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All You Need to Know About a 500-word Essay

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Published on: Mar 10, 2023

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

500 word essay

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A 500-word essay is a very interesting type of essay writing. Like other academic writing assignments, this type of essay writing is quite often assigned to students at different academic levels.

A 500-word essay tends to polish the writing and analytical skills of a writer. It is not a very extensive composition, but still, it is meaningful and equally important. 

This type of essay writing is interesting and very easy to write. You have to be on point, which means that you do not have to do a lot of research and stay focused on your point of view.

A 500-word essay format is one of the easiest formats to follow for essay writing.

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What is a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is basically an essay with three sections that give clear depictions of an occasion or any item. This type of essay is a common article design that can be followed for composing any sort of exposition, for example, a descriptive essay, an argumentative essay, and so forth.

A 500-word essay is mostly doled out at secondary schools and universities. Almost every other student faces it multiple times throughout academic life. It doesn't have any broad heading, so you can show all your latent capacity by not relying on the subject and theme.

How to Format a 500-Word Essay?

The format of a 500-word essay is very simple and very similar to other types of essay formats. The only thing that makes it different is the essay length.

As the word count for this type of essay is less, thus the length of the paragraphs is also small, and the word count ranges from 75-125 words.

Each paragraph has 3-5 sentences. These sentences must be well-written so that despite being short in length, the sentence can explain its purpose.

Here is a standard format of a 500-word essay that has the following components with examples of each component.

The introduction is responsible for keeping the reader engaged. It provides a brief overview of the overall essay and contains the thesis statement for the essay topic.

It provides background information about your essay's topic and mentions why you chose this topic in particular.

Also, there is a hook statement in the introduction paragraph. This is a statement that usually is a verse or a famous quotation. It is used as an opening sentence for the essay.

For Example 

Cell phones have gone from a desired commodity to an essential item. While these devices offer us easy access to the rest of the world, they can cause problems for educators. High school teachers may be able to ask pupils in their classes to put away their mobiles, but should professors possess similar control over grown men and women? The solution is crafting cell phone usage rules that limit disruptions without impeding student liberties.


After the introduction, the body of the essay starts. The body paragraphs make the body of an essay. For a 500-word essay, particularly, there are usually 4-6 paragraphs.

Each paragraph discusses a key element and provides the required evidence to give it a logical sense.

Like the body paragraph of any other essay, the paragraphs of the 500-word essay start with a topic sentence. This sentence acts as an introduction to the paragraph.

Each paragraph should end with a transition sentence to show a connection with the upcoming part.

Make sure that such a body paragraph is meaningful yet in a comprehensive form.

Here is a sample body paragraph to help you craft a winning 500-word essay

Continuation of the same examples...

The principal basis for restricting cell phone use in the classroom is that phones can act as a distraction. Not only do students and teachers become diverted, but this has an analogous impact on someone glancing at their device during a movie screening - even if it's silent, the illuminated display will still divert one's focus away from what matters most!

When debating mobile phone regulations in the classroom, safety is typically brought to the forefront. Emergencies may happen at any time and students should have their phones with them for peace of mind. Parents' needs come into play too; if a student has children, they could need access to call someone during medical emergencies. Furthermore, if an individual is on standby for work-related matters then having a cell phone accessible would be useful as well - there are endless plausible scenarios that make it difficult not to provide exceptions from these rules!

To ensure all students have an opportunity to learn without distraction, the optimal choice is to establish and enforce mobile phone usage rules. With these guidelines in place, pupils should be able to carry their devices with them as long as they remain on silent during class hours. This way, phones are easily accessible for any necessary use but don't interfere with anyone's learning experience. Vibrate settings can be allowed if the instructor feels comfortable with it, as the buzz may not be heard in a crowded classroom. In an emergency situation, students can quickly step out of class to answer their phones. This will create a more relaxed environment for both instructors and students alike.

Cell phone restrictions in the classroom should be enforced with clear and specific disciplinary measures for violations. For instance, if a student is caught using their cell phone during class, they can be excused from that day's classes. Professors should avoid seizing control of the device out of consideration for potential liability issues. It's safer to request students leave the classroom than take away their phones, as any damages incurred while in a professor's possession could result in liability for repairs on behalf of the school or instructor.

A conclusion paragraph is the extract of the whole essay. The writing skills of a writer are judged by the way they conclude an essay.

Writing the conclusion is the most complicated part of essay writing. To write a good conclusion, the writer must logically summarize all the key elements and reiterate the thesis statement.

Whatever is mentioned in the conclusion should give the reader a sense of closure and completion.

Let's continue with the cell phone example for a better understanding of the conclusion phase.

Every educational institution, professor, and student body holds a unique identity. Thus, educational organizations must adjust their regulations to fit the current needs of their scholars. Although prohibiting cell phone use in college courses is excessive, there are other ways to reconcile students' rights with instructors' expectations. Allowing just the right amount of regulation and flexibility within colleges can cultivate an optimal learning atmosphere that ensures maximum safety for its members.



500 Word Vs. 250 Word Essay

500-word scholarship essays provide you with a significantly greater degree of writing freedom than 250-word ones. When you're given fewer words, it can be tricky to express your views in concise and effective phrases without sacrificing clarity.

With 500 words at hand though, you have ample space to make sure that all the facets of your opinion are expressed - yet don't need footnotes and cited resources as often!

500 Word Essay Vs. 1000 Word Essay

The length of a 500-word essay and a 1000-word essay is quite different. 

While a 500-word essay may not require much outside research or citations, it still requires more focus and organization than a 1000-word essay. 

A 1000-word essay requires far more time and effort to write than a 500-word essay. Plus, it requires you to be more thorough in your research, analysis, and composition. It will also require you to use a greater degree of critical thinking skills when making arguments.

Additionally, a 1000-word essay may call for the use of outside sources to support points or draw conclusions. Thus, writing a 1000-word essay can be a much more challenging task than writing a 500-word essay. 

How Long is a 500-word Essay?

You must be wondering how long exactly a 500-word essay is? As it is a very easy style of composing an essay, so every student prefers to complete it right away and get back to other activities.

One of the interesting facts about this essay type is that it is even shorter than we think. It depends on the formatting style, sizing, and spacing a writer chooses to use. If a writer wants a double-spaced writing format, that is also acceptable for writing such an essay.

To make sure that you write the essay with perfection, understand all the requirements provided by your instructor to compose this type of essay.

500-Word Essay Sample (PDF)

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How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is a very simple task to do. But things might get complicated if you do not follow a standard way of writing.

The following are the steps you should consider while writing a 500-word essay.

Before you start writing an essay, the first thing you should do is to understand the requirements provided by your instructor.

Understanding the requirements will help you to complete your essay without any mess and up to the mark. Proceeding according to the requirements will keep you composed through the essay writing process.

Once you have understood all the requirements, the next step is to think of some interesting ideas. Brainstorming helps you to use the creativity of your mind, especially when it comes to essay writing.

Note down all the elements that you come up with within your mind. Make a rough list of all the ideas and later on organize them to compose an effective essay.

After you have understood all the instructions and spent enough time brainstorming different ideas, it is time you choose a topic.

Always choose a unique and interesting topic. A good topic is highly responsible for making your essay attractive. Also, try that you have selected a topic that is not overdone. An overdone and repetitive topic would make your audience boring.

For a 500-word essay, a topic must be very interesting as you have to make the essay interesting within a very limited word count. Make sure that you choose such a topic about which you can easily collect evidence and facts to support it and make it stronger.

Conducting research on the selected topic is an essential part of essay writing. The research will help you collect all the relevant information that is necessary to make your essay stronger.

Also, researching a topic will make the writing process very smooth for you as you will have all the information that is needed for the essay.

Collect all information only from reliable sources as you don't want to misguide your audience.

The outline is an element of an essay that can save time, make things easy, and earn a better grade.

Just write down all the main features and arguments you want to discuss in your 500-word essay. This will help you to get back on track if you forget the things you wanted to write about.

Moreover, your essay will always be structured and clear, so the audience will read it easily and will follow your thoughts without any challenges.

Since you have your topic and all the information related to the topic thus, you are all set to start writing your essay.

Essay writing starts with writing an introduction. As you are writing an essay of 500 words, an introduction should have only one paragraph. In that paragraph, you should explain the main topic and its importance and also the thesis statement.

After introducing the topic, state the body paragraph, and explain all the key elements in it. Usually, there are three body paragraphs in such essays to explain different key elements.

Don't forget to add transition words, which will make the text smooth and readable. Also, ensure that you use the standard font styles, preferably Arial or Times New Roman.

The same as an introduction, your conclusion should be one paragraph long. Summarize all the key elements in a very precise way and do not add any new points.

Devoting some extra time to proofreading, revision, and editing can make your essay a whole lot better.

This is the simplest thing to do, but most students still skip it and make the biggest mistake. Proofreading ensures that there are no mistakes left behind in your document.

Always make sure that you revise your essay at least once and do the required editing.

Watch this video that shows cases the 5 common mistakes you might make in your 500-word essay writing. Learn how to avoid them to get the desired grade. 

500-Word Essay Examples

To understand any type of essay, one needs to look into some good examples. Unfortunately, when it comes to writing a 500-word essay, things become a bit technical for the writer.

To understand the method of writing a good 500-word essay on any topic, look at the following 500-word essay sample pdf examples. 

Leadership essays are written to discuss all the qualities of being a leader. Look at the given example and learn how you can write a 500-word essay on leadership

500-Word Essay on Leadership (PDF)

500-word essay writing assignments are often assigned to high school students. If you are a high school and want to see how you can perfectly write such an essay, look at the example given below.

500-Word Essay for High School (PDF)

Our changing environment is an important issue these days. An essay can be composed of different things related to it. The given example is a 500-word essay that discusses the environment in general.

500-Word Essay on the Environment (PDF)

Punctuality is one of the significant qualities of an individual. A well-written 500-word essay on punctuality is mentioned below to help you through.

500-Word Essay on Punctuality (PDF)

Teachers are the backbone of any educational system, and they play an essential role in developing students' skills. However, many students aspiring teachers get confused writing 500-word essays due to their shortened length. Here is an example to help you out.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

Writing on nursing topics helps you to develop an understanding of the complexities of this field while also honing critical thinking skills. Below is a 500-word essay that can help future nurses.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

Honesty is an important value that must be cultivated in students from a young age. It helps to establish trust between individuals and sets the foundation for strong character development. Below is a 500 word essay on honesty to guide you on how to write on such a theme.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500-word essay on why I deserve a scholarship is often dreaded among students. These essays require you to shorten yet express a compelling story that can win over the panel. Here is a pdf to help you out.

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship PDF

Anger management is a difficult topic to tackle. It requires you to find effective solutions and ideas within such a limited word count. Check out the example given below for help.

500 Word Essay on Anger

The Second World War is one of the most important events in human history and its impact can still be felt today. Writing a 500-word essay on this subject requires research, understanding, and war insight. Below is a sample to help you get an idea about how to tackle such a topic.

500 word essay on ww2

Now that you know exactly what a 500 word essay looks like. Continue reading to select the perfect 500-word essay topic.

Great 500-Word Essay Topics

This type of essay is mostly assigned to high school and middle school students. The following are some amazing topics for 500-word essays.

  • Difference between Love and passion.
  • The love story of Romeo and Juliet.
  • Why is there a belief that marriage destroys love?
  • A religious aspect of love.
  • What is real love?
  • Is it possible to make a person truly love somebody?
  • The influence of love on a person's life?
  • Why is real love often depicted in fairy tales?
  • How to write a 100 words essay in Times New Roman?
  • Can animals feel love for their owners?
  • The effects of single space formatting in an essay.
  • A journey to remember.
  • How to prepare for an exam?
  • Thoughts on spacecraft?
  • How do people earn from the Internet?
  • How can money influence people?
  • How can disabilities be a challenge?
  • Carrying guns by people underage.
  • Telling lies is sometimes useful.
  • Why is smoking the greatest threat to youngsters?

Writing assignments can be really daunting sometimes. To write an essay perfectly, you need to have strong writing skills and a lot of time to complete it. Instead of being stressed out, the best option is to seek professional help.

At  CollegeEssay.org , we have a qualified team of expert writer who can take care of any writing assignment. From writing a good college essay to providing you with the best research paper, we have got you covered.

You can always make the most of AI essay writing tools to refine and enhance your writing skills.

Get in touch with us now and place an order now for your 500-word scholarship essay or any other essay you need. We provide you with the best custom essay writing service  and an amazing experience.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

How many pages is a 500 word essay.

A 500-word essay page is approximately one page single-spaced, or two pages double-spaced. This may vary depending on your writing style and font size.Usually time new roman 12 is used. Typically, a 500 word essay will be about one page single or two pages double spaced.

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How to Write a Great 500 Word Essay

David Feb 14, 2018

How to Write a Great 500 Word Essay

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During your scholarship applications, you may need to submit a 500-word essay answering a specific question. The theme of the essay can range from personal achievements to political controversies. This means you can adjust your writing style to fit the message of the prompt. This guide will explain how to write a 500-word scholarship essay. We will also provide an example for inspiration.

How to Format a 500-Word Scholarship Essay

The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article.

The main components of a 500-word essay include:

Introduction paragraph that engages the reader and establishes the thesis. The thesis may be a question that you will later answer in the essay content, or it can be a statement that you support in the body paragraphs. If you are writing a story, your “thesis” may not be as apparent.

4-6 body paragraphs that provide evidence to back up your thesis. Each paragraph should be a cohesive element with an intro and conclusion. The body paragraphs should flow well from one point to the next.

A conclusion paragraph that reminds the reader of the thesis and highlights key points from the body text. The conclusion should answer the question or complete the statement made in the introduction. It should give the reader a sense of closure and resolution

500-word essays do not have to be exactly 500 words, but they should be as close as possible. The essay prompt may say “in under 500 words” or “in at least 500 words,” which would state whether 500 is the minimum or maximum word count. If that information is not specified, write as much as you need to comprehensively address the prompt without frivolous content.

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500-Word Essay vs. 250-Word Essay

500-word scholarship essays offer more writing flexibility than 250-word essays . With a shorter word count, you are often forced to summarize long-winded thoughts into quick to-the-point snippets. 500 words give you more room to express your opinion. Yet, it is still short enough that it does not need footnotes and cited resources, usually.

500-Word Essay vs. 1000+ Word Essay

Another scholarship essay length you may encounter is 1,000 words. With a 1,000-word scholarship essay, you will need to cite sources and provide detailed references to support your claims. 1,000+ word essay prompts are often used for writing competitions, where you may be asked to create a fictional story. The extra length gives room for extra creativity, but it also requires more time to put the perfect piece together.

You should approach all essays with the same mentality, regardless of their length. Your goal is to compose a piece that clearly guides the reader through your thoughts and reasoning. You may have to adjust how you convey those thoughts based on the length. Your essay should always have a beginning, middle, and end.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Looking for scholarships for high school seniors? You’ve come to the right place! This handy guidebook will give you all the information (and more) you need to find scholarships for high school seniors. In this guide, you’ll learn about scholarships for different types of students, different scholarships by subject, scholarship applications, easy and weird scholarships, local scholarships, corporate scholarships, fraternity and sorority scholarships, and more. Read on for more information on how you can win scholarships for high school seniors…

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A Step-by-Step 500-Word Essay Example

To help you see how to write a 500-word scholarship essay, we want to show you each section of the essay step-by-step. Use this as a general guide when you write your essay. However, feel free to add your own spin to it. Our writing sample will be in green, and the commentary will be in plain text. So…let’s begin!

TOPIC: Should cell phone usage be controlled in college classrooms?

Step 1 – Create a Thesis

Everything in your essay revolves around your thesis. This is the big point you are trying to make, which is usually an answer to a question in the essay prompt. You will use the rest of the essay to support this thesis.

For the topic Should cell phone usage be controlled in college classrooms? our thesis will be:

“Cell phone usage should be controlled in college classrooms, as long as it does not hinder students’ rights.”

Step 2 – Write the Introduction

The introduction should grab your reader’s attention and prepare for an explanation of the thesis. It usually starts with a general statement related to the topic at hand, followed by supplementary sentences that lead into the thesis. Here is a sample introduction for our essay, including the thesis at the end of the paragraph:

Cell phones have gone from a sought-after luxury to a daily necessity. While these devices provide convenient access to the outside world, they can be problematic for educators. High school teachers can tell children in their classes to put their phones away, but should professors have the same control over adult men and women? The key is to create cell phone usage policies that limit distractions without hindering student rights.

Word count: an Intro paragraph, 70 words.

Step 3 – Write the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should provide support for the thesis. Why do you think this way, and what evidence do you have to support those beliefs? The paragraphs should flow from one to the next like a constant stream of thought. Each paragraph should conclude the statement made at the beginning of the paragraph.

Building on the thesis “Cell phone usage should be controlled in college classrooms, as long as it does not hinder students’ rights,” we will now explain how colleges can control cell phones in class while preserving student rights. If our thesis was that cell phones should NOT be controlled in college, we would explain the dangers of not having access to cell phones.

No matter which side of the argument you choose, you should acknowledge the other angle and negate those statements. As you will see below, we remark on why some students may not want cell phone usage policies. We will also suggest how to get around those concerns. Doing this provides the best possible support for your thesis because it shows you have taken every angle into consideration.

Here is the body for our 500-word essay sample:

The primary argument supporting cell phone control in the classroom is the fact that phones can be distracting. Not only do cell phones distract instructors, but they may also distract students trying to pay attention to the lecture. This is the same effect as a moviegoer looking at his phone in a theater. Even if the phone makes no noise, the light from the screen is enough to catch someone’s attention. Arguments against cell phone control typically focus on safety concerns. Should a crisis occurs in the classroom, students should have their phones on hand to make a call. If a student has a child, he or she may need a phone in case of a medical emergency. If the student is on call for work, he or she will need access to a phone. The list of exception-worthy scenarios is endless. The best solution is to create cell phone usage rules that allow devices to be accessible without disturbing other students’ educational opportunities. Students should be permitted to keep their phones in their bags, pockets, or other belongings as long as the phones are on silent in class. Vibrate settings may be permitted if the instructor does not believe it will distract him or her, since the noise of the vibration may not be noticeable in a large classroom. If a student needs to answer the phone during an emergency, he or she can step out of the classroom to do so. This setup would give the students and the instructor peace of mind. Cell phone restrictions in classrooms should also include specific disciplinary actions for breaking the rules. If a student is caught using the phone in class, he or she should be excused for the rest of the day. Professors should refrain from physically taking possession of a student’s phone because of liability conflicts. If the phone is damaged while in the professor’s possession, the school or the instructor could be held responsible for the repairs. It is safer to ask the student to leave the classroom than it is to take the phone away completely.

Word count: Body paragraphs, 349 words. Total essay is now 419 words.

Step 4 – Wrap It up with a Conclusion

Once you have covered all your points, you should summarize the essay’s contents in the conclusion. This is your last opportunity to convince the reader of your thesis. Touch on the most important aspects of your essay then leave the reader with something to think about. Here is an example of how to conclude our essay:

Each school, professor and student body is different. Colleges must adapt their rules and discipline efforts to reflect the current needs of their students. Eliminating cell phones in college classrooms is an overstretch, but there are ways to balance students’ rights and instructors’ rights. With the right amount of control and flexibility, colleges can create a pleasant learning environment with maximum safety and minimal interruptions.

Notice how our conclusion was definitive but optimistic. We explain that colleges need to adapt their rules to fit the needs of their students. Yet still, confirm that cell phone use policies should be enforced.

Word count: Conclusion paragraph, 65 words. Total essay is now 484 words.

But wait! You’re 16 words short! We know that. The essay covered everything we wanted to without the need for extra words. If the prompt asked for at least 500 words, we would add another sentence to support one of the paragraphs. Since that was not a requirement though, we kept the essay as-is to avoid sounding wordy or repetitive.

The Complete 500-Word Essay Example

Cell phones have gone from a sought-after luxury to a daily necessity. While these devices provide convenient access to the outside world, they can be problematic for educators. High school teachers can tell children in their classes to put their phones away, but should professors have the same control over grown men and women? The key is to create cell phone usage policies that limit distractions without hindering student rights. The primary argument supporting cell phone control in the classroom is the fact that phones can be distracting. Not only do cell phones distract instructors, but they may also distract students trying to pay attention to the lecture. This is the same effect as a moviegoer looking at his phone in a theater. Even if the phone makes no noise, the light from the screen is enough to catch someone’s attention. Arguments against cell phone control typically focus on safety concerns. Should a crisis occurs in the classroom, students should have their phones on hand to make a call. If a student has a child, he or she may need a phone in case of a medical emergency. If the student is on call for work, he or she will need access to a phone. The list of exception-worthy scenarios is endless. The best solution is to create cell phone usage rules that allow devices to be accessible without disturbing other students’ educational opportunities. Students should be permitted to keep their phones in their bags, pockets, or other belongings as long as the phones are on silent in class. Vibrate settings may be permitted if the instructor does not believe it will distract him or her, since the noise of the vibration may not be noticeable in a large classroom. If a student needs to answer the phone during an emergency, he or she can step out of the classroom to do so. This setup would give the students and the instructor peace of mind. Cell phone restrictions in classrooms should also include specific disciplinary actions for breaking the rules. If a student is caught using the phone in class, he or she should be excused for the rest of the day. Professors should refrain from physically taking possession of a student’s phone because of liability conflicts. If the phone is damaged while in the professor’s possession, the school or the instructor could be held responsible for the repairs. It is safer to ask the student to leave the classroom than it is to take the phone away completely. Each school, professor and student body is different. Colleges must adapt their rules and discipline efforts to reflect the current needs of their students. Eliminating cell phones in college classrooms is an overstretch, but there are ways to balance students’ rights and instructors’ rights. With the right amount of control and flexibility, colleges can create a pleasant learning environment with maximum safety and minimal interruptions.

Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

Here are some tips to help you write a great 500-word scholarship essay:

Give yourself at least two full days to write the essay. You can use the first day to write a draft and do some minor editing. Then on the second day, you can look at the essay with fresh eyes to do your final edits.

If you have a chance to show your essay to your English instructor or academic adviser, do so. You can use the feedback to improve the essay before submitting it.

Don’t focus on the word count as you write. Get all your thoughts on paper, and you can extend or shorten the essay during the editing process.

Write the first draft from start to finish, even if you know your thoughts are out of order. You can re-arrange them at a later time, but the initial run through will be as fluid as possible.

Re-read the prompt several times before writing. You don’t want to write an entire essay only to find out you were completely off topic.

Always think about your audience when writing a scholarship essay. What organization is issuing the scholarship, and how can you tie that into your writing? What is the underlying information they want to learn from your essay? Write in a way that shows you are the best candidate for the scholarship.

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David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.

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Essay Writing Guide

500 Word Essay

Nova A.

A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide

11 min read

500 word essay

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A 500-word essay is a common format assignment that students have to deal with. It is a three-part paper that provides vivid descriptions of an event, object, or phenomenon.

This format of essay writing is very easy if you know the correct techniques to put down your ideas within a specific word limit. 

The best way to write an essay in this format is by using specific words and making your ideas flow well. This essay enables you to learn how to be concise but also poses significant essay writing challenges . 

In this blog, we will learn about 500-word essays in detail and explore everything about this type of essay format with examples. Keep reading!

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  • 1. What is 500 word Essay?
  • 2. 500 Words Essay Format 
  • 3. How Long is a 500 Word Essay?
  • 4. How to Write a 500-word Essay?
  • 5. 500 Word Essay Examples
  • 6. 500 Word Essay Topics 

What is 500 word Essay?

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing typically assigned in schools and colleges. This type of essay format requires the writer to express their thoughts, ideas, or arguments within a concise word limit.

A typical 500-word essay generally follows 4 to 5 paragraphs essay structure, with each paragraph containing approximately 75 to 200 words. The specific number and length of paragraphs can vary based on the type and structure of the essay.

A 500-word essay can be the easiest and the most difficult one to write, at the same time. It all depends on two things; the Topic and the Writer’s Abilities . Teachers often assign 500-word essay assignments as it can help them quickly assess the student’s critical, analytical, and writing skills. 

500 Words Essay Format 

Here is the format and structure of a well-crafted 500-word essay.

  • Introduction (Approximately 50-75 words)
  • Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs, Approximately 150-200 words)
  • Counterargument (Optional, Approximately 50-75 words)
  • Conclusion (Approximately 50-75 words)

Let's take a closer look at how a 500-word essay is set up and what each part does to make the writing strong and clear.

that introduces the main point of the paragraph. between paragraphs to maintain the essay's coherence.

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How Long is a 500 Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is typically one to two pages long, depending on formatting and spacing. For APA style , use a 12-point font for serif (e.g., Times New Roman) and 11-point for sans-serif (e.g., Arial). With double spacing, it will extend to approximately 2 pages, while with single spacing, it usually fits onto 1 page.

How Long Should a 500 Word Essay Take? 

Typically, for an average writer, composing a 500-word essay might take around 1 to 2 hours. However, this estimate can vary significantly based on individual factors such as familiarity with the topic, writing experience, and the need for extensive research or revision.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay? 

A typical 500-word essay generally comprises 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each paragraph contains roughly 75 to 200 words. However, the exact number and length of paragraphs may vary depending on the essay's type and structure.

Word count is important in short essays. So, it’s best to aim for an introduction under 100 words, body paragraphs around 300 words each, and conclude within 100 words.

500-Word Essay vs. 250-Word Essay 

A 500-word essay offers more depth than a 250-word one, allowing for additional detail and evidence. This extra content strengthens arguments or supports viewpoints, making the essay more effective.

500-Word Essay vs. 1000+ Word Essay

A 500-word essay is shorter than a 1000+ word essay. The 500-word one usually fits on one to two pages, while the longer essay can span several pages. With more words, the longer essay allows for a deeper exploration of topics and more detailed arguments. However, both essays require clear organization and effective communication of ideas.

How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is the same as classic essay writing. Here are some steps to keep in mind while writing a 500-word essay. 

  • Create an Outline
  • Write a Strong Introduction
  • Composing The Body Paragraphs
  • Write an Impressive Conclusion

Below is a detailed description of each step. 

Step 1: Create An Outline

First, make a clear and detailed essay outline , and do not miss anything at this point. It will serve as a backbone for your entire paper. 

The purpose of this outline is to break down the ideas in a logical and structured manner. 

Step 2: Write A Strong Introduction

The opening paragraph of an essay serves as the reader's initial window into the topic. Grab your reader from the start of this paragraph with an attention-grabbing hook . Make it as interesting and creative as you can so that they don't put down the essay before reading it all!

For writing an essay introduction , you need to introduce your main topic. And give an idea of what the reader may encounter in the rest of the essay. At the end of this paragraph pin your thesis statement . 

For Example: 

In our increasingly inactive world, where many of us spend long hours sitting in front of screens, the value of regular exercise becomes ever more apparent. Not only does exercise benefit us physically, but it also plays a significant role in promoting mental well-being. This essay aims to explore the various ways in which exercise positively impacts both our bodies and our minds. By shedding light on the transformative effects of exercise on our overall health and vitality, we hope to underscore its importance in maintaining a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

Step 3: Composing The Body Paragraphs

The body section of the essay is mostly divided into 3 paragraphs as discussed above in the format section. It is the point where you need to explain the different types of arguments you make in the essay. Support these arguments with relevant examples, facts, or personal interpretations. 

Regular physical activity strengthens muscles and bones, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and enhances overall physical well-being. For instance, cardiovascular exercises, like jogging or swimming, improve heart health by increasing circulation and reducing the risk of heart disease.  A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that individuals who engaged in regular cardiovascular exercise had a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular ailments compared to those leading sedentary lifestyles.

Exercise is not only good for the body but also the mind. Engaging in activities like yoga or aerobics triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. This can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that regular exercise can be as effective as medication in treating mild to moderate depression.

Furthermore, regular exercise enhances cognitive function by promoting neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections. It boosts memory, focus, and overall mental performance. Exercise also increases the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, benefiting both mental acuity and emotional well-being.

In a 500-word essay, it's best to stick to one main argument with supporting evidence. Longer essays, such as 1000-word essays , can explore multiple arguments as long as they're connected and contribute to a unified thesis.

Step 4: Write an Impressive Conclusion

Conclusion is the last part of the essay where you need to summarise the main argument of the essay. When writing the conclusion of your essay, begin by restating the thesis statement and explaining it with some strong points analyzed in the body section.

Make sure it does not completely iterate the introduction. Focus on providing critical insight into the main subject of discussion.

For Example:

In conclusion, regular exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. It promotes physical well-being, reduces the risk of diseases, and enhances mental health. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine, even in small doses, can lead to a happier and healthier life.

Always proofread your essay for mistakes and inconsistencies. Also, make sure the writing convention checklist is followed, as it will give you a clearer idea of what needs to be improved before submitting! 

If you still need some guidance, here is a video on how to write a 500-word essay!

500 Word Essay Examples

All 500-word essays follow a different style and structure, making it difficult for a student to understand what their instructor expects. In such scenarios, 500-word essay examples can be of great help.

Below you can find some 500-word essay examples on different topics to better understand the various style formats.

500 Word Essay On Honesty

A 500-word essay on honesty is a commonly assigned task to high school and college students. It simply involves writing on how to develop a practice of speaking the truth always.

Here is an example 500-word essay on honesty that you can refer to for your understanding.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500 Word Essay On Integrity

Below, you can find a great 500-word essay on integrity written by one of our expert writers for your help.

500 Word Essay On Leadership

Leadership essay discusses the quality of leading people. Get help from the following leadership essay example and learn how you can write on one of the important aspects of life.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality  

Punctuality is an important trait that everyone should strive to possess. Take help from this punctual example essay and make your writing even more powerful.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

Responsibility is an important value that everyone should possess. It dictates the way we interact with others and how we carry out our daily lives. Take a look at our example of an essay on responsibility to understand what it means to be responsible.

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship  

Writing an essay explaining why you deserve a scholarship can be a challenging experience since students often feel like they’re bragging about themselves. Learn how to write a 500-word essay for scholarship that will make a strong case for your academic excellence with our sample!

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship Pdf

500 Word Essay on Respect 

Respect is a very important concept in today's society. It is an essential component of any successful relationship, both personal and professional. Check out our essay example on  Respect to begin learning more about this topic.

500 Word Essay On Respect

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher 

Writing essays about something you are passionate about is never an easy task. When it comes to writing about why someone wants to be a teacher, you can always get help from some great sample essays.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse 

Nursing is a passion for a lot of people. If you want to write an essay on why you want to be a nurse, you must look at our sample essay.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

500 Word Essay on Global Warming

Global warming is not just an environmental concern but a moral obligation for the well-being of our planet. Write a 500 word essay on global warming with the help of our sample.

Here are some more 500-word essay pdf samples on important topics for your understanding:

500 word essay about myself

500 word essay on corruption

500 word essay on social media

500 word essay on pollution

500 word essay about Islam

500 Word Essay Topics 

Here are some topics that you may find interesting.

  • Describe your favorite trip.
  • Is it possible to earn on the Internet?
  • What are the challenges of people living with disabilities?
  • How to avoid problems at college.
  • What is honesty?
  • Abstract art and its impact on people.
  • Causes of racism.
  • The best day of your life.
  • What is the objective of your life? 
  • What do you mean by punctuality? 

If you want to look at more topics, feel free to choose from our interesting list of essay topics .

Wrapping it Up!

Writing essays in a concise 500-word format may seem straightforward, but the process can often be challenging for students. The biggest hurdle? Squeezing in all the essential details while staying within the limit.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to navigate this task, let MyPerfectWords.com handle it for you. 

Our essay writer service is here to transform your academic journey. Whether it's crafting a compelling narrative or refining your arguments, our experts are dedicated to delivering excellence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences is a 500-word essay.

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A 500-word essay typically contains around 5 to 10 sentences per paragraph, spread across 4 to 6 paragraphs.

Can a 500-word essay have 4 paragraphs?

Yes, a 500-word essay can have 4 paragraphs, though it's more commonly structured with 5 or 6 paragraphs.

How many references are needed for a 500-word essay?

The number of references needed for a 500-word essay can vary depending on the topic and requirements, but generally, 2 to 4 references are sufficient for supporting arguments and providing evidence.

Does a 500-word essay have to be exactly 500 words?

Yes, that’s because the general rule for any academic essay is to not exceed the given word count by more than 10%. So applying the same rule, your 500 word essay length should ideally not exceed 10%, that is 550 words, so you should try to wrap up your thoughts within that word count or otherwise risk a negative marking by the professor.

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How to Write a 500-Word Essay (With Examples)

A 500-word essay is a common assignment in many academic settings. It is a concise piece of writing that requires students to express their thoughts and ideas on a specific topic within a limited word count or essay length.

Knowing how to write a 500-word essay is important because it helps students develop their writing skills and learn how to communicate their ideas concisely and effectively. In this article, we will discuss what a 500-word essay is, provide some great topics for such essays, and offer tips on planning, organizing, and writing a solid essay.

What is a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is a short piece of writing typically consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It is used in various academic disciplines and is often assigned as a writing task to test students’ understanding of a particular topic or their ability to present an argument or analysis within a limited word count . The purpose of a 500-word essay is to provide a concise and focused discussion on a specific topic.

The typical structure of a 500-word essay includes an introduction that presents the topic and provides background information, body paragraphs that explain the main arguments or points, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and provides a final thought or reflection on the topic. The word count of each section may vary depending on the assignment’s specific requirements, but it is important to keep the overall word count within the limit.

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Great 500 Word Essay Topics

When choosing a topic for a 500-word essay, selecting something exciting and relevant is important. Here are some great topics that can be used for a 500-word paper

  • The impact of social media on society
  • The benefits of exercise for physical and mental health
  • The importance of education in today’s world
  • The role of technology in our daily lives
  • The effects of climate change on the environment
  • The pros and cons of globalization
  • The significance of cultural diversity in society
  • The challenges and opportunities of remote work
  • The impact of artificial intelligence on the job market
  • The role of government in addressing income inequality

When choosing a topic, it is important to consider your own interests and knowledge on the subject. Select a topic you are passionate about and have enough information to support your arguments or analysis. Additionally, choose a topic that is narrow enough to be covered within the word count but broad enough to provide room for discussion and analysis.

Planning Your 500-Word Essay: Outlining and Organizing Your Thoughts

Planning and organizing your thoughts is important before writing your 500-word essay. This will help you stay focused and ensure your essay has a clear and logical structure. Here are some tips on how to create an outline for a 500-word essay:

  • Start by brainstorming ideas and jotting down key points or arguments related to your topic.
  • Once you have a list of ideas, organize them into main categories or themes.
  • Determine the main points or arguments you want to discuss in each body paragraph.
  • Create a thesis statement clearly stating your essay’s main argument or point.
  • Use your outline as a guide to write your introduction , body paragraphs, and conclusion.

By creating an outline, you can ensure that your essay has a clear and logical flow. It will also help you stay on track and avoid going off-topic. Remember to revise and refine your outline as you go along, as new ideas may arise, or you may find that specific points are better suited for different sections of your essay.

Writing a Strong Introduction for Your 500-Word Essay

The introduction is an important part of a 500-word essay as it sets the tone for the rest and grabs the reader’s attention. Here are some tips on how to write a solid and engaging introduction for a 500-word essay:

  • Start with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This can be a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact or statistic, or a relevant quote.
  • Provide some background information on the topic to give the reader context and help them understand the importance or relevance of the topic.
  • State your thesis statement and your essay’s main argument or point. Make sure it is clear and concise.
  • Preview the main points or arguments you will discuss in the body paragraphs.

By following these tips, you can create an introduction that engages the reader and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.

Crafting a Compelling Body Paragraph for Your 500-Word Essay

The body paragraphs are where you present your main arguments or points and provide evidence or examples to support them. Here are some tips on how to write a compelling body paragraph for a 500-word essay:

  • Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point or argument of the paragraph.
  • Provide evidence or examples to support your main point. This can include facts, statistics, expert opinions, or personal anecdotes.
  • Analyze and explain the significance of the evidence or examples. Show how they support your main point and contribute to your overall argument.
  • Use transitional words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow between paragraphs.

Following these tips ensures that your body paragraphs are clear, focused, and well-supported.

Using Evidence and Examples to Support Your Arguments

Using evidence and examples is crucial in a 500-word essay as it helps strengthen your arguments and make your writing more persuasive. Here are some tips on how to find and use relevant evidence and examples in a 500-word essay:

  • Research to find credible sources that support your arguments or provide relevant information on your topic.
  • Use a mix of primary and secondary sources to provide a well-rounded perspective.
  • Choose evidence or examples that are specific and relevant to your main points. Avoid using vague or general statements.
  • Cite your sources properly using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

By using evidence and examples effectively, you can enhance the credibility and persuasiveness of your essay.

Writing a Clear and Concise Conclusion for Your 500-Word Essay

The conclusion is the final part of your 500-word essay, and it should summarize your main points and leave the reader with a final thought or reflection on the topic. Here are some tips on how to write a clear and concise conclusion for a 500-word essay:

  • Restate your thesis statement differently to remind the reader of your main argument or point.
  • Summarize the main points or arguments you discussed in the body paragraphs.
  • Provide a final thought or reflection on the topic. This can be a call to action, a prediction, or a recommendation for further research or discussion.

By following these tips, you can create a conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Editing and Proofreading Your 500 Word Essay: Tips and Tricks

Editing and proofreading are essential steps in writing as they help improve your essay’s clarity, coherence, and overall quality. Here are some tips on how to effectively edit and proofread a 500-word essay:

  • Take a break before editing and proofreading to distance yourself from your essay.
  • Read your essay out loud to catch any awkward or unclear sentences.
  • Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Use grammar and spell-check tools and manually review your essay for mistakes.
  • Ensure that your essay flows smoothly and that your ideas are presented logically.
  • Ask a friend or family member to read your essay and provide feedback.

By editing and proofreading your essay, you can ensure it is polished and error-free.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a 500-Word Essay

When writing a 500-word essay, writers make some common mistakes. Here are some tips on how to avoid these mistakes and improve the quality of your writing:

  • Avoid using vague or general statements. Be specific and provide concrete examples or evidence to support your arguments.
  • Don’t exceed the word count limit. Keep your essay concise and focused.
  • Avoid using excessive jargon or technical terms that may confuse the reader. Use clear and straightforward language.
  • Don’t rely too heavily on quotes or paraphrases. Use them sparingly, and make sure to provide your analysis or interpretation.
  • Avoid plagiarism by properly citing your sources and crediting the original authors.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve the clarity, coherence, and overall quality of your 500-word essay.

Successful 500-Word Essay Examples: Inspiration for Your Writing

To gain inspiration for your 500-word essay, reading examples of successful essays can be helpful. Here are some examples of successful 500-word essays:

  • Mental Health, Mental Illness, Risk, & Resilience
  • Schizophrenia: Physiological Basis of a Mental Illness
  • The Teaching Plan for Mental Illness

These examples demonstrate how to effectively structure and present arguments or analysis within a limited word count. They also showcase evidence and examples to support the main points.

Conclusion on Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

Knowing how to write a 500-word essay is important for students as it helps develop their writing skills and ability to communicate their ideas concisely. In this article, we discussed what a 500-word essay is, provided some great topics for such essays, and offered tips on planning, organizing, and writing a solid essay. We also discussed the importance of using evidence and examples to support arguments, as well as the importance of editing and proofreading. By following the tips and advice provided in this article, students can improve their 500-word essay writing skills and effectively express their thoughts and ideas on a specific topic.

FAQs on 500-Word Essays

What is a 500-word essay.

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing typically consisting of 500 words. It is often assigned as a requirement for assignments, exams, or scholarship applications.

How long is a 500-word essay?

A 500-word essay is precisely 500 words in length. It usually includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The word count is crucial in meeting the essay’s requirements.

How many pages is a 500-word essay?

The number of pages in a 500-word essay depends on various factors, including font size, line spacing, and margins. However, it is typically around one page if formatted with standard settings like Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double spacing .

What is the format of a 500-word essay?

A 500-word essay follows a standard format, including an introduction with a clear thesis statement, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It is important to adhere to the designated essay format required by your instructor or academic institution.

How do I write a 500-word essay?

To write a 500-word essay, follow these steps:

  • Start by understanding and researching the assigned topic .
  • Create a clear thesis statement that presents your main argument.
  • Outline your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
  • Write an engaging introduction to grab the reader’s attention.
  • Develop each body paragraph with relevant information and supporting evidence.
  • Ensure your essay has a logical flow and coherence.
  • Conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and reiterating your thesis statement.
  • Proofread and edit your essay for grammar, spelling, and clarity.  

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College Essay 500 Word Limit: 5 Simple Ways to Pare it Down

July 6, 2012 by Sharon Epstein 6 Comments

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It can be tough to write an interesting, creative essay and keep it short, but if you know a few simple tips you can deliver an essay that will impress .

Here are 5 Ways to Succeed with the 500 Word Limit:

1.  Think Small Instead of Big . Don’t try to tackle a big topic like world peace or what you did for your entire summer vacation. Choose a shorter span of time and a topic that’s not too broad.

2.  Write About a Moment. A moment is a brief period of time when you learned something meaningful to you. Moments can make powerful essays.

Here’s an Example of a Moment:

  • A student working in a store noticed that a customer had dropped some change. It wasn’t a lot and he almost didn’t stop to pick it up, but then he did. The customer was extremely grateful and told him she was counting on that money. The student wrote about how he’d never forget that something insignificant to him could make such a big difference to someone else.

3. Begin in the Middle of Your Story, Where the Action or Conflict Starts. This technique will not only save you words but it’s also a great way to draw the reader into your story. Here are two examples of introductions that were changed to start with action:

Example #1: Before: “I spent my summer vacation interning in the emergency room of a hospital.” Changed: “The bloody gurney wheeled past me. I closed my eyes and prayed for the strength not to pass out.

Example #2: Before: “I always wanted to climb a mountain, so that’s what I decided to do my freshman year.” Changed: “Hurry up!” my dad yelled, as I scrambled to collect myself for another day of mountain climbing.

4 . Use Adjectives and Adverbs Wisely. If your essay is too long try to edit out some of your adjectives and adverbs. Here are two examples of edits and the reasons behind them:

Example #1: Before: As Andrew walked his large legs made heavy, thumping sounds. He turned to stare at the dawning sunrise. Changed: As Andrew walked his legs made heavy, thumping sounds. He turned to stare at the sunrise. Why the Change? 1. Size adjectives, like “large,” are often too general. “Heavy” and “thumping” are specific and convey the idea of being large. 2. “Sunrise” is dawn. Look for these kinds of redundancies.

Example #2: Before: “He walked convincingly . ” After: “He strode.” Why the Change? One word conveys the same idea.

5. Edit Your Essay . Here are 4 ways to eliminate words:

  • Eliminate any details or explanations that don’t move you toward your conclusion.
  • Don’t repeat your ideas.
  • Pare down adjectives and adverbs (see tip #4).
  • Ask someone else to read you essay. Sometimes, as writers, we get attached to our material and it becomes difficult to know what to cut. Ask one or more people who know you to give you suggestions.

Can you submit an essay that’s over the limit? Check with the admissions office at the college(s). They’ll be able to guide you.

related posts: How to Succeed with the Common App Essay Word Limit: Pt 1 (7 Tips to Remember) How to Succeed with the Common App Essay Word Limit: Pt 2 (Think Small and Still Tell a Big Story) How to Succeed with the Common App Essay Word Limit: Pt 3 (Essay Samples ) How to Succeed with the Common App Essay Word Limit: Pt 4 (Ideas that Work)

Read Time.com on the Common App Essay Word Limit

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Author: Sharon Epstein

College consultant, teaching students how to write memorable college application essays, grad school and prep school essays, and succeed at job and college interviews.

6 thoughts on “ College Essay 500 Word Limit: 5 Simple Ways to Pare it Down ”

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As a private college counselor, I love the essay part of the college applications. I know for some students 500 words seems like so many, but for others it is not nearly enough. I do believe, however, whether a college allows you to use more words or not, 500 or fewer is about the right number. Admission counselors read a lot of essays and you don’t want them to lose their enthusiasm before they get to yours. These are some great ideas for keeping essays within the 500 word limit.

Susie Watts Denver, Colorado

Pingback: Common App 500 Word Limit: What Colleges Think « Applying To College

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I am taking placement test at college and I am not good writing at all because of my hard of hearing[deaf],do speak. I have to write essay and I have try to write but i can visuial [my head] good but not my writing. I really do push myself to hard! What advice do I need to do?wish me luck!

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It sounds like you’re working very hard. Getting extra help from a teacher might be an idea. But you should also know that when you fill out your applications for college you will have the chance to explain your situation. If your test scores don’t reflect what you’re capable of, you can explain that in the application and say why. Once the schools understand that it’s hard for you to write because of your hearing difficulty they will look extra hard at your grades and your teacher recommendations and pay a lot of attention to those. Good luck!

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Alright its hard for me to write or type what i’m thinking on paper or in microsoft word. I’ve been ou tof school for 8 years , i joined the military right after high school.Filling out the 500 word essay is really hard for me and i can use some advice on how to start this part.

If you’re having trouble starting your essay, try one or both of these methods: 1. Spend 15 or 20 minutes brainstorming. If you’re uncomfortable at the computer, use paper. Set a timer, and start writing about your idea(s). Let your thoughts flow and write them down. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or even if they’re sentences. If one idea leads to something that seems unrelated, that’s okay. Keep writing and don’t stop until your time is up, and above all don’t judge what you’re writing. Then, when you’re finished, go back and pick out the good parts to use to start your essay. You can do this exercise several times, until you find something you’re happy with. 2. Dictate your story. For some people talking through their story is much easier than writing it. Then transcribe the pieces that you like, and use them to start your essay. Good luck! Sharon

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Structure suggestions for a 500 word essay

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By Amy Price DPhil (Oxon)

The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. It is ok to use 10% less or more words.

The main components of a 500-word essay include:

  • This first step is to write a topic sentence. This could be a question or statement that you will answer or explain in the balance of the essay. The other sentences in the first paragraph open up the topic and can be 3-4 sentences. (60-90 words) 
  • Some people use the PEE principle (point, evidence , explanation). At the most use 1 point per paragraph.
  • Every paragraph should be able to stand on its own and also lead into the next paragraph. (You can test this by reading it back to yourself aloud).
  • The body of the essay will be about 290-360 words with paragraphs using (70-120 words).
  • Remind your reader about your key points and bring them together.
  • Answer the question with your solution, not something a system, government, or groups should do.
  • Share what you and readers might do about the points you raised or if it is about you how this changed you and how this helped.
  • Remember your reader is craving a sense of closure, something to think about or a resolution. If it is a position or placement you are applying for they want to say yes! 

Some extra tips for short essay success

Some people like to use a mind mapping tool where they can organise their essay thoughts and many of these are free, simple and available on a phone.

Use an online dictionary to find connector words for writing help and to avoid repetition.

Tell your story/essay to someone and record this with your phone as the way you explain it to a living person may be clearer than what you have in writing.

Write your essay like an email or tell it to SIRI and record as an email and then improve by editing this.

Use a spell checker and read to make sure the essay edits your spell checker makes are correct.

Try Grammarly, the free version is all you need for a short essay

Do not worry about tenses and which person (first , second or third) to use on the first essay draft. Change it later instead.

Do your own work and have fun!

The views expressed here are the authors and they do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stanford University School of Medicine. External websites are shared as a courtesy. They are not endorsed by the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The introductory paragraph is to get your reader's attention and lay a foundation for your essay.

Amy Price, DPhil (Oxon) Editor, The Mentor

500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas

Quality management for organizational excellence.

  • Subjects: Business Management

“Brain Plasticity and Behavior” by Bryan Kolb, Robbin Gibb, and Terry E. Robinson

  • Subjects: Health & Medicine Neurology

Journal Entry, Hermaphrodite or Intersex

  • Subjects: Gender Studies Sociology

Okrent, Daniel. Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. Scribner (May 11, 2010)

  • Subjects: American Literature Literature

Sexual Harassment at the Workplace

  • Subjects: Business Workforce

Principles of Bauhaus production

  • Subjects: Design Urban Planning in Architecture

Gambling in Four Perspectives

  • Subjects: Psychological Issues Psychology

Case of Ski Pro Corporation

  • Subjects: Business Company Missions

Geography Is One of the Essential Disciplines in School

  • Subjects: Geography Sciences

Dishonest GOP, Exempts ACA from Budget Rules

  • Subjects: Health & Medicine Healthcare Financing

Computer Crimes Defense and Prevention

  • Subjects: Cyber Security Tech & Engineering

Social Work as a Profession

  • Subjects: Sociological Issues Sociology

September 11: Terror Attack and Huge Casualties

  • Subjects: Terrorism Warfare

The Relationships Between Advertising Appeals, Spending Tendency, Perceived Social Status and Materialism on Perfume Purchasing Behaviour

  • Subjects: Advertising Entertainment & Media

Poem – ‘Life’, by Emily Dickinson

  • Subjects: Literature Poems

Annotation Of: Hispanics and the Death Penalty

  • Subjects: Judicial Process on Criminals Law

“Just Say No? The Use of Conversation Analysis in Developing a Feminist Perspective on Sexual Refusal” by Kitzinger and Frith: Summary

  • Subjects: Gender Identity Sociology

Canadian Stereotypes

  • Subjects: Culture Worldwide Cultures

Political Interference in Texas’ Judicial System

  • Subjects: Government Politics & Government

Statistics as Evidence: Scaring Us Senseless

  • Subjects: Behavior Psychology

To Believe or Not to Believe with Insufficient Evidence

  • Subjects: Philosophical Theories Philosophy

A Response to the Article “Inequality and the American Dream”

  • Subjects: Economic Systems & Principles Economics

Why Foreign Education is worth the Price

  • Subjects: Education Education Abroad

Case for political risk

Difference between uk, usa and australia.

  • Subjects: Political Culture Politics & Government

Immigration Admissions and Control Policies

  • Subjects: Immigration Sociology

The Role of Marketing Trends in Business

  • Subjects: Business Financial Marketing

Play With a Purpose

  • Subjects: Developmental Theories Psychology

Healthcare Information needs at Presbyterian Hospital

  • Subjects: Administration and Regulation Health & Medicine

Raft of the Medusa by Theodore Gericault

  • Subjects: Art Art Movement

The Cold War: Global Prosperity and Human Rights

  • Subjects: History United States

American Pragmatism and Analytic Philosophy

  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept Philosophy

About the B’nai Bagels

Giving an overview of music education.

  • Subjects: Cardiology Health & Medicine

Introduction to System Thinking

  • Subjects: Cognition and Perception Psychology

Mrs. Hale: Different but Equal – Legitimate Gender Differences

  • Subjects: Literature Plays

The Emperor of Ice Cream

Functionalist approach to deviance and crime, metaphysics as branch of philosophy, “introduction to manufacturing lipke, david. “american apparel focuses on fundamentals”. wwd issue.”.

  • Subjects: Business Case Study

Challenges of the Grant Administration

Concepts of match on recruitment, what is education for.

  • Subjects: Rhetoric Sociology

Analysis of the Article: Importance-Performance Analysis as a New Attempt to Satisfy Citizens’ Needs

Death, dying and bereavement, valuable leadership experience, are all instincts random and arbitrary, the stages of the creative process.

  • Subjects: Applications of Psychology Psychology

Environmental and Animal Ethics

  • Subjects: Environment Environmental Studies

Disclosing the Aspects of Female Authorship as Presented in Woolf’s Professions for Women and Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Right of Woman

  • Subjects: British Literature Literature

Tuscaloosa County School District Emergency Operations Plan in Alabama

  • Subjects: Education Education Theories

Does Social Class Make a Difference?

World with no advertising, no promotion, no marketing.

  • Subjects: Business Marketing

What is Applied Management Science?

Virginia teacher holds mock slave auction.

  • Subjects: Education Pedagogy

Setting up a Private Business: Optometry Business

A summary of “what the dog saw”.

  • Subjects: Concepts in American Novels Literature

America Does Not Celebrate Its Real Heroes

Special places to relax & find inspiration.

  • Subjects: Psychological Principles Psychology

Philosophical Analysis on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

The impact of immigration on the economy of the usa, fantasies of the master race.

  • Subjects: Cultural Studies Culture

Design, size and facilities

  • Subjects: Architecture Design

What a manager should know about control systems?

  • Subjects: Business Organizational Management

The Role of Popular Culture in the United States of America

The king’s speech.

  • Subjects: Art Historical Drama

Strategic Management Process

Labor economics: child labor, developmental psychology theories of piaget and vygotsky, human freedom and personal identity, gary okihiro’s arguments regarding the writing of american history, the value of a product.

  • Subjects: Education Education Issues

The Impact of Immigration on the American Society and Culture

Elementary children’s literature: infancy through age 13.

  • Subjects: Literature World Literature

How Jacob, as a Complex Character, Often Appears to have Opposing Aspects/Parts to his Personality

  • Subjects: Aspects of American Novels Literature

London during the Roman Age: A Critical Overview

  • Subjects: History Medieval History

How to Prepare the Students to Travel to a Foreign Country?

History of the united states to 1816.

  • Subjects: History Native Americans History

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

  • Subjects: Dramatic Literature Literature

Critical Analysis: The Peter Principle as an Explanation of Problem of Career Development

The era of liberal consensus, johnson, e. patrick. “performing blackness down under: the café of the gate of salvation.”.

  • Subjects: Culture Ethnicity Studies

Syntagmatics and Paradigmatics

  • Subjects: Art Theater

Strange Fruit’ Music and Social Consciousness

  • Subjects: Art Film Studies

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Franchise Agreement

What were pilgrims, puritans, separatists, antinomians, and quakers how did these groups come together in the formation of new england, a social interaction problem in the usa, confrontation: employee and customer.

  • Subjects: Business Business Ethics

White Wines vs. Red Wines

  • Subjects: Health & Medicine Healthy Nutrition

The Influence of Social Media on Communication

Online education and pragmatism.

  • Subjects: Aspects of Education Education

Taking Credit for Writing

The revolutionary struggle in european countries and america.

  • Subjects: History World History

Dubai Aluminum: Opening a Branch in Saudi Arabia

  • Subjects: Business Industry

The Mass Media is Harmful to Society

  • Subjects: Entertainment & Media Media and Society

The Force Field Analysis for Leadership Team Effectiveness

  • Subjects: Business Leadership Styles

Information Technology: Computer Software

  • Subjects: Computer Science Tech & Engineering

Relationship between Indirect and Physical Aggression on Television and in Real Life

Quality gurus and their philosophies, is hick right that the project of soul-making explains how a perfect god might allow evil.

  • Subjects: Philosophy Philosophy of Religion

Slavery and the Old South

Course outcomes: vietnamese culture and experiences, why are we afraid of poetry, summary and comparison of articles; “hiding in plain sight” by heather rogers and, “on dumpster diving” by lans eighner.

  • Subjects: Environment Recycling

Abuse in Childhood Common Among Alcohol Addicts

The hollow men by t. s. eliot, critical analysis of the plays: the three sisters and happy days, negative opinion towards immigrants is not justified.

  • Subjects: Behavior Management Psychology

Economic Consequences of Immigration

“rumi’s world: the life and work of the great sufi poet”.

  • Subjects: Religion Theology

Is Public Shaming a Viable and Appropriate Punishment for Criminal Behavior

  • Subjects: Criminal Law Law

Immigrants, Their Ethnicity and Culture

Analyzing the differences between utilitarianism and libertarianism: ethical issues and moral judgments.

  • Subjects: Ethics Sociology

Business issues and the context of human resource

  • Subjects: Business Business Critique

Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Subjects: Health & Medicine Nursing

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

  • Subjects: Health & Medicine Pharmacology

The O.J. Verdict Video

The secrets of management: acquiring the necessary information, management information systems and enterprise resource planning.

  • Subjects: Data Tech & Engineering

Sensory Experiences: Exploring Reality

Writing a 500-word essay may seem like a piece of cake. But don’t get fooled by it! Although a paper of this length is short and takes only one page, its writing process has its pitfalls. And the most complicated aspect is finding a balance between the small size and the depth of argumentation.

A typical 500-word paper can be:

  • a traditional 5-paragraph essay
  • a college admission essay
  • a personal statement
  • a book report
  • a critical analysis essay, and many other types of written works.

If you need to write one of these, then definitely check out this article. Our simple explanations and inspirational topics will help you craft an exceptional 500-word paper. And make sure to check out our free essay examples for even more ideas!

  • 🎓 Personal Statement Examples
  • 📜 500-Word Memoir Topics
  • ✨ My Values Essay Examples
  • ✊🏿 Rosa Parks Essay Topics
  • 💬 Narrative Essay Examples

✍️ How to Write a 500-Word Essay

  • 😱 Stress Impact on Health Essay Samples
  • 🚀 Sample Essays on Accountability
  • 💡 Essay Topics on Respect
  • 🎯 Example Essays on Career Goals
  • 📚 Topics on the Importance of Education
  • 🩺 Alzheimer’s Disease Topics
  • ❤️ Romeo and Juliet Essay Examples
  • 🏫 College Essay Topics

🎓 500-Word Personal Statement Examples

  • Personal Statement for a Major in Geography and Planning From my perspective, geography is a prominent professional field that has incredible potential, and I want to contribute to the advancement of this area to improve the lives of societies and organizations.
  • APRN Program Applicant Personal Statement While studying to be a nurse, I discovered the function of nurse practitioners and felt it was exactly what I was searching for.
  • Personal Statement on My Most Effective Learning Style Thus I believe my mode of learning is the best to use when studying. Through the use of this method, I have found learning to be more exciting and captivating.
  • Personal Teaching Philosophy Statement: Encouraging Lifelong and Individual Learning Thus, the learners will more easily relate to music, and as a result, necessary prerequisites for active engagement in the studies, and an enthusiasm for the required material, can be expected.

📜 500-Word Memoir Topics to Write About

  • Describe your most exciting adventure.
  • Share a story of a volunteer experience that changed your life.
  • How you rediscovered your passion for an old hobby.
  • Write about a lesson you’ve learned from a unique friendship.
  • What life events had the most significant impact on your personality?
  • Discuss your experiences in competitive sports.
  • Explore and discuss your heritage and cultural roots.
  • Write about the situation when you had to step out of your comfort zone.
  • Reveal your path to forgiveness and reconciliation.
  • What is your favorite childhood memory? Why is it significant?

✨ My Values Essay: 500 Words Examples

  • Nursing Values and Responsibilities Some of the legal responsibilities of a nurse include preventing malpractice cases and respecting a patient’s confidentiality. The legal responsibilities of a nurse involve preventing malpractice and respecting a patient’s confidentiality.
  • The Importance of Values and Virtues To further illustrate this concept in a more detailed manner, I will refer to a couple of the values I follow, while depicting a situation when I have broken them.
  • Social Work: Values, Experience, and Educational Goals First of all, I would like to start with the fact that people, as phenomena, have always attracted me, and also aroused a desire to help, if necessary.
  • Values in Caring for Dying Patients Therefore, medical professionals’ main task is to provide the most satisfying life for patients and peace of mind for loved ones. In conclusion, the care and treatment of dying patients imply adherence to certain professional […]
  • Businessperson’s Vision, Mission, and Values Statement In addition, I intend to use my skills and knowledge in finance to mitigate the risks that the company is facing.
  • Personality and Values in Human Services Practice In order to overcome this problem, I plan to find a colleague who can help me review the plans and assessments of current situations to ensure that I cover all the basic issues.

✊🏿 Rosa Parks Essay: 500 Words Topics

  • What were the early years of Rosa Parks and her upbringing?
  • Describe Rosa Parks’ involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  • Explore Rosa Parks’ collaboration with Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Write about Parks’ later years and continued activism.
  • What was Rosa Parks’ personal philosophy?
  • The cultural depictions of Rosa Parks in literature, film, and art.
  • Analyze Parks’ contribution to the fight for racial equality.
  • Study the cultural and historical context of Parks’ actions.
  • Discuss the legacy of Rosa Parks’ writings and speeches.
  • What is the significance of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama?

💬 Narrative Essay Examples: 500 Words

  • Blog Response: Developing Different Kinds of Narratives I get the news set that makes her keep asking “is this journalism” and feel relaxed as she makes me realize am reading and not in the situation.
  • A Horrible Walk in the Wilderness Upon some reflection, Ashley concluded that she should have asked someone to meet her at the bus stop when she arrived at 10 o’clock and guide her to the picnic site.”One would have thought that […]
  • Counseling and Social Work Challenges Also, it may be important to try to work with different people and assess the impact that individual differences have on the work results.
  • Walking Tour: Irving Street in San Francisco The first place, which you can see is the Baskin Robbins store at the corner of the 24th avenue. The fine restaurant is located nearby the intersection of the Irving Street and the 23rd avenue.
  • Architectural Design of the Autostadt Roof This is one of the main attributes of this architectural design. It should be kept in mind that this work is located on the territory of Autostadt, the museum of Volkswagen.

Writing 500 words is not much work. If the topic is simple, you can easily finish everything in a couple of hours. However, writing essays on more complex issues is an entirely different process. It is essential to structure everything well and cover the topic fully within the tight word limit. Not sure how to do it? Have a look at the guide below.

500-Word Essay Structure

If you want to write an excellent 500-word essay, then make sure to outline it first. A standard 5-paragraph piece will have the following structure:

  • 1 intro paragraph that provides the necessary background and states your thesis
  • 3 body paragraph with a detailed presentation of all evidence and arguments
  • 1 conclusion paragraph that sums everything up.

Each paragraph should contain about 100 words. Such length is enough to cover almost any topic.

An explanation of a 500-word essay structure.

Did you know you can use the power of AI to create an excellent essay plan? Our outline generator can make you a perfect one in no time.

500-Word Essay Introduction

In a 500-word paper, an introduction is usually 50—100 words long, which takes up about 10—20% of the general word count. The size may vary depending on the complexity of the topic.

Here are a few helpful tips on writing a good introduction:

  • Start with an arresting hook. It can be a thought-provoking question, a quote, or an intriguing piece of statistics. Need some inspiration? Try our essay hook generator !
  • Provide enough background. That’s a tricky part. The context you give should be sufficient for understanding your topic and arguments but not overly detailed.
  • Present a well-formulated thesis statement. It’s the most critical part of your intro. To create it quickly and painlessly, you can use our thesis statement generator .
  • Remember to use transition sentences. They will make your writing smoother and more logical. We recommend using them in body paragraphs as well.

500-Words Essay Conclusion

The conclusion of a 500-word paper is about the same size as an introduction. It wraps up all you’ve been discussing before and gives a sense of closure to your readers.

Follow these tips to write a striking conclusion:

  • Restate your thesis statement. Try paraphrasing your thesis to showcase a fresh understanding you’ve developed throughout your essay.
  • Sum up the main points you’ve used to support your opinion. Try to introduce them in a way that clearly shows how they are connected.
  • Finish with a memorable final thought. Our closing sentence generator will help you ensure perfect results.

How Many References for 500-Word Essay Should You Include?

The number of references in a 500-word essay may differ depending on the assignment type, academic level, and your instructor’s specific requirements. Generally, an essay includes 8 to 12 citations for every 1000 words. So, if the number is not specified, you can safely use 4—6 references for your 500-word paper. Want to be sure that your citations are correctly formatted? Make them with our AI-based citation generator !

😱 Stress Impact on Health Essay: 500 Words Samples

  • Effects of Stress on Human Health There are numerous theories and researches on stress and health, they all agree that stress has an adverse effect on human health; the statement goes “a stressed man is an unhealthy man”.
  • The Relationship Between Stress and Health: Article Summary The implications of the study allow for stating that the increased exposure to stress at work leads to worsened health of the stressed individuals.
  • Coping with Stress and Physical Health Problems In this regard, Julie, first of all, needs to accept the situation as it is, to appreciate the things and the context that she is no longer able to change.
  • Coping with Stress: Stress and Health In terms of physical, emotional, and behavioral signs, Julia is experiencing severe stress, which requires the help of specialists and the introduction of various techniques that contribute to the normalization of all aspects of life.
  • Occupational Health: Workplace Stress To avoid noise-related stress, Ruth handles her job with a positive attitude and this makes it easy to enjoy work. In conclusion, work-related stress is a major cause of poor performance by employees due to […]
  • Health and Stress in College Students We may believe that stress has only psychological relevance, but the perspective of psychologists is that stress is the physiological and psychological reaction of an individual to a condition that poses a threat calling for […]
  • Minority Stress and Health: Societal Issues Due to the peculiarities of the LGBT people’s personal life, they might experience limited support and restricted access to medical services.

🚀 500-Word Essay on Accountability: Examples

  • Social Work Career, Professional Behavior and Accountability I have the desire to fight for human rights and social change, and I want to fight for justice in all corners to make society a better place.
  • Pursuing Professional Accountability and Just Culture It is suitable to combine the quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate organizational culture since this ensures that the strength of the other adjusts for the shortcomings of one method.
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: Privacy and Security Rules Violation Most cases present with the use of malicious malware to access protected data without the consent of the insurers and inappropriate use of that information.
  • Civil Society and Political Accountability in Samoa Also, one of the priorities in the political life of Samoa is the attraction of local communities and governments to the state governance system to ensure progress in all aspects of the country’s life.
  • Accountability in Healthcare Organizations and Improving the Quality of Service This is true in view of the fact that the clients of a health care organization may not possess the knowledge to judge the technical quality of the healthcare service provided and the clients’ wellbeing […]
  • A Critical Reflection of “Accountability in the Shadow of Hierarchy” by Thomas Schillemans The article by Schillemans addresses the emergence of the phenomenon of horizontal accountability in response to the accountability deficit of agencies.
  • Wise Judgment: Ethics, Accountability, and Human Conscience The man, now in a state of dilemma, does not know whether to blow the whistle and lose his job or just maintain a blind eye to his manager’s unethical acts.

💡 Topics for a 500-Word Essay on Respect

  • The significance of respect for building healthy relationships.
  • Is self-respect a necessary condition for a happy life?
  • The unseen power of silent respect in non-verbal communication.
  • Discuss the importance of respecting and understanding different religious beliefs.
  • Write about the role of respect for older people in different cultures.
  • Should society show respect to criminals? In what way?
  • Explain the importance of politeness and open-mindedness in online communication.
  • Why is the ethical treatment of animals important?
  • Analyze how disrespect in the workplace affects productivity and motivation.
  • Recognition and respect towards indigenous cultures and traditions.

🎯 500-Word Essay on Career Goals Examples

  • Short and Long-Term Goals for Nursing Career For one to fulfill long-term goals, it takes him or her a lot of time while short-term goal is a part of the several steps involved in the long-term goal.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner Career Goals As I plan to deal with children, I will be involved with planning the care of children with their parents and treating childhood illnesses.
  • A Degree in Social Work: Reasons for Seeking, Career Goals and Aspirations I would like to pursue a degree in social work at this because I am in a position to accommodate the strict nature of the study being fresh from school, young and energetic at the […]
  • Reaching the Career Goals: In Search for a Place Under the Sun Quicksilver Nespresso Fastsing Narrowing the Choice Down to Three Options While the list provided above offers a fairly detailed account of the career options that I can possibly use in order to achieve success in […]
  • Career Goals in Educational Technology The University offers the Master of Arts and the doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Technology. One of the spread and reasonable career goal for an applicant is to achieve success in the field of […]

📚 Topics for an Essay on Importance of Education in 500 Words

  • Importance of Higher Education Education creates awareness in the minds of individuals, a new sense of responsibility, openness to change and progress, all of which are important factors in the development of a nation.
  • Importance of Education to Student-Athletes Education enables student athletes to develop appropriate skills that they require to be independent and to succeed in academics. Although athletics forms a vital part of a student athletes’ life, it is vital to understand […]
  • The Importance of Education in the Global Society The role and the importance of education in the modern world is a subject of this essay. The elementary and secondary education is obligatory and free in the majority of them.
  • Importance of Sex Education for Teens One of the advantages of cohabitation in modern society is that it eliminates the obligations of marriage while providing sexual and emotional intimacy for couples. One of the disadvantages is that for most couples, cohabitation […]
  • Importance of Managing Students in the Education System This would not only benefit the students, but also the teachers who will be able to understand the capacity of the students they are admitting to the institution.

🩺 Alzheimer’s Disease Essay: 500 Words Topics

  • Describe early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • How does Alzheimer’s impact caregivers?
  • Explain the importance of overcoming the stigma associated with dementia.
  • Alzheimer’s disease and gender differences: prevalence and effects.
  • Discuss the common misperceptions of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Is there a connection between Alzheimer’s and one’s lifestyle?
  • Study the role of music and art therapy in treating Alzheimer’s patients.
  • Write about the significance of inclusive clinical research of dementia.
  • Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of physical activity.
  • Explore non-pharmacological interventions for Alzheimer’s patients.

❤️ Romeo and Juliet Essay: 500 Words Example Texts

  • Analysis of the Play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Another interesting scene of the production that makes it real understanding of the authors work is the casting of the romantic love between Romeo and Juliet, the physical love of the nurse and the contractual […]
  • Romeo and Juliet: Analysis of Play Being a tragedy, the story narrates the challenges two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, go through due to the enmity between their respective families. For example, the story of Juliet and Romeo presents a romantic and […]
  • Analysis of “Romeo and Juliet” Directed by Simon Godwin The actors played in the theater without an audience, and the shooting itself took two and a half weeks, but also due to the director’s attempt to combine the action on the theater stage and […]
  • Nurse and Friar Laurence in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” The way Friar Laurence supported Romeo and Juliet to get Married, The way the Nurse is opposing in her regards of Romeo and Paris, When Friar Laurence clandestinely married them, the way the Nurse is […]
  • “Analysis of Causes of Tragic Fate in Romeo and Juliet Based on Shakespeare’s View of Fate” by Jie Li The article is easy to read and makes a compelling case for the reasons that precipitated the tragedy in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

🏫 500-Word College Essay Topics

  • Describe a book or movie that made a profound impact on you.
  • What academic achievement influenced your career choice?
  • Share the life lesson you’ve learned from a memorable mistake.
  • Write about the impact of a mentor on your academic or personal growth.
  • Describe a life-changing act of kindness.
  • How did participation in a community service project influence you?
  • Tell about a project or initiative you’ve started and its impact.
  • Talk about the time when you stood up for your beliefs.
  • What is your vision of a better world? How do you plan to contribute?
  • How did you discover your passion for a particular field of study?

📌 500 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 500 word essay is how many pages.

How many pages is 500 words of academic text? According to the guidelines of all the key citation styles, one page should contain approximately 250 words (12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced). If you follow these guidelines, your 500-word essay will be 2 pages. If you make it single-spaced, it will take one page.

📌 How Much Is 500 Words in Paragraphs?

How many paragraphs is a 500-word essay? Since a typical paragraph in academic writing contains 50-100 words, an essay of 500 words will consist of 5 to 7 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 500 Words?

How many sentences is a 500-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 500 words are not less than 25-28 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay outline usually follows a standard five-paragraph structure. Start your paper with a short introduction that includes an attention-grabber, some background information, and a thesis. Then add three body paragraphs that focus on your arguments. Finish your 500-word paper with a conclusion that contains a restated thesis and a summary of your ideas.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 500 Words?

How long does it take to write a 500-word essay? It will take you 10-20 minutes to type 500 words on your keyboard (the total time will depend on your typing speed). Writing an academic paper will take more time because you’ll have to research, make an outline, write, format, and edit your text. It would be best if you planned to spend not less than 1 hour and 40 minutes for a 500-word paper.

📌 How Many Body Paragraphs Are in a 500 Word Essay?

A typical 500 words essay consists of 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each of the paragraphs should contain 75-150 words.

Free 500-Word Essay Samples

1475 samples of this type

A 500-word essay is a short piece. It might be assigned by a school teacher to test the student’s knowledge of the topic and their ability to formulate thoughts concisely. The most common genres for texts of 500 to 550 words are a discussion board post and a personal statement for a college application.

Military Bases on Okinawa: Impact on Economy

The Japan-US relations have been a complex issue for a long period of time. The problems based on the idea of the American military bases on the territory of Japan, Okinawa in particular, caused a number of discussions as it had a certain impact on the country’s economic and political...

Lost Childhood in Ghetto in Elie Wiesel’s “Night”

Elie Wiesel revealed his experience in the ghetto in his novel Night. He portrayed the horrors of the war years and the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. The author shares his thoughts and deepest emotions. The book is a very intimate confession of a person who tried to come...

Taxes in Australian Gambling Industry

The increase in taxes associated with the gambling industry in Australia cannot directly respond to the problem of gambling costs as well as to many social and moral issues. On the one hand, the increase in existing gambling taxes can lead to increasing the revenue source for the governments. Furthermore,...

The Africa Biofortified Sorghum Project

The Africa Biofortified Sorghum Project is aimed at resolving the problem of hunger and malnutrition. Also, food security contributes to poverty eradication and the support of economic well-being and development. Therefore, the more general aim of the project was to improve the quality of life in Africa and ensure its...

Shakespeare’s Sonnets from Magnusson’s Perspective

In this essay, Lynne Magnusson addresses the conventional standards concerning Shakespeare’s sonnets and the image of a high-status beautiful lady who is usually associated with his lyrical poetry. The author argues that a beloved “he” becomes the quintessence of personal feelings, including the sexual desire and emotional attachment to a...

How Long Is a 500 Word Essay?

A 500-word text usually takes about 2 pages. All the major citation styles assume that an essay will take approximately 250 words per page. The most common format is double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. The details might differ – for instance, in MLA 9 and APA 7, Calibri and Arial are also accepted. However, 12-point Times New Roman remains preferable.

A 500-Word Essay Is How Many Paragraphs?

A 500-word essay contains 3 to 5 paragraphs on average. The length of a typical academic paragraph is about 100 words. You should include at least four sentences in your paragraph.

What a 500-Word Essay Looks Like

The easiest way to organize a 500-word essay is to use a standard 5-paragraph structure. The paper should start with an introduction: a hook, some background data, and a thesis statement. Then come three body paragraphs, each focused on one argument. The concluding paragraph is to contain a summary and a restated thesis.

How Long Does a 500-Word Essay Take?

It will take you about 10 to 20 minutes to type 500 words on your keyboard, depending on your typing speed. However, if you also need to perform research, make a reference list, add in-text citations, and graphic materials, you’ll need more time – not less than 1 hour for 500 words.

How Many References Are in a 500 Word Essay?

The final number of references that you should include in an essay of 500 to 550 words will depend on the assignment’s genre and complexity. For instance, on middle-school level, you’ll have to add 3 references on average. A bachelor-level assignment of 500 words will require 6 references, while a graduate-level paper should refer to at least 10 sources.

Gifted Education Program and Its Issues

Introduction The school district has a program of gifted education which is quite comprehensive and effective. Nonetheless, it has a number of drawbacks. Shaklee (2001) stress that it is important to have an efficient program or it is better not to have any program at all. Therefore, the school district...

Honor: Traditional Meaning and Broader Definition

Introduction Our society rests on some basic ideas and notions that create the basis for its further rise and evolution. Such unique phenomena as pride, dignity, joy, devotion, etc. are an integral part of our everyday life. They appeared at the very first stages of the evolution of the human...

Field Experience: Science Lesson

The goal of the chosen science lesson is clearly identified. Students have to share their knowledge about availability of water changes habitats and explain how the existing water availability in the environment could affect the living organisms. The lesson is effective when students and teachers use the same materials to...

HIV/AIDS Epidemiology in Miami, Florida

This paper aims at discussing HIV/AIDS as one of the most serious and dangerous health problems in the United States, as well as in the whole world. The evaluation of this epidemiological problem is based on the statistical data gathered from such world-known organizations as the Centers for Disease Control...

Hitler and Stalin: Two Evils of the 20th Century

Introduction Hitler and Stalin were two political leaders who had a considerable impact on the development of the world that cost millions of lives. Some tend to evaluate the impact of these historical figures calculating the death toll associated with the war, concentration camps, and the Gulag (Snyder). Both were...

Patient-Centered Care, Quality and Safe Practice

Dimensions of Patient-Centered Care It is known that the Picker Institute currently identifies eight dimensions of care: respecting patients’ needs; communication, information, and education; integration and coordination of services; providing emotional support; physical comfort; making family members involved; continuity and transition; services’ accessibility. Eventually, each of the named dimensions contributes...

Writing a Memo with Research Information

To succeed in writing memos, it is very important to understand the essence of such paper and the main purpose of this writing process. In fact, memo writing is identified as a crucial “step between data collection and writing drafts of papers” (Charmaz 72), this is why there is no...

Marketing: “How to Make Choosing Easier” by Iyengar

The problem of choice paralysis is acute due to such processes as new consumer attitudes, new IT opportunities, and the psychological and economic restructuring of the supply – demand ratio. The classic marketing model is still applicable; nevertheless, it is crucial to develop preventive measures that will enable companies to...

College Degree and Its Role in Nursing Career

Going to college is always a brand new feeling. I believe that receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing is tough, but hard work always pays off. The path to nursing mastery is not and should not be easy. As a person who loves to learn new things and strives to...

Self-Reflexivity: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

Self-reflexivity is considered the highest stage of knowledge (Popoveniuc, 2014). Therefore, to understand the peculiarities of research, it is necessary to apply the concept of self-reflexivity. Realizing biases and viewpoints of other cultures will help me to apply cultural relativism to my work. When analyzing the sources used for my...

Nursing Student’s College Experience

Learning something new is a hard issue, especially if you try to acquire knowledge and experience that will help to build a successful career and become an outstanding specialist. The task becomes even more complicated if a person wants to work in the healthcare sector. The price of a mistake...

Sensitivity Training Against Workplace Prejudices

Promoting the concept of multiculturalism and creating the environment in which decision-making will not be affected by prejudice is one of the primary goals of a modern organization (Brink and Nel 6). Preventing the instances of discrimination is especially important for a firm that has already established a strong presence...

Integrity in Relationships and Leadership

Integrity is an ethical concept that is widely discussed owing to its importance in life. In all areas of study, including religion, law, ethics, philosophy, politics, and psychology, it is viewed as the hallmark of ethical living and effective leadership. Humans live in accordance with socially acceptable values and principles....

“Millionaire Tells Millennials: If You Want a House, Stop Buying Avocado Toast” by Sam Levin

Levin covers the contents of a somewhat problematic interview with Tim Gurner, an extremely wealthy property developer from Melbourne, Australia. In the conversation with the hosts of 60 Minutes in Australia, Gurner seemed to have given the Millennial generation unwanted financial advice. The businessman insisted that ordering avocado toast on...

How to Caramelize Onions

Caramelization is the oxidation of sugar that is widely used in cooking to add specific flavor (“What is Caramelization?”). In the planned experiment, the onion is used as the main product that will undergo this process. The composition of this vegetable includes sugar which means that during the caramelization onion...

College Experience and Bachelor of Nursing Degree

Background, Goals, and Aspirations The decision to enter a college to become a nurse was a turning point in my professional development. I have always wanted to promote well-being among vulnerable populations and encourage patient education, and the experience gained in college shaped me as a nurse. Although the studying...

Patient Satisfaction of Nursing Services

Clinical Nursing Practice Problem Patient satisfaction is an important indicator to assess to pursue the strategy of improving the quality of care provided. According to Coutinho et al. (2019), satisfaction is considered as the patient’s reaction to the experience of the healthcare received or purchasing a product according to their...

Social Workers’ Effectiveness and Professional Skills

How Could We Do Better? The insufficiently high outcomes of social workers’ activities compared with the power of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors may be due to a number of causes. Promoting individual educational and practical growth can help improve the results of interventions. Cournoyer (2016) suggests paying attention...

Waiting for God, Not Godot: Milton’s “On His Blindness”

Coming across the line “They also serve who only stand and waited” in the well-known sonnet, a reader might wonder whether the modern tramps of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot would have been in Milton’s view the supreme servants of God. Intelligence, to prevent that murmur, would then remind the reader...

World Trade Organization Definition and Tasks

Introduction Looking at the process of globalization maintained and developing in the world practice and in the international relationships one can point out the significance of financial and economic growth for countries using some regulative organization. GATT and then WTO is the organization for the provision of highly considered and...

Improving Quality: National Guidelines Clearinghouse

Problem for Improvement The modern lifestyles of sedentary work and insufficient physical activity serve as one of the causes of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. In order to address the above conditions, it is essential to consider them specifically (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). The health concern...

The Storming of the Bastille Analysis

The French Revolution is considered to be one of the most significant events in the history of the humanity. It is a complex event with many precursors and repercussions, some of which are still palatable to people in the present times. The event that triggered the French Revolution is the...

Innovations in Modern Media: The Case of TV Shows

Engaging unique and creative techniques to modern media is a common aspect, and digital content developers regularly introduce new methods of attracting viewers’ attention. One of the areas in which such innovations are evident is complex TV as an industry that not only creates modern media trends but also has...

Anova Statistical Analysis: Analysis of Variance

Anova Definition Analysis of variance is a statistical tool performed to outline whether the means of two or more different techniques differ in terms of their approach (Singh, 2018) Today’s overwhelming number of techniques applicable to data analysis makes it extremely difficult to define the most beneficial approach while considering...

Hidden Costs of Integrating Computers in the School Settings

Current technological advances cover a broad spectrum of facets of life, including the educational system in the United States. Such progress in technology promotes faster adjustment to the rapid changes and innovations produced by modern high-tech society. More specifically, there is one controversial issue regarding the present approach to education,...

  • Communication
  • Christianity

Supporting the Development of an Operational Approach as an Operations NCO

Joint Publication 5-0 defines an operational approach as “a commander’s description of the broad actions the force must take to achieve the desired military end state” (as cited in Burke et al., 2018, p. 44). It requires identifying desired conditions and how they may be achieved, as well as necessary...

Reducing Food Packaging Litter in Ireland

Introduction Since the 1960s, food packaging has increasingly become an enormous challenge in Ireland and globally. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (2019, p. 2) states that the actual level of plastic production has increased exponentially by more than twenty percent. The devastation which the plastic bags are causing becomes...

Andrew Johnson’s Biography

Andrew Johnson served as the 17th U.S. president from 1865 to 1869 after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. He was born in Raleigh on December 29, 1808, and grew up without formal education. Johnson moved to Greensville, Tennessee and opened a tailoring shop. He was a skilled orator who...

Document Analysis of Codex Hammurabi

The Code of King Hammurabi sheds light on the understandings of justice in ancient empires. The document contains over two hundred laws dealing with common crimes. King Hammurabi probably regarded the creation of the code as a way to solidify his political influence, and the proposed system did not actually...

Reflection of Livy’s Ideas in Aeschylus’s Book

Individual ancient literary texts reveal specific stories in detail and serve as useful guidelines to interpret other works. As an example, one can discuss the role of Livy’s The History of Rome as an epic that contains important historical notes. Comparing his individual ideas with those of Aeschylus in Prometheus...

On the Efficiency of the c3 Subsystem Model

Subsystems are evidence-based models for ensuring that competent individuals complete specific functions in a timely manner. In the identified organization, the proposed command, control, and communications (C3) framework will transform operations and guide leaders to identify new or initial technologies that have the potential to deliver positive results. The C3...

English Language Learners Should Be Immersed in English

English language learners (ELLs) cover a significant number of students in the United States and require distinctive educational strategies to comprehend the learning material better. From the educator’s point of view, it is a genuine art to permeate the second language into the native language of a student. Proper knowledge...

Canto XIX of The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Canto XIX is one of the most significant and meaningful chapters in Paradiso and the entire Divine Comedy. Here Dante Alighieri analyzes such concepts of Christian philosophy as Eternal Justice, Eternal Judgment, and Divine Design. He criticizes historical figures of the past and his time and reviews the political state...

Calculation of the Present and Future Value

Introduction The concept of future and present value lies at the center of finance. Businesses strive to perform something worth resulting in a future payout. Therefore, it is recommendable to calculate their future outflow or inflow value using the present value. This calculation heavily relies on the time value of...

The Revolution in American History

The Revolution brought new rhetoric of independence and freedom to American society. However, calls for equality were widespread but maintained a number of inconsistencies in relation to slaves and women. The Revolution increased the differences between the Northern states, which abandoned slavery, and the Southern ones, in which it flourished...

  • Performance
  • Historical Figures
  • Social Media

The Dabbawalas and the COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic cannot go unnoticed for the dabbawalas, which is a system of lunchbox delivery and return services for India’s employees. Before the pandemic and lockdown policies, thousands of dabbawalas served Mumbai citizens due to their well-considered system of order picking, color coding, and bicycle/train delivery (Sadhana Centre...

Arguments That the South “Won” the Civil War

The outcomes of the Civil War underwent multiple debates because of the existing arguments for and against the victory of the Union and vice versa. Although the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery proved the defeat of the South, there were significant elements in American...

Handwashing Compliance of Healthcare Workers

The essential component of infectious safety is preventing the possibility of transmitting microorganisms from the patient to the medical staff and vice versa. Contagious diseases of medical staff associated with professional activity occupy a specific place in the structure of infectious morbidity. Infected hands play a significant role in the...

Ancient Greek & Roman and Medieval Philosophies

The examination of universal and basic concerns such as presence, reason, wisdom, values, consciousness, and language is referred to as philosophy. These issues are frequently offered as issues to be investigated or handled. The concept of happiness is central to Ancient Greek and Roman beliefs, yet at the Dawn of...

Communication in Negotiation in Management

Negotiations are an integral part of work processes, and they can take place in various settings – from personal meetings between employers and company employees to negotiations between states. Experienced negotiators understand the importance of communication and use multiple techniques to improve it. Other influential aspects of the negotiations are...

Grades Inflation and Educational Services Quality

In the modern education system, the quality of educational services has become the most relevant topic. The rating system aims to improve the differentia of academic performance through competition and rivalry. The primary task of grading is to increase students’ motivation to master academic disciplines. However, this system partially carries...

High School Bullying: Psychological Aspects

Topic Discussion Numerous adverse effects and reasons are ascribed to bullying in high school. According to the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA), it may affect the bystanders, the actors, and the victims of bullying. It has been argued that a stereotypical image of an aggressive kid from a neglectful...

Langston Hughes as a Powerful Poet

Introduction Poetry is a valuable source that provides insights into how society was formed and what values were formed in it. One of the brightest representatives of the poetic community is Langston Hughes. He can be considered an influential poet, as the poet is a prominent representative of the Harlem...

Statistics of Average Time to Get to Work

Data Collection The purpose of the activity was to survey at least 20 individuals to find out the number of minutes (on average) that they drive one way to work. Social media platforms were used to collect the sample, from which I wrote out all the names of my contacts...

The Food Prices Issue and Its Impacts on the Industry

Several factors contribute to rising food prices, including climate change, population growth, and the increasing demand for meat and dairy products. These factors will significantly impact food costs in the coming years. The good news is that many businesses are taking steps to address the challenge of rising food prices....

  • Relationship

Palliative Care for Aging Population

Palliative care is a vital service that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses, with the goal of improving the quality of life for patients and their families. However, as the demand for palliative care services continues to grow, healthcare providers are facing increasing challenges...

The Rehabilitation Center Visitor’s Experiences

A place that has a special significance to my loved ones and me is a rehabilitation center. Accordingly, the present essay focuses on describing such a facility with the purpose of explaining the dominant impression of an individual upon setting foot in the institution’s lobby. When a person first enters...

Chapter 11 of The Family by Philip N. Cohen

Work in Institutional Arenas Three different words refer to several types of work. The first category is care work, which entails work done in person to improve another person’s abilities. Maintenance work is required to keep a household running smoothly. Market work, or work done by employees for payment, is...

Morality: Interpreting Good and Evil in Beowulf

Introduction The confrontation of good and evil is a common theme in fictional literature. The author uses narration to introduce heroes and villains to readers, prompting them to elaborate on the morality and justification of the character’s actions. In the case of Beowulf‘s characters Beowulf and Grendel, the distinction between...

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic disorder which is common in people over 60. Nonetheless, the disorder is also becoming common in younger generations. For instance, the present case is diabetes mellitus type 2 in a 43-year-old male. It is necessary to note that the disorder is associated with...

Happiness in Biology, Culture, Experience

Introduction People have tried to define happiness and identify factors that influence it for centuries. There are many ideas on this matter but there is no simple answer to the question. Of course, it is difficult to understand what happiness is and it is even more difficult to become a...

Microsoft Corporation’s Resources and Capabilities

Does the firm have resources (tangible/intangible) or capabilities that give it a competitive advantage? Microsoft is a company based in the US that manufactures and develops software products for the use of computers. Some of the software it develops includes; operating systems, server applications, business solution applications, information worker applications,...

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “About Time” Comparison

I have recently watched several romantic comedies that seem to be quite engaging and thought-provoking. In particular, I would like to speak about The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and About Time. Both of them were released in 2013. Although these movies differ in terms of plot, character development, and...

How the Internet Challenges Families

Nowadays, it is hard to imagine an ordinary day without the Internet. People find it normal to use social technologies for different purposes. In 2019, there are more than 4.39 billion people who use the Internet regularly (Kemp, 2019). Regarding such a considerable spread of opportunities, social media may challenge...

Susan Cain and the Art of Quoting

Introduction The ultimate goal of writing is to introduce new ideas and information into the discussion, not to produce derivative content. Nevertheless, using statements and suggestions proposed by others is an essential strategy to enhance the credibility of a paper. Quotations are a particularly useful tool to that end, as...

  • American Politics

Archetypes in Cheever’s “The Swimmer” Story

Finding a balance between acting reasonably and daring to go on dangerous quests, despite a mature age, may be challenging. In his short story “The Swimmer,” Cheever portrays an upper-class man’s unusual night journey home, wherein he decides to swim back instead of walking. From one perspective, the man’s quest...

Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King”: To See or to Hide

Introduction Sophocles’ work Oedipus the King belongs to the genre of ancient tragedy. This literary style is characterized by personal conflicts, as a result of which the main character comes to the loss of personal values that are ​​necessary for life. The contrast of happiness and unhappiness is often shown...

How Media Helps Promote Terrorists’ Agenda

Terrorism is one of the social stigmas of the modern world. The rise of violent actions peculiar to the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century is associated with the instability in various regions and the clash of different states’ interests. However, there is an idea...

Quantitative Research: Methodology and Main Focus

The strategy uses for this study is going to be quantitative. In quantitative research, your aim is to determine the relationship between one thing (an independent variable) and another (a dependent or outcome variable) in a population. Quantitative research designs are either descriptive (subjects usually measured once) or experimental (subjects...

The Perspectives of Protestantism

Introduction The evaluation of the same religion from two different positions makes it possible to assess the perception of individual concepts and dogmas and describe specific approaches to the interpretation of relevant opinions. As a background for analysis, Protestantism as a branch of Christianity will be used, and etic and...

Modern Energy Technologies Introduction to Developing Countries

The significance of modern energy sources for the economic development of any country can hardly be overestimated. However, it is a daunting task to find easily implemented ways to transition developing countries to clean and cheap sources of energy. Energy consumption in developing communities is steadily increasing, which poses serious...

An Effective Communication With Adult Patients

Introduction Patient satisfaction with the quality of services provided and the degree of care taken by the medical staff towards the patient is cited as a problem that was selected for analysis. Improving patient satisfaction with medical care is the most important task of the modern healthcare system in general...

Strategic Management and Organizational Structure

Examples of management structures include functional division Product division Matrix methods Geographical division International division The importance of organizational structure is that it facilitates teamwork and enhances communication across all levels of organizations ((Dess et al 2004, p.354). Strength and weaknesses of organization’s structure Functional structure The advantages of the...

Probability and Statistics. Random Sampling

Random sampling is defined as a sampling method whereby several subjects are selected for a study from a population. Each member of the population is merely chosen by chance and therefore each member of the population has an equal probability chance for being chosen for the study. On the other...

Practices to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Introduction The evidence-based project entails the implementation of bundled practices to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, which is a common occurrence in intensive care settings (Sedwick, Lance-Smith, Reeder, & Nardi, 2012). Readiness Level Survey results show that the readiness level is high because the organization views EBP as central to the realization...

  • Corporation
  • Discrimination

What Does It Mean to Be a Pacific Islander Today and in the Future?

Introduction The Pacific Islands or Oceania region is an area with rich cultural heritage and history, representing a plethora of indigenous peoples, each one of which obtains unique cultural traditions. I identify myself and the community of Nauru as a part of the detached group of cultures, nevertheless heading to...

The Cultural Differences Analysis

Every single individual is a member of a specific culture that influences their worldview, opinions about different phenomena, behaviors, and daily activities. Additionally, the technological advancements and traveling give people a possibility to interact with others from all around the world, establish strong personal relationships with them, and enrich knowledge....

A New Clinical Solution System Implementation

Introduction From wearables and telemedicine to People’s Health Movement (PHM) and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) platforms, technology proceeds to transform the healthcare sector. However, communication and collaboration are needed to successfully implement health information technology. Often, the staff is not involved in the selection and review process when healthcare institutions...

Oil Industry: Scandals and Crises

Biezma, M. V., Andrés, M. A., Agudo, D., & Briz, E. (2020). Most fatal oil & gas pipeline accidents through history: A lessons learned approach. Engineering Failure Analysis, 110, 104446. Web. This source is a scholarly research conducted by Biezma et al. (2020) and posted in the Engineering Failure Analysis...

Relationships and Christian Morality

The presence of adultery is a precursor or symptom of a crisis in the relationship. That this is a difficult situation in terms of the psychological state of people, no one can feel at ease knowing or suspecting a partner of sexual intercourse outside marriage. A cheating person is constantly...

Risk Assessments: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Introduction Although the qualitative and quantitative approaches have a similar objective, their modes of application are slightly different. According to Mahdiyar et al. (2020, p. 472), the qualitative risk assessment is responsible for risk prioritization, especially on those occurring during the life cycle of a project. According to Züst (2021,...

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Role of Leisure

Introduction The international health catastrophe triggered by the emergence of COVID-19 has led to the implementation of mechanisms to restrict the epidemic’s transmission. Care for others, such as bringing a loved one to dinner, and care for oneself, such as exercising at a fitness facility, and enjoyment like watching movies,...

Setting in John Updike’s Short Story “A&P”

Updike’s “A&P” can be read fast but the understanding does not come unless one learns to read such texts deeply. On the first scanning, “A&P” seems to offer simple symbolism of freedom and bondage, class, and power through the characters, their looks, and actions. However, the setting itself is a...

“The Clash of Civilizations?” by S. P. Huntington

Wars are an inevitable part of human existence; they have significantly transformed throughout time. In Huntington’s (1993) article The Clash of Civilizations? the author argues that differences between civilizations might become causes of future violent wars. Fox (2005) argues that Huntington’s (1993) arguments are wrong even within the war on...

The Impact of Public Consultation in Australia

Summary The impact of public consultation in Australia is scrutinized by Kerley and Starr (2000). The authors acknowledge that the new concept of public consultation is an overseas trend as implied by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). There are six benefits or values of implementing public consultation...

Religious Studies: Israel in Canaan

The book of Joshua is one of the most important scriptures that describe the final journey of the children of Israel into the Promised Land from Egypt. After the death of Moses who had led the Israelites out of Egypt, Joshua took over the leadership. He was given the mandate...

Lean Philosophy: Remote Check-In in Airports

Introduction In the context of increasing global competitiveness, lean philosophy presents solutions that are appropriate for both companies and customers. The paramount idea of lean philosophy is to add more value to customer experience and avoid unnecessary waste. In their study, Al-Dhaheri and Kang (2015) examine the most important principles...

The Role of Psychology in Understanding Political Violence

Political violence, as well as any other kind of violence, has various causes at its core. Some people or groups resort to rampage when they want to reach equality. Others behave destructively when they desire to gain more power than they already have. Research shows that individuals are often motivated...

International vs. Financial Accounting Standards Board

The Financial Standard Accounting Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are the two worldly recognized authorities that determine the field of financial reporting for organizations as well as various regulatory bodies (Hlaciuc, Grosu, Socoliuc, & Maciuca, 2014). A single, unified system of international accounting standards is necessary...

The Role of Managers in the Workplace

The role of managers in the workplace is one of the most significant when it comes to influencing organizational performance and meeting corporate goals. They have a direct impact on the employees they manage while are also expected to carry our various responsibilities targeted at aligning their department’s performance with...

Tectonic Forces Originating Deep within the Earth

Introduction Tectonic force are those kinds of forces that originate from beneath the surface and alter the surface configuration of the earth due to lithospheric plate movement. (Marko, 2002) Plate tectonic movement is the movement of the continental plates. It is believed that the earth was once a continuos land...

Mura’s “An Argument: On 1942”: An Interpretation

David Mura is a third-generation Japanese-American writer. “An argument” is a poem written by him depicting the traumatic experience of the Japanese living in America during the days of the Second World War. The situation then was something similar to the one the Muslim population in America (though not so...

Sharks Characteristics Analysis: Danger of Extinction

Sharks have always been the misunderstood “monsters” of the sea. Up till very recently, very little was known about these aquatic animals aside from the perception that they are man-eaters. Such images were helped along by movies such as the Jaws series. We also have the misconception that they are...

Child Custody Evaluations in Divorce Proceedings

Case study 5 indicates clear instances where the guidelines for child custody as well as evaluation during divorce proceedings can be applicable. The child described in this case study is born from a troubled family. The parents have had a long history of domestic violence and fights that have rendered...

Treatment Compliance Among African American Women With HIV

Introduction HIV has been a topic discussed in the closet, especially in the early 90s. With the evolution of technology and science, HIV has become a disease like any other but only requires serious medical attention. Women living with HIV from the African American community ultimately disregard the HIV medication...

  • American Revolution

The Focus of the Healthcare Reform Program

Introduction. The healthcare reform program enhances the improvement of the current healthcare process. The article focuses on the government’s healthcare reform. The article focuses on the nurses’ healthcare reform contribution. The partnership between the government and the nurses increases the success of the United States healthcare reform program. Summary. The...

Urban Vision of Antonio Sant’Elia vs. the Built Unite d’habitation of Le Corbusier

Antonio Sant’Elia’s style and its impact on Charles-Édouard Jeanneret’s urban vision When speaking about urban vision of Antonio Sant’Elia, some important components of the architect’s futuristic perception must be highlighted. First of all, it should be pointed out that the peculiar feature of Sant’Elia’s design is the so-called autonomy of...

Cyber Security Management and Policy

Cybersecurity threats should be a concern for any company and especially for businesses that employ a large number of people and collect substantial quantities of data. The ability of a company to ensure the security of the information they store is an essential component of the brand image and its...

Development of New Lands by Americans in the First Half of the 19th Century

The first half of the 19th century was marked by the intense development of industry and production. In turn, this process prompted more and more Americans to move to towns, the population of which was growing rapidly. The increase in production in factories required a large number of workers, which...

Four Components of Information Systems

Any company which values effectiveness and aims at developing an efficient infrastructure to facilitate its operations creates its information system. The term information system refers to a set of organizational procedures which generate vital data for supporting decisions made by management (Sahid et al., 2020). Every information system relies on...

“How to Be a Success”: Article by Michael Gladwell

Summary In his 2008 article, “How to Be a Success,” Michael Gladwell contemplates on the essential attributes of a successful person in the 21st century. Pursuing success, both in social interactions and in business is currently seen as one of the main goals for an individual to achieve. According to...

McDonald’s Sustainability and Supply Chains

Ensuring business sustainability is a challenging task, especially for global companies that work with countries with different cultures and regulations. Some countries have incentives for companies to sort and recycle waste, while others do not have the resources to organize these processes. However, McDonald’s is committed to practicing sustainability packaging...

Alexander the Great: The World’s Greatest Military General

Introduction Alexander III of Macedon, known worldwide as Alexander the Great, is frequently regarded as one of the world’s greatest military generals of all time. During the eleven years of his rule and campaigning, Alexander the Great “never lost a major battle” creating a great empire with considerably small resources...

The Importance of Marine Spatial Planning

Introduction For territories in the Pacific, the sea represents a significant portion of the local authority. The preponderance of biodiversity and the significant cultural, social, and economic points may be found therein. However, local nations’ development and conservation plans are mostly concentrated on land, even though improvements in marine spatial...

The Coca-Cola Poland Firm’s Workplace Culture

Workplace culture is directly linked to employee stress, engagement and productivity. According to the 2016 Global Wellness Institute report, costs of health problems caused by work stress reached 12% of the GDP in the United States alone (as cited in Mazur & Mazur-Małek, 2018, p. 98). The problem of insufficient...

Events Devoted to Equality Challenges

Introduction In October, there were several different events concerning related topics. The organization of the events differs due to the various ways of presenting the information. However, all events have a common theme of equality between people and their challenges. For example, on October 19, there was an event devoted...

Health Insurance and the Affordable Care Act

Introduction The US Constitution protects the individual liberties of the American citizen by providing guidelines upon which further laws must conform. The Constitution establishes checks and balances for the three arms of the US government, especially the power limits that define operational scopes for each branch. Therefore, when a legal...

Fears of Public Speaking

Introduction It is important to note that fear of public speaking is an interesting topic for discussion. One of the most significant aspects that should not be disregarded is that numerous factors affect an ability of an individual to communicate with others. The assessment of self-esteem is critical most of...

World Fascism: A Historical Definition

The issue of fascism is considered to be quite berated and misinterpreted throughout the entire twentieth century. The fascism of pre-war period has been described trough the prism of the public democratic mass media and innumerable performances of political discussions. Nowadays the genesis of the fascism appears to be discounted;...

Why Authenticity Is Irrelevant?

In his TED (2004) Talk ‘What Consumers Want’ Joseph Pine questioned a common premise that modern technology will be able to provide an effective shift from mass to unique authentic experiences between the customer and the brand. Pine does not agree with the supposition that such experiences can be inauthentic,...

Silence in the Novels of Elie Wiesel

Introduction The relationship between Eliezer and his father is quite strong in the beginning. However, Eliezer’s love for God overwhelms love for his father. This is evident when he decides to study Kabbalah, against his father’s wish (Wiesel 5). Interestingly, Eliezer chooses to ignore his father’s advice concerning the religious...

Nursing Job, Skills and Capabilities

The job of a nurse requires much responsibility, and it is multi-faceted. It is necessary to obtain the relevant knowledge, skills, and capabilities to be able to perform health care provision effectively. The responsibilities of a nurse include monitoring the nutrition of patients, providing psychological support to patients and their...

Non-Therapeutic Interventions for Abused Children

Introduction Children and adolescents facing neglect, abuse, school or domestic violence, and even homelessness suffer from the consequences of complex trauma. People exposed to such trauma usually have difficulties with self-regulation, depression, trust issues, insecurity, and aggression. Education programs can help children become less accepting of harmful behavior and make...

The Internet and Interactive Media as a New Advertising Tool

The Internet and interactive media have become an integral part of each person’s life. This is why there is no wonder that they have infiltrated into every single sphere of human activity. Since at present advertising is one of the most active spheres of human activities, the use of the...

Hybrid Cell Phones Affect on People’s Lives

The cell phone is the most effective and widespread piece of technology in the world today. This is despite the slow growth in the first years when it was introduced. It is a must-have gadget that keeps people connected to what is happening outside their environment all the time. Cell...

  • African American
  • Intelligence
  • Accountability
  • Night by Elie Wiesel

Modernization: Varied Strategies in Our Modern Society

The modernisation process has always had this important feature: it is not possible without constant efforts to assist it. During the history of humanity, such remedies as sport, music, and art have been effectively applied to aid this process. With the beginning of an industrial era, science and technology have...

The Short Story “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien

The short story “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien explores the emotional and psychological struggles which soldiers go through in the battlefield. This is evident from first person voice narration O’Brien, who relates the daily experiences of the soldiers in his Alpha Company in the jungles of Vietnam. Even...

Hispanic Community: Alcohol & Substance Abuse Among the Female Gender Population

The Hispanic community is one of the rapidly growing populations in the American community. Although they are non-natives in the country, their presence is slowly being recognized not only in democratic processes but also in the social order. One of the states with significant populations of the Hispanic community in...

Life, Struggles, and Social Activities of Frederick Douglass

Annotated Bibliography Assignment Wilson, K. H. (2018). Political paradoxes and the Black Jeremiad: Frederick Douglass’s immanent theory of rhetorical protest. Howard Journal of Communications, 29(3), 243-257. The article by Kirt H. Wilson analyzes the controversial nature of Frederick Douglass and his views on America and the long history of slavery...

How Cultural Norms in Indian Culture Influence Communication?

Introduction Attention-getter: “Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk said, “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being.” The same goes for knowing other cultures.” Thesis statement: Indian cultural heritage is a fantastic source of spiritual and scientific knowledge. Moreover, Indian cultural communication patterns derive from their deep spirituality....

Radiation Effect and Human Disease Correlation

Radiation results from the decay of unstable nuclei to give out particles that could destroy normal tissues leading to diseases such as cancer. Radioactive elements are referred to as ionizing radiations that can impact the chemical and physical traits of the molecules they are exposed to. Radiation comprises high-energy particles,...

Uses and Adverse Effects of Psyllium

Psyllium belongs to plant genus known as plantago consisting of more than 200 species. Its seeds are used in making of mucilage. It is grown in Russia, Pakistan, India and European countries. It is used in: Reduction of body Cholesterol found in the body circulation system. If body Cholesterol is...

The Data-Driven Decisions in Business

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500 Word Personal Statement Examples

500 word essay college

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by word limits.

Writing a 500-word personal statement can be more challenging than writing a 1000-word statement because of the need for brevity without missing out on important information . You have to carefully select and condense your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations into a limited space.

Every word has to count.

It requires focusing on the most essential details relevant to your field of interest , and removing any superfluous information that have no direct relation to your field , which can be a difficult task. It demands a higher level of clarity, conciseness, and focus compared to a longer statement, where you have more freedom to elaborate on your ideas and experiences.

In this article, I will be providing  two samples of 500-word personal statements . These samples werewritten by applicants who were admitted to top schools in the US and Canada.

These examples aim to show how prospective applicants like you can seamlessly weave your passion, skills, and relevant experiences into a compelling narrative that is no more than 500 words long.

In writing these essays, the applicants have drawn upon key insights from a number of my previous writings on personal statements. You are also welcome to use my previous writings to help you write your personal statement.

In those posts I’ve discussed the  art of constructing a captivating personal statement for grad school , and I’ve highlighted the  pitfalls to avoid  to ensure your statement leaves a positive impression.

I’ve also shared valuable tips on  structuring your personal statement  for clarity and readability, not to mention  how to create a powerful opening  that grabs attention from the start. And let’s not forget about maintaining brevity while effectively telling your story, as well as offering a vast range of  personal statement examples  from different fields for reference.

And yes, do not forget to explore my  8-point framework  that anyone can use to self-evaluate their personal statement. Complementing this, I’ve also created a  7-point guide  to help you steer clear of potential traps and missteps in your personal statement.

I encourage you to explore these topics in depth, as they will be useful while we explore the 500-word sample personal statements.

In this Article

What Should Be Included in a 500 Word Personal Statement?

My feedback on example 1, my in-depth feedback on example 1, my feedback on example 2, my in-depth feedback on example 2, is 500 words enough for a personal statement, how long does it take to write a 500 word personal statement.

A 500-word personal statement should include a compelling introduction to hook the reader’s attention, followed by a clear explanation of your interest in the field and relevant experiences , skills, and achievements. Avoid including irrelevant information, excessive detail, clichés, negative tone, and repetition. In short, f ocus on pertinent, clear, and genuine experiences that relate directly to your program of interest .

Here’s a guide on what to include:

  • Introduction: A strong introduction not only catches the reader’s attention but also sets the tone for the rest of the personal statement. A personal anecdote could be a specific moment or event that sparked your interest in the field you’re pursuing.

A surprising fact could be a unique perspective or understanding that you’ve developed about your field. A statement that outlines your motivation could succinctly express what drives you towards this field or opportunity. The introduction should create curiosity and interest in the reader’s mind to know more about your story.

  • Why You’re Interested: Here, you want to establish a clear connection between your interests and the opportunity you’re applying for. This could involve discussing the specific aspects of the opportunity that align with your passion or goals.

For example, if you’re applying for a business program because you’re interested in entrepreneurship, you might discuss specific courses, professors, or opportunities for hands-on learning within the program that excite you.

  • Your Qualifications: This section should detail the experiences and skills that make you a strong candidate. For an academic program, you might discuss relevant coursework, projects, or research experience. For a job, you might talk about past roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments.

The key here is to not just list experiences, but to demonstrate how these experiences have equipped you with skills or insights that make you a strong fit for the opportunity.

  • Personal Growth: Reflect on the lessons learned from your experiences. For instance, managing a challenging project might have improved your problem-solving skills, or working in a team might have honed your collaboration and communication skills.

This reflection demonstrates your ability to learn from experience and your readiness for future challenges. It also shows self-awareness, which is an attractive trait in any candidate.

  • Your Goals and Aspirations: Show the reader that you have a vision for your future, and that the opportunity you’re applying for aligns with this vision. For example, if you aspire to become a software engineer, discuss how a computer science program would equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge. If you hope to work in a specific industry, discuss how the opportunity would provide you with relevant experience or connections.
  • Conclusion: The conclusion is your final chance to leave an impression. Summarize your key points—your interest in the opportunity, your qualifications, your personal growth, and your future goals. Restate your excitement about the opportunity, and leave the reader with a sense of your passion, commitment, and suitability for the opportunity.

While writing a 500-word personal statement, it’s important to maximize the impact of every word. Certain things should generally be avoided

Here’s a guide on what NOT to include:

  • Irrelevant Information: Do not include experiences or skills that aren’t relevant to the application. It’s crucial to stay focused and pertinent.

For example, i f you’re applying for a Computer Science program, talking at length about your prowess in playing the trombone, without tying it back to skills or experiences relevant to computer science, may not be very helpful.

  • Excessive Detail: You have limited space, so avoid overly detailed descriptions of events or experiences. Stick to what’s crucial for your story and purpose. Instead of detailing every single task and responsibility in a previous job, focus on the key responsibilities and achievements that showcase your skills and experiences.
  • Clichés and Generalizations: Avoid clichés and general statements. Be specific and personal in your experiences and aspirations to stand out.

Phrases like “I want to save the world” or “I’m a people person” are very generic and don’t tell anything specific about you. Instead, use concrete examples to illustrate these traits.

  • Negative Tone: While it’s important to be honest, avoid focusing excessively on negative experiences or failures. If you mention a setback, always connect it to a learning experience or growth.

Rather than dwelling on a low grade in a class, you could discuss how it motivated you to seek extra help, develop better study habits, or explore different learning strategies.

  • Repetition: Avoid repeating the same ideas or experiences. It wastes valuable space and might bore the reader. If you’ve already mentioned that you were a leader of a club in college, you don’t need to repeat this fact later in your statement. Each point should contribute something new.
  • Excuses: While it’s acceptable to explain extenuating circumstances, avoid making excuses for any shortcomings. Instead, focus on what you’ve learned or how you’ve grown from challenging situations.

Instead of saying “My grades suffered because my professor was terrible,” you could say, “I faced some academic challenges but sought out resources to improve my understanding and raised my grades by the end of the semester.”

  • Overly Complex Language: Don’t use unnecessarily complex language or jargon in an attempt to impress. Clarity and genuine expression are most important.

Don’t say, “My magniloquent and erudite nature facilitates my academic pursuits,” when you can simply say, “My love for learning and strong communication skills support my academic success.”

In short, r emember to:

  • Stay focused and specific. With only 500 words, every word counts.
  • Show, don’t tell. Instead of saying you’re passionate about something, demonstrate it through your actions and experiences.
  • Be genuine and authentic. The personal statement is your chance to show who you are beyond your grades or resume.

500 Word Personal Statement Example 1

Two years ago, I saw a massive opportunity in the e-commerce market of Norway. After dedicating months of sleepless nights, I launched an online clothing retail brand. Despite an institutional infrastructure and a development team of young professionals, I failed to sustain growth and was forced to shut down after a few months. I was only 22 years old at that time and lacked the experience to conduct market research, and gauge consumer behavior.

I am a great concept developer, but I lack business acumen. This failure was crucial in helping me carve out my career aspiration and convince me to pursue a degree in business and management with a focus on retail fashion.

After my startup’s failure, I joined Capgemini, where I slowly started to take on managerial responsibilities. As a product manager, I have managed the complete product development cycle of launching new products – from design to branding to customer experience. This versatile experience has enabled me to understand the market dynamics at the grass root level.

The graduate management program at Brock is a perfect fit. The extensive alumni network and emphasis on leadership have made it my natural choice. In addition, Brock’s great collaborative vibe makes you feel part of the community. The program will provide me with the opportunity to combine quantitative experience with sound business and managerial skills. In line with my career goals, my research interest is the global e-commerce fashion industry. I would like to have an in-depth knowledge of how the industry behaves in different countries. I will focus my research on the designer wear industry and its market trends. I am confident that the knowledge and skills I learned through working on a research project on E-Health Marketing and studying Research Methodology at my undergrad institution will also assist me in applying the research skills while working on my thesis.

My multidisciplinary background, and ability to understand an industry’s scientific realms will be imperative to my learning. The collaborative nature of the cohort will challenge me every day. The diverse people from around the world, the work hard play hard attitude, and the faculty will all converge to something outstanding.

After graduating, my immediate goal is to work in Canada for a few years, preferably in the fashion industry. This will allow me to apply my knowledge and taste the flavor of the global professional world. I would aim to serve numerous facets of work by combining my undergraduate and graduate education, ideally in the retail marketing department of a company. Eventually, I aim to return to Norway and fulfil my ambition of setting up a world-class online retail fashion marketplace and make it a success by leveraging the skills I would have developed at Brock through courses such as Consumer Behavior, B2B Marketing, and Services Marketing.

Your personal statement is thoughtful and provides a compelling narrative of your experiences and aspirations. Let’s break it down based on the criteria I provided:

  • Introduction (4.5/5): Your intro is intriguing as you directly share your experience of trying to start an online clothing retail brand in Norway. It sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
  • Why You’re Interested (4.5/5): You’ve done a good job of explaining why you want to pursue a degree in business and management, focusing on your startup experience.
  • Your Qualifications (4/5): Your work experience at Capgemini is detailed and relevant. However, you might want to provide more specifics about your achievements or any impact you made in this role.
  • Personal Growth (4.5/5): The reflection on your failed startup and how it shaped your career aspirations is very effective. It shows your ability to learn from failures and to turn them into opportunities.
  • Your Goals and Aspirations (4.5/5): Your plans for the future, both in the short and long term, are clear and directly tied to the program you’re applying for.
  • Conclusion (4.5/5): The connection between your past experiences, current pursuits, and future goals is well drawn, leaving a strong concluding impression.

Additional points:

  • Your reasons for choosing Brock’s graduate management program are well-articulated. The reference to specific courses shows that you’ve done your research.
  • The paragraph about your research interests adds depth to your statement, though it might be beneficial to tie this more explicitly to your career goals.
  • Some sentences could be tightened or made more concise to keep your statement within the 500-word limit, without losing important content.

Overall, your personal statement is quite strong. It’s clear, engaging, and effectively demonstrates your motivation, experiences, and goals. It shows resilience, ambition, and a clear desire to learn and grow.

  • Introduction: The opening is strong. It succinctly introduces your entrepreneurial experience, along with a setback that has clearly shaped your professional aspirations. There is, however, room for added color or detail to make the story more engaging. For example, what was unique about the clothing brand you launched? Did a specific incident or experience lead to its conception?
  • Why You’re Interested: You do a good job of outlining your interest in business and management with a focus on retail fashion. The link between your failed startup and your decision to pursue further education in this field is well-made, showing an ability to learn from failures and pivot.
  • Your Qualifications: Your experiences at Capgemini sound impressive, but more specifics would enhance this section. For example, were there any significant achievements or impacts from your product management role? Can you quantify the success of the products you launched or share some measurable outcomes of your work?
  • Personal Growth: You highlight your self-awareness and willingness to learn. You’re demonstrating an understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement, which shows maturity and self-reflection.
  • Why this Program: You show good research into Brock’s graduate management program. Mentioning the alumni network, the emphasis on leadership, and the collaborative environment helps to illustrate why the program is a good fit for you. It might be beneficial to connect these program features more explicitly with your own goals and how they will help you achieve them.
  • Your Goals and Aspirations: Your career aspirations are well-articulated and link well with your proposed studies and experiences. It’s great that you’re focusing on a specific industry (e-commerce fashion) and you’ve clearly outlined your future plans. However, you could make it even clearer how exactly the Brock program and its specific courses will help you achieve these specific goals.
  • Conclusion: Your conclusion effectively ties together your past experiences, current interests, and future goals. The mention of a “work hard play hard attitude” is a bit unclear, though, and might be better replaced with a more specific statement about your work ethic or approach.

If you want me to review, critique, and give detailed feedback on your personal statement, then please share your email with us   [email protected]

500 Word Personal Statement Example 2

I have taken all my blessings for granted for most of my life. In a favourable comparison, I realized I was better off than most of my peers. For example, my father had a successful restaurant business in France; I was studying at the best college in Dubai, and most importantly, I was one of the very few who afforded an international education, which I completed in 2021 when I did my Master’s in Supply Chain and Logistics Management (SCLM) from Warwick University.

It wasn’t until after I graduated from SCLM that I realized how much of an advantage I had over my peers. From day one, I had access to a business – an opportunity the majority didn’t have. In this business, I worked with many experts, from food experts to suppliers to clients to app designers. My role was more of a consulting one, which included massive collection and analyses of information. It also included formulating and testing hypotheses and developing and communicating recommendations across all aspects of the restaurant’s supply chain. Unfortunately, however, due to unavoidable personal reasons, I had to move back to Dubai, where I joined Nestle.

While working at Nestle, I observed that many people worked their whole lives to climb the corporate ladder so that they could work on company-wide strategic problems. At the same time, external consultants to Nestle (such as IBM, Accenture, Mckinsey etc.) skip the years of executing day-to-day duties and jump straight to working on and solving these problems. At Nestle, we only work as mediators between the company and the consultants. However, the consultants do the actual chunk of quality work. The quickest way to get into the consulting industry is via a formal degree in Business Consulting. Therefore, the need for this education is of utmost importance to me.

During my interaction with one of Warwick’s graduates, who also happens to work in consulting, I found that IBM and Deloitte Consulting visit Warwick and help students develop consulting skills. Also, I am excited about joining professional networks at Warwick. These will allow me to learn from industry leaders and collaborate with my peers to explore the latest industry practices. I can share my experience of taking bold steps, which reduced food waste by over 70% at the restaurant. Classes in Quantitative Methods and Consulting module will allow me to develop Consulting Expertise and apply quantitative techniques to solving complex problems. Courses such as Leading and Managing Change will hone my soft skills.

I want to make it into strategy consulting by utilizing Warwick’s presence in consulting. Ideally, I want to start a career where I can advise on strategic analysis and commercial negotiations. In the past, I have taken decisions which led to revolutionizing the food waste industry in France. By using the Warwick platform, backed up by a strong alum network, I can fulfil my career goal of becoming a resuscitator of the ailing industries of Dubai.

Your personal statement provides a strong sense of your experiences and ambitions. Here’s a more detailed breakdown based on the criteria:

  • Introduction (4.5/5) : Your introduction captures the reader’s attention by creating a contrast between your earlier attitude and your current perspective. This successfully sets the stage for the rest of the personal statement.
  • Why You’re Interested (4/5) :: Your interest in business consulting stems from your experiences working in your family’s restaurant and later at Nestle. This context makes your motivations clear and credible. However, you could further elaborate on why business consulting specifically attracts you compared to other professions.
  • Your Qualifications (4/5) :: You provide concrete examples of your involvement in your family’s business and your role at Nestle. The anecdote about reducing food waste by 70% at the restaurant is particularly effective. It might be beneficial to give more specific examples of your achievements at Nestle as well.
  • Personal Growth (4.5/5) :: The realization of the opportunities and advantages you’ve had in comparison to your peers is a critical turning point. This shows introspection and a willingness to leverage your advantages for the greater good.
  • Your Goals and Aspirations (4/5) :: Your goal to work in strategy consulting and make a difference in Dubai’s industries is clear. It would be even more impactful if you could elaborate on why this is important to you. Is there a particular industry or issue you’re passionate about addressing?
  • Conclusion (4.5/5) :: You effectively connect your past experiences, current education pursuit, and future goals, leaving a strong concluding impression.
  • Your reasons for choosing Warwick are clear and well-researched. Your reference to specific modules and networks demonstrates a deep understanding of what the program can offer.
  • There are some lengthy sentences that could be broken down for clarity and readability.
  • The last part of your statement could benefit from a summary or a concluding sentence that reinforces your main points.
  • Introduction: Your introduction immediately acknowledges the privileged position you’ve had throughout life, creating a contrast to many personal narratives. You offer context by providing details about your father’s business and your international education. However, an engaging anecdote or more personal insights could further draw in the reader.
  • Why You’re Interested: You do well to connect your interest in business consulting with your unique experiences in your father’s business and the realization of your advantage. Providing specifics about the tasks and challenges you undertook in the family business could further strengthen this section.
  • Your Qualifications: Your work at Nestle and the consulting tasks you performed are compelling. It’s clear you’ve gained experience in the field. However, specific accomplishments or experiences during your time at Nestle would further demonstrate your qualifications and enhance this part.
  • Personal Growth: Your experience of observing the different roles and hierarchies within Nestle provides insight into your growth and understanding of the industry. But highlighting what you learned about yourself in these roles, perhaps in terms of skills, attitudes or perspectives, would enhance the demonstration of personal growth.
  • Why this Program: Your reasons for choosing the program at Warwick are well-articulated. You’ve done your research and understand how the program’s features align with your career objectives. Including how these features will address your specific needs or fill your skills gap could add depth to this section.
  • Your Goals and Aspirations: You articulate your career aspirations clearly, highlighting your desire to enter strategic consulting and your specific interest in commercial negotiations. However, connecting these goals more directly to your past experiences or explaining why these particular goals attract you could make this section more impactful.
  • Conclusion: Your conclusion ties your experiences, the program at Warwick, and your career goals together effectively. It leaves a strong impression and demonstrates that you have a clear direction for your future.

The length of a personal statement can vary greatly depending on the requirements of the specific application or organization.

Generally, 500 words is sufficient for a personal statement. It can force you to focus on the most crucial aspects of your story, qualifications, and aspirations, leading to a more precise and compelling narrative.

Admissions committees often review hundreds of personal statements, and their time for each one is limited. On average, they may only spend about three minutes per essay. It is therefore imperative that you respect their time and keep your statement concise and impactful. Avoid long-winded narratives that do not contribute significant value to your application.

Remember, the objective is to deliver as much meaningful information as possible in a condensed form. Extraneous details that do not directly support your candidacy can detract from the effectiveness of your statement. Equally important is to engage the reader; a monotonous, unexciting statement could be easily forgotten amidst a sea of applications. Strive to make your personal statement not only informative but also compelling, to stand out in the minds of the committee members.

The amount of time it takes to write a 500-word personal statement can vary greatly depending on several factors: your familiarity with the subject, your writing skills, the amount of planning you’ve done, and the number of revisions you intend to make.

On average, writing a 500-word personal statement takes 15-20 hours of focused time and effort.

The process of writing a personal statement can be divided into several stages, each requiring a portion of the total time. Here’s a possible breakdown of the 15-20 hours:

  • Brainstorming and Planning (3-4 hours): During this stage, you’ll think about your experiences, skills, and goals, and how they align with the opportunity you’re applying for.
  • Drafting (4-5 hours): Once you have a clear plan, you can start writing your statement. This stage involves translating your ideas into a coherent narrative.
  • Revising (6-8 hours): This is usually the most time-consuming stage. You’ll need to review your statement, making changes to improve its content, structure, clarity, and style. It’s a good idea to have others review your statement and provide feedback during this stage.
  • Proofreading and Finalizing (2-3 hours): Finally, you’ll proofread your statement carefully to catch any errors and make final adjustments.

It’s advisable to start early to give yourself plenty of time to revise and polish your statement. Remember, a strong personal statement can be a key component of your application, so it’s worth investing the time to make it as good as it can be.

WANT MORE AMAZING ARTICLES ON GRAD SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENTS?

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  • 100 Inspiring Quotes to Jumpstart Your Personal Statement

100 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 100-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

150 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 150-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

800 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 800-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

1000 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 1000-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

700 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 700-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

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25 Genius "Why This Major" Essay Examples for Top-20 Colleges

Ryan

Here's the secret to writing your "Why This Major?" essays:

They're not really asking "Why this major?" but "Why you and this major?"

Just like with your Why This College essays, you need to show that you're a perfect match for the program you're applying to through specific examples , ideas , and connections to the school's offerings .

Even if you're applying undecided or undeclared , which is common for students to do, admissions officers ask this question because they want to know these 3 things:

  • Do you have an idea about what you want your future to look like (what you want to study, possible career, etc.), and will our school help you fulfill that vision?
  • Do you have what it takes to be a successful student within your desired major or program?
  • How genuinely interested are you in this area of study? Or are you choosing it for superficial reasons (like money)?

What if you're undecided?

Even if you're undecided, you should have some idea about possible fields you're interested in.

It's impossible for you to have lived 17 or 18 years and not picked up some sort of interest that you could study in college.

After all, why are you applying to colleges in the first place? Probably to pursue a more in-depth education in a particular area.

So if you're applying undecided, you'll need to still talk about potential areas you're interested in, even if you aren't totally committed to them yet.

What makes a great "Why This Major?" essay?

The best "Why this major" answers show a deep level of interest and knowledge about the field.

Admissions officers want to know that you're serious about what you want to study.

Tip #1. Avoid superficial or cliché reasons

I often see students write generic remarks like...

  • "Math is the language of the universe"
  • "Studying communications will help me learn how to collaborate with others better."
  • "Computer science is about problem solving"

These are OK starting points, but you need to delve deeper.

How do you go deeper? Try writing about specifics of the field.

Use some geeky or technical language . Instead of saying "biology," you could write about "molecular biology and its impact on genetic engineering."

Be specific and vivid in your writing, and show your interest in the field using specific anecdotes and moments that you haven't yet written about.

Tip #2. Ask yourself questions at the heart of the area of study.

If you're writing about math, some simple but deep question to ask yourself are things like:

  • Is math discovered or created?
  • What are the unsolved mysteries of math?
  • How do the different branches of math (e.g. algebra, geometry, etc.) relate to each other?

These types of questions will get you thinking about what the major represents, rather than just what it literally is.

Focus on ideas , which are always most interesting.

Tip #3. Think about what the most common answer would be, and then say something different.

For computer science, I see a lot of students write about things like "automation", "artificial intelligence", or "problem solving."

For engineering, I see a lot of students write things about Legos or other "building" toys that they played with growing up.

For medicine, I see students write about "wanting to help people."

These are fine starting points for reflecting, but on their own it'll come off as cliché.

Tip #4. What will this school in particular offer to help you study this field better than other schools?

All colleges offer pretty much the same selection of majors and programs, so what is unique about this school's approach?

Again, you'll need to do some thinking and research.

Tip #5. Show how you've already explored the field.

Think about your classes, but more importantly, think about the ways you've gone beyond the classroom.

Those reasons are the most compelling for why you're a great fit for the major.

How to structure your "Why This Major?" essay

Here's formula you can use to write this essay if you're struggling to get started:

  • I am passionate about subject X and here's why (offer a short story or anecdote)
  • Here's is what I want to do with that passion in the future
  • This is what this school has to offer or will do in order to help me achieve my goals and how (specific and unique reasons)

Now, let's look at some examples of students who wrote successful "Why This Major?" essays.

I've gathered 25 "Why Major?" essays from students who got into top-20 schools like Brown, Georgetown, MIT, and more.

This huge list covers a variety of majors and programs—from Computer Science to English to Bioinformatics—so you'll be able to find one that's similar to yours.

Let's dive right into it.

25 "Why This Major" Essay Examples

1. "why bioinformatics" georgetown essay example.

Prompt: Please relate your interest in studying at Georgetown University to your goals. How do these thoughts relate to your chosen course of study? (If you are applying to major in the FLL or in a Science, please specifically address those interests.) (500 words max)

Why This Essay Works:

Having specific details is key to making your essays more engaging. Whenever possible, substitute broader terms for more specific ones. In this essay, the student does this well, for example by writing "recombinant DNA into Escherichia coli" instead of saying "molecular biology."

Digging into why you're passionate about certain things is important for "Why Major" type of essays like this one. Admissions wants to know how and why that interest started. This student does a great job of telling a family story that inspired their interest in French and an academic experience that sparked their biology interest.

What They Might Improve:

This essay doesn't mention much of what Georgetown would offer them. Whenever possible, it's beneficial to reference specific aspects about the school you're applying to. This demonstrates genuine interest and makes it more convincing that your studies would flourish at the school. Although this isn't a "Why Georgetown" essay, these details can and should be incorporated, as the prompt asks you to relate your chosen area(s) of study to the school.

2. "Why Linguistics?" Brown University Essay Example

Prompt: 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)

My primary interest is in languages and linguistics, specifically Spanish, Portuguese and the descent of these languages from Latin which I explored in my IB Extended Essay. Thus, something that excites me about the complete freedom of the Brown curriculum is the opportunity to learn about Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature and language in an intersectional way through a concentration in Latin American studies combined with classes and undergraduate research in Linguistics. I intend to supplement my language acquisition with practical application through study abroad opportunities at PUC-Rio, Brazil and in Santiago, Chile, perhaps through the Engaged Scholars Program which will allow me to forge deeper connections with the communities and cultures I am studying. I am also attracted by the possibility of a 5-year BA/MA course in Linguistics which will permit me to conduct meaningful and extensive research on a topic I am truly passionate about.

However, I also have an interest in Biochemistry and Molecular biology. The Open Curriculum will enable me to pursue this avenue of study and research without detracting from my principal focus on languages. Therefore, perhaps what I am most excited for is interdisciplinary study at Brown and the possibility of forging unforeseen connections between disparate academic areas and weaving them together into a program of study that will engage, thrill, and inspire me towards a lifelong path of academic inquiry. For example, I am interested to explore how languages and sociolinguistics can be used to promote medical research and provision in Latin America.

Naming things unique to the school shows you have genuine interest. Listing specific programs, courses, or majors shows you've done your research.

The author's reasons for "Why Brown?" fit into their background and identity. This makes their reasons seem genuine and compelling.

The essay is divided into two parts with distinct answers. Showing how those reasons relate could make the essay more cohesive.

Ending with a sentence "For example..." leaves more to be desired and explained.

3. "Why Medicine and Surgery?" Pomona College Essay Example

Prompt: Most Pomona students enter the College undecided about a major, or they change their minds about their prospective major by the time they graduate. Certainly we aren’t going to hold you to any of the choices you’ve made above. But, in no more than 250 words, please tell us why you’ve chosen the academic programs (or undecided!) that you have listed. (250 words max)

I’m sitting backstage at my first international piano competition, anxiously awaiting my turn to perform. Unconsciously, I massage my right wrist, still recovering from a recent injury. The young man beside me feels my nervousness and starts a conversation.

As we whisper, I notice him rub his hands together uncomfortably. “What’s wrong?” I ask, quickly leaving my own wrist alone. He suppresses a nervous laugh, then quietly details the long and unsuccessful surgery that shattered his dream of becoming a professional musician. His hands were permanently damaged.

“Alessandra Fang,” the judges call. I stand up, walk to the main stage and look back to see him encourage me with a stiff, crooked thumbs-up. As my fingers dance on the keys, I observe the fragile muscles and ligaments under my skin.

I realize in that moment that it is not in a massive concert hall where I wanted to change people’s lives, but on a smaller stage: an operating room. As an artist who has had her share of painful, music-related injuries, my goal is to become a musician’s physician, and blend my greatest two passions so that I might bring relief to those around me, while understanding their musical and anatomical plight.

I wish to pursue both Biology and Music programs at Pomona College. I want to become a hand surgeon while still developing my artistry on the piano. After all, surgery also has its own cadence, complexity and composition.

4. "Why Education/Teaching?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Prompt: 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? (100-550 words)

Growing up, I always pictured myself as a great teacher as an adult. With the second best secondary education program in the country and an emphasis on the liberal arts and undergraduate education, I am confident that U-M will shape me into the great educator I’ve dreamed of becoming since I was a kid.

Hallmarks of a liberal arts education include teamwork, problem-solving, clear writing, and effective communication. These are also skills that any exceptional teacher needs. U-M offers an unparalleled curriculum that prepares students to successfully run classrooms and obtain Provisional Teacher Certifications upon graduation, exposing students to diverse classes and people in Ann Arbor, and providing them with an invaluable liberal arts education along the way.

Being an effective teacher means connecting with and stimulating all students at its core. The liberal arts foundation I will receive in the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts (LSA), married with the experiential education and training the School of Education (SoE) will provide, will mold me into that great teacher—a mentor and role model for any student, regardless of creed—I’ve always aspired to become.

The Teacher Education Preferred Admission (TEPA) for incoming freshmen piqued my interest because the program is the crossroad between the liberal arts and teacher education; two components I was looking for in a college. TEPA will allow me to build a strong liberal arts base in LSA my first two years on campus before entering SoE, while also gaining beneficial experiences in the education field early on.

The education-oriented programs WE READ and Students Empowering Education specifically appealed to me because they will bridge my liberal arts education with my anticipated career as a high school English teacher. Similarly, my Spanish classes will have a practical application in the Ann Arbor Language Partnership, a program that immediately interested me as a potential Spanish minor.

During my first two years as a pre-admit, I'll be supported by my TEPA peers and staff, specifically from my SoE personal adviser. TEPA will take the large campus and make it feel smaller, allowing me to form organic connections with like-minded people and groups that can cultivate my interest in education before entering SoE junior year.

I need a meaningful education to be a meaningful educator. Truthfully, I could go to almost any college to become a teacher, but only schools that synthesize in- and out-of-classroom learning like SoE produce great ones. U-M ranking sixth in the country for undergraduate teaching bolstered my interest in the university and confirmed what I already knew: I will receive an education in LSA and SoE that will change who I am as a person and not just a student, and prepare me to provide the same for others as a teacher.

The great educator I’ve always envisioned myself becoming is one that can inspire without bounds. From my time as a student, I’ve come to realize that a truly influential teacher can work with students who have little in common with themselves and still be impactful. LSA's purposeful and broad curriculum, paired with SoE's hands-on courses and fieldwork, and the additional opportunities available through TEPA, will shape me into that life-changing teacher, for any student who walks through my classroom door.

5. "Why Business?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Growing up in a community that bleeds maize and blue, the community represented by the University of Michigan has always been one that I could see myself representing as both a student and alumni. From football games at the big house to classes at Ross, each and every opportunity available at U of M represents a piece of my life that I hope to continue to incorporate into my life for the rest of my life.

The opportunity to take courses that allow for enriched experiences in developing a real business is one that I intend to be involved in as soon as possible. I will use this type of class as a way to test my skills and learn where I need to become stronger as a leader and student. Watching others equally driven as me, their tactics that are successful and not successful will imprint on how I attack problems in the future and shape my overall leadership style.

By being involved in the Multidisciplinary Action Projects down the road as a graduate student, I hope to learn firsthand what it takes to run and be involved with real businesses. Firsthand exposure is the best way to learn how to solve problems- especially surrounded by peers who are equally as driven and dedicated as I am.

Filled with students striving for nothing but the best they are capable of is a community that I am certain I will enrich and fit into. By sharing ideas and collaborating together instead of against each other, each and every one of us will contribute to the business world as leaders and innovators.

The University of Michigan is a place I can see myself learning and growing as a leader for the next four years as I intend to use all of the tools at my disposal to become a top business person. The opportunities within the school I will be involved in and the peers that I will work beside only enrich the values of what being a Wolverine mean to me.

6. "Why Math and Accounting?" University of Southern California (USC) Essay Example

Prompt: 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. (250 words max)

All throughout my life, I always loved doing math no matter what the concept. My love for math led to me taking advanced math classes for my grade. I even had to take a bus to a high school when I was in middle school to take an advanced math class. I always knew that I would want to pursue a career dealing with mathematics, but I was not really sure until my junior year. I had not decided what I wanted to be in the future, so my uncle suggested being a CPA, and I looked into it. When I did my research, it interested me as they made a decent amount of money and they worked with numbers.

At USC, I would like to major in accounting and gain the opportunity to possibly receive an internship at one of the big accounting firms in Los Angeles through the networking of USC. If I were able to get an internship, I would be able to gain experience for when I graduate and search for a job. I would also consider going for a Masters of Business Administration as I know that USC has one of the best business programs in the country.

7. "Why Computer Science?" Columbia University Essay Example

Prompt: Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue your interests? (650 words max)

8. "Why Engineering and Law?" University of Michigan Essay Example

The University of Michigan’s College of Engineering has a proactive approach to career path discovery and job search. While I do hope to aspire to a corporate attorney, an engineering degree from the University of Michigan would provide me the advantage of readiness.

U.S News and World Report published an article about challenges law school applicants with STEM degrees face. Number one was the lack of research skills. Michigan Undergraduate Engineering has research opportunities for all undergraduate students. I hope to even take advantage of The College of Engineering (CoE) International Internship Program. The chance to see the world and contribute to the world-class studies conducted by Michigan Engineering students is a unique quality. The article also reported that STEM applicants often lack job experience. Michigan Engineering hosts internship fairs, which even freshman can participate in. By utilizing the opportunity to work in a professional setting, I will be more adapt to presenting myself in a mature and respectable manor in a corporate setting.

Many people are puzzled by my aspirations to become a corporate lawyer with an engineering degree. While I enjoy learning about many areas of study, math and science have always peaked my interest. Like my attraction to law, I am drawn to the definitiveness of engineering specifically. While there is a right and wrong in methods and procedures, there is a chance to be creative; for the end goal is functionality. Law requires critical thinking, problem solving, and the questioning of presented facts and figures. These skills are also encompassed in Michigan Engineering. With a technical understanding of industry and engineering, I will be able to more accurately represent a corporation. Like the professors at Michigan Engineering, I hope to be an expert in my field. At Michigan Engineering, I will be educated by the best of the best. Professors that have been exposed to their fields in every aspect; allowing them to provide the best guidance to students. Instead of just presenting facts and figures in a courtroom, I will be able to understand and explain them.

9. "Why Psychology?" Carnegie Mellon Essay Example

Prompt: 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 words max)

When I was younger, I faced a lot of negative emotions including anxiety and low self-esteem. For a long time, I felt alone and as if no one understood how I felt. My self confidence was at an all-time low when I started taking psychology. All of a sudden the negative emotions I was feeling started making sense. I was suddenly able to understand how people were wired and why others treated me a certain way. I in fact was able to feel empathy for my aggressors after understanding that those who treated me negatively often faced struggles of their own. Most importantly, I felt as though something out there finally understood me. Because psychology offered insight into my own behavior and helped me to understand others, I was eventually able to overcome my insecurities.

In the future, I would like to help others do the same. No matter where I end up, understanding why people behave a certain way and being more considerate and empathetic for others will only help me thrive. Mental health is a growing issue in our society. The world we live in is a confusing place filled with pain, but psychology provides a way to determine the cause of this suffering and how to change it. I never want anyone to feel the isolation and sorrow I felt when I was younger. I want to help others become compassionate and unconditionally loving not just toward others, but to themselves. Even if I only make a small change in the world and affect just one person’s life, I would like to pursue that.

10. "Why Biology and Environmental Science?" University of Pennsylvania Essay Example

Prompt: Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania? 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. (300-450 words)

As a child the world fascinated me. From questioning the makeup of the dirt I played in, to doubting the existence of gravity as I flew a kite, I was always thinking. Time passed, and my consciousness opened to more, like atoms, the Big Bang Theory, the psychology behind dreams, and the list goes on. Everything fascinated me; curiosity quickly became a part of my character. Some say ignorance is bliss, but I have to disagree. Ignorance is what fuels my curiosity; ignorance is what drives me to discover, learn, and initiate change. Living in a small rural town with my grandmother and disabled father, I have been limited by geography and socioeconomics. A perfect blend of humanities and factualities, the College of Arts and Sciences is an exploratory lab for all I do not know. At Penn, courses from Neurobiology of Learning and Memory to The Sociology of Gender allow me to rid my ignorance one class at a time. The unique and specialized curriculum provides a place to explore whatever I wonder and answer whatever I question. While my grandmother did not have the money for me to attend science camps, to visit museums, or to travel more than a few hours from my home, living in the country always provided me with endless exploration. My interest in trees in particular led me to specialize in the forestry portion of our Envirothon team for four years of high school. The passion I have for biology is second to my interest in helping others. Rural areas of Pennsylvania are in desperate need for physicians, especially in the field of women’s health. My goal is to return to my community and fill that need. As a low income, first-generation student, I have had limited opportunities, but I have seized any that I could and where there were none, I created some. As a seventh grader, I pioneered the colorguard of our newly formed high school marching band. Last year, as captain of 14 twirlers, I took my first plane ride to Disney World where my band performed. This experience taught more than I could ever learn in a classroom. Similarly, there are endless opportunities at Penn, both intra- and extra-curricular, and I plan to take advantage of all that I can to feed my fire.

11. "Why Finance and Political Science?" University of Pennsylvania Essay Example

This essay does a great job of conveying a thoughtful and candid applicant. Their phrasing, although verbose in some places, comes across genuine because the author walks you through how they learned about the school, what they're looking for in a school, and why the school would offer those specific things. Phrases like "I didn't know if I could honestly see myself studying that" are conversational and natural-sounding, which help create a sincere tone.

By referencing specific programs, like "Penn in Washington" as well as various minors and concentrations, it is clear this student has done their research about the school. One of the most important aspects for a "Why Us" essay is to find specific and unique opportunities and name them in your essay. These could be things like specific professors and their work, campus and its location, interesting classes, unique internship/study-abroad/job programs, special events, and many more. The key is referencing things that are entirely unique to the school and not many other schools too. Avoid broad terms like "renowned faculty" or "interdisciplinary studies" because virtually all colleges offer things like this, and these are some of the most over-used and artificial reasons used in "Why Us" essays.

This essay has many moments of repetition that are unnecessary. In general, avoid repeating your ideas and when editing, ask yourself of each sentence: does this add something distinctly new and important to my essay? There are two common mistakes that often create repetition: prefacing your ideas and summarizing your ideas. Unlike academic writing, you don't need to "prepare" the reader for what you're going to say, and you don't need to conclude it with a summary. By doing so, you only create unnecessary repetition and take up words which could otherwise be used to include new specific details or ideas.

This essay spends nearly half of its words explaining the "interdisciplinary" opportunities at UPenn. However, this reason is quite superficial and not at all unique to Penn, as almost all colleges offer some sort of interdisciplinary study (i.e. combining your interests or studying multiple fields). Talking about "interdisciplinary study" is one of the most common reasons students use in their "Why Us" essay, and it often comes across as generic and unoriginal. Instead, look for offerings that no other (or very few other) schools provide. Narrow down your reasons "why" to make them more specific to the school, even if they are smaller scale. You can mention things like "interdisciplinary studies" or "diverse student body" briefly as a reason why, but don't make them one of your primary reasons why, unless you have something particularly unique about it.

12. "Why Engineering?" Duke University Essay Example

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first-year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke. (150 words max)

At Duke I was equally entranced by the articulate movements of 3D printers in the Co-Lab and the stunning Gothic architecture. Instead of forming a dichotomy, these aspects of Duke blended to symbolize its emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which will offer me a nuanced perspective of the world integral to becoming a leader in engineering.

I will join the Academy for Model Aeronautics and share my passion for designing drones, while taking fascinating courses such as “Taboo Markets” and “Banality of Evil”, while simultaneously working on an engineering project that improves real people’s lives in “Engineering Design”. By joining the Duke Robotics Club, I can expand upon my love for robotics, and I hope to write for the Duke Engineering magazine, as well as join the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. By drawing from this diverse range of educational experiences, I can become a leader in creating a better future.

13. "Why Neuroscience?" University of Southern California (USC) Essay Example

I had never considered traveling across the country to pursue an education. In fact, living in Pittsburgh all of my life and growing up with people who are so adamant about staying put, forced me to believe that I too had to box myself into this small, yet evolving city. However, now I can confidently tell my friends and family that I want to travel to California for college (and ignore their odd looks).

What strikes me most about USC is its ability to maintain uniformity despite its diverse student body--in interests, ethnicity, and opinion. There are not many schools where I could be best friends with filmmakers, artists, photographers, chemists, potential CEOs, and writers. Although all of these people are spread across different schools, they still seem to maintain a cultural unity. Being surrounded by such a distinct trojan pride combined with the ambitious atmosphere would be both inspiring and propulsive.

At USC, I would not have to confine to merely one of my interests. I have always had aspirations of becoming a doctor and pursuing neuroscience, but have never felt comfortable ignoring the humanities. As a Trojan, I could pursue research at the Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center or even take part in PIBBS, while also honing my writing skills through the intricate Writing Program.

Much like the students, my interests could somehow be molded into a diverse uniformity, and I could prove my fellow Pittsburghers that perhaps they need to move around more.

14. "Why Journalism?" Ithaca College Essay Example

Prompt: Please tell us why you selected this specific academic program and what other academic programs interest you. (10-200 words)

Recording devices have been banned from the courtroom of the Supreme Court Building since 1946. Therefore, when the Court makes a landmark decision, interns must hand-deliver paper copies of the ruling to news organizations.

The interns often pair running shoes with their business attire, for the quarter-mile sprint from the Court building to the area where networks ​await.

When I first saw photographs of “The Running of the Interns”, I wanted nothing more than to ​be​ one of those people. I wanted to feel my running shoes beating against the sidewalks, to feel sweat staining my suit.

Why did this tradition attract me to journalism? Because it reminded me that the news is a race, a constantly-changing collection of stories shaping social and political development.

The opportunity to contribute to that collection is why, beyond Ithaca’s journalism program, I’m also interested in the College’s minors in Politics and Writing.

I think all of this desire to be part of a story defines what it means to be a journalist, a writer: When I become a journalism major at Ithaca College, and, later, perhaps a running intern, I get to be a contender in the race to change the world.

15. "Why Economics and Political Science?" University of Michigan Essay Example

In my junior year microeconomics class, my teacher extensively explored the ways in which people from different socioeconomic classes were affected by our economic system. I was frustrated by the ways our country forces those living in poverty to spend the little money they have on taxable goods. I began to empathize with them. How can people pull themselves out of poverty if their government seems to be working against them? More than anything, I was frustrated that I felt powerless to help them in any way.

Those lessons inspired and motivated me. I had always looked at economics as nothing more than an analysis of business models and resource allocation. I began to see it as a way to fix fundamental problems in our society, from examining the effects of healthcare expansion on crime and poverty rates to studying how shifts in our political climate affect how our country’s financial process will change. I now see economics as a way to help those in need in my country and throughout the world.

I volunteered after school for Representative Dingell and had the opportunity to attend numerous events hosted by the Ford School. Again and again, I was impressed by the extent of the Ford School’s student involvement in critical issues. Through my work with the Congresswoman, I was able to gain a greater understanding of how different groups of people were affected by shifts in political and economic priorities. My goal is to become a civil rights attorney or study economics as a way to promote sustainable growth in developing nations.

I want to begin my studies at the University of Michigan in LSA to gain a foundation in economics and political science-related courses. After my first year, I hope to gain admission to the Ford School. The connections that LSA and Ford have to Poverty Solutions solidified by interest in the University of Michigan. If I attended these schools as an undergraduate student, I would be able to assist with research on the causes and ramifications of poverty. Professor Michael Barr’s research on policy initiatives and our financial system is fascinating from the perspective of a prospective economics major. At the University of Michigan, I would be able to join teams of renowned researchers working toward the betterment of our society and our world.

The range of schools working in connection with Poverty Solutions is evidence of the University’s devotion to civic engagement. I would be able to participate in groundbreaking research regarding issues I am interested in; I would have the ability to study poverty and ways to stunt or alleviate its effects in other countries. As someone hoping to pursue a career in public service, it is truly incredible to have the opportunity to join a research community specifically geared toward solving problems I am passionate about solving.

I want to join the University of Michigan’s legacy of innovators. I want to be part of the LSA community, studying economics and political science. I want to attend the Ford School and understand how policy in America and abroad has an effect on global poverty. I want to be involved with the Poverty Solutions Initiative, conducting groundbreaking research on the ways we can reform our financial system to better serve the lower and middle classes.

16. "Why English Major?" Rice University Essay Example

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

It's an understatement to label me as an English geek; I am that kid who squeals in excitement in English class when given a new essay assignment while others may groan in exasperation. I understand why some may be a bit anxious when preparing to turn in an essay for evaluation; you could bring an essay to two different English teachers and receive two different grades on it. This subjectivity is why some folks may prefer subjects such as mathematics in which the right answer is not debatable. However, its subjectivity is exactly what captivates me. I enjoy reasoning my opinions of arguments and the intentions of authors.

I was really happy when I learned I didn't have to major in Criminal Justice or Political Science to be a civil rights lawyer because I want to become a professional author as well. So, majoring in English is perfect for me.

17. "Why Political Science?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Riding the elevator to the seventh floor of Haven Hall, my heart was practically leaping out of my chest. I was meeting with Dr. Jenna Bednar of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Department of Political Science, and as I recalled her credentials- B.A. in Political Science from Michigan, M.A. and PhD in Political Science from Stanford- I felt increasingly out of place. As a junior in high school with limited political experience, I am grateful that she agreed to take time out of her day to meet with me and answer my numerous questions about LSA, Michigan, and political theory.

Upon entering her office, my eyes were drawn to bookshelves full of political literature, from the classics like De Tocqueville and Locke (which I read in a summer college program in 2017), to her own recently published work, The Robust Federation. Encouraged by her broad smile and having just completed an official campus tour, I launched into my questions. Dr. Bednar described the connections she and her students have made at Michigan, through LSA and in general.

This revealed to me that the faculty would take a personal interest in my academic career. We discussed the average class size in LSA and the Department of Political Science, her academic background, and how to survive Michigan winters. Dr. Bednar then brought my attention to the benefits that LSA Political Science gives its students.

For example, as head of the Michigan in Washington program, Dr. Bednar's passion for both political science and education was evident as she introduced me to one of Michigan's most influential academic programs. Although I hail from two miles outside the D.C. border, I aspire to participate in the Michigan in Washington program, to build on my internship of the past year with my delegate to the Maryland General Assembly.

Under his guidance, I conducted nationwide policy research, attended civic association meetings and development forums, and traveled to our state capitol to watch the legislative process unfold. Consequently, an internship at the federal level is my logical next step toward building the foundations of a political career.

Dr. Bednar, upon hearing about my internship with my delegate, suggested that I think about the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. I believe that this research program offers a unique means of building my understanding of political science. I am eager to apply to the UROP program in hopes of furthering my research skills within the complex political landscape of today. Furthermore, the variety of courses that I can explore as a political science major is remarkable: from "Sports, Politics, and Society", to "Nations and Nationalism," the scope of topics will keep me engaged.

When I sat down with Dr. Bednar, I expected a five-minute chat; I received forty-five minutes of helpful advice, political theorizing, and well wishes. Leaving her office, I felt energized and ready to dive into LSA Political Science right there. Her demeanor helped to build my confidence to boldly seek connections in my search for knowledge. I saw the Michigan difference firsthand, from various undergraduate opportunities for political science, to a universal love for the school from students and faculty alike.

18. "Why Chemistry and Biology?" MIT Essay Example

Prompt: Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (100 words max)

I remember boiling down cabbage with my dad to make titration indicators. When I first read about the process of translation, of rendering mRNA into proteins, my eyes filled with tears; this is what I would do, apply the chemistry that had defined my childhood to my love of biology. In the past few months alone, MIT researchers have visualized a critical growth kinase and decoded the kavalactone gene. To major in both the chemistry and biology departments at MIT would be an unequaled opportunity to explore the molecular basis of life and apply that knowledge to real-world innovation.

19. "Why Neuroscience?" University of Michigan Essay Example

My favorite class in high school was also my hardest. It was World Culture/World Literature, an hour and a half each day of seeing history, art, and literature not as separate entities but as intricately connected, one incomplete without the other. I learned to see humanism in Greek sculpture, religious propaganda in the chiaroscuro of Baroque paintings, disillusionment in modern art. Although seemingly unrelated to my STEM-leaning interests, the analytical skills I learned there would prove invaluable in neuroscience research. Connecting electroencephalography results to mechanisms for chronic pain relief wasn’t all too different from drawing links between historical movements and paintings; both required an intimate knowledge of background information and a willingness to take risks, to see new relationships and forge unprecedented connections.

LSA embodies precisely this mentality, fostering interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving. With classes like “Health, Biology, and Society: What is Cancer?”, bridging humanistic and biological approaches to disease, and graduation requirements ranging from Natural Sciences to Race and Ethnicity, LSA prepares students for the real world, where problems necessitate not just single-minded expertise but also a diverse understanding of other factors involved. My internship experience only confirmed the practicality of this perspective; we used mindfulness meditation alongside spinal cord stimulation technologies to treat chronic pain.

This mindset is not confined to learning inside the classroom. The LSA Opportunity Hub is robust, connecting students to internships at Nike, Forbes, and the US Department of Education, among other places. To intern as a research assistant at Mayo Clinic, to use mathematical models to predict brain tumor growth like current Michigan junior Tatum Doyle would be an unequalled opportunity. Her work in incorporating mathematical concepts in medical research personifies the LSA culture, where problems are best solved holistically. LSA’s interdisciplinary approach does not detract from fostering specialization and excellence in specific fields, but adds; its Biochemistry program promotes innovation and independence in its students and is ranked top in the nation.

I remember boiling down cabbage with my dad to make acid/base indicators. In elementary school, my teacher wrote that I had been spending too much time reading animal books and too little time playing with other kids. I loved (and still love) all things living, often marvelling at the complexity of the animal kingdom, the human body, the organs, and the cells that were the foundation for everything else. The first time I read about the process of translation, of rendering mRNA into proteins, my eyes filled with tears; this is what I wanted to do, to apply the chemistry that had defined my childhood to my love of biology.

LSA shares that passion, dedicating a plethora of resources, both intellectual and material, to its Biochemistry department. With equipment like atomic absorption spectrophotometers, classes in Endocrinology, and distinguished professors, the University of Michigan has everything any biochemistry undergraduate student would need, and much more. To research under a PI like Dr. Kopelman, winner of the J. William Fulbright Research Award, would be a dream fulfilled. His work in employing 5-dimensional chemical imaging to visualize and treat tumors does what LSA does best; it uses an interdisciplinary approach to make academic discoveries both relevant and essential in the real world. It is a culture I would be honored to take part in, should I be accepted.

20. "Why Undeclared?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Sweat drips down my face onto homework in front of me.

I just got home from a soccer game; I’m not stressed. This is until I realize I still have a plethora of edits to make on my lab report as well as emails to write for an upcoming NHS event. AND I have three tests the next day.

Although stressful, I enjoy every minute of juggling a variety of academics and extracurriculars. I appreciate all the opportunities my high school offers to me and I take advantage of as many as I can handle. Thanks to my involved years of high school, I have received a great education as well as many experiences I would never trade away.

Entering my senior year and researching universities I may want to attend, there is one question which continuously presents itself. What do I want to major in when I get to college? It is a scary question and I have never known the answer. Despite participating in many extracurriculars such as National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Math Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America, I still have no idea what I want to do with my life.

As a student at LSA, I would be able to use the abundance of resources to explore possibilities for life after college. Since I am one of the many college applicants who has not decided upon a major, a large, liberal arts college like LSA is the perfect place for me to discover more about myself, pursue interests, and find my purpose. I have considered medicine, business, economics, and law. The two courses I have enjoyed the most are biomedical sciences and US History. I am truly all over the map!

With so much variety at LSA, I would be able to change majors or take a diverse group of classes so that I could find what I want to study. LSA is unique from its University of Michigan counterparts because it offers a broader range of departments, majors, and courses. The flexibility at LSA would help me discover what I want my life to be like while supporting me through my journey.

Additionally, LSA provides students with multiple opportunities not found anywhere else at University of Michigan. One program that caught my eye was Michigan Learning Communities. This program appeals to me because having the resources of this large university, yet finding a niche in the community to challenge myself and others, can help me grow as a student and a person. Similarly, the Opportunity Hub at LSA jumped out at me as I researched the University and toured the school. I would take full advantage of the great connections the Opportunity Hub provides, as it could help me find an internship or job offer when the perfect time comes. MLCs, the Opportunity Hub, and the many other programs which LSA offers are the main reasons why LSA would be the best college fit for me.

I was initially drawn to the University of Michigan by the beautiful campus, great athletics programs, unmatched prestige, and massive alumni network. However, as I dove deeper, I discovered LSA, a school that can help me realize my purpose and passions while providing a focused learning environment to lead me to a bright future.

21. "Why Computer Science?" Cornell Essay Example

22. "why kinesiology" university of michigan essay example, 23. "why mathematics" cornell essay example.

Prompt: Cornell Engineering celebrates innovative problem solving that helps people, communities…the world. Consider your ideas and aspirations and describe how a Cornell Engineering education would allow you to leverage technological problem-solving to improve the world we live in. (250-650 words)

For "Why Us?" college essays, one of the most important parts is to show ways you imagine being involved on campus. This student does a great job of showing that they've done their research about Cornell, by connecting their passion for studying heart disease to specific initiatives already taking place on campus. Try researching what events, research, or programs are being conducted. By referencing those specifics, you can create convincing reasons of why this school is fit for you.

When discussing your intended area of study, one effective strategy is to identify a problem that you see. This problem can be in the field itself, your community, or the world. Then, you can connect this problem to yourself by showing how you'd want to help solve it. Don't try to tackle it entirely yourself, but show how you'd "take bites" out of this larger problem. It is also important that you identify potential solutions to the problem. You definitely don't (and shouldn't) have all the answers, but what do you see as potential steps for combatting the issue?

Using technical language, such as referencing "semi-elliptical curves" and "modular form" in this essay, will help show your in-depth knowledge and passion. Don't be afraid to use technical jargon like this, and don't worry if admissions officers may not know all the terms. As long as they have context and knowing the terminology isn't critical to understanding your point, including "nerdy" language will make your essay more engaging and demonstrate your intelligence.

If you have personal connections to the school you're applying to (such as legacy, family members who work there, students or faculty you're close with), it can be a good idea to reference those connections. Showing personal connections to the school makes admissions think, "They're already practically one of us!" Just make sure that these connections aren't contrived: only write about them if you have a clear purpose within your essay for introducing them. In this essay, the student references their brother who attended Cornell, but does so in a way that naturally ties into the rest of their reasons for "why Cornell."

24. "Why Computer Science?" Brown University Essay Example

Prompt: Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated? (150 words max)

There was a time when I was low and afraid to be with myself. That’s when I dived into programming. I always sat with my laptop. But unlike others on Instagram or Snapchat, I was coding. I always kept myself occupied so I wouldn’t think about hardships. But as I was solving those little Instantiation and StackOverflow errors, I realized that any problem in my life had a solution. I could either modify the code and right the wrong, or just keep compiling them, producing no output. So, life is not all that different. That is why I want to pursue Computer Science. I know I can work to keep myself happy. Inevitably, what makes me happy is Computer Science, which is what I want to pursue.

25. "Why Journalism?" Emerson College Essay Example

Prompt: As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your major. If you're undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson's programs? Please be brief. (100-200 words)

Recording devices have been banned from the courtroom of the United States Supreme Court Building since 1946. Therefore, when the Court makes a landmark decision, interns must hand-deliver paper copies of the ruling to news organizations.

The quarter-mile sprint from the Court building to the area where networks ​await ​is no easy feat. But the interns dress with this mind, often pairing running shoes with their business attire.

When I first saw photographs of “The Running of the Interns”, I knew that I wanted nothing more than to ​be​ one of those people. I wanted to feel my running shoes beating against the limestone sidewalks, to feel sweat staining my suit.

Why did a tradition centered around dashing through D.C. attract me to journalism? Because it reminded me that the news is a race, a constantly-changing collection of stories shaping social and political development.

This, I think, defines both what it means to be a journalist and why I want to be a journalist: When I become a journalism major at Emerson, and, later, a part of the press--perhaps a running intern--I get to be a contender in the race to change the world.

What You Can Learn From These "Why This Major" Essay Examples

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College Personal Statement Examples (250 or 500 Words): Writing Guide

The picture provides the basic definition of a personal statement.

Congrats! You’ve passed the test! Now you need to write a personal statement section about your unique traits.

The primary question you have now sounds somewhat like “How to organize my personal statement to get enrolled?”

The good news is waiting for you on this page!

We have all the answers you need about the strategy of a personal statement: outline, tips, and good personal statement outline examples are here.

  • 📍 Personal Statement Definition
  • 📑 Personal Statement Outline
  • 📏 Personal Statement Length
  • ⛔ Personal Statement Mistakes
  • ✔️ Personal Statement Examples: 250 Words
  • ✔️ Personal Statement Examples: 500 Words

📍 Definition of a Personal Statement

Alright, it’s time to learn what exactly a personal statement is.

The personal statement is your chance to present yourself in the most flattering light to the application committee members or your potential institution/employer. It’s time to impress with your achievements, personality, and skills.

Note that there are several formats of presenting yourself while applying to an institution or a job:

  • admission essay
  • application essay
  • personal statement
  • statement of purpose

In fact, these concepts express the same idea: to sell yourself most advantageously. However, there are minor peculiarities. We’ll look upon them in the next paragraph!

Personal Statement VS Statement of Purpose

First of all, the personal statement is slightly less formal than the statement of purpose .

The next difference between them reflects in the contents:

A personal statement demonstrates your eagerness and motivation to get enrolled in a particular place. It has to show who you are.

A statement of purpose tells about your future goals and intentions: what benefit can you bring to an organization?

📑 Personal Statement for College Outline

The primary goal of a successful application essay is to highlight you among other candidates. For accomplishing that goal, the first essential is a well-organized personal statement outline.

This section will be meticulously studying the peculiarities of an outline of a personal statement for college.

How to Organize a Personal Statement

The picture provides the outline for a personal statement.

Before writing a personal statement outline, you should set up the primary goal of your application essay .

What result do you expect by writing it?

Most likely, you want your college application to bring you to the freshmen community eventually.

To get it, you have to include all the significant achievements. Thus, the next step is to brainstorm the ideas to choose from later.

Make up a list of the important things to mention in your application writing:

  • Academic background details,
  • Nuances of preparation and training process,
  • Skills, researches, and awards,
  • Your motivation.

This is just the beginning. Now let’s go deeper into the details of the structure.

Although a personal statement is not a regular academic essay, it has to follow a particular plan. It will be pretty similar to the outline of standard persuasive writing:

Briefly present yourself and what you pursue. Define your goals and intentions in this part. It’s also a place to mention your main interests.
Elaborate on your experience that fits the position you are applying to. Provide the readers with good examples of your accomplishments.
Be bolder and write about your talents. There certainly are many things to mention! What are you good at? What are your strengths and advantages?
Communicate about your professional goals. It’s great to answer specific questions: what good can you bring to an institution? What is your desirable development perspective?
Finish it all with a firm conclusion. Connect all that you mentioned with the desirable position, making your motivation clear.

Once you’ve managed to write your draft, you’ll get a clue how to title your personal statement.

Personal Statement Intro

Imagine meeting someone for the first time. First impressions are very lasting, right? Especially when it comes to creating a personal statement. The key idea is: if your introduction hits home, the reader is yours. After reading a genuinely engaging intro, one wants to figure out what else you will tell.

However, a merely great intro is not enough to reach the goal. Keep in mind that the rest of your personal statement has to be strong too.

If you want to figure out how to organize a personal statement introduction, follow us. There are some crucial things to know.

Here is the recipe for a great intro:

  • A hook for your readers’ attention: let it be a fact about you that sounds intriguing and engaging.
  • Perform a brief but consistent introduction of yourself as a person. Who are you? What are the main traits that describe you as a personality and professional?
  • Provide a piece of information concerning your background that is relatable for the position.
  • Make sure each constituent in your intro connects well to another one, and the flow is smooth.

How to End an Application Essay / Personal Statement

It’s time to wind up, and you have some difficulties with how to end your application essay?

No reasons to worry!

Stay here, and you’ll learn about the ending of the personal statement for the college.

The final touch of the college admission paper is a firm conclusion. By saying ‘strong,’ we mean such one that leaves your admissions officer impressed and filled up with a desire to get you enrolled.

You can end your writing with the summary of facts mentioned before. It is crucial to link it all with the position you’re applying for.

  • Write out all the significant facts about your background and goals.
  • Say it in other words and add some information that is not brand new but specifies what you’ve said before.
  • Let your readers know about plans in case you get enrolled. How will your life change?
  • Organize your conclusion in a well-curated structure and proofread it.

📏 How Long Is a Personal Statement?

Whether you want to enter medical school in the UK or apply for law school in Canada, the rules are the same almost everywhere. To avoid dropping out of the format, you have to know how long a personal statement is.

What Is the Typical Recommended Length of a Personal Statement?

So, how long should a college application essay be?

  • It should include approximately 350-500 words (2600-3000 symbols) or 1-2 pages in regular font and size. The most optimum option would be 1,5 pages with a clear-cut structure and distinguished paragraphs.

Remember, if you violate these prescriptions, your application might not be read further.

Writing a too short personal statement is also risky. An application officer is likely to doubt your skills and experience.

That is why you should stick to the words and paragraph limits as closely as possible.

The picture provides the information about the recommended length of a personal statement.

⛔ 250-Words College Personal Statement Examples: How NOT to Do

To make a good impression, you have to know all the ins and outs.

But what about the red flags?

It’s also vital to know the potential mistakes.

So, let’s look at the bad examples to figure out the flaws you should avoid in your application letter.

Personal Statement Failure #1

One of the most common mistakes is too aggressive attempts to sell oneself. The apparent and even ridiculous lies go here, too. You can observe such errors in the following personal statement of a person who’s trying too hard to get to a medical school:

I am a natural-born doctor. Since I was two, everyone would call me a little Frankenstein because I performed numerous biological experiments with animals. All my family kept telling me I would make a perfect surgeon. When I was learning to speak, the first word in my vocabulary was “medicine.” My mother didn’t even get offended because it is evident that she created a remarkably gifted child. Since my childhood, I studied the inner world of local birds and frogs and performed surgeries on worms. I haven’t ever got any other mark in Biology except “excellent.” Biology and chemistry teachers always praised me for the outstanding results in various contests. I didn’t even spend time playing outside with my friends. All I ever did was studying, watching surgery tutorials, and consuming volumes of professional medical literature. I am grateful to my family for believing in me and my teachers for inspiration and knowledge. I am sure I can make a significant difference in this field with my eagerness and talent. I would be thrilled if you allowed me to enter your institution. So, dear committee members, I am kindly asking you to consider my application as a priority…

Experts analysis:

  • Such solid and emotional words like “outstanding,” “perfect,” or “best of the best” don’t add to your professionalism.
  • No matter how talented children may be, they are unlikely to have “medicine” as the first word. This piece seems ingenuine and misleading in general.
  • Being cruel to animals in childhood is also not a golden ticket to a good university. Avoid such shocking details. Evaluate what you write about in terms of ethics.
  • It’s hard to imagine a triter cliché than “to make a difference.”
  • Avoid using too many intensifiers in your letter. Use rational arguments instead.
  • At last, don’t beg application officers to take you. Let them make a decision based on your experience and skills.

Personal Statement Failure #2

The next disadvantage of a bad application essay is stale expressions and clichés.

My only dream ever was to enter the best law school. I have been craving to become the most fantastic lawyer of all ever existed on Earth. I suppose that my traits and characteristics will contribute to it amazingly. My considerable experience and outstanding skills make me the fittest candidate for your law college. I haven’t stopped reading law books and journals 24/7 for the last decade. I am also fond of true-crime TV shows and spent hours watching them. I am absolutely astonished by these professional and shrewd detectives. I wish I could become one of such. Once when I was 11, my neighbor gave me his Colt to learn how to shoot sparrows. Thus, you can be sure of my extensive knowledge in this sphere. I can’t wait to enter the best law school globally and learn from the best professionals in this field. I am eager to get through any challenges and difficulties because I have come through many such things during my life. For example, I lost my favorite dog when I was five years old. It was a brutal and highly traumatic experience. We used to spend a lot of time together, but I managed with the stress…

Expert analysis:

  • Instead of a grasping hook, there is a bland and cliched sentence — all the school graduates “dream of becoming” someone.
  • Too many excessive personal details giving no helpful information about an applicant’s background and fundamental skills.
  • One has to enumerate specific skills and features that are needed for the position.
  • Again, too many intensifiers also make the paper sound trite.
  • Mentioning the Colt shooting is not the best option for one who wants to enter a law school. Probably, not the best thing to do for anyone.

Personal Statement Failure #3

Hello, dear committee members! I would like to present myself to you so you could see that I am a true gem for your institution. I want to start by describing my talents and natural abilities. I didn’t learn the alphabet. I was born with the ability to read, no cap. But it’s a trifle, for real. The top-notch fact about me is that I am a natural-born financier. You probably heard of Frank Cowperwood, did you? It is the most famous of Dreiser’s characters, a great financier, a banker. I am saying it in case you haven’t heard about it. I knew how to count since I was two years old. I also have been striking great bargains since childhood. My parents gave me fruits to school, and I sold them to my classmates. Well, at school, I wasn’t just a good financier. I also had absolutely outstanding results in math. Sometimes my teacher was so astonished by my knowledge that she asked me to conduct classes. In middle school, I started investing and already have my shares in all big companies. So I ask you to consider my application, so I could get started and yield benefits to your business school. If you refuse to get me enrolled, I am sure that you’ll regret it very soon because it’s the next Warren Buffet who’s writing this personal statement.
  • Bragging: there’s so much of it that it seems like the author is joking.
  • Using slang. The personal statement is the most inappropriate place for that. Instead of hobnobbing with application officers, you have to show how seriously you take the process and how responsible you can be.
  • Impossible facts: avoid lying about yourself by all means.
  • Too many repetitions: makes the speech bland and poor.
  • The text isn’t divided into paragraphs, making it hard to read.

✔️ 250-Words College Personal Statement Examples: How to Do

Alright, it’s enough. It was pretty tough to deal with such awful personal statements, wasn’t it? Let’s switch our attention to much more pleasant things.

We would like to present good personal statement examples that you can use as samples and inspiration sources for yours!

A helpful tip: focus on the personal statement intro when reading good examples and put down ideas you can use in your essay!

Personal Statement Example #1

One of the most famous American physicians, Martin H. Fisher, once said: “Observation, reason, human understanding, courage; these make the physician.” These are the concepts I wish to pursue in my life. I have consciously chosen the path of growing more reasonable, understanding, helping, and courageous by becoming a doctor. While volunteering at a children’s hospital in my gap year, I’ve realized nursing or being a doctor is a challenging but worthy path. I am fully aware that becoming a professional and capable physician takes many years of careful study and work. This is one of the reasons I’ve decided to apply for the medical college in the first place. I admire the quality of knowledge your college gives to students, for I’ve met the school graduates of great competence and skills. Honestly speaking, I do not consider my experience in medicine prominent, but I’ve got the highest grades in biology and chemistry at high school. Besides, I’ve attended extracurricular classes and won special prizes for my research works. I have attached them to this letter. My desire to serve my best in this field is considerable, for I believe each person has their mission and purpose. Mine is saving people’s lives and contributing to the nation’s well-being. I would be most grateful if the respected application committee would consider my personal statement. I could give the promise to stick to your rules and code of laws and perform as well as I possibly can. I appreciate your reading my application letter and will be looking forward to receiving your feedback.

Expert comments:

  • An essay starts with a relevant quotation by a famous and credible person. Such a hook catches an application officer’s attention at once.
  • It’s good to talk about your previous experience relatable to the position. But be honest here, do not exaggerate facts.
  • The applicant speaks about emotions and personal impressions from volunteering. It tells of good emotional intelligence.
  • The would-be student is aware of the hardships of the profession and admits it.
  • The tone of the message is polite and formal enough but not too much.

Personal Statement Example #2

A quotation by Henry Petroski, a famous American engineer, inspired me a lot once I read it: “As engineers, we were going to be in a position to change the world – not just study it.” This is what I aim for – making my contribution to changing this world for the better through engineering. Let me introduce myself to create an impression of my personality and decide whether I fit your institution correctly. I have graduated from a high school with honors and the highest rate in physics, maths, and chemistry. I mention it because I wish to deliver an idea that I have been greatly interested in science and engineering since my early childhood. At first, I got low marks because teachers at school considered me untalented. They would say that I’d never make anything in this field. This hardship didn’t bring me down. I wanted to prove that my interest and eagerness are much more significant than my natural abilities. I started to spend all evenings studying books on engineering and physics. By academic year 11, I won the city’s prize in the contest for inventing a device that helps reduce water consumption in a household. I would be happy to study engineering at your college because I get inspired by your professors and their noticeable results. I believe we could make this world a better place by inventing new helpful tools and improving the existing ones…
  • Here we can also see a good hook – a quotation that reveals the author’s purposes and goals.
  • The text is well-structured and divided into logical parts. It makes the personal statement easy to follow.
  • The author writes respectfully, following the grammar and spelling rules. A personal trait – carefulness – is brought to the surface.
  • An inspiring life story makes the audience believe the applicant’s keen desire and readiness to study and become a professional.

Personal Statement Example #3

One mystery has been haunting me my whole life. I’ve been trying to figure out whether life imitates art or vice versa. Creating my first drawings, I was wondering why this process is so soothing and enriching to me. I am perfectly aware of why I want to apply this knowledge in your art school and develop as an artist. The presence of painting and sculpture in my life is constant. I’ve been brought up by an art teacher who taught me the fundamentals. As a child and teenager, I was fascinated by the role of light, a harmony of proportions, composition. My home library was full of books: art history, various guides, and textbooks. Sometimes, some things and concepts were difficult to understand and implement, but I was stubborn and curious. I asked my parents to send me to summer art camp, where I learned and volunteered at different exhibitions and art performances. When I was in high school, I started to prepare myself for entering your institution. The prominent graduates of yours motivated and inspired me. I also participated in the contest of young artists that your institution conducted last year. It was a great happiness to win the first prize. At the moment, art doesn’t imitate life for me. Art is life itself, as I feel it this way. My main goal is to grow as an artist and open an art therapy center. I am sure that I can pursue my dreams by developing my skills at your art school. I also want to participate in global contests and exhibitions, to bring more glory to your institution.
  • The author attracts the readers’ attention by mentioning some ‘mystery’ – a simple human curiosity keeps us reading.
  • The famous quotation by Oscar Wilde is smoothly implemented into the text. The committee member understands that a person is well-informed: it’s a good sign.
  • The applicant exposes their goals in a sophisticated and a little high-flown way but also very clear.
  • Even though art is a very creative sphere, the author’s background seems to be distinguished and credible enough.
  • The applicant also communicates a clear perspective of being useful for the institution.

Personal Statement for Scholarship: Sample 250 Words #4

John Muir once wrote, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” As an aspiring ecologist, I have always been captivated by the intricate interconnectedness of the natural world and its profound impact on our lives. With this deep appreciation for the environment, I am applying for this scholarship. I am currently pursuing a degree in Ecology at Virginia College, where I have immersed myself in the study of ecosystems, conservation, and environmental sustainability. My coursework has equipped me with a strong foundation in ecological principles, and I have actively sought out opportunities to apply this knowledge in practical settings. For instance, I participated in a research project at Virginia Climate Center focused on the impact of climate change on local biodiversity, which allowed me to witness firsthand the urgency of addressing environmental issues. Furthermore, my passion for ecology extends beyond the academic realm. I have engaged in volunteer work with local conservation organizations, participating in habitat restoration projects and environmental education initiatives. In addition to my academic and extracurricular pursuits, I am driven by a personal connection to the natural world. Growing up in Birmingham, I have witnessed the effects of human activity on the local environment, motivating me to advocate for sustainable practices and conservation efforts in my community. This firsthand experience has fueled my determination to make a meaningful difference in the field of ecology. In conclusion, I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship. With this support, I am confident that I can continue to expand my knowledge, contribute to ecological research, and ultimately work toward a more sustainable future.
  • The author effectively captures the reader’s attention by beginning with a compelling quote related to the theme of the personal statement.
  • The personal statement showcases the candidate’s practical involvement in local conservation organizations, highlighting specific projects they have contributed to.
  • The candidate provides clear and specific examples of their volunteer work, such as habitat restoration projects and environmental education initiatives, illustrating their direct impact on the environment and the community.
  • The personal statement conveys the candidate’s genuine passion for environmental conservation and their dedication to making a meaningful difference.

✔️ 500-Word Personal Statement Examples

500-word personal statement example #1.

Steve Jobs once said: “And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” It was part of his speech back in 2005 for Stanford students, and I’ve remembered it forever. I have the same passion that he did – computer science. I believe in the power of technology and that it should change our world for the better. This is why I’m looking forward to all the opportunities and challenges studying at your university can bring me. It’s funny, but my fascination with technologies started when I was a kid, playing PlayStation. Since I got it from my older brother, it broke down numerous times, and I fixed it all by myself. Then at school, I had my first computer science classes and got even more interested. I learned more about computer hardware and all the processes inside the motherboard. Most importantly, my professor showed us how to maximize computer efficiency and productivity. Then I became proficient at my first programming language, Python, and I started making my first simple websites. At that moment, I realized how creative IT could be! I found a way to combine my interest in technologies with artistic potential. I completed several online programming courses in high school to create my first IOS game. I remembered how excited I was about those old-school PlayStation games, so I did my best to create a similar one for the Apple devices. To accomplish this, I studied another programming language – Swift, which is primarily used for IOS apps. This experience showed me that every game on your phone has two sides: the code itself and the visuals. To make users enjoy graphics and feel the nostalgia of 90’s videogames, I took Photoshop courses. Now I have an extensive portfolio with motion designs and game concepts. Although my first game was mainly known among my classmates, I was happy to acquire many new skills! As a kid, I was a gamer, but now I am a young specialist in computer engineering, coding, and game design! And there is so much more to learn! My main goal for the future is to learn how to create games that would be entertaining and educational. I’m willing to learn more about IOS apps development for all sorts of devices to make people’s lives easier. I understand that computer science is not only about hardware and coding, so I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge. One sphere that I’m particularly interested in studying in university is IT ethics. I genuinely believe that technologies cannot be used for any form of crime or hatred. By developing cybersecurity, we will be able to protect users. I’m ready to begin my studies and build a safer and brighter world around us.
  • The personal statement starts with a nice hook, a quote. From the very beginning, it gives committee members a clue about the applicant´s sphere of interest, IT.
  • The text has a form of storytelling that shows how creative the applicant is. This technique also catches attention and makes readers want to learn more.
  • The applicant mentions their skills in the sphere, as well as their hobbies and plans for the future. That demonstrates the writer’s multiple interests and raises their chances!

500-Word Personal Statement Example #2

Did Shakespeare really exist? I’m not sure since there are so many conspiracy theories around his figure. But what I do know is that since I read Hamlet for the first time, I knew that one day I would become a play writer. This is how my journey started and brought me here, applying for your English literature program. When I was a kid and didn’t know how to write, I already had quite a bright imagination. The only way to express my creativity was to tell all those stories to my parents. They thought I should be an actress back then, so I joined a theatre club at school. I liked all the behind-the-scenes processes there, but I couldn’t find my niche. I tried myself as an actress, a part of a stage crew, and a dresser, but nothing felt right. Now I’m grateful that I have experience in these spheres since it helps me write plays and immediately visualize how to stage them. One day our theatre club prepared an original play about our school, so I had a chance to write my first script. Seeing people laughing and enjoying our performance was a unique feeling, and I promised myself to become a professional. Along with the theatre club, I took advanced classes in English literature in high school. We explored the most influential literature ever written, including works of my favorite: William Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, and Kurt Vonnegut. Step by step, I studied their writing styles and developed my own. Even though fiction has dramatically influenced my literature taste, my writings were mainly in poetry. I took Coursera courses on playwriting and storytelling to boost my writing skills. Those taught me about literary devices and techniques that brought my writing to a new level. I understood that skills are as essential as imagination. Slowly the plays I wrote for our school theatre got more complex; they raised philosophical topics of family bonds, first love, and self-realization. Our theatre crew took part in several festivals, which was a success! After graduating, I continued writing plays and short stories. Some of them were published in local newspapers, others I post online. I have more than 100,000 readers on Wattpad, but this is only the beginning. Fame is essential, but I believe every author has a deeper mission – to help others by sharing their own experience. I wish my readers or people who watch my plays find comfort and realize that they are not alone. I’ve learned a lot about classical authors, their writings, and existing storytelling techniques, and I feel like now is my time to create. I’m looking forward to starting an English literature major to broaden my creative horizons, as well as joining college theatre. Years later, newspapers will publish about a new Shakespeare, hopefully studying at your college!
  • The author catches readers’ attention with a question hook, making them curious. The reference to Shakespeare also introduces the applicant’s preferences and interests.
  • The text has some humor in it but is still written carefully and respectfully. It highlights the writing skills and creativity of an author.
  • The applicant mentioned the courses they took as well as the literature they read so that the committee members have a clear picture.

How do you feel now?

Like an expert?

Well, it was the aim of our article. You got all the necessary information to make a great impression with your application letter.

Do you still have questions?

Get to the section below to make sure all the fundamental points of creating personal statements are digested and ready to be applied!

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a presentation of your most noticeable results, significant experience, and skills in the form of an essay. You write a personal statement when you apply for graduate school, university, residency to get a scholarship or a job.

How to title a personal statement?

The name of the document goes first (for instance, “Personal Statement” or “Application letter”). The personal statement title should also include vital information about the institution you are applying for and your name.

How long should a college application essay be?

If we speak about a college application essay, its length usually ranges from 400 to 600 words.

What are the success keys for a personal statement for college?

– A good structure, – Excellent grammar and spelling, – Rich but appropriate vocabulary, – Actual facts about your background, – The polite and friendly tone of voice, – Specification of your achievements relatable for a position.

What are the common mistakes in a personal statement for college?

– Bragging and showing off, – Poor grammar and inappropriate language, – Lies, exaggeration, misleading facts, – Too formal or too nonchalant manner of speaking, – Lack of true facts backing up your capability, – Too much drama and emotions.

Useful Links

  • Personal Statement | Office of Career Services | Harvard University
  • UCAS Personal Statement Tool – Learn what to write about
  • How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement | Structure, Length & Tips | University of Portsmouth
  • The Personal Statement // Purdue Writing Lab
  • How to Write a Powerful Personal Statement | Indeed.com
  • Personal Statements | Writing Center
  • Writing the Personal Statement | Berkeley Graduate Division

I want to pursue architechture as my career,can you please help me out in geting some good examples of eassys regarding this field

American Psychological Association

APA Style for beginners

500 word essay college

Then check out some frequently asked questions:

What is APA Style?

Why use apa style in high school, how do i get started with apa style, what apa style products are available, your help wanted.

APA Style is the most common writing style used in college and career. Its purpose is to promote excellence in communication by helping writers create clear, precise, and inclusive sentences with a straightforward scholarly tone. It addresses areas of writing such as how to

  • format a paper so it looks professional;
  • credit other people’s words and ideas via citations and references to avoid plagiarism; and
  • describe other people with dignity and respect using inclusive, bias-free language.

APA Style is primarily used in the behavioral sciences, which are subjects related to people, such as psychology, education, and nursing. It is also used by students in business, engineering, communications, and other classes. Students use it to write academic essays and research papers in high school and college, and professionals use it to conduct, report, and publish scientific research .

High school students need to learn how to write concisely, precisely, and inclusively so that they are best prepared for college and career. Here are some of the reasons educators have chosen APA Style:

  • APA Style is the style of choice for the AP Capstone program, the fastest growing AP course, which requires students to conduct and report independent research.
  • APA Style helps students craft written responses on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT because it teaches students to use a direct and professional tone while avoiding redundancy and flowery language.
  • Most college students choose majors that require APA Style or allow APA Style as an option. It can be overwhelming to learn APA Style all at once during the first years of college; starting APA Style instruction in high school sets students up for success.

High school students may also be interested in the TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students , an annual competition from the APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools for high school students to create a short video demonstrating how a psychological topic has the potential to benefit their school and/or local community and improve people’s lives.

Most people are first introduced to APA Style by reading works written in APA Style. The following guides will help with that:

Handout explaining how journal articles are structured and how to become more efficient at reading and understanding them

Handout exploring the definition and purpose of abstracts and the benefits of reading them, including analysis of a sample abstract

Many people also write research papers or academic essays in APA Style. The following resources will help with that:

Guidelines for setting up your paper, including the title page, font, and sample papers

More than 100 reference examples of various types, including articles, books, reports, films, social media, and webpages

Handout comparing example APA Style and MLA style citations and references for four common reference types (journal articles, books, edited book chapters, and webpages and websites)

Handout explaining how to understand and avoid plagiarism

Checklist to help students write simple student papers (typically containing a title page, text, and references) in APA Style

Handout summarizing APA’s guidance on using inclusive language to describe people with dignity and respect, with resources for further study

Free tutorial providing an overview of all areas of APA Style, including paper format, grammar and usage, bias-free language, punctuation, lists, italics, capitalization, spelling, abbreviations, number use, tables and figures, and references

Handout covering three starter areas of APA Style: paper format, references and citations, and inclusive language

Instructors will also benefit from using the following APA Style resources:

Recording of a webinar conducted in October 2023 to refresh educators’ understanding of the basics of APA Style, help them avoid outdated APA Style guidelines (“zombie guidelines”), debunk APA Style myths (“ghost guidelines”), and help students learn APA Style with authoritative resources

Recording of a webinar conducted in May 2023 to help educators understand how to prepare high school students to use APA Style, including the relevance of APA Style to high school and how students’ existing knowledge MLA style can help ease the transition to APA Style (register for the webinar to receive a link to the recording)

Recording of a webinar conducted in September 2023 to help English teachers supplement their own APA Style knowledge, including practical getting-started tips to increase instructor confidence, the benefits of introducing APA Style in high school and college composition classes, some differences between MLA and APA Style, and resources to prepare students for their future in academic writing

Poster showing the three main principles of APA Style: clarity, precision, and inclusion

A 30-question activity to help students practice using the APA Style manual and/or APA Style website to look up answers to common questions

In addition to all the free resources on this website, APA publishes several products that provide comprehensive information about APA Style:

The official APA Style resource for students, covering everything students need to know to write in APA Style

The official source for APA Style, containing everything in the plus information relevant to conducting, reporting, and publishing psychological research

APA Style’s all-digital workbook with interactive questions and graded quizzes to help you learn and apply the basic principles of APA Style and scholarly writing; integrates with popular learning management systems, allowing educators to track and understand student progress

APA’s online learning platform with interactive lessons about APA Style and academic writing, reference management, and tools to create and format APA Style papers

The APA Style team is interested in developing additional resources appropriate for a beginner audience. If you have resources you would like to share, or feedback on this topic, please contact the APA Style team . 

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  • Essay Editor

How to Write a Hook: Powerful Openers for Your Essay

How to Write a Hook: Powerful Openers for Your Essay

Have you ever thought about how to grab your readers' attention right from the start of your essay? A good hook can really make a difference. It can pull your readers in and set the stage for an interesting piece of writing. This guide will help you understand what is a hook in an essay and give you ways to create strong openings that will keep your readers interested until the end.

What Is a Hook in an Essay?

A hook is the opening sentence or group of sentences that serves as an attention-grabbing introduction to your essay. Its primary purpose is to pique the reader's interest and create a specific tone for your writing. Good hooks are essential for academic papers, as they set the stage for your argument and encourage readers to continue exploring your ideas.

Some hook examples for essays are:

  • Anecdotes or personal stories
  • Thought-provoking questions
  • Surprising statistics or facts
  • Relevant quotations
  • Vivid descriptions or imagery
  • Bold statements or declarations

These hook examples can be tailored to suit various essay types and subjects, making them versatile tools for writers.

Placing Hooks in Your Essay Introductions and Conclusions

While hooks are typically associated with introductions, they can also be effectively used in conclusions to bring your essay full circle and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

Introduction Hooks

In the introduction, your hook should:

  • Grab attention immediately
  • Provide context for your topic
  • Lead smoothly into your thesis statement

Hook sentence examples for introductions:

"In the time it takes you to read this sentence, about 100 stars will have died in our universe."

"What if I told you that the most dangerous animal in the world isn't a shark, a lion, or even a human—but something so tiny, you can't even see it?"

Conclusion Hook

Hook ideas for conclusions:

  • Revisit the opening hook with new insight
  • Pose a challenge or call to action
  • End with a provocative question or statement

Hook sentence examples for conclusions:

"As we close this chapter on climate change, the question remains: will our grandchildren inherit a planet of possibilities or a world of what-ifs?"

"As we stand on the brink of AI-powered breakthroughs, one can't help but wonder: will machines dream of electric sheep, or will they dream of us?"

Loving these hooks? Aithor can write many more just like them for your next essay. 

Tips to Write Good Hooks for Essays

Writing good hooks for essays needs creativity and an understanding of who will read your work. Here are some tips to help you write strong openings:

  • Make your hook appeal to the specific people who will read your essay.
  • Make sure your hook fits with the overall feel of your essay, whether it's formal, funny, or serious.
  • A hook should be short and clear, usually no more than one or two sentences.
  • Using an active voice in your hook makes your writing more engaging and direct.
  • Stay away from common sayings or ideas that might bore your readers.
  • Your hook should connect directly to your essay's main topic or main idea.
  • Don't be afraid to rewrite your hook several times to make it better.

Remember, the goal is to create an opening that naturally leads into your essay's main content while piquing the reader's curiosity.

Step-by-Step Hook Creation Process

Follow these steps to come up with hook ideas that work:

  • Different kinds of essays (like argumentative, narrative, and descriptive) might benefit from different types of hooks.
  • Come up with several hook ideas based on your topic and essay type.
  • Definitions
  • Metaphors or similes
  • Write a few versions of your chosen hook type.
  • Look over your drafts, thinking about how well they fit with your essay's purpose and tone.
  • Share your hook with others to see how effective it is.
  • Make sure your hook flows naturally into the rest of your introduction.

Remember, the key to how to write a good hook is practice and improvement. Don't be afraid to change and make your hook better as you write your essay.

Types of Hooks

There are several types of hooks you can use to begin your essay. Here are some popular options:

Question Hook 

"Ever wondered why your dog tilts its head when you speak? The answer might surprise you – and reveal more about human-canine communication than you'd expect."

Anecdotal Hook 

"The first time I tasted durian, I thought I'd accidentally eaten something that had gone bad in the tropical heat. Little did I know, this pungent fruit would become my obsession and lead me on a culinary adventure across Southeast Asia."

Statistic Hook 

"In the time it takes you to read this sentence, over 700 hours of video will have been uploaded to YouTube. The digital content explosion is reshaping how we consume information, and it's happening faster than you might think."

Quotation Hook 

"'The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.' Dorothy Parker's words ring truer than ever in our age of endless information — but is our curiosity leading us to knowledge, or just more distraction?"

Description Hook 

"The air shimmers like a mirage, heat radiating from the cracked earth. In the distance, a lone tree stands defiant against the barren landscape. This is the face of climate change — stark, unforgiving, and impossible to ignore."

Metaphor or Simile Hook 

"Learning a new language is like trying to navigate a foreign city without a map. At first, every street corner looks the same, every sign is indecipherable. But slowly, patterns emerge, landmarks become familiar, and suddenly you're no longer lost — you're on an adventure."

Each of these hook examples for essays can be effective when used appropriately. The key is to choose a hook that aligns with your essay's tone and purpose.

Wrapping Up: The Impact of a Strong Essay Hook

A well-written hook can make the difference between an essay that keeps readers interested and one that doesn't. By understanding what a hook in an essay is and how to create one effectively, you can improve your writing and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

Remember, the best hooks not only grab attention but also fit well with your essay's main ideas. They should give a taste of what's to come, encouraging readers to keep reading your work.

For those looking to further enhance their essay-writing skills, try writing tools like Aithor . Aithor can give extra insights and suggestions to help you write even more engaging hooks and essays. By combining your own creativity with advanced writing help, you can make your essays even better and really connect with your readers.

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Community Essay Examples

When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed the personal statement is the most common college essay. However, you will also likely have to write some supplemental essays as part of your college application requirements. One of the most common supplemental essay types is the community essay. This essay type is also known as a describe the community you live in essay, cultural diversity essay, or community service essay.

In this article, we will introduce several community essay examples. Most importantly, we’ll describe why they are considered college essays that worked. Specifically, we will share community essay examples from the two schools:

  • Princeton University
  • Columbia University

By studying these admissions essay samples, you can see what makes these college community essay examples strong and apply those same principles to your writing.

Reviewing Types of College Essays

Each school has different supplemental essay prompts for their college application requirements. However, there are a few types of essays that are most common. By becoming familiar with these essay types, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what you will write about early on. You might start as early as sophomore or junior year in high school. 

Now, let’s take a look at the most common supplementary essay questions.

Common Supplementary Essay Questions

1. why school.

A Why School essay is, as it sounds, about why you wish to attend a specific institution. The key to answering this prompt well is to be specific. You should identify examples of what you like about a school. Avoid general comments such as “it is a top school” or “it is diverse.” Share specific programs, professors, teaching approaches, cultural elements, or unique opportunities such as research or study abroad.

2. Why Major

The Why Major essay asks you to share specific reasons behind your choice of major and how it relates to your future goals. A strong response to a Why Major essay will highlight your specific motivations. But it will also connect those motivations to a school’s unique opportunities. For example, perhaps you wish to be a pre-law history major, and the school you are applying to offers law-related internships. By highlighting these specific connections, you draw a compelling connection between yourself and the school.

3. Extracurricular Activity

Many schools ask you to describe an extracurricular activity that is particularly meaningful for you. When responding to this question, do not feel limited to only talk about the most popular extracurricular activities for college applications, like clubs or sports. Consider all of the activities you do outside of school. Then choose the one that is most meaningful to you. Also, give specific examples of how you grew or made an impact within your extracurricular activities for college.

4. Community Essay

The Community Essay can have slightly different angles to it. But, the uniting factor is that the school wants to know how you engage with others around you. Some types of community essays are a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay. In recent years, the cultural diversity essay has been a more common college application requirement.

Coming up, we will share a bit more about how to break down community essay prompts. We’ll also take a look at college essays that worked. By reading these examples, you’ll know how to approach these common prompts.

How to identify a community essay?

While community essays can have slightly different focuses, they all share the goal of learning about where you come from. A supplemental essay prompt might ask you to share more about your background via a group you are part of. This is likely a community essay. Indeed, a community essay can also be called a describe the community you live in essay, or a cultural diversity essay. Other college community essay examples focus on how you will contribute to a college campus. Finally, in a describe a community you belong to essay example, you will see that students highlight any community that is meaningful to them.

You may be wondering why so many colleges have community essays as a college application requirement. For one, many colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they care about all aspects of who you are, not simply your grades and test scores. How you engage with your communities shows them your character and values. For example, a describe the community you live in essay example about visiting church every Sunday demonstrates your commitment to religion. Similarly, a cultural diversity essay helps colleges learn more about your cultural background. 

Additionally, colleges want to learn more about how you will engage with their on-campus community. You’ll notice this important factor in the college community essay examples we will share. To some degree, how you have engaged with previous communities can be an indicator of how you will show up on their campus.

How is a community essay different?

As we mentioned, community essays can have slightly different focuses. Some prompts ask you to write a describe the community you live in essay. These types of community essays are more like cultural diversity essays. 

Keep in mind that the word “community” can have many different meanings. A community can be your school, church, or neighborhood. It could also stem from your interests. For example, your dance or robotics team can form your community.

Some community essay prompts want to know specifically how you help strengthen your communities. These types of essays are considered a community service essay. Another term for community service is “civic engagement.” An example of civic engagement might be getting people in your cultural community to sign up to vote. Or, another could be helping with church fundraisers to ensure that your local community has the resources it needs to thrive. 

In sum, the keywords you might see in a community essay prompt are “civic engagement,” “community service,” “serve your community,” “contribute to your community,” or “diversity.” No matter how it’s phrased, your essay should demonstrate the impact you’ve had on your community–whichever one you choose to highlight. 

What are some examples of community essays?

In this article, we will share several community essay examples. Specifically, we will highlight Princeton essay examples and Columbia essays examples. Let’s look at these two colleges’ essay prompts. 

The first Princeton supplemental essay prompt is a part of our college community essay examples and our cultural diversity essay examples. Here is the prompt:

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity Essay and College Community Essay Examples

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  (please respond in 500 words or fewer.).

In this cultural diversity essay prompt, Princeton wants to know about your lived experiences. By this, they refer to any experiences that have shaped you profoundly. A lived experience can be a specific event, such as experiencing a car crash or winning an award. Or, it could be a set of experiences that resulted from life circumstances, such as being a first-generation college student or having taken a gap year .

This essay prompt will also lead to college community essay examples. Indeed Princeton wants to read about your lived experiences and how they impacted you. But, they also want to know how you will bring those lessons to the Princeton community, should you enroll . Also, note that this prompt mentions challenging ideas and beliefs via conversation. As you respond, look for ways to highlight how you have engaged in fruitful dialogue and how you would do so at Princeton.

To answer this prompt effectively, share specific examples. Additionally, be sure to answer all parts of the prompt. 

Princeton has a second supplemental essay prompt that focuses on how you engage with your community outside of the classroom. The prompt is as follows: 

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #2: Civic Engagement

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) .

To answer this prompt well, you must highlight specific examples of how you have positively impacted your community. As a starting point, consider which of your communities you have most engaged with. How have you done so and what results did you have?

The Columbia Community Essay Prompt is another of our college community essay examples. It is a cultural diversity essay, as well. Here is the prompt: 

Columbia Community Essay Prompt: A Cultural Diversity Essay

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).

While this prompt is similar to Princeton’s, it also references perspectives and viewpoints. In doing so, the prompt opens you up to share opinions or values that are important to you. You might consider highlighting values in your family or community that you either hold close or disagree with. 

Note that Columbia also highlights the word “collaborative” in this prompt. This indicates that your cultural diversity essay should also show how you collaborate with others.

Which schools require a community essay?

In addition to Princeton and Columbia, many other schools have community essays as part of their college application requirements. Here are some other examples of community essay prompts:

In this UNC-Chapel Hill prompt , you must describe a specific example of how you made an impact on a community. The prompt reads:

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: A Community Service Essay Prompt

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. (250-word limit).

In responding, be sure to highlight what community you are referencing, the specific impact you made, and what personal quality helped you do so.

This prompt from UMichigan is a describe a community you belong to essay example, as well as a cultural diversity essay:

The University of Michigan: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

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. 1,500 character limit.).

In addition to describing the community, make sure to share how you engage with it and what it has taught you. Remember that community is a broad term. So, for this prompt you can respond with any type of community in mind, whether physical or cultural. In contrast to the describe the community you live in essay, you do not have to be geographically close to the community you describe here.

Duke University: Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Duke offers students five supplemental prompts to choose from, of which they can reply to two. Of these supplemental prompts, four are examples of cultural diversity essays:

1. 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.

2. 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, 3. 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., 4. 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..

Each of these prompts is a slightly different type of cultural diversity essay, from sharing a range of opinions to not fitting in within a community. Choose the essay prompts that most resonate with you. And share specific examples that bring your cultural diversity essay to life.

In this Yale University supplemental prompt , you must choose a community that you feel connected to and describe why it is meaningful. Here’s the prompt:

Yale University: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

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. (400-word limit).

When responding, be sure to highlight what you have learned or how you have grown from this community. In contrast to a describe the community you live in essay, this essay can be about any community, near or far, that resonates with you. Indeed, the prompt gives you plenty of leeway in what you consider community. 

When responding to the UC system prompts , you must choose four of the eight available personal insight questions. One of the PIQs is a community service essay prompt:

The University of California Personal Insight Question: A Community Service Prompt

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.

Similar to many of the other prompts, when answering this question, be sure to identify the specific impact you made on your community.

Now that we have looked at various examples of community essay prompts, we can explore community essay examples. Reading essay examples is a great way to get inspired to write your own college essays. 

In each of the highlighted college essays that worked, note what the author did expertly. Rather than trying to copy their responses, topics, or ideas, consider how you can apply those same skills to your writing. 

Princeton Community Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Princeton essay examples that respond to their two community essay prompts: a cultural diversity essay and a community service essay. 

The first of our Princeton essay examples responds to the following Princeton prompt: 

Princeton Essay Examples #1: Cultural Diversity Essay

Now, let’s take a look at a student’s response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town of 1.8 square miles called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values.

In the face of distinct cultures and customs, we forge a single identity as Highland Parkers and come together to organize large community events. The most prevalent example is our highly touted annual Memorial Day parade, where we join together with neighboring New Brunswick to invite military service members, family members of our fallen war heroes, our legislative and congressional representatives, and our townspeople. Moreover, as our high school band’s vice president, I help organize and lead our ensemble into these performances with a positive and uplifting spirit. We communicate with the town government and arrange the performances every year to perform at the parade. The parade is an example of many of our large community events that serve as a unifying force for our diverse community, reminding us that we are fundamentally connected as one cohesive group, despite our differences. 

As someone deeply interested in historical and political matters, I am well aware of the consequences that arise from dictatorial protocols that limit the freedom of speech and diversity of voices. From my experiences debating in Model UN conferences, I have grown accustomed to being able to present viewpoints from both sides of the argument, and I have learned to incorporate and respect the viewpoints of all sides of an issue before making up my own mind. For example, in a Model Congress debate, I found myself advocating for the interests of a state heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. While researching and articulating that perspective, I gained insights into the economic challenges faced by the states that are reliant on these resources. This experience not only broadened my understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental policies but also highlighted the necessity of considering diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making. 

My background and experiences have fostered in me a profound appreciation for the value of diversity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. At Princeton University, I will seek to contribute as an active participant in the community, actively provide unique perspectives and insights, and respect and learn from others’ perspectives even if there are disagreements. I wish to partake in student government, which has like-minded peers who want to make a substantive impact, and also participate in service programs like the Civic Leadership Council. Also, I hope to increase my impact from the leadership positions I currently hold on the Red Cross club and teen mayoral advisory council using the platforms in Princeton. I look forward to making a positive impact on both the campus and the broader community. 

Why This Cultural Diversity Essay Worked

In the first of our Princeton essay examples, the student successfully responds to all parts of the Princeton prompt. They begin by describing their community and sharing some details about its makeup. Indeed, the first sentence hooks the reader–it is unique and compelling. 

Then, the student illustrates how they specifically contribute to their community each year by leading the high school band in the Memorial Day parade. They also highlight how their experience in Model UN shaped their appreciation for diverse perspectives. In sharing these two examples, the student demonstrates their leadership and open-minded thinking. Finally, the student ends by highlighting how they would use these values to contribute to Princeton’s community– by partaking in student government and Civic Leadership Council, among other activities.

In the second of our Princeton essay examples, the student responds to the second Princeton prompt which is: 

Princeton Essay Examples #2: A Community Service Essay

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).

And, here is a student’s response:

Princeton Essay Examples #2 Student Response

My first experience with the Red Cross was when my older sister was desperately trying to recruit people to join the club during the harsh COVID year. Things were so bad for the club that I, as a freshman, ran for the position of treasurer unopposed. My first blood drive experience was marked by masks, social distancing, and low turnout among blood donors. Even many donors who showed up ended up being turned away due to health-related issues. Needless to say, it was not the greatest first high school service experience, and I admittedly started to doubt if the time I spent on this front was worth it. 

However, as we returned in person, things quickly turned around. As the vice president of the club, I helped recruit more than twice the club membership compared to the previous year, and our blood drives started to regain momentum; our blood targets have been exceeded every time since. Organizing and participating in blood drives has become a passion. It’s fulfilling, especially when I personally donate, to know that I’m actively serving the community and saving lives. I have realized that, despite my relatively young age, I am capable of making an impact through public service. I plan to continue my commitment to the Red Cross’s adult program and participate in service programs like Community Action at Princeton to serve the Princeton community and abroad.

Why This Essay Worked

In this admissions essay sample, we learn about a student’s volunteerism with the Red Cross as an example of civic engagement. This essay works for several reasons. First, it provides a specific example of the student’s civic engagement and demonstrates their impact by becoming vice president and increasing membership. Secondly, the essay provides an honest take on the struggles of this service experience, which lends credibility and authenticity to the story. 

The student also demonstrates an important lesson learned. This aligns with Princeton’s values– that students can have a positive impact on society. 

Columbia University Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Columbia essays examples that landed students admission to the prestigious Ivy League university. The first of our Columbia essays examples is written by the same student who responded to the first Princeton prompt above. Here’s a reminder of the Columbia prompt: 

As you read the example below, notice how the student edited their Princeton cultural diversity essay to meet the prompt and lower word count for Columbia:

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values. 

HP has convinced me that we can build institutions that are strong and united while embracing a wide variety of voices and perspectives. It has shaped my core values of diversity and inclusion. An English teacher used to encourage me to talk in front of the class by saying even if I believed my thoughts were “dumb,” I could only enrich the conversation.

At Columbia University, I will seek to continue my contributions as an active participant in the community and look to actively provide unique perspectives and insights. Actively engaging in student groups such as ColumbiaVotes will be a big part of my experience. 

The Columbia essay prompt only allows for a 150-word response. This could pose a challenge for many students. What makes this essay among the Columbia essays examples that worked is how succinctly it completely answers the prompt. 

The response begins by hooking the reader with a relevant detail of the student’s community. Then, the student shares how this community shaped them by influencing their values of diversity and inclusion. Finally, the student shares how they would engage with a Columbia organization that also supports diverse viewpoints. Though short and sweet, this response clearly answers all parts of the Columbia prompt. 

More Community Essay Examples

The final of our community essay examples is a community service essay. Let’s look at how student framed their service experience:

“I don’t believe that’s the best way to do this.” 

The moment I thought this the first time I volunteered at my local soup kitchen was one that resulted in a drastic change. When I was informed of the way the food was being served to the public, the initial excitement that I had felt diminished. We were told that the plates would be served before anyone arrived and would remain in an area where people could pick it up and seat themselves. I felt that this method was impersonal and inconsiderate, and disappointment washed over me. 

I turned to the people that were around me and discovered that they shared the same disapproval I felt. When we agreed that a change must be made, we exchanged ideas on how to present this to the woman in charge of the program. I suggested that we should serve each person one-by-one, and only give them the food if they wanted to/could eat it. They suggested multiple ideas, including that we should offer to seat them, hold their plates for them, continue to check in on them, and dispose of their plates once they finish their meal. We believed that this way would genuinely make them feel better and would allow us to get to know some of them personally. A simple smile and conversation could be enough to improve their day. 

From this day on, the way in which the local soup kitchen serves our community has changed dramatically. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up for what you believe in. In a group setting, it is likely that there will be others who share the same end goal and are willing to contribute different ideas to achieve the goal. These different perspectives can allow you to see situations in ways that you previously hadn’t, and can result in better outcomes. It also showed me the importance of leadership.

If I had never spoken up about the way the food was being served, a change might have never happened. When you work in the group, the end goal may not be for the benefit of anyone in the group, but for others who are in need. This experience also showed me the beauty in doing good for others and making others happy, even through small things such as serving them food to their liking.

In this community service essay, the student shares their experience volunteering at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is not necessarily unique in the list of extracurricular activities for college applications. However, the student highlights several aspects of the experience that make it meaningful to them. 

To start, the student shares their experience challenging the way that food was served. The student suggested that food be served directly to attendees in order to better connect with community members. Through this experience, the student learns about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. This specific example demonstrates the student’s collaborative values and compassionate way of thinking, both of which are great attributes to highlight in college applications.

How To Write A Community Essay

As we saw in the community essay examples, there are several hallmarks of college essays that worked. To write a good community essay, whether it be a community service essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a describe the community you live in essay, you must start by understanding the prompt. Once you have carefully read through the prompt, brainstorm examples from your own life that relate to it. Sharing specific details and examples will make your response stronger and more unique. 

Additionally, showcase how you grew throughout your response. In each of the community essay examples we shared, the student discussed a skill or perspective they developed through their experiences. Finally, connect your response to the school you are applying to. If you are writing a cultural diversity essay, for example, demonstrate how you would contribute to the cultural diversity at that school, both inside the classroom and in your extracurricular activities for college.  

Topics To Avoid In Your Community Essay

When writing community essays, there is technically no topic that you cannot discuss. However, how you discuss certain topics is important. 

For example, in a community service essay, it is important to not come off as a savior of a community with less privilege than yourself. Similarly, if you are writing a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay, you will want to avoid stereotyping any community. Speaking from your own personal experience as a member of a community is fine. However, generalizing your experience to the community at large can come across as insensitive to that community’s diversity. To avoid these pitfalls, have a variety of people read your community essay examples and look for these dynamics.

Additional Tips for Community Essays

We’ve highlighted the strengths in the community essay examples above. Now we will now share some more tips for making your community essays a strong part of your college applications:

Tips for Writing Community Essays

1. research the college.

When reviewing our college community essay examples, you will notice that students highlight specific clubs, programs, or groups on campus to which they will contribute. If you are specific, you demonstrate real interest in the school which adds strength to your college applications.

2. Tell a story

In each of the college essays that worked, students gave details that told a full story . This story incorporated where they come from and what they learned through their experiences. Rather than telling us who they were, the students used this particular story to show us.

As the college admissions landscape gets ever more competitive, students are sometimes tempted to read other students’ essays and copy ideas. Or, more recently, they may even want to use artificial intelligence to write their essays. However, AI and other students’ experiences won’t show admissions who you really are. Don’t worry about whether you have the best extracurricular activities for college or the most unique cultural diversity essay. Instead, talk about the experiences that truly matter to you. By being honest, you are more likely to come across as convincing and interesting. In each of our college community essay examples, students presented a true and well-thought-out response to the prompts.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore 

As you work on your college applications, you might be in search of additional resources. CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of webinars and articles that can help you navigate writing your essays. Here are a few:

More CollegeAdvisor Resources for Essays

1. short essay examples.

Some of the cultural diversity essays you may write will be short, meaning that they are 150 words or less. This article with short essay examples can help you understand how to write short and sweet cultural diversity essays.

2. Cultural Diversity Essay Examples

In this article , you will find additional examples of cultural diversity essays. Many community essays are also cultural diversity essays. As such, becoming familiar with how students write about their cultures is useful.

3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays

In this webinar , CollegeAdvisor experts provide a rundown of how to write strong supplemental essays for your college applications. In particular, this webinar will help you decode essay prompts and make sure you answer each prompt fully.

4. Editing Your Supplemental Essays

Once you have read up on college community essay examples and written your cultural diversity essays, you might need help editing them. This webinar will provide tips for how to edit your supplemental essays effectively.

Community Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

Completing your college applications can be a daunting task, especially when you must write multiple essays. For some students, writing cultural diversity essays is challenging. These prompts ask you to dig deep and reflect upon your life influences.

In this guide to community essays, we provided an overview of what a community essay is and how to respond to the different types of community essay prompts. We shared cultural diversity essay examples and describe the community you live in essay examples. We also described what makes these essays strong and how they meet college application requirements. 

In short, the key to writing stand-out essays is to be authentic and thorough in your responses. If you need additional help writing your cultural diversity essay, seek out the support of a trusted resource like CollegeAdvisor. We are here to help you craft the best college applications that could gain you admissions to the school of your dreams!

This article was written by Courtney Ng. 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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College Life Essay for Students and Children

500 words essay on college life.

College life is known as one of the most memorable years of one’s life. It is entirely different from school life. College life exposes us to new experiences and things that we were not familiar with earlier. For some people, college life means enjoying life to the fullest and partying hard. While for others, it is time to get serious about their career and study thoroughly for a brighter future.

College Life Essay

Nonetheless, college life remains a memorable time for all of us. Not everyone is lucky enough to experience college life. People do not get the chance to go to college due to various reasons. Sometimes they do not have a strong financial background to do so while other times they have other responsibilities to fulfill. The ones who have had a college life always wish to turn back time to live it all once again.

The Transition from School Life to College Life

College life is a big transition from school life. We go through a lot of changes when we enter college. Our schools were a safe place where we had grown up and spent half our lives. The transition to college is so sudden that you’re no longer protected by your teachers and friends of your school time.

College life poses a lot of challenges in front of you. You are now in a place full of unfamiliar faces where you need to mingle in. It teaches us to socialize and form opinions of our own. In college, students learn their free will and they go on to become more confident and composed.

In school life, we were always dependant on our friends or teachers. College life teaches us to be independent. It makes us stronger and teaches us to fight our own battles. It also makes us serious about our careers. We make decisions that will affect our future all by ourselves, as in school life our parents did it for us.

Additionally, in schools, we viewed our teachers as our mentors and sometimes even parents. We respected them and kept a distance. However, in college life, the teacher-student relationship becomes a bit informal. They become more or less like our friends and we share our troubles and happiness with them as we did with our friends.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

College Life Experience

College life experience is truly one of a kind. The most common memories people have of college life are definitely goofing around with friends. They remember how the group of friends walked around the college in style and playing silly pranks on each other.

Moreover, people always look back at the times spent in the college canteen. It was considered the hub of every student where they enjoyed eating and chatting away with their friends.

Another college life experience I have seen people cherish the most is the annual fest. The annual fest created so much excitement and buzz amongst the students. Everyone welcomed other colleges with open arms and also made friends there. All the competitions were carried out in a good spirit and the students dressed their best to represent their college well.

FAQs on College Life

Q.1 How is college life different from school life?

A.1 College life is completely different from school life. It gives us more exposure and also makes us more confident. Our teachers act more like friends in college, whereas in school they’re like our mentors. Most importantly, college life gives us various challenges than our school life.

Q.2 What are some memories of college life?

A.2 Those who have experienced college life have some common memories. People always remember their free time which they spent with friends goofing around. Everyone remembers the annual fest of the college which brought so much excitement and buzz in student’s lives. Furthermore, they remember the college canteen which always fed their empty stomachs.

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Tips from Counselors

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Tackling the Personal Essay: Tips from a Notre Dame Admissions Counselor

Published: August 30, 2024

Author: Zach Klonsinski

If you ask almost any admissions professional which part of reading applications is their favorite, it’s likely their answer will be a resounding, “The essays!” Essays are where we get to engage with students’ hopes, fears, dreams, life experiences (and more) in their authentic voice. We are humbled every year getting to “meet” all the incredible young people who are applying to Notre Dame through their essays!

Tackling the Personal Essay: Tips from a Notre Dame Admissions Counselor graphic

Yet, writing an essay introducing yourself can be really hard. Maybe you’ve never done so before, or you haven’t for a really long time, and often it will seem really awkward. That’s OK!

It feels hard because it is–or at least it can be.

Don’t worry, though! I love sharing tips with applicants about the personal essay that will hopefully help you see it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and then share that discernment with the colleges who will be fortunate enough to receive your application!

Getting started

The easiest way to get started is by simply brainstorming! I love using pen and paper (I’m anti-pencil, though I realize that may be a divisive opinion). The physical materials help me feel less constrained by technology, though you may find the technology comforting.

Use bulleted lists or short phrases to capture ideas, life experiences, values, and more. Every day, set aside five minutes to write about yourself or your college discernment process without stopping to think. Where does your mind lead you when you get out of your own way?

Ask your friends and family to help you identify values that are important to you or things that make you.. well… you! Often it’s easier to highlight and say nice things about someone else than it is ourselves, so lean on those who know you well!

Group these collective nuggets to see if any patterns or stories emerge. Do you see any prompts on your application that align with your brainstorming? The Common Application, for example, has seven to choose from, including a make your own prompt! Start writing on one that makes you pause, as that means you might have something to say! Don’t be afraid to go longer than your word count or to use an atypical form of writing.

While that specific level of chaos may not work for you, I always recommend staying away from sentences and avoiding constraining yourself while writing because…

Editing is more than spelling and grammar!

When we want to “edit” something, it can be tempting to start–and just as quickly end–with spell check. (Yes, your essay should have proper spelling and grammar, but please know we are not reading your essay with a red pen “grading” every single comma.)

What is far more important–though also far more intimidating–is your essay’s content.

What really improved my writing actually had nothing to do with me–rather, it was finding trusted editors to give me honest and constructive feedback. While it’s tempting to have your best friend or family member read your essay, I’ve found my best editors possess a strong rhetorical mind, ask thoughtful questions, and are not afraid to tell me when something isn’t working the way I think it is.

This may describe someone close to you, but maybe not. Maybe there’s a classmate or teacher who you have always admired, even if you don’t know them that well. Editing is an incredibly vulnerable process; don’t be afraid to lean into that vulnerability! I promise that a strong editor who works with your voice and style–rather than rewriting your essay how they would have–will help bring forth an authentic essay you didn’t even realize you could write!

Speaking of, authenticity will lead to your best essay

The best application essay is the one that helps us get to know you. Period. Full stop. Any topic can be a good topic, any topic can be a bad topic. At the end of the day, the topic you choose to write about is only a gateway to help us get to know you!

Let’s think of it another way. Say you printed out your essay at your school, without your name or other identifying information on it, and someone who knows you picked it up and read it. If they said, “I bet this is (your name)’s essay,” I can already tell you’re on the right track. There’s something truly you about it!

Where can I find more about writing application essays?

I’m so glad you asked! On our On-Demand Sessions webpage , you can find a number of helpful recorded sessions from our College Application Workshop series. One of them, co-presented by yours truly, is called “Crafting the Perfect College Essay”. My colleague Maria Finan and I present our own tips and tricks for about 20 minutes and then take questions from a virtual audience for the remainder of the 45 minute session. I invite you to check it out, as well as the other sessions we have recorded!

Ready to Write Your App Essays? Advice from an Admissions Counselor on the Notre Dame Supplement

Zach Klonsinski

Zach Klonsinski is a senior assistant director with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

He is the regional counselor for Minnesota, Missouri (Kansas City), Wisconsin, Rwanda, Kenya, France, Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, and China - Beijing

  • Read Zach's profile.

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Traditional Pathway Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the University of Colorado College of Nursing's Traditional bachelor of science program (TRAD) is competitive. To keep the selection process fair, admission requirements are definitive and applied to each application in the same manner. Please keep in mind that applications are not reviewed until they are received by the application deadline and coded as ‘verified’ in NursingCAS.

Students requiring an F-1 visa are encouraged to contact the Office of International Admission prior to starting the TRAD application

Minimum TRAD Admissions Requirements

How to Apply

  • Earned grades in the prerequisite courses, as detailed below. These courses must be earned from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of C or higher. A minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA is required. This prerequisite GPA only includes the highest grade attempts for courses listed on transcripts at the time of application. If your outstanding course(s) drops your prerequisite GPA to below a 3.0, your offer of admission will be withdrawn. Prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline . We strongly suggest a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Note that the overall GPA calculation includes all previous course attempts from regionally accredited institutions, regardless of the year courses were completed. Grade forgiveness and repeat/delete policies are not honored for the overall cumulative GPA.

Applicants without a bachelor's degree are required to complete a total of 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits) from a regionally accredited institution. You may take a maximum of 18 semester credits (12 quarter credits), the semester before you start the program. Of these 18 semester credits (12 quarter credits), only one course can be from Anatomy, Chemistry, Physiology, or Microbiology.

The required courses include: (view BS prerequisite descriptions and track your prerequisite progress )

Watch our video guide on prerequisite information.

  • Human Anatomy (or A&P I)
  • Human Physiology (A&P II)
  • Microbiology
  • General Chemistry*
  • College Algebra
  • General Sociology
  • General Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Cultural Anthropology or Multicultural Studies
  • English Composition II
  • Creative Arts
  • Two from Foreign Language, History, Microeconomics, Philosophy, or Political Science (courses must be from two different content areas)

*One of these science lectures must have an accompanying lab.

Note: Prerequisites alone often do not total 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credit hours. Some electives may be necessary. Elective credit hours may be selected from most major academic disciplines. Examples of exceptions are commercial or vocational courses, doctrinal courses in religion, and physical education activity courses.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree are only required to complete five prerequisite courses listed below. Only two of the following prerequisites may be taken the semester before you begin the program: 1) statistics and 2) one course from anatomy, chemistry, physiology, or microbiology.

  • General Chemistry

Note: Degrees have no expiration date, but need to be posted on your transcripts the semester before you start the program.

  • International credential evaluation for degrees earned outside of the United States. To request an evaluation of a foreign degree, a prospective student should submit copies of their diploma and transcripts to [email protected] .
  • English language proficiency (see Additional Requirements below)
  • Letter of good academic standing if you have previously attended or are transferring from another nursing program.
  • Meet the minimum requirements outlined in the Technical Standards for admission, progression, and graduation.

How to Apply/Application Materials

  • Complete the application and pay the required application fee. Note that there are two fees associated with the application (NursingCAS and CU Nursing). Both must be paid for an application to be considered complete.
  • Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended directly to NursingCAS. Official transcripts from all institutions must be sent regardless of years attended, the number of credits enrolled, or grades earned. This includes any concurrent/dual enrollment courses you took in high school; you must submit official transcripts for any post-secondary school(s) from which you earned college credit while in high school. Submitting transcripts is a two-step process:
  • Order your official transcripts in NursingCAS and submit them directly to NursingCAS.
  • Enter all courses from each transcript into NursingCAS; this includes the school name, course name, course code, grade, credit number, and term completed. Applicants have the option to pay for this service offered by NursingCAS and is available on the transcript entry page in the application. Failing to accurately report can result in an application being withdrawn from admissions consideration.
  • Three professional or academic references (at least one academic reference is recommended). The NursingCAS application will ask for the contact information for your three references. References will be contacted by NursingCAS to complete an online Likert-scale reference form, which is then submitted directly back to NursingCAS. Letters of reference are not accepted.
  • Personal statement responding to the following: “Given your personal background, describe your interest in nursing and what makes you special or unique.” Statements must be no more than 500 words, 12 point font, Times New Roman, double spaced, with one-inch margins.
  • Official TOEFL scores reports (international applicants only - see Additional Requirements below).

When to Apply

  • The application process often takes several weeks (including entering courses into NursingCAS, receiving recommenders' ratings, and ordering all official transcripts [domestic and foreign]), therefore applicants should allow themselves ample time to complete each section. We recommend applicants submit their applications 4 to 6 weeks prior to the application deadline. For details on deadlines, refer to undergraduate application deadlines .
  • Applications must be submitted (i.e., in a Received status) by the application deadline. After the application deadline, there is a consecutive 10-day grace period which allows for: all references to reach a Completed status, all official transcripts to be received by NursingCAS, and the application to reach Verified Status. After this grace period, applications not in a Verified status and/or without these required supporting documents will not move forward in the application process. Learn more about your application status .

What to do After Applying

  • Once any additional course(s) currently being taken are completed, a final official transcript must be received in NursingCAS, and course information manually entered, using the Academic Update feature. See more information on the Academic Update process and timeframe in NursingCAS.
  • Make sure your application is listed in Verified status. Verified status means the application has been received and transcripts have been delivered and determined to be accurate and complete. Learn more about your application status .
  • You must be available for the interview and orientation dates listed in the NursingCAS application. The interview dates are not negotiable.
  • If any academic history (grades, courses, student standing, etc.) has changed after your application has reached Verified status, you may do an Academic Update in NursingCAS. See more information on the Academic Update process and timeframe in NursingCAS.

Interview Selection

A select number of students will be invited to interview for a position in the TRAD cohort. The admission interview consists of program presentations, individual and group interview activities.

Admissions Notifications

All admission notifications are delivered by email to the address listed in NursingCAS. Admission decisions are generally admitted, waitlist, or deny. All admits are given 10 consecutive days to respond to the offer of admission. Failure to respond to the offer will result in administrative withdrawal. An enrollment deposit is not required.

Students placed on the waitlist are notified by phone if space becomes available. The waitlist ranks are not provided.

Pre-enrollment Requirements

All students at CU Nursing are admitted conditionally pending successful completion/passing of the pre-enrollment requirements including, but not limited to background checks, drug screens (including marijuana), immunizations, etc. Prospective students who have criminal convictions (or pending criminal activity) are encouraged to contact an admissions representative prior to applying. If criminal history or a pending criminal charge prohibits the possibility of clinical placements, admission will be rescinded/denied.

Admitted students should not start any of the pre-enrollment requirements until properly informed and instructed to do so. Many of the pre-enrollment requirements are timed and starting items prematurely can result in a financial loss to the student.

Admitted students are considered CU Nursing students and are held to all policy and procedures that govern the university and college.

TRAD Timeline

Additional Requirements

Transfer credit requirements, transfer credit.

All of your prerequisite classes will be considered transfer credit. This college level credit may be accepted by the University of Colorado if:

  • It has been earned at a regionally accredited college or university.
  • A grade of C (not C-) or better has been attained.
  • The credit is for courses appropriate to the degree sought at this institution.
  • It is not vocational-technical course work.
  • It is not remedial course work

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

  • Only specific prerequisites and electives can be met using AP credit; view the AP Credit Transfer Guide .
  • The minimum score shown is required to transfer the AP credit to meet prerequisites and electives.
  • The official transcript (score report) from the College Board is required to show the score(s) earned. This document needs to be sent directly to the University of Colorado College of Nursing.
  • To ensure that your official score report is received by the College of Nursing, please request that the College Board mail the document to:

University of Colorado College of Nursing Office of Admissions 13120 E. 19th Avenue, Mailstop C288-6 Aurora, CO 80045

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

  • Only specific prerequisites and electives can be met using IB credit. View the IB Credit Transfer Guide .
  • The minimum score shown is required to transfer the IB credit to meet prerequisites and electives.
  • Instructions for ordering your IB diploma are available through on the IB Requesting transcripts and certificates page .
  • To ensure that your official score report is received by the College of Nursing, please request that the International Baccalaureate program mail the document to:

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

  • Only specific prerequisites and electives can be met using CLEP credit; view the CLEP Credit Transfer Guide .
  • The minimum score shown is required to transfer the CLEP credit to meet prerequisites and electives.
  • The official transcript (score report) from the College Board is required to show the score(s) earned.
  • To ensure that your official score report is received by the College of Nursing, please use the following school code when ordering the report from College Board: 5281.

Pass/Fail Credit

  • COVID-19 Exception for Prerequisite Courses - The CU College of Nursing's strong recommendation is that students choose to have standard grades listed on their transcript and not the Pass/Fail grade option. However, for courses completed in Spring 2020 only, Passing (P) or Satisfactory (S) grades may be accepted to fulfill prerequisite courses, provided the P or S indicates that the student has earned a C grade or higher. For GPA calculation purposes, an approved P or S course grade will be converted to the lowest score associated with the P or S by the sending institution (e.g. a C grade will be calculated as a 2.0). For spring 2020 grades only, the student, via the sending institution, will have the option of submitting the underlying/actual grade earned, e.g. A, B, etc., which will be used in the GPA calculation for review purposes. There will not be a cap to the total number of prerequisite credits that may be taken on a P/F or S/U basis for spring 2020 coursework, provided that the aforementioned criteria are satisfied.

Foreign Transcripts and Study Abroad Credits

Transcripts for all foreign (non-study abroad) coursework must be submitted directly to the University of Colorado College of Nursing for evaluation through the Office of International Affairs. Transcripts for study abroad coursework from a non-U.S. institution may be required depending on how foreign coursework is posted on the domestic (receiving institution) transcript. If all course information (course title, credits hours and grades) is posted to the domestic transcript, applicants do not need to submit a separate transcript from the study abroad institution. If any course information is incomplete, or the grades are posed as Pass/Fail, a transcript for the study abroad coursework will need to be submitted directly to the University of Colorado College of Nursing Office of Admissions & Student Affairs .

English Language Proficiency

Due to the clinical nature of the nursing profession, all students must meet the following communication standards, as outlined in the Technical Standards of our Student Handbook :

  • A student must be able to communicate clearly and effectively in English with clients, teachers and all members of the health care team. Written and oral communication must use standard, professional medical terminology.
  • He/she must communicate with clients clearly and effectively in English to elicit information regarding history, emotional status and activity, and to perceive nonverbal communications.
  • Communication includes speech, hearing, reading, writing and computer literacy.
  • A student must be able to clearly and effectively report in English to members of the health care team. Additionally, students must be able to relay appropriate information to clients, as well as teach, explain, direct and counsel a wide variety of individuals.
  • In some instances the student will be required to provide clear, direct communication in English during highly stressful, crisis situations. These skills necessitate a strong command of the English language and prompt, timely interpretation of pertinent patient data.
  • Students must be able to communicate online in a timely, professional manner, e.g., enter an electronic medical record immediately after the patient visit.

If your primary language is not English, or if you are an International Student, you will need to demonstrate required English language proficiency by meeting one of the following criteria:

  • You are a citizen of a country whose official language is English including Australia, Belize, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean, Ghana, United Kingdom, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
  • You have obtained a total score of at least 560 on the paper-based TOEFL and 50 or above on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); a score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL with 26 or above on the spoken English section. For other minimum subscores see internationaladmissions.ucdenver.edu . The College of Nursing TOEFL Exam Code is 3377. Be sure to use this code when registering for the exam to ensure that we will receive the results.
  • You have obtained a total score of 6.5 on IELTS with a minimum speaking subscore of 8. Official IELTS scores must be sent directly to the College of Nursing.
  • You have graduated from the University of Colorado Denver’s ESL Academy.
  • You have graduated from a US/UK accredited school abroad with English as the medium of instruction.
  • You have earned a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or you have successfully completed a minimum of 2 semesters of full-time study in a master’s program at an accredited institution in the U.S.

Previous Enrollment in a Nursing Program

Applicants who were previously enrolled in another nursing program (prerequisite courses excluded) are required to submit a letter of good standing from the previous school indicating that the student left in good academic standing. Documentation can be sent to [email protected] and will also need to be included in the NursingCAS application profile.

Technical Standards

All College of Nursing students must meet the minimum requirements outlined in the Technical Standards for admission, progression and graduation.

Healthcare Experience Recommended

Healthcare experience is not an admissions requirement for the Traditional Pathway. However, it is strongly recommended that applicants have exposure to the nursing field so that they better understand the expectations for this career path. Applicants are encouraged to include information about healthcare experience in their resume and the Experiences section in NursingCAS.

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length of essays? Answered

does anyone have any ideas on how long your essays are supposed to be? how long is too long and how short is too short? i dont want to bore the admissions people but i also dont want to exclude important details because im worried the essay might be too long.

Earn karma by helping others:

Generally you should be no more than 20 words away from the limit at a max. For example, the Common App gives you 650 words because that's how many they expect. Other schools, like MIT, say "approximately 200 words" which means exactly that (even though they give 225). Because these essays are so short, you need to maximize all the oppertunities you can. So if it says 100,150, 300 or 650, aim for that!

good luck <3

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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2-3 essays of 150 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

The admissions committee at the University Illinois Urbana Champaign wants to know about your academic interests and career goals. The prompts change slightly depending on whether you’re hoping to attend with a declared major or not. Regardless, you should be prepared to write concisely and authentically about your plans and goals!

If You’re Applying to a Major:

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. (150 words).

For this essay, d escribe an experience you’ve had that relates to your first-choice major. Admissions is literally asking you to speak about this experience in detail, so don’t hold back. Did you work on a science experiment that taught you about the basics of organic chemistry? Maybe you watched those crazy robotics videos online and thought, “Hmm, I should understand how those work so I can protect my future family when A.I. takes over in 2050.” (I mean, honestly, have they not watched Black Mirror ?!) Throughout high school, you’ve been exposed to so many different subjects, and admissions wants to know why this one in particular has caught your eye.

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

After explaining why your major is the right choice for you, look ahead five or ten years and imagine how it will catapult you into a fulfilling career—one that you may not have access to otherwise. Maybe when you were younger, you fell in love with stargazing and memorizing constellations and knew you wanted to be involved in a space-related field when you grew up—UIUC’s Astronomy program will help you get there! Build a bridge between your past and your future for admissions so they can see your commitment and demonstrated interest in this field.

If You’re Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies:

What are your academic interests please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at illinois and why. (150 words).

There’s only one trick to generating a straightforward explanation of your academic interests: be honest. Since you probably don’t know what you want to major in or are in the process of paring down your list, don’t waste time trying to think of what admissions “wants” you to say! Choosing anything other than your true interests would be a misrepresentation of who you are and a disservice to you and the admissions office. To narrow your focus, try to tell a story with your choices. How can you use your life experiences to reveal something about what you value and what excites you intellectually? 

Try to illustrate a general inclination (e.g., journalism, English, and media/cinema studies go hand-in-hand). Or if you really feel like you could go any direction, try to show a balance, picking majors across fields that link to each other in a way that makes sense (e.g., mathematics, linguistics, and music composition all use special notations). Do whatever you can do to give admissions the full picture of who you are.

What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. (150 words)

Even if you’re undecided, it’s important to remember that UIUC seeks to invite movers and shakers to campus, students with big dreams and plans to make them happen. You don’t have to use this prompt to outline your 30-page plan for eliminating world hunger—in fact, with only 150 words to work with, we definitely advise against it! Think about the areas that pique your interest and where your curiosity originated. Was it a philosophy class you took junior year? Or, perhaps what spurred your interest wasn’t a class at all. Maybe you knew you wanted to be at the forefront of the fight against climate change and global warming after watching a poignant documentary with your family that hit close to home. How do you plan to contribute to this effort and how will your time at UIUC set you up for carbon neutral success? (Maybe their Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences major is a good place to start?) Whatever way you decide to answer this prompt, be sure to show admissions that you have an actionable, long-term goal in mind.

If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared):

You have selected a second-choice major. please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words).

For this essay, admissions understands that you haven’t got it all figured out yet. And that’s okay! A lot of very successful people have leapt in and out of various disciplines or have even found common ground where they overlap (think philosophy and economics or agriculture and business). You’re allowed (encouraged, even!) to have many interests, and admissions wants to know where your strengths lie. 

Why does this secondary area of education appeal to you? What applications can you see blossoming from studying in this field? We recommend doing another dive into UIUC’s course offerings to show that this isn’t just an afterthought; additionally, feel free to share any previous experiences (in or out of the classroom) that have led you to this choice. Once you’ve succinctly demonstrated your interest, look to the future and explain how UIUC’s offerings will help you achieve your end-goals when it comes to your selected second-choice area of study.

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  1. 500 Word Essay

    500 word essay college

  2. How to Write a 500 Word Essay: Free Examples, Format and Structure

    500 word essay college

  3. 500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

    500 word essay college

  4. 500 Word Essay Example Free

    500 word essay college

  5. How to Write a 500 Word Essay: Free Examples, Format and Structure

    500 word essay college

  6. 500 Word Essay

    500 word essay college

VIDEO

  1. When you have to write a 500 word essay #shorts #lukedavidson

  2. When you have to write a 500 word essay 😂

  3. Writing a 500 word essay be like…

  4. Finals Stress 😰 500 Word Essay

  5. king kong insane just for the teacher to tell 500 word essay instead

  6. 500 word video essay

COMMENTS

  1. How To Write An Amazing 500 Word Essay For College And ...

    The Goal of a 500 Word Essay for College and Scholarship Applications. Your goal when writing college and scholarship application essays is simple: stand out as one of the most qualified and interesting applicants. And that's much different from the goal you have when writing an academic paper for a high school or college class.

  2. 500 Word Essay

    500 Word Essay on Anger. The Second World War is one of the most important events in human history and its impact can still be felt today. Writing a 500-word essay on this subject requires research, understanding, and war insight. Below is a sample to help you get an idea about how to tackle such a topic.

  3. 27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top Universities 2024

    This college essay tip is by Abigail McFee, Admissions Counselor for Tufts University and Tufts '17 graduate. 2. Write like a journalist. "Don't bury the lede!" The first few sentences must capture the reader's attention, provide a gist of the story, and give a sense of where the essay is heading.

  4. How to Write a Great 500 Word Essay

    How to Format a 500-Word Scholarship Essay. The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. The main components of a 500-word ...

  5. How to Write a 500 Word Essay

    In such scenarios, 500-word essay examples can be of great help. Below you can find some 500-word essay examples on different topics to better understand the various style formats. 500 Word Essay On Honesty. A 500-word essay on honesty is a commonly assigned task to high school and college students.

  6. How to Write a 500-Word Essay (With Examples)

    Here are some tips on how to write a clear and concise conclusion for a 500-word essay: Restate your thesis statement differently to remind the reader of your main argument or point. Summarize the main points or arguments you discussed in the body paragraphs. Provide a final thought or reflection on the topic.

  7. How to Write a 500 Word Essay & How Many Pages Is It? + Examples

    A 500-word essay should have at least 3 paragraphs: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Considering that a paragraph should have at least 65 words, a 500-word essay can have a maximum of 7 paragraphs: an introduction, 5 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. As a result, the total number of paragraphs is 3-7.

  8. College Essay 500 Word Limit: 5 Simple Ways to Pare it Down

    Many college essays, including the essay for The Common Application, limit you to 500 words. It can be tough to write an interesting, creative essay and keep it short, but if you know a few simple tips you can deliver an essay that will impress. Here are 5 Ways to Succeed with the 500 Word…

  9. Structure suggestions for a 500 word essay

    The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. It is ok to use 10% less or more words. The main components of a 500-word ...

  10. 500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas

    A typical 500-word paper can be: a traditional 5-paragraph essay. a college admission essay. a personal statement. a book report. a critical analysis essay, and many other types of written works. If you need to write one of these, then definitely check out this article.

  11. 500-Word Essay Samples: A+ Paper Examples for Free

    1480 samples of this type. A 500-word essay is a short piece. It might be assigned by a school teacher to test the student's knowledge of the topic and their ability to formulate thoughts concisely. The most common genres for texts of 500 to 550 words are a discussion board post and a personal statement for a college application.

  12. PDF 500 Word Essay College Application

    College Application Essay Examples 500 Words. State University and I possess a common vision. I, like State University, constantly work to explore the limits of nature by exceeding expectations. Long an amateur scientist, it was this drive that brought me to the University of Texas for its Student Science Training Program in 2013.

  13. Why This College Essay Guide + Examples

    The Top Secret Three-Word Trick to Finding Specific Info for Your "Why this College" Essay. Step 2: Organize Your Research. Step 3: Decide on Your Approach: Approach #1: The Basic, Solid "Why this College" Essay That Includes a Bunch of Reasons. Approach #2: The "3-5 Unique Reasons" Strategy. Approach #3: The "One Value" Strategy.

  14. 500 Word Personal Statement Examples

    Writing a 500-word personal statement can be more challenging than writing a 1000-word statement because of the need for brevity without missing out on important information.You have to carefully select and condense your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations into a limited space. Every word has to count.

  15. The Top Essay Scholarships for Students

    Texas History Essay Contest. Deadline: 1/31/24. Award Amount: $2,000 - $4,000 The Texas History Essay Contest is open to graduating high school seniors. To enter, you must submit a 1500 - to 2000 - word essay that reflects your research and study of Texas history and its relevance to the development of Texas.

  16. How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essay

    how to write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #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 ...

  17. 25 Genius "Why This Major" Essay Examples for Top-20 Colleges

    Just like with your Why This College essays, you need to show that you're a perfect match for the program you're applying to through specific examples, ideas, and connections to the school's offerings.. Even if you're applying undecided or undeclared, which is common for students to do, admissions officers ask this question because they want to know these 3 things:

  18. 300 Word Essay Examples

    Check out the essay samples and a few essay writing tips below! Keep in mind, some colleges may require a longer essay while others may not, so pay attention to the word count for each specific topic. 300-Word Essay Example 1. Common App Prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time ...

  19. 250- & 500-Word College Personal Statement Examples ...

    College Personal Statement Examples (250 or 500 Words): Writing Guide. by OvernightEssay. Jun 24, 2024. 17 min. Congrats! You've passed the test! Now you need to write a personal statement section about your unique traits. We will write a custom paper. for 11.00 9.35/page.

  20. College Essay for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay on College. Educational institutions are the true place of learning. The students, who are really anxious to learn, can develop a bright career, sense of responsibility and healthy habits only in the college. In a college, we are taught how to move in society, how to behave with others and how to progress in life.

  21. APA Style for beginners: High school, college, and beyond

    Writing resource. Details. Paper Format. Guidelines for setting up your paper, including the title page, font, and sample papers. Reference Examples. More than 100 reference examples of various types, including articles, books, reports, films, social media, and webpages

  22. How to Write a Hook: Powerful Openers for Your Essay

    Each of these hook examples for essays can be effective when used appropriately. The key is to choose a hook that aligns with your essay's tone and purpose. Wrapping Up: The Impact of a Strong Essay Hook. A well-written hook can make the difference between an essay that keeps readers interested and one that doesn't.

  23. Community Essay Examples

    Read four real community essay examples for college. Discover tips for authentic storytelling and showcasing personal growth today! ... (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.) Now, let's take a look at a student's response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response.

  24. College Life Essay for Students and Children

    500 Words Essay on College Life. College life is known as one of the most memorable years of one's life. It is entirely different from school life. College life exposes us to new experiences and things that we were not familiar with earlier. For some people, college life means enjoying life to the fullest and partying hard.

  25. Tackling the Personal Essay: Tips from a Notre Dame Admissions

    One of them, co-presented by yours truly, is called "Crafting the Perfect College Essay". My colleague Maria Finan and I present our own tips and tricks for about 20 minutes and then take questions from a virtual audience for the remainder of the 45 minute session. I invite you to check it out, as well as the other sessions we have recorded!

  26. 14 Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands 2024

    Scholarship Essay Example #5. Questbridge Finalist essay earning $3,000 in application waivers plus $3000 in local scholarships by Jordan Sanchez. Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.

  27. How To Write A Common App Essay Draft

    It is recommended to write around 500 words for your first draft so that there is room for adding anything extra during the editing and review process. Revising and Editing . Make multiple edits to your draft before the final submission. Share your essay with a teacher or mentor for constructive criticism on how to improve.

  28. Traditional Nursing Bachelors Admissions

    This document needs to be sent directly to the University of Colorado College of Nursing. To ensure that your official score report is received by the College of Nursing, please request that the College Board mail the document to: University of Colorado College of Nursing Office of Admissions 13120 E. 19th Avenue, Mailstop C288-6 Aurora, CO 80045

  29. length of essays?

    For example, the Common App gives you 650 words because that's how many they expect. Other schools, like MIT, say "approximately 200 words" which means exactly that (even though they give 225). Because these essays are so short, you need to maximize all the oppertunities you can. So if it says 100,150, 300 or 650, aim for that! good luck <3

  30. 2024-25 U of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Supplemental Essay Guide

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 2-3 essays of 150 words each Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why The admissions committee at the University Illinois Urbana Champaign wants to know about your academic interests and career goals.