2026–27 application cycle
St. John's College supplemental essays
Every writing prompt on the St. John's College application, with word limits, taken from the application itself. One prompt.
- Prompt 1Required400 words max
A great book
Discuss a book that you would call a "great book." We want to learn both about the ideas in the book and about you. What makes the book great in your view? What effect has it had on what you think or how you think?
Common questions
St. John's College essays, answered
How many essays does St. John's College require?
St. John's College lists 1 writing supplement for the 2026–27 cycle, all required. That is on top of the main personal statement.
How long are the St. John's College supplemental essays?
Word limits across the listed prompts add up to roughly 400 words. Budget real time for them: supplements are where admissions sees your specific interest in St. John's College.
Do the St. John's College supplemental essays matter?
Yes, and more as selectivity rises. Grades and scores put you in the pool; supplements are one of the few places you control what the reader learns about you, and a generic why-us essay is one of the most common self-inflicted wounds in admissions.
What Spike does with this
Get help planning St. John's College essays.
Spike helps students connect each prompt to their own experiences, outline a response, and revise without ghostwriting.
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