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. (Max: 650 Words)

Walking into my second grade California classroom, I surveyed the sea of curious eyes on me. A shocking realization occurred: this was the first time I’ve had black, white, Hispanic, and Asian classma

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Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about an academic interest (or interests) that excites you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue it.* (250 Words)

My stomach dropped as each hornist of the Desert Winds Freedom Band, an LGBT-focused ensemble, shared their stories with AIDS. I felt horrified that all ten players sitting around me had at least one

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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 (Max: 350 Words)

In every family there is bound to be discourse and conflicting ideologies. This was proven true during the most difficult times in my life: coming out. On this fateful day, I was in the living room

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. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side (Max: 350 Words)

Sitting at the piano, I graciously played “Bohemian Rhapsody” while the sound of everyone singing filled the room. Living in small towns my whole life, I seldom had the chance to explore outside my

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Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced (Max: 350 Words)

I sat with my parents feeling embarrassed and devastated, as my teacher uttered the words, “Kurt needs to repeat kindergarten again.” English had always been a struggle for me and my family, as my par

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What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (Max: 350 Words)

When I was in 9th grade, I struggled to complete my cultural history project. To my embarrassment, I realized how little I knew about my Filipino identity. As a first-generation immigrant, I felt asha

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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 Words)

I watched in awe as Katara, my favorite character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, healed her friends using waterbending. As a child, I tried to waterbend but to no avail. The idea of healing through

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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 — know you better (250 Words)

After dealing with babies that needed diapers changes multiple times a day, to younger siblings that whine about their tablets, I’m excited to live with a roommate that’s my age! When it comes to sna

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Tell us something meaningful to you and why. (250 Words)

Whether it be wrapping minced vegetables and beef onto spring rolls, making lumpia with my grandfather, or mixing fine cocoa powder to bake brownies with my friends, cooking is an activity that I can

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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)

I listened with angst as the stories of LGBT victims, who fell to AIDs, silenced the room. I was with the Desert Winds Freedom Band, preparing to play our concert dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of

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Describe something that is essential to knowing you (250 Words).

My parents sat in disbelief as my kindergarten teacher recommended me to repeat the grade. As an immigrant, English had been a challenge for me growing up. I remember trying to read “Green Eggs and Ha

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Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (150 Words)

With my Expo marker in hand, I scribbled our leadership team’s ideas onto the whiteboard, simultaneously interjecting comments on their effectiveness. As Vice President of CSF, my role was to engage

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At Brown, you will learn as much from your peers outside the classroom as in academic spaces. How will you contribute to the Brown community? (250 Words)

My face flushed a strident shade of red, as I failed to answer a question about life and culture in the Philippines. As an immigrant who lived in America for most of my life, I felt a disconnect with

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Tell us about a place or community you call home. How has it shaped your perspective? (250 Words)

I slathered on sunblock in the 110-degree heat, preparing for six hours of practice under the unforgiving sun. Even through excruciating conditions, everyone in my marching band supported each other w

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

The auditorium was silent, except for the speaker’s tragic story of his loved ones falling to AIDS. I was with the Desert Winds Freedom Band, preparing to play our concert. Listening to this speech, I

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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? (250 Words)

Watching the teleserye (Filipino soap opera) on the TV with my parents, I was disappointed that I only understood about half of what the actors were saying. During our Christmas gatherings, I felt emb

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