georgia college supplemental essay examples

How to Write the University of Georgia Supplemental Essay 2024–2025

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The University of Georgia , located in the city of Athens, is a highly ranked public research institution. Committed to student well-being , perhaps it’s no surprise that Bulldog football fans are among the happiest and Athens, GA is considered one of the best college towns. According to their website , the University of Georgia’s accomplished alumni include “lauded scientists and researchers; countless entrepreneurs; Academy Award winners; U.S. senators; nine Pulitzer Prize recipients; and 26 governors of Georgia.” If you’re hoping to be lucky enough to become a Bulldog, you’ll need to nail the University of Georgia supplemental essay. Let’s dive in.

University of Georgia’s 2024-2025 Prompt

The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report). (200-350 words), we’ll review your essay.

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General Tips

Let’s talk about two common grammatical mistakes students make in their college essays. Note that these are grammar rules applicable to Standard American English. Even if you’re not American, the University of Georgia is in the U.S., so it’s in your best interest to stick to these rules.

Avoid the comma splice.

The comma splice crops up in essays of all kinds, by all kinds of writers. In some circumstances, it can be considered stylistic, even though it’s grammatically incorrect, though most of the time it should be avoided. But what is a comma splice? A comma splice is when you use a comma to connect two independent clauses. Unfortunately, a comma alone is not allowed to connect two independent clauses. Note that an independent clause is a group of words that express a grammatically complete thought.

Here are some examples of comma splices and ways they could be corrected:

• Incorrect: I read this book in 8th grade, it changed my life.
• Correct: I read this book in 8th grade, and it changed my life.
• Incorrect: My 8th grade English teacher assigned it for summer reading, I forgot to read it until August.
• Correct: My 8th grade English teacher assigned it for summer reading; I forgot to read it until August.
• Incorrect: Although I had read it before, I never understood it until that summer, that was the summer I fell in love.
• Correct: Although I had read it before, I never understood it until that summer—that was the summer I fell in love.
• Incorrect: I reached the last page in tears, I wondered how I had never understood this before.
• Correct: I reached the last page in tears. I wondered how I had never understood this before.

Know how to use punctuation in quotes.

Because this particular essay question asks you to write about a book you have read, you may find yourself using quotes. If not, it’s not unlikely there’s some dialogue in your Common App essay. If so, you’ll need to understand how to use punctuation when you’re quoting something or someone. Here are the rules:

• Example: I shouted, “Look over here, Dad!”
• Example: The first line of the book is, “Call me Ishmael.”
• Example: Did he just say “fire”?
• Example: The last thing I wanted to hear was a “no”!
• Example: “I don’t know you anymore,” she whispered.
• Example: “Where are you going?” they asked.
• Example: “I have good news,” the doctor began, “but I still want you to sit down.”
• Example: “I think,” I said slowly, “that we’re lost.”

Still have questions? Check out our College Essay Review service, and we’ll be sure to identify any and all grammar issues you may have.

University of Georgia Short Essay Question

The University of Georgia supplemental essay prompt is unique in that it asks applicants to write about books read in the 8th or 9th grade approximate timeframe. In contrast, most college essays either ask you to write about a certain experience with no prescribed timeframe, or they restrict students’ responses to their most recent two years of high school. Nevertheless, the University of Georgia seeks to understand who you were and what impacted you just a little earlier. Here’s some more information their admissions team provides:

“We are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. Feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years.”

Based on this information, it seems that the key is that your essay focuses on the transition from middle to high school . In addition, you need to address this time period through the lens of a book you read during this time. This book can be any genre, but it should have had a significant impact on you. This should be a book you still think about to this day. It should also be a book that you have read in its entirety. Note that whether or not you read this book for school is not relevant to this essay.

Moreover, because you did not read this book recently, you may want to revisit it before you begin to write this essay. That way, you can provide specific details about the book and why it impacted you. You can include quotes (as long as they are enclosed in question marks), but spend no more than 2-3 sentences summarizing the book to provide context if necessary. If this book is very well-known (for instance: the Bible, a book from the Harry Potter series, The Great Gatsby ), then you need not summarize it.

Focus on providing reasons for why this book impacted you. What are the themes and messages that have changed your behavior or mindset? How has the book influenced the way you write or communicate? What were the lessons you learned? If you can answer a few of these questions in your essay with clarity and specific details, then you’ll do well.

If you need help polishing up your University of Georgia supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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UGA Supplemental Essay 2024-25 – Prompt and Advice

June 18, 2024

Over 43,000 students from around the world applied for a place in the UGA Class of 2028 . Further, the EA round in the 2023-24 cycle broke the previous year’s all-time high mark. This means that the UGA supplemental essay may be even more important in 2024-25 than in previous years.

Last year, the average incoming freshman took between 8-13 AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses in high school. The average student also earned a weighted GPA above a 4.0. Moreover, the SAT range for admitted freshmen was 1280-1470. The purpose of this information isn’t to engender fear in the hearts of Bulldog hopefuls; rather, we want to make sure that you take the task of presenting yourself in the best possible light very seriously.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Georgia? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Georgia: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Although it only has one general essay prompt (same as last year’s), UGA’s supplemental section still affords applicants an opportunity to illustrate what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below is the University of Georgia’s supplemental prompt for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing an effective essay.

2024-2025 University of Georgia Essay Question

“The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report).”

FYI – We are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. Feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years.

(200-300 Words)

UGA Supplemental Essays 2024-25 (Continued)

This isn’t your average supplemental essay so make sure you don’t produce an average response. The highly personal nature of this prompt gives you the chance to make a strong impression on a UGA admissions officer. Since you won’t have a chance to interview at this large flagship school, this essay (as well as the main Common App essay) is one of the best chances you’ll have to forge an intimate connection with a member of the admissions committee.

You may have to dig back into your childhood bookshelves for this one. If you are having trouble, referring to the following lists may jog your memory:

Common Middle School-Assigned Texts

• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Roll of Thunder , Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
• The entire Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• The Call of the Wild by Jack London
• The Pigman by Paul Zindel
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Common 10th-Grade Assigned Texts

• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• Hiroshima by John Hersey
• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
• The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Walden by Henry David Thoreau
• Black Boy by Richard Wright

Of course, the book you pick may not have been assigned by a teacher, Additionally, note that the instructions give you the right to move back into 7th grade or forward into 10th grade if you wish. Remember, it can be a fiction or non-fiction text.

Big-picture thoughts on the “middle school book” essay

With a 300-word limit, you have a substantial amount of real estate to play around with here. There is enough space in which to tell a fairly substantial and detailed story. Still, in all likelihood, getting this one precisely right will involve a round or two of revision, ideally with some insight and feedback from a trusted adult or peer in the process. Some tips to keep in mind include:

• Don’t feel boxed into one particular structure for this essay. You could tell a story in multiple acts or present a slice-of-life vignette that took place in a single afternoon.
• You can use this opportunity to reveal something deep and meaningful about your personality/character.
• Make sure the content of this essay doesn’t overlap with your Common App essay. Always remember that an actual human being is going to be reading both documents; they don’t want to read two similar accounts of the same event.

How important is the UGA supplemental essay?

The essays (both the Common App essay and the supplemental one) are “considered” by the UGA admissions committee. This places them on the same tier of importance as recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, first-generation status, volunteer work, and work experience.

At UGA, three factors are “most important” in the admissions process. Those are: rigor of your coursework, GPA, and standardized test scores. However, application components like the supplemental essay can serve as a critical tie-breaker between similarly credentialed applicants.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance with your UGA Supplemental Essay?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UGA supplemental essay, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

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The Ultimate Guide to the University of Georgia's Supplemental Essays

Applying to the University of Georgia (UGA)? You're on the right path! UGA's beautiful campus, renowned academic programs, and spirit of community make it a top choice for many students. The college application process often comes with writing supplemental essays, and UGA is no exception. This blog post aims to guide you on how to best approach these UGA supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

UGA Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.

Approach: This prompt invites you to share a unique aspect of your high school life. It could be an anecdote about a memorable event, a surprising hobby, or an unusual skill you have. Keep the tone light and enjoyable to read. Show your personality through this essay; let your sense of humor or interesting perspective shine!

During my sophomore year of high school, I decided to try out for the school's ultimate frisbee team, despite never having touched a frisbee before. In my first practice, my throws looked more like lopsided boomerangs than smooth, flat discs. At the team’s first game, I was given the task of throwing the first "pull," the ultimate frisbee equivalent of a kickoff. My nerves took over, and instead of the frisbee soaring downfield, it flew straight up and then veered right, landing in the nearby tennis court. This sparked a roaring laughter from both teams, and even the referee couldn’t contain his chuckles. I was mortified but joined the laughter because of the absurdity of the situation. That moment of shared laughter taught me the value of not taking myself too seriously and helped me bond with my teammates. By the end of the season, my throws had improved, and while I'll never be an ultimate frisbee champion, I'll always be the champion of good humor on the team.

UGA Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

The University of Georgia community creates, contributes, and applies knowledge in many ways. Describe an example of your leadership and the impact it had on others.

Approach: Here, UGA wants to understand how you lead and contribute to a community. Reflect on moments when you stepped up to take charge—maybe in an academic setting, a club, a sports team, or volunteering. How did your leadership make a difference? Remember, leadership isn't just about being the president of a club. You could have demonstrated leadership through initiative, teamwork, or problem-solving.

In my junior year, I served as the project manager for our school's Robotics Club. Our team was tasked with designing a robot for a local competition, but we hit a snag when our design kept failing during tests. As project manager, I decided to take a new approach. I organized a brainstorming session, where everyone, including the newest members, was encouraged to propose solutions. One of the freshman members suggested a minor adjustment to the weight distribution, which many had overlooked. His solution turned out to be the key to fixing our design! By fostering an environment where every voice was valued, we not only built a successful robot but also strengthened our team cohesion.

UGA Supplemental Essay Prompt #3 (Optional)

In our diverse and interdependent world, please tell us about an experience that demonstrated or gave you the opportunity to understand the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Approach: UGA values diversity and inclusion, and this prompt asks you to share an experience where you came to understand its significance. It could be a personal encounter, an event, or a revelation from a book or film. The key is to convey your ability to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences and to contribute to an inclusive campus culture.

In high school, I volunteered for a local organization that supports refugee resettlement. One of my primary tasks involved tutoring a young girl from Syria. The language barrier and cultural differences made the task challenging at first, but I gradually found ways to connect with her through visuals, storytelling, and games. The experience showed me the value of patience, empathy, and open-mindedness in understanding and appreciating the diverse backgrounds and experiences of others. It also reinforced the importance of equity in access to education, regardless of one's origins.

UGA Supplemental Essay Short Answer Question

UGA’s 2023 First-Year Odyssey Program offers more than 300 seminar courses for new students. Which do you find most appealing and why?

Approach: Research is key here. Explore the First-Year Odyssey program, select a seminar that genuinely interests you, and articulate why. Link it back to your academic interests, career goals, or intellectual curiosity.

Sure, let's dive into example responses for each of the University of Georgia supplemental essays.

UGA Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

I find "Unleashing Creativity Through Visual Storytelling" particularly appealing among UGA's First-Year Odyssey seminars. As a budding filmmaker, this course aligns with my passion for storytelling and my desire to delve deeper into the techniques of visual narration. The opportunity to analyze the work of acclaimed filmmakers and apply those insights to a project of my own is thrilling. Moreover, it would be invaluable in preparing me for my intended major in Film Studies.

Remember, your essays are a chance to showcase your personality, experiences, values, and goals. Be authentic, thoughtful, and concise. Tailor your responses to UGA, showing why you're a good fit for their community.

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 UGA Supplemental Essays

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Many supplemental essay questions touch on common themes, such as your academic interests or what communities you belong to. The UGA supplemental essay, however, is a different story. The University of Georgia asks students to share a memorable middle school book and the impact it made on them.  Let’s explore this thoughtful prompt and how to craft an excellent response. 

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

“The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report).”

• FYI – We are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. Feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years.

Ok, let’s take a look at how to show a bit about who you are through a particular book. First, think back to your time transitioning from middle school to high school. Remember, you do not need to be a profound reader to answer this question! Just think of any book that has importance to you specifically. 

To begin, you need to choose a book! Here is a list of some common books you may want to choose. Remember, though, that your selected book must have significance to you first and foremost.

• Bridge to Terabithia

Try to avoid extremely popular books such as the Harry Potter series, because it is likely that a ton of students will write about it in their responses. So, try to pick a unique book that has significant meaning to you during your transition from middle school to high school. 

Next, discuss what this book means to you and what impact it has had on your life! This can range from practical to vulnerable implications. For example, perhaps reading To Kill a Mockingbird has granted you a bigger idea of the injustices found in the world and has led you to join some advocacy groups or create a club at your high school. Another example could be how reading the Percy Jackson series has caused you to appreciate viewing things in your life through a child-like lens by using more imagination in your everyday life. 

No matter how big or small the book’s impact was on you, write about it. Discuss themes found in the book, compare and contrast a character to your own life, and truly analyze the book. However, be sure to not make it sound like you are simply writing a book report. Rather, reflect on your own personal experiences and life in relation to the book. 

Also see: Top 10 books to read before college

Questions to consider: 

• What lessons or big takeaways did you get from reading the book you selected?
• Why did you choose to read this book during that transition period in your life? 
• Did this book challenge any preconceived notions you had? 

Also see: What looks good on college applications?

Tips for responding to this prompt

• Prove how the book has changed your perspective
• Make it personal! 
• Be sure to detail your book’s personal impact on you 
• Show how your takeaways from the book still reign true today 

Additional resources

As you’re working on college applications, we’re sure that you’ve juggling a lot of tasks at once. There are many decisions to be made and things to accomplish. Luckily, we can help. Check out our guide on how many colleges to apply to , how to find safety, reach, and match schools , and how to get a college application fee waiver . We can also help you fill out your Common App Activities and Additional Information sections to ensure that you present every aspect of your application as best you can. Finally, check out our insider’s perspective of what happens inside a college admissions office to get an idea of how your application will be reviewed. Good luck!

Other colleges to consider

• Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)
• Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

Next steps for students

We hope you feel ready to rock the UGA supplemental essays after reading our guide. By now, you should have all the tools to take a successful trip down high school memory lane. Have fun with this prompt and your sincerity will be evident! Make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for too!

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Frequently asked questions about the UGA essay

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2023 Application Essays

  david graves        june 3rd, 2022 in blog.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
• The shorter essay prompt will continue to be the following – “The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.”

As I have done in the past, I am including an essay from an enrolling student for Fall 2022 that our office believes is an extremely strong writing sample. Why is this essay strong? It is personal, it gives details and emotions, and it gives insight into the person. It also well written, shows that the student is able to stretch out beyond her comfort zone, and that she is not afraid to grow and learn. And lastly, I now know a great deal more about the student. When you write your essays, let us know more about you and less about the event (The Rocky Horror Picture Show in this case), as it lets us better understand you as an individual.

I am a very basic person, at least when it comes to my personal appearance. If you run across me any day of the week you’ll find I’m usually in a t-shirt, leggings, and some sneakers. That wasn’t the case one Friday night last fall. My outfit consisted of fishnet stockings and Doc Martens, a t-shirt so big I wore it as a dress, a comically large pearl necklace, and bright pink rubber gloves that went up to my elbows. I was way out of my fashion comfort zone.

My friend Emma had convinced me to go see a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with her, and I decided to defy my usual caution and go all in on the experience. I listened to the movie soundtrack beforehand and spent weeks planning my costume: a toned-down version of Dr. Frank N. Furter.

Emma is my opposite in many ways. She loves horror movies and classic rock, wears all black, and chops off her hair every couple of weeks. Where I’m socially anxious and worried about how others might perceive me, she is bold and unforgiving and a fierce protector of her family and friends. We all need friends like Emma who can challenge our assumptions and help us overcome our fears. And who spark us to create some great memories.

The screening was being held at Ciné, a local Athens art house theater, and there were butterflies in my stomach at the thought of venturing downtown in my get-up. As Emma and I walked into the theater, no one spared us a second glance. But we were clearly the coolest kids in attendance. Well, we were the only “kids” in attendance, the only high schoolers there in an audience made up mostly of people who looked well over thirty. Nevertheless, we danced in the aisle, shouted at the screen and had a blast. I’m saving that costume and will be ready to do the “Time Warp” again and again.  – Ella J.

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4 Tips for Writing Stellar UGA Essays

College Info , College Essays

The University of Georgia is an excellent public school ranked in the top 50 universities nationwide . If you're applying here, you'll need to submit two amazing essays. So what are the UGA essay prompts? And how can you ensure your UGA essays will make you stand out?

In this in-depth guide, we give you all the current UGA essay prompts and tips for choosing and approaching the best prompt for you. We also look at an actual UGA application essay example to give you an idea of what your own essay can and should look like.

Feature Image: Boston Public Library /Flickr

What Are the UGA Essay Prompts?

The UGA application, which you can submit via the Common Application or the Coalition Application , requires all first-year applicants to submit two essays.

The first essay is the personal essay that's part of the Common App or Coalition App. You can find a list of the Common App prompts and how to answer them here (and you can find the same information for the Coalition App here) .

The second essay you'll submit is unique to the University of Georgia application. The first UGA essay must answer the following prompt:

The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.

This essay prompt is pretty different from what you'd expect in a college application; it offers you many possibilities, both content-wise and stylistically. But don't worry: we're going to break it down for you below!

How to Write the UGA Supplement Essay

All applicants must respond to this prompt in 200-350 words. Here it is again for reference:

As noted above, this prompt isn't like most other college essay prompts in that instead of asking about your academic goals, skills, or accomplishments, it's trying to loosen you up by having you write about something fun and unique in your life.

In other words, UGA wants to tease out your less serious, less academic side to get a better sense of who you are as a person and not just as a student. Specifically, they want to know what holds meaning in your life and what kind of experience you think is worthy enough to share with the admissions committee.

Therefore, your first UGA essay must accomplish the following:

• Should be different from what you've talked about elsewhere on your application
• Should highlight your sincerity and personality
• Should reveal something important about who you are and/or what you value
• Should NOT be too serious—remember that UGA wants an "amusing" story!

Some of these qualities might go against everything you thought you knew about college essays, but it's important here to really try to be sincere, write with an authentic voice, and not shy away from showcasing your more irreverent side.

Here are some examples of possible topics you could write about:

• A time you made a faux pas or silly mistake (in or outside of school), how others reacted, and what you did to remedy the situation and/or learn from it
• A funny misunderstanding you had with someone, such as a teacher, friend, or parent, and what this experience taught you about the importance of clear communication
• Something amusing or thought-provoking you watched, listened to, read, or did, and why you found this particular thing so fascinating (this shouldn't be any old movie or book but something a little more unique)
• A unique hobby or interest you have, how you developed it, and why it's important to you

As you can see, you have a lot of options for what you can write about for this UGA essay. That said, make sure to avoid the following topics:

• Politics, religion, or any other overly serious or potentially controversial topic
• Death, illness, or any other grave event or moment from your life
• Something everyone has experienced or heard of—your topic should be unique to you
• Anything you've already mentioned in a different section of your application
• Stories about bodily functions (UGA specifically mentioned getting too many of these stories, so have some pity on them and choose a different topic!)

A Real UGA Application Essay Example + Analysis

Below is an actual UGA application essay example written by an admitted applicant named Micaela B. This essay, which is a response to an older prompt (" Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it" ), was taken from the UGA undergraduate admissions website where it was used as "an example of what we [UGA] consider a strong essay."

Here is the essay, at just around 300 words long (the word limit):

It's unassuming, the tiled top square table with mismatched chairs, its lacquer wearing thin from dishes being passed back and forth, room for four but always crowded by eleven. It may be unassuming but its power is undeniable.

As I grew older, the after-dinner conversations grew more intriguing to me. I began to stay and listen, to the politics I didn't understand and the adult gossip I shouldn't have been privy to. The dynamic of the debate shifted almost every time the topic changed, but the one thing that was consistent was that after all the plates were cleared and the chairs were pushed back in, everyone came together for dessert; pizzelles and biscotti. No afterthoughts, no bitterness.

I admire my family's ability to embrace each other for their differences, instead of letting it break us apart. There was no greater example of the lesson in acceptance than when my family learned of the change in sexuality of one of our relatives. After the dissolution of a marriage and a traditional family, the initial resentment towards her for the challenge to our family values was difficult to digest, yet unavoidable. It was the first dispute that ever brought tears to that weathered table with the peeling laquer. Instead of allowing differing lifestyles to drive a wedge between us, our family challenged each other's misconceptions, we discussed, we cried and we accepted.

Being raised in such a racially, economically and religiously diverse community, I am lucky to have developed the skill set to empathize with the people around me and understand that not everyone thinks the same way. In fact life would be pretty boring if everyone acted in uniformity; in a more harmonious world, everyone should be able to voice their opinions and speak their minds, and still come together for dessert.

Here's what makes this UGA essay work:

• It opens with a captivating description: This essay, especially the first two paragraphs, is undeniably attention-grabbing. The vivid image of the "tiled top square table" and how it is "always crowded by eleven" thrusts us directly into Micaela's boisterous life, making us feel as though we're sitting right there beside her and her family.
• It's tightly focused and easy to follow: From the beginning, we can tell that the crux of this essay is family, specifically the challenges that come with being a member of a large, diverse group. The story here really begins to open up by the third paragraph, where Micaela relates a surprising event—the "change" in a relative's sexuality—and shows how her family learned a valuable lesson in acceptance as a result.
• It's got a positive spin: Even though the essay discusses the challenges for a family to come together, it ultimately ends on a high note. This reveals to us a lot about Micaela's character, especially her commitment to harmony and her open-mindedness toward others.

4 Essential Tips for Your UGA Essays

Now, it's time to wrap up with some final helpful tips for your UGA essays.

#1: Be as Specific as Possible

Specificity is key to producing an effective and compelling college essay. In both your UGA essays, make sure you're being as specific as you can be: use real names of people or places, describe the emotions you felt at the time, and tell us what was said, both by whom and to whom.

Details are what will ultimately make the UGA admissions committee be able to more easily relate to your experiences, passions, and point of view. So don't forget to include them!

#2: Use an Authentic Voice

The essays are the time for your personality to shine, so don't hold back— use your natural voice to tell your story. It's OK to tell some jokes or emphasize your love of flowery language with a few poetic metaphors, for example.

That said, essays don't give you free rein to be impolite or to completely break the conventions of English grammar, so know what your limits are as you write.

#3: Write Concisely

You only have up to 350 words for the supplemental UGA essay, so it's important to focus on being concise. If one of your rough drafts exceeds the word limit by a lot, you can try to trim it down by deleting any irrelevant or wordy passages.

#4: Remember to Edit and Proofread

Finally, don't forget to edit and proofread your UGA essays! As you edit, spend time looking for the following:

• Irrelevant passages, phrases, and/or sentences
• Redundant words, phrases, and/or descriptions
• Awkward-sounding or misplaced phrases/passages
• Errors in spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation

Once you've done your own edit of your UGA essays, give them to someone to look over, such as a teacher, parent, or older sibling. Ask this person to proofread the essays and to offer you any advice they might have on how you can improve them in terms of organization, examples or details, word choice, etc.

What's Next?

Applying to other colleges in the eastern United States? Then check out our in-depth guides for tips on how to write the Georgia Tech essays , the Duke essays , and the Johns Hopkins essay .

Lots of colleges use the Common App and require an essay submitted through this system. Read our guide to learn all about the Common App essay prompts and how you can ensure your essay will impress admissions committees.

Still want to know more about UGA? Take a look at our UGA admissions requirements page to get info on the GPA and test scores needed to secure admission to this popular school.

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Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, advice for georgia supplemental essays.

Hi everyone! I'm applying to colleges in Georgia and was wondering if anyone has any tips on writing the supplemental essays. Are there common prompts for Georgia schools or any specific approaches I should take? Appreciate any help!

Hello! It's great to know you're applying to colleges in Georgia. While each college within Georgia may have specific prompts for their supplemental essays, there are some general tips and guidelines you can follow to make your essays stand out.

1. Research the schools: Understand the core values, programs, and opportunities that each college offers. Incorporate this knowledge in your essays to show that you are a good fit for the institution and that you have done your research. For example, if a school is well-known for its engineering program, you can mention how you're excited to be a part of their strong engineering community and take part in their specific hands-on projects.

2. Be specific: Avoid generic or cliché statements in your essays. Instead, provide specific examples, anecdotes, or experiences that help convey your unique perspective and showcase your personality. This will make your essays more engaging and memorable for the admissions committee.

3. Tailor your essays: Even though some essay prompts may be similar across different schools, it's important to tailor your essays for each specific college. Mention faculty members or programs you'd like to work with, resources you'll take advantage of (e.g., research facilities, clubs, or internships), or campus traditions you admire. By creating targeted essays, you demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of the particular institution.

4. Be authentic: Ensure that your essays remain true to who you are. Avoid trying to present yourself as someone you're not or exaggerating your achievements. Honesty and authenticity are highly valued in the admissions process, and showing your true self can ultimately make you stand out.

5. Proofread and revise: It's crucial to ensure that your essays are free of grammar and spelling errors, and that they maintain a strong narrative flow. Be sure to allow ample time for revisions and don't hesitate to ask for feedback from teachers, parents, or friends who can provide fresh perspectives on your essays.

6. Connect your past and future: A common approach in writing supplemental essays is to connect your past experiences and achievements to the opportunities offered by the college. Highlighting this connection can help showcase your preparedness and enthusiasm for the specific college, as well as your potential to thrive in and contribute to the campus community.

Remember that the primary goal of these essays is to highlight your unique qualities and fit for the school. If you follow these tips and convey your genuine interest in attending a Georgia college, you'll be on the right path to crafting strong, effective essays. Good luck with your applications!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Georgia Tech 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Oct 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 6

Georgia Tech 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: Why

Supplemental Essay Type(s): 1  essay of 300 words

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (50-300 words)  

Admissions wants to know how you plan on using a Georgia Tech education to accomplish your career goals. Some schools ask students why they want to attend or why they like different offerings, but Georgia Tech isn’t messing around. They’re asking you to specifically speak about academics here, so don’t waste your time researching the dining halls. Why study here? Why study this subject? And finally, why study this subject at Georgia Tech, specifically? Spend some time learning about Georgia Tech’s majors, classes, professors, resources, and alumni network. Pore over the website for the department you’re interested in and soak up information about faculty, research, guest speakers, and special opportunities for undergraduates. Jot down the details that appeal to you and by the end of your research session, you’ll have everything you need to plead your case. Connect the school’s offerings to your personal interests and goals and you will demonstrate your fit and commitment to the school. What career path do you see for yourself? Is Georgia Tech known for producing successful graduates in that department? The more details you can provide, the better.

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2 Great Georgia State Essay Examples by Accepted Students

Georgia State is one of the most desirable universities in the state, due to its expansive academic offerings, excellent reputation for research, and location in Atlanta, the state’s capital. To give you a sense for what Georgia State’s admissions officers are looking for, we’ve collected two examples of essays submitted by students who ended up being accepted.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Essay Example 1 – 10 Minutes, 10 Million People

“She reveled in the comfort that reading brought her, as she knew that in the end, the characters would always have a happy ending: no surprises, no secrets, no lies, just love.” This is a line from a fan fiction I wrote when I was fifteen. Not to say that my writing is Pulitzer-Prize-worthy or anything, but I feel that teen fantasy authors are often reduced to basic grammatical mistakes and cringe-worthy, one-dimensional plots. Especially with fan fiction authors being predominantly female, girls within fandom spaces will often be ostracized and shamed for enjoying the same things as a male demographic. 

The double-edged sword of women and literature decrees that if one reads romance books outside of the intellectual sphere, they “aren’t a real reader,” but if they only like “the classics,” they’re a “fake.” Being “real” or “fake,” as a notion, has taken on an entirely different meaning in fandom spaces. No matter what a woman does, scrutiny is sure to follow.

The countless number of times young girls will be interrogated with, “You like that book? Name three others by the same author,” or “I bet you like that game for attention from men,” is truly disheartening. Even more, with writing, women are often not taken seriously, historically even feeling inclined to abbreviate or use pen names to pass off as men. This is not to say all men perpetuate this toxicity, nor that women do not, but rather it is prevalent enough that girls are often discouraged from enjoying things or become a joke for doing so.

As someone who enjoys writing, myself, I know this struggle all too well. When I was younger, the criticism discouraged me so much that I kept my interests to myself. I still struggle with this from time to time, but I have since grown and pursued creative writing for my own enjoyment, as well as conducting research with the traditionally male entertainment form: superhero films.

It goes beyond the idea of femininity in society but even to the very nature of humanity itself. I remember sitting in my economics class, listening to the teacher speaking, saying, “No one would ever work for free.” Anytime anyone says anything along those lines, they negate the influence of thousands of teenage girls who craft entire universes solely from the devotion they carry in their hearts, and I hope that one day, they will be recognized for what they truly are: passionate visionaries rather than shallow fanatics.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay’s greatest strength is actually very simple: the writer has chosen a topic that she is clearly actually passionate about. With less structured prompts, that don’t fit one of the common supplemental prompt archetypes, there can be a temptation to go out of your way to impress admissions officers, rather than just being honest. But with this prompt, the most important thing to do is select a topic that you truly “care deeply about,” as that’s the only way the essay is going to feel genuine and natural.

The writer’s personal investment in the topic is apparent from the very first line, when she explicitly connects the topic to herself. That also allows her to then make some more general points, that show her overall thoughts about this topic, without those points feeling vague or irrelevant, as readers understand she’s drawing from her own personal experience.

For example, say the essay instead started with the line “The double-edged sword of women and literature decrees that if one reads romance books outside of the intellectual sphere, they ‘aren’t a real reader,’ but if they only like ‘the classics,’ they’re a ‘fake.’” While the topic is still an engaging one, there’s no personal framing for it, so admissions officers may initially be confused about what they’re supposed to be learning about the applicant. Particularly in supplemental essays, where your space is more limited, you never want to create that kind of confusion–your personal connection to your topic should be clear throughout.

In addition to immediately establishing this personal connection, the writer includes creative, thoughtful points about her topic that show she has strong critical thinking skills. Lines like “women are often not taken seriously, historically even feeling inclined to abbreviate or use pen names to pass off as men” and “this is not to say all men perpetuate this toxicity, nor that women do not” demonstrate she can think deeply about a topic, and consider multiple perspectives, both skills which are crucial to success in college.

What Could Be Improved 

While the writer’s personal investment in her topic is clear, what’s less clear is what she has learned about herself, or which personality traits she has developed, as a result of her love of fanfiction. 

She hints at this kind of growth with the lines “When I was younger, the criticism discouraged me so much that I kept my interests to myself. I still struggle with this from time to time, but I have since grown and pursued creative writing for my own enjoyment…” but her readers don’t get much elaboration. Perhaps rule #1 for the college essay is “show, don’t tell,” and these lines, while informative, are very tell-y.

A stronger way of making her point would be to describe a moment or experience that will give admissions officers a more concrete sense of how this transformation occurred. For example, after saying “I kept my interests to myself,” she could say something like “In third grade, I wrote three chapters of a Harry Potter fanfiction, but when I showed my friends at school, they laughed at me and asked me what the point was, because my efforts would never be as good as the actual books.” 

With this addition, her readers have a more detailed understanding of her state of mind at this point in her life, and a similar example from the present would help them see how she’s grown since then. While the word count is always a factor, this writer is 40 words under the count. Plus, these specific anecdotes are important enough that it would be worth making cuts from elsewhere in the essay in order to include them.

Essay Example 2 – Extracurricular Essay

When I was in ninth grade, I volunteered at a legal foundation where attorneys provide free legal services to victims of domestic violence. I initially volunteered because I wanted to observe the legal profession at work, as it was a profession I was and still am passionate about pursuing. However, once I was there, I realized that I was observing a much greater force at work. 

My job was simple; I was to scan and file old case files. But, as I was tasked with copious amounts of files, I quickly realized the extent to which domestic violence impacts people. 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 4 men, have been victims of domestic violence. While I was familiar with domestic violence before, this experience was eye-opening.

Domestic violence is a major issue within today’s society, and victims often feel uncomfortable with reporting. Services like the foundation I volunteered at help make legal aid more accessible, which can help victims feel more comfortable reporting their abuse. 

Domestic violence is an issue that I have thought about since this experience. When I started my true crime podcast as a sophomore, I wanted to spread awareness about domestic violence and its prevalence in criminal investigations. I allocated specific episodes to research cases where domestic violence resulted in a more escalated crime. This includes the stories of lesser-known victims such as Evelyn Colon and Kathleen Peterson. 

Further, this experience encouraged me to consider doing pro bono work in the future. I want to pursue a career in the legal field, and I want to work to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims. Free legal aid can help deter abusers and assist victims in leaving dangerous situations. Ultimately, this brief volunteer experience made a major impact on my future goals and altered the way in which I consider domestic violence.

The most important thing in any college essay is to show how an interest or experience has impacted your personal growth, and that’s especially true when responding to this prompt, which, in addition to fitting the “Extracurricular” archetype, explicitly asks you to describe an “activity…that has changed your view on a particular social issue.”

This essay does a phenomenal job of showing the writer’s growth. We see the writer go from a general interest in legal work, and the “simple” task of scanning files, to developing a sophisticated understanding of the social issue of domestic violence in particular, and a desire to channel their legal ambitions towards improving this issue.

Additionally, the writer reflects thoughtfully on the impact of their own actions, while also acknowledging the scale of the issue. With this kind of essay, you don’t need to make it sound like you solved world hunger–if anything, overstating what you did can make you sound ignorant about the complexity of a major issue. At the same time, though, you don’t want to sell yourself short.

This writer does a great job of striking the right balance here. Lines like “Services like the foundation I volunteered at help make legal aid more accessible, which can help victims feel more comfortable reporting their abuse” demonstrate the importance of the writer’s volunteer work, while also recognizing that this work is only part of the solution.

Finally, the writer describes how their volunteer work has influenced their life as a whole, by telling us about how they used their podcast to raise awareness about little-known domestic violence crimes. One of the main reasons the college essay exists is so that admissions officers can see whether or not you’re genuinely passionate about your interests and activities, or only doing them to pad your resume. 

In this essay, we see that the writer’s dedication to helping victims of domestic violence is indeed genuine, as they have used their free time to continue building on their initial volunteer work. We also get a sense for how their experiences around this issue connect to their goals for the future, with lines like “this experience encouraged me to consider doing pro bono work in the future.” While the prompt doesn’t explicitly ask for that, colleges want to accept motivated, proactive students, and this kind of reflection shows the writer possesses these qualities.

While supplemental essays are often a little more formulaic than the personal statement, you still want to show, rather than tell, as much as possible–in other words, use examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points, rather than just telling them to your reader. Unfortunately, this essay is quite tell-y, particularly at the beginning.

That means that, although the writer’s points are good ones, their rather dry presentation takes away some of their weight. For example, think about if this essay instead started off with a description of an actual moment from the writer’s volunteer work, like:

“My hands were full of papercuts from rifling through old domestic violence files all day and my eyes were sore from the light of the scanner, but my mind was crackling with a newfound appreciation for the value of pro bono legal work.”

This hook uses sensory details to show, rather than simply tell, us what the writer is thinking and feeling. As a result, we readers are immediately engaged in the story, whereas with the original version, the essay takes a few lines to get into the swing of things.

Along the same lines, you want your word choice, and overall writing style, to capture your emotions, not simply describe what happened. While clarity is of course important, at some points this essay feels a little too factual. 

For example, the line “Domestic violence is an issue that I have thought about since this experience” is incredibly vague. We’re all always thinking about tons of different things, from getting Taylor Swift tickets to avoiding traffic on the way home. So the writer just saying they “have thought” about domestic violence doesn’t actually teach us anything about them, or their knowledge of this issue.

Even some slight changes here would go a long way towards making this line more informative. For example, the writer could say “Domestic violence is an issue that I have been dedicated to helping fix since this experience,” or “Since this experience, I have been devastated by the lack of awareness around domestic violence.” Both of these alternatives give us a much clearer, more specific idea of how the writer’s thinking about this issue was shaped by their volunteer work, which also provides a better set-up for their description of their podcast work.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Want feedback on your Georgia State essay before you submit? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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