Supplemental essays · 2026–27 application
Grinnell College supplemental essays.
The essay question Grinnell College asks this year, word for word, with the word limit and how to approach it.
Checked against grinnell.edu on October 17, 2026
What you write: Optional. One short answer, 200 to 450 words.
Grinnell has no required supplement.
Optional: thriving at Grinnell
(Grinnell's core values include supporting a diverse community that is respectful, egalitarian, and committed to the common good.) How might your background, respect for the lived experiences of others, and/or eagerness to be exposed to new perspectives equip you to thrive at Grinnell and serve the common good?
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.
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