Last Updated on 09/18/2026 by Ethan Sawyer
A small liberal arts college with a strong collegiate spirit and a faithful network of alumni, Colgate University is a popular option for students with diverse interests and a longing for that “college atmosphere”-something Colgate itself takes pride in (peep the “traditions” section of the college site for a full rundown of “Colgate Songs” you’ll have memorized by the end of orientation).
Want to get a better sense of what Colgate is looking for in its supplemental essay prompts?
You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set. For deep insights into how this private liberal arts college envisions its role and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its academic strategic plan. Reading through this will give you a strong idea of what Colgate values.
Note: If you’re applying directly through Colgate’s application portal, you’ll notice these prompts are all listed as optional. We recommend you answer the prompts, though! After all, don’t you want another opportunity to display your skills, qualities, values, and interests to a school you love? (And note to folks applying to Colgate via Common App-you won’t see these prompts at all unless you select specific majors)
What are the Colgate supplemental essay prompts?
Quick heads up: Colgate removed its supplemental essay for 2026/2027. So this guide has shifted. Instead of walking you through an essay that no longer exists, we’ll cover where your energy should go instead to build a strong application.
No essay? Here’s where that energy should go instead
If you were ready to put real thought into a Colgate supplement, don’t lose that energy. Just point it at the parts that are still in your control.
1. Your Common App personal statement (now doing double duty)
This is the main place Colgate hears from you in your own words. You don’t need to make it “about” Colgate (please don’t force that).
But you do want it to show the skills, qualities, values, and interests you’ll bring to a campus like this one. If a reader finishes and thinks, “ah, this person actually shows up for their community,” that’s the signal you’re after.
3. Your activities list (show the service and community side)
Your activities list is a natural place to show not just what you did, but what changed because you did it.
For help here, we’ve got a whole guide to the Activities List and the Additional Info section.
4. A note on testing
Colgate is test-optional for Fall 2027, so you get to decide whether to submit. For more on test optional and test blind, check out this guide.
What if Colgate brings the supplement back?
Colleges change their minds, and Colgate could add an essay again in a future cycle. If that happens, we’ll update this post with the new prompt, analysis, and real student examples. For now, there’s no supplement to write for 2026/2027, so put your energy where it counts.
Further Reading
- Colgate’s Mission Statement can give you a sense of what the school values and what it looks for in applicants
- Our guide to dozens of other supplemental essays
And if you want your whole application to feel less overwhelming, the College Application + Supplemental Essays Course walks you through all of it, with 25+ video lessons you can watch on your own or live.
