Supplements Revisited: John Mattson '22
For this series, we asked three admissions officers to revisit the supplemental essays of three current Tufts freshmen. What in these essays worked, and what could have been done better? We hope this look inside our reading process will help you as you write your own supplemental essays!
John Mattson '22
Describe the environment in which you were raised*
John: My dad is gone from Tuesday at 5am until Thursday night, so sitting down to eat together is extra special. I'm not sure if my mom is actually a picky eater, or if she's auditioning for Meg Ryan's character from "When Harry Met Sally," but, eating at home is guaranteed to be less stressful than watching her scan a menu for the 30th time. So my dad cooks. He's always been the chef, and he'd probably become a real one if he had the chance. When I was young, I remember craning up over the counter like a periscope to try and see action. One day, I came home from school and found a stool in the kitchen. I've been his sous chef ever since. I have two siblings, Lindsey and Michael. Lindsey is two minutes younger than me, but loves to act like she's two years older. Since we go to different high schools, dinners are also twin time. Michael is less interested in engaging unless a conversation has to do with politics or statistical analysis. Ask for one fact and a deluge of random information will spew across the table, threatening to knock everything over.
For a long time, Sandy also sat with us, and now she does when she visits. My parents hired her when I was 6 months old. When I was young and difficult and she threatened to quit, I couldn't understand how. How can family quit? Of course, it can't, and this is mine.
Virginia: John’s supplement blew me away. He’s an incredibly lyrical writer and can sketch a beautiful scene through his words. He does a fantastic job telling us more about himself through narration. John’s essays are fantastic because he pushes past typical scenes and observes. He creates a picture of how the outside world influenced him. Supplements should not just tell us your grandparent, parents, siblings, or pets. Supplements should tell us about you. John’s words told me how his family influenced him and steered away from simply describing his family. After reading this, I wanted to sit down at his dinner table to get to know him.
E. What makes you happy? Why?*
Haikus are 17 syllable nuggets of personal experience and perspective. Their brevity demands creativity, and since there is little room to expand ideas, one must be intentional to set the tone of the poem. While a challenge, describing what makes me happy with Haikus has allowed me to tell many stories rather than one, and has required an exploration of my deepest associations with joy.
I. Landing after a Long Flight
Malfunctioned Zquil…
Ok, it's all over, John…
I can see the ground…
II. Sea Island
Biscuit grits, fill me
Southern hospitality,
no New York City.
III. My Dog
She understands me.
She doesn't like you, only
15 pounds, thinks she's a wolf.
IV. Water
I got Poland Taste
Got no Water Sommelier,
mmm, Liquified Air.
V. Podcast Lessons
O, what's in a brain?
Once the autopsy is made,
is free will to blame?
VI. Frisbee
Rubber edged strange men
Almost hit a toddler's head,
Better catch next time.
VII. Comedians
Isn't it funny
Just to sit here and observe
this society?
VIII. Summer
High School drama cleanse,
Air conditioned made amends,
coldstop, melondrop.
IX. My Friends
Slumber Party Duuuuuude!
I know who you're loyal to,
your spot on the couch.
X. Cereals: A Tale of Family in Three Parts
Mom is Crispix Rice
She's a woman with 2 sides
Sister's sweet and strange,
Dad is granola
A no-frills grainy oat bunch,
Brother's got no crunch.
Grandpa's Rice Krispies,
4 AM fix; then there's me-mini-wheats, Frosted.
Virginia: John went for a non-traditional style by writing haikus. Know that I cannot write poetry. I do not expect our applicants to write poetry. I’m looking for you to reflect yourself honestly in your supplements. John displayed his creativity and playful voice by writing haikus. If you’ve never written a haiku, now isn’t the time to start. Be yourself in your supplements. If you’re serious, be so in your essays. If you’re funny, feel free to crack a joke. Ultimately, we are looking to know you better at the end of your application.
*These are not current prompts, but the essays contain elements we still look for in personal statements and other supplemental questions.