Amherst Supplemental Essays 2024-2025: Writing Tips + Examples

Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. Although it’s not part of the Ivy League, that doesn’t mean it’s not as prestigious or selective. Amherst is ranked #2 among the best liberal arts colleges in the U.S., and its acceptance rate sits at just 9%.

Since it’s such a competitive school, you’ll need to make your Amherst supplemental essays stand out. Fortunately, Amherst only requires you to submit one supplemental essay, where you can choose from three available options. Keep reading to learn more about each option, how to pick the best one, and tips for crafting a compelling response.

• Amherst Supplemental Essay Prompts
• How to Write the Amherst Supplemental Essay (Prompt 1)
• How to Write the Amherst Supplemental Essay (Prompt 2)
• How to Write the Amherst Supplemental Essay (Prompt 3)
• Mistakes to Avoid When Writing the Amherst Supplemental Essays
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Amherst Supplemental Essay Prompts

Amherst requires one supplemental essay on top of the main essay on the Common App. There are three options available to choose from: Option A, Option B, or Option C. You can only pick one, so make sure to read the details carefully before deciding which option best suits you.

Here are the prompts for the Amherst writing supplement for 2024-2025:

Option A

Choose one of the following quotations, and respond to the question posed, in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

Prompt 1

“Amherst College is committed to learning through close colloquy and to expanding the realm of knowledge through scholarly research and artistic creation at the highest level. Its graduates link learning with leadership—in service to the College, to their communities, and to the world beyond.” – from the Mission of Amherst College

• Prompt 1 Question: What do you see as the benefits of linking learning with leadership and/or service? In your response, please share with us a time where you have seen that benefit through your own experience.

Prompt 2 

“We seek an Amherst made stronger because it includes those whose experiences can enhance our understanding of our nation and our world. We do so in the faith that our humanity is an identity forged from diversity, and that our different perspectives enrich our inquiry, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our community, and prepare students to engage with an ever-changing world.” – from the Trustee Statement on Diversity and Community

• Prompt 2 Question: In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?

Prompt 3

“Strong commitment to the freedom of inquiry lies at the heart of Amherst College’s mission to create a home in which the liberal arts may flourish. As a small residential liberal arts college that prides itself on the ability, curiosity, and diversity of its students, Amherst seeks to create a respectful environment in which members of its community feel emboldened to pursue their intellectual and creative passions.” – from the Amherst College Statement of Academic and Expressive Freedom

• Prompt 3 Question: Tell us about an intellectual or creative passion you have pursued; what did you learn about yourself through that pursuit?

Option B

Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should not submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. Also, if you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the “essay topic of your choice” prompt in the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir writing section, you should not select Option B.

Option C

If you are/were an applicant to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A application essay in satisfaction of our Writing Supplement requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. However, if you would prefer not to use your A2A essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either Option A or Option B. Option A, Prompt 2 is the same prompt as the A2A application essay; if you would like to submit an updated version of your A2A application essay, please choose Option A.

Please note that Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst’s A2A program. Non-A2A applicants must choose either Option A or Option B.

Things to remember

Before you begin writing, make sure you’ve carefully read the instructions, as other parts of your application might influence which prompt you should choose. For example, if you applied to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you can use the essay from that application for this supplemental requirement by selecting Option C.

However, we recommend making the most of every opportunity to stand out to the admissions officers. While you can reuse your A2A essay if you’re applying to that program, it’s a good idea to respond to one of the other prompts to show your genuine interest in Amherst.

Also, if you’ve already submitted an analytical paper on the Common App for your “essay of your choice,” don’t choose Option B.

With that in mind, we’ll focus on Option A in the next sections. We’ll dive into all three questions, show you how to answer them, and even help you pick which one best suits you.

How to Write the Amherst Supplemental Essay (Prompt 1)

This quote and question are asking you to reflect on how you’ve personally benefited from connecting learning, leadership, and service, and how these experiences have shaped your perspective.

It’s an example of the “Community” essay, which gives you a chance to talk about how you engage with those around you. Amherst values students who make a positive impact in their communities, so focus on how you’ve contributed to the world you’re a part of.

Brainstorming ideas

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Leadership in a volunteer role. Consider a time when you took the lead in a community service project or helped organize one. Maybe you arranged a food drive, and your enthusiasm inspired your peers to get involved. Thanks to your efforts, the drive collected over 2,000 pounds of food for local families in need.
• Academic knowledge applied to real-world issues. Think about how you’ve used what you’ve learned in class to address a problem in your community. Perhaps in your environmental science class, you researched local waste problems and teamed up with a nearby organization to create a plan to reduce waste in your town.
• Personal growth through service. Reflect on how leadership or service has helped you grow as a person and how it changed your perspective. For example, tutoring students forced you to learn how to communicate complex concepts in simpler ways. This improved your teaching skills, which you were able to apply when helping your siblings with their homework.
• Service that aligns with your passions. Remember when your service efforts were linked to something you’re passionate about. For instance, as a volunteer at the local animal shelter, you helped organize adoption events, combining your love for animals with a desire to improve their lives and find them loving homes.
• Collaborating to create change. Think about a time you worked with others to make a difference in your community. Maybe you helped organize a community garden project that transformed an unused lot into a green space. Working with local volunteers, you not only beautified the area but also provided fresh produce for families in need.

Remember, the prompt specifically asks you to discuss how service and leadership relate to learning. When you think about “learning,” don’t just limit it to what you’ve learned in the classroom. It could be something academic, a life lesson, or a new skill you picked up.

Essay structure tips + examples

When it comes to structuring your essay, follow these tips to keep things clear, focused, and impactful:

• Write a strong introduction. Talk about the link between learning, leadership, and service in your life. Then, introduce the experience you’ll focus on. “I’ve always believed leadership brings people together to achieve a common goal. I saw this firsthand when I organized a charity 5K to raise money for cancer research. It taught me how leadership, service, and learning can work together to create change.”
• Describe the experience. Explain what you did and why it mattered. “I led a team to organize the 5K. I did everything, from securing sponsors to coordinating volunteers for race-day logistics. I also designed marketing materials and helped map out the race route. I made sure every detail was in place to ensure the event’s success.”
• Show the impact. Describe the difference your leadership and service made, like how it benefited others and or shaped your own growth. “We raised $10,500, and over 200 people participated, including local businesses and families. Seeing the community come together to support cancer research made me feel proud and showed me how leadership can genuinely motivate people to support a cause.”
• Tie it back to your broader perspective. Reflect on how this experience deepened your understanding of learning, leadership, and service. “Organizing the race taught me that leadership is about guiding a team toward a shared goal, while service brings people together for something bigger than themselves. Learning from each experience can help me lead more effectively and make a real difference.“

Basically, you need to show how you’ve contributed and helped others in your community. Share a story about how you used your knowledge to take on a leadership role in helping others. Why did you do it? What did you contribute? What values drove you in that experience?

Supplemental essay example

When I started volunteering at a local after-school program, I assumed my job was to help with homework. But one afternoon, while reading with a fifth grader, she paused and asked, “Why don’t any of the characters look like me?” I didn’t have an answer.

That single moment changed the way I saw my role. I began researching representation in children’s literature and learned that most published characters still skew white, able-bodied, and middle-class. I attended a local library’s workshop on culturally responsive reading, spoke to educators about inclusive curricula, and even created a mini reading list for our site’s classroom library. The next week, I brought in a new book featuring a bilingual main character. One student flipped through it and said, “She talks like my aunt.”

That small shift made our sessions feel less like school and more like connection. I realized that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room or solving every problem but about paying attention to the people you serve and using what you learn to act with care.

That experience also changed the way I think about education. I started asking broader questions: Who gets to feel seen in school? Who is the curriculum built for? At Amherst, I want to explore these questions through the Education Studies major, especially courses like EDST-200: Race, Education, and Belonging and EDST-135: Justice. I’m interested in how educational policy intersects with cultural narratives—and how schools can become spaces of belonging.

Linking learning with leadership made my service better. It helped me move beyond the idea of just “helping” and toward collaboration and accountability. It reminded me that leadership rooted in listening is often the most sustainable and effective.

At Amherst, I’m excited to be part of a community where learning doesn’t end with the classroom. Whether it’s through community-based learning courses, interdisciplinary research, or student-led service organizations, I want to keep linking what I study with the change I hope to contribute. I believe scholarship and service are strongest when they inform each other—and I want to keep growing in both directions.

How to Write the Amherst Supplemental Essay (Prompt 2)

This prompt is your typical “Diversity” question about your background and how it has shaped your worldview.

To answer this prompt well, start by reflecting on the unique aspects of your identity, such as your cultural background, family history, values, and important moments or experiences that have influenced you the most.

Next, explain how these experiences align with Amherst College’s commitment to diversity and how they show that different perspectives help create a richer academic environment.

Brainstorming ideas

Consider the following while brainstorming:

• Your cultural background. Think about how your culture or family history has influenced how you see the world. Maybe growing up in a family that celebrates Filipino and American traditions helped you understand the need to respect your roots while engaging with the broader world.
• Challenges you’ve faced. Think about any struggles or difficult times that changed your views on the world or specific issues. Perhaps being bullied in school helped you understand the importance of empathy and standing up for others who are marginalized.
• Community involvement or volunteer work. Reflect on any volunteer or service work you’ve done where you’ve learned a lesson or two. For example, coaching an all-women’s soccer team taught you teamwork, discipline, and empowering others, especially because women are often underrepresented in sports.
• Travel experiences. If you’ve traveled somewhere, think about how those trips have shaped how you see different cultures or global issues. Maybe visiting Italy made you realize how food plays a central role in bringing people together across generations.
• Your personal values or beliefs. Think about what matters most to you and how they influence your thoughts and actions. For example, you care deeply about protecting the planet, which has led you to reduce your waste, organize local clean-up events, and promote sustainability in your community.

Whatever part of your identity you choose to write about, make sure to explain what it has taught you about diversity in general and how those lessons connect to your life.

Essay structure tips + examples

Now, once you’ve got your ideas down, here’s how to format your essay:

• Start strong. Begin by introducing your background. Connect it to the prompt right away by explaining how your perspective could add to Amherst’s diverse community. “Being the first in my family to attend college, I’ve seen firsthand how education can change lives. I’m eager to bring that determination and perspective to the Amherst community.”
• Share a specific experience. Pick one example that shows how your background or experiences shaped your perspective. “Growing up, I didn’t have access to the same resources as many of my peers, but I always worked hard to overcome that. When I helped organize a community tutoring program, I saw how even small efforts could make a difference in someone’s life.”
• Connect your experience to bigger issues. Show how your learnings in that experience can apply to global or societal problems. “That experience made me realize how education gaps aren’t just local; they’re part of a bigger societal issue. It showed me how crucial it is to provide equal opportunities for everyone, no matter their background.”
• Wrap it up. Explain how your experiences have prepared you to be part of the Amherst community. “All this shaped my drive to create opportunities for others, and I can’t wait to bring that passion to Amherst. I can’t wait to join the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), where I can volunteer for outreach projects. I’m also excited about the Sociology major, where I can learn more about how society shapes education.”

Your essay needs to show that you understand the give-and-take of this exchange. While you can bring your unique experiences to Amherst, also acknowledge how being part of the Amherst community will help expand your own perspective. This mutual sharing of ideas and growth is at the heart of Amherst’s values.

Supplemental essay example

The smell of collard greens filled the kitchen, and my grandmother’s voice rose over the clatter of serving spoons. “Back then, we knew where we could and couldn’t walk after sunset,” she said, passing cornbread across the table. My dad added, “At work, I’m still the only Black engineer in the room half the time.” Sunday dinners in my family aren’t quiet—they’re full of stories, layered with history, pain, and pride. I learned to listen between the lines, to the pauses and the phrasing, and to the way someone says, “You had to learn how to move quietly.”

Being African American means I carry generations of resilience, but also the weight of having to prove myself twice over. In classrooms, I’ve felt the pressure to speak for an entire race. I’ve also seen how quickly people draw conclusions—from how I wear my hair to the way I speak. I’ve learned how to shift my tone in certain rooms, how to read body language, how to code-switch not just to fit in, but to stay safe.

But I’ve also learned how to challenge assumptions. In a school debate, I questioned why our curriculum covered Reconstruction so briefly. That conversation turned into a project where I helped create a Black history reading list for younger students. I realized then that my experiences weren’t a side note but part of the conversation we’d been missing.

At Amherst, I’m excited to major in Black Studies and explore courses like BLST-117: Race, Difference, and the American Imagination and BLST-318: Rap, Reagan and the 1980s. I want to examine how identity, culture, and resistance are shaped across time and geography. Outside the classroom, I hope to be part of the Black Student Union, where students build community, celebrate culture, and hold space for one another.

Amherst becomes stronger when it holds space for all parts of a person—their voice, their history, their community. I’m ready to contribute my perspective, shaped by navigating systemic gaps, asking hard questions, and listening deeply. That’s the kind of learning I want to grow through and help create for others.

How to Write the Amherst Supplemental Essay (Prompt 3)

This final supplemental essay is an example of the “Extracurricular Activity” essay. This prompt is your chance to go in-depth about your extracurricular activities, hobbies, and interests and share what they mean to you. In other words, Amherst wants to understand what you like to do or learn about when it’s not required.

While most of your activities are already in the Common App, this is where you can tell the story behind one of them and explain how it has molded you into the individual you are now.

Brainstorming ideas

Think about the intellectual or creative passion that you’ve actively pursued. It could be:

• A creative project you’ve worked on. Maybe you’ve been working on a personal photography project where you capture the intersection of nature and urban life.
• A subject or field you’ve researched independently. Maybe you spent months reading about climate change and its impact on vulnerable communities.
• A hobby that helped you develop problem-solving skills. For example, you’ve been coding for a personal project and have taught yourself how to create basic apps.
• A personal challenge you overcame through passion. For example, you trained for and ran a marathon, pushing through both physical and mental barriers.
• Your involvement in a community-based initiative. Perhaps you worked with a local historical preservation society to help digitize and archive old photographs and documents, preserving a piece of your town’s history.

There’s no “right” or “wrong” activity here, so pick the one you’re genuinely committed to and haven’t mentioned elsewhere in your application, as that wouldn’t make the best use of this space.

Essay structure tips + examples

Once you’ve narrowed down your passion, here’s how you can write about it:

• Start by introducing your passion. What do you love doing, and why is it meaningful to you? For example, you could begin your essay with, “I’ve always loved art, but it wasn’t until I started creating paintings for people going through tough times that I realized how much it could help others process their emotions.”
• Describe the process and challenges. What steps did you take, and what challenges did you face? “I hosted workshops for young people struggling with grief, where I guided them in using painting to express their feelings. At first, getting everyone comfortable enough to open up was difficult, but slowly, they began to let their emotions flow onto the canvas.”
• Show what you learned about yourself. Did you gain new skills or insights? How did it shape your perspective or reveal something about who you are? “Through these workshops, I discovered how much I value helping others find their voice. I also learned that art isn’t just a form of expression, but a tool for healing.”
• End on a strong note. How has this pursuit prepared you for what’s ahead? If possible, tie it to how you hope to continue this pursuit at Amherst. “At Amherst, I’m excited to join the Art department and explore how art can be used for emotional and mental health. I’m eager to continue combining my love for art with my desire to help others meaningfully.”

We love that Amherst gives students the freedom to explore their passions and curiosities on campus. This prompt is your chance to show them the enthusiasm and curiosity you’ll bring to the community.

Supplemental essay example

The rain tapped steadily on the window as I leaned over my uncle’s shoulder, watching him play blitz chess online. His fingers flew across the keyboard—bishop here, knight there, checkmate in under two minutes. I didn’t understand most of it, but I was captivated by how fast he calculated, and how confidently he moved. He looked over and said, “Wanna try?” I sat down and mirrored his first moves—pawn to e4, knight to f3. It felt like learning a new language, one I didn’t speak yet, but wanted to.

I kept playing, even after I lost twenty games in a row. Eventually, I started analyzing. Why control the center or trade pieces? Why sacrifice a bishop for one tempo? Chess became my favorite kind of puzzle: one where every move is both consequence and possibility.

Over time, I got better. I studied openings, read strategy books, and reviewed my games to understand why I lost. I joined an online community where we posted annotated games and debated tactics. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed the analysis: mapping out variations, weighing risks, and sometimes realizing I’d missed something obvious. 

Chess also taught me that logic isn’t always enough. A technically sound move can still fail if it ignores time pressure, psychology, or human error. That balance between structure and unpredictability is what drew me to mathematics. Like chess, math demands both creativity and precision. You follow the rules, but the beauty comes from how you apply them.

At Amherst, I want to major in mathematics and explore courses like MATH-250: Number Theory. I’m drawn to the school’s open curriculum, where I can also study philosophy or cognitive science to better understand how people make decisions under pressure. I’m especially excited to engage in classes where problem-solving feels personal, collaborative, and dynamic—more like a chessboard than a lecture hall. 

Chess taught me how to slow down, think multiple steps ahead, and revise my approach without giving up. Those habits shaped how I solve problems, ask questions, and think through uncertainty—and they’re the same habits I’ll bring with me to Amherst.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing the Amherst Supplemental Essays

There are a few common mistakes to avoid when writing to make sure your response stands out for the right reasons.

Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Getting hung up on the prompts

When it comes to the Amherst supplemental essays, don’t stress too much about which prompt to choose. Amherst doesn’t have a preference, anyway. That’s why they gave three options: they want you to pick the one that best reflects your personality and growth.

Just choose the prompt that sounds most meaningful to you. The goal of your essay is to show who you are and what you care about, so pick the prompt where you feel you have plenty to write about (on the positives, of course.)

2. Over-exaggerating

It’s tempting to exaggerate achievements or stretch the truth, but that can backfire quickly.

Misrepresenting your accomplishments can seriously hurt your chances, even leading to an acceptance offer being rescinded (the horror!).

Keep it simple. Do away with unnecessary details or information that doesn’t add value to your application. For example, don’t send five letters of recommendation when only two are required, or include every certificate you have if it’s irrelevant. Admissions officers are good at spotting inconsistencies, so just be honest and authentic.

3. Not proofreading

Typos and small mistakes can leave a bad impression. Admissions officers might question whether you’re paying attention to the details or rushing through your application to get it over with.

Always, always proofread your essay, and then ask someone else, like a teacher, family member, or professional editor, to look over it, too. A fresh pair of eyes can catch what you might have missed and make sure everything’s polished before you hit submit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Amherst College have supplemental essays?

Yes, Amherst has a supplemental essay in addition to the Common App main essay. This essay is your chance to give your application more substance. It allows admissions to view you as a complete, well-rounded individual rather than just a collection of achievements.

2. How many supplemental essays does Amherst have?

Amherst only has one required supplemental essay for the 2024-2025 application cycle. However, there are multiple options to choose from, namely Option A, Option B, and Option C. Option A comes with three question prompts, while Option B and C let you submit an essay you’ve already written, within certain conditions.

3. How important are Amherst supplemental essays?

Very important! While your resume or transcript gives Amherst an idea of how well you do academically, your supplemental essay helps them understand who you’ll be as a member of the Amherst community. So, take your time to craft compelling, genuine responses.

Takeaways

• Amherst College has one supplemental essay for the 2024-2025 application cycle, with a 350-word limit.
• You can choose between three options: Option A, Option B, and Option C.
• Option A has three possible prompts, while Option B and C ask you to submit an essay you’ve already written, as long as it follows certain guidelines.
• Avoid common writing mistakes like overthinking the prompts, exaggerating information, or skipping proofreading.
• Work with a private admissions consultant to polish your supplemental essay and make sure every part of your application showcases why you’re a great fit for Amherst.