Carleton College is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota, with only around 2,000 students. Carleton offers 34 majors and 36 minors, ranging from a minor in Biochemistry to a major in Physics and their acceptance rate is 19%. The questions for Carleton’s supplement have changed from last year, with our least favorite section becoming the main question -- but no fear, we’ve updated our guide to help you navigate this year’s supplement.
How did you learn about Carleton, either in-person or virtually? (Indicate up to the three most influential factors.)
This is for their marketing department to determine their advertising budget, so don’t get too hung up on what boxes to check. Last year they asked for this in written form, so it’s a little easier this year. Obviously, don’t lie. It’s just some boxes.
Carleton prepares students to “lead lives of learning that are broadly rewarding, professionally satisfying, and of service to humanity.” We rely on the individuals within our community to help carry out this mission and shape each other’s experiences. Please share your thoughts on one (1) of the following prompts (in no more than 300 words) of what these Carleton values look like to you:
1. I am empowered by individuals who... OR
2. I value community because... OR
3. I want to better my world by...
Ok, we didn’t like this question last year because we think the wording here is eugghhh, but there are some pros to these becoming individual prompts because now you’ll get to tell them a story. Let’s break it down prompt by prompt.
1. I am empowered by individuals who…
With these prompts, you’re going to want to pick a trait or value that you already have, and tell a story about that. If you’re empowered by individuals who care deeply about the planet, tell a story about how you started a recycling club at school or a weekly beach cleanup. If you’re empowered by individuals who speak their mind, tell a story about how you go to city council meetings for fun. You’ll want to pick a singular story that highlights a moment in time, not a big sweeping creed about all the things you feel empowered by. You’re going to use your 300 words to tell a story with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Use details to bring the reader into the space, so talk about the flickering fluorescent lighting at City Hall or the way early morning ocean air smells (like fish).
2. I value community because...
This prompt falls more into the classic “community” essay that a lot of schools use. First, identify your community - and it’s ok to think small or out of the box on this. If you already told them you play lacrosse in your application, don’t tell them about the brotherhood of the lacrosse stick. Community can be your youth group, your neighborhood block, your bowling league, your friend group that plays D&D together, literally anything you can tell a story about. If you value community because of the togetherness, talk about how when a neighbor’s dog got out, everyone jumped to help the search. If you value community because it gives you a place to express yourself, tell a story about how you joined the church choir even though you suck at singing. Like above, you’re going to set the scene with details and tell a distinct story about a singular moment in time. Make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
3. I want to better my world by...
Hopefully, by now, you get the drill. You’re gonna tell a story (shocking, we know) that highlights something they don’t already know about you. This should be more grounded in who you are now, and not your far-off goals. Show them you’re already bettering your world the best you can, and talk about how you want to build upon that in college. Maybe you’re passionate about reproductive rights and have volunteered as a Clinic Escort the last two summers, or maybe you think laughter is the best medicine and you write biting satire about public policy for the school newspaper. You don’t have to reach for the stars, but show them where you’re at and a value you hold dear. Use that beginning and middle to illustrate your present, and your end to highlight where you want to go.
Anything missing? Do you want to share more with us? If so, use this space to fill any gaps you think would assist us in reviewing your application. (Optional, no more than 250 words)
When you see optional, don’t think “sweet, don’t have to fill it out.” This is a great place to tell Carleton something about yourself that you haven’t been able to share in your application yet. This should be different from the Additional Information section of the Common App, where you would share extenuating circumstances that may have affected your schooling or health. Maybe you have an activity or job you weren’t able to fit into the activities list that you want to share, or maybe you can even think of this as a mini Common App essay itself.
You’ll want to use their optional essay to tell Carleton about some of your values, or a skill they don’t know about you. Don’t just regurgitate something from the first prompt or that’s on your application now. Tell a singular story that highlights what you’ve chosen with a distinct beginning, middle, and end, and fill it with details that make us feel like we’re there.
Once you’ve finished both prompts, make sure to proofread, edit, and edit again and again. You’ve got this!
College applications are challenging and if you are finding yourself stuck with your supplemental essays, feel free to reach out to us here for one-on-one help.