way. Say you printed out your essay at your school, without your name or other identifying information on it, and someone who knows you picked it up and read it. If they said, “I bet this is (your name)’s essay,” I can already tell you’re on the right track. There’s something truly you about it!

Where can I find more about writing application essays?

I’m so glad you asked! On our On-Demand Sessions webpage , you can find a number of helpful recorded sessions from our College Application Workshop series. One of them, co-presented by yours truly, is called “Crafting the Perfect College Essay”. My colleague Maria Finan and I present our own tips and tricks for about 20 minutes and then take questions from a virtual audience for the remainder of the 45 minute session. I invite you to check it out, as well as the other sessions we have recorded!

Ready to Write Your App Essays? Advice from an Admissions Counselor on the Notre Dame Supplement

Zach Klonsinski is a senior assistant director with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

He is the regional counselor for Minnesota, Missouri (Kansas City), Wisconsin, Rwanda, Kenya, France, Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, and China - Beijing

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A Good Appetite

All Hail Farro, Queen of the Make-Ahead Salad

This colorful grain salad is laced with juicy stone fruit and milky burrata cheese.

By Melissa Clark

Melissa Clark contributed one of the first farro salads to New York Times Cooking in 2013. She’s been perfecting them every since.

Of all the grains you can use for salads, farro is the absolute queen. It is elegant, chewy and inherently complex, and that’s before you add any seasonings. It’s also simple and quick to cook, needing about 20 minutes, and the nubby grains stay separate rather than clumping like barley or couscous.

There was a time when farro was a seldom seen in North America, a rarity found mostly in gourmet shops and specialty Italian markets, but now it can be found in supermarkets rubbing shoulders with the quinoa and bulgur, and not a bit less regal for it.

All of this means that you can stop reserving your farro salads for parties, and put them into regular rotation. Healthful, hearty and ripe for variation, the farro salad is ready for weeknight prime time.

Recipe: Herby Farro Salad With Stone Fruit and Burrata

In this simple recipe, a colorful jumble of sliced stone fruit and herbs makes for an especially jubilant presentation. You can use any stone fruit you have, pristine or not; all of those wilting, weeping, less-than-perfect specimens are magnanimously invited to join the bowl.

Actually, let’s face it, the softer and gushier the better, because that tangy fruit nectar gives the dressing a sweet-tart depth. To bring out the most juice, the fruit is briefly marinated in lemon juice, salt and a pinch of sugar, which you can do while the farro cooks.

Then dress the grains immediately after draining so the warm farro can absorb as much flavor as possible, and fold in the fruit along with a handful of herbs for freshness and zip. Once assembled, the salad can sit for hours with no ill effects, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks or lunch at your desk the next day.

There is one more element that I sometimes like to add to this salad, which raises it from a side dish to a light summer meal. In the center of the farro, almost like an egg in a nest, I place a milky ball of burrata drizzled with more of the stone fruit juice, some good olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky salt. The burrata adds richness to the mix, and provides a mellow contrast to the lemony fruit. But in the end, a stately farro salad doesn’t really need that — or anything extra — to shine and to reign.

Follow New York Times Cooking on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , TikTok and Pinterest . Get regular updates from New York Times Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice .

Melissa Clark has been writing her column, A Good Appetite , for The Times’s Food section since 2007. She creates recipes for New York Times Cooking, makes videos and reports on food trends. She is the author of 45 cookbooks, and counting. More about Melissa Clark