ESSAYS AND SUPPLEMENT QUESTIONS:
COMMON APPLICATION: Short answer: 150 words. Please briefly elaborate on one
of your activities (extracurricular, personal activates or work experience).
Essay: 250-500 words.
Options:
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken or ethical dilemma
you have faced and its impact on you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national or international concern and its
importance to you.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure or a creative work (as in art, music,
science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and explain that influence.
A range of academic interest, personal perspective, and life experiences adds much to the
educational; mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that
illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter
that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
Topic of your choice.
Tufts-Short Answer: “Education does not accomplish anything if it does not stretch your
mind, if it does not force you to think about things in new ways, if it does not challenge
you to examine some of your assumptions,” writes Provost Jamshed Bharucha.
Describe the aspects of the Tufts’ curriculum or undergraduate program that prompt your
application. (50 words)
1. Describe the environment in which you were raised—your family, home neighborhood
or community and how it influenced the person you are today. 200 words
2. Self identity and personal expression take many forms. Music, food, art and clothing
can make a statement. Politics, religion, nationality and ethnicity often act as defining
attributes. Colored wristbands and blogs express opinions and viewpoints while the
minutia that adorns a refrigerator or a notebook can be clues to someone’s passions. Are
you an oldest child? Do you surf? Are you a vegetarian? Did you wear flip flops to the
prom? Do you have a tattoo? Who are you? 200 words
Columbia-Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why:
Write an essay which conveys to the reader a sense of who you are. Possible topics may
include, but are not limited to experiences which have shaped your life, the circumstances
of your upbringing, your most meaningful intellectual achievement, the way you see the
world—the people in it, events great and small, everyday life, or any personal theme
which appeals to your imagination. Please remember that we are concerned not only the
substance of your prose but with your writing style as well. 250-500 words
Cornell-500 words short answer for College of Arts and Sciences; describe your
intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how
you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further
explore your interests, intended major or field of study.
College of Engineering-Engineers turn ideas (technical, scientific, mathematical) into
reality. Tell us about your interest in engineering or an engineering idea you have.
Explain how Cornell Engineering can help you further explore this interest or idea.
Princeton-short answer-Please tell us how you have spent the last two summers (or
vacations between school years), including any jobs you have held.
Tell us about a person who has influenced you in a significant way.
Using one of the quotes below (or your own favorite quotation) as a jumping point, tell us
about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values:
“Princeton in the Nation’s service” was the title of a speech given by Woodrow Wilson
on the 150th anniversary of the University. It became the unofficial Princeton motto and
was expanded for the University’s 250 anniversary to “Princeton in the nation’s service
and the service of all nations.”
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
Once cannot help but be in aw when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of
the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of
this mystery everyday.”
“Some questions cannot be answered. They become familiar weights in the hand. Round
stones pulled from the pocket, unyielding and cool.
Harvard-Occasionally students feel that college application forms do not provide a
sufficient opportunity to convey important information about themselves or their
accomplishments. If there is something you would like us to know, please inform us in
the essay section at the end of the document. If you wish to include an additional essay,
you may do so. Possible topics: Unusual circumstances in your life; travel or living
experiences in other countries; books that have affected you the most; an academic
experience (course, project, paper, or research topic) that has meant the most to you; a list
of the books you have read during the past 12 months.
Boston University: Students consider many different factors when applying to college.
Briefly discuss who or what influenced your decision to apply to BU, Please be as
specific as possible.
U of Massachusetts Amherst-In 500 words or less, describe any personal circumstances
or academic experiences (positive or negative) that you fell are important for us to know
about you
Yale: Short answer. What about Yale has influenced your decision to apply?
500 words-While we leave the topic of your second essay entirely up to you, we
encourage you to use this opportunity to tell us something that we could not learn from
the rest of your application. Try to pick a topic that will convey some aspect of your
experience or outlook that you would like us to understand better.
Duke-Short answer. Arts and Sciences. Please discuss why you consider Duke a good
match for you. Is there something in particular at Duke that attracts you? Please limit
your response to one or two paragraphs.
If you have participate in any significant research activity outside of school, please
provide a brief description and limit your response to one or two paragraphs.
Johns Hopkins-If you had a full day with no commitments, no homework, no home
responsibilities and only the money in your pocket what would you do? Where would
you go? Whom would you take with you?
By this point in your academic career you have taken a variety of courses, each with its
own distinguishing characteristics. Which one has had the most influence on your
interests and goals for the future and why?
UF-500 words. Personal topic. How will your individual background, experiences and
personal identity influence your educational pursuits and your contributions to the
campus community at the Univ. of Florida? You may wish to reflect on the following:
significant life challenges or personal circumstances, exceptional talents and outstanding
achievements, awards and recognitions, educational aspirations; personal and/or family
responsibilities
Important part of most applications: To list and briefly (1 sentence) activities and
positions of leadership.
Univ. of Pennsylvania: Tell us what you like to do for fun.
Describe the courses of study and the unique characteristics of the Univ. of Penn that
most interest you. Why do these interests make you a good match for Penn.?
Optional essay. You have just completed your 300 page autobiography. Please submit
page 217.
First experiences can be defining. Cite a first experience that you have had and explain
its impact on you.
Recall an occasion when you took a risk that you now know was the right thing to do.