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Regular Decision:
The Requirements: 3 essays of 250 words
Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Activity
This essay prompt is simple enough: Why are you interested in attending Chestnut Hill College (besides the name being straight out of a storybook)? Of 5,000+ colleges and universities in the United States, you’re considering this one. Why? Start by writing down everything that comes to mind. You can always cut the fat later. Next, get familiar with Chestnut Hill’s website (including: classes, professors, clubs, organizations, study abroad opportunities, and alumni networks). The more specific you can be, the better. Admissions is looking to accept applicants who are willing to go the extra mile to demonstrate interest and show they are a good fit.
Chances are you’ve seen this prompt before. But if you haven’t, let us introduce you to our old friend. This is a version of the Why Essay that specializes in academics. Why do you want to study that thing that you listed as your intended major? While you might be tempted to get technical or poetic in your response, your reader will also expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The most memorable essays spring from concrete descriptions of your experiences. What interests you and why? When was the last time you became so absorbed in something that you lost track of time–and what was the topic? While you don’t need to pinpoint the exact moment you became interested in exercise science or forensics, try to zero in on some inspiring experiences. Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study.
What?! Chestnut Hill has a third essay? If you didn’t see this essay lurking in the Common App the first time around, don’t sweat it (it was hiding). The good news is: this prompt is as classic as candy corn in October, and we know you can get in the essay writing groove. Start by jotting down a few activities in which you’ve participated or jobs you’ve held. The trickiest part is selecting the activity you want to talk about. So, we return to our favorite mantra: tell admissions something they couldn’t learn elsewhere. If you wrote your Common App essay about your experience as manager of the local Pizza Hut, skip the pepperoni and focus on a different activity that shows a new side of who you are for this prompt. This can also be a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and any accolades you may have received as a result of participating in a particular activity. Did you discover that winning the game isn’t as important as the connections you make on the field when you joined the JV soccer team? Did you uncover a passion for painting during summer camp? Don’t limit yourself to thinking about organized activities through school or church or your town. Anything that you dedicate time to outside of school is fair game here, so follow your gut!
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