Confused by the Princeton supplement: "Please do not repeat, in full or in part, the essay you wrote

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

For the 650 word supplemental essay, the question states “Please do not repeat, in full or in part, the essay you wrote for the common application.” Can I still indirectly talk about some of the topics/places in my Common App essay, or would I not be allowed to do that?

2

I would say that is an emphatic no.

3

@bearsfan654 Can you write about something else? Why risk it? Referring indirectly could be seen as ignoring the prompt.

4

@bearsfan654 It’s not just a matter of what’s allowed and what’s not allowed (although I have read that schools expect you to follow the directions, and agree with the advice from the two posters above). The essays are your opportunity to tell the admissions officers about different aspects of yourself. You wouldn’t want to waste the opportunity by writing about similar things.

5

Just got a response from Princeton:

Thank you for your email. You may indirectly talk about some of the topics/places in your Common App essay, but it is important that the Princeton supplement essay is different than your Common App essay.

So yeah, that’s what I assumed.