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Question 1: (required)
We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (max 300 words)
Question 2: (Choose one, no more than two, max 200 words each)
A) Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
B) Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
C) Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
D) Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
E) Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?
We have designed these writing supplements to help us understand your experiences in high school and imagine what kind of Northwestern student you may become. The supplemental questions below touch on areas we see as important for building Northwestern’s Class of 2030, but you should feel free to repurpose essays you've written for other applications (including the Common Application personal essay, which we no longer require) if they tell the story you'd most like to share. We also know there may be information or qualities not covered in our supplemental questions that you see as important to your application. To that end, we welcome-but by no means expect-your submission of a personal essay or additional information in the Common Application.
Northwestern’s supplemental essays are some of the most important parts of your application—especially if you’re serious about attending. These questions are designed to help the admissions team understand whether you’ve thought deeply about why Northwestern is the right place for you—not just because of the name, but because of how it fits your goals, interests, and learning style.
Northwestern is looking for students who value collaboration, flexibility, and interdisciplinary exploration. Your responses should show that you’ve considered what kind of environment helps you thrive—and how Northwestern offers exactly that.
Show, don't just tell.
Northwestern wants to know why you're interested in the university. Don't just list a few programs or resources. Instead, describe how you would use them and how they would benefit your goals.
Be specific.
Mentioning a major is not enough. You should name specific professors, research centers, student organizations, or unique course offerings that excite you. This shows you've done your research and can truly see yourself at Northwestern.
Build a Cohesive Story.
A strong narrative turns your application from a list of accomplishments into a memorable story about what drives you. It helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but why it matters — and where it’s all heading. Not sure what a narrative looks like? Check out this blog post!
Connect to your interests.
The best answers connect Northwestern's opportunities to your past experiences and future goals. If you have a passion for a particular topic, explain why Northwestern is the best place for you to explore it. Paint a picture that will help admissions officers envision you perfectly as a future Northwestern student.
Proofread your work.
Typos and grammatical errors stand out and can give the impression of a lack of care. Take the time to carefully check your work.
Answer the actual question.
It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people go off track. Stay focused.
Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!
Question 1: (required)
We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise? (max 300 words)
Question 2: (Choose one, no more than two, max 200 words each)
A) Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
B) Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
C) Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
D) Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
E) Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?
We have designed these writing supplements to help us understand your experiences in high school and imagine what kind of Northwestern student you may become. The supplemental questions below touch on areas we see as important for building Northwestern’s Class of 2030, but you should feel free to repurpose essays you've written for other applications (including the Common Application personal essay, which we no longer require) if they tell the story you'd most like to share. We also know there may be information or qualities not covered in our supplemental questions that you see as important to your application. To that end, we welcome-but by no means expect-your submission of a personal essay or additional information in the Common Application.
Northwestern’s supplemental essays are some of the most important parts of your application—especially if you’re serious about attending. These questions are designed to help the admissions team understand whether you’ve thought deeply about why Northwestern is the right place for you—not just because of the name, but because of how it fits your goals, interests, and learning style.
Northwestern is looking for students who value collaboration, flexibility, and interdisciplinary exploration. Your responses should show that you’ve considered what kind of environment helps you thrive—and how Northwestern offers exactly that.
Show, don't just tell.
Northwestern wants to know why you're interested in the university. Don't just list a few programs or resources. Instead, describe how you would use them and how they would benefit your goals.
Be specific.
Mentioning a major is not enough. You should name specific professors, research centers, student organizations, or unique course offerings that excite you. This shows you've done your research and can truly see yourself at Northwestern.
Build a Cohesive Story.
A strong narrative turns your application from a list of accomplishments into a memorable story about what drives you. It helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but why it matters — and where it’s all heading. Not sure what a narrative looks like? Check out this blog post!
Connect to your interests.
The best answers connect Northwestern's opportunities to your past experiences and future goals. If you have a passion for a particular topic, explain why Northwestern is the best place for you to explore it. Paint a picture that will help admissions officers envision you perfectly as a future Northwestern student.
Proofread your work.
Typos and grammatical errors stand out and can give the impression of a lack of care. Take the time to carefully check your work.
Answer the actual question.
It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people go off track. Stay focused.
Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
As a College Counselor I help students navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to help students stand out and get accepted to their top-choice schools.
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