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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Fordham University Supplemental Essay Prompts
By
Varonika Ware
Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.
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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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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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Fordham University is a private Catholic research university in the Bronx, New York. Fordham University upholds the traditions of the Jesuits, so it’s important to highlight your values in your Fordham University supplemental essay.
The Jesuit tradition is about educating the whole person—mind, body, and soul—and preparing students to create a more just, humane, and sustainable world. While this essay is optional, writing one will give you a better chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Colleges want to get to know who you are, and Fordham is no exception.
Keep reading this guide to learn more about writing your Fordham supplemental essay!
The Fordham prompts
You may choose to answer one (1) of the optional questions below. Keep in mind that your response is a maximum of 300 words. Choose the question that you think will help the admission committee get a better understanding of your unique perspective and potential contributions to our community.
Prompt #1:
“At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?).”
This prompt is asking a lot from you! First and foremost, make sure you are being strategic and straight to the point in your response. Once you start writing, 300 words will be used up in no time! To begin responding to this prompt, share an experience or story of a time in which you changed your point of view. This story can range from a small story to a life-changing experience. Then, write a reflection about what you learned from this experience. How will you grow from it? Ultimately, Fordham wants to hear that its future students will be strong-minded individuals who are open to learning new perspectives.
Questions to consider
- Why are multiple perspectives important? Why do you think people have different perspectives?
- What have you learned from developing a new perspective or changing your point of view?
- How will this knowledge be used in the Fordham community?
Prompt #2
“Fordham, as a Jesuit university, recognizes the dignity, uniqueness and potential of each person. A Fordham education is student-centered and rooted in close collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Describe how you would contribute to our campus community as an actively engaged learner and leader. Specifically draw on your personal story, identity, experiences, strengths, and perspectives.”
Essentially, this prompt wants you to show how you’ve become who you are today and how you will use these traits to uplift the Fordham community. Begin by describing what makes you unique such as a particular background, piece of identity or strength. Try to tell a story or anecdote describing this uniqueness. Then, detail how your unique qualities will contribute to Fordham. For example, perhaps your Asian background and culture is an important part of your identity so you are excited to join the Chinese Cultural Appreciation Society at Fordham. Or perhaps running is an important part of your life so you are excited to participate in the annual Fordham running club Turkey Trot! Whatever your background, be sure you are focusing on how you would not only contribute to the Fordham community but thrive in it!
Questions to consider
- What makes you unique?
- What opportunities are you excited to take advantage of at Fordham?
- How will you use your uniqueness to better Fordham?
Prompt #3
“Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?”
New York City is famous for a reason! Therefore, use this prompt to highlight your excitement for studying in the city that never sleeps. Try to come up with a list of unique educational aspects of NYC you are excited to immerse yourself in. Be sure you are focusing on the educational experience, although you may be excited for $1 pizza and exploring Central Park, do not use this response as a time to go on about how awesome New York is. For each educational example you come up with, jot down a time in your life which has prepared you for that aspect of NYC. For example, perhaps you are nervous about being able to find some quiet areas to study in the bustling city but you are well-prepared to face this challenge head on because you have a lot of siblings which makes your house a loud environment! Wherever your excitement lies about studying in NYC and whatever experiences you have that will prepare you for the excitement, write about it!
Questions to consider
- What educational opportunities are you looking forward to in NYC?
- What about NYC drew you to apply to Fordham?
- How have you prepared for any challenges that may occur while learning in NYC?
Final thoughts for students
Since your Fordham supplemental essay will be on the shorter side, try to make your sentences more concise and focus on the big ideas rather than the smaller details. One way to do this is by pre-writing your essay by jotting down broad topics you want to cover to organize your thoughts. Remember, with the 300 word limit, you need to make the most of each word!
Also see: Show, don’t tell essay primer
Additional resources
College is getting closer every day, and it might seem daunting, so here are some resources to help you get ready for the next step.
- Get started on picking your major
- Start early to get ahead of college application deadlines
- Pick the college that’s right for you
- How many colleges to apply to
Other colleges to consider
- New York University (New York, NY)
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)
- Villanova University (Villanova, PA)
No matter where you are on your educational journey, make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for!
