Boston University (BU) Supplemental Essay Outlines

Paragraph 1: The Scene and the Community

• Begin with a sudden, real scene that drops the reader directly into your daily community
• Avoid starting with broad statements about volunteering
• Use sensory details to show where your passion began
• Define your community widely, whether it is a neighborhood, school club, or group of peers
• Show your natural, active role as an equal member within this group

Paragraph 2: The Problem and Why It Matters

• Introduce the specific, localized challenge within your community
• Clearly explain why this issue mattered to you and those around you, showing real stakes and emotional awareness
• Rather than writing about a massive global issue in abstract terms, keep it local and authentic
• Finish by transitioning into action, demonstrating that you actively seek solutions instead of just complaining about problems

Paragraph 3: Taking Action with Others

Paragraph 4: The Results and Personal Growth

Paragraph 5: Bringing My Work to Campus

Paragraph 1: Finding My Intellectual Spark

Paragraph 2: Learning Inside the Classroom

Paragraph 3: Learning Outside the Classroom

Paragraph 4: Joining the Campus Community

Paragraph 5: Contributing to the Campus Community