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College Essays

If you're applying to Tulane University, you can choose to answer the Why Tulane optional statement as part of your application. The Why Tulane supplement essay asks you to explain why you want to attend Tulane.

In this article, we'll talk about what the Why Tulane application is, whether you should answer it, and how to write a successful essay that'll help increase your chances of admission.

The Why Tulane Essay Prompt

The Why Tulane supplement essay is straightforward:

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional) (50-500 words).

See? Straight to the point.

While the instructions are simple, the wide range of word count and relatively open-ended prompt make the Why Tulane essay more difficult than it initially seems. The Common App prompt states, "We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so."

In other words, you'll need to put some serious effort into your essay in order to stand out as an applicant.

Should I Write the Why Tulane Supplement Essay?

Looking at the Why Tulane application essay, you might be wondering if you even need to write the essay in the first place. After all, the prompt does say "optional".

While that's true, it would be a huge mistake to not write your Why Tulane application essay. This essay is a great opportunity to a) show off any interests and talents you have that aren't immediately apparent on the rest of your application and b) demonstrate why Tulane is a great fit for you and vice versa. The Tulane supplement essay is your chance to prove that you belong on Tulane's New Orleans campus—don't forgo it.

What Is the Purpose of the Why Tulane Essay?

Colleges like Tulane want to see that you really want to attend their school. Applicants who love their school are more likely to be active and happy students and later, active and happy alumni. Your essay should show the admissions committee that you really love Tulane, which will make them feel more confident that you'll be a great addition to the campus. Applicants that really want to attend a school are also more likely to enroll, meaning that Tulane's rate of enrollment will be higher.

Similarly, Tulane wants to make sure you know and value what they offer, and they also want to assess how you'll take advantage of the many opportunities on Tulane's campus to further your academic and professional career.

This essay is a great opportunity for the admissions committee to weed out students who haven't done their research on Tulane or really don't care about attending.

What Should I Write About in My Why Tulane Application Essay?

Your Why Tulane essay is your chance to express to the admissions committee why you want to attend Tulane. What made you apply to this school over any of the thousands of others you could have applied to?

Your Why Tulane application essay should be personal. The admissions committee doesn't want to read a cookie-cutter statement that could be written by any student about any school. Your paper should read as uniquely about you and uniquely about Tulane. With that in mind, here are three ideas for what you can write about for your Why Tulane essay.

#1: What Resonated With You When You Visited Tulane

If you made it down to New Orleans to visit Tulane, you should tell a specific story about what resonated with you on your campus trip. You could talk about a class that you sat in on or an experience you had with a tour guide. You could discuss visiting a local restaurant or engaging with New Orleans culture.

The Tulane admissions committee wants to hear about what stuck with you—and generic, bland answers will stand out as insincere. This essay isn't about why you want to attend college—it's about why you want to attend Tulane. Pick experiences that could only happen at Tulane, not anywhere else.

#2: What Makes Tulane a Great Match With Your Past and Your Future

You can use your Why Tulane essay to expand on your interests and passions as a student and person. Tie those interests back to Tulane itself to show why Tulane is the right school for you.

Tulane places a large emphasis on community service, so if you have experience doing community service in your hometown or plan to make that a large part of your life at college, this essay is a great opportunity to talk about that passion. If you want to study a specific field, like public health, that Tulane specializes in, the Why Tulane essay is the place to highlight that. Use this essay to describe how attending Tulane fits in with your plans. Doing so will help show the admissions committee that you plan to make the most out of your time on campus.

#3: Experiences You've Had With Current or Former Students

Tulane admissions officer Jeff Schiffman recommends name-dropping current or former Tulane students to explain why you're interested in attending the university . According to Schiffman, your reasons don't have to be particularly highbrow or academically-minded. You might just have noticed some awesome Instagram posts from a friend of a friend or heard great things from your second cousin. However you have the connection, use the Why Tulane essay to prove your interest in attending Tulane.

Tips for Writing an Amazing Why Tulane Essay

Writing a strong Why Tulane application essay isn't just about picking the right topic. You need to make sure your essay is the best possible example of your work in order to wow the admissions committee. Follow these three tips for writing an amazing Tulane application essay.

#1: Make Your Work Tulane-Specific

Nothing about your Why Tulane essay should be generic or impersonal. The more specific you can be when answering this prompt, the better. Don't say Tulane has great academics, caring professors, and an interesting student body. Tulane knows that already—it doesn't need you to tell its admissions officers that.

Everything you write about in your Why Tulane essay should be specific to Tulane—from the names of the professors and the courses to the feeling you had while visiting the campus. The more authentic you are, the more your passion for Tulane will stand out.

#2: Do Your Research

The best way to make your Why Tulane essay specific to Tulane is to do your research about the school. If you can, visit the campus to get a feel for its student body and on-campus life. If you can't, spend time perusing the school's website and try to speak with current or former students. The more you know about Tulane, the more convincingly you'll be able to write that Tulane is the best school for you to attend.

You should get an idea for the different clubs and activities that you'd like to participate in. You can find this information on the school's website. It can also be worthwhile to schedule a meeting with a professor, especially if you have a particular area of study that you're extremely interested in.

#3: Proofread and Polish Your Essay

Your Tulane essay should be the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your application, make sure to edit and proofread your essays.

Your work should be free of spelling and grammar errors. Make sure to run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit.

It's a good idea to have someone else read your "Why Tulane" essay, too. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

The Why Tulane supplement essay is your opportunity to show why you want to attend Tulane University.

The Why Tulane essay is…

• An opportunity to explain what you specifically like about Tulane.
• A place to highlight your unique skills and interests.

The Why Tulane essay isn't…

• The place to share why going to college in general is important.
• An opportunity to talk about the other schools you're applying to.

What's Next?

Starting your essay is often the hardest part. If you're unsure where to begin, read our guide to starting your essay perfectly!

A good essay is just one part of a successful Tulane application . If you want to really wow the admissions office, be sure your grades and test scores are up to par.

Tulane University may not be an Ivy League school, but that doesn't mean your application shouldn't be Ivy League-caliber. Use these tips for getting into Harvard to shape your college application, and you'll have no problem getting into any school you choose!

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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Tulane Essay Guide: 2022-2023

Tulane essay guide quick facts:.

• Tulane acceptance rate : 10% — U.S. News ranks Tulane as a highly competitive school.
• In U.S. News list of National Universities Tulane University ranking is #44.
• Common App essay
• 2 (50-500 words) optional essays
• 1 (250-word) extracurricular essay
• Tulane application note: Students can apply via the Common App or Tulane’s online application .
• #1 Tulane Essay Tip: Though each Tulane supplemental essay is “optional,” think of them as required. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to answer each Tulane supplemental essay comprehensively and thoughtfully in order to stand out to Tulane admissions. 

What are Tulane’s supplemental essays?

Each Tulane essay for the 2022-2023 application cycle is posted on the Common App site . The Tulane supplemental essays asks you to discuss your experiences, background, and reasons for applying to Tulane.

Think of the Tulane supplemental essays as an opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are beyond what you already wrote in your Common App personal statement . Successful Tulane essays will present a clear, cohesive, yet dynamic picture of who you are.

Tulane Supplemental Essay Requirements

Your Common App essay is a key part of your Tulane application. Tulane requires students to respond to the Common App essay prompt essays. 

Beyond the Common App essay, you’ll find three Tulane supplemental essays that are all optional this year. However, we recommend that you complete each Tulane supplemental essay to maximize your Tulane admissions odds, especially given the low Tulane University acceptance rate. Think of each Tulane essay prompt as a required part of the Tulane supplemental materials. 

Remember, Tulane also receives your personal statement submitted through the Common App or the online Tulane application. This means that you will submit your Tulane essays as well as your Common App essay.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .

How many essays are required for Tulane?

There are three optional Tulane essays. This year, each Tulane supplemental essay is technically optional. However, hopeful applicants should consider them all required. One Tulane essay prompt asks you to write a “Why Tulane” essay, another asks you to discuss your diverse perspective, and the third asks you to elaborate on an extracurricular experience.

In short, students are only required to complete the Common App essay in their Tulane application; all three supplemental essays are optional.

In addition, consider each “optional” Tulane essay a vital part of the Tulane supplemental materials. Tulane admissions is extremely selective. Hopeful applicants should think of every Tulane supplemental essay as an opportunity to impress Tulane admissions. While each Tulane essay isn’t technically a part of the Tulane application requirements, they still can make a huge difference in the Tulane admissions process. 

The Tulane University acceptance rate is relatively low (just 10%), so each Tulane essay can help you stand out . With so many hopeful applicants, you need to do everything possible to present yourself as a dynamic, serious, and motivated student. Competitive applicants will treat each Tulane essay as a required and important part of the Tulane application process. 

Tulane essay #1: “Why Tulane” Essay 

Please describe why you are interested in attending tulane university (up to 500 words)..

This Why Tulane essay is a classic type of essay. You may wonder whether you should write the Why Tulane essay since it’s listed as optional. However, if you are serious about being admitted, you should consider the Why Tulane essay a required part of your application. The word limit is as vague as it gets, so we recommend 300-500 words. Your Why Tulane essay will be more effective if it is focused and concise instead of long and rambling.

An effective Why Tulane essay will think beyond the Tulane University acceptance rate and Tulane University ranking. Though these factors feel important, they do not ultimately relate to your application. When answering this Why Tulane essay, don’t just write about why you want to attend Tulane. Think of this Why Tulane essay as a “why fit” essay. Your college experience is a two-way street; you will both contribute to and benefit from the Tulane community.

Successful Tulane supplemental essays will reflect the mission and key values of the school—a strong research institution with a tight-knit campus community and small class sizes. In your Tulane essays, capture the essence of Tulane’s demanding academics and community engagement.

Service-oriented

If you are committed to serving others, Tulane is an excellent place for you—and this “Why Tulane” essay is a perfect opportunity to discuss your commitment. The school has many opportunities to explore service learning courses , service research projects , and service abroad .

When writing your Why Tulane essay, be specific about classes you want to take, research opportunities you want to pursue, clubs you want to join, and places you want to serve. Successful Tulane supplemental essays will take these a step further, however. Don’t just name-drop. Instead, connect them to your experiences and goals.

Strong “Why Tulane” essays will incorporate some or all of the following questions: How and why will you choose to spend your time at Tulane? In what ways will your involvement help you pursue your major ? How will the ways you spend your time light up your curiosity to learn? How will they spur you forward in your career? In your Why Tulane essay, describe specifically how Tulane’s offerings will help you succeed.

Make it personal

Avoid cliché phrases, generalizing, and overly emotional appeals. Don’t discuss traditions that are too well-known or frequently written about, either. Instead, make it personal. Perhaps you attended a campus tour that left an impression on you or you attended a webinar that inspired you to apply. Mention these specific and personal connections to Tulane in your essay. What put Tulane at the top of your college list ?

This essay prompt is so broad that you have lots of freedom. Make sure to discuss both academic and non-academic reasons for applying to Tulane. No one expects you to have your future fully planned when writing the Why Tulane essay. However, the admissions team does want to see that you can articulate a genuine plan based on your interests and goals.

For each Tulane essay, brainstorm , research, outline, draft, and proofread before submitting. Your Tulane essays should represent your best content and writing ability.

Tulane Essay Reflection Questions:

• Does your essay highlight why you would succeed at Tulane specifically?
• Is your Why Tulane essay both specific and personal?
• Does your essay “show” instead of “tell” through vivid details?
• Do you clearly and concisely write your response to the Why Tulane essay prompt?

Tulane Essay # 2: Diverse perspectives essay

Tulane values the lessons gained from pursuing an education alongside a student body that represents a wide range of experiences and perspectives and is reflective of our multicultural world. if you would like to share a perspective related to your family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, religious group, or some other aspect that has shaped your identity, please do so here. (up to 500 words).

This Tulane essay prompt, like the Tulane why school essay, is also optional. However, we strongly recommend that you complete it to maximize your chances against the lower-than-average Tulane acceptance rate. 

By explaining a specific perspective that has shaped your background , your response to this Tulane essay prompt will enhance your application. The prompt provides several suggestions for perspectives—family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, or religious group—but also allows for others.

Does something on this list resonate with your identity? What makes you stand out among your peers? Do you have a special hobby or interest? Are you soon to be a first-generation college student ? Did you take a meaningful gap year ? What else have you not shared about yourself with Tulane? Ultimately, how can your response to this Tulane essay prompt illuminate who you are?

Since there are only three Tulane supplemental essays, you’re bound to have some part of your identity you haven’t yet shared with admissions. Rather than thinking of this Tulane essay prompt as another box to check, think of it as another opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are. Successful Tulane supplemental essays will delve into diverse perspectives you haven’t discussed elsewhere in your application.

When answering this Tulane essay prompt, you may have trouble being personal and specific when others share your identity. The most effective Tulane essays will make a broader identity unique to you by telling a compelling story and detailing how your identity has impacted your own life.

• Does your response to the Tulane essay prompt highlight something that you have not discussed elsewhere on your application?
• Is your Tulane supplemental essay personal and specific?
• Do you tell a compelling story about who you are for this Tulane essay prompt?

Tulane Essay #3: Extracurricular essay

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words).

Choosing a topic for this Tulane essay prompt can feel overwhelming. Brainstorm several ideas before selecting one. Most strong Tulane applicants will have many options to choose from when responding to this Tulane essay prompt.

The most successful Tulane supplemental essays will be well-written and unique. You don’t have to write about the activity that you are most involved in, especially if you already discussed that activity in your Common App personal statement . Just make sure that the activity you choose matters to you.

Focus on impact

Effective Tulane essays will discuss why you chose to get involved in your activity or work experience , how you have dedicated yourself to it, and how this activity has impacted your community, growth, and character. As you address these questions, focus primarily on impact. What did you do, why did you do it, and what was the result? Choose the experience where you have made the biggest difference when writing your Tulane supplemental essays.

This Tulane essay prompt is quite straightforward but like some of the other Tulane essays it is very broad. You have the freedom to tell your story to the admissions committee. The best Tulane supplemental essays will either focus on one experience—one conversation, one interaction, one day—or discuss your involvement in an activity over time. The more detail you can provide, the stronger your response to this Tulane essay prompt will be.

Tell your story

When answering this Tulane essay prompt (and all others), be vivid in your storytelling. Instead of just stating what happened in your Tulane supplemental essays, use specific examples and descriptions. Be vivid without being wordy—successful Tulane supplemental essays will be concise. You only have 250 words, so don’t be too long-winded when answering this Tulane essay prompt.

Most importantly, include the “So what?” in your Tulane supplemental essays. While you should outline what you did, you should spend most of your Tulane essay describing why your actions mattered. What skills can you highlight? How did your mindset shift? What values does this activity reveal about who you are? Ultimately, why did you choose to tell this story instead of another?

• Is your response to this Tulane essay prompt original and personal?
• Did you select a topic that is interesting and important to you?
• Does your Tulane essay focus on your growth, skills, and values?
• Do you avoid repeating content that has already been discussed in your Tulane application?

How do I write the Tulane supplemental essays?

The admissions team evaluates your Tulane supplemental essays for both content and writing ability. So, what you choose to write about for your Tulane essays matters as much as your writing skill. Proofread your Tulane essays for all grammatical and syntactical errors. Finally, remember to review your essay for the message it sends to the admissions committee.

With three Tulane supplemental essays, you have plenty of freedom to explore different parts of your identity. Consider your application as a whole package. Each of your Tulane supplemental essays should provide a new and deeper window into who you are.

It may feel overwhelming to complete three Tulane supplemental essays. However, if you give yourself adequate time to plan, draft, and revise your Tulane essays, you can eliminate much of the stress in the application process. 

Additional tips for “Why School” essays

The why school essay is one of the most common types of essays that you will see during the college application process. The why school essay basically asks students to elaborate on why they want to attend that specific university. In a why school essay, students should be specific. 

In a why school essay, you can talk about the Tulane-specific programs that have caught your interest. Or you could discuss what clubs you would get involved in on campus. Alternatively, you may want to incorporate specific values and missions of the university. How do you personally resonate with that mission? What will you gain from attending that school? And what would you bring to its campus? 

Top 4 tips for writing a great “Why School” essay: 

#1 – brainstorm.

For each school that requires a why school essay, start by looking at the specific offerings. Write down what you like and would participate in. 

#2 – Demonstrate your passion

Use your brainstorming list to decide what you want to write about. You should talk about the programs or extracurriculars unique to your school that most excite you. What makes you want to apply?

#3 – The more detail the better

Remember that being general or vague in a why school essay is the kiss of death. It won’t impress Tulane admissions, or any other admissions committee. Elaborate on what interests you (unique to that school) and why. You can also mention specific professors, counselors, etc. 

#4 – Demonstrate “fit”

You want to use your why school essay to say what makes you want to attend, but you also need to show that you would be a great fit for the university. Why should you be selected out of the large pool of applicants trying to impress Tulane admissions? What will you bring to campus? And how will you carry your Tulane education into the future?

How important are Tulane’s supplemental essays?

The Tulane acceptance rate is just 10%. The slim Tulane acceptance rate comes from the school’s widespread acclaim. Given the low Tulane acceptance rate, the high Tulane University ranking, and the school’s holistic admissions approach, your Tulane essays can make a major difference. Your essays can strongly influence your admissions results and your chances at beating low acceptance rates .

You should approach each of the three Tulane supplemental essays with thought and care. In your response to each Tulane essay prompt, you have an opportunity to highlight different aspects of your Tulane application. Consider each Tulane essay as another one of the Tulane application requirements. 

There are several key elements of your application that you must submit in addition to your Tulane supplemental essays in order to meet the Tulane application requirements. Read the complete checklist to make sure you have everything you need. You’ll notice that Tulane admissions has gone test optional another year. This makes your essays even more important. While many students will have impressive test scores, GPAs, etc., you should use your Tulane essays to help you stand out from the pack.

Check out these college essay examples to see what makes a successful college essay. 

Five tips to make your Tulane essays stand out

Writing each Tulane essay may seem overwhelming. You may even be tempted to not add them to your Tulane supplemental materials as they technically aren’t part of the Tulane application requirements. However, that would be a huge mistake when it comes to your admissions odds. Competitive Tulane applicants need to consider each Tulane essay as “required.”

Five more tips for your Tulane supplemental essays: 

#1 – start early.

Give yourself ample time to complete each Tulane essay. In your writing process, leave plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, outline, and edit your Tulane supplemental essays. The Regular Decision deadline for Tulane is on January 15th.

#2 – Be authentic

Make it your goal to write unique and compelling Tulane essays that tell your authentic story. Your Tulane essay shouldn’t be able to pass as anyone else’s. Before submitting, reread your application and proofread your Tulane supplemental essays to make sure it truly shows who you are.

#3 – Show passion

Each Tulane essay should show your passion for the school. Don’t fake it. After brainstorming topics, choose to write on what got you genuinely excited about attending. Be sure to be specific and not vague in each Tulane essay. 

#4 – Ignore stats

When writing each Tulane essay, don’t get hung up on factors like the Tulane University acceptance rate or the Tulane University ranking. At the end of the day, focus on why Tulane is the school for you, and use your application to show the admissions team why.

# 5 – Invest time in the Why Tulane essay

The why school essay is extremely important to Tulane admissions when evaluating applicants. Make sure your application shows that you’re genuinely interested in attending Tulane. Even if the Tulane University ranking initially helped you learn about the school, you should focus on Tulane’s specific offerings in your Tulane supplemental essays

Tulane Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

In your Tulane supplemental essays, show the admissions committee who you are as a person, student, and community member. Research Tulane so you can write the most tailored and specific Tulane supplemental essays. Choose topics for each Tulane essay that genuinely get you excited about attending. 

Remember that the Tulane application requirements include the Common App essay prompts. Leave yourself plenty of time to write thoughtful responses to not only each Tulane essay, but to each Common App essay as well. Every Common App essay and Tulane essay is another opportunity to impress Tulane admissions. 

You can also visit resources like the Tulane University admissions blog . There, you’ll find Q&As from the Ask the Dean event and other helpful information for applicants. There is not one successful type of Tulane student, so be yourself in your Tulane supplemental essays. Good luck!

Still not sure how to approach the Tulane essay? For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources, click he r e . Want help crafting your Tulane University supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a complimentary advising consultation online .

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How to write the tulane university essays, updated for 2023-2024, essay prompt .

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted. This statement should be 250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count.

Explanation:

This prompt offers you the opportunity to tell the admissions committee why you are interested in Tulane distinctly—what about Tulane is uniquely appealing to you as a prospective student? While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.

In order to respond to this prompt, you will first need to conduct in-depth research on the university’s website, looking particularly at programs, initiatives, and opportunities that are highlighted as distinct Tulane offerings. Tulane’s admission page states: “Admission to Tulane is extremely competitive, and our admission counselors look for high levels of academic and extracurricular achievement; however, we’re building more than a class, we’re building a community. We review each applicant with an eye toward shaping Tulane and making it stronger and more vibrant each year, so it’s important that we look at each applicant as a whole.” Because of this emphasis on community and holistic consideration of prospective students, use the word count to cover multiple different aspects of Tulane’s academic and nonacademic offerings as well as how these offerings are compatible with your own multifaceted experiences and interests.

For instance, you might discuss the university’s research opportunities, the average class size of 20 students, or the public service project required as a part of Tulane’s undergraduate program. As you mention Tulane’s distinctive offerings that appeal to you, be clear about how these opportunities would uniquely advance you in the pursuit of your personal, professional, and academic goals.

Keep in mind that as you describe your particular interest in Tulane, you should also be thinking about how your answer conveys more about you—your interests, passions, and goals—and how you would be a strong fit for the university’s community as well. This will allow you to explicitly answer the second part of the prompt, which specifically asks about how you can contribute to the Tulane community. Your answer should not only be specific with regards to the university’s offerings, but it should also be specific about your intentions for your academic and professional future.

“Wait a minute, Ms. Carver. Are you telling me that none of the school’s recycling actually gets recycled?”

I was dumbfounded to learn from my high school environmental science teacher that our school had an environmentally unfriendly waste management program. We had separate bins for recycling plastic, but students used them wrong, and at the end of the day, it all went into the same landfill pile. Instead of frustration, I felt fascination. I knew from my AP Environmental class that recycling is a complex issue. I decided to try a solution: I printed bold, easy-to-read flyers explaining what goes in which bin and posted them in front of the school trash. With faculty support, I recruited a team of the students to come to school an hour early to get our hands dirty–literally–and we sorted the recycling. Through this experience, I felt the extreme pride and satisfaction that comes from combining my intellectual interest in Environmental Science with action-oriented initiatives for change.

At Tulane, I know I’ll be able to continue learning in an environment that prioritizes giving back. With incredible opportunities like the TIDES courses (this fall’s Climate Change Solutions is perfectly suited for my interests), I will be able to put my learning into making a tangible difference in the New Orleans area starting in my first semester. I’m also excited to take impactful, hands-on courses like “Urban Gardening” and “New Orleans Case Study.”

I believe with Tulane’s service-minded curriculum, I will continue using my passions to make a positive impact on my community.

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College essay resources

Writing the why tulane essay (and the rest of the tulane supplement) | 2022-2023, school supplements.

 All prospective Tulane students submit a personal statement, but Tulane also offers two optional supplement essays—let’s nickname them “Why Tulane” and “Describe an activity.” These supplements give you the chance to show sides of yourself not highlighted in the rest of your application, and to further demonstrate that you belong at Tulane University. We (and Tulane’s own admissions officers) strongly recommend writing them!

Let’s take a look at how to approach these “Why Tulane” and “Describe an activity” essays.

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional). (500 words)

Why is it so important to respond to this prompt, so much so that it actually borders on being non-optional (assuming you really do want to go to Tulane)? Whereas other parts of your application may show what a promising college candidate you are in general, the “Why Tulane” essay lets you show specific aspects of Tulane that excite you and align with your passions and goals.

Here’s an exercise to generate ideas: Write down what you’d tell your good friend about why you love Tulane. (Doing plenty of research on Tulane definitely helps here!) You could even imagine some insightful questions your friend might ask you. (Friend: “Dude, how’s Tulane going to help you with your goal to combat climate change?” “Ah, great question, my dear friend! Actually, Tulane was named as one of the most sustainable colleges in the U.S. and hosts a Tulane Climate Action Week, and I plan to start a “Combat Climate Change” club that collaborates with Tulane’s Office of Sustainability.”)

By thinking about writing to a friend, you’ll be less tempted to say things you think an admissions officer wants to hear, and more likely to talk about things you’re truly “stoked” about! Paint a vivid picture for them of just how cool Tulane is and how it has so many resources that interest and excite you. If someone personally recommended Tulane to you, explain to your friend why you value this person’s recommendation.

Note: be wary of focusing too much on Tulane’s New Orleans location, unless you can relate it specifically to your academic or career goals. It’s more important to show that you are interested in the college itself.

After completing this exercise, you’ll have lots of material to use for your “Why Tulane” essay!

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

We recommend writing this “optional” Tulane supplement essay as well, because it’s a chance to show readers that you’ve engaged deeply with your extracurricular activities, and that these experiences have had a meaningful impact on your life.

But which activity or work experience should you pick?

Here’s an approach to try: First, think about everything you’re truly excited about doing at Tulane and in its surrounding areas. (Research on Tulane helps here, too!) For example, maybe you can’t wait to get involved in campus sustainability efforts. Now, list your extracurricular activities or work experiences—you might immediately home in on one that directly relates to your Tulane aspirations.

Let’s say you’re writing about your blueberry-picking job. Give only the key “technical details” of your daily duties; go into greater depth about any memorable interactions you had, lessons you learned, or realizations you gained. (For example: “Those early-morning hours working outside in nature made me realize I want to pursue a career that lets me study the natural world.”) Then look towards your future Tulane experience. (“That’s why at Tulane I hope to study X/join club Y/volunteer at Z in the Garden District...”) The overall focus of your response should be showing specifically why your chosen experience was so meaningful to you.

These Tulane supplement essays give you a chance not only to show readers more of who you are, but to connect your personality and interests directly to Tulane. So don’t skip these “optional-but-really-not-optional” essays!

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Tulane Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Tips

September 11, 2023

If you blinked at some point during the 2010s, you may have missed Tulane’s meteoric rise in selectivity that resulted in a 13% acceptance rate for the Class of 2027. However, today, this mid-size private research university in New Orleans is among the most selective schools in the country. The average incoming freshman possesses 95th percentile standardized test scores and a strong academic transcript. This brings us to the topic of this blog — the Tulane supplemental essays for 2023-24.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Tulane? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Tulane University: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like Tulane that rejects nine of every ten applicants, you’ll need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the supplemental essay. Below is Tulane University’s supplemental prompt for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

Tulane Supplemental Essay 2023-24

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted.

This statement should be 250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.

Tulane is inviting you to share more about your experiences, talents, and/or values through the lens of how that will impact your experience at the university. Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

Tulane Supplemental Essays (Continued)

• A perspective/value you hold
• An experience/challenge you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your religious background
• Your family background
• Your sexual orientation or gender identity
• A particular talent/skill

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement and activities list. What important aspect(s) of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)?

You’ll then need to discuss how your experiences, talents, and/or values will influence your distinct contributions to Tulane’s community. Further, you’ll need to explain why you’re interested in joining that community in particular. We’d recommend being as specific as possible.

For example, given your visual arts background, perhaps you’re excited about contributing to and learning within Tulane’s thriving arts scene, including the NOLA Through Visual Culture interdisciplinary experience course and Tulane Art Club . Or, perhaps your experience fighting food insecurity in your community has made you interested in Tulane’s Food Recovery Network, and you hope to contribute to Tulane’s community service-centric culture and values .

To that end, be sure you address how you will take advantage of Tulane’s immense resources both inside and/or outside of the classroom by citing specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , service learning , study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.

How important are the Tulane supplemental essays?

Tulane lists four factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee: GPA, standardized test scores, class rank, and the rigor of your secondary school record. The Common App and supplemental essays are “important”.

Want personalized assistance?

Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Tulane supplemental essays? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

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"Why Tulane University"

Tulane University

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional).

50 - 800 words

( Tulane University )

I need a meaningful education to be a meaningful educator. Tulane is unparalleled in its dedication to development of the students, on a personal and intellectual level. From when I touch the Victory Bell after Convocation all the way to when I say farewell at the Wave Goodbye Party at Commencement, I’ll have changed and grown, both in my mind and in my heart.

Why This Essay Works:

• Shows Specific Ways to Get Involved : For "Why Us" essays, it's critical that you imagine how you'll be involved on campus. One strategy is to research specific initiatives, events, or programs already taking place. The more unique these are to the school, the better. Then, talk about how your personal interests would make you a perfect fit for participating in these opportunities. Don't reference too many (over 5 is pushing it) in a committal way (i.e. saying "I will do XYZ") because it can seem unrealistic. Instead, focus on a handful that you're most interested in, and then you can reference others as "possible" ways you'd get involved.
• Finds Aspect Unique to the School : For "Why Us?" essays, one of the hardest parts is finding what is super unique about the school that other colleges don't offer. Most colleges have similar research, curriculum, sports, clubs, etc. While those can be good references (if unique to the school), it can sometimes be easier to find unique aspects by focusing on the intangibles: the culture, approach to education, values, character of student body, ideals they uphold, etc. Having a combination of both unique offerings (programs, opportunities, curriculum, etc.) and ways the school is unique in its approach will make for the most compelling reasons for "Why Us?".

What They Might Change:

• Repeats Unnecessary Info : Avoid telling admissions officers what they already know about their school. You don't need to repeat the school's history or information about its faculty, unless there is something exceptionally unique about it that you're pointing out. Admissions officers will already know these facts, so instead jump into the "meat" of your point. Focus on the unique aspects that make you interested in the school, rather than the ones that could be said about almost any school.

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Tulane University 2021-22 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Tulane University 2021-22 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1-2 essays of 50-800 words; 1 essay of 250 words.

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Activity .

Tulane has kept it simple with its classic supplemental questions, so we’ll make this introduction brief. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a straightforward supplement is a demand for perfection. So don’t overlook these quickie questions: read our guide instead!

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional) (50-800 words).

Okay, can we talk about this word limit? And don’t even get us started on the parenthetical “optional.” In a nutshell, Tulane is saying, “Do what you want.” But we’ve got some suggestions of our own. First and foremost, this essay is not optional (despite what it may say). A classic why essay like this one is a time-honored supplement tradition, and your answer can reveal a lot to admissions about your potential fit and overall commitment to the school. Not writing it implies that you might not have a reason to apply; in which case, why are you wasting everyone’s time? Spend some time on the Tulane website and get to know the school. Explore all areas of social and academic life to build your list of reasons. And while you could technically write 800 words, keep in mind that admissions’ time is limited. The more you write, the less time they have to spend reading each word. Strike a happy medium and aim for 300 words or so.

Tulane values the lessons gained from pursuing an education alongside a student body that represents a wide range of experiences and perspectives and is reflective of our multicultural world. If you would like to share a perspective related to your family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, religious group, or some other aspect that has shaped your identity, please do so here (optional). (50-800 words)

This brand new prompt for the 2021-22 admissions cycle reminds us of the Common App’s first prompt , which asks applicants to discuss, among other things, an element of their background or identity that is crucial to understanding them. We recommend approaching this prompt with a similar mindset: What about your history or background sets you apart from your peers? How do you define yourself? What, in your short time on this earth, has helped shape the person you are today? Show admissions that you will add to the wide range of multicultural experiences and perspectives of Tulane’s student body.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)  

In short, this classic activity essay gives you an opportunity to expand beyond the mini description for one activity listed on your Common App. Ideally, you should choose one that you haven’t already discussed: If you already wrote your Common App personal statement on the transformative power of dance, you’ll have to seek inspiration elsewhere for this essay! As you weigh your options, consider highlighting a long-term activity. Tracing your four-year involvement with meditation club will allow you to showcase your personal growth or maybe underscore your leadership qualities. If your resume is light on extracurriculars, don’t forget that you can also discuss a professional experience. From flipping burgers to interning at a museum, what have your work experiences taught you about the value of your time and your potential career aspirations? For more inspiration, check out our video on writing about an internship or work experience!

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Tulane University

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Want to see your chances of admission at Tulane University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Tulane University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college short response.

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted. This statement should be 250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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How to Write the Tulane University Application Essays 2016-17

Check out the Tulane University Application Essays for 2017-2018

Vibrant, energetic, and engaging — three words that can only begin to describe the culture of Tulane University. It’s no coincidence that we could use the very same words to describe New Orleans. Primarily situated in the uptown neighborhood of this colorful southern port city, Tulane is deeply embedded in its urban surroundings.

Initially founded in 1834, Tulane is a nonsectarian private research university that takes advantage of its distinct location in New Orleans to provide its students with rich learning opportunities and unique access to a young, social, and invigorating city. It is consistently rated highly in the Princeton Review under the categories of “Best College City,” “Best Quality of Life,” and “Happiest Students.” Boasting an extremely flexible and accommodating course of study and stellar locale, these ratings are no surprise.

Meanwhile, Tulane University is one of just 62 members of the Association of American Universities, which is a selective group of highly-ranked research institutions. Its serious focus on providing its students with myriad, top-notch research opportunities marries well with its commitment to stressing the importance of community service to teach its students that they are learning and studying at the university, as its motto states, “Non sibi, sed suis” — “Not for one’s self, but for one’s own.”

If you are looking to attend a school that so purposefully stresses the importance of learning for the betterment of one’s community rather than one’s self, read on for our guide to writing Tulane’s supplemental essay.

Tulane University Application Essay Prompt

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional).  50-800 words.

The Overview

Tulane’s supplemental essay is a classic “Why X School?” question, which asks you to expound on why a given school appeals to you unlike any other. These types of questions are unique in the college admissions process in that they generally have less power to make you and more to break you. In other words, it is rare that something you write in this response will singlehandedly make an adcom grant you admission. 

However, if you submit careless work that is poorly written, vague, or even incorrect, it will clearly signify to admissions committees that you do not care deeply about the school they represent, and this is certainly enough to make an adcom dismiss your application. In this vein, before we get around to discussing the content of your response, first things first: a note on that note in parentheses.

Thoughts on ‘Optional’ Essays

In the world of elite college admissions, no essay question is “optional.” When you are competing for a coveted spot in the Class of 2021 (or 2022, or beyond), you must keep in mind the thousands of other qualified students vying for the same spot as you. To gain admission at Tulane, you must not only meet academic requirements but also prove that you would be a valuable and energetic addition to their learning community.

Thus, you need to take advantage of every possible opportunity you are offered to advocate for yourself. Imagine that an admissions committee is deciding to admit either you or another student with comparable grades and extracurriculars. Whom would they choose? The student who opted out of the opportunity to explain why they love Tulane, or the student who responded to this prompt? Skipping optional questions is never the way to go.

The Main Event

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s discuss why you love Tulane and how you’re going to write about it. There are a million reasons to be “interested in attending Tulane University,” and the one or few that you highlight should be as specific as possible and meaningful to you.

This type of question calls for a considerable amount of research on your part, because it is unacceptable to write an essay about Tulane that could apply to a number of other universities as well. Praising a school’s “vibrant student body,” “beautiful campus,” or “countless research opportunities” will come off as trite, awkward, and even a little insulting. While most of these things will be a true, they can be said about hundreds of schools across the country. While you should certainly do your own research on the school, here are a few reasons to love Tulane:

• Tulane places serious emphasis on community service and social justice as the first research university in the country to include a service requirement in its undergraduate curriculum. If you care about channeling your studies and research towards bettering your community, Tulane is the place for you! (And if you think you have already demonstrated exemplary commitment to community service, you should consider applying to Tulane’s Community Service Fellowship .)
• Tulane is rightfully proud of the volume of research it undertakes each year across all disciplines in each of its ten schools, and it offers grants to its undergraduate students to cover the materials and travel they need to bring their research-related dreams to fruition.
• Tulane’s pre-professional programs are fantastic. In addition to being pre-law, you can also select from several different types of pre-med programs, including pre-vet and pre-dental.
• The Tulane School of Architecture shot to global prominence for its work in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Its experimental program URBANbuild uses the city of New Orleans as a veritable laboratory to test new architectural methods and cutting edge designs.
• Tulane makes the most of its location in fantastic New Orleans, a port city that offers unique learning opportunities because of its rich mix of French, African American, Native American, and Creole cultures.
• That, and its social scene is vibrant and outstanding. The Mardi Gras celebration each year is a blast, and Tulanians have their own traditions in addition to the city’s: they throw beads into a certain tree that sits on the Gibson Quad.
• That said, the stereotype that all students are party animals with no regard for their academic standing is simply untrue. While students who enjoy celebrating will be drawn to Tulane for its location in a colorful and vibrant city, the school attracts those who are prepared to study and get their work done, have meaningful experiences, make lasting friendships, and give back to their communities as well.
• Tulanians are by all accounts extremely happy with their quality of life. The food is amazing, the music is fantastic, and the culture of New Orleans is so unique that it makes for an unforgettable and fulfilling four years.
• A udubon Park, which sits across the street from campus, is worth visiting, if only to peek the golf course and zoo enclosed within.
• Reily Student Recreation Center is seriously awesome. It features cardio and weight rooms, conference spaces for meetings, squash courts, an indoor track, racquetball courts, a sun deck, a social pool, outdoor tennis courts, multi-purpose fields, saunas, and an atrium with an 80” flat screen TV, just to name some of its many amenities!

Let the above list inspire your own more in-depth research. Beyond these bullet points, you can find specific details to discuss in your response by browsing the course catalogue, visiting Tulane’s website, or looking for other department-specific programs that pique your interest or excite you! Likewise, if you know anyone that attends or graduated from Tulane, pick their brains for their favorite aspects of the school!

The Word Limit

The good news is that, once you’ve done the legwork of researching what makes Tulane special and what unique opportunities it can offer you, the writing of this essay should be easy. These questions do not require poetic or artful responses; instead, they should reflect a serious effort on your part to learn about the school and position yourself productively within its community.

And yet, you may be wondering: how many words should it take me to accomplish this? That’s a stellar question, and one that Tulane is a little hesitant to answer with a definitive response. With its sprawling range for a word limit — anywhere from 50 words to sixteen times as much — this prompt can seem like a bit of a puzzle.

If you’re the kind of person who likes straightforward directions, here is our advice: aim to write a piece that is about 600 words in length. This should give you ample time to discuss what you love about Tulane and demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to both research the school and respond thoughtfully to its prompt. While an extremely short response of 50 words could easily come off as curt or superficial, a long-winded one of 1,000 words runs the risk of rambling, repeating itself, and losing focus. You want to avoid both contingencies.

T he longer answer to this question is that there is no magic word-count number that will make Tulane more likely to accept you. The most important thing to keep in mind as you write your response is not how many words you use, but rather how you use those words — for an efficient and successful essay, you should try to make every sentence tie into your personal connection to the school.

The best way to do this is to avoid expository writing that reiterates information about certain programs at Tulane, since the university already knows all about what it can offer you. In fact, you likely learned everything you know about Tulane from its website. Instead, talk about yourself in relation to these programs .

An example is perhaps the best way to explain what we mean here. Consider these two excerpts from a hypothetical essay response to this question:

I am particularly energized by the emphasis that Tulane places on research. In reading through your website, I noticed a project that excited me: Prof. X is conducting field work in Florida on x species of fish. I would be thrilled to help and learn on a project like that!

As an aspiring marine biologist, I am excited to see the listing for Prof. X’s current project in Florida. With designs to conduct my own field work later on in my career, I’m thrilled to note Tulane’s largely unmatched focus on providing undergraduates with such research opportunities.

Notice that the first essay, while full of detail, doesn’t prove much beyond the fact that you clearly read Tulane’s research website — something that you are all but expected to do. Meanwhile, every single sentence in the second essay mentions both a specific opportunity that Tulane offers and why it is useful or exciting to you. Ultimately, the second example more effectively proves that you have not only read about Tulane but envisioned yourself there, and it does so in three less words than the first.

And with that, you are all set to write your response to Tulane’s supplement. Good luck and don’t stress! Remember, by starting now — well in advance — you are giving yourself ample time to craft a stellar response to this question, edit it to your heart’s content , and send it off with confidence in the fall. 

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Tulane University Supplemental Essay Prompt

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).

Tulane University is a private research university located in the birthplace of jazz: New Orleans, Louisiana. The overall acceptance rate is only 10% , so the optional Tulane supplemental essay is a vital part of the application process. Use this guide for tips and tricks for your Tulane supplemental essay!

Writing the Tulane supplemental essay is a sure way to  demonstrate your interest and desire to attend. Tulane is an institution that considers demonstrated interes t in their admission review process, so it is in your best interest to answer the optional question. In fact, they state that “while submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.” Let’s start writing! 

The Tulane prompt 

“ Optional : Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted.” (250 words max)

While this prompt appears general in nature, this is your chance to get specific and tell a story that is genuine to you. Think about what makes you unique, and don’t be modest! This is the time to make the most of your talents and the set of beliefs that you value. For example, do you love animals and volunteer at a shelter? Maybe you would like to be part of organizing a “Puppy Comfort” day during exams. Were you raised in a particular faith and plan to continue on your spiritual journey while at Tulane? Share 

There are plenty of options available to you, especially since the prompt is so broad. However, don’t think that your essay has to exactly 250 words in order to be a success. Everyone’s story is different, so when you feel you’ve reached an appropriate conclusion, be confident and end it there. The application states that the statement should be “250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count.” So, 

Questions to consider

• What do I do in my spare time that brings out my best self?
• How do I hope to contribute to the campus community by making use of my specific talents?
• Are there any clubs or groups I plan to join?
• How has my family and community positively shaped who I am?

Final thoughts for students

When you start your essay, keep an open mind about different ways of writing. The usual formal writing you might’ve used in high school essays shouldn’t be used to answer these prompts. Instead, take on a conversational tone or become the narrator to your own story. The possibilities are endless and luckily, the essay is about you (who knows you better than you?). 

See also: How to write an essay about yourself

Additional resources

After you’ve completed your Tulane supplemental essay, no doubt there are more steps in the college application process to complete. Luckily, Scholarships360 has the answers to your college questions. Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself! 

Wondering when you should take the SAT or ACT? Read our guide for tips and recommendations for choosing the best time for you. If you are trying to decide between the ACT or SAT , or whether or not to send your SAT/ACT scores to test optional schools, we have you covered. 

Tulane University accepts the  Common Application as well as their own Tulane specific application. Remember to fill out the FAFSA, and if you need some help, our “ How to Complete the FAFSA ” guide is free!

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• Medical School Application

Tulane Medical School Secondary Essay Examples

A great way to prepare your application to Tulane medical school is to read Tulane medical school secondary essay examples. The secondary essays are a crucial aspect of your application; they show who you are as a person and what you bring as an applicant. You can accomplish a lot in your medical school personal statement , but medical school secondary essays give you a chance to elaborate on what your goals are in the context of the field and program. In this article, we provide strategies for answering prompts for Tulane and show you medical school secondary essay examples .

Disclaimer : Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 10 min read

Introduction to medical school secondary essays.

When you’re thinking about how to prepare for your medical school application, it’s not uncommon to overlook secondary essays. Medical school secondary essays are sent to applicants after they submit their primary application. Secondary essays consist of a series of prompts indicating topics that the applicant must address. Common topics include why you chose the school, what interests you about the program, and what your goals are in your career.

Secondary essays usually have specific formatting requirements that the applicant must comply with. For Tulane, the first six prompts have a word limit of 150. The optional prompt has a limit of 60 words, and the final prompt has no word limit.

Before we show examples of secondary essays for Tulane, it’s important to know the anatomy of a strong answer. A great way to start brainstorming at this stage is to consider your AMCAS work and activities . Having these activities, along with your medical school resume , at hand when you write essays can help you reflect on your experiences and draw on them to construct your answers.

Let’s look at the various topics you must address in each prompt:

1. Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine.

This first prompt, which includes Tulane’s mission statement, asks applicants to explain why they’re interested in Tulane medical school specifically. The inclusion of the mission statement gives away what they want you to reference in your answer. Here is the mission statement:

“We improve human health and foster healthy communities through discovery and translation of the best science into clinical practice and education; to deliver the highest quality patient care and prepare the next generation of distinguished clinical and scientific leaders.”

Given that you only have 150 words to answer this prompt, you must write efficiently. Think about how your professional goals align with the school’s message. Tulane wants to see that you’re a good fit for their program and community. Stats aside, your attributes and experiences will show more about whether you’re poised to become a good physician than medical school GPA requirements . Make a list of what you want to accomplish at Tulane medical school and in your career and emphasize aspects from your background that align with the school’s mission.

Prompt: “Tulane University School of Medicine’s mission statement states: We improve human health and foster healthy communities through discovery and translation of the best science into clinical practice and education; to deliver the highest quality patient care and prepare the next generation of distinguished clinical and scientific leaders. Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine.” (150 words)

My primary interest in being trained as a medical professional at Tulane University School of Medicine is my goal of pursuing research and serving my community. During the first year of my undergraduate studies, I volunteered at a center for addiction and mental health. During this time, I encountered a variety of recovering addicts; I learned that unfortunately, education for primary and secondary students is lacking in terms of preventative mental health and addiction. For this reason, I want to conduct medical education research while I pursue my degree in medicine at Tulane. I am also interested in becoming a fellow in the addiction medicine program once I graduate from the program so that I can reach my goal of reducing the rate of addiction in my community.

Tulane Medical School Secondary Essay #2

Prompt: “What disparities in health do you believe are pertinent to the New Orleans patient population? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using past involvement working in a similar patient population to compare and/or describe your interest in any student activities offered at Tulane or in New Orleans.” (150 words)

During my pre-med studies, I was a volunteer at a long-term care facility. Every week, my job was to have conversations with the elderly who were living at the facility. We also played games like chess, and I often hosted exercise events like walks or swimming. As a volunteer, I met some of the PSWs who were always looking for nurses and other workers to recruit because they were constantly short-staffed. The growing population of retirees requires a substantial change in health care delivery to relieve this pressure on health care providers and increase the quality of life in an aging New Orleans population. I believe that the student-run clinic for street medicine is an effective way to address health care service accessibility for a significant portion of the elderly population. Having this experience will also allow me to learn about the needs of the community and identify its vulnerabilities.

Tulane Medical School Secondary Essay #3

Prompt: “Who knows you best and how would they describe you?” (150 words)

The person who knows me best is my younger brother. He and I are only two years apart, so we grew up enjoying a lot of the same hobbies, like sports and after-school clubs. He would describe me as conscientious, ambitious, and organized. I’ve always been someone who likes to track and categorize my responsibilities using calendars and to-do lists. I prioritize my work based on deadlines, and I set long-term and short-term goals for each project or task I’m working on. He, by nature, is more spontaneous and intuitive, which is part of the reason he would sometimes call me pedantic when I plan all my tasks out weeks in advance. He also knows me as an extrovert who thrives in social situations, which is why he has been known to ask me to introduce him to some of my friends who we share the same interests with.

“Prompt: What have you been pursuing since you graduated?” (No word max)

Before I started applying to medical schools, I wanted to do some travelling to gain a better perspective on the medical landscape on a global scale. I joined one of my local missionary projects to visit Ghana as a medical volunteer. I had a chance to observe many of the nurses and doctors working at one of the major hospitals. Because I didn’t have medical experience, my hands-on experience was limited to mostly shadowing other health care workers and occasionally communicating with the patients in a casual manner. Observing the Ghana health care system showed me that while there was a growing trend in health care access, many patients had to travel great distances to be assessed and receive treatment.

During the next year, I will also continue to develop my French writing and oral skills. In my hometown in Louisiana, many residents speak a combination of French and English. Having the ability to use either language will help me communicate with prospective patients while I pursue my goal of opening a community health center in my area. I will also be working as a tutor for high school students in biology and chemistry. I believe working with this age group will allow me to practice my communication skills and become more sensitive to cultural factors that are transferrable to health care.

Tulane Medical School Secondary Essay #5

Prompt: “Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held.” (100 words)

Goaltender for the X University hockey varsity team

Editor for student news column at X University

Home Health Aide for the Nurture Health Company

Member of the X University Health Science Society

Tulane Medical School Secondary Essay #6

Prompt: “Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests.” (150 words)

Reading – I’ve been fond of reading classic philosophy ever since I took a first-year introduction to philosophy course. I’ve read all of Plato’s dialogues and Descartes’s Meditations, and I’m currently reading David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.

Writing – I got involved in a creative writing workshop in my second year and have been published in the school journal for poetry.

Running – I’ve been a track and field runner since elementary school. After spending a season as a 400-meter runner for X University, I’ve since enjoyed running casual long-distance.

Ice Skating – I used to play hockey when I was younger, but now I skate regularly at a local ice rink just for fun with friends.

Gardening – I recently took up gardening with my roommate. We’ve grown tomatoes, microgreens, and carrots.

Want to know how to write a successful medical school secondary essay? Check this video:

Tulane Medical School Secondary Essay #7

Prompt: “(Optional) Tulane University School of Medicine values the diversity of its patients, faculty, staff, and students. Do you identify with a particular group that you believe is underrepresented among medical professionals? These include groups oriented around, but not limited to: ethnicity, race, sexuality, religion, disability, and economic background.” (60 words)

Growing up, I moved around a lot. When I was eight, I moved from Nigeria to France, and then back to Nigeria at age 12, and then to the US when I was 19. As a Nigerian and as someone who has a broad cultural background, I feel that I can offer a unique perspective in the field of medicine.

Prompt: “In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic alter/interrupt your medical school application?” (No word max)

I took a gap year before the start of my third year of undergraduate studies to help support my family. My mother owned a coffee shop and restaurant in the downtown area of New Orleans, but she had to let go of most of her employees and eventually closed her business during the lockdown. My father was also laid off, and although he was rehired at the end of the lockdowns, there was a long period of financial strain in which I was called upon to help.

I became a freelance content writer and editor, and I also opened my own tutoring services for high school students and first-year college students. During this time, I was still able to explore a virtual shadowing opportunity with a family doctor who gave a series of presentations on how to handle diverse patient populations; I was also introduced to some patients who were attending virtual screenings, which was a great opportunity to learn how to communicate in a health care setting.

Once I got my vaccination, and my parents were able to start working again, I immediately registered for classes and started working toward completing my degree. I continued working as a tutor but began offering in-person sessions. In the following summer, I volunteered at a local high school’s life skills department working with students with disabilities. In many ways, the interruption in my studies caused by the global health crisis helped me discover my passion for teaching and meeting new people.

Your secondary essays for Tulane have varying word count requirements. Some have a maximum of 150 words, others 100, 60, and no word limit. Make sure you verify the word count limit for each essay before writing.

You should start by researching the program; look specifically at the curriculum, student activities, and research opportunities. Think about what appeals to you about each component and relate your long-term goals with what the program offers.

The optional essay asks you to identify with a specific group that you believe is underrepresented among medical professionals. This is essentially a diversity essay; as such, if you don’t belong to a particular race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender expression, religion, or economic background, you can still discuss a perspective that is unique to you.

You can, but it isn’t required. This prompt can include non-academic activities, such as sports, reading, writing, hiking, etc.

For this prompt, it’s helpful to have your resume with you. Leadership has a broad scope; consider work experience, volunteer activities, and extracurriculars, and think of ways in which you were a leader.

A great way to prepare for medical school applications is to gain clinical experience. Find opportunities to volunteer at your local hospital or clinic as an administrator or medical scribe. Community service is also a great way to learn more about patient demographics.

A great resource for learning more about health trends is to read the health needs assessment provided by the Tulane Medical Center. They identify four applicable areas of interest: access to quality care, behavioral health, discrimination in health care, and health literacy.

As professors and professionals, the people who provided your medical school recommendation letters are likely not the ones who know you best. For this prompt, consider using a parent, sibling, or friend. You can ask them directly how they would describe you, and then use what they say to answer the prompt.

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Finished Papers

How Long Should a College Essay Be

Writing a college essay is a big deal for students, giving them a chance to share their unique stories and ambitions with admissions officers. But here's the thing: figuring out how long it should be can be tricky. 

In this article, we're going to tackle the question of a perfect essay length head-on. We'll break down what influences the ideal length for your essay and give you some tips on finding that sweet spot between saying enough and not saying too much.

Why Following a College Essay Word Limit Is Important

Sticking to the college essay length matters for a few important reasons. Firstly, it shows that you can follow instructions, which is a skill you'll need in college and beyond. Admissions officers have lots of essays to read, so keeping within the limit respects their time and attention. 

Plus, it helps level the playing field for all applicants, giving everyone a fair chance to make their case without overwhelming reviewers with too much information. And on your end, it forces you to be concise and clear, focusing on what really matters in your story. If the word limit of your essay is too large, simply say, ‘ do my essay for me ,’ and our experts will help you fit into any word limit.

Why Essay Length Varies in Different Assignments

The issue of how long is an essay can change depending on the assignment for a few reasons. First off, it's about who's reading it and why. A formal academic essay might need more detail and research, so it could end up longer. But it might be shorter and more casual if you're just sharing your thoughts with a friend. 

Then there's the topic itself – some things need more explanation. Plus, your teacher's guidelines, like how many words or pages to aim for, can also affect how long your essay turns out. It's about fitting the essay to the task at hand and making sure you cover everything you need to without going overboard.

Struggling to Fit into the Word Count?

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Wondering about the ideal length for your college essay? You're not alone. Figuring out how much to write can be a head-scratcher for many students. But fear not! In this guide, we'll show you how to strike the right balance between text length and informational richness.

High School Essay

The length of a high school essay can vary depending on the assignment and teacher's instructions. Generally, essays in high school classes range from around 500 to 1000 words, though some assignments may require shorter or longer compositions. The length often reflects the depth of analysis and detail expected by the teacher, as well as the complexity of the topic. 

Shorter essays might focus on summarizing information or making a concise argument, while longer essays allow for more in-depth exploration and analysis. Regardless of length, students should prioritize clarity, coherence, and relevance to effectively convey their ideas and meet the requirements of the assignment.

College Admission Essay

College admission essay length typically ranges from 250 to 650 words, with many colleges setting specific word limits. Admissions officers receive thousands of applications, so brevity is key. A well-crafted essay should be concise yet impactful, showcasing the applicant's personality, experiences, and aspirations within the given word count. 

Adhering to the word limit demonstrates the applicant's ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively, while exceeding it may signal a lack of respect for guidelines or an inability to convey ideas succinctly. 

Undergraduate College Essay

Undergraduate college essay length typically ranges from 400 to 650 words, although some institutions may specify shorter or longer limits. The essay aims to provide admissions officers with insight into the applicant's character, values, and potential contributions to the campus community. 

While brevity is important, the essay should be substantive enough to convey meaningful information about the applicant's experiences and aspirations.

Graduate School Admission Essay

Graduate school admission essay length varies, typically ranging from 500 to 1000 words, although specific requirements may differ by program. These essays allow applicants to articulate their academic and professional goals, research interests, and reasons for pursuing graduate studies. 

Admissions committees seek concise yet comprehensive essays demonstrating the applicant's readiness for advanced academic work and alignment with the program's values and objectives. 

Graduate School Essay

Graduate school essay length typically ranges from 500 to 1000 words, although requirements can vary between programs. These essays serve as a crucial component of the application process, allowing applicants to convey their academic background, research interests, career goals, and suitability for the program. 

Admissions committees value conciseness and coherence, so applicants should prioritize quality over quantity when crafting their essays. Ultimately, the essay should offer a compelling narrative that highlights the applicant's strengths, experiences, and motivations for pursuing graduate studies.

Recommended Length of Each Part of the Essay

While the recommended college essay length of each its part can vary depending on the specific requirements of the assignment or application, here's a general guideline:

• Introduction

The introduction typically comprises 10-15% of the total essay length. It should provide background information on the topic, establish the context, and present the thesis statement or main argument.

• Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should be roughly the same length and account for approximately 60-70% of the total essay length. Aim for around 150-200 words per paragraph. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point and provide supporting evidence or examples to strengthen the argument.

The conclusion should be similar in length to the introduction, comprising around 10-15% of the total essay length. It should summarize the main points discussed in the essay, restate the thesis or main argument, and provide a sense of closure or resolution.

Remember that these are general recommendations, and the actual length of each part may vary based on the specific requirements of your assignment or application. 

It's essential to review any guidelines provided and adjust your essay accordingly to meet the expectations of your audience. Use a specialized college essay writing help from experts who always hit the mark when it comes to the length of assignments.

How Long Should an Introduction Be

An introduction should typically span between 50 to 100 words, offering enough context to engage the reader while succinctly presenting the main argument or thesis. It serves as a roadmap for the essay, providing an overview of what to expect without delving into excessive detail.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph

A body paragraph is typically around 100 to 200 words in length, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the depth of analysis required. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point, supported by evidence or examples, and contribute to the overall argument or thesis of the essay.

How Long Should a Conclusion Paragraph Be

Knowing how long should a college essay be – from 400 to 600 words – a conclusion paragraph should mirror the length of the introduction, comprising between 50 to 100 words of the total essay length. It should summarize the main points discussed in the essay, restate the thesis or main argument, and provide a sense of closure or resolution to the reader.

How to Check Word Count

To check the word count of an essay, you can use various methods depending on the software or platform you're using:

How to Make an Essay Longer

To make an essay longer, consider these strategies:

• Expand Ideas: Add more detail and examples to elaborate on your points.
• Provide Supporting Details: Include additional evidence or references to strengthen your arguments.
• Address Counterarguments: Discuss opposing viewpoints and explain why they're invalid.
• Use More Sources: Incorporate more research to support your claims.
• Use Transitions: Improve the flow between paragraphs with transitional phrases.
• Rephrase and Expand: Clarify and expand on your ideas by revising your sentences.
• Consider Different Angles: Explore the topic from various perspectives.
• Revise Carefully: Edit your essay to ensure added content enhances its quality.

How to Shorten an Essay

To shorten an essay length while maintaining its essence, follow these strategies:

• Remove Redundancy: Cut out repetitive phrases or sentences.
• Combine Similar Ideas: Condense related points to streamline your message.
• Simplify Language: Use clear, concise language to convey your ideas.
• Delete Unnecessary Details: Eliminate irrelevant examples or explanations.
• Focus on Essentials: Keep only the most relevant information.
• Check for Wordiness: Remove filler words and phrases.

When working on your compositions, remember about the impact of remote learning on students and your productiveness.

How to Format a College Essay Based on the Required Length

Let’s explore strategies to tailor your essay's structure and content to fit within specified word limits. By understanding how to adjust your writing style and organization, you'll be better equipped to craft a compelling essay that adheres to length requirements without sacrificing quality or clarity.

Spacing is crucial for how long is an essay looking, its readability and adherence to length requirements. Opting for double-spacing ensures adequate room for markers to review your content and allows for easy reading. Additionally, double-spacing aids in maintaining a clean, organized appearance, enhancing the overall presentation of your essay.

• If the instruction is to double-space the paper, consider using a spacing of 2.1 or 2.2 instead. 
• You can extend the margin size by a quarter, such as increasing the right and bottom margins from 1 inch to 1.25 inches, to make subtle adjustments in length without significantly impacting the overall appearance.
• Another strategy is to increase the spacing between characters, although it should be done cautiously to avoid excessive alterations. 
• Aim to keep the spacing between 1.2 and 1.5 to maintain readability and visual consistency throughout the document.

Font and Size

Font selection and size can be key to adjusting the college essay length. Opt for a standard, easily readable font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri to ensure clarity and consistency. Aim for a font size of 12 points, which is the standard for most academic writing and provides optimal legibility without sacrificing space or readability.

• If your instructor hasn't specified a font, consider using larger options such as Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. 
• Exercise caution and try not to exceed an increase of 0.1-0.5 points to avoid noticeable alterations. 
• Another technique is to increase the size of punctuation marks, such as periods and commas, by a couple of points compared to the main text size, or italicizing them, which can subtly add to the overall length of your essay.

Following the specified length for your college essay is super important because it shows that you can stick to the rules and pay attention to instructions, which is a skill colleges value. Plus, sticking to the word count helps you be concise and get your point across clearly without rambling or overwhelming the reader.

If you’re struggling to fit into the required word limit, buy a college essay that will be written by a seasoned professional who knows exactly how to meet academic standards.

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• How long should my essay be? – BigFuture | College Board . (n.d.). https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/help-center/how-long-should-my-essay-be  
• 12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay - Harvard Summer School . (2022, August 9). Harvard Summer School. https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/12-strategies-to-writing-the-perfect-college-essay/
• How Long Should a College Essay Be? | Honor Society - Official Honor Society® Website . (n.d.). https://www.honorsociety.org/articles/how-long-should-college-essay-be

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• Published: May 14, 2024

Are you removing a lot of words and paragraphs from your essay but still not seeing the word count budge? Whether you’re meeting a strict word count or refining your message, reducing your essay’s length without sacrificing content quality can be challenging.

Luckily, besides just aiming for the minimum word count, there are some pretty simple solutions, like using artificial intelligence, conducting thorough research, and trimming unnecessary words. But there’s more.

In this guide, we’ll unpack some practical tips to help you make your essay concise and impactful. Time to make every word count!

7 Best Ways To Shorten an Essay

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best ways you can shorten your essay:

1. Use Artificial intelligence

When we talk about academic writing, artificial intelligence (AI) can be a game changer, especially when it comes to reducing the length of your essays.

Tools like Smodin can help make your content more concise while enhancing overall quality. AI can help you shorten your essay through the following methods:

• Automated rewriting : AI rewriting tools can reformulate existing content to make it more straightforward while maintaining the original meaning.
• Sentence simplification : Algorithms can analyze your sentences and suggest simpler alternatives, helping eliminate redundant information and reduce word count.
• Research assistance : Certain platforms have AI-powered research tools that allow you to quickly gather the most relevant information. This ensures that every word in your essay contributes to your argument without unnecessary fillers.
• Plagiarism check : Ensuring your essay is plagiarism-free is crucial. For example, Smodin’s plagiarism detection tools help you identify and replace copied content with original, concise expressions.
• Instant feedback : Receive real-time suggestions on how to streamline your text, focusing on the essentials to effectively communicate your message.
• Reference generation : Automatically generate and insert citations in the correct format, which helps save you time while maintaining the academic integrity of your essay and keeping it short.

2. Identify Unnecessary Words and Remove Them

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to shorten your essay is by identifying and eliminating unnecessary words.

This approach helps decrease word count and sharpens your arguments, making your writing more compelling. You can identify and remove extra words by doing the following:

• Spot wordy phrases : Often, phrases can be condensed without losing meaning. For example, the phrase “due to the fact that” can be replaced with “because.” Be on the lookout for wordy phrases that increase word count needlessly.
• Remove unnecessary prepositional phrases : Prepositional phrases can be redundant or add unnecessary detail. Evaluate whether these phrases add value or just extra words. Cutting them can make sentences more direct.
• Avoid redundancies : Redundant pairs like “absolutely essential” or “future plans” can be reduced to one word without losing informational value.
• Trim excess adjectives and adverbs : Adjectives and adverbs can make writing better but can also lead to over-description. Use them sparingly, especially when they don’t contribute additional meaning to the nouns and verbs they modify.
• Fewer words; more impact : Aim for brevity by using fewer words to express the same idea. This will help to reduce the word count while making your writing more impactful and clear.

3. Tighten Sentence Structure

Tightening your sentence structure is crucial for making your essay more concise and readable. Use active voice to make your writing clearer and more dynamic. This is especially important in academic writing, where you have to get to the point quickly.

In academic essays, shifting from passive voice to active voice can shorten and strengthen your sentences. For example, instead of writing, “The experiment was conducted by the students,” you can say, “The students conducted the experiment.” This reduces the number of words and places the action directly with the subject, making your sentences more direct.

Combining two separate sentences into one can streamline your ideas and reduce redundancies. Look for opportunities where sentences can be merged without losing their significance. For example, “He wrote the book. It became a bestseller.” can be rephrased as “He wrote the book, which became a bestseller.”

Also, avoid unnecessary qualifiers and modifiers that don’t add substantial information. Sentences often become bogged down with these extras, making them cluttered and long.

4. Conduct Thorough Research

When writing essays, extensive research can make the final output a lot shorter. Effective research helps you gather precise information that’s relevant to your topic. This means you’ll write more directly and avoid needless elaboration. Here’s how you can conduct research effectively:

• Define the scope of your research : Determine what information is essential to the argument. This initial step will help you focus your research efforts and prevent irrelevant data.
• Identify key sources : Begin with scholarly databases and academic journals that offer peer-reviewed articles. These sources provide credible, authoritative information that can be crucial for academic writing.
• Use precise keywords : When searching for information, use specific keywords related to your essay topic. Precision here will help find the most relevant articles and studies, reducing time spent on unnecessary reading.
• Evaluate sources : Assess the relevance and reliability of each source. Check the publication date to ensure the information is current and relevant to your topic.
• Take notes efficiently : As you research, jot down important points, quotes, and references. Organize these notes according to the sections in your essay to make writing faster.
• Synthesize information : Combine information from multiple sources to build a strong argument. This will allow you to write comprehensively and with fewer words, as each sentence carries more weight.

5. Improve Your Paragraph Structure

Streamlining paragraphs can make your essay shorter and more digestible for the reader. With a well-structured paragraph, you can focus on a single idea supported by concise statements.

Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly states the main idea. This sentence sets the direction and tone, letting the reader know what to expect. It also helps ensure that every following sentence relates directly to the main idea.

Condense supporting information by merging ideas that logically coexist within a single sentence or phrase. After that, evaluate each sentence for its contribution to the paragraph’s main idea. Remove any information that is repeated or goes into too much detail.

Focus on providing evidence and explanations that directly support the main point. You should also end each paragraph with a sentence that reinforces the main idea and potentially links to the next paragraph. This creates smooth transitions and keeps the essay focused and cohesive.

6. Refine the Introduction and Conclusion

These sections frame your essay and influence how your arguments are perceived. Here are some ways to keep them concise yet effective.

Introduction

The introduction should be engaging and concise, clearly stating the purpose and scope of your essay. Begin with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention, followed by background information that sets the context. Incorporate your thesis statement early on, ideally at the end of the intro.

The conclusion needs to reinforce the thesis. Summarize key points in the essay and show how they support the thesis. Provide a final thought that leaves the reader with something to ponder.

Also, remember to keep it tight – the conclusion isn’t a place for introducing new ideas. It should wrap up the ones you presented and prompt the reader to pose their own questions.

7. Edit and Proofread

Keep your essay concise and error-free by allocating ample time for editing and proofreading. These processes scrutinize your work at different levels, from the overall structure to word choices and punctuation. Here’s how you can go about it:

Start by reading through your entire paper to get a feel for its flow and coherence. Check if all paragraphs support your thesis statement and if section transitions are smooth. This will help you spot areas where the argument might be weak, or wording could be clearer.

Focus next on paragraph structure. Ensure each paragraph sticks to one main idea and that all sentences directly support the idea. Remove any repetitive or irrelevant sentences that don’t add value.

Then, look for clarity and style. Replace complex words with simpler alternatives to maintain readability. Keep your tone consistent throughout the paper. Adjust the sentence length and structure to enhance the flow and make it more engaging.

Proofreading

Proofreading comes after editing. The focus here is catching typing errors, grammatical mistakes, and inconsistent formatting. It’s always best to proofread with fresh eyes, so consider taking a break before this step.

Use tools like spell checkers, but don’t rely solely on them. Read your essay aloud or have someone else review it. Hearing the words can help you catch errors you may have missed.

Lastly, check for punctuation errors and ensure all citations and references are formatted according to the required academic style. This and all of the above are areas in which AI can help get the job done with speed and precision.

Why You Might Need to Shorten Your Essay

Ever heard the expression “less is more”? When it comes to academic writing, it normally is. Keeping your essays concise offers several benefits:

• Enhances clarity : A shorter essay forces you to focus on the main points and critical arguments, reducing the risk of going off-topic. This clarity makes your writing more impactful and easier for the reader to follow.
• Meets word limits : Many academic assignments have a maximum word count. Learning to express your thoughts concisely helps you stay within these limits without sacrificing essential content.
• Saves time : For both the writer and the reader, shorter essays take less time to write, revise, and read. This efficiency is especially valuable in academic settings where time is usually limited.
• Increases engagement : Readers are more likely to stay engaged with a document that gets to the point quickly. Lengthy texts can deter readers, especially if the content has unnecessary words or redundant points.
• Improves writing skills : Shortening essays helps refine your writing skills. You become better at identifying and eliminating fluff, focusing instead on what really adds value to your paper.

Overall, adopting a more succinct writing style helps you meet academic requirements and polish your communication skills.

Why Use Smodin To Shorten an Essay

Using AI-powered platforms like Smodin to shorten your essay is both the simplest and the least time-consuming method available. Here’s why you should probably make Smodin your go-to essay shortener:

• Efficiency : Smodin eases the editing process, using advanced algorithms to quickly identify areas where content can be condensed without losing meaning.
• Accuracy : With its powerful AI, Smodin ensures that the essence of your essays stays intact while getting rid of unnecessary words, making your writing more precise.
• Ease of use : Smodin is user-friendly, making it accessible even to those who aren’t the most tech-savvy. Its easy-to-grasp interface allows for seamless navigation and operation.

Smodin’s offerings

• Rewriter : Available in over 50 languages, this tool helps rewrite text to be more concise.
• Article Writer : Assists in drafting articles that are crisp and to the point.
• Plagiarism and Auto Citation : Ensures your essay is original and correctly cited, which is crucial in academic writing.
• Language Detection : Identifies the language of the text, ensuring the right adjustments are made for clarity.

All these tools and more are what make Smodin an excellent choice for academics looking to reduce the length of their essays.

Final Thoughts

Word counts can be a real headache, especially when you need to say a lot with a little. Thankfully, by identifying unnecessary words, tightening your sentences, and using tools like Smodin, you can make your essay concise without losing its meaning. Remember, a shorter essay doesn’t just meet word limits; and it’s clear, more compelling, and more likely to keep your reader engaged.

Keep it short, keep it sweet, and make every word count! Get started for free right now with Smodin.