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How to Write the Mount Holyoke College Essays 2023-2024

Mount Holyoke College has one optional essay prompt. You have three options to choose from—you may write about a characteristic about the school that interests you, the community you grew up in, or a “this or that” scenario of your choosing.

Mount Holyoke receives thousands of applications from academically strong students, so your essays are a great opportunity to stand out. In this post, we’ll discuss how to craft an engaging response to each of these three options.

Mount Holyoke Supplemental Essay Prompts

Please select one of the three prompts below. Your essay should be between 250-400 words.

Option 1: What unique characteristic about Mount Holyoke makes you interested in attending? (250-400 words)

Option 2: Every day, our students cultivate the competence, confidence and courage to make an impact — whether on a personal, community or global level. Tell us about the context in which you have grown up, what forms your aspirations and how your community has shaped your outlook. (250-400 words)

Option 3: Early bird or night owl? Sweet or savory? Go out or stay in? Or choose your own “this or that” scenario and make your case! (250-400 words)

What unique characteristic about Mount Holyoke makes you interested in attending? (250-400 words)

This traditional, structured prompt, often called the “Why This College?” prompt, is very common across college applications. If you decide that this is the prompt you want to respond to, be sure to check out CollegeVine’s guide to writing the “Why This College?” essay for in-depth tips and examples!

Also take care not to copy and paste another “Why This College?” essay you wrote for another college. While there probably will be some overlap due to colleges’ competitive resources, you want your response to be unique and clearly tailored to Mount Holyoke.

Specificity is key to a successful “Why This College?” essay. You might want to do some research online to get some inspiration. Mount Holyoke’s website offers an abundance of information about degree programs , specific courses , student organizations , and faculty members. Look around and see what catches your eye or piques your interest. Once you find something, writing more specifically becomes easier.

It’s essential that you explicitly connect your goals to some aspect of the college. The more personal the connection, the better your response will be. Some things unique to Mount Holyoke can include campus culture, particular classes/academic opportunities, specific professors, traditions, or other on-campus programs.

The aforementioned things are tangible ways for you to connect with the college, but if you can, it’s great to express an intangible connection too. Perhaps you have strong religious convictions or value environmental conservation. Does Mount Holyoke or its programs have values that strongly align with yours? If so, mention that in your response!

For example, let’s say an applicant has volunteered at food banks in high school, and she wants to continue working to combat food insecurity in college. Here are two ways she might research her interests and craft a response.

Example 1: “I’ve volunteered at food banks since I was a freshman in high school, and Mount Holyoke’s Food Justice Society would give me an opportunity to keep learning about food insecurity in college. Classes in unusual departments at Mount Holyoke, like the Entrepreneurships, Organizations, and Society department, would also help me expand my abilities to create social change.”

Example 2: “After working at food banks for the last three years, I am certain I want to continue working to fight food insecurity at Mount Holyoke. Clubs like the Food Justice Society would give me an opportunity to target this issue on a grassroots level, as I believe community-based food production systems are less likely to let people fall through the cracks.

However, I believe a multi-pronged approach is the most effective way to enact social change, and courses like ‘Ethics in Entrepreneurship and Business’ would get me to consider what role corporations have in ensuring their workers have enough to eat.”

Notice that the first example just tells the reader about a particular club and department whereas the second describes in detail how the applicant would take advantage of these opportunities to pursue her own goals.

Admissions officers know what their school offers (example 1). What they don’t know is how you see those offerings enriching your college experience. That’s what a strong response should illustrate for them (example 2).

There are a few things you should try to avoid when creating your response.

• Name-dropping some random professors or programs you looked up without saying anything about them.
• Writing effusive praise about the college. Empty flattery is vague and suggests that you have nothing specific to say.
• Naming a general facet that’s common to all colleges. A good location, a strong English program, small class sizes, etc. are not unique characteristics of the school.
• Making Mount Holyoke’s membership in the Five College Consortium (with Amherst, Smith, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst) the focal point of your essay. This community is fine to mention, but you should focus more on aspects within MoHo.

Admissions committees like to see individuality. Be yourself and be sincere in your response, and you will already be on the right track.

Every day, our students cultivate the competence, confidence and courage to make an impact — whether on a personal, community or global level. Tell us about the context in which you have grown up, what forms your aspirations and how your community has shaped your outlook. (250-400 words)

This prompt is a great choice for applicants who want to discuss the impact of their community on their identity. Community, for the most part, can be seen as a byproduct of one’s unique culture, experiences, and environment, so this essay should discuss these influences in the context of their community. This essay should focus on how a particular community—shaped by its unique culture, experiences, and environment—has helped you grow and develop as a person.

The first part of your essay should provide some background on your own upbringing. Ask yourself what makes your culture, experience, or environment unique.

For example, if you’re going to discuss the collaborative environment of your high school, you need to explain the specific situations that demonstrate that, such as having Socratic classroom seminars instead of individual lectures.

Or, if you were raised in a multicultural household, you could talk about the many family holidays and religious events you shared between your Latino father’s and Chinese mother’s sides of the family.

A quick note if you intend to write about your racial background: In June 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling, however, still allows colleges to consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts. If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is the place to discuss that.

Next, you should explain how your culture, experience, or environment has positively impacted you. To fully answer the prompt, this should not only include how your values, characteristics, and interests have been impacted, but also how your perspectives and worldview have been impacted. Additionally, if these aspects of your identity have grown or changed, you should also include how and why this change occurred.

For instance, if you’re writing about how you grew up in a multicultural family, don’t just write “this environment taught me to respect my culture and value relationships with others.” This line could be written by anyone; it doesn’t tell the admissions officers anything specific or special about you.

Instead, show how your values have changed through anecdotes and indirect details about your environment:

“Almost every month there was a family holiday event during which my mom’s or dad’s family would come together from nearby states to enjoy time together. Smiles crossed our faces when we exchanged red envelopes to wish each other good luck every New Year’s season and happy tears shed when we remembered our ancestors and flipped through old photographs on Dia de los Muertos.

Being raised in a multicultural home meant an almost endless number of parties, which allowed me to learn firsthand how two disparate cultures valued their own respective heritage and celebrated it with the ones they loved.”

Lastly, you should connect the aspects of your identity that were shaped by the culture, experience, or environment you discussed to Mount Holyoke’s community, or to the world at large. Address how your environment has influenced your personal aspirations and shaped your outlook on the future.

You might explain how the values and perspective you’ve gained will allow you to make a positive impact at MoHo. Whether it’s your desire to learn, care for others, collaborate, or advocate, explain how that characteristic will make you a good community member at MoHo.

In the example above, the student may want to work with MoHo’s Office of Community Belonging, an organization at Moho that provides programs that support social justice education, dialogue, celebration, and identity development across several cultural centers, including the Asian Center for Empowerment and Eliana Ortega Cultural Center.

Early bird or night owl? Sweet or savory? Go out or stay in? Or choose your own “this or that” scenario and make your case! (250-400 words)

Many students are reluctant to answer unconventional prompts like these because they don’t fit into the usual essay archetypes, but don’t worry! This is a great opportunity to show off some imaginative thinking. While anyone can choose this option, it’s especially suitable for creative or artistic types. If you pride yourself on your creative writing skills and haven’t been able to show them anywhere else on your application, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

As you outline your response, think of things you’re passionate about. You might be a proud night owl or you might love sweet food, but you don’t have to use the examples given in the prompt.

Maybe you’re a singer and you’ve argued a hundred times that mezzo-sopranos are more versatile than sopranos. Or, maybe you’re a painter and have always favored surrealism over impressionism. Or, maybe you have strong opinions about something more abstract like how you prefer darker-colored outfits to brighter ones. When picking a topic, consider three things:

• Choose something you know well enough to write about.
• The prompt is asking you to “make your case,” so choose something you feel strongly about; you don’t want to pick a topic that hardly concerns you and get stuck writing a tepid opinion lacking passion.
• Choose something that can lend itself to the binary model proposed in the prompt. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something with only two choices, but there should be two distinct options you can pick (like two styles of art, as stated before).

Note that there are some controversial political topics that are hotly debated. You probably have some strong opinions on some of these topics, but we recommend avoiding them for this prompt. Chances are if you have a strong opinion on a controversial topic, so does the person reading your application.

While MoHo is definitely a liberal school, it’s best to avoid taking the kind of risk that writing about these topics entails. Beyond that, the prompt offers some lighthearted examples, so it’s likely that MoHo is looking for a more lighthearted response.

Structurally, you can go about writing this essay any way you want, but a factual structure lends itself well to the prompt. You only have 250-400 words, so consider simply outlining your first and second options, then immediately making your case for the one you prefer.

Some students opt for unconventional structures. You definitely don’t need to do this, but you might find a non-standard format useful. These structures include movie scripts, song lyrics, poems, news reports, and using other languages.

For example, let’s say a student is bilingual and decides to write about “English or Spanish.” She could talk about how much Spanish resonates with her and defines her identity. She could describe English and how she uses it in English, then do the same for Spanish in Spanish. Then in the part where she makes her case, she can use a mix of the two that gradually utilizes more and more Spanish to symbolize its importance to her identity.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when answering a prompt that encourages you to be creative. Find something you truly care about and let your passion and imagination shine through.

Where to Get Your Mount Holyoke Essay Edited

Do you want feedback on your Mount Holyoke essay? After rereading your essay over and over again, it can be challenging to find places where your writing can be improved. 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!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Mount Holyoke Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Mount Holyoke Supplemental Essays 

If you want your application to stand out to Mount Holyoke Admissions, you’ll need to write compelling Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. The Mount Holyoke prompts can change from year to year. That’s why we’re here to break down how to approach this year’s Mount Holyoke essays. 

In this guide, we’ll do a deep dive into the Mount Holyoke essays. You’ll learn about the Mount Holyoke essay prompts and how to choose the right one for you. Then we’ll go over how to actually write the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. We’ll discuss how your essays fit into the overall admissions process and provide some helpful tips to make them stand out.

Sound good? Let’s get started! But, before we get into the Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays, here are some quick facts about Mount Holyoke .

Mount Holyoke College: Quick Facts

Mount holyoke college admissions facts.

• Mount Holyoke Acceptance Rate : 40% – according to U.S. News .
• 1 optional (250-400 word) essay
• Mount Holyoke Application : Students can submit their application to Mount Holyoke through the Common Application or the Coalition Application . Have your Mount Holyoke supplemental essays and all other required application materials prepared ahead of your chosen application deadline. 
• Early Decision I: November 15
• Early Decision II: January 3
• Regular Decision: January 17
• Mount Holyoke Essay Tip : When considering the Mount Holyoke essay prompts, choose the prompt you’re most excited to write about! No single prompt is better than any other. Rather, the key to great Mount Holyoke supplemental essays is showcasing your strengths using your unique voice.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Mount Holyoke have supplemental essays?

Now that you know some quick facts about Mount Holyoke, let’s take a closer look at the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. But wait – are there even any official Mount Holyoke supplemental essays?

The answer is yes! Outside of your personal statement , there is a portion of the Common App dedicated to the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. In this section called “Writing Questions,” students have the opportunity to submit a 250-400 word essay responding to one of three Mount Holyoke essay prompts. In this case, multiple prompts don’t mean you need to write multiple Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. Applicants will choose one prompt and write one supplemental essay.

The Mount Holyoke essays can change from year to year, so it’s important to have the latest information about them. Let’s keep learning about this year’s Mount Holyoke supplemental essays.

How many essays does Mount Holyoke require?

There are no required Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. However, that doesn’t mean you can simply ignore the Mount Holyoke essays. You are still required to submit your Common App personal statement. Additionally, there are the optional Mount Holyoke supplemental essays.

Though the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays aren’t a requirement , you should still take the time to answer one of the essay prompts. Even though you won’t be penalized for not writing the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays, it’s always better to show the admissions committee more about who you are—and what better way to do that than with the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays! 

Next, we’ll go over the prompts for the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays.

Mount Holyoke supplemental essay prompts

So you’ve taken our advice and decided to write the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. Where do you start? First, let’s take a look at the Mount Holyoke essay prompts.

Students are asked to respond to one of three Mount Holyoke essay prompts. These three options for the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays cover a wide range of topics. Using the Mount Holyoke essay prompts, you can write a more straightforward “Why Mount Holyoke?” essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a more creative essay.

Mount Holyoke College Supplemental Essays: Prompt #1

What unique characteristic about mount holyoke makes you interested in attending.

The first of the Mount Holyoke essay prompts asks, essentially, why do you want to go to Mount Holyoke? This should be a pretty easy question to answer—after all, you’re applying for a reason! But, with Mount Holyoke essays like this one, it’s important to avoid generalities. Your essay should be unique to you as an applicant and to Mount Holyoke as a school. Whether you’re listing specific classes or professors, volunteer opportunities or extracurriculars, specificity is key! 

Mount Holyoke College Supplemental Essays: Prompt #2

Every day, our students cultivate the competence, confidence and courage to make an impact – whether on a personal, community or global level. tell us about the context in which you have grown up, what forms your aspirations and how your community has shaped your outlook..

The second prompt for the Mount Holyoke essays asks you to reflect on how your upbringing and your community have shaped you. This is what’s often called a cultural diversity essay. In order to create a diverse campus community where there are students from all backgrounds, Mount Holyoke wants to hear about what has made you the person you are today. In this essay, you can show admissions how your values align with Mount Holyoke’s. 

Mount Holyoke College Supplemental Essays: Prompt #3

Early bird or night owl sweet or savory go out or stay in or choose your own “this or that” scenario and make your case..

The third choice for your Mount Holyoke essays is more creative: you’re asked to create your own “this or that” scenario and argue which one is better. Of all the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays, this one gives you the most flexibility to choose your topic. If you don’t feel strongly about the other prompts, this is a great opportunity to showcase your personality, interests, and creativity.

The Mount Holyoke essay prompts give you the opportunity to write about many different parts of yourself and your life. The next step is determining which of the Mount Holyoke essay prompts will best serve your application.

Choosing an essay prompt

Having to choose which prompt to answer for your Mount Holyoke essays can feel stressful. How do you know which of the Mount Holyoke essay prompts will lead to the best essay? Many students also worry about picking the right essay to impress admissions officers. If that sounds like you, you may be wondering: Does Mount Holyoke care which of the Mount Holyoke essays I write?

Don’t worry. In the case of the Mount Holyoke essays, there is no wrong answer or wrong prompt. Each of the Mount Holyoke essay prompts has its pros and cons—so, it all depends on which of the Mount Holyoke essays speaks to you.

Tips for Approaching the Mount Holyoke Essay Prompts

When choosing which prompt to answer for your Mount Holyoke essays, there are a few factors to consider. First, do any of the Mount Holyoke essay prompts jump out at you? Is there any one prompt that would make you excited to start writing? Don’t be afraid to go with your gut feeling. The point of your Mount Holyoke essays is to tell the admissions committee something unique about you. So, if you’re called to answer a certain prompt, go for it!

If you don’t feel drawn to any one prompt, that’s okay– again, remember that there’s no wrong way to approach these Mount Holyoke essays! One way to make the choice easier is to brainstorm answers for each of the Mount Holyoke essays. Give yourself ten minutes to brainstorm as much as you can for each prompt. Once you’re done, look back at your answers: did anything stand out? Was there anything that felt especially fun to write, or where the story flowed easily? 

Another way to choose which of the Mount Holyoke essays to write is to think about what in your application you haven’t gotten a chance to talk about. For example, if you wrote your Common App personal statement essay about your upbringing and why that has inspired you to pursue a specific career, you probably don’t want to restate that in your Mount Holyoke essays. Therefore, the second prompt probably isn’t the best fit for you.

When in doubt, go with the first choice: the “Why Mount Holyoke” essay. This is a well-known style of essay and one that clearly demonstrates your interest in attending Mount Holyoke.

Just remember, when writing your “why school” essay, always be specific! Mount Holyoke is a women’s college , so many of the people who apply there want to go there for that reason. But it’s not enough just to mention that Mount Holyoke is a women’s college—there are many other women’s colleges in the U.S. There are also many small liberal arts schools, and many schools in Massachusetts. What makes Mount Holyoke different? Why do you want to study there, specifically? 

Of all the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays, this prompt can be considered the most complex. You’ll need to answer multiple questions, touching on both your aspirations for the future and your outlook on life.

In your essay, you’ll want to choose anecdotes and details that also demonstrate certain qualities: competence, confidence, and courage. This prompt encompasses a lot, so if you have a great vision for it your essay can pack quite a punch. However, just remember to keep your thoughts focused and make sure you have a clear throughline and beginning, middle, and end.

If you want to write the third option for the Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays, go for it! The third prompt requires that you come up with a dichotomy: something vs. something else, two things that are opposed. Then, you must argue for which thing you believe in. 

For example, if your example in your Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays is “coffee vs. tea,” you could compare how the beverages taste, or how they make you feel. Make sure to convince your reader why they should be on your side—everyone’s tastes are different, so why should I switch to tea if I’m a coffee drinker? This essay will take a bit more creativity and thought, but if you’re someone who enjoys this type of thought experiment, it’s a great opportunity to showcase your persuasive skills. 

Next, let’s get into the writing process. 

How to write a Mount Holyoke supplemental essay

Now that we’ve gone over the prompts for the Mount Holyoke college supplemental essays, you might still be wondering: how do I actually write one? Here are five tips for how to write your Mount Holyoke essays.

Tips for Writing Mount Holyoke College Supplemental Essays

Tip #1: do your research.

You might know that Mount Holyoke is a women’s college in Massachusetts , but did you know the college was founded in 1837, nearly a hundred years before women could vote in the U.S.? Have you read any articles from the Mount Holyoke news site to help you get a feel for what’s going on on campus? Have you browsed Mount Holyoke’s list of majors and other academic offerings? Can you articulate why you want to attend a small , suburban college? Even if you’re not writing the “why school” essay, learning about what Mount Holyoke values can help guide your essay topics if you’re stuck.

Tip #2: Tell a Story

Even though you have less than 400 words to do so, you can still include some structure in your Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays. Consider including an anecdote: a small story from your life that represents whatever value you’re talking about in your Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays. For example, if you choose to write the cultural diversity essay, you could tell a story about your hometown or culture. 

Tip #3: Show Don’t Tell

When you’re telling a story, focus on using imagery and descriptive language to paint a picture for the reader. For example: instead of saying “My time working at my parents’ restaurant taught me perseverance and hard work,” describe a time when you learned these values. “Each time I balanced three plates on my arm, carefully weaving between tables, just to deposit the plates at a table and head back to the kitchen for more, I was exhausted. I didn’t know how I could do this every day. But by the end of the summer, I had somehow bussed hundreds of plates. Sure, I was exhausted, but I was also proud.” This anecdote puts the reader right there with you at your parents’ restaurant. The reader can empathize and understand you better.

Tip #4: Consider your Application Narrative

Remember that these Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays are just one part of a broader picture of you that you submit with your application. Think about it like your personal brand: who are you, what makes you tick and inspires you, and how do you communicate that brand to the Mount Holyoke admissions committee in only a few application materials? Because of this, the different parts of your Mount Holyoke application should tie together. If your intended major is Political Science, you could find a way to mention politics in your Mount Holyoke College supplemental essays.

Tip #5: Proofread and Polish 

Don’t forget to use incredible spelling and grammar! We know that you hear this all the time, but it’s super important. Although a typo isn’t the end of the world, it shows that you haven’t put a lot of thought into your Mount Holyoke application—you rushed through it, or you submitted it without reading it over. Always read your essays out loud before you submit them. This can help you catch any typos or weird grammatical spots. And don’t be afraid to share your essays with your parents or friends for their feedback as well! 

We’ve talked a lot about how to get into Mount Holyoke by writing the best possible Mount Holyoke supplemental essays. But does Mount Holyoke even care about essays?

Does Mount Holyoke care about essays?

Yes, Mount Holyoke does care about essays! Even though the supplemental essay is optional, that doesn’t mean that they don’t care about it. Mount Holyoke looks at applications holistically. This means that they consider all parts of your application, whether it’s your test scores, your letters of recommendation, or your supplemental essays. Completing the essay will ultimately strengthen your application, giving admissions another compelling reason to admit you.

If you’re still on the fence, consider this: You’re an admissions officer at Mount Holyoke. There are two students with identical GPAs who both want to be history majors, and you can only admit one of those students. One student wrote a supplemental essay about learning the value of hard work at their parents’ restaurant, but the other student didn’t write a supplemental essay, so you don’t know as much about her values or her upbringing.

Which student would you as an admissions officer prioritize? You know so much more about the student who wrote the supplemental essay, and you can argue that their work ethic will be a positive contribution to the community. This doesn’t mean that the other student wouldn’t also be a great addition—you just don’t know as much information about her. 

Remember: the more the admissions committee can learn about who you are, the better. 

Other Mount Holyoke College application requirements

Outside of the optional essay, there are some Mount Holyoke requirements that you absolutely cannot skip. To fulfill the Mount Holyoke requirements for admission, you need your official high school transcript. You need a counselor recommendation, two teacher evaluation forms, and the Common App or Coalition App essay.

Then, there are the optional (but recommended!) parts of your application: your supplemental essay, the interview , and your standardized test scores . You can also submit an art supplement if you want to pursue art at Mount Holyoke, or if you just want to show off your artistic skills to boost your application. You also need to pass an English proficiency test if you’re a non-native English speaker. 

Mount Holyoke is an inclusive women’s college that is gender-diverse. This means that Mount Holyoke “welcomes applications from female, transgender, and non-binary students.” If this sounds like you, Mount Holyoke might be a great fit! 

Before we close out this guide, let’s go over 5 essential tips to write the best possible essays.

Mount Holyoke Supplemental Essays: 5 Essay Tips

Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have a better understanding of how to get into Mount Holyoke by writing impressive and thoughtful supplemental essays. Here are five tips to get you through the application process: 

• Mount Holyoke is a small liberal arts school in MA with a 40% acceptance rate. This means that 2 out of every 5 students who apply will get in—you can use the Mount Holyoke supplemental essays to stand out! 
• The Mount Holyoke admissions deadlines are November 15 for Early Decision I, January 3 for Early Decision II, and January 17 for Regular Decision. Give yourself plenty of time ahead of the deadline to brainstorm, draft, edit, and proofread your essays! 
• The Mount Holyoke requirements don’t include a supplemental essay. However, we strongly recommend that you write the optional Mount Holyoke essay anyway.
• You can choose from three prompts for your Mount Holyoke supplemental essays: one that asks “why Mount Holyoke,” one cultural diversity essay, and one more creative essay that asks you to argue for one side of a dichotomy.
• When you’re writing your essays, remember: do your research, tell a story, show don’t tell, make sure all the parts of your application are connected, and use perfect spelling and grammar!

We hope that this guide helps you have more confidence when thinking about how to get into Mount Holyoke. Happy writing!

This essay guide was written by senior advisor, Rachel Kahn . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Crafting an Impressive Mount Holyoke Supplemental Essay

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Introduction

The Mount Holyoke supplemental essay is a crucial component of the college application process. It provides an opportunity for prospective students to showcase their unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives to the admissions committee. Crafting an impressive Mount Holyoke supplemental essay requires careful thought and planning. In this blog post, we will explore the purpose of this essay and provide valuable tips on how to write an outstanding piece.

When applying to Mount Holyoke College, it is essential to understand the purpose of the supplemental essay. This essay allows applicants to go beyond their academic achievements and test scores and delve into their personal experiences and aspirations. The admissions committee wants to gain insight into who you are as an individual and what you can contribute to the campus community. Therefore, it is crucial to approach this essay with sincerity and authenticity.

To begin writing an impressive Mount Holyoke supplemental essay, start by brainstorming and choosing a compelling topic that reflects your passions, values, or significant life experiences. Consider what sets you apart from other applicants and what makes you a good fit for Mount Holyoke College's mission and values. Once you have identified a topic, focus on structuring and organizing your essay effectively. This includes creating a clear introduction that grabs the reader's attention, developing coherent paragraphs with supporting evidence or anecdotes, and concluding with a strong summary of your main points.

In addition to showcasing your unique qualities and experiences in your essay, make sure to highlight how these attributes align with Mount Holyoke's core values of diversity , inclusion , leadership , innovation , and global citizenship . Use specific examples or anecdotes that demonstrate how you have embodied these values in your life or how you plan to contribute them on campus.

After completing your initial draft, take the time to proofread and edit your essay thoroughly. Pay attention to grammar, spelling errors, sentence structure issues, or any inconsistencies in tone or style. It can be helpful to seek feedback from trusted friends or family members who can provide constructive criticism and help you refine your essay further. Remember, a polished final essay can make a significant difference in leaving a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Crafting an impressive Mount Holyoke supplemental essay requires time, effort, and careful consideration. By understanding the purpose of this essay, choosing a compelling topic, structuring your essay effectively, showcasing your unique qualities and experiences, and thoroughly proofreading and editing your work, you can create an outstanding piece that highlights your strengths as an applicant. In the following sections of this blog post, we will delve deeper into each of these aspects to provide you with valuable insights and tips for writing an exceptional Mount Holyoke supplemental essay.

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Understanding the Purpose of the Mount Holyoke Supplemental Essay

The Mount Holyoke supplemental essay is an essential component of the college application process. It provides applicants with an opportunity to showcase their individuality, passions, and aspirations to the admissions committee. Understanding the purpose of this essay is crucial in crafting a compelling and impactful response.

The main purpose of the Mount Holyoke supplemental essay is to give applicants a chance to go beyond their academic achievements and test scores. It allows them to delve deeper into their personal experiences, values, and goals. This essay serves as a platform for students to demonstrate their unique perspective and highlight what they can contribute to the Mount Holyoke community.

Admissions officers are looking for applicants who not only meet the academic requirements but also possess qualities that align with the college's values and mission. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for learning, intellectual curiosity, creativity, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a positive impact on society. The supplemental essay helps evaluate whether an applicant possesses these qualities and if they would be a good fit for Mount Holyoke College.

Additionally, the essay provides insight into an applicant's writing skills and ability to articulate their thoughts effectively. Strong communication skills are highly valued at Mount Holyoke College as they are essential for success in both academics and future careers.

By understanding the purpose of the Mount Holyoke supplemental essay, applicants can approach it with clarity and intentionality. They can focus on showcasing their most relevant experiences, perspectives, and aspirations that align with Mount Holyoke's values. This understanding will guide them in selecting appropriate examples and crafting a well-structured and compelling essay that stands out among other applications.

In the next section of this blog post, we will discuss tips for brainstorming and choosing a compelling topic for your Mount Holyoke supplemental essay.

Choosing a Compelling Topic

Choosing a compelling topic for your Mount Holyoke supplemental essay is crucial in capturing the attention of the admissions committee and showcasing your unique qualities. This essay gives you an opportunity to delve deeper into your experiences, interests, and aspirations, allowing the admissions officers to gain a better understanding of who you are as a person and how you will contribute to the Mount Holyoke community.

When brainstorming potential topics for your essay, it's important to consider your personal experiences and interests. Reflect on moments in your life that have had a significant impact on you or have shaped your perspective. These could be challenges you've overcome, achievements you're proud of, or even moments of self-discovery. By choosing a topic that is personal to you, you'll be able to convey genuine passion and enthusiasm in your writing.

In addition to personal experiences, it's also important to highlight your academic and extracurricular achievements. Admissions officers want to see evidence of your intellectual curiosity and dedication outside of the classroom. Think about projects or activities that have challenged you academically or allowed you to pursue subjects that truly interest you. This could be anything from conducting independent research in a field of study that excites you to participating in clubs or organizations that align with your passions.

Furthermore, reflecting on your future goals and aspirations can help guide the selection of a compelling topic for your essay. Consider what motivates and inspires you. What do you hope to achieve during your time at Mount Holyoke? How will attending this college help shape your future career path? By sharing these aspirations in your essay, you can demonstrate not only why Mount Holyoke is the right fit for you but also how their resources and community will support your growth and development.

As you explore different topics, keep in mind that it's essential to choose one that allows for depth and reflection. Avoid surface-level topics or those that may be too common or generic. Instead, focus on aspects of your life or experiences that are truly meaningful and have had a lasting impact on you. Remember, the goal is to provide the admissions committee with a glimpse into who you are as an individual and how you will contribute to the Mount Holyoke community.

Once you have chosen a compelling topic, it's important to structure and organize your essay effectively. Start by outlining your main ideas and supporting details. Consider the flow of your essay and how each paragraph connects to the next. This will help ensure that your essay is coherent and easy to follow. Additionally, be sure to include a clear introduction that grabs the reader's attention, body paragraphs that provide evidence and examples to support your main ideas, and a strong conclusion that summarizes your key points.

Structuring and Organizing the Essay

Structuring and organizing your Mount Holyoke supplemental essay is crucial to ensure that your ideas flow logically and coherently. This section will provide you with some valuable tips on how to structure your essay effectively.

To begin with, it is essential to start with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Consider starting with an intriguing anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a compelling statement related to your chosen topic. The introduction should provide a brief overview of what the essay will cover and establish the purpose of your writing.

Once you have established a strong introduction, it is important to develop a clear and logical flow throughout your essay. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea or argument and transition smoothly into the next. This will help guide the reader through your thoughts and make it easier for them to follow along.

Using paragraphs to separate different ideas is another effective way to structure your essay. By breaking down your content into smaller sections, you can present each point in a concise and organized manner. Start each new paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of that particular section.

Furthermore, consider using subheadings or bullet points within each paragraph to further organize your thoughts. This can help break up large chunks of text and make it easier for readers to navigate through your essay. Additionally, using transitional words or phrases such as "however," "on the other hand," or "in contrast" can help create smooth transitions between paragraphs and enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

As you approach the end of your essay, make sure to include a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The conclusion should not introduce any new information but rather tie together all of the ideas presented throughout the essay. Consider ending with a thought-provoking statement or leaving the reader with something to ponder upon.

Showcasing Unique Qualities and Experiences

When writing your Mount Holyoke supplemental essay, it is important to showcase your unique qualities and experiences. This is your opportunity to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate what makes you a valuable addition to the Mount Holyoke community. Here are some tips on how to effectively showcase your individual strengths and talents.

Firstly, highlight your individual strengths and talents. Think about what sets you apart from others and what makes you special. Maybe you have a talent for public speaking or a knack for problem-solving. Whatever it may be, this is the time to shine a light on these qualities. Be specific in describing your strengths and provide examples of how you have demonstrated them in different aspects of your life.

In addition to highlighting your strengths, share meaningful experiences and challenges that have shaped you as an individual. Admissions officers want to see that you have overcome obstacles and grown from these experiences. Reflect on moments in your life where you faced adversity or had to step out of your comfort zone. How did these experiences impact you? What did you learn from them? By sharing these stories, you not only show resilience but also demonstrate personal growth.

Furthermore, make sure to connect your experiences to Mount Holyoke's values and mission. Research the college thoroughly and identify key values that resonate with you. This could be their commitment to diversity, social justice, or academic excellence. Once you have identified these values, think about how your unique qualities and experiences align with them. For example, if Mount Holyoke emphasizes the importance of community service, discuss any volunteer work or initiatives that you have been involved in.

It is also essential to remember that showcasing unique qualities does not mean bragging or exaggerating accomplishments. Be authentic in portraying yourself and avoid embellishing details or achievements. Admissions officers value honesty and integrity above all else.

Lastly, emphasize how your unique qualities will contribute positively to the Mount Holyoke community. Highlight specific ways in which you can make a difference on campus, whether it's through joining clubs or organizations that align with your interests or pursuing academic opportunities that will benefit both you and your peers. Show that you have thought about how your presence at Mount Holyoke can enrich the college community.

Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading and editing are crucial steps in the essay writing process. After you have written your Mount Holyoke supplemental essay, it is important to review it carefully to ensure that it is error-free and effectively conveys your ideas. Here are some tips for proofreading and editing your essay:

Firstly, review your essay for grammar and spelling errors. These types of mistakes can detract from the overall quality of your writing and make it appear less professional. Use a spell-checker tool or software to catch any obvious errors, but also take the time to read through your essay carefully to spot any grammatical mistakes or typos that may have been missed.

In addition to checking for grammar and spelling errors, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your essay. Make sure that each sentence and paragraph flows smoothly into the next, and that your ideas are presented in a logical manner. If there are any confusing or unclear sections, revise them to improve the overall clarity of your writing.

Seeking feedback from others can also be incredibly helpful in the proofreading and editing process. Ask a teacher, mentor, or friend with strong writing skills to read through your essay and provide constructive criticism. They may be able to spot areas where you could improve upon or offer suggestions for strengthening certain arguments or points.

Once you have received feedback, make necessary revisions based on the suggestions provided. This may involve rewriting certain sections, reorganizing paragraphs, or adding additional supporting evidence. Be open to making changes in order to enhance the overall quality of your essay.

As you edit your essay, consider whether you have effectively showcased your unique qualities and experiences. The Mount Holyoke supplemental essay is an opportunity for you to stand out from other applicants by highlighting what makes you special. Ensure that this aspect shines through in your writing by including specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate why you would be a valuable addition to the Mount Holyoke community.

Finally, before submitting your essay, take the time to proofread it one last time. Read through your essay slowly and carefully, checking for any remaining errors or areas that could be improved upon. Pay attention to formatting, punctuation, and overall presentation as well. A polished final essay will leave a positive impression on the admissions committee and increase your chances of being accepted to Mount Holyoke College.

In conclusion, crafting an impressive Mount Holyoke supplemental essay requires careful thought and attention to detail. By understanding the purpose of the essay, brainstorming compelling topics, structuring and organizing your thoughts effectively, showcasing your unique qualities and experiences, and thoroughly proofreading and editing your final draft, you can create a standout essay that will captivate the admissions committee at Mount Holyoke College.

Remember that the purpose of the supplemental essay is to provide additional insight into who you are as a person and what you can bring to the Mount Holyoke community. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your individuality and highlight aspects of your background or experiences that may not be evident in other parts of your application. Take advantage of this chance to stand out from other applicants by sharing personal anecdotes, demonstrating your passion for learning, or discussing how you have overcome challenges.

When choosing a topic for your essay, consider what sets you apart from other applicants and how you can contribute to the diverse and vibrant community at Mount Holyoke. Think about moments or experiences that have shaped your perspective or influenced your goals. Choose a topic that allows you to showcase both your personal growth and your potential for making a positive impact on campus.

As you write your essay, pay attention to the structure and organization of your thoughts. Start with a strong introduction that grabs the reader's attention and clearly states the main point or theme of your essay. Use paragraphs to break up different ideas or arguments, ensuring a logical flow throughout. End with a compelling conclusion that ties everything together and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Once you have written your first draft, take the time to review and revise it carefully. Proofread for grammar mistakes, typos, and clarity of expression. Consider seeking feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers who can provide valuable insights or suggestions for improvement.

In summary, writing an impressive Mount Holyoke supplemental essay requires thoughtful planning, creativity, and attention to detail. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this blog post, you can craft an essay that showcases your unique qualities and experiences, while also demonstrating your ability to contribute to the Mount Holyoke community. Good luck with your essay and your college application journey!

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Sample Supplemental Essay for College Admissions: Why This College?

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Most college applicants fail to put adequate time into a supplemental college essay. The Common Application's personal essay allows a student to write a single essay for multiple colleges. The supplemental college essay, however, needs to be different for every application. Thus, it's tempting to dash off a generic and vague piece that can be used at multiple schools, resulting in a  weak essay .

Don't make this mistake. Your "Why This College" essay must be specific, demonstrating a high level of interest in and commitment to this particular school. To better understand how to ace this supplemental essay prompt, let's analyze a sample essay written for Oberlin College .

The essay prompt reads:

"Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years."

Sample Supplemental Essay

I visited 18 colleges over the past year, yet Oberlin is the one place that most spoke to my interests. Early in my college search I learned that I prefer a liberal arts college to a larger university. The collaboration between the faculty and undergraduate students, the sense of community, and the flexible, interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum are all important to me. Also, my high school experience was greatly enriched by the diversity of the student body, and I am impressed by Oberlin’s rich history and its current efforts connected to inclusiveness and equality. To say the least, I’d be proud to say I attended the first coeducational college in the country.

I plan to major in Environmental Studies at Oberlin. After my campus tour , I took some extra time to visit the Adam Joseph Lewis Center. It’s an amazing space and the students I chatted with spoke highly of their professors. I became truly interested in issues of sustainability during my volunteer work in the Hudson River Valley, and everything I’ve learned about Oberlin makes it seem the ideal place for me to continue exploring and building upon those interests. I am also impressed by Oberlin’s Creativity and Leadership Project. I’ve been a bit of an entrepreneur ever since second grade when I made a dollar producing and performing The Runaway Bunny for my extended family. I’m drawn to a program that supports the move from classroom learning to creative hands-on, real-world applications.

Finally, as the rest of my application clearly demonstrates, music is an important part of my life. I’ve been playing the trumpet since fourth grade, and I hope to continue performing and developing my skills throughout college. What better place than Oberlin to do so? With more performances than days in the year and a large group of talented musicians in the Conservatory of Music, Oberlin is an ideal place for exploring my love of both music and the environment.

Understanding the Essay Prompt

To understand the strength of the essay, we must first look at the prompt: the admissions officers at Oberlin want you to "explain why Oberlin College will help you grow." This sounds straightforward, but be careful. You're not being asked to explain how college, in general, will help you grow, nor are you being asked how attending a small liberal arts school will help you grow. The admissions offers want to hear how  Oberlin , in particular, will help you grow, so the essay needs to include specific information about Oberlin College.

A strong "Why This College" essay will make a case for why the school in question is a good fit for the student. The case should be made by connecting facts about the school—unique opportunities, educational values, campus culture, et cetera—with the student's goals, values, and interests.

From the Admissions Desk

"We want to see [in the "Why This School" essay] that students understand the unique educational model at High Point University. We know that students have access to more information than ever before and that most colleges focus on the classroom experience. We want students who desire 25% of their time to be experiential ... who want to grow as people of character with strong values and to fully immerse themselves in our life skills education."

–Kerr Ramsay Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions, High Point University

A good way to see if you've responded to the prompt well is to swap out the name of the college you're applying to with the name of any other college. If the essay still makes sense once you do a global replace of the school name, you haven't written a good supplemental essay.

A Critique of the Supplemental Essay

The sample essay certainly succeeds on this front. If we were to substitute "Kenyon College" for "Oberlin College" in the essay, the essay would not make sense. The details in the essay are unique to Oberlin. Demonstrated interest can play a meaningful role in the admissions process, and this applicant has clearly demonstrated that she knows Oberlin well and her interest in the school is sincere.

Let's look at some of the essay's strengths:

• The first paragraph makes several important points. First of all, we learn that the applicant has visited Oberlin. This may not seem like a big deal, but you'd be surprised how many students apply to a large number of colleges based on nothing but the schools' reputations. Also, the student notes that she wants to go to a  liberal arts college , not a larger  university . This information isn't really specific to Oberlin, but it does show that she has thought about the options available to her. The final point in this first paragraph gets more specific—the applicant is familiar with Oberlin and knows the school's socially progressive history.
• The second paragraph is really the heart of this essay—the applicant wants to major in Environmental Studies, and she is clearly impressed with the program at Oberlin. She has visited the Environmental Studies building, and she knows of some of the unique opportunities offered at Oberlin. She has even talked with Oberlin students. This paragraph can't help but make a favorable impression on the admissions folks—the applicant is drawn to Oberlin, and she clearly knows exactly  why  she likes Oberlin.
• The final paragraph adds another important dimension to the application. Not only does the student find the Environmental Studies program attractive, but her love of music makes Oberlin an even better match. Oberlin has a top-rated music conservatory, so the applicant's dual love of music and Environmental Studies makes Oberlin a natural match for her.

Admissions officers can't help but feel that Oberlin is a great match for this applicant. She knows the school well, and her interests and goals line up perfectly with Oberlin's strengths. This short essay will certainly be a positive piece of her application.

A Final Word About Supplemental Essays

The content of your supplemental essay is extremely important, and poor decisions on this front can lead to a weak supplemental essay . But content isn't everything. You also need to focus on the presentation of your ideas. Make sure your essay is entirely free of any grammatical errors, and be sure to avoid common stylistic problems . The admissions officers need to conclude that you are sincerely interested in attending their school and that you are an excellent writer.

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Mount Holyoke Supplement - Writing Sample

<p>I have to send in a writing sample with teacher’s comments that will ‘show you at your intellecual best’. How am I supposed to write it. It doesnt sound like MHC wants us to write about something creative or something that describes our personality. What type of writing should it be?</p>

<p>I believe they want a graded essay that you have written for high school.</p>

<p>MHC does want an essay that you wrote that was graded by a HS teacher. Best if the paper has written comments by he teacher. Also include the assignment. Suggest picking a paper dealing with something that is somewhat known, like a paper you wrote about a well known book or play, like Hamlet, Streetcar Named Desire. The admissions person is likely familiar with the book making a review of your paper easier.</p>

<p>You can send a draft of a paper and explain that the German system doesn’t allow you to submit a graded paper because they are not returned. Don’t sweat it. Mt. Holyoke is very user friendly; they can’t expect you to submit a paper if you don’t have any.</p>

<p>I would contact the international admissions contact, explain the situation and ask whether they have an alternate requirement.</p>

<p>hey, thank you guys for answering! actually, i spoke about this to the admissions officer with whom i had my admissions interview and she also told me not to worry about it, if it is impossible to get that paper, i wouln’t have to send it in. the thing is that i really want to send it in, because it is a good paper and i am worried about possible diadvantages in the application process… i’d just feel better if i had done everthing “right” in the application process. but i plan on applying early decision, so i won’t have much more time to argue with my highschool. but thanks for your responses anyway ;-)</p>

<p>does anyone have an idea about how long it takes for international students to really adjust to the language? i expect to get familiar with english on college-level fast, but i am really worried about the first few month… anyone any experience in that field?</p>

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If you’re driven by a love of learning and you’re ready to explore further, investigate deeper and discover more, we’re here to help you make it all possible. With a liberal arts curriculum that delivers an exploratory education and a vibrant campus that fosters collaborative community, you can build your own academic pathway and bond with friends and mentors who share your passions. As a women’s college that is gender-diverse, we welcome applications from female, transgender and non-binary students .

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• Apply now using  Common Application   or  Coalition Application on Scoir .
• Secondary School Report, including official high school transcript.
• Counselor recommendation.
• Two teacher evaluation forms (from core academic courses).
• Mount Holyoke writing supplement (optional).
• Interview (optional, but strongly encouraged).
• Standardized test scores (optional).
• Art supplement (optional).
• English proficiency requirements for non-native English speakers (as applicable).
• Early Decision Agreement (as applicable).
• Midyear report (due February 15, as applicable)*.

*Important: Mount Holyoke requires the submission of midyear grades from transfer applicants in order to consider your application complete. If you attend a school that does not provide midyear grades, contact us for guidance.

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Application Essay Excerpts

Get inspired to write a college personal statement or supplemental essay!

"only few examples of career women" - supplement Mount Holyoke College

1a2b3c 3 / 6   Dec 27, 2010   #1 Hi there....have deadline :) 1. When selecting a college, it's important to be able to articulate why a certain school is a good "match" for you. Tell us what draws you to Mount Holyoke College. Coming from conservative country where there are only few examples of career women as only some of the women dare to break the social norms and enter the so-called man's world, I, being a woman myself, definitely look upon Mount Holyoke as a place where I can learn and mature at the same time. The curriculum of Liberal arts requires openness to innovative ideas, a willingness to learn and learning by arguing about any idea by relating it to multiple perspectives. Hence, Liberal arts requires much more than normal Nepali education and Mount Holyoke being the prominent liberal arts college with very rigorous academics that allows for well rounded development, I chose Mount Holyoke. Everyone lives with a dream and I am no exception; I dream of transcending all odds and after four years at Holyoke, I believe, I will undeniably be closer to my goal. After attending the Weissman Center's Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Program class, I envision myself practising my communicating skills with my girlfriends. I'd also take "cognitive neuroscience" as five college certificates. It'd be really great experience to take classes at the five colleges of the five college consortium and explore the courses offered. To an international student Mount Holyoke is known for meeting the demonstrated financial needs of eligible students. Hence, it is possible for us to dream the American dream. No college student's life is complete without overflowing extracurricular activities. I'll try my best to infuse ECA with my academics and I hope I'll be able to give my best to the college community in every ways possible. I hope the spirit of womanhood and supportive environment of Mount Holyoke will congregate my talents and give me the opportunities to think out of the box.

Robert King 1 / 1   Dec 27, 2010   #3 Coming from conservative a country where there are only few career women because only some of the women dare to break the social norms and enter the so-called man's world, I, being a woman myself, definitely look upon Mount Holyoke as a place where I can learn and mature at the same time. (this sentense is too long and wordy, try to break into two or more sentence) The curriculum of Liberal arts requires openness to innovative ideas, a willingness to learn and learning by arguing about any idea from multiple perspectives. Hence, Liberal arts requires much more than normal Nepali education . Because Mount Holyoke is a prominent liberal arts college with very rigorous academics which are beneficial for well rounded development, I chose Mount Holyoke. Everyone lives with a dream and so do I ; I dream of transcending all odds and after four years at Holyoke, I believe, I will undeniably be closer to my goal. After attending the Weissman Center's Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Program class, I envision myself practising the rest is pretty good the passage is good and the second paragraph shows that you know the college well. one advise: try to shorten your sentence and make it clear. i don't think the AO would like to read essays like the ones in SAT of GRE. thank you for editing mine.