omega007

I'm really confused about approaching the supplemental essay. It looks very twisted.

"Please use this brief essay to help us get to know you beyond what is defined in your scholastic and extracurricular record. In 250 words or less, please respond to
the following: We honor the many different forms of diversity in our community. Your perspective is valuable because it comes from your life experiences, family background, and culture. Please tell us about yourself and what you believe is the best way to share your perspective. Also, what do you hope to learn from the experiences of others?"

Please help guys who have already finished their essay or any Colgate students who have done this. I'm really getting nervous.

lydia08

The essay prompt is different every year. This is actually one of the most clear prompts I've seen (in the past it's been things like "write page 362 of your autobiography" or "write the recommendation letter your professor at Colgate would write for you as a Colgate senior" or something). Basically, what would you contribute to the Colgate community and what makes you unique/sets you apart from other applicants? It's pretty much exactly what it asks for.

omega007

But how do I approach it? How will the introduction be going? Anyone can bluff that they will give their lives for Colgate. So what exactly should my essay contain?

lydia08

That's the whole point - there IS no right answer. Everyone's essay should be completely different and unique to them. They want to learn more about you, that's all. What does the rest of your application leave out about you? That's what you need to put in.

dohueped

Did you get anywhere? Even I'm pretty stuck. My essay sounds very "fake".

ticklemepink

She's an alum. We're alums. So we know what Colgate needs and appreciates :P

Honestly, relax. Think of one thing that your teachers and guidance counselor won't mention, and you can't find room to show that in your personal essay or EC essay. What's one thing you want to tell them that they wouldn't normally find if it wasn't for this supplementary essay? It's part of their holistic admissions process- to be able to look at you as a whole person, not just numbers.

Think of this as an encore to your performance- what's one more thing you want to show your audience after all that? Give them something to remember.

dohueped

Thanks for your advice! Just wanted to know, how much should I stick to the questions being asked?

There seems to be three or four questions being asked:
i. Tell us about what sort of diversity you think you will bring to Colgate
ii. Tell us about yourself.
iii. How do you want to share your perspective.
iv. What do you want to learn from others?

Should we stick strongly to the questions being asked and make sure that some part of this really short write up answers each question being asked? Or should I just answer the general question being asked (who are you? how do you hope to learn and contribute outside the classroom?) in any way I feel will show my personality?

To try to answer all the questions in just 250 words seems pretty hard.

Thanks again for your advice

ticklemepink

It is about YOU. These questions are designed to get you thinking about who you are.

dohueped

Thanks! I've got a good idea of what I want to write about and it seems to work. Let's hope for the best!