fordham university supplemental essay example

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A Great Fordham Essay Example

Well-renowned for its undergraduate teaching, Fordham University is known for its small class sizes and location in New York City. Fordham gives students the freedom to choose between its Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. 

Fordham is rather selective, so it’s important to write strong essays to make your application stand out. In this post, we will discuss an essay that a real student submitted to Fordham, and outline the essay’s strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Fordham essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Sophie Alina , an expert advisor on CollegeVine, provided commentary on this post. Advisors offer one-on-one guidance on everything from essays to test prep to financial aid. If you want help writing your essays or feedback on drafts,  book a consultation with Sophie Alina or another skilled advisor.

Essay Example

Prompt: You may choose to respond to the optional question below. At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities. Please share a specific instance in which you challenged yourself or stepped out of your comfort zone in order to impact your community (for example, your family, friend group, high school, or town). Or, share a way you hope to do so at Fordham. (150 words)

When the cast list for my junior year play came out, I expected to find my name next to a character name. Instead, I found it next to “swing.” Over the next few months, instead of getting a moment in the spotlight where I thrive, I stood just off stage and read cue lines to actors as we filmed their scenes for a virtual production. I had no costume or character name in the playbill, but despite my worries, my director and fellow cast members made it clear that I contributed immensely to the production. I originally joined theater with the vision of being praised for my acting skills and stage presence. As I’ve learned since, stepping out of my comfort zone and uplifting other actors is just as valuable. Some of my fondest memories come from being a swing, and I’m grateful that I challenged myself with this role. 

What This Essay Did Well

I love the writer’s attitude in this essay! In a humble way, the writer details the role they played in supporting other actors.  The writer details how they didn’t have a costume or character name, contrasting the parts of a typical actor role with the one that they played. 

The most important part of writing about a difficult situation is detailing your response to the situation. The writer does this well. They talk specifically about the role they played, without diminishing their responsibilities, and give us a lesson of what they learned at the end (“As I’ve learned since…”) The writer also mentions being grateful for the opportunity, further adding to the humility that the writer is showing. I love how the values shine through in this essay. 

What Could Be Improved

At the beginning of this essay, the writer “tells” what happened when they saw the cast list. Instead of telling, this writer could have brought us more into the story by “showing.” The writer could have written, “It was 2:30 pm, and I was scanning a list that would determine my future. I scanned the character list– my name wasn’t there. I scanned again. Then, I saw it. I was a “swing.” This adds a few more details and words to the essay, but makes the experience richer and can connect more to the reader through the strong visuals. 

I would suggest some reorganization here. I would have put the details about the original vision (these details are scattered throughout the essay) first, then what the writer actually did, and then how they felt about it. A clearer structure could take this essay up a level.

I would also include some examples of specific actors that relayed the info that they felt “uplifted.” Were there instances of other actors telling the writer how much they appreciated them? I’m assuming so, because of how the other cast members “made it clear” how much the writer had contributed.

These examples, shown through visual details, could make this essay even better. The writer could have done this through “At the end of the play, my director thanked me for taking this role, and the lead cast members told me how much I had helped them. One cast member, Caroline, told me that practicing with me gave her confidence to perform. I never realized that I could thrive in a different kind of spotlight, one located just off stage.” This last detail about the spotlight could parallel the initial detail that the writer has a swing role “instead of getting a moment in the spotlight where I thrive.” 

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Want feedback like this on your Fordham essay before you submit? We offer expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers.

Haven’t started writing your essay yet? Advisors on CollegeVine also offer expert college counseling packages . You can purchase a package to get one-on-one guidance on any aspect of the college application process, including brainstorming and writing essays.

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How to Write the Fordham University 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

If you're applying to Fordham University for the 2024-2025 academic year, you'll need to tackle the college's optional supplemental essays. Not only do these essays help the admissions committee understand you better, but they also allow you to showcase your unique perspective and potential contributions to the Fordham community. Let's dive into the prompts and explore how to make the most out of your responses.

Essay Prompts and How to Approach Them

Fordham University allows you to choose one (1) of the following optional questions, with a maximum word count of 300 words:

At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?).

Fordham, as a Jesuit university, recognizes the dignity, uniqueness and potential of each person. A Fordham education is student-centered and rooted in close collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Describe how you would contribute to our campus community as an actively engaged learner and leader. Specifically draw on your personal story, identity, experiences, strengths, and perspectives.

Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?

Is there something that you are proud of that you would like to share with the Admission Committee?

School-Specific Advice for Writing the Fordham Supplemental Essays

Tackling these questions may seem daunting, but by breaking them down and drawing from your personal experiences, you can compose essays that meaningfully convey who you are. Here's some school-specific advice to help guide you:

Understanding and Engaging with the Community

If you choose Prompt 1 , focus on an experience where your perspective shifted significantly. This could be a volunteer activity, a leadership role, or a personal challenge that you overcame. Highlight what you learned and how it prompted personal growth. For instance, did you develop new skills like empathy or leadership? Did you discover a new strength or passion?

Need help brainstorming? Sups AI offers tailored essay brainstorming and feedback. Their experts can help you identify key moments in your life that align with Fordham's values.

Contributing as an Engaged Learner and Leader

For Prompt 2 , reflect on how your background and experiences will uniquely benefit Fordham’s community. Think about specific instances where you demonstrated leadership or collaboration. The admissions committee wants to see how you'll engage with faculty, staff, and fellow students to enrich the collective experience.

Utilizing Sups AI can provide you with one-on-one chats with current students who have successfully navigated the same process. They can offer invaluable insights into crafting an essay that captures your potential contributions.

Embracing New York City

Prompt 3 asks you to consider how your past experiences have prepared you for the unique opportunities and challenges New York City presents. Explain what aspects of NYC excite you and how they align with your academic and personal goals.

If you're uncertain about how to express this effectively, Sups AI has helped over 10,000 students get admitted to top schools. Their platform ensures you can articulate your preparedness for life in NYC compellingly.

Showcasing Your Pride

For Prompt 4 , this is your moment to share something you're genuinely proud of. It could be an accomplishment, a talent, or an aspect of your character that you believe sets you apart. Be authentic and let your passion shine through.

Remember, Sups AI can help you fine-tune your essays to make sure your voice and achievements stand out.

Writing Fordham University’s supplemental essays might seem like a challenge, but with detailed preparation and introspection, you can craft an application that truly resonates with the admissions committee. If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to leverage Sups AI for personalized guidance every step of the way.

Fordham Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Fordham supplemental essays: quick facts.

• Fordham Acceptance Rate: 58%— U.S. News ranks Fordham University as a more selective school.
• Fordham University Ranking: U.S. News ranks Fordham #72 in National Universities
• 1 (~150 word) short answer essay (optional)
• 1 (~250 word) COVID-19 response essay (optional)
• 1 (~650 word) additional information essay (optional)
• Fordham Application: Fordham University accepts applications via the Common App . Students are required to submit their Common App essay and all required materials when applying.
• Fordham University Essay Tip: While not required, each Fordham University supplemental essay is a chance to share something about yourself with Fordham admissions. Seize these opportunities and take the time to draft, edit, and refine each of your Fordham University application essays, just like you would your Common App essay.

How many essays does Fordham require?

So, does Fordham have supplemental essays? The answer is yes, Fordham gives students the opportunity to complete Fordham supplemental essays as part of their application. However, unlike at many schools:

Fordham supplemental essays are all optional . 

Fordham University requires the Common App Personal Statement as well as three optional Fordham supplement essays. So, if you choose to forgo the Fordham supplemental essays (which we don’t suggest), your only Fordham application essay will be your Common App essay. On their Writing for the Common Application page, Fordham provides their Fordham essay requirements. This includes guidelines for the Common App essay and information on the Fordham supplemental essays.

According to Fordham admissions, applicants will not be penalized if they do not submit the Fordham supplemental essays. While the Fordham supplemental essays are not required, they are a good opportunity to provide Fordham admissions with more insight into who you are and what you’d bring to Fordham’s community.

For most students, we recommend answering each Fordham University essay prompt to strengthen your application. However, answering the Fordham supplemental essays will not be a part of every student’s “how to get into Fordham” game plan . Students should only submit the Fordham supplemental essays if doing so will add to their overall application.

What are the essays for Fordham?

Now that we’ve answered the question of “does Fordham have supplemental essays,” let’s discuss the required Fordham essay and the optional Fordham supplemental essays. 

According to the Fordham essay requirements, there is one required Fordham essay and three optional Fordham supplemental essays. The Common App essay is required by all students applying to Fordham. The three additional Fordham University application essays are optional. Each covers a different topic: additional information, COVID-19 impact, and a unique Fordham question. 

Fordham University application essay prompts:

Short response (150 words).

At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities. Please share a specific instance in which you challenged yourself or stepped out of your comfort zone in order to be an advocate for your community (for example, your family, friend group, high school, or town). Please provide an example that illustrates a facet of yourself that we would not find anywhere else in your application.

COVID-19 Response

Fall 2023 applicants will have the opportunity to tell us more about how COVID-19 has impacted their lives. Please feel free to use this section to discuss this topic as opposed to your essay. This response is optional.

Additional Information Essay

Is there something you’d like to tell us that just doesn’t seem to fit anywhere else perhaps you’d like to expand on one of your co-curricular involvements or let us know about an extenuating circumstance that impacted your academic performance. whatever the case may be, please feel free to tell us in this optional section..

Think of your Fordham supplemental essays as a chance to show your interest in Fordham and what makes you a good fit. Remember you have complete control over how you approach the Fordham supplemental essays. So, don’t let nerves keep you from getting a jump start on a Fordham University supplemental essay.

Below, we have outlined each Fordham University supplemental essay and how to approach it. If you’re planning to apply to Fordham, visit the Fordham University’s Undergraduate Admission website for a complete list of application requirements. Keep reading to learn more about the Fordham University application essays. 

Fordham Essay Requirements: Common App Essay

While each Fordham University application essay is a key part of your Fordham application, your Common App essay is arguably the most important. 

There are three main questions admissions will keep in mind as they evaluate each Fordham essay, including your Common App essay: 

• Who are you as a person, student, and community member? 
• How well do you write?
• Are you a critical thinker?

Your Common App essay is a key part of the Fordham essay requirements. Choose your prompt carefully, and make sure your essay highlights your strengths. The best Common App essays will show Fordham who you are, what makes you unique, and what you bring to the table. 

To complete the Fordham University application essay requirements, you’ll need to choose one of the Common App’s essay prompts to respond to. Admissions will want to see how thoughtfully and logically you address the prompt. So, be sure you answer the prompt wholly and structure your essay to be clear and compelling.

If you’re having trouble picking which Common App prompt to respond to, check out our CollegeAdvisor.com resources to help you jumpstart the writing process. Our resources can also help you address each Fordham University application essay.

Check out our articles on How to Write a Personal Statement and College Essay Examples to read sample college essays and learn more about why they work. For more tips to help you get started on your Fordham essay, check out our 39 Essay Tips from CollegeAdvisor’s Admissions Experts.

How to Write a Personal Statement – 5 Personal Statement Examples

How do I write the Fordham college essay?

As you start crafting each Fordham essay, think about how it adds to your personal narrative . Think about your personal narrative as the thread that weaves your application together. It should offer an overall sense of your identity that is greater than the sum of your individual essays, grades, coursework, or extracurriculars.

Remember that each Fordham essay is an opportunity to show admissions who you are, what is important to you, and what kind of member of Fordham’s community you’ll be. This starts with your Common App essay. Since Fordham does not offer in-person interviews , your Common App essay (alongside each Fordham essay) is an important chance to articulate who you are with your own words and in your own voice.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at each Fordham essay and offer some tips. These Fordham essay guidelines are helpful no matter which optional Fordham essay prompt you choose to respond to. Be sure to keep these questions top of mind when you go to write your Fordham supplemental essays.

Fordham Supplemental Essays: Optional Essays

It’s time to turn to the Fordham supplemental essays. We have provided the Fordham University supplemental essay prompts below, including tips on how to approach each one. As you complete each Fordham University essay prompt, think about the narrative you began to construct in your Common App essay. What kind of learner and student have you shown yourself to be? Additionally, how can you continue the themes from your Common App essay in each of your Fordham supplemental essays?

Fordham reviews each application holistically . This means that no element of your application, including each Fordham University supplement essay, will make or break your admissions odds. As the admissions team reads your Fordham supplemental essays, they want to imagine who you’ll be on Fordham’s campus should you be admitted. The Fordham supplemental essays are a chance to bring that image to life. Strong Fordham supplemental essays will help your readers picture you as a part of their student body. Each Fordham essay should show how you embody Fordham’s values and would add to their campus community and culture.

Now let’s review each of the Fordham University supplemental essay prompts and how to set yourself up for success when answering them.

Fordham Supplemental Essays #1: Short Response

This short response question is meant to help you reflect on your personal growth and consider how you might continue to grow at fordham: at fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities. please share a specific instance in which you challenged yourself or stepped out of your comfort zone in order to impact your community (for example, your family, friend group, high school, or town). or, share a way you hope to do so at fordham. (150 words max).

This Fordham University supplemental essay prompt looks at how you will contribute to the Fordham community. Fordham University admissions looks for students who know how to collaborate with others and foster positive learning environments.

This Fordham University essay prompt gives you two options—describe a past experience or a future goal. The strongest Fordham essays will likely address a past experience. These essays will show that you know how to create the change you seek rather than just imagining what might be done.

Choosing a topic

To begin this Fordham essay, brainstorm a list of times when you impacted your communities. Prioritize instances when you spearheaded change and saw real results. Think about what experience will best add to the narrative from your Common App essay. If you focused on your academic work , use your Fordham supplement essay to introduce us to one of your non-academic communities. By contrast, if you focused your Common App essay on family and friends, introduce us to your academic or extracurricular communities.

If you do not have an experience that fits this Fordham University essay prompt, focus your Fordham supplement essay on one way you hope to impact the Fordham community. Since you are talking in abstracts, specificity is key here. What community within Fordham University do you hope to impact? You can also use this Fordham essay to give Fordham University admissions a sense of what communities you would join on campus. This helps them envision what kind of student you might be.

Writing your essay

In your Fordham essay, write in specific terms about the change you wish to create. This might take some research. If you want to join the theater community on campus, look at their current extracurricular theater opportunities. Is there something missing you would like to spearhead or a group you would like to start? Is there a club you would like to join and expand?

Whether you choose a past experience or a future goal, pick a challenge that made (or will make) you step out of your comfort zone. This shows that you carefully read the Fordham University essay prompt and illustrates how you hope to grow as a person and student.

Remember, you only have 150 words to write this Fordham supplement essay. This means that specificity is key for this Fordham University application essay. Be brief when describing how you made or would make an impact. Focus on the impact itself and, if applicable, the resulting change in your community.

Fordham Essay Reflection Questions:

• Does your response fully answer the Fordham University essay prompt?
• Do you clearly show what kind of community member you are?
• Does your response enrich the narrative you put forth in the rest of your application?

Fordham Supplemental Essays #2: COVID-19 Response

Fall 2022 applicants will have the opportunity to tell us more about how covid-19 has impacted (and continues to impact) their lives. please feel free to use this section to discuss this topic as opposed to your essay. this response is optional..

The next Fordham University supplemental essay prompt gives you the chance to discuss COVID-19 . It also asks applicants not to do so in the Common App essay or other Fordham supplemental essays.

This Fordham essay lets you discuss another key moment of growth or change in your life. How did COVID-19 impact your high school experience? What did it change about how you interface with your academic community? How did you learn about yourself? Finally, if you join the Fordham community, what will you take with you from this experience? In this Fordham supplement essay, focus on the impact of COVID-19 on your own life rather than its impact on the world.

You may struggle to focus on just a few ways in which COVID-19 impacted you—no doubt it changed much of your life. Again, think back to your application narrative . What version of yourself do you want to highlight in this application? Given the other components of your application, what part of your experience during COVID-19 should you focus on in this Fordham supplement essay? This is a great chance to show Fordham University admissions how you can overcome adversity.

This Fordham University supplemental essay does not have a word limit. Nevertheless, write with the same precision you brought to the first Fordham supplement essay.

• Does your Fordham essay highlight the personal impact of COVID-19 on your life?
• Does your response to this Fordham University essay prompt enrich the rest of your application narrative?

Fordham Supplemental Essays #3: Additional Information Essay

For this Fordham University supplemental essay, think about if you need to explain your grades and test scores. This would usually mean you had a serious disruption to your academics, such as a medical or family concern.

If this applies to you, describe the impact of that circumstance or event and how it impeded your ability to do your best work. If this circumstance has been resolved, explain how so and the improved student you have become in its aftermath. Alternatively, if it is ongoing, explain how you’ve learned to handle that stressor. Make sure to foreground how you will be able to meet the academic standards of Fordham University even as this circumstance persists.

If the above does not apply to you, you might use this Fordham supplement essay to round out your application and expand on a co-curricular you did not touch on in your other essays. Remember, a co-curricular is an activity that complements your academic courses, such as participating in debate society or mock trial team. Playing on a sports team , for instance, is not a co-curricular activity.

As you approach this Fordham supplement essay, remember the narrative you created in the rest of your application. If you wrote your Common App essay on how your passion for the arts has shaped your life, this Fordham supplement essay may be a good place to expand your experience as a member of your high school’s drama club.

Fordham Essay Draft Key Questions:

• If you need to explain extenuating circumstances that impacted your academics, did you do so clearly and explain how you have improved or will improve as a student?
• Alternatively, if you chose to expand on a co-curricular involvement, did you clarify how you will enrich the corresponding community at Fordham?
• Does your response to this Fordham supplement essay supplement the narrative you put forth in the rest of your application?

Does Fordham care about essays?

The answer: yes.

In short, each university cares about its essays. The Common App essay is required, so that is of course a must. However, to have the strongest application possible, you should also complete at least the first of the Fordham supplemental essays.

We want to reiterate that Fordham’s website states applicants will not be penalized for not answering the Fordham supplemental essays. However, completing the Fordham supplemental essays will show interest and care. Not to mention, the Fordham supplemental essays are another opportunity to enrich your application and show Fordham University admissions what kind of student you are.

Your Fordham University supplemental essays are an important part of your how to get into Fordham strategy. Besides familiarizing yourself with the Fordham University acceptance rate or Fordham University ranking, the best way to get into any university—besides striving for stellar academics , high test scores ,  and engaging extracurriculars that speak to your ambitions—is to complete all of the application carefully and thoroughly. For Fordham, that means answering each of the Fordham supplemental essays if they apply to you.

No matter your major, you can expect to do a fair amount of writing in your college courses. Fordham values writing and communication skills, and each Fordham essay is your chance to demonstrate those abilities. When you finalize your draft, make sure your final Fordham essay is free of any spelling and grammatical errors.

What is Demonstrated Interest?

Many universities like Fordham rely on something called demonstrated interest (DI) in the admissions process. Demonstrated interest is used by admissions to determine how interested a student is in attending their school. While you can show DI in small ways like visiting the campus or interacting with the school on social media, one of the biggest (and easiest) ways to show DI is through your supplemental essays. When admissions officers are looking at two similar student profiles—similar grades, GPAs , and extracurricular activities—then the deciding factor is often which student gives a stronger “why” for wanting to attend their school. For more information on demonstrated interest, check out this article in Forbes .

Research Fordham University and be sure you can clearly answer the question, “Why Fordham?” If you are simply applying because it is a competitive university or because you want to live in New York City, Fordham admissions will be able to tell. Make sure your Fordham essays foreground your particular interest in Fordham. There are many other competitive universities in New York City. What is it about Fordham, specifically, that feels like a good fit for you? Is there a field you want to pursue that Fordham specializes in? Do Fordham’s Jesuit principles appeal to you as a person and learner? Are you drawn to a specific department’s teaching methodology? Be sure you can answer yes to at least one of these questions.

Showing how you “fit”

Once you know why Fordham is a good fit for you, be sure you can answer why you are a good fit for Fordham. Can you meet the academic requirements ? Do you have something to offer to the student community, such as experience as a community leader or special interest in a certain area? Make sure to highlight this in your Fordham essays.

Finally, go above and beyond by writing all of the Fordham supplemental essays. This will show your increased interest, particularly since applicants can easily add the university onto their Common Application list without much thought. Writing the Fordham supplemental essays shows Fordham University admissions you are choosing Fordham specifically and would more likely attend.

Five tips for writing your Fordham supplemental essays

Fordham supplemental essays tips, #1- get your questions answered.

If you’re confused about any part of your application, including your Fordham supplemental essays, don’t worry! We have tons of resources on how to get started on your essays, including our Ask an Admissions Officer Essay FAQ .

#2- Plan ahead

Start early by creating a timeline. Ideally, you will start thinking about your essays the summer before your application period.

#3- Stay organized

Be sure to make an essay checklist to help guide you. Compile a checklist for each essay and evaluate your progress. Do you fully answer each part of the Fordham University essay prompt? Does your response contribute to your larger application narrative? Are your answers specific and true to who you are?

#4- Save time for editing

Editing is one of the most important parts of the supplemental essay writing processes, so make sure you leave time to thoroughly edit your Fordham supplemental essays. It is always ideal to have a second pair of eyes on your writing to catch any grammar or punctuation issues as well as to check for clarity and tone.

#5- Get an outside opinion

Before you submit your Fordham supplemental essays, ask a peer, mentor, parent/guardian, or advisor to l ook over your essay for you. They can give you advice on clarity, flow, and even catch any grammar or spelling mistakes you might have missed while proofreading.

Fordham Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

We’ve answered the question of “does Fordham have supplemental essays.” It does, and if you want to maximize your admissions odds, you should complete them if they apply to you. 

If Fordham is on your college list or is your dream school , you’ve probably thought about the Fordham supplemental essays. Don’t feel daunted by the Fordham essay requirements; instead, use them as a chance to highlight your strengths. 

Along with the Fordham University ranking, the Fordham supplemental essays may seem daunting, but don’t let that discourage you from applying. Fordham essays are one of your biggest opportunities to showcase who you are and impress Fordham admissions.  The Fordham University supplemental essays are the perfect chance to set yourself apart as an applicant. They are also a great way to supplement lower-than-average test scores or a low GPA .

Start early and have a plan

When you’re ready to tackle the Fordham supplemental essays, remember to start early . Plan out your Fordham University supplemental essay topics, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. An extra set of eyes or a partner to talk your Fordham essay ideas out with is always a good idea, as long as they ultimately help you construct the essay you want to write. Good luck!

This Fordham supplemental essays guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 Fordham University Essay Prompts

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Fordham University is a private Catholic research university in the Bronx, New York. Fordham University upholds the traditions of the Jesuits, so it’s important to highlight your values in your Fordham University supplemental essay. 

The Jesuit tradition is about educating the whole person—mind, body, and soul—and preparing students to create a more just, humane, and sustainable world. While this essay is optional, writing one will give you a better chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Colleges want to get to know who you are, and Fordham is no exception.

Keep reading this guide to learn more about writing your Fordham supplemental essay!

The Fordham prompts 

You may choose to answer one (1) of the optional questions below. Keep in mind that your response is a maximum of 300 words .   Choose the question that you think will help the admission committee get a better understanding of your unique perspective and potential contributions to our community.

“At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?).”

This prompt is asking a lot from you! First and foremost, make sure you are being strategic and straight to the point in your response. Once you start writing, 300 words will be used up in no time! To begin responding to this prompt, share an experience or story of a time in which you changed your point of view. This story can range from a small story to a life-changing experience. Then, write a reflection about what you learned from this experience. How will you grow from it? Ultimately, Fordham wants to hear that its future students will be strong-minded individuals who are open to learning new perspectives. 

Questions to consider

• Why are multiple perspectives important? Why do you think people have different perspectives? 
• What have you learned from developing a new perspective or changing your point of view? 
• How will this knowledge be used in the Fordham community? 

“Fordham, as a Jesuit university, recognizes the dignity, uniqueness and potential of each person. A Fordham education is student-centered and rooted in close collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Describe how you would contribute to our campus community as an actively engaged learner and leader. Specifically draw on your personal story, identity, experiences, strengths, and perspectives.”

Essentially, this prompt wants you to show how you’ve become who you are today and how you will use these traits to uplift the Fordham community. Begin by describing what makes you unique such as a particular background, piece of identity or strength. Try to tell a story or anecdote describing this uniqueness. Then, detail how your unique qualities will contribute to Fordham. For example, perhaps your Asian background and culture is an important part of your identity so you are excited to join the Chinese Cultural Appreciation Society at Fordham. Or perhaps running is an important part of your life so you are excited to participate in the annual Fordham running club Turkey Trot! Whatever your background, be sure you are focusing on how you would not only contribute to the Fordham community but thrive in it! 

• What makes you unique? 
• What opportunities are you excited to take advantage of at Fordham? 
• How will you use your uniqueness to better Fordham? 

“Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?”

New York City is famous for a reason! Therefore, use this prompt to highlight your excitement for studying in the city that never sleeps. Try to come up with a list of unique educational aspects of NYC you are excited to immerse yourself in. Be sure you are focusing on the educational experience, although you may be excited for $1 pizza and exploring Central Park, do not use this response as a time to go on about how awesome New York is. For each educational example you come up with, jot down a time in your life which has prepared you for that aspect of NYC. For example, perhaps you are nervous about being able to find some quiet areas to study in the bustling city but you are well-prepared to face this challenge head on because you have a lot of siblings which makes your house a loud environment! Wherever your excitement lies about studying in NYC and whatever experiences you have that will prepare you for the excitement, write about it! 

• What educational opportunities are you looking forward to in NYC? 
• What about NYC drew you to apply to Fordham? 
• How have you prepared for any challenges that may occur while learning in NYC? 

Is there something that you are proud of that you would like to share with the Admission Committee?

Final thoughts for students 

Since your Fordham supplemental essay will be on the shorter side, try to make your sentences more concise and focus on the big ideas rather than the smaller details. One way to do this is by pre-writing your essay by jotting down broad topics you want to cover to organize your thoughts. Remember, with the 300 word limit, you need to make the most of each word! 

Also see: Show, don’t tell essay primer

Additional resources

College is getting closer every day, and it might seem daunting, so here are some resources to help you get ready for the next step.

• Get started on picking your major
• Start early to get ahead of college application deadlines
• Pick the college that’s right for you
• How many colleges to apply to

Other colleges to consider

• New York University (New York, NY)
• Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)
• Villanova University (Villanova, PA)

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

Acceptance Rate

Undergrad population.

• Liberal Arts (59)

* Tuition filtering is based on out-of-state fees

Agnes Scott College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Alvernia University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

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essay prompt guide, lafayette college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, lehigh university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, lewis and clark college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, linfield university 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, loyola marymount university (lmu) 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide , lynn university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, macalester college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, manchester university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, marist college 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, mary baldwin university 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 2024-25 essay prompt guide, meredith college 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, monmouth college 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, moravian university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, morehouse college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, mount holyoke college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, new york university (nyu) 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, north carolina state 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, frequently asked questions.

It really depends. Typically, the more competitive the university, the more arduous the supplemental essay requirements. Most top universities ask for at least three supplemental essays, but some only require one short essay.

The most common supplemental essay topics are:

• The Why Essay , which asks applicants to discuss their interest in their intended major and/or the school in question.
• The Activity Essay , which asks applicants to describe their involvement in an activity that is meaningful to them.
• The Community Essay , which asks about a community the applicant belongs to and the role that community plays in their life (and vice versa!).
• The Diversity Essay , which often asks applicants to explore how they champion diversity and inclusion in their communities and/or how they engage with people from different backgrounds or who hold opposing views. 
• The Short Answer , which asks applicants to answer prompts in very few words (or characters) to add context to their application and a splash of personality.
• The Oddball Essay , which asks applicants to tap into their creativity to connect curveball questions to their lives and interests.

Just like with the Common App personal statement, you’re going to want to write authentically about yourself while addressing all parts of each supplemental essay prompt. Many schools want to better understand how you see yourself contributing to their campus community and/or diversity and inclusion efforts along with how you hope to use your education to achieve your goals. So, be honest and forward-thinking, and don’t forget to customize each supplemental essay so it’s specific to each school you’re submitting to. That means doing research and weaving information into your essays that demonstrates the amount of time and thought you’ve put into your application. 

We have a few successful supplemental essay examples in our Free Resources section.

Each admissions department has their own process for reviewing applications, and some admissions committees put more weight on supplemental essays than others, but all admissions departments that offer applicants the opportunity to pen additional essays are doing so for a reason: to better understand the applicant and compare similarly qualified candidates. It’s in the applicant’s best interest to not only provide admissions with as much information regarding their candidacy as possible, but also go the extra mile. At highly competitive institutions, admissions officers are looking for reasons to remove students from the applicant pool—don’t let poorly written or (*gulp*) incomplete supplemental essays work against you!

Absolutely not. Please do not reuse content from your Common App essay in your supplements. Although it’s possible for you to expand upon an idea, activity, or community that you mention in your Common App essay in your supplements, you should never recycle content or any phrasing word for word.

Start by reading through all the prompts. Next, jot down ideas that come to your mind (no matter how silly they may seem!). Everyone has a story to tell, and we’re willing to bet you’re more interesting than you think. Give yourself plenty of time to consider different topics and revise, revise, revise! Also, our handy dandy Supplemental Essay Guides are sure to help you on your writing journey.

North Park University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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Fordham University Admission Essay Writing Guide

Application Guide

Essay examples, how do i write my fordham application essay.

You may be required to write at least one Fordham university supplemental essay as part of your application procedure. This provides the right opportunity to showcase yourself as a good fit for the school and impress the admission officials.

Choose a Topic

The first step would be to select a topic best suited to you. You would get a list of essay prompts that give you varying topics. Before you choose one, you need to dive deep into your past years and sift through the times you impacted your community positively. The times when you had the privilege to handle an event that showcased your leadership strengths and other unique skills.

If you have had the opportunity for growth that can positively stand out among the competition, choose a topic that highlights it. If you were more of a bookworm and focused more on your academic work, ensure your papers are not all about your academic prowess.

Rather, do well to mention your non-academic activities that are relevant as well. If the focus of your essay was on interpersonal relationships and communal productivity, do well to include your academic communities.

Ensure to choose a topic that allows you to emphasize how you can positively contribute to the Fordham community. Do not select an essay prompt that would be difficult to relate your growth experiences to what you can deliver if admitted.

Prepare your Essay

Having chosen a topic you are comfortable with; the next thing is to write an amazing essay. The following steps are useful when writing an application letter:

Have a Framework

For college application letters, you need to have a clear outline of what you intend to write. List out all the contents and your thoughts. You can write the skills or traits you possess and believe would greatly benefit the Fordham community.

You can list the reasons you wish to join the school and your intended major. This is so you do not omit the important things you need to mention, as the essays required are brief.

Introduction

Lead with a bang! The admission officials have thousands of other application letters to read through. Your first few sentences are crucial in capturing their undivided attention. Your introduction should encourage them to happily read through the rest of your text, if written rightly.

Remember, this is where you get to introduce yourself, both literally and otherwise. Capture their attention with a great introduction.

This is the biggest part of your essay and perhaps the most important. This is where you tell the admission committee your unique traits, skills, values, and achievements. This is the section you convince the readers that you are a sound fit for Fordham University. Use persuasive words and compelling facts to describe your suitability and commitment to growth.

Give your essay an appropriate ending. You have blown your trumpet in the body of the text; this is where you leave the officials with a better impression of yourself. You may talk about your continuous pursuit of learning opportunities and plans. You may ask for an invite to tell them more, or contact you for more information.

Proofreading

Go through your text repeatedly to make sure it reflects your thoughts and that all the given data is correct. Proofreading also helps you eliminate spelling mistakes and grammatical and punctuation errors. Confirm your essay follows the format the university has given you. You may ask your teacher, siblings, or parents to take a second look to ensure you didn’t miss anything.

Fordham essay prompts

Essay prompts are topics you are to write about as a prospective student. The essay aims to reveal what kind of student you have been and what you have to offer the school. Fordham essay prompts are optional, so you can complete your application procedure without writing one.

However, having understood that there are thousands of other applicants, you should not turn down any opportunity to distinguish yourself from the competition.

Writing one shows your commitment to excellence and doing all necessary to be the best in all that concerns you. Bear in mind that Fordham reviews each application letter comprehensively and looks out for who you are and what you have to offer. These essays are the perfect opportunity to clear all doubts and present yourself.

Below is a list of the Fordham university essay prompts 2022 and tips on how to answer each of them.

Question 1 (Optional):

At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities. Please share a specific instance in which you challenged yourself or stepped out of your comfort zone to impact your community (for example, your family, friend group, high school, or town). Or, share a way you hope to do so at Fordham. (150 words max)

This essay prompt seeks to understand how you have positively contributed to your community or how you will be at Fordham University. Describe an experience or a plan. The purpose of the question is for you to reflect deeply on your past personal experience and consider how you will continue on campus.

How do you have the capacity to create change on a communal level? This Fordham University supplemental essay prompt is for you to briefly describe how you can collaborate with other people and contribute positively to the Fordham community.

Question 2 (Optional):

Fall 2022 applicants will have the opportunity to tell us more about how COVID-19 has impacted (and continues to impact) their lives. Please feel free to use this section to discuss this topic instead of your essay. This response is optional.

This essay prompt is for you to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on you. You are meant to talk about how the virus changed life as you knew it and how you adapted successfully.

While there might be several ways COVID-19 affected you, your family, your friends, and your community, you should remember that this essay is for university applications. You have to decide which of the aspects you want to write about.

You can talk about its impact on your learning methods and your high school experience. You can talk about how the challenges helped you discover inner strengths you now find very useful.

This essay is your chance to prove you can surmount adversity and how the lessons you learned during the period would be helpful if you finally join the Fordham community. This Fordham University essay prompt does not have a word limit, but keeps it brief and concise.

Question 3 (Optional):

Is there something you’d like to tell us that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere else? Perhaps you’d like to expand on one of your co-curricular involvements or inform us about an extenuating circumstance that impacted your academic performance. Whatever the case may be, please feel free to tell us in this optional section.

This prompt is suitable if you had a major upset with your academics due to circumstances beyond your control. If you have had some disruptions to your schooling, probably due to the ill health of a family member or yourself or other family concerns, you can describe the events or circumstances and their impact. This is useful if you have to explain your grades and test scores. You need to emphasize how you handled the event, proving that it won’t impede your capacity to do well academically if admitted.

However, if you do not fall into this category, you may instead write about co-curricular activities that complemented your academics. You could write about your experiences with mock trials, debates, or arts and science projects you executed. Please note that playing on a sports team is not considered a co-curricular activity.

Various Colleges at Fordham University

Undergraduate.

• Fordham College at Lincoln Center
• Fordham College at Rose Hill
• Gabelli School of Business
• School of Professional and Continuing Studies
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate School of Education
• Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education
• Graduate School of Social Service
• School of Law

About the University

Fordham University was established in New York City in 1841. Sited in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx, the campus is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the northeastern United States. It is also the third-oldest university in the state of New York. The school has over 15,000 students in 10 colleges — four undergraduate and six postgraduate colleges and schools. The students are drawn from over 65 countries.

The school has a rich history and has a ton of distinguished alumni. The university’s first president, John McCloskey, became the first Catholic cardinal in the United States. The school boasts alumni that include four cardinals in the Catholic Church, several US senators, governors, and ambassadors. Former President Donald Trump was also an alumnus, having spent two years in the school before transferring.

Two CIA directors, a foreign head of state, a US postmaster general, a white house counsel, a US attorney general, a few billionaires, and several Academy Award and Emmy winners adorn an exhaustive list of accomplished individuals that have graduated from Fordham University. Successive presidents of the school since 1846 have been Jesuit priests, and the university became independent of the Catholic Church in 1969.

Fordham remains the only Jesuit tertiary institution in New York City, and the curriculum is heavily influenced by Jesuit educational principles.

In 2016, the university had an acceptance rate of 43% for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Fordham University enrolled only 2,211 students out of 42,811 undergraduate applicants in 2019. Barron’s reclassification of Fordham’s undergraduate schools to ‘most competitive’ in 2018 from ‘highly competitive’ in 2017 is no surprise. 74% of enrolled first-year students were reported to have ranked in the top 20% of their high school class.

It is obvious that you need a stellar application essay to get your foot in the door. The competition is rife, and you have to present your best to stand any chance. If you do not know how to write your cover letter to high standards, you can buy one on our platform. We have a team of highly skilled writers who can write an excellent essay on your behalf

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FAQ about Fordham University

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, fordham essay examples.

Hi everyone, I'm working on my application for Fordham and I'm feeling a bit stuck on the essay. Does anyone have any examples of successful Fordham essays that I can check out for inspiration? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! You can indeed find an example of a strong Fordham essay, as well as a breakdown of what the essay does well and any points for improvement, on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/fordham-university-essay-examples.

You can also find a breakdown of the current Fordham supplemental essay prompts, which usually allow you to choose between a few different options, on the CollegeVine blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-fordham-university-essays. Finally, remember that CollegeVine offers both a free peer essay review service and paid reviews from expert college admissions advisors, if you're looking to get another set of eyes on your writing.

Good luck with your essay, and I hope CollegeVine's guidance helps you get started on crafting a compelling and unique response!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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Essay Prompts

Below you will find the Class of 2025 essay prompts for the Common App and Coalition App as well as specific colleges. Scroll down to see the specific college supplemental essay prompts. We will add more college essay prompts as they are released.

2024-2025 Essay Prompts

Common Application Essays In 250-650 words, respond to one of the following prompts:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Coalition Application Essays While there is no perfect length for an essay, we recommend that you aim for 500 to 650 words.

1. Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

2. What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?

3. Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?

4. Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?

5. What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?

6. Submit an essay on a topic of your choice

American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited. (250 words max.)

In addition to the essay you are writing as part of the Common Application, Amherst requires a supplementary essay from all applicants. There are three options for satisfying Amherst’s supplementary writing requirement: Option A, Option B or Option C. You may select only one of these options. Before deciding, carefully read the descriptions of all three options.

Option A: Choose one of the following quotations, and respond to the question posed, in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

· Prompt 1: “Amherst College is committed to learning through close colloquy and to expanding the realm of knowledge through scholarly research and artistic creation at the highest level. Its graduates link learning with leadership—in service to the College, to their communities, and to the world beyond.” – from the Mission of Amherst College Prompt 1 Question: What do you see as the benefits of linking learning with leadership and/or service? In your response, please share with us a time where you have seen that benefit through your own experience.

· Prompt 2: “We seek an Amherst made stronger because it includes those whose experiences can enhance our understanding of our nation and our world. We do so in the faith that our humanity is an identity forged from diversity, and that our different perspectives enrich our inquiry, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our community, and prepare students to engage with an ever-changing world.” – from the Trustee Statement on Diversity and Community Prompt 2 Question: In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?

· Prompt 3: “Strong commitment to the freedom of inquiry lies at the heart of Amherst College’s mission to create a home in which the liberal arts may flourish. As a small residential liberal arts college that prides itself on the ability, curiosity, and diversity of its students, Amherst seeks to create a respectful environment in which members of its community feel emboldened to pursue their intellectual and creative passions.” – from the Amherst College Statement of Academic and Expressive Freedom Prompt 3 Question: Tell us about an intellectual or creative passion you have pursued; what did you learn about yourself through that pursuit?

Option B: Please submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. If you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the “essay topic of your choice” prompt in the Common Application writing section, you should NOT select Option B.

Option C: If you are/were an applicant to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A application essay in satisfaction of our Writing Supplement requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. However, if you would prefer not to use your A2A essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either Option A or Option B. Option A, Prompt 2 is the same prompt as the A2A application essay; if you would like to submit an updated version of your A2A application essay, please choose Option A.

1. The Babson education prepares students for all types of careers across business, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and more. Tell us about your interest in this area of study and in Babson specifically. (500 words maximum)

We invite you to submit your answer in either essay OR video format. If you choose to submit a video, please limit your response to a 1-minute video, which can be submitted via a shared link to YouTube or another video hosting website. Please ensure your video is set to public and is accessible to the Admission Committee.

2. A defining element of the Babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to how you will contribute to and learn from Babson’s collaborative community. (250 words maximum)

1. Barnard College is an extraordinary community of women committed to fostering curiosity and the exploration of new experiences and ideas. By utilizing the resources of our campus, our Foundations curriculum, and New York City, our students expand their world and discover their own capabilities. How do you envision these intersecting components of Barnard shaping your academic and personal journey? (200 words max)

2. Barnard College students engage in the bold questions that define their generation. Choose one question that you have about the world around you, and explain why it matters to you. (150 words max)

3. In college, you will encounter others with diverse viewpoints and experiences. Describe an instance where you engaged with someone who held a different opinion and explain how it shaped your perspective on the issue. (150 words max)

(OPTIONAL) Design a new college course that responds to your desire to blend an area of business with the arts and sciences. Give your course an eye-catching title and describe the course content. Then explain why this course will set you up for career and life success. (250 words or fewer)

(OPTIONAL) Our students bring to campus a variety of experiences, cultures, and intersecting identities including race and ethnicity — aspects that are important to a rich educational experience and your success in college and beyond. You may use this section to discuss how race and ethnicity has affected your life, be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise. (250 words or fewer)

All applicants, except those applying for the Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) major, should respond to one of prompts #1-4 listed below. Students applying to the HCE major must respond to prompt #5 only.

The writing supplement topics for the 2024-2025 application cycle (400 word limit):

1. Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text?

2. At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.

3. In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?

4. Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?

5. Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

Boston University is dedicated to our founding principles: “that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity in its tradition and standards of excellence and its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world.” With this mission in mind, please respond to one of the following two questions in 300 words or less:

1. Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?

2. What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?

Generations of students have found connection and meaning in Bowdoin’s “The Offer of the College,” written in 1906 by Bowdoin President William DeWitt Hyde.

To be at home in all lands and all ages; to count Nature a familiar acquaintance, and Art an intimate friend; to gain a standard for the appreciation of others’ work and the criticism of your own; to carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket, and feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake; to make hosts of friends…who are to be leaders in all walks of life; to lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends – this is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life.

Which line from The Offer resonates most with you?

a. To be at home in all lands and all ages b. To count Nature a familiar acquaintance… c. …and Art an intimate friend d. To gain a standard for the appreciation of others’ work and the criticism of your own e. To carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket, and feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake f. To make hosts of friends…who are to be leaders in all walks of life g. To lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends

Optional: The Offer represents Bowdoin’s values. Please reflect on the line you selected and how it has meaning to you. (Limit 250 words)

Brandeis was established 75 years ago to address antisemitism, racism, and gender discrimination in higher education, and today, the university remains dedicated to its founding values of inclusivity and justice. How has your educational experience shaped your perspective on these values? (250 words max.)

For International Students Only What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University? (250 words max.)

Three essays are required for all first-year and transfer applicants:

1. Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

2. Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)

3. Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

First-year applicants are also asked to reflect briefly on each of the very short answer questions below. We expect that answers will range from a few words to a few sentences at most.

– What three words best describe you? (3 words)

– What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

– If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)

– In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Bryn Mawr students bring their authentic selves to campus. What do you know about yourself to be true—and what in your background or experience led you to that truth? (250-500 words)

Required STEM Academic Interest Question

Your STEM Future – STEM Academic Interests

Caltech has a rigorous core curriculum and students don’t declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore.

If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose?

*Note that you are under no obligation to follow this choice if admitted.

Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Required Short Essay Questions

Your STEM Present – STEM Curiosity

Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (Min: 50 / Max: 150 words)

Your STEM Past – STEM Experiences

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.

Please share two STEM-related experiences:

1. Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any STEM topic, and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion over time. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

2. Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words) Creativity in Action Question

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also imagine smaller-scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D-print dorm decor to experimenting in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250 words)

Caltech Values Question

Caltech’s values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (Min: 50 / Max: 200 words)

Optional Short Answer Questions

We know, we know … you see optional and start to wonder if we mean it. But in this section, we truly do! See these as completely optional opportunities to show us more of your personality.

Optional. We promise.

1. If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (Max: 150 words)

2. When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through coding marathons, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing, reading, yoga, playing musical instruments and theater arts, to solving puzzles, hiking, painting, and building or inventing new gadgets. We understand that everyone needs an outlet or two. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 200 words)

3. Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too. Tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 150 words) Optional Academic Short Answer Question

OPTIONAL: Have you had any extenuating circumstances (such as limited course selection or disruptions), that have affected your coursework, but that are not described elsewhere in your application? If so, tell us about them here.

1. Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 word maximum)

2. Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 word maximum)

3. Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 word maximum)

Out of the thousands of universities and colleges, what excites you about attending Chapman University specifically? (200 words max.)

Chapman seeks to enroll a class of students that fosters a diverse, dynamic and welcoming campus community. To support this goal, we encourage you to discuss any aspect of your identity, which could include perspectives, experiences, and background, and how they have shaped who you are. With this in mind, please answer one of the following questions (200 words or fewer).

Choice 1: Personal Values Our committee would like to hear about a personal experience or lesson that has helped you better understand who you are now and/or appreciate a perspective different from your own. How would you utilize this understanding to contribute to the values and welcoming fabric of our campus community?

Choice 2: Personal Growth Part of the Chapman experience is to help students expand their perspectives. How will you grow personally and/or learn more about others throughout your time at Chapman?

Please answer the following questions in one word, phrase, or sentence. There are no right or wrong answers here. We hope you enjoy working on this section as much as we’ll enjoy reading it.

1. What is your dream job? 2. What song should we be listening to while reading your application? 3. Name one dish you would cook for our admission team. 4. What is the top thing on your bucket list? 5. If Chapman’s admission team came to visit your hometown, what site would you take them to? 6. What makes you happy? 7. What can you give a 30-minute presentation on without any preparation? 8. What are the best words of advice you have received? 9. What is a family tradition that you want to continue? 10. Where do you feel most at home?

On Colgate’s campus, students engage with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, and perspectives during the course of their educational and social experiences. In 250 words or less, please share the benefits you see in engaging with a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff as part of your Colgate experience.

Colgate students immerse themselves in social and intellectual pursuits that inspire them. Tell us in 250 words or less what inspires you and why you want to pursue that at Colgate.

Please complete the following so we can learn a bit more about you. Each response should be no more than 13 words.

– I am fascinated by… – My favorite book, movie, or television show is… – The person I admire most is… – In the future, I hope to … – One historical figure I would like to meet is… – My favorite food is… – One thing I would change is… – My favorite place is… – I am the best version of myself when… – Something that has changed my perspective is… – I am seeking a community that… – My favorite family/community/cultural tradition is… – I am drawn to Colgate University because…

Why are you interested in The College of Wooster? (250 words)

1. List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy. (100 words or fewer)

2. A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer)

3. In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. It is important to us, therefore, to understand an applicant’s ability to navigate through adversity. Please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills or insights you have developed as a result. (150 words or fewer)

4. Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words or fewer)

5. What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College? (150 words or fewer)

Developing a strong, equitable, and inclusive community is important to us at Connecticut College. After all, camels live and work together in herds. In 150 words or less, please tell us who you are and what you will bring to the Conn community to help us grow into the best version of ourselves. You may choose to include details about how your background, identity, challenges, and lived experiences have shaped your accomplishments and potential contributions.

Any format is acceptable. You can write a few sentences, one run-on sentence, a short poem, or even a bullet-point list.

Cornell University Essay Question We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to.

Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural. (350 word limit)

College- and School-Specific Essay Questions

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Required: By applying to Cornell’s College of Agriculture of Life Sciences (CALS), you are also applying for direct entry into one of our 20+ majors. From here, you would be part of a community dedicated to purpose-driven science; working within your major and across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of our time. 

Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500-word limit)

Instructions: The optional short-answer questions invite you to share additional information about your background, interests, and experiences as they relate to aspects of the Cornell CALS mission. The content of any responses submitted will be included in the holistic review of your application (which is also the case for any optional additional information submitted as part of your Common Application or uploaded through your Cornell Application Portal once you’ve applied).

Optional: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100-word limit)

Optional: Cornell CALS is dedicated to purpose-driven study of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. An “agricultural entity” for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.).

Select all that apply:

– A primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity. – My extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity. – I have experience working in an agricultural entity. – I have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity. Please feel free to share additional details (optional). (100-word limit)

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)

College of Arts & Sciences At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 word limit)

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. (650 word limit)

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 word limit)

College of Engineering Instructions: All engineering applicants are required to write two long essays and four short essays.

Long Essay Responses (200 word limit)

– Question 1: Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering? – Question 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?

Short Answer Responses (100 word limit)

– Question 1: What brings you joy? – Question 2: What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring? – Question 3: What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you. – Question 4: What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you.

College of Human Ecology How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.) (650 word limit)

School of Industrial and Labor Relations Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 word limit)

1. Required of all applicants. Please respond in 100 words or fewer:

As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2029, what aspects of the college’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you?

2. Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:

A. There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.

B. “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.

3. Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:

A. What excites you?

B. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you already making—an impact? Why? How?

C. In “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” Dr. Seuss invites us to “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” Imagine your anticipated academic major: How does that course of study sync with Dr. Seuss’s advice to you?

D. The social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees have been the focus of Dame Jane Goodall’s research for decades. Her understanding of animal behavior prompted the English primatologist to see a lesson for human communities as well: “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” Channel Dame Goodall: Tell us about a moment when you engaged in a difficult conversation or encountered someone with an opinion or perspective that was different from your own. How did you find common ground?

E. Celebrate your nerdy side.

F. “It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity, outlook, or sense of purpose?

G. Buddy Teevens ’79 was a legendary and much-beloved coach at Dartmouth. He often told parents: “Your son will be a great football player when it’s football time, a great student when it’s academic time, and a great person all of the time.” If Coach Teevens had said that to you, what would it mean to be “a great person”?

– There are just under 4,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College? (250-300 word limit)

– Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why. Examples may include hobbies, books, interactions, music, podcasts, movies, etc. (250-300 word limit)

The following question is required for all 2024-25 applicants to Duke University:

– What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected. (250 word limit)

– We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

– Tell us about an experience in the past year or two that reflects your imagination, creativity, or intellect.

– We believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

– Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

– We recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. Duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. Feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity.

1. What aspect of your identity do you find most meaningful, and why? (200 words max)

2. Name three songs from your perfect playlist.

3. Tell us your top 5. Take this opportunity to let Elon Admissions know more about you. Your top 5 should be something unique to you and will give us a glimpse of who you are. Be creative! You may choose any theme for your top 5. Do you love cooking? List your top 5 recipes. Are you enthusiastic about anime? Name your top 5 characters. Do you watch or participate in a lot of athletic events? Name your top 5 moments.

4. Explain why these are your top 5. (150 words max)

ACADEMIC INTERESTS

This question is required. (200 Words Recommended Length)

– What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

In addition, answer one of the following questions. (150 Words)

– Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?

– Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

– Emory University’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity.

– Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.

You may choose to answer one (1) of the optional questions below. Keep in mind that your response is a maximum of 300 words. Choose the question that you think will help the admission committee get a better understanding of your unique perspective and potential contributions to our community.

– At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?).

– Fordham, as a Jesuit university, recognizes the dignity, uniqueness and potential of each person. A Fordham education is student-centered and rooted in close collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Describe how you would contribute to our campus community as an actively engaged learner and leader. Specifically draw on your personal story, identity, experiences, strengths, and perspectives.

– Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?

– Is there something that you are proud of that you would like to share with the Admission Committee?

Short Essay Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. _________________________________________________________ Compose two brief essays (approximately one page, single-spaced each) on the topics given below. Essays should be typed.

ALL APPLICANTS: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief personal or creative essay which you feel best describes you and reflects on your own background, identity, skills, and talents.

APPLICANTS TO THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES: Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major.

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University.

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Georgetown University’s School of Health was founded to advance the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through innovative research, the delivery of interdisciplinary education, and transformative engagement of communities. Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science.

APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE: Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future in global service.

APPLICANTS TO THE MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University.

Please elaborate on any special talents or skills you would like to highlight.

Why do you want to study your chosen major, and why do you want to study that major at Georgia Tech? (300 words)

Share with us why you are interested in LMU and/or why you chose your specific area of study or major. (500 words max)

The following required five short answer questions invite you to reflect on and share how your life experiences and academic and extracurricular activities shaped you, how you will engage with others at Harvard, and your aspirations for the future. Each question can be answered in about 100 words.

1. Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? Max: 150 words

2. Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience? Max: 150 words

3. Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. Max: 150 words

4. How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? Max: 150 words

5. Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. Max: 150 words

1. At High Point University, we often describe our students as “doers.” Over 25% of your work as an HPU student will involve putting ideas and theory into practice. To help us understand your interest in this style of learning, please describe a hands-on project or experience that was meaningful to you. (50 Word Limit)

2. Our research shows that employers and graduate programs seek students who demonstrate life skills such as motivation, coachability, strong communication, emotional intelligence, a growth mindset, and many others. Many of these skills are related to how we connect with other people. Please share a story of a meaningful travel experience where you connected with people from a different background than your own. (50 Word Limit)

3. Inspired by our Innovator in Residence, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, we define creativity as doing things differently and innovation as doing things better. From what you’ve learned during your college search, where have you seen innovation at HPU, and why does that make you want to attend? (50 Word Limit)

Why Lafayette College? (20-200 words)

1. How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (200 words max)

2. Our 10-year strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, outlines three goals that articulate a vision for how we innovate, make an impact and do that work together—because together, we do better work. Reflect on how your personal background—be it academic, cultural, extracurricular, family, gender, racial, religious, or another aspect—will contribute to Lehigh’s aim to make it new, make a difference, (and/or) make it together. (300 words max)

Share with us why you are interested in LMU and/or why you chose your specific area of study or major. (500 words max.)

Macalester is one of a few highly selective liberal arts colleges located in the middle of a metropolitan area. Students benefit from the strong sense of community on campus and opportunities to engage in academic, social, and civic engagement options in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In what ways might Macalester’s urban location enhance your academic, social, and/or community experiences? (300 words max.)

1. What field of study appeals to you the most right now? (Note: Applicants select from a drop-down list.) Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you. (100 words)

2. We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. (150 Words)

3. While some reach their goals following well-trodden paths, others blaze their own trails achieving the unexpected. In what ways have you done something different than what was expected in your educational journey? (200 Words)

4. MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together.* (200 Words (Max 225))

5. How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it?* (200 Words (Max 225))

In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay (250 words max):

– What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

– How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

– What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

– How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?

Explain why you selected the first choice academic program above and why you are interested in studying this at NC State. (250 words max.)

Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (250 words max.)

The following question is required for all Common Application and Coalition with Scoir applicants (optional for QuestBridge applicants). Please respond in 300 words or fewer:

– We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?

We encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two of the following questions. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

– Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

– Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

– Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

– Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

– Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

Please answer one of the following questions (200 – 250 words):

A. Why are you applying to Occidental? Why do you think Occidental, and our location in Los Angeles, is the right place for you to pursue your interests?

B. Occidental’s central mission emphasizes the value of community amidst diversity. What do you value in a community and how do you see your perspectives and life experiences enhancing it?

C. Research is an integral part of an Occidental education. Completing a senior comprehensive is a requirement of every Occidental student and there are a myriad of opportunities for research throughout your four years. Imagine you were just awarded one of our research grants for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?

This is your opportunity to share something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. Tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State.

While the Personal Statement is not required, it is highly encouraged.

Pepperdine is a Christian university where all are welcomed and encouraged to challenge each other in the pursuit of truth. Students, faculty, and staff members from all backgrounds participate in conversations of faith inside and outside of the classroom. Considering that Pepperdine is a Christian university, why are you interested in attending and how would you contribute to conversations of faith on campus? (500 words max)

Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 150 words.

1. At Pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. Share with us one of your quirky personal, family or community traditions and why you hold on to it.

2. What item are you excited to bring with you to college?

3. Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world.

Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 250 words.

1. In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about? Why?

2. Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?

3. What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

1. Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (500 words or fewer)

2. Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (250 words or fewer)

3. Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

– What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? – What brings you joy? – What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

4. As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)

Princeton requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application. You may submit this material now or any time before the application deadline. If you choose not to upload the required paper at this time, you may mail, e-mail, or upload your paper through the applicant portal.

Should a student choose to complete an optional essay, they select one of the flowing prompts and limit their response to 250-500 words.

Providence College values each student’s willingness to embrace and learn from different viewpoints. What experiences or perspectives do you believe individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to a community or organization? And how will your unique background positively impact others at Providence College?

OR Providence College thrives on the energy of those who seek. How will you contribute to our vibrant campus life and intellectual culture in the years ahead?

Respond in 250 words or fewer. 1. How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? 2. Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected.

Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? (250 words max.)

1. Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. 150 word limit.

2. Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? 150 word limit.

3. Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community: – The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? 500 word limit.

– Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? 500 word limit.

Rice Box One of Rice’s long-standing traditions is “The Box,” a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them. The Box gives you the opportunity to present us with an image that shares something about yourself, your interests or what is meaningful to you. This image is not used for evaluative purposes in the application, but allows you to put your stamp on the application about who you are aside from what you have achieved. Be sure to choose an image that speaks for itself and does not need an explanation. The Box must be a two-dimensional image that is uploaded in the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir, or uploaded in the Rice Admission Student Portal.

Please briefly elaborate on your community service or one of your extracurricular activities. (250 words max.)

1. Why are you interested in pursuing the [Division or Major] selected above? (50 words)

2. At Santa Clara University, we value our diverse and inclusive community. Our campus learning environment is enriched by the lived experiences of people from different backgrounds. What people, places, events, or circumstances have shaped the individual you are today and how you could contribute to our community? (150- 300 words)

3. At Santa Clara University, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge? (150- 300 words)

We know that there may be elements of who you are as a person and student that you may not feel are conveyed fully in the other sections of this application. If you wish to showcase a little more about your particular interest in Sarah Lawrence College, please select one of the prompts below and write your essay in the text box. If you do not wish to respond select the prompt “I will not be submitting this optional essay”. (250-500 words)

1. Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence.

2. Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions directly with faculty, and then answer them through intensive semester-long projects that frequently inspire a blend of intellectual rigor and creativity. In 250-500 words, tell us about a text, problem or topic you would love to explore over a semester or a year, and what you would hope to achieve through that work.

3. In the syllabus of a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the author notes: “Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.” Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court’s decision.

4. Residential colleges and universities are opportunities to live and learn with peers from very different world views. Think about a time that you encountered someone with an opinion or a position that you felt was contrary to either your belief or understanding of a topic. Describe the situation, and if the encounter did not end with a mutually agreed upon resolution, how might it have?

5. I will not be submitting this optional essay.

1. SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit)

2. SMU is a diverse and welcoming learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

1. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 words max)

2. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 words max)

3. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 words max)

4. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. (50 words max)

5. List five things that are important to you. (50 words max)

6. The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (250 words max)

7. Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – get to know you better. (250 words max)

8. Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University. (250 words max)

Syracuse University is a place that seeks to be welcoming to all – and has been since our founding. Explain why you are interested in Syracuse University and describe a personal experience in which you persevered through adversity, rejected discrimination, learned a lesson, or were inspired by the courageous actions of others and how you will apply what you learned to our community in a positive way. (250 words)

REQUIRED Apply Texas and Common App Essay: “Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?”

No additional essays will be reviewed.

1. Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (800 words max.)

2. Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself. (800 words max.)

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit. (500 words or fewer)

Essay Prompt 1 At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why?

Essay Prompt 2 The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships?

Think outside the box as you answer the following questions. Take a risk and go somewhere unexpected. Be serious if the moment calls for it, but feel comfortable being playful if that suits you, too.

Applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences or the School of Engineering:

Please respond to one of the following three prompts in 200-250 words:

– It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity and why?

– How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?

– Using a specific example or two, tell us about a way that you contributed to building a collaborative and/or inclusive community.

Applicants to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts:

Please respond to the following prompt in 200-250 words:

– Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work?

In addition, we will ask all applicants to complete this sentence in 100 words or less:

“I am applying to Tufts because…”

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted. (250 words)

Directions – You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions. – Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. – Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind – All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others. – There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice. – Use the additional comments field if there are issues you’d like to address that you didn’t have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn’t be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary.

Questions and guidance Remember, the personal insight questions are just that — personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?

2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Things to consider: If there’s a talent or skill that you’re proud of, this is the time to share it. You don’t necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you — just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you’ve faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today?

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family?”

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can’t get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place — like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Things to consider: If there’s anything you want us to know about you, but didn’t find a question or place in the application to tell us, now’s your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don’t be afraid to brag a little.

1. Why did you choose to apply to UCF? (250 words max.)

2. What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that will allow you to contribute to the UCF community? (250 words max.)

Question 1 (Required)

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; Choose one)

Essay Option 1

We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

Essay Option 2

“Ah, but I was so much older then / I’m younger than that now” – Bob Dylan. In what ways do we become younger as we get older? – Inspired by Joshua Harris, Class of 2016

Essay Option 3

Pluto, the demoted planet. Ophiuchus, the thirteenth Zodiac. Andy Murray, the fourth to tennis’s Big Three. Every grouping has something that doesn’t quite fit in. Tell us about a group and its unofficial member, why (or why not) should it be excluded? – Inspired by Veronica Chang, Class of 2022

Essay Option 4

“Daddy-o”, “Far Out”, “Gnarly”: the list of slang terms goes on and on. Sadly, most of these aren’t so “fly” anymore – “as if!” Name an outdated slang from any decade or language that you’d bring back and explain why you totally “dig it.” – Inspired by Napat Sakdibhornssup, Class of 2028

Essay Option 5

How many piano tuners are there in Chicago? What is the total length of chalk used by UChicago professors in a year? How many pages of books are in the Regenstein Library? These questions are among a class of estimation problems named after University of Chicago physicist Enrico Fermi. Create your own Fermi estimation problem, give it your best answer, and show us how you got there. – Inspired by Malhar Manek, Class of 2028

Essay Option 6

And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don’t know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests. (max. 250 words)

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words max)

UF Honors College As Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Reflecting on this, what academic subjects, learning opportunities, or extracurricular activities are you most excited to engage in during your college experience? How do you imagine or hope the UF Honors Program will help feed your curiosity and help you achieve your aspirations? (400 words)

The 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).

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. (200-300 words suggested)

To tell us more about yourself, please complete the following prompts using only the space provided (650 characters).

1. If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…

2. The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was…

3. In addition to my major, my academic interests include…

4. My favorite thing about last Friday was…

5. Something you might not know about me is…

6. In a few sentences, please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity (includes but not limited to: racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical and sexual orientation)

1. Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst? (100 words max.)

2. At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike. Our communities and groups often define us and shape our individual worlds. Community can refer to various aspects, including shared geography, religion, race/ethnicity, income, ideology, and more. Please choose one of your communities or groups and describe its significance. Explain how, as a product of this community or group, you would enrich our campus. (100 words max.)

3. Please tell us why you chose your major (100 words)

Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community. (maximum 250 words)

1. Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words/ maximum 300 words)

2. Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words/ maximum 550 words)

Stephen M. Ross School of Business

1. Business Case Discussion Choose a current event or issue in your community and discuss the business implications. Propose a solution that incorporates business principles or practices. The review panel will look for creativity, drawing connections, and originality. Your response should be limited to approximately 500 words.

This case discussion helps us learn more about your understanding of business. The topic should be unique to your interests, experiences, and knowledge. There is no “right” or “wrong” business situation to choose — it’s truly up to you. We encourage you to select a topic that you are passionate about, and not a global topic that you are disconnected from.

2. Artifact & Description Upload a document or artifact that represents something significant about your life to show your learning in action. Describe how your artifact demonstrates your learning in action. This could be related to something inside or outside of the classroom (like an extracurricular accomplishment you’re particularly proud of). The goal is to give you the chance to showcase a unique aspect of yourself.

Artifact examples can include a: – An academic project – A community project – Community newspaper article highlighting an important achievement – Personal website – Piece on a school, extracurricular, or community program/event that you were instrumental in creating or implementing – High school or community award that was meaningful or prestigious – Local, state, or national competition related to a club or school activity – Picture of something of value to you – A culminating event for an ongoing activity from high school

Please limit this response to approximately 250 words.

We’d like to know how you’d contribute to the Carolina community and ask that you respond to each prompt in up to 250 words.

1. Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.

2. Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) required short essay question and three (3) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided. Please provide a response to the following question. The word count is a maximum of 150 words.

Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.

Please choose three questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be between 50-100 words.

1. How does faith influence the decisions you make?

2. What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?

3. Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

4. What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

5. What would you fight for?

As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks unique. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you who you are, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of the two following options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting here.

Essay Topic: (250-500 words – choose one of the topics below)

Describe an experience with discrimination, whether it was fighting against discrimination or recognizing your contribution to discriminating against a person or group. What did you learn from the experience? In what ways will you bring those lessons to the University of Oregon?

The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?

Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)

How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

College of Arts and Sciences The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)


School of Engineering & Applied Science Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

The Wharton School Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it. (150-200 words)

School of Nursing Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare and how will Penn Nursing contribute to your future nursing goals? (150-200 words)

One essay response is required. Choose from the following prompts:

1. You have a platform to create change. What is an action or policy you might propose to address an issue of social injustice in your school or local community, or on a national or global scale?

2. Tell us about a time you learned something unexpected. What did you learn, and what happened next?

3. Richmond welcomes students from various backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. What is at least one way you will contribute to our community that is not already mentioned in your application?

Word Limit: Minimum 350. Maximum 650 words.

The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” In what ways do you envision using the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities at the University of Rochester to promote progress and change within the communities you inhabit? (250 word limit)

First-Year applicants are required to answer the Mandatory First Year Essay Prompt and either Essay Prompt Option #1, #2, or #3.

Please note that the default word counter on our Common Application essay text boxes permit 350 words, but most applicants find they can answer these prompts in about 200 words.

Mandatory First Year Essay Prompt For over 75 years, the liberal arts have been the cornerstone of the educational experience at USD. They help students explore the world, past and present, and lay the foundation for building inspired and meaningful lives. They also provide the skills and experiences students need to be successful in an increasingly changing and challenging world. Throughout the first year and beyond, we engage students in this exploration through our Core Curriculum and Learning Communities, connecting them with faculty who will guide them as they become global citizens. What excites you about the academic opportunities at USD?

Essay Prompt Option #1 Here at USD, we value the fact that our students come from all walks of life, have experienced different realities and bring with them an array of unique perspectives, including some that have often been underrepresented and underserved by higher education. Our Horizon Project is a call to action, ensuring that we are dedicating the time, energy and resources necessary to build an ever more diverse, inclusive and equitable campus community. What contribution have you made to your current school and/or local community that best exemplifies your awareness of and commitment to these ideals?

Essay Prompt Option #2 As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue.

Essay Prompt Option #3 Share some of your ideas about the role of faith or spirituality in your life or the life of someone you know. As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We devote great time and energy to ensuring all students feel connected to the vibrant USD community, including opportunities to grow in their relationship with God while considering who they are, what they believe and who they are called to become.

1. Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

2. Describe yourself in three words.

3. What is your favorite snack?

4. Best movie of all time:

5. Dream job:

6. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

7. Dream trip:

8. Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?

9. Favorite book:

10. If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

1. ARTS & SCIENCES USC Dornsife Applicants: Please provide an essay of no more than 250 words on the topic below. In your response, we encourage you to write about something that you haven’t already discussed elsewhere in your application. For more information, please click here.

Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words max)

2. ENGINEERING Your Unique Contributions to USC Viterbi The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. (250 words max)

The Engineering Grand Challenges The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 words max)

Essays Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs). 1. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Short Answers Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? 2. Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why?

Optional Short Answer Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

Answer one of the following questions. Approx. 500 words.

1. Why UVM?

2. Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?

3. UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member.

3. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world.

4. From the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain to our campus, UVM students are inspired by our location to think about their relationship to the environment. What does your relationship with your environment look like?

5. If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?’

6. What is your favorite sentence from your application essay?

What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (up to 300 words)

1. Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words max)

2. Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington. (300 words max)

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

The maximum word count for each essay is 650, but we recommend planning for 300–500 words.

Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.

Please provide your response in approximately 250 words.

For the Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

Prompt One: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? 

Prompt Two: What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova? 

Prompt Three: “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

Prompt Four: As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background.

Prompt Five: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

Each of the Ut Prosim Profile questions are required with a limit of 120 words in length per answer. Once you submit your application, your responses to the questions are final and cannot be updated.

1. Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech?

2. Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination. Have you had an experience when you or someone you know were not being included? Did you reach out to anyone for assistance, direction, or resources? Were you able to affect change and/or influence others? Did this experience change your perspective and if so, how?

3. Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time?

4. Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from and how do they support your progress as you work on this goal?

Required Supplemental Question: Why have you decided to apply to Wake Forest? Share with us anything that has made you interested in our institution. (150 words)

Optional Supplemental Questions – List five books you’ve read that have intrigued you.

– Tell us what piques your intellectual curiosity or has helped you understand the world’s complexity. This can include a work you’ve read, a project you’ve completed for a class, and even co-curricular activities in which you have been involved (limit 150 words).

– Dr. Maya Angelou, renowned author, poet, civil-rights activist, and former Wake Forest University Reynolds Professor of American Studies, inspired others to celebrate their identities and to honor each person’s dignity. Choose one of Dr. Angelou’s powerful quotes. How does this quote relate to your lived experience or reflect how you plan to contribute to the Wake Forest community? (limit 300 words)

– Give us your Top Ten List. (The choice of theme is yours.) (limit: 100 characters per line)

Required Writing Supplement A 200-word response to the question “Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.”

Optional Writing Supplement

WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?”:

– WashU supports engagement in the St. Louis community by considering the university as “In St. Louis, For St. Louis.” What is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it?

– WashU strives to know every undergraduate student “By Name & Story.” How have your life experiences shaped your story?

Wellesley students actively seek ways to build bridges and to change the world for the better. Tell us about an experience working with and alongside people of different backgrounds and/or perspectives from your own. Why was this important to you, and what lessons from this will you bring with you to Wellesley?

Please limit your response to two thoughtful paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words).

William & Mary is a community that fosters deep human connection. We reflect on the lessons of history to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We engage diverse perspectives and seek wisdom in bridging differences. Together, we are unceasing in our efforts to make a meaningful difference in our communities, the state, the nation, and the world.

To help us learn more about you, we invite you to share additional information by answering up to two of these optional short-answer prompts. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy. (300 words max.)

1. Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?

2. Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.

3. How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience?

4. What led to your interest in William & Mary?

5. Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual.

6. If we visited your town, what would you want to show us?

Williams does not require a writing supplement. However, some students feel they do their best writing in an academic context rather than through narrative pieces like admission applications. If you are interested in submitting an example of your academic writing, you may share a 3-5 page paper written in the last year. The paper may be creative or analytical, can cover any topic, and need not be graded. Please include a description of the assignment or prompt and do not submit lab reports.

Yale Short Answer Questions Applicants submitting the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application will respond to the following short answer questions:

– Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.

– Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)

– What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Applicants applying with the QuestBridge Application will complete the questions above via the Yale QuestBridge Questionnaire, available on the Yale Admissions Status Portal after an application has been received.

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will also respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words):

– What inspires you?

– If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?

– Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence?

– What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?

Yale Essay Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer.

1. Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?

2. Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.

3. Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?

2023-2024 Essay Prompts

At American University, Inclusive Excellence is a cornerstone of the academic experience for our students, and we deeply value the learning that is inspired by the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that all our community members bring with them. Please share why you would like to join this community. (150 words max.)

Optional additional identity information The questions below provide a space for you to share additional information about yourself. This information is used in the admission process to understand each applicant’s full context, as part of our whole-person review process. Your responses will be kept private and secure, and will not be used for a discriminatory purpose. If you would like to share more about yourself that is not captured elsewhere in your application, please tell us more here. (Maximum: 175 words)

Optional Research Questions If you have engaged in significant research in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, social sciences or humanities that was undertaken independently of your high school curriculum, please provide a brief description of the research project. (Maximum: 75 words)

2. A defining element of the Babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to how you will contribute to and learn from Babson’s collaborative community. (250 words maximum)

1. Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you? (Max: 250 words)

2. Barnard celebrates intellectual risk-taking, and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you? (Max: 250 words)

3. If you would like to respond to one of our optional questions, please choose from the selected prompts below (max. 250 words):

a. Barnard’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission statement says “Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” In what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces? What did you learn from these experiences?

b. As a college for women, “Barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” How have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences?

c. Pick one woman — a historical figure, a fictitious character, or a modern individual — who you’d like to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask her?

1. (OPTIONAL) Please tell us specifically and in your own words which aspects of Bentley University prompted you to apply. In addition, if you are interested in a specific program/major, what attracted you to that program or area of study? (250 words or fewer)

2. (OPTIONAL) Our students bring to campus a variety of experiences, cultures, and intersecting identities including race and ethnicity — aspects that are important to a rich educational experience and your success in college and beyond. You may use this section to discuss how race and ethnicity has affected your life, be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise. (250 words or fewer)

The writing supplement topics for the 2023-2024 application cycle (400 word limit):

Generations of students have found connection and meaning in Bowdoin’s “The Offer of the College,” written in 1906 by Bowdoin President William DeWitt Hyde.

To be at home in all lands and all ages; to count Nature a familiar acquaintance, and Art an intimate friend; to gain a standard for the appreciation of others’ work and the criticism of your own; to carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket, and feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake; to make hosts of friends…who are to be leaders in all walks of life; to lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends – this is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life.

a. To be at home in all lands and all ages b. To count Nature a familiar acquaintance… c. …and Art an intimate friend d. To gain a standard for the appreciation of others’ work and the criticism of your own e. To carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket, and feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake f. To make hosts of friends…who are to be leaders in all walks of life g. To lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends

4. Help us get to know you better by reflecting briefly on each of the questions below. We expect that answers will range from a few words to a few sentences at most. What three words best describe you? (3 words)

5. What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

6. If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)

7. In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

I. Because of the rigorous courses in the core curriculum, Caltech students don’t declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore. (On the application you will have a drop down menu to indicate your first and second choice academic interests). Why did you choose that area of interest? (Max: 200 words)

II. At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further?

1. STEM experience/activity #1 (Max: 200 words)

2. STEM experience/activity #2 (Max: 200 words)

III. The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D print dorm decor. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life?

This question can be answered as a written response (200-250 words)

IV. Caltech’s mission – to cultivate learning, discovery, and innovation for the benefit of humanity – relies on its community members embracing our Mission-Based Values, which include:

1. Openness and enthusiasm for having preconceptions challenged

2. Respect and appreciation for the idea that, while we are all members of the same community, the opportunities we’ve had to develop, showcase, and apply our talents have not been equal

3. Passion for the ideal that science can and should meaningfully improve the lives of others

Choose one or more values to reflect on. Select all that apply:* Value 1 Value 2 Value 3 Share what one or more of these values evokes for you (200 – 400 words)

Additional optional essays

I. If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (150 words max) When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (100 words max)

II. Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (50 words max)

Out of the thousands of universities and colleges, what excites you about attending Chapman University specifically? (Max: 200 words)

Chapman seeks to enroll a class of students that help create a diverse, dynamic and welcoming campus community. To support this goal, we encourage you to discuss any aspect of your identity. This can include race, unique perspectives, experiences and background, and how those aspects of identity have shaped who you are. We are committed to creating a welcoming university where all of our students can fully participate, reach their potential, and benefit from living, learning, and socializing with people different from themselves. With this in mind, please answer one of the following questions (200 words or fewer).

Choice 2: Personal Growth Part of the Chapman experience is to help students expand their perspectives. How do you plan to develop yourself during your time at Chapman?

Please answer the following questions in one word, phrase, or sentence. There are no right or wrong answers here. We hope you enjoy working on this section as much as we’ll enjoy reading it. 1. What is your dream job? 2. What song should we be listening to while reading your application? 3. Name one dish you would cook for our admission team. 4. What is your favorite subject? 5. What is the top thing on your bucket list? 6. If Chapman’s admission team came to visit your hometown, what site would you take them to? 7. What makes you happy? 8. What is something you have always wanted to learn but never had the chance to? 9. What can you give a 30-minute presentation on without any preparation? 10. What are the best words of advice you have received? 11. What is a family tradition that you want to continue?

One of the short answer questions will not appear until you have selected Columbia College or Columbia Engineering in the “Academics” section of Columbia’s application questions.

Columbia College What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College? (150 words or fewer)

Columbia Engineering What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia Engineering? (150 words or fewer)

Writing Question 1 In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “…any person…any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. Max: 350 words

Writing Question 2 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. How will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University specifically serve to support your learning, growth, and the pursuit of your goals? Max: 650 words

College of Architecture, Art and Planning How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA) or urban and regional studies (URS)? B.Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. Max: 650 words

College of Arts and Sciences At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. Max: 650 words

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. Max: 650 words

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business What kind of business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). Max: 650 words

Engineering All Engineering applicants are required to write two supplemental essays. Each has a limit of 250 words. Essay 1 is required of all applicants. For Essay 2, you must choose between Question A and Question B.

Essay 1: How do your interests directly connect with Cornell Engineering? If you have an intended major, what draws you to that department at Cornell Engineering? If you are unsure what specific engineering field you would like to study, describe how your general interest in engineering most directly connects with Cornell Engineering. It may be helpful to concentrate on one or two things that you are most excited about.

Essay 2: Choose either Question A or Question B.

Question A: Describe an engineering problem that impacts your local community. This could be your school, neighborhood, town, region, or a group you identify with. Describe one to three things you might do as an engineer to solve the problem.

Question B: Diversity in all forms is intrinsic to excellence in engineering. Engineering the best solutions to complex problems is often achieved by drawing from the diverse ingenuity of people from different backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity and/or the inclusion of the Cornell Engineering community? What is the unique voice you would bring to the Cornell Engineering community?

College of Human Ecology How have your related experiences influenced your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE)? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should show us that your interests and aspirations align with CHE and your choice of major. Max: 650 words

Industrial and Labor Relations Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. Max: 650 words

Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write brief responses to three supplemental essay prompts as follows:

1. Required of all applicants. Please respond in 100 words or fewer: Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2028, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? In short, why Dartmouth?

2. Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer: A. There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today. B. “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.

3. Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer: A. What excites you? B. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you already making—an impact? Why? How? C. Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Geisel of Dartmouth’s Class of 1925, wrote, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” As you wonder and think, what’s on your mind? D. Celebrate your nerdy side. E. “It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity and outlook? F. As noted in the College’s mission statement, “Dartmouth educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership…” Promise and potential are important aspects of the assessment of any college application, but they can be elusive qualities to capture. Highlight your potential and promise for us; what would you like us to know about you?

1. There are just under 4,000 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College (250-300 words)

2. Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why. Examples may include hobbies, books, interactions, music, podcasts, movies, etc. (250-300 words)

Drexel is committed to preparing each new generation of students to become productive, professional and civic-minded members of the community while continuing to focus on how we can contribute to solving some of society’s greatest challenges. What do you view as a challenge facing society that you would like to contribute to solving? How would a Drexel education aid you in taking the first step toward a solution? (250 words or less)

1. What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

2. We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected. (250 word limit)

a. Perspective response We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

b. Intellectual experience Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating.

c. Beliefs & values We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

d. Being different We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you.

e. Orientation, identity, expression Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

Answers to these questions are meant to be brief. Be inventive and thoughtful. Most importantly, be yourself. This is a chance to tell us more about who you really are in a fun, concise manner. Who are you? Describe yourself. (Max: 200 words)

Name three songs from your perfect playlist.

We’re in your hometown. Where should we go and what should we do? This is a chance to tell us more about your hometown. Our staff may even take your suggestions when they are in the area! (Max: 75 words)

Tell us your top 5. Take this opportunity to let Elon Admissions know more about you. Your top 5 should be something unique to you and will give us a glimpse of who you are. Be creative! You may choose any theme for your top 5. Do you love cooking? List your top 5 recipes. Are you enthusiastic about anime? Name your top 5 characters. Do you watch or participate in a lot of athletic events? Name your top 5 moments. Explain why these are your top 5 (Max: 150 words)

What cultural traditions, experiences or celebrations are important to you? How have they influenced your understanding of self? (Max: 200 words)

1. What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why? (Max: 200 words)

2. Please answer one of the following questions:

a. Which book, character, song, monologue, or other creative work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why? b. Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness. c. Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you. d. Emory University’s core mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission. e. Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better. f. Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email giving advice to yourself in your first year of high school. Max: 150 words

a. At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?).

b. Fordham, as a Jesuit university, recognizes the dignity, uniqueness and potential of each person. A Fordham education is student-centered and rooted in close collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Describe how you would contribute to our campus community as an actively engaged learner and leader. Specifically draw on your personal story, identity, experiences, strengths, and perspectives.

c. Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?

Special Talents 250 words maximum

ALL APPLICANTS: Please elaborate on any special talents or skills you would like to highlight.

Short Essay Approximately one-half page, single-spaced

ALL APPLICANTS: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Essay One Approximately one page, single-spaced

Essay Two Approximately one page, single-spaced

APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES: A liberal arts education from the College of Arts & Sciences involves encounters with new concepts and modes of inquiry. Describe something (a class, a book, an event, etc.) that changed your thinking. (Applicants to the sciences, mathematics, public policy or languages are encouraged to include examples related to that field.)

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying your intended major, Nursing.

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science).

APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE: The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?

APPLICANTS TO THE MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (max 300 words)

1. Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? Max: 200 words

2. Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you. Max: 200 words

3. Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. Max: 200 words

4. How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? Max: 200 words

5. Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. Max: 200 words

Why do you want to attend High Point University? (50 Word Limit)

Students identify Lafayette as an excellent fit for countless reasons. In your response, be deliberate and specific about your motivation for applying to Lafayette.

Why Lafayette? (20-200 words)

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (Max: 150 words)

An LMU education forms ethical leaders compelled to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. How do your personal experiences and educational goals align with this mission? (Max: 500 words)

Macalester is one of few highly selective liberal arts colleges located in the middle of a metropolitan area. Students benefit from the strong sense of community on campus and opportunities to engage in academic, social, and civic engagement options in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Have you thought about how Macalester’s location might impact your experience? If so, in what ways? Max: 300 words

1. What field of study appeals to you the most right now? (Note: Applicants select from a drop-down list.) Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you.

2. We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.

3. How has the world you come from—including your opportunities, experiences, and challenges—shaped your dreams and aspirations?

4. MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together.

5. How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it?

Depending on the question, we’re looking for responses of approximately 100–200 words each. There is also one final, open-ended, additional-information text box where you can tell us anything else you think we really ought to know.

We are looking for peacemakers, changemakers, global citizens, boundary breakers, creatives and innovators – Choose one quote from the following and let us know why it inspires you; or share a short quote and person not on our list who inspires you, and include why.

a. “We’re used to people telling us there are no solutions, and then creating our own. So we did what we do best. We reached out to each other, and to our allies, and we mobilized across communities to make change, to benefit and include everyone in society.” Judith Heuman, 2022 NYU Commencement Address

b. “I encourage your discomfort, that you must contribute, that you must make your voice heard. That is the essence of good citizenship.” Sherilynn Ifill, 2015 NYU Commencement Address

c. “If you know how to fly but you never knew how to walk, wouldn’t that be sad?” Lang Lang, 2015 NYU Honorary Degree Recipient

d. “You have the right to want things and to want things to change.” Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland, 2023 NYU Commencement Address

e. “It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair.” Taylor Swift, Change, Released 2008, 2022 NYU Commencement Speaker

f. Share a short quote and person not on this list, and why the quote inspires you.

Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State. (Max: 250 words)

Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (Max: 250 words)

The following question is required for all Common Application and Coalition with Scoir applicants (optional for QuestBridge applicants). Please respond in 300 words or fewer: We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?

2. The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

A. Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

B. Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

C. Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

D. Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

E. Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

1. Why are you applying to Occidental? Why do you think Occidental is the right place for you to pursue your interests? (150 – 200 words)

2. Please answer one of the following questions (200 – 300 words):

A. Oxy’s central mission emphasizes the value of community amidst diversity. What do you value in a community and how do you see your perspectives and life experiences enhancing it?

B. Briefly describe a current event or social movement that is affecting a place that is important to you. Describe its significance to you and the future implications for that community. How do you anticipate an Oxy education helping you better understand and respond to that event/movement?

C. Research is an integral part of an Oxy education. Completing a senior comprehensive is a requirement of every Oxy student and there are a myriad of opportunities for research throughout your four years. Imagine you were just awarded one of our research grants for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?

The Schreyer Honors College Essay Prompts The Schreyer Honors College first-year application will have two essay questions, in addition to several shorter prompts. These questions change on a yearly basis and are meant to elicit well-written, comprehensive responses. Each essay response has a maximum word count of 800 words.

– Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could take to identify a solution.

– Isaac Asimov wrote: “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” Do you agree? Is such censorship ever justified? If not, explain why. If so, who or what should determine which books are read and which books are forbidden.

Pepperdine is a Christian university where all are welcomed and encouraged to challenge each other in the pursuit of truth. Students, faculty, and staff members from all backgrounds participate in conversations of faith inside and outside of the classroom. Considering that Pepperdine is a Christian university, why are you interested in attending and how would you contribute to conversations of faith on campus? (300 – 500 words)

1. Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 150 words.*

A. At Pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. Share with us one of your quirky personal, family or community traditions and why you hold on to it.

B. What item are you excited to bring with you to college?

C. Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world.

2. Please choose one of the following three prompts to respond to with an essay of no more than 250 words.*

A. In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about? Why?

B. Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?

C. What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (500 words or fewer)

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (250 words or fewer)

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

What brings you joy?

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

ACADEMICS: DEGREE-RELATED QUESTIONS Which degree would you most likely pursue at Princeton? Your choice is not binding in any way:

– A.B. As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)

– B.S.E. Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)

– Undecided As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)

The Committee on Admission will discover much about you through the Common Application, but we are always interested in learning more! While optional, the following essay prompts are used to help us understand your personal background, fit to our campus community, and interest in Providence College. Please choose one of the following topics and answer the prompt in 250 – 500 words.

A. Providence College values each student’s willingness to embrace and learn from different viewpoints. What experiences or perspectives do you believe individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to a community or organization? And how will your unique background positively impact others at Providence College?

B. Providence College is a place for those who are motivated and purposeful. How do you exemplify those attributes and in what ways do you feel Providence College will help you reach your goals?

1. How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)

2. Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)

1) Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (Max: 300 words)

2) Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? (Max: 250 words)

The Admission Committee is interested in getting to know each student as well as possible through the application process. Please respond to each of the following prompts.

1. Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above. (Max: 150 words)

2. Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (Max: 150 words)

Please briefly elaborate on your community service or one of your extracurricular activities. (Max: 250 words)

For applicants who might wish to share a little more about how Sarah Lawrence fits into the next stage of their education, we invite you to respond to one of the following three essay prompts:

– Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence.

– Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions directly with faculty, and then answer them through intensive semester-long projects that frequently inspire a blend of intellectual rigor and creativity. In 250-500 words, tell us about a text, problem, or topic you would love to explore over a semester or a year, and what you would hope to achieve through that work.

– In a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.” Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court’s decision.

STANFORD SHORT QUESTIONS 1. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (Max: 50 words)

2. How did you spend your last two summers? (Max: 50 words)

3. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (Max: 50 words)

4. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. (Max: 50 words)

5. List five things that are important to you. (Max: 50 words)

STANFORD SHORT ESSAYS 1. The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (Max: 250 words)

2. Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – get to know you better. (Max: 250 words)

3. Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University. (Max: 250 words)

Please be sure to respond to both parts of the following question:

Syracuse University is a place that seeks to be welcoming to all – and has been since our founding. Explain why you are interested in Syracuse University and describe a personal experience in which you persevered through adversity, rejected discrimination, learned a lesson, or were inspired by the courageous actions of others and how you will apply what you learned to our community in a positive way. (Max: 250 words)

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (max: 250 words)

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (max: 250 words)

Essay Prompt: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Engineering Application Essay Prompt: Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals?

Texas Tech University does not require that you submit an essay, however, it is highly recommended that you submit at least one. There are two recommended essay topics that you may choose from on the ApplyTexas application.

Topic A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Topic B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

Do not exceed 500 wds.

Applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering:

– It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity?

Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work?

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted.

This statement should be 250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length.

Why did you choose to apply to UCF? (Max: 250 words)

What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that will allow you to contribute to the UCF community? (Max: 250 words)

Question 1 (Required) – (250-500 words)

Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; Choose one) – (Around 650 words)

Exponents and square roots, pencils and erasers, beta decay and electron capture. Name two things that undo each other and explain why both are necessary. – Inspired by Emmett Cho, Class of 2027

“Where have all the flowers gone?” – Pete Seeger. Pick a question from a song title or lyric and give it your best answer. – Inspired by Ryan Murphy, AB’21

“Vlog,” “Labradoodle,” and “Fauxmage.” Language is filled with portmanteaus. Create a new portmanteau and explain why those two things are a “patch” (perfect match). – Inspired by Garrett Chalfin, Class of 2027

A jellyfish is not a fish. Cat burglars don’t burgle cats. Rhode Island is not an island. Write an essay about some other misnomer, and either come up with and defend a new name for it or explain why its inaccurate name should be kept. – Inspired by Sonia Chang, Class of 2025, and Mirabella Blair, Class of 2027

Despite their origins in the Gupta Empire of India or Ancient Egypt, games like chess or bowling remain widely enjoyed today. What modern game do you believe will withstand the test of time, and why? – Inspired by Adam Heiba, Class of 2027

There are unwritten rules that everyone follows or has heard at least once in their life. But of course, some rules should be broken or updated. What is an unwritten rule that you wish didn’t exist? (Our custom is to have five new prompts each year, but this year we decided to break with tradition. Enjoy!) – Inspired by Maryam Abdella, Class of 2026

Essay Option 7

Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Or if you are undecided, what area(s) of study are you considering?

Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests. (250 words)

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. Max: 250 words

UF Honors Program American novelist Henry Miller once said, “My hunger and curiosity drive me forward in all directions at once.” Students in the University of Florida Honors Program are known for pursuing multiple interests and passions.

Tell us about a subject or topic that you find intellectually stimulating and are curious to learn more about while in college. Which direction(s) do you imagine your hunger for that subject or topic will take you while at UF? How do you envision the honors program’s academic and extracurricular resources will support you along the way?

Please use a maximum of 400 words in your essay for full consideration.

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. Max: 350 words

1. Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else.

2. Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

At the University of Maryland, we encourage our students to go beyond the classroom to engage in opportunities that further both their academic and personal growth.

To tell us more about yourself, please complete the following prompts using only the space provided (650 characters). – If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…

– The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was…

– In addition to my major, my academic interests include…

– My favorite thing about last Thursday was…

– Something you might not know about me is…

– Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity.

1. Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst? (Max: 150 words)

2. At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike. Our communities and groups often define us and shape our individual worlds. Community can refer to various aspects, including shared geography, religion, race/ethnicity, income, ideology, and more. Please choose one of your communities or groups and describe its significance. Explain how, as a product of this community or group, you would enrich our campus. (Max: 100 words)

If applying for Spring or Fall 2024, you will be required to submit a supplemental essay of 250 words.

Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community.

1. Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Required for all applicants; 300 word limit)

2. Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (Required for all applicants; 550 word limit)

2. Artifact & Description Upload an artifact that represents something significant about your life and shows how you’ve put learning into action. This could be related to something inside or outside of the classroom (like an extracurricular accomplishment you’re particularly proud of). The goal is to give you the chance to showcase a unique aspect of yourself.

For the UNC-specific part of the Common Application, you’ll respond to the following prompts in up to 250 words:

1. Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community.

2. Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you?

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of responses to two (2) brief essay questions and three (3) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided.

Please choose two questions from the options below. Your brief essay response to each question should be no more than 150 words.

1. Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

2. What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?

3. Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation.

Please choose three questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be no more than 50 words.

1. Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.

2. What brings you joy?

3. What is worth fighting for?

4. What is something that genuinely interests you, and how does this tie to the academic area you hope to study at Notre Dame?

5. How does faith influence the decisions you make?

Robert D. Clark Honors College Please tell us about a specific enthusiasm that showcases your curiosity and intellectual engagement with the world. Your chosen enthusiasm or passion can be from any domain—academic, artistic, scientific, cultural, or any other area that has captivated your interest. Be thoughtful and provide concrete examples to support your response.

Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

1. Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)

2. How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

College of Arts and Sciences The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)

School of Engineering & Applied Science Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

School of Nursing Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)

Seven Year Bio-Dental Program (Bio-Dent) Bio-Dent Prompt 1: Please list any predental or premedical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. If you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career. (250 word limit)

Bio-Dent Prompt 2: Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended. (250 word limit)

Bio-Dent Prompt 3: Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 word limit)

Bio-Dent Prompt 4: What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people? (250 word limit)

Bio-Dent Prompt 5: Please explain your reasons for selecting dentistry. Please include what interests you the most about dentistry as well as what interests you least. (250 word limit)

DMD: Digital Design Media DMD Prompt: Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)

The Huntsman Program in International Studies Huntsman Prompt: The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management (LSM) LSM Prompt: The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology (M&T) M&T Prompt 1: Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)

The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering (NETS) NETS Prompt: Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the Internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)

Nursing and Health Care Management (NHCM) NHCM Prompt: Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) VIPER Prompt: How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

– You have a platform to create change. What is an action or policy you might propose to address an issue of social injustice in your school or local community, or on a national or global scale?

– Tell us about a time you learned something unexpected. What did you learn, and what happened next?

– Richmond welcomes students from various backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. What is at least one way you will contribute to our community that is not already mentioned in your application?

PART 1: The University of Rochester motto of Meliora – or “ever better” – deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better. (250 word limit)

PART 2: Please select one of the following prompts to respond to in 200 words or less.

A. American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass said, “Some know the value of education by having it. I knew its value by not having it.” Explain ways in which your background, educational experience, and opportunities have directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. What specific moments of growth, lessons learned and resilience in your life have prepared you to promote positive change for your community and the world?

B. Dr. Donna Strickland, University of Rochester alum and 2018 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said, “There’s no point in me being anything other than me.” The University of Rochester encourages each student to embrace the intersectionality of their identity and create their own individual curricular path and experience. What qualities and experiences make you the best version of yourself? What unique elements of your background, perspectives, and experiences will you bring to our community?

C. Susan B. Anthony, champion of abolition and women’s rights, once said “Organize, agitate, educate must be our war cry.” As you look to join our community of doers and disruptors, in what ways do you envision using both the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities to invoke change for marginalized groups? How has your unique lived experience shaped you and prepared you to be a changemaker here?

D. The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” How have the ways you’ve spent your time enabled you to grow as a person? What challenges have helped define you and your role within your many communities?

ESSAY #1 The University of San Diego offers diverse educational opportunities grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. First-year students are immersed in one of our five Living Learning Communities (LLC), with the themes reflecting the vitality of the liberal arts tradition: Advocate, Collaborate, Cultivate, Illuminate and Innovate. Select one of these five themes and describe how it resonates with you and why. (Please note that your response to this question will not impact any future LLC placement.) Max: 350 words

ESSAY #2 Now choose one of the three prompts below to write about. Essays should be approximately 200 words in length.

Option #1) What contribution have you made to your current school and/or local community that best exemplifies your awareness of and commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable community? Here at USD, we believe that our campus community and the communities we engage with are integral parts of who we are as a university. Our newly launched Horizon Project is a call to action, ensuring that we are dedicating the time, energy and resources necessary to build an ever more diverse and inclusive campus community. We value the fact that our students come from all walks of life, have experienced different realities and bring with them an array of unique perspectives, including some that have often been underrepresented and underserved by higher education.

Option #2) Use this space to write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue. As a proud Changemaker Campus, as designated by Ashoka U, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective.

Option #3) Share some of your ideas about the role of faith or spirituality in your life or the life of someone you know. As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We devote great time and energy to ensuring all students feel connected to the vibrant USD community, including opportunities to grow in their relationship with God while considering who they are, what they believe and who they are called to become.

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

USC Dornsife Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words or less)

USC Architecture All applicants to the Bachelor of Architecture and the B.S. in Architecture + Inventive Technologies programs are required to submit a portfolio described as follows. Please submit the portfolio by the University’s application deadline.

PORTFOLIO FORMAT The portfolio submission should consist of a minimum of 6 and up to 12 digital image files uploaded online by December 1, 2023 if applying for first-year merit scholarship as well as regular decision consideration. Other electronic formats, or CD/DVD submissions will not be accepted. Please do not send original or bound materials. Please do not send more than one online submission.

Submit your portfolio online via the SlideRoom link provided in the Common Application.

The School of Architecture is committed to sustainable design practices and discourages the use of excessive printing, binding and shipping processes.

RELATED LINK: How to Curate a Strong Portfolio as a Freshman Candidate

ARCHITECTURE WRITING & VIDEO SUPPLEMENT FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (B.ARCH) 1) Our school views architecture as a “human right,” and that design should exhibit “social consciousness.” How do you think architecture can contribute to the greater social consciousness?

2) At USC Architecture we will teach you to become strong critical thinkers. With that in mind please tell us about a piece of architecture that you’ve personally experienced and how its design resonated with you.

3) Please produce a video that presents what you consider to be your favorite project in your portfolio and why. Try to be as informative and concise as possible when you’re speaking about the project but also remember to be yourself. We are looking for students that are passionate with a keen curiosity about architecture and design.

ARCHITECTURE WRITING & VIDEO SUPPLEMENT FOR THE B.S. IN ARCHITECTURE + INVENTIVE TECHNOLOGIES 1) Given our program’s stated commitment to educating students through the multiple lenses of architecture, technology and entrepreneurship please let us know why you’re interested in exploring those design intersections.

2) At USC Architecture we will teach you to become strong critical thinkers. With that in mind please describe an architectural product or material that you’ve personally experienced and how its design resonated with you.

The admission committee will review these statements and video as a measure of your awareness, determination and vision. Your responses should no more than 200 words in length for each written question. The video should be no more than 30-60 seconds.

Submit your Portfolio and the Architecture Writing & Video Supplement online via the SlideRoom link provided in the Common Application.

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS We are interested in seeing evidence of your creativity and curiosity. Work selected for inclusion should demonstrate the breadth and diversity of your creative interests and need not be limited to architectural work (if included at all). Drawing, sketching, painting, graphic design, photography, video, web design, sculpture, ceramics, fashion design and furniture design are just some examples of the types of work that may be included. Work may be produced digitally and/or by hand, for school courses, extracurricular activities or independently. Do not include technical drafting, unless you designed the content of the drawing. Your portfolio should be limited to your strongest work. Avoid including too many pictures of the same piece. If the work was part of a group effort, please indicate your specific contribution. As you upload an image of work, you will be prompted to add descriptions to each piece.

Essay Topic (500-700 words) Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Short Answers (250-300 words each) Complete all three short answer prompts:

– Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

– Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

– The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Optional Short Answer Question (250-300 words) Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

If you would like an opportunity to further present yourself to the Admissions Committee, you may submit a response to ONE of the following prompts. ~500 words

2. Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?

3. UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world.

5. If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?

In around 250 words (max 300), please answer the following question. What about your background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you.

School of Nursing (250 words or less) Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying Nursing.

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. Max: 650 words

Short response

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington. Max: 300 words

UW-Madison Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

Please select one of the following short answer prompts:

Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.

Vanderbilt University values learning through contrasting points of view. We understand that our differences, and our respect for alternative views and voices, are our greatest source of strength. Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own. How did these conversations/experiences influence you?

Please provide your response in approximately 250 words. Min: 200 / Max: 400

Writing Supplement #1: Villanova Free Choice (2023-24) For the first Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the four topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

Prompt One: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

Prompt Two: As an Augustinian community, we believe that you should see people for who they are. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background.

Prompt Three: In the Villanova community, we learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

Prompt Four: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” In a time of personal challenges, how do you borrow from the strength of others?

Writing Supplement #2: Why Villanova? (2023-24)

Prompt: Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and how will you become part of our community?

Please submit a written response of about 150 words.

1. Each of the Ut Prosim Profile questions are required with a limit of 120 words in length per answer. Once you submit your application, your responses to the questions are final and cannot be updated. Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech?

2. Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination. Reflect on a time when you were not able or allowed to express a different or diverse position or opinion (or you witnessed another person or group experience the same situation)? How did you respond or wish you would have responded? Did your viewpoint change in any way after this experience?

4. Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from as you work on this goal?

– Why have you decided to apply to Wake Forest? Share with us anything that has made you interested in our institution (limit 150 words).

– List five books you’ve read that have intrigued you.

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why. (200 words max.)

When choosing a college, you are choosing an intellectual community and a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but it’s a good place to start. Visit the Wellesley 100 and select two items that attract, inspire, or celebrate what you would bring to our community. Have fun! Use this opportunity to reflect personally on what items appeal to you most and why.

William & Mary is a community that fosters deep human connection. We reflect on the lessons of history to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We engage diverse perspectives and seek wisdom in bridging differences. Together, we are unceasing in our efforts to make a meaningful difference in our communities, the state, the nation, and the world.

To help us learn more about you, we invite you to share additional information by answering up to two of these optional short-answer prompts. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy.

1. Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful?

2. Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?

4. Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.

As a residential learning community, Williams believes that some of the most important experiences happen while living and learning alongside those different from oneself. Please describe a time when you learned or grew through the process of interacting with someone whose background, identity, lived experience, or perspective differs from your own. (150-300 words)

Short Answer Questions Applicants submitting the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application will respond to the following short answer questions: – Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided. – Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer) – What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will also respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words): – What inspires you? – If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be? – Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence? – What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?

Essay Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer. 1. Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?

2022-2023 Essay Prompts

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future? Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards? Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn? What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience? Submit an essay on a topic of your choice

American University Essay Prompt Why are you interested in American University? (150 words max.)

Assumption University Essay Prompt Please explain, in a few sentences, your answer to the question, “Who or what most influenced you to apply to Assumption University?” (125 words or fewer)

Babson College Essay Prompt Your moment has arrived. Share with us the moments or experiences that have led you to apply to Babson College (500 words maximum).

We invite you to submit your answer in either essay OR video format. If you choose to submit a video, please limit your response to a 1-minute video, which can be submitted via a shared link to YouTube or another video hosting website.

Barnard College Essay Prompt 1. What factors encouraged your decision to apply to Barnard College, and why do you think the college would be a good match for you? (300 words max.)

2. At Barnard, academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited and why do they interest you? Tell us how you would explore these questions at Barnard. (300 words max.)

3. (Optional) Pick one woman — a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual — to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask them? (300 words max.)

4. Use this space to share anything with the Admissions Committee that you feel provides additional context related to your background, experiences or identity. (300 words max.)

Bentley University Essay Prompt (OPTIONAL) We invite you to share any additional information about why you would like to attend Bentley. (250 words or fewer)

Boston College Essay Prompts

All applicants, except those applying for the Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) major, should respond to one of prompts #1-5 listed below. Students applying to the HCE major must respond to prompt #6 only.

The writing supplement topics for the 2022-2023 application cycle (400 word limit):

1. Students at Boston College are encouraged to consider critical questions as they pursue lives of meaning and purpose. What is a question that matters to you and how do you hope Boston College will help you answer it?

2. In 2020, we faced a national reckoning on racial injustice in America – a reckoning that continues today. Discuss how this has affected you, what you have learned, or how you have been inspired to be a change agent around this important issue.

3. At Boston College, we hope to draw on the Jesuit tradition of finding conversation partners to discuss issues and problems facing society. Who is your favorite conversation partner? What do you discuss with that person?

4. Socrates stated that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Discuss a time when reflection, prayer, or introspection led to clarity or understanding of an issue that is important to you.

5. Each year at University Convocation, the incoming class engages in reflective dialogue around a common text. What book would you recommend for your class to read and explore together – and why?

6. For Human-Centered Engineering major applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

Boston University Essay Prompt What about being a student at Boston University most excites you? (250 words)

Bowdoin University Essay Prompt Generations of students have found connection and meaning in Bowdoin’s “The Offer of the College,” written in 1906 by Bowdoin President William DeWitt Hyde.

Brandeis University Essay Prompt The Brandeis community is a diverse group of critical thinkers defined by their ability to dive deeper into their learning by questioning, analyzing, evaluating, creating, critiquing and seeking other perspectives. Share an example of how you have used your own critical thinking skills on a specific subject, project, idea or interest. (250 words max.)

Brown University Essay Prompt Essay Questions for First Year Applicants and Transfer Applicants 1. Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

2. Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (200-250 words)

Essay Questions for PLME Applicants Three essays are required for applicants to the PLME:

1. Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. How do you feel your personal background provides you with a unique perspective of medicine? (250 word limit)

2. Health care is constantly changing, as it is affected by racial and social disparities, economics, politics, and technology, among others. How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact? (250 word limit)

3. How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping you to meet your academic, personal and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (250 word limit)

Essay Questions for Brown|RISD Dual Degree Applicants One essay is required for applicants to the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program:

The Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry, culminating in a capstone project that interrelates the content, approaches, and methods from two distinct learning experiences.

Based on your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD and the possibilities created by the BRDD program’s broadened learning community, specifically describe how and why the BRDD program would constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. As part of your answer, be sure to articulate how you might contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work. (650 word limit)

Chapman University Essay Prompt Out of the thousands of universities and colleges, what excites you about attending Chapman University specifically? (200 words max.)

Chapman University seeks to enroll students who bring a rich array of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to our campus community. We are committed to creating a welcoming university where all of our students can fully participate, reach their fullest potential, and benefit from living, learning, and socializing with people different from themselves. With this in mind, please answer one of the following questions (200 words or fewer).

CHOICE A: PERSONAL VALUES Our committee would like to hear about a personal value, experience, or lesson that has shaped your identity, behavior, aspirations, or commitment to a sense of belonging. How did it develop and/or change over time and how would it add to the diverse and welcoming fabric of our campus community?

CHOICE B: PERSONAL GROWTH Part of the Chapman experience is to help students evolve their perspectives. What types of personal growth do you hope to explore at Chapman and how can Chapman help in your growth?

1. What is your dream job? 2. What are three words to describe yourself? 3. What song should we be listening to while reading your application? 4. Name one dish you would cook for our admission team. 5. What is your favorite subject? 6. What is the top thing on your bucket list? 7. What makes you happy? 8. If Chapman’s admission team came to visit your hometown, what site would you take them to? 9. What can you give a 30-minute presentation on without any preparation? 10. What is something you have always wanted to learn but never had the chance to? 11. Submitted by a prospective student for the class of 2023: What are the best words of advice you have received?

Colgate University Essay Prompts Optional Supplemental Essays Question 1:

On Colgate’s campus, students engage with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, and perspectives during the course of their educational and social experiences. In 200-250 words, please share the benefits you see in engaging with a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff as part of your Colgate experience.

Question 2:

Colgate students immerse themselves in social and intellectual pursuits that inspire them. Tell us in 200-250 words what inspires you and why you want to pursue that at Colgate.

Question 3:

– I am fascinated by… – My favorite book, movie, or television show is… – My role model is… – In the future, I hope to … – One historical figure I would like to meet is… – My favorite food is… – One thing I would change is… – I am most challenged by… – My favorite place is… – I am drawn to Colgate University because…

College of Wooster Essay Prompt Why are you interested in The College of Wooster? (250 words)

Columbia University Essay Prompts 1. List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

2. We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (125 words or fewer)

3. A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (200 words or fewer)

4. Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)

5. In Columbia’s admissions process, we value who you are as a unique individual, distinct from your goals and achievements. In the last words of this writing supplement, we would like you to reflect on a source of happiness. Help us get to know you further by describing the first thing that comes to mind when you consider what simply brings you joy. (35 words or fewer)

For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

For applicants to Columbia Engineering, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

Cornell University Essay Prompts The primary focus of your college interest essay should be what you intend to study at Cornell.

In the online Common Application Writing Supplement, please respond to the essay question below (maximum of 650 words) that corresponds to the undergraduate college or school to which you are applying.

College Interest Essays for Fall 2023 First-Year Applicants

Brooks School of Public Policy Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Required: Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. Specifically, how will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell University help you achieve your academic goals?

Optional: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are not simply driven to master their discipline, but who are also passionate about doing so to serve the public good. Please elaborate on an activity or experience you have had that made an impact on a community that is important to you. We encourage you to think about community broadly – this could include family, school, or local and global communities (300-word limit).

Optional: The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is dedicated to the exploration of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background in agriculture or are interested in pursuing a career in agriculture.

– My family owns or operates a farm – I have experience working in agriculture – I have interest in pursuing a career in agriculture Please feel free to share additional details below (optional):

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning What is your “thing”? What energizes you or engages you so deeply that you lose track of time? Everyone has different passions, obsessions, quirks, inspirations. What are yours?

College of Arts and Sciences Students in Arts and Sciences embrace the opportunity to delve into multifaceted academic interests, embodying in 21st century terms Ezra Cornell’s “any person…any study” founding vision. Tell us about the areas of study you are excited to explore, and specifically why you wish to pursue them in our College.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration).

College of Engineering Instructions: All applicants are required to write two supplemental essays. Each has a limit of 250 words. Essay 1 is required of all applicants. For Essay 2, you must choose between Question A and Question B.

Essay 1 Required response (250 word limit)

How do your interests directly connect with Cornell Engineering? If you have an intended major, what draws you to that department at Cornell Engineering? If you are unsure what specific engineering field you would like to study, describe how your general interest in engineering most directly connects with Cornell Engineering. It may be helpful to concentrate on one or two things that you are most excited about.

Essay 2 Choose either Question A and Question B. (250 word limit)

> Question A: Describe an engineering problem that impacts your local community. This could be your school, neighborhood, town, region, or a group you identify with. Describe one to three things you might do as an engineer to solve the problem.

> Question B: Diversity in all forms is intrinsic to excellence in engineering. Engineering the best solutions to complex problems is often achieved by drawing from the diverse ingenuity of people from different backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity and/or the inclusion of the Cornell Engineering community? What is the unique voice you would bring to the Cornell Engineering community?

College of Human Ecology How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology been influenced by your related experiences? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future?

School of Industrial and Labor Relations Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School.

Dartmouth College Essay Prompts Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write brief responses to three supplemental essay prompts as follows:

Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2027, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? In short, Why Dartmouth? Please respond in 100 words or fewer.

2. Required of all applicants. Please respond in 200-250 words:

“Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself in 200-250 words.

3. Required of all applicants. Please choose one of the following prompts and respond in 200-250 words:

A. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you making—an impact?

B. What excites you?

C. In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba ’14 reflects on constructing a windmill from recycled materials to power electrical appliances in his family’s Malawian house: “If you want to make it, all you have to do is try.” What drives you to create and what do you hope to make or have you made?

D. Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Geisel of Dartmouth’s Class of 1925, wrote, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” What do you wonder and think about?

E. “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” wrote James Baldwin. How does this quote apply to your life experiences?

Davidson College Essay Prompts 1. There are just under 4,000 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College (250-300 words)

Duke University Essay Prompts What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Four optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected. (250 word limit per essay)

1. We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself.

2. We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

3. What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?

4. Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you’d like to share with us more about your identity in this context, feel free to do so here.

Elon University Essay Prompts THINK FAST

Answers to these questions are meant to be brief – 3 sentences or less. Be inventive and thoughtful. Most importantly, be yourself. This is a chance to tell us more about who you really are in a fun, concise manner. We’re excited to get to know you!

Name three songs from your perfect playlist. We look forward to creating a Spotify playlist from the submissions of our first-year class.

We’re in your hometown. Where should we go and what should we do? Tell us about your hometown. Our admissions counselors may even take your suggestions when they are in the area! (50 words max.)

What three emojis/GIFs do you use most often? Why? OK, we know not everyone uses emojis or GIFs – so if you don’t, tell us which three you would choose if you did! (30 words max.)

You are a superhero. What are your powers? Be imaginative. What would you do with the powers you choose? (30 words max.)

Tell us your top 5. Take this opportunity to let the admissions committee know more about you. Your top 5 should be something unique to you and give us a glimpse of who you are. Be creative! You may choose any theme for your top 5. Do you love cooking? List your top 5 recipes. Are you enthusiastic about anime? Who are your top 5 characters? Do you watch or participate in a lot of athletic events? Name your top 5 moments. Love to stream; what are you watching? You could even list your top five college tours – as long as Elon is #1!

Explain why these are your top 5: (250 words max.)

Emmanuel College Essay Prompt Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (500 words max.)

Emory University Essay Prompts This question is required. Your response should be no more than 200 words.

– What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?

Getting to Know You In addition, answer one of the following questions. Your response should be no more than 150 words.

– When was the last time you questioned something you had thought to be true?

– If you could witness a historic event (past, present or future) first-hand, what would it be, and why?

– Share about a time when you were awestruck.

Fordham University Essay Prompt You may choose to respond to the optional question below.

At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities. Please share a specific instance in which you challenged yourself or stepped out of your comfort zone in order to be an advocate for your community (for example, your family, friend group, high school, or town). Please provide an example that illustrates a facet of yourself that we would not find anywhere else in your application. (150 words max.)

George Mason University Essay Prompts ESSAY REQUIREMENTS What is your motivation for pursuing higher education? Why do you believe George Mason University is the right institution for you? (400 word limit)

Georgetown University Essay Prompts ESSAY REQUIREMENTS

Short Essay Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Longer Essays Compose two brief essays (approximately one page, single-spaced each) on the topics given below. Essays should be typed.

Essay One ALL APPLICANTS: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

Essay Two APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.)

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science).

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major Nursing.

Other Please indicate any special talents or skills that you possess.

Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (max 300 words)

Gonzaga University Essay Prompt 1. Please share an experience that made you feel uncomfortable or challenged, and then explain how you grew from that situation.

2. Please share an experience you have had outside of the classroom that has contributed to your personal growth.

(no length, but “shorter” than 650 common app)

Harvard University Essay Prompts You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you may choose from one of the following topics: – Unusual circumstances in your life – Travel, living, or working experiences in your own or other communities – What you would want your future college roommate to know about you – An intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper, poetry, or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science or other modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you – How you hope to use your college education – A list of books you have read during the past twelve months – The Harvard College Honor code declares that we “hold honesty as the foundation of our community.” As you consider entering this community that is committed to honesty, please reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty. – The mission of Harvard College is to educate our students to be citizens and citizen-leaders for society. What would you do to contribute to the lives of your classmates in advancing this mission? – Each year a substantial number of students admitted to Harvard defer their admission for one year or take time off during college. If you decided in the future to choose either option, what would you like to do? – Harvard has long recognized the importance of student body diversity of all kinds. We welcome you to write about distinctive aspects of your background, personal development or the intellectual interests you might bring to your Harvard classmates.

Harvey Mudd College Essay Prompt

1. “Scientific research is a human endeavor. The choices of topics that we research are based on our biases, our beliefs, and what we bring: our cultures and our families. The kinds of problems that people put their talents to solving depends on their values.” – Dr. Clifton Poodry

How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve, the people you want to work with, and the impact you hope your work can have? (500 words max.)

2. Many students choose Harvey Mudd because they don’t want to give up their interests in the Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts – or HSA as we call it at HMC. Briefly (in 100 words or less) describe what you’d like to learn about in your dream HSA class.

Optional: You may include examples of mathematical or scientific endeavors or research abstracts if relevant. Please limit your submission to two pages.

High Point University Essay Prompts 1. Describe any special interests or hobbies that you may have. (50 Word Limit)

2. Describe any meaningful travel experiences (both national and international). (50 Word Limit)

Indiana University Essay Prompt Describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. Also, if you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. (200-400 words) This essay may be used in scholarship consideration.

Johns Hopkins University Essay Prompt Founded in the spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests, and pursue new experiences.

Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity, or your community), and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words)

Lafayette College Essay Prompt Students identify Lafayette as an excellent fit for countless reasons. In your response, be deliberate and specific about your motivation for applying to Lafayette.

Lehigh University Essay Prompts 1. How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (150-word limit)

2. A compelling characteristic of Lehigh’s community is that our students want to be actively engaged in their learning, their community, and the world. Our students look to make a difference and have a real-world impact. We expect our community to challenge your viewpoint, your naturalized assumptions, and the way that you see the world around you. Lehigh University is committed to being an anti-racist institution. By this, we mean actively speaking out and addressing acts of racism, racist comments, racist practices, policies, and procedures.

What would you want to be different in your own country or community to further principles of equality, equity, or social justice? (300-word limit)

Loyola Marymount University Essay Prompt Please briefly state your reason for wishing to attend LMU and/or how you came to select your major. (500 words)

As part of our holistic review process, it is critical that we understand the comprehensive experience of all applicants. Please provide a detailed explanation, in 250 words or less, regarding any break or interruption in your academic history throughout high school (secondary school) and beyond.

Lynn University Essay Prompt Why are you applying to Lynn? (150 word limit)

MIT Essay Prompts

For the 2022–2023 application, we’re asking these short answer essay questions:

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community. Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

We’re looking for responses of approximately 200 words each. There is also one final, open-ended, additional-information text box where you can tell us anything else you think we really ought to know.

New York University Essay Prompt NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.

North Carolina State University Essay Prompts Required Short Answer Questions

> Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State. (250 words)

> NC State University is committed to building a just and inclusive community, one that does not tolerate unjust or inhumane treatment, and that denounces it, clearly and loudly. Please describe what those words mean to you and how you will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive NC State environment. (250 words)

Northwestern University Essay Prompts In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

Occidental College Essay Prompts In the Short Answers section of the Common App, we ask you to respond to the following three prompts:

1. Why are you applying to Occidental? What are your academic interests and why do you think Occidental is the right place for you to pursue them? (150 – 200 words)

2. Please answer one of the following questions—your choice (200 – 300 words): – Research is an integral part of an Oxy education. Completing a senior comprehensive is a requirement of every Oxy student and there are a myriad of opportunities for research throughout your four years. Imagine you were just awarded one of our research grants for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?

– Briefly describe a current event or social movement that is affecting a place that is important to you. Describe its significance to you and the future implications for that community. How do you anticipate an Oxy education helping you better understand and respond to that event/movement?

– Oxy’s central mission emphasizes the value of community amidst diversity. What do you value in a community and how do you see your perspectives and life experiences enhancing it?

3. What is the first song you would play for your Oxy roommate on move-in day?

Penn State Essay Prompts Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer.

Pomona College Essay Prompts The Pomona-specific essay prompts for those applying for Fall 2023 admission include an academic interest statement (max. 150 words); a short-response essay (max. 150 words); and a longer-response essay (max. 250 words).

(1) Academic Interest Statement: What do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.

(2) Short-Response Essay: choose to respond to one of the following three prompts in 150 words or less:

– At Pomona, we celebrate and identify with the number 47. Share with us one of your quirky personal, family, or community traditions and why you hold on to it.

– What item are you excited to bring with you to college?

– Describe a time when you felt empowered or on top of the world?

(3) Longer-Response Essay: choose to respond to one of the following three prompts in 250 words or less:

– In the past few years, is there something you have changed your mind about? Why?

– Reflecting on a community that you are part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?

– What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?

Princeton University Essay Prompts Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in 150 words or fewer)

Please respond to each question in 250 words or fewer.

– At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

– Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

– What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

– What brings you joy?

– What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Providence College Essay Prompts Should you choose to complete an optional essay, please select one of the following prompts and limit your response to 250-500 words.

1. As a liberal arts school, Provide College provides students with the opportunity to explore several different academic areas. While you may not be ready to declare a major, what have you experienced, inside or outside of the classroom, that has led you to an interest in a particular field of study?

2. Dialogue, Inclusion and Democracy is a program on campus whose mission is to create a safe space that supports the development of well-informed and engaged students through civil discourse. There are several spaces on campus where students, faculty and staff can pose questions to the PC community and dialogue forms from there. One of the questions posted recently was “Name a time where you’ve felt empowered or represented by an educator.” What question would you like to post to the PC community and why?

3. If you could have a theme song, what would it be and why?

Purdue University Essay Prompt 1. Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words or fewer)

2. How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

3. Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

Rice University Essay Prompts The Admission Committee is interested in getting to know each student as well as possible through the application process. Please respond to each of the following prompts.

1. Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above. (150 words max.)

2. Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? (150 words max.)

Rollins College Essay Prompt Please briefly elaborate on your community service or one of your extracurricular activities. (250 words max.)

Sarah Lawrence College Essay Prompts The Common Application essay is an important way for us to get to know your voice, but we know there may be more you want to tell us that just didn’t quite fit into the rest of the application. For applicants who might wish to share a little more about how Sarah Lawrence fits into the next stage of their education, we invite you to respond to one of the following four essay prompts:

– Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: director-playwright-sound designer, environmentalist-photographer, journalist-linguist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you’ve brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence.

– Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions and answer them during semester-long projects. In 250-500 words, thoughtfully respond to a prompt of your own creation.

– Sarah Lawrence College’s community places strong value in inclusion and diversity. In 250-500 words, tell us about what you value in a community and how your perspective, lived experiences, or beliefs might contribute to your College community.

– In her 2019 commencement address, journalist Maggie Haberman ’96 told the graduating class: “My time at Sarah Lawrence helped me understand the importance of patience, of assuming good faith in others, and of finding truth.” In 250-500 words, tell us about a time you spoke your own truth or found the importance in one of the values Maggie describes.

Southern Methodist University Essay Prompts 1. SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit)

2. SMU is a diverse learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences or background enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

St. John’s College Essay Prompt Discuss a book that you would call a “great book.” We want to learn both about the ideas in the book and about you. What makes the book great in your view? What effect has it had on what you think or how you think? (Minimum 400 words)

Stanford University Essay Prompts Short Questions 1. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 words max.)

2. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 words max.)

3. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 words max.)

4. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. (50 words max.)

5. Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford. (50 words max.)

Short Essays 1. The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (250 words max.)

2. Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – get to know you better. (250 words max.)

3. Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why. (250 words max.)

Stetson University Essay Prompt Please choose one of the following and upload your response:

– Submit a graded writing sample

– If you could live your life fighting for one cause, what would it be and why?

– Describe a time you did not meet expectations and what impact the experience had on you.

– What gives meaning to your life?

– If you wrote a letter to yourself to be opened in 20 years, what would it say?

– Discuss an issue of state, national, or global concern to you.

– Why write?

Syracuse University Essay Prompt Why are you interested in Syracuse University and how do you see yourself contributing to a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful campus? (250 word limit)

The George Washington University Essay Prompts Supplemental (Optional) Essay

Tufts University Essay Prompts Applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and 5-Year Tufts/NEC Combined Degree answer the following two questions:

1. Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, “Why Tufts?” (100-150 words)

2. Now we’d like to know a little more about you. Please respond to one of the following three questions. (200-250 words):

A) It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity?

B) How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?

C) Where are you on your journey of engaging with or fighting for social justice?

Applicants to the BFA or 5-Year BFA+BA/BS Combined Degree at the SMFA at Tufts answer the following two questions:

1. Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? Why SMFA at Tufts? (100-150 words)

2. Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work? (200-250 words)

Tulane University Essay Prompts 1. Please briefly describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University. This statement should be 500 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.

2. Tulane values the lessons gained from pursuing an education alongside a student body that represents a wide range of experiences and perspectives and is reflective of our multicultural world. If you would like to share a perspective related to your family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, religious group, or some other aspect that has shaped your identity, please do so here. This statement should be 500 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. If you choose to answer this prompt, we strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. Keep in mind this prompt will not apply to all applicants, and it is completely optional.

Other: If you would like to elaborate on one of your activities, you may do so briefly here. Max 250.

University of California Personal Insight Questions Directions – You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions. – Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. – Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

University of Central Florida Essay Prompt 1. Why are you interested in UCF? (250 words max.)

2. Discuss your reasons for pursuing the academic program (major) selected above. (250 words max.)

University of Chicago Essay Prompts Question 1 (Required)

Was it a cat I saw? Yo-no-na-ka, ho-ka-ho-ka na-no-yo (Japanese for “the world is a warm place”). Może jutro ta dama da tortu jeżom (Polish for “maybe tomorrow that lady will give a cake to the hedgehogs”). Share a palindrome in any language, and give it a backstory. – Inspired by Leah Beach, Class of 2026, Lib Gray SB ’12, and Agnes Mazur AB ‘09

What advice would a wisdom tooth have? –Inspired by Melody Dias, Class of 2025

You are on an expedition to found a colony on Mars, when from a nearby crater, a group of Martians suddenly emerges. They seem eager to communicate, but they’re the impatient kind and demand you represent the human race in one song, image, memory, proof, or other idea. What do you share with them to show that humanity is worth their time? —Inspired by Alexander Hastings, Class of 2023, and Olivia Okun-Dubitsky, Class of 2026

UChicago has been affiliated with over 90 Nobel laureates. But, why should economics, physics, and peace get all the glory? You are tasked with creating a new category for the Nobel Prize. Explain what it would be, why you chose your specific category, and the criteria necessary to achieve this accomplishment. —Inspired by Isabel Alvarez, Class of 2026

Genghis Khan with an F1 racecar. George Washington with a SuperSoaker. Emperor Nero with a toaster. Leonardo da Vinci with a Furby. If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together? -Inspired by Braden Hajer, Class of 2025/em>

University of Colorado Boulder Essay Prompts Required Short Answer #1 (250 word limit) – At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike. We value difference and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance.

Required Short Answer #2 (250 word limit) – Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Or if you are undecided, what area(s) of study are you considering? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

University of Florida Essay Prompts – Do you have any employment or family obligations that limit your participation in extracurricular activities. If so, please describe. (250 word limit)

– Have you participated in or been assisted in your college preparation and search by programs outside of classroom, such as Educational Talent Search, Take Stock in Children, Upward Bound, Boys and Girls Club, etc.?

If yes, please provide the name of the program, details/benefits of your involvement, and how long your experiences continued. (250 word limit)

– Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 word limit)

– Is there any other information or extenuating circumstances the Admission Committee should know when reviewing your application? (250 word limit)

University of Florida Honors Program Why is applying for the UF Honors Program important to you? Which aspects of the program’s three pillars of opportunity, community, and challenge pique your interests? How would you engage with the program to exemplify these pillars yourself? How does the program factor into your long-term goals? (400 words max.)

University of Georgia Essay Prompt The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application. (200-300 words)

University of Illinois Essay Prompt You’ll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you’ll answer will depend on whether you’re applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you’ve selected a second choice. Each response should be approximately 150 words.

If You’re Applying to a Major: 1. Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else. 2. Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

If You’re Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies: 1. What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. 2. What are your future academic or career goals?

If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared): 1. Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

University of Maryland Essay Prompt At the University of Maryland, we encourage our students to go beyond the classroom to engage in opportunities that further both their academic and personal growth. To tell us more about yourself, please complete the following sentences using only the space provided (300 characters).

4. My favorite thing about last Wednesday was…

5. When I think of diversity, I think of…

University of Massachusetts Amherst Essay Prompt Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst? (100 words max.)

University of Miami Essay Prompt If applying for Spring or Fall 2023, you will be required to submit a supplemental essay of 250 words or less in response to the following prompt:

The University of Miami’s official mascot is the ibis. Folklore maintains that the native marsh bird is the last to take shelter before a hurricane hits and the first to emerge once the storm passes, making it an apt symbol of courage and resilience.

Considering your ability to control your own motivation and behavior, how have past experiences helped build your courage and resilience to persist in the face of academic and life challenges so that, once these storms pass, you can emerge in continued pursuit of your goals?

University of Michigan Essay Prompts 1. Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Required for all applicants; 300 word limit)

University of North Carolina Essay Prompt We’ve selected the following prompts for the UNC-specific portion for the first-year and transfer applications for 2022-2023. We aspire to build a diverse and inclusive community at Carolina and believe that students can only achieve their best when they learn alongside students from different backgrounds. In reading your responses, we hope to learn what being a part of the Carolina community would mean to you.

Short answer prompts

You’ll choose two of the following prompts to respond to in 200-250 words: 1. Describe a peer you see as a community builder. What actions has that peer taken? How has their work made a difference in your life?

2. Describe an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?

3. If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Why is it important and how would you contribute to this change?

4. Former UNC-Chapel Hill employee, community service member, and civil rights activist Esphur Foster once said, “We are nothing without our history.” Her words are memorialized on the Northside Neighborhood Freedom Fighters monument. How does history shape who you are?

Fill-in-the-blank responses

You’ll complete all of the following fill-in-the-blank responses in 25 words each:

1. One family, friend, or school tradition I cherish:

2. If I had an extra hour in every day, I would spend it:

3. If I could travel anywhere, near or far, past, present or future, I would go:

4. The last time I stepped outside my comfort zone, I:

5. People who meet me are most likely to notice, and least likely to notice:

University of Notre Dame Essay Prompts The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to a question you select from the options provided. In total, you will write two (2) essay responses. The word count is a maximum of 200 words per essay.

Please provide a response to the following question:

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame?

Please provide a response to ONE (1) of the following questions:

1. People in the Notre Dame community come from many different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. How is where you’re from a part of who you are?

2. Tell us about a time when you advocated for something you believe in.

3. If you were given unlimited resources to help solve one problem in your community, what would it be and how would you accomplish it?

4. What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?

University of Oregon Essay Prompt

Optional essay As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of these two options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting the Equity and Inclusion website. Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.

University of Pennsylvania Essay Prompts 1. Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)

2. How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions in regard to your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words)

University of Richmond Essay Prompt Prompt 1 One essay response is required. Choose from the following prompts:

1. Tell us about the most unusual talent you have, and how you have made it useful.

2. Spiders are essential to the ecosystem. How are you essential to your community or will you be essential in your university community?

3. Please share one idea for actions or policies that you think would begin to address an issue of racial or social injustice.

University of Rochester Essay Prompt Prompt 1

The University of Rochester motto of Meliora – or “ever better” – deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better. (250 words or less)

You may answer one of three ways:

Prompt 1 Essay Response Option: Write an analytical or creative response of 200 words or less.

Prompt 1 Creative Response Option: Upload up to three works of your own art (e.g. pictures, video, performances, literary) and use the space below to provide a brief explanation as to how the art is tied to making the world, your community, and those around you “ever better.”

Prompt 1 Research Response Option: Upload an abstract describing your own related research and use the space below to provide a brief explanation as to how the research is tied to making the world, your community and those around you “ever better.”

Please select one of the following prompts to respond to in 200 words or less.

Prompt 2 Option A: American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass said, “Some know the value of education by having it. I knew its value by not having it.” Explain ways in which education has directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. How will you use the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities of the University of Rochester experience to grow and to promote positive change for yourself, your community and the world?

Prompt 2 Option B: Dr. Donna Strickland, University of Rochester alum and 2018 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said, “There’s no point in me being anything other than me.” The University of Rochester encourages each student to embrace who they are and create their own individual curricular path and experience. How will you use the opportunities here to fully be who you are? What unique perspectives will you bring to our community?

Prompt 2 Option C: The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer, and philanthropist George Eastman said, “What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” Looking forward towards your college experience, what do you hope to do outside of the classroom at the University of Rochester that will enhance who you are as a person? How will specific academic and social opportunities here help you grow?

Prompt 2 Option D: Susan B. Anthony, champion of abolition and women’s rights, once said “Organize, agitate, educate must be our war cry.” As you look to join our community of doers and disruptors, in what ways do you envision using both the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities to invoke change for marginalized groups?

Are you interested in pursuing research while enrolled at the University of Rochester? If Yes, what field/area of study are you interested in researching? (20 words)

Combined Degree Program Applicants

What relevant experiences or insight have led to your interest in this particular program? Describe how Rochester’s resources: facilities, faculty, peers and research will meet your academic and personal ambitions. Describe how you see yourself contributing to the challenging field you want to enter as a Rochester graduate. (500 words)

University of San Diego Essay Prompt First-Year applicants are required to answer the Mandatory First Year Essay Prompt and either Essay Prompt Option #1, #2, or #3. Transfer applicants are required to answer the Mandatory Transfer Essay Prompt and either Essay Prompt Option #1, #2, or #3. Please note that the default word counter on our Common Application essay text boxes permit 350 words, but most applicants find they can answer these prompts in about 200 words.

Mandatory First-Year Essay Prompt The University of San Diego offers diverse educational opportunities grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. First-year students are immersed in one of our five Learning Communities (LC), with the themes reflecting the vitality of the liberal arts tradition: Advocate, Collaborate, Cultivate, Illuminate and Innovate. Select one of these five themes and describe how it resonates with you and why.

Essay Prompt Option #1 What contribution have you made to your current school and/or local community that best exemplifies your awareness of and commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable community? Here at USD, we believe that our campus community and the communities we engage with are integral parts of who we are as a university. Our newly launched Horizon Project is a call to action, ensuring that we are dedicating the time, energy and resources necessary to build an ever more diverse and inclusive campus community. We value the fact that our students come from all walks of life, have experienced different realities and bring with them an array of unique perspectives, including some that have often been underrepresented and underserved by higher education.

Essay Prompt Option #2 Use this space to write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue. As a proud Changemaker Campus, as designated by Ashoka U, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective.

Mandatory Transfer Essay Prompt How will USD help enhance your educational and professional goals beyond what your current institution offers?

University of Southern California Essay Prompts Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break.

– Describe yourself in three words. – What is your favorite snack? – Best movie of all time: – Dream job: – If your life had a theme song, what would it be? – Dream trip: – What TV show will you binge watch next? – Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? – Favorite book: – If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

College-Specific Questions and Requirements

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

USC School of Architecture

Roski School of Art and Design

Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation

Marshall School of Business (World Bachelor in Business)

USC School of Cinematic Arts

Kaufman School of Dance

USC School of Dramatic Arts

Viterbi School of Engineering

Thornton School of Music 

USC School of Pharmacy

University of Tampa Essay Prompts Please write an essay on one of the following prompts or on a topic of your choice. There is an 800-word limit on essays submitted in this section of the Common App, however, you may choose to submit an essay of any length via the SpartanStart portal at www.ut.edu/spartanstart or by emailing your essay to [email protected] .

– What are your three favorite words in the English language? Explain what they mean to you.

– Discuss your childhood neighborhood and how it shaped you as a person.

– Describe how you feel about the month of February.

– Imagine that you could have one superpower. What would it be and how would you use it? What would be your kryptonite?

University of Texas Essay Prompt Essay Topic (500-700 words) Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT. The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

University of Tennessee Essay Prompt Optional Supporting Statement UT has a competitive admissions process that primarily considers your experience and preparation in academic areas, as well as other individual factors. All aspects of your application will be evaluated. Submitting a supporting statement (while optional) can provide crucial information to aid the admissions staff in the decision-making process.

What should I include in my supporting statement? If you were having a personal interview with members of our admissions staff, what information would you want them to know about you? You can include your academic interests, achievements, involvement in school and the community, important personal experiences, obstacles you’ve overcome, and other aspects of your background. (250-800 words)

University of Vermont Essay Prompts Please answer one of the five questions: (500 word limit)

2. Established in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, VT, Ben and Jerry’s is synonymous with the ice cream business. The company’s success and unique brand identity are due in part to their one-of-a-kind flavors. Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?

3. Whether they are constructing a robot, a stronger sense of community or an identity, UVM students are builders. What would you like to build?

4. At UVM, learning extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms. From student-led organizations, to internships and study abroad experiences, UVM students are encouraged to pursue knowledge in all environments. Describe a time when you’ve learned in a non-traditional setting.

5. Communities and organizations are stronger when they value diversity of thought. How do you create meaningful connections or conversations with others when they express opinions that differ from your own?

University of Virginia Essay Prompts The first prompt is tied to the UVA school or college the student selects. Answer the prompt in around 100 words.

College of Arts & Sciences: If you could create a college course that all UVA students would take, what would it be about and why?

School of Engineering: How will you use an engineering degree to change the world for the better?

School of Architecture: Describe a significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.

School of Nursing: Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying Nursing.

Kinesiology Program: Describe an experience that has deepened your interest in studying kinesiology.

Students will then write responses to two prompts out of ten options. Answer in about 50 words each.

1. What’s your favorite word and why? 2. We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. What is one of your quirks? 3. About what topic could you speak for an hour? 4. Take us to your happy place. 5. You can wake up tomorrow and a skill you already have will become expert-level. What skill is that? 6. What is the last gift you gave something that wasn’t bought with money? 7. What website is the internet missing? 8. After a challenging experience, how do you recharge? 9. Tell us about a place you’d like to share with everyone, but also keep to yourself. 10. UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?

University of Washington Essay Prompts Freshman writing section At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

Maximum length: 650 words

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW.

Maximum length: 300 words

Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.

You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:

– You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education – Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations – You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended

Maximum length: 200 words

University of Wisconsin Essay Prompt All campuses use the following essay for the Institutional Application: This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

UW-Madison and UW-La Crosse require an additional essay: UW-La Crosse Please respond to ONE of the following: (1) How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the UW-La Crosse campus community? OR (2) Tell us why you are interested in attending UW-La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you.

Vanderbilt University Essay Prompts

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (200-400 words)

1. St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

2. What is the truest thing that you know?

3. One of the themes in St. Augustine’s book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

4. In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

5. Augustine’s “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

Essay #2: Why Villanova? Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and how will you become part of our community? Please submit a written response of about 150 words.

Please take your time to form responses that you feel confident about and help to support your application for admission.

1. Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech?

2. Resilience is defined as the ability to adapt and learn from a difficulty. Reflect on a time that you have exhibited resilience. What growth did you see in yourself after this experience?

– Explain how a text you’ve read – fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literature of any kind – has helped you to understand the world’s complexity (limit: 150 words).

– What piques your intellectual curiosity, and why (limit: 150 words)?

– Give us your Top Ten list. (The choice of theme is yours.) (limit: 100 characters per line)

– Why have you decided to apply to Wake Forest? Share with us anything that has made you interested in our institution. (limit: 150 words

Please limit your response to the Wellesley College essay to two well-developed paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words).

Yale University Essay Prompt Applicants submitting the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application will respond to the following short answer questions:

1. Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.

2. Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)

3. What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will also respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words): 1. What inspires you?

2. Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What would you ask them to discuss?

3. You are teaching a new Yale course. What is it called?

4. What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?

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School Essay Writer

How to Write Fordham Supplemental Essay: Crafting the Perfect Essay for Fordham University!

Heading Ideas:

Understanding the prompt: ⁤breaking down fordham university’s⁢ supplemental essay, researching​ fordham university: ‌showcasing your knowledge of the school, personalizing your essay: making⁣ your application stand out, structuring your essay: crafting a ⁢compelling narrative for fordham university, how to⁤ write fordham supplemental essay: crafting ⁤the perfect essay for fordham university, highlighting your achievements: demonstrating your unique ⁣qualities⁣ and ⁤experiences, editing and revising: perfecting your fordham ⁣supplemental essay, seeking feedback: getting input from peers‍ and mentors, staying‌ authentic: writing with honesty and integrity, emphasizing your ⁤fit: ⁢connecting your⁤ goals and‍ values to fordham ‍university’s mission, in retrospect.

• Highlighting‍ your academic achievements ​and extracurricular activities.
• Showcasing your passion for​ your chosen field ⁢of study.
• Personal anecdotes that demonstrate your​ character and ​values.
• Reflecting‍ on your goals and aspirations.

When brainstorming ideas ​for your Fordham supplemental essay, consider what​ sets you apart from ⁤other​ applicants. Think about your unique experiences, perspectives, and strengths that you can bring to the ⁣university community. Remember‌ to be authentic and genuine in your⁤ writing, as admissions officers are ⁤looking​ for students who will contribute positively⁤ to campus life.

Make sure to carefully read and follow the essay prompt provided by Fordham University. Pay attention to word count requirements and any specific‍ guidelines given. Craft a compelling introduction that⁤ grabs the reader’s attention and a strong conclusion that leaves a⁢ lasting impression.

When it comes to writing the supplemental ​essay for Fordham University, it’s crucial to first understand⁣ the prompt in order to‌ craft a compelling and‌ effective essay that showcases your unique qualities and ‌why you would be a great fit‍ for Fordham. In this post section, we will break down the prompt and provide you with valuable insights ​on how ‍to​ approach writing your ‍essay.

Breaking Down‌ the Prompt:

• Read the prompt carefully and ⁤identify key themes or questions being asked.
• Consider the purpose ​of ⁢the essay⁢ – ​what is Fordham⁢ looking for in potential students?
• Think⁣ about how you can tailor your response to show why ⁣you ‌would⁤ thrive at Fordham and contribute to the community.
• Brainstorm ideas ​and examples that ⁣can help you​ effectively⁤ address the prompt.

By‌ understanding the prompt and taking a ⁢strategic⁣ approach to crafting your essay, you can increase your‍ chances of standing out ⁣to the admissions committee and securing a⁣ spot at Fordham University. Stay ⁣tuned for more tips ​on how to write a standout supplemental⁢ essay ⁢for Fordham!

When​ applying to⁤ Fordham University, one crucial aspect of your application is the supplemental essay. This essay​ gives you the opportunity to showcase your knowledge of the ⁣school and demonstrate why you are a ⁣perfect ‍fit for Fordham. Here are some tips on how to craft the‌ perfect essay for Fordham University:

1. Research the School: Before⁢ writing⁢ your essay,⁤ take the time to research Fordham University. Learn about⁣ the‌ school’s history,⁢ values, programs, and campus ⁤culture.⁣ Understanding what makes Fordham ⁢unique will help you tailor your essay to highlight how you align with the school.

2.⁢ Be⁣ Genuine: When writing ‍your essay,‌ be authentic and true to yourself. Admissions officers at Fordham are looking for‍ students who are passionate⁣ and genuine in their⁤ application. Share personal experiences and insights that reflect your ​true self.

3. Connect Your ​Experiences to​ Fordham: Make sure ⁣to⁢ connect your past experiences, ⁣accomplishments, and future goals ⁣to ‌what Fordham ⁤University has to offer. Show how attending⁢ Fordham‌ will help you achieve​ your ‍academic⁢ and personal ‌aspirations.

When it comes to writing your Fordham supplemental essay, it’s essential to focus on​ personalizing your content to make your ⁤application stand out. Crafting a unique and compelling essay can greatly increase your ​chances of​ being accepted to Fordham University.

To ensure that your essay is tailored ⁤to Fordham’s values and mission, consider ⁤the following tips:

• Research Fordham: Take the time⁣ to learn about Fordham University’s history, values, and programs. This ⁢will help you understand what qualities they are⁣ looking for in​ potential students.
• Showcase your personality: Use ⁣your essay as an opportunity to showcase⁤ your personality, interests, and experiences. Be authentic and don’t be⁣ afraid ⁤to let your ⁤voice shine through.
• Highlight‌ your fit: ⁤ Make sure ⁢to demonstrate how you ⁢will⁣ contribute to the Fordham community and ⁣how⁣ their programs align with⁣ your​ academic and ‍career goals.

By following ⁢these tips and personalizing your essay, you can craft the‍ perfect supplemental essay ​for Fordham University that will ‌help you ⁣stand out from‌ the competition.

When it ‌comes to crafting a compelling narrative for⁣ Fordham University, structuring your essay is ‌key. ‍Here ‌are some tips to​ help you craft the perfect essay that will impress the admissions committee:

• Start with a strong introduction: Capture the reader’s attention from the beginning with a‌ captivating introduction that sets⁢ the ⁣tone for the rest ‌of‌ the essay.
• Develop a clear thesis statement: Clearly state⁤ your main argument or point of view in a concise⁣ and compelling manner.
• Use examples and evidence: Support ​your thesis statement with‌ relevant examples, evidence, and anecdotes that help ⁣to illustrate your ⁤points.
• End with a strong conclusion: Summarize your main points⁣ and⁤ leave the​ reader⁣ with a ⁤lasting impression that ties ​everything together.

By‍ following‍ these tips and⁤ structuring your essay effectively, you can craft ‍a compelling⁤ narrative that showcases your ⁤unique qualities and experiences, making you stand out ⁢as a strong candidate for Fordham ⁣University.

Highlighting your ⁣achievements and ‌demonstrating your unique qualities and experiences⁣ is essential ​when crafting the perfect Fordham ‍supplemental essay. This ⁢is your opportunity ‍to showcase what sets you apart from other applicants and why you would be a great fit for Fordham University. Here are some​ tips⁣ on how to⁤ effectively write ‍your ⁣essay:

– **Focus on your‍ key⁤ accomplishments**: ⁣Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your skills, talents,⁢ and motivations. Whether it’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities,‍ or⁣ personal ⁢experiences, make sure to showcase ⁢what makes⁤ you stand ‌out.

– **Tell a compelling ⁣story**: Use your ⁤essay to tell a‌ story that‍ illustrates who you ‍are ‍and what drives you. Share personal anecdotes, milestones, or challenges you ‍have overcome that have shaped you into the person you are today.

– **Emphasize your passions and​ interests**:⁣ Show your enthusiasm for your chosen field of⁣ study or extracurricular ‌activities. Discuss ‍how your passions have influenced your academic and personal goals, and how they align ⁣with Fordham’s values and mission.

– **Be authentic and genuine**: Write with⁢ honesty and sincerity, and ​let your true self ⁢shine through in ‍your essay. Admissions‍ officers are looking ‍for candidates who ​are genuine, passionate, and self-aware,‍ so‌ be sure to present yourself in the⁤ best⁢ light ​possible.

When ‍it comes‍ to writing your Fordham‌ supplemental essay, ​it’s essential ⁣to focus on editing and revising to ⁤make sure your essay shines. Here are some tips ‌to help you perfect your essay for⁣ Fordham University:

– ‍Start by reviewing the essay prompt ⁢and making ‍sure you ⁢understand ⁤what the admissions committee is looking for in your⁣ response. This will help you tailor your ‍essay to meet their expectations.

– Create a strong​ thesis statement ‌ that clearly articulates your main ​argument ‍or‌ point of ⁢view. This will help guide ⁤the rest of your essay and keep you focused on ⁤the​ topic at hand.

– Use specific examples and anecdotes⁣ to support your thesis statement and make your essay more engaging. Personal​ stories or experiences can⁣ help make ⁢your essay stand out to the admissions ‍committee.

To craft the perfect essay for Fordham University, it’s essential⁢ to seek feedback from peers and mentors. Getting input from ‌others can ⁤ provide valuable insight and help you ⁣improve your writing. Here are some tips on how to effectively seek feedback:

– **Choose the right people**: Select ​peers and mentors⁣ who ⁢are knowledgeable about ⁤the college‌ application process and can offer ‍constructive criticism.⁤ Look‌ for individuals who can provide ‍honest feedback while also being supportive.

-⁢ **Be specific⁢ in your request**: When seeking‍ feedback,⁤ be‍ clear about what‍ aspects of your ⁣essay ⁤you want input ‍on. Whether ‌it’s‌ the overall structure, flow, ⁤grammar, or content, provide specific questions for your peers and⁤ mentors to address.

– **Consider different perspectives**: It’s important⁣ to gather feedback from ⁣a variety of sources to get a well-rounded view of ‍your ⁣essay. Different ​perspectives can help you⁣ identify areas for improvement that you may⁣ not have‌ noticed ⁤on ⁤your ⁢own.

– **Take feedback graciously**: Remember that feedback is ‌meant‌ to help you improve⁢ your essay,⁢ not‍ criticize your⁤ writing. Be open ⁤to ‌suggestions and willing to ⁢make changes based on ⁤the input you receive.

By seeking feedback from peers and mentors, ⁤you can ⁤refine ‍your Fordham supplemental essay and increase ⁢your chances of impressing the ⁤admissions⁢ committee. Don’t⁢ be afraid to reach out for help and make ⁢the ⁤necessary revisions‍ to create a standout piece of writing.

In order⁤ to craft ‌the perfect essay for ‍Fordham University, it‍ is crucial to stay true ‌to yourself and write⁣ with honesty and integrity. This means being authentic in your⁤ writing, sharing your unique experiences, perspectives, and passions ⁤with⁢ the admissions ⁤committee.

When writing your Fordham supplemental ⁣essay, remember ‍to reflect on your personal values, beliefs, and goals. Consider how your experiences have shaped you and how attending Fordham‌ University will help you further⁢ develop⁢ and grow as an ⁣individual.

Here are some​ tips for writing an authentic⁢ Fordham supplemental essay:

• Be Genuine: ⁢Write⁣ from the heart ‌and share your true self with the admissions committee.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use‍ specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your‌ points and make your essay more engaging.
• Stay Positive: Focus on your strengths, accomplishments, and aspirations, ⁢rather than dwelling on negative experiences.
• Revise and ⁤Edit: Take the time to review​ and refine ‌your ⁢essay to ensure it is clear, concise, and error-free.

When it comes to writing the Fordham⁢ University supplemental​ essay, it⁢ is essential to emphasize your fit with ⁤the ⁢institution by connecting‌ your goals and values⁢ to ‌Fordham’s⁤ mission.⁢ This will⁣ not only demonstrate your ⁢understanding of ​the university’s values but also show the admissions committee ​why you are ​a perfect‌ fit‍ for Fordham. Here are‍ some tips on how to craft the perfect essay for Fordham University:

• Research Fordham’s ‌Mission: Take the ⁢time to thoroughly research Fordham University’s mission statement and values. This will ‍help⁤ you understand ​what the⁤ institution stands for and ⁤what ⁣they‌ look for in potential students.
• Align Your Goals with Fordham’s Values: Identify ⁢how your personal‍ goals and values align⁢ with those of Fordham University. Make sure​ to ‍highlight these ‍connections in your essay to show why you are a good fit⁢ for the⁤ institution.
• Show Your ⁣Passion: When writing your essay, be sure to convey your passion for your chosen field of study and how‍ attending Fordham University will help you achieve your ‍goals. ⁣This will demonstrate your⁣ enthusiasm and dedication ⁢to ⁢your academic⁣ pursuits.

By​ following these ⁤tips ‌and emphasizing your‌ fit​ with Fordham University’s mission ‌in⁢ your supplemental essay, ​you can increase⁤ your chances of​ standing out to ‌the admissions committee and securing a​ spot at this prestigious institution.

In conclusion,‍ crafting the perfect Fordham supplemental essay⁢ is ​all about⁣ showcasing your unique personality, experiences, and aspirations. Remember ‌to research and understand Fordham University’s values and mission, tailor your essay to highlight⁢ how you will ⁤contribute to ⁤their ⁤community,‌ and demonstrate⁤ your passion ‌for ⁣your ‍chosen field of study.​ By following these key tips and⁢ putting your ‍best foot forward,⁤ you can increase your ⁢chances of standing ​out to the admissions committee and securing‍ your spot at Fordham University.‌ Best of luck with⁣ your essay writing process!

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Fordham University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Fordham University college application essays were written by students accepted at Fordham University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Fordham University

The loss edgard duche, fordham university.

Sweat poured down my face as I struggled to breathe. I was dehydrated and exhausted, and I was trying as hard as I could not to give up. From the bleachers and the sidelines, the eyes of every member of the crowd were focused intently on me. One...

Growing Up in an Interfaith Home Michael Wainwright

Although I do not affiliate myself with any particular religion, I have been a Buddhist nun at temples and an altar server at Christian churches. I can chant the meditations of Buddha in Thai and Sanskrit and recite Catholic prayers in English and...

Autism Danielle Spano

"English, math, chemistry…" I was panicked over all the work I needed to finish, which had become increasingly difficult after doubling my hours at the barn. Overwhelmed, I just wanted to get home. Then, after I finally mastered my barrel pattern,...

Falling Toward the Future Samantha N. Gonzalez

“Samantha Nicole!” my mother began. The deliberate usage of my middle name indicated she was preparing to reprimand me. I instantly knew I had been caught peering underneath my neon pink Barbie bandage. As do most young children, I chose to...

Life Changing Experience Andrew Ahn

Smack! Within a fraction of a second, my life was changed forever. A homemade slingshot snapped and launched a funnel and water balloon at an unimaginable speed directly into my left ear. Once I’d been hit, an incredibly loud whistling screamed...

Finding Purpose as a Nanny Anonymous

As I watch the edges on the shiny four-by-six memories that I pinned to my wall warp and curl, I cannot help but feel my heart ache. I spent an entire school year and summer investing my time, energy, and love into my job as a nanny for six...

New People, New Dreams Amanda Grewer

“I think we’re lost,” I said to my parents as I stood on the corner of 114th Street and Broadway carrying a large bag of luggage. I stopped confused as to where I was going. I knew I was close; I could tell by the number of people wearing Columbia...

The Dojo-Kun Anonymous

“Repeat Dojo-kun. Seek perfection of character. Be faithful. Endeavor. Respect others. Refrain from violent behavior,” I call out. To my left, the line of kneeling students repeats my words. “Sensei-ni, rei,” I call to the line, and we bow to our...

The Impostor Anonymous

I couldn’t find the elevator button. Minutes away from my first big meeting, my first real taste of corporate America, and the elevator seemed determined to snatch away my moment of glory. I tried to maintain my self-assured countenance, practiced...

Home Run Kevin Tente

“Home run!” my teammate yelled, laughing.

I winced, trying to hide my embarrassment; a home run would have been great if I had been playing baseball, but I was at my first high school tennis practice, and instead of the ball ending up on...

Becoming a Model Anonymous

It wasn’t my first audition, yet as I looked into the intimidating mirror, I needed to reassure myself: "You are Beyonce." I gasped for oxygen as I entered the dimly lit room, attempting to calm the fire in my stomach, but listening to other...

Religious Diversity Anonymous

For the past three years, I have been the diversity. Seventy-five percent of the students around me share in the Roman Catholic faith, while I am a devout Presbyterian. However, attending a Catholic school has not diverted me from my Presbyterian...

What I Learned from My Mom Anonymous

Hair a mess, eyelids heavy, and bags under her eyes: every day I would see my mom come home, looking like this, tired from a day’s load of work. My mother, who had me at a young age, was forced to raise and support me all on her own. Where was my...

The Time I Quit- A Runner's Perspective Anonymous

I heard the final call for my race. By now I should have been done with my warm up jog and run-outs and heading over to the check-in tent, spikes in hand, ready to run the 3200 meter race at the State Championship meet. Instead of pinning on my...

A Memory of Crab Legs Anonymous

Each of our plates was piled high with crab legs, easily the best part of the buffet, our taste buds descended from the seafood rich island that had raised us. We passed around the poor quality plastic crackers, at first, patience feeding off of...

Reader Anonymous

On January 14th, 2002, my father stopped reading to me. Early on, my bibliophile father decided he would never dictate a lesson or give me an answer, but rather that I would learn through literature. Every celebration, every birthday or holiday I...

The Butter Knife Sydney Schultz

My mother and I -- weary with travel, drained from a day of sightseeing, and armed with only a butter knife -- once dismantled a bathroom door in a Paris apartment. We were exhausted, having, in true Schultz family vacation style, walked about 10...

The Shadow Anonymous

Everyone thinks me strange because I love it all as though it were a person.

I love the quiet road named after my great-uncle Pintor Ruano as though it were my great-uncle himself; I love the old church like an old friend; I love the sound of its...

On Spending a Lot of Time with Old Women Danielle Agugliaro

I round the corner into my cubicle and toss my coat on my chair. I chat with April as my computer starts up, and then check my Threads calendar, which is riddled with deadlines. My day could be filled with writing blog posts, driving over to help...

The Apartment Mahin Rahaman

Thank goodness apartments don’t have emotions. If my one bedroom apartment did, I can guarantee that its paint would be chipping off as rapidly as the layers of my sanity. Every morning, I'd wake up to the sound of my alarm clock simultaneously...

Bus Stop Amelia Grace Avis

Even at 6:30 in the morning, with blurry eyes, wet hair and a to-go mug of tea, I always find that my breath is taken away by the sight of my bus stop. It faces the Chesapeake Bay, looking over a stretch of grass that slopes down to the water. On...

From Another Mother Anonymous

I have two brothers. They’ve always been everything I’ve ever hoped to become. From the beginning of my life, they enchanted me. I was not only drawn to them because they bore a strong resemblance to me, but because everyone else was fascinated by...

Finding My Purpose Anonymous

As I walked through the door there she stood, staring into oblivion with a dazed look on her face. Alice was my first Adaptive student, and the only discernible sound that she emitted was "ribbit." I was intrigued, but not surprised, because the...

Wandering Feet Anonymous

It’s been three years. The edges of the photo are soft now, and the colors have dimmed. It has been worn thin and fragile, and there is a deepening crease down its center from the years it spent folded between my fingers. I don't usually keep...

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How to Write the WashU Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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Washington University in St. Louis , colloquially known as WashU, is a selective private research institution with an acceptance rate below 12%. WashU’s vibrant student life ; extensive research, study abroad, and interdisciplinary programs ; and supportive Taylor Family Center all serve to attract thousands of applicants every year. WashU’s accomplished alumni include Peter Sarsgaard, Pooja Kumar, Andrew McCabe, and Rochelle P. Walensky. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your WashU supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

WashU’s 2024-2025 Prompts

Required washu essay questions, please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. undecided about your academic interest(s) don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. you can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (200 words or fewer), optional washu essay questions, washu supports engagement in the st. louis community by considering the university as “in st. louis, for st. louis.” what is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it (250 words or fewer), washu strives to know every undergraduate student “by name & story.” how have your life experiences shaped your story (250 words or fewer), washu scholarship essay questions, danforth scholars program: chancellor danforth and mrs. danforth deeply cared about building trust within the community and being of service to others. they embodied a spirit of servant leadership, enhancing the experiences of students, staff, and faculty. reflecting on the lives and legacies of the danforths , share a specific example of how you have demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership and improving your community. (100 words or fewer), ervin scholars program: the ervin scholars program is open to only u.s. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or daca students living in the u.s. dr. john b. ervin was a nationally renowned black educator and the first african american dean at washington university in st. louis. reflecting on his biography and the history and legacy of the ervin scholars program , share a specific example of how you have taken action to champion diversity in your own life or community. (100 words or fewer), rodriguez scholars program: annika lynn rodriguez championed awareness for students of all backgrounds, including starting washu’s first latin american awareness week. reflecting on annika rodriguez’s history and legacy , share a specific example of how you have made a commitment to fostering cultural awareness and understanding. (100 words or fewer).

General Tips

Your WashU supplemental essays need to be concise and snappy in order to effectively get your points across in the limited words you have available. So, let’s dive into two general tips for cutting down your word count without cutting out meaning.

Go easy on the adjectives and adverbs.

Adjectives and adverbs are a powerful tool for the writer. However, when overused or employed redundantly, they can prevent your essay from reaching its full potential.

Common overuses of adjectives and adverbs include the following:

• Without further clarification, the adjectives “thoughtful and considerate” are redundant.
• Unless there is prior implication of falsely happy occasions, there’s no need to use “truly” here.
• With the “like” in this sentence, the comparison is clear, and “basically” only detracts from the strength of the comparison.
• The usage of the word “long” and the redundant phrase “each and every” (only one of these words is necessary) adds some consonance/assonance to the sentence but does not impact the meaning.

Although none of these usages are grammatically or syntactically incorrect, they add extra words to your sentences when you have limited words available.

Watch out for prepositional phrases.

Prepositional phrases are often necessary, but many students trying to cut down on their essays’ words overlook the ways prepositional phrases bulk up their sentences. Here are some examples:

• The phrase “of all” adds emphasis in this sentence, but it does not change its fundamental meaning.
• A rewrite of this sentence using fewer words could look like, “This sentence’s components aren’t my favorite syntactical elements.” That’s eight words instead of thirteen!
• This sentence could be more concisely reworded to, “My brother completed the assignment unaided.” That’s six words instead of ten. Note the removal of the passive voice as well.

This prompt is a fairly standard college essay prompt, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. WashU seeks self-motivated students who are excited to learn. So, in this essay, you should explain what gets you excited to learn. Maybe your interest in mathematics originated from a life-changing event. Or perhaps you just enjoy reading, and that’s why you’ve decided to pursue a degree in English literature. Alternatively, maybe your interest in international affairs is driven by a desire to pursue a future career in international law. Whatever subjects intrigue you, and for whatever reasons, it’s important that your essay is authentic and precise.

If you’re having trouble coming up with your “why,” consider coming up with answers to the following questions:

• What makes this subject or these subjects more interesting than other subjects?
• What is the most interesting fact you have learned in this academic area? Do you seek to learn more facts like this one?
• What questions do you have about the world? How will further study help you answer these questions?
• What are your career goals? How do they relate to your intended area(s) of study?
• What current social issues keep you up at night? How does your intended course of study relate to these issues?
• In what ways does this subject or these subjects bring you joy?

After answering these questions, you should hopefully have identified some concrete reasons for selecting your intended academic area(s). If not, consider whether these are truly the area(s) of study that interest you. Are there any areas that interest you more?

Once you’ve identified your reasons, focus on explaining, in your essay, why these reasons are important to you. Be specific and detailed, and you’ll have a compelling essay.

This prompt analogizes your experiences in a community to your future experiences in the St. Louis community. This is because the WashU admissions team is seeking students who will see St. Louis as a community, not just a place to live while working toward a degree.

Thus, bear in mind how the reader may compare the story you tell in this essay to the person they envision you becoming at WashU. In other words, the story you tell may indicate to the admissions team whether you’re a good fit. They may also use your essay to decide whether you’d be an additive member of the community.

Also, remember to pick just one community to focus on in this essay. Moreover, be sure to pick a community that you personally belong to, as opposed to a community you have served or interacted with. Feel free to interpret the word “community” broadly. Furthermore, you can write about your school, your family, your culture, your religion, your sports team, etc.

If you hold a certain identity and have found community with other members of that identity, then you can write about that community. This community could be online or in-person, based in your neighborhood or ranging internationally. As long as it’s important to you, it’s a solid choice of topic.

If the prompt above about community doesn’t speak to you, or you’d just prefer to provide more or different insights regarding your background, then this is a great prompt for you to answer. This prompt provides you with the space to discuss your life experiences. You can write about life-changing conversations, experiences with identity, moving to a different place, or whatever feels most important to you.

If you’re having trouble deciding on a topic, consider what topics you’ve written about already. If your Common App essay already discussed your religious background, then perhaps you should focus on a different topic in this essay. Alternatively, if you feel that the WashU admissions team won’t have a complete picture as to who you are unless you take the time to write about your LGBTQ+ identity, then perhaps you should do so here. Moreover, if your application is very STEM-focused, you may want the reader to know that you have other interests. In that case, this essay could be a great place to elaborate on the other hobbies or activities that have shaped who you are today.

Answering this essay prompt gives you the opportunity to score a significant scholarship package. Recipients enjoy “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or half-tuition scholarships. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the degree program, provided you progress academically and uphold the high standards of character required of scholars.” Thus, it’s in your best interest to write a strong response to this essay question.

The term “ servant leadership ” refers to “a leadership style in which leaders put the needs, aspirations, and interests of their followers above their own,” according to the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. In other words, you should use your 100 words for this essay to share your experience leading others in a way that put those whom you led above yourself.

Per the prompt’s wording, focus on one specific example , instead of a series of examples or trend in your community service actions. In addition, use precise language and explain why you pursued this service and what it meant to you. If you have space, describe a lesson or two that this experience taught you.

If you’re curious, read more about the Danforth Scholars Program here .

This prompt is for students interested in receiving “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships.” Note that applicants to this program must also maintain high academic standards, like the students in the Danforth Scholars Program. However, this program is limited to applicants who are “U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or DACA students living in the U.S.” If you’re included in the relevant demographic for this prompt, it’s likely worthwhile to make an attempt at this essay question.

In this short essay, you must focus on one specific example of an action you’ve taken, initiative you’ve spearheaded, conversation you’ve held, or the like for the purpose of demonstrating your commitment to the cause of diversity. If diversity is important to you and you have sought to promote diversity, then you should probably apply for this scholarship. If not, then you may want to look at other prompts.

Remember to be specific and precise in your response. Quantify your impact and share how the experience impacted you. For instance, state the exact or approximate number of hours you worked or people you helped. Additionally, describe a lesson you learned or a way your perspective shifted. Don’t worry about discussing ways you continue to champion diversity or plan to in the future. Instead, focus on the most meaningful experience you have had that involved action you took to promote diversity. Make sure you share who you impacted and why this was meaningful to you!

If you’re curious, read more about the Ervin Scholars Program here .

If you’re hoping to be among the lucky WashU students who receive “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships,” this essay prompt gives you that chance. If you are able to compose a stellar essay about your authentic experience fostering cultural awareness and understanding, then you’ll have a shot at joining the Rodriguez Scholars Program. Note that like the other scholarships described above, participation in this program is contingent on maintaining certain academic standards throughout your undergraduate career.

This essay should highlight one specific example of community service you have pursued. Specifically, you should focus on a time when you pursued community service that positively impacted others through “cultural awareness and understanding.” Unsure whether your community service work fits under that umbrella? Consider whether cultural difference was integral to your work. Did your work serve to raise awareness, provide education or training, promote connections across cultures, or something similar? If so, this is the prompt for you. If not, perhaps review the other two scholarship options listed above.

You may be wondering why community service is integral to this prompt, given that the prompt uses neither of those two words. Check out WashU’s resources on the Rodriguez Scholars Program and its application process. Conducting thorough research on this program will help you identify the implicit expectations for applicants. Through this process, you’ll better understand what you should aim to highlight in your essay response.

If you need help polishing up your WashU supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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Fordham University, Admission Essay Example

Pages: 1

Words: 222

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You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

First of all, I would like to thank you for still keeping my application under consideration. I would also like to use this opportunity to emphasize my huge desire to become part of the Fordham University community. Attending Fordham University has been a lifelong dream because one cannot underestimate the influence of the environment and the company in the character development of an individual. I am inquisitive by nature which is why I keep myself educated on different subject matters such as business, politics, history, and science etc.

What I particularly admire about Fordham University is not only its focus on academic excellence but also character building and personal ethics. The need for ethical standards has become even more important in today’s world where individuals are chasing success without any regard for the means or methods employed to achieve it. I believe that one’s moral character is as important as one’s intelligence and skills which is why I particularly admire Fordham University’s approach to education.

If given the honor to attend Fordham University, I will do my best to become an exemplary ambassador for the University both as a student and as a professional in the real world. I have no doubt that Fordham University is the ideal place for me to discover my true potential and become a useful member of the society.

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