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.

“One, two, three *breathe in*”  I whisper as I interpret familiar notes and enter a place of serenity. Like calm waves brushing ashore, the melody of Jupiter  by Gustav Holst starts flowing from my vi

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Why Yale

Paired with a curriculum that prioritizes my multidisciplinary academic pursuits, Yale’s focus on “and” ensures I’d never give up on any of my passions.  Through Yale’s STARS program, I’d study neur

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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)

“Welcome. CRISPR will change the world!” boasted my mentor during a medical summer camp seminar. I groaned. The vastness of knowledge within Genetics seemed daunting; all I recalled was Gregor Mendel’

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Reflect on something that has given you great satisfaction. Why has it been important to you? - 244

Last New Years’, my resolution was to take at least an hour a day for self-reflection and self-care. I scoured Google and YouTube for months. I tried yoga, green , and crossword puzzles, separately an

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Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably: Why do these areas appeal to you? - 125 words

“You have to choose one or the other,” explained my counselor during our course selection meeting every year. She knew that two electives a year were not enough to fulfill my diverse intellectual purs

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Short Takes: 200 characters (approximately 35 words), to each of the following questions: 1. What inspires you 2. You are teaching a new Yale course. What is it called? 3. 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? 4. 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?

1. My opportunities are due to the sacrifices made by those who came before me, and I am reminded of this every time my parents smile to conceal their baggy eyes. 2. The Artistic Expression of Scienc

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Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences: 150 words

Every Monday through Thursday after school, I worked with at-risk students, who came from low-income backgrounds or received ESOL services, in the Readers are Leaders and Atom Buddies programs in two

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Prompt 6: How you hope to use your college education? (no word limit)

“Welcome. CRISPR will change the world!” boasted my mentor during a seminar at a medical summer camp. I groaned. The vastness of knowledge within Genetics seemed daunting, and all I recalled was Grego

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USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you.

My friends often gawked at me when I recommended putting a towel over their heads and hanging over a pot of boiling water and orange and lemon peels to cure their sinus infections. They would instead

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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. (Approximately 250 words)*

Driving home, I see neighborhoods of different socioeconomic statuses. My old playground is among the low- income housing where many of my playmates will not graduate, their success impacted by system

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Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250)

“Welcome. CRISPR will change the world!” boasted my mentor during a medical summer camp seminar. I groaned. The vastness of knowledge within Genetics seemed daunting; all I recalled was Gregor Mendel’

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Short Takes: (100 character limit) I: Describe yourself in three words. II: What is your favorite snack? III: Best movie of all time: IV: Dream job: V: If your life had a theme song, what would it be? VI: Dream trip: VII: What TV show will you binge watch next? VIII: Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? IX: Favorite book: X: If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

I: Free-spirited Eritrean Woman. II: Rolled injera with berbere seasoning while laying on a vinyl coffee mat with my family in our yard. III: The Princess and the Frog, but not for the frogs. Always o

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Describe an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far? (200-250 words)

Aside from the usual boy drama or the newest pop culture scandal, my sister and I often discussed our highs and lows in our faith in our bedroom. Mom is Pentecostal. Dad is Orthodox. Oftentimes, they

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If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Why is it important and how would you contribute to this change? (200-250 words)

At seven-years-old, I was eager to see my little blended family of friends after school every day on our playground; however, I stand here today preparing to wear my cap and gown while my childhood fr

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Short Takes: fill-in-the-blanks in 25 words or less: 1. One family tradition I cherish: 2. This I believe: 3. The quality I most admire in myself: 4. One protagonist I identify with:

1. [I cherish] is when everyone’s sitting in the living room, talking about life while I roast and grind coffee beans for our next round of buun (coffee). 2. My opportunities are due to the sacrifices

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We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer this question, which corresponds to the school/program you selected above, in a half page or roughly 250 words. College of Arts and Sciences - What work of art, music, science, mathematics, literature, or other media has surprised, unsettled, or inspired you, and in what way?

“Welcome. CRISPR will change the world!” boasted my mentor during a seminar at a medical summer camp. Initially, I groaned. The vastness of knowledge within Genetics seemed daunting, and all I recalle

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What's your favorite word and why? (WC: 250)

In English, “Nabeey’ehi” loosely translates to “where are you going;” however, its Tigrinya counterpart carries with it a profound reflective tone. Sometimes I’d hear it from my mother’s scream, quest

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Please indicate any special talents or skills you possess. You should write in either paragraph or bulleted-list format (250 words).

I am an ambitious, forward-thinking IB Diploma candidate who demonstrates strong work ethic and a willingness to take on responsibilities and communicate to create change. Inspired to become an agent

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Short Essay: one-half page, single-spaced aim 250-300 Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Every Monday through Thursday after school, I was working with at risk students in the Readers are Leaders and Atom Buddies programs in Braddock Elementary and Columbia Elementary. Oftentimes, these k

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Essay 1: one page, single-spaced As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

Combined with the need to please, it’s easy to lose your identity when you are extremely observant of those around you. At the age of 17, my mom became Pentecostal, while my dad stood with the more

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Essay 2: one page, single-spaced APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study).

“Knowledge is a privilege.” Education is a necessity if you want to achieve success. Not only for yourself, but this notion trickles down the family tree like some bittersweet sap, waiting to be colle

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Why Tufts? (150 word limit)

Driving home, I see neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status. My old playground is among the low-income housing where many of my playmates will not graduate, their success impacted by systemic

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Where are you on your journey of engaging with or fighting for social justice? (250 word limit)

I’ve seen the impact that my parents’ lack of a Western education has had on their opportunities in the US. As a result, I am passionate about achieving educational equity for communities in need. 

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The Admission Committee is interested in getting to know each student as well as possible through the application process. Please respond to each of the following prompts. Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above.

“You have to choose one or the other,” explained my counselor during our course selection meeting every year. She knew that two electives a year were not enough to fulfill my diverse intellectual purs

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Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?

Driving home, I see neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status. My old playground is among the low-income housing where many of my playmates will not graduate, their success impacted by systemic

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Rice is lauded for creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the quality of life for all members of our campus community. The Residential College System and undergraduate life are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural tradition each student brings. What life perspectives would you contribute to the Rice community?

On a cold winter day in fourth grade, Mrs. Marruchi passes out our warm-up as the daily TedTalk loads up. I look up to the dimly lit SMART board and a young black woman stares back at me. Her name was

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Honors College Essay (500 word limit)

On a cold winter day in fourth grade, Mrs. Marruchi  passes out our warm-up as the daily TedTalk loads up. I look up to the dimly lit SMART board and a young black woman stares back at me. Her name wa

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We would like to get a better sense of you. Please respond to one of the following prompts (400 word limit). Prompt 3. At Boston College, we hope to draw on the Jesuit tradition of finding conversation partners to discuss issues and problems facing society. Who is your favorite conversation partner? What do you discuss with that person? Response

I always thought having your own room was so peaceful. The freedom and privacy in having a space wholly to yourself seemed rare. Especially rare in an Eritrean family, where every tradition and custom

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Anything Goes Essay - 650 words - Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us, or just make us laugh. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy and with an attitude.

Combined with the need to please, it’s easy to lose your identity when you are extremely observant of those around you. At the age of 17, my mom became Pentecostal, while my dad committed to the more

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This is the space for you to tell us more about yourself. Feel free to use this space to explain any circumstances that may have affected you and cannot be found on your high school transcript. Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words. (Please note that JMU does not use the Common Application Essays. If you wish to have a personal statement considered, it must be entered here.)

“One, two, three *breathe in*” I whisper as I interpret familiar notes, and the melody of Jupiter by Gustav Holst starts flowing from my viola. I see my younger sister holding up her phone, recording.

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Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

Leadership is simply one facet of a community service worker. One must also have empathy, organization, creativity, and a cheerful disposition. My work with the Readers are Learners and Atom Buddies p

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The College of Arts and Sciences Essay

It was day 3 of a summer program where I impulsively decided this camp would influence my decision to continue my passion for science, and maybe one day medicine. A mentor introduced himself and the s

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Passion Essay

Although it was a staple for the beginning of every school year, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk about “The Danger of a Single Story” truly taught me the importance of open-mindedness and understa

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Choose one prompt → 250 words Prompt 1: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

I’ve seen the impact that my parents’ lack of a Western education has had on their opportunities in the US. As a result, I am passionate about achieving educational equity for communities in need. 

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Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community? → 150-200 Words

Driving home, I see neighborhoods of different socioeconomic statuses. My old playground is among the low- income housing where many of my playmates will not graduate, their success impacted by system

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Why are you applying to Vassar? (Limit 300 words)

I grew up on a playground that did not segregate or conform along racial or socioeconomic lines. As a seven-year- old, I was eager to see my little blended family of friends after school every day; ho

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What factors encouraged your decision to apply to Barnard College, and why do you think Barnard would be a good match for you? → 300 word limit

Driving home, I see neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status. My old playground is among the low-income housing where many of my playmates will not graduate, their success impacted by systemic

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At Barnard, academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited and why do they interest you? Tell us how you would explore these questions at Barnard. → 300 words

My friends often gawked at me when I recommended putting a towel over their head and hanging over a pot of boiling water and orange and lemon peels to cure their sinus infection. They would instead us

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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)

“Welcome. CRISPR will change the world!” boasted my mentor during a seminar at a medical summer camp. I groaned. The vastness of knowledge within Genetics seemed daunting, and all I recalled was Grego

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List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school.

Born A Crime, Secret Life of Bees, Othello, Purple Hibiscus, The Handmaids Tale, The, Thief and the Dogs, Nikki- Rosa, The Song of the Feet, Robert Champion, Histoires inédites du Petit Nicolas, The C

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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.

A Court of Mist and Fury, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Klara and the Sun, Americanah, Still I Rise, Black Man in A White Coat, When Breath Becomes Air, The Only Woman in the Room: Why Science Is

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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.

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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)*

Although it was a staple for the beginning of every school year, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk about “The Danger of a Single Story” truly taught me the importance of open-mindedness and understa

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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)*

Driving home, I see neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status. My old playground is among the low-income housing where many of my playmates will not graduate, their success impacted by systemic

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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)*

“Welcome. CRISPR will change the world!” boasted my mentor during a medical summer camp seminar. I groaned. The vastness of knowledge within Genetics seemed daunting; all I recalled was Gregor Mendel’

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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)

“You have to choose one or the other,” explained my counselor during our course selection meeting every year. She knew that two electives a year were not enough to fulfill my diverse intellectual purs

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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)

My friends often gawked at me when I recommended putting a towel over their head and hanging over a pot of boiling water, oranges, and lemon peels to cure their sinus infection. They would instead tak

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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)

Last New Years’, my resolution was to take at least an hour a day for self-reflection and self-care. I scoured Google and YouTube for months. I tried yoga, green tea, and crossword puzzles, separately

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Why Williams? (200-250 word limit)

I grew up on a playground where many did not graduate. Sitting on those swings today, I see the impact of educational disparity in academic opportunity and preparedness on one’s success.Now driving ho

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Tell us why you plan to choose the major(s) and minor(s)listed above.

My mother always reminded me of how our everyday world is confined by everyone’s behavior. It shapes our decision-making processes, governs our relationships, and dictates how we perceive reality. I w

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How do you plan to utilize your college education? (e.g., future career plans or professional goals)

I aim to use my improved skills, knowledge, and resources to become a physician. One day, I will travel back home to Eritrea and build a community center with a clinic. In addition to promoting health

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The Cooke Scholar community is a thriving group of talented individuals from around the country. Click here here to listen to some of our Scholars and alumni describe what the community means to them. What excites you about becoming part of this community? What do you believe you would contribute to this community?

I desire to belong to an accepting and intellectually stimulating community of emerging leaders. It is motivating to be within a circle of peers, devoid of racial and gender limitations, whose pursuit

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Tell us about an academic pursuit that you listed on your resume or in your application (e.g., an internship, project, or research with a teacher or professor). How were you selected for the opportunity and what did you learn from the experience?

I’ve become extremely driven by witnessing the success of others and observing the direct impact of community service. In working with the Readers are Leaders and Atom Buddies programs, I meet up with

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Briefly describe a problem you have solved or an obstacle you have worked to overcome. Explain its significance to your educational journey and the steps you took to identify a solution.

A system that thrived off of student’s self-advocacy to receive academic assistance or present a club meeting during the school day changed to strict study hall assignments. Many students are at risk

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Please write your response to the question you selected above. Be mindful of the word limit and take the time to compose a thoughtful response.

As a first generation immigrant, I often felt like the guinea pig, seeing opportunities circle me. Especially as the oldest, after school meant caring for my three younger siblings. However, I quickly

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