Fordham University 2026-27 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Fordham University 2026-27 Application Essay Explanations

The Requirements: One short essay of 300 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community, Why

You may choose to answer one (1) of the optional questions below. Keep in mind that your response is a maximum of 300 words. Choose the question that you think will help the admission committee get a better understanding of your unique perspective and potential contributions to our community.

Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?

This prompt is for all you applicants who are champing at the bit to study in New York City. (We at CEA totally get it—we live here!) In addition to offering your unique take on why an education in this “diverse and global city” is right for you, you’ll also want to make sure your response addresses what has prepared you to embrace this opportunity. How will living in New York affect you as a person? As a student? How will you grow? Your answer should be personal to you and, if possible, surprising. Remember that, while you have free rein to gush about how much you want to live in New York, a lot of your potential peers probably feel the same way. So, try not to focus on what you’d like to do or see. Instead, explain what your desire to move from your hometown to New York says about you and what has primed you to succeed in the city. Whether you’re trying to be courageous by leaving your small homogenous town with big dreams in tow or hoping to stay close to your family in Brooklyn, tell admissions a story that only you can tell. 

At Fordham, we have a tradition of having our graduating seniors send a message to their younger selves. What will the future “you” tell the “you” of today about what you accomplished as a Fordham student?

We at CEA love questions like this because they offer a creative way of looking ahead at the next four years. Essentially, this is a Why Essay: Fordham is asking you what courses, clubs, research, or other activities you plan to engage in as a student. The twist is that they’re asking you not to say what you hope to accomplish, but rather to envision what you will accomplish during your undergraduate experience. Just like with any Why Essay, you’ll need to spend some time researching Fordham’s offerings: What will you major in? Will you complete a capstone, research project, or final performance? What will your topic be? What clubs will you found, join, and lead? What study abroad experiences, internships, or summer courses will you pursue? What skills and knowledge will you gain? What friendships or connections will you foster? Spend some time thinking about what you plan to do after college so you can develop a strong picture of which of Fordham’s resources will get you there. Remember, specificity is key; what will you be able to accomplish at Fordham that you wouldn’t elsewhere? 

At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?). 

This prompt will likely stand out for those of you who have a background in or meaningful experience related to volunteer work or community service. This is your opportunity to tell admissions about a time when you gave back to your community or acted as an agent for positive change. Maybe you’ve volunteered at your local soup kitchen every other weekend since you were in middle school and developed a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by people experiencing homelessness or surviving on low wages. Perhaps you canvassed for political candidates whom you believe will generate positive change for generations to come, and the experience empowered you to get more involved in local politics. Whatever your example(s) may be, be sure to reflect on what the experience meant to you, whether that be acquiring a new perspective, feeling motivated, or developing a new skill. Bonus points if you can connect your past service to the work you want to do in the future, hopefully at Fordham!