Boston University (BU) requires applicants to respond to one of two supplemental essay prompts. Each response has a maximum limit of 300 words.
"Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?"
Prompt 1: Social or Community Issue
Example:
The scarcity of mental health resources in underserved schools hits close to home. As a first-generation student, I watched my younger sister struggle with anxiety during middle school, her cries for help dismissed as "just teenage mood swings." This issue matters to me because it silences vulnerable voices, perpetuating cycles of isolation that I refuse to let continue.
To address it, I founded "Mind Matters," a peer-led initiative at my high school. Starting with bi-weekly workshops on coping strategies, I trained 15 student facilitators using free online resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We reached over 200 students through assemblies and anonymous Q&A sessions, where I shared my sister's story (with permission) to destigmatize seeking help.
One pivotal moment was partnering with our school counselor to create a "calm corner" stocked with journals and stress balls. Though small, it became a safe space, reducing reported stress incidents by 30% in our first semester. This work taught me the power of grassroots advocacy—turning personal pain into communal strength. At BU, I hope to expand this through the Community Service Center, amplifying voices that need to be heard.
"What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?"
Prompt 2: Why BU & Contribution
Example:
What excites me most about BU is the Kilachand Honors College's interdisciplinary core, where students tackle real-world problems through lenses like ethics and global health. As someone passionate about sustainable urban planning, I envision diving into seminars that blend environmental science with policy, much like the college's focus on collaborative inquiry.
This resonates because my high school urban farming project taught me that solutions thrive at intersections—our rooftop garden not only grew produce but sparked community dialogues on food equity. BU's emphasis on experiential learning, through partnerships like the Hariri Institute for Computing, would let me prototype eco-friendly city models, pushing beyond theory.
I hope to contribute by launching a "Green BU Collective," drawing on my experience coordinating a city-wide youth climate summit that mobilized 500 participants. I'd collaborate with the Sustainable BU office to host hackathons, infusing my organizing skills to amplify student voices in campus sustainability efforts. In return, BU's vibrant community will sharpen my vision, creating a symbiotic exchange where we all grow greener together.
All the best!
