university of rochester supplemental essay 2023

University of Rochester Supplemental Essays 2023-24

The University of Rochester is a mid-sized, private university in the city of Rochester, New York . Rochester ranks in the top 10% of American universities, so strong applicants need well-crafted University of Rochester supplemental essays. Given the competitive University of Rochester acceptance rate, strong Rochester supplemental essays can make a major difference in the admissions process.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the University of Rochester supplemental essays. Namely, we’ll analyze the Rochester essay prompts for 2023–2024 and highlight what a standout University of Rochester essay looks like. We’ll also provide tips for writing great University of Rochester supplemental essays. 

If you’re ready for some guidance on writing Rochester supplemental essays, let’s jump right in.

Rochester Supplemental Essays: Quick Facts

University of rochester quick facts.

• University of Rochester Acceptance Rate: 39% . University of Rochester is a relatively selective school. 
• 1 (~250 word) community essay
• 1 (~200 word) essay written about one of several prompts
• University of Rochester Application: Students must submit their application through the Common or Coalition Application . Make sure to review your whole application, including the University of Rochester supplemental essays, before submitting. 
• Early Decision I: November 1st
• Early Decision II: January 5th
• Regular Decision: January 5th 
• University of Rochester Essay Tip: The second University of Rochester essay gives you several prompts to choose from. Thoroughly read each prompt and brainstorm ideas for each before making your final choice.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does University of Rochester have essays?

Yes, most applicants must complete two required University of Rochester supplemental essays. We’ll focus on those two Rochester supplemental essays through most of this article. However, it’s important to note that some applicants to Rochester may have different requirements . Additionally, don’t forget that all applicants must complete a personal statement (or Common App essay).

First, let’s talk about students who don’t have to write the primary University of Rochester supplemental essays. If you’re applying solely to Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, you have different application requirements . Like many music programs , Eastman has a different application platform from the rest of Rochester. The separate Eastman application requires auditions (or recordings) as well as other specific materials by major. However, all Eastman applicants must still complete a personal statement.

Understanding the personal statement

What is a personal statement? All Rochester applicants—including Eastman applicants—must complete one. In short, a personal statement is an essay that highlights important personal qualities and values. While the Eastman School of Music personal statement has no prompt, the Common and Coalition Application ones do. Due to the widespread use of the Common App, this essay is also called the Common App essay . 

Reading successful essays can help you learn what makes a personal statement great. We have several Common App essay examples for you to read, which each include an analysis from our expert team. 

Next, let’s dive into the University of Rochester supplemental essays.

University of Rochester Supplemental Essay Requirements

There are two required University of Rochester supplemental essays for Arts, Sciences & Engineering applicants—that is, most Rochester undergraduate applicants . While there are over 200 Rochester majors and minors, the University of Rochester essay requirements are the same for all AS&E applicants. Let’s briefly introduce the two Rochester supplemental essays.

Key details about the Rochester supplemental essays

The first University of Rochester essay is the same for all applicants and can be referred to as a “community essay.” Strong University of Rochester supplemental essays for this prompt will detail contributions to a community, large or small. This essay has a limit of 250 words or about two to three paragraphs.

The second essay allows writers to choose from four University of Rochester essay prompts. This year, these prompts include a quote and ask you to respond to a question. Rochester supplemental essays for this prompt shouldn’t repeat the quote, but they should keep its message in mind. These Rochester supplemental essays are limited to 200 words.

Remember, Rochester applications on the Common App require the personal statement as well as these two essays. Students will also submit the usual requirements— recommendation letters , transcripts, and so on—as part of a complete application .

Now, let’s take a closer look at the University of Rochester supplemental essays, their prompts, and how to write them.

Rochester Essay Prompts #1: Community Essay

You may have heard “community essay” used in reference to diversity essays concerning community. These ask about your cultural background and how that contributes—or will contribute to—the communities of which you’re a part. Notably, these essays ask specifically about your background in some way. In contrast, Rochester supplemental essays may be more about your values. Let’s read the prompt for this 250-word essay.

The University of Rochester motto of Meliora—or “ever better”—deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better.

This University of Rochester essay asks how you’ve utilized Rochester’s values to better yourself or your community. In addition, the prompt gives you an idea for a frame—a creative idea or research experience. Of course, you could write about any example you’d like, but these are definitely good options.

What would successful University of Rochester supplemental essays for this prompt look like? First and foremost, they’ll almost certainly be narrative essays with vivid imagery that paints a picture. All the usual essay advice applies: show, don’t tell; use literary devices where possible; write evocatively. Use specific details about your experience to bring your story to life for the reader.

Of course, address the prompt in a genuine way—don’t write about an experience that sounds impressive but that bores you. Enthusiasm, or a lack thereof, will come through in your University of Rochester supplemental essays. Moreover, a passionate response will deepen your personal narrative much more effectively than a half-hearted essay about something you don’t love.

Rochester Supplemental Essay #2: Choose 1

The second University of Rochester essay will address one of four prompts in 200 words or fewer:

University of Rochester Supplemental Essay #2

1. american social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman frederick douglass said, “some know the value of education by having it. i knew its value by not having it.” explain ways in which your background, educational experience, and opportunities have directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. what specific moments of growth, lessons learned, and resilience in your life have prepared you to promote positive change for your community and the world, 2. dr. donna strickland, university of rochester alum and 2018 nobel prize winner in physics said, “there’s no point in me being anything other than me.” the university of rochester encourages each student to embrace the intersectionality of their identity and create their own individual curricular path and experience. what qualities and experiences make you the best version of yourself what unique elements of your background, perspectives, and experiences will you bring to our community, 3. susan b. anthony, champion of abolition and women’s rights, once said “organize, agitate, educate must be our war cry.” as you look to join our community of doers and disruptors, in what ways do you envision using both the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities to invoke change for marginalized groups how has your unique lived experience shaped you and prepared you to be a changemaker here, 4. the university of rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist george eastman said, “what we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” how have the ways you’ve spent your time enabled you to grow as a person what challenges have helped define you and your role within your community(s).

That’s a lot of quotes! Let’s take them one at a time.

Breaking Down the Rochester Essay Prompts

The first quote from Frederick Douglass comes with a question about your experiences and devotion to positive change. Given its usage of “growth” and “resilience,” this topic could be seen as a personal challenge essay. Rochester supplemental essays for this prompt may address how facing adversity inspired a drive to effect positive change. Note also the word “community,” which invites writers to discuss their hopes for their time at Rochester.

The second quote’s question is probably best termed a cultural diversity essay , which asks about a writer’s unique background. Successful University of Rochester supplemental essays for this prompt will draw connections between their past and future communities. How will your background and experiences inform your time at Rochester? How do you hope to explore and expand on the “best version of yourself” on campus?

The third quote accompanies a question that also asks about your experiences but also about how Rochester can support your aspirations. In other words, it’s a sort of “why school” essay . The twist here is that you must go beyond features of Rochester that interest you. Effective Rochester supplemental essays must explain where they’re from and how Rochester will help them create positive change for marginalized groups. In short, how will a Rochester education prepare you for a life of doing good?

Finally, the fourth quote segues into a question about your off-time. This University of Rochester essay could center around your extracurriculars and how they’ve helped you grow. However, this prompt specifically asks about challenges that have defined your place in a community. If you don’t talk about extracurriculars, you could instead discuss a community where you spend a lot of time. Specifically, you can discuss challenges you’ve faced within that community that have shaped you in some way.

Tips for Approaching the Rochester Supplemental Essays

At their core, supplemental essays allow admissions committees to understand what an applicant could bring to the community. What kind of student and community member will they be? Will they contribute to the existing campus culture and uphold the university’s image and legacy? These are big questions, and answering them in a short application is no easy feat. Therefore, University of Rochester supplemental essays lacking clear connections between the writer and campus culture will miss the mark.

For this reason, the first step to writing Rochester supplemental essays is to research, research, research. Even though only one of these prompts directly asks about what you like about Rochester, be prepared. Knowing Rochester’s core values can help you write focused University of Rochester supplemental essays. They’ll form a solid foundation on which to build the rest of your Rochester supplemental essays.

Brainstorming your topic

Once you’ve got some research done, take plenty of time to brainstorm (maybe the real first step is starting early!). Read through all the Rochester essay prompts and think about ways you could respond. Try brainstorming exercises to narrow down your topic or to flesh out fledgling ideas. Your peers and mentors may also have helpful advice for your essays. During this stage, you may write a few drafts to see how you can respond to each prompt.

When writing University of Rochester supplemental essays, your voice should make a strong impression. Many college supplemental essays follow a narrative form, and descriptive language can help bring your essay to life. 

You can either write about one specific episode or draw broad strokes connecting several moments. Depending on your essay prompts and goals, you may have one University of Rochester essay of each type. Either way, your essays should be well-structured. So, make an outline before you start writing.

Is University of Rochester hard to get into?

Looking strictly at the 39% University of Rochester acceptance rate, it’s not impossible to get into—however, it’s not a cakewalk, either. That 39% is much higher than an Ivy League acceptance rate; by the same token, though, over 60% of applicants are rejected. So, how do you put together a strong University of Rochester application?

There are several steps you can take to make your application shine, starting with good grades. This goes for any school—high grades in diverse, challenging courses make you a strong candidate. If you have options for electives , choose from a wide variety of classes that interest you. Even with the benefits of a holistic application process, low academic achievement can jeopardize your application.

Speaking of academic achievement, you may also be wondering about standardized test scores. University of Rochester is test-optional this application cycle, so you aren’t required to submit scores. However, if you can achieve or already have good scores, send them. Other crucial parts of the application include the extracurricular activities section and letters of recommendation . Remember, all parts of your application are evaluated as a holistic package, so make sure each of your requirements shines.

Application dates and deadlines

Finally, a key consideration when applying is the deadline, and not just because you need to plan your timeline . The University of Rochester offers three deadlines : Early Decision I and II, and Regular Decision. ED I has a November 1st deadline; both ED II and RD are due on January 5th. Early Decision is binding, meaning ED applicants must attend Rochester if they’re accepted. If Rochester is your dream school , this is a great option: 37% of their most recent entering class were early applicants.

To sum up, Rochester isn’t the most selective university out there, but you should still submit the best application you can. While University of Rochester supplemental essays are important, don’t forget the importance of other components like grades and extracurricular activities. You should also think about your application deadline, which may give you a higher chance of acceptance.

How to Make Your University of Rochester Essays Stand Out

Since your essays form the bulk of your application, you want them to stand out. After all, they’re the best place for you to directly tell the University of Rochester admissions team about yourself. 

So, how can you craft essays that make a lasting impression and maximize your chances of admission? Here are a few tips to keep in mind while you write your University of Rochester supplemental essays.

Start Early

A high-quality University of Rochester essay takes time: you need to choose a topic, brainstorm, make an outline, draft, revise… So, start early to give yourself enough breathing room to do that while keeping your grades up. And keep track of your time—deadlines can sneak up on you if you’re not careful. Whether you keep a strict writing and editing schedule or set milestones, find a system to stay on top of deadlines.

Pick Your Topic Wisely

Choosing a topic for your Rochester supplemental essays can be challenging. From examples online, you may think University of Rochester supplemental essays should discuss ending world hunger or something else incredible. Not true. Indeed, there are several common mistakes you should avoid, one of which might be your topic. However, even common essay topics can be compelling in the hands of a good writer. If you think you can write a really strong University of Rochester essay on a sports game, go for it.

Write to Share

It’s easy to feel like you’re talking to imaginary admissions officers when writing your essays. But it’s useful to write like you’re sharing a story with someone—how would you convey your feelings and actions? What’s your writing voice? Think of how your favorite books or media portray character traits. Then, try to implement them in your writing. If you’re not much of a creative writer, you can read essay examples to inspire your Rochester supplemental essays.

Be Personal and Specific

Let’s be honest, you’ll likely recycle some parts of your essays, especially if you have a full college list . That’s not off-limits, but make sure that all your essays are personal and about you. After all, you’re the one applying to college. But in addition, be specific when writing school supplemental essays. We mentioned doing your research—that research will help you write about particular offerings and aspects of Rochester. The University of Rochester admissions staff want to see your enthusiasm about their school in your writing.

Revise, Revise, Revise

Your first draft is not going to be perfect. Probably not your second or third, either. You should revise your Rochester supplemental essays multiple times to ensure they show you at your best. Trusted peers or mentors may have valuable feedback on whether your character shines through in your Rochester supplemental essays. And of course, proofread for technical accuracy, like grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

More supplemental essay resources from CollegeAdvisor

If you’re writing University of Rochester supplemental essays, chances are you’re writing essays for other schools, too. Luckily, our website features essay guidance applicable far beyond Rochester supplemental essays. We have hundreds of free articles and webinars covering college admissions from A to Z. That includes, of course, guides on much more than just the Rochester supplemental essays.

If you’re looking for a wealth of information on college essays in general, read our article on writing better essays . This article is packed with tips for writing essays and advice on approaching different kinds of essays. It also discusses essay categories you’ll recognize from this year’s Rochester supplemental essays.

Many students struggle with creative writing and finding their voice in college essays. That’s why we hosted a webinar on crafting standout supplemental essays with a focus on storytelling . Especially when writing University of Rochester supplemental essays, creativity is key.

We’ve got another comprehensive webinar hosted by an experienced admissions officer. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to write standout essays , from choosing a topic to making revisions. These invaluable insights, straight from an admissions officer, will help you craft and submit strong University of Rochester supplemental essays.

Whether you’re just starting your college search or applying for scholarships , CollegeAdvisor has something for you. Browse our website for more free resources.

University of Rochester Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts

The University of Rochester is a great private university with bustling student life and plenty of research opportunities. With a 39% acceptance rate, it’s not the most selective, but applicants still need strong University of Rochester supplemental essays.

In this article, we covered the University of Rochester essay prompts for 2023–2024 and how to approach them. We discussed how to impress the University of Rochester admissions committee with your essays. Then, we gave more general advice for submitting a strong application and maximizing your odds of admission. Finally, we provided some CollegeAdvisor.com resources that will help you write great supplemental essays for every college on your list.

College admissions can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. For more expert guidance on the college process, click here to schedule a free meeting with our team and learn how one-on-one advising can help you increase your admissions odds.

This essay guide was written by Gina Goosby. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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First-Year Students

Begin your application

Apply online through the  Common Application  or the  Coalition for College Application .

Please note: If you’re interested in studying solely at the University of Rochester’s  Eastman School of Music  for a bachelor of music degree, you must apply directly through the  Eastman application  and should not submit either the Common Application or Coalition for College Application.

Application Fee

There is a $50 application fee to apply to the University of Rochester.

If the application fee poses a significant financial burden on you or your family, please complete our Application Fee Waiver Request Form intended for all first-year and transfer students, regardless of citizenship.

Required materials

The following  required materials must be submitted to us directly by your secondary school or university, depending on the document. Documents must be submitted through the Common Application or Coalition/ Scoir Application portal. The Office of Admissions will not process documents submitted via email from another party. The University of Rochester school code is 002894.

Your secondary school transcript must be submitted directly from your school counselor or the designated official you have indicated on your official application. School officials must submit your transcript on your behalf through the Common Application or the Coalition/Scoir Application using the University of Rochester school code (002894). This transcript should include all grades from 9th through 11th grade.

We require one teacher recommendation, however you may submit up to three. These may be from teachers in any academic area, but are typically teachers who have strong understanding of you as a student and person within your school community. Recommenders should submit your recommendation through the appropriate recommender process within Common Application or Coalition / Scoir Application portal, as the Office of Admission will not process documents submitted via email or postal mail.

Your counselor must submit the School Report Form and their recommendation on your behalf. Documents must be submitted through the Common Application or Coalition / Scoir Application portal, as the Office of Admission will not process documents submitted via email or postal mail. This will also typically include a school profile, which is helpful for us in assessing your school’s curriculum and grading policies. It is important to request this from them as early as possible to avoid delays in completing your application by your intended deadline.

The mid-year report is typically available after the completion of your first semester of 12th grade, and will be sent directly from your school. Documents must be submitted through the Common Application or Coalition / Scoir Application portal, as the Office of Admission will not process documents submitted via email or postal mail.

Should you be admitted to the University of Rochester and choose to enroll with us, you will be required to submit a final transcript (with formal graduation date) which will be available after your successful completion of high school. A GED is accepted in lieu of a diploma. Please note, failure to submit an official transcript will prohibit you from registering for future semesters. Documents should specifically indicate your date of graduation from high school/secondary school and must be submitted through the Common Application or Coalition / Scoir Application portal, as the Office of Admission will not process documents submitted via email or postal mail.

If you have taken any college courses while in high school, you may submit an official transcript from the credit awarding school as part of your application. This transcript should be sent directly from the college or university using the University of Rochester school code (002894). Documents should specifically indicate your date of graduation from high school/secondary school and must be submitted through the Common Application or Coalition / Scoir Application portal, as the Office of Admission will not process documents submitted via email or postal mail.

Applicants are required to complete the Rochester-specific questions of both the Common Application and the Coalition for College Application. This includes the supplemental essay.

Optional materials

You can also  sign up for an interview  (highly recommended) and/or submit the following  optional materials  directly through your MyROC portal.

The University of Rochester is a test-optional institution. Therefore you are not required to submit testing as part of your application. If you wish to have test scores considered during our review, we accept self-reported scores which you may include on your application or transcript, or upload to your MyROC account after you have applied. If you are admitted to the University and choose to enroll, you will be required to submit an official score report. More information regarding our test policy.

If you have media links you’d like to share as part of your application (YouTube videos, art portfolios, etc.), you will have the chance to upload those to your MyROC account after you have submitted your application.

We want to get to know who you are as a person, not just a student. Through a family or peer recommendation, we get to learn about your impact on your community and what kind of unique perspectives you might bring to ours. This recommendation may come from any member of your family, a close friend, coach, employer, or community leader who knows you well. Submit the Family/Peer Recommendation Form

Check your application status

You will be able to access your MyROC portal after you have submitted your application . You should check your portal regularly  to make sure we have everything on file. Please note that it can take up to two weeks for some paperwork to be manually processed.

Early decision

The early decision (ED) application process is designed for first-year applicants who are certain Rochester is their first-choice school.

We offer two rounds of early decision: November 1 (ED I) or January 5 (ED II).

Students who are interested in early decisions will need to submit their application and other materials by the appropriate deadline. Please read all of the information about dates and deadlines before applying early decision.

See dates & deadlines

Combined degree programs

Combined degree programs allow you to fast-track your master’s or other advanced degree, or to enroll in multiple University of Rochester schools at once.

To be considered for one of these programs, indicate the program you’re applying for in the application portal you’ve chosen. You will then be required to complete a short essay related to your interest in the program, Our counselors will consider your entire application along with any supporting materials.

Explore combined degrees

Financial aid

Investing in a quality education is a big decision. At Rochester, we provide a sound program of need-based financial assistance. Typical packages include scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and outside awards.

Undergraduates applying as US citizens or  eligible non-citizens  must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal funding and the CSS Profile for University funding. We may request additional items once a financial aid counselor reviews your application.

Learn more about financial aid

Homeschooled students

To supplement the basic application components, homeschooled students must submit a comprehensive description of their program of study, including s yllabi and a description of instruction methods and assessments for laboratory sciences. Competitive homeschooled students have completed a t least four years each of English, mathematics, and history/social studies, and three years each of science and a foreign language

Students should also submit:

• Any transcripts from accredited colleges or universities
• At least one, and preferably two, letters of recommendation from outside instructors, volunteer or group supervisors, or employers

Homeschooled students are strongly encouraged to complete an interview prior to their application deadline.

Graduation requirements typically set forth by the state in which homeschooled students reside meet the academic requirements to be considered for admission. Most states require at least four years of English, three years of mathematics, four years of history/social studies, three years of science, and three years of a foreign language.

Homeschooled students should check their respective state requirements for graduation. If for any reason the curriculum differs from what a student has taken, an explanation about what the student has chosen versus what the state requires for graduation should be explained.

Homeschooled students, like all Rochester applicants, can qualify for need-based financial aid and/or compete for merit scholarships.

DACA/Dreamers

The University of Rochester is deeply committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and diverse community. In that spirit, we welcome first-year and transfer students who represent differences in religious beliefs, socioeconomic backgrounds, values, and points of view. This also includes non-US citizens and undocumented students—with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). See the  non-US citizens page  on the federal student aid website for more information.

We’re committed to meeting 100 percent of the demonstrated need of all admitted students. Undocumented students are considered for need-based financial aid like any other US citizen or permanent resident. Undocumented students are also considered for merit scholarships.

Undocumented students should follow the same application procedure for all domestic (i.e., not international) applicants to the University of Rochester. You can apply under any admissions round (early decision, regular decision, transfer) regardless of citizenship status.

Because federal financial aid is not available for undocumented students, Rochester provides institutional financial aid in its place, so a FAFSA is not required to apply for aid.

Instead, students should complete the following steps to apply for aid:

• Complete the  International Student CSS Profile . If you qualified for a fee waiver for the SAT, you will automatically qualify for a fee waiver for the CSS Profile.
• If you or your parents/guardians file taxes, send required financial documents directly to the College Board’s  Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) . (The citizenship status of your parents/guardians does not affect your eligibility to receive financial aid from Rochester.)
• If you or your parents/guardians do not file or will not file taxes, fill out a Nontax Filer Statement (found on the  IDOC website ) and send it directly to IDOC.
• Complete your financial aid application on time! Deadlines vary for early decision, regular decision, and transfer students. Visit our  financial aid website  for more information.

Please email our international financial aid counselor and undocumented/DACA support contact at  [email protected]  with any questions.

We have support services in place for students who identify as undocumented, DACA, DACAmented, or Dreamers.  Get more information .

Legacy applicants

University of Rochester alumni are an integral part of our community and play an important role in telling our story to prospective students and parents far and wide. By extension we look forward to welcoming future generations of highly-qualified Rochester legacies to join the University family.

A legacy applicant is someone who is the child/step-child or grandchild/step-grandchild of a Rochester graduate. Siblings/step-siblings of a current student or graduate are also considered legacies.

• Legacy students’ applications will be reviewed using the same holistic, multi-reader review process in which all applicants are reviewed.
• Legacy applicants do not automatically receive special attention or consideration.
• Students are not automatically admitted to the University of Rochester based on legacy status.

University of Rochester

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We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Rochester’s 2024-25 Essay Prompts

Creating change short response.

The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” In what ways do you envision using the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities at the University of Rochester to promote progress and change within the communities you inhabit?

Combined Degree Program Short Response

What relevant experiences or insight have led to your interest in this particular program? Describe how Rochester’s resources - facilities, faculty, peers and research - will meet your academic and personal ambitions. Describe how you see yourself contributing to the challenging field you want to enter as a Rochester graduate.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Mastering the University of Rochester Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Welcome, Yellowjackets in the making! If you're aiming for the University of Rochester, you're in the right place. We're here to help you navigate the University of Rochester supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

University of Rochester Supplemental Essay Prompts

• Why Rochester? (250-300 words)
• What issue of local, national, or international significance have you worked to address? (250-300 words)
• Describe a time when you were challenged by perspectives different from your own and how you responded. (250-300 words)

Here are our top tips to tackle these prompts:

Why Rochester? With this classic "why us" question, Rochester wants to see your genuine interest in their institution. Discuss specific courses, professors, clubs, or research opportunities that excite you. Don't forget to link these elements back to your personal goals and interests. The key here is specificity; make sure the admissions officer can see that this isn't a generic essay you could send to any university.

University of Rochester's commitment to innovation and research, specifically in the realm of quantum physics, has always fascinated me. The Integrated Optics for Undergraduate Native Americans (IOU-NA) program, which combines hands-on research and mentorship, perfectly aligns with my aspiration to delve deep into quantum research, contributing to advancements in the field.

What stands out most to me about Rochester is the "Meliora" spirit. The institution's drive for ever betterment resonates with my personal philosophy of continual learning and improvement. I'm particularly attracted to the Open Curriculum, which empowers students to pursue their intellectual passions. This flexibility will allow me to explore diverse fields like philosophy and computational linguistics that can complement my primary focus on physics, thus fostering interdisciplinary understanding.

Beyond academics, I'm excited about joining the Physics and Astronomy Club and the Society of Physics Students. Collaborating with fellow enthusiasts in these clubs will enable me to engage in stimulating discussions, further expanding my perspective.

What issue of local, national, or international significance have you worked to address? This prompt gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to community service, activism, or leadership. Reflect on an issue you are genuinely passionate about and discuss your role in addressing it. Remember to highlight not just your actions but also your motivations and what you learned from the experience.

Climate change is an issue I'm deeply concerned about. Inspired by Rochester's research on energy-efficient lasers, I led an initiative at my high school to promote sustainable living.

We started a 'Green Warriors' club, which worked towards reducing the school's carbon footprint. We implemented measures like switching to LED lights, promoting waste segregation, and organizing tree plantation drives.

The project's success was not immediate. It required persistence, teamwork, and extensive awareness campaigns. However, over time, we witnessed a tangible shift in our school's attitudes and practices towards sustainability. This experience taught me the importance of proactive involvement in solving global issues and reinforced my commitment to promoting sustainable practices.

Describe a time when you were challenged by perspectives different from your own and how you responded. In this prompt, Rochester is looking for your ability to engage respectfully and thoughtfully with differing viewpoints. Share a story where you encountered a different perspective, how it challenged you, and what steps you took to understand and learn from it.

During a summer internship at a local NGO, I worked alongside Sarah, who held radically different political views. Our differing perspectives initially led to heated discussions. Instead of avoiding these debates, however, I chose to engage constructively with Sarah.

I began by reading authors she suggested and attending a few local political gatherings she frequented. While I didn't always agree with her perspectives, I learned to understand and respect them. Our discussions became less about proving who was right and more about understanding the rationale behind each other's viewpoints.

This experience taught me the value of active listening and open dialogue in bridging ideological divides. As I head to Rochester, I look forward to engaging in such enriching discussions, upholding the spirit of 'Meliora' in true sense.

For all essays, remember:

• Be Authentic : Showcase your personality, values, and interests. Genuine stories always make for compelling essays.
• Be Specific : Specific details, examples, and anecdotes make your essay more engaging and convincing.
• Reflect : A good essay is not just about telling a story but also reflecting on it. What did you learn? How did it change you? How does it relate to your goals at Rochester?

With these tips in hand, you're ready to take on the University of Rochester supplemental essays. Best of luck, and here's hoping we'll see you in Rochester!

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How to Write the University of Rochester Essays 2021-2022

Located in Rochester, New York, the University of Rochester is a private university with a reputation for its excellence in research. With groundbreaking research in nuclear fusion, cancer stem cells, and biomedical engineering, it’s no wonder that aspiring researchers flock to the University of Rochester. 

However, you don’t need to be a young researcher to apply—Rochester’s schools in business, music, and education make this small university the top choice of many applicants. The Yellow Jackets also have access to athletic programs, Greek Life, a cappella, and over 250 student organizations. 

Applicants to the University of Rochester must complete the Common Application and write strong supplemental essays. The University of Rochester now has three required supplements, and an additional one for applicants pursuing combined degree programs. A strong essay portfolio is crucial in making an impression with the admissions committee. Don’t worry—that’s where we come in.

Read this University of Rochester essay example to inspire your own writing.

University of Rochester Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: The University of Rochester motto of Meliora – or “ever better” – deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better. 

Prompt 1 Essay Response Option: Write an analytical or creative response of 200 words or less.

Prompt 1 Creative Response Option: Upload up to three works of your own art (e.g. pictures, video, performances, literary) and use the space below to provide a brief explanation as to how the art is tied to making the world, your community, and those around you “ever better.”

Prompt 1 Research Response Option: Upload an abstract describing your own related research and use the space below to provide a brief explanation as to how the research is tied to making the world, your community and those around you “ever better.”

Prompt 2: Please select one of the following prompts to respond to in 200 words or less.

Prompt 2 Option A: American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass said, “Some know the value of education by having it. I knew its value by not having it.” Explain ways in which education has directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. How will you use the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities of the University of Rochester experience to grow and to promote positive change for yourself, your community and the world?

Prompt 2 Option B: Dr. Donna Strickland, University of Rochester alum and 2018 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said, “There’s no point in me being anything other than me.” The University of Rochester encourages each student to embrace who they are and create their own individual curricular path and experience. How will you use the opportunities here to fully be who you are? What unique perspectives will you bring to our community?

Prompt 2 Option C: The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer, and philanthropist George Eastman said, “What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” Looking forward towards your college experience, what do you hope to do outside of the classroom at the University of Rochester that will enhance who you are as a person? How will specific academic and social opportunities here help you grow?

Prompt 3: Are you interested in pursuing research while enrolled at the University of Rochester? If Yes, what field/area of study are you interested in researching? (20 words) 

Combined Degree Program Applicants

What relevant experiences or insight have led to your interest in this particular program describe how rochester’s resources: facilities, faculty, peers and research will meet your academic and personal ambitions. describe how you see yourself contributing to the challenging field you want to enter as a rochester graduate. (500 words), all applicants, prompt 1 (required).

The University of Rochester motto of Meliora – or “ever better” – deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better. (200 words)

There are three different ways that you can answer this prompt. While you can certainly choose the creative or research response (if either applies to you), we are going to focus on the essay response option, since we are essay people over here at Collegevine! 

Even though the essay response may seem more “typical” of a college supplement, you should feel free to choose whatever option allows you to most fully express yourself. In fact, try not to think about it. Pick the option that you feel most excited about or that comes most naturally to you. You won’t be penalized for picking the “wrong” one. 

The central components of this essay are as follows: 

• That you can identify a time where you embodied one of Rochester’s core values
• That you can eloquently discuss how that instance puts one of their values into action
• That you can explain how putting their values into action made the world a better place

We can go through these one at a time. 

• That you can identify a time where you embodied one of Rochester’s core values. 

The first step to writing this supplement is identifying a time, experience, or moment that embodies one of their values. This will be your jumping off point for a deeper discussion that answers the prompt in its entirety. 

Some starter questions to get your brain thinking about possible topics:

• Have you ever acted when confronted with injustice?
• Did you ever step up as a leader when others needed you?  
• How have you used your voice to uplift those who need it? 

There are a million different ways to answer this prompt. For instance, maybe you stood up to your school’s administration when they were enacting sexist dress code standards. Maybe you participated in protests for urgent climate action at your Governor’s office. 

There is no one right way to answer this prompt, but the most important first step is to ground the response in a guiding example. 

Depending how much context your topic requires, this portion of the response will need approximately 25-75 words. The deeper explanation to follow is more important, and thus you should devote the majority of the 200 words to deeper reflections and insights. However, you should not feel bad about including necessary context for the narrative that follows. 

• That you can eloquently discuss how that instance puts one of their values into action.

Once you have an example to motivate the rest of your response, you should make clear how it embodies one of their values. This section will likely require some introspection and soul searching on your behalf. 

Note, something you should not do is simply say, “My actions embodied Rochester’s guiding principle of leadership/equity/integrity/etc.” An overly-mechanistic response like this is not what the prompt is seeking. Instead, the way you reflect upon your actions should make clear to the admissions reader that you are acting in alignment with the University of Rochester’s values. 

For instance, you might say something like, “ It felt uncomfortable to defy my principal’s dress code policies, but I knew I had to take a stand alongside all the girls in my grade who felt uncomfortable that the school would impose punitive standards that blame the victims of sexual violence for their outfits, rather than holding abusers to account. Standing up to their rules was risky, but it taught me how the power of collective action can be used to fight for what is right.” 

Including substantive personal reflections will show the admissions officers that you understand the University of Rochester’s values and motto at a deeper level, as opposed to just repeating a slogan that sounds catchy. Your introspection will show them that you are mature enough to be a contributing member of their campus community. 

Once you have identified the moment that you wish to highlight, and you have reflected on how that moment relates to the University of Rochester’s core values, the final step is to express the broader significance of your actions. 

The whole purpose of this supplement is to ask the applicant how they have made the world a better place. In this portion of the essay, you can answer that question once and for all, having grounded yourself in a central example and reflections on values. 

As above, it is best to avoid simplistic language such as “My actions made the world a better place by…” One of the things admissions readers look for is quality of language and sentence construction, so make sure to use some more passionate and descriptive language to make your response truly come to life. 

As for actually writing this essay, the prompt clarifies that your response can be analytical or creative. An analytical essay will be more straightforward and answer the prompt head-on without much fluff. It will be more formulaic in structure and factual in content. 

A creative response, on the other hand, will be more free-flowing or have a unique structure and should include at least one anecdote. 

Think about how outraged you were at the abysmal, abstinence-only sex education in your health class and how you wrote an angry letter to the school board demanding that the curriculum be changed to include information about safe sex practices. Write about that! Take us to that moment and then explain how your actions made the world a better place.

Whichever structure you choose, don’t go too extreme in either direction. If you are writing an analytical essay, you should still write eloquently and choose an anecdote to share. Similarly, if you are writing the creative essay, don’t get so carried away in your creativity that you forget to include all of the pertinent information.

All Applicants, Prompt 2

Please select one of the following prompts to respond to in 200 words or less..

Broadly speaking, all three of these prompts are asking similar questions, but each has its own nuances. In general, this prompt is asking you “Why University of Rochester,” but with veiled language and variance in the additional context you provide alongside that central question. 

Thus, we will provide advice that broadly applies to all three prompts, as well as some specific advice that addresses the unique nuances of each individual prompt. 

Broad Advice : 

Regardless of which prompt you choose, the crucial task when responding to this supplement is to identify specific opportunities at the University of Rochester that will help you achieve your goals, better understand yourself, and make the world a better place. 

This will serve not only to show the admissions reader what kind of student you will be at the University of Rochester, but also to demonstrate that you have done sufficient research on the school and its offerings. Instead of simply telling them you are interested in making an impact on campus, your goal should be to show them through your research and personal reflections. 

Specificity is always going to be your friend, versus generic statements that don’t tell the reader much about your passions. For example, don’t say something as simple as “I am excited to be a sociology major at the University of Rochester, where I will learn about society and the social relations of the family.” This is not good enough because you could replace “University of Rochester” with any other school name and the sentence would still make sense. 

Instead, you should aim to be as specific and detailed as you can be. For instance, rather than speaking about sociology at Rochester broadly, maybe you identify a particular course that sounds engaging: “I am excited to learn about marriage as a dynamic social institution in Rochester’s SOC 2453, which explores the broader issues of diversity within marital and family systems from ethnic, inter-cultural and religious perspectives.” This shows you have done more serious research into the types of courses you will take as a sociology major at Rochester.

All Applicants, Prompt 2A

American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman frederick douglass said, “some know the value of education by having it. i knew its value by not having it.” explain ways in which education has directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. how will you use the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities of the university of rochester experience to grow and to promote positive change for yourself, your community and the world (200 words).

This prompt is more specifically asking about what education means to you and what educational opportunities you will take advantage of at Rochester. As such, this prompt is the most purely academic of the three. However, it also has the added complexity of asking you to connect your academic and co-curricular endeavors to your vision for making the world a better place more generally. 

This prompt requires a few things of you: 

• Reflect upon how education has helped you make a positive impact in the past
• Identify specific offerings at Rochester that would help you in your educational goals
• Connect those educational opportunities to broader themes of positive change 

Let’s take this one point at a time. 

This first portion of the prompt is not the most important part, but it does serve an important purpose of grounding your response in your past experiences. 

You should do some deep introspection to determine how your education has previously empowered you to create positive change, whether it be for yourself, your community, or the world at large. This portion of your response should draw directly from your own experiences, and it should transition smoothly into the rest of the essay. 

For instance, here are some possible models for this portion to get you brainstorming: 

• “Learning about interest groups in my AP U.S. Government class helped me grasp the disproportionate power of large oil corporations in our public policy. This knowledge made me a more informed citizen, capable of advocating for the causes I believe in. I hope to continue learning more about interest groups in politics while at Rochester through courses such as…” 
• “My experiences working in a robotics lab opened my eyes to the potential for automation to upend entire sectors of our economy, allowing us to pursue creative endeavors in our additional leisure time. I am fascinated by these emergent technologies, and I hope to keep developing them as a student at Rochester by…” 

Your past experiences should serve to motivate your future aspirations. Once you have a broad idea of what goals you wish to pursue, as well as how education is meaningful to you, the next step is to research how Rochester is uniquely equipped to help you achieve those goals. 

Much of the advice from above about being specific and well-researched applies to this section. Beyond that, this differs from the others in that it relates to academic and co-curricular opportunities, rather than extracurricular. A good place to start when thinking about this objective is to simply jot down the answers to a few questions:

• What is your intended major?
• Why did you choose that major specifically at the University of Rochester? 
• What are some potential paths that your intended field of study could lead to? 

You of course do not need to commit to a career any time soon, but having a few ideas might help to frame this essay. Think about how you would answer a “ why this major ” or “ why this college ” essay. Don’t write them, but come up with a few talking points you’d want to hit. 

You won’t need to go into details about all of these questions (and, with only 250 words, you won’t have time to), but it’s probably a good idea to mention most of these at least briefly.

This is, naturally, the hardest part of the essay. The first step is to find the link between your future education and your desire to save the world. The second step is to write about it.

Finding a link may not seem straightforward in some cases. How do you connect your interest in universal literacy to your future as a computer science major? The trick here is to get creative and remember that education is about more than just your prescribed course of study for your degree. Your education is also about the people you meet, the organizations you’re a part of, the research you do, and the experiences you have. 

So, maybe the link between universal literacy and computer science is that you will design a website that helps parents teach their children how to read and find age-appropriate books. Now, you just have to think about how the University of Rochester will help you get there.

All Applicants, Prompt 2B

Dr. donna strickland, university of rochester alum and 2018 nobel prize winner in physics said, “there’s no point in me being anything other than me.” the university of rochester encourages each student to embrace who they are and create their own individual curricular path and experience. how will you use the opportunities here to fully be who you are what unique perspectives will you bring to our community (200 words).

Whereas 2A is focused on how your academic and co-curricular ambitions relate to your desire to create positive change, this prompt concerns your unique self-determination and life perspectives as an individual. 

Thus, the primary question you should spend some time thinking about before attempting to write your response is who am I?

You might feel like this is a deep, probing question. It sure is! These supplements are meant to be challenging and encourage introspection that you might not feel comfortable with quite yet. However, if you can answer this well, you will show yourself to be a mature, self-aware individual who is ready for the challenges of college life. 

Accordingly, here are some questions to consider:

• What were some of your formative childhood memories? 
• What do you value? 
• What motivates you? 
• What significant obstacles have you overcome? 
• What makes you different? 
• What culture do you embody? 
• What communities are you a part of? 

There are, of course, many different ways to answer this question. As long as you have done enough soul-searching, and you have settled on some characteristic, attribute, or personal quality as the guiding theme of your response, you will do great. 

Once you have determined the bigger picture, your next step is to do the due diligence needed to find the campus opportunities that will help you better thrive as yourself. Whereas prompt 2A was about how educational opportunities will empower you to positively impact the world, this is about how Rochester’s unique opportunities will facilitate self-discovery. 

As always, in-depth research and specificity are your friend. Once you have identified an opportunity, the key is then to relate it back to your self-discovery. For instance, you might say something like, “I have come to appreciate that being a lesbian is an essential part of who I am. At Rochester, I look forward to further exploring my sexuality with the support of the Pride Network. Sexuality is complicated, and I am certain that a community of supportive and similarly queer peers will help me grow ever more comfortable in my own skin.” 

This is your chance to be unequivocally yourself, so take advantage of it. Show the Rochester admissions committee who you are, and what you’re all about! 

All Applicants, Prompt 2C 

The university of rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer, and philanthropist george eastman said, “what we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” looking forward towards your college experience, what do you hope to do outside of the classroom at the university of rochester that will enhance who you are as a person how will specific academic and social opportunities here help you grow (200 words).

Whereas prompt 2A is about academics for social good, and prompt 2B is about self-determination, this prompt makes space for your extracurricular involvements. Of the three, this is perhaps the most traditional “why school” prompt, as it encompasses academic and social involvements alike. The only thing you should explicitly omit are courses.

This prompt does require you to do some self-reflection as above in prompt 2B, as it also emphasizes that these extracurricular opportunities should contribute towards your unique self-growth. Refer to the section on prompt 2B for advice on how to write about self-growth and personal reflections. 

In terms of balancing social and academic opportunities, don’t feel too much pressure to prioritize one category over the other. Maybe you are really interested in joining an acapella group because you want to practice being part of a larger musical group. Maybe you want to join the mock trial team to work on your public speaking and self-confidence. There are countless directions to take this, provided you can establish a clear and cogent connection between the activities you choose, and your own self-growth. 

Remember, you could join the school newspaper or softball team at any school. Find names of specific clubs on campus and be sure to explain why that particular organization at this particular school will help your personal growth!

All Applicants, Prompt 3 

Are you interested in pursuing research while enrolled at the university of rochester if yes, what field/area of study are you interested in researching (20 words) .

This question is straightforward, and, at only 20 words, there’s nothing else you can do but answer it simply and honestly. Specify what research you are interested in, being as specific as possible without going over the word limit. We recommend that you write in full sentences (more likely one full sentence). 

e.g. “Through the REMS program, I hope to research the efficacy of stem cells as a treatment or cure for cancer.”

If you have no idea what you’d like to research, take a look at URochester’s research page for ideas. It can help if your intended research is actually related to research already happening, as there’s a clear connection to the school.

Combined Degree Program Prompt  

There is a lot to tackle with this prompt, but rest assured that 500 words is plenty of space. This essay should be roughly the same length as your common application essay. Also, like the common application, you can have a more creative form and narrative structure. The operative phrase here is “show don’t tell!” 

Unlike the common application’s essay prompts, which are typically fairly short and open-ended, here you have three specific questions that you have to answer. And, yes, you do have to answer all of them. Let’s take a look at them one at a time.

• What relevant experiences or insight have led to your interest in this particular program?

This question is a bit similar to the “why this major” question, and we’ll approach it in a very similar way—referring to it as a “why this program” question. This prompt asks you to describe your interest in your specialty program of choice and cite a few things (“experiences or insights”) that have sparked your desire to apply to this program. The University of Rochester is looking to understand your academic background and what you’re passionate about—specifically as it relates to your academic career. 

The first step to tackling this essay is to find an anecdote that demonstrates your emotional connection to whatever program you’re applying to. Don’t be alarmed by the phrase “relevant experiences or insights,” as these can be almost anything as long as they help to explain why you’re passionate about your subject area of interest. 

So, let’s take an example of a student applying to The Rochester Early Medical Medical Scholars (REMS) program. The “why this program” is really just as simple as “why medicine” followed by “why does this program help?” 

Maybe this student wanted to go into medicine after being inspired by the mentorship of her Principal Investigator while doing research on the role of Vitamin K in the development of osteoporosis. And, perhaps she is applying to the REMS program because not having to apply to medical school down the line will allow her to have a more interdisciplinary education and seek more leadership opportunities during her time as an undergrad. 

As we mentioned before, this is the place where “show don’t tell” really comes into play. Pick a specific example of a time that illustrates your passion for your program of choice and share an anecdote about it. This is particularly effective at the beginning of your essay as a tool to draw the reader in. 

• Describe how Rochester’s resources: facilities, faculty, peers and research will meet your academic and personal ambitions.

Now the prompt is getting a little more specific. If the last question can be summarized as “why this program,” this question adds the element of “why this program at this school .” 

In the example above, an admissions officer might wonder why the student was applying to the REMS program instead of the many other combined B.A./B.S+M.D. programs in the country. What is it that makes the University of Rochester special? 

Maybe you already have a great answer to this question. Perhaps you picked the Guaranteed Rochester Degree in Education (GRADE) program because of a connection to a professor whose research you’d like to get involved in. 

But this question might require you to do a bit of digging. A quick Google search can get you to faculty profiles (that include research descriptions), class rosters, and a list of student organizations. Another great option is talking to real, live people. If you don’t know anyone at the University of Rochester to talk to, ask your school counselor to connect you to their alumni network.

Remember that whatever reason you give should be specific. Don’t just say that there are great extracurricular activities. Tell us about your specific interest in the Meliora Launch Pad and how having the freedom to explore your interests in entrepreneurship will help you to develop and launch your own startup after graduation. Share with the reader how you will combine your extracurriculars with your learning from the Graduate Engineering at Rochester (GEAR) program.   

• Describe how you see yourself contributing to the challenging field you want to enter as a Rochester graduate.

So now that we’ve covered “why this program at this school,” this question asks you to look further into the future to describe where you see yourself down the line. Note that there is no specific timeline here, other than being post-graduation.

You can talk about how you plan to work as a nurse in an underserved area right after graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing program. 

Or, you can look further into the future and talk about how after graduating from the HEAL program, you plan to work in public health for a few years before applying to law school, where you will spend a career advocating for those who have faced medical discrimination. 

As always, be specific. Generality won’t get you far with challenging prompts like these.

Although we broke this essay down into three distinct sections, it’s worth reiterating that it is all one prompt. That means that your answers and examples should all flow together. If you’re talking about the REMS program at the beginning, you shouldn’t be talking about contributing to the “challenging field of engineering” by the end of the essay (unless you have a very specific interest in developing medical devices, for example, in which case go for it). 

We broke this prompt up to make it easier to understand what each section was asking and what answering it might require. However, it’s probably helpful to think about it as one big prompt when choosing the themes of your response before diving into the specifics of each individual question.

As we mentioned before, your essay can be more narrative and creative than you might be used to writing for other supplemental essays. Although these questions are specific (thus requiring facts backed up by research and straightforward language), the 500 word count allows you to get creative with anecdotes. You can choose one specific example to use throughout the essay, or choose something closer to the vignette structure, in which you share small snippets of multiple stories in order to hit home several distinct points.

It’s worth noting that the content in this essay might be similar to what you found yourself writing in the main, required essay that we discussed before. We urge you to avoid being too repetitive. Don’t waste your time repeating information that’s already covered elsewhere in your application. Try to find a new angle to discuss your academic interests and new examples to support them.

Where to Get Your University of Rochester Essays Edited for Free

Do you want feedback on your URochester essays? After rereading your essay countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. Since they don’t know you personally, other students can be a more objective judge of whether your personality shines through, and whether you’ve fully answered the prompt.

You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. We highly recommend giving this tool a try!

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