Syracuse University is a private research institution located in—you guessed it—Syracuse, New York. Syracuse is a large private school (15,000ish undergrads) located in a college town. It’s notably cold, but a fun campus. The school offers 200 majors and has highly-regarded communications and business programs, among others. While there’s something for everyone at Syracuse, the school is also known to be great for veterans. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The Question
Why are you interested in Syracuse University and how do you see yourself contributing to a diverse, inclusive and respectful campus community? (250 words)
Telling Your Story
Most supplements are really just a clever way of asking “why __ school.” This one is no different. But the real answer shouldn’t be to just tell a university how you love their football team or their fancy amenities. The purpose of your response should be rooted in connecting the academics of the university to your own academic journey. As such, we recommend you start off with the “origin story” of your interest. In other words, hone in on your academic interest. Before you start writing, be clear about your specific corner of the world. “Science,” for example, is far too broad. What do the classes you’ve taken, the clubs you’ve led, the books you’ve consumed say about a unique area of interest you are qualified to pursue in college? Now that you’ve honed in, identify the “origin story.” When did you first become interested in this subject?
Showing Contribution
Now read the prompt again. Syracuse is unique in that they want you to talk about your commitment to making a difference, diversity, and inclusion. As such, your “origin story” should be told through an empathic lens. The “origin story” doesn’t need to be a massive existential experience. It can be as simple as something you’ve been working on that’s not so fleshed out elsewhere on your application. For example, if you’re interested in Communications, talk about how you’ve been working on a brand’s social media account to grow it. The crucial part of your essay is connecting the dots between you and Syracuse. How does the specific niche you’ve been pursuing for the last several years tie in perfectly to the offerings and community at Syracuse?
The Deep Dive
In order to answer the above question, you should learn all there Is to know about what Syracuse has to offer its students. Learn about all of the high-level courses that fit into your niche. Who are the professors? What are they researching? What are the relevant clubs and internship opportunities? Given this essay prompts you to respond through an empathic lens, you’ll need to make that connection with your desired academic path at Syracuse. Talk about the courses you intend to take that fit into your niche. This addresses the “why Syracuse” portion of this prompt.
Then, talk about the ways in which you hope to leverage your education at Syracuse—and this is key—while you are there to uplift other voices, even the playing field and/or make a difference in the realms of diversity, inclusion and fostering a respectful campus community. Make sure to harken back to your time in high school to demonstrate why you are qualified to pursue this particular academic path. What high school courses did you take that will help you in this pursuit? The best way to approach this is with authenticity. Really take some time to reflect on where your passions lie and how you can make a difference while continuing to expand upon those passions.
Need some help fleshing out your ambitions around making a difference? Reach out to us.