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Lewis & Clark College is renowned for its commitment to exploration, learning, and collaboration, as encapsulated in its motto: Explorare, Discere, Sociare . For the 2024-2025 application cycle, the college offers an exciting opportunity for students to convey their unique perspectives through two distinctive supplemental essay prompts. These essays not only allow you to showcase your individuality but also demonstrate your alignment with Lewis & Clark's core values.
Here are the two prompts you’ll need to tackle:
Most colleges have mottos - a word or phrase that expresses the ideals that guide their actions. Lewis & Clark’s motto is Explorare, Discere, Sociare - to explore, to learn, to work together. Tell us about your personal motto and how it guides you (Latin not required).
At Lewis & Clark, we strive to be an inclusive community in which students benefit from exchanging ideas with people whose perspectives may differ from their own. Reflect on a time when you engaged with someone whose background or life experiences are different from yours and share with us what you learned from that experience.
Each response should be approximately 300 words. Let’s break down how to approach each prompt thoughtfully and effectively.
Prompt 1: Your Personal Motto
This prompt invites you to introspect and articulate the guiding principles that shape your life. Think deeply about the core values that drive your decisions and actions. Is there a particular saying, quote, or personal mantra that resonates with you? Perhaps you believe in “Never stop learning,” or “Collaboration over competition.” Whatever your motto is, illustrate how it has been a compass in your personal and academic journeys.
For instance, if your motto is “Curiosity conquers all,” you might discuss how your inquisitiveness has led you to explore new subjects, seek out knowledge independently, or engage in innovative projects. It’s essential to provide specific anecdotes that showcase the practical application of your motto in your daily life, reinforcing why it’s meaningful to you.
Need more personalized guidance? Sups AI offers comprehensive support to help you brainstorm and refine your essay. Leveraging feedback from current students and experts who have navigated this process successfully, you can ensure your story stands out.
Prompt 2: Engaging with Diverse Perspectives
This prompt is designed to assess your ability to appreciate and learn from differing viewpoints. Reflect on a specific instance where you interacted with someone from a different background or with different life experiences. Describe the scenario, the interaction, and most importantly, the learning outcomes from that engagement.
Perhaps it was a group project with a classmate from a different country, a volunteer experience with a diverse community, or a conversation with someone who holds different political or cultural beliefs. Focus on what you learned from this experience—how did it challenge your preconceptions and contribute to your personal growth? Demonstrating openness and inclusivity is key here.
You don’t have to craft this alone. Sups AI is an invaluable resource for brainstorming unique experiences and receiving targeted feedback. With 10,000 students already helped, Sups AI’s expertise could be pivotal in honing your narrative.
Lewis & Clark's supplemental essays offer a powerful avenue to convey your personal values and experiences, reflecting the college's ethos of exploration, learning, and collaboration. By deeply engaging with each prompt, you can create compelling essays that resonate with the admissions committee.
Remember, the essays are a chance to provide a more holistic view of who you are beyond grades and test scores. Good luck, and consider leveraging Sups AI for that extra edge in your application journey!
How to Write the Lewis & Clark College 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Graduate School of Education & Counseling
- Current Students
- Parents & Families
- Faculty & Staff
First-Year Early Action Checklist
Early Action applications (with all additional materials listed below) are due November 1. Admissions decisions will be released by January 1.
- Free Common Application (including essay and Supplemental Question.)
- Secondary School Report form
- We prefer letters of recommendation from someone who has taught you in 11th or 12th grade.
- Official high school transcript Early Action candidates must request an official transcript be sent to us, including grades from 9th through 11th grade and a complete list of courses in which they are enrolled during their senior year.
- Mid-Year Report and updated transcript All first-year applicants must request an updated official transcript be sent to us containing their first term senior grades for review by the admissions committee as soon as they are available.
SAT and ACT scores will be considered as part of a holistic review process if they are provided, however we do not require students to submit any standardized test scores. If a student chooses to send us scores, they can be uploaded through the L&C Portal , submitted directly from the testing agency, included on an official high school transcript, or sent directly to our office by a high school counselor (as a PDF or screenshot of the online or paper score report). Scores submitted through the Common Application are redacted. Please review our test-optional policy .
Lewis & Clark’s SAT code: 4384 Lewis & Clark’s ACT code: 3464
A one-on-one interview with a member of our admissions team is a great way to demonstrate your interest in Lewis & Clark and share information about your prior academic experiences and future goals, which will add depth to your application. Schedule your Virtual Interview online today !
- FAFSA Early Action applicants who are applying for need-based financial aid should submit the FAFSA by the January 15 priority deadline to receive full consideration for all available sources of need-based aid.
Admissions is located in Frank Manor House on the Undergraduate Campus. MSC: 32
email [email protected]
voice 503-768-7040 fax 503-768-7055
Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid Eric Staab
Admissions Lewis & Clark 615 S. Palatine Hill Road Portland OR 97219
- Financial Aid
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