The College of William & Mary is known for its rich history and academic excellence. As part of the application process, the college invites students to share more about themselves through optional supplemental essays designed to give a deeper insight into applicants' personalities, experiences, and interests. Below, we’ll break down each prompt and offer advice on how to tackle them effectively.
Here are the 2024-2025 supplemental essay prompts for the College of William & Mary:
Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community? (Maximum 300 words)
Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal. (Maximum 300 words)
How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience? (Maximum 300 words)
What led to your interest in William & Mary? (Maximum 300 words)
Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual. (Maximum 300 words)
If we visited your town, what would you want to show us? (Maximum 300 words)
Advice on Writing the College of William & Mary Supplemental Essays
1. Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?
When writing this essay, think about groups or communities that have significantly influenced your life. This could be anything from a sports team to a volunteer organization. Demonstrate how these experiences have shaped you, and provide specifics on how you plan to contribute to the William & Mary community. Utilizing Sups AI can be a great way to brainstorm ideas and gather feedback on this prompt, particularly in understanding how your unique experiences can translate into meaningful engagement at the college.
2. Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.
Here, delve into a subject or career you are passionate about. Explain why you are drawn to it and how William & Mary, with its rich academic resources, can help you achieve your goals. Be detailed in linking the college’s specific programs, faculty, or opportunities to your aspirations. If in doubt, a session with a student advisor on Sups AI might help refine your interests and how best to articulate them.
3. How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience?
Discuss the elements of your family life, culture, or background that have significantly impacted you. Be honest and reflective. Highlighting unique aspects of your background can make this essay stand out. Getting feedback from Sups AI, an AI college counseling platform, can help ensure that your narrative is both authentic and impactful.
4. What led to your interest in William & Mary?
For this essay, be specific about what excites you about William & Mary. Mention specific programs, faculty members, campus traditions, or academic opportunities that have drawn you to the school. Sups AI has helped thousands of students get into top 50 schools and could provide valuable insights and examples to help frame your interest effectively.
5. Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual.
This is an opportunity to showcase your resilience and growth. Discuss a specific challenge, how you addressed it, and the lessons learned. Avoid clichés and be genuine in your response. The detailed feedback from Sups AI can help you frame your story in a compelling way that highlights personal growth and strength.
6. If we visited your town, what would you want to show us?
This prompt is a chance to show a bit of your personality and local pride. Share unique spots, local traditions, or activities that define your town and your place within it. A brainstorming session on Sups AI can help you identify the most charming and representative parts of your hometown to share with the admission committee.
Applying to the College of William & Mary is an exciting journey, and the supplemental essays are a crucial part of this process. Each prompt offers a different window into who you are as a person and what you will bring to the college community. If you’re looking for additional guidance or feedback, Sups AI provides excellent resources, including one-on-one chats with current students. Good luck!
