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Early Action: Nov 5
Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15
The Requirements: 3 essays of 100 words each
Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community
The key to this simple supplement is budgeting your information wisely to ensure that each essay you write is not only distinct, but reveals something totally new to admissions. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a straightforward supplement is an indication that your answers should be impeccable!
It doesn’t get simpler than this: why here? Although the word limit is tight, the key to any successful Why essay is good old fashioned research. So set aside a little time to pore over the UMass website and figure out exactly what aspects of the school excite you most. You’ll want to keep your explanation top line, but personalize it with specific details about the clubs, departments, and other opportunities you hope to take advantage of. Consider the physical as well as social and scholarly aspects of the school. Maybe you like that it’s close to home. Or maybe you’re all about moving to a remote location very far away from where you currently live. If you’re a language buff, maybe that linguistics department is calling your name with a side of study abroad. But don’t go too crazy on the academics, you’ll have time to go deep on your scholarly interests in the next essay, and as we said, space is tight. What do your particular choices and interests say about you as a person? What do they say about UMass Amherst? How do you and UMass fit together?
This is a classic Community Essay, through and through. Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What traditions or aspects of your community would you like to share at UMass Amherst? What you address can be a larger cultural community or as specific as your community theater troupe. Address the role that your community plays in your life, then consider why your particular background or experience within this community will enrich UMass Amherst’s campus. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? What is important to you and how will your experiences in communities bring something of value to the community at UMass Amherst?
We told you to save the academics for later! Now you can get into it about why you love a certain subject. Most importantly, though, you will want to explain why you want to study it at UMass Amherst in particular. Where do your interests link up with the work of a particular professor or program? Maybe you still covet the rock collection you started in 5th grade and have your eye on UMass Amherst’s geology program. And maaaaybe you’ve been looking for a way to share your passion for mineral formations with the world, which is what makes the earth science teaching track absolutely ideal for you. Drill down to the details that sync up with your passions and interests. And if you’re undecided, that’s okay too! Immerse yourself in the course catalog and rejoice in your many options. Can you describe how you would explore different subject areas? What makes UMass Amherst the perfect place to discover your passion?
We have been reading UMass Amherst essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are repeating the prompt in your essay (don’t waste your words), trying to sound like an academic (admissions wants to hear your authentic voice!), and using cliches (they’re ineffective and—let’s face it—lazy).
We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the UMass Amherst supplements for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to these short essays, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful UMass Amherst essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances.
UMass Amherst asks applicants to submit three (3) short supplemental essays.
As admissions explains, “This is an ideal opportunity to provide further information not apparent in your transcripts and other materials.” So, take the opportunity to share more information about yourself through your academic interests, community background, and aspirations for pursuing your degree at UMass Amherst.
In order to make your UMass Amherst essays stand out, we recommend giving yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, reflect on your stories, and piece together cohesive narratives that reveal new information about who you are and what you hope to accomplish without relying on common cliches.
Each essay can be up to 100 words.
"[My daughter] wrote great drafts, but you turned them into FABulous drafts! You have a great eye. Thanks again!"
– CEA Parent, UMass Amherst, Class of 2028
"Thank you again for all of your help with my personal statement and UMass Amherst essays. My odds of admission weren't great as you know, but I gained acceptance anyway and I'm sure the essays played a role in that."
– CEA Student, UMass Amherst, Class of 2027
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