Common Application: Personal Essay
The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

 

- Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

 

Please write an essay (250-650 words) on the topic selected.

 

553-word version
Our family, before the Korean War, was the second richest family in the Hamkyung province. Although I do not know the exact extent of our family’s wealth during that time, it was enough to support the independence movement of the Hamkyung province against Japanese imperialism...

 

UC—Berkeley: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

 

502-word version
After the Korean War, my grandpa was forced to move to South Korea after having all his assets seized by Kim Il-sung, then the despot of North Korea. My grandpa, however, never gave up and began from scratch again...

 

Columbia: Please tell us what you found meaningful about one of the above mentioned books, publications or cultural events. (300 words or less)

 

264-word version
Having have to watch my grandpa struggle through his illness with what is left of his waning strength..., the 1987 Dennis Quaid science fiction film...has become my all-time favorite...

 

KAIST: 1. 입학 지원 동기와 향후 계획(학업, 진로, 꿈 등)에 대하여 구체적으로 기술하십시오. (띄어쓰기 포함 한글 500자 또는 영문 알파벳 1,000자 이내)

 

155-word version
Having have to watch my grandpa struggle through his illness, I became certain that engineering...should be the objective of my ardor since he suffers from a seemingly simple yet currently incurable condition...

 

Georgia Tech: Why are you interested in attending Georgia Tech and what do you hope to contribute to our community? (150 word limit)

 

150-word version
Having have to watch my grandpa struggle through his illness with what is left of his waning strength..., I became certain that engineering...ought to be the animating objective of my ardor...

 

Rice: With the understanding that the choice of academic school you indicated is not binding, explain why you are applying to that particular school of study. (150 word limit)

 

128-word version
Having have to watch my grandpa struggle through his illness..., I became certain that Bioengineering...ought to be the animating objective of my ardor...

 

Brown: Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated in our Member Section, earlier in this application? If you are “undecided” or not sure which Brown concentrations match your interests, consider describing more generally the academic topics or modes of thought that engage you currently. (150 word limit)

 

121-word version
Having have to watch my grandpa struggle through his illness..., I became certain that Computational Biology ought to be the animating objective of my ardor...