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

“You're my son. Listen to me. ” My mother and I had a tumultuous relationship. I followed her around and imitated her actions in an effort to please her, but twice in my life, I ran away from my mom

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Penn Main Essay 1

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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Penn Main Essay 2

The community I hope to find at Penn is a group of people with whom I can embrace a shared tradition and look to the future with. I’m excited by the way that Penncasila does both, bringing together Pe

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Please list the colleges and universities you attended and/or will attend, along with the courses you completed and/or will complete. Please also list the grades earned in any completed courses. For example: UNC-Chapel Hill, Spring 2017, Principles of Biology 101, Grade A UNC—Chapel Hill, Spring 2018, Introduction to Psychology, In Progress.

[School Redacted], Fall 2020, Honors General Chemistry, Grade A [School Redacted], Fall 2020, Laboratory Sequence for General Chemistry, Grade A [School Redacted], Fall 2020, Computer Science I, G

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Please enter your first essay.

I am, by and large, attracted to girls; if you were to ask me about my sexuality, I’d tell you that I’m heterosexual—no question about it. If you were to press me, however, I’d stammer a bit and give

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Please enter your second essay.

As adults, we’re (almost) universally in agreement that conflict is disagreeable, and that it’s best to settle things with words whenever possible. Human nature is to cooperate, not to fight. (Optimis

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Honors Carolina Essay

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Last summer, I was fortunate enough to research competitive civil conflict mediations conducted by geopolitical rivals under Dr. [Name Redacted]. The nitty-gritty of our research was all numbers: we p

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Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

Our politics club decided to host a Model Arab League conference this semester to promote awareness of non-Western affairs. Long story short? We barely averted disaster. Out of a misplaced sense of pr

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The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

I don’t aspire to be the man with all the power. My dream isn’t to be a national leader giving bombastic speeches on the floor of the United Nations, and I don’t want to be the one sitting behind the

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Students in Liberal Arts Honors embrace the opportunity to delve into their academic interests, discover new realms of intellectual inquiry, and chart their own honors path through an interdisciplinary education. Tell us why the depth, breadth, and flexibility of a Liberal Arts education are ideally suited to exploring the areas of study that excite you.

There’s one thing that separates a good idea from a great idea: communication. An idea that fails to captivate an audience is an idea condemned to the ash heap of history. In most of the political sci

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Help us get to know you better. Please write five sentences (numbered 1 - 5) that give us some insight into you, your life, your interests and your experiences. There are no right answers--feel free to be creative and think outside the box.

I’m terrified of both stagnation and change, but given the choice, I would choose the latter. I hate sleeping late, but I love staying up to read a good book. Live, laugh, love, they say; personally,

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It’s 2070 and a renowned biographer has just published the story of your life. What is the title of the book and what are some of your greatest accomplishments and challenges over the course of the decades? Specifically, how did your experiences in 2020 influence the person you would become?

[Name Redacted] was unmistakably human, possessing all the clumsy faults that came with the label: an old high school classmate recalled an incident when he spoke over her at a debate. He only realize

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Prompt Essay:

I am, by and large, attracted to girls; if you were to ask me about my sexuality, I’d tell you that I’m heterosexual—no question about it. If you were to press me, however, I’d stammer a bit, thinking

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Academic Interest

Throughout high school, rote memorization was king. In US Politics, we were expected to remember that the Republican Party values “fiscal conservatism,” but that was it. We never talked about how toda

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DLAS Essay

To me, being educated isn’t a question of how much you know—it’s a question of how you approach that which you don’t know. The smartest people in my life—like my father, my research professor, and my

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Texas A&M University believes that diversity is an important part of academic excellence and that it is essential to living our core values. Describe the benefits of diversity and inclusion for you and for the Texas A&M campus community. Please share any personal experiences that have shaped your views.

The recent unrest in America compounded with the devastating effects of this pandemic reveal that if we want to effectively address racism, we can’t treat it as a purely sociological issue- we have to

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Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why.

Growing up next to an Air Force base, I was surrounded by reminders of the armed forces. I wasn’t too sure whom we were fighting and why, but I knew that the people on our side were the good guys. Oth

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Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.

Our politics club decided to host a Model Arab League conference this semester to promote awareness of non-Western affairs. Long story short? We barely averted disaster. Out of a misplaced sense of pr

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Indicate any special talents or skills you possess.

I love stickers—they’re a way to get fleeting memories of events long gone to stick around (pun intended) for a long while. Each one I display has a story I can revel in. I’ve always been impressed w

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

“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the bill as its primary sponsor.” The first time I said something to that effect was in D.C.—I was in the Washington Hilton for NAIMUN, where I was representing a Lab

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What does it mean to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim?

To me, being educated isn’t a question of how much you know—it’s a question of how you approach that which you don’t know. The smartest people in my life—like my father, my research professor, and my

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You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments.

Growing up next to an Air Force base, I was surrounded by reminders of the armed forces. My third-grade teacher was married to a man who was stationed in the Middle East; my best friend was the daught

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Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)

The legislative session had just begun, and we were voting on a bill I submitted to reduce eligibility requirements for appointment to the University Student Senate. I hoped it would improve our stude

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Your intellectual life may extend beyond the academic requirements of your particular school. Please use the space below to list additional intellectual activities that you have not mentioned or detailed elsewhere in your application. These could include, but are not limited to, supervised or self-directed projects not done as school work, training experiences, online courses not run by your school, or summer academic or research programs not described elsewhere. (150 words)

I design posters and logos for my friends’ clubs. I have too little money to purchase expensive graphic software and too much common sense to pirate it, so I use free options like Microsoft Paint and

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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? (200 words or fewer)

I go to a STEM-focused school, so I’m friends with the usual suspects: My roommate [Name Redacted] wants to be a computer scientist; my gym buddy [Name Redacted], an environmental chemist. I like to p

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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. (200 words or fewer)

Most of the political science courses I’ve taken have taught me about political concepts as they exist in the abstract—in one class, I was expected to remember that interstate wars were more likely to

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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. (200 words or fewer)

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool. After I got into a playground scuffle (over a cool bulldozer), my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys use their words!” she admonished. “Only little

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Founded in the spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests, and pursue new experiences. Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity, or your community), and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words)

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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

I know you’re busy reading all of these essays you must be receiving from similarly interested students, so here’s my executive summary: I enjoy having fun and I enjoy learning. (Elaboration below.) I

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What’s so easy about pie?

Picture this: it’s the day before you perform in the talent show with one of your best friends. You were supposed to prepare an act two weeks ago. (Spoiler alert: procrastination is a slow and insidio

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Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why. (200)

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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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. (250)

During last year’s Student Senate election, I didn’t want my campaign to suffer the pitfalls of a typical student government election: underenthused supporters, unclear policy visions, and popularity

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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.

Hey roomie! Lemme start by stating that I’m not gonna hang in our dorm that much—but I hope you don’t either. I hope we spend our days outside, exploring everything our new home has to offer. I’ll be

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Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why.

I hold membership in a brotherly pact of coffee “connoisseurs”. Every Friday at 4, we head out of our research labs for the week to reunite at our beloved dining hall. We grab mugs, fill them up at th

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What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?

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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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Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.

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

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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)

Throughout high school, rote memorization was king (at the expense of its more complicated cousin, critical thinking). In US Politics, we were expected to remember that the Republican Party values “fi

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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)

A new legislative season had arrived, and we were voting on a bill I submitted to reduce eligibility requirements for appointment to the University Student Senate. I hoped it would improve our student

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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? (~250)

Our politics club decided to host a Model Arab League conference this semester to promote awareness of non-Western affairs. Long story short? We barely averted disaster. Out of a misplaced sense of pr

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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. (~250)

Service and civic engagement are self-effacing ideals, deriving satisfaction from the society they help build and not public recognition. Whether I’m moderating spirited policy discussions between ani

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

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What brings you joy? (50)

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

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Why do these areas appeal to you? (up to approximately 125 words).

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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

You can’t appreciate politics without understanding the stories of the people it represents. To that end, Yale’s humanities offerings will help me put what I know about international relations in a so

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What inspires you?

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

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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?

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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?

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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? (250 words or fewer)

As adults, we’re (almost) universally in agreement that conflict is disagreeable, and that it’s best to settle things with words whenever possible. Human nature is to cooperate, not to fight. (Optimis

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Reflect on a community to which you feel connected. Why is it meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.

I go to a STEM-focused school, so I’m friends with the usual suspects: My roommate [Name Redacted] wants to be a computer engineer; my gym buddy [Name Redacted], an environmental chemist. I like to po

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Students in Arts and Sciences embrace the opportunity to delve into multifaceted academic interests, embodying in 21st century terms Ezra Cornell’s “any person…any study” founding vision. Tell us about the areas of study you are excited to explore, and specifically why you wish to pursue them in our College.

Last summer, I was fortunate enough to research competitive civil conflict mediations conducted by geopolitical rivals under Dr. [Name Redacted]. The nitty-gritty of our project was all numbers: we pl

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Please share with us why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular about Duke’s academic or other offerings that attracts you? (200 word limit)

Even though I want to major in political science, I don’t think you can appreciate politics without understanding the stories of the people it represents. The academic freedom that the Trinity College

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Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 word limit)

I go to a STEM-focused school, so I’m friends with the usual suspects: My roommate [Name Redacted] wants to be a computer engineer; my gym buddy [Name Redacted], an environmental chemist. I like to po

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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. (200-250 words)

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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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? (200-250 words)

During last year’s Student Senate election, I didn’t want my campaign to suffer the pitfalls of a typical student government election: underenthused supporters, unclear policy visions, and popularity

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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 hold membership in a brotherly pact of coffee “connoisseurs”. Every Friday at 4, we head out of our research labs for the week to reunite at our beloved dining hall. We grab mugs, fill them up at th

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While arguing a Dartmouth-related case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1818, Daniel Webster, Class of 1801, delivered this memorable line: “It is, sir,…a small college, and yet there are those who love it!” As you seek admission to the Class of 2026, what aspects of the College’s program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? 100 words

As an aspiring policy researcher, I don’t think you can appreciate politics without understanding the stories of the people it represents. Dartmouth’s special major program gives me the opportunity to

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“Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away,” observed Frida Kahlo. Apply Kahlo’s perspective to your own life.

“What do you think of us moving away from each other next year?” my friend asked. I stayed quiet. We stared at each other. The atmosphere grew heavy, and we silently agreed with nodded heads to talk a

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Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, ‘Why Tufts?’ (100-150 words)

I’m not just going to college to get a degree—I want to make lifelong memories. At Tufts, I’ll mudslide down the Rez Quad, bumping into new friends along the way. On Tuftonia’s Day, I’ll get a cupcak

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It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity? (200-250)

I had my first run-in with authority in preschool: after I got into a playground scuffle, my teacher put me in timeout. “Big boys don’t fight, they use their words!” she admonished. I took that princi

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