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College Essay Prompts 2026-27

Yale Supplemental Essay Prompts 2026-27

Yale University's published supplemental essay prompts for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 application year, quoted from the college's own website, with the limit for each and whether it is required.

Application
Common App or Coalition
Status
2026-27 prompts published
What to write
All first-year applicants answer 1 common prompt. Depending on how or where you apply, you may also have prompts for: Common Application and Coalition Application applicants.
Last checked
September 26, 2026
Official source
Yale Admissions: Essay Topics

The 2026-27 prompts

Quoted word for word from Yale University. Limits are as the college states them. These are the first-year prompts the college publishes; transfer essays and questions that appear only inside the application portal are not listed.

If applying with the Common Application, complete the above questions and those below in the “My Colleges” section.

Required of all applicants

All first-year applicants will respond to the following short answer questions:

  1. 01

    Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it?

    200 wordsIntellectual curiosity

Short takes

Required for Common Application and Coalition Application applicants

Common Application and Coalition Application only: respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words):

  1. 02

    If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?

    200 charactersShort answers

  2. 03

    What is one aspect of yourself that you hope to grow or develop during college?

    200 charactersShort answers

  3. 04

    What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?

    200 charactersShort answers

Choose one of these three: Common Application and Coalition Application applicants

Common Application and Coalition Application only: respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer.

  1. 05

    Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?

    400 wordsBackground and identity

  2. 06

    Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.

    400 wordsCommunity

  3. 07

    Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?

    400 wordsBackground and identity

What these prompts are really asking

One line per prompt type, from our supplemental essay guide.

Community
How do you define community, and how will you behave in ours?
Intellectual curiosity
How does your mind move when no one is handing you points?
Short answers
Can you be precise, human and specific without trying to sound profound?
Background and identity
What lived detail shapes your perspective, choices or contribution?

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Common Questions

How many supplemental essays does Yale University require for 2026-27?

All first-year applicants answer 1 common prompt. Depending on how or where you apply, you may also have prompts for: Common Application and Coalition Application applicants. This page lists 7 prompts in all, including choices and optional prompts.

What are the word limits for Yale's supplemental essays?

200 words, 200 characters, 400 words. Each prompt above shows its own limit as the college states it.

Which application does Yale University use?

Common App or Coalition.

Where are these prompts from?

We copied them word for word from Yale Admissions: Essay Topics and last checked on September 26, 2026. The prompts inside your application portal are the final word.

Sources, last checked September 26, 2026

Prompts for other colleges

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