university of north texas application essay prompts

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Application

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Please be sure you have reviewed all of the program information found on this website .

The deadline to submit your application is April 26, 2024. Offer letters will go out at different times throughout March, April, and May - be sure to check your UNT email!

• It is important to note that offers are sent in the order that applications are received, and the program has a limited seat number so the sooner you apply the better. If the program fills, we will maintain a waitlist that will also be managed in the order applications are received. 

If you are ready to apply, be sure you: 

• Have been admitted to the Fall 2024 semester.  You'll need your student ID number to complete the application.
• Are you available to begin summer classes during the summer II session? This means you will be required to live on campus for the duration of the program and cannot hold a job . No exceptions to these rules will be made.

The application DOES NOT save your progress and must be completed and submitted in one sitting. You'll need to set aside at least 30 minutes to complete the application, which includes an essay portion.  

The short answer/essay portion asks you to consider the following prompts: 

Consider your goals for participating in Early Start.  What do you expect to gain from the Early Start summer bridge experience? (500 character maximum) 

We know that students come from high school with many skills.  Thinking about your strengths, what do you anticipate contributing to the Early Start program and participants? (500 character maximum) 

While we aren't looking for lengthy essays, we do expect a thorough response!  You might consider typing your responses in a word document first, for example, and then copying and pasting into the application when you're ready.   

Once you have reviewed the content on our website and understand the expectations outlined above click the following link Click Here to complete the application.

University of North Texas

Established in 1890, UNT is one of the nation’s largest public research universities, with 38,000 students. Ranked a Tier One research university by the Carnegie Classification, UNT is a catalyst for creativity, fueling progress, innovation and entrepreneurship for the North Texas region, the state and beyond. Our 200+ programs are internationally recognized with research and scholarship spanning all disciplines. The University of North Texas is a place where students can explore their passions, find their place and achieve their dreams. UNT helps students achieve their goals of becoming teachers, artists, engineers and much more. We're committed to offering outstanding value. We've been named one of America's Best College Buys for 23 consecutive years and The Princeton Review annually names us a Best in the West university.

Academic programs.

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Performing Arts
• Social Science
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Co-op/Internship Opportunities
• Disability Services
• Distance/online learning
• Intramural/Club Sports
• LGBTQIA Services
• Military/Veteran Services
• Night Class Offerings
• On-Campus Housing
• ROTC Program
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

Students applying for admission to UNT for the first time and who have not earned college credit after high school graduation should apply as freshmen. Complete the Common Application and pay the application fee before the priority date. Submit official transcripts from all high schools attended. For more detailed information and priority dates, visit our website at: https://admissions.unt.edu/freshman/how-to-apply

Students applying for admission to UNT for the first time, who have earned college credits from another higher education institution after high school and have not earned a four-year degree should apply as transfer students. Complete the Common Application and pay the application fee before the priority date. Submit official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities. Students with fewer than 15 college hours must also submit freshman requirements. For additional information and priority dates, visit our website at: https://admissions.unt.edu/transfer/how-to-apply

Additional Information

We offer several ways to experience campus during your visit. These include walking tours, hybrid walking and tram tours, transfer tours, and academic tours. Most tours last about 90 minutes and include quite a bit of walking. Please check our tour calendar to find out what is available on the day you’re hoping to visit. Regardless of the tour type you choose, wear comfortable shoes and check the weather before heading to campus. For access to our tour calendar and additional information, visit our website at: https://tours.unt.edu/

Admissions office

1155 Union Circle, Box 311277 Denton , TX 76203 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

(940) 565-2681

For first-year students

Admissions website.

admissions.unt.edu/freshman

Financial aid website

financialaid.unt.edu/

For transfer students

View more in this region

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It’s best to apply for college between July and December of your senior year. If you apply as early as possible, more scholarships, options for orientation dates and housing preferences will be available to you.

For information in Spanish, please visit the  Applying to College en Español  page.

How do I apply?

Here’s the application process for most universities:

• Learn the admission requirements for the schools you’d like to attend. Admission requirement vary by university or college.
• Submit your application for admission at Apply Texas or via the Common Application .
• Submit official transcripts.
• Supply your class rank.
• Send entrance exam scores (SAT 0r ACT) if you have them. They may not be required.
• Pay the application fee.
• Check if the schools also require an essay, interview or references.
• Fill out your application completely and have someone check your work.
• Submit your application by the priority dates listed for that university.
• Ask your high school counselor or reach out to the college admissions office via phone, email or even on social media with any questions.

At UNT, we encourage students to submit their application by March 1 for the fall semester. After this date, applications are still accepted but are subject to a late fee. Learn more about the UNT admissions requirements and our admissions process today .

College entrance exams

Some universities require college entrance exams and, for some, placement tests as part of the college application. The SAT and ACT are the most common entrance exams.

• The SAT is the most widely accepted college entrance exam with evidence-based reading, writing and math questions. Learn
• The ACT is an alternative college entrance exam with English, math, reading and science reasoning questions.

However, at UNT and at many schools, these tests are optional and vary by the school’s admissions requirements.

Early College High School (ECHS)

If you choose to attend or are already attending an Early College High School, you’re able to receive both a high school diploma and an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree. As an ECHS graduate, you can apply to college with coursework credits already under your belt. Make sure to reach out to your university for specific admissions requirements for ECHS students.

Dual Enrollment

Most high schools offer dual enrollment programs or courses that allow high school students to enroll in college courses and receive credit from both the college and high school. Students who complete dual enrollment courses may take fewer classes in college due to earning transferable college credit.

Placement tests

Advanced Placement (AP) courses/exams allow you to earn college credit while you’re in high school. There are nearly 40 exams offered and AP college credit is accepted by most universities worldwide. These tests will enable you to get a jumpstart on your college course load, allowing you to finish school quicker.

The above programs are a great way to get ahead in your college career and save money on tuition. They allow you to take fewer classes to graduate and might even help you to complete your bachelor’s degree in two or three years.

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UNT Writing Center

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Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, unt application requirements & tips.

Hey there! I've been researching University of North Texas, and I want to make sure my application is strong. Does anyone know the specific application requirements for UNT and any tips on how to make my application stand out?

Hello! As a prospective University of North Texas applicant, you'll want to pay close attention to the requirements and follow some advice to make your application stand out.

Application requirements for UNT:

1. Completed ApplyTexas Application: UNT uses the ApplyTexas application system. Make sure to fill it out completely and accurately.

2. High school transcript: Request an official high school transcript be sent directly to UNT from your high school.

3. SAT/ACT scores (optional): UNT has adopted a test-optional admissions policy for 2024, allowing you to choose whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores. If you believe your scores will strengthen your application, you can send them; otherwise, you can choose not to submit them.

4. Application fee or fee waiver: There is a $75 non-refundable application fee. If you qualify, you can request a fee waiver through the ApplyTexas application.

5. Essay: Although UNT does not require an essay for admission, submitting an essay can help strengthen your application, especially if you have a lower GPA or test scores.

6. Additional documentation (if applicable): If you're applying for special programs or scholarships, you might need to submit additional documentation like recommendation letters, a resume, or writing samples.

Tips to make your application stand out:

1. Showcase your extracurricular activities: UNT will consider your involvement in activities outside of the classroom, so make sure to highlight your club memberships, volunteer work, sports participation, and other relevant activities.

2. Write a strong essay: If you choose to submit an essay, make it genuine and personal by sharing a unique perspective, experiences, or growth opportunities. Avoid overused topics, and make sure it is well-written with proper grammar and punctuation.

3. Emphasize your academic strengths: While UNT has a holistic admissions process, strong grades and a rigorous course load will always work in your favor. If you have a lower GPA, use your essay or optional short-answer prompts to explain the circumstances and demonstrate your potential for success in college.

4. Submit strong letters of recommendation (if applicable): If you need to submit recommendation letters for scholarships or specialized programs, ask teachers, counselors, or mentors who know you well and can speak to your strengths and accomplishments.

5. Demonstrate interest: Follow UNT on social media and sign up for email updates to show your interest in the university. If possible, attend virtual or in-person admissions events as well.

By ensuring that you meet all the requirements and doing your best to make your application stand out, you'll increase your chances of admission to the University of North Texas. Good luck with your application!

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.

University of North Texas (UNTHSC-TCOM)

Secondary essays, secondary essay prompts.

Essay Topics ('23 – '24) ‍

OSTEOPATHIC KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCES, AND/OR RELATIONSHIPS

Please address each topic in a separate paragraph:1) What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (2,000 character limit including spaces)

ACADEMIC HISTORY

A. If you attended more than two colleges/universities, explain why. Community colleges are not needed. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

B. If applicable, please update the information contained on your TMDSAS application. Indicate any additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, additions to your extracurricular activities, name change, or anything else you feel the Admissions Committee should know.(1,000 character limit including spaces)

ADDITIONAL EVALUATIONS (Optional)

An additional evaluation letter may be submitted directly to UNTHSC Office of Admissions by the evaluator. A letter from an osteopathic physician is highly recommended. Please indicate the name of the evaluator and whether or not they are a D.O.

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

-Did you live in a single parent household? If yes, number of years/months:

Number of Years:

Number of Months:

-Do you consider yourself financially disadvantaged?If yes, please explain. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

-Do you consider yourself educationally disadvantaged?If yes, please explain. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

OPTIONAL ESSAY

‍ One of the values of the University of North Texas System is Courageous Integrity which means one should model exceptional standards and act in the best interest of our community. These behaviors include:

- Build trust through consistent actions that are honest, transparent, and authentic

- Provide, accept, and support open and constructive feedback

- Hold yourself and others accountable for decisions, behaviors, actions, and results

Please select a specific instance where you have demonstrated Courageous Integrity and describe how this is indicative of your character (2,000 character limit)

Essay Topics ('22 – '23) ‍

1. What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (2,000 characters)

2. If you attended more than two colleges/universities, explain why. Community colleges are not needed. (1,000 characters)

3. If applicable, please update the information contained on your TMDSAS application. Indicate any additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, additions to your extracurricular activities, name change, or anything else you feel the Admissions Committee should know.(1,000 characters)

4. Did you live in a single parent household?

If yes, number of years/months:

5. Do you consider yourself financially disadvantaged?

If yes, please explain.(1,000 characters)

6. Do you consider yourself educationally disadvantaged?

If yes, please explain. (1,000 characters)

7. One of the values of the University of North Texas Health Science Center is Integrity (uphold the highest ethical standards) which can be described as someone who:

- does what is right, not just what is easy, even if no one is looking

- conducts themselves with honesty, trustworthiness and dependability

- is transparent in actions

- owns, corrects and learns from successes and failures

8. Please select a specific instance where you have demonstrated Integrity and describe how this is indicative of your character (2,000 characters).

Essay Topics ('21 – '22) ‍

1. What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (2,000 character limit including spaces)

2. If you attended more than two colleges/universities, explain why. Community colleges are not needed. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

3. If applicable, please update the information contained on your TMDSAS application. Indicate any additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, additions to your extracurricular activities, name change, or anything else you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

4. Do you consider yourself financially disadvantaged? If yes, please explain. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

5. Do you consider yourself educationally disadvantaged? If yes, please explain. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

OPTIONAL QUESTION:

1. One of the values of the University of North Texas Health Science Center is Integrity (uphold the highest ethical standards) which can be described as someone who: does what is right, not just what is easy, even if no one is looking; conducts themselves with honesty, trustworthiness and dependability; is transparent in actions; owns, corrects and learns from successes and failures. Please select a specific instance where you have demonstrated Integrity and describe how this is indicative of your character (2,000 character limit)

‍ Essay Topics (’20 – ’21) ‍

6. One of the values of the University of North Texas Health Science Center is Integrity (uphold the highest ethical standards) which can be described as someone who: does what is right, not just what is easy, even if no one is looking, conducts themselves with honesty, trustworthiness and dependability, is transparent in actions, owns, corrects and learns from successes and failures.

Please select a specific instance where you have demonstrated Integrity and describe how this is indicative of your character (2,000 character limit).

Essay Topics ('19 – '20) ‍

3.f applicable, please update the information contained on your TMDSAS application. Indicate any additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, additions to your extracurricular activities, name change, or anything else you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (1,000 character limit including spaces)

4. Do you consider yourself financially disadvantaged?

5. Do you consider yourself educationally disadvantaged?

1. Please provide an example where you may have demonstrated one of the following: Leadership over a project that involved interaction with people outside your organization, Developed a plan to work through a specific situation where your ethics or moral code was challenged, Ability to improve by developing and executing a plan to succeed in an endeavor after previously being unsuccessful

Essay Topics ('18 – '19) ‍

1. What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (1,000 character limit).

2. Please describe your most meaningful health-related experience. (1,000 character limit).

Essay Topics ('17 – '18) ‍

1. What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (1000 ch max)

2. Please describe your most meaningful health-related experience. (1000 ch max)

3. If you attended more than two colleges/universities, explain why.

4. If applicable, please update the information contained on your TMDSAS app. Indicate any additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, additions to your extracurricular activities, name change, or anything else you feel the Admissions Committee should know.

1. TCOM seeks applicants who also have exceptional skills outside of academic performance. Please provide an example where you may have demonstrated one of the following (2000 ch limit)

a. Leadership over a project that involved interaction with people outside your organization

b. Developed a plan to work through a specific situation where your ethics or moral code was challenged

c. Ability to improve by developing and executing a plan to succeed in an endeavor after previously being unsuccessful

Essay Topics ('16 – '17) ‍

1. TCOM seeks applicants who also have exceptional skills outside of academic performance. Please provide an example where you may have demonstrated one of the following:

Be sure to indicate which characteristic you would like to address at the beginning of your response (2,000 character limit).

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Requirements

Any applicant who has already earned a bachelor's degree and applies for admission to UNT Dallas must apply for admission through the Graduate School and Graduate Admission Office regardless of whether you plan to enroll in undergraduate- or graduate-level courses.

Degree Requirements

Persons holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or a comparable degree from an international institution are eligible to apply for admission to the University to graduate studies at UNT Dallas.  

University Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission to UNT Dallas, you must meet minimum admission requirements set by the Graduate School. Requirements of individual graduate programs are often more rigorous than those set by the Graduate School.  

To qualify for University admission you must  satisfy one of the admissions options  listed below:

• Option One The GPA from the highest earned degree is used for admission consideration. Applicants with an earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.40 GPA or higher qualify for university graduate admission. Proof of the baccalaureate degree is also required.
• Option Two A GPA of 2.80 (on a 4-point scale) or higher on all undergraduate work  OR  a 3.00 or better in the last 60 hours is required for the posted baccalaureate degree.
• Option Three An applicant who does not qualify for admission under Option 1 or 2 may be conditionally admitted to a program by special action if, upon the basis of acceptable evidence, the applicant is judged by the specific academic program coordinator to possess sufficient academic and professional potential pertinent to the educational objectives to merit such action.  Please contact the  Associate Director of Graduate Recruitment  for more information.

NOTE:    Every graduate program sets their own admission requirements and deadlines, and requests the submission of additional materials.   Please view or print the Academic Program Requirements and Deadlines for your chosen program.

Admissions Process

Applicants are responsible for submitting the documents required for admission. These items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Master’s Degree Requirements & Deadlines
• Post-Baccalaureate Requirements & Deadlines
• You will be assessed a non-refundable application processing fee for each program to which you apply.  You are responsible for paying this fee whether or not you are offered admission or choose to enroll.  You must pay your application fee online.  Your application will not be processed until you pay your application fee and the fee is authorized.
• Applicants must submit an official transcript from ALL colleges and universities attended.  All credentials submitted in support of the application for admission become UNT Dallas property and will not be returned to students, nor will UNT Dallas release copies of such credentials to a third party.
• SpanTran is our recommended international transcript evaluation service. They have created a custom application for the University of North Texas Dallas that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application SpanTran Application - University of North Texas Dallas
• Scores from national standardized graduate admissions tests are considered official only when they are send directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the testing agency.  Each degree program has specific requirements, and applicants should consult with the appropriate department for admission testing requirements.
• Identify and contact references who will provide a strong letter of recommendation for you.  Applicants should check the  Master’s Degree Requirements & Deadlines for the exact number of letters required.  Recommenders should be the applicant's current or former professors or other individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic talents, work ethic, and intellectual strengths.  The  Graduate School General Application will ask applicants to provide their reference's names and email addresses.  The references will then be contacted via email with instructions on how to electronically submit a letter of recommendation. This process begins once the applicant submits the Graduate School General Application.
• A statement of goals or personal statement (about 1-2 pages in length) is required by some programs to assess your writing ability and determine if the program suits your needs.  Some programs may require you to address certain questions or topics.
• Any other supplemental material required by the department

The Office of Graduate Admissions will begin to process the graduate or post-baccalaureate applicant's file once it is fully complete according to the program's requirements.  

When complete, the admissions file is reviewed by the Office of Graduate Admissions staff to see if the applicant satisfies one of the options above.  If the applicant satisfies one of the options above, then the application file is forwarded to the academic department for an admissions recommendation. 

Once the academic department has reviewed the file, the department makes an recommendation on admission and notifies the Office of Graduate Admissions.  If the department recommends admission and the applicant meets all graduate school academic requirements, an official letter of acceptance is mailed to the applicant through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Graduate students apply for and are accepted into specific disciplines. Students who wish to change from one discipline to another must meet all admission requirements for the new discipline.

Essays & Short Answers

• UT Austin Required Essay in the Common App, or
• Topic A in ApplyTexas
• Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Summer/Fall 2024 and Spring 2024 Essay Topic

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Submitting Your Essay

You can submit your essays:

• In conjunction with your application.
• Using the Document Upload System in MyStatus.

*Students do not need to submit other Common App essays. We’ll only review what is required,

Short Answers

• Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application.
• Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

Summer/Fall 2024 Prompts

• Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Optional Short Answer

• Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

Spring 2024 Prompts

Submitting your short answers.

You can submit your short answers with either your Common App or Apply Texas application. Short answer responses must be completed in order to submit your application.

• Transfer applicants must submit one essay responding to Topic A.
• Applicants to the School of Architecture and Studio Art, Art Education and Art History are required to upload Topic D in addition to Topic A. 

Essay Topics

Topic a (required).

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school/college or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and the other application information cannot convey.

Topic D (School of Architecture majors and Studio Art, Art Education and Art History majors only)

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, studio art, visual art studies/art education), describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

Submitting Your Essay(s)

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Freshman Admission Essays

An essay is not required for admission, but it is highly recommended. Essay topics A, B, and C below are the same topics found on the   ApplyTexas application. If you choose to submit an admission essay, select one of these topics . Essays may be submitted through your ApplyTexas or CommonApp account or by using our document uploader.

Essay Topics - ApplyTexas

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

You've got a ticket in your hand. Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Writing Essentials

To assist you with your essay, the Texas State English Department has provided the following guide to good essay writing.

Sentence and Paragraph Level

Does the essay reflect a relative mastery of usage, conventions, and vocabulary?

Do the sentences and ideas follow one another in a logical and coherent fashion?

Does the essay reflect a relative knowledge of the proper conventions of grammar? Do not simply use spell check or proofread your essay; read your essay out loud.

Do your sentences and words follow the proper conventions of punctuation and spelling?

Unified Theme or Subject

Narrow your topic to a single topic. Don't try to write a broad, general essay on how your life has changed. You can't do this in one page. 

Are your ideas specific and coherent? Choose language that reflects and relates specific ideas.

Creativity engages the reader. Don’t be afraid to take risks with your writing. Use creative examples.

Use specific examples to help make your points clear. It will make your essay solid and convincing. 

Submit Your Essay

Your essay may be submitted with your application or separately.

With Your Application

Document uploader.

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Freshman: How will I know if I'm accepted?

What to expect after applying for admission to unt and how to check your application status, when are admission decisions made.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. You will be informed of your admission status via a letter in the mail, an email, or your my.unt.edu portal once we have received and processed your complete application and all required documents.

If you do not meet our admission requirements, your Admissions Counselor will review your application materials and contact you.

How to check your admission application status

Once you have applied, you can track the status of your admission application through your personal MyUNT portal page at  my.unt.edu . If required items are missing for your application, those will be listed at MyUNT. Any updates made to your application are reflected on the MyUNT portal page. If you have applied for financial aid or scholarships, MyUNT also lets you view the status of those applications.

You will need to activate your EUID and password before you log into MyUNT.

Your EUID and PIN are emailed to you after you have paid your application fee. They will be sent to the email address you provided when you applied. If you have applied and paid the application fee, but did not receive this email, please contact the admissions office.

Step 1: Activate Your EUID Account

• Go to  ams.unt.edu
• Click on the Activate Your Account link
• Follow the instructions to set your permanent password

(Note that you will be asked to verify some personal information to ensure the privacy of your data.)

Your EUID, one-time PIN and permanent password provide access to your personal information; do not share them with anyone.

Step 2: Log In to MyUNT

Once you have activated your account and set your permanent password, you can log in to check your application status.

• Go to  my.unt.edu
• Login with your EUID and password

If you are unable to log in immediately after activating your account, please wait several hours and try again. If you still cannot log in, contact the UNT Helpdesk at 940-565-2324.

Step 3: Check Your Admission Application Status

• Once you have entered the MyUNT portal page, select the " Student Center/Register " icon in the main screen.
• When the Student Center appears you will find a section for " Admissions " (scroll to the bottom of the page) where you can check the status of your admission application.
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University of Texas at Austin 2020-21 Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

University of Texas at Austin 2020-21 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500-700 words; 3 essays of 250-300 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community , Why , Additional Info , Personal statement

All freshman applicants must submit a required essay, Topic A in ApplyTexas and the UT Austin Required Essay in the Coalition application. Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Tell us your story. what unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today (500-700 words).

Whether you’re using the Coalition or ApplyTexas to apply to UT Austin, you’ll have many opportunities to document your greatest high school achievements. So for this essay, it’s important that you focus on telling a personal story (it’s right there in the prompt!) that doesn’t appear elsewhere on your application. What opportunities and challenges were specific to your high school experience? The goal isn’t to craft a list, so aim to focus on one central story that describes either an opportunity or a challenge. When brainstorming , on the other hand, we recommend writing the longest list you can think of: two columns or a Venn diagram documenting every hurtle or special chance you got throughout high school. 

As you consider your “opportunities,” keep in mind that your reflection on the event or opportunity that shaped who you are today will be a source of great insight for admissions. Maybe being fluent in Tagalog opened up a unique opportunity for you to start an online exchange between your school and a school in the Philippines.  Or were you invited to perform with your dance group at a community event? Did this experience launch you to seek out other performance opportunities, spurring your interest in entrepreneurship? As you sift through your “challenges” route, aim to showcase qualities like resilience, perseverance, or simply an ability to turn lemons into lemonade. Perhaps the long commutes on the bus between home, school, and your internship taught you about time management or inspired an interest in urban planning. The challenges you choose to write about can be serious (dealing with bullies or discovering a learning disability) or seemingly banal (a public speaking #fail). While the possibilities are almost endless, students should be careful not to choose challenges that may seem trite (getting a B on a big project or winning lottery tickets to Hamilton). 

Regardless of the direction you choose to pursue, remember to make sure that admissions is learning something new about you through personal anecdotes and specific details. 

All applicants must submit three required short answers and may submit one optional short answer responding to prompts in your admissions application. Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words, typically the length of one paragraph. Note Special Requirements: Architecture, Art and Art History, Nursing, and Social Work require additional short answer questions of their applicants. 

Required short answer 1: , why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major.

This prompt sounds simple enough: describe what you want to study and why you like it so much that you’re willing to dedicate four years of your life to it (at the very least). While you might be tempted to get technical or poetic in your response, your reader will expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The most memorable essays spring from concrete descriptions of your experiences. What excites you and why? When was the last time you got drawn down a Reddit rabbit hole – and what was the topic? While you don’t need to pinpoint the exact moment you became interested in ancient history or calculus, try to zero in on some inspiring experience. What was the best TED Talk you ever watched? The first time you spoke to your new friend in ASL? Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. And don’t forget to talk about UT Austin! By the end of your essay, your reader should not only know why you are passionate about your chosen major, but also what excites you about Austin’s program. In admissions, we call that your fit!

Oh and a quick shoutout to all the undecideds out there: don’t worry! If you can’t decide, then tell a story that demonstrates your wide range of interests or natural curiosity. Focus on the opportunities UT Austin offers across departments and how you plan to explore once you arrive on campus. It’s normal to want to try new things at the start of college!

Required Short Answer 2:

Leadership can be demonstrated in many ways. please share how you have demonstrated leadership in either your school, job, community, and/or within your family responsibilities..

When answering this question, resist the urge to rewrite your resume. UT Austin isn’t asking you for a list! Remember: it’s your job, as an applicant, to use every essay as an opportunity to reveal something new about yourself. Admissions even gives you a runway for your brainstorming : you can talk about leading at school, your job, in the community, or within your family! Think of a moment when you were in a position where you worked really hard to help a group of friends or loved ones. Maybe you are always the one helping your younger siblings with school projects, and you struggled to find ways to attain and keep your little brother’s attention. Maybe as a volunteer you were in charge of teaching new staff the proper policies for walking dogs at the local shelter. Perhaps, during a group project at school, you organized and planned all of your meetings and drove home classmates who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to attend group sessions outside of school hours. Try to isolate a single leadership moment, and bring it to life with vivid details. Describe where you were, what was happening around you, and what you were feeling. Discuss what challenges you faced, and what you ultimately learned from the experience. Don’t shy away from challenges, or even failures, since these are exactly the kinds of character-building experiences that can demonstrate resilience and quick thinking.

Required Short Answer 3:

Please share how you believe your experiences, perspectives, and/or talents have shaped your ability to contribute to and enrich the learning environment at ut austin, both in and out of the classroom..

In short, this is an essay about diversity and the aspects of your life and experience that distinguish you from your peers. For some applicants, the answer might be obvious: you might have been the only one at your school with a certain background, belief system, or inherited skill set. But whether this prompt seems like it was made for you or just a total head-scratcher, we encourage you to dig a little deeper than your first thought. What about your history, experiences, perspectives, or talents might be worth highlighting for an admissions officer? And how can the experience, perspective, or talent you choose enrich the learning environment at UT Austin? Maybe you grew up in a military family that moved around a lot, and you want to write about how this experience has shaped your ability to make new connections super quickly. Perhaps you’ll teach your floor-mates about what makes for a great ice breaker. Maybe you were raised on a farm and developed a strong work ethic at a young age as you helped your parents tend to the fields. Perhaps you will be a natural leader in group projects and take initiative in the many clubs you’d like to join. Be sure to connect your personal story to a future vision of yourself at UT Austin. The most important thing to remember for this prompt is that your experience, perspective, or talent is dynamic and specific to you and who you are, and no one else.

Optional Short Answer:

Please share background on events or special circumstances that may have impacted your high school academic performance, including the possible effects of covid-19..

This is UT Austin’s version of the Additional Info essay, which means that unless you have something crucial to explain to admissions – and there is absolutely NOWHERE else on the application for you to write about it – you should skip this essay. Think about it: If you were an admissions officer, would you really want to read one more essay per applicant? 

That being said, this essay is perfect for students who have encountered outstanding challenges, and need an opportunity to explain them. In fact, we recommend saving those details for an Additional Info essay, so that you can use the rest of your application to highlight other parts of your amazing personality. So, if something has happened that affected your academic performance, this is a great opportunity to explain the circumstances. Did an illness during your junior year cause your participation in clubs, sports, and activities to take a hit? Did a family emergency cause an overall drop in your GPA? A drop in grades or a gap in your resume does not define you. Remember to make this essay not about the things you couldn’t control, but the actions you took to improve the situation. You don’t want to come off as a victim of circumstance, but as a resilient person who can take steps to positively affect their situation.

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