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.

I Will Change the World With One Cup of Red Lentils (title) What if saving the lives of a hundred thousand heart attack victims per year smelled of garam masala, blooming alongside sweet, sautéed oni

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Which degree would you most likely pursue at Princeton? Your choice is not binding in any way: A.B. As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)

One day during COVID-19 quarantine, I serendipitously encountered a documentary on plant-based nutrition, catalyzing a radical change in my lifestyle and revealing my lifelong purpose: to harness my

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

While the North Country is known for its grand mountains and pristine lakes, its tranquility belies a more complex and contentious reality. Venturing beyond main roads, one risks being confronted by l

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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)

The thriving Positivity Project Food Market in [School Redacted], New York can trace its humble origins to an oversized storage closet. I, with fellow Positivity Project (P2) club members, founded a

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More About You Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself! What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

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What brings you joy?

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

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"Any person...any study" Writing Supplement

Navigating the challenges of living in rural New York has shaped my perspective, indelibly informing who I am today and who I want to be in the future.  Local funding is often inequitable here, and

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Human Ecology Response

Serendipitously discovering a documentary on plant-based nutrition during the COVID-19 quarantine catalyzed a radical change in my lifestyle and the trajectory of my future. As my father and I sat tog

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Why Duke?

To me, Duke is not merely a vibrant place to live and study, but one to tangibly innovate. Duke’s unparalleled emphasis on applying studies to real-world contexts renders it my perfect place to begin

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Share a Perspective Response

North Country poverty fosters high food insecurity rates. To combat this, I helped found a food market at my high school, providing free food to students, families, and local elderly. This project gre

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Being Different optional essay response

In a region enclosed by the Adirondack mountains and St. Lawrence River, whole communities uphold their collective values, becoming echo chambers for religious and political beliefs. My beliefs are la

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First essay

The thriving Positivity Project Food Market in [School Redacted], New York can trace its humble origins to an oversized storage closet. As a passionate advocate for nutrition and social equity, high

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Second essay.

Witnessing my grandfather’s ongoing struggle with Type 2 diabetes and, later, experiencing my plant-based diet epiphany, inspired my commitment to healthcare reform. My dream: to demonstrate the manif

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

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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.

Imagine: confined by the constricting walls of my English classroom, eleven North Country 16-year-olds and our teacher debate gun control.  Profoundly disagreeing with not only peers, but my teacher

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

I stood alongside my team, boasting the same navy-blue jersey and grass-stained gray pants, but was an outlier nonetheless. My long ponytail and bright pink glove made it obvious that I was a girl in

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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.

From the 1968 movements against racism and segregation to recent protests for divestment, I am drawn to Columbia’s people because of their fearless challenge of the status quo and fervent support for

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What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College?

One day during the COVID-19 quarantine, I serendipitously encountered a documentary on plant- based nutrition, catalyzing a radical change in my lifestyle and, along with years of witnessing my grandf

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Gratitude Question

Dear Sam,  I had always wanted time to move faster–overcome by desire to be a teenager, grown and free. It’s been more than two years since I’ve seen you. I miss you. For being the one who taught

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Community Question

Evaluating and confirming or reforming my values empowers me; I am able to be unapologetically me–a me that is both open to change and confident in my beliefs because I dare to confront intimidating c

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Arts and Science Essay

Witnessing my grandfather’s ongoing struggle with Type 2 diabetes and, later, experiencing my plant-based diet epiphany, inspired my commitment to healthcare reform. My dream: to demonstrate the manif

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Supplemental Essay

One day during the COVID-19 quarantine, I serendipitously encountered a documentary on plant-based nutrition, catalyzing a radical change in my lifestyle and revealing my lifelong purpose: to harness

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Life experiences / contribute to Harvard

Growing up in poor, rural New York has been challenging, yet learning to navigate the realities of life here has proven invaluable. Local funding is often unstable and many programs suffer; softball

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Intellectual experience

Last October, I sat down with two people whose beliefs ostensibly condemned me to an eternity of hell and had the most wonderful conversation.  Intellectually curious, I, an avowed secular humanist,

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EC/employment/travel/family experiences

Icy, mid-March rain pelted down as I ran 200-meter sprints on a deserted track, soaked to my unrelenting core. I had cried not thirty minutes before.  One day had passed since I competed at the New

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Education plans

One day, serendipitously, I encountered a documentary on plant-based nutrition. Watching this catalyzed a radical change in my lifestyle and the trajectory of my future.  Shortly thereafter, I condu

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Roommate intro

First and foremost, I’m a total foodie. Food is my love language, so plan to be introduced to all my favorite meals (if possible, I’ll cook for you!), as well as to explore local restaurants on study

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A topic or idea that excites you related to your academic interests?

One day during the COVID-19 quarantine, I serendipitously encountered a documentary on plant- based nutrition, catalyzing a radical change in my lifestyle and revealing my lifelong purpose: to harness

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What inspires you?

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Teach college course, write a book, create art

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Who has had a significant influence & what impact?

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Something new about you

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Essay Prompt #1

While the North Country is known for its grand mountains and pristine lakes, its tranquility belies a more complex and contentious reality. Venturing beyond main roads, one risks being confronted by l

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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 pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

One day over COVID-19 quarantine, I serendipitously encountered a documentary on plant-based nutrition, catalyzing a radical change in my lifestyle and revealing my lifelong purpose: to harness my lov

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

Growing up in poor, rural New York has been challenging, yet learning to navigate the realities of life here has proven invaluable. Local funding is inequitable and many programs suffer. Softball wa

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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. (200-250 words)

“I can never tell when you’re happy,” is a sarcastic refrain I often hear from my dad. Often “mm”-ing over delicious food and dancing (how-to, Ali-style: simultaneously bend at the knees and pump arms

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What three words best describe you? (3 words)

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Most meaningful extracurricular commitment

Witnessing high local food insecurity rates and eager to help our community, I, along with three fellow Positivity Project club members, founded a free, anonymous food pantry at our high school, trans

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

In PlantsRx: Harnessing Plant-Based Nutrition for Chronic Disease Prevention, I would teach of the underappreciated relationship between diet and disease. I would dispel the overemphasized phrase “It

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Why Brown?

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Why Dartmouth?

From the 1967 protesting of a segregationist speaker to more recent student movements against South African apartheid, I am drawn to Dartmouth’s people because of their fearless challenge of the statu

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Short Response Topic Selection “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.

“I can never tell when you’re happy,” is a sarcastic refrain I regularly hear from my dad. Often found “mm”-ing over delicious food and dancing (how-to, Ali-style: simultaneously bend at the knees and

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

The thriving Positivity Project Food Market in [School Redacted], New York can trace its humble origins to an oversized storage closet. I, with three fellow Positivity Project club members, founded

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I am applying to Tufts because...

My dream is to harness my love for science and food to help others, engaging in research and advocating for healthcare system reform. As such, Tufts’ exceptional research environment and commitment to

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

Growing up in poor, rural New York has been challenging, yet learning to navigate the realities of life here has proven invaluable. Local funding is inequitable and many programs suffer. Youth softb

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