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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Howard University Supplemental Questions

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Attending a historically Black college or university (HBCU) offers the opportunity to experience a unique learning environment that promotes diversity. One of the most well-known HBCUs in the United States is Howard University. With a competitive 35% acceptance rate , students applying to Howard need compelling supplemental essays and the grades to match to gain admission. 

Keep reading to learn how to wow the admissions office with the best essay possible!

First, a little about Howard University

Established in 1867, Howard University is located in Washington, DC. Since its founding, Howard has awarded over 100,000 degrees in a broad range of fields. Known as a “ comprehensive predominantly Black university ,” Howard University graduates top Black professionals who major in architecture , dentistry, education , engineering , law, medicine, music , nursing , pharmacy, religion, and social work . 

In addition to its impressive academic reputation, Howard university competes in a total of 19 varsity sports. Before diving into the prompt below, take some time to read about the unique history of Howard University. 

“Diversity of all kinds is important to enriching the educational experience at Howard University. Please share with us anything in your background or lived experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at Howard.” (500 words max)

As an HBCU, approaching this prompt from a perspective of a person of color can be extremely helpful as that’s a shared experience on campus. However, this can become a popular focus for an essay, so you might want to pick other experiences that have shaped you such as a treasured mentorship or a unique hardship you hope to overcome or have already overcome.  

Try to relate this experience to Howard, whether by connecting a value you’ve learned or an activity that Howard currently has. Don’t forget to be creative and add your own personal flair to your essay. Remember, the reader probably already read your resume, so this essay is a chance to show what makes you the unique person you are!

Questions to consider:

• How does this experience relate to what you hope to achieve at Howard?
• What does your experience say about you?
• Is this experience unique to you or can other people relate?

“Please describe the major you intend to study and how you hope to use your Howard education to support you in achieving your passions and goals. Please address your first-choice and second-choice major selections.” (500 words max)

This prompt is relatively straightforward. Howard is looking for the reasoning behind your passion for a certain major, and what you hope to achieve after graduation. The admissions office uses this prompt to get to know you and how you’ll fit into the degree program you’re applying for. 

Be sure to include how Howard is instrumental in those pursuits and unique characteristics about the desired degree program. You can even include sentences about your interests in specific classes Howard offers or other student resources. 

• What career field do you want to work in?
• What major would interest you the most and why?
• What’s unique about Howard that makes you want to study your desired major there?

Final thoughts for applicants

Now that you’re finishing up your application, it’s important to keep some things in mind. Your supplemental essay is significant, even if it’s optional, so you should take time to edit it. Ask your peers or teachers to look over your essay to help pinpoint run-on sentences or errors in grammar and spelling. 

Also, while you’re waiting for your notification date , you should make sure all your financial aid forms are submitted to your schools of choice. Ideally, you should get your FAFSA and CSS Profile in as soon as possible to maximize your financial aid package. 

Additional resources

Now you’ve got some great tools to write your Howard University supplemental essay! Just in case you need a few more tips, learning about the impact of extracurricular activities might help you with the Howard University prompt. 

Need to learn some tips on how to start your college admissions essay ? We have you covered! Check out our supplemental essay guides for any other schools you might be applying to. Best of luck with your applications, and don’t forget to apply for all the scholarships you qualify for!

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A Strong Howard University Essay Example

Located near the nation’s capital, Howard University is one of the best-known HBCUs in the country. As a school with a competitive admissions process, Howard places significant importance on student essays, so it’s important to write a strong one to help your application stand out.

This post will go over a real applicant’s essay and highlight what it did well, plus what could be improved.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Howard University essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Howard University Essay Example: Why Business? 

Prompt:  The School of Business has been a model for higher education since its founding in 1970. With dynamic academic departments, ground breaking centers of excellence, esteemed faculty, award winning programs, and over 8,000 alumni across the globe, the Howard University School of Business continues to be ranked among the top business programs in the nation. Describe why you are interested in studying business, and how the program that you have selected will support your particular interests. (750 Words)

Ever since I was a child, I have always loved to travel. Travel has always been a new opportunity for me to learn outside the classroom. At just twelve years old, I marveled at the Eiffel Tower, learning about the different cultural aspects present around Paris and comparing the vibrant city of Paris to the sleepless city of New York. At seventeen, I was able to visit Senegal for the fifth time. Finally, I was mature enough to see the struggle faced by those that live there. 

I’ve always wanted to make an impact that would last. So during Junior year, I struggled to find a major that would work for me. I never liked to be locked down to one area as my mind has always loved to travel. So I was ecstatic when I discovered that international business was a major. Not only was I able to study business, but I was able to study business from a global perspective, which is what business is to me. Business is not regional or national. It is international. With the help of Howard, I will be able to learn what it takes to join and thrive in a global atmosphere. 

At Howards Business school, I plan to study international business with a regional sequence with concentration in Europe. Given the emphasis on the world around me. I chose to participate in the regional series rather than the functional sequence. I also liked that the regional sequence was more tailored for history nerds; like myself. I have always loved history because of the many topics that seem to intertwine. Furthermore, I will be immersed in Europe’s vast diversity through my studies.

I cannot wait for the opportunity to study alongside Masoud Kavoossi, who has done so much work around the world. His extensive work worldwide will allow me to learn so much from him. Kavoossi will give me insights into issues on many topics around the world, and I cannot wait to hear more about his time with the world bank. With professors like Masoud Kavoossi, I will be given the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a global leader from a global leader. 

A big part of international business is studying abroad. At Howard, I will take on the many opportunities to study abroad. Like the IFSA program in Scotland. I plan to spend at least a semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh. My love of Mary Queen of Scots and her life prompted this. I was lucky enough to visit Edinburgh in the summer of my senior year in middle school. I fell in love with the city. It was nothing like New York, which made me fall in love with it more. The castles that date back centuries and the adventurous morning walks excited me to experience IFSA in Edinburgh at Howard. I plan to continue my studies in business while at Edinburgh. In Scotland, I will be in a new environment that will allow me to understand what it means to do business internationally. 

Though I am very excited to be shipped off to Edinburgh, I also can’t wait to participate in various clubs at Howard. One club I am excited to join is the African Business club, which promotes business to a worldwide audience, something I would like to continue far into the future. 

In high school, I started a “Mentoring For All” club. This project aimed to provide students with the opportunities they need to succeed in high school and after high school. I realized that there was a lack of resources surrounding success after high school at my school. I plan to continue this in college by helping students through Matriculate. A mentoring program that helped many students like me get through the admissions process. I hope to bring this to Howard, possibly starting a club that will allow Howard students to help high school students with their college apps. 

I am excited about what’s to come. I cannot wait to start my journey at Howard’s School of Business. First, Howard’s world-class courses will offer me the needed skills to become a global leader. Its revolutionary professors will give me tips that can help me in the future. Lastly, their excellent study abroad programs will allow me to explore the world around me. Every journey starts somewhere, and mine will begin at Howard!

What the Essay Did Well

This essay fits the classic “Why This Major?” archetype , which asks you to detail your interest in the field and your professional goals. By sharing her past experiences and future opportunities she looks forward to at Howard, the writer elaborates on her academic passions and motivation to pursue a major in business through international studies.

It’s clear that the author has a passion for travel, and we can easily see through her experiences in Europe and Senegal that she’s using travel to learn about the culture and circumstances of the world around her. We can understand why she’s drawn to international business specifically.

The author also does a good job specifying her program and how it will support her interests. which is international business with a regional sequence focused on Europe. She briefly outlines her decision to choose the regional sequence (which includes studying emerging countries, Latin America, Europe, Middle East/Northern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa etc.) over the functional sequence (which includes courses in finance, risk management, marketing, accounting, etc.) emphasizing her love for history and the interconnectivity of various topics.

The author also points out specific resources and faculty at Howard, showing that she’s done her research. She mentions her excitement of studying alongside Masoud Kavoossi, a professor with extensive work around the world. She also indicated interest in the IFSA study abroad program in Scotland. She expresses her love for the city of Edinburgh by sharing a personal anecdote and her desire to experience business in a new international environment.

Both of these specific details demonstrate the author’s enthusiasm for learning through different types of opportunities and reveals to readers that she has a concrete plan to obtain a world-class education at Howard.

What Could Be Improved 

While this essay shows the author’s enthusiasm for international business and Howard in general, it’s very general and lacks the “why” behind her plans. Some of the language is also repetitive (there are a lot of “I cannot wait”s), and there are some grammatical errors.

Adding more detail to the first paragraph would greatly improve the essay by clarifying why the author is interested in studying international business. The author only generally describes how her perspective on international affairs has developed throughout her childhood, going from enjoying the leisure in Paris to noticing the struggles of those living in Senegal. This would’ve been a great spot to tell a specific story and share how these experiences changed the author’s perspective on international affairs.

For example, it would have been great for the author to discuss the “different cultural aspects” of Paris that excited her and what specifically in her fifth trip to Senegal she noticed that required her to be “mature enough to see the struggles faced” in the country. Providing these details would allow the reader to better understand the student’s “love of travel” and unique perspectives she could bring to Howard.

This same line of thinking can be applied to the specific opportunities the author looks forward to at Howard. As it stands, the paragraph about her interest in studying alongside Professor Kvoossi is very vague and repetitive, and leaves the reader unsure of what specifically the author hopes to study alongside this global leader. The author should include specific examples of the work that Professor Kavoossi has conducted and how this work is intriguing to the student. More specifically, the student could provide an example of a past experience that directly relates to this professor’s ongoing work.

Additionally, when describing Howard’s IFSA program in Scotland, the author mainly focuses on how charmed she was during her recent trip to the country. A better approach would be to highlight more substantial details related to how the culture and history of Scotland will enhance her college experience, and pick out particular features of Howard’s program that she looks forward to.

The details about the African Business Club and “Mentoring For All” club also feel dropped in, and they break the flow of the essay. The author could’ve removed the section on the mentorship club to expand upon why she wants to join the African Business Club and how it would support her goals. She currently only says the club “promotes business to a worldwide audience,” which doesn’t tell us much about its specific resources or activities.

Overall, by providing more specific examples, discussing her past and future engagement in international business, and further elaborating on her goals and aspirations, the essay would offer a more comprehensive and compelling case for why the author is interested in studying at Howard’s School of Business.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay

Want feedback on your Howard essay before you submit? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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The Art of the Admission Essay

The admission essay is your chance to showcase who you are, and is a major component of our review process. Please note the tips included below so that you can hone in on your voice, and showcase why you should join our Bison community. 

USE YOUR VOICE

Each applicant is different: you have different intellectual interests, academic backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses, and life goals. These differences are what make you individually intriguing to our admission counselors. Your application essay is your most important opportunity to show us who you are in your own voice. That means, we want to hear your unique story. People will always have similar life experiences, but your reactions to and feelings about them are as unique as your fingerprint. So, tell us what drives you, what is important to you, what your goals are, and how you plan to achieve them.

BE HONEST, DO NOT EMBELLISH, AND STAY FOCUSED

Remember that your application essay is not a list of every reason you should be admitted nor is it a history report on Howard University and our influential alumni. The essay is about you. Before you start writing your essay, take time to brainstorm people who inspire you, events that have shaped you, and issues that matter to you. Then choose one idea or two connected ideas to write about. If you want to tell us a story, that’s great! Everyone loves a good story, at least our admission counselors do. One rule of creative writing that is useful for your admission essay is, wherever possible, show not tell. This means, instead of telling us that you are compassionate and determined, recount an event or conversation that shows us these attributes. However, you cannot tell stories without adding your opinion and reflection! This is what shows us that you are a critical thinker and an informed, ethical applicant. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to write about simple things. For example, a good essay may be about how you became interested in botany from helping your grandmother meticulously maintain her tiny backyard garden when you were young. Such an essay could easily show our admission counselors that you are a family-oriented, disciplined, and self-motivated student – and this is what we are looking for! Not all great essays are about volunteering abroad or overcoming chronic illness. Finally, ignore the urge to use “how to” books and websites that promise you can write the “perfect” essay if you follow their formula. We believe that if there is one rule to writing the best application essay, it ought to be this: The essay is YOURS! Stay in control of it! It is good to ask your teachers and friends to proofread it, but don’t let them overtake it! Everyone will have different ideas about what will make your essay more effective. But if you take everyone’s advice, you risk losing your own voice.

WRITING SUPPLEMENTS

In addition to your main Common Application essay, supplemental essays may also be submitted as part of your application. While not required, a supplemental essay allows you to expound on why you may be interested in a particular school/college or program. It also gives our admission committee another chance to see who you are, and get a better sense of how you can contribute to the legacy of the university. To ensure you write a thoughtful essay, we highly encourage you to thoroughly research your desired school/college or program of interest. Please note, your writing supplement(s) must be submitted separately from your Common Application. After your application has been submitted, you may then review and submit your writing supplement(s) under the “Writing Supplement” heading. All writing supplements must be submitted by our stated application deadline.

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2023-2024 Howard

• Thread starter chilly_md
• Start date Mar 17, 2023

Full Member

• Mar 17, 2023

Howard University College of Medicine Interview Feedback

harry_potter138

• Jun 30, 2023

confirmation of AMCAS primary application received  

+1 confirmation of completed primary received email states that secondaries will be sent out july 31, 2023 - jan 14, 2024  

harry_potter138 said: confirmation of AMCAS primary application received Click to expand...

+1 of completed primary as well, good luck to everyone this cycle  

• Jul 20, 2023

Secondary received  

Just got my secondary! I cant find the essay entry/prompts though..  

Smileydimples

Out of state Secondary received!  

Smileydimples said: +1 OOS received! Click to expand...

SOtheProdigy

Yatuchavez said: Secondary received Click to expand...

obgyn876 said: Got the secondary but only parts I got was --photo upload and course assignment --did anyone get the question portion or will that be in email number 3 ? Click to expand...

Feeny said: +2! Click to expand...

• Jul 21, 2023

Thank you @Sochiagha for sharing those. How many characters for the why Howard questions?  

spirited wildflower

chilly_md said: Thank you @Sochiagha for sharing those. How many characters for the why Howard questions? Click to expand...

OOS +1  

• Jul 22, 2023
• Jul 23, 2023
• Jul 25, 2023

Anyone know why they're asking for SAT/ACT on the secondary lol? Don't remember what I got nor how to find out  

bdizzle646 said: Anyone know why they're asking for SAT/ACT on the secondary lol? Don't remember what I got nor how to find out Click to expand...

• Jul 26, 2023

Got a email saying Secondary received (sent on July 21) and file marked complete yesterday.  

• Aug 2, 2023

Is anyone else having trouble with submission? I'm getting the "Error, please retry" message.  

Please can someone answer if we should follow the 250 words limit or the 3000 characters limit?  

• Aug 3, 2023

Smileydimples said: Please can someone answer if we should follow the 250 words limit or the 3000 characters limit? Click to expand...

PREview is recommended but but required…I’m trying to figure out if taking it is worth making my secondary late. Thoughts?  

Normally after submitting the application, I receive an email from the school stating, "Thank you for submitting your supplemental application..." I did not get that when I submitted this app. Anybody have the same issue?  

spirited wildflower said: Got a email saying Secondary received (sent on July 21) and file marked complete yesterday. Click to expand...

Ruda1991 said: Normally after submitting the application, I receive an email from the school stating, "Thank you for submitting your supplemental application..." I did not get that when I submitted this app. Anybody have the same issue? Click to expand...

amdocahe said: +1 Click to expand...

Sochiagha said: I'm following the 250 word limit since that's what the question says Click to expand...

Jchem2 said: I just submitted it around 30 minutes ago and have not received anything just yet. Click to expand...

RN-2-Medicine

• Aug 4, 2023

Got an email saying they reviewed my primary and secondary app  

• Aug 5, 2023

Secondary Received. OOS  

• Aug 8, 2023

submitted secondary around a week ago and barely got secondary acknowledgement email.  

Has anyone received regular MD interview? IS or OOS  

• Aug 9, 2023

For this question: Are you now currently working or plan to work Full or Part time in medicine or a medical-related field (Nursing, EMT, PA, Office Assistant, Scribe, Pharmacy Technician, etc)? I'm working a full time job in research so I don't plan on working (employment) in medicine, but I will continue my volunteering scribing occassionally. So then do I say no for this question?  

• Aug 10, 2023

RN-2-Medicine said: Got an email saying they reviewed my primary and secondary app Click to expand...

Smileydimples said: Has anyone received regular MD interview? IS or OOS Click to expand...

Sochiagha said: I got an email saying they are not going to send interview invites until September Click to expand...

monkeym8 said: mine says late august-mid april Click to expand...

Sochiagha said: That's interesting. Mine said from September to early April lol Click to expand...

Ok I see the email and it does say September till April  

Smileydimples said: Ok I see the email and it does say September till April Click to expand...

monkeym8 said: am i being gaslit rn omg View attachment 375515 Click to expand...

Attachments

monkeym8 said: Whaaaaat Click to expand...

• Aug 11, 2023

Plain-spoken Texan

A1ismysauce said: Does Howard require Casper? Saw some conflicting info online about it... Click to expand...

A1ismysauce said: I don't see Howard on the AAMC website's list of PREview schools? Click to expand...

• Aug 18, 2023

I am so ready for Howard to start releasing II’s. I hope to get one!!  

Similar threads

• Oct 18, 2023

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More From Forbes

More than 80 colleges with no supplemental essays 2023-24.

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The college application process is daunting and time-consuming for many high school students. Most students will apply to anywhere from 5 -15 colleges, with some applying to even more than 20 schools if they apply to high-ranking schools like Ivy Leagues or competitive programs like direct medical programs.

Some colleges don't require supplemental essays, making it an easy way for students to apply to more ... [+] colleges.

While applications like the Common Application or Scoir aim to streamline the application process by allowing students to write one universal personal statement that gets sent to all schools, they likely still need to write school-specific supplemental essays. These essays can range from "why do you want to attend this school?" to "tell us about a challenge." Most students commit to months of effort to complete all their supplemental essays.

Luckily, not all schools require these additional essays, which could help students bulk up their college list without adding much more effort. Here are a few benefits of applying to schools with no supplemental essays.

• Reduced Stress - Applying to schools that don't require supplemental essays means students have less pressure on them. Instead of spending hours each week on essays, they focus on a few of their top schools that do require supplemental essays or concentrate on keeping their grades up.
• Broader Range of Schools - Despite not requiring supplemental essays, some schools on the list are high-ranking universities. By not having to write additional essays, students can also apply to a wider range of schools, whether it is a research institution like Case Western Reserve University or a liberal arts college like Grinnell University. Therefore, when students are making their final decisions on where they want to apply to college, they will have more time to decide what type of school will fit their career goals and learning abilities best.
• Helps Level The Admissions Playing Field - For students who don't think their talents are in writing but have solid grades and standardized test scores, applying to more schools that don't require supplemental essays might be advantageous. Because they aren't sending additional essays to their school, they will be primarily judged based on their personal statement, grades, extracurricular activities and standardized test scores, among other factors. Students who don't have the resources or guidance to craft compelling supplemental essays should take advantage of those universities.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of September 2023

Best 5% interest savings accounts of september 2023, over 80 schools with no supplemental essays in 2023-24.

The following schools have no required supplemental essays to apply to their college. However, they might have additional essays for specific programs. For example, if a student is interested in New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Honors Program and Accelerated BS/MD program , they would be required to write two additional essays to be considered.

Some of these schools will also have optional essays that students can write. Drexel University has the following optional prompt: “Drexel is committed to preparing each new generation of students to become productive, professional and civic-minded members of the community while continuing to focus on how we can contribute to solving some of society’s greatest challenges. What do you view as a challenge facing society that you would like to contribute to solving? How would a Drexel education aid you in taking the first step toward a solution? (250 words or less).” While it can give students who write these optional prompts a competitive edge because it can help demonstrate interest in the school, it isn’t required.

When adding these schools to your list, make sure to review the requirements before you apply.

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Howard University Requirements for Admission

What are Howard University's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Howard University and build a strong application.

School location: Washington, DC

This school is also known as: HU

Admissions Rate: 35.2%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Howard University is 35.2% . For every 100 applicants, 35 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet Howard University's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

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Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Howard University GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.66

The average GPA at Howard University is 3.66 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.66, Howard University requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.66, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Howard University hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Howard University will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Howard University SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1204

The average SAT score composite at Howard University is a 1204 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Howard University Competitive for SAT test scores.

Howard University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1100, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1270. In other words, a 1100 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1270 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Howard University has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that Howard University requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that Howard University will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1270, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Howard University ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Howard University likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 25

The average ACT score at Howard University is 25. This score makes Howard University Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 26.

Even though Howard University likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 21 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 25 and above that a 21 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 26 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Howard University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 26.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Howard University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1270 SAT or a 26 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as Howard University, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1270 SAT or a 26 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Howard University here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 2
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $45
• Fee Waiver Available? Not available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office March 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 2
• Electives 4

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes February 15 April 15
• Yes November 1 December 18

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 2400 Washington, DC 20059-0002
• Phone: (202) 806-2763
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Howard University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Howard University.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Howard University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Howard University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Howard University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Howard University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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CollegeVine's essay prompt database

Find your college’s application essay prompts for 2023-24

Latest essay prompts for the top 100 schools.

At CollegeVine, our goal is to make the college application process a little less stressful, so we’ve compiled the latest essay prompts for the top 100 schools in one easy, searchable database.

Also, every year we create free guides on “ How to Write X School’s Essays ” for the top 100 schools. In these guides, we give you tips and tricks on how to approach each prompt. As such, our prompt database also contains a link to each school's Essay Breakdown.

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Harvard University Supplemental Essay 2023-24 Prompt Guide

If Harvard is one of your top-choice schools, you may be wondering how you can make your application stand out to the admissions committee. This is where your college essays come in. If done well, they can set you above other applicants. However, these essay prompts require short, creative answers, which is not an easy task. Keep reading to learn more about Harvard’s supplemental essays for the 2023-24 admissions cycle and how to craft them.    

How Important Are the Harvard Supplemental Essays?

Writing a compelling personal essay as part of the Common Application or Coalition Application is one way for Harvard to get to know you. However, the additional prompts provided by Harvard University are meant for the admissions committee  to learn even more about who you are, what you hope to get out of Harvard, and what contributions you can make to the campus community both personally and academically.

Most admissions committees, including Harvard’s, review applications holistically, which is why college essays matter . While academic performance is important, the other parts of your application, such as your essays and activities list, are what differentiate you from other students who submit comparable transcripts and test scores.

How Many Essays Does Harvard Require in 2023?

Students applying for admission to Harvard College — the undergraduate college at Harvard University — during the 2023-24 admissions cycle are required to respond to five supplemental essays. This is a change from previous years when applicants had three optional essay prompts: one open-ended, and two short. This change is due to the Supreme Court’s gutting of race-based affirmative action in college admissions decisions earlier this year. These required prompts are being used to gain a more complete picture of each student’s experience.

Each response should be no more than 200 words, so the challenge is to write a brief essay that tells a compelling story about you. Just keep in mind that each response should convey something new and interesting about you that isn’t mentioned elsewhere in your application.

How Hard Is It to Get into Harvard in 2023?

Harvard is one of the most selective schools in the U.S. The acceptance rate for Harvard College was only 3.41% for the class of 2027, with similarly low admissions rates the previous few years. Understanding how to get into Harvard can help you prepare for the highly competitive admissions process. Ensuring you meet all the academic requirements and getting a head start on your essays can be crucial to your success.

When Should I Apply for Harvard in 2023?

Harvard offers both Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Regular Decision options. While applying early to college can sometimes help your chances of admission, you should only do so if you can submit a strong application. Many students opt to wait for the Regular Decision deadline to give themselves time to submit stronger grades and test scores.

The Harvard application deadlines are:

Learn more about the different types of Early Action and whether applying early is right for you.

Harvard Supplemental Essays 2023-24

These supplemental essays give you a good idea of what Harvard values, such as personal development, intellectual activities, and the positive impact you have made on your community. Your responses should demonstrate how your experiences, passions, and responsibilities have shaped you and influenced your view of the world. Let’s look at each prompt and how you might respond.

Supplemental Essay Prompt #1 

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? (200 words)

Like many other colleges and universities, Harvard responded to the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action by adding an additional prompt that will allow students to discuss aspects of their background that may not be considered elsewhere in their application — like race, for example. Your response to this essay should connect your experiences and life lessons with the ways you plan to contribute to the diverse campus community. Diversity can take many forms: religion, race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, way of thinking, etc. If you don’t feel like you fall into any of these categories personally, then write about how your experiences with diverse individuals and groups impacted you. The example below may help you think about ways to answer this prompt.    

Growing up in a multicultural household, I’ve been fortunate to experience a blend of traditions, perspectives, and languages. These early experiences laid the foundation for my commitment to inclusivity.

Throughout high school, I immersed myself in initiatives that promote understanding and unity. I co-founded a cultural exchange club, providing a platform for students to share their unique backgrounds. This experience taught me the power of dialogue in breaking down barriers and fostering empathy.

My involvement in community service programs exposed me to the challenges faced by marginalized populations. I sought opportunities to address these issues, advocating for equitable access to education and resources. This hands-on engagement has deepened my understanding of the complexities surrounding diversity.

At Harvard, I’m eager to contribute to this vibrant tapestry of experiences. I want to amplify underrepresented voices, promoting an environment where all perspectives are valued. Whether through campus organizations, classroom discussions, or community outreach, I’m committed to nurturing an inclusive space where every student feels heard and supported. I look forward to learning from my peers and, together, creating a campus culture that celebrates the richness of every individual.

Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you. (200 words)

As an Ivy League school, Harvard obviously values intellectual curiosity. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how motivated and passionate you are intellectually. As you respond to this essay prompt, it’s important to connect your intellectual experience to your academic goals at Harvard. In the example below, the student explains specifically how their research internship ignited their passion for environmental science and advocacy, which just happens to align with Harvard’s interdisciplinary concentration in environmental science and public policy.

One of my most pivotal intellectual experiences occurred during a summer research internship at a local university as I worked alongside a team of oceanographers studying climate change and its impact on marine ecosystems. As a high school student, I was initially intimidated by the complex scientific concepts and advanced research methods. However, my mentors recognized my enthusiasm and patiently guided me through the process. I delved into data analysis, conducted experiments, and participated in discussions that challenged my understanding of environmental science.

What made this experience truly significant was witnessing the tangible real-world implications of our research. It was eye-opening to see how the data we collected could inform conservation efforts and policy decisions. This connection between scientific inquiry and its potential to drive positive change ignited my passion for environmental science and advocacy, which I hope to pursue with a concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy at Harvard.

This intellectual journey taught me the value of perseverance, collaboration, and the profound impact of scientific inquiry. It solidified my desire to pursue a career in environmental science, where I hope to contribute to our understanding of our planet’s complex systems and work towards a more sustainable future.

Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (200 words)

This is an opportunity to expand on an activity or experience that had a profound effect on you, especially if it best represents what you’re passionate about and how you can contribute to the Harvard community. This prompt presents another opportunity to talk about your background. For example, students from low-income families might write about how they took a job to help contribute to the household. 

You are likely to see similar supplemental essay questions for other schools, so this is an ideal one for recycling. However, make sure you tailor your response each time to make it specific to the school — and avoid the common mistake of naming the wrong school in your response! The following example can give you an idea of how you might approach this essay.    

Growing up in a family deeply committed to community service, I’ve been actively engaged in volunteering throughout high school. My involvement with a local animal rescue organization has been particularly transformative.

As a volunteer, I’ve not only cared for abandoned and abused animals but also organized adoption events, fundraisers, and educational workshops for the community. This experience has instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility and empathy. I’ve learned to approach challenges with resilience, whether it’s nursing an injured animal back to health or convincing others to support our cause.

Furthermore, my work with the organization has connected me with diverse individuals who share a common passion for animal welfare. These interactions have broadened my perspective and taught me the importance of collaboration and effective communication.

My extracurricular involvement has shaped me into a more compassionate and determined individual, emphasizing the significance of service in my life. I aspire to continue channeling my dedication to causes I’m passionate about at Harvard, where I can contribute to the community and work with others who share my commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? (200 words)

Your response to this prompt will require some research about academic programs, faculty, and opportunities at Harvard. It may be challenging to imagine how you’ll apply your college education to the real world, so think about your current goals and the learning outcomes for your program(s) of interest. How are they relevant to your future career and/or in everyday life? The example below demonstrates why the student wants to major in history and how they plan to apply what they learn as an educator.

Driven by a deep passion for understanding the past and its impact on the present and future, I envision leveraging my Harvard education to pursue a career in historical research, education, and advocacy. History is a powerful tool for social change, and I hope to challenge prevailing narratives, promote inclusivity, and inspire critical thinking.

I aim to become a historian who uncovers untold narratives and sheds light on marginalized voices. As a Venezuelan, I would have loved to learn more about our history with the U.S., since it’s rife with important trade and investment. Before the U.S. sanctions, Venezuela was a major supplier of U.S. oil, but this is so rarely discussed in history classes, let alone how the U.S. has impacted the Venezuelan economy. 

Additionally, I see myself as an educator, both within and beyond academia, sharing my enthusiasm for history with future generations and encouraging students to explore the complexities of our world’s past. I plan to use my Harvard education to engage in public history projects, working with museums, archives, and community organizations to make history accessible and relevant to a wider audience. Ultimately, my Harvard education will equip me with the knowledge, skills, and resources to contribute to the preservation and understanding of our collective past. 

Supplemental Essay Prompt #5

Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. (200 words)

This is an opportunity to be a little less formal in your response — just remember that the admissions committee is reading this. What do you want them to know about you in terms of your personality, daily habits, passion projects, hobbies, etc.? This is an opportunity to share things that aren’t mentioned anywhere else on your application so the committee can get a little more insight into who you are and what makes you tick. Check out this example for a little inspiration.  

The first thing my roommates might like to know about me is that I approach life with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to embrace new experiences. Whether it’s trying different cuisines, picking up a new instrument, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions, I’m always eager to learn and grow from every encounter.

Secondly, I am a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and well-being. I firmly believe in the importance of creating a supportive and nurturing living environment. My roommates can count on me to be a compassionate listener, a source of encouragement, and someone who values their mental and emotional health. I am committed to fostering a positive and empathetic atmosphere in our shared space.

Lastly, my roommates might appreciate knowing that I have a deep love for the arts, particularly music. I enjoy playing various musical instruments, and I’m always up for impromptu jam sessions or attending concerts. Music has been a source of solace and joy in my life, and I’m excited to share that passion with my roommates and perhaps even collaborate on creative projects together.

I look forward to building meaningful connections and creating a harmonious and supportive living environment with my future roommates at Harvard.

If writer’s block is keeping you from responding to your essay prompts, get personalized help from a professional college counselor . IvyWise College Admissions Counselors have served as Directors and Deans of Admissions at some of the most elite colleges in the world, so they know how to craft essays that make you stand out.

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Just Dropped: 2023 Supplemental Essays

• Research is of UTMOST importance here. Do not attempt to answer this question without spending time on the school's website, and even watching some YouTube / TikTok videos about life on the campus.
• Answer with HONESTY. Show how the resources of the specific school intersect with your interests.
• Use the opportunity to show the school how you will fit in on their college campus. Paint a picture of yourself being there based on the research you've done.
• Include things like classes you'd be interested in taking (Google the course catalogue), professors you're interested in meeting and learning from, potential internship or research opportunities, study abroad programs, extracurricular activities you're looking forward to participating in and any stand out resources you can't wait to take advantage of.
• Make sure you include the name of the activity, why it matters to you, and how it reflects your character or enhances your future goals
• Don't be repetitive - if you wrote about an activity in your Common App essay or in another supplemental essay, don't write about it again here
• Be creative! Don't just list details of the activity. Create a storyline surrounding the activity that focuses on your growth.
• Use the opportunity to refer to both the past and the future in your response
• Always ground your response in your experience. Do not make up hypothetical situations that you THINK the college wants to hear.
• Focus this essay on your values and what community means to you
• Answer with HONESTY. Don't think about what the school "wants you to write". They're trying to get to know you -- the real you.
• Make sure to show off your personality! Remember human beings are reading your essay -- it's okay to be funny, or quirky, or a bit silly!
• Your responses should be meaningful and showcase some sort of intellectual depth alongside your personality
• Follow the instructions! If it asks you to "list" then make a list. If it says "no explanation required", do not explain!

You can find out more about how AIM Online Academy can help YOU here: http://www.aimonlineacademy.com

The Topic of Howard's Supplemental Essay??

Does anyone remember the topic/prompt of their supplemental essay?

I’m a junior applying this fall and I would like to know what to expect…

The College of Arts and Sciences is comprised of four divisions: Fine Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. The curriculum of the College is designed to meet the needs and interests of a diverse, multicultural student body. Explain what interests you in the Arts or Sciences, and how studying at Howard University will help you achieve your overall goals?

Emory’s Short Answer Questions 2023-24

• July 27, 2023

We are pleased to announce Emory University’s short answer questions for the 2023-2024 first-year application.

In addition to your Personal Statement, please answer two additional short answer questions, one about your academic interests and one to help us get to know you better. We encourage you to be thoughtful in your responses and not stress about what the “right answer” might be, as there really isn’t one.

Academic Interests

This question is required. (150 Words Recommended Length)

• What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

Getting to Know You

In addition, answer one of the following questions. (150 Words)

• Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?
• Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
• Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you.
• Emory University’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity.
• Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.
• Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email providing advice to yourself in your first year of high school.

Want advice and examples of other great Emory University application essays and Personal Statements? We’ve got you covered! Check our Strong Personal Statements blog series . We share real essays from previous years’ applicants who were admitted and enrolled at Emory University. Each applicant’s personal statement includes thoughts from the staff who reviewed it and why they felt it was a strong example for you.

We look forward to getting to know you better through your application writing.

Be sure to connect with us by posting a comment to this blog,  following us @emoryadmission , or  emailing us at [email protected] .

Don’t miss out on information about applying to Emory by  joining our mailing list .

Related Posts

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Regular Decision notifications will be posted Wednesday, March 27, after 6:00 pm ET. The Emory University…

This year we had more than 11,000 students apply to the Emory University Scholar Programs,…

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WATCH: Trump speaks at National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — Donald Trump falsely suggested Kamala Harris had misled voters about her race as the former president appeared before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago Wednesday in an interview that quickly turned hostile.

Watch the event in the player above.

The Republican former president wrongly claimed that Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage.

“I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump said while addressing the group’s annual convention.

Live fact check: Trump at the National Association of Black Journalists conference

Harris is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, both immigrants to the U.S. As an undergraduate, Harris attended Howard University, one of the nation’s most prominent historically Black colleges and universities, where she also pledged the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. As a U.S. senator, Harris was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, supporting her colleagues’ legislation to strengthen voting rights and reforming policing.

Trump has leveled a wide range of criticism at Harris since she replaced President Joe Biden atop the likely Democratic ticket last week. Throughout his political career, the former president has repeatedly questioned the backgrounds of opponents who are racial minorities.

Michael Tyler, the communications director for Harris’ campaign, said in a statement that “the hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power.”

“Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency — while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in,” Tyler said. “Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked during her briefing with reporters on Wednesday about Trump’s remarks and responded with disbelief, initially murmuring, “Wow.”

Jean-Pierre, who is Black, called what Trump said “repulsive” and said, “It’s insulting and no one has any right to tell someone who they are how they identify.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked his opponents and critics on the basis of race. He rose to prominence in Republican politics by propagating false theories that President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, was not born in the United States. “Birtherism,” as it became known, was just the start of Trump’s history of questioning the credentials and qualifications of Black politicians.

He has denied allegations of racism. And after Biden picked Harris as his running mate four years ago, a Trump campaign spokesperson then pointed to a previous Trump political donation to Harris as proof that he wasn’t racist.

“The president, as a private businessman, donated to candidates across all aisles,” the spokesperson, Katrina Pierson, told reporters. “And I’ll note that Kamala Harris is a Black woman and he donated to her campaign, so I hope we can squash this racism argument now,” Pierson said.

During this year’s Republican primary, he once referred to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, as “Nimbra.”

Later Wednesday, Trump did not repeat his criticism of Harris’ race at a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, although he called her “phony” and said she has been trying to change her image. He also repeatedly mispronounced her first name.

“If she becomes your president, our country is finished,” Trump charged.

Before he took the stage, Trump’s team displayed what appeared to be years-old news headlines describing Harris as the “first Indian-American senator” on the big screen in the arena.

Trump’s appearance Wednesday at the annual gathering of Black journalists immediately became heated, with the former president sparring with interviewer Rachel Scott of ABC News and accusing her of giving him a “very rude introduction” with a tough first question about his past criticism of Black people and Black journalists, his attack on Black prosecutors who have pursued cases against him and the dinner he had at his Florida club with a white supremacist.

“I think it’s disgraceful,” Trump said. “I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country. I’ve done so much for the Black population of this country.”

Trump continued his attacks on Scott’s network, ABC News, which he has been arguing should not host the next presidential debate, despite his earlier agreement with the Biden campaign. He also several times described her tone and questions as “nasty,” a word he used in the past when describing women, including Hillary Clinton and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex.

The Republican also repeated his false claim that immigrants in the country illegally are “taking Black jobs.” When pushed by Scott on what constituted a “Black job,” Trump responded by saying “a Black job is anybody that has a job,” drawing groans from the room.

At one point, he said, “I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.”

The audience responded with a mix of boos and some applause.

Scott asked Trump about his pledge to pardon people convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and specifically whether he would pardon those who assaulted police officers.

Trump said, “Oh, absolutely I would,” and said, “If they’re innocent, I would pardon them.”

Scott pointed out they have been convicted and therefore are not innocent.

“Well, they were convicted by a very, very tough system,” he said.

At one point, when he was defending his supporters who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, he said, “Nothing is perfect in life.”

He compared the 2021 insurrection to the protests in Minneapolis and other cities in 2020 following the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and to more recent protests at the Capitol last week by demonstrators opposed to the war in Gaza. Trump falsely claiming that no one was arrested in those other demonstrations and that only his supporters were targeted.

As Trump made the comparison, a man in the back of the room shouted out: “Sir, have you no shame?”

The former president’s invitation to address the organization sparked an intense internal debate among NABJ that spilled online. Organizations for journalists of color typically invite presidential candidates to speak at their summer gatherings in election years.

As he campaigns for the White House a third time, Trump has sought to appear outside his traditional strongholds of support and his campaign has touted his efforts to try to win over Black Americans, who have been Democrats’ most committed voting bloc.

His campaign has emphasized his messages on the economy and immigration as part of his appeal, but some of his outreach has played on racial stereotypes, including the suggestion that African Americans would empathize with the criminal charges he has faced and his promotion of branded sneakers.

Trump and NABJ also have a tense history over his treatment of Black women journalists. In 2018, NABJ condemned Trump for repeatedly using words such as “stupid,” “loser” and “nasty” to describe Black women journalists.

The vice president is not scheduled to appear at the convention, but NABJ said in a statement posted on X that it was in conversation with her campaign to have her appear either virtually or in person for a conversation in September.

Harris addressed Trump’s comments briefly Wednesday night while speaking in Houston at a gathering of Sigma Gamma Rho, a historically Black sorority in Houston.

“It was the same old show,” she said. “The divisiveness and the disrespect.”

Harris added: “And let me just say, the American people deserve better.”

— Matt Brown and Michelle L. Price, Associated Press

Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Aaron Morrison and Steve Peoples in New York, Gary Fields in Chicago and Will Weissert and Farnoush Amiri in Washington, Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Chris Megerian in Houston contributed to this report.

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Stanford University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

Stanford University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 3 essays of 100-250 words; 5 short answers of 50 words Supplemental Essay Type(s):  Why ,  Community ,  Oddball

Unshockingly, given that Stanford is the most difficult university to get into in the country, this supplement is a doozie. It puts both your writing and creativity to the test in a myriad ways. One of the most important things to remember about this supplement, as with all supplements that lob a host of essays and short answer questions at you, is that each response is an opportunity to reveal something new about yourself to admissions. Think about the tidbits you have to offer up as you pull together your package and make sure you distribute them across the supplement. Try as hard as you can not to be repetitive. And, as much as you can, have fun with these. If you embrace the challenge laid out in front of you, your answers will be instilled with that positive spirit as well. Trust us.

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. (100 to 250 words) 

How hungry for knowledge are you? That’s what Stanford really wants to know. Focus on a subject that stokes your curiosity, a specific concept that has infiltrated your browser history, or an experience that has burned itself into your brain. What homework assignments are you clamoring to complete first? Which topics want to make you open up a new book, google the definition of word you’re not familiar with or hit play on a podcast? Who challenges you to think of issues in new ways? Now consider what about the subject, activity, or experience itself is inspiring your pursuit of knowledge. Are you driven by the pursuit of the truth and nothing but the truth? Maybe more abstract and creative arenas are more interesting to you. Regardless of what floats your boat, Stanford University is aiming to bring self-motivated, deep thinkers into their student body. Admissions officers want to know that you’ll be eager to contribute to lively class discussion and maybe conduct research in your latter years on campus. Show them that you’ll be a valuable addition to any classroom setting.

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 — know you better. (100 to 250 words) 

This, at its essence, is a creative writing exercise. All this time colleges have been asking you to write in a casual but professional voice — until now. Pretend you’re writing an email to a friend. Open your browser window and actually draft in a new message box if it helps you adjust your voice. You are now writing to your peer, not admissions. What might someone you are about to live with want to know about you? And, more importantly, what quirky personal information do you want to convey to admissions that might not be appropriate to reveal in response to a stuffier prompt? Are you a closet botanist who will be bringing 30 plants to your dorm room? Have you been practicing how to make your grandma’s special rice in a dorm room hot pot? This is a great place to inject a little humor in your application — if that’s your style. It is also a great opportunity for you to showcase what it would be like to be friends with you (without the use of emojis and with the addition of perfect grammar).

Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.

College applications are rampant with essay questions about community, so this essay is ripe for recycling (how eco-friendly of you!). If you haven’t already written a Community Essay that you plan to adapt and recycle here, we recommend considering the things that make you unique. What about your experiences, interests, or character might be worth highlighting for an admissions officer? And how can the experience, interest, or aspect of your character you choose enrich the learning environment at Stanford University for others? Maybe you have always been an organizer and the glue that holds your summer camp community together during the school year. How will you bring people together on campus? Maybe you were raised on a farm and developed a strong work ethic at a young age as you helped your parents tend to the fields. Will you be a natural leader in group projects and take initiative in the many clubs (be specific!) that you’d like to join? Be sure to connect your personal story to a future vision of yourself at Stanford.

Short Answers

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today (50 word limit).

Fifty words is not a lot of words. This is going to be a recurring thought as you begin to tackle the Stanford app. How do you explain society’s most significant challenge in just fifty words? You boil it down to its essence and rely on the topic to speak volumes. Think about what nags at you on a daily basis. How would you like to improve the world? Where might we be going down the wrong path? What you choose to write about will give admissions an idea of what you truly care about and how you see the world. Are you concerned that as a species we will never achieve true gender equality? Does climate change keep you up at night? What activities have you participated in or books have you read to educate yourself about this issue? Maybe you even have a solution to offer up. Show admissions that you can turn passion into action.

How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit)

Fifty words is not a lot of words. For this response, that means you will likely have to add and prune, add again and prune again. Feel free to take a straightforward approach to this question. Stanford really wants to know what you did last summer (and the summer before)! Just make sure to include the unexpected commitments that will not appear anywhere else on the application, like your babysitting job, your road trip with your family, or your backyard photography habit. Anything you can do to add a layer of understanding to admissions picture of you will help.

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)

Fifty words is not a lot of words. So this answer is really about creating an effective summary of the event in question, and concisely explaining the motivation behind your selection. This is another question in which your selection of topic tells a story. Maybe you want to witness the creation of Gutenberg’s printing press or the swearing in of the first African American president. Whatever you do, try to avoid subjects other students will likely flock to. MLK’s “I Had A Dream” speech is incredible, but it might not make for the best topic here — unless, of course, you have a highly personal story that connects to that moment that you can summarize in 50 words or less. (There are always exceptions to the rules!)

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. (50 word limit)

Like so many other universities, Stanford wants to get a feel for your commitments outside the classroom as well as in. Think about your application as a whole, reading through all of the Stanford prompts before you dig in,  and figure out what you can detail here that hasn’t or will not be addressed in other essays. Also make sure the activity, experience, job, or responsibility you highlight is something you are clearly invested in. Don’t choose to elaborate on a fundraiser to which you contribute five hours of your time, twice a year. This is a good place to feature a work experience if you have one, as that is something that often feels less standard than an internship or activity in which many other students participate. For example, tell admissions about the summer you spent working at a hot dog stand and how it taught you about responsibility, organization, and portable fans. That said, even if you write about a national club or organization that other students may feature, the trick to nailing this essay is personalization. Why is this the activity or experience you have chosen to highlight? How were you a contributor and how will it impact your ability to be a contributor on campus? How has participation made you a more compassionate, assertive, or responsible person overall? And how will this experience impact your future? You don’t have a lot of space here, so make sure you focus on personal and powerful details that other people could not replicate.

List five things that are important to you. (50 word limit)

Write down the first things that come to your mind, then give your brain time to generate some other options. You may be tempted to write “family, friends, football, French fries, and fun,” but answers like those are not going to set you apart in the eyes of admissions officers (even if the alliteration is on point). Make a list (the longer, the better) then try to trim it down by considering the value each “thing” brings to your life and which ones are most likely to add saturation to the artwork that is your application. Remember, your answers should be personal and, if possible, unexpected.

About Amanda Amah

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Walk yourself through the writing process!

Frequently Asked Questions

Stanford requires three (3) essays of 100-250 words and five (5) short answers of 50 words each.

Stanford asks applicants to respond to five (5) short answer questions.

The Stanford short answer questions must be answered in 50 words or fewer.

We recommend drafting a response without the word limit in mind. Once you have your ideas down, see which anecdotes you can cut, or where you may be able to rephrase your ideas to be more succinct, omitting details that can be found in your other submitted materials (e.g. awards, grades, and hours spent doing community service). Since the word count is so small, original ideas and creative thinking will serve you well. 

Absolutely. These essays and short answers are opportunities for you to let your personality shine. If you enjoy humor in your daily life, feel free to have fun with your responses. But don’t force it! 

The supplemental essays and short answers are very important in the Stanford admissions process. Admissions even goes so far as to  write that “the essays are your chance to tell us about yourself in your own words,” and, “you should allow your genuine voice to come through. These questions help us get to know you as a friend, future roommate and classmate.”

No, you should never reuse content from your Common App essay in your supplements for this school. Though it’s possible you might expand upon an idea or activity mentioned in your Common App essay, your supplements and personal statement should be distinctly different from one another—just imagine the same person reading all of them in a row!

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Has the Long Friendship of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett Reached Its Final Act?

Growing tensions between the two billionaires, over issues both substantive and stylistic, have roiled the world of philanthropy.

By Anupreeta Das

Anupreeta Das is the author of the forthcoming book “Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King,” from which this article is adapted.

In the summer of 1991, Mary Gates, the mother of the Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, convinced her workaholic 35-year-old son to spend the July 4 holiday at Hood Canal, a scenic, outdoorsy location about two hours from Seattle that had long been the family getaway.

The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, was among the guests. When Mrs. Gates tried to introduce her son to Mr. Buffett, however, he brushed her off, saying that he didn’t want to meet a “stockbroker.”

But the two men hit it off immediately. Settling into a patterned couch, Mr. Buffett, dressed in a red polo shirt and dark trousers, his left foot propped up against the coffee table, and Mr. Gates in a tennis outfit — shorts and a white shirt, his white socks coming up to mid-calf, his mop of hair tousled — talked for 11 hours straight. The other guests had to pull them apart. Mr. Gates was surprised by the penetrating questions Mr. Buffett directed at him about the software business, and found himself warming to the avuncular Midwestern billionaire.

The two have been close friends ever since. Once, recounting the story of their meeting to students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Mr. Gates called it an “unbelievable friendship.” Mr. Buffett quipped, “The moral of that is, listen to your mother.”

Theirs has been an unusual friendship. Mr. Buffett is folksy and outgoing, and never passes up an opportunity to crack a joke. He likes to speak in aphorisms. He enjoys breaking down complex investing principles into simple nuggets that anyone could understand. When he meets new people, Mr. Buffett is genuinely curious about their backgrounds. He asks them questions and listens intently, eyebrows furrowed, to the answers. Banter comes to him easily.

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