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.

“Ohhhhh! I get it.” That’s how I spent lunch during my junior year: trying to get my friend, Jannah, to make that sound. It’s the sound of realization, of conceptual comprehension: “I know the answe

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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 (350 words.

It started on a whim— like one of those 'hey, wouldn’t it be funny if we did this?' kind of thoughts— between two sophomores who felt unchallenged by their coursework. "What if we studied Precalculu

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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 (350 words).

The clock that sits on my desk reads 12:00 P.M. In a matter of minutes, though, it’ll read 4:00. What will I spend those minutes (hours) doing? Well, it’s something I’ve done since I could hold a penc

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

I’ve always liked explaining things, though I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe I like helping people, or being right, or working through problems. Either way, I was often the recipient of classwork-rela

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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 (350 words).

I like to think I’m pretty laid-back— you know, that /go with the flow, chill out, don’t be so serious/ kind of attitude. I don’t talk that much, unless I’m interested in what’s going on, telling a jo

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

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How did you spend your last two summers (50 words)?

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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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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).

Picture this: fifteen-year-old me, at the front of the class, with my arms soaked with water up to the elbow and methane-filled bubbles in my hands.  Lighter goes /click/.  Bubbles go /whoosh/. 

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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).

Hey Roomie!  When we first meet, you’ll notice that I’m a guy. At least, you might mistake me as one.  Your error would admittedly be predictable—about 40% of strangers initially call me “son”, “b

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Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University (250 words).

Let’s look at just one aspect of my life—basketball—for now.  Basketball taught me to communicate. This manifests in different ways: asking near-incessant questions, leading talk during live play, o

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List five things that are important to you (50 words).

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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 (Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry) (200 words)?

Picture this: Fifteen-year-old me, in front of the class, with my arms soaked up to the elbows and methane-filled bubbles in my hands.  Lighter goes /click/. Bubbles go /whoosh/.  Cool, right? Li

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

Yale offers what I crave: the opportunity to explore. Yale exemplifies this through the accessibility of nonmajor classwork—and their Open Courses—both of which are excellent for students (such as m

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What inspires you (200 characters)?

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If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be (200 characters)?

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Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence (200 characters)?

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Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you (400 words)?

It started on a whim—like one of those 'hey, wouldn’t it be funny if we did this?' kind of thoughts—between two sophomores who felt unchallenged by their coursework.  /What if we studied Precalculus

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What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application (200 characters)?

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