*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

There are three options for satisfying Amherst’s supplementary writing requirement for the first-year application: Option A, Option B or Option C. Applicants may elect only one of those options. Before deciding, you should carefully read the descriptions of all three options (including specific conditions associated with Option B and Option C) to determine which is most appropriate for you.

Option A: Choose one of the following quotations, and respond to the question posed, in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

“Hope and curiosity — these are qualities that are the foundation of what Amherst College means, of everything that we do here. Curiosity is at the core of a liberal arts education — a spirit of inquiry that shapes not only what our students do in the classroom, but also how they learn from and about each other.” — Michael A. Elliott, 20th President of Amherst College, address at Amherst College’s 203rd Commencement

Prompt 1 Question: What does curiosity mean to you? How do you experience curiosity in your own life?

“We seek an Amherst made stronger because it includes those whose experiences can enhance our understanding of our nation and our world. We do so in the faith that our humanity is an identity forged from diversity, and that our different perspectives enrich our inquiry, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our community, and prepare students to engage with an ever-changing world.” — from the Trustee Statement on Diversity and Community

Prompt 2 Question: In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?

“We are working together to build a community that makes room for both true disagreement and true connection, one that practices the kind of recognition and robust negotiation that the everyday life of democracy requires, and one that explicitly prepares our students to work for the greater good in their professional and personal endeavors.” — Presidential Priorities: Serving the Greater Good

Prompt 3 Question: Tell us about a time that you engaged with a viewpoint different from your own. How did you enter that engagement, and what did you learn about yourself from it?

Option B: Please submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. If you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the “essay topic of your choice” prompt in the Common Application writing section, you should NOT select Option B.

Option C: If you are/were an applicant to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A application essay in satisfaction of our Writing Supplement requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. However, if you would prefer not to use your A2A essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either Option A or Option B. Option A, Prompt 2 is the same prompt as the A2A application essay; if you would like to submit an updated version of your A2A application essay, please choose Option A. [Please note that Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst’s A2A program. Non-A2A applicants must choose either Option A or Option B.]

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No Change from 2024-2025

The Babson education prepares students for all types of careers across business, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and more. Tell us about your interest in this area of study and in Babson specifically. (500 words maximum)

We invite you to submit your answer in either essay OR video format. If you choose to submit a video, please limit your response to a 1-minute videoareers across business, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and more. Tell us about your interest in this area of study and in Babson specifically.

A defining element of the Babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to: (1) your commitment to promoting access, connection, or understanding across differences; and/or (2) how you will contribute to and learn from Babson’s collaborative community. (250 words maximum)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

In addition to the personal essay which you will submit through the Common Application or QuestBridge, Barnard asks first-year applicants to respond to an institution-specific short answer question. Your response to this question, in conjunction with the other components to your application, will help the Admissions Committee gain a deeper understanding of you.

Required: Rooted in a history of trailblazing women, Barnard College is a collaborative community of care shaped by bold women with a multitude of perspectives. Choose one woman— historical, fictional, contemporary, or personally significant— whose views differ from your own. Imagine a conversation with her. What would you discuss? How might her perspective challenge or shift your own? Share how this new mindset could influence your approach to learning and engagement both in and beyond the classroom at Barnard. (200-250 words).

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (450 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

We would like to get a better sense of you. Please respond to one of the first four prompts below (400 word limit). Students applying to the Human Centered Engineering major should respond to Prompt #5 instead.

Strong communities are sustained by traditions. Boston College’s annual calendar is marked with both long-standing and newer traditions that help shape our community. Tell us about a meaningful tradition in your family or community. Why is it important to you, and how does it bring people together or strengthen the bonds of those who participate?
The late BC theology professor, Father Michael Himes, argued that a university is not a place to which you go, but instead, a “rigorous and sustained conversation about the great questions of human existence, among the widest possible circle of the best possible conversation partners.” Who has been your most meaningful conversation partner, and what profound questions have you considered together?
In her July 2009 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?
Boston College’s Jesuit mission highlights “the three Be’s”: be attentive, be reflective, be loving – core to Jesuit education (see A Pocket Guide to Jesuit Education). If you could add a fourth “Be,” what would it be and why? How would this new value support your personal development and enrich the BC community?
Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Essay

Boston University is dedicated to our founding principles: “that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity in its tradition and standards of excellence and its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world.” With this mission in mind, please respond to one of the following two questions in 300 words or less:

Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?
or
What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?*

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

This optional essay (max 250 words) is available in the Bowdoin Supplement. Based on The Offer of the College, which represents Bowdoin’s values, you have the option to reflect on any line of The Offer and how it has meaning to you:

Generations of students have found connection and meaning in Bowdoin’s “The Offer of the College,” written in 1906 by Bowdoin President William DeWitt Hyde.

To be at home in all lands and all ages;
To count Nature a familiar acquaintance, and Art an intimate friend;
To gain a standard for the appreciation of others’ work
And the criticism of your own;
To carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket,
And feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake;
To make hosts of friends…who are to be leaders in all walks of life;
To lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends –
This is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life.

Which line from The Offer resonates most with you?

Navigating through Differences Essay

This optional essay (max 250 words) is available in the Bowdoin Supplement. The essay question reads as follows:

Bowdoin believes that its broadly diverse and inclusive campus community prepares graduates to be contributing and useful citizens of the world. Every graduate of this institution should be confident in their preparation to be able to navigate through differences and in all sorts of situations. A Bowdoin education does not guarantee these skills, but it does impart a set of tools necessary to bravely enter unfamiliar conditions with the confidence to deal effectively with ambiguity.

If you wish, you may share anything about the unique experiences and perspectives that you would bring with you to the Bowdoin campus and community or an experience you have had that required you to navigate across or through difference.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Three essays are required for all first-year and transfer applicants:

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)
Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)
Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

First-year applicants are also asked to reflect briefly on each of the very short answer questions below. We expect that answers will range from a few words to a few sentences at most.

- What three words best describe you? (3 words)
- If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)
- In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Transfer students are also asked to complete the following very short answer question:

What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

Essay questions for PLME Applicants:

Two essays are required for applicants to the PLME in addition to the three essays required of all first-year applicants:

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. Explain your personal motivation to pursue a career in medicine, and why the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) will best meet your professional and personal goals. (500 words)
Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology, and more.
Please respond to one of the following prompts (250 words):
1. How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact?
2. How has your personal background uniquely shaped your perspective on the field of medicine?

Essay question for Brown | RISD Dual Degree Applicants:

One essay is required for applicants to the Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program in addition to the three essays required of all first-year applicants:

The Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry. The culmination of students’ five-year program is a capstone presentation that relates and integrates content, approaches, and methods from two distinct learning experiences. Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD’s experimental, immersive art and design program and Brown’s wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. Reflect on how you might integrate or synthesize content, approaches, and methods from these two distinct learning experiences. Additionally, how might you contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work? (650 word limit)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Bryn Mawr students bring their authentic selves to campus. What do you know about yourself to be true—and what in your background or experience led you to that truth? (250-500 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

For International Students Only
What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University? (250 words max.)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Please explain your interest in your first-choice major/undecided status and your second-choice major (should you opt to list one) and why you would choose Bucknell University to pursue your interest(s). (250 words maximum).*

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Required STEM Academic Interest Question

Your STEM Future – STEM Academic Interests

Caltech has a rigorous core curriculum and students don’t declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore.

If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose?*Note that you are under no obligation to follow this choice if admitted.

Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Required Short Essay Questions

Your STEM Present – STEM Curiosity

Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (Min: 50 / Max: 150 words)

Your STEM Past – STEM Experiences

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.

Select one of the following two STEM Experience prompts to respond to:

Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or for a particular STEM topic, and how you have pursued or developed your interest or passion over the last few years. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)
Tell us about a meaningful STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Creativity in Action Question

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also innovate in smaller-scale ways everyday, from imagining new ways to design solar cells or how to 3D-print dorm decor, to cooking up new recipes in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Required Short Answer Questions

Now it’s time for a little fun! Choose two of the four questions below and answer both in 250 words or less.

What is an interest or hobby you do for fun, and why does it bring you joy?
If you could teach a class on any topic or concept, what would it be and why?
What is a core piece of your identity or being that shapes how you view and/or interact with the world?
What is a concept that blew your mind or baffled you when you first encountered it? (Two Essay Boxes, each with Min:1 Max: 249 words)

Optional Academic Short Answer Question

OPTIONAL: Have you had any extenuating circumstances (such as limited course selection or disruptions), that have affected your coursework, but that are not described elsewhere in your application? If so, tell us about them here.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Think about someone you connect with who’s different from you. What do you find most meaningful about your interactions with them?(300 word limit)
Anything missing? Do you want to share more with us? If so, use this space to fill any gaps you think would assist us in reviewing your application. (Optional, no more than 250 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study?
(300 word maximum)

Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience?
(300 word maximum)

Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please).(300 word maximum)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

The CMC admission office would like to know a bit more about you and how you see yourself connecting with our campus as a student. The following are required supplemental essay prompts:

A critical part of fulfilling our mission is living out the commitments of CMC’s Open Academy: Freedom of Expression, Viewpoint Diversity, and Constructive Dialogue. We want to learn more about your commitment to listening and learning from others with different viewpoints, perspectives, and life experiences from your own.
Describe a time when engaging with someone about a specific topic resulted in you changing your attitude, belief, or behavior, or you changed the belief or behavior of someone else. What was the change that occurred for you, and what facilitated that change? What did you learn from that experience, and how has it informed how you engage with others?

Optional Video Response

After submitting your application, you will receive instructions by email from the CMC Admission Office on how to submit an optional two-minute video.

Collaboration involves working with people towards a common goal or project. It is a challenging skill that develops with time and experience. We want to learn more about the challenges you have encountered with collaboration. Tell us about when a collaborative effort you were involved in was challenging or even failed. What did your experience teach you about collaboration, and share how it has informed your leadership style?

An important part of Claremont McKenna College’s mission is preparing students for responsible leadership. How do you define “responsible leadership,” and how have you demonstrated responsible leadership in your family, community, or school?

At CMC, we promote the understanding of public policy issues as it makes our students and alumni more effective leaders in their respective career fields. What is a public policy issue (whether locally, nationally, or globally) that you feel passionately about, and how do you hope to address it either in the present or the future? How can CMC assist you with addressing the issue?

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is the heart of intellectual and social engagement at Claremont McKenna College, bringing students, faculty, and staff closer together through active discussion on a daily basis. If you could invite someone to speak at the Athenaeum, who would they be, what questions would you ask them, or what topic would you want to discuss with them at the Athenaeum dinner?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Clemson Honors Prompts

Essay 1 (650 word limit, Required)
Tell us about your academic interests and professional goals (to the extent that you have identified them at this point). What experiences, talents, accomplishments, and/or characteristics inspired and contributed to these goals? What avenues have you explored to learn more about this or to gain experience in this area to date? [Note: This is your opportunity to tell us who you are as a thinker. Please focus your essay on you, your experiences, and your ideas, not on what the Honors College or Clemson offers.]

Essay 2 (650 word limit, Required)
The second essay is based on your response to one of the Common Application essay prompts.

If you have already written a response to one of these prompts in your Common Application, that response is considered your second Honors application essay. If one is not on file, you are required to submit a response to one of the seven prompts.

Essay 3 (650 word limit, Optional)
Please use this space to share any special circumstances affecting your application that warrant consideration by the selection committee.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Applicants can choose to respond to any or all of the prompts.

Prompt 1:

On Colgate’s campus, students engage with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, and perspectives during the course of their educational and social experiences. In 250 words or less, please share the benefits you see in engaging with a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff as part of your Colgate experience.

Prompt 2:

Colgate students immerse themselves in social and intellectual pursuits that inspire them. Tell us in 250 words or less what inspires you and why you want to pursue that at Colgate.

Prompt 3:

Please complete the following so we can learn a bit more about you. Each response should be no more than 13 words.

I am fascinated by…

My favorite book, movie, or television show is…

The person I admire most is…

In the future, I hope to …

One historical figure I would like to meet is…

My favorite food is…

One thing I would change is…

My favorite place is…

I am the best version of myself when…

Something that has changed my perspective is…

I am seeking a community that…

My favorite family/community/cultural tradition is…

I am drawn to Colgate University because…

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

One of the benefits of Colorado College’s Block Plan is the opportunity to immerse yourself fully in a single subject for 3.5 weeks. We see this as the luxury of focus — the joy and value of directing your full attention to one thing. Tell us about a time when you experienced this kind of deep focus in an academic or extracurricular setting. What were you doing and how did it turn out?

Optional: If you’d like to share the outcome — a project, performance, paper, or other result — you may upload a document or provide a URL.

Your response will be limited to 300 words.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

For the list question that follows, there is a 100 word maximum. Please refer to the below guidance when answering this question:

Your response should be a list of items separated by commas or semicolons.
Items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order.
It is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications.
No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.

Questions

List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy. (100 words or fewer) Tell us about an aspect of your life so far or your lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s multidimensional and collaborative environment. (150 words or fewer)

Tell us about an aspect of your life so far or your lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s multidimensional and collaborative environment. (150 words or fewer)

At Columbia, students representing a wide range of perspectives are invited to live and learn together. In such a community, questions and debates naturally arise. Please describe a time when you did not agree with someone and discuss how you engaged with them and what you took away from the interaction. (150 words or fewer)

In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not anticipate. Please describe a situation in which you have navigated through adversity and discuss how you changed as a result. (150 words or fewer)

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words or fewer)

What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? (150 words or fewer)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. This community example can be drawn from your family, school, workplace, activities or interests, or any other group you belong to. (350 word limit)

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Required: Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500 word limit)

Optional Short-Answer Responses:
The optional short-answer questions invite you to share additional information about your background, interests, and experiences as they relate to aspects of the Cornell CALS mission.

Optional Question #1: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100 word limit)

Optional Question #2: Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. An “agricultural entity” for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.)

Select all that apply:

A primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity.
My extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity.
I have experience working in an agricultural entity.
I have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity.

Please feel free to share additional details (optional). (100-word limit)

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)

College of Arts & Sciences

At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 word limit)

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Why are you interested in studying policy, and why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals have influenced your choice of policy major.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 word limit)

College of Engineering

Instructions: All engineering applicants are required to write two long essays and four short essays.

Long Essay Responses (200 word limit)

Question 1: Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?
Question 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?

Short Answer Responses (100 word limit)

Question 1: What brings you joy?

Question 2: What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?

Question 3: What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.

Question 4: What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you.

College of Human Ecology

Identify a challenge in your greater community or in the career/industry in which you are interested. Share how the CHE education, your CHE major of choice, as well as the breadth of CHE majors, will help you address that challenge. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.) (Max word count: 600)

School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 word limit)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write brief responses to three supplemental essay prompts as follows:

Required of all applicants. Please respond in 100 words or fewer:
As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2030, what aspects of the college’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you?
Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
1. There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.
2. “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.
Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
1. What excites you?
2. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you already making—an impact? Why? How?
3. In an Instagram post, best-selling British author Matt Haig cheered the impact of reading. “A good novel is the best invention humans have ever created for imagining other lives,” he wrote. How have you experienced such insight from reading? What did you read and how did it alter the way you understand yourself and others?
4. The social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees have been the focus of Dame Jane Goodall’s research for decades. Her understanding of animal behavior prompted the English primatologist to see a lesson for human communities as well: “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” Channel Dame Goodall: Tell us about a moment when you engaged in a difficult conversation or encountered someone with an opinion or perspective that was different from your own. How did you find common ground?
5. Celebrate your nerdy side.
6. “It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity, outlook, or sense of purpose?
7. The Mindy Kaling Theater Lab will be an exciting new addition to Dartmouth’s Hopkins Center for the Arts. “It’s a place where you can fail,” the actor/producer and Dartmouth alumna said when her gift was announced. “You can try things out, fail, and then revamp and rework things… A thing can be bad on its journey to becoming good.” Share a story of failure, trial runs, revamping, reworking, or journeying from bad to good.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Personal Statement

The personal statement is a space to share your voice and to help us better understand you as a person. We encourage you to explore a topic that is authentic to you and reveals something that doesn’t already come through elsewhere in the application. Above all, stay true to yourself and your experiences. (250-650 word limit)

Supplemental Questions

Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why. Examples may include hobbies, books, interactions, music, podcasts, movies, etc. (250-300 word limit)

There are just under 4,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College? (250-300 word limit)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

SHORT-ESSAY PROMPTS

The following question is required for all 2025-26 applicants to Duke University:

What is your impression of Duke as a university and community, and why do you believe it is a good match for your goals, values, and interests? If there is something specific that attracts you to our academic offerings in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering, or to our co-curricular opportunities, feel free to include that too. (250 word limit)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. We invite you to answer one of the four if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already addressed elsewhere in your application. (250 word limit)

We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Please share anything in this context that might help us better understand you and your potential contributions to Duke.

Meaningful dialogue often involves respectful disagreement. Provide an example of a difference of opinion you’ve had with someone you care about. What did you learn from it?

What’s the last thing that you’ve been really excited about?

Duke recently launched an initiative “to bring together Duke experts across all disciplines who are advancing AI research, addressing the most pressing ethical challenges posed by AI, and shaping the future of AI in the classroom.” Tell us about a situation when you would or would not choose to use AI (when possible and permitted). What shapes your thinking?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

What aspect of your identity do you find most meaningful, and why? (200 words max)
Name three songs from your perfect playlist.
Tell us your top 5. Take this opportunity to let Elon Admissions know more about you. Your top 5 should be something unique to you and will give us a glimpse of who you are. Be creative! You may choose any theme for your top 5. Do you love cooking? List your top 5 recipes. Are you enthusiastic about anime? Name your top 5 characters. Do you watch or participate in a lot of athletic events? Name your top 5 moments.
Explain why these are your top 5. (150 words max)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Academic Interests

This question is required. (150 Words Recommended Length)

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

Getting to Know You

In addition, answer one of the following questions. (150 Words)

Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.
Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
Emory University’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity.
In a scholarly community, differing ideas often collide before they converge. How do you personally navigate disagreement in a way that promotes progress and deepens meaningful dialogue?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Short Response

Your choice of one of four short response questions (300 words max) is meant to help you reflect on your personal growth and community impact. How will you continue to grow and impact our communities at Fordham and in New York City?

A. At Fordham, we expect students to care for and engage with their communities and be active citizens for positive change. Please share an experience you had that caused you to develop a new perspective, change your point of view, and/or empower you to take an action or be courageous. Your response should include examples of your personal growth (e.g., what did you learn, did your point of view change, did you develop new skills or strengths?).
B. Fordham, as a Jesuit university, recognizes the dignity, uniqueness and potential of each person. A Fordham education is student-centered and rooted in close collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Describe how you would contribute to our campus community as an actively engaged learner and leader. Specifically draw on your personal story, identity, experiences, strengths, and perspectives.
C. Our motto is “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school.” New York City is a diverse and global city that provides Fordham students with a special kind of educational experience, full of both challenge and opportunity. What has prepared you to embrace the unique opportunity of living and learning in New York City?
D. Is there something that you are proud of that you would like to share with the Admission Committee?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

What is your motivation for pursuing higher education? Why do you believe George Mason University is the right institution for you? (400 words)

*If you are applying as score optional, your response is required.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Supplemental (Optional) Essay

Every applicant can choose from one of the following two essay prompts to submit. (500 words)

CHOICE #1: At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why?

CHOICE #2: The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Short Essay
Approximately one-half page, single-spaced

ALL APPLICANTS: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Essay One
Approximately one page, single-spaced

ALL APPLICANTS: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief personal or creative essay which you feel best describes you and reflects on your own background, identity, skills, and talents.

Essay Two
Approximately one page, single-spaced

ALL APPLICANTS: (Special Talents) Please elaborate on any special skills or talents you would like to highlight. (250 words)

APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES: Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major.

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University.

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH:Georgetown University’s School of Health was founded to advance the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through innovative research, the delivery of interdisciplinary education, and transformative engagement of communities. Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science.

APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE: Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future in global service.

APPLICANTS TO THE MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University.

APPLICANTS TO THE MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY: For nearly 50 years, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy has equipped leaders and changemakers with the interdisciplinary skills to address local, national and global policy problems. Undergraduate public policy students at Georgetown will have the unique opportunity to live and study on two campuses, spending their first two years immersed on the Hilltop, before completing the second half of their time at Georgetown on the Capitol Campus, immersed in the policy world. Describe your primary motivations for studying public policy at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future related to public service.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Essay Prompt 1
Why do you want to study your chosen major, and why do you want to study that major at Georgia Tech? (300 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? (150 words)
Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience? (150 words)
Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (150 words)
How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? (150 words)
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. (150 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No Change from 2024-2025

Required Additional Writing. An additional essay and short answer response is required.

Many students choose HMC because they don’t want to give up their interests in the Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts – or HSA as we call it at HMC. Briefly describe what you’d like to learn about in your dream HSA class. (100 words or less)

Harvey Mudd College seeks to educate engineers, scientists, and mathematicians well versed in all of these areas and in the humanities, social sciences and the arts so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society. – HMC Mission Statement

“Scientific research is a human endeavor. The choices of topics that we research are based on our biases, our beliefs, and what we bring: our cultures and our families. The kinds of problems that people put their talents to solving depends on their values.” – Dr. Clifton Poodry

HMC’s collaborative community is guided by our mission statement. Through an intentional interdisciplinary curriculum our students seek to build a skillset adaptable to society’s needs. How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve, the people you want to work with, and the impact you hope your work can have? (500 words or less)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Please give us a better sense of what you are looking for in your college experience by answering the following questions:

We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the Haverford community. What are some of the values you seek in your next community? How do Haverford’s values, as demonstrated through our Honor Code, resonate with you?As you think about how to answer this question, you might draw from how you have been influenced by other communities you have been a part of, experiences you may have had within your communities, or opportunities you have had to shape or even change your communities. (Please limit your response to 150-200 words.)

Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you hope to engage with this topic or issue at Haverford? (Please limit your response to 150-200 words.)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

If there is something important we should know about you, this is the place to talk about it. You have up to 650 words to share anything you would like to tell us.

Honors College

As part of the application process, applicants must respond to two short essay prompts. These essays are an opportunity for you to share how Honors education can align with your plans.

Responses must be between 900 and 1,400 characters. We will evaluate your essays for responsiveness to the prompt, originality, specificity, and writing quality.

Essay Prompts

What does your ideal college experience look like? In what ways do you hope the JMU Honors College will help you achieve that vision?
Of the values listed below, which one matters most to you. Why?
1. Achievement
2. Adventure
3. Ambition
4. Balance
5. Collaboration
6. Community
7. Competence
8. Competition
9. Confidence
10. Creativity
11. Curiosity
12. Diligence
13. Diversity
14. Enjoyment
15. Excellence
16. Fairness
17. Faith
18. Flexibility
19. Freedom
20. Gratitude
21. Growth
22. Honesty
23. Hope
24. Humility
25. Independence
26. Integrity
27. Kindness
28. Knowledge
29. Love
30. Loyalty
31. Openness
32. Optimism
33. Patience
34. Peace
35. Play
36. Power
37. Recognition
38. Relationship
39. Respect
40. Security
41. Service
42. Stability
43. Trust
44. Wealth

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

How has your life experience contributed to your personal story—your character, values, perspectives, or skills—and what you want to pursue at Hopkins? (350 word limit)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Why Lafayette?
Required supplemental essay. Length: 20-200 words. Students identify Lafayette as an excellent fit for countless reasons. In your response, be deliberate and specific about your motivation for applying to Lafayette. Why do you see yourself at Lafayette?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

In 250-600 words, please write an essay in which you answer one of the three prompts below. Please be sure to select the prompt you would like to respond to.

You enter a room with everyone you’ve ever met in your life. Who do you look for and why?

Describe an instance when a belief or idea you held was challenged. Explain why you either changed your mind or not and the effect(s) it had or could have moving forward.

Lake Forest College is a setting where students from many different types of communities intersect. Choose one community that you identify with and describe the role it has played in your life so far.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (200 words max)
At Lehigh, we believe in pausing to celebrate the good—meaningful moments that bring joy, pride or motivation. What’s something great happening in your life right now? It could be an accomplishment, a personal win (big or small) or something you’re genuinely excited about. If it matters to you, we’d love to hear about it. (Max 200 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Share with us why you are interested in LMU and/or why you chose your specific area of study or major. (500 words max.)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

Macalester is one of a few highly selective liberal arts colleges located in the middle of a metropolitan area. Students benefit from the strong sense of community on campus and opportunities to engage in academic, social, and civic engagement options in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In what ways might Macalester’s urban location enhance your academic, social, and/or community experiences? (300 words max.)

“Four values permeate Macalester’s mission and purpose: academic distinction, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society. Guided by this mission, Macalester is a learning environment that affirms different identities and experiences and prepares graduates to work toward a more just and peaceful world. In what ways do your lived experiences, perspectives, or hopes for your college education connect with Macalester’s mission/learning environment?”

For the 2025–2026 application, these are the short answer essay questions:

What field of study appeals to you the most right now? (Note: Applicants select from a drop-down list.) Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you.
We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.
While some reach their goals following well-trodden paths, others blaze their own trails achieving the unexpected. In what ways have you done something different than what was expected in your educational journey?
MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together.
How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it?

Depending on the question, they are looking for responses of approximately 100–200 words each. There is also one final, open-ended, additional-information text box where you can tell them anything else you think they really ought to know.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

We are looking for students who want to be bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager for you to tell us how your experiences have helped you understand what qualities and efforts are needed to bridge divides so that people can better learn and work together.

Please consider one or more of the following questions in your essay:

Tell us about a time you encountered a perspective different from your own. What did you learn—about yourself, the other person, or the world?

Tell us about an experience you’ve had working with others who have different backgrounds or perspectives. What challenges did your group face? Did you overcome them, and if so, how? What role did you try to play in helping people to work together, and what did you learn from your efforts?
Tell us about someone you’ve observed who does a particularly good job helping people think or work together. How does this person set the stage for common exploration or work? How do they react when difficulties or dissensions arise?

*2025-2026 No Supplemental Essays

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

The following question is required for all Common Application and Coalition with Scoir applicants (optional for QuestBridge applicants). Please respond in 300 words or fewer:

We want to be sure we’re considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?

The following questions are optional, but we encourage you to answer at least one and no more than two. Please respond in fewer than 200 words per question:

Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?

Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.

Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?

Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Why are you applying to Occidental? Why do you think Occidental is the right place for you to pursue your interests? (maximum 250 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

Penn State does not require a Personal Statement for your application to be considered complete. However, If you wrote a Personal Essay in your Common App profile and choose to include it in your application, your Personal Essay will be sent to Penn State once you submit your application.

Schreyer Honors College Application Requirements

In addition to the standard Penn State application, all applicants to the Schreyer Honors College are required to submit responses to all (one essay and nine short-answer) questions about your leadership experiences, academic honors, etc. The questions below are required as part of a complete application. The essay response has a maximum word count of 800 words.

Essay Question

If you had 20 minutes to pitch a transformational idea (an idea that affects or would influence a significant percentage of the populace), what would you pitch and why? Explain your thought process. Are there similar solutions already established and how might your idea enhance those solutions? How would this idea change the current state of things? How would you leverage your personal experiences and professional goals to make this idea a reality?

Short Answer Questions

One of the Schreyer Honors College values is Empowered Growth. What values, beliefs or experiences have empowered you to grow intellectually and/or personally?
If you were able to go anywhere in the world, outside of the country you currently reside, where would you go and why?
List your extracurricular activities over the last four years. This can include school and non-school activities. Please include any leadership roles you have had.
Tell us about your most significant leadership experience and why leadership is important to you. This could include community roles, family contributions, research, clubs and organizations, etc. Describe challenges you’ve faced and successes you’ve had in these roles.
List awards or other recognitions (if any) you have received in or outside of school over the last four years.
Reflecting on the recognitions listed above, which one stands out as having an impact on your outlook and why?
Tell us about a book or other media that has made you think about something in a new way.
Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups, including shared geography, faith, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities or groups to which you belong and describe how it has influenced your life over the last four years.
Please use this space to share information you would like us to consider that has not been discussed elsewhere in your application (this is optional).

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Pepperdine is a Christian university where all are welcomed and encouraged to challenge each other in the pursuit of truth. Students, faculty, and staff members from all backgrounds participate in conversations of faith inside and outside of the classroom. Considering that Pepperdine is a Christian university, why are you interested in attending and how would you contribute to conversations of faith on campus?(500 words max)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Choose from one of three prompts and write a maximum of 650 words:

At Pitzer, five core values distinguish our approach to education: social responsibility, intercultural understanding, interdisciplinary learning, student engagement, and environmental sustainability. As agents of change, our students utilize these values to create solutions to our world’s challenges. Please answer only one of the following prompts:

Reflecting on your involvement throughout high school or within the community, how have you engaged with one of Pitzer’s core values?
Describe what you are looking for from your college experience and why Pitzer would be a good fit for you.
Pitzer is known for our students’ intellectual and creative activism. If you could work on a cause that is meaningful to you through a project, artistic, academic, or otherwise artistic or academic, what would you do?

Pitzer also offers an optional essay (up to 250 words) that you can answer via the Common Application:

As a mission-driven institution, we value and celebrate the synergy created by our differences and similarities. We welcome you to write about distinctive aspects of your background, identity, or personal interests that you would bring to Pitzer, and how you plan to engage in our community.

Optional

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Academic Interest Statement: What draws you to the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions or interests. (150 words)

Short-Response Essay: Pomona is home to a diverse community of faculty, staff and students who, through close ties and collaboration, enable each other to identify and explore their greatest passions. Considering this, respond to one of the following: (250 words)

Reflecting on a community that you are a part of, what values or perspectives from that community would you bring to Pomona?
Describe an experience you had outside the classroom that changed the way you think and/or how you engage with your peers. What was that experience and what did you learn from it?
Choose any person or group of people in your life and share how they would describe you.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-25

All Programs (Except Construction Management)

Write about a piece of work (visual art, musical performance, piece of writing, architecture, or design) that has influenced you and describe the impact it has had on your perspective OR write about a piece of your own work and the impact that creating it has had on you. The essay should be 250-500 words or two pages maximum. Make sure your essay is complete before uploading because you will not be able to make changes after you submit your application.

Construction Management Only

Write about a construction project (building, home, stadium, structure, resort, or environment) or a piece of art or design that has inspired you and describe the impact it has had on your decision to study Construction Management. The essay should be 250-500 words or two pages maximum. Make sure your essay is complete before uploading because you will not be able to make changes after you submit your application.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

For B.S.E. Degree Applicants

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Your Voice

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.)
Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?
What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
What brings you joy?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Optional Providence College Essay
Found under the “Additional Questions” section of the Providence College Member Page (within the Common Application), the Optional Providence College essay provides applicants with the opportunity to speak to their specific interest in PC. While completing this statement is optional, we encourage all students to take advantage of the opportunity to explain why they see Providence College as an appropriate match and fit. Should a student choose to complete an optional essay, they select one of the following prompts and limit their response to 250-500 words.

The prompts for the Class of 2030 are:

Providence College thrives on the energy of those who seek. How will you contribute to our vibrant campus life and intellectual culture in the years ahead?
Providence College values each student’s willingness to embrace and learn from different viewpoints. What experiences or perspectives do you believe individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to a community or organization? And how will your unique background positively impact others at Providence College?

Nursing Supplemental Essay

As part of our application review process for prospective nursing students, the Office of Admission invites all applicants to the nursing program to submit an additional supplemental essay. This essay is optional but provides an opportunity for students to elaborate on their interest in a career in nursing and in the Providence College School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The prompt for the Class of 2030 is:

Please share more about the experiences, skills, or talents that have led you to want to become a nurse, and how these will contribute to the community at Providence College and to your career as a nurse.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

All Applicants – Please respond in 250 words or less
Prompt 1: How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?

Prompt 2: Briefly discuss your reasons for choosing your major and your interest in studying at this campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette).

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?(250 words or less)

The general essay/personal statement submitted with your application satisfies RPI’s essay requirements, except for applicants to the following programs:

Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program (BIAM)

State your reasons for aspiring to a career in medicine.

Architecture (ARCH)

State your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession.

Electronic Arts (EART)

Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted.
Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted.

Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS)

State your reasons for choosing the field of games and simulation arts and sciences, making reference to your portfolio if one has been submitted.

Music (MUSC)

Describe your interest in the music major and your goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or completed independent projects.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

The Rice supplement offers you the opportunity to share more about yourself. This is your chance to tell us why you are interested in Rice and what you would like to pursue as a student here. We also want you to elaborate on your experiences and achievements to share what you would bring to our community.

Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected. 150 word limit.
Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you? 150 word limit.
Please respond to one of the following prompts to explore how you will contribute to the Rice community:
1. The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system? 500 word limit.
2. Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice? 500 word limit.

Rice Box

One of Rice’s long-standing traditions is “The Box,” a question on our application where we ask all of our applicants to share an image of something that appeals to them. The Box gives you the opportunity to present us with an image that shares something about yourself, your interests or what is meaningful to you. This image is not used for evaluative purposes in the application, but allows you to put your stamp on the application about who you are aside from what you have achieved. Be sure to choose an image that speaks for itself and does not need an explanation. The Box must be a two-dimensional image that is uploaded in the Common Application or uploaded in the Rice Admission Student Portal.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

At Santa Clara University, we value our diverse and inclusive community. Our campus learning environment is enriched by the lived experiences of people from different backgrounds. What people, places, events, or circumstances have shaped the individual you are today and how you could contribute to our community? (150- 300 words)

At Santa Clara University, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge? (150- 300 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Respond to one of the following four essay prompts:

Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence.
Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions directly with faculty, and then answer them through intensive semester-long projects that frequently inspire a blend of intellectual rigor and creativity. In 250-500 words, tell us about a text, problem, or topic you would love to explore over a semester or a year, and what you would hope to achieve through that work.
Liberal arts and sciences colleges have a long and robust history of providing the educational foundation for the careers of influential politicians, financiers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, CEOs, and more. Many of them cite their liberal arts degree as foundational and transformative for how they took on challenges in the world and for shaping their lives after college. How do you see your upcoming college studies leading to your future career (or careers)?
In today’s rapidly changing world, many social, political, and ethical issues spark intense debate and demand nuanced understanding. Choose a contemporary issue that you find both challenging and urgent—whether it relates to identity, justice, artificial intelligence, environment, or another area—and critically explore your perspective on it. How have your previous experiences, background, and/or values shaped your viewpoint? How do you envision engaging with this issue during your college education and beyond?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Why have you chosen to apply to Scripps College? (200 words)

Choose one of the following (150-300 words):

If you could trade lives with someone (fictional or real) for a day, who would it be and why?
You’ve invented a time machine! When and where is your first destination and why?
You have just been invited to host your own podcast. What will you talk about and why did you select that topic?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit)

SMU is a diverse and welcoming learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

We ask applicants to answer several short questions (limit 50 words each) and to write a short essay on each of the three topics below.

Short Essay Questions

There is a 100-word minimum and a 250-word maximum for each essay.

Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

What aspects of your self-identity or personal background are most significant to you? Reflecting on the elements of your home, school, or other communities that have shaped your life, explain how you have grown in your ability to navigate differences when engaging with others, or demonstrated your ability to collaborate in communities other than your own.

Tell us about a topic that has fascinated you recently – either inside or outside of the classroom. What made you curious about this? Has this topic connected across other areas of your interests? How has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?(750 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Freedom of Expression
Completion of the questions below is optional. TCU values individuality and believes that students are more than just a GPA and test score. To help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. Please upload an essay, poem, work of art or a URL that showcases another side of you.

The prompts below are for applicants using the TCU application.

At TCU, our mission statement is very important to us. “The mission of Texas Christian University, a private comprehensive university, is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and learning offered through the doctoral level.” This is integrated into all aspects of the TCU experience. If you were to write a mission statement about your life, what would it be and how does this mission direct your life and goals?
Tell us about the most significant person, experience, or circumstance which has shaped your life thus far. How has he, she, or it influenced your character? How might you use what you have learned to achieve your goals?
Those we call great will usually point to some failure in their lives as a pivotal moment leading them to their successful path. Tell us about a time in your life in which failure propelled you toward success.
In her best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees, TCU alumna Sue Monk Kidd wrote, “The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” What matters to you?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

The identities you claim, the challenges you face, and the successes you enjoy shape the background for your college experience to come. What is an aspect of your background that you are excited to share and/or explore as a member of the Trinity community and why?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025 (except length of Why Tufts response)

Short Responses

Applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering answer the following two questions:

Complete this sentence in 250 words or less: “I am applying to Tufts because…”
Now we’d like to know a little more about you. Please respond to one of the following three questions. (200-250 words):
- It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity?
- How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?
- Using a specific example or two, tell us about a way that you contributed to building a collaborative and/or inclusive community.

Applicants to the BFA or 5-Year BFA+BA/BS Combined Degree at the SMFA at Tufts answer the following two questions:

Complete this sentence in 250 words or less: “I am applying to Tufts because…”
Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work? (200-250 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted.
This statement should be 250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No Change from 2024-2025

Personal Insight Questions

You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.

Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Things to consider: If there’s a talent or skill that you’re proud of, this is the time to share it. You don’t necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you — just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you’ve faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who are you today?

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family?”

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can’t get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place — like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Things to consider: If there’s anything you want us to know about you, but didn’t find a question or place in the application to tell us, now’s your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Question 1 (Required)

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; Choose one)

ESSAY OPTION 1

In an ideal world where inter-species telepathic communication exists, which species would you choose to have a conversation with, and what would you want to learn from them? Would you ask beavers for architectural advice? Octopuses about cognition? Pigeons about navigation? Ants about governance? Make your case—both for the species and the question.
-Inspired by Yvan Sugira, Class of 2029

ESSAY OPTION 2

If you could uninvent one thing, what would it be — and what would unravel as a result?
-Inspired by Eitan Fischer, Class of 2027

ESSAY OPTION 3

“Left” can mean remaining or departed. “Dust” can mean to add fine particles or to remove them. “Fast” can mean moving quickly or fixed firmly in place. These contronyms—words that are their own antonyms—somehow hold opposing meanings in perfect tension. Explore a contronym: a role, identity, or experience in your life that has contained its own opposite.
-Inspired by Kristin Yi, Class of 2029

ESSAY OPTION 4

The penny is on its way out—too small to matter, too costly to keep. But not everything small should disappear. What’s one object the world is phasing out that you think we can’t afford to lose, and why?
-Ella Somaiya, Class of 2028

ESSAY OPTION 5

From Michelin Tires creating the Michelin Guide, to the audio equipment company Audio-Technica becoming one of the world’s largest manufacturers of sushi robots, brand identity can turn out to be a lot more flexible than we think. Choose an existing brand, company, or institution and propose an unexpected but strangely logical new product or service for them to launch. Why is this unlikely extension exactly what the world (or the brand) needs right now?
-Inspired by Julia Nieberg, Class of 2029

ESSAY OPTION 6

Statistically speaking, ice cream doesn’t cause shark attacks, pet spending doesn’t drive the number of lawyers in California, and margarine consumption isn’t responsible for Maine’s divorce rate—at least, not according to conventional wisdom. But what if the statisticians got it wrong? Choose your favorite spurious correlation and make the case for why it might actually reveal a deeper, causative truth.
-Inspired by Adam DiMascio, Class of 2025

ESSAY OPTION 7

And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Short Answer Question: (This short answer must be a different written responses than what you provided for the Common Application essay)

Required question (250 word limit) – What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don’t know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No Change from 2024-2025

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report). (200-300 words)

2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Major-Specific Prompts

You’ll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you’ll answer will depend on whether you’re applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you’ve selected a second choice. Each response should be approximately 150 words. If you’re applying through Common App, you’ll find our major-specific writing prompts in the “Writing” tab of our supplemental questions after adding us as one of your colleges.

If You’re Applying to a Major:

Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else.
Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

If You’re Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies:

What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why.
What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared):

Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

To tell us more about yourself, please complete the following prompts using only the space provided (650 characters).

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…
The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was…
In addition to my major, my academic interests include…
My favorite thing about last Monday was…
Something you might not know about me is…
Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity (includes but not limited to: racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical and sexual orientation)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Please tell us why you chose the Major(s) you did. (100 words)

Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst? (100 words)

At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike. Our communities and groups often define us and shape our individual worlds. Community can refer to various aspects, including shared geography, religion, race/ethnicity, income, ideology, and more. Please choose one of your communities or groups and describe its significance. Explain how, as a product of this community or group, you would enrich our campus.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No Change from 2024-2025

If applying for Spring or Fall 2026, you will be required to submit a supplemental essay of 250 words or less in response to the following prompt.

Supplemental essay prompt:

Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

As students consider how they will contribute to the University of Michigan campus community and respond to question and essay prompts, they may wish to highlight things that had an impact on them such as: their involvement in clubs, competing as a student-athlete, studying abroad, going on a mission trip, being engaged in debate, participating in the performing or visual arts, having alumni ties to the institution, making a difference in their community, serving in a leadership capacity, being an entrepreneur, and many others.

At the University of Michigan, we are focused on developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. In your essay, share with us how you are prepared to contribute to these goals. This could include the people, places, experiences, or aspirations that have shaped your journey and future plans (required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum).
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 (required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 500 word maximum)?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No Change from 2024-2025

Short answer prompts

We’d like to know how you’d contribute to the Carolina community and ask that you respond to each prompt in up to 250 words.

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.
Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Many students have multiple areas of study that they consider before declaring a major at Notre Dame. We invite you to share up to two additional majors that you are considering. Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed. 100 words

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) required short essay question and three (3) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided.
Please provide a response to the following question. The word count is a maximum of 150 words.

Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.

Please choose three questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be between 50-100 words.

How does faith influence the decisions you make?
What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?
Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?
What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?
What would you fight for?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No Change from 2024-2025

There are two prompts we ask every Penn applicant to complete. Additionally, there is a school-specific prompt based on the undergraduate school or dual-degree program to which you are applying. When answering these prompts, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to that specific undergraduate school. Some of our specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the Penn short answer prompts should address your single-degree or single-school choice.

Prompts for All Applicants

Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, only required for first year applicants)
How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

Transfer Essay (required for all transfer applicants): Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4,150 characters)

Undergraduate School-Specific Short Answer Prompts

The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences.” Considering the undergraduate school you have selected for your single-degree option, please respond to your school-specific prompt below.

Applying to coordinated dual-degree or specialized programs? Please answer this question about your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.

School of Nursing

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science. Why have you decided to apply to Nursing? Where do you see yourself professionally in the future and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare. This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations.

College of Arts and Sciences

The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences.  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations.

The Wharton School

Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues.  Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.  (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the foundations of a Wharton education. This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected. (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology. This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests.

Coordinated Dual-Degree and Specialized Program Essay Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer the program-specific essay below.

DMD: Digital Media Design Program

Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3,575 characters**)

Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

Applicants to the Huntsman Program must choose one of eleven target languages. Please select your target language.

Tell us about your background and interest in the target language you selected. (50-125 words)

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and around the world. What draws you to a dual degree in international studies and business, and how would you use what you learn to address a global issue where these two domains intersect? (400-600 words)

LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management

The Vagelos Life Sciences & Management (LSM) program brings together two powerful modes of understanding—scientific inquiry and strategic thinking—to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and creatively with some of the most complex challenges of our time. Reflecting on this intersection, what questions, problems, or opportunities would you hope to explore through LSM? How might the integration of life sciences and management shape your approach to these challenges?

Your response should go beyond how LSM might advance your career and instead focus on the ideas, values, or issues that animate your interest in the program. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application. (400–650 words)

M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)
Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)

NHCM: Nursing and Healthcare Management

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

Question 1: If you were to join the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER), which science major and which engineering major are most interesting to you at this time? You can learn more about available majors on our website.

Question 2: How do you envision your participation in VIPER furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in the VIPER majors listed above. (400-650 words)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Optional: The personal statement is your opportunity to communicate directly with the Admissions Committee. Applicants are welcome to submit anything that helps tell their story, being mindful and thoughtful about the quantity and quality of information shared. Share information not included elsewhere in your University of Pittsburgh admissions application.

International Applicants (required): Describe an experience where you had to adapt to a new environment (i.e. a different culture, situation, or way of thinking).

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Choose from the following prompts (350-650 words):

You have a platform to create change. What is an action or policy you might propose to address an issue of social injustice in your school or local community, or on a national or global scale?
Tell us about a time you learned something unexpected. What did you learn, and what happened next?
Richmond welcomes students from various backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. What is at least one way you will contribute to our community that is not already mentioned in your application?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

One essay response is required. Choose from the following prompts:

You have a platform to create change. What is an action or policy you might propose to address an issue of social injustice in your school or local community, or on a national or global scale?
Tell us about a time you learned something unexpected. What did you learn, and what happened next?
Richmond welcomes students from various backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. What is at least one way you will contribute to our community that is not already mentioned in your application?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Mandatory First-Year Essay Prompt

At the University of San Diego, we believe education should spark curiosity, foster connection, and prepare students to make a meaningful impact in the world. Tell us about an idea or experience that has shaped your worldview or inspired you to learn more. Why is this important to you, and how do you see it connecting with your future at USD?

Essay Prompt Option #1

USD is committed to fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Reflecting on your own experiences, what does community mean to you? How have you helped create inclusive, welcoming spaces for others, and what have you learned from those efforts?

Essay Prompt Option #2

As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue.

Essay Prompt Option #3

As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We’re committed to helping every student feel connected and supported by offering space to grow in faith, reflect on their values and explore who they are called to be. Share how faith or spirituality — your own or someone else’s — has shaped a perspective, experience, or decision.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application. Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

Prompts

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Essay Prompts

Optional Essay: Please answer one of the following questions:

Why UVM
Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?
UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world.
From the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain to our campus, UVM students are inspired by our location to think about their relationship to the environment. What does your relationship with your environment look like?
If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?
What is your favorite sentence from your application essay?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Students applying to the School of Nursing are required to answer this question in around 250 words.

School of Nursing – Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying Nursing.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Essay prompt [required]

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

Maximum length: 650 words

Additional information about yourself or your circumstances [optional]

You are not required to write anything in this section, but you may include additional information if something has particular significance to you. For example, you may use this space if:

You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended

Maximum length: 200 words

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

If you apply with the Universities of Wisconsin Application, you will need to answer the following prompt: Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.

UW-La Crosse
Please respond to ONE of the following: (1) How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the UW-La Crosse campus community? OR (2) Tell us why you are interested in attending UW-La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you.

UW-MADISON
Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

*2024-2025 Essay Prompt

No change from 2023-2024

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

*2024-2025 Essay Prompts

Question 1: Describe a setback or ethical dilemma that you have faced. How did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect you? Most importantly, what did you learn about yourself and how would you handle a similar situation in the future? (400 to 500 words, 3,000 characters max)

Question 2: Describe a leadership experience that has meaning for you. A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities? (500 words max)

Question 3: Please provide any additional information or background you believe will be of assistance in evaluating your application. (400 to 500 words, 3000 characters max) (Optional)

*2024-2025 Essay Prompts

Explain why you are interested in attending the Coast Guard Academy, how you have prepared yourself to be successful as a Cadet, and any leadership experiences that will help you develop into a leader of character in the Coast Guard. (500 word maximum)
The Coast Guard Academy is focused on diversity, inclusion and equity-mindedness across campus. What about your background, or what perspective, belief, or experience, will help you contribute to the education of your future classmates and enrich our community? (250 word maximum)
Explain why you are interested in the academic programs you selected and how your previous studies, coursework, and experiences in or outside the classroom have helped prepare you to be successful as a college student. (250 word maximum)
Optional: Provide any additional information that you would like the Cadet Candidate Evaluation Board to consider and that you have not provided elsewhere in your application. (250 word maximum)

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

The Merchant Marine Academy requires you to submit your biographical sketch, or essay of at least 500 words. Here’s the USMMA essay (or biographical sketch) prompt:

“Your essay must be at least 500 words and describe your reason(s) for wishing to attend USMMA, your curriculum preference, and your career interests. You should include information about relevant coursework, hobbies and activities, maritime-related experience, and/or military-related experience. You must also state your understanding of and willingness to accept the service obligation upon graduation. Applicants whose essay does not meet the minimum word requirement or fail to address the service obligation may not be considered for an appointment.”

Optional:

“Your essay must be 500 words or less and describe a personal experience in which you have overcome adversity. Essays that exceed the maximum word requirement may not be accepted.”

*2024-2025 Essay Prompts

Explain why you want to attend the United States Military Academy and serve on active duty as an Army officer.
Think of some things in the past that were difficult for you. Pick one and discuss what steps you took to address it. Include whether you turned to anyone, the role that person played, and what you learned about your character as a result of this challenge.
West Point and the Army are committed to the idea that respect for others and an understanding of diversity are important leadership traits. Why will you be successful in working with leaders, peers, and subordinates of a gender, color, ethnicity, and/or religion different from your own?

*2024-2025 Essay Prompt

In a well-organized essay of a total of 300 to 500 words, please discuss both of the following:

(1) Describe what led to your initial interest in the naval service and how the Naval Academy will help you achieve your long-range goals, and

(2) Describe a personal experience you have had which you feel has contributed to your own character development and integrity.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Villanova requires applicants to submit both their Common Application essay and the Villanova Supplement. The supplemental response must be different from the response shared in the Common Application essay section.

For the Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

Prompt One:
St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

Prompt Two:
What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova? 

Prompt Three:
“Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

Prompt Four:
As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background.

Prompt Five:
At Villanova, we believe that each of us strengthens all of us. Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

No change from 2024-2025

Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community support access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination. Reflect on a time when you were not able or allowed to express a different or diverse position or opinion (or you witnessed another person or group experience the same situation)? How did you respond or wish you would have responded? Did your viewpoint change in any way after this experience?

Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time?

Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from and how do they support your progress as you work on this goal?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Why have you decided to apply to Wake Forest? Share with us anything that has made you interested in our institution. (150 words)

List five books you’ve read that have intrigued you.

Tell us what piques your intellectual curiosity or has helped you understand the world’s complexity. This can include a work you’ve read, a project you’ve completed for a class, and even co-curricular activities in which you have been involved (limit 150 words).

Dr. Maya Angelou, renowned author, poet, civil-rights activist, and former Wake Forest University Reynolds Professor of American Studies, inspired others to celebrate their identities and to honor each person’s dignity. Choose one of Dr. Angelou’s powerful quotes. How does this quote relate to your lived experience or reflect how you plan to contribute to the Wake Forest community? (limit 300 words)

Give us your Top Ten List. (The choice of theme is yours.) (100 character limit per line).

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

250 words or less: There are over 8,200 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. alone. You have chosen to apply to Washington and Lee University. Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with W&L and what aspects of its community are most exciting to you.

Optional Short-Answer Prompts

Option 1

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: Please describe an aspect of your life outside of school that is important to you, such as an extracurricular activity, a job, or a family responsibility. How has your involvement shaped your personal qualities and growth, and how has it impacted those around you?

Option 2

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: W&L’s mission statement focuses on preparing graduates for lifelong learning in a global and diverse society. Engaging with faculty, staff, and classmates with diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives is an essential component of our education. Recognizing that diversity takes many forms, what diverse aspect would you bring to W&L?

Option 3

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: Reveal to us how your curious mind works by sharing something you spend considerable time thinking or learning about.

Option 4

250 words or less or max 2-minute video: On a residential college campus with a Speaking Tradition that encourages connections between individuals, using each other’s names matters. Please share the story of any name you go by and what significance it holds for you.

Johnson Scholarship Essay

In 800 words or less, please respond to one of the following:

In his October 1963, A Talk to Teachers, James Baldwin said “…the whole process of education occurs within a social framework and is designed to perpetuate the aims of society.” Yet, as he aptly notes, “the paradox of education is precisely this – that as one begins to become conscious, one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.”  Baldwin suggests that the purpose of education is to teach us to think for ourselves, to question – and change – the “framework” that we have come to understand and accept. What norms of your home or community have you become conscious of during your time in high school, and how would you like to use that knowledge to make it a better place?

“To promote literature in this rising empire and to encourage the arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart.” (George Washington, 1798, first president of the United States and first major benefactor of Washington and Lee University)Describe a work of art that has influenced you, and discuss the impact it has had on you.

In mathematics, the shortest distance between two points on a flat surface is a straight line. While geometry is predictable, sometimes day-to-day life is not. Reflect on a time when your path was not as simple or direct as anticipated. How did you manage, and what did you learn?

We live in a world in which much of our self-representation is curated online via short-lived social media ‘stories’ and disappearing photos. What photo or other representation of yourself is authentically you? What does it say about your growth into the person you are today and the person you want to become? Please use only the words in your essay to address this question. Do not include photographs or other materials in your answer.

W&L’s Spring Term is a four-week, intensive experience during which students take only one course, allowing for undivided attention to the subject matter. Spring Term courses are known for innovative pedagogy, interdisciplinary scholarship, travel, and fieldwork in diverse settings. If you could design a Spring Term course, what would you propose, and why would you choose to pursue that topic?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

Please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why.” (200 words)This optional question allows you to add another dimension to your application – something that the admissions committee might not learn by reading your transcript or your personal statement.

If you like, you may focus your optional 90-second video submitted through the WashU Pathway on addressing one of these three questions. (Students who choose to submit a written response to one of these questions may still opt in to sharing an optional video).

WashU is a place that values diversity of perspectives. We believe those perspectives come from a variety of experiences and identities. Respond to one of the following prompts to help us understand “Who are you?”:

WashU supports engagement in the St. Louis community by considering the university as “in St. Louis, For St. Louis.” What is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it? (250 words)
WashU strives to know every undergraduate student “by Name & Story.” How have your life experiences shaped your story? (250 words)

If you indicate an interest in the Beyond Boundaries program on your application for admission, you will be asked to the following prompt.

The Beyond Boundaries Program equips students with a set of tools to critically understand and make a difference in a complicated world where challenges require diverse perspectives and skill sets. What is the big societal issue you would like to tackle? Who would you need on your team? What would you contribute to the team?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Wellesley students actively seek ways to build bridges and to change the world for the better. Tell us about an experience working with and alongside people of different backgrounds and/or perspectives from your own. Why was this important to you, and what lessons from this will you bring with you to Wellesley?

Please limit your response to two thoughtful paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words).

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

To help us learn more about you, we invite you to share additional information by answering up to two of these optional short-answer prompts. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy. (300 words max.)

Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?
Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.
How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience?
What led to your interest in William & Mary?
Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual.
If we visited your town, what would you want to show us?

*2025-2026 No Essay

Williams does not require a writing supplement. However, some students feel they do their best writing in an academic context rather than through narrative pieces like admission applications. If you are interested in submitting an example of your academic writing, you may share a 3-5 page paper (excluding citations) written in the last year. The paper may be creative or analytical, can cover any topic, and need not be graded. Please include a description of the assignment or prompt and do not submit lab reports.

Students can apply and submit this optional writing supplement using the Common Application, Apply Coalition with SCOIR or QuestBridge Application.

*2025-2026 Essay Prompt

No change from 2024-2025

Worcester Polytechnic Institute seeks students who are the right fit for its academic and campus community. In what ways are you the right fit for the distinctive educational and campus experience that Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers?

*2025-2026 Essay Prompts

All first-year applicants will complete a few Yale-specific short answer questions. These required questions are slightly different based on the application platform an applicant chooses. The 2025-2026 Yale-specific questions for the Coalition Application, Common Application, and QuestBridge Application are detailed below.

Short Answer Questions

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application will respond to the following short answer questions:

Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.
Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)
Reflect on how your interests, values, and/or experiences have drawn you to Yale. (125 words or fewer)

Applicants applying with the QuestBridge Application will complete the questions above via the Yale QuestBridge Questionnaire, available on the Yale Admissions Status Portal after an application has been received.

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will also respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words):

What inspires you?
If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?
Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence?
What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer.

Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?
Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.
Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?

College Application Essay Prompts

Common App Essay Prompts

Coalition App Essay Prompts

Supplemental Essay Prompts

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College Application Essay Prompts

Common App Essay Prompts

Coalition App Essay Prompts

Supplemental Essay Prompts

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