Lewis & Clark College is renowned for its commitment to exploration, learning, and collaboration, as encapsulated in its motto: Explorare, Discere, Sociare. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, the college offers an exciting opportunity for students to convey their unique perspectives through two distinctive supplemental essay prompts. These essays not only allow you to showcase your individuality but also demonstrate your alignment with Lewis & Clark's core values.

Here are the two prompts you’ll need to tackle:

1. Most colleges have mottos - a word or phrase that expresses the ideals that guide their actions. Lewis & Clark’s motto is Explorare, Discere, Sociare - to explore, to learn, to work together. Tell us about your personal motto and how it guides you (Latin not required).

2. At Lewis & Clark, we strive to be an inclusive community in which students benefit from exchanging ideas with people whose perspectives may differ from their own. Reflect on a time when you engaged with someone whose background or life experiences are different from yours and share with us what you learned from that experience.

Each response should be approximately 300 words. Let’s break down how to approach each prompt thoughtfully and effectively.

Prompt 1: Your Personal Motto

This prompt invites you to introspect and articulate the guiding principles that shape your life. Think deeply about the core values that drive your decisions and actions. Is there a particular saying, quote, or personal mantra that resonates with you? Perhaps you believe in “Never stop learning,” or “Collaboration over competition.” Whatever your motto is, illustrate how it has been a compass in your personal and academic journeys.

For instance, if your motto is “Curiosity conquers all,” you might discuss how your inquisitiveness has led you to explore new subjects, seek out knowledge independently, or engage in innovative projects. It’s essential to provide specific anecdotes that showcase the practical application of your motto in your daily life, reinforcing why it’s meaningful to you.

Need more personalized guidance? Sups AI offers comprehensive support to help you brainstorm and refine your essay. Leveraging feedback from current students and experts who have navigated this process successfully, you can ensure your story stands out.

Prompt 2: Engaging with Diverse Perspectives

This prompt is designed to assess your ability to appreciate and learn from differing viewpoints. Reflect on a specific instance where you interacted with someone from a different background or with different life experiences. Describe the scenario, the interaction, and most importantly, the learning outcomes from that engagement.

Perhaps it was a group project with a classmate from a different country, a volunteer experience with a diverse community, or a conversation with someone who holds different political or cultural beliefs. Focus on what you learned from this experience—how did it challenge your preconceptions and contribute to your personal growth? Demonstrating openness and inclusivity is key here.

You don’t have to craft this alone. Sups AI is an invaluable resource for brainstorming unique experiences and receiving targeted feedback. With 10,000 students already helped, Sups AI’s expertise could be pivotal in honing your narrative.

Lewis & Clark's supplemental essays offer a powerful avenue to convey your personal values and experiences, reflecting the college's ethos of exploration, learning, and collaboration. By deeply engaging with each prompt, you can create compelling essays that resonate with the admissions committee.

Remember, the essays are a chance to provide a more holistic view of who you are beyond grades and test scores. Good luck, and consider leveraging Sups AI for that extra edge in your application journey!