Lafayette College 2026-27 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Lafayette College 2026-27 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 short essay of 20-200 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

Why Lafayette? Students identify Lafayette as an excellent fit for countless reasons. In your response, be deliberate and specific about your motivation for applying to Lafayette. Why do you see yourself at Lafayette? (20-200 words)

This question from Lafayette is short, simple, and gives you the freedom to write about almost anything you want! Many schools will ask students for a Why Essay that touches on their academic goals or research pursuits, but not Lafayette. Because the question is so vague, you can thoughtfully craft a response that is specific to your hopes and dreams. Start by doing your research. What appeals to you about Lafayette? Is it the school’s commitment to fostering a welcoming community through 1,000 nights and rivalry week? Does the idea of Lafapalooza appeal to your love of volunteer work and future dreams of starting your own non-profit? Maybe Lafayette has a niche major that is only offered at select schools across the nation. Whatever your reasoning may be, make sure that by the end of your 200-word response, admissions knows that you are a serious applicant who has thought about his or her future. In the end, Lafayette wants to get to know more about you and what motivates you — and your essay will stand out from the pack if you can fill it with specific and meaningful details.