2026–27 application cycle
University of Portland supplemental essays
Every writing prompt on the University of Portland application, with word limits. All of it taken from the application itself. 2 prompts, including program-specific ones.
These prompts are program-specific.
They apply only if you’re applying to the named program or school.
- Honors ProgramRequired600 words max
Write your own question
We would love to get a sense of what excites you both academically and personally. In order to do so, let us know what question you would pose to a prospective UP Honors student on an application to get a sense about their academic curiosity and commitment to interdisciplinary work and then answer this question yourself.
- Honors ProgramRequired600 words max
A second question, answered
Finally, generate a second question that would elucidate something about the candidate's personal interests, commitments, etc. and answer this question as well.
Common questions
What do students ask about these essays?
How many essays does University of Portland require?
University of Portland lists 2 writing supplements for the 2026–27 cycle, all required. That’s on top of the main personal statement.
How long are the University of Portland supplemental essays?
Word limits across the listed prompts add up to about 1,200 words. Budget real time for them. Supplements are where admissions sees your real interest in University of Portland.
Do the University of Portland 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 University of Portland 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.