The STEM Applicant’s Guide to Writing Supplemental Essays

Throughout the college application process, students will be asked to write different types of essays. Many schools will ask questions specific to their institution; these are referred to as supplemental essays. Although supplemental essays vary from college to college, they commonly ask why a student is applying to a specific major, or why they are applying to the college or university more generally. As a former admission officer for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)-focused colleges, I’ll focus my advice in this post on students writing STEM supplements. Read the mission statement Every college and university has a mission statement typically published on the “About” pages of their website. By reading the mission statement, you will gain a better understanding of the college’s values, like collaboration, interdisciplinary education, or a dedication to using STEM for positive change. These values can help you understand the type of student the college is looking for and who would be successful at that institution, and identify what you hope to contribute to the college’s mission. For example, if a school highlights collaboration, you can craft an essay that includes examples of your own experiences successfully working with others, thus demonstrating you would be a great fit for the school. Research your area of study It is important to be specific and identify why you want to pursue STEM at a specific institution. This will require you to take the time to research and highlight unique factors of each institution and your intended major. Take the time to learn about the curriculum, faculty, research labs and institutes, facilities, and more. By highlighting specific information about the college and your major, you’ll make it clear how you plan to use the institution's resources to continue pursuing your STEM interests. Write! Once you understand the values of the college you are applying to and the programs offered through your intended department or major, it is time to write. As you do, share your authentic fascination with STEM by referencing specific experiences that made you love STEM and identify opportunities at your prospective college that will enable you to keep pursuing your passion. Be sure to address the following:

• What are you interested in studying? Is there a particular major, field, or project you hope to tackle in your undergraduate experience?
• What do you hope to learn, contribute to, or change in this area of interest? When bringing forward your “why,” it is not only about stating that you want to study a particular area—it’s about taking the time to provide specific reasons and reflections about why you want to dive deeper into this area of study. 
  • For example, do not only tell the reader that you want to work in a lab. Instead, discuss why that particular lab interests you, what you hope to learn from it, and what you hope to contribute to it.

Supplements are a chance to show you did your homework on the institution and to let admission officers get to know you and what drives you. By writing a vibrant supplemental essay that gives biographical context to your interest in STEM, you can help admission decision makers envision you not just as a future scientist or engineer, but as a future community member.