2026–27 application
University of San Diego supplemental essays
Every prompt and word limit, from the application itself.
Why USD
How did you first learn about the University of San Diego, and what inspired you to apply?
How to approach it. This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.
Building community
USD is committed to fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. What does community mean to you and how have you helped create a welcoming environment for others?
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.
A challenge that matters
As a Changemaker Campus, USD challenges students to utilize their learning to actively pursue a more just, sustainable and equitable world. What is a challenge facing humanity today and why does it matter to you?
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.
Faith and spirituality
As a contemporary Catholic university, students from all backgrounds and faith traditions are welcomed and celebrated. Share an experience that highlights the ways faith or spirituality–either your own or someone else's–have influenced your life?
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.
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