Typical Essay Questions
TYPICAL ESSAY QUESTIONS
You will encounter a variety of application questions, and the following are examples of typical ones. Since many of you will apply to UC, here is their Personal Statement.
If you apply to a private college or university that uses the Common Application, their essay questions are also listed below. These topics, plus a sample of essay questions from several private colleges, will offer a preview of what you'll see on many applications.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Application for Fall 2009
The Personal Statement
In reading your application, we want to get to know you as well as we can. There's a limit to what grades and test scores can tell us so we ask you to write a personal statement.
Your personal statement is your chance to tell us who you are and what's important to you. Think of it as your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions and scholarship officers reading your application. Be open, be honest, be real. What you tell us in your personal statement gives readers the context to better understand the rest of the information you’ve provided in your application.
A couple of tips: Read each prompt carefully and be sure to respond to all parts. Use specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Finally, relax. This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application; an admission decision will not be based on your personal statement alone.
Instructions
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Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.
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You may allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less than 250 words.
- Stay within the word limit as closely as you can. A little over—1,012 words, for example—is fine.
Prompt #1 (freshman applicants)
Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Prompt #1 (transfer applicants)
What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field – such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities – and what you have gained from your involvement.
Prompt #2 (all applicants)
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are.
COMMON APPLICATION, Application for Fall 2008
Personal Statement
This personal statement helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your ability to organize thoughts and express yourself. We are looking for an essay that will help us know you better as a person and as a student. Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below.
- 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 explain that influence.
- Describe a character in fiction, an 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 interests, personal perspectives, 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.
PRIVATE COLLEGES, Essay Topics
Here's a brief sample of topics you might see:
- Create a superhero that incorporates your best qualities: personality, talents, skills, etc. . . . what kind of superpowers would this superhero have . . . what is his or her name . . . what is this hero’s role in society . . . etc.? (submitted by Heather Beck, Toledo, OH) Claremont McKenna College
- The Block Plan at Colorado College has a tradition of innovation and flexibility. Please design your own three-and-a-half week intellectual adventure and describe what you would do. Colorado College
- You're given a block of stone and a hammer and chisel. What would you carve and why? Kenyon College
- What are the unique qualities of Northwestern University, and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying, that make you want to attend Northwestern? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified? Northwestern University
- Trinity students’ wealth of backgrounds, opinions, and personal experiences breathes life into our close-knit campus community. Considering your own views, beliefs, and culture, what do you think your contribution will be? Trinity University, Texas
- Use an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper to create something. You can blueprint your future home, create a new product, design a costume or a theatrical set, compose a score or do something entirely different. Let your imagination wander. Tufts University
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