Carleton is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. Roughly 2,000 undergraduate students attend the school, and it is known for small class sizes and a tight-knit community. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 20%.
Let’s take a look at their supplement:
When did you first learn of Carleton? (no more than 150 words)
We’re pretty sure that this question is for the marketing team at Carleton. They like to get a read on how students come to learn about the school so that they can evaluate how to best use their marketing budget. WE THINK. Otherwise, there is basically no reason for this question to exist. Please don’t lie about how you learned about the school, but do add in some details to make an interesting read. Maybe it was from a college fair, a google search, or family member – all of which work perfectly. The question asks when you first learned about the school, not why you’re applying. So just make sure that you’re answering the question properly.
Why are you applying to Carleton? (no more than 150 words)
With only 150 words to work with, you need to keep both your research and response high specific. While you might be open to exploring Carleton’s offerings once you get in, you need to use these 150 words to show the admissions team that you have a specific academic plan that you’re certain is the only suitable path forward. To achieve this, you should include:
One sentence declaring what you plan to major in at Carleton. The major that you choose should align well with your transcript, which means that you should have gotten A’s in English if you’re applying to Carleton to study English.
One upper-level class you want to take, along with a reason why.
A professor who you’d like to do research with, and a reason why.
One non-academic offering at Carleton, either an extracurricular activity or something that is related to the culture of the school.
Once you’ve gathered all of the information, find a way to craft a narrative. The best answers will read like a story with a beginning, middle, and end, and they’ll show that you also have something to contribute to the community at Carleton. The word count here is tricky, but you can make it work to your advantage if you streamline your response and remain focused.
The next part of Carleton’s supplement is three phrases that you’ll complete using only 300 characters. Listed out below:
I am empowered by individuals who...
I value community because...
I want to better my world by...
We’re grouping these together because our advice is the same for all three questions. Carleton wants to know who you are and what you’re motivated by, but we are not fans of the phrasing they’re using here. Our advice? Just answer them honestly. If you’re stuck, make a list of 5-10 responses and then choose your favorite ones.
Is there any additional information you feel we need to know regarding your application? (Optional, no more than 250 words)
When colleges give you extra space, take advantage of that space. This is technically optional, but if you don’t submit something, it will show Carleton that you’re not fully committed to attending the school.
Something important to note before you begin is that if you’ve been through extenuating circumstances that have impacted your academic standing or your health and well-being, you should write about that in the Additional Information section of your common app account. There is a reason that space exists, and please take advantage of it if the above applies to you.
But this essay should be used to explain another side of your personality that has not been explored anywhere else in your application. You can even think of this as a shorter common app essay, or a place to write about a meaningful activity or job that you didn’t have room for in your activities section. Whatever you decide, tell a story that speaks to one of your soft skills or characteristics that has not been written about before.
Carleton has a lot to offer, and their declining acceptance rate is a sure sign that people are starting to take notice. Read through their supplement before you start writing, and constantly refer back to the list of qualities you want to express.
If you want to work with someone one-on-one, contact us here.