Wellesley College 2025-26 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Wellesley College 2025-26 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 short essay of 250-400 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

Wellesley students actively seek ways to build bridges and to change the world for the better. Tell us about an experience working with and alongside people of different backgrounds and/or perspectives from your own. Why was this important to you, and what lessons from this will you bring with you to Wellesley?

Please limit your response to two thoughtful paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words).

It’s no surprise that Wellesley, like most institutions of higher education, wants to accept applicants who strive to learn, integrate, and grow through their studies and college experience. Can you think of an experience or lesson that has influenced who you are today? Start by thinking about experiences you’ve had with people who’ve introduced you to new ways of thinking or enlightenment. Odds are, that person’s lived experiences differ from your own, and your interaction is essay-worthy. A strong response will focus on the person you met, the bond you formed, the lesson you learned, and how you applied that takeaway to your life moving forward. What wisdom did you acquire that you’d like to share with other students at Wellesley? It’s important to show that you’re not only open to new ideas, but also able to think critically about them and evolve as you move through life, making specific reference to how these lessons will affect your engagement with the Wellesley community.