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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 American University Supplemental Essay Prompts
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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American University is a competitive private research university located in the heart of Washington, DC. For students interested in leadership, politics, and public service, American is a top choice university. The best way to make your application stand out from the DC-loving crowd is through stellar essays. Read more in this guide on how to ace the American University supplemental essays!
Don’t miss: How to choose a college
Breaking down the American University supplemental essay prompt
American University requires applicants to respond to only one supplemental essay. Let’s figure out how to make this one American University supplemental essay the best essay you have ever written!
Before you begin responding to the American University supplemental essay, you should be aware of the limited word count: 150 words max. This is not a lot of space for creative freedom – but that’s all right. It just means you will have to be concise and thoughtful with your word choices.
Before answering the American University supplemental essay, create an outline to help narrow down your ideas. The last thing you want to do is repeat yourself in the words allowed.
Setting your goals
Be sure throughout your American University supplemental essay that you do the following:
- Respond to the question accurately (that “why?”)
- Keep within the word count limit
- Reveal pieces of your personality and uniqueness
The American University supplemental essay prompt
At American University, Inclusive Excellence is a cornerstone of the academic experience for our students, and we deeply value the learning that is inspired by the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that all our community members bring with them. Please share why you would like to join this community. (150 words max.)
Remember, this is the only prompt you have to respond to, so make it count! Try not to overthink this prompt. It is quite simple – why American University?
You can begin to brainstorm what has drawn you to apply to American. Some aspects can include the following:
- Diverse campus
- Vibrant location
- Extracurricular activities
- Traditions
- Values
Once you have crafted a list of some of the attractive features about American – narrow them down. Remember, you want to be as detailed as you possibly can in your response, so focus on one aspect that appeals to you. This will prove you have done your research and are truly passionate about what American has to offer you.
Get personal
Be sure to select an aspect of American that appeals to you specifically. For example, if you grew up loving animals and want to become a veterinarian, include some aspect of American University that appeals to your love of animals. This could include an animal science class or the proximity to a historic veterinary clinic. In this way, you are revealing that you are a serious animal lover and know how to research where to get the best education possible.
Tailor your response
The most important thing in this response is that you are justifying why you are excited to attend American University. How will American help your future? What does American University have that other colleges cannot offer you? Your response should make the reader feel as though American University is “the” place to realize your dreams. Be sure to include specific details about American U that customize your application for the reader. In other words, make it clear that your essay could not be recycled for another college application!
Also see: How to respond to this year’s Common App essay prompts
Next steps after submitting your American University supplemental essay
The most important thing to do before submitting your supplemental essay to American University is to have someone you trust read over your application. They should keep an eye out for the following:
- Any spelling or grammar errors
- Repetition throughout your response
- That your responses answer the question
Once your trusted pal has given your response the stamp of approval – it is officially time to submit your American University application!
Additional resources
Scholarships360 understands how challenging (and exciting!) the college application process can be. Therefore, we offer plenty of resources to help make this process go more smoothly. Check out our guides on how many schools to apply to, what looks good on a college application, and how to find a financial safety school. On top of all that, we can also help you decide whether to send your ACT/SAT test scores to test-optional schools. Best of luck!
