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How to Write a College Essay: The Personal Statement and Writing Supplement

March 31, 2021 (updated november 13, 2023) | estimated read time: 8.5 minutes.

By Rachel Blakley

Whether you are applying to college through The Common Application or directly from the college’s website, you will be asked to write a college essay, sometimes called the personal statement. Here, we will explore how to write a college admission essay you feel proud of by exploring tips from college admissions counselors and looking at college essay examples for admission.

The Basics: How to Write a College Essay

Before we talk about how to write a college admission essay, let’s take a step back and talk about the process and how to set yourself up for success.

Start early

It may be intimidating to sit in front of a blank computer page and start writing, so think about gathering your thoughts in a different format. Before you sit down to write, consider taking notes on your phone or on sticky notes around your room as ideas come to you. When you do sit down to write, try laying out your ideas in an outline first and then draft it into complete sentences later. Breaking down the process in this way can be less daunting and will allow you to focus on the topic and the most important part of the essay—YOU!

Schedule time to write

No matter how hard you try, there will always be something that seems more pressing than sitting down to write your essay. As you prepare for your college application process, schedule time into your day to write. Find a quiet, distraction-free space, and write your thoughts down. Whether you just work on a few sentences or you’re able to write the bulk of your essay, you’ll be glad you set time aside once it comes time to submit your applications.

Read the instructions

This is the most simple yet possibly the most important part of the essay-writing process. You want to read each part of your application carefully, including the essay prompt. If you submit something that doesn’t follow directions, the admissions counselors may assume you won’t know how to follow directions, and it could affect your chances of getting into your desired school.

The Common Application

The Common Application, known as Common App, is accepted by more than 900 schools , and helps streamline the tedious process of applying for colleges. Information, including your name, address, grades, extracurriculars, and parental employment, will just be entered one time so you don’t have to spend extra time inputting this in multiple applications.

It’s a good idea to start your Common Application around August 1, when applications open up. This will give you enough time to get all of your background information in and explore any questions you have before you get ready to start your senior year. The essay you will write in the Common App will be used by all colleges you choose to apply to, so it’s important to keep your essay broad but specific to yourself.

When you apply via the Common Application you will be asked to write an essay responding to one of seven prompts . Be sure to read each prompt carefully and choose the one that speaks to you the most or the one you feel you have the most to write about.

Editing the College Essay: Dos and Don’ts

Before we get into tips for college application essays, we want to make sure we don’t skip over an important step in the writing process. It is essential that you go into your essay-writing process with the expectation that you will write multiple drafts of your essay. Admissions counselors are expecting your best work, so you don’t want to submit a first draft.

There are many options when it comes to editing your essay. You can have a parent or guardian read your essay if you feel they are capable of giving good feedback, you could seek outside help from a paid service, and you can ask peers or teachers to help edit your essay. Any of these choices can be a good option, but just be sure to not let anyone overedit your essay. You still want it to sound like yourself.

Things to look for when editing your essay

Edits can be done in a couple of rounds, and while you want to make sure your essay is perfect, that doesn’t mean each draft needs to be perfect. Your first draft should get all of your ideas onto paper. Your second draft should sharpen up your ideas and focus on your content. Show, don't tell. Your third and final draft should be checked for grammatical errors, spelling, and punctuation.

When you receive feedback from someone editing your essay, take each suggestion for what it is—a suggestion. The important things to remember are to keep the essay in your voice, the way you would say it, and not to let someone rewrite your essay for you.

College Essay Tips from Admissions Counselors

When you’re learning how to write a college essay, it can be helpful to hear directly from the source who will be reading your work. We talked to Jared Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admission, who offered tips for college admissions essays.

• “ Keep it simple. My favorite essays have consistently been those essays that are about the seemingly most mundane and ordinary aspects of an applicant’s life—it is these topics that often showcase a student in the best light.”
• “ Don’t write what you think we want to hear, write about YOU —your passions, what excites you, life experiences that have shaped you into the young adult you’ve become.”
• “ Use the essays as an opportunity to share something about yourself that you may not already have shared in the rest of your application.”
• “ It’s all about the hook! A catchy opening line, when used properly, can do wonders for an essay, baiting the reader to hang on the edge of every sentence.”
• “Don’t restrict yourself with the traditional three- or five-paragraph essay. This is a great opportunity to express yourself creatively and take some risks. Structure your essay in the way that you feel will best tell your story!”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• “Choose a topic that might not be as easy to see in your application.” Maybe you have a hobby that doesn’t show up on your transcript. Your essay is the place to talk about that passion and show your authentic self.
• “Don’t stress.”

The Babson Writing Supplements

When you apply to Babson with The Common Application you will be asked to submit two writing supplements in response to the following prompts:

The Babson education prepares students for all types of careers across business, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and more. Tell us about your interest in this area of study and in Babson specifically.

You are invited to respond with either a traditional essay (500 words maximum) OR a one-minute video. Whichever you choose, no preference is given to either format in admission decisions.

A defining element of the Babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to how you will contribute to and learn from Babson's collaborative community.  

Please respond to this prompt with an essay (250 words maximum).

Good Communication Skills Are Critical to Your Success

Whether you’ve come here to learn about how to write a college essay or to learn more about Babson College’s admissions process, we encourage you to check out Babson’s one-of-a-kind education that balances action, experimentation, and creativity. From day one, students learn by doing through immersive, hands-on experiences that complement our innovative, rigorous academic curriculum.

Effective communication is critical in business. Babson offers highly regarded courses in writing and public speaking to prepare our students for the challenges of the business world so that they are best equipped to lead.

Learn more about Babson College admission requirements .

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Interested in learning more about Babson College admission requirements ?

You May Also Be Interested In:

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College and Career Advice for High School Students

Looking for more guidance? We’ve compiled our best advice on college admission, career planning, and more to help you get your questions answered and start your journey. 

U.S. News & World Report

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-write-a-college-essay https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/common-app https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-04-24/college-essay-examples-how-to-write-your-story

https://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/the-only-four-college-essay-writing-tips-youll-ever-need/

About the Author

Rachel Blakley is a copywriter and digital marketing professional. An alumna of Purdue University, she has worked with startups, associations, direct-to-consumer businesses, and B2B brands across the country to improve their content strategy.

Like this article? Have a suggestion? To contact our team with comments or article ideas, send us a note at [email protected] .

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Babson Supplemental Essay 2023-24

Babson college supplemental essays 2023-24.

Do you have your heart set on attending Babson College ? Well then, your Babson supplemental essay will be a critical part of your application. In this article, we will provide a breakdown of the Babson College essay prompts. We will also provide tips for how to write your Babson College supplemental essays so that they stand out from the thousands of applications Babson receives each year.

But what draws so many applicants to this school? Babson College, located just outside of Boston, is known for raising the next generation of entrepreneurs. Therefore, this private undergraduate institution mainly attracts students interested in business. An emphasis on career development and networking allows Babson graduates to have above-average earning potential and impactful careers. However, getting into Babson is not easy.

Indeed, Babson College admissions are competitive. This is. in part, due to the Babson College ranking. According to several sources, including Forbes and U.S. News, Babson College provides one of the best liberal arts educations in the country. Indeed, there are 24 Babson college majors. So while all students come to Babson with some interest in business, these concentrations give space for students to explore the intersection of business with other fields, such as environmental sustainability or visual arts. 

As you can see, a Babson education offers its students great opportunities. So, if you’re more in love with Babson than ever, your essays are crucial to gaining admission. But, before we get into how to write the Babson essays, let’s check out some “at a glance” facts about this unique college. 

Babson College Admissions: Quick Facts

Babson college quick facts.

Babson College Acceptance Rate:  22%– According to U.S. News , Babson College ranks #1 in Entrepreneurship, and its acceptance rate places it among the most selective colleges in the nation.  

Babson College Essay Requirements:

• 1 (~500 word) Why Major/Why Babson essay OR a 1-minute video on the same topic
• 1 (~250 word) diversity essay

Babson College Application:  Students must submit their Babson College application through the  Common Application . Make sure to have all of your Babson College supplemental essays and other  required application materials  ready when applying. 

Babson College Application Deadlines:

• Early Decision I/ Early Action: November 15 
• Early Decision II: January 2 
• Regular Decision: January 2

Babson Supplemental Essay Tip:  Start early! There are multiple Babson supplemental essays, so having time to brainstorm, draft, and edit them well is critical in order to impress admissions at this competitive college.

Does Babson College have supplemental essays?

Yes — there are two Babson College supplemental essays. In general, supplemental essays are additional essays that colleges ask for to provide more details about your unique interest in the school.  Each school has different supplemental essay requirements . However, there are a few common supplemental essay topics that you’ll likely see in various college applications. The most common are the  “Why School” and “Why Major” essays.

For the first of your two required Babson College supplemental essays, you will need to combine a Why Babson essay and Why Major essay into one 500-word response. You also have the option to submit a one-minute video that answers the prompt, in lieu of an essay. 

The second of the Babson College supplemental essays asks applicants to share more of their identity and background. Essentially, this is a diversity essay. In this essay, Admissions wants to learn more about what has shaped you–and, most importantly, how you will bring your unique experiences to campus.

In the next section, we will break down all the Babson essay requirements in greater detail, including these Babson College essay prompts. 

Babson College Essay Requirements

In total, you must submit three Babson College essays. The first of these essays is the personal statement. Your personal statement is an essay that introduces critical aspect(s) of yourself to the admissions committee. You can submit the same personal statement to all of the colleges you apply to via the Common App . Applicants may choose one of the seven Babson College essay prompts for the personal statement. Check them out here . 

In addition to the Common App personal statement, you must submit two Babson College supplemental essays. 

Babson College Supplemental Essay #1: Why Babson Essay/Why Major Essay

Here is the first of the two Babson College supplemental essay prompts:

Babson College Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

The babson education prepares students for all types of careers across business, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and more. tell us about your interest in this area of study and in babson specifically. (500 words maximum) we invite you to submit your answer in either essay or video format. if you choose to submit a video, please limit your response to a 1-minute video, which can be submitted via a shared link to youtube or another video hosting website. please ensure your video is set to public and is accessible to the admission committee..

Let’s discuss what this Babson essay is looking for. As we shared above, schools often want to know why you wish to attend their institution as well as why you want to study your intended major. In this 500-word essay, Babson College wants you to do both. 

Specifically, this Why Major essay asks applicants to shed light on their interest in entrepreneurship and business since that is Babson’s special focus.Additionally, as a Why Babson essay, admissions asks why you hope to study at the school. Responses to this prompt need to be specific. Now is the time to research programs, internships, professors, or any other opportunities only found at Babson. Be sure to mention what most interests you about studying at Babson.

This Babson College essay prompt is unique in that you can respond in written or video format. The video option offers the advantage of allowing those who express themselves verbally to shine. Regardless of the format you choose (whether the written or video option), you must answer the prompt fully.

Babson College Supplemental Essay #2: Diversity Essay

Now, let’s look at the second of the Babson College supplemental essay prompts:

Babson College Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

A defining element of the babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives and interests. please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to how you will contribute to and learn from babson’s collaborative community. (250 words maximum).

This Babson supplemental essay is a version of the diversity essay, another common topic for college essays. Keep in mind that diversity is a broad term. Beyond referring to race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and other common dimensions of diversity, the term can also refer to any lived experience. For example, maybe you were the only female in a house full of men, or perhaps you lived in 13 countries as a child. In this sense, every person has many dimensions of diversity in their lived experience.

At Babson, diversity and inclusion are valued. As such, this Babson supplemental essay seeks to gather more information not only about your ability to be self-reflective of your experiences but also about how you will use those experiences to contribute to Babson’s inclusive, collaborative spirit.

Next, we will dive further into tips for writing your Babson supplemental essays. 

How to write the Babson supplemental essays

Now that we have broken down the Babson College essay prompts, let’s take a closer look at how to write the Babson supplemental essays. Here are some tips for writing successful Babson essays:

Four Tips for Writing Babson College Essays

1. start early.

As we stated, there are three Babson essays you will need to complete – your personal statement and two Babson supplemental essays. Starting early is critical. Normally, essay prompts are released by August 1. However, you can begin brainstorming even before the prompts are released. Think about life experiences and personality traits that are central to who you are. In August, begin to work on your essay drafts. You will likely need several drafts of each essay and time in between writing them to give yourself breaks. These pauses within the drafting process can often provide greater clarity for final edits. 

2. Choose a written or video format

For one of your Babson supplemental essays, you have the option to submit a 1-minute video that encapsulates your response to the prompt. If you choose the video option, be sure to spend time drafting a script and planning out how and where you will film your video. Though the video may seem like the easier option, it presents different challenges such as ensuring you come across as positive and professional in your speech. Be sure to provide specific examples and details in your response to the question, just as you would in your essay.

3. Answer the whole prompt

The Babson College essay prompts are unique in that they ask multiple questions in one prompt. As we mentioned, the first of your Babson supplemental essays is a Why Major essay and a Why Babson essay. Be sure you answer both of the prompt’s questions clearly in your response. Look for specific details you can highlight in your Why Babson essay. Perhaps you want to highlight which of the 24 Babson college majors, also known as concentrations, interest you.  

In the second of your Babson supplemental essays, you must discuss an aspect of your identity that is important to you along with how it will inform your engagement with Babson’s campus culture. Reflect deeply on your life experiences before responding to your Babson College essay prompts.

4. Highlight Babson values

One of the unstated but underlying goals of the Babson supplemental essay prompts is to see how aligned you are with Babson’s values . To be successful in demonstrating that you understand them, familiarize yourself with the school’s standards. What does Babson mean when they say they value integrity, collaboration, diversity, innovation, and excellence? How do you align with these values? When choosing topics for your Babson supplemental essays, consider which of your experiences can most strongly demonstrate these principles.

If you follow these tips for writing your Babson supplemental essays, you will be off to a strong start in overcoming the low Babson College acceptance rate.

Are the Babson essays optional?

No, none of the Babson essays are optional. You must submit your personal statement and your two Babson College supplemental essays to have a complete application.

While none of the essays are optional, you do have the choice to submit a video instead of the first Babson supplemental essay. If you choose to do so, make sure your video responds fully to the prompt and provides details and examples to flesh out your arguments. Prepare well for filming your video– make sure it is easy to see and hear you throughout.

You also have the option of applying to Babson early or regular decision. Within the early options, you may apply Early Decision I or Early Action by November 15. Keep in mind that Early Decision is a binding agreement, meaning that you are committing to attending Babson if they admit you. If you decide you need more time to work on your essays, consider applying Early Decision II or Regular Decision by January 2. This will allow you more time to develop a strong application. To learn more about application deadlines, including the benefits or disadvantages of each type, check out this article .

So, we’ve established that the Babson supplemental essays are not optional and have reviewed the deadlines for submission. But, just how big of a role do these essays play in admissions decisions? Let’s check out their importance when it comes to gaining acceptance to Babson. 

Does Babson College care about essays?

Yes! Babson cares deeply about essays for many reasons. Each year Babson receives thousands of applications but only admits 20% of applicants. As such, the Babson College acceptance rate is quite competitive. To distinguish between candidates who have similar academic records, Babson admissions officers use the essays and other factors to determine a candidate’s fit. This is part of Babson’s holistic approach to admissions, which takes many factors into account when evaluating a candidate. Through the Why Babson essay, admissions officers can tell how interested you are in Babson specifically. 

Additionally, Babson is first and foremost a liberal arts college. As such, Babson very much values the way that students think and express themselves, as this is a key part of a liberal arts education. In turn, the Babson essays are important in showing Babson admissions officers your critical thinking and writing capabilities. 

Lastly, Babson values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through the final Babson essay, you have the opportunity to express a part of your identity that may not be evident elsewhere on your application. By taking the time to write a reflective essay, you will convey how much you value this central part of Babson’s culture.

For these reasons and more, Babson College cares deeply about your essays. Take the time to make the most of each of your Babson essays. For some extra guidance, here are some writing tips that Babson provides.

How can I make my Babson College essays stand out?

Now that you know how important your Babson supplemental essays are, you might be wondering how you can make them stand out. In this section, we will provide specific tips for how to respond to the Babson College essay prompts:

Three Tips for Making Your Essay Stand Out

1. write a hook.

Since Babson College admissions officers must read thousands of essays, one way to make sure your essay stands out is to start off with a hook. A hook is a literary term for an opening that captures the reader’s attention. Hooks can take many forms. Perhaps you start with a bit of dialogue, a vivid description of a scene, a thought-provoking question, or an unexpected idea. If you aren’t sure whether your hook is captivating, ask friends to read it and tell you if the opening makes them want to keep reading your essay.

2. Edit well

Speaking of support from others, make sure you get guidance throughout the editing process. Some writers say that editing is the heart of writing since it is through editing that you refine your voice and message. When you edit, consider the four Cs: 

• Is it clear? Do my ideas flow and make logical sense? Are any details missing that would help make my story clearer? 
• Is it grammatically correct? A grammatically correct essay demonstrates your writing abilities as well as the care you took to write a strong Babson supplemental essay.
• Is it concise? Being concise is critical for a few reasons. First, you have limited space in each of your Babson supplemental essays. By removing nonessential words or phrases, you make more space for important ideas. Secondly, a concise essay is easier to follow. When sentences are too wordy, they can easily lose the reader’s attention. Read your writing out loud to see if each sentence can be read in a single breath. If you have to pause to take a breath while reading, your sentence is probably too long. 
• Is it compelling? To answer this question with a confident “yes,” you will need to get a second or third opinion. Ask your reader to be honest about whether the essay topic and style make it interesting to read. If not, maybe you need to play with the essay format, sentence structures, or hook.

3. Be authentic

When answering the Babson college essay prompts, you should think about what topics are most important and relevant to you. Do not worry about what admissions officers want to hear, or what you think sounds impressive. Babson admissions officers admit that some of their favorite essays are the simplest ones that express a seemingly mundane activity or interest with great detail. By being yourself, you have a greater chance of telling an interesting story.

When writing your Babson supplemental essays, the best approach to take is one that allows you to be yourself. After all, these essays are an opportunity to share more about your unique skills, experiences, and values. By showcasing your personality, your essay is bound to stand out.

Babson College Supplemental Essays – 5 Takeaways

Getting into Babson College is not an easy feat. However, with effort and support, you can write Babson supplemental essays that propel your application to the top of the pile. By now, we have covered many aspects of writing good Babson supplemental essays. 

Here are 5 key takeaways you should keep in mind:

Babson College Essays Takeaways

1. the babson supplemental essays are a very important part of your application.

Since the Babson College ranking makes it a very competitive school, your essays are the place to set yourself apart from other candidates.

2. There are two Babson supplemental essays you must write, in addition to your personal statement

Make sure you read the Babson College essay prompts carefully and answer every part of the prompt. Keep in mind that the Why Babson essay is also a Why Major essay – so make a case for which of the Babson College majors really draws you to the school.

3. You can submit a video for one of your Babson supplemental essays

Instead of writing a 500-word response, you can submit a video for your first Babson supplemental essay. Ensure that your 1-minute video is concise, compelling, and showcases your personality.

4. Take time to edit your Babson supplemental essays well

A well-edited essay that is clear, grammatically correct, concise, and compelling will be easier and more interesting to read. Make sure that you submit error-free essays.

5. Be yourself

Your Babson supplemental essays are the space to showcase who you are. While you want to highlight aspects of Babson that made you want to apply, you should also make sure you are writing about experiences that matter to you. And most definitely write in your own voice. 

Use these 5 takeaways to write Babson supplemental essays that stand out from the rest. Remember that writing essays is best done with support. Always seek help from a trusted individual, like a teacher, friend, or CollegeAdvisor admissions specialist. These individuals can help make sure you are answering the prompt fully and in a compelling manner.

Take the time to write Babson supplemental essays that showcase your voice and unique lived experiences. In time, you’ll reap the benefits of your honest hard work, whether you end up at Babson or another fantastic university. Good luck!

This essay guide was written by senior advisor, Courtney Ng . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Babson College

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Want to see your chances of admission at Babson College?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Babson College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Babson College Essay Prompts

• Why Us - Example 1
• Extracurricular - Example 2

Read our complete Application Guide for Babson College.

Introduction.

Babson College asks for a pair of essays, only one of which is required. The mandatory essay is a Why Us prompt, but has the unique twist that you may submit a video example instead of the more standard written statement. This is a departure from the norm but makes sense in the context of Babson’s focus on business and entrepreneurship.

The “optional” prompt is on an extracurricular you participate in, or a job you have held. It is technically optional, but we still suggest answering it. Each piece of information you send to a school is another way they can evaluate you, and gives admissions officers a better idea of how you will fit at their institution. “Optional” essay prompts, therefore, should always be answered if possible.

We’ll give you an example of each Babson essay from a previous Ivy Scholars student, and tell you what, exactly, Babson is looking for in these essays.

Why Babson - Example

Your moment has arrived. Share with us the moments or experiences that have led you to apply to Babson College (500 words maximum). We invite you to submit your answer in either essay OR video format. If you choose to submit a video, please limit your response to a 1-minute video, which can be submitted via a shared link to YouTube or another video hosting website.

“Welcome to Wendy’s! May I take your order?”

I’m sure the fast food patrons were equal parts amused and befuddled by the sight of an 11-year-old wearing an oversized headset at the drive-thru window. Formative years spent cleaning counters, coordinating kitchen timers, upselling at every opportunity, and welcoming each customer with a big smile at my father’s local Wendy’s franchise gave me an appetite for entrepreneurship and spicy nuggets alike.

While my experience in the service industry has taught me broadly applicable skills, I have never been more thankful for my grease-stained childhood than two years ago when I was working on my school’s yearbook. When I learned in late October that the yearbook club was in danger of  insolvency, I knew it was time put on my metaphorical Wendy’s uniform. In place of cold-selling ad spots to bored cashiers, I approached the pitch manager and asked: “Do you still have your yearbook?” Through personal questions like this one, I translated my experience upselling Baconators to Meal Deals into growing small-scale ads into hundred-dollar ad buys. Using the sales tricks I’d picked up in the service industry and my patent “Welcome to Wendy’s” smile, I closed deal upon deal, and earned the title of Yearbook Marketing Director. Who knew fries and drinks had so much in common with yearbooks?

Later that year, one of my upperclassmen teammates noticed my business aptitude, and recommended me for Atlas Scholars, a three-year, hands-on business mentorship program. Through this extraordinary opportunity, I have acquired invaluable communication and public speaking skills, and learned much about the business landscape from company executives and representatives; Atlas opened my eyes to the wide world of business beyond Frostys and senior pictures, and gave me skills and knowledge that I am eager to further develop in college.

Not only does Babson offer the same focus on professional and leadership development, constant teamwork training, and unrelenting friendly competition as Atlas, but the university’s ample career and networking opportunities will enable me to situate my business acumen in a context that will propel me toward a successful business career. Through unique events like the Diverse Leaders Program sponsored and run by Blackstone, I will be able to start building an executive level network as an undergraduate. Furthermore, I am incredibly excited to explore diversity in the classroom through the Global Business Management concentration, taking full advantage of Management Consulting Field Experience (MCFE) with an international company.

Babson’s emphasis on community service is also a major draw. Through programs like Service Immersion, I will be able to learn not only how to run a profitable company, but also how to give back to the very communities that supported me through my professional journey.

Why Babson - Analysis

At 500 words, this prompt is quite long to talk about nothing but Babson, and the question itself implies that they want more from your response than that. They aren’t asking merely why you applied to Babson, but what led you to apply to Babson, which is subtly different.

Babson is a school which focuses entirely on business and entrepreneurship, thus this essay can be seen as asking “why business” as much as it is asking “why Babson.” In the example above, the author clearly shows how they came to be infatuated with business, and how studying at Babson is a natural continuation of their current interests.

Thus, this question can be thought of as two essays in one. First, you should explain your passion for business, and how it came to be. Second, you should show how this passion naturally leads you to Babson, and how Babson in particular will let you achieve your dreams in business.

In the example above, the author tracks their development and growth in business, from working in their family’s franchise, to mastering the art of sales through the yearbook, to their exposure to the broader world of business through an internship. This shows a natural growth; a progression of their involvement with and interest in business. The author then transitions to discussing Babson itself, bringing in examples of how the curriculum and programs offered by the school will enable them to more fully explore the world of business, and take their passions to their logical conclusions.

This essay focuses primarily on the academic aspect of Babson, and this is the best approach. While there are many enjoyable extracurriculars at Babson, those are not the main draw of the school, the business education is. Thus your essay should focus primarily on how you want to explore business through Babson.

The Video Response

You have the option, in place of an essay, to submit a video explaining what has led you to apply to Babson. This video should be the same sort of sales pitch, but will necessarily be far briefer than an essay can be. This may be a good option for you if you are far more confident in your speaking skills than your writing.

This video is a sales pitch: why Babson is right for you, and why you are right for Babson. It will need to be more focused than the essay, due to the shorter length, but can be more personal, tailored to fit your individual style and diction. Play to your strengths as both a speaker and salesman when composing this video.

Whichever option you choose, the goal is the same: to let Babson know why you are interested in business, and why you want to pursue that interest at Babson specifically.

Extracurricular - Example

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

As Leading Scholar at my internship with Atlas, my primary role was to secure the legacy of the Atlas Scholars program through recruiting and mentoring. When I asked teachers at my school for leads on diligent and enthusiastic students, Sarah’s AP Seminar teacher singled her out in a heartbeat. When I approached her, Sarah asked insightful questions about the program, showing exactly the attentiveness and dedication I was looking for.

I called the director, telling her that Sarah was the embodiment of an Atlas Scholar: thirsty for knowledge, a team player, and a natural leader. She would not only be a great addition to the program, but a prime representative to continue the legacy of Atlas Scholars. To support my argument, I reminded the director that I myself had a lot at stake in pushing for Sarah’s acceptance. While my own tenacity had brought me to the Leading Scholar position, I still had to demonstrate my ability to correctly judge the character of others.

The director decided to give her a chance, and I was unsurprised when she excelled in the program, and became the Leading Scholar in her year. My role in Sarah’s success reminded me that leadership is far more than just giving orders and passing judgements; I have never felt more like a leader than when I worked to secure not just my legacy, but that of my organization.

Extracurricular - Analysis

The other essay Babson asks for is optional, but we still recommend completing it, as the more the school knows about you, the better they will be able to judge you as an applicant. The prompt is very open, asking you to elaborate on an extracurricular activity. You should take this opportunity to tell admissions officers something they would not otherwise know about you, especially if you can demonstrate leadership.

The one thing you shouldn’t do is write about an extracurricular which is the main focus of another of your essays. Telling admissions officers the same information twice squanders a valuable opportunity to give them deeper insight into who you are and what you’ve accomplished. If you are limited in terms of the number of activities you participated in, then the essay should focus on a new aspect of an activity.

In the example above, the author discusses an internship they were a part of. This does two things to advance their candidacy. First, it shows how they have involved themself with business before this point. Second, it details a time they demonstrated leadership. 

Babson cares deeply about leadership, noting it as one of the most important qualities they look for when evaluating students. This essay is your best opportunity to show off your leadership experience, especially if you haven’t held official titles.

Leadership doesn’t just come from being the president of a club, but from showing initiative and taking the lead in an activity. In the example above, the author has a leadership position, and then uses that to try and better the organization as a whole. While the essay still discusses the extracurricular, the focus is on how the author demonstrated leadership.

While leadership does not have to be the focus of this essay, if you have a chance to demonstrate your leadership potential, we encourage you to take it. Whatever you choose to write about, you should pick a value to express in this essay, rather than merely discussing what you have done dryly.

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