How to Write the Quinnipiac University Essays 2025-2026
For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Quinnipiac University does not require regular applicants to submit a supplemental essay. However, they do have supplemental essays for applicants to their healthcare-related programs. Keep reading to find out our best advice for approaching these essays.
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Quinnipiac University Supplemental Essay Prompts
Nursing Applicants
Prompt: Why do you have an interest in applying to the Nursing program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
Occupational Therapy Applicants
Prompt: Why do you have an interest in applying to the Occupational Therapy program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
Physical Therapy Applicants
Prompt: Why do you have an interest in applying to the Physical Therapy program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
Physician Assistant Applicants
Prompt: Why do you have an interest in applying to the Physician Assistant program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
Radiologic Sciences Applicants
Prompt: Why do you have an interest in applying to the Radiologic Sciences program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
Nursing Prompt
Why do you have an interest in applying to the Nursing program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
This prompt is a “Why This Major” archetype, seeking to to understand why you’re passionate about nursing and how your relevant experiences have shaped your decision to pursue this career. This is your chance to reflect on your personal connection to nursing, highlight specific experiences, and demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
This prompt has two main pieces—defining your interest in nursing, and describing your experience. While talking about your interest and where it might come from is pretty manageable, describing relevant experiences might sound daunting. Here, it can be helpful to think expansively about what experiences might be relevant to a career in nursing. Let’s consider some examples of relevant experiences.
- Shadowing, working, or volunteering in a healthcare setting.
- Tending to a sick or disabled loved one.
- Research or academic exploration of healthcare related topics.
- Health-related clubs, extracurriculars, or activism.
- Working with or spending time with sick or disabled loved ones or community members.
- Certifications or credentials related to healthcare.
- Being a peer counselor or working in a support role.
For this supplement, you’ll want to pick one or two examples of your relevant experience, so you can really dive deep into them. Listing off accomplishments means you won’t get to go as deep, so for your essay we recommend focusing on quality over quantity.
As you choose what experience to highlight, consider what’s most important to you. A personal connection sometimes stands out more than a slightly more impressive one, so weigh these carefully when choosing. If you have something especially unique to talk about, that should also be a consideration, as something that makes you stand out from the crowd may be the most meaningful.
If this sounds like a lot to consider, it’s okay to take some time to think about it, and try a few different angles. Consider the following students as examples of how to balance several different considerations.
- Elena cared for her diabetic dad, administering insulin shots and helping manage his diet. This experience sparked her interest in nursing, particularly the holistic care nurses provide. After volunteering at a nursing home, where she assisted with daily activities and observed nurses in action, Elena became committed to pursuing a career in nursing, drawn to the emotional and physical support nurses offer to patients.
- Carlos has volunteered at a local hospital for three years, where he assists in patient care, observing nurses manage multiple patients in fast-paced environments. He’s inspired by their calm under pressure and the hands-on nature of the work, especially in critical care situations. After seeing how nurses advocate for their patients, Carlos is excited to pursue a nursing career, hoping to eventually work in emergency medicine.
- Anjali was fascinated by her experience in a high school anatomy class, where she was particularly drawn to learning about the circulatory system and patient care. She shadowed a pediatric nurse and loved seeing how the nurse balanced medical knowledge with comforting anxious patients. This combination of science and human connection solidified her interest in pursuing nursing.
Remember, the admissions committee is most interested in hearing about your specific experiences that will make you a passionate and dedicated nurse. There is no “right story” they are looking for; as long as it comes from you, your essay will align with their expectations.
Occupational Therapy Prompt
Why do you have an interest in applying to the Occupational Therapy program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
This prompt, like all of these prompts, is an example of the “Why This Major” archetype. The admissions committee is looking for you to reflect on your interest in occupational therapy and connect it to your personal experiences. They want to understand not just why you chose this path, but also how your specific life experiences have influenced this decision.
Here, the admissions committee wants to know just how serious you are about occupational therapy as a career. This is a great chance to demonstrate your knowledge of the school, the field, and yourself. You’ll want to cast each in the best possible light, so let’s talk about how to do that.
First, doing some research on Quinnipiac’s occupational therapy program is a great idea. This way, you can talk about specific aspects of this school’s offerings and why they appeal to you. Discussing how you came to be interested in physical therapy, and what makes you well-suited for the profession, can further emphasize your fit for the program. The best essays will connect all three aspects together—you can use your knowledge of/experience in the field to talk about how you’ll fit into the world of occupational therapy, and then describe how Quinnipiac will help you get there.
A great response will show a strong connection to OT, highlighting specific experiences and explaining your passion, to create a lasting impression on readers. You’ll want to avoid listing accomplishments like a resume—while you might be very impressive, this is a place to talk about yourself more deeply, showing more of who you are to the admissions committee.
Review the following examples, and consider which applicant is more compelling to readers seeking to get to know applicants.
“Since high school, I’ve been heavily involved in healthcare-related activities, which is why I want to pursue occupational therapy. I’ve volunteered for over 300 hours at a local hospital, where I assisted in various departments, including physical therapy and pediatrics. I was also the president of the Health Careers Club at my school, organizing events where professionals from different fields spoke about their careers, including an occupational therapist. During the summer, I interned at a rehabilitation center, helping with patient intake and observing therapy sessions. I also took a healthcare course in my senior year that covered various medical fields, including occupational therapy. With all this experience, I feel well-prepared and excited to join your program to continue learning about how to help people recover and improve their lives.”
Contrast this excerpt with the following one.
“Every Wednesday afternoon growing up, I sat beside my younger brother Liam as his occupational therapist guided him through exercises to strengthen his hands. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Liam struggled with daily tasks like buttoning his shirt or tying his shoes, but I’ll never forget the day he finally laced up his sneakers by himself. This moment sparked my fascination with OT’s ability to transform lives through personalized care. At Quinnipiac, I’m excited to dive into the hands-on learning in the Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education, where I can collaborate with peers from other health fields, just like the team-based approach I saw at the rehab center. I’m also drawn to the on-campus OT labs, where I can practice interventions in a simulated environment before applying them in clinical settings. I look forward to gaining the skills and knowledge to design tailored interventions, whether it’s helping a stroke survivor regain mobility or a child with autism improve their daily functioning.”
While the first example is very impressive, it comes across as a list of accomplishments, the tone of which is almost boastful. The second excerpt has a tighter focus, and allows readers to feel like they’re getting to know the writer. It also references specific offerings from Quinnipiac, demonstrating the seriousness of the applicant’s interest.
Physical Therapy Prompt
Why do you have an interest in applying to the Physical Therapy program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
Another example of the “Why This Major” archetype, the admissions committee wants to know why you’re interested in physical therapy and what specific experiences have fueled your passion. This is your opportunity to show your understanding of the field, highlight relevant experiences, and explain why PT is the right career for you.
As you’re crafting a response, you’ll want to focus on making it both unique and personal. You want to stand out to the admissions committee as an individual, so spend some time reflecting on what will make you a great physical therapist, and why you want to pursue this path. The committee may be reading hundreds of these essays, so an essay that’s generic, vague, or inauthentic will push your application to the bottom of the pile.
On the other hand, an essay that shows a clear link between you, physical therapy, and the program at Quinnipiac will make you a very attractive candidate. A coherent narrative about who you are, why you’re interested in PT, and how Quinnipiac will help you achieve your goals will stick in admissions officers’ minds, positioning you as a strong candidate for the school.
If this sounds overwhelming, consider these questions to help you brainstorm that perfect response.
- When did you first become interested in PT? Is there a specific experience that illustrates what you find compelling about the field?
- Have you had any direct experience in the field? What about indirect experiences, things that aren’t specific to PT but will help make you a great physical therapist?
- What qualities do you have that will aid you in physical therapy? How did you develop these qualities?
- What do you know about physical therapy? Where did that knowledge come from?
- What are your professional goals? How does the program at Quinnipiac University factor into these goals?
As you think about the answers to these questions, begin to develop a response to the prompt. Your essay doesn’t need to answer all of the questions above, but it does need to answer the prompt fully, which means first explaining your interest, and then explaining your experience. While you should spend time writing a dynamic, interesting, unique essay, you want to make sure you answer both parts of this prompt for a full, compelling response.
You can see what a good essay might look like here:
“The first time I met a physical therapist, I was sitting on the sidelines with an ice pack on my knee after a soccer injury. I expected a quick fix, but instead, the therapist walked me through how each muscle worked, why my body was reacting the way it was, and what steps I could take to recover. What struck me most wasn’t just the science, but the way she combined knowledge with encouragement—helping me see recovery as something I had control over, not something happening to me.
My interest grew during my own rehabilitation. The hours I spent doing repetitive exercises could have felt endless, but I began to notice how each small gain—bending a little farther, running a little longer—added up to real progress. I started keeping track of my milestones and even helped a teammate going through a similar injury by showing her stretches and reminding her to be patient with herself. That moment of supporting someone else showed me the ripple effect of encouragement, something I had first received and then passed on.
These experiences taught me that physical therapy isn’t just about strength and flexibility—it’s about restoring confidence and independence. I want to pursue it not only because I’m fascinated by how the human body heals, but because I’ve seen how much it matters to have someone by your side who believes in your progress. For me, physical therapy is the perfect blend of science, empathy, and empowerment.”
Physician Assistant Prompt
Why do you have an interest in applying to the Physician Assistant program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
This one is also a “Why This Major” archetype essay. The admissions officers want to understand why you’re drawn to becoming a Physician Assistant, what experiences you’ve had that confirm your commitment, and why a PA program (and not just med school or nursing) specifically fits your vision of healthcare.
Some good questions to brainstorm are:
- When did you first become interested in medicine? Was there a defining moment?
- Have you shadowed a PA, doctor, or nurse? What struck you about the PA role?
- Have you volunteered in a hospital, clinic, or nursing home? What did you learn from patients?
- What qualities of a PA (teamwork, flexibility, patient-centered care) resonate with you most?
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How do your own strengths—empathy, communication, problem-solving—match the demands of the field?
You want to make sure that you start with a concrete moment, such as your first exposure to PA care, a shadowing experience, or a meaningful patient interaction. This will ensure that your essay is well-grounded and has a good hook for the reader.
Additionally, try to show insight into the PA role. Don’t only talk about “helping people” but focus on why PA school, specifically, appeals to you. It’s okay if you don’t have extensive experience in the PA field already, but you can still show your aptitude for medicine. Using your other experiences, you can highlight positive personal qualities which would make you a good physician assistant. For example, maybe you learned teamwork skills from your basketball team which will be useful in a collaborative medical setting. Or perhaps you volunteer at an animal shelter because you love to care for the animals and help them through their rehabilitation, but you now want to apply those interests to humans.
Make sure there’s a clear progression of your interest and skills that grow deeper through each experience. However, it’s always better to provide one or two meaningful experiences and provide more detail than it is to overload your essay with five or six surface-level experiences. Finally, make sure to stay focused on healthcare, not just academics or generic compassion.
Take a look at these examples for some inspiration:
- Emily, EMT volunteer – After volunteering as an EMT, she shadowed a PA in the ER who balanced autonomy with teamwork. She admired the PA’s approachable rapport with patients and realized she wanted to work in a role like that one day.
- Jason, caregiver for his sibling with chronic illness – Jason grew up helping his parents manage his sister’s Type 1 diabetes and enjoyed the idea that he could help her. He admired how the PA his sister worked with educated and empowered his sister, shaping Jason’s interest in long-term patient relationships.
- Nina, medical scribe – Volunteering as a scribe at the hospital her dad works at, she noticed PAs often spent the most time ensuring patients understood their care plans. That blend of medical expertise and communication inspired her to pursue the field.
Radiologic Sciences Prompt
Why do you have an interest in applying to the Radiologic Sciences program? Please discuss any relevant experiences you may have had in this field. (250 words)
This prompt is also a “Why This Major” archetype. Here, the focus of your essay should be why you are interested in studying Radiologic Sciences, what relevant experiences you’ve had related to the field, and why this program at Quinnipiac fits your goals.
Some questions to consider before you begin writing your essay are:
- When did you first encounter radiology (through family, volunteering, shadowing, personal care experience)?
- Have you been fascinated by medical imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) and how they reveal the “hidden” structures of the body?
- Have you shadowed a radiologic technologist or worked in a healthcare setting where you saw their role?
- What qualities of the profession resonate with you—precision, teamwork, patient interaction, problem-solving?
- How do your strengths (attention to detail, empathy, technical curiosity) connect to this field?
As you think about the answers to these questions, begin to develop a response to the prompt. Your essay doesn’t need to answer all of the questions above, but it does need to answer the prompt fully, which means first explaining your interest, and then explaining your experience. While you should spend time writing a dynamic, interesting, unique essay, you want to make sure you answer both parts of this prompt for a full, compelling response.
You can see what a good essay might look like here:
“When my grandmother was diagnosed with pneumonia, I accompanied her to the hospital for an X-ray. I remember watching the radiologic technologist carefully position her and explain the process in a way that eased her anxiety. Seeing how a single image could reveal so much about her health fascinated me. I began researching the field and even designed a science fair project around imaging technologies, testing how different materials blocked various wavelengths of light. That experience deepened my curiosity about how radiology blends patient care with technology.
Quinnipiac’s Radiologic Sciences program excites me because of its direct patient interaction combined with advanced imaging training. The program’s dedicated on-campus labs and access to clinical affiliations at major healthcare centers across Connecticut stand out as opportunities to learn in real-world settings early in my education. I’m especially drawn to Quinnipiac’s emphasis on preparing students for multiple modalities—like CT and MRI—since I hope to explore how different technologies can be applied to both diagnostics and long-term treatment monitoring.
For me, radiologic sciences isn’t just about producing images; it’s about supporting patients in vulnerable moments while providing the crucial information physicians need. Quinnipiac’s hands-on approach, combined with its strong healthcare network, will give me the skills and experiences to pursue this calling with both technical precision and compassion.”
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