2026–27 application cycle
Haverford College supplemental essays
Every writing prompt on the Haverford College application, with word limits. All of it taken from the application itself. 2 prompts.
- Prompt 1Required200 words max
What excites you
Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you hope to engage with this topic or issue at Haverford?
How to approach it
This prompt wants the origin story and the proof, not your resume. Pick the moment the interest became yours. Show one or two things you did about it on your own. Let the school see how you think when nobody assigns the work.
- Prompt 2Required200 words max
Values that resonate
We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the Haverford community. What are some of the values you seek in your next community? How do Haverford's values, as demonstrated through our Honor Code, resonate with you?
How to approach it
Here, specific beats important. A small, true community described from the inside beats a broad label. Write it as someone who was there, not as an observer. End on what you carry into a campus, not on a moral.
Common questions
What do students ask about these essays?
How many essays does Haverford College require?
Haverford College lists 2 writing supplements for the 2026–27 cycle, all required. That’s on top of the main personal statement.
How long are the Haverford College supplemental essays?
Word limits across the listed prompts add up to about 400 words. Budget real time for them. Supplements are where admissions sees your real interest in Haverford College.
Do the Haverford College supplemental essays matter?
Yes, and more so at the hardest schools to get into. Grades and scores put you in the pool. Supplements are one of the few places you control what the reader learns about you. A generic why-us essay is one of the most common mistakes students make.
What Spike does with this
Get help planning Haverford College essays.
Spike helps you tie each prompt to something you’ve actually lived. It helps you outline and revise, and it won’t write the essay for you.
The full counselor launches in November.