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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Davidson College Supplemental Essay Prompts
By
Karla Ibarra
Karla Ibarra is a content writer at Scholarships 360. She has worked as an English teacher and writing tutor. As a writing tutor, she has experience editing scholarships and college application essays. Karla graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication and a minor in English.
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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.
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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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Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. Davidson has an acceptance rate of 18%, and a whopping 91% graduation rate. Classes are small, with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 18 students. To answer the two Davidson supplemental essay prompts, you will first need to understand the prompts in full. Our guide will help you do just that, so let’s get started with the first Davidson College supplemental essay:
Prompt #1:
There are just under 4,000 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College (250-300 words)
The first question is the typical “why us” admission question. Remember, Davidson College already knows all about themselves, so the focus is on you here. When thinking about how to answer, we recommend thinking about what drew you to Davidson College in the first place. Did a particular program or unique experience that Davidson offers intrigue you? The key is to find a connection to the institution and write about what it reveals about you.
Research will help support your response, so be sure to check out the Davidson College website. The prompt might ask about the school, but it’s really asking about you. While writing, mention the school when relevant, but do your best to bring the focus back to you.
Also see: College essay guide database
Questions to consider:
- What specific programs, instructors, or events appeal to me?
- What is the #1 reason you want to attend Davidson? Take it from there!
- What is your major, and how will Davidson college help you achieve your best self in that field?
Remember, 300 words is the limit for this essay. The prompt specifically asks you to be as “specific as possible.” The admissions team is looking for a focused, concise response. We always recommend that students free-write their initial draft, and then carefully edit until reaching the required word count.
See also: How to write a 250 word essay
Prompt #2:
Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why. Examples may include hobbies, books, interactions, music, podcasts, movies, etc. (250-300 words)
The second essay seeks to learn about you through your hobbies or interests. This is an excellent opportunity to talk about anything that you’ve been into or for a long time. Think about what you like and reflect on what that says about the kind of person you are. For example, maybe you like building Legos because you’re interested in the step-by-step process it takes. You can expand this example to say that it is what motivated you to pursue industrial engineering as a major. Assembling Legos has imparted on you a tactical sense of learning that would make you good at hands-on work during your engineering studies. Applying your interest to find a deeper connection can help elevate your response. Your interests will tell Davidson what sets you apart from other applicants.
Questions to consider:
- What is an activity, movie, book, etc. that interests, and what about it draws me in?
- How will this hobby play a part in accomplishing my goals?
- Has this interest taught me anything about myself?
See also: How to write an essay about yourself
Final thoughts
As you answer each Davidson College supplemental essay question, think about revealing and reflecting. The first prompt is all about you and your goals. State what you are interested in about Davison and how it reveals what you want from your education. The second is meant to reflect and share your passion about your interests and discover what they say about you.
Again, keep the 300-word count limit in mind when drafting. It might be tempting to dive deep into a topic, but always come back to “you.” Consider keeping your responses direct and to the point. Remember, sincerity will help you answer the Davidson supplemental essay prompts. While you are applying to colleges, don’t forget to apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for!
