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.)
1. 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.
2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
5. 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.
638-word version
Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child, at least in the neck of my neighborhood, that is, on every aspect of dinosaurs...
U Wisconsin: Additional Statement
Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. If applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.
616-word version
...Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child on every aspect of dinosaurs...
UCLA: 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. (500 words)
525-word version
Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child, at least in my neighborhood, that is, on every aspect of dinosaurs...
NYU: NYU's global network of campuses, schools, colleges, and programs, provides an unrivaled urban university experience to cultivate our students' intellectual curiosity and to help them achieve their future career goals.
In evaluating your candidacy for admission, we are interested in making the best match possible with all that NYU has to offer. As a result, we are curious to learn about your academic and personal interests and how those interests relate to what we offer in the idea capitals of the world in which NYU campuses are located. Please address, in your essay response, the following:
1. Given your NYU campuses of interest - whether they are your primary and alternate home campuses of interest or where you would like to study away while you are a student - where, exactly, would you like to study at NYU - and why?
2. Whether you are undecided or you have a definitive plan of study in mind, what are your academic interests and how do you plan to explore them at NYU?
You may have one or many campuses, schools, colleges, programs, and/or areas of interest, so please elaborate on your interests. (500 words)
500-word version
...Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child, at least in my neighborhood, that is, on every aspect of dinosaurs...
UIUC: Explain your interest in the major you selected. You may describe a related experience you’ve had to that area of study and/or your future career goals. Please limit your response to approximately 300 words.
366-word version
...Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child on every aspect of dinosaurs...
U Michigan-Flint: The student essay is optional for admission but helpful for those students who marginally meet the admission criteria. The essay should include, but is not limited to, discussion of your academic potential, work ethic, integrity, or how your UM-Flint education will assist you in obtaining future career goals and benefit society. (Limit: 2000 characters)
317-word version
...Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child on every aspect of dinosaurs...
Emory Oxford: Imagine you are a professor, charged with teaching a new course. Emory University offers over 1,000 courses in a wide range of academic subjects. You are free to choose whatever subject you want. What class would you create? What would you hope students would leave your class having learned? (Don’t forget to include your class title!) (250 word limit)
250-word version
Ever since I was little, I may not have been the most adept child in memorizing the multiplication table, but I may very well have been the most learned child on every aspect of dinosaurs...