Thinking about applying to Northwestern? Here are some things you should think about when working on your supplemental essays: The 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? (300 words max) What the Prompt is About: This is Northwestern’s combination “why you” and “why us” prompt that wants you to explain why, with your unique background, you would be a good fit for Northwestern. Tips: Use a structured approach. You have 300 words to answer this prompt, so be sure to include key areas in your essay like a compelling hook, 1-2 body paragraphs dedicated to your background/identity, and a paragraph focusing on what you plan to do at Northwestern. Do your research. To answer the “why us” part of the prompt, make sure you carefully research Northwestern, thinking about potential courses, clubs, or research opportunities you plan to do, and be sure to include them in your essay. The prompt: The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. What the Prompt is About: Although these topics are all “optional,” if you don’t answer any of them, Northwestern will assume you’re not serious. So, consider these Northwestern’s “personality” prompts: they want to know more about your unique ideas, background, and how you think to gauge whether or not you’d be a good fit for the school. Please respond to the following in 200 words or fewer: 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? Tip: If you choose this prompt, be as creative as possible. Try to come up with the wackiest, most innovative response possible and align it with your interests. So, if you’re passionate about gender equality, maybe you would want to paint a clownfish riding a bicycle (clownfish are nonbinary animals, and the bicycle was once a symbol of women’s equality movements)! 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? Tip: This is a great prompt for anyone to answer, because everyone has to attend class at Northwestern. For singularity, hone in on two of your interests or hobbies and turn them into a course—if you love anime and philosophy, you might want to design a course that examines existentialist themes in ‘90s anime culture. Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus. Tip: Pick this prompt if you’re an activist type who likes to get involved in group activities. Don’t force it—if this doesn’t sound like you, move onto another prompt! But if this is you, be certain you research current community activities at Northwestern and factor them into your goals. 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? Tip: Let’s face it—the physical location of your school matters a lot, and Northwestern knows it. For this prompt, research Evanston and Chicago, think about what activities you’d like to engage in unique to the areas, and write about them passionately here! 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? Tip: If you have a unique upbringing, culture, family values, identity experience, or anything that makes you feel “different” from everyone else, turn it into a positive and explain how it would help you succeed at Northwestern!
