emerson application essays

Emerson College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 16

Emerson College 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 100-200 words each; 1 honors program essay of 400-600 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community , Oddball

Emerson may have produced the most perfectly balanced supplement of the application season. These two (or three if you’re applying to the Honors College) brief essays zip together to form a complete picture of who you are: serious and silly, restrained and creative. You probably never thought you’d find a zen moment while writing your college essays, and yet here it is. So take a deep breath, center yourself, and dive in.

As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your major. If you’re undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson’s programs? Please be brief (100-200 words).

This is a pretty standard why essay focused on academics, so stay the course. You could have a million other reasons for applying to Emerson that have nothing to do with your intended major, but for now, all admissions wants to know is what you intend to study and why. So save their time (and yours) by cutting to the chase. Of course, brevity isn’t the same as generality. As with any other why essay, take some time to do your research. Scour your program’s website for information about classes, professors, unique opportunities, and notable alumni. What catches your eye? What inspires you? How does it connect to an interest you have? How does Emerson’s unique curriculum satisfy your needs in a way no other school could? Take a page out of alum Bobbi Brown’s book ! Her lifelong love of makeup led her to wonder, can you major in this stuff? Instead of going cosmetology school, Brown took advantage of Emerson’s combined emphasis on communication and the arts. She refined her skills as a makeup artist and gained the business acumen to build a renowned makeup brand. What’s your story?

Please respond, briefly in 100-200 words, to one of the following:

Much of the work that students do at emerson college is a form of storytelling. if you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it and why.

It doesn’t get more Emerson than this. Combine communication and the arts and what do you get? A book titling challenge! This is your chance to show (not tell) your creative side and prove to admissions that you’ve got the goods to fit in at Emerson. For an oddball prompt like this, the best strategy is just to have fun. If this kind of prompt gives you agita, fear not! You can choose to pen a response to the other prompt below.

If you do find yourself imagining your life on pages, lean into your creative instincts. Puns and all manner of wordplay are welcome and encouraged. Can you boil your life down to one recurrent theme? Have your calloused feet carried you through endless hours at the ballet barre? Has your practice of cutting your own hair defined your personal brand since the age of six? Through what lens do you view your life? This is a prime opportunity to give admissions a catchphrase or simple epithet to remember you by. How do you want to be known?

At its best, how does community benefit the individual, the whole, or both?

If titling your life story doesn’t unleash a thousand ideas in your brain, this second prompt option is for you. It is a classic Community Essay through and through. Your response should include both your take on how communities benefit the individual, the whole, or both, as well as a story or anecdote to back up your argument. Maybe the LGBT community in your city supported you through your coming out process, and now you get to be a part of other members’ journeys as well, encouraging them to live as their most authentic selves. Would you say that community benefits each and every member by providing a safe, collective space in which to connect and share? Does that kind of intimacy benefit the whole community? Admissions is looking for reflection and perspective from you, so don’t be afraid to think big!

Honors Program (Optional, First-year Applicants for September Admission Only):

We often use metaphors to help us understand our world and persuade others. write about a metaphor that you think is powerful, and explore its potential to be helpful and/or harmful in your thinking. (400-600 words).

Love is a rose! All the world’s a stage! So many great metaphors to choose from, and admissions wants to know which one has affected you and opened your eyes to see the world in a new light. This essay should include a bit of literary analysis–show them that you can break down a metaphor and explore why the comparison is effective or moving in some way. Things might get a little poetic, but that’s the idea; poetry reflects life as not only a mirror, but also a window to something new (OMG we just came up with that one… are… are we poets?). Don’t forget the last part of this prompt: metaphors can also be harmful. Maybe think of harsh stereotypes or bad faith generalizations: People are sheep. Men are dogs. Cash is king. Metaphors are powerful rhetorical devices that get a message across in a unique way–be it positive or negative. Let admissions know you’re listening to the world around you, but thinking for yourself.

About Amanda Amah

View all posts by Amanda Amah »

We offer reviews!

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search Podcast New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Perks at Work Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• Clemson University
• Coastal Carolina University
• College of Charleston
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Dickinson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• The George Washington University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Hamilton College
• Hampshire College
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Howard University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Meredith College
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Carolina State
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Roger Williams University
• Saint Anselm College
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Seattle University
• Siena College
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• Spelman College
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University (TCU)
• The College of Idaho
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• UNC Wilmington
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia (UGA)
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Massachusetts Lowell
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of Rochester
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• UC Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Deferral Guides
• Get Started

Emerson College

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Emerson College?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Emerson College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short response.

Please respond, briefly in 100-200 words, to one of the following:

"Much of the work that students do at Emerson College is a form of storytelling. If you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it and why?"

“At its best, how does community benefit the individual, the whole, or both?

Why This Major Short Response

As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your major. If you‘re undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson‘s programs? Please be brief.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

• Graduate Programs
• Request Information

Tips on Applying to Grad School From An Admissions Officer

You’ve decided to go back to school to earn your master’s degree . You’ve identified your program of choice, narrowed down the schools you’d like to attend, and even started browsing apartments near campus. Now the only thing standing in your way is applying – which is why we’ve compiled a list of tips on applying to grad school.

We sat down with an admissions team member, Haley Bresnahan, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, and asked her to give us her best advice when applying to graduate school. 

Name : Haley Bresnahan (she/her/hers)

Title : Assistant Director of Graduation Admissions

Overseen Programs : Writing for Film & Television , Film and Media Art , Media Design , and Theatre Education

Q : As an admissions team member, what qualities and skills do you look for in prospective students’ applications?

My advice to students applying to our programs is to think of your application materials (especially the essay and any creative samples), as your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. When we review applications, we are looking for potential and personal drive, but never for perfection. Above all, we are looking for authenticity, creativity, and excitement about the work you do. We want to get a sense that you have a vision for how your work may make a difference or speak to your community and the larger world around you.

Q : In your opinion, how accessible are you and the other admissions officers to potential applicants?

A : Very accessible! One of the best parts of my job is getting the opportunity to talk to so many students who are inspired, interesting, and excited about the future they envision for themselves. As a writer and artist myself, it’s so fulfilling to meet people who feel called to use their creativity to express themselves and make a difference in the world around them. My job is to help you decide how Emerson might fit into that future in terms of getting you where you want to go. To that end, I’m always here for an email or phone call, and I look forward to speaking with you! 

Q: Do students have to take the GRE for the Writing for Film & Television, Film and Media Art, Media Design, and/or the Theatre Education MA and MFA programs?

A: The GRE is not required for any of these programs, so you can save that time and money!

Q: Will students have to interview for acceptance into their prospective program?

A: For these programs, there is no formal interview process. However, each program has a Graduate Program Director (GPD), who is the lead faculty member. The GPD is available to speak with prospective students and applicants at any point during the admissions process. In fact, I highly recommend getting in touch with your GPD, as they can give you a lot of specific information about the curriculum and life as a student in your program. They can also discuss your specific academic and professional goals with you to make sure that the program is the best fit for you. If you would like to speak with a GPD for any of these programs, please feel free to contact me! 

Q: Who would you recommend students to ask to write their letters of recommendation?

A : Our rule of thumb is that if you are within three years of undergrad, at least one of the letters should be from a faculty member from your undergraduate institution. Other than that, I would suggest reaching out to employers or people who you may have worked for in your field and have supervised you in some way. For example, if you worked on an independent film or theatre project, a director could be a great person to ask. Above all else, I would make sure the person really knows you so they can tell us not only about your work ethic and skillset, but also about what a wonderful human you are!  

Q: How does the application process work with applicants in your supported graduate programs?

A : For each of my programs, you’ll be completing our online application and following the instructions for your specific program of choice . Since the programs I support are all art-based, one of the major components of your application is a creative sample. For the Film and Media Art program, this is some sort of media work (film, photography, animation, sound design, etc.) For the Writing for Film and Television program, we ask for a writing sample (screenwriting, prose fiction, poetry). For the Media Design program, you can submit a writing sample or media portfolio. For the Theatre Education and Applied Theatre program, we ask for an artistic resume, which should highlight your theatre and arts experience. 

Q: Is there any advice you would give to prospective students that are reading this blog?

Don’t let imposter syndrome or fear hold you back from applying. As artists and creatives, we can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to wait until we feel more ‘seasoned’ or ‘legitimate’ before we take the brave and scary step of putting ourselves and our work out there. Emerson is a very collaborative and supportive place, and the expectation is that students who enroll with us are coming here to learn and grow in their field. If you have scary visions of a competitive, pretentious environment, you can check those at the door, because that’s not what you’ll find here. 

Q : How can students stand out in a college application?

A: Be yourself! It’s a cliché, but it’s true. Make sure your materials reflect your personality and drive, and when it comes to letters of recommendation, make sure that the people writing them know you well. Also, while we don’t have a formal interview process for the programs I support, feel free to get in touch with our Graduate Program Directors at any point during the admissions process to put a face to your name! 

Q: What are good topics for any personal narratives or statements that students may need to include on their applications?

A: When it comes to your essay, speak from the heart and infuse it with your personality and voice. Instead of using space in the essay to point to your strong GPA or professional accolades (which we can see on your transcript and resume), use that space to include a personal anecdote that takes us to the moment you knew you wanted to work in your field, or maybe a time you were challenged to overcome challenges. At Emerson, we are big on story, and we want to hear yours! 

• Are you a creative, passionate individual who is looking to find a program that will benefit your future career? Connect with our Office of Graduate Admission to receive information, important updates regarding special events, and application notifications. 
• About Author
• Latest Posts

Hanna Shemke

Hanna Shemke is a ’20 Publishing & Writing MA alum and the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Emerson’s Graduate Admissions department. Currently, she is working from home in Michigan and working on her Young Adult urban-fantasy trilogy, the House of Shadows.

Latest posts from Hanna Shemke

• Tips on Applying to Grad School From An Admissions Officer - March 15, 2021
• Grad School During A Pandemic: How Students Navigate Online Learning - January 29, 2021
• Why Emerson is the right choice for Graduate School - September 30, 2020

3 Responses

محمد مصطفى البريدي

لم أفهم ما إذا كان آخر ماقرأته أعلاه هو موجه الى الكاتبة حنا شمكي أم الى أي أحد يريد التقدم للمشاركة في الحوار لإلقاء الأسئلة لتلقي إجاباتكم و لكي يحظى بالقبول في جامعتكم في فرع الدراسات العليا – (الكتابة الإبداعية )

Olivia Wachtel

Hi Mohamad, Thank you for your question! Yes, anyone interested in applying to Emerson’s graduate programs is welcome to contact our Graduate Admissions Team using this link: https://emerson.edu/admissions-aid/graduate-admission/connect-us .

We look forward to hearing from you!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.