A Great Clark University Essay Example
What’s Covered:
Located just outside of Boston, Clark University is a top liberal arts college. With small class sizes and an abundance of eager applicants, it’s important that your application stands out with strong essays. In this post, we’ll share real essays students have submitted to Clark, and share what they did well and how they could be made even better. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).
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 Clark essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.
Essay Example
Prompt: A full tuition, room and board scholarship is a good reason for anyone to have an interest in a college, but what other things about Clark University and about your own personality and values have prompted you to consider becoming a Clarkie? Why Clark? (400 words max)
Dear 2022 Aaron,
I’m writing this from my dorm and have just finished getting ready for my graduation ceremony. My suitcases are all packed, ready to venture into a new stage of my life, and here I am, feeling strangely nostalgic and proud. The campus is abuzz with excitement and… oh dear, did I mention it’s the year 2026?
From the age of seven till now, you have considered life a conundrum with too many choices: the quinoa salad or the cheeseburger? The Informatics Practices class or the Physical Education one? The school at Khanna or the one in Jamalpur? These choices might have felt difficult but they will pale in comparison to the one you are going to make soon. The choice to learn and grow, to apply your knowledge to reality, to discover yourself; the choice to go to Clark University.
You are, at present, in a dilemma over what you want but innately you know you strive for an amalgamation of ideas, challenges, and a sense of community. You can and will discover it at Clark.
In school, you ventured out into the captivating world of data statistics, algorithmic structures, and programming languages. At Clark, you will enhance your knowledge and skills in Professor Magee’s classes. The discussions, ranging from the fundamental programming constructs to object-oriented programming, will provide you with a greater understanding of how data and technology are intrinsic to the world as a whole.
Considering the feeling of contentment and happiness you experienced while tutoring children from underprivileged backgrounds, you’ll find yourself, at your happiest, at Clark with various volunteering opportunities. Becoming a part of “Working for Worcester” would be hard work but it will give you the satisfaction you seek. Believe me, if you now think that you are aware of the availability of opportunities now, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
From research and clubs to internships, you will always be presented with the best. You will join the C4 which stands for Clark Competitive Computing Club. With the backup of a kind and helpful team, you’ll progress and grow not only in your professional interest but also as a person. You will participate in various programming contests and hackathons. You will find yourself working with different technologies and equipment. In short, a dream come true.
All these brilliant experiences and lovely moments depend on just one single thing: your choice to go to Clark. Without this college, you would not have become an expert on the concepts of Computer Science and technology. A lot has changed for the best in these four years. It is now up to you but I can guarantee you one thing: Clark will always propel you in the foremost direction.
All my love,
Aaron
PS: For God’s sake, don’t even think about eating the cheeseburger!
What the Essay Did Well
This is an amazing way to write a “Why School?” essay. Utilizing the creative format of a Clark senior writing a note to his high school self about what he has done the past four years and how he has grown is a genius way to show exactly how this student will fit into the Clark campus.
However, this student smartly doesn’t just focus on what he’ll do at Clark. He also gives us some background. This letter structure can be dangerous if the student doesn’t provide us with deeper context, but luckily this student didn’t fall into that trap. He explains how he’s always been indecisive but this is one choice that’s easy to make. We learn volunteering is an important activity that gives him satisfaction in his life. Including more of his personality and character helps set this essay apart from others that just list opportunities at the school.
Another great aspect is the inclusion of humor throughout the essay. This student’s personal voice shines through, making the essay much more enjoyable to read. It genuinely feels like a letter he wrote to himself because he sneaks in inside jokes (like the cheeseburger) and includes conversational phrases like “Believe me,” and “You will find”.
What Could Be Improved
This essay is already very strong, so there’s not much that needs to be improved. One thing that could provide more depth would be to touch on why this student is driven towards data science and programming. This isn’t a “Why Major?” essay, so the student shouldn’t dedicate too much time to this, but it would give the reader an even fuller understanding of who this student is and what Clark can offer them. A sentence or two on the first time he realized he wanted to be a computer scientist or a dream he’s had since he was little would still fit into the letter format while providing that added context.
Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay
Want feedback like this on your Clark University essay before you submit? We offer expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers.
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