Indiana · 73.1% acceptance · private · Tier 4
Earlham favors applicants who demonstrate a commitment to social justice, peacebuilding, and ethical inquiry, not just strong grades. Successful applicants show sustained involvement in community service, conflict resolution, or collaborative projects, evidence of intellectual curiosity in small-group discussion settings, and comfort with interdisciplinary work in the humanities and sciences; they are often students who can speak to personal growth through civic engagement. Compared with many liberal arts peers, Earlham is looser on standardized-test polish but stricter about fit with Quaker values and communal participation, so essays and recommendations should highlight collaborative leadership, reflective maturity, and humility.
Use the supplemental essay to connect a specific Earlham resource or program to your past commitments and future plans, for example the Center for Resilience, the Peace and Conflict Studies minor, the geosciences field work, or Earlham’s Semester in London/Quaker study options. Name faculty, courses, or experiential opportunities and show how you would contribute to small-class discussion, community governance, or campus service; avoid generic praise and instead map one clear project or class you would pursue during the 2027-2028 year.
If you only have time for one thing this month, do this: