Hey folks! As much as I'm excited to apply to Dartmouth, I'm stumped on the supplemental essays. How do you guys start brainstorming for prompts like these? Any tips on picking topics that would resonate with Dartmouth’s values?
Hi there! It's super common to hit a bit of writer's block with those tricky supplemental essays. My advice? Dive deep into Dartmouth's website, specifically their mission statement, current student projects, and community values. See what resonates with you personally. Dartmouth prizes a strong sense of community and purposeful engagement, so stories that showcase your participation in community service, collaborative projects, or initiatives where you took a leadership role can work great.
But remember, it's your unique perspective and voice that they're interested in, so pick topics that are genuinely meaningful to you. Whenever I help students, I always encourage them to list out experiences that have shaped them or topics they’re passionate about, and then we see how those might align with the school's ethos. Maybe you've spearheaded a recycling program at school that reflects their commitment to the environment, or you've tutored peers in a subject you're passionate about showing your love for learning. These types of experiences could serve as solid brainstorming starting points.
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