Stanford Supplemental Essays 2025-2026: Writing Tips + Examples

Stanford University asks for eight supplemental essays as part of its application. This is made up of three 250-word essays and five 50-word ones, all of which are required.

The university’s admissions process is very competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 3.9%. Well-written and authentic essays can help you stand out among a pool of highly competitive applicants since they help the admissions team understand what makes you different and how you align with Stanford’s mission and community.

In this blog, we’ll go through the eight supplemental essay prompts one by one, giving you examples and tips for answering each of them effectively.

• Stanford Supplemental Essay Prompts
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #1
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #2
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #3
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #4
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #5
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #6
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #7
• How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #8
• Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Stanford Supplemental Essays
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Stanford Supplemental Essay Prompts

Stanford requires a personal essay through the Common Application. Aside from that, they also ask for eight supplemental essays.

Three of the Stanford supplemental essays should be answered in 100 to 250 words. Below are the prompts for 2025-2026:

• The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
• Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.
• Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.

The other five supplemental essays are short questions that you should answer within 50 words each. That doesn’t look like a lot of space, but trust us, that’s enough if you can structure your responses well. Here are the 2025-2026 prompts for the short response questions:

• What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
• How did you spend your last two summers?
• What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
• Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.
• List five things that are important to you.

The Stanford questions want you to dive deeper into your passions, interests, and possible contributions to the Stanford community. 

Eight essays might seem like a lot, but think of it as an opportunity to show different parts of yourself. Below, we’ll discuss each prompt to help you understand what they want from you and give you some tips on brainstorming for ideas and writing.

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #1

In this supplemental essay, Stanford wants you to explore your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. They want to know what drives you to learn beyond the classroom and how this enthusiasm for discovery has shaped your perspective or goals.

Brainstorming ideas

Think back on all the times you actively sought knowledge outside of the classroom. These can be:

• Independent projects. Did you build a robot, write a novel, or conduct a scientific experiment?
• Hobbies. Do you play an instrument, code, debate, or engage in a specific sport at a high level? How do learning and improvement factor in?
• Overcoming challenges. Did you face an academic obstacle and find creative ways to overcome it?
• Travel experiences. Did travel broaden your perspective and spark new intellectual curiosities?

Once you’ve identified what you want to write about, connect it to growth. Show your initiative, perseverance, and willingness to delve deeper into subjects that truly interest you.

Essay structure tips

Once you have your ideas ready, here’s how you can start writing your essay:

• Start with a captivating hook. Start with a vivid anecdote or specific moment that captures your excitement about a concept or experience.
• Develop your story. Continue talking about why this experience mattered to you and how it sparked curiosity or drove you to learn more.
• Reflect on the impact. How has this experience shaped your intellectual growth and your approach to learning?

For example, if you have a fascination with astronomy, you can talk about how you delved into it—such as building a model of the solar system, attending lectures, or joining astronomy competitions and clubs.

Then, reflect on how the interest has affected you. Maybe your exploration of the topic has fostered a love of scientific inquiry and a desire to understand the universe. Connect your realizations to personal growth or future aspirations, which can let you briefly and naturally mention how your passion aligns with Stanford’s values or how you envision pursuing your intellectual interests at the university.

Supplemental essay example

The first time I held a broken blender in my hands, I was thinking about how much my mom loved that blender, how she used it every Sunday to make strawberry smoothies for our family for lunch, or how she used it to make pesto sauce the other night. When the motor gave out, she sighed and set it aside, assuming it was beyond saving.

I refused to accept that.

Armed with YouTube tutorials, a borrowed multimeter, and pure stubbornness, I took the blender apart on our kitchen floor. Wires tangled like spaghetti. Screws scattered across the tiles. I failed again and again, burning out one replacement motor before realizing I’d wired it backward. But the moment the blades spun to life again, I felt pride swell inside me.

I started taking apart anything I could find—old fans, speakers, even a broken treadmill motor I hauled home from a neighbor’s curb. I didn’t always succeed, but each failure pushed me deeper into the mechanics of how things work: torque, gear ratios, electrical current. Engineering stopped being abstract. It became personal. It became alive.

At Stanford, I hope to continue chasing that spark of curiosity through clubs and initiatives like the Society of Women Engineers, the Stanford Solar Car Project, and Engineers for a Sustainable World. My dream is to build technology that works for everyone, especially in communities where “broken” too often means “forgotten.” I want to turn problems into possibilities, one solution at a time.

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #2

This supplemental essay lets you present yourself to the Stanford admissions committee in a more personal and informal way. It’s also a chance to share more details that might not fit in the rest of your application.

Brainstorming ideas

We know it can be tempting to want to give off a certain cool first impression, but don’t try to be someone you’re not. There are many things you can tell a roommate. Here are a few ideas that can help you focus your thoughts on one topic:

• Living habits. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Do you need quiet time to study or are you more social?
• Cleanliness. Are you meticulous about keeping things tidy or more relaxed?
• Social preferences. Do you enjoy having friends over, participating in dorm activities, or prefer more quiet time? Are you the type to host movie nights or organize study groups?
• Hobbies and interests. Do you play music, enjoy cooking, or have any unique hobbies that might be relevant to dorm life? Do you have any unusual collections, superstitions, or hidden talents?
• Short anecdote. Share a brief, humorous story that reveals something about you. For instance, maybe you’ve mastered packing light because of frequent moves.

Essay structure tips

Below are some tips to help structure your letter to a future roommate:

• Start with a warm opening. Start with a friendly introduction that sets the tone. If you want to keep the note light, it can be something like “I’m [Name], the person who will likely be dancing around at 2 a.m. (quietly, I promise).”
• Reveal personal details. Share anecdotes or traits that give insight into who you are, such as “I’ll probably fill our fridge with homemade kimchi. It’s a family tradition, and I’d love to teach you if you’re up for the challenge!”
• Show excitement to shared experiences. Mention what you look forward to about living on campus and bonding with your roommate, such as “Maybe we can have some epic dorm cooking sessions (and you can politely hum along to my off-key rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’).”
• Close on a friendly note. End with excitement and an invitation for connection, such as “Looking forward to making memories, learning about you, and turning our dorm into a little slice of home!”

Supplemental essay example

Hey Future Roomie,

Can’t wait to meet you! Figured I’d give you a heads-up about a few things so I’m not a complete mystery on move-in day.

First off, I like things neat. Not like military-level, but I feel better when my side of the room doesn’t look like it got hit by a tornado. That said, no judgment on your side. Just don’t be surprised if I’m constantly picking up random socks (maybe even yours—no hard feelings).

I’ve also got a thing for books. They sort of multiply on their own (must be those trips to the bookstore), and before I know it, my desk is a small library. If you ever want a recommendation or just a stack to use as a laptop stand, I’ve got you.

Also, I’m definitely more of a night owl. My brain seems to wake up around midnight, so you might see me typing away or humming to some random playlist. I always use headphones, though, so you might catch me randomly dancing on the way to the fridge or the bed.

During the day, I’m down for food runs, wandering around campus, or finding the best iced coffee within walking distance. But I’m also totally cool with quiet hangouts or just coexisting in peace when we both need space.

I’m looking forward to making our room feel like home—with good vibes, snacks, and maybe a shared playlist or two.

See you soon!

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #3

This Stanford supplemental essay prompt wants you to reflect on what makes you unique and how your background, experiences, passions, and character traits could enrich Stanford’s community.

Brainstorming ideas

Reflect on your unique background and experiences, such as:

• Overcoming challenges. How have you overcome adversity? What lessons did you learn that you can share with others?
• Leadership roles. Have you led clubs, teams, or community projects? What impact did you have?
• Volunteer work. How have you used your skills and time to serve others?
• Creative pursuits. Do you have any unique artistic or creative talents that you could share with the Stanford community?
• Culture and ethnicity. Did you grow up bilingual or immigrate to the US when you were younger?

Once you have an idea of what experience you want to write about, consider how they can enhance Stanford’s academic or social environment.

For instance, how can your interests align with research conducted at Stanford? Which clubs or groups at Stanford would you be interested in joining and contributing to? How can you use your skills to contribute to the local community around Stanford?

Essay structure tips

• Start with a strong hook. Begin with a captivating anecdote or a concise statement that highlights your unique contribution.
• Clearly articulate your distinctive qualities. Briefly describe the experiences, skills, or perspectives that make you unique.
• Explain the impact of your contributions. Describe how your unique qualities will benefit the Stanford community.
• End on a strong note. Reiterate your commitment to contributing meaningfully to the Stanford community.

Let’s say you have a passion for photography. You can say that the hobby has allowed you to capture the beauty of the world around you, tell stories, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

From there, you can describe your photography competitions, projects, exhibitions, or workshops. Mention your experience in collaborating with others and using photography to raise awareness for social issues.

Explain how you could share your passion for photography with other students through workshops, photo clubs, or by documenting campus life. You could also mention your interest in exploring photography as a tool for social change within the Stanford community.

Supplemental essay example

Growing up in Santa Fe, I remember neighbors swapping tips on how to reuse dishwater for their gardens or which days the city allowed outdoor watering. I didn’t realize until later that not thinking about water every day was a privilege that other communities had.

That awareness grew into something bigger when I started researching groundwater depletion in New Mexico. I spent months digging through public data, learning how aquifers shrink over time. I tested rainwater runoff in my own backyard, measuring soil absorption after storms, even building a DIY moisture sensor to monitor the land behind our neighborhood.

What started as personal curiosity turned into a passion for using environmental data to tell stories that could push communities to protect the resources they can’t afford to lose.

It’s easy to think of science as just terms and equations in the classroom, but seeing it in the real world will make you realize that it’s also local, urgent, and human. The world is my living lab—that’s the perspective I’d like to bring to Stanford.

I also hope to deepen this work through the Earth Systems Program. I’m interested in courses like CEE 166A: Watershed Hydrologic Processes and Models and projects with the Water in the West initiative. Maybe I can also collaborate with students in Students for a Sustainable Stanford to bridge data, policy, and community action. My goal is to help people see that protecting water is a shared responsibility that starts in the places we call home.

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #4

This Stanford supplemental essay challenges you to identify a pressing issue in society and explain why it matters in just 50 words. The admissions team wants to see how you think critically, prioritize issues, and communicate concisely. Your answer should reflect your values, awareness of global or local challenges, and your perspective on their impact.

Brainstorming ideas

It can feel overwhelming considering many possible issues to talk about. Below are a few tips to help you narrow it down:

• Focus on personal relevance. Choose a challenge that resonates with you or aligns with your interests and aspirations.
• Think globally or locally. Decide whether to address a broad issue (like income inequality) or something more specific (like food insecurity in rural areas).
• Consider urgency and impact. Highlight an issue with significant consequences for humanity or the planet.
• Think about potential solutions. While not explicitly required, considering potential solutions can help you refine your argument.

Essay structure tips

When you’re ready with your ideas, here’s how you can write your essay:

• Start your essay by immediately identifying the most significant societal issue for you. If you’re passionate about the environment, you can focus on climate change.
• Mention why the issue is important or talk about its broader implications.
• Show your understanding of the challenge by acknowledging its complexity or offering potential solutions.

Supplemental essay example

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents ethical dilemmas. Issues of bias, job displacement, and the potential for misuse require careful consideration. Addressing this challenge will need interdisciplinary collaboration between technologists, ethicists, and policymakers to make sure AI development aligns with human values and benefits all of society.

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #5

This Stanford supplemental essay asks for a brief yet meaningful snapshot of how you spent your last two summers. The admissions team is looking for insight into your interests, priorities, and how you choose to use your time.

Brainstorming ideas

Reflect on how you genuinely spent your time. If you’re not sure which experiences to talk about, here are some tips:

• Choose meaningful activities. Focus on activities that reflect your interests, values, and personal growth.
• Highlight growth or impact. Choose experiences where you gained new skills, challenged yourself, or made a difference.
• Show variety or focus. Include a mix of activities (like work, volunteer work, hobbies, travel, or personal projects) for breadth or highlight a focused pursuit for depth (such as joining an AI camp or conducting personal research).
• Look at impact. Did your summer activities have a positive impact on you or others?

Essay structure tips

Now that you’ve chosen which activities to go with, here are tips to help structure your essay:

• Use strong verbs. Choose active verbs that convey your actions and engagement.
• Focus on key activities. Briefly mention 1-2 key activities from each summer.
• Imply personal growth. Even if you mention leisure activities, try to subtly convey how they contributed to your personal development.

Supplemental essay example

Last summer, I obsessively dissected Chopin by day and composed midnight melodies, my piano a time machine. This summer? I geeked out on aperture settings, chasing golden-hour light to frame my neighborhood’s gritty charm. Why choose between pianist and photographer when you can be both?

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #6

This Stanford supplemental essay encourages you to delve into your intellectual curiosity and historical awareness. It aims to understand your interests beyond the present and your ability to connect with past events.

Brainstorming ideas

It can be hard to choose just one historical event in the thousands of years of recorded history. But below are a few tips to help you pick the right one:

• Consider your interests. Choose an event tied to your passions, whether it’s art, science, social justice, or politics. If you love the visual arts, the Renaissance might be a cultural movement that interests you.
• Think about the “why.” Think about why a particular event is significant to you. How would witnessing this event have impacted your understanding of the world? What questions would you have wanted to ask the people involved?
• Reflect on personal connection. You can pick an event that reflects your values or curiosity about the world. For instance, you can choose Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March if you’re inspired by peaceful resistance.

Essay structure tips

If you have a historical event in mind, here’s how to write your essay:

• Start with the event. Clearly name the moment you wish to witness.
• Explain the significance. In one sentence, highlight why the event matters historically or personally.
• Show your connection. Conclude by tying the moment to your curiosity or values.

Supplemental essay example

I wish I could have been there when penicillin was first used to save a patient’s life. Seeing the dawn of modern medicine would reinforce my passion for biomedical research and my belief that small discoveries can change the world.

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #7

This prompt seeks to understand your commitments and responsibilities outside of academics. This offers insights into your character, work ethic, and how you balance your time and responsibilities.

Brainstorming ideas

If you’re thinking about what commitment you should talk about, consider these tips:

• Reflect on your commitments. Among all your commitments, which one has shaped your personal growth, taught you important lessons, or reflected your passions the most?
• Focus on impact. Highlight how your involvement made a difference, either for yourself or others. Did you take care of your grandparents, inspire others, or grow as a leader?
• Highlight personal growth. Consider how this role demonstrates qualities like responsibility, creativity, or resilience.
• Avoid repetition. Choose an activity that hasn’t already been covered in detail yet elsewhere in your application.

Essay structure tips

Once you’ve chosen the commitment you want to write about, here are some tips on structuring your essay:

• Start with a clear description. Briefly explain the activity or role.
• Highlight your contribution. Explain what you’ve accomplished or the impact you’ve made.
• Conclude with personal growth or meaning. Reflect on what the role means to you.

Supplemental essay example

Working as a tutor has taught me patience and effective communication. Witnessing my students’ “Aha!” moments reinforces the power of education and motivates me to pursue a career that empowers others through learning.

How to Write the Stanford Supplemental Essay #8

This Stanford supplemental essay offers a unique glimpse into your values, priorities, and what truly matters to you. The admissions committee wants to see what defines you, what drives your actions, and how these elements contribute to your character and worldview.

Brainstorming ideas

How do you choose just five things to share with the admissions committee? Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Reflect on your experiences. What experiences have shaped your values? What challenges have you overcome?
• Consider your relationships. What are your relationships with family, friends, and community?
• Think about your passions. What are your hobbies and interests, and what drives you to pursue them?
• Consider your goals. What are your aspirations for the future? What kind of impact do you want to make on the world?

You can even include unique or unexpected “items,” such as “the smell of old books.” You should avoid vague terms as well. So, instead of simply saying “art,” you can say “the freedom of painting abstract landscape.” These little things add some quirk to your list that further reflects your individuality.

Essay structure tips

Since this is a list, there’s really no structure to it—the list should speak for itself. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Be direct and concise: 50 words is extremely limited, so make sure every word counts.
• Focus on variety: Include a mix of personal, intellectual, and social values.
• Avoid generic responses: Instead of “family,” consider “strong family bonds” or “supporting my loved ones.” Be specific about what matters to you.

Supplemental essay example

1. My grandmother’s recipes on Chinese food
2. Advocating for mental health awareness
3. The sound of rain on windows
4. The teddy bear my dad gave me before his first military operation abroad
5. Playing the violin in my community orchestra

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Stanford Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are a chance to stand out from the pool of thousands of other applicants. As such, writing them is pretty delicate work. To prevent your essays from being forgettable, below are mistakes you should definitely avoid:

1. Not directly addressing the prompt

Stanford admissions officers carefully review essays to understand your unique perspective. If you don’t address the prompt directly, you miss a big opportunity to show your insights and fit with the university.

As such, carefully read and re-read each prompt, underline keywords and phrases, and create an outline that directly addresses the specific questions asked.

2. Being generic or vague

Stanford seeks unique and insightful perspectives. Generic statements (like clichés or overly broad statements) will fail to distinguish you from other applicants and demonstrate your individuality.

To prevent this, be specific and provide concrete examples. Use vivid language, reflections, and anecdotes to show your points and make your essays memorable.

3. Repeating information from other parts of your application

Supplemental essays are your chance to provide new and unique insights into your personality, interests, and experiences and how they can connect you to the Stanford community.

Use each essay as a chance to explore a different aspect of yourself and highlight unique qualities or experiences not covered elsewhere in your application.

4. Trying too hard to impress

Overloading your essay with jargon, long sentences, or overly formal language to sound “smart” can make your writing feel artificial and harder to connect with. Instead, write in a natural, authentic voice. Be conversational while maintaining clarity and purpose.

Another way you might be trying too hard to impress is by focusing too much on your achievements. The essays are an opportunity to showcase your character, not repeat what’s in your application form. Focus on your growth, values, and motivations behind your achievements, not just the accolades themselves.

5. Ignoring the word limit

Admissions officers may see this as a lack of attention to detail and respect for guidelines or an inability to be concise—especially for the short response questions. Stay within the limit. Keep revising your essays to keep them under the word count while still being focused and impactful.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Stanford have supplemental essays?

Yes, Stanford has supplemental essays in addition to the Common App’s personal statement.

2. How many supplemental essays does Stanford have?

Stanford has eight supplemental essays: three short essay questions and five short response questions.

3. How much do Stanford essays matter?

Stanford essays matter a lot to your application since they are a chance to show your personality, values, and potential beyond grades and test scores. They help admissions officers understand your unique perspective, passions, and fit within Stanford’s community. Even if you don’t have the best GPA or test scores, well-written essays can give you a fighting chance against other highly qualified applicants,

Takeaways

Stanford supplemental essays are your chance to let the admissions committee see who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Here’s what you need to know:

• Stanford’s three short essay questions should be answered in 100 to 250 words each.
• Stanford’s five short response questions should be answered in 50 words each, so you’ll need to be very concise and focused with your answers.
• Some mistakes to avoid when writing Stanford supplemental essays are not directly addressing the prompt, being generic or vague, repeating information, trying too hard to impress, and impressing the word limits.
• It can be hard work trying to write and continuously refine eight different essays, not to mention you’ll be doing this alongside school, extracurriculars, and completing Stanford’s other application requirements. A private consultant can help you craft excellent essays while improving the rest of your college application.