Each year, Ivy League supplemental essay prompts offer insight into what the most selective institutions value in their applicants. For the 2025–26 application cycle, the “Ancient Eight” are urging students to reveal deeper aspects of who they are beyond grades and test scores. They are pushing applicants to dig deeper to reveal what they represent, which communities have shaped them, and how they plan to make an impact on their campuses and beyond. We’ve outlined some key themes from this year’s supplemental essay prompts, as well as tips for approaching these essays authentically and successfully.
IVY LEAGUE: SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY TRENDS & TTA TIPS
Academic Curiosity & Fit
Example: Brown
Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)
Questions like this are meant to glean a better understanding of an applicant’s academic interest and why they want to pursue it at that specific institution.
TTA Top Tip: Connect past experiences to future goals by demonstrating how your intellectual journey led you to these particular opportunities available at that university. Be specific, and avoid generic answers. Rather than stating, “I love research,” SHOW how you love research.
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Community, Identity, & Belonging
Example: Cornell
We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to.
Many of this year’s prompts explore how students engage with communities, which helps inform how they will contribute to their future campus community. This is an opportunity for an institution to get a deeper look at a student’s background.
TTA Top Tip: Think broadly about what “community” means to you. It could be an extracurricular activity group, a religious organization, your family & friends, an academic cohort, or something else entirely. Choose a community where your involvement has been meaningful and where your contributions have made a real impact. Highlight the ways you’ve added value and how the experience has shaped your perspective, growth, or goals.
Joy & Excitement
Example: Princeton
What brings you joy?
While these prompts may be worded slightly differently at each of the Ivies, they are asking students to reflect on what makes them happy, excites them, and drives their curiosity.
TTA Top Tip: Show genuine enthusiasm, and don’t overthink what an admissions officer might find “impressive.” Authentic joy will resonate the most.
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Resilience, Civility, & Growth
Example: Harvard
Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?
Whether it is overcoming adversity, experiencing failure, or facing differing opinions, the focus of these essay prompts is resiliency and growth. Institutions are increasingly on the lookout for students who are able to engage in civil discourse and are using their supplemental essay prompts to explore a student’s open-mindedness and ability to think critically.
TTA Top Tip: Focus on the lessons learned, not just the hardship or disagreement. SHOW how you changed or how you influenced others in a positive way or conversely, were influenced, due to the experience. Keep in mind that the “challenge” doesn’t need to be life-altering; your reflection on this experience is what is most important.
Purpose & Impact
Example: Dartmouth
Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “This is what we are put on earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make – or are you already making – an impact? Why? How?
Selective institutions aim to build a class of future leaders and changemakers. This type of question allows them to assess an applicant’s commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond just themselves, whether locally, nationally, or globally.
TTA Top Tip: Demonstrate clear alignment with the institution’s core values. Many Ivy League schools emphasize service, leadership, and global citizenship. Be specific in showing how you’ve already taken action to create impact and connect those efforts with the opportunities and ethos of the university you’re applying to.
PRESENTING YOURSELF IN 3-D
Ivy League supplemental essay prompts are among the most specific each year, designed to help distinguish applicants in an exceptionally competitive pool. These essays aren’t just about answering a prompt – they’re about showcasing a multidimensional version of yourself. By identifying common themes across Ivy League supplements and reflecting on how your own experiences align with them, you can start to craft essays that stand out for their authenticity and clarity.
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Kylie’s background includes leading student recruitment and enrollment initiatives, serving as a Founding Member of the Higher Education Advisory Council at Cambridge University Press & Assessment English, and mentoring emerging leaders through coaching.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts and a Leadership Development Certificate from Johns Hopkins, and brings a passion for Positive Psychology and helping individuals navigate meaningful life transitions with confidence and clarity.
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