Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (Max 650 words)

The faceless man threw a heavy stack of papers down in front of me. Voice booming around the dark room, he demanded, “Do you know why you are here?” Terrified, I looked down at the dimly lit tax docum

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

My greatest talent is being a cellist and artist. I have loved the sound of the cello since I first heard it at three years old, and I finally started taking lessons when I was seven. At age ten, I au

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

When I immigrated to the United States from China, some of the first English texts I read were children’s books about Greek and Roman mythology. Inspired by these stories, I delved into books about Cl

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

In eighth grade, I started volunteering with Concerts in Motion, a nonprofit organization in New York City that brings concerts to homebound older adults who otherwise would not have access to live mu

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

Environmentalism is a value that has been instilled in me since elementary school, and I have continued to pursue educational opportunities to expand my understanding of various global climate and env

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Why Yale? What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (Max 125 words)

As an aspiring Classicist, I am attracted to Yale for its incomparable Classics program, separate Classics Library, and extensive “rare classical materials” collection at the Beinecke Library. No othe

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Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it? (Max 250 words)

The first time I encountered the theory of linguistic relativity was in the science fiction film “Arrival” (2016), in which a linguist’s study of a circular-structured alien language changed her perce

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Reflect on something that has given you great satisfaction. Why has it been important to you? (Max 250 words)

As a Juilliard-trained cellist, I volunteer with Concerts in Motion, a nonprofit organization in New York City that brings concerts to homebound older adults who otherwise would not have access to liv

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Why do these areas appeal to you? (Max 125 words) — Classics, Classical Civilization

I find Classical literature compelling because it speaks to the timeless human experience. Epics highlight moral dilemmas; comedies allude to political strife; elegies explore personal conflicts. Thes

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What inspires you? (Max 200 characters)

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You are teaching a new Yale course. What is it called? (Max 200 characters)

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Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak and what would you ask them to discuss? (Max 200 characters)

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Yale students embrace the concept of ‘and’ rather than ‘or’, pursuing arts and sciences, tradition and innovation, defined goals and surprising detours. What is an example of an “and” that you embrace? (Max 200 characters)

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Reflect on something that has given you great satisfaction. Why has it been important to you? (Max 250 words)

As a cellist, I volunteer with Concerts in Motion, a nonprofit organization in New York City that brings concerts to homebound older adults who otherwise would not have access to live music. As part o

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

The first time I encountered the theory of linguistic relativity was in the science fiction film “Arrival” (2016), in which a linguist’s study of a circular-structured alien language changed her perce

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

Dear Roommate, If we were in a zombie apocalypse, our room would be a safe house. My friends like to call me overprepared, but they know that they can always find me for an extra charger, pair of sne

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Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why. (Max 250 words)

I volunteer with Concerts in Motion, a nonprofit organization in New York City that brings concerts to older adults who otherwise would not have access to live music. As part of the Youth Program, I g

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What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (Max 50 words)

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

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Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford. (Max 50 words)

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

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

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As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in about 250 words) (Max 350 words)

I find Classical literature compelling because it speaks to the timeless human experience in an unfiltered and direct way. Epics highlight moral dilemmas, comedies allude to political strife, elegies

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At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future? (Max 350 words)

My American Art History class discussed “Les Vues d’Amérique du Nord” by Jean-Julien Deltil, a wallpaper in my high school’s lecture hall depicting the Atlantic slave trade. The main debate was about

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What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (Max 50 words)

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What brings you joy? (Max 50 words)

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What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (Max 50 words)

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Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words) (Max 200 words)

When I was a freshman, I joined [School]’s Multicultural Awareness Coalition, which organizes lectures, workshops, and conferences on social justice issues throughout the school year. I believe that o

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Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals. (Max 350 words)

As a cellist, I volunteer with Concerts in Motion, a nonprofit organization in New York City that brings concerts to homebound, older adults who otherwise would not have access to live music. As part

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List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (Max 75 words)

Frankenstein; The Street; The Laramie Project; Oedipus Rex; Antigone; Women, Race and Class; The Way to Rainy Mountain; Paradise Lost; As I Lay Dying; To Live; Assata; The Housekeeper and the Professo

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List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (Max 75 words)

Slaughterhouse-Five; The Bell Jar; A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man; On the Road; The Catcher in the Rye; Autobiography of Red; No Exit; 1984; The Joy Luck Club; If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sa

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We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (Max 125 words)

The Atlantic; The New Yorker; New York Times; Washington Post; The Hill; Eidolon; The Classical Association’s Omnibus; Society for Classical Studies; Perseus Digital Library; Theoi Project; Quomodo Di

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A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities? (Max 200 words)

As an immigrant and first-generation high school student, I joined [School]’s Multicultural Awareness Coalition, which organizes lectures and conferences on social justice issues throughout the year.

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Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (Max 200 words)

I am interested in Columbia because of its rigorous Core Curriculum, which would challenge me to develop skills in a wide range of disciplines. The Core would provide me with the tools to investigate

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For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (Max 200 words)

I find Classical literature compelling because it speaks to the timeless human experience in an unfiltered and immediate way. Epics highlight moral dilemmas, comedies allude to political strife, elegi

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Why NYU? We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand - Why NYU? (Max 400 words)

I find Classical literature compelling because it speaks to the human experience in an unfiltered and immediate way. Epics highlight moral dilemmas, comedies allude to political strife, elegies ponder

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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. (Max 250 words)

Brown’s Open Curriculum excites me because it complements my interest in the interdisciplinary field of Classics. I find Classical literature compelling because it speaks to the timeless human experie

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Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (Max 250 words)

My American Art History class discussed “Les Vues d’Amérique du Nord” by Jean-Julien Deltil, a wallpaper in my school’s lecture hall depicting the Atlantic slave trade. We debated whether the wallpape

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

As a Juilliard-trained cellist, I volunteer with Concerts in Motion, a nonprofit organization in New York City that brings concerts to homebound older adults who otherwise would not have access to liv

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