Boston University Supplemental Essay Prompts & Writing Guide 2025-2026

Boston University's founding principles emphasize accessibility, service to community, and diversity as core to the institution's identity. When you respond to either prompt, your overarching goal is to demonstrate alignment between your values and BU's commitment to conducting work in service of the wider community, both locally and internationally. The admissions committee is looking for genuine engagement, not a resume listing of volunteer hours. Instead of generic community involvement, ground your response in a specific moment, challenge, or relationship that shaped how you think about the issue or community you care about.

If you choose Option 1 (the social or community issue), use a focused anecdote that reveals why the issue resonates with you personally, not just intellectually. For instance, if you've worked on digital equity, food insecurity, or access to healthcare, explain what you discovered or how your perspective changed through direct involvement. Show the readers that you understand the complexity of the problem and that you're committed to ongoing engagement, not a one-time project. BU wants students who connect classroom learning to real-world impact, so mention how you plan to deepen your understanding of the issue through academic study or continued action at BU. Keep the narrative tight within 300 words; avoid sweeping statements about changing the world and instead focus on concrete contributions and personal growth.

If you choose Option 2 (what excites you about BU and how you'll contribute), research specific academic programs, student organizations, or partnerships that align with your passions. Reference actual professors, research centers, or initiatives at BU rather than generic assets like the library or location. This demonstrates that you've genuinely reflected on fit and aren't simply copying and pasting generic praise. Show how you'll be an active participant in BU's community, whether through leadership, collaboration, or bringing a unique perspective or skill. The committee wants to see curiosity and reciprocity; you're not just receiving an education, but actively shaping the campus experience for others.

Regardless of which prompt you select, remember that BU values intellectual humility, interdisciplinary thinking, and a commitment to serving others beyond yourself. Your essay should feel conversational and authentic, avoiding clichés about making a difference. Show the admissions officers that you've seriously considered BU's mission and that your own purpose aligns with theirs in concrete, specific ways.

Think of this optional section as your chance to advocate for yourself, not as an obligation to fill every blank space in your application. BU receives over 78,000 applications annually, and admissions officers are selective about what they read in this space. They would rather see nothing here than see something that doesn't meaningfully strengthen your candidacy. Before uploading anything, ask yourself: Does this material tell them something about me that they cannot learn from my essays, transcript, test scores, or extracurricular activities section? If the answer is no, skip it entirely. A clean, intentional application often reads more powerfully than one cluttered with unnecessary additions.

If you do decide to submit something, prioritize materials that showcase a talent, skill, or insight that sets you apart. You might include a brief writing sample that demonstrates your voice in a way the admissions essay couldn't capture, such as a piece of creative writing, journalism, or analytical work you are genuinely proud of. You could also submit evidence of a passion project or independent work that reveals deeper dimensions of who you are, such as research you've conducted, documentation of a significant volunteer initiative, or work from a specialized program or internship. Alternatively, if there is an aspect of your background, identity, or experience that your application has not adequately addressed, you can briefly contextualize it here. For example, if you started a club, led a specific initiative, or overcame a particular obstacle that shaped you, a one or two paragraph explanation with supporting documentation can be powerful. The file should be submitted as a PDF and must not exceed 2000 KB, so be disciplined about what you include.

What you should avoid is repeating content from your required essays, submitting generic writing samples, or trying to explain something that should have appeared elsewhere in your application. Do not use this section as a second chance to pitch why BU is right for you, since you already have the supplemental essay for that purpose. Similarly, do not submit artwork, music recordings, or other creative portfolios unless BU specifically invited them for your intended program; you risk wasting valuable space on materials they are not equipped to evaluate fairly. If you do include a brief explanatory note with your submission, keep it to a few sentences. Your materials should speak for themselves, with only minimal framing necessary. Boston University's emphasis on community, service, and accessibility means they especially value evidence of impact and genuine passion, so let your submission demonstrate those qualities authentically.