Sarah Lawrence College is known for its emphasis on personalized education, creative exploration, and the intersection of diverse academic interests. If you're looking to apply, the supplemental essays offer a prime opportunity to showcase your unique perspective and passion. Let's delve into the prompts for the 2024-2025 application cycle and explore how to approach them:
Essay Prompts
Prompt 1: "Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence."
Prompt 2: "Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions directly with faculty, and then answer them through intensive semester-long projects that frequently inspire a blend of intellectual rigor and creativity. In 250-500 words, tell us about a text, problem or topic you would love to explore over a semester or a year, and what you would hope to achieve through that work."
Prompt 3: "In the syllabus of a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the author notes: 'Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.' Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court's decision."
Prompt 4: "Residential colleges and universities are opportunities to live and learn with peers from very different worldviews. Think about a time that you encountered someone with an opinion or a position that you felt was contrary to either your belief or understanding of a topic. Describe the situation, and if the encounter did not end with a mutually agreed-upon resolution, how might it have?"
Approaching the Supplemental Essays
Each of these prompts requires thoughtful reflection and a personal touch. Sarah Lawrence College values individuality and interdisciplinary learning, so here's how to approach each prompt effectively:
Prompt 1: Embrace Your Hyphenate Identity
For the first prompt, think about the combination of interests that make you unique. Perhaps you're a filmmaker-environmentalist or a historian-poet. Discuss how you have integrated these interests in your life thus far and how you envision them coming together at Sarah Lawrence. Such integration shows multifaceted thinking, a key trait the college looks for. Don't hesitate to use specific examples and narrative techniques to illustrate your point.
An excellent way to hone this essay is to brainstorm with experts on platforms like Sups AI. They can provide invaluable feedback to ensure your passions come through vividly and cohesively.
Prompt 2: Dive Deep into Intellectual Curiosity
When tackling the second prompt, think about a topic that fascinates you to no end—a text, a problem, a theme. Discuss why this specific topic intrigues you, what questions you would want to explore, and how you would go about it, utilizing Sarah Lawrence’s unique academic structure. Mention specific faculty members, courses, or resources that would aid your exploration.
A compelling essay will show both your intellectual rigor and creative approach to problem-solving. Sups AI can connect you with current students or advisors who can help refine your research question and approach.
Prompt 3: Reflect on Personal Impact and Character
This prompt invites you to explore how race and personal experiences have shaped you. It’s essential to tie these reflections concretely to your character or a unique ability you can bring to Sarah Lawrence. Be honest and specific—illustrate with anecdotes how your background has influenced your goals for a college education.
Engaging in discussions through Sups AI can provide a diverse range of perspectives, helping you deepen and broaden your understanding, making your essay stronger and more nuanced.
Prompt 4: Navigating Differing Worldviews
For the fourth prompt, recount a time when you encountered a conflicting opinion or belief. Describe the scenario thoughtfully and reflect on why it was challenging. Discuss what resolution (or lack thereof) left you with lingering thoughts and how you might approach similar conflicts in the future to foster better mutual understanding.
Here, you can highlight soft skills like empathy, negotiation, and open-mindedness. Again, Sups AI offers one-on-one chats with current students who have navigated such experiences, providing valuable insights and feedback.
As you navigate these essays, remember to stay true to your voice and experiences. Sarah Lawrence College is looking for authenticity and the ability to weave interdisciplinary passions creatively. Leverage tools like Sups AI to refine your essays, and you’ll be well on your way to presenting a compelling application.
