Just as important, however, is how applicants react and respond when they are the recipients of something meaningful themselves.
Gratitude is quickly becoming a quality individuals are encouraged to connect to and reflect on regularly, hence the popularity of gratitude journals and exercises. Brainstorming method alert! Students should think about times when they have felt acknowledged, heard, and seen. Moments when they have felt that swelling in their chest, as their heart grows three sizes. Think creatively about what you appreciate in your life.
It can be a physical gift, an action, or even just a set of feelings projected in your direction. You can be intimately familiar with the person who has inspired your gratitude, or reflect on the actions of a near stranger or even a public figure who has impacted your life for the better. Just remember that this essay needs to focus on how you process, appreciate and draw inspiration from the action of others, so make sure your response is focused on YOU.
Ultimately, admissions wants to know more about how you relate to others in the world, and how you repurpose good intentions. The whole purpose of this exercise is to reveal something valuable about yourself to admissions, so be sure to link the act of kindness you highlight to your passions, actions, or aspirations.
There are a few things to note when unpacking this prompt. A formal event or accomplishment might include anything from obvious landmarks like birthdays or weddings to achievements like earning an award or receiving a promotion.
More informal examples might include something as simple as meeting a special person in your life, taking a car ride, or eating a particularly meaningful meal. We have often found that smaller, less formal events make for more surprising and memorable essays; but as with any of the other prompts, as long as you can answer with originality and put a unique twist on your subject matter, all ideas are fair game.
The most important things to keep in mind when searching for these moments are the elements of growth, understanding, and transformation. The event, accomplishment, or realization you discuss should be something that helped you understand the world around you through a different, more mature lens. One could argue that college is largely about the pursuit of knowledge, so you can imagine it would be quite appealing for an admissions officer to have a meter for your level of self-motivated learning, along with a better understanding of how and why you choose to pay attention to the things that intrigue you.
This is a window into your brain: how you process information, how you seek out new sources of content and inspiration. How resourceful are you when your curiosity is piqued to the fullest? The answer to this prompt should also reveal something to admissions about the breadth or depth of your interests. How consumed are you by this passion you are choosing to pursue academically? Show your feathers. Let your freak flag fly within reason, obvs. This prompt is about the pursuit of knowledge and your desire to proactively challenge yourself.
Whether you are devouring the classics on your Kindle or nerding out over the perfect cheese for calzone-making, your attachment to a subject may inspire admissions to want to learn more about it…and you. Feared by some, coveted by others, and legendary in its existence; regardless of where you stand on the issue, this was a newsworthy addition to the Common App prompt choices.
For years, students have been treating Prompt 1 which asks about your background, etc. Applicants around the world likely let out a big exhale when they saw they could still serve up a big scoop of Prompt 7 to admissions in previous seasons. And this year will be no different.
Tell A Story. So when responding to such a question, think of a story or anecdote that illustrates why you find the college in question appealing. Remember to demonstrate understanding of the college in the supplemental essay.
Although I have not yet decided on a major, I know that I want music to be a part of my education. When I was six years old, I started begging my parents for a drum set. They adamantly refused to live in the same house as a six-year-old drummer, so we compromised with guitar lessons.
Playing guitar was an integral part of me until around 6th grade when, to the dismay of my parents, I ditched the rock classics and entered the realm of electronic music. Fascinated by the technicality of the genre, I started learning the ropes of electronic production in middle school and have not stopped since.
What better place is there to explore music than City Name? We also see his sense of humor. He goes on to discuss which majors he will explore in college and how he will contribute to campus life.
Sometimes the college just wants you to reflect on intellectual engagement or explore your definition of community in this kind of question. At other times, the college wants you to explain how your interests link directly to them. Here is an excerpt from an essay that does this effectively:.
I came across the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, as well as the description of a Food Access project completed by students regarding food deserts in poor urban neighborhoods in City Name. Often, this may be as short as words a paragraph. Here are some tips to help you ace your short answers:. The majority of colleges will ask you to submit at least one personal essay as part of your application.
You can find the — application platform personal essay prompts here , but not all schools use an application platform. By reading your submission, college admissions officers become familiar with your personality and writing proficiency.
Your essay, along with your other application materials, helps them determine if you would be a good fit for the school and if you would be able to keep up with the rigor of the course load. A well-written, insightful essay can set you apart from other applicants with identical grades and test scores.
Likewise, a poorly constructed essay can be detrimental to your application. To ensure that your essay is the best it can be, you will need to spend some time reviewing the essay prompt to understand the question. Not only will you need time to become familiar with the directions, but you will also want to take your time when constructing your essay.
No one can sit down and write the perfect essay in one shot. These things take effort, brainpower, and a significant amount of patience. Consider these steps for producing a well-written, thoughtful response to any essay prompt:. There are three types of personal essays: the personal statement, the school statement, and the creative or intellectual statement.
These are described below. Responding to Short Answer and Essay Questions. Short Answer Questions Short answer questions are almost harder to write than a personal essay, since you usually have a word limit. Answer honestly. Colleges want to get to know you. Always use details to bring even a short story to life. Write out your answer without worrying about the length and then go back and delete any unnecessary information.
Underline the stand-out points and trim the rest. Describe your personal growth. When discussing an activity or event in your life, ask yourself what you learned or took away from it. Be specific about each institution. If asked why you want to attend a particular school, make sure to reference any times you visited the campus, met with admissions counselors, or spoke with current students or alumni.
Talk about programs that interest you and how you think they will benefit you in the future. Tell your readers why the idea of being a student at their institution excites you.
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