How to Write the Creighton University Essays 2025-2026
Creighton University is a private Jesuit university in Omaha known for its strong programs in health sciences, business, law, and the liberal arts. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Creighton University has one required essay for all applicants to respond to. Read on to see a complete breakdown of this prompt!
Creighton University Supplemental Essay Prompt
Why have you decided to apply to Creighton University? (250 words)
This prompt is a typical “Why This College” essay. Creighton University wants to understand why you are specifically interested in their school and how it aligns with your academic, personal, and career goals. They are looking for a thoughtful, well-researched response that reflects both your understanding of what makes Creighton unique and why you believe you’d thrive there.
Brainstorming Your Essay
Before you begin writing your essay, think about what you want to get from your college experience broadly, then home in on what drew you to Creighton in particular. Look through official Creighton resources to find specific programs or opportunities that resonate with you. Note that this deep research will take some effort on your part.
Ask yourself these questions to help focus your thoughts and ideas:
- What specific programs, resources, or opportunities at Creighton appeal to me? Are there research opportunities, internships, or clubs that align with my goals?
- How does Creighton’s Jesuit identity and mission resonate with my values? Are there particular services or spiritual opportunities that stand out to me?
- What is it about the community or campus environment at Creighton that makes me feel that it’s a good fit?
- How will attending Creighton help me achieve my career goals in ways that other schools might not?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response to this prompt will do a few things. Primarily, it will show how Creighton aligns with your personal academic interests. To accomplish this, mention specific programs or majors that appeal to you and explain why. A genuine explanation is the most important part here—don’t just name resources without elaborating. Identify unique Creighton offerings (such as labs, research centers, student organizations, or study abroad programs) and detail how you’ll engage with them.
You’ll also want to discuss the Jesuit tradition. Creighton is a Jesuit university, so explaining how the Jesuit values of service, social justice, or holistic education resonate with you can be impactful. Make an effort to connect with the community—Creighton prides itself on a strong sense of community. Reflect on how you see yourself contributing to and benefiting from this environment.
Finally, be specific! Avoid general statements that could apply to many universities—such as mentioning small class sizes or a sense of community—without explaining how Creighton stands out.
As a general rule of thumb, about 75% should focus on tangible reasons for wanting to attend Creighton and why. These tangible elements should be mostly academic in nature, but be sure to also include some extracurricular elements. The other 25% should focus on intangible reasons, such as the Jesuit values mentioned above, and why those are important to you.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Louise, a prospective Nursing student, has been deeply involved in healthcare volunteering in her local community. She is drawn to Creighton’s strong commitment to healthcare and service, especially the Creighton Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs programming. She plans to combine her nursing education with a focus on serving underrepresented populations.
- Jake, who is interested in business and innovation, loves that Creighton offers a Finance major with unique opportunities to participate in the Creighton Portfolio Practicum, where students manage real investment portfolios. He is excited about Omaha’s growing business sector and wants to intern at companies that collaborate with Creighton’s Heider College of Business.
- Marie is passionate about social justice and public service. The Jesuit values of service and reflection are important to her, and she plans to get involved in the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice. She’s particularly interested in participating in Creighton’s Spring Break Service Trips, which offer immersive service experiences in various communities.
Excerpts of Good and Bad Examples
Let’s take a look at how both effective and ineffective responses to this prompt might look.
Good example
“Ever since I first volunteered at my local clinic, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare with a focus on underserved populations. Creighton’s Jesuit tradition of service and its robust nursing program align perfectly with my goals. I’m particularly drawn to the Creighton Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs program, which would give me the opportunity to work directly with diverse populations in Omaha while building my clinical skills.
I also admire Creighton’s emphasis on ethical healthcare practices, and I’m excited to engage in conversations about social justice through the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice. Creighton’s strong sense of community and its mission to develop leaders who are committed to service make it the ideal place for me to grow both academically and personally.”
Why this works: This example is highly specific and connects the student’s values with Creighton’s programs and mission. It demonstrates that the student has done their research, highlighting the Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs program and the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice as key resources. The student also reflects on Creighton’s Jesuit values, showing a personal connection to the school’s mission.
Bad example
“I want to attend Creighton University because it has a great reputation and offers a strong sense of community. I’m also impressed by the small class sizes, which will allow me to get to know my professors better. Creighton’s location in Omaha is ideal because it’s not too far from home, and I like the idea of living in a smaller city where there are plenty of internship opportunities.”
Why this doesn’t work: This response is vague and could apply to many schools. It doesn’t mention any specific programs, resources, or opportunities that are unique to Creighton, nor does it reflect an understanding of the school’s Jesuit identity or values. The reference to Omaha feels generic, and the student doesn’t explain why Creighton’s community is appealing to them beyond surface-level details.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too general: Saying something like “I want to attend Creighton because it’s a great school” is vague and won’t stand out. You need to dig deeper and identify what specifically makes Creighton the right fit for you.
- Name-dropping resources without a personal connection: Mentioning a club, professor, or program only to say it exists is not effective. You need to explain how it aligns with your goals or interests.
- Focusing too much on location: While Omaha may be part of the appeal, focusing solely on location can make it seem like you’re not genuinely interested in the school itself.
- Ignoring Creighton’s Jesuit identity: This identity is central to the school’s mission, so you should address how its values align with yours, even if you aren’t religious.
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