Quick Tips For Writing Effective College Application Supplements

While often left as one of the final steps in the application development process, individual school supplements play an important role in helping college admissions officers understand how and why you may be a strong fit for their college.  It may very likely be the only opportunity for you to directly articulate the connections between what each school has to offer and what you are looking for in a college.  With this said, it is important to make your school supplements personal, detailed, and as specific to each school as possible.

Here are a few additional tips to consider as you develop your school supplements:

• be clear about your own interests and goals within that particular school
• try to go beyond the generalities of a school (e.g., location, size, liberal arts college, etc)
• make your key points personal to you, including as many specific details as you have room for
• do your research about each school
• maximize your use of available words (no need for introduction, summary sentences, etc)
• reference a visit and/or campus conversation, when relevant
• proofread before submission
• have your school counselor, college & career counselor, and parents read before submitting

Kristine Kilgour, M.Ed., LPSC                                                                                                                       School Counselor & Mediator                                                                                                                            512-704-5265                                                                                                                                              gracecoachingandmediation@gmail.com