CMU: Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon and your particular major(s), department(s) or program(s). This essay should include the reasons why you`ve chosen the major(s), any goals or relevant work plans and any other information you would like us to know. If you are applying to more than one college or program, please mention each college or program you are applying to. Because our admission committees review applicants by college and programs, your essay can impact our final decision. Please do not exceed one page for this essay.

545-word version
...To this end, I am certain MCS is just perfect for me. As it is one of the only few select colleges that allows its students to chart their own academic inquiries according to their unique interests with “more than 30 degree programs, tracks and minors,” I could not but help apply since I have always dreamed of college as a place to study areas of my particular interests...

Northwestern: Type your name, birth date, and email address on each sheet. Note which item you are addressing at the beginning of each statement.
Northwestern Statement (required): What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?

508-word versions

Northwestern Statement

Watching the 2012 London Olympics in excitement, I realized a vague affinity between me and the athletes. Each athlete must have worked so hard to reach for her own “gold medal,” often going over and beyond her limit...

UW-Madison: 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.

498-word version
...To this end, I am certain L&S of UW is just perfect for me. As L&S is one of the few select public colleges that offer “Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Biology,” I was thrilled to apply with the unwavering conviction that only in the Center for Biology Education can I realize my dream of becoming a research biologist...

Cornell: On a separate sheet of paper, please respond to the essay question below (maximum of 500 words) that corresponds to the undergraduate college(s) or school(s) to which you are applying. Be sure to include your full legal name exactly as it appears on passports or other official documents and date of birth, and attach the page to the back of this form. If you are utilizing the Primary/Alternate admission option, you must complete an essay for both colleges/schools; please complete the essays that correspond to your primary and alternate choices.

College Interest Essays
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: How have your interests and related experiences influenced the major you have selected in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences?
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning: How does the major you would like to study in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning match your intellectual, academic, and career interests? Discuss any activities you have engaged in that are relevant to your chosen major.
College of Arts and Sciences: Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.
College of Engineering: Tell us about an engineering idea you have, or about your interest in engineering. Describe how your ideas and interests may be realized by - and linked to - specific resources within the College of Engineering. Finally, explain what a Cornell Engineering education will enable you to accomplish.
School of Hotel Administration: What work and non-work experiences, academic interests, and career goals influenced your decision to study hospitality management? How will these contribute to your success at the School of Hotel Administration?
College of Human Ecology: What do you value about the College of Human Ecology perspective and the majors that interest you, as you consider your academic goals and plans for the future?
School of Industrial and Labor Relations: Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting. In your essay please address how the ILR curriculum will help you fulfill these interests and your long-term goals.

492-word version
Watching the 2012 London Olympics in excitement, I realized a vague affinity between me and the athletes. Each athlete must have worked so hard to reach for her own “gold medal,” often going over and beyond her limit...

UM-Ann Arbor: 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? (500 words maximum)

489-word version
...To this end, I am certain Ann Arbor is just perfect for me. As Ann Arbor is one of the few select colleges that offer such a hands-on program in biology as UMBS, I was thrilled to apply with the unwavering conviction that only in Ann Arbor can I realize my dream of becoming a research biologist for I know that the Biological Station is certain to be a more than rewarding place...

Wellesley: Please limit your response to two well-developed paragraphs and no more than 400 words.
When choosing a college, you are choosing an intellectual community and a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. To this end, the Board of Admission is interested in knowing your reasons for applying to Wellesley College and how Wellesley will help you to realize your personal and academic goals.

400-word version
Just before summer ended, I volunteered for the National Park Service in Korea to do my part in protecting the environment, convinced that I was getting a step closer to preserving the ecology...