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. (650 words)

“Can you find Tajikistan?” I rushed back to the coffee table. To an onlooker, it might have appeared I was only spinning a globe, but in my eight-year old mind, I was traveling the world, all from th

Unlock profile to read full content

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)

It was August 12th, 2022, the last few days of summer. I woke up, grabbed a bowl of cereal, then checked my phone. Immediately, I put my spoon down. Sitting in my inbox were over 100 unread emails, ma

Unlock profile to read full content

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)

Parliamentary debate doesn’t allow for personal opinion; ironically, this is what makes it a contest of creative thinking. Over multiple rounds, my partner and I can oscillate between advocating for a

Unlock profile to read full content

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. (350 words)

Every day, every hour, every minute of our lives, blood travels through more than 60,000 miles of vessels to provide our cells with everything from oxygen to nutrients to hormones. When I learned abou

Unlock profile to read full content

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

In my first year of Stage Crew as a props assistant for Midsummer Night’s Dream, what was initially a straightforward task quickly turned into what felt like a nightmare. When a cast member came and

Unlock profile to read full content

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)

I ventured into the lab, and nervously donned my coat and gloves. It was July 2023, and, as part of a research internship I was conducting, my lab mentor and I were going to precipitate DNA. I combin

Unlock profile to read full content

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 roommate, Do you have a favorite movie? I’m working through the IMDb top 100 movies of all time (23 to go!), and keep a meticulous personal ranking of all the movies I’ve seen. So if you ever nee

Unlock profile to read full content

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)

While my twin [Name Redacted] and I grew up with nearly identical opportunities, personality traits, and dislikes of foods, somewhere in middle school [Name Redacted] started skipping class, threateni

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Unlock profile to read full content

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 words)

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Unlock profile to read full content

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

Unlock profile to read full content

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (300 words)

When I first started volunteering at my local Red Cross chapter in 10th grade, I had no idea I would be joining a community that would forever shape my personal and academic interests. I began my wor

Unlock profile to read full content

Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (550 words)

Growing up, I was a curious child, easily drifting from one diversion to the next–be it baking, history, or baseball. However, my ambivalence toward my interests dissipated when I took biology for the

Unlock profile to read full content

Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community? (150 words)

Volunteering with the Red Cross, I learned from phlebotomists that blood drives are held at an inadequate rate to meet the needs of Northern California. Hearing this, I asked myself a simple question:

Unlock profile to read full content

Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation. (150 words)

Exhausted, we threw our packs down, and sat down on the logs. We’d just finished a grueling 20-mile day in the Yosemite backcountry, with five more to come. Too weary to talk, we took out snacks. Sudd

Unlock profile to read full content

Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home. (50 words)

Unlock profile to read full content

What brings you joy? (50 words)

Unlock profile to read full content

What is worth fighting for? (50 words)

Unlock profile to read full content