150-word version:
When I was much younger, I had always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions...

 

- A good story starts with a good beginning. Get us hooked in the first 150 words.
- Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, described education as “the art of helping young people to completeness.” How are you incomplete?
- Notre Dame students are encouraged to learn through discovery by interacting with the world around them. Describe your ideal intellectual field trip.
- Initiate an in-person conversation with someone whom you've never met but who you think might be interesting. What did you learn about that person or yourself?

 

200-word version:
When I was much younger, I had always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions... But now that I have reread the series, I realize that conventions are not a fail-proof manual for an endeavor...

 

 

250-word version:
When I was much younger, I had always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions... But now that I have reread the series, I realize that conventions are not a fail-proof manual for an endeavor but rather a mere counsel for an undertaking...

 

UM (U of Michigan—Ann Arbor): Essay #1 (Required for all applicants. Approximately 250 words)
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.

 

250-word version:
When I was much younger, I belonged to a Confucian community that always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions... But now that I have reread the series, I realize that conventions are not a fail-proof manual for an endeavor but rather a mere counsel for an undertaking...

 

 

 

 

250-word version:
When I was much younger, I had always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions, or the certain inviolable aspects of the verity that were represented in just those conventions... But now that I have reread the series, I realize that conventions are not a fail-proof manual for an endeavor but rather a mere counsel for an undertaking...

 

258-word version:
When I was much younger, I had always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions, or the certain inviolable aspects of the verity that were represented in just those conventions in terms of ethics... But now that I have reread the series, I realize that conventions are not a fail-proof manual for an endeavor but rather a mere counsel for an undertaking...

 

270-word version:
When I was much younger, ...I had always thought along the lines of the verity of conventions, or the certain inviolable aspects of the verity that were represented in just those conventions in terms of ethics... But now that I have reread the series, I realize that conventions are not a fail-proof manual for an endeavor but rather a mere counsel for an undertaking...