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.

If you were wondering how to pronounce my name, it’s [Name Redacted] . My name, unlike more common names I come across, isn’t typically engraved on keychains sold at gift shops or stamped on the side

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.

During my junior year, I decided to take on the challenge of self-studying AP Statistics and Psychology. The most appealing aspect of self-studying was the freedom it granted me: having the choice to

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.

I was first introduced to the world of computer science at [redacted], where through student-led workshops, I learned the basics of programming and its implementations in robotics. Applications were t

Unlock profile to read full content

I stepped forward, blinded by the bright gym lights, and reached for the microphone. Standing in front of the two-hundred-something students, I took a deep breath and introduced myself.

"Hi. I'm [redacted]. Most of you know me, but for those who don't, I'm a sophomore, and I'm here to tell you about how [redacted] is going to help you get to college." At the beginning of my sophomor

Unlock profile to read full content

Most significant challenge society faces

Unlock profile to read full content

Last two summers

Unlock profile to read full content

Historical moment or event

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Unlock profile to read full content

One thing you are looking forward to at Stanford

Unlock profile to read full content

Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you excited about learning

I enjoy looking at maps, outlining my fingers across the varied colors, tracing them across the bolded text, and reminding myself “Seychelles” is say-shells , not say-chells .  I ponder why countrie

Unlock profile to read full content

Note to future roommate

Heyo roomie, Just want to say I’m stoked to see you. It’s my first time away from home by myself, and I’m both nervous and excited. I’ll be bringing my clarinet, a couple of my favorite books (feel

Unlock profile to read full content

Something meaningful to you and why

I drag my feet through the dirt, hiking through the alfalfa bushes. Suddenly, my father grabs my shoulder, pointing to a far-off branch before handing me our binoculars. Iridescent sea green and deep

Unlock profile to read full content

Why Duke?

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, an honors chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically,

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.

During my junior year, I decided to take on the challenge of self-studying AP Statistics and AP Psychology. The most appealing aspect of self-studying was the freedom it granted me: having the choice

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.

I joined the Curie Society, an honors chemistry club in my sophomore year, where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically, how the

Unlock profile to read full content

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

I stepped forward, blinded by the bright gym lights, and reached for the microphone. Standing in front of the two hundred-something students, I took a deep breath and introduced myself. "Hi. I'm [Nam

Unlock profile to read full content

"Why Northwestern" (250 words)

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, an honors chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically,

Unlock profile to read full content

What you are interested in studying and why

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, a chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically, how the

Unlock profile to read full content

Describe an extracurricular activity (400 words)

Stepping inside the library, I located the nearest computer, intent on finding the book I was looking for. Fingers flew across the keyboard before slamming the “Enter” button, returning exactly what I

Unlock profile to read full content

Why NYU

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, an honors chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically,

Unlock profile to read full content

Kilachand Honors College Essay

In today’s world, fast media and information grab our limited attention, pulling us in with click-bait titles, colorful graphics, and photoshopped images. Once we’ve been captured, we’re fed regurgita

Unlock profile to read full content

Trustee Scholars Essay Topic 1

A simple piano tune drifts through my room, raising my eyelids and igniting my brain: my 4:45 AM alarm had just gone off. Usually, I wake up after my second or third alarm, but today was different. Si

Unlock profile to read full content

What about being a student at Boston University most excites you? (250 word maximum)

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, an honors chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically,

Unlock profile to read full content

Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in about 150 words)

This past summer, I had the opportunity to work at the [redacted]. Under the mentorship of Professor [redacted] from the [Organization Redacted], I worked to create a solution to a complex variant of

Unlock profile to read full content

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

I discovered [redacted] while searching for resources to let me explore and step into the world of synapses and neurons. As a sophomore at the time, the vast majority of what I found was intimidating

Unlock profile to read full content

Why Yale

“Hi everyone, and welcome to a day in my life!” I’ve watched possibly every single Yale ‘day in the life’ vlog there is on YouTube, from a multitude of creators with a variety of backgrounds - first-

Unlock profile to read full content

B

I enjoy looking at maps, outlining my fingers across the varied colors, tracing them across the bolded text, and reminding myself “Seychelles” is say-shells, not say-chells. I ponder why countries, s

Unlock profile to read full content

B

I drag my feet through the dirt, hiking through the alfalfa bushes. Suddenly, my father grabs my shoulder, pointing to a far-off branch before handing me our binoculars. Iridescent sea green and deep

Unlock profile to read full content

Penn Main Essay 1

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, an honors chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically,

Unlock profile to read full content

Penn Main Essay 2

When I first visited Morocco at age 12, I was completely out of my depth. The day I arrived, I clung to my mother like a newborn child and hid myself inside our guest room as much as possible. The fir

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Recent favorite: Klara and the Sun Best memoir: Infidel Trippiest read: Slaughterhouse Five All-time best: The Night Watchman Runner-ups: The Things They Carried, The Hate U Give, The Sympathizer, The

Unlock profile to read full content

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.

Read (physical): The New Yorker; National Geographic; [Place Redacted] Union Tribune Read (online): New York Times; The Economist; BBC Listen: Radiolab; PBS; The Synapse Journals: Nature; Neuron; IYNA

Unlock profile to read full content

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?

When I first visited Morocco at age 12, I was completely out of my depth. The day I arrived, I clung to my mother like a newborn child and hid myself inside our guest room as much as possible. The fi

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.

In many ways, I search for balance in my life. Balance between work and play, instinct and reason, even creamer and coffee. It seems natural then, to seek balance in my education; my attraction to the

Unlock profile to read full content

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.

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, an honors chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically,

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 use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

During my junior year, I decided to take on the challenge of self-studying AP Statistics and AP Psychology. The most appealing aspect of self-studying was the freedom it granted me; one that sparked a

Unlock profile to read full content

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)

I first learned about CRISPR in a Radiolab podcast, captivated by its advanced acronym name and its unique abilities. I was excited by its science fiction-esque potential to change our world, believin

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)

I drag my feet through the dirt, hiking through the alfalfa bushes. Suddenly, my father grabs my shoulder, pointing to a far-off branch before handing me our binoculars. Iridescent sea green and deep

Unlock profile to read full content

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.

During my sophomore year, I participated in Curie Society, a chemistry club where I had my first learning experience with neuroscience in a lecture about the chemistry of coffee. Specifically, how the

Unlock profile to read full content

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

In many ways, I search for balance in my life. Balance between work and play, instinct and reason, even creamer and coffee. I’ve found that Rice celebrates these ‘betweens,’ offering a college experie

Unlock profile to read full content

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?

When I first visited Morocco at age 12, I was completely out of my depth. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by many relatives, all grateful I was safe and sound. Many hugs were given, a lot of words

Unlock profile to read full content

Short Answer Essay

Between intense discussions about the ethics of CRISPR in “Biology: Politicized Topics” and chess at The Green when the weather is just right; between investigating our own behavioral actions using co

Unlock profile to read full content

What excites you?

I enjoy looking at maps, outlining my fingers across the varied colors, tracing them across the bolded text and reminding myself “Seychelles” is say-shells, not say-chells. I ponder why countries, st

Unlock profile to read full content