Admitted Student Profile
📌 The University at Buffalo requires no supplemental essay for general admission (apply via Common App or the SUNY Application). The UB Honors College requires two essays (500 words or fewer each) and prohibits generative AI in application materials.
Application Deadlines
Essay Overview
For 2026-27, the University at Buffalo requires no supplemental essay for general admission — the essay comes through the Common App or the SUNY Application. The essays that matter are for the UB Honors College: two responses of 500 words or fewer each (submitted as one document) — one defining what makes an Honors scholar beyond grades, one on intellectual curiosity across perspectives. UB Honors prohibits AI, requires a faculty recommendation, and closes October 1.
What They're Really Looking For
The Official Prompts — 2026-27
"There is more to being a UB Honors scholar than earning good grades." In 500 words or less, share what you believe defines an Honors scholar outside of academic achievement, and how your undergraduate activities, choices, and plans align with that. (Verify exact text on the live Honors form.)
"One of the hallmarks of the UB Honors College is our students' intellectual curiosity." In 500 words or less, discuss one current topic or issue that interests you and how it might be approached from multiple perspectives or disciplines. (Verify exact text on the live Honors form.)
UB requires no supplemental essay for general admission; the essay comes through the Common App or SUNY Application personal statement.
The #1 Failure Mode
Answering Essay 1 with grades. The prompt explicitly asks what makes a scholar beyond academic achievement — and the common miss is an essay that just recounts your GPA, rigor, and awards. UB Honors wants the dimension the transcript can't show, backed by your actual choices.