Writing the Princeton Supplemental Essays

 Princeton Excerpt

For each class, Princeton brings together a varied mix of high-achieving, intellectually gifted students from diverse backgrounds to create an exceptional learning community.

According to Princeton admissions (via their website):

“We look for students with intellectual curiosity who have pursued and achieved academic excellence.  We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments.” 

“This is your opportunity to display your best writing as well as your ability to convey ideas in your own voice.”

Instead of worrying about meeting a specific set of criteria, try to create an application that will help us see your achievements — inside the classroom and out — in their true context, so we can understand your potential to take advantage of the resources at Princeton and the kind of contribution you would make to the Princeton community. Show us what kind of student you are. Show us that you have taken advantage of what your high school has to offer and how you have achieved and contributed in your own particular context.

We look for students who make a difference in their schools and communities, so tell us about your leadership activities, interests, special skills and other extracurricular involvements. Tell us if you’ve had a job or a responsibility in your home. Most Princeton students were academic standouts in high school. Most of them also invested their energy and talents in significant ways outside the classroom. We want to know what you care about, what commitments you have made and what you’ve done to act on those commitments.

The types of students admitted consisted of applicants who share their personal passions and unique talents that set them apart intellectually and culturally from others. Students tell of how they persevered through adversity, tackled a problem, endeavored to solve it, and grew through a specific journey. Students engage the reader with a specific image and description and show how they persist throughout their journey (and throughout the essay) by connecting every detail to their growth and learning. Perseverance is a type of self-discipline towards a goal that admission officers admire in candidates. These essays show perseverance and use a wrap-around ending to bring the organization and learning full circle. 

Supplemental Essay Example: 

Prompt: Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Since childhood, I have been a voice for the just treatment of animals. From my puppy brother Zack, I felt firsthand how humans and animals can have incredible connections. For instance, when my mother was bedridden during chemotherapy, I felt powerless. By looking into Zack’s eyes, sensing his empathy, I got through a time that I could not have alone.

The summer my mother entered remission amid the pandemic, a virtual job on VolunteerMatch caught my attention. “Be flexible to complete tasks for the advocacy director within 48 hours.” After interviewing and sending mock emails to legislators and non-profits asking for their endorsements of the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act, I officially represented AWA—Animal Wellness Action (AWA). Gradually, the job requirement of “be flexible” grew apparent. Owing to my experience as editor-in-chief of my school’s newspaper, I wrote opinion articles for local Connecticut papers on behalf of AWA; to publicize AWA’s Youth Steering Committee, I invited Dr. Bonsteel, founder of Humane Action Pittsburgh, to speak at an all-school assembly on how to effectively communicate with legislators. The end of his talk remains deep in my memory: “Helping animals helps us all.”

Indeed, my passion for animal advocacy began upon recognizing Zack’s humanity. Through Princeton’s High Meadows Fellowship Program (bridging human and animal interests via environmental protection) and TigerTAILS (helping animal shelters attract local adoption families to improve all of our lives), I will continue fighting for acts of humanity toward the beings who understand and feel more than we imagined.