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How to Answer the 2025-2026 Macalester Essay Prompt
By
Savannah Dawson
Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.
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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 Scholarship Services 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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Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Macalester is known as one of the “Hidden Ivies” because it provides students with an education that compares to that of an Ivy League institution. Knowing exactly how to respond to college essay prompts might seem intimidating at first, but fear not! We have you covered with everything you need to know about how to write your Macalester College supplemental essay.
The Macalester College essay prompt
It is important to note that the Macalester supplemental essay is optional, but writing one is a great way to showcase your writing skills, to demonstrate your interest, and let the college get to know you as a person beyond a list of accomplishments and grades.
We will walk you through the prompt and break down the questions step by step. Let’s get started!
Prompt #1
Macalester is one of few highly selective liberal arts colleges located in the middle of a metropolitan area. Students benefit from the strong sense of community on campus and opportunities to engage in academic, social, and civic engagement options in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Have you thought about how Macalester’s location might impact your experience? If so, in what ways? (500 words)
Right out the gate, Macalester wants to know how you will use your environment to help you in your studies and beyond. So what really are they asking of you? First of all, start off with why you picked this college to apply to. If location was a factor, write about why. This is a great prompt for individuals who have a specific major that would benefit from living near a city like Minneapolis or Saint Paul.
If you are thinking about majors such as:
- Political Science, St. Paul is the state capital
- Economics, with many corporate offices stationed in Minneapolis (Target being one!)
- Art, with so many options for museums and galleries in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis is a great city for so many college majors, so show admissions that with examples relevant to you. Saint Paul would be another great urban setting for someone who wants to go into sociology or urban planning, or maybe even architecture.
Even if your major is not the reason Macalester’s location interests you, there are other elements of the prompt you can address here. Maybe you are drawn to Macalester for its small enrollment. If so, you could talk about how you are interested in a close knit community and that Macalester’s location allows you to experience that environment while also giving you access to a metropolitan area. Be sure to talk about how YOU would benefit from both the campus community and the opportunities in the Twin Cities.
Also see: How to write an essay about yourself
Don’t miss: How to write a 500 word essay
Closing thoughts on the Macalester College Essay Prompt
Once you have completed your Macalester College supplemental essay- congratulations! Be sure to read over your responses and have a trusted adult or friend read them over for you. Remember, you want to be submitting a flawless essay that puts your best foot forward!
Make sure you do not repeat any information throughout your responses and that you are revealing new information throughout your application so admissions officers get a well-rounded idea of “you!” Ultimately, being authentic and unique is all Macalester is asking students to reveal in their supplemental essays.
Best of luck in the rest of your college admissions journey!
Don’t miss: How to answer this year’s Common App essay prompts
Additional resources
We have a plethora of additional resources that you can use throughout your college search and even after you have found your home for the next four years. Check out our guide on how many schools to apply to, and how to find a good assortment of safety, reach, and match schools. And don’t miss out on our guide to what looks good on a college application to maximize your admissions chances. Good luck on the rest of your collegiate journey, and don’t forget to apply to all the scholarships you qualify for!