Case Western Supplemental Essays 2024-2025: Writing Tips + Examples

Case Western Reserve University requires two supplemental essays only for applicants to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, which has an acceptance rate of just 1%. How do you get in? By writing compelling essays.

To help you with that, we’ll break down each prompt—explaining what it asks, offering brainstorming ideas, providing essay structuring tips, and sharing examples.

• Case Western Supplemental Essay Prompts
• How to Write the Case Western Supplemental Essay #1
• How to Write the Case Western Supplemental Essay #2
• Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Case Western Supplemental Essays
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Case Western Supplemental Essay Prompts

Case Western requires all applicants to complete the Common App personal statement. But if you’re applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program—which gives you a spot for undergrad plus a conditional acceptance to Case Western’s School of Medicine or Dental Medicine—you’ll need to write two supplemental essays.

Here are the two prompts you have to answer:

• In the college application process, you are constantly prompted for a list of your achievements, awards, and accomplishments. While this information is useful to us, we are interested in hearing more about you. Describe an event, achievement, or experience of which you are particularly proud but that will not show up on a resume, may not garner any recognition, and does not appear anywhere else on your admission application.
• By applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, you are applying to gain admission to professional school earlier than students who apply in the traditional way. Please indicate why you’re interested in your chosen profession. How do you see yourself being particularly suited to this field? What events and/or experiences have led you to your choice?

Case Western is known for its high-quality academic programs and abundant opportunities for hands-on learning and research. This also means they have high admission standards, so you need to make every part of your application stand out.

How to Write the Case Western Supplemental Essay #1

This Case Western supplemental essay wants you to share a story or moment that is deeply personal and showcases your character, growth, or values in a way that formal achievements might not. Here’s a breakdown of what the prompt is asking for:

1. Something “behind the scenes”

The admissions committee wants to see a more authentic, personal side of you. They’re interested in the experiences that have shaped who you are, even if these aren’t “impressive” in the traditional sense. They want to know about how you’ve grown or learned even without external validation.

2. Personal insight and growth

The story you choose should highlight a meaningful moment, challenge, or achievement that helped you develop or change. This could be a personal struggle, an unexpected success, or even a failure that taught you valuable lessons.

What’s important here is that you can explain why you’re proud of this experience. What does it say about your values, character, or growth? This helps them understand what drives you, what you find important, and how you approach challenges or personal development.

3. Uniqueness and authenticity

For your answer to stand out in this prompt, you should share something that’s uniquely yours, that can’t be found anywhere else on your application. The admissions officers want a genuine glimpse into who you are beyond your achievements.

Brainstorming ideas

Having trouble picking out a specific moment? Here are some brainstorming ideas to help you arrive at the perfect one:

1. Reflect on quiet moments.

Recall events or experiences that might seem small or insignificant but had a large personal impact. Think of acts of kindness, moments of self-discovery, and other everyday moments that turned out to be important to you.

For example:

• When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?
• Did you help someone in need without expecting anything in return?
• Was there a time when you realized something important about yourself or your values?
• Did you have a conversation that changed your perspective?

2. Consider personal challenges or transformations.

This doesn’t have to be a major tragedy since even smaller challenges can reveal character. If you’re thinking through the struggles and changes you’ve been through, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is there an experience that changed your perspective or altered your life’s path?
• Have you ever discovered a passion or interest that isn’t evident in your academic or extracurricular record?
• Did you persevere through a difficult situation?

3. Think about non-academic interests.

This could include hobbies, community involvement, or other quiet moments of introspection that have contributed to your personal growth.

• Did you pursue a hobby or passion purely for the joy of it?
• Did you learn a new skill just because you were curious?
• Did you have a personal project or passion that taught you resilience or creativity?
• Do you have volunteer experience that wasn’t part of a formal club or organization?

Essay structure tips + examples

Once you’ve picked a moment, here’s how you can write about it:

1. Start with an engaging hook.

Grab the reader’s attention from the first sentence. This could be a vivid description or a big moment from the experience.

Let’s say you want to talk about your journey of learning guitar. You can open your essay like this:

• “The unharmonious notes echoed through my basement as a noise of frustrated plucking and buzzing strings. My fingers ached, and my calluses were growing thicker by the day, but I was determined to learn.”

2. Describe the experience.

Describe the experience itself. Focus on the most important moments and details that made it important to you. Use vivid language and sensory details to bring the experience to life.

If the experience you’re talking about involves interacting with others, talk about what you did. What role did you play in the experience?

Let’s go back to the experience of you learning to play the guitar. You can talk about learning a certain song and how you struggled to learn it. It can look something like this:

• “I was trying to learn ‘Stairway to Heaven’ on my guitar. I’d always wanted to play it, but I was starting to doubt myself. The chords were complicated, my fingers felt clumsy, and I was having a hard time following the online tutorials. Despite that, something kept me coming back, pushing me to keep trying.”

3. Focus on reflection.

Clearly explain why you are proud of this experience. What did you learn? How did it change you? What values does it reflect? Remember to connect it to your personal growth and development.

For instance, your reflection on your guitar-playing journey could look like this:

• “It wasn’t about external validation, it was about the internal satisfaction of learning and growing. This experience made me have a better appreciation for the effort needed to improve in something challenging—a lesson I know will be important as I pursue a career in medicine. It showed me that I’m capable of dedication and discipline, even when I don’t immediately get the rewards. It also solidified my belief in the importance of pursuing passions for the intrinsic joy they bring.”

4. Tie it together.

Briefly discuss the lasting impact of this experience on you. How has it influenced you since then? What does it mean to you now?

Have a strong conclusion that leaves the reader with a lasting impression. This could be a reflection on the broader implications of the experience or a statement about your continued growth. For example:

• “Though I may never be a rockstar, the lessons I learned in that basement—perseverance, the joy of learning, and the importance of intrinsic motivation—have stayed with me. They are a reminder that even without an audience, the pursuit of a challenging goal can be its own reward.”

How to Write the Case Western Supplemental Essay #2

In this Case Western supplemental essay, the admissions officers want to see your interest in a particular professional field and know the personal experiences and attributes that make you a strong candidate for accelerated entry into professional school.

Here’s a breakdown of what this prompt wants from you:

• Interest in your chosen profession. Explain why you are passionate about your chosen field. What genuinely excites you about it? Talk about any experiences that sparked that passion.
• Suitability for the field. What qualities, skills, or experiences make you a good fit for the profession? Reflect on your strengths and how they align with its demands.
• Relevant experiences or events. What specific experiences have solidified your choice and shaped your understanding of the profession? These could be personal experiences, observations, research, shadowing, volunteering, or anything that has significantly influenced your path. Highlight how these experiences shaped your decision and prepared you for the challenges of an accelerated path into professional school.

Brainstorming ideas

For this prompt, you’ll have to show “Why this particular profession?” Here are some brainstorming ideas to help you reflect on your answer:

1. Trace your influences.

Think about the moments that sparked your interest in this profession. Was there a certain person or experience that made you say, “This is what I want to do?” What have you learned about the field through these experiences?

Consider mentors, teachers, family members, or professionals you’ve met who inspired you. How did their example or advice affect your decision?

2. Recount important moments.

Think about a moment or series of moments when you felt a strong pull toward your chosen field. Try to remember experiences from childhood, high school, or extracurricular activities that were important in shaping your interests.

3. Identify relevant skills and qualities.

Think of the important skills and qualities needed to succeed in your chosen field. Are you a problem-solver? Empathetic? Analytical? Detail-oriented? Creative? How have you demonstrated these qualities in the past?

List down your skills (both technical and soft skills) that align with your chosen field. Think about how your personal traits have been demonstrated through real-life experiences.

Essay structure tips + examples

If you’re ready to showcase your fit for the profession, here’s how you can structure your essay:

1. Hook the reader.

You can start with an anecdote or a moment of realization that captures your passion for the field. Give a brief context that introduces the reader to the experience that sparked your interest.

Maybe you’re an aspiring cardiologist, your intro can look something like this:

• “The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was a constant backdrop to my childhood. My younger brother’s heart condition sparked a lifelong curiosity about the intricacies of the human body and the power of medicine to heal.”

2. Answer “Why this field?”

Discuss the specific aspects of the profession that genuinely interest you. What problems do you want to solve? What impact do you hope to make? What intellectual or personal challenges do you find appealing? Clearly explain your motivations.

You can also share the most important moment or experience that ignited your passion.

Going back to the example of being an aspiring cardiologist, this can be part of your answer to why you’re pursuing your chosen profession:

• “I’m drawn to medicine because of its scientific challenges and deeply human element. I want to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and compassionate patient care. I’m interested in the diagnostic process, the challenge of working out complex medical mysteries, and the satisfaction of helping patients slowly regain their health and well-being.”

3. Talk about your journey.

Talk about the events or experiences that have continued to shape your path and solidify your choice. Don’t forget to discuss how these experiences affected you. This includes what you learned, how your perspective changed, and how they reinforced your passion.

Connect these experiences directly to your interest and suitability. Show how they have prepared you for professional school. For instance:

• “Seeing the dedication of my brother’s medical team, their expertise, and their support for our family solidified my desire to pursue a career in medicine. Researching other heart diseases further fueled that passion for understanding the human body and finding new ways to treat patients.”

4. Showcase your suitability.

This is where you show your understanding of the field beyond just wanting to do it. Identify the most important skills and qualities needed to succeed in your chosen field. Then, connect your skills, qualities, and experiences to these demands. Remember to give specific examples to make your points.

Explain how these skills will help you thrive in both the accelerated program and your future career. For example:

• “My experience volunteering at the children’s hospital helped me develop my communication and interpersonal skills. I learned to interact with patients of all ages, to listen attentively to their concerns, and to explain complex medical procedures in a way they could understand. During my volunteer work, I saw a young patient’s anxiety before a procedure. I took the time to talk to him, explain what would happen in simple terms, and offer reassurance. Seeing him calm down and smile afterwards strengthened my belief in the power of empathy and communication in patient care.”

5. Mention future goals.

Talk about your future goals within the profession and how the Pre-Professional Scholars Program will help you achieve them. Explain why you’re trying out for early admission and how it aligns with your long-term aspirations. This is your chance to show that you’ve thought ahead and that you understand the program’s value.

You can end your essay with something like this:

• “The Pre-Professional Scholars Program has the ideal pathway to accelerate my medical education and achieve my goals. I’m excited to learn from experts, engage in research opportunities, and contribute to the Case Western Reserve community. I also hope to be involved in the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine’s and University Hospital’s Blood, Heart, Lung and Immunology Research Center. I’m confident that I have the passion, resilience, and dedication to make a meaningful contribution to the field of medicine and to the lives of my future patients.”

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Case Western Supplemental Essays

Writing supplemental essays for colleges, especially prestigious programs like Case Western’s Pre-Professional Scholars Program, requires careful attention to detail and a deep reflection of why you fit in.

Below are common mistakes and tips to help you avoid them:

1. Repeating information from other parts of your application

Supplemental essays are your chance to give depth and context to your personality that can’t be seen by lists of accomplishments. The Case Western prompt about an achievement that’s not on your resume is a perfect example of how they don’t want repetition.

Focus on personal insights, reflections, and experiences that add a new layer to your application. Since you’re applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, you should present information that paints you as a worthy student. 

Do your achievements show you as good at problem solving or analytical thinking? Provide context and how you improved those skills and how they can help you in your educational and career goals.

2. Not connecting your experience to future goals

Only discussing past experiences without connecting them to your future aspirations or how they prepare you for the program doesn’t really tell admissions officers much about why they should accept you. They also want to see how your experiences will translate into success in the Pre-Professional Scholars Program and your professional career.

Connect your experiences to your future goals. Explain how the lessons learned and skills gained will contribute to your success in the program and your career. Focus on experiences that show who you are as a person, not just what you’ve done.

3. Not proofreading and editing enough

Sloppy writing is a major red flag since mistakes in writing can distract from your message and give the impression of carelessness.

Review and revise your essay multiple times. Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Don’t be afraid to share your essays with others and ask for constructive criticism too. A college essay expert, in particular, will work closely with you to help you craft powerful essays.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Case Western have supplemental essays?

Yes, Case Western has supplemental essays, but only for students applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program.

2. How many supplemental essays does Case Western require?

Pre-Professional Scholars Program applicants need to submit two additional supplemental essays.

3. Are supplemental essays very important?

Yes, supplemental essays are very important since they give context to your achievements and grades. For Pre-Professional Scholars Program applicants, these essays help admissions officers see that they’ve done their research about the program and their future professions. It’s also a chance for them to show that they have the skills and qualities to thrive in their chosen fields.

Takeaways

Case Western supplemental essays prove to admissions officers that you understand what you’re applying for and that you have the qualities to thrive in your chosen profession.

• Case Western requires all students to submit a Common App personal statement. However, if you’re also applying for the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, you’ll also need to submit two additional supplemental essays.
• Some mistakes to avoid when writing your Case Western supplemental essays are repeating information, not connecting your past experiences to future goals, and not proofreading and revising them enough.
• Case Western’s essays let you talk about the journey that helped shape your academic and professional goals. A private consultant can help you consolidate your ideas and create essays that will boost your college application.