Pepperdine University 2025-26 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Pepperdine University 2025-26 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 300-500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community, Why

Pepperdine is a Christian university where all are welcomed and encouraged to challenge each other in the pursuit of truth. Students, faculty, and staff members from all backgrounds participate in conversations of faith inside and outside of the classroom. Considering that Pepperdine is a Christian university, why are you interested in attending and how would you contribute to conversations of faith on campus?

Given the faith-forward nature of this question and of the university website, we imagine that most of you folks reading this guide probably already have a few thoughts on this question. We’d be surprised if the religious affiliation didn’t factor into your decision to apply, but if you haven’t thought about it, now is your chance to reflect on what you’re looking for from this university, and what they will gain from having you on campus! Writing about faith is just as personal (if not more!) as any other topic you might cover on your college application, so don’t be afraid to dig deep. If you grew up in a traditional religious household, you probably have a treasure trove of experiences and stories to provide to admissions, but sometimes it’s hard to write about faith when it’s always been a given in your life. Whether your background is Christian, Hindu, or any other religion, can you think about why your faith has made you interested in attending Pepperdine? Maybe you’ve recently taken an interest in the lesser-known traditions of your faith and have adopted a practice of honoring elders by performing Bappa Jai Jai. Or, if religion wasn’t a huge part of your upbringing, what led you to take an interest in a Christian university? Perhaps you’ve more recently developed an interest in philosophy and ethics, and you think it would be valuable to study these topics in a religious context. Whether you consider yourself a religious person or not, faith is a central component of the Pepperdine education, and now is your chance to figure out how you’ll fit in. As a matter of fact, this is a Why essay mixed with a Community essay, so if you’re having trouble getting started, read through our general guides to kickstart your brainstorming!