Supplemental essays · 2026–27 application
Mount St. Joseph University supplemental essays.
All 3 essay questions Mount St. Joseph University asks this year, word for word, with the word limits and how to approach each one.
Checked against msj.edu and the Common App application on October 17, 2026
What you write: Two short answers, up to 250 words each, plus one if your record needs explaining.
What your application doesn't show
Tell us something about yourself that is not readily apparent from your application.
How to approach it
- Pick one moment and stay there. Readers remember a scene, not a summary.
- Spend at least a third of the essay on what you thought and how you changed.
- Read it out loud. If a line doesn’t sound like you, it isn’t done yet.
What makes you a strong student
Share with us one characteristic about yourself that positions you to be a successful college student.
How to approach it
- Pick one moment and stay there. Readers remember a scene, not a summary.
- Spend at least a third of the essay on what you thought and how you changed.
- Read it out loud. If a line doesn’t sound like you, it isn’t done yet.
Your academic record
Please indicate if there is any part of your academic record that might need clarification or explanation.
Only if it applies to you.
How to approach it
- Answer the exact question asked, in the first few lines.
- Use one real example instead of three general ones.
- Read it out loud before you submit.
Want a mentor on your essays?
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