The Princeton supplemental essays cover a wide range of topics, from extracurricular activities to community and civic engagement to complex dialogue to joy. While the breadth and depth of the Princeton essay questions may seem overwhelming, consider that they may be doing you a favor by giving you a chance to share more (okay, a lot more) about who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
For a clearer sense of what Princeton is looking for in its students, you can get an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set. And for insights into how the university envisions itself and its role, and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its mission and values and its strategic plan.
What are the Princeton supplemental essay prompts?
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #1
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? (500 words or fewer)
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #2
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? (250 words or fewer)
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #3
What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words)
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #4
What brings you joy? (50 words)
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #5
What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #6
For Applicants Pursuing an A.B. Degree (or are Undecided): As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? Please respond in 250 words or fewer.
Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #7
For Applicants Pursuing a B.S.E. Degree: Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. Please respond in 250 words or fewer.
Important note from Common App: “Princeton requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application. You may submit this material now or any time before the application deadline. If you choose not to upload the required paper at this time, you may mail, e-mail, or upload your paper through the applicant portal. Detailed instructions for our graded paper requirement can be found here.”
How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Princeton
how to write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #1
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 new essay prompt for Princeton asks you to be introspective and identify specific life experiences that have shaped you. It also wants you to reflect on how these experiences can contribute to the broader academic and social environment at Princeton.
Here are a few general tips to help you begin brainstorming your response:
Embrace your experiences. Begin by reflecting on your life experiences, both big and small. Consider significant moments, challenges, triumphs, and everyday interactions that have shaped who you are. How have these experiences influenced the way you see the world?
What makes you you? Get real about what sets you apart. Your background, your culture, your family dynamics—they all contribute to your unique perspective. Dive into the things that have shaped your thinking and consider how they might bring fresh perspectives to discussions. What makes your take on things different, and how can that make campus conversations richer?
Reflect on transformative moments. Recall moments that made you reevaluate or expand your beliefs. Did you have an eye-opening experience that changed the way you see the world? Did you encounter someone or something that challenged your assumptions? These are the pivotal points that can give insight into how you've grown and evolved.
Imagine yourself at Princeton. Picture it: you're walking across the campus, engaging in conversations in the dining hall, and participating in class discussions. Now, think about how your unique experiences can enhance these interactions. How might your insights spark meaningful conversations and open up new perspectives for your peers? Reflect on the lessons you've gained from your journey so far and consider how they could encourage your classmates to view the world in a fresh light or engage in more profound discussions.
One option is to treat this as a “how will you contribute” prompt.—for a full guide to those prompts (and other kinds of “diversity” prompts), head here. Here’s a shorter version:
In this essay prompt, Princeton wants to understand how your life experiences have prepared you to contribute to their diverse student community. Let's break down the key components of the prompt to guide your approach.
Which of your life experiences have had the most impact on your personal development? This essay offers the opportunity to delve into specific experiences that have shaped your perspective on life, education, and more.
How will you contribute? Make sure your answer to this question is clear. How have these experiences positioned you to make an impact at Princeton? What do you bring to the school and community (in ways that maybe others don’t)? While it doesn’t have to be truly unique, it’s great to aim in that direction: the best response will highlight a contribution that only you (or maybe you plus a few other applicants) would think to make.
Essentially, a way to think of this type of prompt is that it’s a combo of “community/identity/background” and “why us” prompts: use some of your response to show how you’ve become who you are, and then show how those experiences shape what you will bring to the college through linking to specific opportunities/groups/details. Connect your unique upbringing, in a very broad sense of the word, with what the school offers and how you will make a great team.
While there are many things outside of “community” that can fit this prompt, if you’re looking for a way to brainstorm ideas, that’s a good place to start. (But keep in mind that you’ll want to include some “how will you contribute” details in your essay—this isn’t just a “tell us about a community” prompt.)
For a full guide to “community” essays, head there.
Here’s how to brainstorm possible essays:
Step 1: Brainstorm (all about you).
Do the “If You Really, Really Knew Me” Exercise.
Step 2: Research the college (learn all about them).
Make a copy of the “Why us” Essay Chart 2.0, research the school you’re writing your essay for, and fill in the first two columns.
Once you’ve done these exercises, you’ll have a better sense of:
YOU: A bunch of different talents/skills/identities/qualities that you’ll bring to a college campus, and
THEM: A variety of programs/courses/clubs/affinity groups that your college offers.
Step 3: Connect you… to them (i.e., the college you’re applying to).
Make connections between what the school offers and what you’re interested in.
Here’s an example essay (written for MIT’s version of this prompt) with analysis:
Example:
“I don’t have a mommy – and no, I was not adopted.” This was an early attempt, (albeit from a five-year old’s perspective), to proudly explain to my classmates that I had two dads (yes they are gay!) and was conceived via invitro-fertilization. Looking back, this statement undoubtedly triggered several conversations around my classmates’ dinner tables. Years later, I learned how my simple declaration broadened many family’s perspectives.
I was raised as part of a community that proudly celebrates diversity and encourages change through personal interaction. My parents and I are not the kind to go to protests. While we greatly respect those loud voices, we find influencing others on a personal level can be a more effective way of instigating change. Throughout my formative years, being part of one-on-one personal interactions within a predominately heterosexual community allowed me to witness the dismantling of stereotypes one person at a time.
At MIT, I aspire to perform similar roles, broadening perspectives and strengthening the LGBTQ+ climate through personal relationships. By being open with my gender identity, having a great sense of humor, and embracing my peers and professors in thoughtful, relaxed one-on-one conversations, I hope to develop strong bonds founded in mutual respect. Just as MIT can be considered the home of science, MIT should be a home for the LGBTQ+ community. My dream is to form relationships that have a cascading effect at MIT through developing new champions and strengthening the climate for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. (247 words)
Tips & Analysis:
Share (a core part of) your world view. We’d recommend thinking about everything that Princeton is getting elsewhere, through your personal statement, activities list, and additional info section. Then assess: what aren’t they seeing yet? Remember, your essays’ primary function is to help a reader see who you are, what you value, what you bring to their campus and community. This essay uses the prompt as an opportunity to share a core part of their growing up, and how that shaped their values (celebrating diversity, encouraging change, personal engagement)
Half for you, half for them. Give or take—it doesn’t have to be a perfect 50/50 split. But notice that about 60% of the word count here is used to share specific details and insight gained from the student’s background. Then, about 40% is used to connect to specific aspects of the college community that the student wants to engage with, and how they want to do so (using specific examples and verb phrases) in order to show how they’ll contribute to the school. Be sure you’re including a decent amount of word count that gets really specific with how whatever aspects of background/identity you’ve discussed in the first half will allow you to add to the lives, perspectives, and understanding of other students in the second half. (And for more on how to mostly show, but probably tell a little in college essays, head there.)
And here’s an essay written for Rice University that’s could be slightly edited to fit this prompt:
I am Pradyoth.
“Pra-dy-oth? Is that how you say it?” Embarrassed as my classmates stare at me, I sheepishly say, “It’s a soft D.” This exchange has happened so many times that I have basically given up on correcting other people. I used to wish I wasn’t given my name and even considered changing it. However, when I learned that “Pradyoth” means “radiance” or “light” in Telugu (the language that I grew up speaking) my perception of my name changed. My name became less of an impediment to get along with others and more of a reflection of me and my beliefs. Instead of focusing on people mispronouncing my name, I look at my name as a proud representation of my culture and strive to have a positive mindset in spite of challenges I might encounter in response to it.
I am autistic.
When I was five years old, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. While on the high-functioning side of the spectrum, my condition inhibited my social abilities for a long time and prevented me from pursuing activities outside of music, which was one of the few activities I felt comfortable doing. However, with the help of my parents, teachers, and counselors, as well as my own hard work, I broke out of my shell and made several long-lasting friendships by gaining the courage to talk with people through trial and error. I had to learn to be patient with myself as I figured out how to navigate social interactions. While I still have a long way to go, I have made lots of progress since I was younger, and I consider this growth to be one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.
I am community-oriented.
Once I felt like I understood others, I had a desire to connect with my community. Over the past few years, I have volunteered with several community organizations, including Kaiser Permanente, the Almaden Branch Library, and Carnatic Chamber Concerts. These experiences have not only allowed me to experience the satisfaction that comes from helping others, but to also play an active role in improving my community. In our volunteer meetings at the library, we frequently have discussions about how to strengthen our community by getting teens involved in politics and improving the library’s services. Some of our suggestions, such as improving the children’s section, have actually been implemented. Through these experiences, I have gained the skills and knowledge to meaningfully connect with my community and to make changes that help others.
I am Pradyoth. I am a teenager who has had my fair share of challenges and successes over time, and I am a more accepting, patient, and motivated person because of them. At Rice, I hope to share my perspectives with others and take theirs into account as well, so that, together, we can create a stronger community.
Tips + Analysis
Share personal stories. Just like the student from the sample essay, reflect on moments that were pivotal in shaping your beliefs or guiding your decisions. These stories don't have to be grand; sometimes, even the seemingly small events can have a profound impact. Sharing these stories can help Princeton understand what matters to you and how you've grown.
Show growth through challenges. Everyone faces challenges, and these experiences can shape us in powerful ways. To be clear, you don’t have to write about challenges here. But if you feel that they shaped you in important ways, you can. If you choose to do so, just like the writer's journey with autism led to personal development and growth, think about the obstacles you've encountered. Reflect on how these challenges have tested your limits and forced you to adapt. Highlight moments when you pushed through difficulties, learned important lessons, or discovered new strengths you didn't know you had.
Emphasize learning and future impact. Your experiences aren't just about the past —they influence your future too. Like the sample essay's ending, think about how you'll carry what you've learned forward. Princeton values individuals who can contribute meaningfully to their campus and beyond, so consider how you can channel your unique experiences into initiatives, conversations, or activities that will benefit others in your community. This is where the essay above could be expanded/further developed for the Princeton prompt: either in the body paragraphs, or toward the end, the author could include more specific details about how their experiences shape how they want to engage at Princeton.
How to write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #2
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? (250 words max)
Two questions to ask yourself as you brainstorm topics for this prompt:
What sort of service and civic engagement projects have you been involved with? Your Activities List is a good place to start.
Are there any essays you’re already writing for another school that you could double with this prompt? If so, it may be a candidate for a Super Essay.
Do you have meaningful examples and anecdotes that bring the values of service and civic engagement to life—like the club you started to teach chess to fifth-graders, or the recycling project you led in your neighborhood, or the comedy skits you put on for the local senior center? Your topic of choice should be something you genuinely care about. You’ll find it much easier to write with enthusiasm if you talk about something you actually find important and interesting.
Once you’ve picked a topic, you’ll notice you’re (probably) writing an extracurricular activity essay. Here’s a complete guide on how to write that. You’ll want to make sure your values are super clear by the end of the essay.
Finally, you may choose to weave in how you’ll continue this work (or continue to explore these values) at Princeton. If so, consider connecting your goals with unique resources at the university. Read this “Why us?” essay guide for tips and examples. This might make up just the end of your essay.
Below is an example of a super essay approach—the student used this essay for many different school prompts, including for Princeton (where he ended up attending).
Example:
The rusty spigot spewed a stream of Malibu High’s signature yellow water into my bottle. I raised it to see the visible particles floating around. “I’ll just wait another 5 innings for a drink,” I thought.
Malibu High’s water was universally shunned. The only alternative was bottled water, which wasn’t an option for those who couldn’t afford it, and which led to tens-of-thousands of plastic bottles in landfills annually.
Our environmental club set out with one goal: to provide everyone on campus with clean, filtered water.
With a hint of ignorance, we marched into the school board meeting and made our case for filtration stations. Unfortunately, the board was not as enthusiastic as us. Despite passionate speeches from myself and my environmentalist colleagues, they didn’t see the importance of our mission.
So we went rogue. Nearly every student and staff member joined our movement with a pen stroke, and our community united under a common vision for Malibu High’s future. Everyone wanted the water (it’s useful for survival), but the district still refused funding. In response, I set up a GoFundMe, and we rallied community support. The GoFundMe raised over $2,500. The district was out of excuses.
We got our water!
In only one semester with the stations, we have saved 30,000 plastic bottles. The stations have become the center of the Malibu campus and community: during passing period, students and staff get the rare opportunity to affiliate outside the classroom, all while enjoying a refreshing, non-yellow beverage.
— — —
How to Write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompts #3-5:
The Short Answers
Prompt #3: What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words)
Prompt #4: What brings you joy? (50 words)
Prompt #5: What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)
Here are some general tips to get you started on the short-answer portion of the Princeton application:
#1: Think of your short answers as an advent calendar. Consider that each of your short answers, no matter how short, is a tiny window into your soul. Make sure the reader finds something inside that's awesome and different from the window before.
#2: Use all or most of the space allotted to explain your answer. You’re given space for 50 words for an answer that could easily be one or two words. So use it up! In other words, you can answer "why," even if the prompt doesn't ask you to. Do this because your core values may be hard to express in 1-2 words.
#3: Get specific. Don’t just give a generic answer followed by a generic reason for your generic answer. Be creative and use details that give you a distinctive/memorable voice.
#4: Feel free to take (calculated) risks on these. Get creative. Push boundaries (a little). To clarify, we don’t mean shock for the sake of shock value; make sure you’re still revealing core values (one of which might be humor, for instance). Speaking of which ...
#5: Don't check your humor at the door. If you're funny in life, feel free to be funny in your short answers. If you're not funny, no need to start now. ;)
#6: Offer a variety of things you're interested in. If you love science and wrote a supplemental essay about science, don't answer prompt #2 with 20 journals, websites, or publications you’ve read on ... science. Show how you find joy in astrophysics but also literature, philosophy, Star Trek, programming, and Godfather 1 and 2 (but not 3.)
#7: Note that there isn’t, like, some magical key/code with these where, if you answer the right thing for your favorite website, then the door to Princeton will be magically opened to you (although imagine that). These are just a chance (well, three chances) for the school to get to know you better. So make the most of them by sharing values and insights, but don’t over-obsess as though your life depends on them. ‘Cuz it doesn’t.
How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #6
For Applicants Pursuing an A.B. Degree or are Undecided:
As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? Please respond in 250 words or fewer.
This prompt is essentially two essays in one: a “Why Major” + a “Why us?”—though at just 250 words, you’ll want to be judicious about using your word budget wisely to make sure to clearly articulate both the what (the field of study you’re interested in) and the why (the specific academic opportunities you plan to take advantage of at Princeton).
To get you started, here’s a complete guide to the “Why Major'' essay. And here’s the full guide on how to write the “Why us?” essay. When you read through the latter, pay close attention to the “Why Tufts” examples, since it was written for a 200-word prompt.
Action Items:
Read the “Why Major” guide. What mini-movie moments do you envision exploring?
Reflect on what you want out of your college experience. Collect those insights using this chart. Identifying specific or niche interests and needs will help you find equally specific resources at Princeton and make your “we’re a perfect match” case (see more on this in the “complete guide” link above) more compelling.
Spend at least an hour researching 5-7 reasons why Princeton might be a great fit for you, mapping them out in the third column of the chart.
Remember: The best “Why us?” pieces don’t celebrate how “x” school is the GREATEST SCHOOL OF ALL TIME. They’re more an explanation of why you and the school are the perfect match. Make sure to connect each of your Princeton examples to your goals and interests.
Create an outline that combines your mini-movie moments for the “Why Major” top, then outline the “Why us?” portion based on either Approach One, Approach Two (recommended), or Approach 3 (as explained in our “Why us?” guide).
Here’s an example essay (written for a version of the prompt with a slightly longer word count).
Example:
I hopped into my friend's car, having just finished my first day of summer macroeconomics class. Exhilarated by what I learned, I spent the fifteen-minute drive to the gym explaining to him the law of diminishing marginal returns and how the concept encourages manufacturers to adopt automation to eliminate human error... Silence…I asked him if he heard me. He responded, “yes, but whether or not I care is a different question.” In hindsight, his reaction made sense since economics can be boring for some. Economics fascinates me—combining math, political science, and social psychology to solve societal issues.
Princeton’s economics major provides an array of courses such as The Chinese Economy which would allow me to further pursue my study of international trade (the subject of my IBDP extended essay). I’d complement this area of interest with computer science through a certificate in Applications of Computing. Such a combination is increasingly important given the large amounts of data being collected, which can be analyzed to construct more complicated and predictive economic models. I look forward to taking unique classes at this intersection like Economics and Computing, as well as participating in interdisciplinary programs like CITP. Leveraging technology to aid in my analysis, I’m excited about researching social media’s impact on teenage financial decisions as part of my JIW or Senior Thesis on behavioral economics. The possibility of connecting with Professor Pietro Ortoleva for such a project excites me given his research on emotions and their role in consumer habits.
Embodying President Eisgruber’s belief that Princeton allows students “to pursue multiple interests rigorously and deeply,” I’m enthusiastic about pursuing subjects beyond my degree. One such area is Latin, a language I’ve studied for seven years and would like to continue exploring through classes like Latin Prose Composition, something I’ve never been exposed to. I anticipate immersing myself into Princeton’s vibrant community through the precept system, whereby I could connect with fellow students over similar academic interests.
Attending Princeton would be a blessing given its value on intellectual growth and exploration which would allow me to continue what I love doing most… everything!
— — —
Tips + Analysis
Showcase passion and depth. Reflect on moments that ignited your curiosity, and dig into why this subject matters to you. Then, use vivid anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment. In the example essay, the writer's excitement for economics is evident through their explanation of a complex concept during a casual conversation with a friend, forming a nice thematic hook that propels the essay forward. This not only illustrates their enthusiasm but also hints at their ability to communicate complex ideas.
Align with Princeton's offerings. The example essay highlights the programs and opportunities at Princeton that align with the writer's academic interests. Similarly, research the specific courses, professors, research centers, and interdisciplinary programs at Princeton that resonate with your chosen field. Discuss how these offerings are tailored to your curiosity and how you plan to leverage them to deepen your knowledge. As a general rule, try to link every detail about the school back to some detail or value or interest of yours.
Explore interdisciplinary connections. Like the essay talks about combining economics with computer science and Latin, explore how your interests cross paths. Highlight how these combinations enhance your perspective and enable you to address complex challenges from multiple angles. In the example essay, the writer's interest in applying technology to economics and their desire to study Latin showcase a well-rounded approach to learning.
Connect to Princeton's values. The example essay effectively aligns the writer's goals with Princeton's emphasis on intellectual growth and exploration. Similarly, discuss how you see yourself contributing to Princeton's academic community and how the university's ethos aligns with your academic aspirations.
Here’s another example essay:
After seeing The Vagina Monologues, I began exploring Gender Studies independently. From reading The Second Sex to watching Mrs. America, I sought solidarity and inspiration from the literature and media of marginalized voices. After taking the online course International Women's Health and Human Rights, I became informed on topics such as female circumcision, son preferences, and domestic violence.
Simply comprehending global women’s issues does not satisfy me. In college and beyond, I want to advocate for the rights of disadvantaged women and LGBTQ communities both quantitatively and qualitatively. At Princeton, I will major in Gender and Sexuality Studies while exploring Economics.
I appreciate that Princeton takes a highly interdisciplinary approach to Gender and Sexuality Studies. Through Media, Sex, and the Racialized Body, I can explore gender and race through the lens of media and theatrical productions. Having contributed to the Chinese LGBTQ workplace diversity campaign, I will become a more informed activist through the course LGBTQ Politics: Identity, Voice, Policy, in which I will better comprehend how officials, voters, and activism can come together to drive social change. Joining the GSS book club, I can explore topics such as the neurosciences of gender and the stories of first ladies. More importantly, I will meet a group of like-minded peers who share my vision for gender equity.
Economics at Princeton will allow me to take quantitative approaches to gender issues. Through Ethics and Economics, I will explore moral issues such as wage gaps, poverty, and sweatshops using mathematics and econometrics. I am excited to converse with Professor Janet Currie about her book Women in Economics, which investigates the implicit biases women scholars face in the field of economics.
I treasure Princeton’s interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Studying gender, economics, media, and politics as interwoven subjects, I will grow both as a scholar and an activist.
— — —
How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #7
For Applicants Pursuing a B.S.E. Degree:
Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. Please respond in 250 words or fewer.
The guidance here is largely the same as the guidance for Prompt 6 above. You can check out our complete guide on the “Why us?” essay, and you have the option to include some “Why Major'' elements . Want the TL;DR version? Here it is…
Don’t talk about things Princeton already knows about itself and hears from tons of other applicants. These are things like weather, location, ranking, or reputation. Also try to avoid taking language directly from the website or brochures. Articulate things in your own words.
Weave in your qualities, skills, and interests. Don’t just talk about why you like Princeton. Explain why you’re a good fit for the school. Remember, it’s a two-way street.
Research—a lot. Find specific resources, programs, or classes that appeal to you. This includes reading student reviews and doing tours (online, in-person, or both). You might even want to talk to the local rep for your area. You can find this person on Princeton’s website.
Connect back to yourself. For each part of Princeton that you like and want to explore, explain how that relates to one of your values, interests, experiences, or guiding principles.
Here’s an excellent example essay you can look to for inspiration.
Example:
At the WEST Society of Women Engineers Robotics workshop, I programmed a robot to dance and learned about using AI to map the ocean floor and track sharks. And next door, I tested the stress strength of a gummy worm, learning about sustainable nanomaterials for the first time. These simple, yet engaging experiments showcased intriguing hands-on experiences I am seeking at Princeton.
Princeton’s focus on independent research and its requirement of a senior thesis promise to deepen my knowledge of engineering and science.
Through the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Program and the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM), I will conduct research combining expertise in "hard" materials with knowledge of "soft" materials. Under Professor Nan Yao, I hope to utilize techniques of imaging and compositional analysis to construct organ transplant biomaterial, bettering the lives of others. Observing materials in action at the Shiseido Cosmetics Factory will provide me insight that I can use to showcase my knowledge by creating a keepsake at the annual blacksmith event.
While Materials Science allows me to explore the physical world, Computer Science allows me to explore the virtual one. As a selected participant for the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, I developed a sisterhood through navigating coding difficulties. I will create new sisterhoods with Princeton Women in Computer Science and Society of Women Engineers.
Princeton greats Olga Russakovsky and Gillat Kol inspire me to further my knowledge at Princeton. I can’t wait to follow in their footsteps. (249 words)
— — —
Tips + Analysis
Share your engineering journey. What convinced you that engineering was the best path for you? Just like the example essay, mention workshops, projects, or cool things you've done that got you excited about engineering. Show how you've gotten hands-on and problem-solved so that Princeton knows you're not just throwing around buzzwords.
Link to core values. Explain how pursuing engineering aligns with what matters most to you. For example, you can discuss how your chosen path resonates with your broader goals and how you see it contributing to making a positive impact. The writer's intention to create an organ transplant biomaterial showcases their commitment to bettering lives through engineering.
Show how you’ll leverage Princeton's offerings. Research specific programs, institutes, and resources offered at Princeton that align with your engineering interests. Show how these opportunities resonate with your aspirations. The writer's mention of the Materials Science and Engineering Program and the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials displays their knowledge of Princeton's offerings and how they plan to leverage them.
Get specific about Princeton. Rather than giving Princeton a general compliment, dive into the specifics. Name professors you're excited to learn from, programs that intrigue you, events you can't wait to attend, and any other details that make you go, "That's exactly what I'm looking for!" The writer's shoutout to professors Olga Russakovsky and Gillat Kol shows their excitement about learning from pros at Princeton.
Here’s another great example essay (from when the word-limit was 350).
Example:
My natural curiosity prompted me to start programming nearly seven years ago, working on a wide range of ideas, from a remote-controlled robot that carried toys to my sister’s bedroom to a game about knights that I have spent over 150 hours programming, and counting.
Computer science is one of those disciplines that will creep up no matter what field you go into, which is why I value it so dearly. In this rapidly changing world, I’d be silly to think I will work in the same niche industry until I retire. This decade’s problem might be electrification in response to global warming, but the next’s might be vertical farming, and the ambiguity of these problems gives me all the more reason to continue reading on what makes the world move. The one commonality that I see in all these issues is that in some corner somewhere, there is a programmer helping, and being that helper in the bigger picture is what would give me meaning.
Helping in these bigger picture scenarios means I don’t have to dream how the world will work, because I will be making a chip of it.
I’m especially excited for Princeton’s “Advanced Computer Graphics” Module because that will not only allow me to create more stunning graphics for the small games that I code on the side but also learn important applications of computer graphics, such as SpaceX’s 3D CAD Software. Although the module “Great Moments in Computing'' seems less applicable, the history of computing seems vital in understanding the key turning points that explain why we think a certain way. And with fingers crossed, I hope to meet a computing legend, Brian Kernighan, who wrote the first “Hello, world” program. (287 words)
— — —
By this point you should have all the tools you need to begin writing your own answers to Princeton’s supplemental essay prompts. It’s time to start.
Special thanks to Ameer for writing this post.
Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
