For some of us, college applications and their essays were quite awhile ago, and thankfully, the closest we get to the mind-curdling task of writing a personal statement is suffering through a cover letter for a job application. In both contexts, it is hard to talk about yourself, and even harder to put yourself up for public scrutiny and ultimately (gulp) acceptance or rejection. Not only have you worked hard to fit your life onto the confines of a page, but there’s the fear that your very being is somehow on trial.
I had the opportunity to assist some college applicants during this process. Apparently it is still the nails-on-the-chalkboard gut-wrenching madness that I remember. The students’ dedication to introspection was inspiring. I wondered if I could answer the same prompts which demanded such soul-searching and tears. So I collected 14 college application essays prompts from different colleges. Having been out of college for awhile doing the grown-up thing, I should know what I’m made of, right?
Take a minute and try a few for yourself. Actually write out an essay 500 words to 2 pages. Edit and correct. I think you’ll be surprised by what you wrote.
- Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family
- You are required to spend the next year of your life in either the past or the future. What year would you travel to and why?
- Imagine that you are backpacking through a country you have never been to before. You are interested in engaging with the local population and your backpack includes three items that will help them learn about your family and culture. What are those three items and how do they represent your background?
- 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
- 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?
- You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you may choose from one of the following topics (Optional, 1300 word Max, Paste In)
- – Unusual circumstances in your life
- – Travel or living experiences in other countries
- – What you would want your future college roommate to know about you
- – An intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper, poetry, or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science or other modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you
- – How you hope to use your college education
- – A list of books you have read during the past twelve months
- You have just completed your 300-page autobiography. Please submit Page 217.
- In the year 2050, a movie is being made of your life. Please tell us the name of your movie and briefly summarize the story line.
- If you had a day to spend as you wish, how would you use your time?
- Recall a compliment you received that you especially value. What was it? From whom did it come?