7 Simple Tips for Strong Supplementary Applications
Supplementary applications are your chance to shine — to show who you are beyond grades. Whether you’re applying to Queen’s, Rotman, Waterloo, or McMaster, these simple tips will help your stand out this season!
1. Start Early
Strong applicants don’t write everything the night before. They start early, brainstorm, draft, and polish. Good essays usually go through several rewrites. Give your child time to reflect and write without stress — rushed writing always sounds rushed.
The first sentence matters. Start with a moment, image, or bold idea that makes the reader want to keep reading. Skip “I’ve always been passionate about…” — open with something that shows that passion in action.
Ask: “What story can only you tell?”
Instead of listing activities, connect them to personal growth. How have these experiences changed your view of yourself or others? A clear, genuine story helps your child’s application stand out from the crowd.
Don’t just say “I’m a leader.”
Show it.
❌ “I’m a strong leader.”
✅ “When our robotics team lost its programmer, I learned Python and wrote a training guide for new members.”
For STEM programs, interviews or written questions may test critical thinking. Use
DARTS:
- D – Define: Understand the question clearly.
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A – Analyze: Break it down into parts.
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R – Refine: Form your idea and test it.
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T – Think: Reflect on what it means.
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S – Summarize: Explain your reasoning clearly.
This method helps students stay calm, think clearly, and communicate with confidence.
Have someone outside the family review the essays. Friends and teachers may already know your child too well to see what’s missing. A coach or mentor can give unbiased, expert feedback to take the application from good to great.
For video or timed responses, record practice runs. Time them. Watch them back. The goal isn’t to sound memorized — it’s to sound confident.
Your only gets one shot at these essays — make it count!
