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.

The anatomy of a pencil is simple. The wood is borrowed flesh from a towering arboreal ancestor. A lacquer of yellow paint forms its shell, a safeguard against the eager teeth of young children and th

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

Peek inside my house at any time—you'll hear curious little clucks, interspersed amidst the cacophony of rooster crows and flapping wings. Make a sound—six little feathery heads will swivel around, ob

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Why do these areas of study appeal to you? (100)

I often asked myself the question “Why?” during English classes. Ibsen’s A Doll House perplexed me. Nora left her children? Hamlet befuddled me. Was his madness genuine? It wasn't until I read Carson'

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

The freedom of a Hibachi buffet is amazingly powerful. Ice cream, beef and broccoli, a dozen dishes of fish—it’s a veritable choose-your-own adventure novel. For me, Yale holds even more appeal. I wa

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What inspires you? (below < 201 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? What question would you ask?

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You are teaching a Yale course. What is it called?

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Most first-year Yale students live in suites of four to six people. What do you hope to add to your suitemates' experience? What do you hope they will add to yours?

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Think about an idea or topic that has been intellectually exciting for you. Why are you drawn to it?

Peek inside my house at any time—you'll hear curious little clucks, interspersed amidst the cacophony of rooster crows and flapping wings. Make a sound—six little feathery heads will swivel around, ob

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Reflect on your engagement with a community to which you belong. How do you feel you have contributed to this community?

The first time I walked up the stone steps of my school, I was excited, and slightly daunted. My school incorporates seventh through twelfth grade, often leading to a lack of community between the gra

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Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150)

When I first started fencing, I was anything but graceful. I could barely tell apart front-zips from back-zip jackets or foils from epees—let alone score a point against someone else. But the captain

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

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"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

Dr. King flew over my head the first time. But after years of volunteering on my community farm, I understand him much more. Overcoming the inherent self-centeredness of human nature to help others i

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How did you spend your last two summers?

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What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?

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What five words best describe you?

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When the choice is yours, what do you read, listen to, or watch?

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Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford.

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Imagine you had an extra hour in the day — how would you spend that time? (above < 51)

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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. (below < 251)

speedrun: (n) the completion of a video game as fast as possible. A word I learned on a bus ride. He sat by me, the game Super Mario Sunshine in hand. His motionless body stood in contrast to his def

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Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – know you better.

Psssssst. I'm invading your boots as you read these words, dear partner. But wait! I have a reason. I am Python. The (burmese) Python is an invasive species with a voracious appetite (opportunistic fe

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List a few words or phrases that describe your ideal college community.

My ideal college community is diverse in ideas and perspective; full of people from dissimilar backgrounds. In my own school, my daily interactions with a diverse student body have exposed me to many

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Please tell us what you value most about Columbia and why. (300)

The freedom of a Hibachi buffet is amazingly powerful. Ice cream, beef and broccoli, a dozen dishes of chicken—it’s a veritable choose-your-own adventure novel. Columbia's Creative Writing major holds

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Successful students at Johns Hopkins make the biggest impact by collaborating with others, including peers, mentors, and professors. Talk about a time, in or outside the classroom, when you worked with others and what you learned from the experience.

Chamber music is one of life's greatest anomalies. You listen to the online recordings—beautiful, deeply resonant tones—then you play with your partners, and it sounds exactly like the video—except th

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