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How to Write the Howard University Essay 2022-2023

Howard University is one of the best-known historically Black universities in the country. Historically Black schools are higher education institutions established before the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and were created to serve members of the Black community. Today, they offer exceptional academic opportunities to students of all genders, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.

At Howard University, students have the opportunity to participate in more than 200 clubs and organizations while learning from top professors. With Washington, D.C. just two miles away, students can easily lead an active political, social, or professional life. 

Howard University is a fairly selective school and its acceptance rate has been on the decline. Want to know your chances at Howard University? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Howard University Supplemental Essay Prompt

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. you may express why this activity is important to you, lessons learned from said activity, or any related details that give us more information on your passions, goals and/or experiences. while not required, this section gives our committee further details on your interests outside of the classroom. (250 words).

While this prompt is optional, we strongly encourage you to write this essay since it’ll give Howard more details about who you are, and it’ll demonstrate your interest in the school. “Optional” essays at prestigious schools like Howard aren’t really optional if you want to have the best shot at getting in!

This prompt is similar to the Common App activities section, but it’s asking for the details that aren’t possible to explain in 150 characters. This prompt is extremely common, and is known as the “Extracurricular Essay.” The goal is to get a better understanding of your most important activity and how it shaped you. You can see our complete guide on writing the Extracurricular Essay , but we’ll also provide a breakdown here.

The first thing to do is to pick an activity. The best activities to pick are:

• Where you have shown the most commitment
• Clubs or groups you founded
• Those in which you held a leadership role
• One that relates to a personal aspect of your life.

Howard also asks you to indicate up to 5 activities you might be interested in on their campus. This would be another criteria to consider. Do you have any high school equivalents to the university activities you listed there? If so, you might write about one of those high school activities. In any case, make sure that you choose an activity that has had a large impact on your growth and that you are truly passionate about.

Once you have chosen an extracurricular or work experience to write about, describe your topic in a way that is personal and human ─ a story rather than a professional summary. Speak about your accomplishments in terms of how they have shaped and motivated you, not how they’ve padded your resume. Keep descriptions of your activity short as possible and write most of the essay about how your accomplishments in that activity tie into your personal goals and aspirations. Place the focus on you, not the activity itself.

To narrow down your topic, think of a specific experience that was impactful in the arc of your activity. Choose an experience that shaped your decision about which academic and professional directions you want to pursue later on. Perhaps you auditioned for the lead role of a play for the first time and felt nervous excitement at first, but later came to love theater and now aspire to become a dramaturge. 

With your narrowed down topic, you can begin to write the essay in the format of a one or two paragraph anecdote. Incorporate reflection into your storytelling ─ it’s easy to get caught up in the details of your anecdote without showing how the activity shaped you. Let the Howard admissions readers know what skills you have developed because of your activity, what personality traits you have strengthened, and whether the activity impacts the way you live other parts of your life.

Here is an example of an essay that balances out storytelling with substance. The writer explains a specific moment of them playing piano, but goes on to reflect on why the activity is important to them, what it has taught them, and how it relates to their future plans:

My fingers raced across the keys, rapidly striking one after another. My body swayed with the music as my hands raced across the piano. Crashing onto the final chord, it was over as quickly as it had begun. My shoulders relaxed and I couldn’t help but break into a satisfied grin. I had just played the Moonlight Sonata’s third movement, a longtime dream of mine. Four short months ago, though, I had considered it impossible.

The piece’s tempo was impossibly fast, its notes stretching between each end of the piano, forcing me to reach farther than I had ever dared. It was seventeen pages of the most fragile and intricate melodies I had ever encountered. But that summer, I found myself ready to take on the challenge. With the end of the school year, I was released from my commitment to practicing for band and solo performances. I was now free to determine my own musical path: either succeed in learning the piece, or let it defeat me for the third summer in a row. Over those few months, I spent countless hours practicing the same notes until they burned a permanent place in my memory, creating a soundtrack for even my dreams. Some would say I’ve mastered the piece, but as a musician I know better. Now that I can play it, I am eager to take the next step and add in layers of musicality and expression to make the once-impossible piece even more beautiful.

1. This supplemental essay is not only an opportunity for the Howard admissions committee to learn more about you ─ it’s also a way to evaluate your writing skills and your ability to directly respond to a given prompt. Always be aware of grammar and spelling conventions, vary your sentence structure, avoid the passive voice, and be creative (although not excessively gaudy) with your word choice.

2. Try to avoid a cliche topic like a sports injury or challenge. These follow the predictable arc of a challenge, working hard to overcome it, and then a success. You can still write about sports, but do so in a way that is more unique. You could even still cover a sports injury or challenge, as long as the plotline is different. For instance, a unique “sports injury story” would be getting injured and deciding to start a podcast while recovering, and how that led to your professional interest in digital media.

Where to Get Your Howard University Essay Edited

Do you want feedback on your Howard essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Howard University Secondary Application Questions and Tips

• Cracking Med School Admissions

Howard University College of Medicine prides itself in recruiting diverse medical students, including individuals international students. As a top-tier historically black university in Washington, DC, Howard University College of Medicine is an incredibly competitive school for prospective students to gain admission. Your previous experiences and future desires to served underserved communities needs to be elucidated in your Howard University secondary application questions. Read our Howard secondary application tips below. 

Howard does not change its secondaries too often, except for adding a question last year. We strongly encourage students to pre-write the Howard University secondary application questions and turn them in early.

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to Howard University College of Medicine and other medical schools in urban communities. Additionally, many of our students are committed to helping underserved communities, and we help them highlight this passion in their medical school application essays . Make sure to ask us any questions you have about what to emphasize on your Howard secondary application.  We can also help you personalize your secondary through our  secondary essay editing packages . 

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Howard University Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024

• Have you lived in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less)
• Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged populations? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less)
• After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less)
• Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged, etc.) (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less)
• Did COVID-19 impact you preparing your AMCAS application for fall 2024? (i.e. volunteer/work experience, financially, course registration, MCAT testing, etc.) (Please respond Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less, indicate N/A if not applicable)
• Why Howard University College of Medicine? (2500 character limit)   This is a new question

Tips to Answer Howard Medical School Secondary Application Essays

Albert Secondary Application Pre-Writing Guidance: This is a great secondary to start pre-writing and submit early! There are not too many required essays on this supplemental application and the Howard University secondary application questions don’t change frequently. 

• Download our   Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples .

Howard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: As you can imply from the Howard University Medical School secondary application essay prompts, Howard University has a mission to serve underserved areas around the world. Therefore, it is important to understand healthcare disparities. Throughout your Howard secondary essays, you should incorporate an example from your own life about how you have already contributed in combating systemic discrimination or how you’ve already tackled healthcare disparity issues.

Additionally, read about current events in healthcare, including healthcare disparities . Remember that health disparities is a broad and complex issue, and you can reflect on  how you might want to decrease the gap in health disparities (access to healthcare, access to health insurance, health literacy, health outcomes, etc.)

• Read our blog post  Top 10 Current Events You Need To Know For Your Medical School Interview

Howard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: For the Howard University College of Medicine secondary application essay question about “anything else you want to add,” topics students have written about include

• Reasons for low MCAT score
• Reasons for poor grades
• Leave of absences from school
• Gap year activities and experiences
• COVID-19 experiences
• Additional information about working with underserved populations 

If you have any questions about what you should write, contact us below. 

Howard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: Write about “Why Howard University College of Medicine” throughout your Howard secondary essays. Specifically, talk about why the mission resonates with you and what projects you want to do during your time at Howard University. You can discuss how you want to improve healthcare disparities, especially among African Americans. Or, you may want to improve access to healthcare among underserved populations.

• Read our blog post why this medical school to gain insights on how to incorporate a strong “Why Howard College of Medicine.” You can discuss specific aspects of the Howard Medical School medical education curriculum, academic program, community service activities, and extracurricular activities you want to be involved with as a Howard medical student. 

Howard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: Get our help to edit your Howard University secondary application questions. Our team has been successful in helping students get into Howard Medical School the past few years!

We can help you through our secondary essay packages . Have questions about how you can tailor your essay towards Howard Medicine’s mission? Contact us below.

Howard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: For the optional essay, “ After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? ” we think the answer should be “yes” in almost all applications. And if it’s not, maybe you should rethink about applying to Howard University College of Medicine. To answer this question well, we think an applicant should paint a picture of his or her career in medicine. You can also include opportunities you will pursue at Howard University College of Medicine and Washington, DC available to medical students.

[ Read more secondary essay tips:  New York Medical College ,  University of Arizona College of Medicine , LSU Shreveport (Louisiana State University) , University of Alabama ]

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Howard University Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023

• Did COVID-19 impact you preparing your AMCAS application for fall 2023? (i.e. volunteer/work experience, financially, course registration, MCAT testing, etc.) (Please respond Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less, indicate N/A if not applicable)

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Howard University Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022

• Did COVID-19 impact you preparing your AMCAS application for fall 2022? (i.e. volunteer/work experience, financially, course registration, MCAT testing, etc.) (Please respond Yes or No and then explain/ describe briefly in 250 words or less, indicate N/A if not applicable)

Howard University Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021

• Have you lived (for three years or more) in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged?\
• After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community?
• Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged populations?
• Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged, etc.)

Howard University Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020

Howard university secondary application questions: 2018 – 2019.

• Have you lived (for three years or more) in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged? (250 words max)
• After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? (250 words max)
• Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged populations? (250 words max)
• Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged, etc.) (No character limit)

There’s also a section to explain any discrepancies with your pre-requisite coursework

Howard University Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018

Howard university secondary application questions: 2016 – 2017.

• Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged; degree program, etc.) (No character limit)

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Howard University Supplemental Questions

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Attending a historically Black college or university (HBCU) offers the opportunity to experience a unique learning environment that promotes diversity. One of the most well-known HBCUs in the United States is Howard University. With a competitive 35% acceptance rate , students applying to Howard need compelling supplemental essays and the grades to match to gain admission. 

Keep reading to learn how to wow the admissions office with the best essay possible!

First, a little about Howard University

Established in 1867, Howard University is located in Washington, DC. Since its founding, Howard has awarded over 100,000 degrees in a broad range of fields. Known as a “ comprehensive predominantly Black university ,” Howard University graduates top Black professionals who major in architecture , dentistry, education , engineering , law, medicine, music , nursing , pharmacy, religion, and social work . 

In addition to its impressive academic reputation, Howard university competes in a total of 19 varsity sports. Before diving into the prompt below, take some time to read about the unique history of Howard University. 

“Diversity of all kinds is important to enriching the educational experience at Howard University. Please share with us anything in your background or lived experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at Howard.” (500 words max)

As an HBCU, approaching this prompt from a perspective of a person of color can be extremely helpful as that’s a shared experience on campus. However, this can become a popular focus for an essay, so you might want to pick other experiences that have shaped you such as a treasured mentorship or a unique hardship you hope to overcome or have already overcome.  

Try to relate this experience to Howard, whether by connecting a value you’ve learned or an activity that Howard currently has. Don’t forget to be creative and add your own personal flair to your essay. Remember, the reader probably already read your resume, so this essay is a chance to show what makes you the unique person you are!

Questions to consider:

• How does this experience relate to what you hope to achieve at Howard?
• What does your experience say about you?
• Is this experience unique to you or can other people relate?

“Please describe the major you intend to study and how you hope to use your Howard education to support you in achieving your passions and goals. Please address your first-choice and second-choice major selections.” (500 words max)

This prompt is relatively straightforward. Howard is looking for the reasoning behind your passion for a certain major, and what you hope to achieve after graduation. The admissions office uses this prompt to get to know you and how you’ll fit into the degree program you’re applying for. 

Be sure to include how Howard is instrumental in those pursuits and unique characteristics about the desired degree program. You can even include sentences about your interests in specific classes Howard offers or other student resources. 

• What career field do you want to work in?
• What major would interest you the most and why?
• What’s unique about Howard that makes you want to study your desired major there?

Final thoughts for applicants

Now that you’re finishing up your application, it’s important to keep some things in mind. Your supplemental essay is significant, even if it’s optional, so you should take time to edit it. Ask your peers or teachers to look over your essay to help pinpoint run-on sentences or errors in grammar and spelling. 

Also, while you’re waiting for your notification date , you should make sure all your financial aid forms are submitted to your schools of choice. Ideally, you should get your FAFSA and CSS Profile in as soon as possible to maximize your financial aid package. 

Additional resources

Now you’ve got some great tools to write your Howard University supplemental essay! Just in case you need a few more tips, learning about the impact of extracurricular activities might help you with the Howard University prompt. 

Need to learn some tips on how to start your college admissions essay ? We have you covered! Check out our supplemental essay guides for any other schools you might be applying to. Best of luck with your applications, and don’t forget to apply for all the scholarships you qualify for!

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Howard University 2019-20 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Howard University 2019-20 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements:   1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Activity

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

Activity essays like this one are quite common and really are as straightforward as they seem. The most difficult part is usually selecting the activity you want to talk about. So, we return to our favorite mantra: tell the admissions department at Howard something they couldn’t glean from anywhere else in your application. If you wrote your personal statement about your time managing the most popular taqueria in your town you should focus, this time, on a different activity or work experience that reveals a new aspect of your personality, character, drive, etc. This can be a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and any accolades you may have received as a result of participating in a particular activity. Did you win any awards? Receive any promotions? Make any significant connections? No matter what you choose, it should probably be something you’ve been involved in for a while, so you can demonstrate your growth to admissions!

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Howard University College of Medicine Vision:

The goal of the Howard University College of Medicine is to enhance our global recognition as a medical school of the first rank, known for the excellence of our teaching, research and service. We will continue to be a world leader in the training of competent, compassionate physicians and other health professionals for medically underserved communities and populations. In addition, the College envisions that it will be an exemplar in eliminating health disparities and in finding solutions through research and public health programs for medical problems disproportionately found in disadvantaged communities, both in this nation and abroad.

Howard University College of Medicine Values:

Fidelity to our mission and strong and confident belief in our work Excellence and integrity in all that we undertake–teaching, research, and service;  Leadership in medical education and health care, especially for African Americans, other minorities, and the economically disadvantaged;  Service to our community, the nation, and the world through public health programs, medical care, and health education; The unrelenting pursuit of knowledge through research and life-long learning; and  A commitment to cultural diversity among faculty, staff and students and to ensuring a respectful and ethical academic environment. 

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First Year Admissions

First time in college.

A student who has never been admitted to a degree program at Howard University or any other post-secondary institution of higher education is considered a First Time in College (FTIC) student. This also includes dual enrollment students who have not yet graduated from high school. As part of our holistic admission process, we consider student's secondary school academic record, standardized college entrance exams (SAT or ACT), leadership in school and community activities, unique talents and skills, and educational objectives.

Once an application has been submitted via the Common App, changes cannot generally be made . Thus, we do implore all applicants to thoroughly review their applications prior to making a submission. 

As of August 2018, we no longer offer Spring entry for first year applicants.  The first year admission team can be reached via email at [email protected]. We can also be reached via telephone at 202-806-2755. For the latest admission updates, follow us on  Twitter  &  Instagram !

Admissions Dates & Deadlines Summary

FIRST YEAR APPLICATION DETAILS

Recommended course work.

For admission consideration, an applicant should have a well-balanced college preparatory program that includes the following  recommended  course work: 

4 years English  

3 years mathematics 

2 years social science 

2 years science (w/lab) 

2 years foreign language 

Please note that we place emphasis on a well-rounded curriculum, rather than the specific years recommended above. 

Admission Plans

First Time in College (FTIC) applicants have the opportunity to submit an application for Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision. 

• Early Decision  (ED) is a  binding  admission plan that is designed for students whose first choice is Howard University. ED applicants may apply to other colleges/universities while we review their applications, but may only apply to one college/university early decision. In general, if an ED applicant is offered admission to Howard, he/she must withdraw all other college applications. However, ED applicants seeking financial aid need not withdraw other applications until they have received notification about financial aid. If we have not met the full financial need of an admitted ED applicant (based on submitted FAFSA/HU ISFAA information), enrollment would not required. ED decisions are provided to students via email in late December. The ED Agreement requires your assigned counselor and parent to sign the agreement. For more information on how to submit the agreement, visit the Common App Support  site for   Students  or  Recommenders .
• NOTE : EA and ED applicants with incomplete applications after November 15 will be moved to the regular decision applicant pool.  
• NOTE : RD applicants with incomplete applications after March 1 will not be rendered with a final decision. These admission files will be marked as incomplete.

Please note: Once your application has been submitted, your decision plan cannot generally be changed.  

As of August 2018, we no longer offer Spring entry for FTIC applicants.

Application Fee

A non-refundable $45 application fee is charged as part of the Common Application process. Payment is made via Common App (personal checks are not accepted). Unfortunately, the Office of Admission does not issue fee waivers.

If paying the application fee may cause you and your family to face  unusual financial hardship , we will accept the Common App fee waiver . If you will be using a fee waiver,   please ensure your counselor submits the required Common Application fee waiver affirmation via Common App or via mail (if 'Offline' submission is selected). 

No other fee waiver form (e.g. NACAC, SAT, ACT etc.) is required. Only the Common App fee waiver affirmation is required. Fee waiver forms should not be submitted via email. 

If you erroneously submitted your application with a fee waiver, please follow the below instructions:

• Go to the Howard University section on the Common App.
• Select "Review and Submit- Common App".
• Click the highlighted link under "Application Fee Waiver Requested" and follow the instructions to make your payment.

Please see the Common Application's  indicators of economic need  for more information.

Official High School Transcript(s)

An official high school transcript submitted by your  counselor/designated school official  via Common App/Naviance/Parchment/SCOIR ( highly preferred ) is required for admission. If your counselor is unable to submit your official transcript via Common App/Naviance/Parchment/SCOIR, he/she/they may submit it directly to us via mail ( not preferred, as there may be significant delays in our receipt of mailed items ). You or a designated school official may  NOT  submit your school transcript via email. Please also note the below items.

• Mid year reports are not required for admission, but may be submitted when available. Please do not make submissions of progress grades via email. 
• For example, if grade 12 grades are not yet available for early applicants, grades 9 through 11 records will be considered. 
• If your counselor needs to submit a corrected transcript, he/she/they may submit the new transcript (if a final report has not yet been submitted) via the 'Optional Report' option.
• If your counselor needs to submit an updated transcript showing new grades earned, he/she/they may submit the new transcript (if a final report has not yet been submitted) via the 'Mid Year Report' option.
• If you attended multiple high schools, please have your current counselor submit ALL your available (including prior high school) academic records. 
• We are unable to confirm receipt of recommender submissions prior to your application being officially submitted via Common App.

Students are able to track the status of their counselor's submissions in real time via Common App's 'Recommenders & FERPA' area if their counselor submits the 'School Report' via Common App or a Common App Integration Partner (e.g. Naviance, Xello, Cialfo, BridgeU, Maia Learning, FolderWave etc.). Other service provider submissions (e.g. Parchment Exchange, SCOIR*) or mail submissions are not visible via Common App. 

* Once the item is marked as submitted, we are in receipt. Items will be periodically downloaded and added to each students' file.

Standardized Tests

For the 2023-24 admission cycle, SAT/ACT test scores are not required to render a first year admission application complete. Students who do not submit test scores  will not  be at a disadvantage in the admission process. This policy will extend to the  Karsh STEM  program. This policy does not extend to joint degree (e.g. BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD) programs.

Please also note, applicants with complete files who do not submit official test scores by the given document deadline for their desired admission plan, will be rendered with a final decision based on the credentials that are on file . As such, we do implore all students to give serious consideration into their desired admission plan, and whether they will opt into the test optional choice. 

For example, an early applicant who does not submit test scores by November 15, but has all other required credentials on file, will be notified of a  final  decision in January. There will be no subsequent opportunities to appeal this decision or submit test scores for consideration. Also note, once your application has been submitted, your decision plan cannot generally be changed . 

For students who elect to submit SAT (school code – 5297) or ACT scores (school code - 0674) ,  only official scores submitted via the testing agency will be considered . The below submissions will NOT be considered:

• Self-reported scores.
• Score reports from school counselors.
• Scores on transcripts.

The essay section is not required for the SAT/ACT exam. We do not superscore the ACT exam.

October is the last test date that will be considered for early action & early decision applicants. December is the last test date that will be considered for regular decision applicants. Scores submitted after these test dates will not be considered.

Letters of Recommendation

Howard University requires two letters of recommendation for admission consideration. While you may assign recommenders via Common App /Naviance to submit additional letters, only two will be guaranteed to be considered as part of our review.

• One letter of recommendation from a high school counselor submitted by your counselor via Common App/Naviance ( highly preferred ) is required. If your counselor is unable to submit your letter via the application system or a (linked) third party system, he/she/they may submit it directly to us via mail ( not preferred, as there may be significant delays in our receipt of mailed items ). You may not submit your recommenders' letter(s) on their behalf. Letters are not accepted via email.
• One letter of recommendation from a high school teacher submitted by your teacher via Common App/Naviance ( highly preferred ) is required. If your teacher is unable to submit your letter via the application system or a (linked) third party system, he/she/they may submit it directly to us via mail ( not preferred, as there may be significant delays in our receipt of mailed items ). You may not submit your recommenders' letter(s) on their behalf.  Letters are not accepted via email . 

If you would like to assign an additional recommender (note, only two letters will generally be considered) or to troubleshoot issues with non-Common App submissions, you may assign your non-counselor recommender as an 'Other Recommender' via Common App.

Students are able to track the status of their recommenders' submissions in real time via Common App's 'Recommenders & FERPA' area if their recommenders submit letters via Common App or a Common App Integration Partner (e.g. Naviance, Xello, Cialfo, BridgeU, Maia Learning, FolderWave etc.). Other service provider submissions (e.g. Parchment Exchange, SCOIR*) or mail submissions are not visible via Common App. 

Application Essays

As part of the Common Application, students must submit the main Common Application essay as part of their application. You may access the Common App essay prompts via the highlighted link. In addition to the main Common Application essay, Howard University has one optional essay that may be accessed via the Writing section of the Common App. Students are not required to submit the optional essay. Essays provide us with a chance to learn more about you, including your passions, goals, and general interest in Howard University. As such, we do implore all students to place considerable effort into crafting well-written essays that accurately reflect who they are, and what they hope to achieve should they be granted admission.

All essays must be submitted with your Common Application by the application deadline. Our application deadlines are November 1 for early applicants, November 1 for Theatre Arts performance majors (Acting, Dance & Musical Theatre), and February 1 for regular decision applicants. Once your application has been submitted, changes  cannot  be made. Email submission of (corrected) essays  will not  be accepted; as such, we do encourage all students to review their essays (including formatting, spelling errors etc.) prior to making their application submission.

Applicants to the BS/MD & BS/DDS programs will also be required to submit an additional essay for the respective program via the Writing section of the Common App. For more information, please see our Special Audiences webpage.

Tracking Recommender's Submissions

As noted in the above tiles, your assigned counselor should submit your transcript, counselor letter of recommendation, and fee waiver affirmation (if eligible) via the Common App. Moreover, you should assign one teacher to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Items are NOT accepted via email. If your school uses a Common App partner system (e.g. Naviance, Xello etc.), submissions will also appear on the Common App once your application has been linked (please contact your school counselor for assistance). Additional confirmation of receipt is NOT required once the items appear as submitted on your Common App.

To check the status of the items your assigned recommenders have submitted ( only  if they submit these items via Common App or a Common App partner system – highly preferred), please view your Howard University Common Application dashboard (click ‘Status’ then ‘Recommenders and FERPA’). If your recommenders will be making submissions via another system (e.g. Parchment, SCOIR etc.), items received will be marked as downloaded by our team via said system. Items submitted via mail are  not preferred, as there may be significant delays in our receipt of mailed items .

All other updates on your application status and any outstanding requirements will be sent via email . Therefore, please add us to your email safe senders list, read all our emails carefully, and follow the outlined instructions. 

Additional Program Specific Requirements

All prospective Studio Art majors must submit a slide portfolio of 12-15 images and videos of original creative works. No more than 2-3 views of any one work should be included. To submit electronically, applicants should use the Slideroom.com portfolio submission portal.

Theatre Arts

Prospective performance Theatre Arts majors (Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre) must submit a recorded audition and participate in a live audition as evidence of their ability to successfully pursue college-level work in their desired concentrations. Please note, all Theatre Arts applicants to performance majors (Acting, Dance & Musical Theatre) must submit their application for admission by November 1 via the Common App. All non-performance majors (Theatre Arts Administration & Theatre Technology) may also submit an application by February 1 Regular Decision deadline.

All prospective Music majors must present a successful voice or instrument audition, which is scheduled by appointment only. DVDs or CDs will be accepted from applicants who are unable to audition in-person.

NOTE : Students who apply to the above programs are granted conditional admission into Howard University pending their portfolio/audition results. To gain full admission, students must complete and receive a favorable decision from the respective Fine Arts department. Students who have not been admitted into the above programs at the department level may choose an alternate major if granted admission into the university. As such, we do implore all prospective fine arts students to give deep consideration to their second major preference. 

Architecture & Design Studies

All prospective Architecture & Design applicants must submit a portfolio of creative works must be submitted to the department for consideration. The portfolio should include a minimum of one and a maximum of three examples of creative expression in graphic, written or audiovisual form. To submit electronically, applicants should use the Slideroom.com portfolio submission portal included with your Common Application. For more information, visit  cea.howard.edu/admissions/architecture-admissions . 

Financial Aid

Domestic students must also submit the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA) to be considered for institutional scholarships and federal financial assistance. For detailed instructions on how to submit the FAFSA, please visit the  Student Financial Services'  webpage. For DACA students, please complete the  International Student Financial Aid Application . Scholarship awards take into consideration students' need and merit achievements. As such, we cannot provide specific award amounts until your completed application and FAFSA/ISFAA has been received and reviewed. 

Students who do not submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the awarding process. Students who opt into the test optional choice are eligible for scholarship consideration, as other factors (e.g. academic records) will be considered.  

Students must submit their FAFSA/HU ISFAA Profile form by the corresponding application deadline for priority consideration.  Our application deadlines are November 1 for Early Action/Decision, and February 1 for Regular Decision.

Please see the  Financial Support  page for more information on financial aid opportunities.

Howard University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Howard University college application essays were written by students accepted at Howard University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Howard University

In the barriers of sunnydale housing projects anonymous, howard university.

Imagine coming from a neighborhood in which the only thing that is promised is death. I lost one of my closest friends a few months ago to gun violence. Witnessing this horror changed my perspective: I want to have a successful life. Killings and...

Why My Masters? Anonymous

I woke up to the sound of sergeant instructors yelling to the top of their lungs at 4:30 in the morning - myself bloused in desert camis, and covered in blisters from the six mile hike the night before. Marine Corp Training is not a place to be...

I randomly went vegan Nia Sekayi Greene

Come on Otis! I tugged on my dog’s leash. My feet pounded the ground, quickly accelerating in speed because the kitchen was awaiting my arrival. I opened the door and was hit with a wave of anxiousness and excitement.

What should I cook? All this...

Recent Questions about Howard University

The Question and Answer section for Howard University is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

In 500 words tell us about what makes you you.What are your strengths,weaknesses and your motivation?What seperates you from any other applicant.How do you think Howard University will increase your strengths and diminish your weaknesses?

Im a good person

Which of the following market structures is most likely to experience a large inflow of new firms into the market?

I'm sorry, this is a short answer literature forum designed for text specific questions. We are unable to assist students with other subject matter. Please refrain from asking any other unrelated questions. The answer to your question is:

Does Howard university revolve around the pride in academic success of African Americans?

Sorry, we only do literature related questions here. I honestly could not give you an accurate answer, 

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, writing a top notch college essay.

Alright y'all, I'm about to embark on the journey of essay writing for my college apps. I need to read some top college essays for inspiration. Can anyone guide me where I can find successful college essays?

Sure! CollegeVine actually offers a range of resources for crafting a stellar college essay. You can access a variety of real college essays that were accepted by top-tier universities right on their website. These essays come from students who were accepted into schools like Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, and more, so they can give you a good sense of what admissions committees are looking for.

Also, keep in mind that each essay is unique to the individual, catering to their personal experiences and perspectives. Try not to replicate any style or story from these samples; just use them to understand how to structure your thoughts and to get an idea on what types of topics can work well.

Remember you are unique and so should your essay be. It should reflect your personality, your experiences, and your viewpoint. Make sure to dive deep into an event or an intellectual fascination that greatly impacted you or changed your perspective.

Finally, don't forget to check the specific essay prompts for the colleges you're applying to. Many schools, such as the University of California and the Common App, publish their prompts ahead of time. This will allow you to tailor your essay specifically to what each school is asking for. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Need help with Howard essays

Hey I'm applying for Howard to do engineering and I was wondering if anyone can help me with the essay prompts:

Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture continues to play a vital role in producing our nation’s top engineers and architects. Explain why you have chosen to pursue a degree in engineering, computer science or architecture? In addition, how will Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture help you fulfill your overall goals?

The year is 2030, and you have been invited to be the keynote speaker at an event of your choice. If you were to give this very important speech, what would it be about? You may reflect on a passion of yours, an important personal/global issue, or something that piques your interest; please feel free to be as creative as you'd like.

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Howard University Common App Essay Examples

Type a couple of keywords or describe yourself. We will find the most relevant Howard University Common App essay examples for you.

Not sure what to search for? You can always look through our example Common App essays below for inspiration.

All Howard University Common App Essay Examples

Filter exemplars, the importance of italo calvino: celebrating the centenary of his death.

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College essays matter. Here's how to write one that stands out | College Connection

Students facing the college application process typically dread one component: the Common App essay. 

Students are presented with six essay prompts, as well as a seventh option, which is “topic of your choice.” Students therefore have limitless possibilities for this essay which will be carefully reviewed by each college to which the student applies.

The goal of college admissions officers is to learn about the student who is applying: personal qualities, struggles, ambitions, priorities. On other parts of the application a student’s “data” is detailed. So, this is not the place to write about one’s SAT scores, GPA, or intended major, or to enumerate one’s activities. It is the place to write about an event, situation, or life circumstance that has influenced the student’s attitudes, goals, and perceptions of life.

The options are limitless. Students can write about life occurrences that impacted them: an illness, a learning disability, a relocation. They can use a sport, club, organization, or volunteer group as the overarching framework within which they learned important life lessons. 

More: The biggest key to college acceptance | College Connection

One student’s essay, which went viral after its author was accepted to a multitude of Ivy League schools, focused on lessons she learned from visits to Costco over the years. In short, students can write about anything that has impacted them – hopefully in a positive way.

Then, students face supplemental essays. Many colleges, including almost all the most competitive ones, require an essay that is specific to the school. Typically, the question is along the lines of, “Why do you want to attend this institution?” or “Why did you choose your particular major and how will our school prepare you to meet your future goals?”

More: These are the latest trends in college admissions | College Connection

Colleges are aware that students typically apply to 8 to 12 different schools, and they are trying to discern “demonstrated interest,” or, in other words, the likelihood of a student enrolling if accepted. So, students should utilize each supplemental essay as an opportunity to demonstrate their interest in the particular college, and should specifically state the courses, programs, study abroad options, internships, and any other characteristics that make the institution a perfect match for their college ambitions.

By showing enthusiasm for each school and sharing their attributes through the Common App and supplemental essays, students will greatly enhance their prospects of experiencing a successful college application process.   

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT ® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

Harvard University Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)

The following essay examples were written by several different authors who were admitted to Harvard University and are intended to provide examples of successful Harvard University application essays. All names have been redacted for anonymity. Please note that Bullseye Admissions has shared these essays with admissions officers at Harvard University in order to deter potential plagiarism.

For more help with your Harvard supplemental essays, check out our 2020-2021 Harvard University Essay Guide ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)

Feet moving, eyes up, every shot back, chants the silent mantra in my head. The ball becomes a beacon of neon green as I dart forward and backward, shuffling from corner to far corner of the court, determined not to let a single point escape me. With bated breath, I swing my racquet upwards and outwards and it catches the ball just in time to propel it, spinning, over the net. My heart soars as my grinning teammates cheer from the sidelines.

While I greatly value the endurance, tenacity, and persistence that I have developed while playing tennis throughout the last four years, I will always most cherish the bonds that I have created and maintained each year with my team.

Why this Harvard essay worked: From an ex-admissions officer

When responding to short essays or supplements, it can be difficult to know which info to include or omit. In this essay, the writer wastes no time and immediately captivates the reader. Not only are the descriptions vivid and compelling, but the second portion highlights what the writer gained from this activity. As an admissions officer, I learned about the student’s level of commitment, leadership abilities, resiliency, ability to cooperate with others, and writing abilities in 150 words.

I founded Teen Court at [High School Name Redacted] with my older brother in 2016. Teen Court is a unique collaboration with the Los Angeles Superior Court and Probation Department, trying real first-time juvenile offenders from all over Los Angeles in a courtroom setting with teen jurors. Teen Court’s foundational principle is restorative justice: we seek to rehabilitate at-risk minors rather than simply punish them. My work provides my peers the opportunity to learn about the justice system. I put in over fifty hours just as Secretary logging court attendance, and now as President, I mentor Teen Court attendees. My goal is to improve their empathy and courage in public speaking, and to expand their world view. People routinely tell me their experience with Teen Court has inspired them to explore law, and I know the effort I devoted bringing this club to [High School Name Redacted] was well worth it.

This writer discussed a passion project with a long-lasting impact. As admissions officers, we realize that post-secondary education will likely change the trajectory of your life. We hope that your education will also inspire you to change the trajectory of someone else’s life as well. This writer developed an organization that will have far-reaching impacts for both the juvenile offenders and the attendees. They saw the need for this service and initiated a program to improve their community. College Admissions Quiz: If you’re planning on applying to Harvard, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. Take our quiz below to put your college admissions knowledge to the test!

Harvard University Supplemental Essay Option: Books Read During the Last Twelve Months

Reading Frankenstein in ninth grade changed my relationship to classic literature. In Frankenstein , I found characters and issues that resonate in a modern context, and I began to explore the literary canon outside of the classroom. During tenth grade, I picked up Jane Eyre and fell in love with the novel’s non-traditional heroine whose agency and cleverness far surpassed anything that I would have imagined coming from the 19th century. I have read the books listed below in the past year.

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Purple Hibiscus *
• Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger *
• Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
• Aphra Behn, The Fair Jilt ♰
• Mongo Beti, Mission Terminée * (in French)
• Kate Chopin, The Awakening
• Arthur Conan-Doyle, A Study in Scarlet
• Kamel Daoud, Meursault, contre-enquête * (in French)
• Roddy Doyle, A Star Called Henry *
• Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane *
• Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
• William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying *
• Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary
• E. M. Forster, Maurice
• E. M. Forster, A Passage to India
• E. M. Forster, Where Angels Fear to Tread
• Eliza Haywood, The City Jilt ♰
• Homer, The Iliad
• Christopher Isherwood, All The Conspirators
• Christopher Isherwood, A Meeting by the River
• Christopher Isherwood, Sally Bowles
• Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man
• Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle
• James Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
• Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis
• Franz Kafka, The Trial
• Jhumpa Lahiri, Interpreter of Maladies *
• Morrissey, Autobiography
• Rudolph Otto, The Idea of the Holy *
• Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago
• Charlotte Perkins-Gilman, Herland
• Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way
• Marcel Proust, Within a Budding Grove
• Mary Renault, Fire From Heaven
• Mary Renault, The Friendly Young Ladies
• Mary Renault, The King Must Die
• Mary Renault, The Persian Boy
• J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
• Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Terre des hommes * (in French)
• Shakespeare, Hamlet *
• Mary Shelley, The Last Man
• Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead *
• Kurt Vonnegut, Breakfast of Champions
• Kurt Vonnegut, The Sirens of Titan
• Evelyn Waugh, Brideshead Revisited
• Evelyn Waugh, Scoop
• Evelyn Waugh, Vile Bodies
• Jeanette Winterson, The Passion
• Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary: A Fiction ♰
• Mary Wollstonecraft, Vindication of the Rights of Woman ♰
• Virginia Woolf, A Haunted House and Other Stories
• * indicates assigned reading
• ♰ indicates independent study reading

Harvard University Supplemental Essay Option: What would you want your future college roommate to know about you? (No word limit)

Hi Roomie!!!!

You probably have noticed that I put four exclamation points. Yes, I am that excited to meet you, roomie!

Also, I don’t believe in the Rule of Three. It’s completely unfair that three is always the most commonly used number. Am I biased in my feelings because four is my favorite number? Perhaps. However, you have to admit that our reason for the Rule of Three is kinda arbitrary. The Rule of Three states that a trio of events is more effective and satisfying than any other numbers. Still, the human psyche is easily manipulated through socially constructed perceptions such as beauty standards and gender roles. Is having three of everything actually influential or is it only influential because society says so? Hmm, it’s interesting to think about it, isn’t it?

But if you’re an avid follower of the Rule of three, don’t worry, I won’t judge. In fact, if there’s one thing I can promise you I will never do, it’s being judgmental. Life is too short to go around judging people. Besides, judgments are always based on socially constructed beliefs. With so many backgrounds present on campus, it really would be unfair if we start going around judging people based on our own limited beliefs. My personal philosophy is “Mind your own business and let people be,” So, if you have a quirk that you’re worrying is too “weird” and are afraid your roommate might be too judgy, rest assured, I won’t be.

In fact, thanks to my non-judginess, I am an excellent listener. If you ever need to rant with someone about stressful classes, harsh gradings, or the new ridiculous plot twists of your favorite TV show (*cough* Riverdale), I am always available.

Now, I know what you are thinking. A non-judgmental and open-minded roommate? This sounds too good to be true. This girl’s probably a secret villain waiting to hear all my deepest and darkest secrets and blackmail me with them!

Well, I promise you. I am not a secret villain. I am just someone who knows how important it is to be listened to and understood.

I grew up under the communist regime of Vietnam, where freedom of speech and thought was heavily suppressed. Since childhood, I was taught to keep my opinion to myself, especially if it is contradictory to the government’s. No matter how strongly I felt about an issue, I could never voice my true opinion nor do anything about it. Or else, my family and I would face oppression from the Vietnamese government.

After immigrating to America, I have made it my mission to fight for human rights and justice. Back in Vietnam, I have let fear keep me from doing the right thing. Now, in the land of freedom, I won’t use that excuse anymore. I can finally be myself and fight for what I believe in. However, I can still remember how suffocating it was to keep my beliefs bottled up and to be silenced. Trust me, a conversation may not seem much, but it can do wonders. So, if you ever need a listener, know that I am right here.

See, I just shared with you a deep secret of mine. What secret villain would do that?

See ya soon!!!!!

[Name redacted] : )

P/S: I really love writing postscripts. So, I hope you won’t find it weird when I always end my emails, letters, and even texts with a P/S. Bye for real this time!!!!!

Harvard University Supplemental Essay Option: Unusual circumstances in your life

I would like the Harvard Admissions Committee to know that my life circumstances are far from typical. I was born at twenty-four weeks gestation, which eighteen years ago was on the cusp of viability. Even if I was born today, under those same circumstances, my prospects for leading a normal life would be grim. Eighteen years ago, those odds were worse, and I was given a less than 5% chance of survival without suffering major cognitive and physical deficits.

The first six months of my life were spent in a large neonatal ICU in Canada. I spent most of that time in an incubator, kept breathing by a ventilator. When I was finally discharged home, it was with a feeding tube and oxygen, and it would be several more months before I was able to survive without the extra tubes connected to me. At the age of two, I was still unable to walk. I engaged in every conventional and non-conventional therapy available to me, including physical and speech therapy, massage therapy, gymnastics, and several nutritional plans, to try to remedy this. Slowly, I began to make progress in what would be a long and arduous journey towards recovery.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of repeated, often unsuccessful attempts to grip a large-diameter crayon since I was unable to hold a regular pencil. I would attempt to scrawl out letters on a page to form words, fueled by either determination or outright stubbornness, persevering until I improved. I spent countless hours trying to control my gait, eventually learning to walk normally and proving the doctors wrong about their diagnoses. I also had to learn how to swallow without aspirating because the frequent intubations I had experienced as an infant left me with a uncoordinated swallow reflex. Perhaps most prominently, I remember becoming very winded as I tried to keep up with my elementary school peers on the playground and the frustration I experienced when I failed.

Little by little, my body’s tolerance for physical exertion grew, and my coordination improved. I enrolled in martial arts to learn how to keep my balance and to develop muscle coordination and an awareness of where my limbs were at any given time. I also became immersed in competition among my elementary school peers to determine which one of us could become the most accomplished on the recorder. For each piece of music played correctly, a “belt” was awarded in the form of a brightly colored piece of yarn tied around the bottom of our recorders- meant as symbols of our achievement. Despite the challenges I had in generating and controlling enough air, I practiced relentlessly, often going in before school or during my lunch hour to obtain the next increasingly difficult musical piece. By the time the competition concluded, I had broken the school record of how far an elementary school child could advance; in doing so, my love of instrumental music and my appreciation for the value of hard work and determination was born.

Throughout my middle and high school years, I have succeeded at the very highest level both academically and musically. I was even able to find a sport that I excelled at and would later be able to use as an avenue for helping others, volunteering as an assistant coach once I entered high school. I have mentored dozens of my high school peers in developing trumpet skills, teaching them how to control one’s breathing during musical phrases and how to develop effective fingering techniques in order to perform challenging passages. I believe that my positive attitude and hard work has allowed for not only my own success, but for the growth and success of my peers as well.

My scholastic and musical achievements, as well as my leadership abilities and potential to succeed at the highest level will hopefully be readily apparent to the committee when you review my application. Perhaps more importantly, however, is the behind-the-scenes character traits that have made these possible. I believe that I can conquer any challenge put in front of me. My past achievements provide testimony to my work ethic, aptitudes and grit, and are predictive of my future potential.

Thank you for your consideration.

In this essay, the writer highlighted their resilience. At some point, we will all endure challenges and struggles, but it is how we redeem ourselves that matters. This writer highlighted their initial struggles, their dedication and commitment, and the ways in which they’ve used those challenges as inspiration and motivation to persevere and also to encourage others to do the same.

Harvard University Supplemental Essay Option: An intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper, poetry, or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science or other modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you.

I want to be a part of something amazing, and I believe I can. The first line of the chorus springs into my mind instantaneously as my fingers experiment with chords on the piano. In this moment, as I compose the protagonist’s solo number, I speak from my heart. I envision the stage and set, the actors, the orchestra, even the audience. Growing increasingly excited, I promptly begin to create recordings so I can release the music from the confines of my imagination and share it with any willing ears.

My brother [name redacted] and I are in the process of writing a full-length, two-act musical comprised of original scenes, songs, characters. I began creating the show not only because I love to write music and entertain my friends and family, but also with the hope that I might change the way my peers view society. Through Joan, the protagonist of my musical, I want to communicate how I feel about the world.

The story centers around Joan, a high schooler, and her connection to the pilot Amelia Earhart. Ever since I saw a theatrical rendition of Amelia Earhart’s life in fifth grade, she has fascinated me as an extraordinary feminist and a challenger of society’s beliefs and standards. As I began researching and writing for the show, I perused through biographies and clicked through countless youtube documentaries about the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, astounded by her bravery and ability to overcome a troubled childhood and achieve her dream. In my musical, as Amelia transcends 20th century norms, changing the way that people regard women and flight, Joan strives to convince her peers and superiors that the worth of one’s life spans not from material success and grades, but from self-love and passion.

As I compose, the essence of each character and the mood of each scene steer the flow of each song. To me, it seems as though everything falls into place at once – as I pluck a melody out of the air, the lyrics come to me naturally as if the two have been paired all along. As I listen to the newly born principal line, I hear the tremolo of strings underscoring and the blaring of a brass section that may someday audibly punctuate each musical phrase.

The project is certainly one of the most daunting tasks I’ve ever undertaken – we’ve been working on it for almost a year, and hope to be done by January – but, fueled by my passion for creating music and writing, it is also one of the most enjoyable. I dream that it may be performed one day and that it may influence society to appreciate the success that enthusiasm for one’s relationships and work can bring.

These essay examples were compiled by the advising team at Bullseye Admissions. If you want to get help writing your Harvard University application essays from Bullseye Admissions advisors , register with Bullseye today .

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