Syracuse is a leading university nationally, known for exceptional academics and research opportunities on their campus alongside award-winning study abroad programs and centers in Italy, England, Spain, Chile, and more.  There are majors, 100 minors, and more research and pre-professional opportunities than you can count. The is about 41%.

Syracuse is for students applying for Fall 2025 admission, and students who do not submit scores will still be eligible for merit scholarships. Recently, only a relatively small number of admitted and enrolled first-years have submitted scores, so it your SATs or ACTs aren’t something to stress about unless you actually enjoy taking standardized tests. For the fall of 2023, of admitted and enrolled first-years had submitted scores. We advise students to submit scores if you feel they underline your academic record and potential, but not to send scores if you have any doubts about it.

Something else to consider is whether to apply for what they call “single enrollment” or “dual enrollment.” At Syracuse, you can choose to pursue one major in one of their undergraduate colleges, or you can pursue two majors in two different colleges — at the same time. It isn’t necessarily “easier” to get in as one or the other, dual or single enrollment. What matters most is that it should be your best option and most perfect fit.

In this post, though, we’re going break down two of the most important aspects of your interview, starting with the supplement. Read on for the info you need to know to ace your application to Syracuse and increase your chances of acceptance no matter what track you hope to take.  

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At Syracuse, they have to filter through tens of thousands of applications to find those who will join their community on campus. Your grades are the first filter, plus your scores if you send them. Next are your activities, your main essay, and your recommendations. But right alongside those aspects of your application comes the Syracuse supplement. So, what’s the best approach? Let’s get into it.

Syracuse University is a place that seeks to be welcoming to all – and has been since our founding. Explain why you are interested in Syracuse University and describe a personal experience in which you persevered through adversity, rejected discrimination, learned a lesson, or were inspired by the courageous actions of others and how you will apply what you learned to our community in a positive way. (250 words)

There are three key things they are asking for in your response that you absolutely must include:

1. Explain your interest in Syracuse.

2. Describe an experience related to adversity.

3. Share how you will positively contribute to the community.

We don’t recommend answering them in this order, though. First, you want to start with a story that addresses adversity, discrimination, or learning a lesson. Picking a story that fits this bill can be tough, and we recommend giving yourself time to brainstorm a few options to try out. The key, though, is that this isn’t a hardship test. Trying to tell the most intense or difficult story possible is a losing proposition for most applicants because there will nearly always be someone who has had it harder than you. Instead of trying to tell the ‘worst’ story, tell a meaningful story that truly speaks to who you are. Keep it short, and keep it specific. And if you really aren’t sure what to write about focus in on the learning a lesson bit — because we’ve all learned lessons that weren’t fun at first but that have shaped us into who we are.

Next, you need to link this story to your interest in Syracuse. If you wrote the opening story about a struggle in the classroom, you could pivot or transition to something about your prospective major or the Syracuse learning environment. For this section, which will be the meat of the supplement, you need to include your prospective major, a class or two you are excited about, and a professor you hope to study under. You can also write, in specifics, about a potential minor or other area of focus. What you don’t want to do, though, is be undecided. We very seriously discourage students from saying they are undecided in their application. Syracuse knows you may change your major, but they want to see focus and a specificity of interest when you are applying.

Finally, you need to leave room to address how you will positively contribute to the community. To pull this off, we suggest linking the story in the start of the supplement and your prospective major to a way to help others at Syracuse. To thread this needle, we like to look through the list of at Syracuse and find something that matches with your interests, your experiences, and how you want to spend your time in college. Close out your supplement with a sentence that puts a bow on the short essay by looking towards your future.

THE INTERVIEW

One last thing, but a really important one. Syracuse doesn’t require an interview for prospective first-years, as part of the admissions process and you should absolutely take advantage of it. Think of the interview as a conversation. Come prepared with questions to ask, not simply questions to answer. Successful interviews feel like conversations, and read this post to learn how to pull it off.

Syracuse is an exciting university inside the classroom and out. Students love their time there, and thrive through the experience and into their early careers. When applying, remember that Syracuse prioritizes enthusiasm for learning and a care for others — keep both top of mind.

Applying to college requires strategy. Email us to get yours.