University of San Diego 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide 

University of San Diego 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 350 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community

In this section, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts in response to two essay prompts – one which all students will respond to and a second one where you will choose from among three essay options. Please note that there are a few hyperlinks embedded within the questions which link out to USD web pages which describe initiatives and programs unique to USD. You may find some of these links helpful as you consider your responses to the prompts. Essays should be approximately 200 words in length.

For over 75 years, the liberal arts have been the cornerstone of the educational experience at USD.  They help students explore the world, past and present, and lay the foundation for building inspired and meaningful lives.  They also provide the skills and experiences students need to be successful in an increasingly changing and challenging world.  Throughout the first year and beyond, we engage students in this exploration through our Core Curriculum and Learning Communities, connecting them with faculty who will guide them as they become global citizens.  What excites you about the academic opportunities at USD?  You can learn more about our Core Curriculum and Learning Community programs by clicking on the respective links. (350 words)

This is a classic Why Essay: Why do you want to attend USD? Of course, we were already going to recommend doing some research, and USD reinforces this by offering links to check out their Core Curriculum and Learning Community programs. How convenient for you! Block off an hour or two and delve into these webpages, identifying courses, professors, student clubs, research opportunities, and any other aspects of USD’s academics that excite you. Take particular care with the Learning Communities, noting which appeal(s) to you and why. Maybe you’re excited to join the Cultivate LLC while you pursue a Biology major with a focus on coastal wetland ecosystems. Perhaps the Collaborate LLC is perfect for you as a prospective Finance major who aims to support women’s micro-economic businesses in West Africa. With 350 words, you have plenty of space to wax poetic about USD’s academic attractions, so dive into all of your interests! 

Now choose one of the three prompts below to write about. (350 words)

Option #1) Here at USD, we value the fact that our students come from all walks of life, have experienced different realities and bring with them an array of unique perspectives, including some that have often been underrepresented and underserved by higher education. Our Horizon Project is a call to action, ensuring that we are dedicating the time, energy and resources necessary to build an ever more diverse, inclusive and equitable campus community. What contribution have you made to your current school and/or local community that best exemplifies your awareness of and commitment to these ideals?

USD’s take on the community essay comes with a focus on diversity, but don’t let that limit you! First of all, let us remind you that your “local community” can be just about anything from your neighborhood to your family to your dojo. Pick a community that means something to you and the diversity narrative will fall into place. Maybe your progressive church welcomes people of many different faiths, and you developed a special language for discussing religion with your childhood friends. Or perhaps your school is incredibly homogenous and isolated, and you helped your Spanish class organize Skype chats with a student body in Guatemala. No matter your starting point, be sure to tell a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end. It may be tempting to pen a vivid description of your community and leave it at that, but the point of an essay like this is to tell a story about you, your contributions, and your personal growth.

Option #2) As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue?

You’ll notice some striking similarities between USD option #2 and Common App prompt #4, which asks you to “Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve.” In other words, if you wrote your Common App personal statement on #4, you’ll want to skip USD’s #2 to avoid repeating yourself. (If not, here are some extra tips in our Common App Essay Prompt Guide!) 

This is your opportunity to not only show admissions how you face challenges, but also demonstrate your creativity and vision. If you choose this prompt, take a little time to brainstorm a few “challenges facing humanity” that bother you or affect your life. This can range from rising ocean temperatures to racial profiling. Although the scope and scale of your problem can vary, remember that USD emphasizes “social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, and a global perspective.” 

Option #3) Share some of your ideas about the role of faith or spirituality in your life or the life of someone you know. As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We devote great time and energy to ensuring all students feel connected to the vibrant USD community, including opportunities to grow in their relationship with God while considering who they are, what they believe and who they are called to become.

Given the faith-forward nature of this question and of the university website, we imagine that most of you folks reading this guide probably already have a few thoughts on this question. We’d be surprised if the religious affiliation didn’t factor into your decision to apply, but if you haven’t thought about it, now is your chance to reflect on your relationship with faith, if you so choose. Writing about spiritual and religious beliefs is just as personal (if not more!) as any other topic you might cover on your college application, so don’t be afraid to dive deep. If you grew up in a traditional religious household, you probably have a treasure trove of experiences and stories to share with admissions, but sometimes it’s hard to write about faith when it’s always been a given in your life. Whether your background is Christian, Hindu, or atheist, can you think about the role faith plays in your life? Is it daily, minute-by-minute, or reserved for high holidays? Or, if religion wasn’t a huge part of your upbringing, what led you to take an interest in a Catholic university? Whether you consider yourself a religious person or not, faith is a central component of the USD experience, and now is your chance to invite admissions into your own relationship with it.