Amherst College requires a supplemental essay from all applicants. You must choose one of three options to fulfill this requirement.
Option A: Response to a Quotation
Choose one of three quotations and respond to the question posed in an essay of no more than 350 words. The college emphasizes that your response should be personal, not a simple argumentative essay.
Prompt 1 Question: "What does curiosity mean to you? How do you experience curiosity in your own life?"
Q: How to choose your curiosity story?
A:
Pick a specific moment you explored a question.
It should be an intellectual or personal exploration.
Example: Tracing a family recipe's origin, not just "I like to read."
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
Part 1: The Spark. Start with the question or moment that triggered your curiosity.
Part 2: The Chase. Describe your actions. What did you do to find an answer?
Part 3: The Meaning. Conclude with what this process means to you.
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Giving a generic definition of curiosity.
Listing many interests without a single, focused story.
Failing to explain what the experience taught you.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Is the story personal and specific?
Does it reveal a genuine sense of wonder?
Is the definition of curiosity yours, not Webster's?
Prompt 3 Question: "Tell us about a time that you engaged with a viewpoint different from your own. How did you enter that engagement, and what did you learn about yourself from it?"
Q: How to choose the "different viewpoint"?
A:
The topic can be small and personal.
It should be a genuine disagreement, not a straw man.
Example: A debate with a friend over a book's character, not a major political issue.
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
Part 1: The Context. Set up the situation and the different viewpoint.
Part 2: The Engagement. Describe how you listened and responded.
Part 3: The Reflection. What did this experience teach you about yourself?
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Focusing on proving the other person wrong.
Not explaining how you entered the engagement (e.g., with curiosity, anger, etc.).
The "lesson learned" is about the topic, not about yourself.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Does the essay show your capacity for respectful dialogue?
Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities.
Requirements: The paper should be 3-5 pages long (excluding citations). It can be creative or analytical and does not need to be graded. What to Avoid: Do not submit lab reports, journal entries, creative writing samples, or in-class essays. You also should not submit an essay you have already used for the "essay topic of your choice" prompt on the Common App.
Q: How to choose the right paper?
A:
Pick a paper with a clear, specific thesis statement.
Choose an assignment where you analyzed evidence (texts, data, sources).
Select a paper from a core subject like History or English.
Q: What does "analytical" mean in this context?
A:
Your paper must go beyond summary.
It should interpret, question, and connect complex ideas.
Example: An English paper analyzing symbolism, not just recapping the plot.
Q: What are the biggest mistakes to avoid?
A:
Ignoring the list of excluded paper types (lab reports, journals).
Submitting a paper with uncorrected teacher comments or grammar errors.
Re-using your Common App essay.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Does the paper show your best, most mature thinking?
Is it well-structured with a clear introduction and conclusion?
This option is only for applicants who were part of Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program. You may use your A2A Writing Supplement essay to fulfill the requirement.
Q: When should you re-use your A2A essay?
A:
The essay showcases a core talent or interest central to your application.
Example: Your A2A essay on founding a debate club aligns with your stated goal to study political science.
It remains your strongest piece of analytical or personal writing.
Q: When should you write a new essay?
A:
You have a more recent, powerful experience that better reflects your growth.
Example: Your summer internship gave you a new perspective on the career you discussed in your A2A essay.
Your main Common App essay already covers similar themes.
Q: How to make the final decision?
A:
Read your A2A essay and main application side-by-side. Does the A2A essay add a new dimension?
A new essay answering a different prompt might show more range.
Answering the "different viewpoint" prompt could show maturity, while the A2A essay shows passion. Which is more needed?
Q: Final Polish?
A:
Even if re-submitting, proofread the A2A essay one last time.
Confirm it fits the narrative you've built across your entire application.
