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Smith College Supplemental Essay: Tips and Examples

By Eric Eng

If you’re thinking about applying to Smith College, you’ll need to prepare for and work on the Smith College supplemental essay prompts. As one of the top private liberal arts colleges in the country and a leading women’s college, Smith attracts a lot of applications each year. To find the best candidates, the Smith College admissions team carefully reviews all the applications, including the supplemental essays.

With a competitive acceptance rate of 20%, many students want to know how to increase their chances of getting in. While having a strong academic background is important, the Smith supplemental essays are where you can really stand out . These essays give you the chance to show how you think, what you care about, and how you might thrive at Smith. In short, your essays play a big role in the success of your application.

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at the Smith essay prompts and what the college is hoping to see in your responses. We’ll also share some tips to help you write strong supplemental essays that can improve your application.

• What Are the Smith College Supplemental Essay Prompts ?
• How to Answer the Smith College Supplemental Essay Prompts

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the smith college supplemental essay prompts.

Smith College requires applicants to submit an additional supplemental essay as part of the application process. This is on top of your Common Application or Coalition Application essay, so you’ll be writing two essays for Smith.

The first essay will depend on the application platform you choose. If you go with the Common Application, you’ll have a variety of prompts that invite you to tell personal stories—ranging from how you’ve shown resilience to how you’ve overcome challenges. These prompts are designed to let you share the experiences and ideas that have shaped who you are. We provide a detailed discussion on how to answer the Common App prompt in a separate blog .

Moreover, if you apply through the Coalition App, the essay prompts allow you to share your unique experiences and goals in your college application. They encourage you to consider your personal growth, challenges, and achievements. Topics usually include overcoming obstacles, contributing to your community, exploring your interests, and showing resilience. The Coalition App essay prompts let you highlight what makes you unique and what you can bring to a college community.

Unlike the essay prompts offered through the Coalition or Common Application, the specific supplemental essay prompt allows you to highlight why you’re a great fit for Smith College and how you’ll contribute to its lively and inclusive campus community.

For this essay, you won’t have a selection of prompts to choose from—everyone will respond to the same prompt. Lastly, you must respond to this prompt in not more than 250 words. 

Smith has a unique housing system where students of all class years live together in 41 different houses. With their Residential Curriculum , students will become critically aware global neighbors, exploring their self-identity by living in a community, engaging in reflection, and challenging their own beliefs.

What personal experiences, background, or abilities would you bring to this residential environment to share with your neighbors, and what would you hope your neighbors would share with you?

How to Answer the Smith College Supplemental Essay Prompt

Of the two Smith essays, this one likely requires the most research into what Smith College has to offer, especially when it comes to understanding the school’s values and unique residential system. Before tackling this second essay, it’s a good idea to think about how your personal experiences connect with what the Smith College admissions team values.

This essay can also be seen as an opportunity to discuss cultural diversity, as it encourages you to reflect on what makes you unique and how those differences will enrich the Smith College community.

1. Understand Smith College’s Residential Curriculum.

To respond effectively to this Smith College supplemental essay prompt, it’s important to understand the college’s residential curriculum. Smith offers a vibrant student community across 41 unique residential houses that encourage communal living and cultural exchange. Most students live on campus for all four years unless they study off-campus. The goal of these communities is to balance personal independence with respect for others.

Smith’s residential houses promote both formal and informal connections. The residence halls also have a curriculum designed to support academic success and global learning.

Smith’s residence education model, called Compass, guides the learning within these houses. It’s based on Smith’s core values and student development theory which focus on critical awareness, social responsibility, and engagement.

Smith College is eager to learn about your individuality and worldview through your experiences, background, and abilities, which ties closely to the theme of diversity. This is your chance to show how your unique perspective can enrich the community and how you connect with others.

Since the prompt emphasizes “neighbors,” it’s important to focus on the idea of community—whether that’s embracing differences, serving those around you, or contributing in other meaningful ways.

You’re being asked to reflect on the parts of your identity, skills, and personality that will influence how you engage with Smith’s residential campus community. Admissions officers want to understand how you’ll enhance the experiences of your future neighbors and what you hope to gain from living in a diverse and close-knit environment. 

The Smith College supplemental essay is your opportunity to highlight how you can contribute to a communal space while also demonstrating your openness to learning from others.

To brainstorm ideas for your essay, consider these questions:

• What personal experiences or aspects of your identity (such as your culture, family background, hobbies, or talents) might shape your role in a residential community?
• How have you contributed to your community in the past? How could those contributions translate to a college campus or dorm environment?
• What specific values or qualities do you want your living space to reflect?
• What are you eager to learn from others who come from different backgrounds or have different interests than you?
• How do you imagine building meaningful relationships with your neighbors?

2. Be specific and personal.

As with any supplemental essay, it’s important to be specific and personal. Share details about your life that influence how you interact with others. This could include aspects of your identity like ethnicity, race, culture, religion, socioeconomic background, gender and sexual orientation, hometown, illness or disability, or even your interests and hobbies.

Think about how your experiences or abilities related to one of these aspects can enrich the lives of those around you. Reflect on how you’ve contributed to your community before, or how you plan to contribute in the future. Then, consider what you hope to learn from your peers—remember, engagement is a two-way street, so be sure to address this part of the prompt too.

Here’s a good Smith College supplemental essay example:

“I’ve always believed that music has the power to connect people. Growing up in a West African household, Saturday mornings were filled with the rhythmic beats of drums and the melodies of traditional songs that my family would sing together. I want to bring this sense of joy and connection to my life at Smith by organizing music nights where we can share the sounds that remind us of home. I can already picture us gathered around, playing instruments, singing, and dancing to the tunes that hold special meaning in our lives. But more than that, I hope my neighbors will share their own musical traditions with me—whether it’s teaching me a new song, introducing me to a different instrument, or showing me a dance that I can learn and enjoy together with them.”

This example provides a clear image of how the student plans to enrich the residential community by sharing their cultural traditions and memories. It also emphasizes their eagerness to learn from others, promoting a genuine sense of exchange. The use of music as a way to connect adds a personal and relatable touch, making the story both engaging and memorable.

In contrast, here’s a bad Smith College supplemental essay example:

“In the Smith dorms, I plan to bring a welcoming spirit and be there for others whenever they need support. I’ve always been the kind of person others can rely on, and I hope my neighbors will see me as someone they can turn to when they need a listening ear. I’m also excited about meeting people from diverse backgrounds and learning from their unique experiences as we share our stories. Living with others who have different perspectives will be a great opportunity to grow together. Building genuine connections with my neighbors is key to fostering a strong community where everyone feels valued and supported.”

This example is quite general and doesn’t reveal much about the student’s unique background or personality. While it touches on a desire to help others and learn from peers, it lacks specific details that would show how the student plans to actively engage with the community. It’s a bit too broad and could be written by anyone without offering any real personal insight or depth.

To make your response stand out, it’s important to be intentional and reflective when describing how your personal background and skills will contribute to the residential community at Smith. This approach will help demonstrate to admissions officers that you’re prepared to be an active, engaged, and open-minded member of the campus, ready to contribute to the vibrant culture of the college.

3. Show, don’t just tell.

“Show, don’t just tell” means that instead of just stating your qualities or passions, you should provide vivid examples or stories that bring these qualities to life. For instance, rather than writing, “I’m passionate about helping others,” you could describe a specific event where you volunteered at a local shelter.

You might say, “Last summer, I spent every Saturday at a local shelter, organizing food drives and sitting down to listen to the stories of the people we served. One afternoon, after helping a family find housing, I realized that this was more than just volunteering—it was about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. That moment strengthened my commitment to social work.”

This approach allows the reader to see your passion in action. It makes your essay more engaging and memorable.

4. Edit and proofread.

Taking the time to refine your essay is essential. Make sure it’s clear of any grammatical mistakes, awkward sentences, or confusing thoughts. It can be incredibly helpful to have someone you trust to read through your work and offer their feedback.

What is Smith College’ acceptance rate in 2024?

For the 2024 admission cycle, Smith College acceptance rate stands at 20%. This marks a slight decrease from previous years which reflects the increasing competitiveness of the admissions process. Smith received a significant number of applications, with nearly 9,900 students applying and only about 1,974 being admitted.

What are Smith College GPA requirements?

Smith College does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for admission, but successful applicants typically have a strong academic record. The average high school GPA for admitted students is generally around 4.0 on a 4.0 scale which means that most successful applicants have predominantly A grades in their coursework.

Does Smith College care about essays?

Yes, Smith College definitely values supplemental essays as an important part of the admissions process. These essays help the admissions team get to know you beyond your grades and test scores. Smith takes a holistic approach, looking at your background, interests, and experiences to see how you align with the college’s values.

Is Smith College a good school?

Is Smith College a good school? Yes, Smith College is highly regarded, especially for students seeking a rigorous liberal arts education at a women’s college. As one of the Seven Sisters Colleges, it’s known for strong academics , vibrant campus life, and a commitment to empowering women. In 2024, Smith had a 20% acceptance rate, making it quite selective. Admitted students typically have an average GPA of around 4.0, with SAT scores between 1390 and 1510. Smith offers a wide range of majors, strong faculty, and a unique house system that creates a close-knit community.

Smith College has a holistic process for evaluating your college application. This means that everything in your portfolio will be weighed accordingly—some factors may have more weight than others, but everything that you submit will be looked into and considered. This is why your Smith College supplemental essay should reflect who you are as a person and as a student, showing aspects of you that you have you have not shown yet.

Consider this when preparing for and writing your essay:

• You will submit two essays—one for the Common or Coalition Application, and the other is a supplemental essay responding to a specific prompt provided by Smith College.
• Your Smith College supplemental essay should be specific while being able to showcase your ability to socialize and show your authentic self to the people around you.
• Smith has a unique residential curriculum. You should incorporate this in your prompt as the Smith College admissions team would want to see the impact you’d bring to the community.
• If you still need help, we recommend contacting a college admissions consultant . They can help you prepare all your supplemental essays and maximize your chances of admission to your dream school.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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Smith College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Additional info essay.

Smith has a unique housing system, where students of all class years live together in 41 different houses. With our Residential Curriculum, students will become critically aware global neighbors, exploring their self-identity by living in community, engaging in reflection and challenging their own beliefs. What personal experiences, background or abilities would you bring to this residential environment to share with your neighbors and what would you hope your neighbors would share with you?*

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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How to Write the Smith College 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

Smith College stands out not just for its academic rigor but also for its unique residential environment where students from all class years live together in harmony. This year's supplemental essay prompt is designed to help the admissions team understand how you'd contribute to and benefit from this distinctive living arrangement. The prompt is as follows:

"What personal experiences, background or abilities would you bring to this residential environment to share with your neighbors and what would you hope your neighbors would share with you?" (Word Limit: 250)

Smith's prompt invites applicants to reflect deeply on their individual experiences and how these will inform their interactions within the college's residential houses. Here are some tailored tips for acing this Smith College supplemental essay:

1. Reflect on Your Unique Qualities

Consider the distinctive aspects of your background, experiences, or skills that would make you a valuable community member. Are you an avid debater who could foster engaging discussions? Do you have a background in multicultural living environments that could offer fresh perspectives? Think about the unique contributions you'd bring to a residence filled with both first-year students and seniors.

2. Connect to Smith’s Residential Curriculum

Smith’s Residential Curriculum focuses on developing critically aware global neighbors. Show how your experiences align with this mission. For instance, if you've traveled abroad or engaged in diverse communities, highlight these experiences. Explain how these experiences have helped you become more critically aware and how you intend to share these lessons with your peers.

3. Leverage Sups AI for Feedback

Brainstorming and refining your ideas can be challenging. This is where Sups AI can be especially beneficial. Sups AI offers personalized feedback and brainstorming sessions with current college students, helping you craft an essay that stands out. With over 10,000 success stories in the US top 50 universities, Sups AI is a trusted resource to elevate your application.

4. Specify What You Seek to Learn

Balance your essay by discussing what you hope to gain from your peers. Is it diverse cultural insights, academic guidance, or emotional support? Demonstrating an eagerness to learn and grow within this unique residential system will show your commitment to becoming an integral part of Smith’s community.

5. Be Genuine and Specific

Authenticity resonates with admissions officers. Use specific anecdotes or stories to illustrate your points. Instead of vaguely stating you enjoy diversity, talk about a particular experience that shaped your view on diversity. This clarity and authenticity will make your essay memorable.

Approaching Smith College's supplemental essay with these strategies can significantly enhance your application. Don't forget to utilize Sups AI for invaluable assistance in brainstorming and refining your submission. Good luck!

Smith College 2021-22 Supplemental Essay Guide

Regular Decision: 

Smith College 2021-22 Application Essay Question Explanations

It’s almost de rigeur for a small liberal arts school like Smith to have a quirky supplement. So here you go! The prompt is so straightforward and the word limit so low that this might feel like a trap. But it’s not! The only challenge here is getting out of your own head.

The Requirements: 1 essay of 200 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball

Music means so many things to so many people. It can bring us joy, inspire us, validate us or heal us. Please tell us about a song or piece of music that is particularly meaningful to you and why. Please include the name of the song/piece and the artist.

In general, the most successful answers to these sorts of oddball questions spring from a genuine interest or instinct. It’s just easier to have fun writing about something that you genuinely enjoy and feel deeply about. In other words, don’t say you think you’re most inspired by Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major if you’ve never actually listened to Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major — it’s as simple as that! But what’s fun about this prompt is that the wording leaves it open to interpretation. “A song or piece of music” could literally be any song , past, present, or (gasp) future. Your reason can range from the song’s content to its more technical elements.  Maybe you actually would want to pick a song by Bach because you’ve been playing the cello since you were five, and your dream is to one day perform the piece in front of an adoring crowd. Or perhaps you strongly believe in the power of the Top 40, and have used the empowering words of Lady Gaga’s discography to find a truer way of expressing yourself than ever before! To come up with the perfect idea (that you can express clearly in no more than 200 words!), give yourself some time to brainstorm. Jot down as many ideas and combinations as you can come up with — no judgments allowed! Then narrow them down until you find the idea that works best, and feels the most true and meaningful to you.

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How to Write the Smith College Supplemental Essays 2019-2020

Smith College is a private liberal arts women’s college in Western Massachusetts. The school boasts small class sizes and close advising for over 50 areas of study. Smith is also part of both the Five College Consortium , allowing students to take courses and participate in extracurriculars at Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst. Students applying for financial aid will be happy to know that Smith guarantees to meet full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. 

In the 2018-2019 cycle, Smith had 5,780 applicants and admitted 1,789 for an acceptance rate of 31%. This rate has decreased over the years, and the increasing applicant pool certainly makes it a competitive process. Luckily, we can help you tackle the necessary essays. 

There is one required prompt for all applicants, and another if you’re planning to apply to the Ada Comstock Scholars Program. Want to know your chances at Smith? Calculate your chances for free right now.

For All Applicants

We know that colleges ask a lot of hard questions on their applications. this one is not so hard and we promise, there is no hidden agenda – just have fun if you had a theme song – a piece of music that describes you, what would it be and why (50-200 words).

While it might be tempting to overthink this essay and look for an answer that feels “intellectual,” like a piece of classical music, you should genuinely have fun! The more authentic you are, the stronger your essay will be. If a work of classical music does speak to you, go for it! But if you feel a really strong connection to a recent pop song, that’s fine too. Either way, your essay needs to be authentic. 

Once you know what your actual answer is, you can work on answering the “why” question. If the music you’ve chosen is something that genuinely speaks to you, then this part should be easy. Think beyond the superficial as you write this. 

Weak : This is my theme song because I really like the beat of the music. 

Strong : This song resonates with me because the beat perfectly matches my footsteps when I run, an activity that has led me to state championships and greater self-confidence. 

The weak example is not good because it is superficial and basic. Any student could say that they like the beat of the music. The strong example is better because it is specific and detailed. It not only refers to an aspect of the song, but links it to something that is unique to the writer–something that not any student could say.

A little bit of creativity will strengthen your essay. Once you nail down which song you would like to discuss, brainstorm how you can link parts of the song — like the beat or the lyrics — to descriptions of you, whether that’s your passions, your values, or your character. The stronger and more personal that the connections are, the better your essay will be. 

Overall, your first instinct is the best, as that will be your most genuine response. In a short essay, you want to provide the best insight into your personality possible, so emphasize authenticity and depth as you write.

Your GPA and SAT don’t tell the full admissions story

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographics, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

For Applicants to the Ada Comstock Scholars Program 

The Ada Comstock Scholars Program is designed for women of nontraditional college age to earn a bachelor of arts degree in a more flexible manner. Scholars may pursue their degrees part-time or full-time, and will have special options for reduced course loads, academic advising, career counseling, and housing. There are 30 openings in the program, and admittance is based on performance in college-level classes, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and the autobiographical essay. 

Required Autobiographical Essay: Your personal statement illustrates how you think and write. Your jobs, activities and family responsibilities help us learn about what you would contribute to our vibrant community (2,000 words)

A personal statement is a little different from a standard undergraduate essay. It doesn’t demand as much creativity or vivid imagery. Instead, a personal essay should convey your development as a thinker and a student to create a comprehensive understanding of your character and your values — the things you would contribute to the community. 

Think about the experiences you have had that have shaped you, whether those are jobs, athletics, or personal responsibilities. These experiences will establish the structure and organization of your whole essay, as these are the core elements. 

Within your discussion of these experiences, make sure to explain your role, the outcome, and the impact it had on you. Of these three, the impact it had on you is the most important to focus on. Elaborate on how the experience changed you or shaped your perspective so that your readers can develop a sense of who you are from your writing. Readers should be able to see how the combination of your experiences have shaped you into a multi-faceted, well-rounded student and person. 

You’ll have around two pages single-spaced for your personal statement, but be careful with how you write. If there are too many long sentences, the essay becomes monotonous to read, which can be dangerous if a reader still has to read one and a half pages. Even though the personal statement might not be the most dynamic format, make sure that your language is still engaging. Use longer sentences and shorter sentences, and read your essay out loud to make sure it doesn’t sound “boring” to your ears. You can, of course, also tell stories in your personal statement, rather than just stating your experiences. Feel free to weave in an anecdote or two, and still incorporate dialogue, when appropriate. 

That said, try to avoid cramming too many different experiences into the essay. Although two pages is quite a lot of space, it’s better to use that space to really develop your best few experiences instead of trying to fit in every single experience you’ve ever had. Writing about too much will make your essay feel rushed; by cutting it down, you can expand on the impact and show us the change it caused. 

Ultimately, your autobiographical essay is the story of you — what experiences made you the person you are, and who is that person? Focus on answering these questions thoroughly and with authenticity. 

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Smith College Admission Essays

Paris in the spring: college admission essay sample.

The city spoke softly to me in cool, cosmopolitan tones. It invited me to explore each avenue full of boutiques. It dared me to bite into each warm, fresh croissant from the boulangeries that I passed. It pulled me through the bustling streets where native…

Make me Laugh!: College Admission Essay Sample

Truth be told, I have never been an animal person: never the type to visit zoos or plea with my parents for a pet. When my cousin’s dog had seven French bulldog puppies this year, I was not excited. I begrudgingly offered to help her…

Finding My Voice Through Language

As I sat in my sophomore English class, listening to my teacher read excerpts from some of the most acclaimed literature pieces, I felt an overwhelming feeling of inspiration that I had never felt before. I had always loved reading and writing, but in that…

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Smith College Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Smith College college application essays were written by students accepted at Smith College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Smith College

It's not my age that matters anonymous, smith college.

"Angelina, you're 18 going on 45" - that's my best friend, Bailey's, favorite expression. What most people don't understand, though, is that those qualities of mine that make me seem older are simply the result of a rather unusual upbringing. Of...

Paris in the Spring Rebecca Rosenthal

The city spoke softly to me in cool, cosmopolitan tones. It invited me to explore each avenue full of boutiques. It dared me to bite into each warm, fresh croissant from the boulangeries that I passed. It pulled me through the bustling streets...

Learning to smile through tears Emaan Ahmad

It was two weeks before my 8th birthday and my little head was overflowing with dreams of Barbie’s, toys, cakes, and princesses. The invitations had been mailed, the pink cake had been ordered, and I was convinced that my princess-themed party was...

From Sweet Dreams to Bright Horizons Anonymous

Being of Norwegian ancestry and a New England breeding, I could not have appeared more out of place in this squalid, rain-ravaged corner of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Laden with sagging boxes and garbage bags brimming with children’s pajamas, I felt...

Joy Anonymous

One hundred sixty-two days ago I was counting the days I had left to live. “Impression: Large right ovarian mass with cystic appearance periphery and solid tumor in the center…” I trembled as I heard every word of the MRI report that my mom had...

Walking the Simple Pathway Anjali Pati

I had thought of living in simplicity and happiness before, but I never understood its significance until I heard this sentence. “I will not allow you to come to my house. I am poor.” I stared and looked at him as my eyes filled with tears,...

My Secret Identity Mercedes Woolley

“It’s okay! Just breathe!” I said to myself in an attempt to suppress my unfaltering anxiety. I restlessly skimmed the pictures in a Clifford the Big Red Dog book, typical of me during independent reading. All the while I kept my head down,...

The Power of Reading Lillian Pearl Potter

I cannon-balled into reading in first grade and have not emerged to catch my breath yet. Reading is the medium through which I grow. Books have swept me light years and alternate realties away, but have always returned me with more understanding...

Board Games Abigail Hanna

In checkers, players must strategize and plan in order to make their moves and win the game. This is what my dad taught me when we played, almost every day after school. After I learned the basics, it was up to me to figure out how to beat him. He...

Hyphenation Anonymous

One of the first dances I ever performed was a trio with my two best friends: a frivolous, cheerful number with far too many sequins, gauzy handkerchiefs disguising the awkwardness of our skinny arms. Backstage, we trembled in terror at the...

Make me Laugh! Anonymous

Truth be told, I have never been an animal person: never the type to visit zoos or plea with my parents for a pet. When my cousin’s dog had seven French bulldog puppies this year, I was not excited. I begrudgingly offered to help her feed the...

K-Pop Blooms a Thousand Stories Anonymous

It was my turn to speak.

The Korean girl across the table and I had spent the past hour in a back-and-forth of stilted conversation. Our pre-collegiate institute had demanded that all disciplines “mingle,” and the silence told a story of two...

I Was a Cyborg Kathryn Fitzpatrick

In kindergarten, I was a cyborg. At least, with wire glasses and a clanky metal leg brace, my classmates thought I was. They thought cerebral palsy was a disease that made you part robotic; mostly because I led them to believe that. For in-school...

Theater Magic Anonymous

“Miss? Why are you here?” I look down to see a little child tugging on my pant leg. The children at the Educational Theatre Company (ETC) think I am older than I am, so I often get questions like these from students who think I am wiser than my...

My Mirror Anonymous

“We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I’m no different.”

The movie Memento closes with Lenny saying this. Given the chance, I would star in Memento. Lenny’s mirrors were his memory devices, but my mirrors are more tangible. When I...

A Bridge Between Two Cultures Olivia F. Vega

When I was younger, I treated my bilingualism like a spy gadget. I wore my second language comfortably hidden with a hint of pride. My Spanish proved to be a useful tool for gleaning insight into different cultures. My ears caught a snatch of a...

Cinderella of the String Family Olivia F. Vega

My journey as a violist began seven years ago, when I made a trip to my local music center and the director searched around in a cluttered inventory closet, pulling out a case. Inside lay my first viola. It was slightly off color, worn down and...

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How to Write About Your High School Study Abroad Experience on College Applications

September 12, 2024

Authored By:

High school study abroad is a truly transformative experience. Students return home with broadened world perspectives, demonstratable language progress, and, often, new or reinvigorated passions for their future academic or career path.  

As a high school summer abroad alumni, your study abroad experience offers unique content for your college application that can set you apart from other applicants. Here are some tips to enhance your college admissions essay and land your application in the "acceptance" pile! 

What Do Colleges Look for? 

First, let's talk about what college admissions officers look for when diving into stacks of applications. While the process isn't totally transparent and can differ from university to university, here are the general qualities of a good candidate: 

• Academic excellence 
• Personal growth 
• Unique experiences 

Maturity 

Adaptability .

• Cultural awareness 
• Defined goals 

Add to that one singular question of significant importance— What makes you a particularly good fit for their specific university?  

When crafting your college admissions essay, these are the points you want to hit. Think about it differently than a question/answer format; rather, weave these qualities into an exciting and personal narrative. That doesn't sound easy, but rest assured that your study abroad experience will likely encompass all these points and will surely be interesting.  

That's what makes it the perfect college admissions essay topic! 

Does Study Abroad Look Good in College Applications? 

Absolutely! Let's take another look at the points above and how the program outcomes of a study abroad experience meets them. 

Academic Excellence 

CIEE high school summer abroad has its own competitive admissions process that includes personal essays, teacher recommendations, and accepts only students in good academic standing. Each cohort comprises top-performing high schoolers from around the country. 

Personal Growth 

It is rare that a person will live abroad in their lifetime, and even rarer to have done it as a teenager! Living in another country leads to tremendous personal growth that can be defined in measurable results such as language learning and "soft" skills like independence, confidence, cultural awareness, or a global perspective. Living abroad is also associated with a clearer sense of self , which has all kinds of benefits, including career success and enhanced ability to deal with stress. 

Unique Experiences 

Again, the simple fact that you lived in another country is a unique experience. So is being proficient in a second language, having a host family abroad, going to classes in another country, volunteering and serving a foreign population, making friends with people from a totally different culture, navigating culture shock, and all the other amazing things you accomplished while studying abroad. 

Even though you might not think of yourself as a child, you lived abroad on your own while under 18! That requires a tremendous level of maturity. Tie that fact to the challenges you navigated, and you will demonstrate your maturity quickly. 

Living abroad requires navigating new environments, overcoming language barriers, and adjusting to different cultural norms. These experiences enhance your flexibility, problem-solving skills, and ability to thrive in diverse situations. 

Cultural Awareness 

Colleges love diversity; it makes for a rich campus life, promotes inclusive thinking, prepares students for a globalized world, and reflects our diverse American population. Diversity is connected directly to cultural awareness. When you studied abroad in high school, you built cultural awareness by immersing yourself in new cultural practices, perspectives, and social norms, helping you to become more empathetic, open-minded, and globally conscious. 

Defined Goals 

High school study abroad exposes students to new fields of interest, global issues, and potential career paths they may not have considered. This experience also enhances critical thinking and self-awareness, which allows you to better understand your passions and strengths. 

11 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Your Unique Story 

Now it's time to get the creative juices flowing. A helpful writing tip is to brainstorm on some reflective questions.  

To craft a compelling essay about your study abroad experience, start with these: 

• What motivated you to study abroad during high school? 
• How did your experience abroad change your perspective on the world and your role in it? 
• What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? 
• How did the experience impact your academic interests and career goals? 
• What cultural differences did you encounter, and how did you adapt? 
• What stories do you tell over and over when people ask you about your time abroad? 
• What was the peak moment of your experience? 
• What was the most challenging moment? 
• Who did you meet that made the most significant impact? 
• What connections do you maintain? 
• How does your high school study abroad story connect to this particular university? 

By answering these questions, you can identify the unique aspects of your experience that will make your essay engaging and memorable. 

To help you get more ideas about how to write about your experience, tune in to our Out of Your Comfort Zone podcast and hear from other CIEE high school study abroad alumni! 

Connect Your Study Abroad Story to Your University 

To make your essay even more impactful, tie your study abroad experience to the specific university you are applying to. Research the university's programs, values, and opportunities, and explain how your experience aligns with them: 

• Does the university have an outstanding language program?  
• Do they have a partner university in the country where you studied abroad?  
• Do they have a research lab in the field you want to focus on due to passions you discovered or strengthened during your study abroad?  
• Do they have faculty or a large student population from the country where you studied abroad? 

Some Final College Application Essay Tips

Be Authentic

Write honestly about your experiences and emotions. Authenticity resonates more with admissions officers than a polished but impersonal essay. 

Show, Don't Tell

Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points rather than making general statements. 

Seek Feedback

Have teachers, mentors, or friends review your essay to provide constructive feedback. Have a friend from your high school study abroad experience read your story too! 

Stay Within the Word Limit

Adhere to the essay length requirements set by the college to demonstrate your ability to follow instructions. 

Studying abroad in high school demonstrates to colleges that you are proactive, open-minded, and capable of thriving in diverse environments. This experience will be the key to enhancing your college application and shaping your future in profound ways. 

Good luck! 

Thinking about studying abroad again after your senior year? Check out our study abroad options for high school graduates .

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Student Application Essays Explore the Deeper Meaning of Gifts

Campus Life

Published June 23, 2014

A gift can change a life, fulfill a dream, inspire a new point of view or spark a new talent. 

This year, as part of the admission process at Smith, prospective students were asked to tell us about the best gift they’ve ever given or received.

Their essays came pouring in—part of the record number of applications Smith received for the class of 2018. From a reflection on the meaning of socks to an ode to an antique typewriter, their stories illustrate the thoughtful, creative spirit of the latest class of Smithies.

Here’s a sampling of submissions from entering students:

Love. Freedom. Beautiful.

As a weak premature baby, I was not expected to survive, but my parents still gave me a beautiful Japanese name, Ayumi. There are three parts to my name.

“A” is love. No matter what kind of emotional and economic consequences my parents faced, they gave me support and unconditional love.

“yu” is freedom. My mother dreamed that I was descending from heaven holding my great grandma’s hand. Because I was too young to die. So, my ancestors gave me freedom to live.

“mi” is beauty. God gave me the beauty of passion, the beauty of life and the beauty of love.

Because of my name, I am alive. Because of my name, the evil of death shattered. And, most importantly, because of my name, I understand the preciousness and fragility of life.

 – Ayumi Akiyama ’18, Tokyo, Japan

After weeks of hunting through and losing eBay auctions, I found it. A typewriter is a unique gift by most standards, but this particular antique Corona portable model held special significance to me. My best friend, to whom the Corona went, is the only person in my life who shares both my love of the past and my secret desire to sit, as many great female authors have, at a typewriter and just pour my soul onto stacks of white paper. This fantasy has been woven through many long, emotional conversations and is a simple representation of our complex bond. She is my greatest inspiration, critic and collaborator, all in one, and each year I struggle to find a gift that adequately encompasses my appreciation of her friendship and innate understanding of who I am. This year, I succeeded with ink, paper and a shiny black piece of history.

– Lauren E. Graham ’18, Monroe, Ohio

I make tentative airplane noises, flying spoonfuls of overcooked rice toward gaping mouths. The mood of the room has shifted from aimless to urgent, for rice is in the air. Hungry girls flock to me, but Xiao Li grabs my wrist, guiding the spoon toward her lips. I hesitate, noticing the spoon is too big for her mouth; so I observe the employees who deftly stretch little lips, shoving adult spoons into each slight cheek. Xiao Li grimaces and craves. Her discomfort is blatant. I touch her cheek. She smiles at the gentle movement, but opens her mouth for more. Food was food. Spoons are spoons. The orphan knows that spoons are painful. They know this basic truth about spoons, a basic truth about their reality. I never considered my soup spoons before. Spoons are overlooked things, but can often exemplify very different lives. This experience gifted me some serious perspectives.

– Ellie MacQueen ’18, Fairbault, Minn.

As a twin, birthdays were always complicated. Giving a present on your own birthday isn’t an easy concept for a child to understand. To avoid this issue, Martin and I hardly ever gave each other birthday presents. However, in eighth grade, after our birthday dinner, I was surprised to see a gift that read, “From Martin.” I ripped the paper open and found a plaque: “The Stellar Registry preserves that this star is to be named Laura Green with a message from the recorder: ‘May your perkiness burn out with the star…hopefully.'” Of course Martin would be so considerate and yet tease me at the same time; that’s what brothers do. The star is a reminder, out in the cosmos and hanging on my wall, that no matter how much we bicker, fight or argue, he’ll always be my twin, a relationship I’ll never have with anyone else.

– Laura Wallis Green ’18, La Cañada Flintridge, Calif.

When I was a month old, my aunt gave me a little elephant plushie. It’s about 9 inches long, feels like an umbrella and wears plastic orange glasses, which are prone to breaking. I know because I’ve kept it with me for nearly 17 years and have had to superglue the bridge of those glasses thrice (I’ve since given up, they just stay broken now). It’s the oldest, most threadbare stuffed toy I’ve ever seen, and I have no idea why I love it so much. All I know is without Slonik (for such is his name; using it makes me uncomfortable), I have trouble falling asleep. At some point over my childhood I started treating Slonik like a tiny creature with feelings, though I never thought of him as human. I think loving Slonik has taught me that love doesn’t always make sense, but it remains real.

– Mariya Germash ’18, Brooklyn, N.Y.

I am proud of my collection of whimsical socks. Covered with patterns ranging from sloths to slot machines, my socks represent a wide array of exotic places. You see, my dad travels frequently for work. And whether the ritual began because he thought socks would be a meaningful souvenir, or as a last-minute purchase at the airport gift shop, he would unfailingly bring me a pair of socks from everywhere he went. I spent this past summer at an educational program in Israel. As my friends relentlessly bargained for crafts at local markets, I could not find a meaningful gift for my father. Although stressed by the prospect of coming home empty-handed, I rejected all of my friends’ well-intentioned suggestions. At the airport gift shop preparing for the flight home, they couldn’t understand my joyful tears as I bought a pair of men’s socks with camels on them.

– Ruby Hartman ’18, Los Altos, Calif.

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