The Hidden Essays That Could Make or Break Your Child’s College Application
(And Why Most Parents Don’t Know About Them Until It’s Almost Too Late)
As a parent, you’ve likely heard of the college personal statement—the infamous 650-word essay every senior must submit through the Common App or Coalition. What many families don’t realize is that this is often just the beginning.
For students applying to highly selective colleges, it’s common to write 10 to 25 additional essays called supplemental essays—each tailored to the unique requirements of a specific school.
And here's the kicker: colleges read these just as closely—sometimes more closely—than the personal statement.
If you’re a busy parent trying to support your child through the application process, understanding these “hidden” essays is critical. And having the right guidance can make all the difference.
What Are Supplemental Essays?
Supplemental essays are school-specific writing prompts that dive deeper into who your child is, how they think, and how they’d fit into the school community.
Common prompts include:
“Why do you want to attend our university?”
“Describe a challenge you’ve faced and how you handled it.”
“What academic area excites you and why?”
“What does community mean to you?”
Each college wants to see something different—and generic answers won’t cut it.
The Pitfall: Why Parents Often Underestimate Supplemental Essays
Let’s be honest: when your child adds 8–12 schools to their college list, it’s easy to assume the “hard part” is just the personal statement. But the real challenge often lies in managing:
✅ 10+ different writing styles
✅ 5–10 “Why Us?” essays that must be tailored to each school
✅ Word counts ranging from 50 to 650 words
✅ Deadlines that overlap, stress levels that spike, and energy that runs low
By the time most families realize how intensive this is, it’s already October—and panic sets in.
Why Supplemental Essays Matter So Much
For top schools like Brown, Rice, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Columbia, and many others, supplemental essays provide the admissions committee with:
A deeper look at your child’s character, values, and fit
Insight into what motivates them academically
Clues about whether your child is genuinely interested in their institution (not just “applying to apply”)
In other words, strong supplemental essays elevate a strong application—and weak ones can sink it.
How Our Personalized Support Makes a Difference
At Empti Nesti, we specialize in guiding high-achieving students through every phase of the application process—including crafting exceptional supplemental essays.
Here’s how we help:
✍️ Strategic Brainstorming
We help students connect their personal experiences with the college’s values—something most students can’t see on their own.
🧠 School-Specific Essay Coaching
“Why Tufts?” can’t sound the same as “Why Cornell?” We help students research and reflect with depth and precision.
📅 Timeline Management
We create a manageable schedule to prevent essay burnout. Students stay on track and stress-free.
🔁 Unlimited Draft Feedback
Unlike other services, we don’t limit the number of revisions. Our focus is on getting it right, not rushing through.