Smith College 2025-26 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Smith College 2025-26 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community

Smith has a unique housing system, where students of all class years live together in 41 different houses. With our Residential Curriculum, students will become critically aware global neighbors, exploring their self-identity by living in community, engaging in reflection and challenging their own beliefs.

What personal experiences, background or abilities would you bring to this residential environment to share with your neighbors and what would you hope your neighbors would share with you? (250 words)

Admissions wants to invite students to campus who are eager to meet new people, explore their identities, exchange ideas, and contribute to their inclusive community. To determine if you are a good fit, they want to hear a story about (1) what has shaped you and how those experiences will impact the way you interact with the Smith residential community and (2) what you hope to learn from your peers. Maybe you want to write about your experience moving around the country as a military kid and how attending a new school every couple of years forced you to step outside your comfort zone and make new friends, regardless of what region of the country you were in. How will you bring that same social fearlessness with you to Smith? Perhaps you hope your neighbors will introduce you to new ideas, worldviews, and TikTok dances. To ace this response, show admissions that you’re eager to not only make your mark in their diverse, inclusive community, but also grow and develop as a result of your time there.