In our recent post, “The New Ivies: 2025 Edition,” we looked at Forbes’ second annual list that uses factors such as school size, selectivity, academic profiles, and post-graduation success as part of its methodology. Now that application season is officially upon us, we took another look at this list to unpack this year’s supplemental essay prompts, identify recurring themes and trends, and provide key takeaways to help applicants approach them with clarity and authenticity.
TTA Top Tip: For a list of college application essay prompts for this year, including colleges and universities without supplements, check out our “Essay Prompts” page.
THE NEW IVIES: PUBLIC VS PRIVATE
The Public Ivies
Includes: Georgia Institute of Technology, Purdue University, the University of Texas at Austin, United States Military Academy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, and William & Mary
- Emphasis on “why this major” and career aspirations
Many schools on the Public Ivy list, especially those with STEM flagships, like Georgia Tech, Purdue, Michigan, and UIUC, directly ask you to connect your intended field to your experiences and goals. They are looking for clear answers, not generic responses.
TTA Takeaway: Demonstrate concrete examples of academic character (research projects, internships, competitions, academic papers) and tie these to resources at that specific institution.
2. Community, leadership, and collaboration
UNC, UVA, and William & Mary all provide prompts that aim to capture an applicant’s community involvement, values, and ability to collaborate effectively.
TTA Takeaway: Connect past community and leadership experience to specific ways you will contribute on each respective campus. Consider the clubs, organizations, and experiences you have in high school, and outline how this translates to their community specifically.
3. Fit through culture and traditions, not just academics
Many schools on this list expect you to know not just about academics, but also unique traditions and culture (e.g., Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck, Chapel Hill’s arts and culture scene, the U.S. Military Academy’s 500th Night).
TTA Takeaway: Name unique non-academic opportunities and connect them to your goals and/or personality. Go beyond what you can find on their website (they know all about their own traditions so you need to provide your own unique take on them!) to get the best examples. Speak with current students, check out the school’s social media, and take a tour (in-person or virtually).
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The Private Ivies
Includes: Carnegie Mellon University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Rice University, Tufts University, University of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University, and Washington University in St. Louis
1. Background and identity
Many institutions are continuing the trend of asking applicants about their background, identity, and lived experience, which can help provide additional context about a student. Admissions readers are not just collecting facts; they want to see how your background has affected the way you think or act.
TTA Takeaway: Avoid restating your resume, and take advantage of the opportunity to shed light on an important aspect of your identity. Pick one specific lens, anchor it in a short story, and demonstrate impact.
2. Values, ethics, and service orientation
Notre Dame and Emory ask about service to others most explicitly, but many prompts leave the door open to learn more about how an applicant serves their larger community.
TTA Takeaway: Pick one value you’ve acted on and describe the action, not just the belief.
3. Collaboration
Institutions are building a class of scholars who can work effectively with one another, and some prompts specifically ask how applicants have contributed to inclusive and collaborative communities. Some schools (e.g., Emory University) take it a step further by providing an optional prompt on overcoming disagreement to contribute to meaningful dialogue.
Takeaway: Consider your larger community and reflect on the impact you have had. Highlight a concrete example of how you have bettered a community.
TTA Top Tip: Whether you’re writing your Personal Statement or a supplement, the key is always—
“Show. Don’t Tell.”
PLANNING ON APPLYING TO THE NEW IVIES?
Whether you are considering applying to a Public or Private “New Ivy,” the recurring themes – academic fit, community impact, identity, and collaboration – are clear for the 2025-26 admissions cycle. Specificity and authenticity are crucial in developing a strong response, and, in order to achieve this, students must do their research on each institution. Go beyond the website to really understand how you are a potential fit. Remember, most of these prompts give you only 150-300 words, so cut the fluff. Lead with your main point, support it with one or two specific examples, and leave the reader with no doubt that you belong on their campus.
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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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