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.

Gioacchino Rossini, the famous nineteenth-century composer, frantically waves his arms at me. I’m warbling through one of his pieces, music filling my entire body and shimmering in the air around me,

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

Today is the last day I’ll be tutoring for the Aspire Education Project, and I’m bidding farewell to [Name Redacted], the kindergarten girl who I’ve been mentoring these past few summer weeks over Zoo

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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. (Max 350 words)

When my alarm jolts me awake, I furiously type a complete account of my night’s dreams. I’m thrilled, realizing that last night’s adventure—when I harnessed newfound lightning powers to fight humanoid

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What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (Max 350 words)

When I started taking singing lessons from [Name Redacted], an Italian woman with a spectacular voice that could shatter glass, I certainly didn’t expect to be singing arias. I’d imagined opera as boo

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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. (Max 350 words)

One in five U.S. newspapers has collapsed over the past 15 years, according to The New York Times. As the editor-in-chief of my high school’s newspaper, The Mirador, I don’t really have to worry abo

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Most significant challenge society faces

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Last two summers

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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

Fog shrouds the Gulf of Finland as our ferry glides across the water. I’m with the [Organization Redacted] Choir on my way to Tallinn from Helsinki for the Laulupidu Festival. Though it’s summer, a no

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Note to future roommate

Hey roomie, I'm so insanely excited to meet you!  Do you like to sing? I have a tendency to randomly burst into song—it runs in my family. I spontaneously belt out a lot of musical theater show tu

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Something meaningful to you and why

[Name Redacted] foot slams into the back of my seat.  “[Name Redacted]!” my mom yells from the passenger seat, “If you do that again, I swear—” My dad jumps in, asking [Name Redacted] his predicti

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Campus Statement Ever since kindergarten, when I wrote a semi-plagiarized tale inspired by Dora the Explorer about mermaids threatened by oceanic pollution, I’ve wanted to share my stories with the world. So when I learned about the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s English Major with an Emphasis in Creative Writing, I knew it was perfect for me.

I’ve always sought vibrant, academically motivated communities, and I look forward to diving into storytelling at UW-Madison through classes such as British and American Writers: Ghosts, Monsters, and

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What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?

I write fiction whenever I have a free second. Day and night, my imagination fuels my love of writing, sending me visions of fantastical worlds—a beautiful mess of hair-raising adventures, vibrant cha

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Please provide your response to your second selection here

Anne Boleyn kneels on the platform, her neck pale and exposed atop the dreaded stone, her body quivering. Her eyes land on King Henry VIII and stay there. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a hint of regret b

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Penn Main Essay 1

I write fiction whenever I have a free second. Day and night, my imagination fuels my love of writing, sending me visions of fantastical worlds—a beautiful mess of hair-raising adventures, vibrant cha

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Penn Main Essay 2

I’ve wanted to sing with the Penn Counterparts ever since I discovered the group—which was immediately followed by my enthusiastic stalking of their YouTube channel. I imagine walking into my first re

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Why NYU

As a student in NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, I will continue my musical pursuits while strengthening my creative writing skills and gaining a global perspective. I write fiction wh

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Communities Essay

The 38 school newspaper staffers are talking so loudly, I can barely think. In the time we’ve been in the classroom finalizing the paper, the world has darkened. Boxes of Round Table pizza, empty soda

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Why that College or School?

Ever since kindergarten, when I wrote a semi-plagiarized tale inspired by Dora the Explorer about mermaids threatened by oceanic pollution, I’ve wanted to share my stories with the world. So when I le

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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)

The very first story I wrote was a semi-plagiarized tale inspired by Dora the Explorer about mermaids threatened by oceanic pollution. I beamed when my kindergarten teacher used it as an example for t

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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)

When I graduate from Carnegie Mellon’s Bachelor of Humanities and Arts program, I’ll be ready to launch myself into a career as a professional writer and musician, contributing to the arts community. 

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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)

[Name Redacted] foot slams into the back of my seat.  “[Name Redacted]!” my mom yells from the passenger seat, “If you do that again, I swear—”  My dad jumps in, asking [Name Redacted] his predict

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Why are you applying to Vassar? (Limit 300 words)

I write fiction whenever I have a free second. Day and night, my imagination fuels my love of writing, sending me visions of fantastical worlds—a beautiful mess of hair-raising adventures, vibrant cha

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What factors encouraged your decision to apply to Barnard College, and why do you think the college would be a good match for you?

In my choir, Ancora, I’ve bonded with a driven community of women. Together, we’ve tackled challenging music and established ourselves as an accomplished unit. Being part of this strong, intelligent g

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At Barnard, academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited, and why do they interest you? Tell us how you would explore these questions at Barnard.

Twenty minutes into interviewing my principal, [Name Redacted], I ask my burning question: “Who’s responsible for preventing rape culture on campus?” [Name Redacted]’s face twitches. I’ve been worki

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Pick one woman — a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual — to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask them?

Anne Boleyn kneels on the platform, her body quivering, her neck pale and exposed atop the dreaded stone. Her gaze lands on King Henry VIII and stays there. If he feels any regret, it’s well hidden be

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Do you plan to take a gap year? If your response is yes, what options are you currently considering?

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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 write fiction whenever I have a free second. Day and night, my imagination fuels my love of writing, sending me visions of fantastical worlds—a beautiful mess of hair-raising adventures, vibrant cha

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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)

The 38 school newspaper staffers are talking so loudly, I can barely think. I’ve been in the newsroom for six hours, editing page after page. But even though my eyelids are drooping, there’s nowhere I

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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?

Twenty minutes into interviewing my principal, [Name Redacted], I ask my burning question: “Who’s responsible for preventing rape culture on campus?” [Name Redacted]’s face twitches. I’ve been writi

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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.

Today is the last day I’ll be volunteering for the Aspire Education Project, and I’m bidding farewell to [Name Redacted], the kindergarten girl who I’ve been mentoring over Zoom. I’m proud of the prog

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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?

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"Why Northwestern" Statement:

I write fiction whenever I have a free second. Day and night, my imagination fuels my love of writing, sending me visions of fantastical worlds—a beautiful mess of hair-raising adventures, vibrant cha

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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)

When I graduate from Brown, I’ll have used the Open Curriculum to launch myself into a career as a professional writer and musician. I want to channel my imagination into vibrant novels for publicat

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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)

Twenty minutes into interviewing my principal, [Name Redacted], I ask my burning question: “Who’s responsible for preventing rape culture at school?” [Name Redacted]’s face twitches. I’ve been writi

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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)

Fog shrouds the Gulf of Finland as the ferry glides across the water. I’m with the [Organization Redacted] Choir on my way to Tallinn for the Laulupidu choral festival. Though it’s summer, a north win

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National Exams

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Short Answer Essay

As an aspiring author and screenwriter, I can think of no better place to study and write than among Dartmouth’s academically curious and all-around adventurous students. I’ll dive into everything fro

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Short Response Essay

Fog shrouds the Gulf of Finland as the ferry glides across the water. I’m with the [Organization Redacted] Choir on my way to Tallinn from Helsinki for the Laulupidu festival. Though it’s summer, a no

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In 150 to 250 words, please write a short response on the topic selected. You can type directly into the box, or you can paste text from another source.

The 38 school newspaper staffers are talking so loudly, I can barely think. Boxes of Round Table pizza, empty soda bottles, and depleted containers of Safeway cookies litter the newsroom conference ta

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