United States · 2026–27 first-year application
Boston University supplemental essay
Boston University requires Common App first-year applicants to submit both the shared personal statement and a BU supplemental essay. Its public checklist does not publish the current supplement's exact wording or limit, so the Common App field controls. Students who opt into consideration for Kilachand Honors College must complete an additional essay. QuestBridge applicants use a separate application route.
Writing format
Common App personal statement plus a BU supplement; a separate Kilachand essay if selected
What to prepare
- 1Draft the shared Common App personal statement to stand on its own across colleges; keep school-specific reasons for the BU supplement.
- 2Read the live BU supplemental prompt before outlining, then connect your answer to a concrete academic or community interest rather than assuming a generic 'why us' question.
- 3If you select Kilachand Honors College, identify and complete its additional essay as a separate requirement.
How to approach the writing
- Avoid carrying a prior year's prompt or word count into this cycle; BU's current public checklist confirms the essay but does not print its question.
- Keep the personal statement, BU supplement, and conditional Kilachand answer in their own application fields.
Before you submit
Confirm the exact BU supplement and word limit inside your 2026–27 Common App. Check the QuestBridge route separately, and include the Kilachand essay only if you requested honors consideration.
Read Boston University first-year applicant checklist ↗Read Boston University application and academic honesty guidance ↗Official source checked 2026-09-26.