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sarah lawrence college application essay

Sarah Lawrence College Essay Example by an Accepted Student

Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college located just outside of New York City. Well-known as one of the best liberal arts schools in the college, Sarah Lawrence offers students an exceptional education. Not to mention, the suburban campus just a 15 minute train ride away from NYC provides students with the perfect balance between a traditional campus experience and the excitement of a big city.

Gaining admission to Sarah Lawrence requires more than just a strong academic and extracurricular profile. Students wishing to attend will also need a stellar essay, which is where we can help. In this post, we will go over a real essay an accepted Sarah Lawrence applicant submitted and discuss what it did well and where it could be improved.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Sarah Lawrence essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Sarah Lawrence Essay Example: Hyphenates

Prompt: Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: director-playwright-sound designer, environmentalist-photographer, journalist-linguist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you’ve brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence. (250-500 words)

Among blue abstract faces and messy paint splatters, I took my first steps. My childhood evokes memories of brightly colored canvases, stained overalls, and folk music. Being born into a family of eccentric artists, I grew up surrounded by the vibrant emotion that characterizes my mom’s paintings and my dad’s comics. I’ve proudly adopted their artistic habits, inspired by their open-mindedness and fierce self-expression. By exploring unconventional mediums, everything from collage-making to spoken word, I’ve realized that my identity as an artist knows no bounds. 

In a society that undervalues teenage perspectives, I watched the Gen-Z artists around me struggle to find a place for their self-expression that celebrates the inexperienced and experienced alike. Countless arts publications only accept work from highly accomplished teenage creatives, limiting the potential for creative experimentation among youth artists. Seeking to be the change I wish to see in the world, I took action. I created an online literary and arts magazine to provide teen artists with a platform to build community, practice creativity, and publish their work in a judgment-free zone. Watching hours of Youtube tutorials, I taught myself to design a website using online programs. As I found myself scribbling stanzas and sketching in my notebook while learning how to code, I realized that my identity as a 21st-century artist can extend into technology. As an oddball artist-activist-computer scientist, I feel driven to express myself creatively and scientifically to enact social change.

As my magazine gained traction online, garnering 3.5k+ views worldwide, I discovered the power that digital media has to share marginalized perspectives. I questioned how I could continue harnessing technology’s potential to amplify overlooked stories, merging STEM with my penchant for Artivism. Within my school’s student-athlete centric community, I noticed that countless other students’ unique accomplishments were sidelined. Promoting inclusivity, I worked alongside my student newspaper team to create a collaborative Youtube Channel. Together, we launched a video project to film interviews with students whose stories go frequently overlooked. Once again, I found myself challenging conventional expectations for an artist. As I expressed myself creatively by directing video production for the project, I also excitedly encountered data sets within video editing and statistics within sound design. 

I once thought I was exclusively “right-brained” but I’ve learned that I am most fulfilled when both sides of my brain work in tandem, drawing innovative connections between STEM and the arts. At Sarah Lawrence, I hope to continue my exploration as I work toward my goal of self-publishing a poetry book and creating a podcast to highlight female Latinx artists. Pursuing my artistic instincts, I’d challenge myself to dig deep and advocate for social justice in untraditional ways. Though I wandered into the world of computer science on accident as an out-of-place artist, I emerged from it with a new understanding of what art means – taking risks with an open mind. Embodying art’s spirit of adventure, I’m eager to continue forging intersections between art, advocacy, and technology.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is engaging, well-written, showcases the student’s interests, highlights her accomplishments, and perfectly answers the prompt. That’s not an easy thing to do, so let’s break down what works so well.

In terms of the writing quality, this student uses imagery and details to paint a picture for the reader. Right off the bat, we are transported to her childhood home and can imagine a young kid growing up surrounded by art. The level of detail is maintained throughout the essay to thoroughly explain the projects she spearheaded. Her diction is also the perfect balance between being well-spoken, but still sounding like a teenager. Referring to herself as “ oddball ” and coining the term “ Artivism ” bring a level of familiarity to the essay that makes it seem like she is talking to a friend rather than an admissions committee—which is the goal.

The essay does an incredible job of showing the reader this student’s interest in not just two subjects, but three. Halfway through the essay, she tells us she’s an “ artist-activist-computer scientist ”, but we already identified those qualities ourselves just by reading about her desire to highlight marginalized voices, work with art, and code a website. This is a great example of showing, not telling . You want the reader to draw their own conclusions about you without you having to spell it out for them.

Because the student shows the reader her interests through her achievements, we also get to see what she has accomplished. Since she uses the projects she developed as tools to tell her story, it doesn’t feel like we are reading a brag sheet. The key is to describe your actions and explain why it made sense for you to engage in them, as this essay has done.

Between the effective story-telling and the high level of detail for her multiple interests, we can walk away without a doubt that this student fully answered the prompt. We end the essay  remembering her as an artist-activist-computer scientist, making this essay a huge success.

What Could Be Improved

This is a very strong essay and there’s not that much that needs improvement. However, one way this student could improve the flow of the essay would be to break up large paragraphs into smaller, more digestible ones. When there are only three paragraphs in an essay of 500 words, it puts more pressure on the reader to stay focused and make their way through big chunks of text.

There are two natural breaks in the body paragraph that could have split it into three, more focused, paragraphs. The first break would be after this sentence, “ Watching hours of Youtube tutorials, I taught myself to design a website using online programs. ” Then, there would be a new paragraph about the student discovering the marriage of art and computer science, which would be more poignant because it’s presented as a fresh idea to the reader and it wouldn’t be lost in a sea of words. The other break would occur right before she switches to talking about the video project for athletes, as that’s a new accomplishment that deserves its own paragraph.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay

Want feedback on your Sarah Lawrence essay before you submit? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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sarah lawrence college application essay

Sarah Lawrence College takes swipe at the Supreme Court, inviting students to write their application essay about the court's ruling that tossed affirmative action

  • Sarah Lawrence College is inviting undergrad applicants to write about how the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action is impacting their lives. 
  • In June, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to consider race in college applications. 
  • But Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that students can still, in essays, write about how race has affected their lives. 

Insider Today

Sarah Lawrence College has a unique response to the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn affirmative action : encourage college applicants to make it the topic of their essay.

Sarah Lawrence's admissions website says prospective students applying to be undergraduates at the small liberal arts college in Yonkers, New York, for the 2023-2024 school year should use the Common App.

As a supplement to that, "there may be more you want to tell us that just didn't quite fit into the rest of the application," the admissions site says. Students are then invited to choose from three additional essay prompts to aid their application materials.

Sarah Lawrence's Dean of Admissions Kevin McKenna told Insider that one of the optional essay prompts typically "asked students to reflect on the values of diversity and inclusivity within a community like ours."

"It felt a little disingenuous to simply re-use the same prompt this year in light of such a major ruling around race in admissions," McKenna told Insider.

"So we developed this new prompt in that spirit of still trying to foreground important attributes of our learning community, of which we identified two: first, that we ask our students to take on tough questions and challenging real-world topics head-on, with intellectual rigor and thoughtfulness; and secondly, that as a community that values diversity and equity in education as part of its mission, the current national conversations around race are of the utmost importance to us," he added.

The third prompt points directly to the Supreme Court and its decision.

It specifically calls out Chief Justice John Roberts' written opinion, which states that although colleges and universities shouldn't consider race as it stands alone, they can consider how race has affected an applicant's life.

"In a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, 'Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected the applicant's life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university,'" Sarah Lawrence's essay prompt reads.

The prompt continues: "Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court's decision."

Instead of doing as Roberts suggested by asking applicants to write about how race has affected their lives, Sarah Lawrence is instead inviting students to write about how their lives — and their futures — might be affected by the Court's decision to abolish affirmative action.

McKenna said that "in the discussion of how this prompt came to be, that it is not intended to set any expectations that an applicant should feel that they need to address past traumas or injustices in order to gain admission to the college."

"Like many institutions and organizations working in higher education, our admissions office is concerned about the added anxiety this year that students (particularly black, brown, or indigenous students, but also students who may identify as LGBTQ) are going to feel forced into relaying narratives that they wouldn't otherwise choose to share with colleges," he added.

Instead, McKenna said that with the addition of the new third prompt, the school is "hoping to provide a space for students (if they choose) to address a challenging topic in society, and one that could directly impact the make-up of the student bodies of the colleges to which they are applying."

"The ability to deftly weave one's personal background, their goals for college, and their thoughtful reflections on a major societal issue into a cohesive statement or argument would speak very well to their ability to do the kind of work a liberal arts college like SLC demands of our students," McKenna added.

The Supreme Court's decision led by the conservative justices found that affirmative action policies, which allowed schools to account for a student's race in order to accept more diverse applicants, were discriminatory.

sarah lawrence college application essay

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sarah lawrence college application essay

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First-Year Applicants

Office of admission.

914.395.2510

We consider you a first-year applicant if:

  • You are still in high school at the time you apply,
  • You have completed high school but have not yet started college,
  • You have completed less than one year of full-time study (approximately 30 credits) at the college level.

Sarah Lawrence offers four different application cycles. First-year students may apply through one of the following:

First-Year Applicants Application Dates

Early action.

Early Action is a non-binding application cycle. Applicants will learn if they have been admitted by late December. However, there is no commitment to enroll or withdraw other applications, and students do not need to deposit to claim a spot in the class until May 1. This round is intended for students who have Sarah Lawrence high on their college list, and who are prepared to submit the application by November 1 in order to receive an earlier decision.

  • Application Deadline: November 1

Early Decision I and Early Decision II

If Sarah Lawrence is your first choice, we hope you will consider applying through one of our Early Decision cycles. Please keep in mind that Early Decision I and Early Decision II are binding. Early Decision applicants—along with a parent or guardian and your school counselor—must sign the Early Decision Agreement, which indicates your intention to enroll in Sarah Lawrence College if admitted. You will also be asked to withdraw applications to schools if admitted, and in general students may only apply to one school under an Early Decision round.

Early Decision I Application Deadline: November 1

*Early Decision II Application Deadline: January 15

Regular Decision

Regular Decision is the round in which Sarah Lawrence has traditionally received the most applications. The deadline of January 15 allows students a little longer to prepare their application, and in most cases you will be able to submit grades from the first semester of your senior year as additional support for your successes in high school. Decisions are usually released by late March, and deposits for enrollment are due on May 1.

  • Application Deadline: January 15

If you ever have questions about which application round is right for you, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to talk with you about these options.

The Application

All first-year applicants must submit the following required materials to complete their application; students may also submit the optional components to supplement their application.

Common Application

Students must apply online through the Common Application . Applicants must also complete the Sarah Lawrence member page of the Common Application.

School Report & Transcripts

The school report and transcripts should be submitted online through the Common Application or other online systems such as Naviance/Family Connection. Transcripts should be complete through seven semesters or the semester most recently completed. If you have transcripts from a summer school or college, it is recommended those be submitted as well.

Teacher/Faculty Recommendations

Letters of recommendation should be submitted online through the Common Application or other online systems such as Naviance/Family Connection. These should be completed by teachers who know you well enough to write about you with specificity, and should be written by teachers of your core academic courses (English, math, science, history, or foreign language). Sarah Lawrence College requires one letter of recommendation from a teacher, and a second letter is optional.

Early Decision Agreement (for EDI and EDII applicants)

Early Decision applicants, their parent or guardian, and their high school counselor must complete and sign the Early Decision Agreement and submit the form online with the  Common Application by the application deadline.

English Proficiency Testing Exams (for international applicants)

Applicants for whom English is not their first language and who have not studied in an English language curriculum for the past four years should take one of the following tests:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Duolingo English Test

Most competitive applicants to Sarah Lawrence College have a TOEFL score of 100, an IELTS score of 7 or higher, or a Duolingo score of at least 130.

Students for whom time or distance creates a hardship in supplying these results may request an extension. Please feel free to reach out to us ( [email protected] ) if you have questions or concerns about providing the English proficiency requirements.

Learn more about the application process for international students»

SAT I, SAT II, or ACT Scores

The submission of standardized test scores is optional. You may choose to submit test scores if you feel they will strengthen and enhance your other application credentials. However, you will not be at a disadvantage should you choose not to submit your scores.

The Common Application essay is an important way for us to get to know your voice, but we know there may be more you want to tell us that just didn’t quite fit into the rest of the application. For applicants who might wish to share a little more about how Sarah Lawrence fits into the next stage of their education, we invite you to respond to one of the following three essay prompts:

  • Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence.
  • Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions directly with faculty, and then answer them through intensive semester-long projects that frequently inspire a blend of intellectual rigor and creativity. In 250-500 words, tell us about a text, problem, or topic you would love to explore over a semester or a year, and what you would hope to achieve through that work.
  • In the syllabus of a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the author notes: "Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university." Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court's decision.

Sarah Lawrence College is offering online admission interviews as a way for applicants to share their story and get to know SLC. Interviews are conducted by senior ambassadors and admission counselors; you can read more about what to expect during an interview and why an applicant might consider one here . Sarah Lawrence also accepts interviews completed through InitialView .

Arts Supplement

Art portfolios are optional and the absence of one will in no way harm or detract from your application. Any student admitted to Sarah Lawrence may study the creative or performing arts, regardless of whether a portfolio was submitted.

If you would like to submit creative materials in the areas of dance, filmmaking, music, theatre, creative writing, or visual arts as part of a holistic review of your application for admission, please select “Yes” to the art portfolio question on the Sarah Lawrence page of the Common Application . Upon submission of the Common Application, a link will be e-mailed to the applicant with instructions for submitting the art portfolio.

To preview the instructions, please click the link below.

Submitting an Arts Supplement to Sarah Lawrence College

The Common App

Sign up for an admission interview

Ask a current student.

profile photos of current students

Learn more about our students and ask your questions

Connect with us.

Sarah Lawrence College Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Sarah Lawrence College college application essays were written by students accepted at Sarah Lawrence College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Sarah Lawrence College

The author's voice anonymous, sarah lawrence college.

I could hear the rhythmic pitter patter of rain on the window pane as I drifted in and out of consciousness. I stared intently at my notes, desperately trying to absorb the convoluted lines of graphite lead on my paper. After concentrating for an...

Jan the Troubadour Anonymous

Three months into my exchange year in Germany, my friend called me, a little dejected. She wanted to go downtown, and it was clear why. There was still something incredibly rousing, mysterious, and exciting about the European city that had...

Upon Leaving Home Anonymous

Here is Burma in the spotlight’s glare: cheap Chinese products, bad roads, on-and-off electricity, censored internet, starving people, useless education, brain drain, corrupt government, no freedom of expression, and hopelessness. This is what it’...

Breakfast with Chabela Annalena Eckton

Chabela sits across from me with a nearly finished cigarette pursed between her wrinkled lips. As she watches me, I pour myself a cup of coffee and butter the one slice of white sandwich bread I’m allowed to consume each morning. My head is foggy...

Final College App Essay- Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre Brooke McCormick Thomas

During my freshman year of high school, I fell in love.

My English teacher assigned Jane Eyre as our last reading of the year. Great, I thought, another pretentious novel about 19th century English society that the BBC adapts for television every...

How Nonsense Syllables Taught Me Leadership Anonymous

It is Sunday afternoon and my friends and I are all making nonsense syllables. “Dim dims” and “Ooh bop bops” fill the room and flow out of the windows we have opened in the heat. We’re not crazy – we’re just having a cappella rehearsal.

The Carrot Anonymous

I am sitting inside a carrot.

Burnt orange walls surround me. Rough brush strokes of this rusty shade streak the back of the door. Paint is hastily dripped in visible spots on the concrete floor. The room is about three feet by three feet and...

Saxophone Colossus Anonymous

I remember in kindergarten, during my troubled sleeps, my mother would come in and sing the Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday”. I didn’t know what the lyrics meant then, but I do know that in her voice I found a universe of meaning. By first grade I was...

Lean on Me Rachel Lynch

Summer begins with skin made of ants. The months between school years were designed for sitting on the border of the sandpit at the Jewish Community Center with ants crawling over my hands.

“Sugar ants don’t bite people,” my friend assures me...

Public Speaking Can Be Learnt? Anonymous

Public speaking isn’t my forte and yet one day I found myself speaking in front of around 55 software engineers.

Now don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t terrified of public speaking, but I was never good at it. My legs would shake, my voice would quiver...

Cinderella of the String Family Olivia F. Vega

My journey as a violist began seven years ago, when I made a trip to my local music center and the director searched around in a cluttered inventory closet, pulling out a case. Inside lay my first viola. It was slightly off color, worn down and...

Recent Questions about Sarah Lawrence College

The Question and Answer section for Sarah Lawrence College is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

sarah lawrence college application essay

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Sarah Lawrence College Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Sarah Lawrence College's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Sarah Lawrence College and build a strong application.

School location: Bronxville, NY

Admissions Rate: 49.9%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Sarah Lawrence College is 49.9% . For every 100 applicants, 50 are admitted.

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This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

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We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

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Sarah Lawrence College GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.77

The average GPA at Sarah Lawrence College is 3.77 .

image description

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.77, Sarah Lawrence College requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.77, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Sarah Lawrence College hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Sarah Lawrence College will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Sarah Lawrence College SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1353

The average SAT score composite at Sarah Lawrence College is a 1353 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Sarah Lawrence College Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

Sarah Lawrence College SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1280, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1430. In other words, a 1280 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1430 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Sarah Lawrence College ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Sarah Lawrence College likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 30

The average ACT score at Sarah Lawrence College is 30. This score makes Sarah Lawrence College Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 29, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Even though Sarah Lawrence College likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 29 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 30 and above that a 29 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 30 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Sarah Lawrence College, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 30.

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Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Free eBook: 5 Tips to 4+ Points on the ACT

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Sarah Lawrence College considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1430 SAT or a 33 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 49.9% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.77. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1280 SAT or a 29 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

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  • Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Sarah Lawrence College here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation 2
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee No fee required for domestic applicants
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes Counselor recommendation, school report required for freshmen

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office February 1

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Yes January 15 April 1
  • Yes November 1 December 15
  • Yes November 1, January 15 December 15, February 15

Admissions Office Information

  • Address: 1 Bronxville, NY 10708-5999
  • Phone: (914) 337-0700 x0700
  • Fax: (914) 395-2668
  • Email: [email protected]

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Colleges Want to Know More About You and Your ‘Identity’

With affirmative action banned, application essays ask about “life experience,” the one place in admissions where discussing race is still explicitly legal.

People walking through the gates of Harvard Yard on a sunny day. The gates are flanked by two brick columns and trees.

By Anemona Hartocollis and Colbi Edmonds

“Tell us about an aspect of your identity or a life experience that has shaped you.”

— Johns Hopkins University

For college applicants, this is the year of the identity-driven essay, the one part of the admissions process in which it is still explicitly legal to discuss race after the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in June.

Listen to This Audio

Open this article in the New York Times Audio app on iOS.

A review of the essay prompts used this year by more than two dozen highly selective colleges reveals that schools are using words and phrases like “identity” and “life experience,” and are probing aspects of a student’s upbringing and background that have, in the words of a Harvard prompt, “shaped who you are.”

That’s a big change from last year, when the questions were a little dutiful, a little humdrum — asking about books read, summers spent, volunteering done.

But even if candidates can — or feel compelled to — open up, colleges face potential legal challenges. The Supreme Court warned that a candidate’s race may be invoked only in the context of the applicant’s life story, and colleges have consulted with lawyers to determine the line between an acceptable essay prompt and an unconstitutional one.

“Obviously, this is a pretty subjective standard,” said Ishan K. Bhabha, a lawyer who is advising many colleges and universities. “Different schools are going to have different levels of risk tolerance.”

Students for Fair Admissions, the group that defeated race-based admissions in the Supreme Court, is ready to challenge any essay topic that “is nothing more than a back-channel subterfuge for divulging a student’s race or ethnicity,” Edward Blum, the group’s founder, said.

“Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different and how that has affected you.”

— Duke University

Harvard, which was at the center of the lawsuit, has replaced last year’s single optional essay with five short essays, designed to allow the admissions committee to see each applicant as a “whole person.” The essays, up to 200 words each, are all required so that the admissions office can collect the same information from every applicant, according to Harvard.

The first essay question closely tracks with what the Supreme Court’s opinion said was permissible: “How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?”

Johns Hopkins carefully explains what is allowed in its essay, which asks students to write about an aspect of their identity or life experience that has shaped them. “Any part of your background, including but not limited to your race, may be discussed in your response to this essay if you so choose,” Johns Hopkins notes on its website . But it adds a caveat: the information “will be considered by the university based solely on how it has affected your life and your experiences as an individual.”

Sarah Lawrence College, outside New York City, saucily incorporates a quote from the official summary of Chief Justice John G. Roberts’s majority decision in its prompt: “Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life.”

Then the school asks applicants to “describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced or affected by the court’s decision.”

These college-specific questions are supplements to the main essay in the Common App, the online application used by more than a million students each year.

The Common App said it was keeping last year’s seven essay choices . One mentions identity, another obstacles overcome. But in a nod to the new imperatives, the Common App said that it would monitor the choices of different “student populations.”

“Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had.”

— Dartmouth College

Some students are seizing on the opportunity to write about race. Janyra Allen, 17, who attends Bard High School Early College in Baltimore, has started applying to colleges, with her top choice being Notre Dame of Maryland University. Janyra, who is Black, wants to be a nurse, and in her essays she has written about the lack of Black nurses and doctors in hospitals.

Janyra tries to include both her race and her accomplishments in her application answers, she said, because she wants universities to know “Black students can do amazing things, too.”

Amari Shepherd, 16, said she hoped colleges and universities would evaluate students based on merit, regardless of race. She is still thinking about what she wants to write in her essays, and although being Black is a large part of who she is, she isn’t sure if she will mention it extensively.

“I’m very proud of my race, but also I’ve worked very hard in my high school career,” said Amari, a senior at Frederick A. Douglass High School in New Orleans.

The essay may prove liberating for Asian American students, many of whom have been wary of how they present themselves. The lawsuit accused Harvard of racially stereotyping Asian Americans as high-achieving but bland and interchangeable — feeding the sense that applicants needed to appear “less Asian” by not majoring in science, for instance, or playing the cello.

Allison Zhang, a senior at a public high school in Maryland, said that she hoped to attend Georgetown or the University of Pennsylvania to study economics and political science. In her applications, “I’ve definitely been talking about my racial identity and also my gender because as an Asian American woman, that shaped a lot of how I view the world and the struggles that I’ve faced,” Allison, 17, said.

“Tell us about when, where or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self.”

— Barnard College

Some public universities are treading more carefully. The University of Virginia, for example, must navigate the tension between its stated commitment to diversity and conservative alumni , as well as the Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, elected in 2021 largely on a pledge to overhaul education.

James E. Ryan, the president of the University of Virginia, sent a letter to the school community on Aug. 1, the unofficial beginning of application season, nodding to both alumni and the enslaved people who built the university and worked on the grounds.

He said that the university’s application now encompassed an essay prompt inviting applicants to talk about their connection to the university as children of graduates, or as “descendants of ancestors who labored at the university, as well as those with other relationships.”

John Yoo, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who opposes race-conscious admissions, said that the new essay prompts seemed consistent with the court’s ruling.

What matters is not so much the wording as the way universities use the information, said Mr. Yoo, who served in the George W. Bush administration and is on the board of Pacific Legal Foundation, which filed an amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiffs.

“Suppose Harvard asked these questions and, magically, the racial composition of the freshman class is within three to four points of what it was before these essay questions,” he said. “I don’t think the courts are going to be fooled by innocuous-seeming essay questions which are used as a pretext by the colleges.”

Audio produced by Sarah Diamond .

Anemona Hartocollis is a national correspondent, covering higher education. She is also the author of the book “Seven Days of Possibilities: One Teacher, 24 Kids, and the Music That Changed Their Lives Forever.” More about Anemona Hartocollis

Colbi Edmonds is a reporter for the National desk and a member of the 2023-24 New York Times Fellowship class . More about Colbi Edmonds

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Sarah Lawrence College 2019-20 Supplemental Essay Guide

Regular Decision: 

Sarah Lawrence College 2019-20 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Activity

Optional: We know that there may be elements of who you are as a person and student that you may not feel are conveyed fully in the other sections of this application. If you wish to showcase a little more about your particular interest in Sarah Lawrence College, please respond to one of the prompts below. You can find some additional information about this section on our website here .

Newsflash: this essay is not optional! If you read over the prompts, you’ll find this is a prime opportunity to share more information with admissions and make yourself memorable. You’d better jump on that! Fortunately, these prompts echo some of the most common supplemental questions you’ll find on academics, community, and fit, so it’s very likely you’ll be able to strategically recycle another essay.

One of the cornerstones of a Sarah Lawrence education is student-driven research or creative work, undertaken with the mentorship of faculty that extends or expands the scope of the subject of a particular seminar course. In 250-500 words, tell us about an independent research project or creative work that you would like to design as part of your academic experience.

If you’re covering the liberal arts circuit in your college applications, it’s likely you’ve seen a prompt like this before. Which is to say, a prompt that asks you to design a unique course of study or research project. The goal of such questions isn’t to stump you or trick you into writing a new course catalogue. It’s a chance for you to showcase your intellectual curiosity! So, first and foremost, be genuine. Spend some time writing out a list of your interests: What do you love? What’s the last book or movie that really made you think? What questions keep you up at night? Beyond your core academic work, what do you love to learn about? Remember that this question is about you . If, at the end of this exercise, you realize that your ideal course of study doesn’t involve textbooks or calculus, that’s okay! If you want to study how stage combat and media reporting affected depictions of violence in comic books, that’s an option! If you want to do a deep dive on the evolution of street food in American cities, why not! You can always scour the Sarah Lawrence website for examples to make sure you’re on the right track. But start with your own ideas, we bet you have some good ones!

Sarah Lawrence’s educational model was founded largely on the notion that learning should be put to use for the benefit of a complex and interconnected society, and that approach to education has long valued the importance of diversity and inclusivity. In 250-500 words, tell us how you define diversity and inclusion, and what role you hope it will play in your college years (or beyond).

Sarah Lawrence, like most institutions of higher education, celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. What do these words mean to you? And how will diversity and inclusion play a role in your undergraduate life? Maybe you are the President of your school’s Black Student Union, where you discuss issues affecting the black community with your peers and empower each other to take action. Perhaps you’re hoping to continue leading discussions on identity and stereotypes through Sarah Lawrence’s club, Common Ground, next year. Perhaps friends you made in jiu-jitsu class have introduced you to a new art form and culture, influencing your decision to pursue study abroad opportunities in college. How do you see diversity and inclusion playing out in the next four years of your life? Whatever your background, we suggest you focus largely on your own personal growth or addressing a social issue that matters to you. Sarah Lawrence wants to know about your life beyond the classroom and how you will contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion on their campus.

Sarah Lawrence’s cross-disciplinary and self-directed program attracts students who want to delve deeply into intellectual and/or creative passions in ways that conventional academic structures may limit. In 250-500 words, tell us what aspects of your own goals, interests, or even personality led you to apply to Sarah Lawrence College and that make you a good “fit” with SLC

Sarah Lawrence might call this an essay about “fit,” but we call it a Why Essay . If SLC is your dream school, then this is your perfect opportunity to wax poetic on why you want to go. In sharing your deepest motivations, you’ll naturally showcase your fit. Don’t be afraid to get personal; small schools like Sarah Lawrence care about more than just your academic ambitions. They want to know that you’ll value the experience and benefit from the community. So our best advice: be vulnerable and be specific. Spend some time getting to know the school on a deeper level than the basic facts and figures. And connect some of your favorite offerings to your own personal hopes and dreams, whether it’s having the chance to study abroad or find a comfortable way to leave your small town without diving straight into a giant city. The more detailed you can be, the more you’ll demonstrate your commitment to the school, and by extension, your fit.

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Sarah Lawrence College: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 56%. Founded in 1926 and considered one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the country, Sarah Lawrence is located just north of New York City in Yonkers, New York. The college has an impressive 9-to-1  student/faculty ratio .

Considering applying to Sarah Lawrence College? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Sarah Lawrence had an acceptance rate of 56%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 56 students were admitted, making Sarah Lawrence's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Sarah Lawrence has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Sarah Lawrence may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required to do so. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 46% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Sarah Lawrence's admitted students fall within the  top 20% nationally  on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Sarah Lawrence scored between 640 and 730, while 25% scored below 640 and 25% scored above 730. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 600 and 690, while 25% scored below 600 and 25% scored above 690. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1420 or higher is competitive for Sarah Lawrence.

Requirements

Sarah Lawrence College does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Sarah Lawrence participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Sarah Lawrence does not require the essay section of the SAT.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Sarah Lawrence has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required to do so. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 26% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Sarah Lawrence's admitted students fall within the  top 15% nationally  on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Sarah Lawrence received a composite ACT score between 27 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 27.

Note that Sarah Lawrence does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Sarah Lawrence participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. Sarah Lawrence does not require the ACT writing section.

In 2017, the average GPA for incoming Sarah Lawrence freshmen was 3.71. This information suggests that most successful applicants to Sarah Lawrence College have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Sarah Lawrence College. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Sarah Lawrence College, which accepts over half of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Sarah Lawrence also has a  holistic admissions  process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on much more than numbers. A strong  application essay , optional supplemental essay, and  glowing letters of recommendation  can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful  extracurricular activities  and a  rigorous course schedule . The college is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. While not required, Sarah Lawrence offers optional  interviews  for interested applicants. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades are outside of Sarah Lawrence's average range.

In the graph above you can see that most admitted students had high school averages of "B+" or higher (the green and blue dots represent accepted students). Standardized test scores also tended to be well above average. Admitted students typically had SAT composite scores above 1200 and ACT composite scores of 25 or higher.

Note that there are some red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) throughout the graph. Some students with grades that were on target for Sarah Lawrence were not admitted. On the flip side, some students were accepted with grades a bit below the norm. This is because admission to Sarah Lawrence is based on much more than numerical data.

If You Like Sarah Lawrence College, You May Also Like These Schools

  • Boston University
  • Wesleyan University
  • Smith College
  • Swarthmore College
  • Vassar College
  • Brown University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Sarah Lawrence College Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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How colleges brazenly get around supreme court’s affirmative action ruling.

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Now that race-based affirmative action in college admissions has been overturned in a landmark Supreme Court decision, colleges, and universities are scrambling to diversify their student bodies without running afoul of civil rights law.

Several top-ranked schools are rolling out a slew of new essay prompts that fish for demographic information with leading questions — and some are going so far as to directly ask about prospective students’ race.

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore asks students to “tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g. race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual…”

Meanwhile, Rice University in Houston asks applicants: “What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?”

And every single Ivy League school has added an application question about students’ backgrounds, according to college admission expert and Ivy Coach managing partner Brian Taylor.

Members of the Supreme Court

It’s a clever loophole: ask about race … without expressly requiring students to write about their race.

And some schools aren’t even remotely subtle about their motivations.

Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, even cites the Supreme Court’s decision in its essay prompt.

“In the syllabus of a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the author notes: ‘Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university,’” the Sarah Lawrence application reads.

Rice University campus

“Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court’s decision.”

These schools are pushing the envelope as far as possible — and the federal government seems to be egging them on.

The Biden Administration’s Department of Education is even weighing in, giving colleges tips on how to “enhance racial diversity” in higher education without running afoul of the Supreme Court ruling.

In a report released Thursday , the administration urged schools to increase targeted outreach to non-white communities and give “meaningful consideration in admissions to the adversity students have faced … including racial discrimination.”

Sarah Lawrence College

Taylor says these new essay prompts leave many students grasping at straws: “They’re often confused because they think to themselves, ‘If I’m not an underrepresented minority if I’m not a member of the LGBTQ community, how do I answer this question?’”

Schools are right that diversity is important. We don’t want colleges filled only with ultra-privileged students who could afford the best SAT tutors — or whose families forked over a massive donation.

However, implicitly asking about race makes students feel pressured to write about their ethnicity rather than their character to help their admissions prospects.

“A number of students are disappointed that they feel they have to write about their race in their essay prompt. And they’re correct to think so,” Taylor said, referring to increasing their admissions odds. “They need to let it be known that they are Black or Latino or Native American, and they need to let it be known how that shaped who they are.”

Bunmi Omisore, a 19-year-old Duke freshman , told The Post she’s glad she was in the last class to apply before the ruling for this very reason.

“I wrote about things like my family, ‘The Bachelor’ and biking in my application essays,” Omisore said. “But if I were applying now, I think I would have to forfeit writing about some of those parts of my personality and opt for writing about things that I don’t really like thinking about, like my experiences with racism or my racial trauma.

“You’re going to be having a lot of minority students basically telling a single story, and it’s not fair because that takes away from the uniqueness of the applicant,” she added.

Bunmi Omisore

Not only is this tactic a brazen abuse of a legal loophole — it also reduces students to their immutable characteristics and incentivizes them to performatively boil themselves down to their race. That’s the opposite of progress.

Abolishing legacy admissions — which disproportionately favor white applicants — and implementing socioeconomic affirmative action , which would boost disadvantaged students of all backgrounds, are two better ways to promote diversity

Colleges need to figure out how to do this without indulging in race essentialism.

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Smith and Sarah Lawrence essays

<p>I am applying to Smith and Sarah Lawrence as a transfer for the fall of 2007. I’ve completed my Sarah Lawrence essay, but I’m having a bit of trouble with the common application and supplement information. </p>

<p>Does anyone have any tips? What does Smith look for in their transfer applicants?</p>

<p>Would anyone like to read my essays?</p>

<p>While I can’t say anything regarding Smith, make sure that your Sarah Lawrence really distinguishes you as an “individual.” I have a friend that attends Sarah Lawrence and works at admissions and she was kind of telling me about how different the selection process is. So spend A LOT of time revising and really clarifying everything you want to say for it. Apparently there were kids that got into Yale but were rejected from Sarah Lawrence for 2011 due to the essay.</p>

<p>Do you mean fall of 2008?</p>

<p>Yes, I do. Sorry, just a typo. I am absolutely in love with Smith! Does anyone have any advice for a potential transfer?</p>

<p>anyone want to read my essays?</p>

<p>My Sarah Lawrence transfer application essay… </p>

<pre><code> “You think I’m stupid don’t you?” I was flabbergasted by my mothers blunt honesty. I was also struck by her accuracy. Although I had never admitted it, it was true. I had always been disappointed in my mothers G.E.D. and teenage pregnancy. It wasn’t until the funeral of her mother that I realized how wrong I was. We had driven the four hours to Michigan to reunite with my mother’s estranged family. Climbing out of our car, I was greeted by the scene of a stereotypical southern family. I froze and for a split second and thought, “if I don’t move…they won’t see me”. While my mother attended community college in an impoverished Michigan suburb, my father graduated from Yale. I had always been ashamed of my mother’s lack of formal education and intimidated by my father’s experience. I believed that true intellect could only be possessed by the few who received prestigious titles from selective schools. It was not an opinion that I had articulated, but one I believed entirely. I longed to join them. The morning of my grandmother’s funeral my aunt asked me to help her prepare breakfast. I quickly noticed she did not measure anything. “Never knew how, never needed to,” she proclaimed. I was amazed. She had learned through experience, not textbooks. The women of my extended family had never received formal education, yet they comprehended the world in a way I could not. My entire life the ominous importance of academic successes and intellect was instilled in me, but was I actually better equipped to survive than these women? I cannot cook, I cannot fix a carburetor, and I cannot rear a child. All of these things, they did with such ease. It all seemed so simple, yet wholly unattainable. It was then that I became devoted to breaking through my dated idea of where lessons could be learned. I wanted to simply learn. I want a holistic education, where I can disregard the separation of the “real world” and academic life. I know that intelligence cannot be measured by academic success. Truly intelligent people are willing to learn from the world around them, no matter how unlikely the source. I still revere the importance of traditional learning, but this experience made me recognize the intrinsic value of experiential learning. Education is ambiguous and immeasurable, because its sources cannot be specified. Judging a person’s education is both impossible and useless. To dismiss a learning opportunity because of preconceived notions is to dismiss the idea of learning. This experience helped to redefine my ideals of education and intellect, and thus lead me to Sarah Lawrence. Admission to Sarah Lawrence would mean I could learn in an environment where I would not have to separate my education from my intellect, my passion from my reasoning and most importantly, would not be asked to change my definition of what “learning” really is. </code></pre>

<p>suggestions? comments?</p>

<p>The end (starting from “Truly intelligent people are willing…”) is almost a little redundant, but I like the way you tied the essay together. I think that they would read this and think that you would be a great fit. And the beginning/rest of the essay is brilliant, really. This essay will probably help you.</p>

<p>thank you for your constructive criticism and support.</p>

<p>I had a 3.2 in high school, and I will have a 3.6-8 by the end of this year. I only got a 22 on the ACT (low I know…) but SL doesn’t take ACT as part of the admission process. My recommendations and essays are strong, but I’m worried about my G.P.A.</p>

<p>I’m actually transferring out of an art school conservatory in pursuit of more academics/opportunity.</p>

<p>Sarah Lawrence Smith College</p>

<p>Chance me! Please?</p>

<p>No prob redbravo. You are a strong writer and I am sure that you will succeed at either college.</p>

<p>3.2 is not bad, especially if it was brought down mainly by a math or something specific that you are clearly not planning on majoring in.</p>

<p>I never took the ACT or SAT in HS and recently took them for the first time. It was definitely annoying as an adult who works mainly afternoon and evening hours and never takes classes before 10 (Also, an adult who hasn’t seen even remotely related material in years). And you know what? I refused to retake them, even though I know I could have done better if I had studied for the ACT (not so big here) or not been ill on the day of the SAT. Why? Because the SAT and ACT are BS! Any school who looks down upon a student with lower test scores for tests meant to prove college success, but proven success in actual college classes, is just full of itself. Sarah Lawrence and Smith seem like reasonable liberal arts schools, and I would hope that they would weight your ACT very lightly. </p>

<p>If you can manage a 3.8, then you have nothing to worry about, I think. I don’t know anything about your school, but 3.8 is high. Even 3.6 is great.</p>

<p>Don’t worry, Redbravo. My chance means nothing, but as long as you keep your grades up, I think Sarah Lawrence is is match. They care about fit there, I think, and you do seem to fit, based on my limited knowledge.</p>

<p>I don’t know how much importance Smith will place on the ACT, which they require for transfers. As I said though, I would hope that the answer would be “not much.” Maybe consider retaking the test in Jan, if you feel concerned. As long as the grades are in place and you have some strong ECCs (they care about that, but as you are in a conservatory, I’d assume that it isn’t an issue), the only “off” part is the testing.</p>

<p>Actually, I just took a look at my final report card. Turns out I had a 3.04, but yes it was brought significantly down by math and sciences. I went to a fairly competitive high school. Hold part time jobs through out high school, and had strong ec’s.</p>

<p>I’m still worried because I have NO ec’s in college. And I won’t find out my G.P.A. until winter break. So in a way, I have to apply blind. But I love Smith/Sarah Lawrence so much that I’m going to try.</p>

<p>I can’t even concentrate because I think about admission to those colleges so often. I pray I get in.</p>

<p>Maybe you can start getting involved? Worst comes to worst, you can re-apply with a stronger app. Also, 4 or 5 months of activity is still better than none. PLUS, getting involved might keep your mind off transferring (only when thinking too much isn’t productive, of course). Also, are do doing plays/whatever after class for your conservatory? If so, that will probably be taken into consideration.</p>

<p>Sadly, no. You aren’t cast in any shows until junior year. Because of the time commitment required here there are only a few clubs that even exist. The few that do rarely meet.</p>

<p>here is my rough outline of what I wanted to say…</p>

<p>While applying to College the first time, I was immediately drawn to Cornish College of the Arts, a small private visual arts college. Its small classes, unrelenting pursuit of the arts and professional faculty appealed to me. As time went on however, I realized that I was not receiving the best education I could. Studying in a conservatory style environment meant copious amounts of rehearsal time with little focus on academics. The music and dance students studied on a separate campus from theater and arts, literally dividing the small school in half. Long class hours and few student activity groups made meeting students outside of your major nearly impossible. The urban environment in combination with no student housing meant no identifiable community amongst students. Although Cornish was physically and emotionally stimulating, I find myself overworked and unfulfilled. I want to have a comprehensive study of the arts, but as an artist I believe it is necessary to partake in a broader education. At Cornish, academics were provided but because the required humanities and science classes were pass/fail many students considered them a second priority. I am not willing to sacrifice academics to pursue the fine arts. I want to engage in an education that encourages a harmony between academics and arts, with a wide range of classes to choose from. In transferring I hope to gain a sense of community and be exposed to a more diverse student body, with a cohesive community. I hope to be apart of unique educational experience that will provide me with facilities and resources while preparing me for a career. In many ways, my experience at Cornish College has improved me as an actor, solidified my independence, and helped to shape my ideals of education. In doing so, I have realized that Cornish College of the Arts provides a incredible arts education, but does not accommodate those who believe that academics and arts should compliment each other - not compete.</p>

<p>rough I know, somewhat childish and overly casual. It’s hard not to come off as saying “CORNISH IS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME” when thats how I feel somedays…I’m just STUCK.</p>

<p>I think that by complimenting the arts at Cornish, but pointing out that the focus of arts over academics is unbalanced, you make a good argument for both of these schools. It should be polished more, of course, but the idea is a good one, IMO. The one thing that probably should be avoided is “whining.” Right now I think you are more maturely pointing out what you want, but make sure not to fall into the “my school doesn’t have a to z” trap. Say it, or allude to it, but don’t harp. I think that both Smith and Sarah Lawrence are balanced. If I get into Smith next semester (don’t worry, I’m not your competition; I am applying for spring, not fall :)), I will probably be able to give you better advice. Send me a PM and I’ll give you my email, which is the easiest way to speak with me. </p>

<p>Also, I think your strengths play to what these schools want: articulate, strong writers who value a liberal arts education and community. Or, Smith values community, not so sure about SL. Also, maybe look at Bard? It is similar to sarah lawrence, IMO. And Mount Holyoke is a good school that is similar to Smith, but in a more rural area (but a very beautiful area! and the campus is STUNNING!). Also, some people disagree, but when I visited MoHo, the women seemed less openly liberal. Girls at Smith are more eccentric, I think. Moho is also a good choice for those of us who sucked at the math section of the SAT or ACT (me!) because Moho is SAT optional.</p>

<p>I made a few changes…any constructive criticism would be appreciated.</p>

<pre><code> While applying to college the first time, I was immediately drawn to Cornish College of the Arts, a small private arts college. Cornish’s small classes, unrelenting commitment to the arts, eccentric student body, and professional faculty appealed to me, and still appeal to me. As time went on, however, I realized that I was not receiving the education I wanted. Studying in a conservatory-style environment meant copious amounts of rehearsal time with little focus on academics. The music and dance students study on a separate campus from theater and arts, literally dividing the small school in half. Long class hours and few student activity groups makes meeting students outside of my major nearly impossible. The urban environment, and the absence of student housing means no identifiable community amongst students. A unified student community is absolutely vital to an artistic community’s vivacity and the lack of collaboration between departments prevents Cornish from having one. Although Cornish is professionally and emotionally stimulating, I find myself overworked and under fulfilled. I want a comprehensive study of the arts, but as an artist I believe it is necessary to pursue in a broader education. At Cornish, academics are provided, but because the required humanities and science classes are pass/fail many students consider them a second priority. I do not, and am not willing to sacrifice traditional academics to pursue the fine arts. I want to engage in an education with a harmony between academics and arts, and with a wide range of classes. I know that studying in different disciplines provides me with a complete education, and also improves me as an artist. In transferring I hope to gain a sense of community and be exposed to a more diverse and cohesive student body. I want a unique liberal arts education, one that will provide me with facilities and resources while preparing me for a career in any field. Cornish College has improved me as an actor, solidified my independence, and helped to shape my ideals of education. Cornish College of the Arts provides amazing artistic instruction, but it does not provided the social and academic, opportunities or diversity that I am looking for. </code></pre>

<p>Does anyone have an example of a personal essay that gained acceptance to Sarah Lawrence college?</p>

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  1. Applying to Sarah Lawrence

    Sarah Lawrence College students are more than numbers, grades, ranks, or scores. They make up a community of learners committed to and passionate about intellectual and creative growth and innovation. For that reason, our counselors are committed to a holistic application review process. Sarah Lawrence does not have a formula for an ideal student.

  2. How to Write the Sarah Lawrence College Essay 2023-2024

    Option 1: Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence. Option 2: Students at Sarah Lawrence are ...

  3. Sarah Lawrence College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Guide

    Sarah Lawrence College 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words Supplemental Essay Type(s): Activity, Community, Diversity For applicants who might wish to share a little more about how Sarah Lawrence fits into the next stage of their education, we invite you to respond to one of the following three essay prompts:

  4. Sarah Lawrence College Essay Example by an Accepted Student

    Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college located just outside of New York City. Well-known as one of the best liberal arts schools in the college, Sarah Lawrence offers students an exceptional education. ... If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their ...

  5. Application Management

    Application Management. Thank you for your interest in Sarah Lawrence College. If you are a High School student seeking to apply to the Undergraduate Program at Sarah Lawrence, please apply through the Common Application. **If you have already applied for an undergraduate program and need to access your application status page, please click ...

  6. New application essay prompt cites affirmative action ruling

    Sarah Lawrence College released a new essay prompt for applicants on Tuesday, just ahead of the launch of this year's Common App.. It directly quotes language used in the Supreme Court's June 29 ruling striking down affirmative action in college admissions. "In a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, 'Nothing prohibits ...

  7. Sarah Lawrence College's 2023-24 Essay Prompts

    Option 1. Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence. Option 2.

  8. Sarah Lawrence Pitches College Essays About SCOTUS's Affirmative Action

    Sarah Lawrence College has a unique response to the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn affirmative action: encourage college applicants to make it the topic of their essay.. Sarah Lawrence ...

  9. Sarah Lawrence College 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Guide

    Sarah Lawrence College 2020-21 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Why, Activity, Community. Optional: We know that there may be elements of who you are as a person and student that you may not feel are conveyed fully in the other sections of this application.

  10. First-Year Applicants

    Sarah Lawrence offers four different application cycles. First-year students may apply through one of the following: First-Year Applicants Application Dates. Early Action. ... This round is intended for students who have Sarah Lawrence high on their college list, and who are prepared to submit the application by November 1 in order to receive ...

  11. Sarah Lawrence College Undergraduate College Application Essays

    These Sarah Lawrence College college application essays were written by students accepted at Sarah Lawrence College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

  12. Sarah Lawrence College Admission Requirements

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  13. Colleges Change the Essays on Applications After Affirmative Action Ban

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  14. What to Expect During an Interview

    Interviews are a great way for a college to get to know you, off paper, and for you to meet someone with a connection to the college. Last year, more than 1,000 students chose to add their voice to the admissions process through interviews, and had the opportunity to learn more about their mutual fit with Sarah Lawrence. For the 2024-25 ...

  15. Sarah Lawrence College Undergraduate Admission Applications Rise 20

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  16. Sarah Lawrence College 2019-20 Supplemental Essay Guide

    Sarah Lawrence College 2019-20 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Why, Activity. Optional: We know that there may be elements of who you are as a person and student that you may not feel are conveyed fully in the other sections of this application.

  17. Sarah Lawrence College: Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA

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  18. Sarah Lawrence College

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  20. Smith and Sarah Lawrence essays

    I have a friend that attends Sarah Lawrence and works at admissions and she was kind of telling me about how different the selection process is. So spend A LOT of time revising and really clarifying everything you want to say for it. Apparently there were kids that got into Yale but were rejected from Sarah Lawrence for 2011 due to the essay.</p>

  21. Sarah Lawrence College Presented with Community Partner of the Year

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