The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

“You were supposed to be gone by July 1,” I shouted. She started crying and left the dinner table. My father, a tenured NIH scientist, chastised me. “We don’t talk that way to guests in our house, muc

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

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How did you spend your last two summers?* 50 word

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What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?* 50 word

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

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Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford.* 50 word

The Earth Systems major, which combines my interests in environmental science and public policy. The required internship will uncover my career trajectories, build connections, and expand my knowledge

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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

At age 4, I learned that all the universe’s mass could fit on the head of a pin before the Big Bang through Bill Bryson’s poetic writing. This discovery sparked my curiosity and conviction to improve

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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

Hey roomie, This year will be a big adjustment for us. Whether you’re coming from San Francisco or San Salvador, newfound college independence will be both exhilarating and overwhelming at times. I’m

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Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why.* 250

Absolute truth is the most meaningful thing to me. In high school, I took an IB class called Theory of Knowledge that explored how humans perceive reality and build their foundation of personal knowle

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Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 word maximum)*

At Carnegie Mellon, I will major in Politics and Strategy through the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Science. Three lived experiences drive me towards environmental policy. In 2nd grade, I

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Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 word maximum)*

A successful college experience will polish my environmental policy knowledge base and hone my communication and collaboration skills. Carnegie Mellon’s curriculum and the Steinbrenner Institute are i

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Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 word maximum)*

My career in environmental policy is cemented in my core principles. These principles derive from realizing that climate change will disproportionately affect poor and disadvantaged communities, that

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

My commitment to environmental policy began at four when I learned about the Big Bang through Bill Bryson’s poetic writing. The miracle of Earth took 13.7 billion years to form, so I must take bold ac

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

Rice’s Environmental Science major and its unique research project requirement will promote my exploration of crucial climate questions. ENST 406 Introduction to Environmental Law highlights national

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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?* (500 words)

Three life perspectives have shaped my outlook. In 2nd grade, I presented on indoor pollution to ~500 people at an Earth Day assembly. To prepare, I called and interviewed a NASA scientist whose resea

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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?

I am excited to explore Environment and Sustainability as a major and Sustainable Business and Economic Policy as a minor at Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). I share the scho

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1. At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are not simply driven to master their discipline, but who are also passionate about doing so to serve the public good. Please elaborate on an activity or experience you have had that made an impact on a community that is important to you. We encourage you to think about community broadly - this could include family, school, or local and global communities. (300-word limit)

Policy work is all about serving the public good. My passion for my community has manifested in numerous volunteer and leadership roles. My proudest example is my work on the Maryland Youth Advisory C

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2. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is dedicated to the exploration of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background in agriculture or are interested in pursuing a career in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. (300-word limit)

Environmental policy requires incorporating the perspectives of all groups. Farmers are often neglected by climate activists, but I instinctually disagree with this view because a viable green transit

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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-word limit)

Since I first visited Duke in 5th grade, I have thought of it as a haven where students have the space to explore their own questions in depth. I am drawn to Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Envi

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What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good? (250 word)

Agricultural groups feared losses to the farming economy, and preservationists voiced caution about overdevelopment. At stake: 1,800 acres of farmland in Montgomery County, MD. Amongst many outstandin

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We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself. (250 words max)

Three lived experiences have shaped my outlook. In 2nd grade, I presented on indoor pollution to ~500 people at an Earth Day assembly. To prepare, I interviewed a NASA scientist; I was captivated by h

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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.*

I am excited to explore Environment and Urban Studies as a major at UChicago. My commitment to environmental policy is both personal and inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing environmental scienc

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In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, pose your own question… take a little risk, and have fun.

My risky “pose your own question” prompt: “Provide definitive guidelines for distinguishing fact from falsehood.” This question is of fundamental importance to me. I am driven to ask and answer it be

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Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)*

Councilmember Riemer, I am deeply grateful for the time you took to discuss all my questions and then challenge me to bring the youth perspective to your solar farm bill. When the bill, proposing s

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How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

Three formative experiences define my identity and perspective. In 2nd grade, I gave an Earth Day presentation to ~500 people. To prepare, I interviewed a NASA scientist whose research on pollutant fi

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Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words)*

“Research and Engagement that Matter”, the motto of Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, describes my academic and intellectual interests perfectly. I will enroll in Penn’s College of Arts and Scien

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