Do admissions officers read supplemental essays?

Short Answer: You will rarely know if they have or not read your materials. Sadly, often admissions officers don’t read them — or worse, they aren’t allowed to read them or take them into consideration if they do read them. Detailed Answer: Honestly, every institution approaches supplemental materials differently.

What do admission officers look for in application?

Admissions officers look at “hard factors” (GPA, grades, and test scores) and “soft factors” (essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and demonstrated interest) to gain a full picture of applicants.

What qualities do admissions officers look for?

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• A positive attitude towards study.
• A passion for the chosen course subject.
• An ability to think and work independently.
• An ability to persevere and complete tasks.
• An inquiring mind.
• Good written English.
• An ability to work well in groups.

What is a supplemental essay for college admissions?

A supplemental essay gives you an opportunity to tell the admissions committee about something you weren’t able to cover in your main essay.

How do I write ‘why this college’?

Your “Why This College” essay must be specific, demonstrating a high level of interest in and commitment to this particular school. To better understand how to ace this supplemental essay prompt, let’s analyze a sample essay written for Oberlin College . The essay prompt reads:

What are the biggest mistakes applicants make in supplemental essays?

Probably the biggest mistake applicants make in supplemental essays is choosing a topic that’s too big, Farmer says. For example, he says prospective students may attempt to settle a complex political issue in just one paragraph. “I think it’s better to do something small and do it well than to do something big and skate over the surface,” he says.

How long is too long for a supplemental essay?

Don’t go beyond the stated limit. Also, realize that a tight and engaging single paragraph is better than two mediocre paragraphs. The admissions officers have thousands of applications to read, and they will appreciate brevity. That said, if a college gives you 700 words for a supplemental essay, don’t submit something that is 150 words long.