2026–27 application cycle
Brandeis University supplemental essays
Every writing prompt on the Brandeis University application, with word limits. All of it taken from the application itself. 2 prompts, including program-specific ones.
- Prompt 1Required250 words max
Coming to Brandeis
What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University?
These prompts are program-specific.
They apply only if you’re applying to the named program or school.
- Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program (Achievers)Required250 words max
What you bring
The Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program (MKTYP) / Achievers Program is designed to guide you toward adjusting to the rigors and challenges of the college experience with a small cohort of peers. What strengths will you bring to the group, and in what areas will you benefit from the strengths of others?
How to approach it
The challenge is the setup, not the essay. Spend most of the words on what you did and how you changed. Readers are wary of a hard story used as currency. Growth is the currency.
Common questions
What do students ask about these essays?
How many essays does Brandeis University require?
Brandeis University lists 2 writing supplements for the 2026–27 cycle, all required. That’s on top of the main personal statement.
How long are the Brandeis University supplemental essays?
Word limits across the listed prompts add up to about 500 words. Budget real time for them. Supplements are where admissions sees your real interest in Brandeis University.
Do the Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University 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.