As you begin your academic pursuits and take the first step to advance your learning, it is crucial to consider the distinct features and prerequisites of every establishment you apply to. This also applies to Amherst College, which is well known for its dedication to intellectual inquiry and scholastic achievement. This esteemed liberal arts institution, which is located in the charming town of Amherst, Massachusetts, emphasises the development of various viewpoints and the creation of an exciting learning environment.
In this blog, we’ll discuss Amherst College’s specific supplemental essay requirements for 2023-2024. These essays are a priceless way for you to showcase your unique personality, your enthusiasm for studying, and how you can be a part of the active Amherst community. Every essay prompt is intentionally crafted to evoke meaningful, authentic responses that will aid the admissions committee in understanding you as a candidate.
Understanding Amherst College
Renowned for its liberal arts curriculum and dedication to academic success, Amherst College is located in the heart of Amherst, Massachusetts. Understanding the college’s basic principles is essential to writing strong supplemental essays for the 2023–2024 application cycle:
Liberal Arts Primary Focus
Amherst places a strong emphasis on a well-rounded education that fosters interdisciplinary inquiry and critical thinking.
Academic Prominence
The college, which offers small courses and individualised attention, is routinely ranked among the best liberal arts colleges.
Inclusion and Diversity
Amherst looks for students who share its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Open Curriculum
Students can choose their academic pathways thanks to the flexible curriculum, which encourages intellectual curiosity.
Community Engagement
Amherst promotes civic involvement and social responsibility.
Consortium of Five Colleges
Amherst’s participation in this partnership provides access to more academic programmes from nearby universities.
Also Read: 10 Offbeat Courses To Graduate Within 2023
The Significance of Supplemental Essays
In addition to the primary personal statement or Common Application essay, several schools and institutions now request supplemental essays as part of the application process. These writings accomplish several important goals:
Distinguishing Applications
Institutions can discover more about candidates through supplemental essays than just their grades and test results. They provide candidates with a stage to highlight their special traits, passions, and experiences. This aids universities in separating applicants with comparable academic backgrounds.
Adherence to the School
Through these essays, candidates may show that they are enthusiastic about and knowledgeable about the particular university. Students who are a good fit for their academic, cultural, and social surroundings are of interest to admissions committees. You can present a compelling case for your fit by discussing the reasons for your interest in that specific university.
Showcase Individuality
Additional writings can provide valuable insight into the character, principles, and interests of a candidate. This gives the application more substance and enables admissions examiners to view the applicant as a complete rather than simply a collection of accomplishments.
Emphasising Special Experiences
Numerous candidates have distinctive backgrounds, difficulties, or achievements that don’t fit within the template. They can tell these memories and give context for their application through supplemental essays.
Evaluating Communication and Writing Proficiencies
These essays evaluate a candidate’s capacity for persuasive, logical, and clear writing. Colleges use these essays to assess a student’s potential in writing since strong writing abilities are critical for success in this setting.
Example of Amherst College Supplemental Essays
Amherst College demands a supplemental essay from all candidates in addition to the primary Common Application essay. There are three ways to fulfill Amherst’s supplemental writing requirement for first-year applicants: Choose from Option A, Option B, or Option C.
Only one of the options is available to applicants. Before making a choice, candidates should carefully study the descriptions of all three alternatives to determine which is best for them.
Option A requires candidates to reply to one of the following quotations in a 300-word essay. It is not required to conduct research, read, or refer to the literature from which these quotations are; Amherst is looking for unique, personal answers to these brief passages.
- “Rigorous reasoning is crucial in mathematics, and insight plays an important secondary role these days. In the natural sciences, I would say that the order of these two virtues is reversed. Rigor is, of course, very important. But the most important value is insight—insight into the workings of the world. It may be because there is another guarantor of correctness in the sciences, namely, the empirical evidence from observation and experiments.” Kannan Jagannathan, Professor of Physics, Amherst College”
- “Translation is the art of bridging cultures. It’s about interpreting the essence of a text, transporting its rhythms and becoming intimate with its meaning… Translation, however, doesn’t only occur across languages: mentally putting any idea into words is an act of translation; so is composing a symphony, doing business in the global market, and understanding the roots of terrorism. No citizen, especially today, can exist in isolation– that is, I untranslated.” Ilán Stavans, Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture, Amherst College, Robert Croll ’16 and Cedric Duquene ’15, from “Interpreting Terras Irradient”
- “Creating an environment that allows students to build lasting friendships, including those that cut across seemingly entrenched societal and political boundaries… requires candor about the inevitable tensions, as well as about the wonderful opportunities, that diversity and inclusiveness create.” Carolyn “Biddy” Martin, President of Amherst College, Letter to Amherst College Alumni and Families, December 28, 2015.”
Option B asks candidates to prepare a 300-word essay in response to the following prompt: “At Amherst, we believe diversity makes us stronger.” What is your definition of diversity? (No more than 500 words).”
Option C is only open to applicants who have applied to or have previously applied to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) programme. By selecting Option C, they can use their A2A application essay to satisfy Amherst’s Writing Supplement requirement. If they do not wish to utilise their A2A essay for this purpose and instead want to submit an alternative writing supplement, students should choose either Option A or Option B.
In addition to the mandatory additional essay, Amherst provides an optional essay topic for students who want to share information about themselves that is not included in their application. Applicants can also opt to write about an activity they like, a place that brings them serenity, or parts of their personality or history that they have not yet covered in their application. Whatever the prompt, it’s critical to focus on what makes the candidate special and how that has prepared them to teach their peers and leave their imprint on Amherst’s campus.
Also Read: Do’s and Don’ts for Writing The Common Application Essay
Tips for Crafting Strong Supplemental Essays
Writing captivating, supplemental essays is crucial for demonstrating your fit for Amherst College. Here are some tips to help you write standout essays:
● Understand the Prompt
To understand what the admissions committee is searching for, read each essay prompt carefully. Make sure that your answer properly addresses the question.
● Showcase Authenticity
Be authentic and loyal to yourself. Share personal experiences, points of view, and ideas that represent your distinct identity and beliefs.
● Connect with the Values of Amherst
Emphasise how your experiences and goals match with Amherst’s basic principles, such as a dedication to liberal arts education, diversity, and intellectual curiosity.
● Tell Your Story
Make a story out of your replies. Make your essays more memorable by engaging readers with a great tale that emphasises your topic.
● Be Precise
Respect the word or character restriction. Make every word count by emphasising quality over quantity.
● Edit and Proofread
Check your work for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Seek input from professors, mentors, or peers to ensure your work is polished.
● Avoid Using Clichés
Avoid using overused words or themes. Find a unique standpoint or perspective to make your essay stand out.
● Show, Don’t Tell
Use real examples and detailed descriptions to demonstrate your views rather than simply listing attributes or experiences.
● Answer the question, “Why Amherst?”
Be explicit if a prompt asks why you want to attend Amherst. Mention academic programmes, instructors, or extracurricular activities that align with your objectives.
● Highlight Contributions
Discuss your unique abilities, experiences, or traits that would benefit Amherst if a prompt asks what you can give to the community.
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How can Rostrum Education help you write effective Supplemental Essays?
Rostrum Education can assist you in crafting effective supplemental essays by offering personalised guidance and expertise. Their experienced team provides one-on-one consultations, helping you understand the prompts, brainstorm ideas, and refine your essays to align with the specific requirements of institutions like Amherst College. They offer valuable insights, ensure your essays are authentic and compelling, and provide critical feedback to make your application stand out to admissions committees. With Rostrum Education’s support, you can maximise your chances of securing admission to your dream college.
