Rochester Christian Supplemental Essays 2026–27: Prompts

Rochester Christian University requires a single short-answer question for its standard application, allowing a maximum of 200 characters (roughly 33 words) [1]. This guide covers the only prompt every applicant must answer, though be aware that Rochester Christian University may ask for additional essays if you are pursuing specific programs, such as direct nursing admission, or certain competitive scholarships. Because the word count is so tight, your goal here is absolute clarity rather than storytelling.

Have you been in contact with an athletic coach? If so, please explain which sport you are interested in pursuing. (200 characters)

What this prompt is really asking: This is an administrative sorting question, not a test of your athletic passion. Admissions officers use this box to cross-reference your application file with the athletics department's recruiting roster. They simply need to know if they should be keeping a specific varsity coach updated on your admissions status.

A strong approach:

• Address the sport literally: Name the specific sport and the exact coach you have spoken to immediately. The 200-character cap forces you to cut any background information and stick entirely to facts.
• Define your contact: Tell the admissions office whether you just filled out a recruiting questionnaire, attended a recent camp, or are actively taking phone calls with the coaching staff.
• Respect the "If so": The prompt's conditional phrasing means you are allowed to bypass the question completely if you are not an athlete. A simple "No" is the perfect response.

Most common mistakes:

• Pitching athletic skills: Do not try to prove why you would be a great fit for the team here. The coach handles athletic evaluations, so submitting personal records or statistics in this box is useless.
• Attempting a narrative: Trying to cram a story about your dedication to a sport into roughly 33 words will read poorly. Provide the administrative answer requested and save your storytelling for other parts of the application.