msc virtuosa yacht club dress code

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What to wear on a cruise

Daytime attire.

Casual wear is recommended for daytime attire. Shorts and T-shirts are permitted

Evening Wear

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WHAT TO WEAR ON A CRUISE

Daytime attire.

Casual wear is recommended for daytime attire. Shorts and T-shirts are permitted.

Evening Wear

Theme parties, msc yacht club.

To fully appreciate the exclusive ambiance of the MSC Yacht Club , dressing appropriately in its various venues is highly recommended. MSC Yacht Club Restaurant: To preserve the exceptional ambiance of this private restaurant we kindly ask you to dress in a way that complements its exclusiveness. - By day: Feel at ease in casual wear, including t-shirts and tops, but to maintain a respectful atmosphere, swimwear must be avoided at any time. - By night: We kindly ask that you dress in smart casual attire. This includes options such as dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid shorts and flip flops. - For Gala evenings: An elegant and glamourous attire is strongly recommended with sophisticated outfits such as cocktail dresses, skirts, slacks, designer jeans, elegant dress tops, blazers, or even tuxedo suits and gowns. MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge: - By day: Casual clothing, including t-shirts and tops, is perfectly acceptable, but we kindly request that you do not wear swimwear at any given time. - By night: Smart casual attire is required for entry to the Top Sail Lounge. Feel free to wear dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid wearing shorts and flip flops. MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar:

Wear your bathing costumes, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and sunglasses as you please. Just remember that topless bathing is not allowed in this family-friendly area.

Sports lovers

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MSC Cruises

MSC Dress Code Photo Guide – 96% Agree The Dress Codes are Relaxed

If you’re taking your first cruise with MSC you may be wondering what the dress codes are, and to what extent the dress codes are enforced.

MSC does have formal nights which they call gala or elegant nights but these aren’t the only nights where dress codes are in place.

In this post, we will explore all guidelines in place in regards to dress codes onboard.

What Is The Dress Code on an MSC Cruise?

The evening dress codes on MSC cruises range from ‘casual’ to ‘elegant’ depending on the night. On relaxed nights the only restrictions are no shorts or swimwear in the main dining rooms. On ‘gala’ and ‘elegant’ nights, the dress code suggests a collared shirt for men and a dress or blouse/trousers combination for women.

That said, the dress codes on MSC cruises aren’t very strictly enforced. 

Daytime Dress Code

What is the daytime dress code on msc cruises.

The daytime dress code on MSC cruises is incredibly relaxed. The only dress code rules are that swimwear cannot be worn inside the ship and guests must wear shoes.

Even the cruise lines which have strict evening dress codes rarely have dress codes enforced during the day. Guests are free to wear almost anything onboard during the day.

There are a few things which you’re not allowed to wear onboard:

• Swimwear usually can’t be worn inside the ship, guests must be dressed. In reality, if you are covered in a towel or robe and want to quickly get back to your room, as long as you don’t pass through any restaurants or bars you’ll be fine.
• Shoes must be worn at all times in the ship and on the top decks

As far as dress codes go MSC is one of the most relaxed cruise lines. Almost anything goes. If you were to wear something particularly offensive or inappropriate you may be asked to remove it but generally speaking if you are dressed, this is good enough.

MSC doesn’t have any rules about not wearing costumes onboard.

Do MSC Have a Dress Code for Excursions?

There aren’t any specific dress codes for excursions with MSC but some excursions may come with dress code suggestions.

Some excursions may require things like walking boots and for some excursions, you may need to bring things like hats or swimwear. This depends entirely on the excursion that you choose to take.

If there is anything you need to remember to bring or wear during an excursion this will be clearly told to you at the time of booking and when you receive your tickets.

What Is The Evening Dress  Code on MSC Cruises?

MSC has two main dress codes that apply to the ship.

The first is a formal gala or elegant dress code which applies only to the main dining room on certain nights of the cruise.

The second is a more relaxed casual dress code which happens the rest of the time.

Evening Dress Code – Formal Nights

MSC has two types of ‘formal’ nights.

The first are called ‘gala’ nights and these usually involve a special menu in the main dining room by a Michelin starred chef. They also usually include the opportunity to have photos taken with the captain.

The second type is an ‘elegant’ night.

Elegant nights on MSC are almost identical to the gala nights apart from there is no special menu and there isn’t normally a chance to have photos taken with the captain.

Apart from this the experience onboard is generally the same. The dress codes are identical for both nights. 

Formal Nights

The dress code for gala nights is as below:

For Gala evenings, the dress code is more formal. We suggest a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown, or cocktail dress for women. – source.

The above explanation is taken directly from MSC’s UK website.

What does the dress code mean in practice?

Men: Most men on MSC cruises will wear a collared shirt with smart chinos/trousers.

Jackets and ties are optional although you will see a lot of people wearing these. Some guests will dress up and wear a tuxedo or full suit but this isn’t required.

Patterned shirts and national dress are also worn so don’t be afraid to be creative!

Women: The majority of women on MSC cruises will wear a smart looking dress or skirt/blouse combination.

Trousers and a blouse are also acceptable!

Almost any style, color, and pattern is okay. Most women wear sandals/heels or flat shoes and it’s always a good idea to bring a shrug/cardigan/cover-up because it can get quite cold in the main dining room.

How Many Gala/Elegant Nights Are There?

MSC are able to change the number of dress codes at any time but generally speaking the following guidelines apply:

Cruises Between 3-5 Nights: 1 Gala Night 

Cruises between 6-13 nights: 1 gala night and 1 or 2 elegant nights, cruises over 14+ nights: 1 gala night and 3 elegant nights.

If you are cruising for under 5 nights there will usually only be one ‘formal’ style night.

This is usually the gala night instead of the elegant night to give the guests the opportunity to have photos taken with the captain.

On a 7 night cruise, you will usually find one gala night and one elegant night, this will increase as the cruise gets longer.

To learn more about MSC’s formal nights, including where the dress code applies, check out this post:

MSC Cruises Formal Nights – Everything You Need To Know

Evening Dress Code – Informal Nights

On all nights which aren’t gala or elegant, the dress code on board will be casual.

On casual nights I often just wear the clothes that I’ve been wearing during the day. There are a few things which aren’t allowed such as swimwear or shorts in the main dining room but apart from that, you are free to wear almost anything.

Informal Nights

The dress code for the casual night is as follows:

For informal evenings, we recommend summery dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men. – source.

What does the dress code actually mean?

Any t-shirts or shirt would be acceptable for men.

Technically speaking, shorts aren’t allowed in the main dining room but jeans are okay. Hoodies, sweaters, and jackets are also appropriate.

Women:  

For women, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt would be perfectly appropriate.

Alternatively, any dress/skirt/trouser combination would be more than okay. Sneakers, sandals, heels or flat shoes would all be appropriate.

Generally speaking: As long as you are clean and dressed, you’ll be okay! 

How Many Informal Nights Are There?

Informal nights are every night which isn’t a gala or elegant night.

If you are cruising for 7 nights and have 1 gala and 1 elegant night you can expect that the other 5 nights onboard will have informal dress codes.

Will I Know Ahead of Time About The Dress Codes?

The dress codes for dinner are usually only made available the night before when your daily schedule is placed in your cabin.

Your daily schedule is a program of the day’s events which is placed in your cabin each night during the turndown service.

It’s also possible to view the daily schedule using MSC’s app.

If you are cruising with MSC I would strongly recommend that you download the app, it is free to use and has lots of useful functions. You can even look at the menus ahead of time!

Dress Codes For Children

When it comes to children they are also expected to adhere to the formal night dress codes.

That said MSC’s dress codes are already very relaxed and for children, these are relaxed even further.

I would not worry too much about what your children will wear on an MSC cruise, you definitely won’t be turned away from the dining room due to what your children are wearing.

Adults are not allowed to wear shorts in the main dining room but children can definitely get away with breaking this rule. 

Most young boys will wear chinos/a shirt or t-shirt. Some do dress up with bow ties and jackets although this is definitely not a requirement. Again, as long as they are dressed and clean, you will be fine.

For girls: 

Most girls will usually wear a dress or shirt/trousers. Almost anything is okay.

The way that MSC are so relaxed with dress codes is one of the primary reasons why I consistently recommend them as being one of my favourite cruise lines for families.

To find out the other reasons, and which other cruise lines I recommend, check out our recommended cruise lines page:  Best Cruise Lines For Families (Tried & Tested, Pros & Cons!)

Dress Codes in Speciality Dining Restaurants

Most of MSC’s specialty dining restaurants don’t have strict dress codes.

The majority of guests do dress nicely when going to a specialty restaurant as opposed to the main dining room as it’s generally seen as a bit of a treat!

Passengers tend to go to specialty restaurants for birthdays, anniversaries or just to experience the specialty restaurant.

Is The Dress Code Ship Wide on MSC Cruises?

The formal night dress codes apply only to the main dining room. Guests wanting to avoid the dress codes can do so by eating in other restaurants.

The informal dress code applies everywhere else on the ship.

Is The Dress Code Ship on MSC Cruises Enforced?

This is a difficult question. I’ve never seen the dress code be strictly enforced but I have only cruised with MSC 3 times. To answer this question I decided to ask the lovely members of our Facebook group.

96% of people described MSC’s dress code as relaxed!

I think the results speak for themselves!

Only one person said that they found the dress codes to be formal, the rest said that they either felt that the dress codes were relaxed or that the other passengers were treating the dress codes as if they were relaxed.

Other Dress Codes:

Some MSC cruise ships do have ropes courses, when taking part on the ropes course it is advised that you wear closed-toe shoes.

I had so much fun on the ropes course on the MSC Meraviglia in January, it was FREEZING but so much fun.

To learn more about the ropes courses, including the waiver that you have to sign, check out this post: MSC Meraviglia: Ropes Course and Waterslides

Themed Evenings

On all MSC cruises, MSC have themed evenings.

These themed evenings come with suggested dress codes although guests do not have to take part.

I often see people worrying about the fact that they don’t have an outfit to fit a certain theme, you don’t need to worry about this! In my experience, it is a very small proportion of guests that fully embrace the evening’s theme and you will not look out of place if you don’t.

Examples of MSC’s themed evenings include things like: 70s, white, country, pirate.

There isn’t any way to know ahead of time which themed evenings your cruise will have although similar cruises do seem to have the same theme nights.

For example, if the MSC Meraviglia is completing 7 night Mediterranean cruises and one has a white party and a 70s party, chances are the other cruises on this itinerary will too.

Do You HAVE To Dress Up On an MSC Cruise?

If you don’t want to take part in any dress codes or formal nights on an MSC cruise you don’t have to.

Casual dress is always acceptable in the buffet and public areas of the ship, the only guidelines are that passengers don’t wear swimwear and have shoes on at all times. 

More Dress Code Examples from our Facebook group members:

A huge thank you to you all for sharing these with us. I love seeing your smiley faces!

If I didn’t include you PLEASE don’t take it personally, I would love to include every photo but we had loads of photo submissions.

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• MSC Cruises

Dress Code for YC dinners

By sassycruiser , March 29, 2023 in MSC Cruises

Recommended Posts

sassycruiser

New to MSC and Yacht Club.  Mostly cruise with NCL which is very casual.   How dressed up do people get for YC dinners?  It appears that there is a formal night - do men wear suits?   We are fine with bringing suits, etc but if it’s not necessary would prefer not to.

Thank you.  

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Sailing out of the US for Caribbean sailings dress in the YC Restaurant is largely country club casual. I’m avoiding the term ‘resort casual’ as shorts for dinner are not acceptable (sorry, you may see them, but they are not ‘suggested attire for dinner’).  You will however see folks who ‘dress’ for dinner. We do, but we are in a distinct minority. Formal night can be more dressy with at least jackets for gentleman. Depending on the itinerary I may bring my tux. There I will be a very distinct minority. If you have a higher ratio of Europeans on the cruise (mostly out of Miami or French Antilles) you will see a definite upping of the dominant dress.

Thank you.  I will make sure my gentlemen bring their jackets etc.  

Ooh, I was just about to make some  🍿 Popcorn to watch this show... 

To answer the OP's question - it's a free for all. There is a SUGGESTED dress code and it's up to the Maitre D' to enforce.  There are posters who  insist (blah blah blah)  that it's their vacation and they paid for it and they can wear shorts and flops to dinner, darn it, because how they dress shouldn't bother your enjoyment of your dinner.  In fact it does bother me because I generally feel like it's being done sometimes to have a showdown of sorts - "whatcha mean I can't wear what I want?" (voices escalating), "I paid to be here and I'll wear what I want, wanna try me?", etc...."  (However, I have seen plenty of men walk toward Le Muse on the Divina in shorts, accompanied by their butler, and be denied entrance.)

Then there are posters who believe in Ladies and Gentlemen acting like ladies and gentlemen.  For this we use the Country Club Attire guidelines.  No hats in dining room, no shorts for dinner, etc.  If you couldn't wear for dinner in a restaurant at a members only country club then you shouldn't be wearing it in the YC.  You want to insist on shorts and flops and a baseball cap - go to the MDR, the buffet, order room service or snack on the olives in Top Sail (kidding).

In short, jackets are NOT required for formal night. Collared shirt and trousers are perfectly appropriate, a tie is a nice touch that doesn't add weight to a suitcase.  A jacket is icing on the cake, but not necessary.  

32 minutes ago, Morgsmom said: snack on the olives in Top Sail (kidding).    

And the carmelized onions.

Gatordad1967

Suits are not necessary.  I was in shorts all week, and loved it.

Two Wheels Only

^^ He would probably get into the Yacht Club for dinner. He might get turned away but I wouldn't be surprised if he was sitting at the table next to me. 

Shorts, hat, no socks......whatever.  😅

There's the actual rules

The rules that MSC enforce

The rules that some passengers would like them to be, which generally fall into two camps of either stricter/more formal and the opposite.

In our 2 YCs with 2 different dining room staff on 2 different ships (Meraviglia, Seashore), the only persons I saw turned away were a younger couple in bathing attire who clearly had come from the pool. They were literally dripping on the floor outside the dining room entry. 

Maître d' politely asked that they change as they would "make it impossible to dry the chairs for the next guests". They even offered to sit them on the pool deck and have their butler bring them clothes, or have their dining selection brought to their rooms. It was a nice move to maintain decorum and not make a scene. 

We are the "resort casual" folks - having lived in Bermuda for years, tailored shorts, collared shirt (and the occasional jacket) is considered dressed up. We dress the same as we would at any "white tablecloth" restaurant: no hats, no flip flops, no tank tops, no gym/pool-wear, and if we wear shorts they are tailored and long enough to cover the bits.

Oddly enough, as compared to NCL where they emphasize "freestyle cruising" but require long pants at some of their restaurants (though not specifically in the Haven), our experience is that you not be called out in the YC unless you are rude or disrespectful. 

Have a wonderful cruise! Warmest, Amy

Thank you Amy.

on our last NCL cruise in February our adult son was turned away from LeBistro on the first night because he was wearing knee length shorts and his luggage hadn’t arrived.  Rules are rules I guess.  We just left quietly and ate where we could.

We don’t normally wear shorts to any dinner.  We always take dress pants, nice shirts etc.  I just didn’t want to cause problems if we were out of dress code.

Having good manners always fits.  Like the old saying you are never fully dressed without a smile!   

2 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:   ^^ He would probably get into the Yacht Club for dinner. He might get turned away but I wouldn't be surprised if he was sitting at the table next to me.    Shorts, hat, no socks......whatever.  😅

did he pass the grey poupon?

49 minutes ago, sassycruiser said: on our last NCL cruise in February our adult son was turned away from LeBistro on the first night because he was wearing knee length shorts and his luggage hadn’t arrived .  Rules are rules I guess.  We just left quietly and ate where we could.

Usually , NCL will be Cruise Casual (shorts allowed) on the first night for that exact reason....

" Embarkation day will be Cruise Casual in all restaurants. "

Yea, no issues in other restaurants just LeBistro. 

TampaGambler

Just got off the seascape 2 weeks ago, we were a group of 14. On gala night I wore jean pants and all other nights wore shorts, no problem at all. 

Each night the manager promptly came over and laughed with our table. 

Some people dress up, others don't... Regardless, they will not kick you out of the YC restaurant. 

4 hours ago, Gatordad1967 said: did he pass the grey poupon?  

With pinky extended, of course...  😁

15 hours ago, amygutman said: With pinky extended, of course...  😁

well played!

We wear jeans/chinos and a shirt (likely short-sleeved). Maybe a jacket if feeling smart. No smarter than that.

morpheusofthesea

We would extend this to every meal when we cruise nowadays. "When you pay for a stay in a hotel, you also pay for the comfort, amenities, and services of a hotel, but it does not necessarily mean that you can do and act whatever you like and however you feel. There are hotel manners that you must take note of. Courtesy and respect beget the same, and knowing what to wear for breakfast in a hotel is a basic manner that makes a big difference. Most hotels establish a formality culture in dining for breakfast as a sign of respect and consideration for other guests and the staff. Unless your breakfast wear is as comparable to your smart-casual wear, that wouldn’t be a problem." https://thealcazar.com/what-to-wear-for-breakfast-in-a.../

https://tableagent.com/article/dressing-to-dine-dress-codes-defined/  you can understand why dress codes are sometimes suggested by eateries of a certain merit: they wish for their guests to experience the world they have created. You can savor the luxury of top-notch service best when you too look and feel first-rate. The essence of fine dining wants to take patrons out of their ordinary lives, and for two hours, allow them to bask in the extraordinary experience of their choice. To truly be apart of such a supreme culinary happening—one must look the part and one must dress to dine.

• 10 months later...

On 3/29/2023 at 9:06 AM, Morgsmom said: Ooh, I was just about to make some  🍿 Popcorn to watch this show...    To answer the OP's question - it's a free for all. There is a SUGGESTED dress code and it's up to the Maitre D' to enforce.  There are posters who  insist (blah blah blah)  that it's their vacation and they paid for it and they can wear shorts and flops to dinner, darn it, because how they dress shouldn't bother your enjoyment of your dinner.  In fact it does bother me because I generally feel like it's being done sometimes to have a showdown of sorts - "whatcha mean I can't wear what I want?" (voices escalating), "I paid to be here and I'll wear what I want, wanna try me?", etc...."  (However, I have seen plenty of men walk toward Le Muse on the Divina in shorts, accompanied by their butler, and be denied entrance.)   Then there are posters who believe in Ladies and Gentlemen acting like ladies and gentlemen.  For this we use the Country Club Attire guidelines.  No hats in dining room, no shorts for dinner, etc.  If you couldn't wear for dinner in a restaurant at a members only country club then you shouldn't be wearing it in the YC.  You want to insist on shorts and flops and a baseball cap - go to the MDR, the buffet, order room service or snack on the olives in Top Sail (kidding).   In short, jackets are NOT required for formal night. Collared shirt and trousers are perfectly appropriate, a tie is a nice touch that doesn't add weight to a suitcase.  A jacket is icing on the cake, but not necessary.  

Do you see anything other than I'm seeing regarding the rules as stated by MSC? The website says for evening wear it is suggested to adhere to a more polished look. In that they included tailored pants and shorts. Typically, I don't even bring long pants on any beach type vacation. If it's required, I'll participate. If it's merely other people's opinion, I'll stick to my nice button up shirt and khaki shorts. Can you clarify? 

40 minutes ago, ColbyBixby said: Do you see anything other than I'm seeing regarding the rules as stated by MSC?

MSC is more " suggestion " than " rule ". Certain things can be enforced but often times, even those things aren't enforced. 

43 minutes ago, ColbyBixby said: If it's required, I'll participate. If it's merely other people's opinion, I'll stick to my nice button up shirt and khaki shorts. Can you clarify? 

The khaki shorts should be fine. MSC seems to make a distinction between shorts (think gym shorts) and shorts (khakis, cargo shorts, etc.).

In your case, I would suggest bringing a pair of pants just in case the Maître d' is strict on your particular sailing. The same Maître d' might allow shorts the following week. Who knows?

Have I seen gym shorts being worn in the Yacht Club for dinner? Yes. 

Is it possible that the same person wearing the same shorts might get turned away at the MDR on another MSC cruise? Yes. 

1 hour ago, ColbyBixby said: Do you see anything other than I'm seeing regarding the rules as stated by MSC? The website says for evening wear it is suggested to adhere to a more polished look. In that they included tailored pants and shorts. Typically, I don't even bring long pants on any beach type vacation. If it's required, I'll participate. If it's merely other people's opinion, I'll stick to my nice button up shirt and khaki shorts. Can you clarify? 

I have seen men refused from YC at dinner for shorts.  But i have also seen thugs with baseball caps allowed.   🤷🏼‍♀️  

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said: But i have also seen thugs with baseball caps allowed.  

Definition of terms, please.  

13 hours ago, Bgwest said: Definition of terms, please.  

hum... let's go with hooligan 🙂 , but I'm talking basketball shorts hiked so low as to see the waist logo on the "under britches", tank top, backwards ball cap... that whole thing.  (Seashore and Meraviglia)  However, on the Divina have also witnessed a gent in linen dress shorts being turned away to go change at dinner. 

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Review: How to upgrade your MSC Virtuosa cruise to the MSC Yacht Club

By Qin Xie | 15 Jul 2022

MSC Yacht Club service. Picture: Luc Selvais

Is it worth upgrading to MSC Cruises’ high-end Yacht Club, one of the ship-within-a-ship areas adding a little more luxury to your cruise? We test out the concept on MSC Virtuosa

A jovial group of lads, dressed to impress and each with a cocktail in hand, stumbles out of the mirrored lift as I pile in with a handful of other guests. There’s an air of buzzy exhaustion as we collectively lean back against the glass while the elevator makes its swift and smooth ascent.

“Too much booze, and too much good food,” one guest quips as he rubs his stomach; we all chuckle knowingly. It’s true. After a whirlwind cruise on glitzy MSC Virtuosa – the 19-deck Meraviglia-Plus vessel with room for close to 6,000 guests – we’re a bit overwhelmed.

It’s just as well I’m ending the night with a quiet drink in the Top Sail Lounge. An oasis of calm away from the party atmosphere of the decks below, this low-key bar and lounge has plush armchairs and banquettes from which you can enjoy table service. There’s not much to see besides the other guests when I slip in for a negroni just after midnight, but the view during the day from its front-of-ship vantage point on deck 16 is pretty impressive.

Top Sail Lounge, MSC Yacht Club, MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

What is it like in the Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa?

Just a handful of people get that privilege though, as it’s open only to guests who are staying in the Yacht Club, MSC Cruises’ equivalent of first class. Described as a ship within a ship, the Yacht Club is designed to offer all the luxuries of a smaller vessel alongside the entertainment and facilities that you would expect to find only on larger ships.

There are just 95 cabins in a private section located at the front of the ship, between decks 14 and 18 (there’s no deck 17). Within this bubble there’s a separate lift, concierge station and three food and beverage venues for the exclusive use of Yacht Club guests.

Like first-class passengers on flights, there’s also priority boarding, 24-hour butler service, complimentary premium drinks, free internet access and discounts at the speciality restaurants and spa on board.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

Food and drink on MSC Virtuosa

During my short sailing, the Top Sail Lounge was a favourite for pre and post-dinner drinks. Everything from Nicolas Feuillatte Brut champagne to Johnnie Walker Black Label came in generous measures and without the extra price tag of other bars on the ship.

The Swarovski crystal-studded staircase spiralling straight up to the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant on deck 18 adds to the effect, so you always arrive and leave in style. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served à la carte at the Yacht Club Restaurant, with the daily-changing menu pitched to a fine-dining standard.

I enjoyed dishes such as stuffed tortellini with asparagus and mascarpone cheese, and charred sea bass fillet with crab and rocket salad, all with a glass of something delicious from the wine list. There’s one further exclusive spot for Yacht Club guests – the sun deck on deck 19.

Laid out like a beach club, there are dozens of loungers facing the ocean, flanked by a bar at the back. Drinks and light bites are always available up here, and you barely have to lift a finger to get service. Situated to one side, a small heated pool and whirlpool bath complete the picture, along with a handful of cabana-style loungers that are assigned to specific Yacht Club cabins for exclusive use.

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar, MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

What to do on board MSC Virtuosa

You will always find plenty within the Yacht Club to keep you occupied on a short sailing, like my jaunt to Guernsey , but for those who want a longer adventure, the ship within a ship concept is perfect because you can access the variety of dining and entertainment facilities that would be impossible to fit on a smaller vessel, but still escape back to the sanctuary of your bubble afterwards.

On MSC Virtuosa, the entertainment space is split into two areas. Deck seven is home to speciality restaurants that overlook Galleria Virtuosa on deck six, a promenade flanked by bars, more restaurants and the largest shopping area at sea. To the rear of the ship, through the casino, is the Carousel Lounge, where acrobatic-style shows are put on every night, while musical productions take place in the 945-seat Le Grand Théâtre to the front. A second entertainment space starts from deck 15.

MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

The open-air Atmosphere Pool takes pride of place in the middle of the ship, surrounded by bars, loungers and whirlpool baths, but there are a couple of others dotted around the ship. Dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs are on decks 16 and 18, alongside a basketball court and virtual reality games. The interactive cinema is particularly thrilling.

However, the pièce de résistance is on deck 19, where an aerial obstacle course wraps around a water park . I managed just a fraction of the ship and was completely exhausted. Luckily, the memory foam mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets in the Yacht Club cabins make getting a restful night’s sleep a breeze.

Book the Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa

A seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise in a Yacht Club balcony cabin on MSC Virtuosa starts from £2,009. For more information or to book now visit msccruises.co.uk , see your local travel agent or call 0203 426 3010.

The Haven sun deck on Norwegian Viva

More luxury ship-within-a-ship areas

MSC Cruises isn’t the only line to offer a more luxurious enclave on board a bigger ship. Here are some of the other places to upgrade your experience

The Haven by Norwegian

NCL introduced The Haven on Norwegian Breakaway and has now rolled it out across nine ships in the fleet, with more to come on new vessels Prima and Viva . Expect a concierge and 24-hour butler; private sun deck, lounge and restaurant; in-room extras and more, with some inclusions varying by ship.

The Retreat by Celebrity Cruises

As part of Celebrity’s move to create a ‘new luxury’ vibe , enjoy private restaurant Luminae with dishes created by Daniel Boulud, complimentary in-suite dining, a sun deck with hot tub and loungers (on selected ships), plus a private lounge, premium drinks, pre-paid tips and onboard credit.

The Retreat, Celebrity Beyond. Picture: Ryan Wicks

Grill Suites by Cunard

Elevate Cunard’s classy cruises even further with its most luxurious cabins, which are not clustered together in a private enclave but rather occupy the most sought-after spots on the ship. Book a Princess Grill or Queens Grill suite to enjoy lavish accommodation, a more intimate lounge and restaurant with open-seated dining, bubbly on arrival, Penhaligon’s toiletries and a host of other in-suite extras.

Royal Suite Class by Royal Caribbean

There are three levels of upgrade in the Royal Suite Class – Sea, Sky and Star – which offer more spacious accommodation, priority boarding and upgraded amenities, plus, in higher tiers, concierge service, tips, speciality dining and a ‘Royal Genie’ butler. Latest ship Wonder of the Seas has even added a dedicated Suite Neighbourhood.

• What to expect on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore
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I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Sail from UK Sail from UK

MSC Virtuosa

launched 2021

tonnage 181,541

length 331 m

capacity 6,334

MSC Virtuosa’s namesake comes from the word virtuoso, meaning someone highly skilled in any field of activity, and so MSC Virtuosa was named to pay homage to the skill and expertise of the MSC Cruises architects and shipyard partners at Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique who designed and built this innovative class of ships. This new cruise ship is one of the two largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, along with her sister ship MSC Grandiosa, boasting an impressive array of guest features all coming together in perfect harmony to deliver the ultimate cruise holiday experience.

MSC Starship Club This futuristic venue is much more than just a bar. It’s an immersive entertainment experience. Featuring Rob, the first ever humanoid robotic bartender at sea, the MSC Starship Club will transport our guests to a different world.

As you sip your cosmic cocktail and gaze out of the portholes across the space, Rob and his human colleagues will take you to an exciting journey to discover new galactic destinations.

• accommodation

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

• Surface 58 sqm, balcony 70 sqm, Deck 15
• Balcony with private whirlpool bath and dining table
• Separate living area and dining room
• Walk-in wardrobes
• Bathroom with tub and shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Wifi connection included
• Interactive TV, telephone,safe and minibar
• ZOE – in-cabin Bluetooth speaker

Discover a world of privileges with MSC Yacht Club including:

• 24-Hour Butler service and dedicated concierge
• Premium Extra Drink and Premium Internet packages included
• Complimentary Access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea SPA
• Discounts: 20% on a dedicated Specialty Restaurant prepaid package; 40% on a dedicated SPA prepaid package and 10% on all SPA treatments on board.
• 1 Free cruise change

The image is representative only; the size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category).

MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with Whirlpool

• Surface 59 sqm with a balcony 23 sqm, deck 9-12, with dining table and private whirlpool bath
• Two-deck-high cabin
• Easy access to the Yacht Club areas

Main level:

• Open living/dining room with sofa that converts to double bed
• Bathroom with shower

Second level

• Master bedroom with double bed which can be converted into two single beds (on request)
• Two walk in wardrobes
• Bathroom with tub
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and minibar

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite

• Surface 29 sqm, balcony approx 5 sqm, deck 14-18

Sitting area with sofa

• Spacious wardrobe
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub, vanity area with hairdryer

MSC Yacht Club Interior

• Surface 17 sqm, deck 14-16

Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool

• Surface 39 sqm, large balcony approx 36 sqm with its own private whirlpool bath, deck 12
• Walk-in Wardrobe. Setting Area with double sofa bed.
• Bathroom with shower vanity area with hairdryers.
• Double bed can be converted into two single beds (on request).
• Interactive TV, telephone and safe.
• Wifi connection available (for a fee).
• Mini bar. Air conditioning.

Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category).

The image is representative only.

Premium Suite Aurea With Terrace and Whirlpool

• Surface . 27 sqm, with balcony (approx 26-30 sqm) with its own private whirlpool bath, deck 9-13
• Spacious Wardrobe.
• Sitting Area with double sofa bed.

Premium Suite Aurea

• Surface 25 sqm, balcony approx 3-14 sqm, deck 9-14
• Bathroom with bathtub, vanity area with hairdryer
• Interactive TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), and minibar
• Can accomodate up to 6 people

• Interactive TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

Choose the cabin type that best suits you:

• Deluxe Balcony Aurea, (best ship position, surface approx 17 sqm, balcony 6 sqm, deck 11-13)
• Deluxe Balcony (surface approx 17 sqm, deck 8-14)
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View (surface approx 17 sqm, deck 8, 14)
• Studio Balcony (single use, surface approx 12 sqm, deck 13-14)

Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category)

The image is representative only

Balcony Bella

More information coming soon

Bingo Balcony

• Surface approx. 12-25 sqm
• Window with sea view
• Relaxing armchair
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Can accommodate up to 6 people
• Premium Ocean View, can accommodate up to 6 people (surface approx 25 sqm, deck 9-11)
• Deluxe Ocean View (surface approx 16 sqm, deck 5)
• Junior Ocean View (surface approx 12 sqm, deck 8)
• Junior Ocean View with obstructed view (surface approx 12 sqm, Deck 8)

Ocean View Bella

Bingo Outside

• Surface approx 12-17 sqm
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer
• Deluxe Interior (surface approx 17 sqm, deck 5-10)
• Premium Ocean View (surface approx 12 sqm, deck 5-14)

Interior Bella

Bingo Inside

Deck 19 – Mendelssohn

Deck 18 – Schumann

Deck 16 – Debussy

Deck 15 – Morricone

Deck 14 – Tchaikovsky

Deck 13 – Bizet

Deck 12 – Paganini

Deck 11 – Puccini

Deck 10 – Gershwin

Deck 9 – Strauss

Deck 8 – Wagner

Deck 7 – Verdi

Deck 6 – Beethoven

Deck 5 – Mozart

Other details.

Adults Only: Kids allowed

Childrens Facilities: Available

Nursery: Nursery

Smoking: Some

Gratuities: SERVICE CHARGES / GRATUITIES Service Charge / Gratuities are included in the cruise fare. Tips MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

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• MSC Cruises

UK Virtuosa cruise dress codes

By Stu UK , April 28, 2021 in MSC Cruises

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Never sailed with MSC and have now booked a May & June 4 / 7 night UK cruise.  Does anyone know what the dress codes will be? MSC website seems to suggest codes are formal (to or dark suit) and informal (jacket) but no number of nights.

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7 nights are usually 2 Elegant nights and the rest casual. I'd guess 4 nights would have 1 Elegant. They also have theme nights, white night comes to mind, I can't remember others.

Elegant covers everything from Formal to smart casual.

little britain

The flyer for the first 4 short cruises says “themed nights, including White Party, Flower Glory Party and Space Party.”...

The nice thing with MSC is you can go as far as you like, a polo shirt and chinos is the minimum on any night but for those who want to make the effort you can go all out.

I'm sure there will be more dressing up on these cruises as it's Europe and it's been so long.

................ but then, will anything still fit after this long?

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supplemental essay examples reddit

Think you can get into a top-10 school? Take our chance-me calculator... if you dare. 🔥

Last updated March 7, 2023

Every piece we write is researched and vetted by a former admissions officer. Read about our mission to pull back the admissions curtain.

Blog > Essay Advice , Supplementals > How to Write Supplemental Essays that Will Impress Admissions Officers

How to Write Supplemental Essays that Will Impress Admissions Officers

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

Welcome to the wonderful world of supplemental essays.

If you’ve made it this far, there’s a good chance that you’ve completed (or at least have begun thinking about) your Common Application personal statement.

But believe it or not, you’re not done once you’ve sorted out your personal statement.

That’s right—many colleges require you to write even more essays as part of your application. These essays are called supplemental essays , and you’ll usually write 0-4 per school you apply to.

Hopefully you’re starting to do the math… If I apply to 10 schools that require an average of 2.3 supplemental essays, then that’s 20+ essays I have to write on top of my personal statement!

And, to make matters more dire, supplemental essays are really important to your application. Schools only require them because they play a critical role in admissions decisions.

That’s why having good supplemental essay strategy matters. There’s no time to waste, and they need to be good.

But thankfully you’ve found yourself here, at the ultimate guide to supplemental essays. We—Alex, Ben, and Kylie—have compiled our years of admissions and essay-writing knowledge to tell you everything you need to know about writing supplemental essays. (And, as you’ll see, we also have more specific guides for the most common supplemental essay prompts.)

In this guide-to-end-all-guides, we start out with supplemental essay basics and then break down the supplemental essay strategies that have worked for our clients again and again. Once you reach the end, you’ll be able to download a free essay tracker to keep you organized and on track.

Ready? Here we go.

What are supplemental essays?

Supplemental essays are a kind of college essay.

As a refresher, recall that there are three main kinds of college essays:

Personal Statement: A personal statement is a singular essay that is the keystone of your entire application. It goes to all the schools you apply to, and it covers a topic that is deeply meaningful to you. Personal statements are typically around 650 words. (For more about personal statements, see our college essay writing guide .)

Supplemental Essays: Supplemental essays are essays required by specific schools. They typically have different prompts than the personal statement and are usually shorter in length.

UC Essays: UC essays are their own beast in the college essay-writing world. Their purpose is a blend of personal statement and supplemental essay. (For more about UC Essays, see our UC guide.)

Supplemental essays serve a unique purpose. The reality is that the majority of your college application has to be written with several colleges in mind, especially if you’re applying to schools through application systems like the Common Application or Coalition.

That means that the majority of the information admissions officers base their decisions on is relatively generic information that doesn’t address why you’re a good fit for their school in particular.

That’s where supplemental essays come in.

Supplemental essays give you the opportunity to tell an admissions officer why you belong at their school specifically. They also allow colleges to ask you questions based on what they’re looking for in applicants.

Imagine that you’re interested in adopting a new dog. You browse your shelter’s online photo gallery, see the statistics about the age and weight of each dog, and read the brief descriptions of their temperament. The online profiles give you quite a bit to go on, but you still can’t quite picture how each one would fit into your family. You need just a little more information. So you drive to the shelter, meet the animals, and ask the shelter staff more questions about the animals you’re interested in.

Okay, college admissions are obviously a lot different than adopting a dog. But you get the metaphor. Sometimes the information on the Common App alone isn’t enough. Admissions officers need more information about which students are going to be the best fit for their college communities. And the one tool universities have to get that specific information are supplemental essays .

In short, some schools require supplemental essays because they want to get more information about how well your academics, extracurriculars, values, or otherwise align with their institution.

What’s the difference between a supplemental essay and a personal statement?

We can look at the differences between personal statements and supplemental essays across three categories: purpose, length, and research.

Supplemental essays serve a very different purpose than personal statements. While personal statements are deeply meaningful reflections that go to all the colleges a student applies to, supplemental essays are school-specific. Your personal statement is a place for you to write about something related to one of your core strengths. Supplementals are opportunities for you to show how your core strengths make you a good fit for a particular institution. Since they have different purposes, you’ll need different writing strategies to approach each kind of essay with.

Essay lengths vary by school and type, but supplemental essays are generally shorter. The Common App personal statement, for example, is maximum 650 words. Supplemental essays, on the other hand, typically range from 100 to 400 words (although occasionally some will be longer). When added together, you’ll likely be writing at least a couple thousand words for your college applications.

Finally, personal statements and supplementals also require different levels of research. Whereas personal statements typically require no research, supplementals require a lot. Because supplemental essays are school-specific, you’ll need to do research about every single school you write a supplemental essay for. We’ll get into that more in a second.

So personal statements give admissions officers a deep insight into who you are, while supplemental essays build on that narrative and sometimes include school research.

How important are supplemental essays?

Supplemental essays are important. At schools with sub-20% acceptance rates especially, they alone can be the difference between a deny and an admit.

Take this story from Ben’s time at Vanderbilt as a cautionary tale:

A prospective engineering student has an unweighted 4.0, near-perfect test scores, and extracurriculars that show both reach and impact. But none of their essays says anything about why they want to study engineering or why they want to go to Vanderbilt. Because they can’t communicate why they are a good fit, they get denied.

Unfortunately, Ben saw this situation time and again.

Sure, you could write your personal statement about how much you love engineering or what a good problem-solver you are. But doing so still doesn’t allow you to talk about why you align with the engineering options at a particular school .

Supplementals are your one chance to communicate this information with admissions officers, so use it wisely.

Types of Supplemental Essay Prompts

Are you feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t fret. While you’ll be writing a lot of supplementals throughout your application process, you won’t necessarily have to come up with unique ideas for each of them. That’s because most supplemental essay prompts can be broken down into seven common categories: “why us,” diversity, community, academic interest, “why this major,” personal challenge, and extracurricular activities. Because there are similarities between prompts, you can reuse some of your essay ideas and content from school to school—and we have a whole post about how recycle your essays effectively. For now, let’s take a quick look at the prompt types. If you’re interested in any in particular, you can click through to our more in-depth post about each.

These prompts ask students to write an essay that explains why they want to attend a particular institution, school, or program.

Some diversity prompts ask students to write about some aspect of their background or identity that makes them diverse. Other diversity prompts ask students to write about a time they engaged with diverse perspectives.

Community prompts ask students to write about some aspect of the community they come from. Other community prompts ask how a student will contribute to the college community they’re applying to join.

Academic Interest

These prompts ask students to demonstrate intellectual curiosity by elaborating on a particular academic interest.

Why this Major

These prompts allow students to make a case for why they want to study a particular major at a particular school.

Personal Challenge

Personal challenge prompts ask students to write about a moment or period when they encountered a personal challenge. Often personal challenge prompts will encourage students to think about how they grew as a result.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities essays ask students to discuss one of their resume items.

Okay, so there’s lots of prompt types that ask you to do different things. But no matter the supplemental prompt type you’re responding to, your supplemental essays will have some commonalities in form and function. We’ll dive into those commonalities in the coming sections.

What should a supplemental essay look like?

Because supplemental essay prompts can be more direct than personal statement prompts, students often get confused about what a supplemental essay should look like.

Let’s use a simple example prompt: “Why do you want to attend X school?”

Since the prompt is formatted in the style of a straightforward question, many students (logically) begin their essays like this:

“I want to go to X school because it is a great academic fit for me. I love the location, and the weather can’t be beat. I know I would be happy there because there are lots of things to do. I would be so excited to work with Professor Y because their research is exactly what I want to do in the future. I love the traditions on campus and can envision myself joining in them, especially the annual puppy days before finals. Overall, I think I am a good fit”

While that essay directly answers the question, it doesn’t have an engaging hook or storyline. When you write a supplemental essay that explicitly addresses the question without paying attention to style and form, it reads more as a short answer question than an actual essay.

Like a personal statement, a supplemental essay should still be an essay. Even for supplemental essays under 150 words, there should still be some kind of essay structure. The essay should begin with a hook, build up a story, and offer a brief conclusion that ties everything together.

So now that you know that your supplemental essays should still be essays rather than short answers, let’s get to the juicy stuff: strategy.

The 3 best supplemental essay strategies

As with any part of the college application process, you should consider approaching your supplemental essays with an explicit strategy from the start.

Since supplemental essays are the main way for you to signal school and academic fit, your strategy will likely revolve around deciding when and how to demonstrate your academic, social, and value-based alignment with the school in question.

Strategic supplemental writing also means balancing your narrative across your personal statement and supplementals. Planning ahead to determine what information will go where can save you a lot of trouble later on in the application process.

Strategy #1: Do strategic school research.

The first step in writing good supplemental essays is knowing how to do school research. It’s also about knowing how to use your school research effectively. In the case of supplemental essays, “school research” means a lot more than simply googling a school and pulling out a few facts and figures. Unlike the research you did when building your school list, your supplemental essay school research is a lot more intentional and targeted.

Think of supplemental school research like the final stages before buying a car. Your initial research—the school list-building research—helped you narrow down all your options to find cars with the right facts and figures for your needs. But now you need to think in terms of specifics. Looking at Car A, you see that the infotainment is perfectly suited for your music-loving needs and the 4-wheel drive will let you drive to your favorite remote hiking destinations. Car B has all the safety features you could ever ask for and has enough cargo space to go on long road trips. For each car, you can explain exactly why you and the car are a good match.

In the same way, your supplemental essays will draw attention to the specific points of connection you have with a school. After reading your supplemental essay, you want your admissions officer to say, “Wow, they really belong here.”

But the mistake most students make when doing supplemental school research is that they look up a few professors or programs that align with their interests, and they plop those brief references into their supplemental essays without actually making it clear why they’re important.

While this method does show some effort and may impress admissions officers at schools with lower acceptance rates, it won’t cut it at schools where the majority of applicants get rejected.

Let’s go over how to do supplemental school research the right way.

How to do school research

This kind of school research may seem a bit elusive. There are so many places on a school website to look that it can be overwhelming. But the key to doing successful school research isn’t about finding those little nuggets of information.

It’s about creating a cohesive story that makes it seem only logical that you be admitted.

And how do you do that?

By looking at the values the institution holds dearly and positioning yourself in clear alignment with them.

It’s easy to find an institution’s values if you know where to look. Most often, they appear in the following places:

a) The school’s motto

We’ll use Lewis and Clark College’s motto as an example. A quick Google search of “Lewis and Clark College motto” informed me that their motto, in English, is “to explore, to learn, to work together.” Right off the bat, that tells us a ton about what Lewis and Clark College values and looks for in students.

If I were to write a supplemental essay (and—surprise!—one of their supplemental essays is actually about the motto), then it’d be easy to draw from areas of my own life that represent the values of exploration, education, and teamwork.

b) The school’s 5-year plan

Schools are future-minded institutions, so they always have plans that discuss where they want to be five or ten years down the road. These plans are written by university leadership and lay out values, goals, and strategic initiatives that the institution will be devoting resources to. They can tell you a lot in a short amount of time.

c) Departmental websites

Don’t just find an interesting professor and call it quits. Take the time to go through and actually read the website for your department of interest. Look at the kinds of research professors and students are doing. Departments often have a list of where students tend to end up after they graduate, so take note. Find anything you can about what the department looks like and values.

For instance, take this press release from the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech. The headline says, “The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investing nearly $12 million in four College of Engineering faculty members this fall through its  prestigious program for outside-the-box thinkers .” There you go. Without even reading on, you can tell that out-of-the-box thinking is a popular characteristic among these Georgia Tech faculty members. You could then craft your supplemental essay around a time you showed out-of-the-box thinking yourself.

The beauty of this strategy is that it works no matter the kind of supplemental essay prompt you’re responding to. It is as applicable to a “diversity” or “why us” prompt as it is to an “extracurricular” one.

Setting your supplementals apart using school research

Take this example, which we sent out recently in our newsletter .

Say you’re interested in attending Johns Hopkins University to study business.

You set out to answer their supplemental prompt: Founded on a spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests and pursue new experiences. Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity or your community) and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words)

You could talk about how devoted you’ve been to DECA and mention a JHU business faculty member whom you admire. But that essay wouldn’t be memorable at all. Admissions officers have likely read hundreds of similar essays.

Instead, using your newfound school research knowledge, you start by googling JHU’s strategic plan . You keep diving deeper. You find that they have a specific initiative to engage more with their local community in Baltimore. You dive even deeper and see that part of that initiative revolves around encouraging the JHU community to shop locally .

Ah ha! You actually created a holiday market at your school and invited local vendors to participate. You brought your community together, and you helped them make the decision to buy from local businesses.

You now have a story that shows your business interests and connects seamlessly with the values at Johns Hopkins University. And it’ll lead to a supplemental essay admissions officers haven’t read before.

Okay, that is a very specific example. Remember, school research needs to be specific to you and your interests. When you are clear about your strengths and keep your own activities in mind, you can point your research towards what the school does that most clearly relates to you.

Strategy #2: Make a case for school or academic fit.

Each supplemental essay should have a specific purpose. We’ve already established this fact in this guide, but it’s worth restating. One of your application essays needs to make a case for school or academic fit. There’s no other way to slice it.

Institutions are like people. They have unique personalities, values, and preferences that attract students and community members to them. A single school will not be the right fit for every student. That’s why it’s so important to take academic and school fit into account when building your school list, and that’s why institutions factor these considerations into their admissions decisions.

What is “academic fit”?

“Academic fit” is particularly important when you’re applying to a specific major (like computer science, engineering, music, etc.). The concept is fairly straightforward.

It measures how well your academic background and interests meet the standards of a particular school or program. While academic fit includes measurements like your weighted and unweighted GPA, the level of rigor you’ve taken throughout high school, and your standardized test scores, it isn’t just about your statistics. It is also relevant to how you talk about your intellectual vitality in your essays.

This could look like showing disciplinary alignment. If you’re dead set on studying business but you’re applying to a school without a business program, for example, then you won’t have good academic fit, no matter how solid your academic record is.

It could also look like showcasing your intellectual curiosity or an academic passion. These kinds of academic values can signal to an admissions committee that you are a good fit for the program.

What is “school fit”?

“School fit” is a way to categorize how well you align with the overall vibe and intellectual community of a school. Academic fit is part of school fit, but school fit encompasses more. It’s like a friendship test. Do your personalities mesh well? Do you have similar values? Can they meet your needs and vice versa? Do your extracurricular activities align? Do you envision yourselves having a future together?

School fit is important because you don’t want to end up at a school that doesn’t align with your wants and needs across these categories. Transferring is always an option, but being mindful of school fit from the start can help you get it right the first time.

When it comes to your supplementals, signaling those intangible measures of school fit can also be one of the best tools in your application toolbox. Because they’re intangible, they’re harder to communicate. But communicating them correctly can help set you apart.

Overall, academic and school fit are application essentials. If your academic background hasn’t prepared you for a particular college environment, or if you can’t clearly communicate why you’re a good academic fit, then an admissions officer might believe that you’d be better off elsewhere. Similarly, there’s no point in applying to a school that you’d be miserable at, and there’s no point in admitting you to a school that you’d likely transfer from anyway. Keeping the concepts of “academic fit” and “school fit” front and center meets student and institutional needs.

How to show academic fit

We’ve written on Reddit  about the importance of academic score in college admissions. While each institution has its own process, academic scores are usually some kind of measurement of a student’s academic success in high school, calculated based on statistics like GPA, number of rigorous classes, and standardized test scores.

Since academic scores are based on things that have already happened, you have very little control over them as you put together your application.

To a certain extent, there’s nothing you can do to overcome a low academic score. That’s why it’s important to put the right schools on your school list . 

But what you do have control over is how you communicate academic fit.

Remember that your entire application should cohere to form a unique personal narrative . Your academic alignment with the programs you’re applying to is part of that narrative, and supplemental essays are a fantastic place for you to drive home why you belong in a particular program.

It’s often easiest to show academic alignment in “why us,” “why this major,” and “academic interest” supplemental essay prompts. But it is possible to accomplish with other prompts, too.

No matter the supplemental you’re writing, consider applying these tips to show academic fit.

a) Think about the academic values the admissions committee will be looking for.

You’ve already done your school research and have probably learned something about the values a school is looking for. Now you can think more specifically about what kinds of values admissions committees will be looking for in their applicants. Make a list of these values.

Here are a few values we’ve looked for as admissions officers to get you started: teamwork, creative thinking, resilience, leadership, communication, intellectual curiosity, real-world applications.

Once you have your list of values, start circling the ones that apply to you and your experiences the most. Then you’ll be able to incorporate those values into your supplemental essays.

b) Consider how your previous experiences relate to your future goals.

Another approach to showing academic fit is thinking linearly about how what you’ve done in high school relates to your future academic and career goals.

Especially with prompts that ask you to reflect on concrete experiences, taking this approach can be a great way to bridge the gap between your resume and academics. Showing an admissions officer why your background experiences make you a natural fit for a specific program can be an effective supplemental essay strategy.

Overall, remember: schools want students. When in doubt, show academic fit.

How to show school fit

How you show school fit will depend on the type of school you’re applying to. There are three main levels: the institution as a whole, individual schools or colleges, and particular majors or programs. Each level requires a different school fit focus. Let’s start by going through the types:

Level 1: The Institution

For some schools, you apply to the institution as a whole. Think liberal arts colleges or other schools that don’t require you to declare a major upon application.

Level 2: Schools & Colleges

Other schools have you apply to a college or school. Think of applications that have you choose a “college of arts and sciences” or “a school of engineering.” These are institutions within an institution, so the dynamics are a little different.

Level 3: Major

Finally, others yet will have you apply directly to the major you want to study. If you indicate the major you want to apply to, or if you’re asked to respond to a “why this major” supplemental essay prompt, then you’re likely applying directly to a major.

For each of these levels, school fit will look different because the community you’re applying to join has a different makeup. So bear those differences in mind as you consider the two following tips about aligning with school fit:

a) Write supplemental essays that connect your extracurricular activities to major or program fit.

One way to demonstrate school fit is by showing that you’ve already been doing what students at that institution do. We’ll pretend that for one of your extracurriculars, you participate in hack-a-thons.

Let’s also say that during your school research, you found that your top-choice computer science major values technical skills and diverse perspectives. Finally, we’ll also pretend that the first hack-a-thon you did was a special event intended to introduce more girls to computer science, and you found it a really empowering experience.

Using what you know about school fit, you can craft a supplemental essay about one of your hack-a-thon experiences that shows the technical skills and diverse perspective that you bring to the table. Writing your essay in a way that highlights a convergence of your background with their offerings is exactly what your supplementals need to do.

b) Write supplemental essays around community values.

Especially if you’re applying to an institution as a whole, you can also consider incorporating institutional values into your supplementals. These values, taken from your school research, don’t necessarily have to be about academics.

Let’s return to our Johns Hopkins example about organizing a holiday market to encourage students to shop at local businesses. That example seamlessly demonstrates school fit because it hinges on values the student shares with the institution. While the example may gesture towards academic fit because a holiday market is inherently related to business, it doesn’t do so explicitly. The focus is more on the underlying community values.

All this talk about fit is also to say that none of your applications will look exactly the same. Because institutions have different makeups and expectations, the shape your application narrative takes will vary from institution to institution.

Strategy #3: Highlight your strengths.

Every college essay you write should be rooted in a strength.

If you’ve read any of our other guides or blog posts , you’ve likely seen this statement before.

We say it again and again because it’s true. And very important.

Admissions officers don’t admit students at random. They admit students who will be good additions to their community. All communities need a range of people and personalities—strengths, if you will.

To help admissions officers know how you’ll add to their campus, it’s critical that you tell them what your strengths are.

That doesn’t mean literally writing, “I am a strong critical thinker.”

What it does mean is writing essays that demonstrate positive characteristics about yourself.

Recall that application strengths can include things like critical thinking, open-mindedness, problem-solving skills, a passion for justice, artistry, and more. These kinds of traits are what you want your admissions officer to learn about you from any piece of writing you submit with your application.

We’ve already covered how to write strengths-based personal statements in our college essay writing guide .

But when you’re juggling a personal statement and several supplemental essays, it can be tricky to balance your strengths in an authentic way.

Juggling Your Strengths

You don’t want all your essays to talk about the same strength. You also don’t want your strengths to seem disparate or unrelated. And you really don’t want to come across as braggadocious.

It’s therefore important that your essays all tie together to form a cohesive application narrative .

So writing strengths-based supplementals requires a certain kind of balancing act.

Picture your college application narrative as a seesaw (stick with me for a second—I promise this is going somewhere). Imagine that your personal statement is the base of the seesaw. Without anything else on the seesaw, it is you in your most genuine, balanced form. It is the fulcrum upon which your entire application narrative rests. But it’s not yet complete. It’s limited in how much information it actually reveals about you.

Now imagine that you add in all your application data—your transcript, test scores, activities list, and letters of recommendation. We get more information, but the application data are heavy, weighing it down on one side. Your application narrative becomes slightly off-kilter. We see the strengths you describe in your personal statement, but they’ve become filtered through the lens of your application data.

Finally, we add your supplemental essays to the other side. They stitch together your personal statement and data to create a roundedness to your application narrative. They restore balance.

That means that the strengths you write about in your supplemental essays have to complement those in your personal statement. And the strengths in both have to make sense alongside your application data.

While your personal statement should be about a core strength, your supplemental essays should be about different strengths that support and cohere with your personal statement. It’s all about how you disperse your strengths across your essays. You want to show depth AND diversity.

Here’s an example breakdown of strengths:

a) Personal statement: problem-solving skills

b) Supplemental 1: passion for justice

c) Supplemental 2: teamwork

Without even reading the corresponding essays, we get a sense of who this person is by their strengths alone. We can envision them primarily as a problem-solver, but we also see that they use their skills to pursue justice. And we understand that they are someone who does all these things alongside others rather than as a lone wolf.

Just one of these strengths alone wouldn’t give the whole picture. It’s about finding the right mix of breadth, depth, and balance.

How to organize your supplemental essays

There are countless spreadsheets out there that can help you track and organize your applications and supplemental essays. It’s a good idea to browse through a few of them and see what format works best for you.

But we believe that one of the most efficient ways to organize your supplemental essays is to categorize them by prompt type.

Sorting your essays by prompt will allow you to group similar prompts together. That means you’ll have an easier time seeing where there’s overlap between essays, which will allow you to reuse ideas or snippets across your applications to write them more efficiently. (Using the same material for multiple supplemental essays is allowed, but there’s a right and wrong way to do it. We have a whole post on recycling your supplemental essays .)

Key Takeaways

There you have it! Everything you need to know about writing a supplemental essay. If you haven’t already, check out our mini-guides that cover the most popular supplemental essay prompts. You’ll find even more specific strategies and examples to guide you on your supplemental essay writing journey.

If you want to see some outstanding supplemental essay examples before you get started, head on over to our college essay examples .

When you're ready, grab your essay tracker and give your supplementals a go. If you need any more guidance, our Essay Academy program is chock-full of more strategies, insights, and examples from our team of admissions professionals.

Interested in more admissions insights? Read our next post , where we go behind the admissions curtain to reveal how admissions offices actually process tens of thousands of applications.

Happy writing!

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Don’t Sweat the Supp Stuff: Advice for Crafting Your Supplemental Essay

It can feel daunting to choose what to write about in your college application essays. How do you sum up the complex, dynamic individual you are with such limited space? 

The short answer: You can’t. But that’s OK. 

The goal of your application is not to share every detail of your multifaceted life. Rather, the process allows you to share your story with the admissions committee about what makes you a strong match for the institution. Each piece of the application reveals something about your academic experiences and personal journey that shows us how you might contribute to the Hopkins community. 

In some ways, the essays help tie together the rest of the application. They offer space for you to tell stories that represent the most important parts of your identity, which provide context for other components of the application. 

Let’s zero in on the supplemental essay . 

The supplemental essay portion of the application is specific to each school. Each institution has intentionally crafted a question (or multiple) to help determine whether a student might be a good match. We look for individuals who share Hopkins’ institutional values but will also bring unique experiences and perspectives to the community.  

Below is the supplemental essay prompt for students applying for entry to Hopkins in the fall of 2024:  

Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins. This can be a future goal or experience that is either academic, extracurricular, or social. (350-word limit) *

Picture your life in college. What does your community look like? Which aspects of your identity are most important for you to develop and nurture?  

Now jot down some thoughts about experiences or parts of your identity that have had a significant effect on your life. Maybe it’s a hobby you love, a cultural tradition, or an instance when you discovered something new about yourself. 

Once you have a list, think about how each of these will continue to play a role in your college life. Choose one to focus on and spend some time building it out. 

Keep in mind this essay is not an exercise in “tell us everything you know about Hopkins.” While it’s important for the admissions committee to see you’ve done your research and understand what Hopkins has to offer, simply listing what you hope to pursue on campus is only half of the puzzle. Be sure to connect the dots by explaining why you wish to pursue those things, and how they’ll help you remain connected to and grow in your identity. 

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas or crafting your essay, reach out to your school counselor or an English teacher. They can help you brainstorm and ensure your piece is answering the prompt in a meaningful way. 

Happy writing! 

* An important note about the essay: In this essay question, we are looking for how an aspect of your identity or background has contributed to your personal story—your character, values, perspectives, or skills—and how you think it may shape your approach to college as a scholar, leader, or community member.

Please note that the U.S. Supreme Court recently limited the consideration of race in college admissions decisions but specifically permitted consideration of “an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life” so long as the student is “treated based on his or her experiences as an individual—not on the basis of race.” Therefore, any part of your background, including but not limited to your race, may be discussed in your response to this essay if you so choose, but will be considered by the university based solely on how it has affected your life and your experiences as an individual.

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7 Strong UPenn Essay Examples

What’s Covered

• Essay 1: Neuroscience
• Essay 2: Why UPenn
• Essay 3: Why Nursing
• Essay 4: Library Love
• Essay 5: Tug of War
• Essay 6: Internet Networks
• Essay 7: Thank You

Where to Get Your UPenn Essays Edited

The University of Pennsylvania is a highly-selective Ivy League school in the heart of Philadelphia. UPenn is known for its rigorous academics and exceptional opportunities, so it’s no easy feat to get in. To help your application stand out, it’s important to have strong essays.

In this post, we will share six strong essays real students have submitted to UPenn to give you some inspiration for your essays. We will also be going over what each essay did well and where there is room for improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our UPenn essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Essay Example #1: Why Major

Prompt: Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania?  For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions in regard to your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay. (300-450 words)

I always loved watching the worms when it rained. I used to put my little raincoat on, sit on the doorsteps, and watch them move toward the puddles. My younger brother, forever intent on destroying the world around him, would try to stomp on the worms, and I would run after him screaming. In my imagination, the brain looked like a pile of squiggly worms. However, my neuroscience curiosity has since grown beyond a worm’s habits.

For example, my mother thought that I was insane when I wanted to watch American Murder: The Family Next Door . To her immense relief, I was interested in the psychology of the criminal rather than the crime itself. Although neuroscience is my primary interest, I also hope to learn more about the intersection between law and medicine at the UPenn College of Arts and Sciences. I’ve been able to explore this topic through various projects at school such as presentations on juvenile crime and the death penalty.

At the University of Pennsylvania, I look forward to taking classes like Forensic Neuroscience (BIBB 050) as well as Neuroscience and Society (PSYC 247) both of which directly combine my two interests. Hopefully, the Take Your Professor to Dinner program resumes as I would make sure to talk to Dr. Daniel Langleben about his research on forensic functional brain imaging over a meal of Philly cheesesteaks.

I also hope to participate in the Race, Science, and Society Program where I can discover how race biases and neuroscience go hand-in-hand and contribute to the fight against racism. The Beyond Arrests: Re-Thinking Systematic-Oppression Group immediately caught my attention while looking at Penn’s opportunities to engage in relevant dialogue. My fascination with the criminal system began with reading Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment , and Penn will both fuel that curiosity as well as introduce new questions about the world of justice reform.

As an eight-year Latin scholar and a five-time reader of the Percy Jackson franchise, I would like to take classes in the Penn Classical Studies department where I can learn more about the impact of ancient cultures on society today. Classes such as Greek and Roman Medicine (CLST 271) would intersect my interests in medicine and classical civilizations.

Although I do harbor a deep love for Philly cheesesteaks and enjoyment of running in strange places like the Woodlands Cemetery, the range of programs to support my diverse interests and unmatched opportunities to put learning into action make me confident that the University of Pennsylvania is the best university for me to succeed.

What the Essay Did Well

The real strength in the essay lies in the sheer number of details this student is able to include in a short space, without sacrificing style and flow. The first two paragraphs really have nothing to do with Penn, but the inclusion of them makes this response feel like an essay, rather than a list of offerings at Penn. Striking the balance is important, and the anecdote at the beginning ultimately humanizes the writer.

From the three unique courses to the specific professor and his research to the race and criminal justice programs, this student has clearly done their homework on Penn! The key to this essay’s success isn’t just mentioning the offerings at Penn that excite the student, but the context that explains how each opportunity fits into the student’s academic interests.

Adding book titles like Crime and Punishment and Percy Jackson to support their passion for the criminal justice system and classics are extra details that help us learn more about how this student pursues their passions outside of the classroom. Finding little ways to humanize yourself throughout the essay can take it from good to great.

What Could Be Improved

One area of improvement for this essay is the structure. It follows a very traditional “ Why This College? ” framework—start with an anecdote, then discuss classes, and then extracurriculars and programs—that gets old quickly for admissions officers.

A great way to add some spice to the format would be to use a sample schedule for the day. This essay mentions three different classes, two different groups, and a Take Your Professor to Dinner opportunity. Together, that’s the recipe for a full day at UPenn!

There are a few ways to play around with an essay that follows a typical day-in-the-life. Maybe each paragraph starts with a time and explains what they do during that hour. Maybe they narrate walking through campus on their way from one class to the next and what they just learned. However they choose to go about it, adding in a playful spin to the traditional essay structure is one of the best ways to instantly set an essay apart from the crowd. 

Essay Example #2: Why UPenn

Prompt: Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at The University of Pennsylvania? (300-450 words)

“Arnav, we want you to apply”, I received this email from Penn and DASHED to tell mum. My naïve self had forgotten I had checked the ‘Student-Search-Service’ box, and schools could send system-generated emails predicated on my SAT scores. 

This pure, childlike delight was out of my sheer obsession with Penn. When my senior at school got in here last year, I pestered him all year long trying to know HOW. Tireless researching, approaching hundreds of alumni on Reddit, watching EVERY millisecond of YouTube advice, and painting a life-size Quaker on my bedroom walls only to miss the ED deadline by falling to pneumonia: Regardless of these setbacks, I sported an impending dream.

At Penn, I intend to revitalize this dream through the College of Arts and Sciences. Classes like “ Political Journalism at the Crossroads” and “ Queer Theory ” blend my love for English and politics which I will reflect through writing for Penn’s signature magazine- The Pennsylvania Gazette. At the Penn Institute of Urban Research and CAS, I aim to make the best use of Summer Humanities Internships (SHIP) and Global Research Internship Programs (GRIP) to finance my collaborative research in the Public Affairs domain. I’ll also sign on for the Penn Debate Society (PDS), and collaborate with TEDxPENN to hear budding speakers from different walks of life. As perhaps my country’s most accomplished debater, I vow to make this my personal goal to lead our team to total victory at the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) that Penn has dreamed of winning since 1981. To further my progress with the fight against child labor , I shall assist and seek assistance of a like-minded student-body via the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships.

For someone who’s obsessed with rhetoric, I totally understand the definition of an ‘agreement’. In our context, an agreement would be a two-way street where I avail facilities Penn offers while adding to its community, campus, and unwavering prestige. As I pack my bag with all essentials- my brain, my grit, and my quirky self- I complete one half of the agreement. 

Dear Penn, I now wait for you to hand me that beautiful letter as we seal our deal.

If there’s one thing this essay has, it’s confidence. From the first line to the last, there’s an energy and electricity running through the essay that maintains that quick, self-assured pace. Sharing the anecdotes of their long withstanding obsession with Penn strikes a balance between playfully self-deprecating and demonstrating true interest in the school. College essays shouldn’t kiss up to schools, and while this one approaches that level, using the anecdote for humor rather than fact helps avoid a sense of groveling.

This student clearly dreams big and is unapologetic about it: the mark of a true Quaker. From getting involved in internships to joining Ted talks and the Penn Debate Society, they will be an active member of the campus community, which is something admissions officers are keeping an eye out for when scanning applications. With the use of an assertive tone (“ I aim ”, “ I vow ”, “ I shall ”, etc) this student conveys exactly who Penn can expect to step onto their campus next fall.

While this student’s personality shines through without a doubt, their academic interests and motivations are not as clear. The third paragraph lists a host of opportunities they are interested in, and it does connect Penn offerings back to the student, but it doesn’t reveal much about the student in the process.

They mention “ Classes like ‘ Political Journalism at the Crossroads’ and ‘ Queer Theory’ blend my love for English and politics, ” but we have no idea where that love came from or what they hope to accomplish in the future. This essay would have benefitted from mentioning two or three less opportunities and elaborating on the significance of the select programs they chose.

You’ve likely heard that less is more, and in the case of this essay that’s true. The pressure to look well-researched by including as many Penn offerings as possible overwhelmed this student. In reality, choosing a few meaningful, unique opportunities and tying them back to your intellectual passions will reveal your passion for Penn far more than eight or nine disconnected resources thrown together.

Essay Example #3: Nursing

Prompt: How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying (650 words).

Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics, said, “caring is the human mode of being.” I have long been inspired by Sister Roach’s Five C’s of Caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. Penn both embraces and fosters these values through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and unmatched access to service and volunteer opportunities.

COMMITMENT. Reading through the activities that Penn Quakers devote their time to (in addition to academics!) felt like drinking from a firehose in the best possible way. As a prospective nursing student with interests outside of my major, I value this level of flexibility. I plan to leverage Penn’s liberal arts curriculum to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges LGBT people face, especially regarding healthcare access. Through courses like “Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals” and volunteering at the Mazzoni Center for outreach, I hope to learn how to better support the Penn LGBT community as well as my family and friends, including my cousin, who came out as trans last year.

CONSCIENCE. As one of the first people in my family to attend a four-year university, I wanted a school that promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. At Penn, professors challenge their students to question and recreate their own set of morals by sparking thought- provoking, open-minded discussions. I can imagine myself advocating for universal healthcare in courses such as “Health Care Reform & Future of American Health System” and debating its merits with my peers. Studying in an environment where students confidently voice their opinions – conservative or liberal – will push me to question and strengthen my value system.

COMPETENCE. Two aspects that drew my attention to Penn’s BSN program were its high-quality research opportunities and hands-on nursing projects. Through its Office of Nursing Research, Penn connects students to faculty members who share similar research interests. As I volunteered at a nursing home in high school, I hope to work with Dr. Carthon to improve the quality of care for senior citizens. Seniors, especially minorities, face serious barriers to healthcare that I want to resolve. Additionally, Penn’s unique use of simulations to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application impressed me. Using computerized manikins that mimic human responses, classes in Penn’s nursing program allow students to apply their emergency medical skills in a mass casualty simulation and monitor their actions afterward through a video system. Participating in this activity will help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement regarding crisis management and medical care in a controlled yet realistic setting. Research opportunities and simulations will develop my skills even before I interact with patients.

COMPASSION. I value giving back through community service, and I have a particular interest in Penn’s Community Champions and Nursing Students For Sexual & Reproductive Health (NSRH). As a four-year volunteer health educator, I hope to continue this work as a Community Champions member. I am excited to collaborate with medical students to teach fourth and fifth graders in the city about cardiology or lead a chair dance class for the elders at the LIFE Center. Furthermore, as a feminist who firmly believes in women’s abortion rights, I’d like to join NSRH in order to advocate for women’s health on campus. At Penn, I can work with like-minded people to make a meaningful difference.

CONFIDENCE. All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence. Each student summarized their experiences at Penn as challenging but fulfilling. Although I expect my coursework to push me, from my conversations with current Quakers I know it will help me to be far more effective in my career.

The Five C’s of Caring are important heuristics for nursing, but they also provide insight into how I want to approach my time in college. I am eager to engage with these principles both as a nurse and as a Penn Quaker, and I can’t wait to start.

This essay has many positive aspects, but the most impressive one is the structure. Utilizing the Five C’s of Caring to discuss Penn’s offerings was a genius way of tying in this student’s passion for nursing while also making their essay exciting and easy to read. Beginning each paragraph with the respective adjective helped focus the paragraph and allowed the student to demonstrate how they exemplify each quality without explicitly stating it. The student wasn’t afraid to think outside the box and add creativity to their essay structure, which really paid off.

Another positive is how specific and specialized the Penn resources and opportunities the student mentions are. This essay did not fall into the trap of name-dropping professors or programs. In every paragraph, there was a connection to something the student wants to do at Penn to further themselves in the respective characteristic they were describing.

Not only did this student mention a resource at Penn—whether it was a professor, a class, or a club—in every paragraph, but they elaborated on what that resource was and how it would help them achieve their goal of becoming a nurse. The what and how is what sets this essay apart from other supplements that just name-drop resources for the sake of it. The amount of detail this essay went into about some of these resources makes it clear to the admissions officers reading the essay that this student has seriously looked into Penn and has a strong desire to come to campus and use these resources.

One thing this essay could do to make it stronger is improve the first paragraph. The student does a good job of setting up Sister Roach and the Five C’s, but they don’t mention anything about their desire to study or pursue nursing. The first paragraph mentions both Sister Roach and Penn, but left out the student. This could be fixed by simply adding something along the lines of “ I can’t wait to embody these values as a nursing student at Penn ” to the paragraph.

Essay Example #4: Library Love

Prompt: How did you discover your intellectual and academic interests, and how will you explore them at the University of Pennsylvania? Please respond considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected (300-450 words).

“This book again?” My mother sighed as she cracked open the punctuation picture book I’d picked out for the fifth time. At the age of four, I had little knowledge of punctuation, so the words “exclamation” and “comma” remained elusive; I grew obsessed with puzzling out its meaning. Growing up in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library surrounded by the scent of old books, comforting silence, and librarian friends made it easy to forget about the world outside, yet my thirst for answers always pushed me out of literary comfort zones and into the unknown. Even as I moved on from Magic Tree House to Harry Potter , my inquisitive nature and determination to understand the literature around me only evolved. Foreign concepts and obstacles sparked my ambition as I tackled the intimidating Les Misérables sophomore year, Crime and Punishment junior year, and Jane Eyre senior year. I found a relatability in Joy Luck Club characters that I incorporated into my writing and an emotional outlet in the depths of the poetry aisle and writer communities at literary magazines like Polyphony Lit . I can find similar communities at Penn by curating pieces for Penn Review or spending days soaking in knowledge at the Van Pelt Library, poring over Macbeth or the Iliad . Although libraries may provide sanctuaries, they also open infinite worlds and viewpoints. I realized that stories (no matter what form they take) always manage to capture the intrinsic connection between humans that I seek in every interaction I have. 

I’ve learned that life beyond the library teems with complex characters and lessons of its own–especially at Penn, where students are determined to grapple with difficult questions involving cultural differences or the declining value of art in an increasingly STEM-focused world. I am eager to challenge my boundaries as a reader, writer, and human being by applying the relational lessons of a Fiction and Connectivity seminar to real life, reading to younger generations during Children’s Story Hour at Penn Bookstore, and hosting Open Mic Nights with Kelly Writers House. I can see myself initiating change in society by researching the effects of Western society’s harmful misconceptions of Asian and African-American culture in literature with Professor Josephine Park. Penn will not only satisfy some of my curiosities–it will provoke even more daunting and thrilling questions for me to pursue.

This essay does a really nice job of showing the student’s interest in reading and literature. The language they used to describe their library as “ comforting “, and finding an “ emotional outlet ” in reading creates a clear picture for the reader that this student loves to read. Not only do we learn about this student’s passion, but we learn through them showing us. The essay shows us how the student felt in the library and takes us on a journey as they tackle more and more advanced books, as opposed to telling us they are passionate about reading.

The use of book titles was another positive aspect of this essay. Citing actual books and explaining how they affected the student helps display to the admissions officers reading the essay that literature has impacted this student in a multitude of ways. We see the student grow from being young and curious to tackling challenging concepts, embracing new cultures, and engaging in self-reflection all through reading. 

The main part of this essay that could use improving was the second paragraph that discussed how Penn will allow this student to continue exploring their passion. Although the student did provide some explanation as to how these resources at Penn will help them grow their interest in reading and writing, the elaboration was pretty weak. 

The student mentions they want to grow as “ reader, writer, and human being by applying the relational lessons of a Fiction and Connectivity seminar to real life, reading to younger generations during Children’s Story Hour at Penn Bookstore, and hosting Open Mic Nights with Kelly Writers House. ” These are all great, but nothing mentioned here is specific to Penn. This student could host an open mic night at any college they go to, so they either need to pick something more unique  or provide detailed elaboration on how participating in this will help them in the long run.

If this student had focused more on the research they want to do with the professor, they could have had a stronger response to the second part of the prompt. Sometimes, going into detail about one resource that you have a strong connection to is far more powerful than cramming in a bunch of opportunities that relate to your desired field—which is what the essay is currently doing. For example, discussing how they want to research cultural representation in literature with this professor to understand and reverse harmful misconceptions in their own writing and have more cultural diversity in libraries for future generations to enjoy, would have provided a lot more detail about the student and their goals than saying they want to read to kids when they get to Penn.

Essay Example #5: Tug of War

Prompt: At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classrooms, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community (150-200 words).

I used to face two paths: one flocked with taxis, people, and the smell of pizza, and the other a wet street laced with cicada symphonies and the aroma of beef noodle soup. It always felt easier to walk the streets of Taiwan (where people speak meekly and tiptoe around confrontation) rather than New York (where people argue, think, and exist fearlessly). PBS created a documentary titled Tug of War: The Story of Taiwan (1998) , and I believed that I embodied the little potato island, since balancing between two cultures resulted in a “Tug of War” within me. Although I am proud to be Taiwanese, New York has cultivated an unbridled emotion and passion within me, molding me into a bold author, shameless poet, and strong-willed advocate for Asian-American youth. I am excited by the similar passion and confidence of Penn students, and the vibrant conversations I might have at a Campaign for Community event about racial justice or with Professor David Eng about Asian literature influences upon American society. I can support peers struggling with their own “Tug of Wars” by sharing my story through the Penn Taiwanese Society, and learn their stories as a writer for Robinson Press .

This essay does a great job of establishing this student’s background and the distinction between their two cultures. There is a great use of imagery, especially at the beginning, which displays this student’s strength as a writer and highlights the internal “Tug of War” they experience. It is evident how their past community has shaped their perspective and identity. Knowing how their background shaped these things makes it easy for admissions officers to see what type of student they would be adding to their campus.

While the prompt doesn’t ask the student to reflect on their community, explaining their background helped this student describe how they will shape their Penn community. A big part of what this student hopes to bring to Penn is helping other students who feel a similar “Tug of War”, so understanding how this student has coped with their internal struggle is important to understand what they will bring to Penn. 

Unfortunately, by spending so much space discussing their “Tug of War”, this student didn’t have the strongest answer to the main question in the prompt: how will you explore the community at Penn? This essay should have been far more focused on opportunities and resources at Penn that will shape this student’s identity. The last few sentences mentioned resources the student wants to take advantage of, but there wasn’t a lot of elaboration on how engaging with these resources will influence their identity.

This doesn’t mean the student must completely forgo discussing the internal struggle they feel coming from two separate cultures, but they could have continued with the “Tug of War” idea to discuss how they will pursue opportunities at Penn that allow them to engage both aspects of their culture. Describing how participating in a certain club would allow them to embrace their emboldened New Yorker while working with a professor on their research about Asian literature might spark their interest in writing a novel about Taiwan, for example, would have been an effective way to continue the “Tug of War” metaphor and fully answer the prompt.

One other thing that could improve the essay is splitting it into two paragraphs. Reading one large block of text gets tiring for admissions officers who spend all day reading. Dividing the essay into paragraphs provides clear delineations for where new information is being presented, thus helping admissions officers stay focused on your essay.

Essay Example #6: Internet Networks

Prompt: Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the Internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)

In 9th grade, I made my most astonishing work of art.

Funnily enough, it wasn’t for any class related to the arts. It was for my statistics class. I created it to answer a simple question: are people happier when they have more friends? To answer that question, my group and I surveyed 240 students. That month, the ink from my printer was running as dry as my body was soaked with sweat from running around the school collecting questionnaires. We compiled all results into a spreadsheet with hundreds of thousands of cells. It was the largest amount of data I had ever handled. I started analyzing it, cell by cell. The method of analysis? A node network graph. It was something new to me at the time and I didn’t know what to expect. The final result was an intensely vivid web of color composed of 240 nodes connected by thousands upon thousands of lines. It was magnificent to behold. It was intensely surreal as I witnessed the abstract concept of friendship manifested in something tangible and visual. This chaotic and hypnotizing mess of dots and lines was a snapshot of the relationships between an entire batch of students! From the graph, I could immediately discern that people aren’t automatically happier if they have more friends. It’s the quality of your friendships that matter. Ever since that project, I have been constantly seeking new ways to make the invisible structures around us visible.

Over the years, this interest has driven me to study the effects of the internet in greater depth. This is because the internet, for the past few decades, has been the biggest black box that our society has ever created. It has been credited for both promoting democracy and blamed for destroying it. It has been praised for spreading information, and decried for spreading misinformation. All of the confusion surrounding what the internet actually is stems mostly from the fact that it’s very hard to see the full extent of how it actually works and how it affects people. Media coverage of Google’s use of data or Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, services I use every day, have left me wondering how we can improve the internet and make it more transparent for the people who use it.

As a policy-minded thinker and problem solver, I have done a lot of research and contemplation on the current problems and benefits of these platforms and services. I read about how Youtube has served as a platform for populist strongmen. I read about how Facebook enabled the Arab Spring. So far, all that I have learned is that the problem is an incredibly complex and nuanced one, with a lot of different actors and moving parts. It involves multinational companies, governments, and billions of individual users. In order to maximize the potential of these networks and minimize their harms, we have to be tactical in our approach. From figuring out data privacy to figuring out whether these companies are platforms or basic services, almost all aspects of the role of these networks fascinate me. It is also a topic that I have debated competitively in the past. I have participated in motions ranging from “This house would ban Google from retaining search data” to “This house believes news media outlets should use AI for the production and presentation of its news content”. I am highly invested in the role of social networks in today’s society; rather than their complexity pushing me away, it is what draws me in. 

The costs of not understanding social networks in this era is incredibly high. This is why I am willing to dedicate myself to studying it and uncovering the ways of how to deal with it. 

This student crafts a narrative that exudes the elusive show-not-tell quality that separates good essays from great ones. In order to generate this, the applicant employs phrases packed with vivid imagery like “ the ink from my printer was running as dry as my body was soaked with sweat”  and “ an intensely vivid web of color composed of 240 nodes connected by thousands upon thousands of lines. ” They also vary their sentence structure and include rhetorical questions to make the reader interact more with their essay content. 

Their passion for technology is well-expressed through the current examples they sprinkle throughout the essay like Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal and Google retaining search data. The NETS program values innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, so demonstrating they are keeping up with current events in the field and have opinions on ongoing debates shows UPenn that this student has a unique perspective to offer.

The student mentions debating topics related to the Interest in a structured manner; this shows, rather than tells admissions officers that they have strong research skills and communication abilities. By showing how their varied interests combine to produce an interdisciplinary passion, it makes their application unique and memorable to admissions officers. Not only that, but speaking about past experiences in detail allows them to establish credibility and demonstrate to admissions officers that they would be a good fit for this program.

As a whole, the essay is strong. It shares the student’s background, is well-written, and thinks about nuanced issues relating to technology.

Something that could have helped this essay would be to break up the long paragraphs into smaller, more digestible chunks. Because of the long paragraphs, it can be a little difficult to read the essay. There are many points where a new paragraph would’ve been logical, and flowed better.

For example, the first paragraph discusses both the process of collecting data and building the model and the student’s reflection on the results. A break after “ The final result was an intensely vivid web of color composed of 240 nodes connected by thousands upon thousands of lines”  would have been a natural switch from the physical aspects of the model to the introspection it spurred.

Another place for a new paragraph is when the student switches from discussing their research to their debate experience in the third paragraph. While they were trying to keep their extracurricular encounters with these topics together in one paragraph, it is far too dense as it’s written, and ideas gets lost in the sheer amount of information presented. Breaking it up would provide relief to the reader and help emphasize each point better by giving it its own space.

Essay Example #7: Thank You

Dear Mrs. Peterson,

After finishing my drawing of Timothée Chalamet this semester, I was stunned by its beauty—it was one of the first pieces that I was proud of. Because of the debacle with the charcoal drawing of my sister last year, I avoided drawing another human. Yet, you persisted in encouraging me to tackle this challenge; from achieving Timothée’s chiseled cheekbones to highlighting his curls, you always stood by my side—even when I wanted to quit.

Honing my artistic abilities was only a portion of what you taught me. You always encouraged me to be vulnerable, and I am gratified by our insightful conversations. From consoling me through the stress of finals to supporting my aspirations of becoming a lawyer, you never wavered in listening to my stories. You weren’t just my art teacher, but my shoulder.

I am inspired by how you lead your life with compassion and authenticity. Watching you build a community through dialogue furthered my own love of interaction as an instrument to foster connection. Thank you for being my guidepost. You made a home for me in your class, and it saddens me that I will be leaving it soon.

Gratefully,

Future Empathetic Lawyer

A strong hook is an essential part of any essay, to really draw a reader into the story. This writer does an excellent job immediately grabbing our attention by describing a tangible object that represents why they are thankful to their art teacher, which is a far more powerful technique than just saying something general like “You have made me a much better artist.”

The drawing of Timothée Chalamet also serves as an anchor for the traits the writer wants to highlight about themselves, such as risk-taking (taking on the challenge of drawing “his chiseled cheekbones…[and] curls” ) and perseverance ( “you always stood by my side” ). Remember that showing your reader something about yourself, through a tangible example like an art project, makes your points far more convincing than just telling them you are a certain way, as then you’re just leaving them to take your word for it.

The writer also seamlessly transitions from talking about their drawing to talking about how their art teacher has helped them in general, with the line “Honing my artistic abilities was only a portion of what you taught me.” This line provides the perfect jumping-off point for the writer to show us how their teacher has supported them in non-art contexts as well.

Finally, in a big-picture sense, the writer strikes a great balance between highlighting their art teacher’s virtues, and how those virtues have helped them grow and develop their own personality. With this prompt, there’s a risk that you end up talking too much about the person you’re thanking, and not enough about yourself–remember, you’re the one admissions officers are trying to make a decision about! But this writer avoids that pitfall by always connecting the things they admire in their art teacher to qualities they have developed themselves.

There is not much room for improvement in this essay. The author directly connects the values they have learned from their art teacher to tangible experiences, which ensures their essay will stand out even from other essays written about teachers.

The only point in the essay that reads a little strangely is the inclusion of the word “empathetic” in the student’s signature. Although we can read between the lines that they learned empathy from their teacher, that actually isn’t a value they name outright. They do highlight vulnerability, compassion, authenticity, and connection, so to make the end of the essay feel more cohesive, they could either replace “empathetic” with something like “compassionate,” or just make sure they do explicitly include empathy in the body of the essay.

If you want more examples of strong UPenn “Thank You” essays , check out our post dedicated exclusively to this new supplement!

Do you want feedback on your UPenn essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Highly-selective colleges and universities often require supplemental application materials. These materials help further personalize the admissions process so that each college’s admissions committee has the information it needs to select a vibrant and diverse incoming class. 

In this article, we will look at 10 supplemental essay prompts from top colleges and universities for the 2022-23 admissions cycle. Once you get a better sense of what to expect from a supplemental essay prompt, we will outline key strategies for answering these prompts, as well as provide practical writing tips to help you get started.

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What are supplemental essays and are they important?

Each college has its own sets of values and criteria that it looks for in applicants. This is why determining college fit is so important. By carefully researching each school on your college list and having several clear and compelling reasons for wanting to attend, you will increase your overall chances of admission.    

One way that colleges gauge whether or not a student would be a good fit for their university is by posing unique supplemental essay prompts. This is why knowing how to write a supplemental essay is so important. Most colleges with supplemental essays will have applicants write the “why this college” essay . 

Many selective colleges will require additional supplemental essays as well. In some cases, you will need to prepare an additional five essays per school, so give yourself plenty of time to complete each essay thoughtfully, write multiple drafts, seek out feedback, and proofread. The college application process can feel overwhelming at times, so make sure you brainstorm ways to stay organized during the college application process . 

Although the style and content of the actual prompts can vary greatly, at the core these prompts have one thing in common: They are designed to get to know who you are as a person, what your values are, and whether you demonstrate compatibility with the university’s overall mission. 

How to write supplemental essays

If you’re looking for supplemental essay tips, you’ve come to the right place! In this section, we will discuss how to write a good supplemental essay, by providing several key application essay tips. 

To start, it’s important to remember that the process of writing supplemental essays is similar to the process of writing a successful personal statement . Review components of a strong personal statement to give yourself a fresh perspective before beginning your supplemental essays.

Tips for writing supplemental essays

Supplemental essays are typically pretty brief. This is why it’s important to learn how to write concisely and powerfully. Having very few words to respond does not mean that you should prepare your responses casually or that your responses shouldn’t include lots of details. Rather, approach each word limit creatively. Whether you have 50 words, 200 words, or 500 words, try to use each sentence and detail to your advantage. One of the best ways to do this is to begin by freewriting. Write down everything that comes to mind. Take time to fully flush out your ideas. Then review what you’ve written and see what feels most important. These are the details you will want to highlight in your response.

Some colleges will require three to five additional essays. Maybe even more! This is why it’s important to be prepared and plan ahead. Supplemental essays are an important part of your college application and they require a lot of time and effort. While some supplemental essay prompts may be similar between schools, in general, you want to avoid recycling your college essays. Admissions officers can tell when a student is tweaking an existing essay to fit a prompt.

While some essay prompts are required, others are optional. In general, try to answer each prompt thoughtfully and creatively. After all, it’s no secret that college admissions are highly competitive so it’s great to give your application “an edge” whenever possible. That said, there are times when you should pass on writing an optional essay. If you’re not sure whether or not you should submit an essay for an optional prompt, begin by drafting a response. Then ask yourself if the essay feels forced or genuine. Does the essay convey something new about you that isn’t included in the rest of your application? If the question doesn’t seem to apply to you and you are genuinely unsure what to contribute, you should probably skip that particular essay. After all, no one wants to read an uninspired essay that doesn’t contribute to your overall application.

2022-23 supplemental essay prompts

As mentioned, supplemental essay prompts can vary significantly. Some prompts ask you to respond in 50 words while other prompts ask you to respond in 500 words. Some prompts focus on academics while others ask you to reflect carefully on your cultural upbringing or life philosophies. Still, other prompts will ask you to introduce who you are as a person or discuss something that you enjoy.

Just as supplemental essay prompts vary in style, your responses will also vary. Some prompts will require you to be thoughtful and serious, while other prompts may encourage you to be humorous or creative. It all depends.

Brown University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Brown University requires three supplemental essays. One of the supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (200-250 words)

Columbia University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Columbia University requires the following supplemental materials: 1 list of 75 words, 1 list of 125 words, 3 essays of 200 words each, and 1 short answer of 35 words. One of their supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

For the following questions, we ask that you list each individual response using commas or semicolons; the items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. No explanatory text or formatting is needed. (For example, it is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications. No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.)  

List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

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Dartmouth college supplemental essay prompt.

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Dartmouth College requires three supplemental essays. One of the supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

“Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself in 200-250 words. 

Duke University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Duke University requires at least one supplemental essay, with the option to submit an additional two supplemental essays. One of the optional supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?

Emory University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Emory University requires two supplemental essays. One of the supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

Emory If you could witness a historic event (past, present or future) first-hand, what would it be, and why?

Harvard University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Harvard University requires three supplemental essays. One of the supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)

MIT supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, MIT requires five supplemental essays. One of the supplemental essay prompts is as follows:

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.

Princeton University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Princeton University requires three supplemental essays and three short responses. One of the short-answer prompts is as follows:

Please respond to each question in 75 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

What brings you joy? 

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Stanford University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Stanford University requires three supplemental essays and five short answer responses. One of the short-answer prompts is as follows:

How did you spend your last two summers? (50-word limit)

UPenn supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, UPenn requires three supplemental essays. One of the supplemental essay prompts is as follows: 

Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)

Yale University supplemental essay prompt

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Yale University requires the following supplemental materials: 1 list; 6 short answer questions; 1 additional short essay of 400 words. One of the short answer prompts is as follows:

Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What would you ask them to discuss? (200 characters or fewer)

Supplemental essay examples

One of the best ways to prepare your supplemental essay responses is to look at successful past examples. In this section, we will look at three examples and explain why each response is successful. 

This first example was submitted as a part of Harvard’s college application. This essay is in response to the prompt: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words).

Feet moving, eyes up, every shot back, chants the silent mantra in my head. The ball becomes a beacon of neon green as I dart forward and backward, shuffling from corner to far corner of the court, determined not to let a single point escape me. With bated breath, I swing my racquet upwards and outwards and it catches the ball just in time to propel it, spinning, over the net. My heart soars as my grinning teammates cheer from the sidelines. While I greatly value the endurance, tenacity, and persistence that I have developed while playing tennis throughout the last four years, I will always most cherish the bonds that I have created and maintained each year with my team.

This essay uses rich, descriptive language to evoke a clear sense of movement and place. The first paragraph shows a creative and expert control of language, whereas the second paragraph uses straightforward language to highlight key characteristics. Overall, this response is creative, well-balanced, and uses each word to its advantage. 

Source: https://www.collegeadvisor.com/essay-guides/harvard-university-essay-examples-and-why-they-worked/  

This essay was submitted as a part of an MIT college application. The supplemental essay prompt that it addresses is: Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

We were moving away from my home of thirteen years to go miles and miles away, from my whole life. Worst of all: away from New York City – the only place in the world worth knowing – or so I thought. The town might as well have been called “Miniscule Ville”. I resented every second of it. The real shocking thing to me was almost that anything existed outside of New York City. NYC is a world of its own, with its own pulses and lifeblood. I still think it’s a great place, and I’ll likely at least visit it someday, but right now, I want to visit everywhere. My move humbled me. I began to love nature walks, the friendly camaraderie of the small town, and saw a world I never imagined. I thought I knew it all just because I lived in New York. Here was a great place, hidden from view. I loved experiencing that new world, learning local history, and most of all, learning the life stories of my new neighbors, each one of whom had a fascinating life. My greatest dream is to be a journalist, covering other countries, and learning about new worlds and neighbors. My old perspective feels so limited. If I can share global stories, I can open up my perspective, and I can share those stories with a thousand homes so readers can learn about other perspectives as well. The world is full of different lives. Everywhere is somebody’s home.

This essay covers a lot of material; most impressively, it shows a shift in perspective and its effect on the student’s lived experience. It also clearly explains the student’s academic and professional goals. The tone of this essay is both confident and humble. It demonstrates who this student is as a person, what their goals are, and what they value.  

Source: https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/blog/mit-supplemental-essay-examples  

This essay was submitted as a part of a Duke college application. The essay addresses the prompt: What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?

Most teachers who taught me talked a big game about wanting students to engage in debate, or “dialectic” as they called it, and to challenge their ideas. In my experience, most of this was a fabrication. The best essay grades and participation marks were found through parroting what was dictated from on high. Did the teacher think such-and-such is the “correct” interpretation of a novel? You did, too, or you lost points. None of that was true for Ms. Jackie Winters. The first essay I sent her came back with the note, “This doesn’t sound like you; it sounds like me.” I asked her about the note, and this initiated a marvelous learning environment, in which I grew faster than I ever have in any other class. Discussions were lively, and the more I presented my authentic views, the more I was respected. My grades were dependent on being backed up by rhetoric, sources, and logic, not by compliance. Due to this engagement, this was the most enjoyable English literature class I had, and I feel like my viewpoints were challenged. I learned to question my ideas and dig into a text for the best results. Best of all, I was putting in more and more effort to find good, quality sources to back up my arguments. I was held to a high standard and shown respect, and I believe that those qualities made for the best learning environment possible

This essay clearly shows a shift in perspective and the effects it had on this student’s ability to think, speak, and write critically. Structurally, this essay uses an anecdote to introduce and contextualize a topic, but the essay itself isn’t overly narrative. Rather, the student explains, in detail, how this teacher’s encouragement and guidance have influenced their willingness and ability to engage with the source material and academic discourse.

Source: https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/blog/duke-supplemental-essay-examples  

Key takeaways and moving forward

Supplemental essays are an important part of your college applications. In fact, they are a key factor in what college admissions officers look for in an applicant . Highly-selective colleges and universities use supplemental essays to further personalize the college admissions process. After all, thousands of qualified students apply to Ivy League institutions each year and only a small fraction are admitted. Supplemental essays allow you to share more about who you are as a person and as a student. Use each prompt as an opportunity to add something new to your college application. If you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance throughout this process, reach out to learn more about our services .

Frequently asked questions and answers

Still have questions about supplemental essays and the effects they have on college applications? Review the following frequently asked questions and answers for further insight on supplemental essays. 

Supplemental essays are an incredibly important part of your college applications and should be properly prioritized. If a college didn’t care about your response, they wouldn’t ask you in the first place. Put plenty of time and care into your responses. Write several drafts, seek out feedback, and always proofread.

How long should supplemental essays be?

Always follow directions. Colleges will specify how long each supplemental essay should be, usually right after the prompt itself. Depending on the college, and the prompt, a supplemental essay’s word count may range anywhere from 50 to 500 words.

Do supplemental essays change every year?

It all depends on the college. Colleges often reuse past prompts, but there are no guarantees. This is why it’s important to plan ahead and make a list of supplemental essay prompts early on in the college application process.

Are supplemental essays required?

Sometimes colleges will have both required and optional supplemental essays. That said, the essay prompts are clearly labeled. In short, each college will specify whether supplemental essays are required. 

Do all colleges have supplemental essays?

No, not all colleges have supplemental essays. Highly-selective colleges, however, often require at least one additional essay.

• December 14, 2022

Supplemental Essay Guide for 2022-23 Prompts

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• College Application

10 Columbia Supplemental Essay Examples That Worked

Looking at Columbia supplemental essay examples can be helpful for students who are preparing their college applications for Columbia, any of the  Ivy League Schools , or other highly selective institutions like the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . Top colleges tend to have a holistic admissions process, meaning that they look at more than just your academic background. They also want to get to know the person behind the grades and ensure that you are a good fit for their college campus. Your  supplemental college essays  play a significant role in helping them make a decision. It is therefore important that you submit college essays that stand out in order to beat the competition. 

In this blog, we share ten essays that respond to the prompts provided by  Columbia University  to help you get inspired for your own  college essays .

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 9 min read

Columbia's supplemental college essay questions are divided into two. First, there is a series of list questions. You will be required to answer these prompts in the form of a list without any explanatory text or additional formatting. The school asks that you separate each item on the list with commas or semicolons. Secondly, you have what most students are familiar with when we talk about supplemental college essays. In the case of Columbia, the essays are limited to 200 words or fewer, meaning that applicants have to find a way to incorporate a lot of information in a relatively short text. To put that into context, we have included examples from both sections in this blog.

As you read through the examples, pay attention to the way the authors infuse their personalities into the text, and how they use specific examples to make their essays more memorable.

Columbia supplemental essay example #1

Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. ( 200 words or fewer)

According to my mother, I never played dress-up with my dolls when I was a child. Apparently, instead of braiding their hair, I placed them down in neat little rows and taught them how to braid hair. I'm not sure how accurate that story is, but it does sound like me. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed learning and teaching others what I have learned.

I first noticed this when my family and I went on vacation to Disneyland, and It seemed like I was the only person who was interested in the guided tour. I wanted to know everything about the buildings, how old the park was, and the people that designed it. On the flight back home, I talked everyone's ear off about all the new things I had learned about how parks work. It is still one of my most cherished experiences, even though I didn't get to go on as many rides as the rest of my family. 

 I have followed that passion for learning and teaching by tutoring in middle and high school. These experiences as a tutor confirmed that teaching is the right career path for me. (197 words)

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." Those are Rachel Zoe's words, and I wholeheartedly believe them. Growing up, one of my favorite parts of the day was the night before school, when I would spend 20 to 30 minutes picking out the perfect outfit to wear the next day. 

When it came time for me to go to high school, my parents decided that I would get a better education from a private school that had a dress code. All students were required to wear clean-cut khakis and a white polo shirt. I had to say goodbye to my matching sets, graphic t-shirts, and jean jackets.

A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities? ( 200 words or fewer)

Four years ago, my father remarried, giving me a loving stepmom, two wonderfully annoying younger sisters, and an introduction to a whole new world. For context, I am an eighteen-year-old white girl who grew up in the suburbs, and my step-family is Afro-Latinx. Although they grew up in a suburb similar to the one I call home, their experiences were very different from mine. 

For example, I went shopping with one of my sisters recently, and I noticed that she always insisted on getting a paper copy of her receipt. I tried to tell her that she could ask for it to be emailed to her as that'd be better for the environment, but she explained that she often gets accused of stealing in upscale stores and that having the receipt made proving her innocence easier. 

This is one of the many conversations I have had in the past few years that have taught me to look past my own experiences and listen. We all experience life differently, meaning that we all have something to learn from each other. I plan on bringing my perspective to Columbia, and I look forward to listening and learning from students with different viewpoints. (200 words)

2,789. That is the total population of Imagined, the small, remote town I grew up in. It is a town that I have a love-hate relationship with. I love the sense of community it fosters and the beautiful views surrounding it. I also hate how small it is and how closed-minded its inhabitants can be. 

Like most of Imagined's residents, I have never really lived outside of our town, but I like to think that I have traveled through the numerous books I spend my days reading. It is those books that introduced me to people who practice different religions, who look different from me, and who have points of view that are very different from mine. Even though I may not agree with everything I have read, it has given me a chance to question my belief systems and make informed decisions. 

I hope that by attending Columbia, which is located at the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the world, I will be exposed to even more perspectives so that I can learn more about the human experience and relate with others better. (188 words)

The opening sentence of your essay needs to be attention-grabbing if you want to write a strong essay. We recommend starting with a quote, an anecdote, or a fun fact like the writer did with the essay above. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Columbia supplemental essay example #5

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. ( 200 words or fewer)

Two years ago, my mother and I toured thirteen universities across the country. Of all the schools I visited, Columbia quickly stood out. We had already put the school on our list because of its stellar academic programs but being on campus convinced me that Columbia is the right university for me. 

During the tour, I spoke to several students who gushed about the diversity of the student body, the excellent professors and advisors, and the eye-opening educational experience the Core Curriculum provides. My mother went to Columbia, and she found it amazing that even though the school has evolved, its core values remain the same. 

The experiences she and the other students described make me dream of having my own Lit Hum discussion sessions and participating in the many enriching clubs on campus, such as the Columbia Model United Nations team. 

Being at Columbia would also allow me to take advantage of everything New York offers. I would get to explore my various academic and personal interests in an international and open-minded environment. 

Some say that Columbia is the greatest college at the greatest university in the greatest city in the world. I suspect they might be right. (199 words)

I was on the Columbia campus on October 14, 2019, when the Native American Council gathered and called on the University to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. I had reluctantly come to the school for a visit with a friend who is currently in her first year at Columbia. My general idea of this school was that it was very traditional and not very open-minded. This display of bravery changed my view of Columbia and prompted me to research the school. 

I found that it has a strong academic program that gives students a strong foundation through the common core curriculum. I especially like the fact that the core includes studies in non-western major cultures and masterpieces of western literature. 

As an African-American-Lebanese student, my background and heritage have made me passionate about the world's different cultures, specifically how globalization has affected them and how they have been affected by it. Columbia would allow me to learn more about this topic and explore other aspects of world culture I am interested in. 

I hope to get the chance to learn in class and outside the classroom from the diverse and open-minded student body at Columbia over the next four years. (198 words)

This is essentially a \u201cwhy this college essay\u201d so the admissions committee will be trying to find out if you are interested in Columbia specifically. So, take the time to research the school and mention something specific about it such as a course, a requirement, a student organization, etc. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Do you have questions about the college application process? This video can help:

Columbia supplemental essay example #7

List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë; All My Sons by Arthur Miller; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head. (47 words)

Frying plantain by zalika reid-benta; Heavy by Kiese Laymon; An Untamed State by Roxanne Gay; The girl with the louding voice by Abi dare; Born a crime by Trevor Noah; Becoming by Michelle Obama; Such a fun age by Kiley reid; Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde; The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang; Turtles all the way down by John Green; Our Stories, Our Voices by Amy Reed; Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. (72 words)

It\u2019s important that you think about the list of books that you are sharing. You want to be honest, but you also want the books that you share to say something about you. For example, even though this person reads a few different genres, we can tell from the list of books that this applicant clearly has a penchant for social justice and history. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

Columbia supplemental essay example #9

John Green's Turtles all the way down; Karen Lord's Redemption in Indigo; Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet; Andy Weir's The Martian, Marlon James’ Black leopard, red wolf; V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series,  V.E. Schwab’s Shadowshaper. (41 words)

Want to learn more about what makes a strong college essay? Check out this video:

Columbia supplemental essay example #10

We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (125 words or fewer)

Publications: The New York Times, n+1, Vanity Fair, TIME; Music: Beyonce, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Frank Ocean, Florence & the machine, Kasey Musgraves. Movies & TV shows: Succession, Gilmore Girls, Greys Anatomy, Explained, Derry Girls; Lectures on YouTube: Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), TEDx talks. (47 words)

Columbia is one of the most selective schools in the country. Last year, it had an acceptance rate that was close to 5%. Meaning that for every 100 applicants, only about five get offered admission.

Columbia requires students to submit three short supplemental essays of 200 words or less and answer three additional questions with lists.

The supplemental Columbia-specific questions you have to answer are less than 200 words.

Reviewing different supplemental essay examples will expose you to different types of prompts used for college essays and give you a better idea of how to approach them.

A strong college essay tells a story, uses specific examples, and has a strong opening.

You can make your essay stand out by ensuring that it tells a story and uses specific examples to back up claims that you make about yourself.

College essay advisors  are admission consultants who typically work with application or college essay review services. They use their admissions knowledge and training to help you prepare the strongest college essays possible.

Columbia does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but it does expect applicants to have a strong academic background. 95% of the recently admitted class graduated in the top 10% of their class. So if you are hoping to  get into college with a low GPA , you would need an impressive application for that school to be Columbia.

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How to write a good supplemental essay/ examples?

I'm working on my supplementals and I'm having some trouble with writing one that isn't cliche.

This is the one for Umich:

"Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it."

I feel like talking about ethnicity/race is a bit overdone and I don't feel that I am in a particularly special position. I wrote up a quick draft on how when I used to live in Howell MI (bleh...iykyk) and getting asked 'where are you really from' and how I tried to answer that after giving a presentation to my classmates from a trip back from Vietnam. Idk if that's a weak talking point or if I really need a narrative because I only get 300 words.

Also, the question regarding why a particular school and program, if anyone has their essay from past years that would be really helpful if you are willing to share. I'm having a hard time with this because I'm applying computer science for most schools and I don't have really any comp sci extracurriculars because I gained more interest the past year and a half. I have more graphic design/engineering experiences that I can talk about but I don't know if that's the best idea to write about.

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How To Answer Columbia's 2023/24 Supplemental Essays: Tips & Insights

What's New

What Are Columbia's Essay Prompts?

How to Answer Columbia's Essay Prompts?

General Guidelines

Columbia's supplemental essays are a crucial part of the application, offering a deeper insight into your fit with the university. This guide provides detailed prompts, tips, and insights to craft compelling responses that resonate with Columbia's ethos. Approach with authenticity, align with Columbia's offerings and showcase your unique perspective to stand out.

The Essay That Got Me Into Columbia

Columbia's 2023/24 Supplemental Essay Updates: What's Changed?

Securing a spot at Columbia University , with its acceptance rate of around 4% , is a monumental achievement. In the intricate dance of college admissions, your supplemental essays are instrumental in portraying your distinctive narrative and alignment with Columbia's ethos.

Elite institutions like Columbia refine their application criteria each academic year to ensure they gain a holistic perspective of their prospective students.

For the 2023/24 admissions cycle, Columbia has made several pivotal changes to its supplemental essay questions:

• Consolidation of Prompts : The initial list-based questions about favorite readings from high school courses and beyond and resources and outlets of interest have been merged into a single comprehensive prompt. This new question seeks to understand the texts, resources, and outlets influencing the applicant's intellectual journey outside formal education.
• Word Limit Reduction : Several questions now have reduced word limits, emphasizing the need for applicants to provide concise and focused responses.
• Emphasis on Inclusivity : The question about learning from diverse communities has been refined to underscore the importance of an "equitable and inclusive community." This change prompts applicants to reflect more deeply on their perspectives and experiences.
• Introduction of a Resilience Question : A new question has been added to gauge the applicant's resilience. It asks them to describe an obstacle they've faced and the steps they took to overcome it.
• Minor Adjustments : While the question about the applicant's interest in Columbia remains, its word limit has been shortened. The prompt about attraction to specific areas of study at Columbia has been slightly rephrased but retains its essence.

These modifications highlight Columbia's evolving admissions approach, emphasizing a deeper understanding of the diverse life experiences and intrinsic values that applicants would bring to its dynamic undergraduate community.

What Are Columbia's Supplemental Essay Prompts for 2023/24?

For the 2023/24 application cycle, Columbia University has meticulously crafted supplemental essay prompts to delve deeper into the profiles of its applicants. These prompts aim to uncover your intellectual influences, personal perspectives, resilience, and your vision for your journey at Columbia.

List-Based Question

Columbia's list-based question offers a glimpse into your intellectual influences outside the classroom.

• Intellectual Influences : List a selection of texts, resources, and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums, and other content that you enjoy. (100 words)

Short Answer Questions

These questions provide deeper insights into your perspectives, experiences, and values.

• Equitable and Inclusive Community : A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint, or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's diverse and collaborative community. (150 words)
• Navigating Adversity : In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. Please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills, or insights you have developed as a result. (150 words)
• Interest in Columbia : Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words)
• Areas of Study : What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? (150 words)

Requirements

For the list question, adhere to a 100-word maximum. Your response should be a list of items separated by commas or semicolons without the need for numbering, italicizing, or underlining titles. No author names, subtitles, or explanatory remarks are required. Responses should be limited to 150 words or fewer for the four short answer questions.

Columbia's application process is undeniably competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 4%. These prompts offer applicants a unique opportunity to showcase their intellectual influences, personal growth, and the distinct perspectives they'll bring to the Columbia community.

Looking for inspiration? Dive into these  Columbia essay examples  to see what successful applications look like!

How to Answer Columbia’s Supplemental Essay Questions?

Prompt 1 (list-based question), “list a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy.”, - 100 words or fewer.

This prompt is an invitation to showcase the diverse range of materials that have shaped your intellectual journey outside the confines of a classroom. It's a chance to provide a snapshot of your intellectual curiosity, interests, and the resources instrumental in your growth .

Diversify Your List

While focusing solely on academic or highbrow materials might be tempting, remember that intellectual growth can come from various sources. A podcast episode might have changed your perspective on a social issue, or a museum visit might have deepened your appreciation for art or history.

Be Authentic

It's essential to be genuine in your selections. Don't list items you think might impress the admissions committee but don't resonate with you. Your list should reflect your true intellectual diet.

Consider the Impact

While the prompt doesn't ask for explanations, the items you choose should have clearly impacted your intellectual development. Whether it's a book that introduced you to a new field of interest or a documentary that deepened your understanding of a global issue, each item should have contributed to your growth.

Format and Presentation

Given the word limit, you'll need to be concise. List items in a clear, organized manner, using commas or semicolons to separate them. While you don't need to provide detailed explanations, the order and grouping can subtly indicate connections or themes.

• "1984" by George Orwell; "The Daily" podcast; TED Talks; The Louvre; "The Social Dilemma" documentary; National Geographic website; "The Future of Humanity" by Michio Kaku; Shakespeare's "Hamlet"; The Economist.
• "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho; MoMA; "How I Built This" podcast; "The World in a Grain" by Vince Beiser; TED-Ed videos; "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz; The Smithsonian Magazine.

Columbia's first list question is a window into your intellectual world outside school. It's an opportunity to showcase the breadth and depth of your interests and the resources that have been pivotal in your academic journey. Approach this list with authenticity, diversity, and a clear sense of how each item has contributed to your growth .

Prompt 2 (Short Essay)

“a hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia's diverse and collaborative community.”, - 150 words or fewer.

This prompt delves into your personal experiences and how they've shaped your perspective. Columbia is seeking students who will not only benefit from its diverse community but also actively contribute to it .

Reflect on Your Unique Perspective

Start by identifying a specific experience, background, or aspect of your identity that has profoundly influenced your perspective. This could be related to your cultural background, personal challenges, unique experiences, or any other facet of your life that has shaped your worldview.

Show, Don't Just Tell

Instead of merely stating your perspective, narrate a brief anecdote or experience that encapsulates it. This makes your essay more engaging and provides a clearer insight into your viewpoint.

Connect to Columbia's Community

Reflect on how your unique perspective will enrich Columbia's community. How will you engage with others, participate in discussions, or contribute to campus activities? Consider how your viewpoint can foster understanding, spark meaningful conversations, or inspire collaborative projects.

Embrace the NYC Advantage

Given Columbia's unique location in New York City, consider how your perspective aligns with NYC's dynamic, diverse, and cosmopolitan environment. How might the city's cultural resources amplify your learning and contributions?

• "Growing up in a multicultural household, I've learned to navigate and appreciate multiple cultures simultaneously. This has taught me the value of open-mindedness and adaptability. At Columbia, I aim to bridge cultural gaps, fostering understanding and collaboration in this diverse community, while also immersing myself in NYC's rich tapestry of cultures."
• "Facing economic hardships, I've developed resilience and a deep appreciation for education as a tool for change. My experiences have instilled in me a drive to advocate for equitable opportunities. At Columbia, I'd champion initiatives that support underprivileged students, leveraging the resources and platforms that NYC offers."

Columbia's second short essay question invites you to share how your unique experiences and perspectives will enrich its vibrant community. By weaving a narrative that connects your journey to Columbia's ethos and the broader NYC environment , you can effectively convey the value you'll bring to the university's diverse and collaborative landscape.

Prompt 3 (Short Essay)

“in college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. it is important to us, therefore, to understand an applicant's ability to navigate through adversity. please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills or insights you have developed as a result.”.

This prompt seeks to understand your resilience, adaptability, and growth in facing challenges . Columbia wants students who persevere, learn from adversity, and contribute positively to the community despite unexpected obstacles.

Identify a Genuine Challenge

Begin by pinpointing a specific challenge or obstacle you've encountered. This could be academic, personal, social, or even professional. Ensure it's a situation where you faced genuine difficulty, uncertainty, or setback.

Narrate the Journey, Not Just the Outcome

While it's essential to discuss how you overcame the challenge, also delve into the emotions, thoughts, and processes you went through. This provides depth to your narrative and showcases your problem-solving and coping mechanisms.

Highlight Personal Growth

Discuss the qualities or skills you developed from facing this challenge. Did it make you more empathetic? Did you develop better communication or analytical skills? Maybe it gave you a fresh perspective or a renewed sense of purpose.

Connect to the College Experience

Reflect on how this growth prepares you for the unpredictable challenges of college life. How will these qualities or skills help you navigate Columbia's academic and social intricacies?

• "When a close family member fell ill, I had to balance school with significant home responsibilities. This period taught me time management and the value of support networks. I've learned that seeking help isn't a sign of weakness but of strength. At Columbia, I'll proactively join study groups and access available resources."
• "Facing academic challenges in my calculus class, I initially felt defeated. However, I sought tutoring, collaborated with peers, and spent extra hours practicing. This experience honed my perseverance and collaborative spirit, qualities I'll carry into challenging coursework at Columbia."

Columbia's third short essay question provides a window into your character, resilience, and growth mindset. By detailing a genuine challenge and the subsequent personal development , you can effectively convey to Columbia how you'll handle the unpredictable challenges of college life and contribute positively to the community.

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Prompt 4 (Short Essay)

“why are you interested in attending columbia university we encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about columbia.”.

This is a classic " Why This School " essay, a staple in the college application process. Columbia wants to understand not just why you want to attend an Ivy League institution but why you're specifically drawn to Columbia over other prestigious schools .

Research, Research, Research

Before you start writing, research Columbia's programs, culture, and opportunities. Go beyond the obvious and look for unique offerings or traditions that resonate with your interests and aspirations.

Connect to Your Goals and Interests

Discuss specific Columbia programs, courses, or opportunities that align with your academic and extracurricular interests. Maybe there's a particular professor you're excited to work with or a unique program that aligns with your career goals.

Beyond Academics

Columbia is more than just its academic programs. Maybe you're drawn to its location in New York City, diverse student body, or its commitment to community engagement. Highlight aspects of Columbia's culture or values that resonate with you.

The Core Curriculum

While many applicants will mention the famed Columbia Core Curriculum, make your mention stand out. Dive deep into specific courses or texts within the Core that excite you. How do you see the Core enriching your academic journey?

• "Columbia's interdisciplinary Science and Society program perfectly aligns with my passion for bioethics. The blend of rigorous scientific study with philosophical inquiry offers a holistic education I'm eager to dive into."
• "Being in the heart of NYC, Columbia offers unparalleled opportunities for real-world learning. I'm excited to engage with the city's diverse communities and bring those experiences back to the classroom."

Columbia's fourth short essay question is your chance to showcase your genuine interest in the university and how it aligns with your goals. By connecting specific Columbia offerings to your aspirations, you demonstrate a clear vision of your future at the university .

Prompt 5 (Short Essay)

“what attracts you to your preferred areas of study at columbia college or columbia engineering”.

Columbia wants to understand the driving force behind your academic choices . This question delves into your intellectual passions and how they align with what Columbia offers in your preferred study area.

Reflect on Your Journey

Begin by considering the experiences, both academic and personal, that have shaped your interest in your chosen field. Was it a particular class, a personal project, or maybe an internship or mentorship?

Specificity is Key

Avoid generic statements about the value of education or the prestige of Columbia. Instead, delve into specific programs, courses, or opportunities within Columbia College or Columbia Engineering that resonate with your interests.

Connect Past, Present, and Future

Discuss how your past experiences have prepared you for your intended major. Then, bridge this with how Columbia's offerings will further your academic and career goals.

• "My internship at a local tech firm ignited my passion for computer engineering. Columbia Engineering's renowned Data Science Institute offers the perfect platform for me to delve deeper into machine learning applications."
• "After spearheading a community art project, I realized the power of visual storytelling. Columbia College's interdisciplinary approach to art and media studies will allow me to explore the intersection of art, culture, and social impact."

Columbia's fifth short essay question seeks to understand the depth of your commitment to your chosen field and how Columbia's specific offerings align with your academic journey. Connecting your past experiences with Columbia's resources demonstrates a clear vision of your academic future at the university . Remember to be genuine and specific, and show how your background and Columbia's offerings align with your educational aspirations.

How Anuar Got Into Columbia

General Guidelines for Answering Columbia's Supplemental Essay Questions

• Deep Dive into Columbia's Offerings : Columbia's prompts are tailored to understand your fit within its academically rigorous and culturally diverse environment. Highlight specific programs, courses, or professors that align with your interests. Demonstrating this level of specificity indicates genuine interest and thorough research.
• Reflect on Personal Growth : Columbia values introspective students. When discussing challenges or personal perspectives, always circle back to what these experiences have taught you and how they've shaped your worldview.
• Celebrate Your Unique Perspective : Columbia thrives on various voices and backgrounds. Emphasize how your unique experiences or viewpoints will enrich classroom discussions and the broader Columbia community.
• Authenticity Above All : Be genuine in your responses. Rather than trying to fit a mold, showcase your true self, interests, and aspirations. Authentic narratives resonate more deeply.
• Conciseness is Key : With tight word limits, it's essential to be concise yet impactful. Prioritize depth over breadth, giving a comprehensive view of selected experiences or thoughts.
• Engaging Narratives : Engaging storytelling can elevate your essay. Whether you're listing resources that have shaped your intellectual journey or explaining why you're drawn to Columbia, a narrative touch can make your response memorable.
• Meticulous Proofreading : Ensure your essays are polished and free from errors. Beyond grammar, ensure clarity and coherence in your narrative. Seek feedback from trusted individuals for fresh perspectives.
• Connect to the Columbia Experience : Relate your answers to how you'll engage with and contribute to the Columbia community. This showcases a long-term vision of your time at Columbia beyond just securing admission.
• Embrace the Opportunity : These essays are more than just a formality; they're your platform to present a holistic picture of who you are. Use them to articulate why the synergy between you and Columbia would benefit both.
• Stay Updated : Columbia, situated in the heart of New York City, is ever-evolving. Stay updated with recent developments, courses, or initiatives that might align with your interests.

Columbia's supplemental essays are your gateway to showcase your fit, passion, and potential contributions to its esteemed community. By thoughtfully crafting your responses and intertwining them with Columbia's ethos and offerings, you can compellingly convey why you're a perfect match for Columbia University.

For more inspiration, you might want to explore these  Columbia essay examples  to understand what makes an application truly stand out.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on the journey to Columbia is not just about showcasing academic prowess but weaving a narrative that aligns with Columbia's esteemed legacy and the admissions committee's expectations. Your supplemental essays are a window into your character, aspirations, and the unique contributions you'll bring to the Columbia community.

Every Columbia aspirant has a distinct story to share. This is your moment to articulate yours. Approach your essays with authenticity, depth, and a genuine passion for your narrative.

If you're unsure whether your essay truly captures your essence or stands out amidst many applications, our essay review service is here to guide you. Our experienced experts will provide a thorough review and feedback, ensuring your essay resonates with Columbia's admissions officers. For further inspiration, dive into our ebook , which showcases essays from students who clinched spots at top-tier institutions. And for those targeting Columbia, our compilation of successful Columbia essay examples will be invaluable.

For those just beginning their college application journey, consider scheduling a free consultation with our seasoned college counselors. We're dedicated to assisting you in crafting an application that enhances your chances of joining the ranks of Columbia's Lions. Your dream of becoming a part of Columbia's legacy is within reach, and we're here to support you at every juncture.

What Makes Crimson Different

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Everything you need to know about US Application Supplemental Essays
• Acing your College Application Essay: 5 Expert Tips to Make it Stand Out from the Rest
• How to Tackle Every Type of Supplemental Essay
• 2023-24 Common App Essay Prompts
• What are the Most Unusual US College Supplemental Essay Prompts?

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10 great common app essay examples from accepted students.

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3 Tips for Writing Stellar Georgia Tech Essays

College Info , College Essays

Before you envision yourself getting settled in at Georgia Tech, you must get over the hurdle of writing the Georgia Tech essays. The Georgia Tech supplement requires you to write a short essay specifically for Georgia Tech. But what is the essay prompt? And what should you include in your Georgia Tech essay?

Keep reading to learn exactly what the Georgia Tech essay is, what kinds of topics you can write about (and what kinds of topics to avoid), and how to ensure you're submitting a quality essay.

Feature Image: Wally Gobetz /Flickr

What Are the Georgia Tech Supplement Essay Prompts?

The Georgia Tech application includes a total of two essays . For one of these, you'll choose one of the seven Common App prompts to respond to, and the other is specific to Georgia Tech. Here's the Georgia Tech prompt:

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech?

How to Write the "Why Georgia Tech?" Essay

This prompt is a version of the "why this college?" prompt . Specifically, this prompt is a "why us?" prompt: It's asking you to elaborate on why this college and the major you've chosen are best suited to you and your aspirations. In other words, what about Georgia Tech and the field of study you want to pursue there will help you achieve your future goals?

To answer this question, you'll need to do some research on Georgia Tech and the academic program you're applying to . The easiest way to do this is to go to the Georgia Tech website to get an overview of what's offered by your program, including the kinds of classes, study abroad options, professors, and internship opportunities.

If possible, I suggest visiting the campus to sit in on classes and meet professors so you can get a clearer feel for the academic program as well as the environment at Georgia Tech as a whole.

In your essay, try to pick a specific characteristic to focus on —don't just say you want to attend Georgia Tech because it's prestigious or well-known. Lots of colleges are!

Next, you'll need to know how your education at Georgia Tech will help you after college . For example, you could write about how you think Georgia Tech's cooperative education program will help you gain relevant professional experience and make connections with like-minded peers.

Regardless of what aspects of Georgia Tech and your major you want to write about, make sure to clearly connect the essay back to you and your own interests and goals .

Here are some possible topics you could use for your "Why Georgia Tech?" essay:

• An anecdote relating some sort of positive personal experience you had at Georgia Tech (such as while on a campus tour)
• A positive interaction you had with someone affiliated with Georgia Tech, such as a current student or professor involved with the major you're applying for
• Your excitement about getting to work with a particular faculty member  and how this opportunity will help you further your career goals
• Your enthusiasm for getting to study in a program, major, or minor that's not usually offered at many schools or that has a unique, interesting angle at Georgia Tech
• A special facility or piece of equipment you're looking forward to being able to work in or with that isn't offered on other campuses or is very rare

Georgia Tech Essay Examples + Analysis

We've written two Georgia Tech essay examples to help give you an idea as to what and how you could write your Why Georgia Tech essay. Additionally, we go over what makes them good essays for a Georgia Tech application.

Georgia Tech Essay Example 1

"Honestly, I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't gone to Georgia Tech."

Katrina was a few years older than me and the sister of my best friend, Troy, who'd given me her email address so I could ask any questions I had about her time at Georgia Tech. This was the last line of her response—and by far the most memorable.

Like Katrina, I can't imagine myself not attending Georgia Tech. As an aspiring environmental engineer, I see Georgia Tech as a gateway to not just learning but also professional success. The flexibility of the major would allow me to focus specifically on my passion for reducing the negative effects of climate change and securing access to clean water. As a senior, I plan to take several hydraulics-focused electives.

In addition, through the InVenture Prize, which I hope to participate in at least twice, I'll be able to utilize the knowledge I've gained through my classes, projects, and fieldwork by translating it into a concrete vision—specifically, an invention that will increase the availability of fresh, healthy water for disadvantaged communities.

After graduation, and as a proud Georgia Tech alumnus (ideally with an InVenture Prize), I plan to implement the skills I've gained through my environmental engineering major in the nonprofit sector.

I haven't met Katrina yet, but I feel as though I know her—perhaps it's that shared sense of joy at having discovered the perfect school for the paths we've chosen.

Here's why this Georgia Tech essay works:

• It's got a creative hook that draws you in. This Georgia Tech essay opens with a quotation that immediately makes it feel as though you're reading a compelling story. It then goes on to connect this hook directly to the narrator who "can't imagine … not attending Georgia Tech," ensuring the focus remains on the applicant and not Katrina.
• It mentions specific features of Georgia Tech. The applicant doesn't just write about how prestigious Georgia Tech is but specifically mentions opportunities she's interested in taking advantage of, such as hydraulics courses and the famous InVenture Prize competition.

The mark of a good college essay is an acceptance letter!

Georgia Tech Essay Example 2

Atlanta has been my home all my life, and I've always known that I want to be one of the people who help make it such a wonderful place to live. My dream is to create my own business that makes it easier for other start-up businesses to get up and running. Georgia Tech is my dream school because I know it will give me the absolute best chance of achieving my goals.

The course catalog for Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business makes it clear that all business students receive a top-notch and comprehensive business education no matter what area they choose to focus on. However, what really interests me is Scheller's emphasis on entrepreneurship. I'm so excited to take advantage of the opportunities the school offers, like LBAT and study abroad programs that focus on starting a new business, the certificate in entrepreneurship, and the Enterprise Innovation Institute where I hope to collaborate with professors, business leaders, and peers to learn how to create and grow and successful business of my own.

Growing up in Atlanta, learned early that it has many resources for people hoping to go into business, and I know Georgia Tech will help me take advantage of them. Under the school's internship program, I hope to work for a start-up company, learning about what makes some new companies thrive while others fail, and getting on-the-ground experience learning what new companies need to do well and avoid common pitfalls. I'll also use Georgia Tech's extensive connections with local business leaders to continue to expand my business acumen outside the classroom.

I have so many ideas for what I want to do with my career, and I can't wait to attend Georgia Tech to learn the skills I need to make these dreams possible.

• It goes in-depth on what Georgia Tech offers. Like the first essay, this one also gets specific on exactly which parts of the school the writer plans to take advantage of the most. From mentioning the course catalog, specific business programs, and the school's connections with the community, it's clear the writer did her research and knows which of Georgia Tech's resources will be of most value to her.
• It has a clear vision of a career path. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do after you graduate college, but having a general idea can really help you show the admissions committee how you're going to take advantage of what Georgia Tech offers. In this case, it's the entrepreneurship and business opportunities at the school, which will help the writer start her own business after graduation.

How to Write a Great Georgia Tech Essay: Three Essential Tips

Now that you know the specifics of the Why Georgia Tech essay prompt, here are three key tips to use while writing your essay.

#1: Be Specific and Concise

The Georgia Tech supplemental essay only gives you room for up to 300 words. That's a pretty short essay! Since you're so limited in terms of length, you'll need to make sure you're using the space you have wisely. Don't write super flowery, verbose descriptions or rely on overly vague examples.

Instead, be as specific as you can be so that you're emphasizing only the most important parts of the story you want to tell. Specificity will make your essay more concise and easier to follow.

#2: Show, Don't Tell

You've probably heard this refrain a million times, but it's especially important for college essays: show your experiences, emotions, and perspectives instead of simply telling them to your readers . Doing this will make your Georgia Tech essays sound vibrant and alive rather than dull and boring.

One of the very best ways to catapult your descriptions to a whole new level and to lend a stronger voice to your writing is to use a variety of literary devices , including flashbacks, anecdotes, imagery, and euphemisms.

#3: Polish and Proofread

Before you submit your Georgia Tech essays, make sure to take some time to read them over, edit them, get feedback, and proofread them.

The best way to do this is to start by writing a rough draft. Once finished, put your essay away for a little while—from a couple of days to a week or so depending on the amount of time you have left before college applications are due —and then take it out again.

As you read your essay, mark any areas that are unclear, awkwardly worded, or irrelevant . You should also proofread your essay for any glaring typos and errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

Once you've repeated this process a few times, it's time to get a new set of eyes to look it over for you. Ask someone you trust, such as a teacher, parent, or counselor, to read your essay and offer comments and corrections on it.

Doing all of this will ensure that your essay is completely polished by the time you turn it in to Georgia Tech!

What's Next?

If you're reading this, you're likely not only applying to Georgia Tech. Get more tips with our expert guides to the Stanford essays , the Northwestern essay , and the Harvard essay .

Applying through the Common App? Check out this comprehensive list of schools that accept the Common App , and learn more about how to write the Common App essay .

To learn more about Georgia Tech and how to get in, take a look at its admission requirements page .

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Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Organize your supplemental essays. I suggest organizing your supplemental essay by colleges and common supplemental essays on a spreadsheet. Then, I suggest making google doc folders for each college and copying and pasting the topic and word count at the top of a google sheet as you're organizing.

Organize your supplemental essays. I suggest organizing your supplemental essay by colleges and common supplemental essays. I have one I'll share with you if you email me at [email protected] . Then, I suggest making google doc folders for each college and copy and paste the topic and word count at the top of a google sheet as you ...

It sounds like your post is related to essays — please check the A2C Wiki Page on Essays for a list of resources related to essay topics, tips & tricks, and editing advice. You can also go to the r/CollegeEssays subreddit for a sub focused exclusively on essays. tl;dr: A2C Essay Wiki. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically.

The Common App personal statement, for example, is maximum 650 words. Supplemental essays, on the other hand, typically range from 100 to 400 words (although occasionally some will be longer). When added together, you'll likely be writing at least a couple thousand words for your college applications. Research.

We recommend using this resource alongside our College Supplemental Essay Premium Example Hub, which includes a sample essay in response to every prompt required by the top universities and BS/MD programs in the United States.. Part 1: Introduction Part 2: From outlining to writing. The 600-word essay. The 500-word essay. The 150-250-word or other very short essay

Below is the supplemental essay prompt for students applying for entry to Hopkins in the fall of 2024: Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you'd like to pursue in college at Hopkins.

Step 1: Write that problem down on the center of a piece of paper. Step 2: Draw lines off it to the right and left. Step 3: At the ends of the lines on the left, brainstorm reasons why that problem bothers you (Ex. I'm a student, and I have trouble getting my medications, so this is a personal problem).

Here are two additional sample essays written for similar essay prompts: Bonus example: My love for Spanish came by accident. Trying to avoid an eighth-grade computer class, I enrolled in Spanish 1, simply because it fit my schedule. I ended up staying because I fell in love with how the language came together.

The easiest way to do this is to do some "Why Us"-like research and find ways you'll engage with and contribute to the Cornell community. Step 4: Pick a structure. The Narrative Structure works well for students who have faced a challenge in or with this community. Otherwise, the Montage Structure works well.

Here are examples of activities you could write about for your Purdue University admission essay: Hobbies. Sports. Clubs or organizations you're a member of. Volunteer service. Arts and music. Work or internships. Family responsibilities. Any activity or experience that is meaningful to you.

Updated: Jul 05, 2024. Supplemental college application essays come in a vast range of topics and sizes and are often the biggest challenge for students after getting through the grueling initial application stages. These essays are crucial in the admissions process, as they provide a more personal and detailed context of your candidacy.

Read our UPenn essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year's supplemental prompts. Essay Example #1: Why Major ... Tireless researching, approaching hundreds of alumni on Reddit, watching EVERY millisecond of YouTube advice, and painting a life-size Quaker on my bedroom walls only to miss the ED deadline by falling to ...

They want to see that you are going to make an impact and at their school. They reduced the word count to approximately 250 words this year - tricky. In this essay, the first part should be about what you did, then what you learnt or took away and then at the very last, you want to include why Vanderbilt.

Below we give you two University of Michigan essay examples written by a real admitted student, along with analysis as to what makes them work. University of Michigan Essay Example 1. This first essay example is from a student on Reddit who was admitted to U-M in early 2018 (for the academic year starting in fall 2018). It is in response to ...

As a part of the 2022-23 college applications, Columbia University requires the following supplemental materials: 1 list of 75 words, 1 list of 125 words, 3 essays of 200 words each, and 1 short answer of 35 words. One of their supplemental essay prompts is as follows: For the following questions, we ask that you list each individual response ...

Columbia supplemental essay example #2. Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. ( 200 words or fewer) "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." Those are Rachel Zoe's words, and I wholeheartedly ...

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How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #6 + Example. The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (250 words) Get really specific with what the idea is.

Columbia's supplemental essays are a crucial part of the application, offering a deeper insight into your fit with the university. This guide provides detailed prompts, tips, and insights to craft compelling responses that resonate with Columbia's ethos. Approach with authenticity, align with Columbia's offerings and showcase your unique ...

Supplemental essays are additional pieces of writing required by many highly-selective universities, and they can be just as revealing and important as your personal statement. Read on for how-to guides with essay examples & analysis on tackling these essays for some of the most popular colleges and universities. American University.

The Georgia Tech supplemental essay only gives you room for up to 300 words. That's a pretty short essay! Since you're so limited in terms of length, you'll need to make sure you're using the space you have wisely. Don't write super flowery, verbose descriptions or rely on overly vague examples.

Think of this as a quick origin story. Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet-point outline. Step #2: Put your moments (aka the "scenes" of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it'll help you see how your interests developed.

Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet point outline. Step #2: Put your moments (aka the "scenes" of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it'll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions.

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

 On a recent MSC Cruise, I booked an aft balcony with a special rate that included the “Easy Package”. I really had no idea what to expect since I never booked an MSC Cruise with a beverage package in the past.

Upon embarking, I was told by staff how the Easy Package didn’t include much and couldn’t be used at a specialty dining restaurant. With that information, I paid a nominal upgrade on the spot to the “Easy Plus” package to make sure I had more choices and that I could use the package while dining in every restaurant.

So is a drink package on MSC worth it? Let’s find out!

About the drink packages:

MSC Cruises offers a variety of drink packages for their cruises, including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” package, an Alcohol-Free package for minors, and a Minors package. The packages range in price and offerings, with the Easy Plus package allowing for more choices and access to specialty dining restaurants. Recent changes include gratuity now being included in the pricing. It’s important to understand what each package includes and excludes before making a decision.

Quick things to know:

• MSC Cruises offers various drink packages like the “Easy,” “Easy Plus,” “Premium Extra,” Alcohol-Free, and Minors package.
• Prices range from $19/day for the Minors package to $85/day for the Premium Extra package.
• The Easy Plus package offers more options and includes access to specialty dining restaurants for an additional cost (best value)
• Drink package prices include gratuity
• Drink packages CAN BE USED on Ocean Cay
• If your package doesn’t cover the drink cost, just pay the difference!
• The Mini bar in the cabin is not included in any package
• Everyone in the cabin needs to purchase the same drink package (excluding minors)

MSC Drink Package Prices

Depending on which you choose, you can get a package for as little as $19/day (Minors) – but the most popular package is the Easy Plus Package which starts at $61/day. The good news is that MSC Is running quite a few promotions that INCLUDE the Easy Plus Package ! Take a look at their promotions here.

What do the drink packages on MSC cruises cost?

We’ll be posting accurate European prices shortly, as they have also changed recently.

MSC Cruises Drink Packages Compared (NEW 2024 prices)

There are 5 drink package options that MSC Cruises offers on its ships including the “Easy” package, “Easy Plus” package, “Premium Extra” Package, and the Alcohol-Free Package (with a different price for minors and adults)

• See : MSC Cruises Bar & Drink Menus with Prices

Easy Drink Package

The “ Easy Package ” is the most basic alcoholic beverage package on MSC Cruises with a cost of $46 per day per adult and is sometimes offered at no charge as a promotion. (This package is $49 per day on short cruises of less than 6 nights and is even more expensive if purchased onboard)

Liquor choices that go into mixed drinks are generic and sometimes off-brand.

The upside to this beverage package is that it also includes bottled water, soft drinks & juices as well as espresso, coffee cappuccino, and other hot drinks (tea, hot chocolate, etc.) With many cruise lines when purchasing a drink package, they often exclude bottled water and coffee drinks. 

So if you are a heavy coffee drinker and enjoy bottled water with a few beers throughout the day, this is likely your good choice. 

This is the package that was included on my Meraviglia cruise with the base cruise fare. Initially, this seemed like a good option as it covers the basics, but some restrictions were inconvenient enough to make me upgrade to the Premium Plus.

An important exception to the Easy Package!

  You CANNOT use the Easy beverage package in any of the specialty restaurants . So if you want a gin & tonic at dinner, you’re out of luck. Even more bizarre, bringing a beverage to dinner is specifically prohibited forcing you to purchase any drinks regardless of price for the time you are in a specialty restaurant. 

MSC Easy Drink Package Menu & What’s Included

The Easy drink package entitles you to any beverage up to $7.50 ( sort of ). For your convenience, menus throughout the ships have a section specifying what’s included in the easy beverage package. However even though some beer prices by the bottle are $7.50 or less, those are EXCLUDED from this package. Strange, right?

For beer, with the Easy Drink Package, the only option is Heineken Draft or sometimes Miller Light, and the wines are off-label or inexpensive brands only marked as “chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet, or Merlot (Plus a random label of sparkling wine or Prosecco). So if you’re not picky, this package may be sufficient. 

Martini | Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, olive or lemon peel Manhattan | Whisky, red vermouth, Angostura bitters Daiquiri | Rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Cosmopolitan | Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime Sidecar | Brandy, triple sec, lemon juice Screwdriver | Vodka, orange juice Margarita | Tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Moscow Mule | Vodka, lime, ginger beer Cape Cod | Vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa | Sparkling wine, orange juice Gin Fizz | Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Pink Lady | Gin, lemon juice, grenadine Sea Breeze | Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice Caipiroska | Vodka, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian | Rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Tequila Sunrise | Tequila, orange juice, grenadine Bloody Mary | Vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Long Island Iced Tea | Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Mojito | Rum, fresh mint, lime, sugar, soda Piña Colada | Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice Strawberry Daiquiri | Rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix

Alcohol-free cocktails included

Nojito | Lime, fresh mint leaves, sugar, Mojito mix, club soda Magic Island | Pineapple, orange and lemon juice, grenadine, Sprite Cuddle on the Beach | Peach purée, orange juice, cranberry juice Royal Punch | Passion fruit purée, pineapple juice, cranberry juice Fruit Smoothie | Orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, fresh banana, guava juice, mango purée Coco Colada | Fresh pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice, milk Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri | Strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix, sugar syrup

Beer Included in the MSC Easy Drinks Package

Heineken draft beer (ONLY)

For this package, even though bottled beers are less than the price cap of $7.50, they’re specifically excluded. Mindblowing, right? It just adds to the confusion about the MSC Drinks packages.

Sodas Included in the Easy Package

Sodas by the glass, Fruit juices by the glass, Still or sparkling mineral water

Other beverages included

Espresso, Decaf espresso, Cappuccino, Decaf cappuccino, Caffè latte, Glass of milk, Hot chocolate, Hot tea

Is the Easy package worth it?

That really depends. If you drink basic cocktails such as Gin & Tonic, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver , etc, and aren’t picky about the liquor used, the Easy Package may work for you. 

Easy Plus Drink Package

The Easy Plus Package cost is $61 per day , ($64 for shorter cruises of 6 days or less) but you can upgrade from the Easy package for about $23/per day per person

With this beverage package, you can order drinks in specialty dining restaurants as well as anything included in the above Easy package. There are caveats, more on that later.

Any beverages up to $10 are included in this package which gets you all of the beer options, more wine options, and some frozen drink options that aren’t available in the most basic drink package.  There is also a larger range of liquor brands, cordials, and martinis available at this price point.

The Easy Plus Package is the most common drinks package because it includes just about everything that a typical drinker would order. Even better, this package can be used in specialty dining restaurants as well. With recent changes to the beverage packages, the cruise line now allows you to order a drink that is not included in the package and only pay the difference (plus gratuity)

This is what we ultimately upgraded to from our included Easy Package. It was well worth the upgrade not only for the more inclusive offering, but for the simplicity of not having to think about what we were ordering and if it was included.

In addition to the Easy Package, you can also order the following:

Cocktails included:.

Sapphire Martini Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini dry, olive or lemon peel Appletini Absolut Classic and Absolut Vanilia vodka, apple sour liqueur, sweet & sour mix Royal Manhattan Crown Royal, Martini Rosso, Angostura bitters Cuban Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup Absolut Cosmo Absolut Citron vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, Rose’s lime Spanish Sidecar Cardinal Mendoza brandy, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar syrup Screwdriver Made in USA T ito’s vodka, orange juice Classic Margarita Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, lime juice Dutch Mule K etel One vodka, lime, ginger beer Absolut Cape Cod Absolut Classic vodka, cranberry juice Mimosa Blossom Absolut Mango vodka, Galliano, orange juice, prosecco Bombay Fizz Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda Ultimate Pink Lady Beefeater London Dry gin, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup Caribbean Breeze Ketel One vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, lime Masters of the Sea Caipirinha Premium cachaça, diced lime, sugar Blue Hawaiian Punch Bacardi Superior white rum, Malibu coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream Aperol Spritz Aperol, prosecco, club soda, orange slice Jalisco Sunrise Jose Cuervo silver tequila, orange juice, grenadine Absolut Bloody Mary Absolut Classic vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce Ultimate Iced Tea Smirnoff vodka, Bacardi Superior White rum, Beefeater gin, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, cola Bacardi Mojito Bacardi Superior white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime, sugar, club soda Mudslide Absolut vodka, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream, heavy cream Baileys Alexander Baileys Irish Cream, dark crème de cacao, cream

Frozen Drinks:

Mango Tropical Trooper Cruzan mango rum, peach schnapps, triple sec, mango juice, fresh mint Rock Lobster Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, grenadine, fresh banana, pineapple and orange juice, Gosling’s Black Seal rum Ultimate Piña Colada Bacardi Superior white rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, fresh pineapple B.B.C Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bacardi Superior white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, fresh banana Original Strawberry Daiquiri Bacardi Superior white rum, strawberry purée, sweet & sour mix Miami Vice Miami’s hottest drink: half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Piña Colada Frozen Toblerone Bailey’s Irish Cream, macadamia nut syrup, Swiss white chocolate syrup, cream

Beer Included in the Easy Plus package:

Miller Lite USA Budweiser USA Bud Light USA Coors Light USA Michelob Ultra USA Heineken Netherlands Corona Extra Mexico Dos Equis Mexico Red Stripe Jamaica Stella Artois Belgium

Samuel Adams USA Yuengling Lager USA Newcastle Brown Ale England Blue Moon USA Beck’s Germany Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italy Pilsner Urquell Czech Republic Guinness Pub Draft Ireland Angry Orchard Apple Cider USA Heineken 0.0 Netherlands

MSC Easy Plus Package Menu

This is an example of the Easy Plus menu from within the MSC mobile app. Just know that you are entitled to anything up to $10. See the complete list below.

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Premium Extra Package

This drinks package allows you to purchase any beverage up to $16 , however, it comes at a high cost of $85.00 / day per person (this can be as much as $104/day if you are on a short cruise and purchase onboard). You can upgrade from a lower-cost beverage package for the difference in price, i.e. if you have the easy package, for approximately $43/day you can upgrade to this Premium package.  (Note: Prices have changed as of March 1, 2023, and this information reflects the newest pricing)

While this package covers most top-shelf liquor, there are still quite a few wines and drinks that are more than $16, so it’s not as inclusive as other cruise lines’ most premium drink packages.

MSC Premium Extra Drink Menu

Most premium liquors can be purchased with this package including Grey Goose, Aviation Gin, Belvedere, etc. (see the menu below). However, there are still plenty of drinks that are strategically priced above $16, making this package far from all-inclusive. Additionally, most of the champagne and decent wine on board is significantly more than the limit allowed by this package. It’s hard to make sense of this package unless your tastes are squarely within the more premium liquor brands included.

A bonus of these drinks packages is the discounting on bottles of wine (25%), but the reality is good bottles of wine are generally only available at The Butchers Cut Steakhouse, so unless you are dining there regularly, that benefit is minimal. 

In addition to the Easy Package & Easy Plus Package, you can also order the following beverages:

Drinks included in the premium extra package:.

Aviation Martini Aviation gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, fresh lemon juice Hemingway Daiquiri Zacapa 23Y rum, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur Santa Teresa Manhattan Santa Teresa 1796 rum, orange bitters, red vermouth Gold Rush Woodford Reserve bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup MSC Signature Martini Disaronno liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, Licor 43, lemon peel Mule Le Poire Grey Goose Le Poire vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer Shanghai Margarita Patrón Silver tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, fresh ginger zest Chili Passion Caipirinha Premium caçhaca, lime, raw sugar, hot chili sauce, passion fruit, jalapeño

Ultimate Mai Tai Appleton Estate rum, Bacardi Superior white rum, Disaronno liqueur, pineapple and orange juice, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Purple Rain Bacardi Superior white rum, Finlandia vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix, grenadine Coco Loco Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum, Malibu coconut rum, Piña Colada mix, mango purée, fruit punch Jamaican Paradise Appleton Estate rum, Malibu coconut rum, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, Midori melon liqueur, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix Miami Beach Iced Tea Bacardi Superior white rum, Beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, Cuervo silver tequila, blue curaçao, sugar syrup, Sprite Sunset Beach Malibu coconut rum, raspberry liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, grenadine Tropical Tease Midori melon liqueur, Malibu coconut rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice Emerald Mariachi 1800 Reposado tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice Mango Mojito Bacardi mango rum, mango purée, fresh mint leaves, lime, club sod a

You ONLY pay the difference in price for a beverage not included in your MSC DRINK package

You can now get a credit towards any drinks not included in your MSC Drink package!. The credit towards a drink is $8 per drink for the Easy Package, $10 per drink for the Easy Plus Package, and $16 per drink for the Premium Extra Package.

For European cruises the credit you get is 7 Euro for the Easy Package, 9 Euro for the Easy Plus and 14 Euro for the Premium Extra package on MSC.

Alcoholic-Free and Minors Package on MSC Cruises

You might be interested in the non-alcoholic package if you’re not a drinker or when traveling with children. This package offers non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. This package doesn’t apply to specialty restaurants unless it’s for a minor whose group purchased the Easy Plus or Premium Extra alcoholic package. So be prepared to pay for your soda when dining at the Butcher’s Cut, even if you have this package.

These prices will vary if booked on the ship on the day of sailing. Usually by an additional 10% or more. Short sailings are considered anything less than 7 days.

This table of prices is pretty mind-numbing and takes the fun out of figuring out what package is right. Why there are different prices for different lengths of cruise is bizarre and just another way that MSC tends to overcomplicate everything.

• Read : More about MSC Cruises
• See : MSC Bar Menus

In Summary, My experience with the MSC Drink Packages

Originally, I thought the Easy package would be sufficient for our cruise, but discovering the limited beverage options and the fact that you cannot use the package in specialty dining restaurants, we chose to upgrade to the Easy Plus.

Overall this was a good choice, because of the wider variety of options and the ability to use in a specialty restaurant. However, it’s important to know – that when using the Easy Plus in a specialty restaurant like Butcher’s Cut, you must order off of the wine/drink menus in that restaurant!

If your favorite glass of wine isn’t available in the restaurant, you are forbidden to bring anything from an outside bar, which really makes no sense. This is something that they do NOT TELL YOU when upgrading from Easy to Easy Plus on the ship.

Normally this wouldn’t be a big issue except there were very few options on beverage menus that were covered by the Easy Plus package.

Drink Calculator – Are drink packages worth it on MSC?

Let’s find out if getting a drink package is worth it or not by using our handy drink calculator! Simply choose the package you plan on purchasing and estimate how many drinks per day you might consume and see if you “break even”

• Choose the package type you are considering. We’ve entered the package price per MSC Cruises but you can adjust the daily charge if you are getting a promo on the package price.
• Enter the number of cruise days
• Estimate your consumption of each type of beverage. We’ve put the average beverage prices based on the Drink Menus, but you can adjust this if you know you like more expensive drink options.

Easy Package includes:

Specific drinks listed on the easy drink menu (found here).

These drinks are sort of “vague” in some respect, so definitely look at the MSC Drink Menus article , where there is a unique menu for the Easy Package.

The Easy Package covers all of the above served in the bars, buffet and main restaurant as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations. This package CANNOT be used in specialty restaurants.

Easy Plus Package includes:

Bottomless beverages priced up to $10 all day long.

The Easy Plus Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant and specialty restaurants , Ocean Cay, and other exclusive destinations.

Premium Extra Package includes:

Premium beverages priced up to $16.

The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in the bars, buffet, main restaurant, and specialty restaurants as well as Ocean Cay and other exclusive destinations.

Estimate Your Daily Consumption:

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships in US Dollars.

Remember! Any drink not within your package limit, you pay the overage cost plus the service charge! If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes! This helps give you a more accurate idea of your possible spending. (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)

Each field contains the average price found on most MSC ships. For the Premium Extra package, all drinks up to $15 are included. If you tend to drink nicer wines or cocktails, you can adjust the average price of each beverage in the corresponding boxes – Remember, for anything over the included price, you pay the difference plus a service charge or gratuity (15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentine) and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuity on North America itineraries.)!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Easy PLUS Package yet!

You BROKE EVEN on the Easy PLUS Package!

You haven’t broken even on the Premium Extra Package yet!

Other MSC Drink Package Helpful Information

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying... Read This

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35 Comments

On MSc how much doe sit cost if you buy a beer or a soda pop per purchase since i do not drink much alcohol at all and maybe two sodas a day

Wayne – You can get a beer for about $7.50 and a soda for $3.00-$3.50 + gratuity. You can see the MSC drink menus here

How do you know if the drink you order is within the 10$ limit on the easy plus package? Do the bartenders tell you? I would hate to get a bill for the extra few dollars if not covered. Thanks!

Hi Robin, They are very good about telling you right away if anything you order isn’t in the package, but the menus are also scattered around everywhere, and you’ll quickly learn what types of drinks are extra. I found that the selection of drinks wasn’t incredibly huge, so I knew fast what they had that I liked, and which were going to cost a little more.

I don’t drink alcohol but would like the occasional soda. Is it possible to purchase just individual drinks without the packages?

Hi Peter, Absolutely! If you take a look at the MSC Drink Menus (here) – on the first menu, flip to the last page. You’ll see the list of sodas and other beverages. It’s definitely not worth a package with the occasional soda.

Hi! Sailing in a couple days. Just want water and maybe a MOCKtail or 2 for a day. I wasn’t clear on how much mineral water is included per day or how to access. No soda, tea or coffee for me. The calculator did not offer the nonalcoholic package so wanted your recommendations- I do need to drink alot of water. Can I bring any sealed bottled water aboard? Is there gratuities on bottled water as well and how big are the bottles? Thanks in advance!

Hi Amy – Good point on the calculator – we’ll fix that and add the non-alcoholic package! At about $28 per day for the non-alcoholic package and a water being about $3.25 + gratuities, You’d end up needing to buy about 7 bottled waters per day to “break even”. (They are the large 17 oz sizes you’d get in a restaurant, so it’s a pretty good value) The non alcoholic cocktails are included as well and are usually about $7 to my recollection, but here’s the menus for MSC Drinks . (the first menu flips through to all the non-alcoholic in the back of the menu) – About bringing water, etc. MSC Is one of the only cruise lines that literally allows no beverages to be brought on the ship. Enjoy your cruise! I hope this helps.

We are looking at doing a cruise with our teens in the spring. We don’t drink alcohol, so is it worth buying a drink package? We would like access to sodas, juices, anything non alcoholic, so wondering if you’d advise to get a drink pkg or not. Thanks!

Hi Diana – Basic tea, coffee, water is included in the fare but soda, specialty coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages aren’t included. There IS an Alcohol free package for $28/day per person +/- which is quite a bit less than the other drink packages. HOWEVER, MSC Often does a promo with the “easy” package or “easy plus” as a perk for a bit of an extra charge. Doing the math, you’ll often find that the little higher rate on a cruise that includes the drink package is far less than buying the package separately. For example, on a 7 day booking I looked and the all included fare was about $37/per person per day more expensive and the drink package was included as well as wifi and onboard credit. More benefits for less money for sure! SO be sure to check that pricing and use our drink calculator for MSC (here) to see if you even drink enough soda/non-alcoholic things to make it worth it.

Your calculator doesn’t take into account that they add a 15% gratuity to each drink, and the package includes the gratuity.

Hi Brad, thanks for the comment, we’ll make a change to the formula to include the gratuity in the calculations!

Is there a time limit in between each drink? Like a waiting period of 10/15 minutes?

Hi Sarah – There is not. We would often try a drink of the day or some specialty, hate it, and immediately order something else.

Hope this helps!

I want to get the easy drinks package but my husband cant drink due to Ill health. Do MSC take this into consideration or will we have to both buy same package.

Hi Karen – Normally with a medical notice from a doctor, the second person doesn’t have to purchase an alcohol package. HOWEVER, MSC rules change… sometimes depending on who you speak to. My experience with this is that they will request you purchase the EASY package for yourself and the NON ALCOHOLIC package for your husband. But it will have to be done by phone, and whether they ask for medical proof will likely depend on who you speak to at the time. I had friends traveling with us that were in your exact situation and they were not asked for proof but were in fact told the non drinking person has to purchase a non-alcoholic package.

Is Redbul available at no additional cost in the easy plus package?

Yes, my recollection is that energy drinks were included with the Easy Plus!

So for my wife who does not drink any alcohol is the minor package the best? Based on the menu the easy plus package covers a variety of beers is that correct vs only Heineken on the easy package.

Hi Jason, they (MSC) will likely require the Alcohol-Free Package as I believe the Minors package is truly teens and below. They’re basically the same thing, you’re just getting penalized for being a grown up 🙂 – That said, the Easy Plus package you are considering does cover all of the beers. There wasn’t a beer served that wasn’t covered by the Easy Plus. And yes, Heineken is the only thing available on the Easy Package. So if you’re a beer drinker, it’s worth looking at the Easy Plus. BUT! Keep in mind, the specials that MSC runs sometimes include the beverage packages and it may be cheaper to go ahead and book with those specials rather than cruise only and adding an Alcohol-Free Package + Easy Plus package. Even if your wife doesn’t take advantage of the alcohol, she can have all of the non-alcoholic beverages she wants and in the end the total price may be less on the promotion. Hope this helps!

If you purchase a non-alcoholic drink package, do you pay the difference for an alcoholic drink or the full price?

Hi Tom – The non alcoholic package won’t work to apply anything towards an alcoholic beverage purchase. However if you have the most basic beverage package (Easy), you can pay the difference for drinks that are more expensive than what is covered by the Easy (this is new for 2023)

Thank you, kind of what I thought. I’d have to to go easy plus since the easy package is not inclusive of some of the non-alcoholic drinks I would like.

Interesting! I’m curious about what non-alcoholic drinks you like that wouldn’t be included in the Easy Package? In our experience, everything non-alcoholic was included in the Easy Package (but there may be something I’m missing!) 🙂

What to do if one person drinks and other doesn’t on the same cabin?

Typically everyone of age in the same cabin must have the same drink package. The cruise line will make an exception for medical reasons. Mostly they don’t want one person getting the package and sharing the drinks with their cabin mate 🙁

Thank you for all of this information. It is very hard to navigate all of this from MSC website. I am not a big drinker so I wasn’t sure if the packages were necessary. Your drink calculator is very helpful . If you could answer a question: there are no frozen drinks on the easy drink menu. Does that mean there is no option for frozen margaritas?

Hi Claudia, I’m glad this information helped! We were able to get frozen drinks without a problem, as long as the liquor type was in the basic package. They didn’t distinguish between frozen or on the rocks with things like Margaritas and Daiquiris.

We are sailing to Rome from Durban 20th April and have bought 18 of the 18 unit packages, my question is does a unit mean a short and a mixer, ie, rum and coke or it that 2 units.

Hi Jennifer, we’ve done both Europe & USA cruises on MSC – and in our experience, a rum and coke was in fact a single drink. I know in Europe, it’s common to sell the mixer separate, but that does not seem to be the case on MSC Ships. I hope this helps & enjoy your cruise!

My husband and I are booked to sail from Durban in April on msc Orchestra 25 day cruise to Genoa. Please can you advise if drinks packages are on offer on the ship or if we pay per drink and are soft drinks free? If we pay per drink can you email prices so that we can work out a budget, many thanks.

Hi Ann! When you login to your MSC account you should see a way to pre-purchase the packages. If you wait until you get on the ship, they will be about 20% more expensive! We did the “easy” package which covered sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, and quite a few basic drinks, but upgraded on another trip to the Easy Plus which gets you better beverages and allows you to use the package in the specialty restaurants (which you can’t with the basic Easy package). We put together a handy drink calculator for MSC (See the drink calculator) so you can estimate your budget based on how you normally consume. This will let you know really fast if you’re going to make the drink package worth it! I hope this helps.

Their top package used to include everything but full bottles of wine. Last time on Miraviglia it included everything on the champagne bar menu including $20 drinks. On the Seaside it used to cover the specialty chocolate drinks and gelato. Mildly disappointed. Used to be the best package. Bartenders loved it because they could make the high dollar stuff most people won’t try

I feel your disappointment! When we were on the Meraviglia , the whole drink package was so confusing that even some of the staff weren’t sure what to include or not. I had hoped they’d simplify it, but the new packages with prices were just released, and it’s still a head-scratcher.

It will be our first time on a cruise. Reading your tips is being mind and eye opening. We will make sure to have every single detail well calculated before we proceed. Thank you! Great website!

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About MSC Cruises

We’ve called the sea our home for over 300 years. It’s a place of wonder, discovery, and delight. But it’s also a place that needs protection. On an MSC Cruise, our guests don’t just create unforgettable memories, visit incredible destinations, and enjoy the finest hospitality - they also have a chance to make a difference. From our experienced crew members to our engineers, to our expert ship builders, we’re securing the sea’s tomorrow by taking positive steps today.

Discover the Beauty of Cruising with MSC Cruises

Our company

We are the world’s third-largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa, with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. We are also the fastest-growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.    Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, we are part of MSC Group , the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage.  We employ over 30,000 staff globally and sell cruise holidays in many countries around the world.

Our Cruises

At MSC Cruises, our love for the sea goes back many generations. And we are eager to pass this passion on to future generations. That’s why we are dedicated to making each of our cruises a voyage of discovery and unforgettable emotions for every guest. We offer an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience, where you can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the latest user-friendly technology on board. 

With our cruises you can decide where to go and for how long. Choose among the best cruise destinations, with a wide variety of itineraries mapped to reveal the sights, sounds and flavours of the world's most intriguing cultures. Our ships sail year-round in the Mediterranean  and the Caribbean - Antilles  (visiting also Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , our private island in the Bahamas). Our seasonal itineraries include Northern Europe , South America , Southern Africa , Asia , North America , Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar  and Saudi Arabia & Red Sea .

With us you can discover the world, from few days at a time to all at once on a four-month cruise around the globe with MSC World Cruise .

We want you to discover the world in absolute style, comfort and safety. That’s why we are constantly expanding and improving our fleet, not only to give you a greater choice of destinations, but also to offer you an amazing state-of-art cruising experience wherever you go.

We have a modern fleet of vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new ships. The current ships across our classes of ship include: 

MSC World Europa , the first MSC World Class ship introduces a completely new, ground-breaking platform that brings together innovative technologies and industry-first design features including its unique Y-shape. MSC World Europa will be the first LNG-powered vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet and the most environmentally advanced to date. The ship will be delivered in December 2022.  MSC World America  will be the second in the cruise line’s innovative World Class when she launches in April 2025, offering sustainable cruising in the Caribbean from Miami, with new, immersive and unique experiences at sea.

MSC Virtuosa , is one of the most environmentally-advanced ship of our fleet, delivered in February 2021. With a total guest capacity of 6,334 passengers, she is the largest ship in the MSC Cruises global fleet. Her sister ship MSC Grandiosa (from the Meraviglia Plus Class), came into service in November 2019.  

The smaller sister ships  MSC Meraviglia  and  MSC Bellissima  were the first two Meraviglia Class ships that came into service in 2017 and 2019. In 2023 another ship, MSC Euribia, powered by LNG will join the Meraviglia Plus Class fleet.

The Musica Class ships MSC Magnifica  (2010), MSC Poesia  (2008), MSC Orchestra  (2007) and MSC Musica  (2006) carry around 3,000 guests each.

  The fleet is completed by the Lirica Class ships – MSC Sinfonia  (2005), MSC Armonia  (2004), MSC Opera  (2004) and MSC Lirica  (2003) – each carrying around 2,000 guests.

The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six vessel orders in place through 2030.

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As a family-owned company with a global seafaring heritage that dates back to 1675, MSC cares passionately about the seas and has a real love of the beautiful places and inspiring cultures we take our guests to explore all over the world. This has led us to launch many life-changing initiatives over the years. The MSC Foundation was founded in 2018 to lead and coordinate these conservation and humanitarian commitments worldwide, developing the longstanding philanthropic partnerships of all the MSC Group companies and launching many new initiatives.    Vision To restore the critical balance between people and nature within a generation Mission To utilize MSC’s global reach and unique knowledge of the sea to take immediate action that contributes to protecting and nurturing the blue planet and all its people Joining hands to make a difference The Foundation works to restore the critical balance between people and nature, utilizing MSC’s global reach and unique knowledge of the sea to take immediate action to protect and nurture the blue planet, its peoples and our shared cultural heritage. It helps disaster-struck populations toward recovery and support vulnerable communities around the world to realize their full potential through education, sustainable development, and medical humanitarian programs. The Foundation works both independently and in conjunction with trusted partners that have a strong innovative vision or track record for effective action.   The Foundation works to achieve this both independently and together with trusted partners that have a strong innovative vision or track record for effective action. Our principal partners are UNICEF , Marevivo, M ercy Ships and Ba'a Foundation.

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