essay of 650 words

Home — Free Essays — 650 Words — 650

650-Word Essay Examples

Achievements of roman civilization.

The Roman civilization is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant in history. Spanning over a thousand years, from its legendary founding in 753 BCE to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, the Romans left a lasting impact…

Kanye West Influence

Kanye West Influence: A Creative Journey that Transcends Boundaries In the world of popular culture, there are few figures as polarizing and enigmatic as Kanye West. From his early days as a producer to his evolution into a groundbreaking rapper and fashion designer, West has…

Disobedience Research Paper

Introduction: Imagine a world where everyone unquestioningly follows the rules and adheres to authority without question. Such a society may appear orderly and peaceful on the surface, but it would stifle progress, hinder social justice, and limit individual growth. Disobedience, contrary to popular belief, is…

To The Ladies Poem Themes Analysis

I. Introduction In the world of literature, certain works have the power to transcend time and speak to audiences across generations. One such piece is the poem “To The Ladies” by Lady Mary Chudleigh. Written in the 17th century, this poem delves into themes of…

Get professional help in 5 minutes

Mike Lupicas Heat Themes

I. Introduction In the world of sports literature, Mike Lupica’s “Heat” stands out as a compelling tale that not only celebrates the thrill of baseball but also delves into deeper themes of perseverance, family, and friendship. Through the captivating story of protagonist Michael Arroyo, Lupica…

Alice Walker Everyday Use Theme

In Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” the author explores the complex theme of cultural heritage through the contrasting perspectives of two sisters, Dee and Maggie. Through the examination of their divergent understanding and appreciation of their African American heritage, Walker presents a thought-provoking commentary…

Benefits of Online Shopping

Introduction The rapid growth of e-commerce has transformed the retail landscape, with online shopping emerging as a popular alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This essay examines the advantages of online shopping, focusing on the convenience, accessibility, and economic benefits it offers to consumers. By exploring…

Similarities Between Hitler And Mussolini

Introduction The historical figures of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini are often remembered for their dictatorial regimes, aggressive foreign policies, and the atrocities committed under their leadership. While their individual stories and the contexts in which they rose to power differ, there are striking similarities…

Scholarship Jacket Themes

Introduction Scholarship jackets, also known as letterman jackets or varsity jackets, have long been a symbol of academic and athletic achievement in American high schools and colleges. These jackets are typically awarded to students who have excelled in academics, sports, or other extracurricular activities, and…

The Bible Codes

Introduction The Bible codes, a phenomenon involving the supposed discovery of hidden messages within the Hebrew text of the Torah, have sparked intense debate among scholars, theologians, and the general public. This essay will delve into the concept of Bible codes, focusing on their origins,…

Health Challenges in Overpopulated Regions: Risks and Strategies

Introduction Overpopulation poses significant challenges to public health in various regions around the world. With increasing populations, the strain on healthcare infrastructure and access to care intensifies, leading to heightened health risks and compromised well-being. This essay aims to identify the health risks associated with…

AI for Overpopulation Challenges: Optimizing Resource Distribution

Abstract: Overpopulation presents a significant challenge to the sustainable development and well-being of densely populated areas. As cities continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, the strain on resources, healthcare systems, and urban planning becomes increasingly burdensome. To address these challenges, the integration of artificial…

Cultural Perspectives on Overpopulation Challenges

Introduction Overpopulation is a global issue that affects societies across the world. As the world’s population continues to grow exponentially, societies face numerous challenges, including resource depletion, environmental degradation, and strained social structures. However, the response to overpopulation varies significantly across diverse cultures. This essay…

The effectiveness of gun-free zones in preventing violence

Introduction Gun violence has become a pressing issue in society, necessitating the implementation of measures to curb its occurrence. One such measure is the establishment of gun-free zones, which aim to restrict firearms in specific areas. The effectiveness of gun-free zones in preventing violence is…

Cybersecurity measures against gun trafficking

Introduction In an era of digitalization, the advent of cybercrimes has posed new challenges to maintaining public safety. One such pressing concern is gun trafficking, which has found a new breeding ground in the digital realm. To address this issue, the implementation of robust cybersecurity…

The role of schools in promoting community safety

Introduction: Community safety is a paramount concern for societies worldwide. Ensuring the safety of individuals and their surroundings is crucial for fostering a conducive environment for growth and development. While various stakeholders play a vital role in maintaining community safety, schools hold a unique position…

The effect of electoral systems on gun control debates

Introduction The issue of gun control has long been a subject of intense debate globally, with varying opinions and approaches on how to effectively regulate firearms. One aspect that often goes unnoticed in these discussions is the role of electoral systems in shaping the trajectory…

Comparative politics of law enforcement models

Introduction: Law enforcement plays a crucial role in maintaining social order and ensuring public safety. However, the specific methods and models employed by law enforcement agencies vary significantly across different countries and regions. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the comparative politics…

The effectiveness of policing strategies in different cultural contexts

Introduction Policing strategies play a crucial role in maintaining law and order within societies. However, the effectiveness of these strategies varies across different cultural contexts due to the diverse values, norms, and beliefs that shape communities worldwide. This essay aims to explore the impact of…

Addressing systemic racism within law enforcement agencies

Introduction Systemic racism within law enforcement agencies has been a longstanding issue in the United States. It is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive approach to effectively address its structural roots. This essay aims to explore the various aspects of systemic racism within law…

What Is a 650-Word Academic Essay?

A 650-word essay is a piece of academic writing that consists of approximately 650 words. It is a moderate length essay that falls between shorter essays (e.g., 300-500 words) and longer ones (e.g., 1000 words or more). In terms of content, a 650-word essay allows for a focused discussion of a specific topic or argument. It provides enough space to present an introduction and a conclusion, and even body paragraphs.

What Are Some Examples of Topics For a 650 Word Essay?

There are numerous topics that can be explored in a 650-word essay. Here are some examples to consider: the impact of social media on society, climate change and its consequences, the importance of education in modern society, the ethics of genetic engineering, the effects of technology on human interaction etc.

What Does a 650-Word Essay Look Like?

It is typically consists of approximately 1.5 to 2 pages, assuming double spacing and standard formatting.In terms of structure, a well-written 650-word essay generally includes: introduction that provides background information on the topic; body paragraphs each focusing on a specific point or supporting argument; and a conclusion that summarizes the key points and/or suggests further implications related to the topic.

What Is Required Amount of Research for a 650-Word Essay?

For a 650-word essay, it is typically recommended to conduct thorough research to gather relevant information and supporting evidence. This may involve reading scholarly articles, books, or reputable online sources, as well as reviewing credible data, statistics, or case studies. The research process should aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic and help develop well-informed arguments. It is essential to attribute all sources properly and avoid plagiarism by citing your references according to the appropriate academic citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

What Should You Focus On During the Revision Process for a 650-Word Essay?

Review your essay to ensure that your main arguments are clear and well-supported. Check for coherence and logical flow between paragraphs and ideas. Remove any unnecessary or repetitive information. Assess the style and tone of your essay. Ensure that it is appropriate for the intended audience and purpose. Consider if your writing is concise, engaging, and maintains a consistent voice throughout. Look for opportunities to vary your sentence structure and length, avoiding repetitive phrasing or excessive use of certain words or phrases.

Another Word Count

Popular topics.

• Supply and Demand
• Domestic Violence
• Penny Debate
• Industrial Revolution
• Life Changing Experience
• Ocean Pollution
• Manifest Destiny
• Natural Disasters
• 12 Angry Men
• Critical Thinking
• Studying Abroad
• Space Exploration
• Law of Life
• Child Abuse
• Frida Kahlo
• Comparative Analysis
• Drunk Driving
• Police Brutality
• Madam Cj Walker
• Minimum Wage
• Art History
• Movie Summary
• Freedom Writers
• Winter Break

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

650-Word Essay Examples

Father and son relations: analysis of the movies.

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Movies

Sex Marriage: Personal Opinion

• Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Marriage

Some Thoughts on what is to be Done

• Subjects: Historical Literature Literature

Economic Analysis of Stone Crab Season

• Subjects: Economic Systems & Principles Economics

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

• Subjects: American Literature Literature

The Brady Training Program

• Subjects: Business Employee Relationships

Reaction Paper for the Article “Thanks for the Memories”

• Subjects: Cognition and Perception Psychology

High Unemployment to Last for Years

Errors in reasoning: fallacies.

• Subjects: Rhetoric Sociology

Sex Roles: Dating vs. Hooking Up

• Subjects: Development Psychology

Media Violence and Altruism

• Subjects: Psychological Issues Psychology

Arthur C. Clarke’s “The Star”

• Subjects: British Literature Literature

Entrepreneurship Skills From Washington’s Life Experiences

• Subjects: Business Entrepreneurship

White Teeth Novel by Zadie Smith

The concept of wei-wu-wei in understanding tao te ching.

• Subjects: Philosophical Theories Philosophy

The Complexity of International Relations

• Subjects: International Relations Politics & Government

The Three Main Causes of Great Depression

• Subjects: History United States

The Elements of Negligence Act

• Subjects: Criminal Law Law

Paul Laurence Dunbar’ “We wear the Mask”

• Subjects: Literature Poems

Reduce Hospitalization of Nursing Home Residents

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Nursing

Food Security Policy Brief

• Subjects: Business Industry

Health care information systems terms

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Health IT

Apartment living in downtown area versus country side living

• Subjects: Socialization Sociology

Pets’ Adoption: Cats Make This Life Happier

• Subjects: Sciences Zoology

Analysis of Citation from Blu’s Hanging by Lois-Ann Yamanaka

• Subjects: Literature World Literature

Control Measures in Business Planning Errors

• Subjects: Business Management

Marginal Analysis of Cheating

• Subjects: Education Education Issues

Controlling Stress and Tension

An analysis of carney’s “african rice in the columbian exchange”.

• Subjects: Advertising Entertainment & Media

The Declaration of Sentiments

• Subjects: History Women Studies

A Critical Evaluation of Historical & Scientific Standpoints on Homosexuality

• Subjects: Gender Studies Sociology

An Analysis of the Article: Prostitutes on Strike

Socio-political foundations of hip-hop.

• Subjects: Racism Sociology

“The Place of Nonhumans in Environmental Issues”. Summary

• Subjects: Environment Environmental Studies

Comparison of Two Kinds of People

Views in “a dove in santiago: anovella in verse”.

• Subjects: Dramatic Literature Literature

Critical Response “On Compassion”

• Subjects: Behavior Psychology

Economic Theory of 3rd World Country

Recognize the principles of the judiciary.

• Subjects: Constitutional Law Law

Two Communication Rules in My Family

• Subjects: Alternative Medicine Health & Medicine

Shopping Diaries: Brand New Flat Screen 47-inch TV

• Subjects: Business Marketing

Level of Credibility in the USA

“ionych” and “ana on the neck” by antony chekov.

• Subjects: Comparative Literature Literature

Analysis of “If you assign my book don’t censor it”

• Subjects: Education Pedagogical Approaches

ESL Strategies: Stand-alone ESL Program

• Subjects: Education Study Courses and Education Programs

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Subjects: Accounting Business

The Impact of a Third Party in Averting a Conflict

True or false having kids makes you happy.

• Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Parenting

A Theoretical Analysis of the Act of Cell Phone Texting While Driving

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Pop Culture

Women Immigrants from Asia

The use of puzzle game elements in detective fiction story, herman melville’s “bartleby”.

• Subjects: Aspects of American Novels Literature

This is not a Test

• Subjects: Art Film Studies

Waiting for Superman

• Subjects: Documentaries Entertainment & Media

The American Judicial System

• Subjects: Government Politics & Government

Preparing for College Life

• Subjects: Education Educational Stages

Arguments for and against Homosexuality: A Civil rights & Liberties Perspective

Kenya’s economic growth, social interaction problems in usa.

• Subjects: Sociological Issues Sociology

Safety Program Management

American foreign policies, federalism in the united states, cold war era and threats to american families, is anselm right in asserting god’s existence is necessary.

• Subjects: Philosophical Concept Philosophy

Information Technology Project Implementation Failures

• Subjects: Project Management Tech & Engineering

Impact of Scientific Discoveries on the World

• Subjects: Tech & Engineering Technology Effect

Prevention of Medication Errors in Diabetic Patients in Home Health Services

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Medical Ethics

Public Art’s Benefits and Effects in the Community

• Subjects: Art History of Art

A Discussion on Bureaucracy & Post-Bureaucracies

What isn’t for sale, comparing and contrasting social cognition models, analysis of primary sources in the triangle waist factory fire, why is the management of visibility a central feature of contemporary politics.

• Subjects: Political Communication Politics & Government

Bath and Body Works Company

• Subjects: Business Company Structure

Response to The Accidental Asian

Acquisitions in strengthening market position.

• Subjects: Business Strategy

The consultant – organizational interaction

Modern theories about literacy.

• Subjects: Academic Performance Education

How Newark Became Newark

Organizational psychology: recommendations for huffman trucking, returning tardis to profitability, catullus’ lyric poem and his obsession with lesbia, nanjing chuangqi auto parts company.

• Subjects: Business Company Analysis

Colonial Women’s Freedom in Society

English racism during world cup.

• Subjects: Sports Sports Science

Republic of Ireland market SWOT analysis for Barclaycard

• Subjects: Business Case Study

Beyond the Boundaries of the Ordinary

• Subjects: Art Artists

Internet Monopoly of Knowledge

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Media Influences

Theodore Roethke and Sylvia Plath

Influence of organizational image on outcome, i-phone 4 financial project, american culture and childhood, testing of life expectancy, crisis intervention strategies.

• Subjects: Psychological Influences Psychology

Family Structure Analysis via Film – Kramer vs. Kramer

The pinto fires case.

• Subjects: Business Business Ethics

Corporate Team Building Strategies

How the internet has transformed design & fashion.

• Subjects: Design Design Trends

Political Realignments in The 1890th

Sustainable development: conventional versus emergent alternative wisdom.

• Subjects: Ecology Environment

What Schools Should Teach?

• Subjects: Education Education Theories

Strategic Planning in an Organization

Problem of the planets, organizational behavior and the individual, importance of studying economics, two definitions of critical thinking, summary: “prototypes for teaching word meaning”.

• Subjects: Education Teacher Career

“Beauty and politics” Arthur Danto

Effects of corporate social responsibility (csr) on business projects, the concepts of culture.

• Subjects: Cultural Issues Culture

Why Do People Switch Careers?

• Subjects: Business Professions

Interpretive Statement on “At That Moment”

Managers’ sensitivity to the wishes of their employees, business strategy of blue nile inc, money mechanics in banks system.

• Subjects: Economics Regulation of Finance

Telecommunication Project: Bluetooth

• Subjects: Internet Tech & Engineering

Marketing is everybody’s business by George Gresham

Current day racism vs. traditional day racism, contrast tensions between religion and society.

• Subjects: Society's Imperfections Sociology

Conflicts in the Working Place: The Art of Keeping Your Head

Yale College Undergraduate Admissions

• A Liberal Arts Education
• Majors & Academic Programs
• Teaching & Advising
• Undergraduate Research
• International Experiences
• Science & Engineering Faculty Features
• Residential Colleges
• Extracurriculars
• Identity, Culture, Faith
• Multicultural Open House
• Virtual Tour
• Bulldogs' Blogs
• First-Year Applicants
• International First-Year Applicants
• QuestBridge First-Year Applicants
• Military Veteran Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• Eli Whitney: Nontraditional Applicants
• Non-Degree & Alumni Auditing Applicants
• What Yale Looks For
• Putting Together Your Application
• Selecting High School Courses
• Application FAQs
• First-Generation College Students
• Rural and Small Town Students
• Choosing Where to Apply
• Inside the Yale Admissions Office Podcast
• Visit Campus
• Virtual Events
• Connect With Yale Admissions
• The Details
• Estimate Your Cost
• QuestBridge

Search form

650 words on college essays.

The life of an admissions officer can be a fascinating one. I spend a lot of time traveling to faraway places to meet students from around the world, voting in committee to help determine each next college class, but I am perhaps most privileged to have a unique glimpse into the personal lives of hundreds of 17 year olds each year via my absolute favorite art form: the college essay. After 5 years I have read thousands of these 650-word windows into the minds of high school students, and can assure you that the college essay comes in many flavors: good, bad, eloquent, conversational, sarcastic, insightful, deep, shallow, hilarious, painful, delightful, disturbing, and so on.

For any high school senior working on their college applications, the essay can seem like a daunting task. For Yale, you’ll even have to write more than one. I hope you see this not as a burden or a hoop you must jump through, but an opportunity: to reflect on your past few years and look ahead to college. The skills of reflection, self-expression, and cogent writing are all ones that will serve you well in college (in fact, they will be critical), so consider this practice. You do not have to be the world’s most eloquent wordsmith to write a successful college essay; the best essays we read are those where the genuine voice of a high school student (that’s you!) comes through loud and clear and we really get a sense of who you are.

When I talk to prospective Yalies about the application process, I am often asked what my favorite essay topic is. I assure you there is no such thing. The quality of a college essay has little to do with topic, and everything to do with reflection and voice. I truly believe I could read 100 essays about the same topic, each of them completely unique and in their own ways excellent and entrancing (or not). There are certainly amusing trends that emerge over time: in the past few years, I’ve seen an uptick in essays reflecting on life lessons learned from Uber drivers. I’m told that 10 years ago, essays explaining what Hogwarts House one belongs in were abundant. I wouldn’t dare say that there are any essay topics you should shy away from, because I’m certain that a great college essay could be written about nearly anything. And it doesn’t matter if we’ve read about it before – only you can write about you.

I do have favorite essays that I can remember, but they have no particular topic in common. Instead, they are the ones where at the end I have a grasp on what it might be like to have a conversation with the writer, to be in the same room as them. This is what we mean when we talk about voice. Revise and edit, but be sure not to lose the sense of individuality that only you can put into words. Have someone proofread, but don’t get too much help. My colleagues and I can tell when an essay is written more by a parent or, dare I even say it, a college consultant than by a student – and I can promise you that those pieces are not very good.

While your grades and test scores will speak for themselves and your teachers and counselor will write on your behalf, the essays are your opportunity to really take control of your application. Every required bit of writing should be considered precious real estate on your applications; think about what you want us to know about you, and do your best to work that information into the space allotted. It is through these essays that your admissions officer revels in your successes, shares in your disappointments, gets to know – forgive the cliché – the real you. So get writing. We can’t wait to hear from you.

More Posts by Anonymous

In Support of Student Protests

Application Submitted. Now What?

Deferred? We Have Some Advice For You.

The 2021-2022 Common App Essay: How to Write a Great Essay That Will Get You Accepted

If you’re reading this, then you’ve probably started the very exciting process of applying to college—and chances are you may be a little overwhelmed at times. That’s OK! The key to getting into the right college for you is taking each step of the application process in stride, and one of those steps is completing the Common App and the Common App essay.

In this post, you’ll learn what the Common Application essay is, how to write one (including a free checklist to help you with the process), example essays, and much more. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What is the Common App, and More Importantly, What is the Common App Essay? Quick Facts on the 2021-2022 Common App Essay How Do You Write a Common App Essay?

What Should I Avoid in My Common App Essay? What Are Some Good Common App Essay Examples?

Common Application Essay FAQs

What is the common app, and more importantly, what is the common app essay.

The “Common App,” short for the Common Application , is a general application used to apply to multiple college undergraduate programs at once. It’s accepted by hundreds of colleges in the United States as well as some colleges internationally.

The idea is that the Common App is a “one-stop shop” so you don’t have to complete a million separate applications. That said, plenty of colleges still require their own application components, and the Common App, as user-friendly as it aims to be, can still feel like a bit of a challenge to complete.

Part of the reason the Common App can seem intimidating is because of the Common App essay component, which is required of all students who submit a college application this way. But never fear! In reality, the Common App essay is easy to ace if you know how to approach it and you give it your best.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at anything and everything you need to know about the 2021-2022 Common App essay in order to help you get into the school of your dreams. We’ve also created a downloadable quick guide to writing a great Common Application essay.

Quick Facts on the 2021-2022 Common App Essay

Below are just a few of the short and sweet things you need to know about the 2021-2022 Common App essay, but we’ll elaborate on some of this content later in this post.

How Do You Write a Common App Essay?

The million dollar question about the Common App essay is obviously, “How do I actually write it?!”

Now there’s something to keep in mind before exploring how to compose the Common App essay, and that’s the purpose of this task. You may be wondering:

• What are college admissions boards actually looking for?
• Why are you being asked to write this essay?

College admissions boards want to see that you can compose a compelling, well-crafted essay. After four years of high school, you’re expected to be able to craft a clear and concise piece of writing that addresses a specific subject.

So yes, you’re actually being evaluated on your essay writing skills, but the purpose of the Common Application essay is deeper than that—it’s to present the type of person and thinker that you are.

Regardless of which prompt you choose, colleges are trying to get a sense of how thoughtfully and critically you can reflect on your life and the world around you .

And furthermore, they want to get a sense of who you are—your interests, your personality, your values—the dimensional aspects of you as an applicant that simply can’t be expressed in transcripts and test scores . In short, you want to stand out and be memorable.

That said, there is no exact formula for “cracking the case” of the Common App essay, but there are plenty of useful steps and tips that can help you write a great essay.

(In a hurry? Download our quick and concise handout that sums up some of the keys to the Common App essay!)

1) Familiarize Yourself With the Common App Prompts and How to Approach Them

The Common App recently released the 2021-2022 essay prompts , which are almost the same as last year’s prompts, but with one BIG difference.

The prompt about problem solving (formerly prompt #4) has been replaced with a prompt about gratitude and how it has motivated you. According to Common App President and CEO Jenny Rickard, this change was inspired by new scientific research on the benefits of writing about gratitude and the positive impact others have had on our lives.

Additionally, the Common App now includes an optional Covid-19 prompt where you can discuss how you’ve personally been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now, let’s take a look at each 2021-2022 Common App prompt individually. You’ll notice that every prompt really has two parts to it:

• share, explain and describe a narrative, and
• reflect on, analyze, and draw meaning from it.

Let’s take a look.

  Prompt #1: A snapshot of your story

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• Discuss a background, identity, or interest that you feel is meaningful to who you are and/or that or sets you apart from others.
• Reflect on why this attribute is meaningful and how it has shaped you as a person.

  Prompt #2: An obstacle you overcame

Prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• Recount a time you faced a challenge, setback, or failure.
• Reflect on how this affected you, what you learned from it, and if it led to any successes later down the line.

  Prompt #3: A belief or idea you questioned or challenged

Prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

• Explain a time that you questioned a particular belief or way of thinking.
• Elaborate on what prompted this questioning, what the outcome was, and why this outcome was significant.

  Prompt #4: An experience of gratitude that has motivated you

Prompt: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

• Describe the specific experience or interaction that made you feel a sense of gratitude. Make sure to explain who did something nice for you and why it was surprising or unexpected.
• Explain, as specifically as possible, how this feeling of gratitude changed or motivated you. What actions did you take a result? How did your mindset change?

  Prompt #5: An accomplishment or event that sparked personal growth

Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

• Describe an accomplishment or event that sparked personal growth for you.
• Reflect on the nature of this growth and/or a new understanding you gained in the process.

  Prompt #6: An interest so engaging you lose track of time

Prompt: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

• Discuss a topic, idea, or interest that is so engaging to you that you lose track of time when focused on it.
• Reflect on and explain why this interest is so important to you, and your method of learning more about it.

  Prompt #7: An essay topic of your choice

Prompt: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

• Discuss any subject matter or philosophical question of interest to you.
• Reflect on the implications of this subject or question, and how it has shaped you, transformed you, impacted your life, etc.

  Now keep in mind that to some degree, it doesn’t actually matter which prompt you choose to answer, so long as you write and present yourself well. But you obviously want to pick whichever Common App essay prompt speaks to you most, and the one you think will provide you the meatiest and most meaningful material.

This is an outstanding guide to choosing the right Common App essay prompt, but as a rule of thumb, the “right” prompt will probably stand out to you. If you have to rack your brain, for example, to think of a challenge you’ve overcome and how the experience has shaped you, then that prompt probably isn’t the right one.

Authenticity is key, so choose the prompt you can answer thoroughly.

2) Brainstorm

Whether you know immediately which prompt you’re going to choose or not, do yourself a huge favor and brainstorm . Take out a notebook and jot down or free write all of the ideas that spring to your mind for as many of the prompts that you’re considering. You might be surprised what ideas you generate as you start doing this, and you might be surprised which ideas seem to have the most content and examples to elaborate on.

Also, it’s important to note that your subject matter doesn’t have to be highly dramatic or spectacular. You don’t have to recount a near-death experience, an epic overseas adventure, a 180-degree turn of faith, etc. Your ordinary life, when reflected upon thoughtfully, is interesting and profound.

3) Answer the Question (and Stay on Topic!)

This may sound painfully obvious, but for some of us, it can be hard to stay on topic. Each prompt is posed as a question , so don’t lose sight of that and let your essay devolve into a story about yourself that never really gets at the heart of the prompt.

As you’re drafting your essay—say after each paragraph—pause and refer back to the question, making sure each paragraph plays some part in actually responding to the prompt.

4) Structure and Organize Your Essay Effectively

The Common App essay isn’t like many of the other argumentative essays you’ve been taught to write in school. It is argumentative in that you are essentially arguing for why you are a good candidate for a particular college, using your personal experience as support, but it’s more than that.

The Common Application essay is essentially a narrative essay that is reflective and analytical by nature. This means that regardless of which prompt you select, you’ll be sharing something personal about yourself, and then reflecting on and analyzing why what you shared is important.

And even if this isn’t an essay format that you’re accustomed to writing, you can still rely on your knowledge of basic essay structures to help you. You’ll still need a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Let’s talk about those three pieces now.

Introduction

The purpose of an introduction is 1) to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to continue reading, and 2) to introduce the reader to the general subject at hand.

So the most important part of the introduction is a unique attention-getter that establishes your personal voice and tone while piquing the reader’s interest. An example of a good hook could be a brief illustrative anecdote, a quote, a rhetorical question, and so on.

Now, you may be wondering, “Do I need a thesis statement?” This is a great question and the simple answer is no.

This is because some students prefer to hook their reader with a bit of mystery and let their story unfold organically without a thesis sentence “spoiling” what is to come. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a thesis sentence, it just means you don’t need one. It just depends on how you want to build your personal narrative, and what serves you best.

That said, your essay does need a greater message or lesson in it, which is another way of saying a thesis . You just don’t necessarily have to write it out in the introduction paragraph.

It might help you to keep a thesis in mind or even write it down just for your own sake, even if you don’t explicitly use it in your introduction. Doing so can help you stay on track and help you build up to a stronger reflection.

Here are some examples of narrative thesis statements:

• I moved a lot as a child on account of having a parent in the military, which led me to become highly adaptable to change.
• The greatest obstacle I’ve overcome is my battle with leukemia, which has taught me both incredible resilience and reverence for the present.
• An accomplishment that I achieved was making the varsity volleyball team, which has made me grow tremendously as a person, specifically in the areas of self-confidence and collaboration.

As discussed earlier, there are two parts to each prompt: explanation and reflection . Each part should be addressed throughout the essay, but how you organize your content is up to you.

A good rule of thumb for structuring the body of your essay is as follows:

• Situate your reader: provide context for your story by focusing in on a particular setting, subject matter, or set of details. For example, you may frame an essay about an internship at the zoo with the phrase, “Elephants make the best friends.” Your reader knows immediately that the subject matter involves your interaction with animals, specifically elephants.
• Explain more about your topic and how it affected you, using specific examples and key details.
• Go deeper. Elaborate and reflect on the message at hand and how this particular topic shaped the person you are today.

Note that while there are no set rules for how many paragraphs you should use for your essay, be mindful of breaking paragraphs whenever you naturally shift gears, and be mindful of too-long paragraphs that just feel like walls of text for the reader.

Your conclusion should flow nicely from your elaboration, really driving home your message or what you learned. Be careful not to just dead-end your essay abruptly.

This is a great place to speculate on how you see the subject matter informing your future, especially as a college student and beyond. For example, what might you want to continue to learn about? What problems do you anticipate being able to solve given your experience?

5) Write Honestly, Specifically, and Vividly

It may go without saying, but tell your own story, without borrowing from someone else’s or embellishing. Profound reflection, insight, and wisdom can be gleaned from the seemingly simplest experiences, so don’t feel the need to stray from the truth of your unique personal experiences.

Also, make sure to laser in on a highly specific event, obstacle, interest, etc. It is better to go “narrower and deeper” than to go “wider and shallower,” because the more specific you are, the more vivid and engrossing your essay will naturally be.

For example, if you were a camp counselor every summer for the last few years, avoid sharing several summers’ worth of content in your essay. Focus instead on one summer , and even better, on one incident during that summer at camp.

And on that note, remember to be vivid! Follow the cardinal rule of writing: show and don’t tell . Provide specific details, examples, and images in order to create a clear and captivating narrative for your readers.

6) Be Mindful of Voice and Tone

Unlike in most academic essays, you can sound a bit less stuffy and a bit more like yourself in the Common App essay. Your essay should be professional, but can be conversational. Try reading it aloud; does it sound like you? That’s good!

Be mindful, however, of not getting too casual or colloquial in it. This means avoiding slang, contractions, or “text speak” abbreviations (e.g. “lol”), at least without deliberate context in your story (for example, if you’re recounting dialogue).

You’re still appealing to academic institutions here, so avoid profanity at all costs, and make sure you’re still upholding all the rules for proper style, grammar, and punctuation.

7) Revise and Proofread

This one is a biggie. Give yourself time during your application process to revise, rework, and even rewrite your essay several times. Let it grow and change and become the best version it can be. After you write your first draft, walk away from it for a couple days, and return to it with fresh eyes. You may be surprised by what you feel like adding, removing, or changing.

And of course, make sure your essay is pristine before you submit it. Triple and quadruple check for spelling and usage errors, typos, etc. Since this isn’t a timed essay you have to sit for (like the ACT essay test , for example), the college admissions readers will expect your essay to be polished and sparkling.

A tried and true method for both ensuring flow and catching errors is reading your essay aloud. You may sound a little silly, but it really works!

What Should I Avoid in My Common App Essay?

Resume Material

Your Common App essay is your chance to provide a deeper insight into you as a person, so avoid just repeating what you’d put on a resume. This is not to say you can’t discuss something mentioned briefly on your resume in greater depth, but the best essays offer something new that helps round out the whole college application.

Controversy

Okay, now this one is a bit tricky. On the one hand, you should write boldly and honestly, and some of the prompts (the one about challenging a particular belief, for example) are appropriate for addressing potentially contentious topics.

But that said, avoid being controversial or edgy for the sake of being controversial or edgy. Be steadfast in your beliefs for the greater sake of the narrative and your essay will be naturally compelling without being alienating to your readers.

Vague Stories

If you have a personal story that you’re not entirely comfortable sharing, avoid it, even if it would make a great essay topic in theory. This is because if you’re not comfortable writing on the subject matter, you’ll end up being too vague, which won’t do your story or overall application justice. So choose a subject matter you’re familiar with and comfortable discussing in specifics.

Unless they really, truly serve your essay, avoid general platitudes and cliches in your language. It is definitely encouraged to have an essay with a moral, lesson, or greater takeaway, but try to avoid summing up what you’ve learned with reductive phrases like “slow and steady wins the race,” “good things come in small packages,” “actions speak louder than words,” “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” and so on.

What Are Some Good Common App Essay Examples?

There are tons of Common App essays out there, including these Common App essay examples accepted at Connecticut College, which include explanations from admissions readers about why they were chosen.

But let’s take a look here at two versions of an example essay, one that is just okay and one that is great.

Both Common App essay examples are crafted in response to prompt #2, which is:

Essay Version #1, Satisfactory Essay:

During my sophomore year of high school, I tore my ACL, which stands for “anterior cruciate ligament,” and is the kiss of death for most athletic careers. This injury ended up being one of the greatest obstacles of my life. It was also, however, a turning point that taught me to see opportunity amidst adversity.

It was particularly awful that I was just about to score a winning goal during a championship hockey game when I was checked by a guy on the opposing team and came crashing down on my knee. It was pain unlike anything I’d ever felt before, and I knew immediately that this was going to be bad.

For the few months that followed the accident, I was lost, not really knowing what to do with myself. I didn’t know who I was anymore because hockey had been my whole world and sense of identity. Between working out, attending practice, playing home and away games, and watching games to learn more, it was my lifeblood. Losing my ability to play took a toll on me physically and emotionally and I grew lethargic and depressed.

And then one day I heard my school would be adding an advanced multimedia art class for those students who wanted to continue studying art beyond what was already offered. I had taken the handful of art classes my school offered and really enjoyed and excelled at them—though I had never considered them more than just fun electives to fill my scheduled, as required.

After a couple of weeks of the class, I began feeling better. Suddenly I wanted to draw or paint everything I looked at. I wanted to share the world around me as I saw it with others, to connect with people in a way I’d never done before. I met and made friends with many new people in that art class, people I would have never known if I hadn’t taken it, which also opened me up to all kinds of new mindsets and experiences.

We’re all familiar with the common adage, “When one door closes, another opens,” and this is exactly what happened for me. I might never have pursued art more seriously if I hadn’t been taken out of hockey. This has served as a great reminder for me to stay open to new opportunities. We never know what will unexpectedly bring us joy and make us more well-rounded people.

Areas for Improvement in Version #1:

• It lacks a compelling hook.
• The discussion of the obstacle and reflection upon it are both a bit rushed.
• It could use more vivid and evocative language.
• It uses a cliche (“one door closes”).
• It is somewhat vague at times (e.g. what kinds of “new mindsets and experiences” did the writer experience? In what ways are they now more “well-rounded”?).

Now let’s apply this feedback and revise the essay.

Essay Version #2, Excellent Essay:

My body was splayed out on the ice and I was simultaneously right there, in searing pain, and watching everything from above, outside of myself. It wasn’t actually a “near death” experience, but it was certainly disorienting, considering that just seconds before, I was flying down the ice in possession of the puck, about to score the winning goal of our championship game.

Instead, I had taken a check from an opposing team member, and had torn my ACL (or anterior cruciate ligament), which is the kiss of death for most athletic careers.

My road to recovery included two major surgeries, a couple months on crutches, a year of physical therapy, and absolutely zero athletic activity. I would heal, thankfully, and regain movement in my knee and leg, but I was told by doctors that I may never play hockey again, which was devastating to me. Hockey wasn’t just my passion—it was my life’s goal to play professionally.

For the few months that followed the accident, I was lost, feeling like a ghost haunting my own life, watching everything but unable to participate. I didn’t know who I was anymore because hockey had been my whole world and sense of identity. Between working out, attending practice, playing home and away games, and watching games to learn more, it was my lifeblood. Losing my ability to play took a toll on me physically and emotionally, and I grew lethargic and depressed.

And then one day I heard my school would be adding an advanced multimedia art class after school for those students who wanted to study art more seriously. I had already taken the handful of art classes my school offered and really enjoyed them—though I had never considered them more than just fun electives to fill my schedule, as required. And, because of hockey, I certainly had never had afternoons open.

After a couple of weeks of the class, I began to feel alive again, like “myself” but renewed, more awake and aware of everything around me. Suddenly I wanted to draw or paint everything I looked at, to bring everything I saw to life. It wasn’t just that I’d adopted a new hobby or passion, it was that I began looking more closely and critically at the world around me. I wanted to share what I saw with others, to connect with people in a way I’d never done before.

My art teacher selected a charcoal portrait of mine to be showcased in a local art show and I’ve never been more proud of myself for anything. Many of my friends, family members, and teammates came to see the show, which blew me away, but also I realized then just how much of my own self worth had been attached to people’s perception of me as a successful athlete. I learned how much better it feels to gain self worth from within. Unlike hockey, which I’d trained to be good at since I was a toddler, art is something that made me much more vulnerable. I didn’t do it to try to be the best, I did it because it felt good. And getting out of my comfort zone in this way gave me a sense of confidence I had never known prior, despite all my time on the ice during high-stakes games.

Today, I’m back in skates and able to play hockey, but will probably not play professionally; while I am disappointed, I’m also at peace with it. We make plans in life, and sometimes life has other plans for us that we have to adapt to and embrace, which is the more profound lesson I’ve learned in the healing process. We can crumple in the face of obstacles, or we can look for a silver lining and allow ourselves to grow into more complex, dynamic, well-rounded people. I don’t know what the rest of life holds for me, but I do know that I’m going to keep making art, and I’m going to keep opening myself up to new opportunities and experiences.

Strengths of Version #2:

• It has a compelling hook that draws the reader in.
• It has a clear beginning, middle, and end (expressed as an introduction, body, and conclusion).
• It directly addresses the prompt at hand and sticks to it.
• It focuses on one specific incident.
• It is well balanced in its explanation of and reflection on a given experience.
• It uses a clear, unique voice and tone as well as vivid, evocative language.
• It has a logical and cohesive flow.
• It is highly personal while also polished and professional.

Hopefully these examples have given you ideas of how you can take your Common App essay from good to great. If you have more questions about how to write a Common App essay, keep reading our FAQs below.

How much do I actually have to write for the Common App essay?

Last year, the Common App essay was capped at 650 words with a minimum of 250 words required. The best essays tend to range between 500-650 words.

Think of it this way as you start to draft: 500 words is one single-spaced page (250 words is one double-spaced page), so you should write roughly a page to page and half of typed, single-spaced content.

Where can I find the official Common App essay prompts?

Here are the 2021-2022 Common App essay prompts , which are the same as last year’s, with the exception of a new prompt #4 and the addition of a Covid-19 Common App prompt .

Do I need a title for the Common App essay?

A title is not required for the Common App essay, but you are, of course, more than welcome to include one if you’d like.

Where can I go for more information about the Common App essay?

All of the necessary information for the Common App and the Common App essay can be found on the Common Application home page.

For further reading, here are some posts that tackle and dispel common myths about the Common App essay:

Myth: The Common App essay must sound professional. Myth: Colleges can’t tell if someone helps write a common app essay.

If you haven’t already, you can download our free Common App essay checklist .

Happy Writing!

There you have it! The Common App essay can actually be quite rewarding to write if you give yourself enough time to prepare for it thoroughly. Remember, it’s all about you, and you’re the authority on that! So hunker down and don’t forget to have fun in the writing process.

We’d also love to hear from you! What questions or concerns do you still have about the Common Application essay? What are you thinking about writing on?

Comment below, and good luck!

Nadyja von Ebers is one of Magoosh’s Content Creators. Nadyja holds an MA in English from DePaul University and has taught English and at the high school and college levels for twelve years. She has a decade of experience teaching preparation for the AP exams, the SAT, and the ACT, among other tests. Additionally, Nadyja has worked as an academic advisor at college level and considers herself an expert in all things related to college-prep. She’s applied her college expertise to posts such as UCLA Admissions: The SAT Scores, ACT Scores, and GPA You Need to Get in and A Family Guide to College Admissions . Nadyja loves helping students reach their maximum potential and thrives in both literal and virtual classrooms. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys reading and writing for pleasure and loves spending time in or near the ocean. You can connect with her on LinkedIn !

View all posts

More from Magoosh

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, good length for college essays: what does 650 words look like.

I've seen college essays requiring 650 words, but what does that look like? Any advice on how to make sure I'm staying within that range?

A 650-word essay is approximately a page and a half to two pages long when using a standard 12-point font and standard spacing between lines. To visualize what 650 words look like, think about a typical two-page, double-spaced essay with an introduction, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

To ensure you stay within the 650-word limit, begin by drafting an outline for your essay to help you organize your thoughts and stay focused on the main points you want to convey. Keep your introduction and conclusion concise, whereas you can afford to go into a bit more detail in the body paragraphs. As you write, consider using a word processor with a built-in word count feature (such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Pages) to keep track of your word count in real-time.

After completing your essay, it is helpful to revise and edit your work to remove any unnecessary words or phrases, and to make your sentences more concise and clear. This process will also help you ensure that you're adhering to the word count requirement.

Finally, remember that while it's essential to stay within the word limit, quality and effective storytelling should be your priority. Focus on conveying your message and telling your story in a way that captivates your audience and demonstrates who you are as an applicant.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Celebrating 150 years of Harvard Summer School. Learn about our history.

12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

College admission committees sift through thousands of college essays each year. Here’s how to make yours stand out.

Pamela Reynolds

When it comes to deciding who they will admit into their programs, colleges consider many criteria, including high school grades, extracurricular activities, and ACT and SAT scores. But in recent years, more colleges are no longer considering test scores.

Instead, many (including Harvard through 2026) are opting for “test-blind” admission policies that give more weight to other elements in a college application. This policy change is seen as fairer to students who don’t have the means or access to testing, or who suffer from test anxiety.

So, what does this mean for you?

Simply that your college essay, traditionally a requirement of any college application, is more important than ever.

A college essay is your unique opportunity to introduce yourself to admissions committees who must comb through thousands of applications each year. It is your chance to stand out as someone worthy of a seat in that classroom.

A well-written and thoughtful essay—reflecting who you are and what you believe—can go a long way to separating your application from the slew of forgettable ones that admissions officers read. Indeed, officers may rely on them even more now that many colleges are not considering test scores.

Below we’ll discuss a few strategies you can use to help your essay stand out from the pack. We’ll touch on how to start your essay, what you should write for your college essay, and elements that make for a great college essay.

Be Authentic

More than any other consideration, you should choose a topic or point of view that is consistent with who you truly are.

Readers can sense when writers are inauthentic.

Inauthenticity could mean the use of overly flowery language that no one would ever use in conversation, or it could mean choosing an inconsequential topic that reveals very little about who you are.

Use your own voice, sense of humor, and a natural way of speaking.

Whatever subject you choose, make sure it’s something that’s genuinely important to you and not a subject you’ve chosen just to impress. You can write about a specific experience, hobby, or personality quirk that illustrates your strengths, but also feel free to write about your weaknesses.

Honesty about traits, situations, or a childhood background that you are working to improve may resonate with the reader more strongly than a glib victory speech.

Grab the Reader From the Start

You’ll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer’s attention.

Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination. This might be a bold statement, a thoughtful quote, a question you pose, or a descriptive scene.

Starting your essay in a powerful way with a clear thesis statement can often help you along in the writing process. If your task is to tell a good story, a bold beginning can be a natural prelude to getting there, serving as a roadmap, engaging the reader from the start, and presenting the purpose of your writing.

Focus on Deeper Themes

Some essay writers think they will impress committees by loading an essay with facts, figures, and descriptions of activities, like wins in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. But that’s not the point.

College admissions officers are interested in learning more about who you are as a person and what makes you tick.

They want to know what has brought you to this stage in life. They want to read about realizations you may have come to through adversity as well as your successes, not just about how many games you won while on the soccer team or how many people you served at a soup kitchen.

Let the reader know how winning the soccer game helped you develop as a person, friend, family member, or leader. Make a connection with your soup kitchen volunteerism and how it may have inspired your educational journey and future aspirations. What did you discover about yourself?

Show Don’t Tell

As you expand on whatever theme you’ve decided to explore in your essay, remember to show, don’t tell.

The most engaging writing “shows” by setting scenes and providing anecdotes, rather than just providing a list of accomplishments and activities.

Reciting a list of activities is also boring. An admissions officer will want to know about the arc of your emotional journey too.

Try Doing Something Different

If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?

If you are an especially talented writer, you might play with the element of surprise by crafting an essay that leaves the response to a question to the very last sentence.

You may want to stay away from well-worn themes entirely, like a sports-related obstacle or success, volunteer stories, immigration stories, moving, a summary of personal achievements or overcoming obstacles.

However, such themes are popular for a reason. They represent the totality of most people’s lives coming out of high school. Therefore, it may be less important to stay away from these topics than to take a fresh approach.

Explore Harvard Summer School’s College Programs for High School Students

Write With the Reader in Mind

Writing for the reader means building a clear and logical argument in which one thought flows naturally from another.

Use transitions between paragraphs.

Think about any information you may have left out that the reader may need to know. Are there ideas you have included that do not help illustrate your theme?

Be sure you can answer questions such as: Does what you have written make sense? Is the essay organized? Does the opening grab the reader? Is there a strong ending? Have you given enough background information? Is it wordy?

Write Several Drafts

Set your essay aside for a few days and come back to it after you’ve had some time to forget what you’ve written. Often, you’ll discover you have a whole new perspective that enhances your ability to make revisions.

Start writing months before your essay is due to give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts. A good time to start could be as early as the summer before your senior year when homework and extracurricular activities take up less time.

Read It Aloud

Writer’s tip : Reading your essay aloud can instantly uncover passages that sound clumsy, long-winded, or false.

Don’t Repeat

If you’ve mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don’t repeat it again in your essay.

Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Also, be sure you’ve answered whatever question or prompt may have been posed to you at the outset.

Ask Others to Read Your Essay

Be sure the people you ask to read your essay represent different demographic groups—a teacher, a parent, even a younger sister or brother.

Ask each reader what they took from the essay and listen closely to what they have to say. If anyone expresses confusion, revise until the confusion is cleared up.

Pay Attention to Form

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

“While we won’t as a rule stop reading after 650 words, we cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention for as long as you’d hoped it would,” the Common App website states.

In reviewing other technical aspects of your essay, be sure that the font is readable, that the margins are properly spaced, that any dialogue is set off properly, and that there is enough spacing at the top. Your essay should look clean and inviting to readers.

End Your Essay With a “Kicker”

In journalism, a kicker is the last punchy line, paragraph, or section that brings everything together.

It provides a lasting impression that leaves the reader satisfied and impressed by the points you have artfully woven throughout your piece.

So, here’s our kicker: Be concise and coherent, engage in honest self-reflection, and include vivid details and anecdotes that deftly illustrate your point.

While writing a fantastic essay may not guarantee you get selected, it can tip the balance in your favor if admissions officers are considering a candidate with a similar GPA and background.

Write, revise, revise again, and good luck!

Experience life on a college campus. Spend your summer at Harvard.

Explore Harvard Summer School’s College Programs for High School Students.

About the Author

Pamela Reynolds is a Boston-area feature writer and editor whose work appears in numerous publications. She is the author of “Revamp: A Memoir of Travel and Obsessive Renovation.”

How Involved Should Parents and Guardians Be in High School Student College Applications and Admissions?

There are several ways parents can lend support to their children during the college application process. Here's how to get the ball rolling.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Free 650-Word Essay Samples

2901 samples of this type

An essay of 650 to 700 words is a standard high school assignment that a student might need to write to demonstrate their knowledge of the topic. The most common genres for 650-word essays are: article review, persuasive essay, critical writing, assessment. You might need to write such a paper on literature, sociology, marketing, biology, etc.

Political Power: Definition and Dimensions

Political Power Political science is a very elaborate as well as a very complex science which concerns itself with the study of various disciplines and how they influence politics of the day. The field of political geography is concerned with the political power aspects. It emanates from a complex combination...

Critique of “Epistle to the Galatians” Letter

Introduction The Bible is one of the most influential books in history; the New Testament, having been written almost two millennia ago, still has much to teach people about. To properly comprehend what it says, it is important to see the main principles taught there, as well as to understand...

The Coca-Cola Company’s Diversity Management

Coca-Cola is a universally well-known brand. The parent company based in Atlanta Georgia produces a concentrate, which it supplies to bottlers all over the world. The company’s threefold mission is, “to refresh the world, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness and to create value and make a difference” (The...

Modern and Traditional Nursing Educational Frameworks

The worksheet presented below is targeted as describing two educational frameworks of perennials and positivism. Its analysis will be beneficial for understanding the key principles as well as the way in which both frameworks are used in education and can be used in the nursing curriculum. Perennialism – A Traditional...

Contingency Management for Patients With Substance Abuse

Contingency management Contingency management is a behavioral treatment for patients with substance abuse problems (Hart & Ksir, 2015). Patients may receive immediate rewards in the forms of vouchers that can be changed for special goods or personal services. People with drug-free urine samples get vouchers (Hart & Ksir, 2015). The...

How Many Pages Is a 650-Word Essay Double Spaced?

A 650-word text usually takes about 2 pages. All the major citation styles assume that an essay will take approximately 250 words per page. The most common format is double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. The details might differ – for instance, in MLA 9 and APA 7, Calibri and Arial are also accepted. However, 12-point Times New Roman remains preferable.

650 Words Is How Many Paragraphs?

A 650-word essay contains 4 to 7 paragraphs on average. The length of a typical academic paragraph is about 100 words. You should include at least four sentences in your paragraph.

650-Word Essay Structure

The easiest way to organize a 650-word essay is to use a standard 5-paragraph structure. The paper should start with an introduction: a hook, some background data, and a thesis statement. Then come three body paragraphs, each focused on one argument. The concluding paragraph is to contain a summary and a restated thesis.

How Long Does a 650-Word Essay Take?

It will take you about 13 to 26 minutes to type 650 words on your keyboard, depending on your typing speed. However, if you also need to perform research, make a reference list, add in-text citations, and graphic materials, you’ll need more time – not less than 2 hours for 650 words.

How Many References Are in a 650 Word Essay?

The final number of references that you should include in an essay of 650 to 700 words will depend on the assignment’s genre and complexity. For instance, on middle-school level, you’ll have to add 4 references on average. A bachelor-level assignment of 650 words will require 8 references, while a graduate-level paper should refer to at least 13 sources.

Carrying Cost of Inventory

Introduction When one compiles a list of assets or any form of items for formal purposes then he is said to be making an inventory. It involves various activities which include: recording of items, time and costs involved, the management of these items, forecasting the profitability, and physical inventory. This...

Millenium Development Goals and Globalization

Millennium Development Goals Millennium Development Goals are the document developed and accepted by the United Nations in 2000. The specificity of this program is the design of not only eight goals to achieve but also measures for estimating the success of the initiative. The major objective is to foster the...

The Treatment of Adolescents with Suicidal Tendencies

PICOT Question The proposed PICOT statement is: “In adolescent patients suffering from suicide ideation, does the implementation of family and professional support, compared with only depression prevention strategies, reduce the suicide ideation and rate of adolescent, in a year period?” To answer this question, one can look at articles that...

Should Athletes Be Held to a Higher Moral Standard?

Introduction The debate about athletes and higher moral standards sparks whenever there is an ethical scandal involving athletes. It happened after Lance Armstrong was found using drugs to increase his performance rates and win Tour de France seven times in a row (Ingle); it was brought up after many members...

Home-Style Cookies Baking Company’s Efficiency Issues

Introduction The case of the Home-Style Cookies baking company that operates in the United States involves a few problems related to potential improvements that can strengthen the company and increase the effectiveness of its work. There are numerous companies that HSC can use as a reference model. Among them, there...

Type II Diabetes Treatment

Clinical Problem and Clinical Goals Manjeet’s main clinical problem is Type II Diabetes. This disease influences the level of glucose and sugar in the blood. In addition, she is overweight. Such clinical goals to control glucose level, prevent cardiovascular problems and lose weight are established. Non-Pharmacological Interventions Type II Diabetes...

Parenting and Choice of Child-Rearing Style

Parenting is a very complex activity. Therefore, parents tend to apply styles that best suit their goals. The child-rearing style applied to a child has an impact on the child’s growth and development. The style employed by the parent(s) can predict the future character of the child. Authoritarian Style Such...

The Reliability and Validity of Assessment Tools

Introduction Reliability and validity are significant elements of any assessment tool. However thoroughly developed the tools are, if they are not valid or reliable, the research is doomed to fail. Reliability is the rate of consistency which involves the following methods: inter-rater, parallel forms, test-retest, and internal consistency. Validity is...

Management in Organizations: Financial Issues

Creating the environment in which the staff delivers the performance of the finest quality is a necessity for managers in the contemporary business environment (Groebner, Shannon, Fru, & Smith, 2014a). However, managing the staff and maintaining high motivation rates among the employees is a challenging task that requires a detailed...

Conflict Resolution Skills in Nursing

The conflict scenario involves the lead nurse and the hospital administrator on prioritizing expenditure in fall management equipment and training of nurses. The administrator feels that larger share of the expenditure should be allocated to fall prevention equipment while the lead nurse is of the opinion that equal allocation should...

Supervisor’s Motivation and Employee’s Performance

Marquita White, third shift floor supervisor The factors to consider reflecting the supervisor’s character A close look at Marquita White’s character shows an individual who is capable of good performance but it also shows an individual whose pride in past achievements is the main hindrance to good performance. Consideration of...

Heroes and Killers of 20th Century: Joseph Stalin

Introduction The website named “Moreorless: heroes & killers of the 20th century” by the author and producer Bruice Harris was developed for society all over the world. It is intended to present all necessary materials about heroes and killers of the 20th century from the author’s point of view. Among...

Suggestion for Weight Control Plan

Influence tactics The tactic influence used by Siegel in his attempt to combat smoking and obesity is pressure. This type of influence is manipulative and dishonest even though the intentions are positive. He imposes the issue of losing weight and abandoning smoking on the employees such that they are faced...

The Speech of Thomas Friedman

Introduction The video that we have been required to watch is the speech of Thomas Friedman, the journalist, and writer, who works as a columnist at The New York Times. The speech is well presented and delivered. At first, Friedman seems a bit nervous and constrained; he says “erm” a...

Problem-Solving Skills in Nursing

The one or two problem-solving or creativity areas in which I am most strong are: In my opinion, one of my strongest areas in terms of creativity and unusual ways of solving problems is the skill of finding individual approaches to people. In a broader perspective, communication skills concern not...

• Communication
• Relationship

Straw Man Fallacy: Definition and Illustrations

Logical fallacies are tricks or illusions of thought that have the potential of leading the other person or the entire conversation away from the topic and confuse the listeners. Since debating is an ancient art from, by now, thinkers and researchers have described tens upon tens logical fallacies. Probably, one...

Organizational Climate and Nursing Care Practices

What were the name and type of measurement method used to measure Caring Practices in the Roch, Dubois, and Clarke (2014) study? The Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction Short Scale (CNPISS) was the method used to measure Caring Practices. It is a short 5-point scale method, where the results can be rated...

Environmental Health and Nurses’ Contribution

Introduction Environment plays a crucial role in the life of people as it impacts all spheres of their activity. For this reason, the healthcare sector considers it one of the fundamental issues that should be given attention with the primary aim to ensure positive results and improve the health of...

Drop in the Number of Nursing Staff

Providing patients with instant access to high-quality healthcare services is one of the crucial responsibilities of nursing experts. However, the implementation of the specified task is becoming overly complicated due to the rising levels of understaffing in the nursing setting. Despite being scrutinized closely by global organizations such as WHO...

Analysis of “The Miller’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales exemplify a precious immersion opportunity into not only the Middle Age’s world but into the nature of human redundancy as well. The customs, surrounding realia, and occasional mishaps of various strata of society living in the 14th century are presented in a facetious manner: in the form...

Assessment of Geriatric Patients: Old Age Problems

Old age is characterized by slowing down of physiological functions and the impeded renewal of body tissues. As the body breaks down, the geriatric becomes weaker. Every system in the body shows reduced functioning as the metabolic process is slowed down. As there is a slower and reduced renewal of...

How Has Globalisation Affected Cultural Diversity?

Introduction Thesis Globalization affects cultural diversity and allows less developed nations to acquire and assess global cultural knowledge. From positive perspectives, globalization has a great and positive impact on cultural diversity as it brings new values and principles. On the global scale, people become conscious of growing manifestations of social...

Personal Narratives of J. Edwards and E. Ashbridge

People should care about their personal spiritual development. Life without God is impossible as people should believe in something, as people should know that there is somebody who cares about them. People’s faith in God helps them to lead a normal life or to cope with problems that appear. There...

Informational Privacy in the Execution of Employment Contracts

Various companies need their new workers first to sign with them an agreement sooner than they commence the work. These may be important in the sense that they might act as a basis for ensuring a binding commitment from both parties. This commitment has legally binding and is therefore recognized...

Roger’s and Maslow’s Theories

The humanistic perspective focuses on the ‘self’ that defines “you”, “your perception” and “your experiences”. The basic motive behind this approach is the facilitation of personal development. There are two theorists who put forward their studies in this regard, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Carl Rogers Carl Rogers is not...

• Performance

Symbolism in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare

While reading this amazing creation of Shakespeare, I have always thought of corruption its effect. The more I read the more I realized and understood the undesirable effects of corruption. I wouldn’t say ambition is the effect of corruption but it’s rather one of the factors. Supporting my finding and...

Glass Ceiling: Term Definition

Glass ceiling is a term that has been used to refer to the discrimination that is practiced against some genders or races with a sole intention of preventing them achieve high job profiles within the work place. It is a form of limitation that limits the minorities from getting the...

Bombing Iran’s Nuclear Facilities?

The news has been reporting more and more lately about the intentions of the US and/or Israel to attack Iran. Categorizing the reason for such attack, the issue can be seen two-fold. On the one hand, there are the nuclear program of Iran, which regardless of it its true purpose...

Information Ethics in Business Enterprises

The use of an information code of conduct in a company is becoming more and more necessary at present. Rapid technological advances in the area cause the increase in the importance of ethics in information technology. In response, many businesses are instituting policies to regulate employees’ use of company-owned technology...

The Struggle From Faith To Faith In Night By Elie Wiesel

Introduction The essay analyses the novel Night by Elie Wiesel and examines the story of Eliezer’s struggle with his faith. It exposes Eliezer’s great faith and how it eventually weakens due to his experience. Eliezer’s Struggle to Keep His Faith in God In the novel Night by Elie Wiesel, great...

Material Lab London Specifiers and Design Analysis

Introduction Material Lab is one of the modern studios showcasing technological innovation in the design world. It is one of the collection centers for various assortments of tiles and innovative art and design materials in continental Europe. The Lab represents more than 60 design manufacturers and thus acts as a...

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

Introduction The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel where Margaret Atwood pictures a scenario of one way in which the world could develop. The story is set in a fantasy version of a near-future New England, in a regime resembling totalitarian theocracy. In this world, women have no rights or...

Cancer: Definition, Epidemiology, and Pain Management

Cancer is a grave disease that is highly lethal and often delivers a slow and painful death at later stages. Cancer is estimated to reveal itself in as many as 100 types. Statistically, in 2008 the mortality rate from cancer was at the level of 62% (Siegel, Ma, Zou, &...

Narration, Setting, and Terms in “The Things They Carried”

Central Idea of the Story The central idea of the story is to determine why different people carry items that they do. The narrator notes physical objects and metaphysical ideas that the soldiers bring with them. For instance, Lt. Cross carries a tangible picture of Martha and his ephemeral feelings...

Knowledge Management in Healthcare

Managing activities in medical organizations is an expensive process that is dependent heavily on knowledge flows and communication among various stakeholders that generate external and internal knowledge. A rapidly changing environment that exists nowadays has influenced healthcare organizations and made executives look for knowledge management systems that would structure a...

• Discrimination
• Social Media
• Comparative Literature

Aristotle’s Concept of Virtue Ethics

The combination of such qualities as generosity, kindness, honesty, courage, modesty, and hospitality in one person is scarce. However, when this happens, the carrier of all these traits is called virtuous, a hero, or a saint (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2017). Such people become role models, inspiring society to develop positive...

Fear of Victims to Report Crime

Living in the society comprises not only the complex of advantages which can be considered with the government’s protection and provision of rights. The social background presupposes the evaluation of attitudinal and behavioral standards which are reckoned with the extent of morale. When the situation concerns the facts of sexual...

Behavioral Modification: Influence Tactics

Influence tactics can be used to affect the behavioral patterns of the subordinates, coworkers, and bosses. Pressure, ingratiation, coalition, consultation, upward appeals, exchange, and rational persuasion are among the most frequently used ones (Nelson & Campbell Quick, 2016). The efficiency of the tactics varies depending on the circumstances, personality type,...

“The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice” by Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Othello is a play about secrets, plotting and revenge. It tells the tragic story of Othello, who is secretly married to Desdemona and how the people around them plot to end the relationship (Shakespeare 6). Rodrigo’s business with Iago involves the latter helping him to woo Desdemona. Roderigo is...

Ethnographic Study: Observation and Interviewing

Introduction The development of science involves the progress of combining theoretical and practical knowledge. Every investigated subject of existing science is a mixture of theory and observation. The majority of social sciences, specifically sociology and anthropology, were constantly giving considerable attention to observational research. Cultural anthropologists commonly focus on ethnographic...

Vaccination: Child Immunization on the Government Level

Description of the Issues Vaccination is one of the most important procedures for a person, especially at a young age. With many serious diseases threatening the population’s health, society must take preemptive action to prevent any further harm. Many contagious illnesses from the past were almost completely eradicated by vaccination...

The Health Information System Evaluation

A reflection on strategies for evaluating health information systems Health information systems play crucial roles in patient care outcomes within healthcare organizations. To ensure continued efficiency and effectiveness, a health information system should be evaluated routinely (Nahm, Vaydia, Ho, Scharf & Seagull, 2007). An evaluation of a health information system...

A Countrywide Toothbrushing Program Targeting Young Children in the USA

Background A member of the United States House of Representatives has introduced a bill that aims to compel the federal government to provide funding and personnel for a countrywide toothbrushing program targeting young children in the 3-6 years age bracket. This bill has been triggered by the realization that a...

Health-Illness Continuum and Its Role

As a dynamic state, a human’s health reflects the ability of an individual to adapt to various changes in internal and external environments. For health care providers, it is important to evaluate the state of patients’ health to guarantee effective medical services. The health-illness continuum is a scale, which can...

The Solution to the Increasing Incidence of Criminals Reverting

It is well known that most prisoners who ultimately leave prison and return back in society do not get supervised in any way. This is seen as a consequence of the loop holes in the prevailing law which does not provide for exhaustive provisions to supervise them after their release....

Application of a Design in Turkey

Application of a design in Turkey involves preparation of a design application petition on an A4 size plain white paper by the use of a typewriter to the institute of Patent in Turkey. In case the first applicant in a different country is not similar to the applicant in Turkey,...

Maternal Health Literacy and Child Participation in Welfare Programs

Pati et al. (2010) carried out an empirical research study in Philadelphia to find out how maternal health literacy influenced child’s participation in social welfare programs. The sample under study showed that 20% of mothers had limited or no knowledge on their maternal health which in turn, influenced their children’s...

John Rhodes Community Center Pool Case Solution

Introduction Promoting a new program or implementing a new course of action can be a daunting marketing challenge. Although there are many marketing strategies designed to facilitate such projects management, not all of them are applicable in specific conditions. For example, the situation can be significantly complicated by an enterprise’s...

Unsettling Endings in American Short Stories “Winter Dreams” and “A Worn Path

A proper conclusion is a necessary part of any literary work, as it provides the reader with sufficient knowledge regarding the antagonists’ stories. By addressing the closing events and clarifying the outcomes of the situations portrayed, the author offers the reader a clear understanding of the narrative’s consequences. The classic...

The Virtual Reality Storytelling in Education

Learning cultural diversity and global interconnectedness through Lyfta is one the most memorable digital experiences that has had a significant impact on my life. On Tuesday, March 06, 2018, I attended a meeting whose purpose was to introduce Lyfta to teachers and students in professional development school (PDS) classrooms in...

Internal and External Conflict in “The Rocking-Horse Winner”

Human relationships are never simple and are usually predetermined by a variety of factors. In Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” the theme of family relationships is described through the vision of a little boy, Paul, and his mother, Hester, and the impact of such issues as money and personal needs. Despite...

Firearms and Cars: Threats to Life

Introduction In his essay “Our Blind Spot About Guns,” Nicholas Kristof raises the issue of legal regulation of the carrying and use of firearms. He compares it to the development of car safety. The appearance of cars on the roads in American history did not immediately culminate in creating traffic...

”Max and Ruby” Through the Lens of a Developmental Psychological Perspective

For the analysis, I chose the children’s animated series “Max and Ruby.” Attention was focused on the episode “Surprise for Ruby,” one of the most popular among children. The target audience of the cartoon is preschool children of three or four years old. “Max and Ruby” is suitable for both...

“The Plague” by Albert Camus

In Albert Camus’s The Plague, a classical masterpiece, a deadly outbreak begins with rats and spreads to humans, decimating half of Oran’s population but sparing the least likely: Joseph Grand. Readers meet Joseph early in the novel, just about the same time news breaks about rats supposedly having an epidemic,...

Financial Advisor: 10 Questions to Choose the Right One

The first items are qualifications and credentials, which tell about a person’s capabilities. More detailed questions include experience, recent courses, and their application in a previous job. It is a necessary point since knowledge of current trends and expertise define a professional. The second parameter is the list of provided...

• Ancient History
• Environment

Singer’s and Narveson’s Ethical Approaches to Charity

Introduction There are many ethical approaches to charity and altruistic behavior that state how individuals should embark on helping others, whether any kind of help is necessary, and to what extent. Thus, such theories as utilitarianism and libertarianism present opposing views on charitable behavior and whether individual members of society...

“Wish You Wood”: The Company Analysis

For small and medium entrepreneurships (SMEs), surviving in the environment of global competition, where organizations of a much larger caliber utilize all available strategies in order to retain their influence and power, is a massive challenge. For “Wish You Wood,” the decision to partner with Amazon seemed like a stroke...

Saving Energy in a Restaurant Enterprise

Abstract Reducing environmental damage and, in general, using eco-friendly innovations has to keep pace with energy saving practices, therefore, these are perceived in conjunction. Equipping any enterprise in such a way as to cause damage to the environment as little as possible is at the moment one of the fundamental...

Private Car Driver-Linking Service

The transport industry has evolved with time due to ever-changing lifestyles and business dynamics. The advancement of technology has been the primary instrument of change in the sector. In this regard, iDriveYourCar has capitalized on the technology to develop a website and an app, which connect individuals owning private cars...

Henry Clay’s American System, Economy and Market

Henry Clay’s American system The American system of Henry Clay could be described in various ways. The best characterization one could provide is that this was anticipated as a set of tariffs and other barriers regulations, based somewhat on the establishment of a national financial institution controlled equally by private...

Conflict Management in Business

There are various reasons why conflicts occur in organizations. Moreover, conflicts take place on different levels based on the core of the problem that needs to be addressed. One source may be a lack of proper communication where two or more parties cannot adequately discuss and engage in effective dialogue....

Books IX-XII of Paradise Lost by Milton

Book IX Milton reveals gender-related biases present in the seventeenth century – Eve is to blame for the couple being exiled from Eden. “To whom soon mov’d with a touch of blame thus Eve” states the poem and also emphasizes the author’s opinion by describing Adam’s disappointment in the woman’s...

Aspects of Global Interest Rates

Introduction Bond prices and market interest rates have an inverse relationship, and these variables can increase or decrease according to specific conditions of the economic cycle. The interest rate represents the cost of money, which changes depending on the deadline of the reference. For instance, a 3-moth bond yields 0.04%,...

Climate Change and Future Generations

Earthlings need to prepare for severe trials that will affect the life of every person on the planet. The constant craving for consumption and inattention to the words of scientists who have warned for over 20 years that seemingly apocalyptic future scenarios may become a reality became the main reasons....

Reflection Paper: Stereotypes in Health Care

Ageism, sexism, racism, other stereotypes, and social discrimination represent a severe challenge to the healthcare system. Significantly, older women are affected by bias when interacting with medical services. However, the ethnic and racial groups commonly face disparities in receiving care. This reflective paper investigates different manifestations of stereotypical approaches in...

• Christianity
• Domestic Violence

East-West Rivalry and Atomic Race of Cold War

Cold War intensified after Russia and the United States got new leaders, namely Nikita Khrushchev and Dwight Eisenhower. The war dynamics transformed to a new level as ground troops were reduced because the two nations wanted to focus more on nuclear weapons. The U.S. policies were highly aggressive, and in...

Future of 100% Renewable Energy

Aghahosseini, Arman, et al. “Analysing the Feasibility of Powering the Americas with Renewable Energy and Inter-Regional Grid Interconnections by 2030.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 105, 2019, pp. 187-205. The authors of this academic article investigate the future of renewable green energy in the context of the Sustainable Development...

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Review

The short story The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is an example of feminist literature, which explains the choice of the topic and the images the author uses. The narrator is a woman who suffers from the symptoms of depression and apathy after giving birth to her child. She...

Philosophy: Aspects of the Soul Theory

Individual identity is explained by evoking the soul, according to the oldest related concept, which is perhaps the most frequently accepted by ones who are not involved in the sphere of philosophy across the world. The soul may be considered a metaphysical, immaterial element of a human, according to this...

Coca-Cola’s ‘Real Magic’ Advertisement Analysis

Christened ‘Real Magic,’ Coca-Cola’s new campaign rekindles the multinational company’s trademark promise “to unite and uplift people every day” while adding recent relevance to the current world. Principally, the ad targets Generation Z consumers aged 10 to 24 years and perceived to be technological savvy. The company includes games such...

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Care Planning

Fact Gathering Tyler has had Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) since he was born while his mum was an alcoholic addict while pregnant. The most immediate assessment needs include offering support services to the client and applying family oneness to ensure a change in the behavioral activities of the client....

The “Guernica” Painting by Pablo Picasso

Introduction Guernica is a famous painting by the great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The canvas was painted in 1937, and the picture has a deep symbolic meaning associated with the Spanish Civil War. The main themes of the picture are the bombing of the Spanish city of Guernica, the horrors...

The Professional Development Program for SUPERVALU

The Professional Development Program (PDP) was a proposal set to recruit college graduates and proximate to offer job placement after training. The establishment was approved to attract and prepare potential graduates for successful management careers in the distribution, retail, and corporate activities within SUPERVALU. The initiative consisted of five new...

Researching and Analysis of Moral Theories

Summary Decisions in professional life or personal life experience are often ambiguous and complex. Even if a person adheres to one moral theory, in some cases, it is simply necessary to move away from the usual model and look at a difficult situation through the prism of a different model....

Human Trafficking in the United States Project Design and Implementation

Feasibility of Proposed Project Human trafficking continues to be a significant problem that the United States has been battling for several years. This atrocity is part of the organized crime conducted by various criminal groups in the US (Arnold, 2021). The aim of this project is to investigate the major...

• Accountancy

Healthcare Financing: USA vs. Switzerland

Country to Compare Switzerland is one of the countries with an accessible and quality healthcare system. The country has adopted various legislation and policies to ensure effective medical care services. Unlike many countries, the Swiss healthcare system is highly decentralized and majorly funded by the residents. Accessibility: Children, Unemployed, and...

Differences Between Traditional and Modern Women

Introduction Women in modern society can choose one of the two opposite worldviews to establish their values. Traditional women prioritize creating the nuclear family and supporting the patriarchal family structure. Traditional perception is often considered outdated in modern society because it is often associated with religion and supports conservative political...

Enhancing Patient-Centered Care at Regional Health

Regional Health is a major health care provider in Williston, North Dakota. The leadership of Regional Health concerns themselves with the opinion of Williston’s citizens on the quality of the care provided by the institution. After conducting a survey to understand citizens’ outlook on the Regional Health’s medical management, the...

Epics Reading Logs: Odysseus, Heracles, King Arthur

This epic story about the life and wanderings of King Ithaca impressed me greatly and made me reevaluate some aspects of my own personality. First, it was easier for me to associate myself with Odysseus. Since he goes through severe development, Odysseus overcomes himself and fights, becoming a true hero....

Swipe Right, Swipe Left: Social Anxiety Disorder

Introduction The article concerns the behavioral aspects of people who suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD) before they engage in a relationship. To investigate this subject, Rozen and Aderka (2022) conducted a study based on previous findings that state that people with SAD have more difficulties in developing and engaging...

Poverty and How This Problem Can Be Solved

Introduction Poverty is one of the global social problems of our time, existing even in the countries of the first world despite the generally high standard of living of people. That is why the problem of poverty is so insidious in the US because most people live well-to-do lives and...

The Importance of Thorough Preparation for Interviews

Introduction Conducting an interview requires careful preparation and study of the hero. No less important is the development of questions and contacts with the interviewer. Well-chosen and asked questions can make communication with the hero interesting and their answers full of meaning. What I Have Learned from The Interview One...

Infantry in the “Dawn of the Red Arrow” Documentary

Introduction Dawn of the Red Arrow refers to a documentary that explores the change of the Wisconsin Guard from insecurely organized regiments into the 32nd Division at the outset of WW1. The documentary featured pictures, stories, and videos of soldiers who were fighting in the trenches. More than 15,000 National...

Chronic Conditions and Public Health Crisis in America

Chronic conditions are a major public health crisis in America. It threatens the quality of life and health of communities, families, and individuals across the nation. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, are America’s leading causes of death. According to Gussow (2021), chronic conditions claim more than $300...

Airline Certification Process and Stages

Today aircrafts are considered to be the safest type of transport. An organization that provides people with passenger and freight transportation is called an airline. As a rule, each airline has an air operating certificate or license. It is given by the national aviation authority to provide an aircraft operator...

• American Politics

Logistics: Supply Chain Influence

Supply chains are becoming important parts of businesses as global companies seek to expand in this ever-changing and competitive world. The technological progress allows the designing, manufacturing, and delivering of new goods and services in improved ways. The change is fast and difficult to avoid given that new markets are...

Evaluation Research: Hospital Administration

Evaluation research provides a pathway of supplying dependable proofs of a variety of social programs, especially in clinical practices. This research uses a variety of research techniques discussed in the previous chapters in order to come up with comprehensive results. For instance, evaluation research can be used by a hospital...

Psychological Help as the Prevent From Possible Crime

Nowadays, terrorism can be considered to be one of the most refractory diseases in the contemporary world. It is necessary to organize the regular medical inspections, to provide accessible psychiatric help to all groups of the population, to concentrate on psychotherapeutic sessions rather than drugs, and to remember that it...

The Gender Differences Concept

Gender differences exist for different reasons, but their most significant feature is that they have an impact on social interactions and building up relationships between men and women. This paper will explore the causes of gender differences including biological, cognitive, and social ones, discuss the influence of gender differences on...

Obesity in the United States: Learning Process

Learning Goals and Objectives Obesity is a persistent problem in many developed countries. According to Fox (2016), over 40% of American females are obese. The percentage of children and teenagers who have some degree of obesity is also concerning: the study found over 17% of children and teenagers to be...

The Introduction of a Four-Day Work Week

Nowadays, most employers would probably dismiss the thought of introducing a four-day work week. Everybody is used to the fact that a work week lasts for five days, and reducing the number of days employees spend at work – and, consequently, lowering the amount time they spend in the office...

Bullying Problem in School

Introduction Everyone knows what bullying is. A great number of people experienced bullying as either victims, perpetrators, or bystanders. It is a problem that has existed ever since the creation of first public schools in the 18th century. While the society is aware of the problem, little is done to...

How P&G Company Brought the Diaper Revolution to China?

Why Entry to the Japanese Diaper Market Failed The initial attempt by P&G to enter into the Japanese diaper market failed because it had not discovered the need to understand the needs of the consumers to make products that best suit them. They had confronted the Japanese market with the...

Exclusion of Students with Learning Disabilities

Introduction The problem of teaching students with learning disabilities (LD students) is actively discussed in US society. The reason is that theory and practice of working with these students constantly change to provide educators with the most effective methods to teach individuals with special learning needs. Therefore, while focusing on...

Technology Acceptance Model

One of the most successful theories for exploring and examining technology acceptance is the Technology Acceptance Model (Holden & Karsh, 2010; Sun & Zhang, 2006). The theory approaches the examination of technology acceptance by two variables, that is, Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU). The popularity and...

• Child Development

Importance of Responsible Person

Being a responsible person entails doing the right thing in the right way. When one is responsible, he or she becomes accountable for his or her actions. Responsibility has everything to do with making wise consideration for all factors when making a decision. Responsibility is required most when a situation...

Domestic Violence Article and Conservation Model

Strengths and Weaknesses The abstract is comprehensible and excellently systematized into headings: objective, methods, results, and conclusion, which discuss the content, in brief, devoid of being verbose. The objective listed in the article delineates the rationale behind the study. Irrespective of the absence of an excellently represented literature review section,...

Hypothesis Testing: Meaning, Proportion and Elements

Type I and type II errors associated with hypothesis testing According to Brase and Brase, the type I error occurs when the correct null hypothesis is rejected (Brase and Brase 394). The type II error, in its turn, can be attributed to the situations when the false null hypothesis is...

Asian Studies: The Fujiwara Clan

By what means did the Fujiwara dominate court politics during the Heian period? The Fujiwara clan was started during the famous Asuka period and was one of the biggest and powerful families among four others which had a lot of influence on Japanese politics during the Heian period, between 794...

Servant Leadership Philosophy and Leadership Style

According to the results of the questionnaire, my personal servant leadership philosophy revolves largely around conceptual skills, ethics in business and working practices. Another important part is the empowerment of the employees in order to help them do their duties and solve problems on their own rather than ask the...

Impact of Shift Work on Nurses’ Performance

Introduction Nursing is notoriously known as a profession with erratic scheduling and constant fatigue from a lack of or inconsistent sleep. This is largely due to shifting work which forces nurses to work long hours to meet the staffing needs of a hospital. There is a myriad of negative effects...

Nursing Art, Science, and Philosophy

Introduction The gap between theory and practice in nursing may be quite tangible, yet the effects that a solid theoretical foundation has on the efficacy of interventions are undeniable. Therefore, for a nurse, it is an absolutely imperative step to create a system of values, beliefs, and ethical principles that...

Nurse Supervisor’s Professional Identity and Stewardship

Introduction Leadership is critical in nursing and other healthcare professions since it defines the degree to which the provided services meet clients’ needs. For young specialists, learning from experienced professionals who have dealt with multiple difficult situations at work is a priceless opportunity for self-improvement. For this assignment, a 35-year-old...

Nurses’ Commitment to Respect Patient Dignity

Introduction The first selected tenet is that a nurse must practice with compassion with respect for human dignity and worth with each person. Under this aspect, the concepts of building a rapport with patients and colleagues, respecting their right to dignity and self-determination, understanding the nature of health are included....

Life Straw Project Analysis

Introduction Business is a way of making money and being successful, as poor people can become richer when they start making some business. But another aim of businesspeople is the help to those who live beyond the level of poverty. This kind of activity of people dealing with some business...

• Historical Figures

The Struggle for Black Equality

Introduction For the majority of white people in the south of the US, denying African Americans their right to vote was central. The African Americans were the majority particularly in the profound South and this meant that if they were to vote then they could manage to transform the power...

Marketing Communication Strategies: Domestic and International Markets

Introduction Marketing communication is a system used by managers to ensure timely and comprehensive input to the information and the decision-making process. In addition to these, it looks at the resulting production and expression of credible, persuasive representations of beneficial exchange opportunities with actual and prospective customers and other stakeholders...

Layout Design for Organizations

Introduction Layout design refers to the configuration of equipment, work centers, and departments, with a view of improving the flow of work in an organization. Therefore, planning of a layout involves decisions on how to arrange centers for economic activity required by facility’s processes (Domschke & Krispin, 1997). If an...

Reflection on the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights provided the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States in 1791 to guarantee civil liberties and rights to the citizens. It is generally agreed that the Constitution could not be ratified without the promises to add a Bill of Rights to it. These...

Social Media Tools’ Impact on Sports

The impact of social media tools on sports Social media has become so popular because of its ability to reach the general population. With social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook, the message sent via them often has an impact on the general population (Wenner, 1998). The messages sometimes...

Fair Trade Concept Overview

The modern business environment is mainly focused on increasing profits and raising gains from trade. These entrepreneurship’s primary goals are not easily achievable; consequently, there is an impressive number of instances of unethical practices among business owners. Being blinded by the high profits, the entrepreneurs commit immoral acts and do...

J. Tankersley’s Article About the Economic Situation in US

Even though under the Trump administration there has been some improvement in traditional economic indicators such as employment growth, increase in the number of jobs and decrease in unemployment, in the long term, the US economy faces a protracted crisis. This, in particular, is noted by Jim Tankersley in his...

Oedipus as a Perfect Tragic Hero

Introduction Aristotle made a considerable contribution when he conceptualized the notion of a tragic hero. According to the ancient thinker, a tragic hero should possess five major qualities. The Ancient Greek philosopher used Oedipus as a prototype for his tragic hero. Based on the major concepts of Aristotle, Oedipus can...

Musculoskeletal Examination Based on the Patient’s Age

2-Day-Old Infant History questions: Are the baby’s legs and arms symmetrical? Is there any tenderness in the abdomen? Pertinent physical exam findings: Full hip abduction, equal gluteal folds, negative Barlow’s sign is normal (Tappero & Honeyfield, 2018). Maneuvers to perform Palpation, reflex tests, congenital hip dysplasia assessment (Tappero & Honeyfield,...

The Book “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer

Introduction The book Into the Wild written by Jon Krakauer (1996) is a work full of metaphorical meanings and parallels that the author disguises intentionally. Readers’ perceptions of the characters are largely shaped by events rather than dialogs since the main character, Chris, is a traveler and communicates with the...

• Advertising
• Business Strategy

The Book “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s novel about Frankenstein and his Creature reveals many human vices and cruelty. There is also a place in the story for love and remorse, which opens in both characters in its strange way. However, the complex interweaving of feelings, actions, and the conditions, in which they were committed,...

Cooperatives’ Types and Organizational Structure

Definition of a Cooperative Cooperation at the end of the 20th century is a widespread social phenomenon. It is the basis for creating enterprises and their associations as well as for the accomplishment of everyday tasks at the national and international levels, such as space exploration, environmental protection, etc. Cooperatives...

”Doctor Strange”: Description and Interpretation

Description Doctor Strange, a 2016 action-fantasy film, existing exists as a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Created as a part of an ongoing series of films, this movie manages to both tell its own, unique story and provide a set upsetup for future installations in the franchise. The plot...

Public Shaming: Social Power and Its Drawbacks

Public shaming became a prevalent trend during the last five years. In particular, due to the spread of shaming, the English language was replenished with new expressions such as fat-shaming, body-shaming, or gender-shaming. But at the top of recent months remain lockdown-shaming, face-mask shaming, and even pajama-shaming. This paper aims...

Lisbet Proposed Evidence-Based Practice Change

Introduction Evidence-based practice allows a nurse or another medical worker to revolve an issue by applying recent studies in the relevant field. One such problem is the decreasing rate of nursing turnover. There are various reasons for it, but all lead to the patients being affected as well. This paper...

Phones at School: Positive and Negative Sides

Introduction With widespread availability of smartphones, the penetration of technology has reached 95%, with 45% using it constantly for a range of social and entertainment activities (Anderson and Jiang). Anecdotal evidence suggests that students bring smartphones to school and into the classroom, regardless of bans in school policy and teachers...

Traditional and Syndromic Surveillance Comparison

Abstract Syndromic Surveillance is an approach that aims at detecting an outbreak earlier as compared to traditional disease surveillance. To realize this goal, this approach expounds on situational awareness that focuses on the characteristics of the affected population by monitoring outbreak distribution and spread. The key features of this approach...

Case Efficiency and Adaptation, Tower Records

Symbiotic Partnership between Monkeys and Wolves Type of Relationship It is clear that Gelada monkeys and Ethiopian wolves have a strong bond involving the fight for survival. Since the monkeys are not bothered with the wolves entering their territory in most cases, it can be noticed that there is an...

Economics for Pharmaceutical Companies

Introduction Pharmaceuticals are an industry that is doing well financially due to the patents and exclusive rights they enjoy due to their developments. They are a part of the economy that has grown technologically. Thus, joining up with other sectors ensures that their investment gets back to them. For example,...

Tech: Low Voltage Digital Logic Circuits

Introduction The current waves in the developments of electronic devices, especially in their movement towards mobility, focus on the requirement for energy efficiency abreast with productivity. The low consumption of the circuits used in mobile devices represents a large industry. The implementation of low-energy circuits can be seen at the...

• Evidence-Based Practice
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Colonialism
• American Revolution

Marijuana: Limitations of Individualistic Explanations

Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. However, given the effects that the drug has on the individuals who use it users and the people who surround them (the society), the use of marijuana has been made illegal in most countries in the world. However,...

Is Islam a Religion That Practices Just War

Introduction The argument about Islam being a religion that practices just war arose following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. The fact is that Muslims today are involved in a serious argument about political ethics. This argument is framed in terms of practices that are central to the Islamic tradition....

Pressure Ulcers in Elderly in Health Settings

Introduction Pressure ulcers are areas of necrosis and ulceration on soft tissues that happen due to pressure or pressure in combination with shear. Pressure ulcers lead to significant patient’s pain level, adversely affect the patient’s quality of life, resulting in a continuous economic burden on the health care system. The...

The Values and Motives Questionnaire in Social Studies

Types of Reliability and Validity The Values and Motives Questionnaire (VMQ) presents two types of reliability in the questionnaire that is primarily used for assessment consistency – test-retest reliability and homogeneity reliability (Psytech, 2016). The test-retest reliability is based on the similar scores data, which is evaluated according to a...

“The Broken Spears”: The Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs

“The Broken Spears” is a fascinating and captivating book that provides an engaging and graphical account of the annihilation of Mexico by the Spanish. The book provides a more expressive and human perspective of the events of the military confrontation between the Spanish and Aztecs (Leon-Portilla 1992). This literary text...

Family Fitness Night Activities Project

Activities for Family Fitness Night The activity night for young children with their parents includes three principal occupations. They are combined in a set of games with rewards for completing each of the stages (Clintus. tv, 2018). First, the participants will be offered to participate in a cycling race. Since...

The Actions of the Federal Reserve and the Situation in the Bond Market

Introduction The article under consideration entitled “Jerome Powell Knows a Market Tantrum. This Isn’t Close” is related to macroeconomics and was published on February 23, 2021. In this article, Chappatta (2021) dwells upon the actions of the Federal Reserve and the situation in the bond market. It is stated that...

Canada: History and Individual Freedoms in Canada

Limiting individual freedoms in Canada today is necessary in order for Canadians to remain safe from terrorism The limitations of individual freedoms in present-day Canada are not necessary for protecting its citizens from terrorism since the threat is of external nature. It is primarily posed by the violence of Islamist...

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Thomas

Many literary works, books, songs, and poems touch on the controversial theme of death. Do not go gentle into that good night‘s actual significance lies in the crude force of its real feelings. Thomas utilizes the work to address his perishing father, mourning his dad’s deficiency of wellbeing and strength...

Reaction Rates and Effects of Temperature, Concentration, and Surface Area

Introduction When an acid and a base are reacted, a neutralization reaction occurs whereby a solution and a gas are formed. This experiment tests the effect of temperature, concentration, and surface area on the rate of reaction. Temperature is defined as the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance,...

• Substance Abuse
• Climate Change

New Care Plans and Change Initiatives of Nurses

The nurse influences five medical elements: providing patient-centered care, working in interdisciplinary teams, using evidence-based practice, improving quality, and informatics. Together, these enable an analysis of the nursing process and its effectiveness. A critical approach to nursing care involves evaluating actions and their results: which aspects of performance can be...

Leadership in Nursing Practice

It is believed that a nurse should have strong leadership skills. This should manifest itself in all areas of work and relationships with different people. For example, in dealing with patients, a nurse is a strong and significant person since they help people, “lead” them to recovery as a leader....

Significant Developments of the Ancient World

Some people wonder what the world would have been if this or that event had not occurred. It is challenging to answer this question because the world’s history is a chain of mutually dependent phenomena and events. If any element is dismissed, it is impossible to imagine how this fact...

Natural Gas: Composition, Formation, Location, and Use

Introduction Natural gas is a type of fossil energy occurring in a hydrocarbon gas mixture. It was first discovered in Iraq between the years 6000 and 2000 BC (Ma, 2017). This fossil gas was formed due to the ancient remains of animals and plants, such as diatoms that were buried...

Recommendations Concerning Unsuccessful 2017 Frye Festival

The Frye Festival was an event that took place in 2017, and it had a lot of problems. One of the main reasons for the failure was that there were too many people at the event. However, there were not enough activities to keep them all entertained. The organizers were...

Crime and Factors Influencing It

Gender Ratio Problem This problem describes one of the phenomena often observed in society regarding the number of crimes committed by people. As statistics show, there are significant gender differences since men commit much more crimes than women. This statement is true for almost any society and all types of...

Molecular Biology and Its Central Dogma

The Central Dogma The central dogma is a principle describing the transfer of molecular information in the Nucleus of the DNA. It gives detailed instructions on the processes involved in the conversion of DNA information into a final functional product, the protein. The central dogma was proposed by Francis Crick...

Literary Analysis of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor

Bailey and his wife, together with the three kids and their grandmother, decided to visit Florida. During this time, The Misfit had escaped from prison and was on the run. Along the way, the grandmother recognizes a childhood plantation, and she yearns to visit it (Flannery 2). She convinces Bailey,...

Food Facility Design: Sustainable Kitchen for Delight Restaurant

Introduction A sustainable kitchen should be eco-friendly that means the design should be developed to ensure there is not wastage of resources such as electricity, water, food and time when working. There should be high advocacy on recycling the ingredients and creation of stunning design all meant to save the...

Time Management and Work-Life Balance

Introduction The rhythm of modern life cannot be called measured and serene. The state in which people do not know what to do in the first place will not help to solve the accumulated cases. Besides, the inability to manage private time can cost dearly: stress, apathy, fast fatigability, failure...

Free Essays by Words

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the best college essay length: how long should it be.

College Essays

Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"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."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"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."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides seven "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 145 essay examples with analysis !

Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essays Database >
• Essay Examples

Vast 650-Word Essay Example Catalog

6808 samples of this type

What does a 650-word essay look like? This is a piece of writing about 2.5 double-spaced pages long – a typical assignment for college admission. For a college essay, it is very important to strictly adhere to the established paper volume. Don't think that the more the better – you should write the required number of words, plain and simple. Before you start your writing, we advise you to take a look at the sample 650 word essays to learn how to compose your original paper.

Check out the papers we've collected for you. Our 650-word college essay samples will help you develop an interesting essay topic, create a good hook that will immediately catch the reader's attention, and come up with an overall impressive piece of content. You can find a worthy example by reading its introduction and conclusion.

Alternatively, you can get your 650-word essay done with minimal effort – just use paper writing services at WowEssays.com for any of your " write my essays " requests. We guarantee high quality and reasonable prices.

Expertly Crafted Essay On Movie Piracy: Is It Ethical?

Connection to international business essays example.

News Write-Up: Immigration Order Complicates U.S. Businesses’ Plans in the Middle East

Description of Event

Good Business Plan About Strategy As Long Term Intent And Systemic Optimization

Don't waste your time searching for a sample.

Get your 650 word essay done by professional writers!

Just from $10/page

Write By Example Of This Orlando Bizline: Porter’s Five Forces Analysis Essay

Orlando Bizline is among agencies that deal with robust and complex accounts lists of several large businesses. The paper aims to analyze the competitive position of Orlando Bizline in Miami and Atlanta. For this purpose, Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model is used as it is considered as the most effective way of analyzing the competitive environment. The model is comprised of a framework that includes five factors (Dess, Lumpkin, Eisner, & McNamara, 2013). Figure 2: Porter's Five Forces Model (Crackmba, 2012)

Threat of Substitute Products

The Mexican Drug Cartel And Drug-Related Violence Essay To Use For Practical Writing Help

Political Changes in Mexico and Drug-Related Violence

Free Essay About Ways For Employees To Reduce Their Tax Burden

Draw topic & writing ideas from this essay on prioritizing alcohol prevention, a-level article review on machine learning for neonatal extubation prediction for free use.

Introduction

Proponents Question & Answer Samples

Question and Answers

Abolitionism: Question And Answers Question & Answer Sample

Question 1: Slavery not morally wrong until late 18th century

Asch Experiment Video Critical Thinking To Use For Practical Writing Help

Critical Thinking

Stock Picks And Rationale Essay Samples

Company profile analysis   essay template for faster writing.

Company Profile Analysis

Financial Accounting Standards Board Research Paper Example

Winston churchill case study sample, movie review on what is “right” about how “the bobs” conducted the interview.

Analysis of ‘The Bobs’ Interview

Instutional AffilationAnalysis of ‘The Bobs’ Interview

There are several things that The Bobs did right in the interview. For instance, he and his associate were able to remain calm and composed despite the fact that Peter seemed to be disorganized and unprepared for the interview. He was also able to ask Peter some questions that would help in job analysis and work flow analysis. For example, he asks Peter what his typical work day is like. Such a question can help in understanding the activities a worker is involved in during a working day and how they are undertaken

What is ‘wrong’ about how “The Bobs” conducted the interview?

Substance Use And Attempted Suicide Among Adolescents In New York State Dissertations Examples

Social Cognitive Theory

Company Overview And Pest Analysis Essays Examples

The institutional affiliation

Human Papillomavirus Essay Example

Short answers: essay you might want to emulate.

Short Answers

Sample Case Study On System Implementation

Question #1

The major problem, in this case, is poor implementation of the new electronic clinical documentations system by the end users. The problem is likely to have been caused by the hurried implementation, inadequate training, and minimum involvement of the end users during the early stages of the project.

Question #2

Proper Essay Example About The Pigeonhole Principle

The culture of shut up essay sample, safety in the kingdom of saudi arabia essay samples, technological transformation essay, free key assignment outline: audit outline report: top-quality sample to follow.

Planning the audit

Hypocalcemia Case Study Example

Free essay about critical analysis of a management challenge, free responses to discussion posts essay: top-quality sample to follow.

Response to #POST 1

Population Increase As A Key Point Of Clallam County’s Economic Development Essays Examples

Exemplar essay on how would you connect the inspiration from a dream to the finished image to write after, a-level essay on rhetoric in health and medicine for free use, objectives reports examples, free functionalist and conflict perspectives essay example, free essay on paraguay, free essay about the environment of nepal, free christian world view question & answer example, exemplar essay on biological aspects of human sexuality to write after, statistics {type) to use as a writing model.

Sales Comparison

Let us calculate how much sales in dollars made each of the salespersons during 6 weeks. Total A = week1 + week2+week3+week4+week5+week6 = 1774+1808+1890+1932+1855+1726=10985

All other calculations can be seen in graph Total of the Table1.

Master Scholarship Essay Essay Sample

Master Scholarship

Micro-Economics Essays Example

Reducing class size enhances the student achievement.

Free Lessons Learned In Social Media + Sports In 2016 Essay Sample

Free review case b. how does depreciation affect deferred taxes case study sample.

Mike Mayo takes on Citigroup (A) and (B)

Free Mission San Luis Museum Essay: Top-Quality Sample To Follow

Project proposal term paper samples.

Project Proposal: Mobile app to track the communal transport.

The UN Legislation {type) To Use As A Writing Model

Ergonomic training for employees essay sample, free change management critical thinking example, sample essay on globalization, whiteness as property: example essay by an expert writer to follow.

Chapter Review

Learn To Craft Essays On My Social Network With This Example

Political culture article review, three stages in consumer decision-making process: a top-quality essay for your inspiration.

Three stages in consumer decision-making process.

Exemplar Research Paper On Accounting Harmonization To Write After

Transborder latin american migration: exemplar essay to follow.

Network Theory

Good Critical Thinking About Critique Of Strengths And Weaknesses

Reflection Paper

Article Summary

The Genetics Of Intelligence Essay Examples

Project management essay samples, poly-trauma & blast exposure: a sample argumentative essay for inspiration & mimicking.

Poly-trauma and Blast Exposure

Free Mericans Essay Sample

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

16 Strong College Essay Examples from Top Schools

What’s Covered:

• Common App Essays
• Why This College Essays
• Why This Major Essays
• Extracurricular Essays
• Overcoming Challenges Essays
• Community Service Essays
• Diversity Essays
• Political/Global Issues Essays
• Where to Get Feedback on Your Essays

Most high school students don’t get a lot of experience with creative writing, so the college essay can be especially daunting. Reading examples of successful essays, however, can help you understand what admissions officers are looking for.

In this post, we’ll share 16 college essay examples of many different topics. Most of the essay prompts fall into 8 different archetypes, and you can approach each prompt under that archetype in a similar way. We’ve grouped these examples by archetype so you can better structure your approach to college essays.

If you’re looking for school-specific guides, check out our 2022-2023 essay breakdowns .

Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Note: the essays are titled in this post for navigation purposes, but they were not originally titled. We also include the original prompt where possible.

The Common App essay goes to all of the schools on your list, unless those schools use a separate application platform. Because of this, it’s the most important essay in your portfolio, and likely the longest essay you’ll need to write (you get up to 650 words). 

The goal of this essay is to share a glimpse into who you are, what matters to you, and what you hope to achieve. It’s a chance to share your story. 

Learn more about how to write the Common App essay in our complete guide.

The Multiple Meanings of Point

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (250-650 words)

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée, while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

The first obvious strength of this essay is the introduction—it is interesting and snappy and uses enough technical language that we want to figure out what the student is discussing. When writing introductions, students tend to walk the line between intriguing and confusing. It is important that your essay ends up on the intentionally intriguing side of that line—like this student does! We are a little confused at first, but by then introducing the idea of “sparring,” the student grounds their essay.

People often advise young writers to “show, not tell.” This student takes that advice a step further and makes the reader do a bit of work to figure out what they are telling us. Nowhere in this essay does it say “After years of Taekwondo, I made the difficult decision to switch over to ballet.” Rather, the student says “It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers.” How powerful! 

After a lot of emotional language and imagery, this student finishes off their essay with very valuable (and necessary!) reflection. They show admissions officers that they are more than just a good writer—they are a mature and self-aware individual who would be beneficial to a college campus. Self-awareness comes through with statements like “surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become” and maturity can be seen through the student’s discussion of values: “honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.”

Sparking Self-Awareness

Prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (250-650 words)

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the garb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

First things first, this Common App essay is well-written. This student is definitely showing the admissions officers her ability to articulate her points beautifully and creatively. It starts with vivid images like that of the “rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free.” And because the prose is flowery (and beautiful!), the writer can get away with metaphors like “I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms” that might sound cheesy without the clear command of the English language that the writer quickly establishes.

In addition to being well-written, this essay is thematically cohesive. It begins with the simple introduction “Fire!” and ends with the following image: “When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.” This full-circle approach leaves readers satisfied and impressed.

While dialogue often comes off as cliche or trite, this student effectively incorporates her family members saying “Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” This is achieved through the apt use of the verb “taunted” to characterize the questioning and through the question’s thematic connection to the earlier image of the student as a rustic princess. Similarly, rhetorical questions can feel randomly placed in essays, but this student’s inclusion of the questions “Was I so dainty?” and “Was I that incapable?” feel perfectly justified after she establishes that she was pondering her failure.

Quite simply, this essay shows how quality writing can make a simple story outstandingly compelling. 

Why This College?

“Why This College?” is one of the most common essay prompts, likely because schools want to understand whether you’d be a good fit and how you’d use their resources.

This essay is one of the more straightforward ones you’ll write for college applications, but you still can and should allow your voice to shine through.

Learn more about how to write the “Why This College?” essay in our guide.

Prompt: How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying (650 words).

Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics, said, “caring is the human mode of being.” I have long been inspired by Sister Roach’s Five C’s of Caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. Penn both embraces and fosters these values through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and unmatched access to service and volunteer opportunities.

COMMITMENT. Reading through the activities that Penn Quakers devote their time to (in addition to academics!) felt like drinking from a firehose in the best possible way. As a prospective nursing student with interests outside of my major, I value this level of flexibility. I plan to leverage Penn’s liberal arts curriculum to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges LGBT people face, especially regarding healthcare access. Through courses like “Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals” and volunteering at the Mazzoni Center for outreach, I hope to learn how to better support the Penn LGBT community as well as my family and friends, including my cousin, who came out as trans last year.

CONSCIENCE. As one of the first people in my family to attend a four-year university, I wanted a school that promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. At Penn, professors challenge their students to question and recreate their own set of morals by sparking thought- provoking, open-minded discussions. I can imagine myself advocating for universal healthcare in courses such as “Health Care Reform & Future of American Health System” and debating its merits with my peers. Studying in an environment where students confidently voice their opinions – conservative or liberal – will push me to question and strengthen my value system.

COMPETENCE. Two aspects that drew my attention to Penn’s BSN program were its high-quality research opportunities and hands-on nursing projects. Through its Office of Nursing Research, Penn connects students to faculty members who share similar research interests. As I volunteered at a nursing home in high school, I hope to work with Dr. Carthon to improve the quality of care for senior citizens. Seniors, especially minorities, face serious barriers to healthcare that I want to resolve. Additionally, Penn’s unique use of simulations to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application impressed me. Using computerized manikins that mimic human responses, classes in Penn’s nursing program allow students to apply their emergency medical skills in a mass casualty simulation and monitor their actions afterward through a video system. Participating in this activity will help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement regarding crisis management and medical care in a controlled yet realistic setting. Research opportunities and simulations will develop my skills even before I interact with patients.

COMPASSION. I value giving back through community service, and I have a particular interest in Penn’s Community Champions and Nursing Students For Sexual & Reproductive Health (NSRH). As a four-year volunteer health educator, I hope to continue this work as a Community Champions member. I am excited to collaborate with medical students to teach fourth and fifth graders in the city about cardiology or lead a chair dance class for the elders at the LIFE Center. Furthermore, as a feminist who firmly believes in women’s abortion rights, I’d like to join NSRH in order to advocate for women’s health on campus. At Penn, I can work with like-minded people to make a meaningful difference.

CONFIDENCE. All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence. Each student summarized their experiences at Penn as challenging but fulfilling. Although I expect my coursework to push me, from my conversations with current Quakers I know it will help me to be far more effective in my career.

The Five C’s of Caring are important heuristics for nursing, but they also provide insight into how I want to approach my time in college. I am eager to engage with these principles both as a nurse and as a Penn Quaker, and I can’t wait to start.

This prompt from Penn asks students to tailor their answer to their specific field of study. One great thing that this student does is identify their undergraduate school early, by mentioning “Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics.” You don’t want readers confused or searching through other parts of your application to figure out your major.

With a longer essay like this, it is important to establish structure. Some students organize their essay in a narrative form, using an anecdote from their past or predicting their future at a school. This student uses Roach’s 5 C’s of Caring as a framing device that organizes their essay around values. This works well!

While this essay occasionally loses voice, there are distinct moments where the student’s personality shines through. We see this with phrases like “felt like drinking from a fire hose in the best possible way” and “All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence.” It is important to show off your personality to make your essay stand out. 

Finally, this student does a great job of referencing specific resources about Penn. It’s clear that they have done their research (they’ve even talked to current Quakers). They have dreams and ambitions that can only exist at Penn.

Prompt: What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Coin collector and swimmer. Hungarian and Romanian. Critical and creative thinker. I was drawn to Yale because they don’t limit one’s mind with “or” but rather embrace unison with “and.” 

Wandering through the Beinecke Library, I prepare for my multidisciplinary Energy Studies capstone about the correlation between hedonism and climate change, making it my goal to find implications in environmental sociology. Under the tutelage of Assistant Professor Arielle Baskin-Sommers, I explore the emotional deficits of depression, utilizing neuroimaging to scrutinize my favorite branch of psychology: human perception. At Walden Peer Counseling, I integrate my peer support and active listening skills to foster an empathetic environment for the Yale community. Combining my interests in psychological and environmental studies is why I’m proud to be a Bulldog. 

This answer to the “Why This College” question is great because 1) the student shows their excitement about attending Yale 2) we learn the ways in which attending Yale will help them achieve their goals and 3) we learn their interests and identities.

In this response, you can find a prime example of the “Image of the Future” approach, as the student flashes forward and envisions their life at Yale, using present tense (“I explore,” “I integrate,” “I’m proud”). This approach is valuable if you are trying to emphasize your dedication to a specific school. Readers get the feeling that this student is constantly imagining themselves on campus—it feels like Yale really matters to them.

Starting this image with the Beinecke Library is great because the Beinecke Library only exists at Yale. It is important to tailor “Why This College” responses to each specific school. This student references a program of study, a professor, and an extracurricular that only exist at Yale. Additionally, they connect these unique resources to their interests—psychological and environmental studies.

Finally, we learn about the student (independent of academics) through this response. By the end of their 125 words, we know their hobbies, ethnicities, and social desires, in addition to their academic interests. It can be hard to tackle a 125-word response, but this student shows that it’s possible.

Why This Major?

The goal of this prompt is to understand how you came to be interested in your major and what you plan to do with it. For competitive programs like engineering, this essay helps admissions officers distinguish students who have a genuine passion and are most likely to succeed in the program. This is another more straightforward essay, but you do have a bit more freedom to include relevant anecdotes.

Learn more about how to write the “Why This Major?” essay in our guide.

Why Duke Engineering

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke (250 words).

One Christmas morning, when I was nine, I opened a snap circuit set from my grandmother. Although I had always loved math and science, I didn’t realize my passion for engineering until I spent the rest of winter break creating different circuits to power various lights, alarms, and sensors. Even after I outgrew the toy, I kept the set in my bedroom at home and knew I wanted to study engineering. Later, in a high school biology class, I learned that engineering didn’t only apply to circuits, but also to medical devices that could improve people’s quality of life. Biomedical engineering allows me to pursue my academic passions and help people at the same time.

Just as biology and engineering interact in biomedical engineering, I am fascinated by interdisciplinary research in my chosen career path. Duke offers unmatched resources, such as DUhatch and The Foundry, that will enrich my engineering education and help me practice creative problem-solving skills. The emphasis on entrepreneurship within these resources will also help me to make a helpful product. Duke’s Bass Connections program also interests me; I firmly believe that the most creative and necessary problem-solving comes by bringing people together from different backgrounds. Through this program, I can use my engineering education to solve complicated societal problems such as creating sustainable surgical tools for low-income countries. Along the way, I can learn alongside experts in the field. Duke’s openness and collaborative culture span across its academic disciplines, making Duke the best place for me to grow both as an engineer and as a social advocate.

This prompt calls for a complex answer. Students must explain both why they want to study engineering and why Duke is the best place for them to study engineering.

This student begins with a nice hook—a simple anecdote about a simple present with profound consequences. They do not fluff up their anecdote with flowery images or emotionally-loaded language; it is what it is, and it is compelling and sweet. As their response continues, they express a particular interest in problem-solving. They position problem-solving as a fundamental part of their interest in engineering (and a fundamental part of their fascination with their childhood toy). This helps readers to learn about the student!

Problem-solving is also the avenue by which they introduce Duke’s resources—DUhatch, The Foundry, and Duke’s Bass Connections program. It is important to notice that the student explains how these resources can help them achieve their future goals—it is not enough to simply identify the resources!

This response is interesting and focused. It clearly answers the prompt, and it feels honest and authentic.

Why Georgia Tech CompSci

Prompt: Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (300 words max)

I held my breath and hit RUN. Yes! A plump white cat jumped out and began to catch the falling pizzas. Although my Fat Cat project seems simple now, it was the beginning of an enthusiastic passion for computer science. Four years and thousands of hours of programming later, that passion has grown into an intense desire to explore how computer science can serve society. Every day, surrounded by technology that can recognize my face and recommend scarily-specific ads, I’m reminded of Uncle Ben’s advice to a young Spiderman: “with great power comes great responsibility”. Likewise, the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed with AI’s far-reaching presence in society; and I believe that digital fairness starts with equality in education.

The unique use of threads at the College of Computing perfectly matches my interests in AI and its potential use in education; the path of combined threads on Intelligence and People gives me the rare opportunity to delve deep into both areas. I’m particularly intrigued by the rich sets of both knowledge-based and data-driven intelligence courses, as I believe AI should not only show correlation of events, but also provide insight for why they occur.

In my four years as an enthusiastic online English tutor, I’ve worked hard to help students overcome both financial and technological obstacles in hopes of bringing quality education to people from diverse backgrounds. For this reason, I’m extremely excited by the many courses in the People thread that focus on education and human-centered technology. I’d love to explore how to integrate AI technology into the teaching process to make education more available, affordable, and effective for people everywhere. And with the innumerable opportunities that Georgia Tech has to offer, I know that I will be able to go further here than anywhere else.

With a “Why This Major” essay, you want to avoid using all of your words to tell a story. That being said, stories are a great way to show your personality and make your essay stand out. This student’s story takes up only their first 21 words, but it positions the student as fun and funny and provides an endearing image of cats and pizzas—who doesn’t love cats and pizzas? There are other moments when the student’s personality shines through also, like the Spiderman reference.

While this pop culture reference adds color, it also is important for what the student is getting at: their passion. They want to go into computer science to address the issues of security and equity that are on the industry’s mind, and they acknowledge these concerns with their comments about “scarily-specific ads” and their statement that “the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed.” This student is self-aware and aware of the state of the industry. This aptitude will be appealing for admissions officers.

The conversation around “threads” is essential for this student’s response because the prompt asks specifically about the major at Georgia Tech and it is the only thing they reference that is specific to Georgia Tech. Threads are great, but this student would have benefitted from expanding on other opportunities specific to Georgia Tech later in the essay, instead of simply inserting “innumerable opportunities.”

Overall, this student shows personality, passion, and aptitude—precisely what admissions officers want to see!

Extracurricular Essay

You’re asked to describe your activities on the Common App, but chances are, you have at least one extracurricular that’s impacted you in a way you can’t explain in 150 characters.

This essay archetype allows you to share how your most important activity shaped you and how you might use those lessons learned in the future. You are definitely welcome to share anecdotes and use a narrative approach, but remember to include some reflection. A common mistake students make is to only describe the activity without sharing how it impacted them.

Learn more about how to write the Extracurricular Essay in our guide.

A Dedicated Musician

My fingers raced across the keys, rapidly striking one after another. My body swayed with the music as my hands raced across the piano. Crashing onto the final chord, it was over as quickly as it had begun. My shoulders relaxed and I couldn’t help but break into a satisfied grin. I had just played the Moonlight Sonata’s third movement, a longtime dream of mine. 

Four short months ago, though, I had considered it impossible. The piece’s tempo was impossibly fast, its notes stretching between each end of the piano, forcing me to reach farther than I had ever dared. It was 17 pages of the most fragile and intricate melodies I had ever encountered. 

But that summer, I found myself ready to take on the challenge. With the end of the school year, I was released from my commitment to practicing for band and solo performances. I was now free to determine my own musical path: either succeed in learning the piece, or let it defeat me for the third summer in a row. 

Over those few months, I spent countless hours practicing the same notes until they burned a permanent place in my memory, creating a soundtrack for even my dreams. Some would say I’ve mastered the piece, but as a musician I know better. Now that I can play it, I am eager to take the next step and add in layers of musicality and expression to make the once-impossible piece even more beautiful.

In this response, the student uses their extracurricular, piano, as a way to emphasize their positive qualities. At the beginning, readers are invited on a journey with the student where we feel their struggle, their intensity, and ultimately their satisfaction. With this descriptive image, we form a valuable connection with the student.

Then, we get to learn about what makes this student special: their dedication and work ethic. The fact that this student describes their desire to be productive during the summer shows an intensity that is appealing to admissions officers. Additionally, the growth mindset that this student emphasizes in their conclusion is appealing to admissions officers.

The Extracurricular Essay can be seen as an opportunity to characterize yourself. This student clearly identified their positive qualities, then used the Extracurricular Essay as a way to articulate them.

A Complicated Relationship with the School Newspaper

My school’s newspaper and I have a typical love-hate relationship; some days I want nothing more than to pass two hours writing and formatting articles, while on others the mere thought of student journalism makes me shiver. Still, as we’re entering our fourth year together, you could consider us relatively stable. We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences; at this point I’ve become comfortable spending an entire Friday night preparing for an upcoming issue, and I hardly even notice the snail-like speed of our computers. I’ve even benefitted from the polygamous nature of our relationship—with twelve other editors, there’s a lot of cooperation involved. Perverse as it may be, from that teamwork I’ve both gained some of my closest friends and improved my organizational and time-management skills. And though leaving it in the hands of new editors next year will be difficult, I know our time together has only better prepared me for future relationships.

This response is great. It’s cute and endearing and, importantly, tells readers a lot about the student who wrote it. Framing this essay in the context of a “love-hate relationship,” then supplementing with comments like “We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences” allows this student to advertise their maturity in a unique and engaging way. 

While Extracurricular Essays can be a place to show how you’ve grown within an activity, they can also be a place to show how you’ve grown through an activity. At the end of this essay, readers think that this student is mature and enjoyable, and we think that their experience with the school newspaper helped make them that way.

Participating in Democracy

Prompt: Research shows that an ability to learn from experiences outside the classroom correlates with success in college. What was your greatest learning experience over the past 4 years that took place outside of the traditional classroom? (250 words) 

The cool, white halls of the Rayburn House office building contrasted with the bustling energy of interns entertaining tourists, staffers rushing to cover committee meetings, and my fellow conference attendees separating to meet with our respective congresspeople. Through civics and US history classes, I had learned about our government, but simply hearing the legislative process outlined didn’t prepare me to navigate it. It was my first political conference, and, after learning about congressional mechanics during breakout sessions, I was lobbying my representative about an upcoming vote crucial to the US-Middle East relationship. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents.

As I sat down with my congresswoman’s chief of staff, I truly felt like a participant in democracy; I was exercising my right to be heard as a young American. Through this educational conference, I developed a plan of action to raise my voice. When I returned home, I signed up to volunteer with the state chapter of the Democratic Party. I sponsored letter-writing campaigns, canvassed for local elections, and even pursued an internship with a state senate campaign. I know that I don’t need to be old enough to vote to effect change. Most importantly, I also know that I want to study government—I want to make a difference for my communities in the United States and the Middle East throughout my career. 

While this prompt is about extracurricular activities, it specifically references the idea that the extracurricular should support the curricular. It is focused on experiential learning for future career success. This student wants to study government, so they chose to describe an experience of hands-on learning within their field—an apt choice!

As this student discusses their extracurricular experience, they also clue readers into their future goals—they want to help Middle Eastern communities. Admissions officers love when students mention concrete plans with a solid foundation. Here, the foundation comes from this student’s ethnicity. With lines like “my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents,” the student assures admissions officers of their emotional connection to their future field.

The strength of this essay comes from its connections. It connects the student’s extracurricular activity to their studies and connects theirs studies to their personal history.

Overcoming Challenges

You’re going to face a lot of setbacks in college, so admissions officers want to make you’re you have the resilience and resolve to overcome them. This essay is your chance to be vulnerable and connect to admissions officers on an emotional level.

Learn more about how to write the Overcoming Challenges Essay in our guide.

The Student Becomes the Master

”Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one. 

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we competed with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

This essay is great because it has a strong introduction and conclusion. The introduction is notably suspenseful and draws readers into the story. Because we know it is a college essay, we can assume that the student is one of the competitors, but at the same time, this introduction feels intentionally ambiguous as if the writer could be a competitor, a coach, a sibling of a competitor, or anyone else in the situation.

As we continue reading the essay, we learn that the writer is, in fact, the competitor. Readers also learn a lot about the student’s values as we hear their thoughts: “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was.” Ultimately, the conflict and inner and outer turmoil is resolved through the “Same, but Different” ending technique as the student places themself in the same environment that we saw in the intro, but experiencing it differently due to their actions throughout the narrative. This is a very compelling strategy!

Growing Sensitivity to Struggles

Prompt: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (650 words)

“You ruined my life!” After months of quiet anger, my brother finally confronted me. To my shame, I had been appallingly ignorant of his pain.

Despite being twins, Max and I are profoundly different. Having intellectual interests from a young age that, well, interested very few of my peers, I often felt out of step in comparison with my highly-social brother. Everything appeared to come effortlessly for Max and, while we share an extremely tight bond, his frequent time away with friends left me feeling more and more alone as we grew older.

When my parents learned about The Green Academy, we hoped it would be an opportunity for me to find not only an academically challenging environment, but also – perhaps more importantly – a community. This meant transferring the family from Drumfield to Kingston. And while there was concern about Max, we all believed that given his sociable nature, moving would be far less impactful on him than staying put might be on me.

As it turned out, Green Academy was everything I’d hoped for. I was ecstatic to discover a group of students with whom I shared interests and could truly engage. Preoccupied with new friends and a rigorous course load, I failed to notice that the tables had turned. Max, lost in the fray and grappling with how to make connections in his enormous new high school, had become withdrawn and lonely. It took me until Christmas time – and a massive argument – to recognize how difficult the transition had been for my brother, let alone that he blamed me for it.

Through my own journey of searching for academic peers, in addition to coming out as gay when I was 12, I had developed deep empathy for those who had trouble fitting in. It was a pain I knew well and could easily relate to. Yet after Max’s outburst, my first response was to protest that our parents – not I – had chosen to move us here. In my heart, though, I knew that regardless of who had made the decision, we ended up in Kingston for my benefit. I was ashamed that, while I saw myself as genuinely compassionate, I had been oblivious to the heartache of the person closest to me. I could no longer ignore it – and I didn’t want to.

We stayed up half the night talking, and the conversation took an unexpected turn. Max opened up and shared that it wasn’t just about the move. He told me how challenging school had always been for him, due to his dyslexia, and that the ever-present comparison to me had only deepened his pain.

We had been in parallel battles the whole time and, yet, I only saw that Max was in distress once he experienced problems with which I directly identified. I’d long thought Max had it so easy – all because he had friends. The truth was, he didn’t need to experience my personal brand of sorrow in order for me to relate – he had felt plenty of his own.

My failure to recognize Max’s suffering brought home for me the profound universality and diversity of personal struggle; everyone has insecurities, everyone has woes, and everyone – most certainly – has pain. I am acutely grateful for the conversations he and I shared around all of this, because I believe our relationship has been fundamentally strengthened by a deeper understanding of one another. Further, this experience has reinforced the value of constantly striving for deeper sensitivity to the hidden struggles of those around me. I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story.

Here you can find a prime example that you don’t have to have fabulous imagery or flowery prose to write a successful essay. You just have to be clear and say something that matters. This essay is simple and beautiful. It almost feels like having a conversation with a friend and learning that they are an even better person than you already thought they were.

Through this narrative, readers learn a lot about the writer—where they’re from, what their family life is like, what their challenges were as a kid, and even their sexuality. We also learn a lot about their values—notably, the value they place on awareness, improvement, and consideration of others. Though they never explicitly state it (which is great because it is still crystal clear!), this student’s ending of “I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story” shows that they are constantly striving for improvement and finding lessons anywhere they can get them in life.

Community Service/Impact on the Community

Colleges want students who will positively impact the campus community and go on to make change in the world after they graduate. This essay is similar to the Extracurricular Essay, but you need to focus on a situation where you impacted others. 

Learn more about how to write the Community Service Essay in our guide.

Academic Signing Day

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

The scent of eucalyptus caressed my nose in a gentle breeze. Spring had arrived. Senior class activities were here. As a sophomore, I noticed a difference between athletic and academic seniors at my high school; one received recognition while the other received silence. I wanted to create an event celebrating students academically-committed to four-years, community colleges, trades schools, and military programs. This event was Academic Signing Day.

The leadership label, “Events Coordinator,” felt heavy on my introverted mind. I usually was setting up for rallies and spirit weeks, being overlooked around the exuberant nature of my peers. 

I knew a change of mind was needed; I designed flyers, painted posters, presented powerpoints, created student-led committees, and practiced countless hours for my introductory speech. Each committee would play a vital role on event day: one dedicated to refreshments, another to technology, and one for decorations. The fourth-month planning was a laborious joy, but I was still fearful of being in the spotlight. Being acknowledged by hundreds of people was new to me.     

The day was here. Parents filled the stands of the multi-purpose room. The atmosphere was tense; I could feel the angst building in my throat, worried about the impression I would leave. Applause followed each of the 400 students as they walked to their college table, indicating my time to speak. 

I walked up to the stand, hands clammy, expression tranquil, my words echoing to the audience. I thought my speech would be met by the sounds of crickets; instead, smiles lit up the stands, realizing my voice shone through my actions. I was finally coming out of my shell. The floor was met by confetti as I was met by the sincerity of staff, students, and parents, solidifying the event for years to come. 

Academic students were no longer overshadowed. Their accomplishments were equally recognized to their athletic counterparts. The school culture of athletics over academics was no longer imbalanced. Now, every time I smell eucalyptus, it is a friendly reminder that on Academic Signing Day, not only were academic students in the spotlight but so was my voice.

This essay answers the prompt nicely because the student describes a contribution with a lasting legacy. Academic Signing Day will affect this high school in the future and it affected this student’s self-development—an idea summed up nicely with their last phrase “not only were academic students in the spotlight but so was my voice.”

With Community Service essays, students sometimes take small contributions and stretch them. And, oftentimes, the stretch is very obvious. Here, the student shows us that Academic Signing Day actually mattered by mentioning four months of planning and hundreds of students and parents. They also make their involvement in Academic Signing Day clear—it was their idea and they were in charge, and that’s why they gave the introductory speech.

Use this response as an example of the type of focused contribution that makes for a convincing Community Service Essay.

Climate Change Rally

Prompt: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (technically not community service, but the response works)

Let’s fast-forward time. Strides were made toward racial equality. Healthcare is accessible to all; however, one issue remains. Our aquatic ecosystems are parched with dead coral from ocean acidification. Climate change has prevailed.

Rewind to the present day.

My activism skills are how I express my concerns for the environment. Whether I play on sandy beaches or rest under forest treetops, nature offers me an escape from the haste of the world. When my body is met by trash in the ocean or my nose is met by harmful pollutants, Earth’s pain becomes my own. 

Substituting coffee grinds as fertilizer, using bamboo straws, starting my sustainable garden, my individual actions needed to reach a larger scale. I often found performative activism to be ineffective when communicating climate concerns. My days of reposting awareness graphics on social media never filled the ambition I had left to put my activism skills to greater use. I decided to share my ecocentric worldview with a coalition of environmentalists and host a climate change rally outside my high school.

Meetings were scheduled where I informed students about the unseen impact they have on the oceans and local habitual communities. My fingers were cramped from all the constant typing and investigating of micro causes of the Pacific Waste Patch, creating reusable flyers, displaying steps people could take from home in reducing their carbon footprint. I aided my fellow environmentalists in translating these flyers into other languages, repeating this process hourly, for five days, up until rally day.  

It was 7:00 AM. The faces of 100 students were shouting, “The climate is changing, why can’t we?” I proudly walked on the dewy grass, grabbing the microphone, repeating those same words. The rally not only taught me efficient methods of communication but it echoed my environmental activism to the masses. The City of Corona would be the first of many cities to see my activism, as more rallies were planned for various parts of SoCal. My once unfulfilled ambition was fueled by my tangible activism, understanding that it takes more than one person to make an environmental impact.

Like with the last example, this student describes a focused event with a lasting legacy. That’s a perfect place to start! By the end of this essay, we have an image of the cause of this student’s passion and the effect of this student’s passion. There are no unanswered questions.

This student supplements their focused topic with engaging and exciting writing to make for an easy-to-read and enjoyable essay. One of the largest strengths of this response is its pace. From the very beginning, we are invited to “fast-forward” and “rewind” with the writer. Then, after we center ourselves in real-time, this writer keeps their quick pace with sentences like “Substituting coffee grounds as fertilizer, using bamboo straws, starting my sustainable garden, my individual actions needed to reach a larger scale.” Community Service essays run the risk of turning boring, but this unique pacing keeps things interesting.

Having a diverse class provides a richness of different perspectives and encourages open-mindedness among the student body. The Diversity Essay is also somewhat similar to the Extracurricular and Community Service Essays, but it focuses more on what you might bring to the campus community because of your unique experiences or identities.

Learn more about how to write the Diversity Essay in our guide.

A Story of a Young Skater

​​“Everyone follow me!” I smiled at five wide-eyed skaters before pushing off into a spiral. I glanced behind me hopefully, only to see my students standing frozen like statues, the fear in their eyes as clear as the ice they swayed on. “Come on!” I said encouragingly, but the only response I elicited was the slow shake of their heads. My first day as a Learn-to-Skate coach was not going as planned. 

But amid my frustration, I was struck by how much my students reminded me of myself as a young skater. At seven, I had been fascinated by Olympic performers who executed thrilling high jumps and dizzying spins with apparent ease, and I dreamed to one day do the same. My first few months on skates, however, sent these hopes crashing down: my attempts at slaloms and toe-loops were shadowed by a stubborn fear of falling, which even the helmet, elbow pads, and two pairs of mittens I had armed myself with couldn’t mitigate. Nonetheless, my coach remained unfailingly optimistic, motivating me through my worst spills and teaching me to find opportunities in failures. With his encouragement, I learned to push aside my fears and attack each jump with calm and confidence; it’s the hope that I can help others do the same that now inspires me to coach.

I remember the day a frustrated staff member directed Oliver, a particularly hesitant young skater, toward me, hoping that my patience and steady encouragement might help him improve. Having stood in Oliver’s skates not much earlier myself, I completely empathized with his worries but also saw within him the potential to overcome his fears and succeed. 

To alleviate his anxiety, I held Oliver’s hand as we inched around the rink, cheering him on at every turn. I soon found though, that this only increased his fear of gliding on his own, so I changed my approach, making lessons as exciting as possible in hopes that he would catch the skating bug and take off. In the weeks that followed, we held relay races, played “freeze-skate” and “ice-potato”, and raced through obstacle courses; gradually, with each slip and subsequent success, his fear began to abate. I watched Oliver’s eyes widen in excitement with every skill he learned, and not long after, he earned his first skating badge. Together we celebrated this milestone, his ecstasy fueling my excitement and his pride mirroring my own. At that moment, I was both teacher and student, his progress instilling in me the importance of patience and a positive attitude. 

It’s been more than ten years since I bundled up and stepped onto the ice for the first time. Since then, my tolerance for the cold has remained stubbornly low, but the rest of me has certainly changed. In sharing my passion for skating, I have found a wonderful community of eager athletes, loving parents, and dedicated coaches from whom I have learned invaluable lessons and wisdom. My fellow staffers have been with me, both as friends and colleagues, and the relationships I’ve formed have given me far more poise, confidence, and appreciation for others. Likewise, my relationships with parents have given me an even greater gratitude for the role they play: no one goes to the rink without a parent behind the wheel! 

Since that first lesson, I have mentored dozens of children, and over the years, witnessed tentative steps transform into powerful glides and tears give way to delighted grins. What I have shared with my students has been among the greatest joys of my life, something I will cherish forever. It’s funny: when I began skating, what pushed me through the early morning practices was the prospect of winning an Olympic medal. Now, what excites me is the chance to work with my students, to help them grow, and to give back to the sport that has brought me so much happiness. 

This response is a great example of how Diversity doesn’t have to mean race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, or ability. Diversity can mean whatever you want it to mean—whatever unique experience(s) you have to bring to the table!

A major strength of this essay comes in its narrative organization. When reading this first paragraph, we feel for the young skaters and understand their fear—skating sounds scary! Then, because the writer sets us up to feel this empathy, the transition to the second paragraph where the student describes their empathy for the young skaters is particularly powerful. It’s like we are all in it together! The student’s empathy for the young skaters also serves as an outstanding, seamless transition to the applicant discussing their personal journey with skating: “I was struck by how much my students reminded me of myself as a young skater.”

This essay positions the applicant as a grounded and caring individual. They are caring towards the young skaters—changing their teaching style to try to help the young skaters and feeling the young skaters’ emotions with them—but they are also appreciative to those who helped them as they reference their fellow staffers and parents. This shows great maturity—a favorable quality in the eyes of an admissions officer.

At the end of the essay, we know a lot about this student and are convinced that they would be a good addition to a college campus!

Finding Community in the Rainforest

Prompt: Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had to help us understand you better—perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background—we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke (250 words).

I never understood the power of community until I left home to join seven strangers in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Although we flew in from distant corners of the U.S., we shared a common purpose: immersing ourselves in our passion for protecting the natural world.

Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns. My classmates debated the feasibility of Trump’s wall, not the deteriorating state of our planet. Contrastingly, these seven strangers delighted in bird-watching, brightened at the mention of medicinal tree sap, and understood why I once ran across a four-lane highway to retrieve discarded beer cans. Their histories barely resembled mine, yet our values aligned intimately. We did not hesitate to joke about bullet ants, gush about the versatility of tree bark, or discuss the destructive consequences of materialism. Together, we let our inner tree huggers run free.

In the short life of our little community, we did what we thought was impossible. By feeding on each other’s infectious tenacity, we cultivated an atmosphere that deepened our commitment to our values and empowered us to speak out on behalf of the environment. After a week of stimulating conversations and introspective revelations about engaging people from our hometowns in environmental advocacy, we developed a shared determination to devote our lives to this cause.

As we shared a goodbye hug, my new friend whispered, “The world needs saving. Someone’s gotta do it.” For the first time, I believed that someone could be me.

This response is so wholesome and relatable. We all have things that we just need to geek out over and this student expresses the joy that came when they found a community where they could geek out about the environment. Passion is fundamental to university life and should find its way into successful applications.

Like the last response, this essay finds strength in the fact that readers feel for the student. We get a little bit of backstory about where they come from and how they felt silenced—“Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns”—, so it’s easy to feel joy for them when they get set free.

This student displays clear values: community, ecoconsciousness, dedication, and compassion. An admissions officer who reads Diversity essays is looking for students with strong values and a desire to contribute to a university community—sounds like this student!  

Political/Global Issues

Colleges want to build engaged citizens, and the Political/Global Issues Essay allows them to better understand what you care about and whether your values align with theirs. In this essay, you’re most commonly asked to describe an issue, why you care about it, and what you’ve done or hope to do to address it. 

Learn more about how to write the Political/Global Issues Essay in our guide.

Note: this prompt is not a typical political/global issues essay, but the essay itself would be a strong response to a political/global issues prompt.

Fighting Violence Against Women

Prompt: Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of your essay. (250-650 words)

“One of the great challenges of our time is that the disparities we face today have more complex causes and point less straightforwardly to solutions.” 

– Omar Wasow, assistant professor of politics, Princeton University. This quote is taken from Professor Wasow’s January 2014 speech at the Martin Luther King Day celebration at Princeton University. 

The air is crisp and cool, nipping at my ears as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky, starless. It is a Friday night in downtown Corpus Christi, a rare moment of peace in my home city filled with the laughter of strangers and colorful lights of street vendors. But I cannot focus. 

My feet stride quickly down the sidewalk, my hand grasps on to the pepper spray my parents gifted me for my sixteenth birthday. My eyes ignore the surrounding city life, focusing instead on a pair of tall figures walking in my direction. I mentally ask myself if they turned with me on the last street corner. I do not remember, so I pick up the pace again. All the while, my mind runs over stories of young women being assaulted, kidnapped, and raped on the street. I remember my mother’s voice reminding me to keep my chin up, back straight, eyes and ears alert. 

At a young age, I learned that harassment is a part of daily life for women. I fell victim to period-shaming when I was thirteen, received my first catcall when I was fourteen, and was nonconsensually grabbed by a man soliciting on the street when I was fifteen. For women, assault does not just happen to us— its gory details leave an imprint in our lives, infecting the way we perceive the world. And while movements such as the Women’s March and #MeToo have given victims of sexual violence a voice, harassment still manifests itself in the lives of millions of women across the nation. Symbolic gestures are important in spreading awareness but, upon learning that a surprising number of men are oblivious to the frequent harassment that women experience, I now realize that addressing this complex issue requires a deeper level of activism within our local communities. 

Frustrated with incessant cases of harassment against women, I understood at sixteen years old that change necessitates action. During my junior year, I became an intern with a judge whose campaign for office focused on a need for domestic violence reform. This experience enabled me to engage in constructive dialogue with middle and high school students on how to prevent domestic violence. As I listened to young men uneasily admit their ignorance and young women bravely share their experiences in an effort to spread awareness, I learned that breaking down systems of inequity requires changing an entire culture. I once believed that the problem of harassment would dissipate after politicians and celebrities denounce inappropriate behavior to their global audience. But today, I see that effecting large-scale change comes from the “small” lessons we teach at home and in schools. Concerning women’s empowerment, the effects of Hollywood activism do not trickle down enough. Activism must also trickle up and it depends on our willingness to fight complacency. 

Finding the solution to the long-lasting problem of violence against women is a work-in-progress, but it is a process that is persistently moving. In my life, for every uncomfortable conversation that I bridge, I make the world a bit more sensitive to the unspoken struggle that it is to be a woman. I am no longer passively waiting for others to let me live in a world where I can stand alone under the expanse of darkness on a city street, utterly alone and at peace. I, too, deserve the night sky.

As this student addresses an important social issue, she makes the reasons for her passion clear—personal experiences. Because she begins with an extended anecdote, readers are able to feel connected to the student and become invested in what she has to say.

Additionally, through her powerful ending—“I, too, deserve the night sky”—which connects back to her beginning— “as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky”—this student illustrates a mastery of language. Her engagement with other writing techniques that further her argument, like the emphasis on time—“gifted to me for my sixteenth birthday,” “when I was thirteen,” “when I was fourteen,” etc.—also illustrates her mastery of language.

While this student proves herself a good writer, she also positions herself as motivated and ambitious. She turns her passions into action and fights for them. That is just what admissions officers want to see in a Political/Global issues essay!

Where to Get Feedback on Your College Essays

Once you’ve written your college essays, you’ll want to get feedback on them. Since these essays are important to your chances of acceptance, you should prepare to go through several rounds of edits. 

Not sure who to ask for feedback? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review resource. You can get comments from another student going through the process and also edit other students’ essays to improve your own writing. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in 2020-21

Learn About the Maximum Word Count for Your Personal Statement

• Essay Samples & Tips
• College Admissions Process
• College Profiles
• College Rankings
• Choosing A College
• Application Tips
• Testing Graphs
• College Financial Aid
• Advanced Placement
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Students applying to colleges that use the Common Application will typically need to respond to one of seven essay prompts . For the 2020-21 application cycle, the length limit for the essay is 650 words. That limit includes the essay title, notes, and any other text that you include in the essay text box.

Fast Facts: The Common Application Length Requirements

• Your essay needs to be between 250 and 650 words long.
• You can't go over the limit—the online form will cut you off at 650 words.
• The length includes the title, notes, and any other text you include in the online form.
• Use your 650 words to tell a focused story and help the admissions folks get to know you.

History of the Common Application Length Limit

For years the Common Application had no length limit, and applicants and counselors frequently debated whether a tight 450-word essay was a wiser approach than a detailed 900-word piece. In 2011, that decision was taken away as the Common Application moved to a relatively short 500-word limit. With the August 2013 release of CA4 (the current version of the Common Application), the guidelines changed once again. CA4 set the limit at 650 words with a minimum of 250 words. And unlike earlier versions of the Common Application, the length limit is now enforced by the application form. No longer can applicants attach an essay that goes over the limit. Instead, applicants will need to enter the essay into a text box that counts words and prevents entering anything beyond 650 words.

What Can You ​Accomplish in 650 Words?

Even if you take advantage of the full length available to you, keep in mind that 650 words is not a long essay. It's roughly the equivalent of a two-page, double-spaced essay. It's about the same length as this article on essay length. Most essays tend to be between three and eight paragraphs depending on the applicant's writing style and essay strategy (essays with dialogue, of course, might have far more paragraphs).

As you plan your essay, you definitely want to keep the length requirement in mind. Many applicants attempt to do too much with their essays and then struggle to edit them down to 650 words. Realize the purpose of the personal statement is not to tell your life story or to give an exhaustive overview of all of your accomplishments. Let your list of extracurricular activities, academic record, letters of recommendation, and supplemental essays and materials show your range of accomplishments. The personal statement is not the place for long lists or catalogs of achievement.

To write an engaging and effective 650 word or shorter essay, you need to have a sharp focus. Narrate a single event, or illuminate a single passion or talent. Whichever essay prompt you choose, make sure you zero in on a specific example that you narrate in an engaging and thoughtful way. Allow enough space for self reflection so that whatever your topic is you spend at least some time talking about its significance to you.

Again, use the essay to narrate an engaging story. Make sure it highlights something you care about deeply, and be sure to provide a window into your interests or personality that isn't already obvious from the rest of your application.

A Final Word About Essay Length

With the primary Common Application essay, you will need to come in at 650 words or fewer. However, you will find that most supplemental essays on the Common Application have different length guidelines, and colleges that don't use the Common Application will have differing length requirements. No matter what the circumstances, make sure you follow the guidelines. If an essay should be 350 words, don't write 370. Learn more about some of the issues related to essay length in this article:  College Application Essay Length Limits .

Finally, keep in mind that what you say and how you say it is far more important than whether you have 550 words or 650 words. Be sure to attend to your essay's style , and in most cases you're going to want to avoid these ten bad essay topics . If you've said all you have to say in 500 words, don't try to pad your essay to make it longer. Regardless of length, and even if yours is a transfer essay , the best writing will tell a compelling story, provide insight to your character and interests, and are written with crisp and engaging prose.

• Ideal College Application Essay Length
• How Long Should Your Common Application Short Answer Essay Be?
• Topic of Your Choice: Common Application Essay Tips
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• Common Application Essay, Option 1: Share Your Story
• "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• "Gym Class Hero" - a Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3
• "Grandpa's Rubik's Cube"—Sample Common Application Essay, Option #4
• How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements
• Should an Application Essay Be Single-Spaced or Double-Spaced?
• Sample College Admissions Essay - Student Teacher
• Common Application Essay Option 2 Tips: Learning from Failure
• "My Dads" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• Common Application Essay on a Meaningful Place
• Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time
• Tips for Writing an Essay on an Event That Led to Personal Growth