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.

“What’s your name?” A nervous blush crept up my face as my new classmates stared expectantly. Breath shaking, I answered in Mandarin, “I don’t know.”  The class burst into laughter. “Who doesn’t kno

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Why do these areas appeal to you?

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Why Yale

When I first stepped onto Yale's campus, 6th-grade me felt like I’d arrived at Hogwarts—the green space was the Quidditch pitch, the residential colleges were Hogwarts houses.  As I returned years l

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Essays

In 7th grade, my Social Studies teacher asked me my dream field-trip destination. I immediately answered Greece (probably due to my obsession with Percy Jackson), and spent days researching it, from H

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Chosen essay

Prompt A: “Today’s prompt is community ,” I said. “You can draw your family, pets, hobbies, anything—as long as it's important to you.”  The kids instantly rush from their chairs, grabbing constru

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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)

How does art shape social movements? How did the Renaissance influence philosophy? How will multipolarity affect global alliances? From attending school in China to living in France to growing up in

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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)

“—then they fired into the crowd, killing thousands of students.” “ Aiya , stop!”, interrupted my dad, slamming down his chopsticks. “Your history teacher got it all wrong.”  Exasperated, he launc

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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)

In 7th grade, my Social Studies teacher asked me my dream field-trip destination. I immediately answered Greece (probably due to my obsession with Percy Jackson), and spent days researching it, from H

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Danforth Short Answer

Rainbow handprints. Beaded dreamcatchers. “Earth without ‘Art’ is ‘Eh’”. Initially, I was reluctant to become a volunteer art-instructor for first graders. These tiny humans were young and impressio

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Danforth Essay

In 7th-grade, my Social Studies teacher asked my dream field-trip destination. I immediately answered Greece (probably for my obsession with Percy Jackson), and spent days researching it, from Helen’s

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Ervin Short Answer

Splattered with rainbow paint, I climb down the ladder. The previously-plain walls are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Nebraska’s golden-domed capitol, red stripes, bl

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Ervin Essay

“You’re being so emotional and overdramatic. Feminism doesn’t matter.”  Fists clenched, I stood up at the podium and calmly asked my opponent, “Why do you think that?”  Though this wasn’t my first

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What you are interested in studying and why

Pink spray-chalk in hand, I step back, admiring my work: a 6-foot-tall mural of Hillary Rodham Clinton. As the crowd around me chants “women’s rights are human rights”, I feel a rush of empowerment. P

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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)

Shaking my can of blue spray-chalk, I climb down the ladder to admire our work. The previously-plain walls of the local grocery store are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanto

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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)

Tinkling shopkeepers' bells. Pink paper straws. Rapid prototyping. After a personalized campus tour with family friend and CMU Design student, Elizabeth, we visited Tsaocaa Tea. There, I witnessed E

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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)

In 7th grade, my Social Studies teacher asked me my dream field trip destination. I immediately answered Greece (probably due to my obsession with Percy Jackson), and spent days researching it, from H

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Prompt Essay:

It’s Saturday night, 9:30PM. Overhead, a slowly-turning disco ball scatters soft silver light over the pitch-black rink, as Olivia Rodrigo’s “Deja Vu” plays in the background. Lost in the ethereal atm

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Academic Interest

Shaking the can of pink spray-chalk, I step back to admire my work: a 6-foot-tall mural of Hillary Rodham Clinton. As I join the crowd's chants of “women’s rights are human rights”, I feel thrilled, e

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Why Duke?

When I first visited Duke, 6th-grade me felt like I’d arrived at Hogwarts—Clocktower Quad was the Quidditch pitch, Living-Learning communities were Hogwarts houses.  As I returned years later, touri

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Share a Perspective Response

In 7th-grade, my Social Studies teacher asked my dream field-trip destination. I immediately answered Greece (probably for my obsession with Percy Jackson), and spent days researching it, from Helen’s

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Penn Main Essay 1

How does art shape social movements? How did the Renaissance influence philosophy? How does multipolarity affect global alliances? From attending school in China to living in France to growing up in

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Penn Main Essay 2

Spray-chalk in hand, I stand back, admiring our work. The previously-plain walls are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Nebraska’s golden-domed capitol, red stripes, blue

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Communities Essay

“Today’s prompt is community ,” I said. “You can draw your family, pets, hobbies, anything—as long as it's important to you.”  The kids instantly rush from their chairs, grabbing construction paper,

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Why that College or School?

Shaking my can of pink spray chalk, I climb down the ladder to admire my work: a 6-foot-tall mural of Hillary Rodham Clinton. As I join the chants of “women’s rights are human rights”, questions race

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MLK Essay

Spray-chalk in hand, I stand back, admiring our work. The previously-plain walls are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Nebraska’s golden-domed capitol, red stripes, blue

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Why NYU

Amidst hazy darkness, the protesting crowd angrily chants “No means no! Ban FIJI!”. Feeling as if in a fever dream, I pull out my phone and press Record , live-interviewing the brave survivors who wis

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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)

I hope to major in Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs because I’m passionate about studying the global impacts of social justice policy, specifically regarding voting rights, clima

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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)

“You’re being overdramatic. Feminism doesn’t matter.”  Fists clenched, I stood up at the podium and calmly asked my opponent, “Why do you think that?”  Though this wasn’t my first experience with

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Your Voice Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words. 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?

“—and then they fired into the crowd, killing thousands of students.” “ Aiya , stop!”, interrupted my dad, slamming down his chopsticks. “Your history teacher got it all wrong.”  Exasperated, he l

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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.

Shaking my can of blue spray-chalk, I climb down the ladder to admire our work. The previously-plain walls of the local grocery store are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanto

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More About You Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself! What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

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What brings you joy?

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

“Yellow” by Katherine Ho—a Chinese cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow”, from my favorite movie, Crazy Rich Asians. Katherine describes yellow in beautiful ways (stars, moonlight, rivers), turning what I’ve e

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What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?

Shaking the can of pink spray-chalk, I step back to admire my work: a 6-foot-tall mural of Hillary Rodham Clinton. As I join in chanting “women’s rights are human rights”, I feel thrilled, empowered—t

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Please provide your response to your second selection here “62!”

“100!” “75!”  We continue shouting guesses, but the announcer shakes her head, revealing the answer: “601.” The audience hushes into dead silence. It’s been 601 days—almost 2 years—since the Lin

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Additional Intellectual Experiences

I attended University of Michigan’s 7-week debate intensive, where I sought creative methods of integrating feminist advocacies with pre-determined policy topics, from U-visas, to feminist restorative

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EC Essay

Spray-chalk in hand, I stand back, admiring our work. The previously-plain walls are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Nebraska’s golden-domed capitol, red stripes, blue

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Extracurricular Activities

Shaking my can of blue spray-chalk, I climb down the ladder to admire our work. The previously-plain walls of the local grocery store are now covered in bright, patriotic designs—Elizabeth Cady Stanto

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"Why Northwestern" Statement:

Amidst hazy darkness, the protesting crowd angrily chants “No means no! Ban FIJI!”. Feeling as if in a fever dream, I pull out my phone and press Record , live-interviewing the brave survivors who wis

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Most significant challenge society faces

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Last two summers

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Historical moment or event

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

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One thing you are looking forward to at Stanford

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

In 7th grade, my Social Studies teacher asked me my dream field-trip destination. I immediately answered Greece (probably due to my obsession with Percy Jackson), and spent days researching it, from H

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Note to future roommate

Hey future roomie! As an only child, I’ve always wanted someone to share with—so what’s mine is yours. Help yourself to my color- coded closet, my collection of TimeOut art magazines (favorite editi

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Something meaningful to you and why

It’s Saturday night, 9:30PM. Overhead, a slowly-turning disco ball scatters soft silver light over the pitch-black rink, as Olivia Rodrigo’s “Deja Vu” plays in the background. Lost in the ethereal atm

Unlock profile to read full content