Admitted Student Profile
GPA (Unweighted)
3.50-3.90
SAT Range (Middle 50%)
1310-1470
ERW: 660-730 · Math: 650-740
ACT Range (Middle 50%)
30-33
📌 Connecticut College — a selective liberal arts college on the Connecticut shore (the Camels) known for interdisciplinary centers, funded internships, and environmental studies — requires the Common App essay and offers one OPTIONAL 150-word supplement, confirmed 2026-27. It has a free application.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I / Early ActionNov 1
Regular DecisionJan 15
Essay Overview
For 2026-27, Connecticut College requires the Common App personal essay and offers one optional 150-word supplement (confirmed 2026-27): who you are and what you will bring to the "Conn community" (its mascot is the camel — "camels live and work together in herds"). Notably, any format is accepted — a few sentences, one run-on sentence, or a bullet list. It is optional, but at a selective LAC a specific, concrete answer helps.
Common App Personal Essay All applicants
250–650 words
Required
Who You Are & What You Bring Optional — any format accepted
150 words
Optional
What They're Really Looking For
1
Treat the optional supplement as an opportunity. At Conn's selectivity, a specific 150-word answer helps you stand out. Write it unless it would only repeat your personal statement.
2
Show what you would BRING, concretely. The prompt asks what you will bring to the community. Name a specific contribution grounded in real experience — not "I would add diversity and a positive attitude."
3
Use the format freedom well. Conn explicitly allows any format — sentences, one run-on sentence, or a bullet list. Pick whatever lets you be most specific and most you in 150 words.
The Official Prompts — 2026-27
Your choice of the seven Common App personal-statement prompts.
"Developing a strong, equitable and inclusive community is important to us at Connecticut College... In 150 words or less, please tell us a little more about who you are and what you will bring to the Conn community... Any format is acceptable. You can write a few sentences, one run-on sentence or even a bullet-point list."
The #1 Failure Mode
A generic "I would add diversity and a great attitude." The prompt asks what you specifically would BRING to the community, and the common miss is an abstract claim with no lived detail or concrete contribution. In 150 words, one specific thing you'd actually add beats a list of adjectives.
Weak vs. Strong: Score Benchmarks
"I would bring diversity, hard work, and a positive attitude to the Connecticut College community. I have always valued being part of a team and helping others, and I know I would be a great addition to the Conn community. My background and experiences have shaped me into someone who is ready to contribute and grow alongside my peers."
"I organize a monthly repair café — neighbors bring broken lamps, zippers, toasters, and I (plus two retirees I recruited) fix them for free. What I'd bring to Conn is that habit: the belief that most things people are ready to throw away are one small, patient fix from working again — objects, and sometimes conversations. I'd start one in New London by October."