Wake Forest is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with an undergraduate population of just under 5,300 undergraduates. The school has been test-optional since 2009, and the acceptance rate is just below 30%.
Wake Forest has a long supplement. Before you start, read through the entire thing. The answers vary in length, but they should all speak to a different aspect of your personality. Good luck!
How did you become interested in Wake Forest University? Feel free to tell us about any contact that you had with Wake Forest that was important to you. (150 words)
Hidden question alert! This one lives under the “contact” tab of your common app account. We’re seeing a lot of these questions this year, and we have reason to believe that Wake Forest is asking this question because they’re trying to make proper use of their marketing budget. They want to know what or who initially drew you to the school, not why you want to attend. If you learned about the school from a google search or your teacher, that works. Or maybe you have a family member who told you about their time there. Be genuine and be sure to answer the question that they’re asking, whatever that looks like for you.
Moving on to the rest of their supplement:
Before you answer 1a, read 1b. What we read says a lot about us, and you’re being given the opportunity to use the great big world of literature to shine a light on what you care about.
1a. List five books you've read that intrigued you.
Please note that this question is not asking you about the last five books that you’ve read. More importantly, you should not write about anything that you were assigned in school. It might be helpful to read this as: what are the last five books that made you think? Basically, if you wouldn’t consider it for a response to 1b, don’t write about it in 1a.
1b. Explain how a book you’ve read has helped you to understand the world’s complexity. (150 words)
Again, let’s stick with books that you read for pleasure. 150 is not a lot of words, so we suggest avoiding lengthy plot descriptions and diving right into how the book helped you understand the world. Rephrase “the world’s complexity” internally if it feels overwhelming. How did the book you’re choosing to write about help you understand others, nuanced situations, opposing viewpoints, or humanity? The goal is to show Wake Forest that you A) are able to digest information that you and read and B) can rely on that information to become a more well-rounded and empathetic member of society.
Regarding both 1a and 1b: steer clear of the classics! They’re overdone.
2. Tell us more about the topic that most engages your intellectual curiosity. (150 words)
You should approach this prompt by making a list of things that you can’t seem to stop thinking about. Yes, those things that your friends are sick of you bringing up. The phrases that prompt an eye roll from your sibling at Thanksgiving.
If you cared about something **really cool** for three days, that won’t work. Why? Because you need to be enthusiastic about what you write about, and you also want to show growth. So if you googled something once and spent an hour looking into it, that’s not going to cut it
You’re best off picking something that you’ve “worked at,” not just thought about in passing. We say this because the writing will likely get pretty nauseating if you write about a philosophical concept that you’ve been pondering for the last two years. If you can, show Wake Forest how you got your hands dirty. That’s what they mean by engaging with the topic. Think about your hobbies, passions, and interests, and it’s okay if it’s academic. But if you’re going to write about an academic discipline, go niche. Don’t say Computer Science. Write about the one piece of code you’ve been trying to crack for six months, and explain how you got there. Instead of Environmental Science, write about that time you tried to build your dream hydroponics garden.
In summation, go deep. And don’t be afraid to get your geek on.
3. Describe a community that is important to you. How has that community prepared you to engage with, change, or even build the Wake Forest community? (150 words)
At TKG, we define a community as the place where you feel safest and happiest. You do not necessarily have to write about a traditional community for this prompt to work. In fact, it’s probably better that you don’t. What you’re looking for is a meaningful community that has helped you hone a soft skill of some kind. So, if you’ve strengthened your community organizing skills by taking on an unofficial leadership role in your book club, you could show (not tell) how your engagement with the community (book club) has taught you how to research, plan, and execute gatherings.
But the point of this prompt is not just to wax poetic about your soft skills. It’s also to show Wake Forest what you care about. So instead of saying “I am a leader because I’m on a student government,” show Wake Forest what it’s like to be in your shoes. Your response should be in the form of a story with beginning, middle, and end. We recommend highlighting a memorable experience or a day that encapsulates what it’s like to take on your role in the community. By using a copious amount of detail, you can paint a picture that will bring the story to life. As for the second part of the prompt, allow that to be answered through the story that you choose to tell.
4. Give us your Top Ten list.
10.
9.
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2.
1.
This is one of our favorite questions ever! This prompt begs for creativity, and the lack of direction means that you can write about pretty much anything. What you should not do, however, is write about anything you read online. Yes, we know you googled how to answer this question. Be sure to ignore the advice that suggests you write your top ten reasons for wanting to attend Wake Forest.
We love to see applicants use this prompt as a way to shine a light on an interest. So if you love music, you might write about the top ten songs to listen to on a cross-country drive. And to our movie buffs, streamline your response beyond all movies. Us at TKG? Rest assured it would be related to food. Top ten ways to eat a tomato!
We understand that these creative prompts (read: not “Why Us”) prompts can be challenging. Think about what qualities you want to highlight before you start writing, and stay focused on what matters most.
Not sure where to start? Contact us here.