Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

After a long day of volunteering, my Manager at the Aquarium of the Pacific gave each one of us mentors a gift; some received reusable straws while others got water bottles. Mine, however, was differe

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

I joined the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Ocean Adventure Summer Camp for 7-9-year-olds as a camp aid, with little to no prior experience with kids this young. As I made my way to the drop-off area that

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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.

Up a flight of 5 stories in a renovated fish market warehouse, white, bare walls were practically nonexistent. Instead, colors of all hues, tints, tones, and shades flourished. The Icehouse Art Comple

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Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Like many Americans, my parents immigrated here from Mexico, establishing a home to start anew and raise a family. As the youngest sibling with an age gap of 8 years, I’ve always noticed myself a litt

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

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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UCLA: In your application you may have mentioned an extraordinary talent/skill or academic achievement. This may include participation in Junior Olympics, national debate competitions, recognition for musical talent, etc. Please take this opportunity to share with us more detailed information about the level of your achievement, depth of participation, and passion for this particular area. 4000 characters

Evident in my application, my extraordinary skill revolves around my extensive experience with marine science conservation research. Said research skills involve gathering information and collecting/a

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UCLA: Please describe any special circumstances that you would like us to consider that may have affected your ability to achieve academically. This may include personal circumstances, family experiences, and opportunities that were or were not available at your school or home. If you participated in an educational preparation program (i.e, EAOP, Talent Search, Upward Bound, PUENTE, etc.) please describe your level of involvement and how each program was beneficial to you. 4000 characters

I grew up in the 36th most populous city in America, the 7th most in California, and the 2nd most in Los Angeles County: Long Beach. With over 450,000 residents, there are waterfront attractions, muse

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What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? 50 words

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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? 50 words

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Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family. 50 words

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

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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. 250 words

Dear Future Roommate, Hola, Bonjour, Hello. I grew up in the 36th largest city in America, the 7th largest in California, and the 2nd largest in Los Angeles County: Long Beach. We are the “Aquatic C

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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) (350 words)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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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) (200 word limit)

Fear of the unknown is rampant; remaining in the comfort zone is favored - but life as an Aquarium volunteer is noteworthy. Whether it be encountering a bamboo shark jumping out of its exhibit or the

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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? (350 word limit)

“Sir, ma’am; please go to the information desk.” All Aquarium of the Pacific volunteers learn this phrase during one of the two mandatory 8-hour trainings. One says this phrase when one does not know

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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. (350 word limit)

According to the City of Long Beach, "residents and businesses throw away approximately 368,000 tons of residential, commercial, and industrial waste" - that is 1,494 pounds for each 450,000+ individu

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

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What brings you joy? 50 words

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

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List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words)

“A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis”, Sigmund Freud “Oedipus the King”, Sophocles “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, Joyce Carol Oates “Lord of the Flies”, William Golding “A Rose for

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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. (150 words)

Environmental Books: “Silent Spring”, Rachel Carson “The End of Nature”, Bill McKibben “The Sixth Extinction, An Unnatural History”, Elizabeth Kolbert “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Clim

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List the titles of the print or digital publications, websites, journals, podcasts or other content with which you regularly engage. (150 words)

News Apps: Politico, Real Clear Politics, CNN News Websites: The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post Email Newsletters: Wake Up to Politics, SKIMM, National Geographic, Plastic Fr

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List the movies, albums, shows, museums, lectures, events at your school or other entertainments that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school (in person or online). (150 words)

Lectures: Aquarium of the Pacific Teen Science Cafe: Dr. Michael Habib - Prehistoric Marine Life; Brett Long - Sea Otters Aquarium of the Pacific and Maryland Zoo Coast to Coast Teen Lecture Series: T

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Columbia students take an active role in improving their community, whether in their residence hall, classes or throughout New York City. Their actions, small or large, work to positively impact the lives of others. Share one contribution that you have made to your family, school, friend group or another community that surrounds you. (200 words or fewer)

Fear of the unknown is rampant; remaining in the comfort zone is favored - but life as an Aquarium volunteer is noteworthy. Whether it be encountering a bamboo shark jumping out of its exhibit or the

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Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? (200 words or fewer)

After reading Silent Spring during my junior year - especially the fable of a once tranquil town succumbing to an “evil spell” and “strange stillness,” an unprecedented number of questions confronted

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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)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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How did you discover your intellectual and academic interests, and how will you explore them at the University of Pennsylvania? Please respond considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected. (300-450 words)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classrooms, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words)

Nestled within the bustling City of Philadelphia, UPenn gears towards giving back to humanity and “promot[ing] progress and prosperity in our local, national, and global communities.” Through civic en

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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)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. Specifically, how will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell University help you achieve your academic goals?

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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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)

After reading Silent Spring during my junior year - especially the fable of a once tranquil town succumbing to an “evil spell” and “strange stillness” -, an unprecedented number of questions confronte

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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)

Some might say that I possess “uniqueness” and “individuality.” Yet, the same could be concluded about my extended family, as well as being “diverse.” Soon after my birth, 17 years ago, my Mexican par

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Duke's commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. If you would like to share with us more about your identity, you can do so here, or use any previous essay prompt you feel is appropriate. (250 word limit)

Currently, I’m a closeted gay male living under socially conservative parents. In the public sphere at school and volunteer organizations, however, I’m significantly more transparent and open about my

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We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand - Why NYU? (400 word maximum)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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USC faculty place an emphasis on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning. 250 words

After boarding a Long Beach Port Harbor Tour, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, ambiguous t

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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)

Nestled within the bustling City of Los Angeles, USC gears towards giving back to humanity and “society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit.” When trying to

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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 words

If I had a large audience, I would share my personal story concerning pollution—air and litter. I grew up in the 36th most populous city in America, the 7th most in California, and the 2nd most in Lo

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Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above. (150 words)

After boarding a Long Beach Harbor Tour, what was the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, ambiguous questions c

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

Something admirable about Rice is the strong sense of community it emulates. Whether it be the residential college system or symbolically entering and exiting through the Sallyport, Rice students form

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The University of Miami's official mascot is the ibis. Folklore maintains that the native marsh bird is the last to take shelter before a hurricane hits and the first to emerge once the storm passes, making it an apt symbol of courage and resilience. Considering your ability to control your own motivation and behavior, how have past experiences helped build your courage and resilience to persist in the face of academic and life challenges so that, once these storms pass, you can emerge in continued pursuit of your goals? 250 words

In his bestseller Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell is quite the oddball - especially when considering his perspective on how success is achieved. Nonetheless, our English Language teacher had us present an

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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. (500 word limit)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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In the spirit of adventurous inquiry (and with the encouragement of one of our current students!) choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun! Hogwarts (and UChicago) Houses, Astrological Signs, Power Puff Girls; there are many ways to categorize ourselves. What Avatar bending arts have you mastered? What Pokémon or Greek God/Goddess do you align with? In short, how would you classify yourself?

***Bare with me, this essay is probably my worst. With an extended family of over 30 people on my mom’s side and over 50 people on my dad’s side, it is not surprising that traditions are embedded int

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Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Growing up with solely older siblings, I never quite understood the psychological aspects of routinely being around younger people - especially children. It was not until when my mom’s friends visited

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

After boarding a Long Beach Harbor Tour, what was once the fresh aroma of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, ambiguous though

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

Something admirable about Yale is the strong sense of community it emulates. Whether it be the Dwight Hall Bazaar or the YSO Halloween Concert, students form a tight-knit community where everyone can

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While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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Activities: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 word limit)

According to the City of Long Beach, "residents and businesses throw away approximately 368,000 tons of residential, commercial, and industrial waste"—that is 1,494 pounds for each 450,000+ individual

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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 word limit)

After boarding a Long Beach Port Harbor Tour, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, ambiguous t

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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 word limit)

Nestled within the bustling City of Providence, Brown gears towards giving back to humanity and “serv[ing] the community, the nation, and the world.” When trying to achieve this mission, most think th

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

I grew up in the 36th most populous city in America, the 7th most in California, and the 2nd most in the County of Los Angeles: Long Beach. With over 450,000 residents, there are beaches, waterfront a

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

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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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 2025, what aspects of the College’s program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? (100 word limit)

Something admirable about Dartmouth is the strong sense of community it emulates. Whether it be the Homecoming Bonfire on the Green or the email sent out to all students announcing a snowball fight at

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Curiosity is a guiding element of Toni Morrison’s talent as a writer. "I feel totally curious and alive and in control. And almost...magnificent, when I write,” she says. Celebrate your curiosity. (250-300 words)

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional) (50-800 words).

After boarding a Harbor Tour at the Port of Long Beach, what was once the fresh smell of seawater quickly transformed into the rotten smell of decayed eggs. As the nauseating odor wafted towards me, a

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Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

According to the City of Long Beach, "residents and businesses throw away approximately 368,000 tons of residential, commercial, and industrial waste"—that is 1,494 pounds for each 450,000+ individual

Unlock profile to read full content