How to Write the St. Olaf College Essays 2024-2025
For St. Olaf College, there is one required essay, one optional essay, and some short answer questions. Even though the second essay is optional, we highly recommend writing it to show more of who you are to the admissions.
St. Olaf College Essay Prompts
All Applicants
Prompt 1: What excites you about St. Olaf? (150 words)
Prompt 2 (optional): If you could spend a year tackling any issue in your community before starting college, what would it be? Why is that issue important to you and what would you do to address it? (200 words)
Prompt 3: Everyone knows… we’ve read about your accomplishments in your application.
No one knows… there are no wrong answers here – just be your authentic self.
You should know… we are eager to learn more about you.
Now its your turn! Use up to 10 additional words to complete each of the sentences:
- Everyone knows that I…
- No one knows that I…
- St Olaf should know that I…
Prompt 1
What excites you about St. Olaf? (150 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This is a Why This College essay prompt, asking you to explain what excites you about attending St. Olaf College. The admissions committee wants to know why St. Olaf is a great fit for your academic and personal goals. You’ll need to highlight specific aspects of the college that appeal to you, demonstrating both knowledge of the school and how its resources will help you grow.
Brainstorming Questions
- What unique academic programs at St. Olaf align with your interests?
- Are there specific extracurriculars or traditions at St. Olaf that excite you?
- What aspects of the campus culture appeal to you, such as community, values, or environment?
- How do you see yourself contributing to or benefiting from St. Olaf’s community?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response should:
- Mention specific programs or opportunities at St. Olaf that align with your academic or extracurricular interests.
- Show a personal connection: Explain how these programs fit your goals or past experiences.
- Be genuine and specific: Avoid generic reasons like location or prestige—focus on what makes St. Olaf unique.
- Be concise: You only have 150 words, so make sure every sentence counts.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Music Major: “St. Olaf’s renowned music program excites me, particularly the opportunity to participate in the St. Olaf Choir. As a dedicated vocalist, I’m drawn to the college’s emphasis on blending musical excellence with community. I’m eager to grow under the guidance of professors like Anton Armstrong and explore music’s role in fostering cultural connection through the college’s global initiatives. I can see myself thriving in St. Olaf’s collaborative environment, combining my love of performance with a liberal arts education that will allow me to explore history and psychology as they relate to music.”
- Environmental Studies: “What excites me most about St. Olaf is the hands-on approach to environmental studies. I’m eager to join the Environmental Conversations learning community, where I can engage deeply with sustainability issues while building interdisciplinary connections. St. Olaf’s commitment to sustainable campus practices, like the STOGROW farm, aligns perfectly with my passion for agriculture and environmental justice. I’m excited to work alongside like-minded students who value both academic inquiry and social responsibility.”
Prompt 2 (optional)
If you could spend a year tackling any issue in your community before starting college, what would it be? Why is that issue important to you and what would you do to address it? (200 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This prompt asks you to identify an issue in your community that you would dedicate a year to solving. The admissions committee wants to understand what social, cultural, or local issues you care about and how you would approach tackling them. This is an opportunity to showcase your values, problem-solving skills, and your understanding of community challenges. The word limit is short, so you’ll need to be concise but thoughtful.
Brainstorming Questions
- What problems or challenges do you see in your community that you’re passionate about addressing?
- Have you personally experienced or witnessed the impact of this issue?
- What skills, knowledge, or resources would you bring to help solve this issue?
- What actions would you take to make a real impact in a year?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response should:
- Identify a specific community issue: Focus on a clear, real-world problem that affects your community.
- Explain why it’s personally important: Share a connection to the issue, whether through personal experience, observation, or passion.
- Provide a realistic plan of action: Describe concrete steps you would take to address the problem, showing that you’ve thought about practical solutions.
- Show empathy and problem-solving skills: Demonstrate your commitment to making a difference and your ability to think critically about how to effect change.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Food Insecurity: “If I could spend a year addressing any issue in my community, it would be food insecurity. I volunteer at a local food bank and have seen firsthand how many families rely on this service. I would create a sustainable community garden program that teaches families how to grow their own produce, providing both food and skills. By partnering with local schools and community centers, I’d host workshops on gardening and nutrition, making healthy food more accessible. This issue matters to me because I believe that everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food, and I want to empower families to become more self-sufficient.”
- Mental Health Awareness: “I would spend a year tackling the stigma around mental health in my community. Growing up, I witnessed many friends struggle with anxiety and depression but were hesitant to seek help due to cultural taboos. I would organize mental health workshops at local schools and community centers, bringing in therapists and counselors to lead discussions on coping strategies and destigmatizing mental health issues. I’d also create a peer support network to foster open dialogue. This issue is deeply personal to me because I’ve seen the damage that stigma can cause, and I believe open conversations could save lives.”
Prompt 3
Everyone knows… we’ve read about your accomplishments in your application.
No one knows… there are no wrong answers here – just be your authentic self.
You should know… we are eager to learn more about you.
Now its your turn! Use up to 10 additional words to complete each of the sentences:
- Everyone knows that I…
- No one knows that I…
- St Olaf should know that I…
Understanding the Prompt
This prompt is a chance to reveal a bit more about yourself beyond your accomplishments and academic profile. The three sentences allow you to share different dimensions of your personality, interests, or quirks. The goal is to offer the admissions team new insights into who you are in a concise and authentic way.
Brainstorming Questions
- What is something obvious or well-known about you that reflects your public persona?
- What is a unique or lesser-known aspect of your life or personality that might surprise people?
- What do you want St. Olaf to know about you that isn’t reflected elsewhere in your application?
What Makes a Good Response
A good response should:
- Show contrast between what’s well-known and what’s hidden: The “no one knows” section should reveal something surprising or personal.
- Be authentic and personal: Avoid overly generic answers and focus on what makes you unique.
- Align with your values: The final sentence should highlight something that reflects why you’re a good fit for St. Olaf or how you’ll contribute to their community.
- Stay concise: With only 10 additional words for each sentence, make sure every word adds meaning.
Example Responses
-
Everyone knows that I love performing in school musicals and theater productions.
No one knows that I write songs and record them in my bedroom studio.
St. Olaf should know that I can’t wait to join its collaborative music community. -
Everyone knows that I am passionate about environmental sustainability and activism.
No one knows that I once built a solar-powered phone charger from scratch.
St. Olaf should know that I want to lead campus initiatives on sustainable living. -
Everyone knows that I am always the first to volunteer for group projects.
No one knows that I recharge by hiking alone in the mountains on weekends.
St. Olaf should know that I value collaboration, but solitude helps me stay creative.
These examples demonstrate personality, surprise, and alignment with St. Olaf’s community in a short, impactful way.
Where to Get Your St. Olaf Essays Edited for Free
Do you want feedback on your St. Olaf essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to objectively evaluate your own writing. Our free Peer Essay Review tool can help you get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays!
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