Supplemental essays · 2026–27 application
Catawba College supplemental essays.
All 3 essay questions Catawba College asks this year, word for word, with the word limits and how to approach each one.
Checked against catawba.edu and the Common App application on October 17, 2026
What you write: Two short answers, up to 250 words each, and one optional.
How you found Catawba
For over 173 years, Catawba College has been recognized for its rich legacy and traditions, sometimes even referred to as a best-kept secret. Could you please share how you first learned about Catawba and what motivated you to apply to our institution?
How to approach it
- Name things you could only find at this college: a class, a professor, a program, a tradition.
- Tie every detail to something true about you.
- Swap test: if another college’s name fits your sentence, it’s too general.
Your plans and major
What are your future plans, and why are you interested in the academic program or major you selected? If you are undecided, please share which academic areas you wish to explore at Catawba and why.
How to approach it
- Start with the moment the interest began.
- Show what you’ve already done about it: a class, a project, a book, a job.
- Say where you want to take it, even if you’re not sure yet.
Optional: the good you hope to make
Catawba is deeply invested in the greater good, cultivating a thriving and livable world for all. Our students, faculty, and staff learn, create, research, explore, and grow. Our good goes far. What "good" do you hope to make at Catawba and beyond?
How to approach it
- Say plainly what the community is.
- Show your place in it with one real scene.
- End with what you’d bring to campus.
Want a mentor on your essays?
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