UT--Austin: Optional There may be personal information that you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credenti..

UT—Austin: Required The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to y..

Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or musical artists. (300 characters) 285-character version: Star Wars (except for one minor flaw... What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (300 characters) 140-character version: Best Eleven (Soccer Magazine); Fortune (Ma..

Northwestern: If you have done any research or independent study outside of school, please include an abstract or summary of your work. Tufts: Celebrate your nerdy side? (5000 characters) 429-word version: Northwestern & Tufts Finding Mutations of the Bak Gene in Human Colorectal Canc..

Columbia: Please tell us what you found meaningful about one of the above mentioned books, publications or cultural events. (1500 characters) 1499-character version: Columbia I personally prefer reading biographies over novels for I believe identifying with real-life lessons and experiences is..

Barnard College: Alumna and writer Anna Quindlen says that she “majored in unafraid” at Barnard. Tell us about a time when you majored in unafraid. (1000 characters) 998-character version: Barnard College Being a new student in school is like being an exotic animal. Local students..