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.

Navigating a labyrinth of aisles in the local ******* grocery store, my universe was illuminated by six trusted allies–chicken, turkey, carrots, green beans, rice, and apples. These allies–the only fo

Unlock profile to read full content

In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “...any person…any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective.* 350

Both as a member of my local community and as a world citizen, I have found that embracing my uniqueness and self-doubt has unlocked my understanding and impact on others. In my local community, bein

Unlock profile to read full content

At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences.* 650

My drive to unravel the intricacies of neurodegenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer's disease, through non-invasive preclinical biomarkers has propelled me to explore unconventional learning paths. T

Unlock profile to read full content

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

In a world bustling with unanswered questions, the most transformative ideas are sparked by unexpected conversations. Little did I know that a simple Instagram conversation with ****, a visually impai

Unlock profile to read full content

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.

Navigating the aisles in my local grocery store, my universe was once illuminated by six trusted allies–chicken, turkey, carrots, green beans, rice, and apples. These allies–the only foods I was not a

Unlock profile to read full content

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

The evocative phrase “Hello World” was my introduction to the coding world when I first learned Scratch, serving as a persistent motivation to embrace its boundless applications. In high school, I emb

Unlock profile to read full content

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

My drive to unravel the intricacies of neurodegenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer's disease, through non-invasive preclinical biomarkers has propelled me to explore unconventional learning paths. T

Unlock profile to read full content

Prompt #1: Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (250 words)

I remember the weight of the book, "They Poured Fire on Us from The Sky," in my hands and the heaviness of its words in my heart. One line resonated: “The body is like an engine. When the engine is sh

Unlock profile to read full content

Prompt #2: Discuss an academic topic you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college. (250 words)

As I stood before my classmates, presenting a journal article on the amyloidogenic pathway authored by my mentor, a single question echoed through the room, igniting curiosity within me: "Are there an

Unlock profile to read full content

Why do you want to participate in the global opportunities you’ve selected, and in what ways are you hoping to grow through the experience(s)?

Participating in these programs offers a unique opportunity to seamlessly explore interdisciplinary research tailored to cognitive science, engineering, and fashion. Studying in South Korea will enabl

Unlock profile to read full content

To tell us more about yourself, please complete the following prompts using only the space provided (650 characters). Where do u wanna go?

Scandinavia, in hopes of stretching beyond the ordinary concept of time, with perpetual summer Midnight Sun and winter Polar Nights. I imagine searching for rare rainbow stratospheric clouds while exp

Unlock profile to read full content

The most interesting fact I ever learned from the research was…

Organisms like Drosophila melanogaster and C. elegans have proved that specific miRNAs dictate their life spans. With this revelation, scientists are investigating the potential ways to manipulate tra

Unlock profile to read full content

In addition to my major, my academic interests include…

Debate, engineering, immunology, and art. I've refined my understanding of global perspectives through impassioned MUN debates, from FDR's Cabinet to the Infinity War. In Robotics, I co-developed a 3D

Unlock profile to read full content

My favorite thing about last Thursday was...

I spent four hours undergoing a medically supervised “baked good” challenge for eggs in cupcakes, and I passed! This was a surprise because out of all of my allergies, I had always felt that egg led t

Unlock profile to read full content

Something you might not know about me is…

I played the violin for five years, switching between Violin 1 and Violin 2 parts. As a result, although I have not been taught piano, I can recreate music on the piano without sheet music, key placem

Unlock profile to read full content

Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired, or developed skills through one or more components of diversity?

Being the only Indian girl in my grade was both a blessing and a curse. My unique background made me more conscious about my own heritage. When asked about festivals and Hindu gods, I would pretend to

Unlock profile to read full content

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why? (200)

It was extraordinary videos like a teenager belting out Weezer’s ‘Island in the Sun’ while undergoing brain surgery to preserve her singing ability that left me wondering how the brain worked, inspiri

Unlock profile to read full content

Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better. (150)

"They Poured Fire on Us from The Sky" sits heavily in my hands and heart. One line resonates: “The body is like an engine. When the engine is shut down, [you cannot] think of taking care of yourself.”

Unlock profile to read full content

Optional: In what ways have you enacted change in your community and what has been your motivation for doing so? This can include enacting change globally, locally, or within your family. (200 words)

"They Poured Fire on Us from The Sky" sits heavily in my hands and heart. One line resonates: “The body is like an engine. When the engine is shut down, [you cannot] think of taking care of yourself.”

Unlock profile to read full content

We are looking for peacemakers, changemakers, global citizens, boundary breakers, creatives, and innovators - Choose one quote from the following and let us know why it inspires you, or share a short quote and person not on our list who inspires you, and include why. 250 "You have the right to want things and to want things to change." Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland, 2023 NYU Commencement Address.

“Tempus edax rerum.” This Latin phrase, translating as "Time, that devours all things,” perfectly captures how Azheimer’s disease devours 24 million patients worldwide and pushes me to champion change

Unlock profile to read full content

Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you? (250 words)

“Time, that devours all things.” Alzheimer’s disease continues to devour 24 million patients worldwide. As I can offer a lifeline of neurological therapeutics and preventative approaches, the experien

Unlock profile to read full content

Barnard celebrates intellectual risk-taking, and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you? (250 words)

Flower on long twisted stalk. Crescent moon. Cup. Queen wearing diadem and holding flower. I inscribe these hieroglyphic symbols on my crumpled-up, stripped Trader Joe's brown paper bag, telling a sto

Unlock profile to read full content

Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst. (100 words)

“Tempus edax rerum” or "Time, that devours all things,” captures how Alzheimer’s disease tragically afflicts 24 million patients worldwide. The poignant human stories of Alzheimer’s behind each statis

Unlock profile to read full content

At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike. Our communities and groups often define us and shape our worlds. Community can refer to various aspects, including shared geography, religion, race/ethnicity, income, ideology, and more. Please choose one of your communities or groups and describe its significance. Explain how, as a product of this community or group, you would enrich our campus. (100 words)

Being the only Indian-American girl in my grade is both a blessing and a curse. My unique background used to make me conscious of my heritage. Over time, I’ve learned that diversity is about celebrati

Unlock profile to read full content

Please tell us why you chose the Major(s) you did. (100 words)

Extraordinary videos, like a teenager belting out Weezer’s “Island in the Sun,” while undergoing brain surgery first made me wonder how the brain worked. Since then, my Alzheimer’s research deepened

Unlock profile to read full content

You indicated interest in honors community consideration and participation. Please share with us your concept of an educational challenge that interests you, and how you anticipate meeting this challenge at Rutgers through your involvement in an honors program. Your response can be up to 500 words.

I am intrigued by the challenge of developing innovative neural interfaces and augmented cognition technologies to enhance the lives of individuals with physical impairments and improve accessibility.

Unlock profile to read full content

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. (100 words or fewer)

"The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat"; Alzforum; “The danger of a single story” TEDTalk; AINews; "Hidden Figures"; “The Psychology of Money”; @the_brain_scientist; Oppenheimer; “Lord of the Flies”;

Unlock profile to read full content

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 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. (150 words or fewer)

The Hindu god, Dhanvantari, continues to dictate traditional Indian medicine practices revered by regularly consulted Ayurvedic doctors after 3,000 years; in America, modern healthcare institutions ar

Unlock profile to read full content

In college/university, 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. (150 words or fewer).

I stared at the daunting computer screen filled with lines of HTML and Javascript with a blinking cursor–one mirroring my alternating confidence. Programming wasn’t second nature to me, even after sev

Unlock profile to read full content

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words or fewer)

Columbia University is the modern-day equivalent of Mount Olympus–a sanctuary where students of every discipline converge to remove chaos through intellectual pyrotechnics. At Columbia, I aspire to g

Unlock profile to read full content

What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? (150 words or fewer).

It was extraordinary videos like a teenager belting out Weezer’s ‘Island in the Sun’ while undergoing brain surgery to preserve her singing ability that left me wondering how the brain worked, inspiri

Unlock profile to read full content

Have you completed research with a faculty member or mentor in an academic discipline such as science, engineering, or other academic interests (e.g., humanities, social sciences, or languages)?

Unlock profile to read full content

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above.

It was extraordinary videos like a teenager belting out Weezer’s ‘Island in the Sun’ while undergoing brain surgery that first made me wonder how the brain worked. Since then, my Alzheimer’s research

Unlock profile to read full content

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?* 150

Rice University is a unique catalyst of global change built on a foundation of groundbreaking research and collaboration. As my research bridges neuroscience, biotechnology, and ethics innovation, o

Unlock profile to read full content

The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? 500

Rice’s Residential College System is the modern-day equivalent of the Medieval monastic orders’ cloisters: here, Owls come together through the residential colleges, each with a distinct purpose, all

Unlock profile to read full content

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?* 200 words

Intense auditorium lights are cast on me as I sway back and forth, muttering my presentation. As the SUNY Albany Science Research program debuted in 10th grade, so did the first Science Research Sympo

Unlock profile to read full content

Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.* 200

"Time, that devours all things." Alzheimer’s disease continues to devour 24 million patients worldwide. As I offer a lifeline of neurological therapeutics and preventative approaches, the culmination

Unlock profile to read full content

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.* 200

The evocative phrase “Hello World” was my introduction to the coding world when I first learned Scratch, serving as a persistent motivation to embrace its boundless applications. However, this only br

Unlock profile to read full content

How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?* 200

Santiago R. y Cajal didn’t become the Father of Neuroscience without proving that the nervous system had interconnected neurons. Being a refugee didn’t hold Rita Levi Montalcini back from discovering

Unlock profile to read full content

Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.* 200

Every three months, an irresistible ritual draws me back to my childhood–playing Minecraft PE servers: Cube Craft’s thrilling Minerware and Lifeboat’s high-stakes Sky Games. Whether it’s nostalgia fro

Unlock profile to read full content

Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)

As I stood before my classmates, presenting a journal article on the amyloidogenic pathway authored by my mentor, a question echoed through the room, igniting my curiosity: "Are there any options for

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Yalies are poised to revolutionize the world through the integrated education of humanities, STEM, and liberal arts disciplines in one institution–prepared to confront modern issues armed with a well-

Unlock profile to read full content

SHORT TAKES

Short Takes: 200 characters (approximately 35 words or fewer), to all: 1. What inspires you? Alzheimer’s patient Irmgard Fella’s signature progression to distortion inspires me to rewrite the futures

Unlock profile to read full content

What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there's something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 words)

With a Gyotaku sushi box in hand, I stand in the heart of the Pratt Engineering Quad. I’m swiftly swarmed by curious students encircling an Environmental Engineering professor lecturing on the impact

Unlock profile to read full content

Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found fascinating. (250 words)

"Time, that devours all things." Alzheimer’s disease continues to devour 24 million patients worldwide, evident in the latest news of the youngest case at 19 years old. As I can offer a lifeline of ne

Unlock profile to read full content

We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about? (250 words)

During a Board of Education meeting, seated amidst an academically conscious crowd, whispers are exchanged as the abolishment of class rank is addressed, at the request of my friend. Although I found

Unlock profile to read full content

Vanderbilt University values learning through contrasting points of view. We understand that our differences, and our respect for alternative views and voices, are our greatest source of strength. Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own. How did these conversations/experiences influence you? *250

During a Board of Education meeting, seated amidst an academically conscious crowd, whispers are exchanged as the abolishment of class rank is addressed, at the request of my friend. Although I found

Unlock profile to read full content

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

Santiago R. y Cajal didn’t become the Father of Neuroscience without proving that the nervous system had interconnected neurons. Being a refugee didn’t hold Rita Levi Montalcini back from discovering

Unlock profile to read full content

USC Dornsife Applicants: Please provide an essay of no more than 250 words on the topic below. In your response, we encourage you to write about something that you haven't already discussed elsewhere in your application. For more information, please click here. 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 to spark intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes to teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

Privatizing medical care and biomedical research is a driving force of innovation and ethical complexity. It’s a double-edged sword requiring nuanced contemplation because of its impact on living and

Unlock profile to read full content

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)*

"Time, that devours all things." Alzheimer’s disease continues to devour 24 million patients worldwide. As I can offer a lifeline of neurological therapeutics and preventative approaches, the process

Unlock profile to read full content

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. (200-250 words)*

Being the only Indian-American student in my grade has been both a blessing and a curse. Although I have always had pride for my culture, this would often be weighed down by my lack of knowledge; when

Unlock profile to read full content

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)*

Every three months, an irresistible ritual draws me back to my childhood–playing Minecraft PE servers, including Hypixel’s thrilling Pixel Painters and Lifeboat’s high-stakes Bed Wars. Whether I rever

Unlock profile to read full content

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Applying Bioinformatics to Personalize Cognitive Health Experiences: How can we leverage technology to develop tools to learn more about neural functioning? Imagine developing a device monitoring

Unlock profile to read full content

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with me alone but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? 300

I remember the weight of the book, "They Poured Fire on Us from The Sky," in my hands and the heaviness of its words in my heart. One line resonated: “The body is like an engine. When the engine is sh

Unlock profile to read full content

Why Villanova? Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community? Please respond in about 150 words.

“Tempus edax rerum,” or "Time, that devours all things,” captures how Alzheimer’s disease tragically devours 24 million patients worldwide. Poignant human stories behind each statistic propel me to st

Unlock profile to read full content