Updated: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
If Princeton is at the top of your list for best-fit colleges, you know that every component of your application counts. With an acceptance rate of 4.5% for the class of 2027, it’s clear that applicants are going to have to submit their best work to be competitive, and that includes writing compelling supplemental essays.
While grades may pull the most weight in admissions decisions, supplemental essays give students an opportunity to highlight what makes them unique, demonstrate their knowledge of Princeton, and articulate the impact they will have on campus. Keep reading to learn how to write Princeton supplemental essays that will help you stand out for the right reasons.
If you’re wondering how to get into Princeton, writing a compelling essay isn’t enough on its own, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. Before you start drafting your essays, it’s important to understand the different types of content you will need to write and how each fits into the admissions process.
For Princeton specifically, you will need to respond to two longer prompts and three shorter prompts of 50 words or fewer that enable the admissions office to learn more about you as an applicant. Princeton also asks for a graded paper from a high school class. Undecided students and applicants to the A.B. and B.S.E. degree programs will have an additional prompt.
Supplemental essays are one of many soft factors that admissions officers take into consideration when reviewing applications. Although strong essays may not be enough to earn you a spot in the upcoming class, they will demonstrate that you’ve done your research, you’re interested in attending Princeton, and you have the writing and analytical skills needed to excel in college-level courses. Princeton supplemental essays can also show the admissions office another side of you and help them create a fuller picture of you as a student and community member.
Whether you’re applying to Princeton or another university, these tips for how to write a supplemental essay are universal.
When you set out to write your Princeton University supplemental essays, one of the most important things you can do is draw the reader in right from the start with what is called a “hook.” Consider using a personal anecdote that piques the reader’s interest, a fact that might surprise them, or a an opening phrase or statement that your reader will not fully understand without reading the rest of your essay.
If you want to write great college application essays, make sure every word counts. Essays give you the chance to reveal more about your personality and build a bridge between the topic you are discussing and what you have learned from it. For example, if you’re writing about playing a sport, tie your role on the team into a bigger-picture discussion about how it influenced your goals and dreams for the future.
The classic writing advice to “show, don’t tell,” is certainly relevant when writing your supplemental essays. Admissions officers don’t just want to hear that you’re a good person, they want to see examples to support it. Whenever you’re writing supplemental essays, weave in examples that illustrate the impact you will have on campus and the elements of your personality that you wish to highlight.
Given how competitive Princeton is, you might feel like listing all your titles and achievements is a good way to stand out. However, when it comes to college essay dos and don’ts, boasting about your accolades definitely falls into the latter category. Focus on answering the questions to the best of your ability and let your activities list do the rest.
These essay prompts are required for all applicants. As you respond to the 2024-25 Princeton supplemental essays, remember to use your authentic voice — the essay should sound like you. As you write, add specific details about Princeton that demonstrate your interest in the school.
Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.)
This prompt is asking you to demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to engage in and contribute to meaningful conversations. Consider moments in your life that have significantly shaped your values, beliefs, or perspective. These could be related to your cultural background, family, challenges you’ve overcome, pivotal moments, or passions.
Reflect on what these experiences taught you. How did they change your perspective? What did you learn about yourself or others? Think about how these lessons influence the way you interact with others. How do they inform the way you listen, understand, and communicate? These self-reflections can help you as you craft your essay response.
Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
For this prompt, give examples from your own civic engagement experiences that align with Princeton’s values. Think about specific instances where you have been involved in service or civic activities. Consider volunteer work, leadership roles in community organizations, activism, or other initiatives aimed at making a positive impact.
Reflect on what motivated you to get involved. Was there a specific event, person, or issue that inspired you? What do these experiences say about your values and character? Consider both the impact you’ve had on others and how these experiences have impacted you. How have they shaped your understanding of societal responsibility?
In addition to these two essays, you will respond to these short answer “More About You” questions:
Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!
In addition to these questions, students applying to the A.B. degree program or who are undecided will have an additional prompt of no more than 250 words. Students applying to the B.S.E. program will also be required to respond in 250 words or fewer to an engineering-specific essay prompt.
Writing Princeton supplemental essays can feel overwhelming at first, but with practice and careful preparation, every student can write something that they are proud of. If you’re looking for additional guidance, IvyWise can help. Our college admissions counselors know what admissions committees are looking for and are experts at helping students highlight their best selves in their essays.
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Join IvyWise college admissions experts to learn how you can showcase your best self when applying to college. They will cover: Each step of the Common App, including the activities section and the optional community disruption question.
How to stand out to admissions officers when applying with the Common App.
