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Lewis & Clark

Lewis & Clark College

One 300-400 word supplement at a test-free, writing-first college that rewards reflection over resume.

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Supplemental essays

1 required (choose 1 of 2)

Word limit

300-400 words

Common App statement

Required, 250-650 words

Testing policy

Test-free

What Lewis & Clark rewards

Lewis & Clark keeps its writing load light but pointed. Beyond the Common App personal statement (250 to 650 words), you write one supplemental essay of 300 to 400 words, choosing between two prompts: a personal motto question and a different-perspectives question. That is it. There is no long list of program supplements to grind through.

The catch is that Lewis & Clark is fully test-free as of the fall 2025 class, so there are no scores to hide behind. The reading is holistic and the writing matters more here than at a school still leaning on numbers. Your core challenge is to make 350 words feel lived-in and unmistakably yours, not to perform a polished college-applicant version of yourself.

01Reflection over achievement. Both prompts ask what you learned or how you think, not what you won. Lewis & Clark rewards essays where the takeaway is honest and a little surprising, not a trophy list dressed up as growth.
02Genuine intellectual curiosity. The school's identity is exploratory and interdisciplinary. An applicant who follows an idea sideways, questions it, and stays curious reads as a natural fit better than one who just states a strong opinion.
03Comfort across difference. The Pacific Northwest liberal-arts culture prizes students who can sit with people unlike them and actually change their mind. Showing real exchange, not just tolerance, lands well here.
04Specific, grounded voice. With no scores in the file, the prose carries you. Concrete detail, a real setting, and a teenager's actual voice beat anything that sounds like it was written to impress.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

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

Personal motto300-400 words (choose this prompt OR the difference prompt)

Tell us about your personal motto and how it guides you (Latin not required).

Engaging across difference300-400 words (choose this prompt OR the motto prompt)

Reflect on a time when you engaged with someone whose background or life experiences are different from yours and share with us what you learned from that experience.

See all 2 prompts and get a read

Your chance

See your chance

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

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Deadlines

Early DecisionNov 1
Early ActionNov 1 (notify by Jan 1)
Regular DecisionJan 15

Cost

Sticker price$84,128
Avg net after aid$37,999
Meets full needPartial
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Lewis & Clark weighs most Supplemental essays2 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $37,999/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Lewis & Clark interview? Format, tips, and practice The Lewis & Clark Reader ProScore your draft against Lewis & Clark's exact prompts
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Lewis & Clark FAQ

What is Lewis & Clark's acceptance rate?

Around 78 percent of applicants are admitted, which makes Lewis & Clark less selective on paper than its reputation suggests. Do not let that number lull you. The college is test-free and genuinely reads what you write, so a thoughtful, specific supplement carries real weight in the file. The average admitted student brings roughly a 3.65 high school GPA, and the essay is where a strong writer separates from a strong transcript. At Lewis & Clark, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Lewis & Clark require?

Lewis & 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 Lewis & Clark cost?

Lewis & Clark's published sticker price is about $84,128 per year, but the average family pays $37,999 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Lewis & Clark require SAT or ACT scores?

Lewis & Clark is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all, even if you submit them.

When are Lewis & Clark's application deadlines?

Lewis & Clark's application deadlines are Early Decision Nov 1; Early Action Nov 1 (notify by Jan 1); Regular Decision Jan 15. Add Lewis & Clark to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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