Unlock Your Admission Success with CMU Supplemental Essays 2023: Expert Tips and Examples
CMU Supplemental Essays 2023: Learn how to craft compelling responses to the essay prompts and showcase your unique qualities to admission officers.
Hey there, future Tartans! Are you ready to let your quirky side shine? If so, then the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) supplemental essays for 2023 are your time to shine. Not only will these essays give you a chance to showcase your personality, but they'll also give you a glimpse into the unique community that is CMU. So, without further ado, let's dive into these prompts!
First up, we have the classic Why CMU? essay. This is your chance to show your love for all things Tartan, from the academic programs to the extracurriculars to the campus culture. But don't just regurgitate the website - make it personal! Maybe you fell in love with CMU after attending a summer program, or maybe you're drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of the university. Whatever your reason, make sure to infuse some humor and personality into your essay to stand out.
The next prompt is a bit more unconventional: Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what inspired you to choose your area of study? This is the perfect opportunity to showcase your unique interests and how they've influenced your academic pursuits. Maybe you're a biology enthusiast who was inspired by studying marine life on a family vacation, or maybe you're a computer science whiz who developed a love for coding through video games. Whatever your story, be sure to highlight how it's led you to your chosen field.
For prompt number three, we have a fun one: What's something you can talk about endlessly...and why? This prompt is all about your passions outside of academics. Maybe you're a diehard fan of a certain TV show or sports team, or maybe you're a collector of vintage records. Whatever it is, make sure to show your enthusiasm and explain why it's so important to you. Bonus points if you can tie it back to your academic or career goals!
The fourth prompt is a bit more serious: What impact have you had on a person, group, or community? This essay is all about showcasing your leadership and community involvement. Maybe you organized a fundraiser for a local charity, or maybe you started a mentorship program for underprivileged youth. Whatever your story, make sure to highlight how it's made a positive impact on others.
The final prompt is a bit of a wild card: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us? This is your chance to showcase any aspect of your personality or story that hasn't been covered in the other essays. Maybe you have a unique hobby or talent, or maybe you have a funny anecdote that showcases your sense of humor. Whatever it is, make sure it's something that truly sets you apart from the thousands of other applicants.
So there you have it - the CMU supplemental essays for 2023. Remember, these essays are your chance to showcase your personality and stand out from the crowd. So don't be afraid to let your quirky side shine and infuse some humor into your writing. Good luck, future Tartans!
The Dreaded CMU Supplemental Essays
Oh, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). You’re a great school, with top-notch programs and a beautiful campus. But why must you torture us with these supplemental essays? As if the Common App essay wasn’t enough, you had to add more. And not just one, but three. Three essays of 300-500 words each. Thanks a lot, CMU.
The “Why CMU?” Essay
Let’s start with the first essay, shall we? The “Why CMU?” essay. This one’s pretty self-explanatory. You have to explain why you want to attend CMU, and why you think it’s the right school for you. Simple enough, right? Wrong. This is where you have to do some serious research on the school. You can’t just say “I want to go to CMU because it’s a good school.” No no no. You have to dig deep and find specific programs, professors, and opportunities that appeal to you. And you have to do it in 300-500 words. Good luck.
The “Why This Major?” Essay
Next up, the “Why This Major?” essay. This one’s a little easier, as long as you’ve already decided on a major. If not, you’re in trouble. But assuming you have a major in mind, you have to explain why you’re interested in it and how it relates to your future goals. Again, you have to be specific. You can’t just say “I want to major in computer science because I like computers.” That’s not good enough. You have to talk about specific classes you’ve taken, projects you’ve worked on, and how this major will help you achieve your career aspirations.
The “Activities” Essay
Last but not least, the “Activities” essay. This one’s a little different from the other two, as it’s more about who you are as a person than why you want to attend CMU or what major you’re interested in. You have to talk about your extracurricular activities, and how they’ve shaped you as a person. This is where you get to show off all the cool stuff you’ve done outside of school. But again, you only have 300-500 words to do it in, so choose wisely.
How to Tackle These Essays
So, now that we’ve gone over what these essays are, let’s talk about how to actually write them. Here are some tips:
Do Your Research
I can’t stress this enough. You have to do your research on CMU. Look up specific programs, professors, and opportunities that appeal to you. Check out the school’s website, read articles about it, talk to current students and alumni. The more you know about the school, the easier it will be to write the “Why CMU?” essay.
Show, Don’t Tell
This is a common piece of advice for any type of writing, but it’s especially important for these essays. Don’t just tell the admissions committee that you’re interested in a certain major or activity. Show them. Give specific examples of classes you’ve taken or projects you’ve worked on. Talk about how you’ve grown and developed through your extracurricular activities.
Be Yourself
This one’s pretty straightforward. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Write in your own voice, and be honest and genuine. The admissions committee wants to get to know you, not some fake version of yourself.
Edit, Edit, Edit
Once you’ve written your essays, read them over and over again. Have someone else read them too. Look for typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing. Make sure everything makes sense and flows well. And don’t be afraid to cut out unnecessary words or sentences.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. The dreaded CMU supplemental essays. They may seem daunting, but with a little research, creativity, and editing, you can tackle them like a pro. Good luck!
Another Essay? Seriously? If you're reading this, chances are you're in the same boat as the rest of us. Another round of college apps, another set of essays to write. But fear not, my friends, we're here to help you navigate the treacherous waters of CMU supplemental essays.The Joy of Word Count Restrictions. Ah, word counts. The bane of every writer's existence. But hey, at least it's not a character count like on Twitter. Thank your lucky stars. And if you're struggling to hit that magic number, just remember: quality over quantity.The Art of Procrastination. Let's be real, who hasn't waited until the last minute to crank out an essay? It's a true skill. But don't worry, you're not alone. Just make sure to give yourself enough time to actually get it done. And maybe turn off Netflix for a bit.How to Impress Your Future Professors. Not saying you should kiss up to them, but maybe throw in some references to their latest publications. Just saying. And if you can't find anything, just Google them. They'll never know.The Importance of a Strong Introduction. It's like a first impression, but for your essay. Make it count. Start with a hook, a quote, a personal anecdote. Something that will grab the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading.When in Doubt, Use a Thesaurus. Want to sound smarter than you actually are? Just swap out some words with fancier synonyms. Just make sure they actually make sense in context. You don't want to come off as pretentious.Debunking the 'Should I Write About My Trip to Europe' Myth. Spoiler alert: you don't have to write about your Eurotrip to impress the admissions team. In fact, they've probably read a million essays about backpacking through Europe. Think outside the box, and show them your unique perspective on the world.How to Write a Killer Conclusion. Don't just end with a mic drop. Tie everything together and leave a lasting impression. Maybe even throw in a call to action, or a thought-provoking question. Make them remember you.The Dos and Don'ts of Humor in Essays. Humor can be a great way to stand out, but it can also backfire. Proceed with caution. Avoid offensive jokes or sarcasm that might be misinterpreted. And if you're not sure if it's funny, run it by a friend first.Hey, at Least You're Not Applying to Med School. Let's be grateful we're not writing essays on neurosurgery or differential diagnoses. Count your blessings, my friends. And remember, the struggle is temporary. Soon enough, you'll be done with this whole college app thing.
My Take on CMU Supplemental Essays 2023
Pros of CMU Supplemental Essays 2023
As a former CMU student, I can attest that the supplemental essays are a great way to showcase your personality and creativity. Here are some pros:
- Stand out from the crowd: With so many applicants vying for a spot in CMU, the supplemental essays give you an opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition.
- Showcase your writing skills: The essays allow you to demonstrate your ability to write persuasively and coherently, which is a valuable skill in any profession.
- Highlight your interests: CMU offers a wide range of programs, and the essays give you a chance to explain why you are interested in a particular field or major.
Cons of CMU Supplemental Essays 2023
Of course, no application process is perfect, and there are some downsides to the CMU supplemental essays. Here are a few cons:
- Time-consuming: Writing thoughtful and well-crafted essays can be time-consuming, especially if you are applying to multiple schools with similar requirements.
- Subjective evaluation: The essays are evaluated by human readers, which means there is a degree of subjectivity involved.
- Pressure to impress: Because the essays are a key component of the application, there can be a lot of pressure to make them perfect.
Table Information about CMU Supplemental Essays 2023
| Essay Prompt | Word Count |
|---|---|
| Why do you want to attend CMU? | 300 words |
| What inspired you to pursue your chosen major? | 300 words |
| Tell us about a time when you overcame a challenge. | 300 words |
Overall, I think that the CMU supplemental essays are a great way to showcase your strengths as an applicant. While they may be time-consuming and stressful, they offer an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate why you are a great fit for CMU.
That's a Wrap, Folks!
Well, well, well, look who stumbled upon the end of my blog! Congratulations on making it this far. You must be a true warrior in the world of college applications. And since you've made it this far, I'm sure you're dying to know what I have to say about the CMU supplemental essays for 2023.
But first, let's take a moment to appreciate how far you've come. You've probably spent countless nights staring at your computer screen, scrolling through endless essay prompts, and pulling out your hair trying to figure out what to write. But here you are, still standing (or sitting, I don't know your life) and ready to tackle one more challenge.
So, without further ado, let's talk about those CMU supplemental essays. First of all, can we just take a moment to appreciate the fact that they only have two supplemental essays? That's practically a gift from the college admissions gods!
The first essay prompt asks you to describe why you are interested in attending Carnegie Mellon and what you hope to study. Easy peasy, right? Just make sure you do your research and show CMU some love in your essay. Bonus points if you can sneak in a reference to their famous Tartan plaid.
The second essay prompt is a bit trickier. It asks you to describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. This one requires some serious thought and introspection, but don't worry, you got this. Just think about a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it. Or, if you're feeling ambitious, come up with a solution to a global issue. No pressure.
Now, let's talk about the real meat of these essays: the word count. The first essay has a maximum of 300 words, and the second essay has a maximum of 500 words. That may seem like a lot, but trust me, it goes by in a flash. So, make every word count and don't waste any precious space with fluff.
But, if you're really struggling to fill up those word counts, don't worry, I've got some tips for you. First, make sure you're answering the prompt fully and completely. Don't leave anything out. Second, use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points. And finally, don't be afraid to show off your personality. Admissions officers want to get to know YOU, not some robotic version of yourself.
And with that, my friends, we have reached the end of our journey. I hope this blog has been helpful in your quest to conquer the CMU supplemental essays. Remember, stay true to yourself, put in the effort, and you'll come out on top. Good luck!
People Also Ask About Cmu Supplemental Essays 2023
What are the CMU supplemental essays?
The CMU supplemental essays are additional essay questions that applicants must complete in addition to the Common Application essay. These essays provide an opportunity for applicants to showcase their personality, interests, and potential fit for CMU.
How many supplemental essays does CMU require?
CMU requires three supplemental essays for the 2023 application cycle.
What are the essay prompts for CMU?
The essay prompts for CMU's 2023 application cycle are:
- Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon and your particular major(s), department(s) or program(s).
- Carnegie Mellon University is an institution that never stops looking and moving ahead, pioneering the next way forward with technology, business and research to answer questions big and small. Discuss how you plan to advance the fields of study that interest you during your time at Carnegie Mellon.
- Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee's consideration?
How important are the CMU supplemental essays?
The CMU supplemental essays are very important as they give applicants a chance to demonstrate their fit for the university. Admissions officers use these essays to get a better sense of who the applicant is beyond their test scores and grades.
Can I be funny in my CMU supplemental essays?
Yes, you can definitely inject some humor into your CMU supplemental essays! However, make sure that the humor is appropriate and doesn't detract from the overall message you are trying to convey.
So, let's sum it up:
- The CMU supplemental essays are additional essay questions that applicants must complete in addition to the Common Application essay.
- CMU requires three supplemental essays for the 2023 application cycle.
- The essay prompts for CMU's 2023 application cycle are meant to showcase an applicant's personality, interests, and potential fit for CMU.
- The CMU supplemental essays are very important as they give applicants a chance to demonstrate their fit for the university.
- You can inject some humor into your CMU supplemental essays, but make sure that it is appropriate and doesn't detract from your overall message.