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Connecticut College

One short, optional 150-word community essay that quietly carries more weight than its length suggests.

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Supplemental essays

1 (optional, strongly encouraged)

Word limit

150 words or less

Format

Any (prose, list, poem)

Test policy

Test-optional

What Conn College rewards

Connecticut College keeps it short. There is no required supplemental essay and no application fee, but there is one optional 150-word prompt that the admissions office strongly encourages you to answer. Skipping it is technically allowed and almost always a mistake, because it is the one place where you get to speak directly to Conn about who you are. You will also submit the Common App personal statement (up to 650 words), and the school is test-optional, so scores are your call.

The challenge here is compression. 150 words is roughly one tight paragraph, and the prompt asks a big question (who you are and what you will bring to the community) in a tiny box. The schools that ask for fewer words are often the ones that read most carefully, so every sentence has to do real work. Think of this as a portrait, not a résumé.

01Specific contribution over general goodness. Conn does not want to hear that you are kind, hardworking, and open-minded. It wants to know the actual thing you will do, start, question, or hold together once you are on campus. Name a behavior, not a virtue.

02Community as a verb. The prompt frames belonging as something you build, not something you receive. Strong answers show you doing community: organizing, including others, bridging groups, showing up. The camel-herd line is a hint that they value people who move with the group.

03Voice that survives compression. Because the limit is so tight, personality has to come through fast. Conn explicitly invites unusual formats (a list, one long sentence, a short poem), which is a signal that they reward applicants brave enough to sound like themselves rather than like a brochure.

04Self-knowledge over self-promotion. The optional add-on about background, identity, and lived experience rewards reflection. They are more impressed by a student who understands why something shaped them than by one who simply lists achievements.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

1 prompt for Conn College, each broken down with annotated examples.

The Community (Herd) Essay150 words or less

Developing a strong, equitable and inclusive community is important to us at Connecticut College. After all, camels live and work together in herds. In 150 words or less, please tell us a little more about who you are and what you will bring to the Conn community to help us grow into the best version of ourselves. You may choose to include details about how your background, identity, challenges, and lived experiences have shaped your accomplishments and potential contributions.

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Deadlines

Early Decision INovember 1

Early Decision IIJanuary 15

Regular DecisionJanuary 15

Application feeNone (no fee required)

Cost

Sticker price$87,800

Avg net after aid$42,941

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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Conn College weighs most Supplemental essays1 prompt, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $42,941/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Conn College interview? Format, tips, and practice The Conn College Reader ProScore your draft against Conn College's exact prompts

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Conn College FAQ

What is Conn College's acceptance rate?

Around 38% of applicants are admitted. Conn College reviewed 7,338 applications for an entering class of 459, and it is test-optional, so submitting scores is a choice rather than a requirement. At Conn College, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Conn College require?

Conn College requires 1 supplemental essay 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 Conn College cost?

Conn College's published sticker price is about $87,800 per year, but the average family pays $42,941 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Conn College require SAT or ACT scores?

Conn College 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 Conn College's application deadlines?

Conn College's application deadlines are Early Decision I November 1; Early Decision II January 15; Regular Decision January 15; Application fee None (no fee required). Add Conn College to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

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