UGA Supplemental Essay 2025-26 – Prompt and Advice

June 3, 2025

uga essay prompts

Nearly 48,000 students from around the world applied for a place in the . Further, the EA round in the 2024-25 cycle attracted 15% more applicants than the previous year鈥檚 all-time high, meaning that the UGA supplemental essay may be even more important in 2025-26 than in previous years.

Last year, the average incoming freshman took between 8-14 AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses in high school. The average student also earned a weighted GPA above 4.0. Moreover, the SAT range for admitted freshmen was 1300-1470. The purpose of this information isn鈥檛 to engender fear in the hearts of Bulldog hopefuls; rather, we want to make sure that you take the task of presenting yourself in the best possible light very seriously.

 

Want to learn more about how to create a strong application to UGA? In addition to our blog on How to Get Into the University of Georgia, head to for all our best free tools and resources, including an admissions calculator for 170+ institutions, college planning guides & templates, and example essays from accepted students.聽

Although it only has one general essay prompt (same as last year’s), UGA鈥檚 supplemental section still affords applicants an opportunity to illustrate what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below is the University of Georgia鈥檚 supplemental prompt for the 2025-26 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing an effective essay.

2025-2026 University of Georgia Essay Question

鈥淭he transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report).鈥

FYI 鈥 We are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. Feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years. As well, while we list word count suggestions/limits, we give a little bit of additional leeway on the actual application essays so students don鈥檛 have to stress.

(200-300 words recommended by admissions; up to 350 words allowed on the Common App)

This isn鈥檛 your average supplemental essay鈥攖he highly personal nature of this prompt gives you the chance to make a strong impression on a UGA admissions officer. Since you won鈥檛 have a chance to interview at this large flagship school, this essay (as well as the main Common App essay) is one of the best chances you鈥檒l have to forge an intimate connection with a member of the admissions committee.

You may have to dig back into your childhood bookshelves for this one. If you are having trouble, referring to the following lists may jog your memory:

Common Middle School-Assigned Texts

  • The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Night by Elie Wiesel
  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
  • Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
  • The entire Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
  • Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London
  • The Pigman by Paul Zindel
  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Common 10th-Grade聽Assigned Texts

  • Animal Farm by George Orwell
  • Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
  • Hiroshima by John Hersey
  • A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
  • The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
  • Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
  • The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
  • Walden by Henry David Thoreau
  • Black Boy by Richard Wright

Of course, the book you pick may not have been assigned by a teacher, Additionally, note that the instructions give you the right to move back into 7th grade or forward into 10th grade if you wish. Remember, it can be a fiction or non-fiction text.

What should I consider as I write my essay?

With a 350-word limit, you have a substantial amount of real estate to play around with here. There is enough space in which to tell a fairly substantial and detailed story about your book of choice’s personal impact. Still, in all likelihood, getting this one precisely right will involve a round or two of revision, ideally with some insight and feedback from a trusted adult or peer in the process. Some tips to keep in mind include:

  • Set aside ample time for brainstorming (especially if you draw a huge blank after reading this essay prompt). Make lists of all the books you’ve read over the past few years鈥攂oth in-school and out-of-school鈥攁nd circle the titles that felt impactful for any reason. The book that you gravitate toward most may surprise you!
  • Try to use your book of choice to reveal something deep and meaningful about your personality, character, or values/beliefs.
  • Use this essay as an opportunity to share something about yourself that has not already been shared elsewhere on the application.

How important is the UGA supplemental essay?

The essays (both the Common App essay and the supplemental one) are 鈥渃onsidered鈥 by the UGA admissions committee. This places them on the same tier of importance as recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, first-generation status, volunteer work, and work experience.

At UGA, three factors are “most important” in the admissions process. Those are: rigor of your coursework, GPA, and standardized test scores. However, application components like the supplemental essay can serve as a critical tie-breaker between similarly credentialed applicants.

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