How to Write the Butler University Essay 2025-2026
Located in Indianapolis, Butler is known for its commitment to experiential learning through internships, research, and community engagement. With a focus on leadership, innovation, and purpose-driven education, Butler empowers students to connect their passions to meaningful impact—both on campus and beyond.
For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Butler has one required essay for applicants to respond to. This essay is your chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants, so don’t pass up the opportunity to put your best foot forward. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to do that.
Butler University Supplemental Essay Prompt
Briefly describe your reasons for selecting your chosen academic major(s) and how you believe Butler will help you achieve your related career goals upon graduation. (100 words)
This prompt is both straightforward and challenging, as it’s a combination of the “Why This Major?” and “Why This College?” essays. Given the brevity of your answer, you will need to selectively use your background and resume to convincingly describe how Butler fits into your future. Here’s how to approach this prompt:
1. Describe your interests and background.
The first portion of your response should explain what drew you to your prospective major. A common pitfall students make here is being way too general. Instead, try to make your response something that is unique to you and your life experiences.
For instance, one applicant might write an anecdote about how they first interacted with the subject. Another might describe a niche within the subject that appeals to them the most. Be sure to include specific details such as people, roles, and events that influenced your decision. Here are two examples of how to start your essay:
Weak: “I love working with my hands, so engineering has always seemed like a good fit for me. I have also always done well in the relevant classes, like math, physics, and computer science. In addition, I knew I wanted to pursue a subject that would make the world a better place.”
Strong: “As I watched construction crews rebuild a storm-damaged road near my neighborhood, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the design could prevent the next flood. That moment sparked my interest in sustainable infrastructure and resilient design. That spark became my personal project—I built miniature terrain models in my backyard to test how different slope angles and materials managed rainfall.”
This first response is weak for several reasons. The student mentions wanting to work with their hands, but this is much too general, as it can apply to any type of engineering and other subjects as well. In contrast, the second response shows, rather than tells, admissions officers that this student has a passion for the environment. The student includes specific details about their past that communicate their desire to engage with civil engineering.
The first applicant also lists superficial reasons, such as their academic prowess, which can come off as boastful and disingenuous rather than as a passion for the major itself. Instead, the efforts you have made to pursue the subject outside of the classroom, like the independent rainfall project, provide much better examples of your interest in the subject.
Finally, the second applicant introduces a niche in civil engineering that they are especially passionate about. This level of detail lends authenticity to your response, and you can use forward-thinking phrasing to connect to the next portion of your essay.
2. Connect them to your choice of major and resources at Butler.
After you have established a foundation for your passion for your major, you can delve into how you can continue to develop it at Butler. This will reaffirm your interest in the school while also providing a realistic path through which you can accomplish your goals. Try to avoid clichés like small classroom size and mention more specific offerings instead, like programs and classes that are unique to Butler.
Here are weak and strong examples of this portion:
Weak: “I look forward to taking engaging classes, including breadth electives, that will expand my knowledge of civil and other types of engineering. I plan on joining clubs like Engineers Without Borders to continue learning outside of the classroom.”
Strong: “Butler’s commitment to Service Learning will allow me to actively work towards improving the environment as part of my curriculum. I hope to volunteer with civil engineers in Indianapolis to learn how the methods I learn in class can be applied in real life.”
The first example could apply to just about any college with an engineering program. It lists classes and electives generally, without naming any specifically, and while it does mention a club, it’s a club that could be found at most colleges—not one unique to the school they are applying to. In contrast, the second example highlights a unique aspect of Butler’s education—the Service Learning requirement—which shows this student has tailored their essay to Butler specifically.
Another difference between the two examples is the presence of a why. You don’t just want to name-drop resources that connect to your major; the goal should be to show the admissions officers why you are excited about these offerings. The second example provides that why by sharing they want to improve the environment as part of their education and they want to turn theory into practical application. The first example is lacking this deeper explanation.
3. Explain how Butler will prepare you for your prospective career/future.
Finally, you should wrap up your response by mentioning how your passion for your major and involvement on Butler’s campus will culminate in your future. Avoid platitudes about making the world a better place and growing academically and professionally. Instead, tie your conclusion back to the purpose behind your essay and communicate that you want to pursue your passion for this subject beyond your college career.
Weak: “Obtaining a degree in civil engineering from Butler will allow me to further my passion for this subject. I look forward to using the skills I learn in my future career.”
Strong: “Embarking on projects like these will provide me with hands-on learning opportunities that will reinforce my commitment to sustainability. A background in civil engineering will provide me with the tools to build a better planet, a passion I will continue to pursue beyond my college career.”
While the first response tells readers what the student plans to do, it lacks specific details and the narrative-like quality that will keep admissions officers engaged. In contrast, the second conclusion restates the applicant’s goal of sustainability and their major of choice while providing a future-facing ending. This drums up the correct level of interest within the reader and lends your response closure without making it feel finite.
This prompt is designed to help admissions officers understand your character, background, and how you think. You should never just re-list your extracurriculars and coursework. Instead, your essay should show, rather than tell, readers about your interests and make your major and career choices seem both logical and borne out of a genuine passion.
Final Thoughts
With this essay, less really is better. In order to effectively achieve the three steps outlined above, you will need to hone in on one specific theme for your essay and have that connect your past, your involvement at Butler, and your future goals. If you try to incorporate too much, you’ll run out of space with only 100 words. Stay focused and make sure each sentence adds new information—there’s no room to waste your words!
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