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Clark

Clark University

One short 250-word essay (your pick of two prompts) that asks who shaped you and how you show up for others.

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Supplemental essays

1 (choose 1 of 2)

Word limit

250 words

Status

Optional but strongly encouraged

Honors College

1 extra required essay

What Clark rewards

Clark keeps its supplement short and human. You write one essay of about 250 words, and you choose between two prompts: one about a community that shaped you, the other about a time you worked with others to make a positive impact. Clark calls the essay optional, but it openly encourages everyone to answer, and at a test-optional school that reads the whole applicant, your 250 words do real work. Treat it as required.

The core challenge is compression. Both prompts reward a specific story, but you only have a paragraph or two to tell it, so a vague answer about "giving back" or "my amazing community" disappears instantly. Clark is test-optional, and only about a quarter of admitted students submit scores, which means your writing carries more weight here than at many schools. Honors College applicants write one additional essay of 200 to 350 words about a piece of media that captivates them.

01Specific over sweeping. Clark would rather read about one Tuesday at your grandmother's kitchen table than a grand statement about heritage. Both prompts hand you the word 'story' on purpose. The readers want a scene, a person, a concrete moment, not a summary of your virtues.
02Genuine engagement with others. Clark sells itself as a kind, engaged, inclusive community and as a force for change. It rewards essays where you are clearly in relationship with other people, listening, collaborating, showing up, rather than acting as a lone hero who fixed everything single-handedly.
03Reflection that connects to Clark. The community prompt explicitly asks how the experience will shape what you bring to Clark. Strong essays close the loop. They show not just who you have been but the kind of classmate, roommate, and collaborator you intend to be on campus.
04Honesty about scale. Clark does not need you to have changed the world. It likes small, real impact: tutoring one kid until something clicked, organizing one cleanup, mending one rift on a team. Modest and true beats grand and hollow every time.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

2 prompts for Clark, each broken down with annotated examples.

Community250 words

The communities we belong to shape our values, our aspirations, and who we are as people. Share a story of a community that has impacted you the most and how it will influence your time as a member of the Clark community.

Impact250 words

At Clark, we are a force for change. We work together to improve the lives of others and the future of our planet. Share a story of how you've worked with others to make a positive impact.

See all 2 prompts and get a read

Your chance

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Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Clark and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Early Decision INovember 1
Early ActionNovember 1
Early Decision IIJanuary 15
Regular DecisionJanuary 15

Cost

Sticker price$73,317
Avg net after aid$32,767
Meets full needPartial
Read my essay for Clark
Explore Clark
How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Clark weighs most Supplemental essays2 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $32,767/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Clark interview? Format, tips, and practice The Clark Reader ProScore your draft against Clark's exact prompts
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Clark FAQ

What is Clark's acceptance rate?

Clark labels its supplement optional, but it strongly encourages every applicant to answer one prompt, and a strong response genuinely helps at a school that reads holistically. Treat it as required. Pick the prompt with the truer story behind it, write to roughly 230 to 250 words, and keep it concrete. Honors College applicants must also write a separate media and curiosity essay of 200 to 350 words. At Clark, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Clark require?

Clark requires 2 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Clark cost?

Clark's published sticker price is about $73,317 per year, but the average family pays $32,767 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Clark require SAT or ACT scores?

Clark is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are Clark's application deadlines?

Clark's application deadlines are Early Decision I November 1; Early Action November 1; Early Decision II January 15; Regular Decision January 15. Add Clark to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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