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How to Answer the 2025-26 USD Supplemental Essays
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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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 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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The University of San Diego is a private, Roman-Catholic university located in beautiful San Diego, California. Through the USD supplemental essay, students have a chance to show the admissions professionals who they are as a person. Let’s dive into what the USD supplemental essays are all about!
Mandatory USD first-year supplemental essay
At the University of San Diego, we believe education should spark curiosity, foster connection, and prepare students to make a meaningful impact in the world. Tell us about an idea or experience that has shaped your worldview or inspired you to learn more. Why is this important to you, and how do you see it connecting with your future at USD? (350 words max)
This question is not just asking you, “Why USD?” While your motivations for applying to USD could definitely come into play, it’s mainly asking what you’re bringing to the table with your perspective.
A great place to start is by thinking about things you’ve learned that have shaped your worldview. This could be a historic event you learned about in the classroom or an experience you had outside of it. Think about why that particular idea or experience struck a chord with you. If this experience or idea has helped you choose a major, this is a great opportunity to talk about your continued curiosity and educational goals.
USD is looking to admit students who are excited to learn and be part of their community. Use this essay to show them the kind of student and community member you are.
Questions to consider:
- What experiences were fundamental in shaping your values and perspectives?
- What ideas get you excited both in and out of the classroom?
- Why do you want to pursue the major you selected at USD?
- What makes USD a top-choice program for you? What opportunities do you hope to gain from attending USD?
- What part of USD’s core curriculum and learning community programs excites you?
Expert Perspective
Sara Miller | Executive Director at Green Halo Scholars , Law School Application Reader at W&L
Also see: 10 tips for successful college applications
Mandatory USD supplemental essay for transfer students
How will USD help enhance your educational and professional goals beyond what your current institution offers?”(350 words max)
If you are choosing to transfer, it is likely that you already know the answer to this question. Think about the reason that you are deciding to leave your previous institution, and without putting that school down, talk about the things that you are looking forward to that San Diego offers. Beyond that, what are you hoping to do after you graduate college that San Diego can help you with? Whatever your future goal is, think about the alumni network, classes, and professors that USD can offer you as an undergraduate and incorporate them into your response here.
Questions to consider:
- What are your educational and professional goals?
- What does USD have that your previous institution did not?
- Why is USD the ideal school for you?
Also see: How to write a transfer essay
First-year and transfer student optional prompts
First-year students are also required to choose one of the three prompts below to write along with their mandatory essay. Each of these prompts can also be written in 350 words or less.
Prompt #1
USD is committed to fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Reflecting on your own experiences, what does community mean to you? How have you helped create inclusive, welcoming spaces for others, and what have you learned from those efforts?
Everyone has ties to a community, whether that’s simply being a good neighbor or being heavily involved in volunteer work. The first step of this question is to think about what communities you’re involved in. They could even be virtual communities! If you have any experience working on a team within your community or school, then this is your opportunity to showcase it.
Try and think of any examples of a time in which you have contributed, whether big or small, to a school or local community. Some examples could include being a part of a minor club at your high school or starting a bake sale in your community in which the profits go directly to a cause important to you!
Ultimately, you should be responding to this prompt if you are very involved in your communities and have causes you are passionate about. Don’t forget that this is also an opportunity to show how your past experiences will help you become a valuable member of USD’s community. Take a look at USD’s clubs and organizations to see if there are any you would want to be involved in.
Questions to consider:
- Did you participate in any clubs, community service opportunities or local events in your community?
- What issues are you passionate about? How have you made an impact on these causes?
- How does your unique perspective and life experiences influence the importance of community in your life?
Prompt #2
As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue.
This is a very deep question that will take some time to answer fully. As you can imagine, there are so many different topics that you could choose to write about here.
The best thing that you can do here is write freely about something that you are passionate about or something that you want to change in the world. After you are done with that, go back and edit your work into more cohesive thoughts.
Be sure to link back to the Changemaker website to show that you did your research! Also, ensure that you are describing how this challenge affects you and how your personal and unique situation has allowed you to view this challenge in a new way.
Questions to consider:
- What are you passionate about?
- What experiences have you had that made you passionate about this topic?
- What do you feel are the world’s most pressing issues—what needs to change? What actions have you taken in this area so far?
- How would you utilize the resources at USD to continue pursuing this cause?
Prompt #3
As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We’re committed to helping every student feel connected and supported by offering space to grow in faith, reflect on their values and explore who they are called to be. Share how faith or spirituality — your own or someone else’s — has shaped a perspective, experience, or decision.
Since the University of San Diego is a Catholic university, faith is something that is important to them. Remember, this is an optional prompt, so you do not necessarily need to write this essay. But, if you feel comfortable talking about your relationship with faith and this is something you are passionate about, this essay can tell a lot about the kind of person you are– especially if you choose to write about your admiration for someone else’s faith. This shows that you are observant and that you have respect for other people, two things that many colleges look for in a student.
Questions to consider:
- Who in your life has influenced your faith?
- Regardless of what religion they practice, who in your life has a faith that you admire?
- How has your faith influenced your education?
Final thoughts for students
There are a nice variety of essays to choose from for your USD supplemental essay. Each of these are pretty straightforward essay options, but just make sure that you are focusing on what makes San Diego the best place for you. Make sure USD learns why you would make a great addition to their community. Overall, if you are open and honest in each of your responses, they will want you as a student!
Additional resources
Once you’ve finished your USD supplemental essays, give yourself a pat on the back! You’re one step closer to finishing your college admissions. But once you’re ready to get back into the process, remember we are here to help every step of the way. With guides on when to apply to college, how many schools to apply to, and how to choose a safety school, we can help you with all your decision-making.
We can also help you decipher your financial aid award letter, write a financial aid appeal, and choose your college. Good luck, and remember, apply to all the scholarships you are eligible for!